In honor of Mother’s Day, I asked four lovely expectant moms to model maternity fashions on KING5′s New Day NW. We featured affordable fashions from Motherhood Maternity, Village Maternity and Me ‘n Mom consignment. Obadiah salon provided hair styling and pampering for our models backstage, and Lila Yoga helped (big time!) by lending me two glowingly pregnant models and donating free yoga classes to the entire audience.
I applaud my models (Seattleites Elisa, Niveen, Melinda and Andrea) for a) arriving at the station looking fresh, energized and excited at 8:45 in the morning (whereas I, the not pregnant one, looked like a mess upon arrival); and b) being unafraid to proudly show their baby bumps on camera. I was certainly inspired by these women, as I’m sure you all will be, and I only hope that someday I can be as stylish as they are. Congratulations, ladies! And Happy Mother’s Day.
I’m very pleased to introduce everyone to my dear friend Tiffany Lowry. Many of you may already know Tiffany, because you’ve heard her giving great make-up tips on Movin 92.5′s morning show (they call her “Miss Make-up”) or Northwest Afternoon or New Day Northwest. Or perhaps you’ve seen her work in the pages of magazines (too many to list!) or seen her interviews in The Seattle Times, nwsource.com, or countless style blogs. Or–JUST MAYBE–you’ve had the pleasure of having Tiffany make-over your haircut or hair color (she’s the best hair stylist in Washington) at RedX Salon on Capital Hill.
She’s an extremely talented, ingenious stylist and the kind of girl you just want to hang out with (and I guarantee you’ll end up walking away feeling prettier and more stylish as a result!).
This Sunday, we invite you all to hang out with Tiffany–and dozens of local fashionistas–at the “Swap Till You Drop” event on Sunday, April 10th. Tiffany will host a Make-up Clean-up workshop, and she will help you clean out your cosmetics case and get on trend for spring.
Spring is in the air, ladies! We had our first taste of sweet sunshine, and even though the clouds are back (for now), we all know winter is wrapping up for real. Spring time is the perfect time to refresh your style and purge away the unwanted, unflattering items that are weighing you down. Girl Power Hour’s Swap ‘Til You Drop event on April 10th is the perfect excuse to spring clean your closet!
There’s no “right way” to clean out your closet, but I do have a time-tested formula to help you reduce, reuse and restyle your wardrobe.
Every item you own will fall into one of five categories:
Category #1: Items that you LIKE, that fit you well and you wear often. In a perfect world, your entire wardrobe would fit in this category (and, believe me, cleaning out your closet is the first step). These items are your favorites and they should stay in your regular rotation.
Category #2: Items that you LIKE and fit you well but you don’t wear often. These are the hidden treasures in your wardrobe. Hopefully, through the process of cleaning, you’ll discover items you haven’t worn in years or forgot you owned. You should keep these items and strive to start wearing them.
Category #3: Items that you DISLIKE but wear often for lack of something better. We all have these items lurking in our closets (like that ratty old fleece that gets worn on the weekends). As much as you despise these clothes, the truth is getting rid of them will leave a void. I call these items “candidates for replacement;” you owe it to yourself to replace frequently worn items with really awesome alternatives (replace that old fleece with a fitted hoodie!) Bottom line: you should always spend your money on things that will get worn A LOT.
Category #4: Items that don’t fit or don’t flatter you. Whether you like an item or not is irrelevant if it does not fit you or make you feel great. We all have items from the clearance rack (“But it was only $12.99!”) or items we’ve outgrown. They may even be in excellent condition. These are the hardest items to part with, I know, but clearing them away will make space for other, better things! **Bring these items to the SWAP ‘TIL YOU DROP EVENT!**
Category #5. Items that you DISLIKE and don’t wear. These are the easy items to purge. (Tip: start by getting rid of these!)
The final step? Bag up your unwanted clothes, shoes and accessories and bring them to one of GPH’s swap drops before the main event on April 10th. Get your tickets, and get ready to swap ’til you drop!
SWAP DROPS:
Fri 4/8, 5pm-8pm, (UVillage) – Styled.Seattle Offices, 3430 NE 45th, Ste 101, Seattle, WA
Fri 4/8, 5pm-8pm, – (Eastside) La Bijou Boutique, 10311 Main Street, Bellevue, WA
Sat 4/9, 10am-4pm – (Seattle) Tropical Tan Queen Anne & Tropical Tan Wallingford
Sun 4/10, 9am-10:30am – (Seattle) Sodo Park, 3200 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA
Proper clothing care is one of the most important style skills any fashionista can master! Building a fabulous wardrobe takes time and money–and you’ll be wasting both of those things if you fail to properly clean and care for your clothes. No one likes to do laundry, but a little effort will go a long way to keep your favorite outfits looking great!
