Since I spend a lot of time shopping for my Wardrobe Wisdom clients, I get to see some special stores open their doors in Santa Barbara and then blossom.
One is Folio Paper Press Post, at 4437 Hollister Avenue. The owner is friendly and passionate about paper in its myriad forms: stationery, gift wrap, notepads, file folders, etc. But Folio offers a lot more: darling gift items for children, such as animal-shaped soaps and kitty lunch bags. You can also find lovely pens, wax stamping sets, fun novelty jewelry, gift bags, and so much more. I often find the perfect gift for a friend at Folio. It is a little treasure.
Another store I like is Lovebird Boutique and Jewelry, located at 535 State Street and 7 East De La Guerra. Both stores are small and carry clothing and accessories, some of which are designed locally. The prices are reasonable, especially at the De La Guerra store, and the clothing is fun and casual. On State Street, the clothing and accessories are a bit pricier but they are also orginal eye-catching. I liked the camisoles and caftans as well as the simple knit jersey skirts. The bathing suits from Brazil are a whole other matter. I am sure they fit like a dream, as the salesgirl insisted, if one were built like a young model. I simply smiled and said, "Not today," when she asked if I wanted to try one on.
Receiving friendly service is critical to shoppers. More than ever the salesperson's attitude makes me want to return to a store or never recommend or shop there again. I am happy to say that I will be shopping at Lovebird and Folio again and again. You should too!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Joy Work Club Conference!
On Friday, April 24, the first Joy Work Club Conference was held on the Central Coast. It was a huge success!
Women from Orange County all the way to San Francisco attended this all-day event designed to encourage communication and sharing between and among women. Jean Steel spoke passionately and humorously about ways to reduce stress. Superstar speaker and productivity specialist Sara Caputo talked about becoming more organized and productive. Gina Rae Hendrickson advised women to be more assertive, and I spoke about image and first impressions. On the panel with me were women who addressed the areas of web marketing, effective writing, and refining our elevator speech.
Throughout the day the attendees talked about how inspired they were by the speakers and how pleased they were about the content and flow of the day (not to mention the great food!) The question and answer session was especially well-received. At the end of the day, women left feeling smarter, more empowered, and ready to pursue some goals.
Finally a Match!
Shopping immediately following an appointment at the eye doctor is not advisable. Nonetheless, I did this and spotted, with my dilated eyes, what seemed to be a beautiful embroidered jacket. I asked Sally, my favorite saleswoman at Renaissance in Santa Barbara, "Is this a Nanette Lepore?" She laughed and said that it was, suggesting that I return the next day when I could actually see.
I did return and ended up buying the special jacket: It is dark gray with bright pink, yellow, and green flowers embossed on the fabric. There are five small, purple velvet bows down the front and the velvet wraps around the back giving the bodice some shape. Until recently, the one thing this jacket lacked was a compatible partner in my closet. So I broke one of my first Wardrobe Wisdom shopping rules: Make sure the item in question will go with at least 3 things you already own.
This lovely jacket has languished in my closet for months. I would try it on, sigh at its beauty, and hang it back up.
On Saturday I was cruising La Cumbre Mall with my daughter. She rolled her eyes as I entered J. Crew, knowing my tendency to spend a long time in that tiny store. We were supposed to be looking for a gift for my friend, but in the meantime I found a very simple, gray, brushed cotton pencil skirt. It would go with at least 10 things in my closet and was on sale so I snatched it up.
When I was choosing what to wear to a function that night, I put the skirt with the jacket and it was magic! They looked like they were meant for each other. Finally, a happy ending.
I did return and ended up buying the special jacket: It is dark gray with bright pink, yellow, and green flowers embossed on the fabric. There are five small, purple velvet bows down the front and the velvet wraps around the back giving the bodice some shape. Until recently, the one thing this jacket lacked was a compatible partner in my closet. So I broke one of my first Wardrobe Wisdom shopping rules: Make sure the item in question will go with at least 3 things you already own.
This lovely jacket has languished in my closet for months. I would try it on, sigh at its beauty, and hang it back up.
On Saturday I was cruising La Cumbre Mall with my daughter. She rolled her eyes as I entered J. Crew, knowing my tendency to spend a long time in that tiny store. We were supposed to be looking for a gift for my friend, but in the meantime I found a very simple, gray, brushed cotton pencil skirt. It would go with at least 10 things in my closet and was on sale so I snatched it up.
When I was choosing what to wear to a function that night, I put the skirt with the jacket and it was magic! They looked like they were meant for each other. Finally, a happy ending.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Successful Accessorizing
A college friend of mine has always had a knack for accessorizing. No matter what she wears, she exhibits a stylish flair via unusual earrings, a scarf, or an interesting necklace.
For her, adding such things to her outfits is natural and effortless. For others, time spent agonizing over what necklace goes with what shirt and how to tie a darn scarf can be confusing and paralyzing. "Heck," they say, "I'll just put on hoop earrings and call it a day."
But oh, how quickly an outfit can go from blah to wow with the addition of one accessory. A factor that is liberating when one thinks about accessorizing today is that things don't have to match perfectly. If your bag and shoes are different colors, it is okay. If your earrings do not have something in common with your bracelet, no big deal! I am not recommending yellow flats with a zebra handbag and a rhinestone bracelet though. Sure, my grandma did such things with great confidence all the time, but she was. . . eccentric. Wardrobe Wisdom advises that you wear one standout piece at a time and keep the rest of your accessories pretty simple. Just like my fashionable friend does--every time!
