Style on the Slopes

I am so excited that I get the opportunity to spend the Christmas holiday in Keystone, Colorado. Skiing is one of the things that I love most in life. It makes me feel like I could reach out and touch God when I stand on the top of a mountain. The majesty, freshness and openness are things that you just cannot get in any other setting. Of course, thousands of other people decided to spend their holiday in this setting too. Which gives me the added pleasure of plenty of subjects for people watching.

I noticed this year that there is a shift in ski clothes and the direction that designers have gone. For many years we have been stuck buying the same old colors....red, blue, yellow, hot pink, gray, black and an occasional green. This year I am seeing browns, turqoise, oranges and lots of pattern. It makes the slopes a lot more fashion forward than in recent years.

It gives me great pleasure to see people looking great on the slopes. I mean, we are still in public and looking good still gives your confidence a boost. When your confidence is higher, you actually ski better! Seems to me it is a win win situation.

I wanted to share with you a few of the fabulous looks that I am seeing here in Keystone. If you are headed out to ski any time this year, look into updating your ski wardrobe and see what happens on the slopes!

Its a formal affair

Well, the year has come to an end. You are looking at one more night out before it is completely over. You have a glitzy affair to go to and you are in that place that you have found yourself so many times before. What are you going to wear?

I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I get asked about what to wear to a formal affair. It seems that women are tired of the "little black dress". Don't get me wrong, you need to own the perfect "little black dress". That is one item that you can count on to get you through an event in a pinch. However, when you want something special....something that speaks to you....step away from the black.

Unless the formal affair is specifically black and white (Oprah has thrown a black and white ball, Nelly throws one every year), then consider a color that makes your skin glow and your eyes dance. For me that is in the turquoise or bright blue family.

I was fortunate enough to find a dress that will become one of my favorite things. I had actually been stalking a similar BCBG dress when I stumbled across this Tadashi. The store did not have it in my size, but I took a leap of faith and ordered it (I had to pay for it before I could try it on). Not knowing how the Tadashi would fit and fearing that the BCBG that I had coveted for so long would disappear, I bought them both. For the first time in my life I am faced with having two perfect dresses for a formal affair!

The beautiful thing is that neither of the dresses are black. I encourage you to step out and make a statement when you have the opportunity to dress up. You will feel a little brighter and a little more special!

Merry Christmas!

Donna and I want to wish you a fabulously stylish and Merry Christmas. We are taking the day off to enjoy our families. We hope that your day is wonderful, too!!

The Gift of Giving

I can't help but think about giving seeing that it is the Christmas season. I have been sending cards, running out for a last minute gift, getting together with friends and writing thank you notes. While looking at the pile of gifts on our counter from various friends and co-workers, it got me to thinking about how your style is reflected in the gifts that you give.

We went out last night with a close friend and exchanged Christmas presents. I am a huge coffee drinker so she got me a fabulous little Christmas plate and mug that had a lid. She knew that I would drink my coffee slowly and that the lid would keep it warm. Another one of our dear friends got me a Starbuck's ornament and gift card. Again, she knows that I survive on latte's!! You may think that this is a given, but my business partner gave me a cute zebra print journal and address book. Zebra is our business theme!!! You may be asking yourself what these gifts have to do with style and I will tell you that they have everything to do with style!



See, these friends thought about me and what would make me happy. Their style is one of pure selflessness. The friends who helped to support my coffee habit don't even drink coffee! My business partner could have gotten me any one of the fabulous items that we see come through our studio every day. But, they didn't. They really thought about who I was and what I would enjoy.

I have gotten expensive gifts that are beautiful, but they just don't reflect who I am. I have items that sit in boxes and gather dust because I just don't know what to do with them (and I don't believe in regifting). All the money in the world cannot buy the feeling that you get when someone gives you a gift that is truly about you.

I hope that the next time you go to buy a gift, you don't worry about how expensive and luxurious it is, but think more about whether the person receiving the gift will know how much you think of them.

Happy Holidays to you and the ones you love!!

It's all in the eyes

I always ask men what they think is the most attractive thing about a woman. A very large percentage of them say the eyes. I tend to agree that eyes are an important factor in our appearance. I mean, whenever you have a conversation, someone is looking into your eyes. It should be the focal point of almost any human interaction (well, publicly anyway ;).

Obviously, we were born with our eyes and there is very little that we can do to affect the shape and size of our eyes. However, we can play them up as much as possible. One of the biggest factors in great eyes is the lashes.

