How A Stylist Can Help You Dress For Your LifeStyle

One of my goals as a stylist is to show clients how to find and elevate their own personal style. It is important to help each client find outfits that they feel confident in and that also work for their lifestyle. 

Bonnie asked me to help her create outfits that work for her lifestyle as a photographer. Her typical week includes networking events, client meetings, and photo shoots. On the days she works from home she also runs errands or meet up with friends for coffee. And on the weekend Bonnie spends time with her husband and friends discovering new restaurants and things to do around Washington DC.

During our style session Bonnie styled four outfits exactly how she would wear them. Then we discussed ways to upgrade her look while taking into consideration her own personal style and what she feels comfortable wearing. I made some recommendations and style tips for Bonnie and created four new outfits for her. 

Note - ALL items are from Bonnie's closet and she did not purchase anything new. 

Style Notes

Networking events are all about making new connections so I want Bonnie to feel confident and to stand out from the crowd.  This yellow dress has that "wow" factor and to balance out the feminine look and all the color I added a more edgy jean jacket and studded sandals. Bonnie look is so effortlessly chic. 

Style Tips

Don't be afraid to mix up dressy and casual pieces and trendy and classic pieces together.

Always dress to make a first impression. 

Style Notes

This a super cute outfit to run errands, work from home, and meet with friends. Bonnie's issue is that she "saves" her accessories (and clothes) for special occasions and thus she never ends up wearing them. The addition of a scarf and cuff is a great way to complete any outfit and the mixing of prints and patterns is so on trend. 

Style Tips

Keep accessories displayed where you can see them and incorporate them into your everyday style. 

Be stylish EVERYday!

Style Notes

When Bonnie is on a photo shoot her needs to focus on taking photos and she doesn't want her outfit to draw too much attention.  Her outfit has to be functional, unfussy, and comfortable.  But I think it is also important for Bonnie to look polished, professional, and stylish because she may gain potential clients. A statement necklace and a fun blazer or vest are easy and fun ways to show personality without drawing too much attention.

Style Tips

Professional attire can be stylish and fashionable. 

Accessories and layering are easy and fun ways to show personality at the workplace without drawing too much attention.

Style Notes

When Bonnie goes out to dinner with her husband or friends she likes to wear leggings,  tunic and flats.  I challenged her to glam it up on the weekends and pull out those dresses and sequin pieces from the back of her closet. 

Style Tips

For a night on the town or date night step up your style and don't be afraid to be glamorous.

A fabulous pair of heels, a little sparkle, and some bright lipstick will make you feel tall, sexy, and confident. 

Special thanks to Kirsten Stoddard for the graphic design/layout and to Bonnie Sen for editing the photos. 

And if you missed it you may like How A Stylist Can Help You Shop Your Closet

Finding The Perfect Pair Of White Jeans

 Citizens of Humanity skinny | Current Elliott cropped  | Hudson flare | rag & bone legging | Citizens of Humanity bootcut | J Brand distressed | 7 For All Mankind straight | AG roll up cigarette

I am on the lookout for a new pair of white jeans for the spring and with some many great styles I cannot decide between a pair of destructed boyfriend jeans or skinny jeans. I had a pair of cropped white skinny jeans from last year and I wore them all the time but now they are stained and a little tight because of too many spins in the dryer. 

Here are a few style tips when buying, wearing, and caring for your white jeans. 

Style Tips- White Jeans

1. Buy white jeans that fit perfectly. They are not as forgiving as darker or colored denim and all those lumps, bumps, and creases will show. Go for a pair that is not too tight or too loose. 

2. Choose a style that flatters your body shape. Skinny jeans are work well if you are tall and slender. Not sure which pair to select? The bootleg cut is flattering for almost every body shape .

3. Wear nude seamless undergarments. Black, white, and colored undergarments don't work with white jeans. 

4. Take good care of your jeans. My white jeans are too tight because I put them in the dryer too much and they are ruined because I did not remove stains immediately. Make sure to wash your jeans with only whites, follow the manufacturers label, and always remember to remove stains immediately. 