P.S. There are books about scarf-tying and other accessorizing tricks. Find them at your local library or in your local bookshop.
For her, adding such things to her outfits is natural and effortless. For others, time spent agonizing over what necklace goes with what shirt and how to tie a darn scarf can be confusing and paralyzing. "Heck," they say, "I'll just put on hoop earrings and call it a day."
But oh, how quickly an outfit can go from blah to wow with the addition of one accessory. A factor that is liberating when one thinks about accessorizing today is that things don't have to match perfectly. If your bag and shoes are different colors, it is okay. If your earrings do not have something in common with your bracelet, no big deal! I am not recommending yellow flats with a zebra handbag and a rhinestone bracelet though. Sure, my grandma did such things with great confidence all the time, but she was. . . eccentric. Wardrobe Wisdom advises that you wear one standout piece at a time and keep the rest of your accessories pretty simple. Just like my fashionable friend does--every time!
P.S. There are books about scarf-tying and other accessorizing tricks. Find them at your local library or in your local bookshop.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Not a Secret Anymore
There are a couple of items I have coveted for quite some time now which I do not share with many people. But now I am not embarrassed about them anymore. No, I am proud of these quirky things that help me imagine some pretty great situations in which they could be worn.
The first is a caramel-colored fringed suede jacket. I have wanted one for at least 15 years. Who knows why. The whole cowboy/Western look is not one of my favorites and I look pretty awful in that color. Still, I can picture myself in a great white t-shirt, jeans, and this fantastic jacket, heading off for. . . what? A date with my husband? Meeting girlfriends for drinks? Yeah, those are actually pretty realistic situations. Maybe I should get that jacket, wherever it is.
My second coveted item is a sequined tank dress. This is something I have wanted for only a few years, and I understand its appeal: it loudly states, "When you wear me, you will have an incredibly fun time." A sequined dress wants to go out and party. It wants to dance, drink wine, and laugh a lot. I've tried a few on but they have been too short or simply unflattering. But still, they beckon to me, and one day I will splurge on this joyful frock.
The reason I have not purchased either of these pieces is that they have not made sense for my lifestyle thus far. I try to practice what I preach and as I tell my Santa Barbara wardrobe clients, your closet should reflect your current lifestyle. My husband and I do not go out on dates very often, and there haven't been many times I was unable to attend an event for my lack of a sequined dress. Someday though, I can imagine seeing them as not mere frivolous purchases, but clothing that makes sense for my lifestyle and my budget.
How about you? What are some clothes that you have dreamed about for a long time but have not bought?
The first is a caramel-colored fringed suede jacket. I have wanted one for at least 15 years. Who knows why. The whole cowboy/Western look is not one of my favorites and I look pretty awful in that color. Still, I can picture myself in a great white t-shirt, jeans, and this fantastic jacket, heading off for. . . what? A date with my husband? Meeting girlfriends for drinks? Yeah, those are actually pretty realistic situations. Maybe I should get that jacket, wherever it is.
My second coveted item is a sequined tank dress. This is something I have wanted for only a few years, and I understand its appeal: it loudly states, "When you wear me, you will have an incredibly fun time." A sequined dress wants to go out and party. It wants to dance, drink wine, and laugh a lot. I've tried a few on but they have been too short or simply unflattering. But still, they beckon to me, and one day I will splurge on this joyful frock.
The reason I have not purchased either of these pieces is that they have not made sense for my lifestyle thus far. I try to practice what I preach and as I tell my Santa Barbara wardrobe clients, your closet should reflect your current lifestyle. My husband and I do not go out on dates very often, and there haven't been many times I was unable to attend an event for my lack of a sequined dress. Someday though, I can imagine seeing them as not mere frivolous purchases, but clothing that makes sense for my lifestyle and my budget.
How about you? What are some clothes that you have dreamed about for a long time but have not bought?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Black Again? Really?
I like black as much as the next woman, but black is one of "my colors." Black is not, however, everyone's friend, and I find it irresponsible for fashion experts to insist, almost every season, that black is back and that everyone should have a little black dress, a black turtleneck sweater, etc.
Instead, think about how you look and feel in black. My mom is one of the prettiest ladies I know, but she does not look good in black (and would be the first to admit it). For a lot of people, black adds years, wrinkles, and a deathly pallor to their face. Who needs that?
Do not feel pressured to succumb to the allure of black. Your neutral can be a flattering shade of brown, beige, even navy or pink. Think of what suits you, not what the latest fashion article is telling you is a "must."
On a related note, I encourage women to get their colors done by an expert. Knowing what shades and colors suit you best can save you a lot of time shopping and a lot of money buying clothing that you never feel great in but cannot determine why.
Instead, think about how you look and feel in black. My mom is one of the prettiest ladies I know, but she does not look good in black (and would be the first to admit it). For a lot of people, black adds years, wrinkles, and a deathly pallor to their face. Who needs that?
Do not feel pressured to succumb to the allure of black. Your neutral can be a flattering shade of brown, beige, even navy or pink. Think of what suits you, not what the latest fashion article is telling you is a "must."
On a related note, I encourage women to get their colors done by an expert. Knowing what shades and colors suit you best can save you a lot of time shopping and a lot of money buying clothing that you never feel great in but cannot determine why.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Tops that Fit
So many women find shopping for tops challenging. They feel defeated by the end of the day, having tried on a number of different styles from high to low end, fitted to boxy, knit to silk. The brilliant company Rebecca and Drew Manufacturing provides something unique. Instead of offering sizes from XS-XL or even from sizes 0-14, sizing is determined by one's bra size. Now how smart is that?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
