The Life Styled

I Think You're Looking For...

2010-07-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Trying to find The Life Styled blog? Go here: www.thelifestyledblog.com

Looking for The Life Styled fashion services? Head on over here: www.thelifestyled.com

The Life Styled Has a New Home!

2009-12-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

Even if you're an Earth, change is always good! Say goodbye to thelifestyled.blogspot.com and hello to...

http://thelifestyled.com

Happy reading!

Holiday Style: Red Light District

2009-12-11T13:34:00.000-08:00

Some call it cliché. I call it classic. I never love red as much as I do around the holidays. Those seeking to add some pleasure to their lives this time of year can turn to the most festive of colors to brighten their mood, and that of those around them!

Here are some of the season's most drool worthy red pieces. Click on the set to see details!

Red Red Red by thelifestyled featuring Brian Atwood shoes

And that concludes Fire week on The Life Styled! But the season is in full swing, so be sure to rock your pleasure seeker flare all December long!

Tune in next week for the complete Elemental Gift Guide! After The Life Styled gets a hold of your holiday shopping list, you'll have all your friends and loved ones wondering just how you were able to get inside their head like that. Just try not to be creepy about it.

Holiday Style: Drama in the Details

2009-12-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

One of the most fun ways to add Fire energy to your wardrobe is with the little things. Any small scale accessory can add large scale drama, yet can still be appropriate for wherever your day may be taking you. Just add a pop of the over-dramatic and BAM - instant punch packing! Anyone could bring these items into their holiday rotation - just add one to your favorite outfit and you'll be turning heads without screaming "Look at me, look at me!" Unless of course, that's your style...

Red Leather Driving Gloves, $73

Diesel Bieny Hat, $55

Topshop Feather Chain Handle Bag, $90

J. Crew Skinny Crushed-Glitter Belt, $24.50

Abercrombie Soft Loop Scarf, $88

Anthropologie Bits of Ice Bracelet, $48

Lippmann Nail Polish in Ruby Red Slippers, $18

Sephora "Magnificent Sparkles" Look

Holiday Style: Show a Little Skin

2009-12-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

Go ahead, it's OK! Even though it's cold outside, it can get quite warm when you find yourself under the misteltoe. You don't have to feel naked - a deep v-neck top or one-shoulder dress reveals just enough to show your Pleasure Seeker intentions at that holiday party. We could all use a little relief from those heavy wool sweaters in the winter time, and let's face it - when you're laughing it up with friends over multiple glasses of champagne punch, your skin will be happy that it's getting some air!

Here are some fun revealing-ish looks for inspiration:

Water

Earth

Fire

Metal

Wood

Stop! Before you squeeze into that sequined mini dress, it's always a good idea to get your winter skin glowing. Try my surefire steps to radiant winter skin:

Step 1: Exfoliate

If you want to have any hope for that dewy look, this is an absolute must. My new favorite secret weapon: Buffy bar by Lush ($21.35). Talk about a good scrub! This magical product is not a soap - no, no. It's a creamy moisturizer in bar form filled with little grains that not only buff away dead skin cells, but leave your skin glowing before you've even stepped out of the shower. I'll never let myself run out of this before replacing it - ever. It's that good.

Step 2: Moisturize

Now that you've got a smooth, clean slate, seal the deal with a good winter lotion. Personally, I cannot live without Kiehl's Creme de Corps lotion, which leaves a dewy glow on your skin. Check out the limited edition "KAW" bottle, some of the proceeds of which benefit RxArt, a great charity that helps lift patients' spirits with art.

Don't forget the most important part - your face! Bobbi Brown's EXTRA Face balm moisturizer is an absolute essential for skin that gets dry in the winter months. If you're not getting compliments on your complexion within the first week of use, I'd be shocked.

Step 3: Highlight

The final but oh-so-important touch. The part that really makes people go "wow, you're glowing." There are many highlighters in many forms and price points out there, but I always go back to MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle. Dust a little on your cheek bones, forehead, collar bone, shoulders, and even legs, and you're ready for your closeup!

And finally, when showing a little skin, always remember that confidence is key. If you feel like you're going to a party naked, put a bit more on. If you love what you have on, all anyone can see is how fabulous you look (and feel)!

Holiday Style: Cozy Up in Fur

2009-12-08T11:01:00.000-08:00

Fire energy makes a big statement through animal-like materials, and what accessory could possibly be more fun for the holidays than cozy fur? Not only is it timelessly chic, but it provides some much needed warmth in the winter months. I'm happy to report that faux fur is looking better and better these days, and guilt free! Here are my picks for you, whatever element your essence may be - none of which cost more than $200. Can't beat that!

Earth Fur Picks by thelifestyled featuring Forever21

Items in this set:
YESSTYLE: Black Queen- Faux Fur Pleated Dress - Free International..., $75
Button Front Coat with Detachable Faux Fur Collar, $90
Faux Fur Plaid Jacket, $50
Faux-Fur Vest, $55
titty&Co. Fur Moccasin Boots (Brown)

Water Fur Picks by thelifestyled featuring Mooiee scarves

Items in this set:
Detachable Fur Trimmed Pea Coat, $138
Set: Button Front Jacket + Faux Fur Muffler, $68
Rocket Dog Hailstorm Faux Fur Trim Flat Boots, $102
HIGH NL14W01 NAVY WOOL/POLYESTER/COTTON/NYLON -, 135 GBP
Mango Faux Fur Gloves, $36

Wood Fur Picks by thelifestyled featuring Moncler jackets

Items in this set:
AE Fur Trim Hoodie - Navy Ship, $80
Moncler Fur-Trim Hooded Parka Black [MC M-069] - $199.00 :..., $199
Faux-Fur Trim Hooded Long Jacket, $100
Luscious Faux Fur Vest, $25
Mukluks Boots | Snow Boots Tall Mukluks Indian handmade snow boots..., $190

Fire Fur Picks by thelifestyled featuring Adrienne Landau hats

Items in this set:
Faux Fur Leopard Vest Brown - One Size, $88
Rachel Zoe Faux Fur Vest with Hook & Eye Closure - QVC.com, $80
Leopard fur boyfriend jacket, 60 GBP
SAN MARINA fur and gold boots
Raccoon Fur Loop, $175

Metal Fur Picks by thelifestyled featuring Aspinal of London gloves

Items in this set:
Vtg 80s White Silver Faux Fox Fur SHAGGY Coat Jacket SM | Market..., $168
Ivory faux fur bolero, 33 GBP
Faux Fur Bar Clutch Bag, 30 GBP
Ladies Fur Cuffed Gloves, $155
A by Adrienne Landau Faux Fur Scarf with Sequin Trim at HSN.com, $40

See something you love that's not in your "essence group"? Don't fret - go for it! Fashion Feng Shui is never meant to restrict you, only guide you and give you ideas!

Holiday Style: Sparkle and Shine

2009-12-07T14:44:00.001-08:00

The holidays are filled with all the greatest things in life: connecting with family and friends, parties stocked with champagne and mistletoe, and plenty of excuses to add a little drama to your wardrobe - all the things Pleasure Seekers thrive on! All this week on The Life Styled, we'll be heating up your Fashion Feng Shui® essence with Fire done five different ways. So get ready to let your flame burn this holiday season!

Holiday Fire Tip #1: Sparkle and Shine!

There’s no better way to turn heads than with a little sparkle! With anything from the beaded trim on a top, to a New Years dress covered in sequins, you’ll surely be the most festive at the party! This season is all about glitter and sequins, so feel free to push the envelope on this one...

Metal Holiday Sparkle and Shine by thelifestyled featuring Vince

Wood Holiday Sparkle and Shine by thelifestyled featuring Michael Kors bags

Water Holiday Sparkle and Shine by thelifestyled featuring French Connection

Earth Holiday Sparkle and Shine by thelifestyled featuring Miss Selfridge

Fire Holiday Sparkle and Shine by thelifestyled featuring Rue Du Mail jackets

Sneak Peek: Burnin' Up for the Holidays

2009-12-04T12:19:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, it's all about the elements! Keep up with The Life Styled all next week to learn how you can dress the part at all those fabulous parties, nights at home, or heck - your daily Starbucks run (who says you can't wear sequins just to pick up a Peppermint White Mocha?). We'll be taking an elemental look at dressing for the holidays, so make sure you know your essence, and get ready to heat it up (hint hint)!

Sequins to Starbucks by thelifestyled featuring Burberry bags

Items in this set:
Ashish Sequined off-the-shoulder mini dress, $1,020
Current/Elliott The Moto Skinny jeans, $265
Frye Dorado Low Boots
Burberry SMALL SHIMMER CHECK BAG - Satchels, $595
Ladies Fur Cuffed Gloves, $155

Still having an elemental identity crisis? Brush up on these helpful posts to figure out which of the five elements screams your name:

What is Fashion Feng Shui? Celebrity Edition

Fashion Feng Shui: Styling Element Breakdown

Polyvore Sets for Each Element

Elemental Fusions

Get ready to let your Fire burn this holiday season!

Hello, Bombshell: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

2009-12-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

I've always thought it was a bit ironic that the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show airs a few days after Thanksgiving - the one time of year we all are guaranteed to feel self conscious about our lingerie bodies. I can't decide if it's a bad marketing strategy (who wants to think about walking around in our bras and panties when there's still pumpkin pie in the fridge?) or if it's actually brilliant, making us forget about all that stuffing we housed last week and start reaching for that seemingly-attainable bombshell look that the angels make look so effortless - if only I had that bra, I would look just like Marisa Miller!

This year's show featured all our favorite supermodels (aka, fembots) in some headturning ensembles, while the Black Eyed Peas serenaded them down the catwalk. I have to admit, I loved every minute! Great remixes, nailed-it performances, fairytale outfits, and undeniable inspiration to keep up my running routine. Here were some of my favorite looks and moments from the show*:

Having the models walk while the Black Eyed Peas performed was like an overdose of hotness.

Miranda's enchanted forest look, unexpectedly combined with purple plaid. Love it!

The million dollar bra, on the million dollar angel.

Love the double-panty layering! If only there would ever be a reason to do that...

Every year, the models sport a new special edition robe which is available after the fashion show. Brilliant! I love the subtle stripe version and detailing on the back of this years - a nice departure from last year's bright "Santa Baby" red.

Possibly my favorite look of the night, it was much more enchanting in HD motion.

In case you're feeling inspired, here are some of my top picks from Victoria's Secret this season:

Flannel Sleepover Pajama, $39.50 (and it comes in long lengths!)