You can really make a splash with the right mascara. I'm asked all the time what kind of mascara I use because, fortunately, I have long lashes. The answer to that question isn't so simple though. Everyone has different lash lengths, texture and thickness. Whatever your lash personality is is what will drive what works best for you. I am going to share some wisdom that I hope helps you to make the best impression with your eyes.

Wear some mascara! Unless you have really dark, thick lashes...mascara makes a huge difference. Even if you just swipe on a little, wear some. First, let's talk about color. If you are a blonde, black mascara may be too harsh. There, of course, is the exception for the woman who is blonde but makes a statement with her dark smokey eyes. Try a brown, navy or purple mascara. Some redheads also look better in a brown or even green mascara.

Next, what is it that you are trying to accomplish? Do you want to increase the length or the thickness or both? If we are talking about lengthening then the first thing that you will want to do is to curl your lashes. Get the curler (Tweezerman Deluxe Eyelash Curler) as close to the base as possible and hold tight for up to 30 seconds (If you curl your lashes too far from the base you will actually shorten them). One of the finest mascaras that I have found for lengthening is Dior Diroshow Unlimited. If you want something a little less expensive, but almost as effective, go for Loreal Lash Out.

Now, if it is thickness that you are looking for, you want to go a different direction.
Fresh Supernova Mascara works great for me. It is tough to get off and a very dark black, but it really packs a punch. If you just aren't into that much work go for the hard working LashFusion Micro-Technology Pure Protein Lash Plump, Black.

If you love the idea of long lashes and hate the idea of mascara, consider lash extensions. I have not had them myself, but I have had friends who have done it and felt very Hollywood. I will tell you that they require regular maintenance to stay beautiful. Or, consider having your lashes dyed. There are a lot of places that dye lashes and brows these days. You will want to keep on the same schedule as when you dye your hair.

Whatever path you choose, just keep fluttering those lashes!!

Why ask me?

Every day women ask me questions about their personal style. Whether it is casually in a store or formally through a request on our website....women trust my opinion. So, when a woman asked me why I am an expert, I thought it was a great question. It also interests me that more women don't ask this question.

I have the formal training that would indicate that I have some knowledge in the area of style. I went to the London Image Institute, I had a partnership with the Australian Institute, received my color training from an instructor with the Fashion Institute of Technology (New York City) and took fashion design and garment construction classes at the University of Missouri STL. If that isn't enough....I take classes through the Association of Image Consultants International on a regular basis and read everything that is published about women's clothing and image. That is the technical answer to the question, however, I don't even begin to consider that to be what qualifies me to give advice.

I think that what makes me special and what makes me the one that women seek out for advice is that I see and believe in the beauty of every woman. Even though a woman may not be making the most out of her beauty at the moment...it is there. There is something that is special and attractive about everyone. There is also the ability for every woman to look horrendous! We've all had those days! The thing is that I care about what makes a woman feel good. That's why we do the things we do...to fell good!!

In addition to seeing a woman's beauty, I am real. I've never been a model (okay when I was 6 years old I did some modeling :) and I'm not a typical beauty. I'm 4'11'' and hover around a size 12. I have things that are beautiful about me, just like every other woman, and I have to make an effort to bring those features out. When a woman is frustrated because of her appearance, I don't just empathize....I've lived it most every day of my life. I can completely understand what it feels like to shop for an entire day and find nothing that looks good on me. I can completely understand trying to get ready for something special and not feeling great because the outfit that seemed so perfect in the store just doesn't measure up in the moment. I get it!

But, even with all of the frustration that I have experienced personally; and with all of the times that I have thought designers just don't get the female body; I still love and adore clothes. When I go into a department store, it is like going to an art gallery for me. I look at the clothes as unique works of art. The way that some designer looked at a fabric and saw how it would drape on a woman's body....the way that they put some unique feature into the item to make it special....the fabric...the color....the construction. It all makes me happy and I love it!!

So, the ability to see the beauty of a woman and the love of the garments in general make me the perfect person to help a woman get the best outfit for her individual shape and personal style. While I do have the training...I think that it is my heartfelt desire to help every woman get that perfect outfit that makes her feel fabulous.

Visit our website for more information about how we can help you!!

Team spirit or tacky?

I am going to a Rams football game tonight. Standing in my closet this morning, I was faced with the same challenge that some woman faces every minute of every day, somewhere! What was I going to wear tonight.