Wardrobe Staple- A Denim Vest

 Madewell denim vest | The Limited blouse | Ann Taylor tuxedo pants | Miu Miu heels | Zara handbag | J.Crew necklace | Fendi sunglasses 

I am a huge fan of layering vests, cropped leather jackets, and blazers throughout the year and I practically live in my jean jacket. But now that the weather is finally warming up it is a great time to put away the jean jacket and opt for a jean vest instead.  A jean vest is the perfect layering piece because it is lightweight, not so bulky, and looks super chic. It is a great wardrobe staple for all seasons and you can wear it with just about anything in your wardrobe.  For the spring and summer a jean vest looks great with a strapless dress, a maxi skirt or dress, and even over a fun t-shirt and pair of white jeans.  

{Style Tip-layer silver and gold bracelets together}

{Style Tip-Invest in a few high quality pairs of shoes as opposed to several uncomforable pairs. I don't have a lot of shoes but I buy ones I know I can wear from one season to the next and for years to come.}

Photos by Bonnie Sen

This Week-Let's Reflect

Image designed by the amazing and talented Jessica with Creative Index

Happy Friday everyone!

So often we make New Year's resolutions and by about this time of year it all falls by the wayside. But this year I decided to make small, specific, and attainable resolutions like wake up at 7 am every morning (because I knew a goal of 6 am would likely never happen), drink a full glass of water before my coffee and smoothie, and tickle Ariyana and laugh with her every single night before she goes to sleep.  Lately, I have also been making small changes each week that have made me feel more productive, healthier, active, and most importantly happier. 

Be productive and organized 

1. For the past couple of weeks I have been starting my day with a cup of coffee and my iPad. Ariyana usually is not up this early so I use this quiet time to check email, read blogs, websites, and news. Here are a few of my favorite articles I shared on Twitter and Facebook this week. 

- 50 Things Every Woman Should Know How To Do by 50

- Seven Things You Should Always Wear On A Plane 

-19 Easy Ways To Look Like A Chic European 

-9 Amazing Benefits Of Coffee 

-9 Habits of People Who Build Extraordinary Relationships 

2. I always say I want to read more so this week I committed to reading 30 minutes before going to sleep. Right now I am reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. It is so easy to read all those glossy magazines I have downloaded on my iPad but I think at night it is therapeutic to read a page turning novel instead. 

3. This week I am using my Jonathan Adler To Do notepad to jot down all the things I need to do. Yes I admit I am one of those people who likes to phyiscally cross off the things I accomplish each day. 

Be healthy and try new recipes 

We are not completely vegetarian but I enjoy cooking mostly vegetarian food and fish.  So this week I decided to cook from of one of my favorite cookbooks- A Year In A Vegetarian Kitchen by Jack Bishop. These recipes are super quick and easy and I have to say cooking strictly from one cookbook makes planning meals so much easier during the week. 

-Penne with Pan-Roasted Garlic, Sauteed Cherry Tomatoes, and Basil

-Spicy-Pan Glazed Tofu

-Orecchiette With Spicy Broccoli

Be active and try new workout routines 

1. This week I went to Tabata (basically a high intensity interval training class) and it was amazing-so amazing I literally couldn't work out the next two days. Check out more information about Tabata here. 

2. I also had a fun date with two of my girlfriends at the driving range.  We all decided we want to learn how to play golf together this year. I am excited to learn how to play and it really is so much more fun with girlfriends. 

And last week Ariyana spent her spring break with my parents in North Carolina. When Ariyana came back she had a short list of simple things she wanted me to do.  I have no issues with request #1 but I am going to need to practice and find a tutorial on #2. 

1. "Mama from now please give me warm water with honey and lemon in the morning with my breakfast "

2. "Oh and I want you to please braid my hair for school everyday. "

Have a wonderful weekend!

Spring Accessories Trends - ABC's Let's Talk Live

Last week I stopped by ABC's Let's Talk Live to chat with Melanie about all the fun trends for the spring season. From lucite bracelets to black and white chic handbags and block heel sandals there are tons of great and affordable options out there for everyone. 

And if you missed it check out my Spring Accessories Guide and my last TV fashion segment on Spring Fashion Trends.