Satin robe, $78

Lace Peacock Demi Bra, $98; Bikini Panty, $48

Leather Asymmetric Zip Jacket, $218

*Featuring Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2009 photos from CBS.com, and Yahoo.com

Steal It From Him

2009-12-02T14:01:00.000-08:00

You've seen it a million times before: Boyfriend blazer. Boyfriend jean. Boy shorts. Menswear shirt. The trend has had staying power ever since Diane Keaton in Annie Hall - heck, since Katherine Hepburn. But this look is more than just an ongoing trend, it's a way to save money and expand your wardrobe by making your boyfriend/husband's clothes your own. Here are a few of my favorite things to go scavenging for. Go ahead! Trust me - he won't mind.

Men's Collared Shirt
Thanks to skinny jeans and leggings, the oversized shirt is a chic look these days. Men's work shirts have no need to be shapely, but in their naturally looser fit, they can add some sex appeal to a fitted pant. If you're really daring, just unbutton one more button and pop the collar. Even roll up the sleeves and add a wrist full of sparkle, and there's no mistaking who really wears... the shirt.

My picks: Abercrombie makes great collared shirts that still have a little bit of shape. I love their classic striped stiff fabrics - easier for collar popping. And I can't get enough of J. Crew's men's flannel shirts. So soft and cozy for winter!

Abercrombie Classic Stripe, $69.50

J. Crew Sunwashed Flannel Shirt, $69.50

Men's Hanes V-necks
Those of us who indulge in the simple pleasures of The Rachel Zoe Project know that former attitudey sidekick Taylor (who I love) relies on these basic v-necks, sold in bulk packs of 5 for about $10. I have discovered that they can easily be formed and stretched in the right places to get the shape you want (I like to stretch out the hem to add length, the neck to add a little Firey-ness, and keep the top more fitted). When paired with your favorite military jacket or leopard print coat and leggings, it's easy to forget these tees were meant for men.

Pack of 5 Men's Hanes V-neck Tees, $7.99

Men's Watches
There's not much to say about this other than that I LOVE the look of a men's watch on a woman. The oversizedness creates the illusion of a skinnier arm, and when it comes to jewelry, the bigger the better!

My picks: I love the interchangeable bands on J. Crew's Timex military watch. I'll always be lusting after the obnoxiously massive classic men's Rolex Datejust (diamond encrusted, of course), but in the meantime loving Michael Kors' Signature Watch - to the untrained eye, it's almost a dead ringer for the Rolex.

J. Crew Timex Miliary Watch, $150

Left: Men's Rolex Datejust With Diamonds, $?

Right: Michael Kors Signature Watch, $275

Men's Hoodie

On a whim, I bought the American Apparel salt and pepper hoodie, which is technically considered unisex, but looks more masculine than feminine. It's meant to fit slightly oversized, with a longer length (hello, leggings and skinny jeans) and exaggeratedly bunchy sleeves. I cannot get enough! And neither can Ian, who stole it from my closet today.

American Apparel Unisex Hoodie, $42

Let me tell ya, we are certainly onto something when shopping in, or for, our man's closet. If you buy something new, it's almost like a two-for-one deal if he can wear it too, and vice versa. Or at least you can tell yourself that...

Currently Coveting: MAC's Baroque Boudoir Collection

2009-12-01T13:21:00.000-08:00

I'm a sucker for anything MAC, and anything with a damask pattern. I have to admit that while MAC's Magic, Mirth, and Mischief holiday collection is vast, it left a little something to be desired. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw their latest collection - Baroque Boudoir.

Let's face it, the packaging alone makes this collection a must. I fully intend to keep the adorable silver patterned boxes and use them for makeup drawer storage. And anything with "boudoir" in the title immediately captures my attention.

Baroque Boudoir Lipstick, $22: Privé, Baroque Boudoir, Treasured

Baroque Boudoir Compact/Sheer Mystery Powder, $60

Baroque Boudoir Lip Gloss, $22: Preciousness, D'Nouveau, Lap of Luxury

Boudoir Clutch, $65

The cons I've heard about this collection? The lipglosses are not as opaque as one might hope, and the prices are a little steep in comparison to the usual MAC prices, but not quite steep enough to steer me away. It does appear that the online MAC store is sold out of many of these products, so I suggest you check your nearest MAC stores. First on my list is the perfect light pink Privé lipstick, and the black clutch, despite the $65 price tag. There's just something exciting about a makeup storage bag that's worthy of transforming into a night out clutch.

Enjoy getting dolled up for the holidays!

Must Have Right Now: Winter Shorts

2009-11-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

This fall has brought us many covetable trends - strong shoulders that make you feel like a superhero, long sleeved mini dresses, slouchy hats to save you from yet another 30-minute blowout, and sequins sequins SEQUINS! All of these items are must haves in my book, but there's one that really makes my heart skip a beat when I think of all the fabulous day and night outfits it can bring to the table: I am LOVING winter shorts! Sometimes our skinny jeans just don't call our name - especially the day after Thanksgiving. Luckily, winter shorts can be worn for everything from a casual day of errands, to a swanky night out with girlfriends. Here are some of my favorite ways to rock this trend.

Black Friday

Black Friday in Winter Shorts by thelifestyled featuring All Saints

Items in this set:
Miss Selfridge t shirt, 16 GBP
All Saints jacket, 250 GBP
Marc by Marc Jacobs shorts, 153 GBP
Belstaff boots, $535
Pink Studio bag, $80

A Day in the City

A Day in the City in Winter Shorts by thelifestyled featuring Central Park West jackets

Items in this set:
Miss Selfridge blouse, 28 GBP
Central Park West jacket, $155
Anthropologie shorts, $78
Matalan.co.uk boots, 18 GBP
Burberry tote bag, 12,250 GBP

November Weekend

November Weekend in Winter Shorts by thelifestyled featuring Missoni accessories

Items in this set:
Old Navy top, $20
Ann Demeulemeester coat, 1,050 GBP
Anthropologie shorts, $128
Rupert Sanderson boots, 775 GBP
Chanel shoulder bag

A Night Out

A Night Out in Winter Shorts by thelifestyled featuring Seven For All Mankind

Items in this set:
James Perse top, 105 GBP
Seven For All Mankind jacket, $495
French Connection shorts, $118
Tory Burch sandals, $400
Valentino clutch, $895

Even though I used different shorts for each of these outfits, you can achieve all of these looks with one good pair. Aside from the ones I used here, J. Crew also has a few different options. Just stock up on some fun new tights, and you've got countless ways to wear em! I'm going for personalized initial tights by the Twin Cities based design duo, Calpurnia Peach. Love!

Wardobe Refresher: Closet Detox & Beauty Rx

2009-11-11T14:01:00.000-08:00

This week brought upon a much needed task: closet cleanout. I tend to get inspired to do this around the changing seasons. When I open my closet doors to get dressed on a chilly November morning, the last thing I want to see is a slew of summery dresses and tanks that I can't wear again until Spring rolls around (it feels so far away!). It's time to redebut all those winter sweaters and boots that went into hiding back in April. It's fun to do the actual switch-out not just because it reminds you of all your favorite pieces for the approaching season, but because it forces you to detox your wardrobe. OK, this old frompy gray dress from 5 years back? Let's face it - haven't worn it in 2, and likely never will again. Ahhh how liberating it feels to get rid of two garbage bags full of things that were becoming fashion liabilities. Closet space is valubable, and should only be filled with clothes that do you favors. Trust me - that H&M cardigan you bought in college will never "suddenly inspire you" again. At $17, there's always a better one to replace it. And the most fun part - getting to make room for all the fabulous new clothes I buy when I go on my weekly shopping sprees!

Alright, you got me. Sadly, there are no weekly shopping sprees. But I read a great interview with Nina Garcia, who advised the financially stunted fashionistas of today to "go shopping in your closet." What a concept! I loved her take on revamping your current pieces. "Do your hair and makeup, and spend an hour trying on your own clothes." She says that often what comes of it are new outfits composed of things you might never had thought to put together. It seems so obvious once we hear it, but how many of us actually devote real time and energy to breathing life into our closets? We tend to ignore the fact that a fabulous top you bought to go with a certain skirt could actually be worn with jeans and a vest. The faux fur short sleeved jacket you bought for a glam rock New Years costume is now actually in style for real life. Lightweight dresses can even be tucked into structured skirts and worn as tops. If we can get past our "must have new stuff" syndrome, no one else will even notice that we're recycling. Truly, you're the only one who knows your wardrobe as well as you.

Get more tips from our favorite Marie Claire fashion director/Project Runway judge in her book The Style Strategy.

Aside from literature (bought with online discount and free overnight shipping, of course), there are other excuses to incorporate a wee bit of shopping. No matter how frugal you are, some things just have to be purchased from time to time - beauty products for example. Shampoos run out, lipglosses get used up, and our roots grow in. Here are a few of my favorite beauty finds at the moment...

Frederic Fekkai Salon Color: This at-home DIY hair color system spares no quality against the real thing. Aside from the star treatment you might receive (and pay for) at the salon, the results are truly identical. At $30, it's still slightly more than a drugstore brand, but well worth it for the quality - they even give you pre-color treatment, a bowl and brush, and a generous tube of conditioning treatment that will last for weeks after you color. I just used this for the first time last night in Medium Brown, and I'm now a devoted fan.

MAC's Fascinating Eye Kohl: You may have seen this pop up on The Life Styled multiple times before, but this little beauty tool is that good. When used in the water line or on the inner corners of your eyes, your face completely comes to life in a "something's different about you, but I can't tell what" kind of way. It also works as the perfect sticky base for eye shadow on the lid. I recommend making this a staple in your glittery holiday looks.

MAC's Asphalt Flower Fragrance: I'm not normally that inspired by fragrances, but this little limited edition roll-on scent blew me away. It's described as a deep, dark, erotic scent that's both feminine and fierce. At just $20, it has everything I look for in a fragrance - the perfect balance of musk and floral, and it's on-the-go friendly.

A Little Earth for Fall

2009-10-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

Since Autumn is in full swing, many of us like to make a few tweaks to our wardrobes, and our lives, to reflect the chillier temps, changing leaves, and anticipation for the holidays. Earth is the element for Fall, when we come in from outside, and settle into the "homebody" versions of ourselves. Warm homemade soup, a fire in the fireplace, classic tunes, and hot cider all get us in the mood to channel our Earth this season. Here are five of the many ways each of us can bring the Earth energy in...

Wood Does Earth

Wood with Earth by thelifestyled featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs

The Pioneer brings in Earth energy for a little coziness and grounding as she tackles her day. While still honoring the Wood with pants (columnar shapes), sporty styling in the shoes, wooden accessories, green cardi and nail polish (recognize MAC's Dry Martini?), the Earth is a strong theme through nubby textures (tweed fabric), brown and yellow tones, horizontal stripes, boxy bag, and overall classic, traditional styling.