I should probably preface this by saying that I am not a big sports fan. My husband gets tickets through his company and we take business associates to various sporting events. So, I have to consider that I am making a statement about myself, my husband, my business, my husband's business and where I stand in terms of the sports team. That is an awful lot to consider when picking out an outfit.

The majority of the women that I see at games are wearing some sort of team logo item. Since I am not a big fan....I own no team logo items. I could, potentially, wear something that was the color of the team. But, quite frankly, navy just isn't my best color. So, what to do when you don't want to seem like you just don't care (but secretly you really don't).

I finally decided on jeans with wedge boots and a brown (dressy) top. I will be okay staying neutral in my color choices and have just enough of an upscale look to convey that I think this is an important engagement. I would suggest to anyone who finds themselves in this situation to step back and consider what it is that they want to say with their wardrobe.

Tonight I want to say that I am relaxed and comfortable, but I understand the importance of the relationship between us and the business associate. Therefore, I am wearing jeans but, have dressed them up to convey I have not mistaken this for a casual relationship.

Every time we get dressed we are putting out a message of some sort. It is a lot to consider, but the event, the audience and who you are is all important. Our clothes are our own personal billboards that we get to redesign every day. What company wouldn't jump for joy at that opportunity!!

Go Rams :)

Hairs to you

Hair...this is a favorite topic among women. We try to decide whether we are going to grow it, cut it, color it, wear it up, wear it down or even extend it!! I find that one of the questions that we are asked most often by our members is, "What hairstyle best suits me?" Well, as much as I would love to answer that question in this blog, it just isn't possible. Why? There are way too many answers and they are as individual as the woman! So, why am I bringing hair up? Because, like every woman, I go through the same questions.

I am currently in the ...should I grow it out mode. I have had short, spiky hair for several years and as much as it suits my personality....there is just some appeal in being able to flip your hair over your shoulder. So in an effort to decide what to do, I have been wearing a variety of hair extensions.

I'm not talking about the extensions that you have put on by a professional. I am talking about the kind that you find at the kiosk in the mall. They come in so many varieties of style and color. I have a wavy up do, a spiky up do, a long ponytail and a more formal up do. So, over the course of the past few weeks, I have been wearing one of the varieties almost every day. This gives me a feel for what it would be like to have long (past my shoulders) hair again.

I do have to warn you that if you are in the market for one of the faux hair pieces, you really have to watch the color. There is nothing worse than getting out into the sun and discovering that the hair isn't even close to your natural hair color (or what you are currently calling natural)! If you have multiple highlights and low lights, make sure that the piece also has a variety of color.

So what have I found in my journey to discover if long hair was in the cards for me again? I love the ability to flip it over my shoulders. I love the ability to pull it into a ponytail and go. But, ultimately...it just isn't me. I will be heading to the salon soon to get my shorter, spiky do. But what fun I've had trying on this different personality!!

Our favorite things

It was cold and snowy yesterday, so Donna and I decided to go have tea. There is a fabulous little tea room that opened in downtown St. Louis called The London Tea Room. It was just the sort of day to have a warm cup of holiday tea and a scone.

The atmosphere was perfect for reminiscing. We talked about our favorite holiday memories, the fun times that we have had with friends and of course, our conversation turned to our favorite clothes. We soon discovered that our favorite clothes had more to do with how they made us feel than with how they looked.

In the early eighties I had this white linen suit that I wore with a pair of Pappagallo linen loafers. I felt cool and sophisticated every time that I put that suit on. I actually wore it until the linen was so thread bare that you could see through it! There were two other suits that made me feel like that linen suit. They were both black with interesting details. Every time I put either of those suits on they made me feel like Wonder Woman. I just knew that I could conquer the world!!

Donna's favorites were outfits that were fabulous in detail. She has a black and white Etcetera jacket that she wears with a big, chunky red necklace. Every time she wears that outfit people stop her to ask where she got the jacket. She also has a simple white t-shirt and jeans that she wears a big leather belt that has a horn clasp on it. These outfits make her feel fashionable, confident and cool. I've seen her speak to a group of several hundred women, wearing the Etcetera jacket, and she is poised and confident!

Our favorite outfits do something for us that an ordinary outfit cannot. Donna and I have spent years analyzing what it is about certain clothes that make our days better and our confidence higher. There is something in every one's personality that moves them toward a certain style of favorites. While I am a complete suit girl...Donna is a fashion forward accessory guru (check out her daily picks on our website).

