Fashion from the Inside… Out

May 18, 2012 By Carole

I feel dressing your homes and dressing yourself with fashion is the public face to the outside world; it really all begins from the inside out. The more that you feel good, I guarantee you will look good. The same holds true with your home. The more comfortable you are in your home, the more comfortable you are in the world.

New Power

Is there such thing as the perfect body, or the perfect home, or the perfect fashion? If so, it probably exists in our dreams and is very personal. What some dream of having is a coveted hour glass figure, or for some, looking great would be a tall, sleek, fashionable model style. So I ask, how is it possible to make our dreams of what we would like to look like? Of course creating the right look is more than choosing a dress or a pair of shoes. What we need to do is reflect our own personality and confidence in ourselves, as well as in our own surroundings.

That is why so many of my clients find seeking clothes for their bodies so challenging and often get lost in the endless search for the perfect dress, necklace, or bag. My personal view isn’t really challenging yourself, but allowing discovery of what is important to you. For example, what is your lifestyle? What makes you feel comfortable? When you feel comfortable, then you will have confidence within.

I never heard that an enormous tree in a large field was in bad taste. So, as a designer for interior design, style and fashion, my viewpoint is to take natural beauty with history and creating “inside out”. So, viewing a beautiful building from the outside, people within still need to live on the inside and feel comfortable. Your fashion needs to reflect this thought.

Food and Fashion are my two passions. Food and fashion need to nurture your way of living and working.

For me, and I know I am striking terror now by saying it, your body measurement is important. No different than an interior designer’s space measuring is important. For example, for my clients the first measurement is from the head to your underarm. This is no different than measuring your entry foyer. This measurement will give me the information such as if hair needs height and width, or if its best flat and natural. This example is also true if the space is short by putting a lot of jewelry or ruffles there, its like placing a grand piano is a small foyer. It would not elongate or enhance your body type.

You are fruitful in life and you can bring you own unique style within by recognizing your body type.

What body type are you?

• Hourglass – Top and bottom heavy, with a small waist
• Pear shape – bottom heavy
• Apple type – top heavy
• String bean – long and lean, like a long corridor
• Strawberry – broad shoulder and narrow hips

The second measurement comes from underarm to hip, which is your living room. The third is the hip to the ankle, which is aligned to corridors in your home.

The next thing I look at is:

• Narrow shouldered
• Broad shouldered
• Short or long waisted
• Short legged or long legged

This is what I call Trompe l’oiele, which translates to fools eye. We use this when we decorate walls and finishes in our homes, so why not use it for out fashions? Doing so, we will accent the positive and diminish the negative. The next thought is no different than your wardrobe needs. Is it for work? Are you a working mother, executive, stay at home mom? Your clothes need to reflect and make you feel comfortable in the activities that you perform.

Also, the colors play an important role where wearing clothes may stand out too much from the surroundings will work for you when you want to be the center of attention. Also wearing specific colors for specific energies will help boost or help you distress at work or play. How we use colors to enhance your energy are just like flowers, or accents that offer particular use providing exciting combinations to uplift your energy. To distress and stay calm, think of the blue in the sky and green pastures so by combing hues of similar colors for your wardrobe, this will create a sense of calm to yourself and others. Blue promotes a sense of calm for work, as well as for interior homes, your fashion body, these colors will help you work in peace and harmony. You can boost with green or yellow accessories to energize for an evening out.

No different than a beautiful four poster bed for your home with beautiful floral sheets and a comfortable blanket, you are creating a garden within. The same holds true when adding a floral scarf as an accessory. Wearing treasured pearls will bring warmth to your heart. Just like a home, a restricted budget, color creates your fashion statement. It will give you elegance, warmth, and a look.

Sail Smoothly Through Life

May 17, 2012 By Carole

I believe each season is associated with different areas of your body and lifestyle. The Nautical theme is suggestive of cruising for your fashion outlook here. The metaphor is apt. Your goal should be to sail smoothly through life. What I’m saying, is that you should go with the tide and not against it. Please don’t think that the water theme is merely a metaphor. Nautical motifs are welcome winners each year, suggesting something so classic as a seafaring fashion motif in the summer months.