Fire Does Earth

Fire with Earth by thelifestyled featuring Halston

Even the Pleasure Seeker loves to be cozy. Here, Fire brings in Earth with a cozy winter hat that's adorned with an exaggerated pom pom, and says "I'm going inside for hot cocoa ASAP... make that a glass of wine," a warm comfy nubby sweater in a rosy red (oh, and you can't see in this picture that the back is bare, most likely making this her favorite Fall piece), a loud high contrast scarf in an Earthy plaid pattern, nails in burnt red, and comfy leggings that still have a rocker edge. Even the square shape in the ring and slightly vintage styling of the boots give an Earthy flare to this Firey ensemble.

Metal Does Earth

Metal with Earth by thelifestyled featuring Burberry accessories

The Perfectionist brings Earth energy in with grace and class. The Metal here is obvious in the light, solid tones, minimal patterns, designer accessories, and overall mood of softness and luxury. The Earth fits right in with Burberry plaid, orange bag, shimmery beige nails, and classic tan cape style coat.

Water Does Earth

Water With Earth by thelifestyled featuring Diane von Furstenberg

Water does Earth with an edge. There's a rebelious and creative feel in the black skinny jeans, lace-up boots, and giant boxy black bag, but the Earth is completely present through the plaid pattern and boxy shapes in the coat, brown polish, nubby winter accessories, and the almost-traditional styling in the boots.

Earth Does... More Earth

Balanced Earth by thelifestyled featuring Fendi bags

Fall is the time when Earths feel right at home! It's fun to see the Peacemakers in our lives really honor their essence with outfits that look like they stepped out of a quintessential Fall photo shoot. Here, the Earth really shines through in the plaid patterned shirt, brown Equestrian pants and classic boots, nubby textures and Earth colors in the hat and cardi, traditional cameo earrings, and a big brown boxy bag. Yet, in order to keep the outfit from looking too predictable and boring, there are still other elements present to balance it out: Fire in the deep red nails and body shaping pants, Water in the black boots and flowy ruffles in the shirt, Metal in the designer accessories and elegant earrings, and Wood in the sporty Equestrian styling and cotton fabrics.

Wondering which element is your essence? Do a little research in these older posts:

What is Fashion Feng Shui? Celebrity Edition

Fashion Feng Shui: Styling Element Breakdown

Polyvore Sets for Each Element

Elemental Fusions

And don't forget to check out my guest blogging week, today through Thursday, on Elemental Home Styling at Haute Apple Pie!

Warning: Heightened Obsession

2009-10-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

After I showed you a few of my October Favorites, some buzz started to flow in about the American Apparel circle scarf. People who have tried it, people who wanted to try it... everyone seemed to be talking about it. So, as a follow up, I decided to sit down and watch the video about the different ways to wear it. Here I was raving about it, and I had only actually tried the long and short scarf, and capelet versions. Today, I had to know: Can you really wear this scarf as a dress? So, I tried the one-shoulder design, and here's how it turned out, belted and unbelted:

My verdict: Gold star! Forming the scarf into a dress was a cinch - took all about about 30 seconds. It's amazing how much fabric is actually there. With a belt, it's structured and sophisticated, fit for day or night. Without, it's a Grecian hipster frock that could totally see you to a swank evening event. If worn right, this thing honestly looks like it could have been a $395 Elizabeth and James creation. For $28, this scarf is a full on must have!

So tell me - how are you wearing it?

October Favorites

2009-10-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

Even in sunny LA, fall is in the air! Temps are crisp and clouds are lingering - the perfect environment to make a pot of tea, and cozy in with the latest episode of Glee. Fall is also my favorite time of year for fashion - putting away the white jeans and sun faded tanks, in favor of scarves, sweaters, and boots. This October, a few pieces have found themselves a loving home as staples in my fall wardrobe. Check them out!

J. Crew Pixie Pant - By far my biggest obsession of late, these fab pants have taken the place of my jeans as the go to bottoms for this season. They look amazing with a feminine sweater and black flats - very Audrey!

American Apparel Circle Scarf - I have Rachel to thank for bringing the circle scarf into my life. I had seen them in the store before, but never really gave them a thought until I heard that they could be worn a billion different ways, from dress to hood to capelet (my favorite). There's even a tutorial video that shows all the different ways to wear it! After debating between all the dark smokey colors, I ended up with the black Tie Dye Version. What color would you choose?

MAC Dry Martini - My obsession with nail colors usually comes into full swing with the change of the seasons. I love every fall shade there is, especially the tinted almost-blacks, like MAC's glittery purple black Baby Goth Girl and darkest green Beyond Jealous. But my shade du jour is Dry Martini. I just can't get enough of this olive green. It's the perfect fall color on any skin tone, and just begs to serve as the standout accessory against the actual Dirty Bird in your hand (Dirty Bird - a dirty Grey Goose martini - the bigger the glass and thinner the crystal, the better).

The list goes on and on. Stay tuned for plenty more covetable fall favorites to come!

Etsy Obsession: Silver Cocoon

2009-10-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

I love those little perfect coincidences that happen from time to time. A few weeks ago, my favorite St. Paulian red head, aka. our lovely wedding photographer Paige DeWees (who, by the way, has amazing personal style) sent out an invitation to her dear friend's jewelry trunk show. I was still in LA at the time, so I unfortunately had to miss it but I did spend a few moments drooling over Silver Cocoon's (husband and wife design team Tia Salmela Keobounpheng and Souliyahn Keobounpheng) pieces on Etsy. The following week, when working with the producer at Twin Cities Live to put together our next segment on local fashion, I immediately thought to reach out to Silver Cocoon to feature any of the fabulous pieces. Coincidentally, producer Melissa had the exact same plan and had already arranged for us to include their work in the segment! I don't know how she knew about them too - silly me, I thought they were just friends of a friend. Maybe their artistic jewelry was creating a bigger buzz than I realized...

When we finally got to see the pieces in person on the day of the segment, I literally stopped in my tracks. No jpeg could possibly get across the detail in each little edge and corner, such as on the acrylic/silver Hive necklace we featured in the segment. I'm also wishlisting the acrylic Thin bracelets - the challenge is deciding between the orange/yellow/ivory variety and basic black, but all I know is I MUST add a stack to my arm ASAP. It's no wonder the collection is sold at art museums like The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. The work belongs in an exhibit of its own, so we're all lucky we can go home with it.

Shop Silver Cocoon on Etsy.
See their other multitalentednesses.
Check out the divine catalog, photographed by Paige.

Style Space Makeover: Home Office

2009-10-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

I have always felt that an important part of have great style is having the "style spaces" in your home to support it. Style space: A place in your home that serves as a haven for expressing your personal style. For example, a vanity table or boudoir, closet, or our focus du jour, the home office. I spent the last week with my mom, who was visiting from Minnesota, doing an extreme makeover on our guest room/office, and it's now my favorite room in the place.

When we moved into our 2 bedroom apartment last year, we ended up using the 2nd bedroom as a sort of "spillover" room for things that didn't have another place to go. Our guest bed, 2-desk setup from our NYC apartment, and I took over the closets for my clothes. It was never a room to hang out in. The bed was on the wrong wall Feng Shui wise (beds should always be coming out from a wall that's opposite the door), and my little 24" desk was hardly the space to run a home based business from. Check out what it looked like before...

The first step was to rearrange the furniture. It took a little trial and error, but we managed to move the guest bed to the other wall and still keep the original pieces from the shelves/desk setup. We only removed one of the desks, and now we had an entire new wall on which to create my home office! I knew I wanted all white, sleek, and modern, with touches of vintage. With the help of West Elm furniture, Russell and Hazel and CB2 desk accessories, and a few touches from my new obsession French General (more on that later), we were able to create my dream office! Drum roll...

Chair, desk, pillow from West Elm; Lamp from Ikea; Memo board by Catherine and Peggy

Vintage spool of yarn from French General, Set of 3 rolls of tape from Design Within Reach.

Rolodex from Russel and Hazel; Acrylic box with lid from CB2; memo board pins from Michael's

Tip: For a home office, keep the look simple, clean, and even a little matchy matchy. Clutter always seems to be an issue with desks, so any way you can keep things easy on the eye will be best. In my case, I kept all the main pieces white, and office accessories clear.

The bed is now so much more inviting in its new position too, which also eliminated the need for bedside tables. Even Ian's computer desk has its own cozy nook in the corner now, without being too visually cumbersome in the room.

We replaced the old dark brown lamp shades with these fluffy white ones from Shabby Chic. So much airier, and now the lamps really give off a lot of light for our overnight guests to read by.

I had been wanting a memo board for the office forever, but have only ever seen tiny ones measuring about 16"x24" for sale - hardly enough space to hold all the day-to-day inspirations. So, on the last day of our makeover process, Mom and I spent the day crafting our own memo board out of vintage hemp fabric we picked up at French General, buttons from my collection, and tools from Michael's (white grosgrain ribbon, stretched canvas, quilt batting, and staple gun). It wasn't quite the 10-minute project that the YouTube videos made it out to be, but the Metal in both of us wanted to be really thorough and we couldn't be happier with the outcome!

Mom and me, working into the late hours to get all the buttons sewn on.

As you could expect, Mom was much faster than me with the sewing.

Our work really paid off in the end. Kenzie now spends all her time in this room, and it set the bar for the rest of the rooms in our apartment. Home decorating is always a work in progress. I'd still like to replace Ian's desk chair (which is currently one of our teal kitchen chairs) with a clear one like this one from CB2...

Once you start working on your home, it's hard to stop. But all the fun ideas and wish lists serve as great things to post on your memo board! A stylish home always serves as a strong inspiration for a stylish you.

While I Was Out

2009-10-05T18:32:00.000-07:00

Due to the intensely close score at the 2nd quarter of the Vikings/Packers game, it may have been in my best interest to save this post for tomorrow, when people are actually looking at their computer screens instead of their TV's. Alas, I may as well seize this free moment. This might be the longest I've ever been away from my blog since the day I started, but that doesn't mean I've been without things to blog about - which may lead to an explosion of topics all over The Life Styled. I'll do my best to tame it.... I spent the last two weeks in Minnesota and ran into lots of great fashion while I was there, thanks to MN Fashion Week!

First, I had the privilege of working with the wonderful folks over at Twin Cities Live on another segment - this time about Minnesota based fashion. Besties Elizabeth, Jessie, and my favorite boutique owner Jen (of Sisters Ugly in Northfield) came out to help me show off some most covetable outfits from MN boutiques and designers. See the segment.

Jen in Sisters Ugly.

Liz in Sisters Ugly.

Jessie in Karma, Picky Girl, and Calpurnia Peach.