Have a wonderful holiday season and may you discover new favorite things!!

Trend, fashion or style?

As I was leaving the massage therapist yesterday, the woman who was taking my payment said that her 18 year old daughter had asked for a "stylish" purse. We got into a conversation about what is stylish versus trendy. This is truly a thought provoking question.

When women say that they want to be "in style".....what exactly does that mean? Do they want to be in someone elses style, do they want to be in their own style or do they want to be in a style that is generally accepted by the public? Before you can even answer any of those questions, you have to define what style is.

Here is how Webster defines style: a distinctive manner of expression. Well, if it is an expression of something, then you have to consider what it is that you wish to express. We, at anatomyofstyle.com define style as an expression of your unique personality. We believe that style comes from within you rather than from the pages of a magazine or what is most popular in stores.

So if style is an expression of us as individuals, then what is trend or fashion? Well, the London Image Institute defines trend as something that is temporarily on the fashion scene without the adaptability to stick longer than a season or two. Think of all the things that have been around for a short time, but just didn't work for the majority of the population. For example, super skinny jeans!! They were over before too many women had a chance to embrace the trend (all I can say is...thank you!!). So a trend is in and out without to much stick ability...what is fashion?

Fashion is defined as an artistic expression. Fashion is not what the average woman will be wearing on the street. However, fashion does drive what is considered current popular style. The things that we see on a runway would make us trip over our heels and spill our Starbucks if we saw it on the street. But, we might see an adaptation of a runway image that is fantastic. Fashion is the artistic, design for what will become trends and style.

So the next time that you wonder what is in style...ask yourself this question, "What is my style?" Can't answer that question...visit anatomyofstyle.com. (Okay, it's a shameless plug, but we really can help to answer these questions and show you what works for you!)

Things that make me happy

It happens to every one of us. We wake up and even though we have good intentions of having a fabulous day....we just feel blue. We try to "buck up" and put on a smile, but it feels forced. We don't want to feel down. We like feeling good. I mean, who doesn't like that tingle of excitment and that feeling of well-being when things are going your way? But, sometimes it feels out of our control. So, I try and think of things that, simply, make me happy.

Ironically, today was a day that I had an appointment with an Energy Healer. I wanted to check it out and discover what having your energy healed felt like. The questionnairre that I filled out when I went in had questions like:

"What are your hobbies/interests?"

"What are your pet peeves?" (interesting question)

"What makes you happy?"

Wow!! On the very day that I was asking myself this question...here it was on a questionnairre!! It didn't take me long to write my answer for this one because, thankfully, I had already answered this for myself this morning.

So, here are the things that, no matter what, make me happy (A disclaimer here...you will find no people on my list. I love my family dearly, but let's face it, our happiness should never be the responsibility of another person.):

A snuggle with my dogs...they love me no matter what.
A toffee nut, soy latte from Starbucks
A drive, on a country road, with the top down on my car
Getting my hair washed at the salon
Getting a pedicure
A really cold glass of water
A dark piece of chocolate
A fresh, clean notebook
Clean sheets
A breeze on a warm day

Think about the simple things, that you can realistically have, that make you happy. If you are having a blue day, rush right into getting something on your list. And may it bring a smile to your face and brighten your day!!

Oh!! And, energy healing? Very cool!!

What do I wear to a party

This blog is a little on the lighter side. It is the holiday season and there are soooo many parties to attend. At every single one of them I have someone tell me that they just didn't know what to wear. It is one of the most common issues that women have. WHAT TO WEAR!!!!!

I tell this story to men all the time, but when I was saying this at a party the other night, the women got on a roll. We laughed until we cried because of the crazy things that we do.....and know we are doing them! Okay, so here goes the story I tell husbands:

You are getting ready to go out for the evening. Your wife is standing in front of her closet in her underwear. You ask her what is wrong and she says that she has nothing to wear. In total and utter confusion you look at the multitude of clothing hanging right there in front of her and wonder whether she has gone blind!! You have a moment of panic and then realize that she means that there isn't anything in that mass of clothing that makes her happy. Whew!!! At least she isn't blind :)

Finally, you have to go. You have someplace to be and it just isn't an option....your wife has to choose something to wear. And then she's mean to you because she hates the way she looks.

Of course, the men started nodding clear back at the beginning of the story. It has happened to all of them. As women, we've pretty much all done this. We know we are doing it and it still keeps happening. Its like an illness that we just can't stop!!!