For some reason, whenever I think of that, intelligent inspiring beauty, Lauren Hutton, I visualize her in a sailors cap and French seaman’s top. It is a timeless look that is a hallmark of effortless style. Bold patterns work well here as any theme with clouds, water, or sea.

Adding a scarf or a blouse or an anchor pin is a perfect way to incorporate this pattern.

Colors: Red, White & Blue

• The color red is symbolic for recognition and fame.
• The color white represents good energy.
• The color blue represents good communication and flowing energy.

Fabrics

• The fabrics most used for Nautical are silk for luxury, cotton for comfort, and wool for warmth.
• Parachute fabrics will keep you fluttering and sailing through life.

Patterns

• Florals denote flowering success and happiness.
• Pin stripes empowerment shows who’s the boss.
• Triangle patterns exemplify fame and recognition.
• Vertical stripes show structure.

Hear the Road Call – For Romance!

May 9, 2012 By Carole

Are you seeking a new direction for love? Check this out – gals n guys, you really may be traveling on the road in the same direction – so “honk” if you want to meet.

You may notice some dressing obstacles that are hindering your style, so let’s fix it!

Planes

For the plane – do you prefer the aisle or the window seat? Or are you in the middle? Notice that there is not much leeway for smooth crossings.

Gals

Do!

• Pants
• Knee length skirts or dresses
• Relaxed silhouette

Don’t!

• Tapered skirts
• Mini skirts or mini dresses
• Fabrics that are too clingy such as lace

Guys

Do!

• Khaki pants
• Jeans
• White, stripes, pattern, colored, fun , relaxed shirts

Don’t!

• Gym shorts
• Muscle shirts
• Tangled or dirty tops and bottoms

Trains

Traveling by train? You are traveling the rail– there is much jiggle and shake.

Gals

Do!

• Jumpsuits and jumper
• Dresses are perfect
• Skirts and Shirts
• Shorter dresses or longer shorts, long and short style

Don’t!

• Revealing tops – -no décolleté here
• Shirts that cling
• V necks that plunge

Guys

Do!

• Wear pattern shirts such as plaid
• Denim pants or jackets
• Kaki pants
• Cotton button up Tees

Don’t!

• Gym shorts
• Muscle shirts
• Silk materials

Automobiles

Traveling by car? This trip is all about the face.  Think Aubrey Hepburn – top down of course, as you cruise the highway in your retro style.

Gals

Do!

• Fabulous glasses or sunglasses/waterproof mascara
• Beautiful and bold scarves
• Think billowy and translucent fabrics
• Great smile! Make sure teeth are whitened and clean

Don’t!

• Wear chandelier style earrings
• Boring color tops
• Wear glasses like a school marm

Guy’s

Do!

• Great glasses or sun glasses
• Great hair cut
• Good manicured hands
• Teeth whitened with a great smile

Don’t!

• Dirty shirts/jackets
• Baseball hats – - don’t want the girls to guess what you have hiding under there
• Unclean/un kept car

Motorcycles

Are you a biker chick?  Do wear full body armor – as you put the pedal to the metal! Don’t forget to put your lucky talisman or angel charm near your motor.

Gals

Do!

• Great boots paired with fun socks brings attention to your legs
• Leather jackets or leather pants
• Biker shorts in vivid colors and prints.
• Helmets in fun colors or metal colors of gold and silver are a must for this season

Don’t!

• Wear baggie pants
• Drab colors
• Combine the colors of black and blue – you don’t want to send the message “you are bruised” from an old lover or past relationships.

Guys

Do!

• Black jeans
• Leather pants and jackets
• Denim jackets
• Great boots
• Helmets should be dark tones or metallic.  Yellow for power

Don’t

•  Stay away from biker shorts, sneakers, baggie pants.
• Cartooney headgear
• Goofy goggles
• Too many keys