Next stop, Fashion in the Sky, hosted by my fave TCL producer Melissa Specken and the show's host Elizabeth Ries. It was a lovely fall evening for a rooftop fashion show, red velvet cupcakes, and red wine. All the models worked the runway in fashions from top Twin Cities boutiques (including some of the ones featured in our segment) to the sounds of DJ spun club tunes... and the hooting and hollering coming from our corner - still trying to decide if that was inappropriate or much appreciated...

September was also the month of weddings. Here's a shoutout to three fabulously fashionable couples...

Tim and Heather's rustic, misty mountain top September 12th wedding in upstate New York was featured in Time Out NY!

Grace and Alex, September 19th at Summit Manor in St. Paul, MN. The girl sure knows how to pick bridesmaids dresses... and the best wedding cocktails ever!

Dan and Aubry, September 25th at Loring Pasta Bar/Varsity Theatre in Minneapolis. In the middle of the groom's welcome speech, he lead his bride into their rendition of "I've Had the Time of My Life." Who can top a karaoke wedding?

Now that September has swiftly come and gone, I'm looking to the future! Stay tuned for lots of fun things to come, including some fab new series - Etsy Obsessions, Home Style, Boutique Bombards, and Monthly Favorites!

Fashion's Night Out In My Shoes

2009-09-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

After I booked my flight for some friends' wedding that took place in New York this past weekend, I was thrilled to learn that my trip would coincide with one of the biggest nights in fashion. To kick off New York Fashion Week, Vogue teamed up with countless retailers, celebs, and designers to host the first ever Fashion's Night Out - a shopping extravaganza spanning across the world, set to to boost the economy and "make shopping fun again." From 6 to 11pm, stores hosted rockin' spending parties with cocktails, DJ's, and celebrities doing random cool things - Mary Kate and Ashley bartending at Bergdorfs, Oscar de la Renta singing, Philip Lim hosting a trunk show out of an actual van in Soho. No matter how swiftly you moved, there was simply no way to hit it all.

I set out with my two partners in crime, Nicole and Rachel, promptly at 6pm - the start of the night’s festivities. We didn’t know what to expect, but assumed it would be a night filled with long lines, uncooperative weather, and unmanageable crowds. But in true New York fashion, it was guaranteed to be memorable...

6:00 PM - The plan was to meet the girls at Gucci on 5th Ave. I'm the first one there, and I quickly learn that Plan B needs to take effect after seeing the massive lines of girls hoping to get one of the first 200 free Fashion's Night Out t-shirts. Nevermind Gucci!

The crowds outside Gucci, hoping for free t-shirts.

Tiffany filled the sidewalk with turquoise and class.

6:05 PM - I start heading towards our next stop of choice, Bergdorfs, and tell the girls to meet me there. As I approach, a small crowd starts to form around one of the window displays. Ah yes - it's Zac Posen in a $400,000 tiara on loan (exclusive detail I overheard from someone from Zac's camp upon joining the crowd) sweatily painting a blank white garment on a posing model. I stood there for maybe 30 minutes, enthralled with his swift and impressive work. There's a reason he's a legend!

Zac doing his thang. Note the tiara.

6:30 PM - I make my way into Bergdorf's where a lot happens within a few minutes. The place immediately starts to fill and excited fashionistas (and fashionistos) make their way to the drink stations and counters to buy their Fashion's Night Out tees - a portion of the proceeds go to National September 11th Memorial and Museum. I'm not sure if it's the charity, the cool PSA, the softness of the fabric, the chic NYC skyline design, or all the buzz leading up to it, but these t-shirts are flying off the racks!

6:40 PM - I grab my first glass of wine of the night, and make my way up the 7 floors to the fine china section where Padma Lakshimi is hosting a cook-off, and then back down to the 5th floor where Alexander Wang and Anna Wintour are posing for a photo op. At this point, the chaos is surprisingly controlled to the point where I almost felt like I was just out for a normal Saturday evening of shopping with my pal Anna Wintour.

One of many bar stations at Bergdorfs.

6:50 PM - The crowds at Bergdorfs have significantly thickened, as the lines start to form for Mary Kate and Ashley's one-time-only bartending gig, so I decide it's time to make my exit and meet up with the girls. It's starting to sprinkle, so we need to choose our next stop fast. Lucky for us, Henri Bendel is calling our names, so we duck in for a sneak peak at MAC's new Style Black collection. I fall in love with and purchase Baby Goth Girl nail polish and Greasepaint Stick.

Previewing the Style Black collection at MAC Henri Bendel.

7:00 PM - Next stop, flapper party at Juicy Couture. And a party it was. Cocktail waiters in handlebar mustaches, full on 20's clad women and men doing the Charleston, Vogue editor-at-large Hamish Bowles performing Noel Crawford, and a pink champagne bar amongst the track suits. Juicy co-founder Gela Nash-Taylor was dressed to the nines - please tell me you read the article in the September issue of Vogue about her English countryside home.

At the pink champagne bar at Juicy Couture.

8:50 PM - We make our way to Saks where the adorb taxi ladies are helping shoppers into cabs using the Regine Basha taxi handbags. We walk into the usual normal-day Saks scene, only with rumors of Justin Timberlake on the 8th floor. Meh. Soho is waiting, so we turn right back around and make our exit.

Fab taxi clutch girls, helping people hail cabs.

9:15 PM - The N train is filled with other FNO goers and the downtown vibe is equally as energetic, if not more so. Elie Tahari provides the setting of a marching band performance, and lots of chatty shoppers comparing stories of the nights events thus far.

9:45 PM - Chanel is giving away free manicures with their new light green shade. A DJ is spinning, champagne is flowing, and anyone who's not relaxing in the seating area is on their feet dancing. I don't see a single person shopping, but the store makes a great party venue!

10:30 PM - We hop on over to Burberry where the scene has died down, but we had to throw our names in the hat for the trench coat they are giving away. It's so in the bag!

10:45 PM - With the nights festivities coming to an end, we are famished! It's starting to rain harder, so we rush on over to my favorite Soho food break spot, Soho Park, where we grab the perfect corner table, order their famous fries, and spend the rest of the night recapping all the fun events of the evening.

Rachel and I, with the only two drinks we paid for that night.

Nicole and I.

From what I saw and experienced, the night seemed like it was a great success. Whether that can be measured by dollars spent, I’m not sure. In most stores we went to, there was a lot of picture taking, celebrity gawking, and champagne sipping… and not a whole lot of shopping. I’m guessing most people were in the same boat – the economy is what it is right now and no “special shopping night” is going to make play money magically appear into our bank accounts. But it certainly did create a lot of buzz and mental Want Lists. At the very least, I’m sure they made a killing off the t-shirts, which helped more than just the economy. FNO certainly managed to make me a happy girl – good friends, free drinks, and fashion. Can’t beat that!

Style Syncs: Elemental Makeup With Beauty Blogger Extraordinaire

2009-09-09T06:22:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about spreading the Fashion Feng Shui buzz is getting to see how people incorporate it into their lives through their own style lenses. My good friend/pseudo sister Christine (actual blood sister of Rachel, one of my besties since freshman orientation at NYU) has taken the elements into her own hands and turned out some killer looks in her own language - fabulous makeup. Christine lives and breathes beauty and tells us all about it in her own blog, On A Mission Beauty. At the ripe old age of 18, Christine has officially become the go to beauty guru to all her friends and two older sisters. It has gotten to the point where I won't make a beauty move without consulting her first. She has inspired me to expand my makeup skills and I've already learned so much from her! I don't think I have to tell you this girl is good, cause you're about to see for yourself.

I am thrilled to introduce Christine's Five Elemental Makeup Looks, complete with full tutorials on how to apply them! Please make special note of the cute face she makes when she applies blush...

Metal

"For my Metal look, I wanted to keep the colors timeless and make it look effortless. I chose colors that would look rich on the eyes and match virtually any outfit."

Water

"Water was my easiest look to come up with because who doesn't think of mermaids when they think of the ocean? I knew I wanted a metallic look that just flowed from one color to the next."

Fire

"Fire was my chance to go a little crazy with bright colors while still keeping the look wearable. When I saw that Fire's colors were pink and purple, that was all the inspiration I needed and ran with it."

Wood

"Wood was my biggest challenge. I wanted to make it fun yet at the same time I needed it to be simple. I stuck with colors you see outside everyday that compliment a Wood's mentality."

Earth

"For my Earth look my overall goal was to make sure the colors didn't end up flat and dull. I threw in some green in order to warm up the orange and to put in a splash of fun color."

I couldn't be more proud of the looks Christine created, and I fully intend to try all of them as each intention strikes me.

Be sure to follow Christine's blog, On A Mission Beauty!

The Best of Intentions: Elemental Fusions

2009-09-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

I have been sitting on some very important information, just waiting for the right moment to share it. Well folks, that moment has arrived! Here it is, are you ready? Not only can you fulfill your authentic self by dressing to honor your essence, you can also dress to attract everything your little heart desires!! It's just like The Secret, only more fab.

OK, let's back up. In previous posts, I talked about each of the five elements and how they relate to fashion. The first piece of the puzzle is your essence, which I know many of you have been discovering and getting to know. I hope you have had some epiphanies like I did when I first started to learn about this. Such as "Oh that's why I'm always talking about moving to faraway lands, but I always end up staying put... because I'm an Earth and I like to stick with what I know." Or "No wonder I go mad when a single thing is out of place in my apartment - because I'm a Metal and I like things to be organized and perfect." It's a very empowering thing to be so in touch with who you are, and to be able to literally wear it on your sleeve.

But the next part is the most fun, see. You can actually dress to honor your goals and the life you want to lead. Let's face it: no matter how perfect things might feel sometimes, there is always room for improvement. Whether it's that you want to finally get in there and organize that closet that puts Monica on Friends' to shame, get in touch with your creative side, or find the love of your life... all of these goals and dreams can be represented in your daily outfits, and serve as constant reminders to yourself and the world what you are after in life.

This is where wonderful clothes work together to create truly unique outfits, and the possibilities become endless. Our closets would be quite boring if we only ever dressed in one element. In fact, we always want all 5 of the elements to be present in an outfit, even if it is through small touches like your undergarments or jewelry, so we aren't weighing too heavy on one energy - because that's where you can lose a connection with others. For example, someone dressed ALL in metal (ivory, cashmere, metallics, round shapes, all in name brands) and NO other elements present, she could come across as a bit stuffy or snobby. Or someone in all Fire (animal print, bright red, really revealing clothes) will come across as attention starved or trashy. The elemental fusions are where the magic happens.

To show you how this can be done, and celebrate the start of the Fall season, I created a few sample outfits. These are just a few of truly endless ways to do this...