Here are my top three tips:
#1. Always consider garment care before you purchase a new item. Everything looks nice when it’s new and neatly hanging in a store; ultimately, though, you want to spend your money on items that will continue to look great after many wears. Factor the cost of garment care into the price of every item you buy. For example, a high-maintenance jacket that requires professional dry cleaning after every wear will, over time, cost much more than the original price. If you are not willing to pay for cleaning, don’t buy it!
#2. Be honest about your laundry patterns. Do you hate taking clothes to the dry cleaner? Do you machine-wash everything on cold? Do you have time to hand wash your delicates? You should not purchase items you cannot take care of.
#3. Always read garment care instructions. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised at how often my clients ruin their clothes by failing to read the care instructions. Care tags will tell you how to wash your clothes, whether or not you can iron and if you can machine dry.
Here are my other favorite tips to help you keep your clothes in top shape:
At Girl Power Hour, 2011 is all about Glambition. To us, that means celebrating and inspiring the women in our community and beyond.
On Thursday, March 10th, The Downtown Gene Juarez Salon and Spa will be closing its doors early and rolling out the pink carpet for an exclusive Girl Power Hour “Glam 101″ and Makeover Reveal event. Gene Juarez’s top style experts will join forces to show you the hottest trends in hair, makeup and skin-care with interactive “styling stations” that feature glamorous tips as well as first come first serve mini-services. The event will be framed with networking, photo opps, swag bags, door prizes, Girly Girl Wines, Trophy Cupcakes, hors d’eourves and more.
Last year, we hosted a makeover event at Banana Republic, and we were delightedly overwhelmed by the turnout and the results. Months after the event, we received an email from one of our makeover winners who told us that her makeover experience was the catalyst that prompted her to expand her current business and and launch a second.
After reading her heart-warming story, we decided makeover events would become a tradition at Girl Power Hour. This year, we’ve changed things up a bit and are excited to announce a new contest. Girl Power Hour will select two deserving winners to receive a truly enviable makeover experience courtesy of Gene Juarez.
Gene Juarez Makeover prize includes: ($500 estimated value)
Winners will also receive an Ultimate Swag Bag full of goodies from Gene Juarez, Pure Barre, Tropical Tan and more! Additional exciting prizes will be announced throughout the month of February. The winners and their makeovers will be revealed at the Girl Power Hour Glam 101 event on March 10th at Gene Juarez Salon & Spas in Downtown Seattle.
To enter: Answer the following questions in an email, attach a current photo of yourself and send to info@girlpowerhour.com with (Subject: I deserve to to win a makeover!). All entries must be received by midnight on Friday, February 25, 2011. Please include contact information including phone number. Winners will be notified by noon on phone Febraury 28, 2011.
Good luck and cheers to a Glambitious new year! Be sure to take a look at the video from last years event:
Official Rules:
One entry per person. Must be 21 or older. Contest Dates: 2/14 to 2/25. No purchase necessary. Entry must be emailed at entrant’s expense to Girl Power Hour, info@girlpowerhour.com. Winners must be available for before and after photo session and available and present at the March 10th Glam 101 Girl Power Hour event for the makeover reveal. Entries exceeding word of 150 words are subject to automatic disqualification. Contest subject to all federal, state, and local laws. The odds of winning are dependent upon the number of entries received. Prizes are non-refundable, non-redeemable for cash, and non-transferable. The winner is solely responsible for federal, state and local taxes, licenses, fees, and insurance. Girl Power Hour employees, ownership, agents, and participating sponsors are not eligible to win. By participating, entrants agree to these rules. Complete rules available at www.girlpowerhour.com.
If you woke up this morning, saw the snow, and made the decision to stay home today, then I say, “Good for you!”–I did, too! And while you’re home today, staying warm and avoiding the yucky snow/sludge/rain/ice weather cocktail on our menu today, I challenge you to take on a little project.
Ok, it’s more than a “little” project. It’s a doosy. But I promise that it will help you feel more in control of your style and save you time in the morning when you’re getting dressed, so it’s worth it. Ladies, let’s all clean out our closets! Who’s with me?! Anyone? Anyone?
Fair enough. I wasn’t expecting anyone to approach this project with excitement (it’s more of a “necessary evil” situation). But I’m guessing most of us could use a little reorganization and trimming down of our closet, so here’s my advice:
Why is it important to clean out your closet? Having an organized and well-refined closet is KEY to having great style. If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to take control of your personal style, this is your most important first step. You can’t go shopping to add to your wardrobe until you take stock of what you already own.
How do you know if you need to clean out your closet? If you struggle with picking an outfit in the morning or spend more than 15 minutes, then you need to clean out your closet.