At the party, we girls were rolling because we know we do it. Some of us had done it that night. We had a party to attend and didn't feel like we had that special outfit that would make us glow. I can't tell you how many times I hear this!!

So, what is the solution? The first thing that we have to do is to remember that we are there for the company. We came to spend time with our friends. They are probably not deciding whether to continue their friendship with us or not based on what we are wearing. Not what you were looking for?

Alright, short of just accepting what you have, letting go and having a great time despite what you are wearing....what can you do? The obvious is to join anatomyofstyle.com (okay, give me a break for the shameless plug). But, if you decide not to go that route, get yourself a minimum of one party outfit that you look fabulous in. Don't worry that you will wear it too often....most people don't remember what you were wearing!!! Spend a little more if it means feeling great and enjoying yourself more. Don't go too trendy. You want to be able to wear this outfit for several seasons (remember you spent more)! Don't think that your evening outfit has to be black....color makes a woman stand out and shine a little brighter.

Enjoy your holiday season and relish the relationships that you have built. Buy yourself something fabulous, but don't get caught up in being perfect....no such thing!!

Beauty Secrets from Audrey Hepburn

Its inevitable...if you use email to any degree, you are going to get forwarded jokes and inspirational emails from friends and family. Since the majority of our business is done via the internet, I spend an inordinate amount of time on the computer. I get and delete hundreds of these forwarded emails every day. I try and take a little time to open each one and see what it is about just in case it is something that I don't want to miss. I'm like that....can't stand the thought of missing out on something!

So, one of my mother-in-laws best friends sent me this email, "Beauty Secrets from Audrey Hepburn". I was so inspired by what it said that I wanted to share it with you. And, I was glad that I took the extra 15 seconds to open and read this.

For attractive lips , speak words of kindness...
For lovely eyes , seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure , share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair , let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise , walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone...

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,
reclaimed,and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you
have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping
others.

One of the things that most women do at the beginning of a new year is to look at ways to be more attractive. This year, instead of the typical....joining a gym, buying new face care products, or getting a new do....look at the way that you interact with others. Incorporate Audrey Hepburn's beauty secrets into your life and see the reaction that you get. I believe that you will have your most beautiful year ever!!

Love Letter to Myself

I don't watch a lot of television, but we recently got DVR and I have started recording a number of programs I wished that I could watch. Those nights that I can't sleep or just need to veg, I can choose from a list of programs that I always wanted to get into. The other night I was in one of those veg modes and sat down to watch Private Practice. I mean, it is a spin off from Grey's Anatomy and I have always been a big Grey's fan.

Well the episode of Private Practice the other night was hotter than anything McSteamy or McDreamy have every done. I was glued to the tv....actually riveted by what I was watching. Even if you have never watched this show, you will want to catch this episode. You can see the full episode of this particular show at ABC. Just to give you an idea of what was going on....Dell, who manages the doctor's practice gives a poignant, beautiful speech about how he feels about one of the women in the practice. You can't help but getting lost in this speech, wishing that someone felt about you what he feels about this woman. That's what got me to thinking.....why can't we feel about ourselves the way he feels about her.

So, I sat down and I wrote myself a love letter. No, this isn't egotistical or narcissistic. Why can't we love ourselves. Why can't we spend some time looking at our personalities, our appearance and our interaction with others just like a lover would. When we do this, why don't we say, "Yes, I am a fabulous woman with so very much to offer and I am glad to know myself." I thought I would share a little bit of my letter with you because it made me feel great about myself. So, here goes:

"Dear Gini,

You have such a beautiful spirit. I see that you embrace life and all that it has to give with total abandon. I love that you are willing to try anything and that even when you are afraid, you can push through and look at something as an adventure. It means a lot that you don't worry about what people think and you get the most out of your life. It gives me pleasure to be a part of this amazing person."

It is so hard to sit down and write nice things about ourselves. We have been trained to be modest and to not brag. Therefore, when we have to talk about ourselves or write something loving to ourselves, it is a chore. But why should it be? When we are asked to write a reference letter or we send a friend a heartfelt note for something that they have done, we are not as uncomfortable as when we love ourselves. Here is what I would challenge you to do. Think of your special characteristics, talents, spirit or appearance....really anything that makes you the person that you are. Think about these things as if they are another person. Get outside of yourself and see you the way that others may see you. Don't force yourself to write a long soliloquy. Just let your thoughts flow, stay positive and enjoy seeing the beauty in yourself!!