Water + Earth

Water + Earth by thelifestyled featuring By Malene Birger cardigans

Say a Philosopher wants to cozy up with their journal on a rainy day, she may choose to incorporate some Earth energy as her intention. Here we have the water energy present through asymmetrical shapes like on the skirt, flowy fabrics like the draping top, dark colors, and touches of creativity. The Earth comes through in the plaids prints, traditional styling (skirt, shoes, and bag), nubby and cozy textures, like the cardigan. Even the cup of steaming Starbucks coffee (or *$, as the kids are calling it on Twitter to ration their character count) serves as the perfect representation of warmth and liquid. Water + Earth = Reflective, Introspective, Cozy, Comfortable.

Metal + Wood

Metal + Wood by thelifestyled featuring All Saints

I envision this Perfectionist on a Monday morning, nibbling on a warm scone while making her perfectly penned, color coded To Do list for the week, and inspiration strikes her to get moving with it! So, in light of her active week, she is incorporating some Wood to help her get it all done. There's a chance of rain, so she'll pack her designer umbrella, and while she's got all her usual favorites to help her say true to herself (pastel shoes and bag, ivory luxurious sweater, metallic jewelry), she is having the perfect Pioneer moment with a bright green coat, jeans, flats, knit hat, and floral ring. When wood and metal come together, skyscrapers get built!

Earth + Fire

Fire + Earth by thelifestyled featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs dresses

This Peacemaker has had enough of nurturing for now. It's time for her to spice things up and have a little fun. For a day of shopping on the city streets, where she can add a little strut to her step, she will sport some things that are a little push of the envelope for her, and she likes it. The Earth is still heavily present through the plaid print, vintage feel of the belt, teacher-like quality of the safety pin earrings (a true Earth hero), and square shapes present in the clutch. Even the Louboutin heels are somewhat traditional, simple, and tasteful. The dress doesn't reveal too much skin, which is comforting. All the while, who can deny the blazing flames in this outfit? The cherry red color, dramatic clunky belt, big sunglasses, and oh-so-of-the-moment fur vest (lucky for her, this one is faux. She couldn't bear to wear an innocent animal). Earth serves as the perfect Fire pit every once in awhile.

Fire + Water

Fire + Water by thelifestyled featuring Bottega Veneta bags

While the Pleasure Seeker usually ventures to be the life of the party, this Fire is in the mood for a little poetry. She often finds that her loud mouth gets her in trouble, so she's aiming to be just a little calmer, cooler, and chicly subdued. She wants to be the girl sitting at the last bar stool, not saying a word but still has the eyes of every man and woman in the room. Of course, getting dressed would be no fun without her usual touches of Fire - deep pink dress, dramatic shoulder, loaded clutch, and her new revealing cutout shoes. But to add to her new mysterious persona, she adds a lot of black, asymmetrical shaped dress, shimmery black nails, and drapey coat. Water may not always be able to extinguish the Fire, but it can cool it down to create some steam.

Dressing your intentions can sometimes be even more fun than dressing your essence. It's new, fun, different, and always evolving. Just make sure that no matter what you want to bring into your life and your wardrobe, that you are always keeping your authentic self present - cause we all know we're not fooling anyone.

To see more examples of how to dress essence and intention, check out my segment on Twin Cites Live from last January, where we dressed models in their true essence and intentions using clothes from their very own closets!

Project Haircut

2009-08-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Sorry for the sporadic posting. Lots of family visiting over the past few weeks. To celebrate my return, I made a video. That's right - real audiovisual interaction! Enjoy!

Unstoppable Style: A Lesson in Dealing With Fashion (and Life) Obstacles

2009-08-19T23:40:00.000-07:00

I'm not proud of the fact that it's been 8 days since my last post, but I do have a good excuse. My new mother and sister-in-law were visiting from New Jersey the past few days, forcing me to blissfully leave my usual station in front of the computer, excessively checking Facebook. It was a wonderful visit, especially since it almost didn't happen. See, my new sister Kim has had a rough past couple of years. She was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, which has landed her in the hospital so many times it's almost the status quo, and brought upon multiple surgeries, one of which was to reroute her intestines out the side of her stomach, and attached to a bag that catches all her digested food. Just last week, Kim was in the hospital with Pancreatitis, yet another problem caused by the disease. We thought for sure the LA trip would be canceled, but Kim being the fighter that she is, insisted that this not stop her from doing what she had planned to do. Lucky for all of us, the doctor gave her the green light, and we had a wonderful time.

As I have watched Kim go through hardship after hardship, I can't help but ask myself how I would handle this situation. Constant stays in the hospital, surgeries, prolonged visits to public bathrooms (or bushes, depending on the circumstances) and plastic bags attached to my stomach... I'm embarrassed to admit it, but for the sake of my point, I must: I think it's safe to say that I would be a massive wreck, constantly asking "Why me?" But not Kim. I literally have never heard her complain about what life has brought her. Not once. In fact, she almost manages to make it look cool - she becomes BFF with all her doctors, compassionately nicknamed her external intestine nub "Peach," bought fab new one piece bathing suits, and has adopted her new required lowfat diet with such grace, I find myself wanting to follow in her footsteps. There's something about the way she approaches the day-to-day that makes it feel like her obstacles are just as trivial as the rest of our stupid problems. Oh - and did I mention she is only 17?

From left: Victoria's Secret Retro One-Piece $125, Spiegel Metallic Print One-Piece $49, J. Crew Petals One-Piece $59.99

One of our favorite activities to do together is shop. Just like all the girls her age, Kim loves to experiment with fashion, and adopt new styles for new school years. This Fall, it's what she calls the "LA Look" - skinny jeans, plaid shirts, fedoras, and wayfarers. We were like kids in a candy store at The Grove, looking for all the pieces that would make a statement on the first day of her senior year, but still work with Peach. Most of us girls can wear shirts that sit close to the body or bikinis without giving it a second thought, but Kim is working with a different set of rules- nothing tight fitting or stomach baring, but yet, nothing that makes her look pregnant. Like a torpedo, Kim barreled through the stores, piling things on her arm that she knew would work with what she's got. In the dressing room, one thing after another looked completely bangarang on her. Oversized plaid flannels, empire waist bohemian tops, a snap-up sweatshirt with oversized collar... she rocked it so hard, one would never even notice that she's working with a "fashion obstacle." This girl doesn't even know the meaning of obstacle.

Hear Her Roar by thelifestyled featuring Vivienne Westwood bags

I'm convinced that one of the main factors that gets Kim through the hard days is her Fire essence. She is a walking example of the Pleasure Seeker archetype, and she uses it to her full advantage. Whether it's becoming best friends with all her nurses and doctors, constantly making everyone around her laugh, soaking up all the attention, or dreaming up ideas for the tattoo she's determined to get the minute she turns 18, Kim is always implementing the Fire philosophy: if it's not fun, don't do it... and if you must do it, then make it fun!

I am reminded of a t-shirt she picked up off a table full of different graphic tees - it was bright pink with the face of a tiger on it. It was perfect for Kim - the girl who's so ferocious, nothing can stop her from living the life she wants. Not a disease, or her new "best friend" Peach. The next time I think the world is coming to an end because my jeans are fitting a little tight or I'm "sick of everything in my closet", I'm going to think of Kim, and how she manages to overcome every massive curve ball her young life has thrown her, without ever missing a beat.

Pacsun Tee $17.50

Gone Campin'... and Stylin'

2009-08-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

Every summer, whether I invite it or not, a camping trip always seems to make its way onto my itinerary, as it did this past weekend at the lovely Lake Cachuma, near Santa Barbara. I might not be able to rightfully call myself the camping "type" per se, unless we're talking about camping by Troop Beverly Hills standards... but nonetheless I do love camping. After all, it's the luxurious vacay of the recession. Throw in a beautiful lake, a great group of people, good campfire cooking equipment, and a jar of Nutella, and there's nothing "rough" about it. Well... almost.

Even though there's hardly a mirror in sight throughout the whole weekend, we'd be lying if we said that stops us from caring just a littttttle bit about what we look like. Who doesn't love to have a little fun with the lumberjack/woodsman/girl scout persona that we take on when roasting marshmallows around the campfire? It seems that what works for camping style wise has never changed, and likely never will. We're talking about function, warmth, comfort, and ruggedness. I gotta admit it's fun to channel a little earth and wood in an exaggerated way for a weekend in the woods. The key is sturdy, staple garments that will take you all the way through, and fit in a single duffel. This Polyvore set says it all...

Gone Campin' by thelifestyled featuring Acne jeans

Take special note of the Nutella, Mag Lite (in the largest size it comes in - we're talkin' NYPD caliber), Carrera sunnies, and straw hat. All very necessary. If you've got plans to spend a weekend in the wild anytime soon, here are a few more Must Brings for good measure:

L'Oreal Skin Genesis Cleansing Towelettes - These things come in handy when you don't feel like walking the 100 yards to the bathrooms right before bed, and who remembers to bring a fluffy hand towel for drying? No need for water at all with these wipes.
Java Monster Mean Bean coffee drink - In spite of the scary can and Monster name, these drinks taste every bit as good as your morning iced latte from Starbucks AND they have a surprisingly low calorie count - 200 in the whole massive can. You may want to stock the cooler with a few extras, so your camping mates aren't stalking you for sips, as I did this weekend.
Olive Leaf Paper Soap - The past 3 or so times I've been camping, the bathrooms have water but never seem to have soap. I don't want their gross soap anyway - soap leaves are the bomb!
Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo - Who says you have to have greasy hair when you camp? Use this stuff and you'll barely need to wash it at the end of the weekend. Well, let's not go that far.
Three Thieves Individual Wine Boxes - Not only are these things "Wine Snob Approved," but they got us kicked out of a NJ golf course once, which means they're doing their job. They sell them at Whole Foods.

Oh, and by the way: I don't know why I never thought of this before, but try adding peanut butter to your s'more. My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it...

As tired, achy, dirty, and sick of the red meat + bread diet as I was by the end of the weekend, I couldn't help but look forward to the next trip. Hey, camping is fun, man! But you know what would make it even more fun? One of these...

This 252˚Living Area is still in the design process, but promises to come complete with bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and office. Office!!! Maybe that would mean I wouldn't have to give up blogging in the wild. "Do you guys have, like, WiFi on these campgrounds?" A girl can dream.

Work. It. Out!

2009-08-05T00:38:00.000-07:00

Here's my problem: I have a reeeeeeally hard time getting myself to work out. While I have gotten into a nice groove at YogaWorks in Westwood, and have found a killer 3.8 mile running route around the Brentwood Country Club, sometimes the adrenaline rush/meditation of it just isn't enough to get me to actually do it. As I sit here now to write this, I am blowing off the run I intended to do this mornig. Of course, we all know how great it feels when you've completed the challenge and can reward yourself with a cold shower and morning coffee beverage of your choice, but that still doesn't seem to be enough. When all else fails, there is one last thing we can turn to to get our bodies off the computer and out to raise our heart rates - fashion!