What’s the best way to clean out your closet? Take everything out, and separate all the clothes that you own into 5 categories:
Category #1. Items that you like, fit you well and wear often. These are your “favorites” and obvious keepers. They stay in your closet. Your ultimate goal is to have everything in your closet be in this category.
Category #2. Items that you like and fit you well, but you don’t wear. These are also keepers. Ask yourself why don’t you wear them? If the answer is you just forgot you owned it, you should make an effort to put it back into regular rotation. The best part about cleaning your closet is getting to “shop” in your closet and find new favorites.
Category #3. Items that you dislike, but wear often for lack of something better. These are items you replace. There’s no reason to hang on to something you actively dislike, but if you’re wearing it often, you owe it to yourself to find a more flattering version.
Category #4. Items that don’t fit or are unflattering. These are items you pack away or give away. It’s frustrating to look into your closet and see items that don’t fit and don’t look good on you. If items are in good condition, you can take them to consignment or give to a friend.
Category #5. Items that you dislike and don’t wear. These are items you get rid of. If you have anxiety about purging, bag up these items and store in your garage or another safe place in your home. Wait three months, prove to yourself that you don’t need the items and you’re better off without them cluttering your closet. After two months, drive them to Goodwill!
Allow about 2 hours for this project.
(HINT: it’s more fun with some good tunes and a nice glass of wine!)
I think most New Year’s resolutions are nearly impossible to keep. Who’s thinking clearly on New Year’s Eve? There’s so much pressure and confusion with the ball dropping and the “10, 9, 8, 7…” and the champagne popping. We’re practically set up to fail!
I think resolutions made on January 2nd carry much more weight. The dust has settled, we’re sober!, and we have more time to think about what we really want and plan for positive change.
As you contemplate the various areas of your life that need improvement this year, I encourage you to think about your wardrobe and consider the role that clothing and your personal style plays in your daily routine. Step into your closet, and ask yourself a few important questions:
#1. Do I like my clothes? (seems like a silly question, but how many of us can truly say Yes?)
#2. Do I feel confident when I leave the house every morning, because I know I look good? (because everyone deserves to feel that way)
#3. Will my wardrobe help me get ahead? Am I reflecting the best possible image to my co-workers, clients, bosses and friends? (or do my clothes say, “I don’t care”?)
#4. Do I feel anxiety about getting dressed in the morning, and/or do I spend longer than 5 minutes putting an outfit together? (in the scheme of things, getting dressed should be very low-stress and easy)
#5a. Do I waste a lot of money on clothes that I never wear? How many items in my closet still have the price tags attached?
#5b. Approximately how much money did I waste last year on clothes that weren’t right for me?
#6. Do I have a good grasp of what looks good on me? Do I know what colors and styles are most flattering? (or do you feel clueless every time you hit the stores)
#7. Am I stuck in a rut? Do I shop at the same stores and buy the same things over and over? (many of us default to a “uniform” that is simple, yet unexciting, and don’t know how to break the cycle to try new things).
#8. Do I own a signature style that fits my lifestyle and budget?
—
After the roller coaster year we’ve had, I think we all need a fresh start and renewed self confidence. Everyone woman deserves to have a wardrobe that reflects her best self. Clothing is not a luxury; we all wear clothes every day. Thus, every day we make a choice to put on something that makes us feel great or something that makes us feel, “eh.”
The truth is, everyone needs a little style help from time to time, and the start of a new year is the perfect time to redefine your style goals. Let 2011 be the year that harness the power of your own personal style. If I can help you get your style on track, let me know.
I sincerely wish everyone a happy, healthy, successful, and stylish New Year!
The accessory swap table at GPH Holiday Party
New Year’s Eve is my favorite style holiday! It’s a More-Is-More kind of night that calls for maximum glitter, sparkle and sequins. The challenge, of course, is that after a long month of Christmas parties, work events and celebratory cocktail nights with my girl friends, I always find myself struggling to come up with a new and exciting festive NYE outfit (also, it doesn’t help that I’m always broke after Christmas and don’t have any spare cash with which to buy a new party dress). So, I have to dig into the depths of my closet and try to come up with something really creative. The right accessories always help tie my whole look together!
This month, several members of the Power Team helped me demonstrate how easily inexpensive accessories can transform basic wardrobe staples (watch our clip here). And we extended this concept at our annual GPH Holiday Party on December 9th at Citrus. Seattle’s Fashion Group International helped us pull off the ultimate holiday accessory swap, and it was a huge success! Dozens of women participated by bringing their unworn jewelry, purses, belts, shoes, coats and scarves, proving that one woman’s “trash” is another woman’s treasure. There was plenty to go around as everyone took turns selecting their baubles and walking away with new holiday fashion inspiration.