If you're anything like me, your usual running/hiking/yoga attire consists of whatever sports bra you bought when you just turned the age where you would need a sports bra, an old t-shirt, and some shorts that barely even fit right. I mean, you're just going to sweat in it, so who cares - right? Wrong! I have found that caring about what you wear when you exercise, or at least having something to be excited about when you put it on, provides a surprisingly strong incentive. I started to figure this out when J. Crew came out with their line of yoga clothes - all with the perfect fit, consistency, style, and color choices (unfortunately that line seems to have disappeared, but luckily I sort of stocked up with some staples - see slate leggings in picture).

I also recently discovered the Lululemon store here in Brentwood, and have found their selection to be most pleasing! With an array of styles to fit your varying exercise needs, and sizes in the 2-4-6-8 variety (including LONG lengths in their pants - hallelujah!) instead of S-M-L, they make you question whether you will ever explore another brand for your athletic gear. The best part is the durable, 4-way stretch fabrics that come in styles so fashionable, I wonder if I should be working them into my regular wardrobe (see neon tank in picture). I'm not quite there, but all you Woods out there - implement. This collection might take you a little while since each basic piece runs between about $40-70, but just do one at a time, and it will last you forever. My favorites are all the tank tops, and the Wunder Under Crop leggings, which come in reversibles!

Lululemon Move Tank in Party Dots, $52; Wunder Under Reversible Crop Leggings in Royale/Black $58

Next up on the roster of obsessions comes a line that I've been drooling over since it debuted in 2005. When Stella McCartney teamed up with Adidas, it brought a whole new meaning to athletic attire. Unfortunately, it's not for those of us with light wallets, BUT every season a wide selection of pieces from the line make their way to places like Marshalls, Century 21, Loehman's, etc. The other selling point is the fact that many of these pieces could definitely be mistaken for out-of-the-gym wear. Either way - with these things in your closet, there's no way you're going to keep blowing off your workouts. Think of it as an investment in your health.

Stella McCartney for Adidas Run Jacket in Clouds, $220; Women's Run Performance Tights $120; Adidas Women's AdiZero XT Trail Running Shoes, $85 (How could you not dominate the trails with these shoes?)

Stella McCartney for Adidas Tennis Performance Dress, $130; American Apparel Nylon Pack Cloth Gym Bag, $17

One of my favorite things to do with athletics is to layer the tops so what's underneath shows in a statementy way. Take for example the tennis dress above - while it doesn't need anything to amp it up, wear a gray strappy sports bra underneath (try the nylon Champion ones at Target), and you have more of a styled look. BTW - how can they even call this a tennis dress? More like tennis followed by cocktails with friends, throwing a black leather motorcycle jacket over it. I love the retro nylon gym bag - at least I have one affordable thing in the bunch.

Let's face it - we all need to do something to help keep the heart rate up. I figure if you're going to rock that trail, why not think of it as a runway? Oh - and your runway wouldn't be complete without some tunes to strut to. Try adding these to your playlist:

"Walkin' on the Moon" - The Dream feat. Kanye West
"Rock That Body" - Black Eyed Peas
"Good Girls Go Bad" - Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester
"Kidda - Under the Sun" - Fatboy Slim
"In For the Kill" - La Roux

Must Have Right Now! Part 2

2009-08-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or is this summer flying by faster than ever? But let's not get whiny about it - there's still plenty of time to wear all our favorite must haves, and maybe even add a few more pieces before it's time to start drooling over that black leather motorcycle jacket and corresponding Frye boots you...we... ok I have been coveting for Fall since before this fabulous recession landed me in Brokeville. I'm excited to share with you the rest of my Must Haves for summer, all of which will take you well into Fall and can totally be done on the cheap, if not already inexpensive by nature - gotta love it.

Mini Cross Body Bag
When the cross body bag initially made its comeback, I was bored with it. But on a whim, I bought this Tano one at my fave Northfield boutique, Sisters Ugly, and now my life is enriched. Not only are they adorable and effortless, but the main draw lays in their brilliant functionality. There's something so freeing about filling it with nothing more than my phone, lipgloss, credit cards, license, and cash and walking out the door... with both hands free for my Starbucks venti iced Zen tea, and soon-to-be-acquired shopping bags!

From Left: Marc By Marc Jacobs $188, Paradox $70, Botkier $425, Kate Spade $195, Topshop $79

American Apparel Tri-Blend Unisex V-Neck Tee
It's safe to say my obsession with these tees has definitely gotten out of hand. Like, enough already - time to move on. But I can't! One might think that great t-shirts are a dime a dozen, but not for me. There are certain factors that simply must apply in order for me to be reaching for a tee day after day. First and foremost, it must be long. I never understood where clothing companies get their measurements for women's t-shirts - remember the baby tee? It's like that never went away. The longer, the better in my book - leaves room for shrinkage, and adds a little drama with draping and/or bunching at the bottom, not to mention the option to wear it with leggings or skinny jeans. These tees are unisex and a tri-blend of cotton, poly, and rayon, making them the perfect length and consistency. My favorite part is the slighty-deeper-than-the-average-v-neck v-neck, which adds the perfect amount of drama and sexiness - something us Fires simply must have in a t-shirt. If that's not your thing, they do come in a crew neck as well. Much to my delight, they just added a few new colors like cranberry, and light green!

American Apparel Unisex Tri-Blend V-Neck Tees $22

Statement Nails
Nowadays, it's getting harder and harder to think of a time, other than the 80's, that the most popular nail colors were just pinks and reds. Over the past few years, more and more options have been added to the roster of acceptable nail colors - from black, to orange, to gray, to blue, and now neons. At this point, nail color is pretty much just no holds barred and I LOVE IT! No matter your mood, there's a nail polish to match. Even mismatched nails with multiple shades on each hand had made its way in. I'm loving the OPI/Paige Denim collaboration brights, Essie neons, and all the Sephora by OPI colors. It looks like fall is bringing the Matte nail polish trend, which I'm not sure how I feel about since I love me a fresh shiny top coat (the very best is Seche Vite Dry Fast - hands down). But we'll have to see... In the meantime, grab whatever shade inspires you and use it as your statement de jour!

From Left (All around $8): Sephora by OPI Metro Chic, Essie Greenport, OPI No Room for the Blues, Essie Funky Limelight

White Jeans
This one might be a little obvious as it's always been one of the most popular summer staples, but the white jean is an oh-so-important summer must have. There's just something so crisp and flattering about fresh white denim, especially this season's skinny distressed versions. And that "no white after Labor Day" rule? Eh. Let's face it - the heat stays with us well into October all across the country, making it hard to get into the cozy football game mood until the leaves are officially falling. When September is upon us, just ditch the floaty summer tanks in favor of your more structured deep hued tops, throw a scarf or cardigan over, and keep rockin' the white denim!

Mine are J. Crew Matchstick (in Tall - thanks for getting it, J. Crew!), and Joe's Muse (love the gold hardware).

From left: 7 For All Mankind Bootcut $169, Gap Always Skinny Destructed $69.50, Hudson Signature Bootcut $165, J. Crew Matchstick $78

Rocker Jewelry
One shopping trip this spring lead me to Forever 21 where I walked out with a bag full of rock star inspired jewelry, and I've been obsessively adding to the collection ever since. This completely transformed my wardrobe! Any blah outfit instantly becomes livelier, smarter, and more daring when you add a stack of sparkly bangles or a hard edged black beaded necklace. Of course, this look might be more inspiring to the Fires and Waters out there, but my list of must haves would not be honest if it did not include this. The best part is, for every $3,000 Lanvin stunner out there, there's a $7 version just waiting to be mistaken for the real thing at Forever 21, H&M, Topshop, or Urban Outfitters. I enlisted the help of Polyvore to show you some of my favorite steals (well, some are steals, and all are under $100).

Click on the image to see the deeeeets.

And that concludes my Top 10 Summer Must Haves, at least for now. What are your favorite wardrobe staples right now? Spill it!

Fashion Distraction: Playing with Polyvore

2009-07-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid I've gotten slightly off track. It was my full intention to continue with my top 10 must haves in my next post, but something has been distracting me for the past few days. My favorite Tuesday night gab session/doggy playdate buddy Sarah introduced me to Polyvore.com and after the initial "they stole our idea" frustration (we swear we thought of it first over a bottle of wine last year), I can't stop playing with it! Basically, it's a site where you can easily search a database of clothes, accessories, home decor, makeup, etc. and put looks together in your own "style sets." But beware - this thing is addicting.

So, here's what I've been doing since you last heard from me. I put together an inspiration wardrobe for each of the five elements. Can you guess which is which?

Click on a wardrobe to see it in detail.

by thelifestyled featuring J Crew

by thelifestyled featuring Lulu Guinness

by thelifestyled featuring Marchesa dresses

by thelifestyled featuring Miss Selfridge

Fashion Feng Shui: Styling Element Breakdown

2009-07-28T09:10:00.000-07:00

I figured it might be time for our next lesson in Fashion Feng Shui 101. I know I keep talking about honoring your essence with your clothes, but I haven't exactly told you how to do that. I talked about the 5 elements and their archetypes. Now, I'll tell you how the elements manifest themselves through fabrics, colors, and style concepts.

There are countless ways we can dress our essence and bring the other elements in to honor our intentions (what we want to bring into our lives), our environment (what our lives demand of us), and our appearance (our features that we want to flatter). I'll get more into those details in later posts, but in the meantime, I'm going to show you the basics of the elements through clothing and accessories.

WATER - The Philosopher

Mantra Words: Unique. Creative. Offbeat. Intelligent.
Fabrics: Flowy or sheer fabrics like chiffon, sheer silk, and organza.
Colors: Deep cool tones like black, deep blue, or dark purple.
Styles: Asymetrical shapes like a one shoulder design, ethnic prints, gathering or rouching, reflective touches, and anything that goes "against the grain."
Designers/Brands: Urban Outfitters, Marc Jacobs, Prada

WOOD - The Pioneer

Mantra Words: Move. Grow. Activity.
Fabrics: Anything movable, non-fussy, and plant based, like cotton, jersey, linen, gauze, and denim.
Colors: Fresh bright colors like marine blue and kelly green.
Styles: Sporty, preppy, hippy, floral prints, or vertical stripes.
Designers/Brands: J. Crew, Patagonia, Missoni, Polo Ralph Lauren, Martin + Osa

EARTH - The Peacemaker

Mantra Words: Nurture. Grounded. Comfort. Classic.
Fabrics: Cozy and comfy, textured fabrics, tweed, raw silk, piqué.
Colors: Earthy tones like brown, khaki, sage, and warm colors like yellow and orange.
Styles: Boxy shapes, traditional or classic styles, plaid prints, "school girl."
Designers/Brands: Gap, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch

FIRE - The Pleasure Seeker

Mantra Words: Fun. Captivating. Dramatic. Attention Getting.
Fabrics: Anything that comes from an animal (or the faux versions) including wool, silk, and leather, attention getting fabrics like lamé, spandex, or sequin.
Colors: Reds, purples, pinks, and anything really bright like neon, or jewel tones.
Styles: Triangular shapes, dramatic trends, animal print, v-necks, anything that reveals your assets.
Designers/Brands: Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Alexander McQueen, Zara, Topshop

METAL - The Perfectionist

Mantra Words: Luxury. Elegant. Class. Perfection. Details.
Fabrics: Anything high quality and luxurious like cashmere, polished fabrics with a slight sheen, metallics.
Colors: Ivory, white, silver, gold, creamy pastels.
Styles: Anything classy, elegant, polished, and luxurious. True metals tend to stay away from prints, but round shapes like polka dots have a lot of metal energy. Nothing flashy or cheap.
Designers/Brands: Chanel, Gucci, YSL, J. Crew, Banana Republic

Now, let me make a very important disclaimer: if you think you've decided which essence you are, but wouldn't wear all the clothes I've shown for that element, do not feel like you have to second guess your essence. The reality is most pieces do have more than one element present, and each one of us has different motivations for our personal style because of our intentions, environment, or appearance. For example, maybe your essence is Earth but you don't like to wear the Earthy yellows and oranges. Maybe it's because your body coloring is more cool, so your appearance come into play and steers you away from warmer colors. That's totally OK. In that case, you would use one of the other ways to make sure your Earth is present, like a classic style or boxy jacket and wear it in shades that flatter you better. You don't have to have ALL of the aspects of an element present in order to honor your essence. It might just be in the fabric, color, style, or print.

You know those outfits you put on and just feel like a dud in, or something's not right - chances are it's bescause your essence is missing. When you remember to honor who you are on the inside with what you wear on the outside, that's how you will be most comfortable, happy, and in your element!

Must Have Right Now! Part 1

2009-07-25T10:24:00.001-07:00

I got a request from a friend who is doing a much needed closet overhaul (her words, not mine) for a post on my top five summer must haves. "This should be easy," I thought as I sat down to make a quick list... but then the top five grew into a top ten, so I'm going to have to do this in two parts. These are the items that I find myself reaching for most often this summer. I'll show you my version of each, and some others to check out. Chances are you already have some of these things in your closet, and if not, you can find them for relatively cheap. Yay!

1. Maxi Sundress - I am thrilled that the maxi is here to stay. Not only is it a great staple for sipping lemonade while porchanging (porchanging: to hang out for extended periods of time on a porch) or frolicking in the field (?), but the maxi sundress is an easy go-to for fancy summer parties. It's like a glorified nightie by day, laid back gown by night. My favorites are the ones in silky fabrics, because they are extra flattering and a little dressier for night. But every last one of us should have one in a solid jersey, and basically live in it til October. To really wow in your maxi, look for ones that almost graze the floor, rather than hit around the ankle - perfection!

Check Em Out:

From left: Victoria's Secret $108, Arden B $38, Ella Moss $178, Victoria's Secret $69

2. Boyfriend Blazer - This summer, my cardigans are in the back of my closet collecting dust, because the boyfriend blazer has taken their place. I love this look because it flatters any outfit - shorts, jeans, jumpsuit, maxi... It adds a bit more oomph to a delicate summer ensemble rather than just keep your arms warm on a cool night. The key to nailing the look is rolling or bunching up the sleeves, since the style is oversized and could add pounds if not done right. I also love it in navy, paired over a lingerie-like top and shorts.

Check Em Out:

From left: Aqua at Bloomingdales $88, Top Shop $125, Silence & Noise at Urban Outfitters $88

3. Straw Hat - I'm not usually much of a hat person, but this summer I just had to have one of these straw fedoras I was seeing all over the place. Admittedly, I was a total follower on this one, as girls in straw fedoras are a dime a dozen in LA, but I am really getting my money's worth out of this thing. Straw hats are fabulous in any style - floppy, structured, Panama, you name it. Just pick one you love, and chances are it will barely leave your head this summer. On the days when I just can't pull myself together, I add the hat (or just "Hat" as Ian and I like to call it - see, it has a personality all its own) and all my troubles disappear!

Check Em Out:

From left: Top Shop $36, Urban Outfitters $28, Charlotte Russe $12.99, Newport News $29

4. Embellished Flat Gladiator Sandals - When this summer approached, the first thing on my list was a pair of gladiator flats. Looking at my summer shoe collection, I was seeing nothing but flip slops, casual sandals, and heels, but nothing in between. That's why I LOVE the gladiators - they actually dress up a summer outfit while still remaining totally appropriate for daytime, not to mention really comfortable. The first thing I looked for was a pair that had a lot of sparkle because I wanted something I could wear instead of heels at night, but also while walking Kenzie. I need to get like 3 more pairs!

Check Em Out:

From left: Luichiny at Zappos $67, Steven By Steve Madden at Kitson $148, Juicy Couture at Zappos Couture $164.99

5. Shabby Cutoffs - At first, I reached for an old pair of jeans thinking I would cut them to shorts and wear them while doing laundry. But then I wore them to the movies that night with aforementioned lingerie top and boyfriend blazer. The rest is history. The key to making them fab is wearing them with something delicate and girly on the top. The best part? They're totally free! Just take your least fave pair of jeans (we all have them) and cut away! I like to cut a little slit on the side seem so I can fold up the bottom about an inch. I saw a pair of these at Anthropologie for like $140. No! That's just silly.

I would recommend these five items to anyone - no matter which element you are! Just make sure you honor your essence, whatever you're wearing this summer. What are your favorites for summer? Stay tuned for the rest of mine!

Wedding Style: Tips for the Five Elemental Brides

2009-07-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

Now that we're starting to get a handle on basics of elemental style, I thought I'd kick off the actual fashion portion by sharing the article I just wrote for the Fashion Feng Shui Wardrobe WisdomMail Ezine on wedding style! Enjoy...

Every year, as soon as the sun comes out and the temperature warms up, the scent of fresh flowers and wedding cake fill the air! Summer certainly is the season for weddings, and as a recent bride myself, I learned that your wedding is not only about marrying the man of your dreams, but showcasing your personal style in every possible outlet. Here are my tips for the five elemental brides...

Water

The Dress: Waters will really hit the mark in an offbeat frock with asymmetrical detail, like a one-shoulder neckline or Grecian gathering. Ooze water energy in a dress that flows around you as you float down the aisle in a fabric like chiffon, organza, or sheer silk.

Bridesmaids: Philosophers are the first to understand that it’s not fun to be told exactly what to wear, and they certainly wouldn’t want to be sporting the same exact dress as a handful of other girls – where’s the creativity in that? So, do your bridesmaids a favor and let them choose their own style. Give them a color or palette, fabric, and/or designer to work from, and let them do the rest.

Color Palette: Have fun playing with the eccentric and unexpected! Think of rare palettes like blue and gray, or aqua and cranberry.

Planning Tip: Let your wedding be the perfect time to showcase your creativity, and don’t let anyone talk you into doing it the way it’s “supposed” to be done!

Wood

The Dress: Make sure your dress allows you to move throughout your active day without restriction – especially for dancing! You’ll want to avoid over styled heavy dresses, or anything too floofy. Pioneers might love a simple sporty shape like a tank dress, in a light one-layer fabric, or a subtle floral print.

Bridesmaids: Allow your girls to relax in fun movable fabrics like cotton, linen, or jersey. For an extra touch of style, look for dresses with a flower appliqué or give them each some fresh flowers for their hair!

Color Palette: Different shades of blues and greens would dazzle, or why not play with preppy color combos like pink and green? Don’t forget the grosgrain ribbon!

Planning Tip: Pioneers tend to always be thinking about what’s going to come next. Be sure to stop to take it all in, and enjoy your day!

Earth

The Dress: The Peacemaker will love a timeless dress with touches of sentiment and nostalgia. A fun option is to take the wedding dress of your mother or another family member, cut off those long puffy sleeves, and turn it into an updated style that’s perfect for you. Any dress with traditional or vintage elements would create the perfect look for your wedding day.

Bridesmaids: Stick with classic styles in a fabric of the season, or silk dupioni, which comes in every color imaginable and gives off a lot of earth energy with its nubby texture.

Color Palette: Deeper earth tones like bronze, browns, and burnt orange will create a warm atmosphere in fall or winter. Go brighter with coral or orange in the summer.

Planning Tip: Your wedding is a great time to showcase some of your favorite traditions – whether its serving your grandmother’s best recipe or featuring your all time favorite flower, these elements will make you and your guests feel right at home.

Fire

The Dress: It’s all about the drama! You’ll definitely want to wear anything that shows off what you’ve got going on. Fun design elements might include a sweetheart neck, a deep V, or totally backless. To accessorize, try a feather hairpiece, and skip the ivory shoes in favor of a bright heel in your color palette. No matter what you wear, you’re a guaranteed head turner on your wedding day!

Bridesmaids: Let them channel your, er their inner diva and wear something fun and fabulous! Try a flamenco style, or something with a dramatic detail like a crumb catcher or oversized appliqué.

Color Palette: Anything bright and intense, no matter the season – like high voltage jewel tones, or sunny yellows!

Planning Tip: Enjoy your time in the spotlight, and make sure you have a great photographer to capture all your close-ups!

Metal

The Dress: Elegance is a part of your everyday mantra, so you’ll really need to do it up on your wedding day. You’ll be happiest in something that oozes sophistication - anything in lace, silk, or satin, with impeccable attention to detail, like beading. If you can, skip the sample sales and go straight to a designer boutique – they will give you the best service and make sure your dress is perfect!

Bridesmaids: Something in a creamy, subtle hue like champagne is a classic color for any time of the year, or icy silver would be gorgeous for a winter wedding.

Color Palette: Any color combo that perfectly personifies the season of your wedding will make you Martha Stewart Weddings feature worthy (come on- you know that’s your goal!). If you’re having a black tie wedding, you can’t go wrong with an old Hollywood black and ivory palette.

Planning Tip: It’s all in the details. But in the midst of all the elegance and expectations, don’t get too hung up on perfection – there’s only so much one bride can do to make it go off without a hitch. Can’t let go of perfection? Enlist the help of a professional. Make room in your budget and hire a wedding planner!

Whether you’re getting married in a historic cathedral in front of 350 guests, or eloping at the top of a mountain, the best tip I can give is to make sure your wedding style is a reflection of your authentic self. That’s what will keep people talking about it for years to come.

Happy wedding season!