After the swap, I pulled three ladies and styled them with a few items I set aside, to show what a huge difference a few little accessories can make to an outfit. The addition of three accessory pieces to each outfit transformed each lady’s entire look. Moral of the story: don’t underestimate the power of accessories to bedazzle your New Year!
Added: motorcycle jacket, layered necklace, cuff bracelet
Added: feather headband, faux fur wrap, sparkle clutch
Added: sequin headband, velvet shawl, layered necklace
Wishing everyone a safe and stylish New Year’s Eve!
The ladies of GPH made a guest appearance on KING 5′s New Day Northwest last week with resident style expert, Darcy Camden-Werden who shows you how easy it is to re-accessorize your LBD with a few key pieces!
Look #1: Office Party
Start with: Black pants
Accessories added: Headband (Forever 21, $4.80), Earrings (Forever 21, $4.80), yellow satin top (Target, $22.99), blue lace cardigan (Target, $17.99), suede booties (Targetm originally $29.99, purchased on sale for less).
Look #2: Girl’s Night Out
Start with: Skinny jeans
Accessories added: sparkle hat (Target, $14.99), sparkle tank ($17.99), faux fur vest ($20.99 on clearance), satin shoe (TJ Maxx $29.99)
Look #3: Family Dinner
Start with: black pencil skirt
Accessories added: jeweled sweater (Target, $20.99), zebra scarf (H&M, $10), jeweled flats (Target, $19.99)
Look #4: Glitzy Cocktail Party
Start with: LBD (little black dress!)
Accessories added: beaded necklace (H&M, $17), lace shawl (consignment, $20), faux fur wrap (H&M, $15), blue floral belt (Anthropologie, $32), sparkle clutch (LOFT, $18).
Fall is upon us! The leaves are changing colors, the weather is cooling down (if it ever warmed up in the first place…), and I’m sure we’re all feeling excited to swap out our summer-y clothes with our fall favorites like sweaters, jackets and boots. Fall is my favorite fashion season, because I love rich colors and cozy fabrics. I’m also very excited about the current trends, so I wanted to let you all know what’s “in,” right now!
Here are my five favorite of-the-moment trends, including shoe recommendation from the Power Team’s favorite retailer (and G3 sponsor) REPORT:
Trend: Mixed prints and florals
I know it can be intimidating to mix prints. Wearing multiple patterns (like florals with stripes or plaid) can seem overwhelming, complicated and uncoordinated; but, when it’s done correctly, layering prints can be a stylish and fresh way to dress. The trick is to pair prints that feature similar colors. I love the new Tucker for Target line! The prints are vibrant and fashionable (not to mention affordable!), and the best part? They all mix and match.
The perfect shoe: If you’re mixing prints on top, I suggest keeping your bottom sleek and simple. I love the Report Signature over-the-knee suede Fairfax3 boot (available at the Report store at Bellevue Square). The grey is much less severe than, say, black, and a substantial boot will anchor your entire look.
Trend: Menswear
Many of my clients are uninterested in menswear. They say “why would I want to look like a man?” But I think menswear-inspired items–like tailored shirts, vests and trousers– can be ultra feminine and classically sexy. This trend can feel costume-y if you wear it head-to-toe, but adding one sharp item to your wardrobe can be a instant update.
The perfect shoe: Clogs are back (and they’re actually stylish!). I’m not talking about chunky Danskos, I’m talking about sleek platform styles, like Report’s Laurent clog.
Trend: Metallic and animal print
I’m a sucker for animal print! I think it goes with everything and never goes out of style. If wearing animal print all over makes you feel like Cruella Deville, I suggest you add it in a subtle accent, like a scarf, handbag or other accessory.
The perfect shoe: I think metallic and animal print pair nicely together, but the combination can often be too formal for daytime. This is why I prefer a flat shoe like Report’s Fernley jeweled flat.
Trend: Faux fur and fringe
Faux fur is everywhere! I find it’s a very divisive trend: you either love it or hate it. I used to hate it, but this year I’m slowly creeping over to the other side…I found a faux fur scarf at H&M for $14.95, and I’ve discovered a little bit of fur can make change the look of an entire outfit.
The perfect shoe: I love a fringe booty paired with a little faux fur, and Report has several great styles!
Trend: Military
Military is everywhere at every price point (yay!), but it can feel like a uniform if you overdo it. I recommend taking one strong military piece, like a jacket, and pairing it with something feminine, like a pretty dress, to achieve a more balanced look.
The perfect shoe: Military is all about detail, like buttons and buckles. Report’s Monroe boot is one of the rare styles that can be worn with skirts, dresses, leggings, jeggings and more!
For more information on these trends and additional style tips, check out this video from King 5′s New Day NW