Click here to see it in the Ezine with my little bio, and an intro by Evana Maggiore, the author of Fashion Feng Shui: The Power of Dressing With Intention.

What is Fashion Feng Shui?: Celebrity Edition

2009-07-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

Before I go any further, I know that some of you are probably wondering what the heck this crazy Fashion Feng Shui thing is that I keep talking about. I'll definitely be using the terminology a lot in this blog (eg. calling someone a Fire or a Wood), so I guess I'll start by filling you in. If you didn't stop me, I could go on and on about it - but I'll try (emphasis on "try") to spare you the lengthy textbook post and just start with the basics for now...

In a nutsell (well, the shell of a larger sized nut): With Fashion Feng Shui, we recognize that each of us are wired differently, have different lives, different dreams, and therefore different inspirations for creating our personal style. When we get dressed, we should be doing it with the purpose of honoring 4 things:
- Essence - who we are at the core
- Intention - who we want to be (that day, or that year)
- Appearance - we want to keep in mind our coloring and body shape
- Environment - what our life demands of us (job, travels, activities, etc)

We all have things in our closet with the tags still on, or that we're not quite sure why we bought in the first place. Fashion Feng Shui helps us fix those faux paus, and avoid making shopping mistakes ever again. The reality is that each of us have pieces that will always be the perfect staples for us, and other design elements that will just never work no matter how hard we try (for me, that's the color orange). The goal is to always make the right decisions for YOU, and wear the things that will make you feel the most like yourself, while also giving off the perfect visual harmony to others - the "she nailed it" factor.

The tools we use to categorize the different energies and help us determine our essence are the five elements: Water, Wood, Earth, Fire, and Metal. Each element is represented by an archetype, which is what I'm going to show you using celebrities as examples. Technically, choosing celebrities to represent the elemental archetypes is a bit of an oxy moron, because we're talking about essence - the lens through which you see the world - and I have never met these people. So how am I supposed to know who they are at the core? I am merely using them as universal examples for how we know them to be, and how they are represented to us, so we can get a better idea of how the elements break out. If I really wanted to be accurate, I'd have to spend a few hours with each of them before I could determine their essence (unfortunately, I don't think my dinner at Katsuya a few tables away from Tom Hanks really counts). Nonetheless, here we go:

Water – The Philosopher

Philosophers are the wise, intelligent, mysterious rebels of the bunch. They value creativity, spirituality, serenity, calmness, and freedom of expression above all else. They gain energy from alone time, and like to march to the beat of their own drum.
Celeb examples: Tilda Swinton, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Natalie Portman

Wood – The Pioneer

Our wood friends are the Energizer bunnies of the world. They are always on the go, love to be outdoors, and can't ever seem to sit still. Pioneers are the happiest when they are accomplishing goals, tackling their to do lists, and moving around at warped speed - whether that's to the grocery store or halfway around the world.
Celeb examples: Jessica Biel, Sheryl Crow, Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey

Earth – The Peacemaker

Peacemakers are the nurturers who fill our lives with warmth, chocolate chip cookies, and hugs. They have an "old school" quality about them that makes everyone around them feel comfortable. Earths tend to be homebodies, and don't always take well to big changes. They're happiest when keeping to their own life long traditions.
Celeb Examples: Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Amy Adams, Zooey Deschanel

Fire – The Pleasure Seeker

Pleasure seekers make an entrance into every room and grace the "audience" with their captivating presence! These are people who love fun, drama, and attention. They value their relationships with people above all else, and desperately seek the approval of others. They carry a certain glow with them wherever they go, and tend to always be laughing.
Celeb Examples: Cameron Diaz, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Jim Carrey

Metal – The Perfectionist

For Metals, beauty truly is in the details. Perfectionists value elegance, order, luxury, and refinery. They are very meticulous and don't like things to be out of place. They're not the type to ever shop the sales, because they only want the best the world has to offer. The ooze grace and class wherever they go.
Celeb Examples: Gwyneth Paltrow, George Clooney, Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett

Which one are you? If more than one jumped out at you, try taking this quiz to see if you can get a better idea. It's easier for some than others to narrow it down. It took me 3 days of debating before I finally decided which one I couldn't live without.

You're probably wondering - "OK fine, but what do I do with my wardrobe now?" I'll get into that soon. In the meantime, you could check out this clip of my Fashion Feng Shui fashion show on Twin Cities Live this past January. Coming up next, I'll post the wedding themed article I wrote for the Fashion Feng Shui Wardrobe WisdomMail about the 5 Elemental Brides. That will start to give an idea of how it all comes together, how you can honor your essence with your clothes, and work towards your own styled life!

Vegas Fashion: A Fire's Paradise

2009-07-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

“You’re going WHERE?” That, along with a look of slight disgust, was the reaction we got from a few seasoned west coasters when we told them Las Vegas was our honeymoon destination of choice… to which we justified “well, we figure you won’t find those kinds of prices anywhere else for 5 star hotels.” To us, it was the perfect choice. When trying to decide where to go on our honeymoon, there were 4 important factors we just had to have: affordable to get to, amazing restaurants, pool, and nightlife (well, we had good intentions to go out every night but I’d be lying if I told you we partied the nights away Vegas style. Truth is, after eating delectable meals from our new restaurant obsessions Bouchon and B&B, our food comas usually took us straight to bed). For me, there was a bonus factor: the fashion!

OK - when we think of the fashion in Vegas we might be thinking “more like lack of fashion” – especially at the topless pools and peep shows, or the dude from The Hangover who, in the blur of the morning after, just can't seem to get some pants on. Of course we saw our fair share of plastic women trying to squeeze themselves into brazilian bikinis by day, and tacky sparkly adult prom dresses by night… but in a way that’s what makes Vegas fashion so fabulous – it’s no hold barred! No matter what you wear, there will be someone more dressed up and flashier than you, so you can feel free to push your own limits. Here are my favorite things to wear in Vegas…

Minx Manicure – I had seen this in various magazines and thought Vegas was the perfect place to try it out. I searched, and found it at the Amp Salon in The Palms. With no drying time, these heat activated nail “stickers” come in patterns and colors you could never get with conventional polish, like high voltage metallics and detailed illustrations. After debating between a nautical themed red/white/blue anchor and stripes (perfect for the 4th of July festivities) and sassy metallic plaid, I thought “when in Vegas…” and went for the flashy silver. Granted, Minx will run you about $50-80 depending on where you go, but here's how you can justify the splurge: it doesn't chip and can last you up to a month (longer on the toes). Mine lasted 2 weeks, but by that time I was ready to move on anyway.

Neon - Words cannot express how much I love this trend. We all know it's the kind of thing that will come and go pretty swiftly, but this is one I hope sticks around. What sets it apart from the neon we know from the 80's is how we're wearing it now. Keywords: Moderation. Class. Instead of blinding pink spandex biker shorts with Hy percolor shirts, it's a sassy clutch against a sophisticated all-black ensemble. I brought a selection of purses on my trip, but the one that kept beating out the bunch was my neon yellow Marc By Marc Jacobs - a totally unjustified splurge from my April trip to NYC (kudos to Sarah and Emily for convincing me to buy it, aka. just telling me what I wanted to hear).

Rompers and Jumpsuits - Easy to wear like a dress in that they're a one stop shop for an entire outfit, but less ladylike. Jumpsuits give a harder edge for a night out - especially in black, and the short version allows you to show a little more leg without worrying about flashing your goods (unless that's what you're going for - in Vegas, you can't judge). For daytime, rompers serve as the perfect fashion forward bathing suit coverup. After stalking a girl wearing a cute one by the Palazzo pool, I learned that Forever 21 sells a whole slew of them for around $20. I immediately bolted to the nearest store, plowed down a bunch of tweens, and picked one up.

Next time you're in Vegas, make sure you bring those items you're not quite sure what you were thinking when you bought them - the skirt that's a little too short for normal life, the studded belt that makes you feel a bit like a dominatrix, the gladiator heels that are a few inches higher than you can ever get yourself to walk in, let alone dance. This is Vegas, baby! It's the place to channel your inner Fire - the diva that's inside us all.

Welcome to The Life Styled!

2009-07-20T21:52:00.000-07:00

I never considered myself the blogging type. Not because I don’t love a great blog – I’m the first to distract myself from the day’s long To Do list by catching up on all my favorite sites - but because I’m not much of a writer. It just doesn’t flow out of me the way it does with some. What brings me here is my love for all things style related. As much as it pains me to admit it, perhaps the main reason I have yet to read the Harry Potter and Twilight series (gasp!) is because I always reach for my Elle, InStyle, or Vogue first. Whoops! I’m that girl that brings a fresh copy of the latest read-it-in-a-day hit novel on a week long beach vacation, and never cracks it open as long as I have the mags that will give me countless new things to drool over. I can admit it!

I know what you're thinking. "Ugh - another twenty something girl talking about how much she loves fashion." Don't we all? And yes - the reason I decided to start this blog is 50% the need for an outlet of all my little thoughts on fashion, beauty, and décor – and 50% wanting to share them with you! But one thing that might set my blog apart is that it's not about posting a bunch of runway pictures of next season's trendy pants we've only ever seen on the likes of Aladdin, or a price-upon-request "It" bag that'll be out of style by the time I finish this sentence. It's about the kind of style that can be a reality for anyone - even if they're jobless and broke.

There’s a lot that’s been going on for me over the past 12 months. This time last year, I was living in New York for the 8th year and had just made the decision with my fiancé to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career opportunity for him. I had just been laid off from my job as an events manager for a nonprofit organization, so this big life change was now or never. Since then, we moved on out to LA, and I made the outlandish decision to get certified in Fashion Feng Shui, which I’m proud to say I recently completed and could not be happier about! More on that later... It’s been a whirlwind of applying for countless jobs in the worst economy ever, trying to get to know a new city, and planning a home town Minnesota wedding for this June. This blog will surely reflect all these aspects of my life, and how they influence my take on fashion. After all, personal style is made up of who we are at the core, what our life demands of us, and who we want to be… not just what the industry leaders tell us it should be.

In the midst of all the madness, I have been learning a lot about myself. When you’re unemployed in an economy that has no promise of improvement in the near future, you have a lot of time to think about your life and what makes you happy. It’s a time to stop and reevaluate the path you’re on and do your best to make sure all the hard work is helping you towards your ideal life. I like to think of these hard times as a challenge at first glance, but also an opportunity that forces you towards the path you really want. When the jobs you’re “supposed” to be chasing aren’t biting, those in-an-ideal-world dreams start to seem more like possibilities – what do you have to lose? I have realized how important it is to make your life into what you want it to be – have the job you want, live in the place you want, create the home you want, and of course – wear the clothes you want! It’s not just your life. It’s your life – styled!