07.05.07
Summer Sandals in the OC
I know living in Orange County we can all get a little lazy when it comes to wearing flip flops everyday in the summer time. I am guilty of this all too often myself. This summer I am really trying not to wear them everyday. They are fine if you are going to the beach or heading to the pool or at a VERY casual occasion. But the reality is, there are so many cute, dressier, flat, comfy sandals that you could wear just as easily. Invest in a couple pair of these. Wear them with your sun dresses, skirts, linen pants, or jeans and you will look much more put together and little less beach bum.
06.28.07
Baby Boomer Beach Attire
I realize I’m talking about the beach, bathing suits, and beach attire a fair amount, but it is summer and I am in the south of France, so it just seems so appropriate. I also know that most women over 50 dread the thought of getting in a bathing suit or exposing their arms in summer dresses or tops. Fear not!
There are so many cute sundresses, skirts, and tank tops on the market right now to accomodate all body shapes and sizes. They can all be used or adapted to look fabulous on you.
I don’t know about you, but I find that a lot of sundresses and beach attire are see through. I fought it for ages trying to wear modest underwear or slips, but the reality is, when it’s hot you don’t want to be wearing a slip! My theory is just wear your bathing suit under these dresses if you are in a beach or pool environment. Then it doesn’t matter if your straps stick out or if your bathing suit can be slightly seen underneath. It actually can look a little sexy. It’s a nice solution to the battle of the slip.
This obviously doesn’t work for every situation, but for a casual beach or pool scene, it’s perfect.
06.24.07
Baby Boomer Swim Suits
If heading to the beach or the pool is in your future this summer, you are probably starting to think “Oh my God, I actually have to get in a bathing suit. Why did I agree to this? I should have been excercising more.” Not to worry. There are so many great bathing suits and cover ups on the market now. With a little planning you will be sure to look beautiful and stylish while you are on holiday.
One piece bathing suits have come along way over the years. They are no longer the matronly swim suits that your mother wore. There are so many different styles now and most are very sexy. Many have low backs or low fronts or some sort of interesting ring or knot inbetween the boobs which provides a great focal point…especially if you are trying to divert attention from your thighs.
Many have skirts that can be bought to match as well. These are fantastic, as you can wear them while your laying by the water and they cover that dreaded inner thigh area. You can also keep them on if you want to go for a dip, as they are the same material as your bathing suit.
Don’t feel like you have to spend a fortune on a swim suit either. Check out your local Target for a huge selection of really stylish and current bathing suits. Issac Mizrahi and Mossimo both have great lines available at Target. I buy two new ones each summer and just keep rotating the old ones out. At about $20 each, you can’t beat the price.
Enjoy the water this summer and know that you’ll look great doing it. Don’t forget a big hat and sun glasses and you’ll be set!
06.06.07
Baby Boomer Before and Afters in Orange County
Here are a few pictures of a recent before and after shoot I did. This will give you a small idea about how I can help my clients. Both of these women looked absolutely beautiful and have been receiving rave reviews on their new looks.
This could be you! Are you ready for a makeover or to update your look? Call me today! Erin Stafford Image Consulting 714 351 3849. www.erinstafford.com erin@erinstafford.com
Cleaning Out Your Closet in the OC
It’s time to take stock of what you’ve got. Grocery shopping is much easier when you have a list right? Same idea with shopping. If you know what you need and what you are looking for, then you can have more focus and not get carried away while shopping.
Go through your closet and write down how many pants you have THAT YOU WEAR, how many skirts, tops, sweaters, dresses, etc. I’m not talking about the ones that have been hanging in your closet for years that you haven’t worn once. I am talking about the clothes that you actually wear. We will address the clothes you don’t wear later.
Once you realize that you have 10 pairs of pants and only two tops that you like, you can start understanding why it is so difficult to get dressed in the morning. After you’ve established the holes in your wardrobe, make your list more specific so that you can shop for tops to match all those pants easily. So write down: navy pin stripe pants, brown tweed pants, black wide leg trousers, etc. Have an exact list so you can find tops to go with those items.
This is just the start of organizing your closet and making shopping easier.
06.04.07
Updating Your Image – What to think about
If you are looking to update your image, here is an exercise you can do to help you figure out what you want from your new look. It’s called moving away from and moving towards. Here’s how it works.
Take a piece of paper out and divide it into two columns. At the top of the left column write “moving away from,” and at the top of the right column write “moving towards.” Then start making a list of what you would like to move away from and what you’d like to move towards. For example: move away from soccer mom who throws on whatever clothes I find, and move towards polished mom who always looks put together. Move away from being invisible and move towards having a greater presence.
Write down as many things as you’d like. This sheet will then function as a guide for your image update. It forces you to focus on what you want out of your new image and will give you some direction when you are feeling lost. You can update this sheet as often as you like, as your tastes and needs change. Enjoy!
06.02.07
Clothing Messages – What are your clothes saying about you?
Your clothes are speaking whether you want them to or not. What are yours saying about you?
Color
Navy, gray, black, and other dark shades say professional, authoritative, “I mean business.” Light, bright colors, especially when two or more are put together give a message of playfulness, casualness, “We’re having fun now!”
Texture
Smooth fabrics in tight weaves say, “I’m efficient, professional; I’ll get the job done.” Nubby tweeds, loose weaves, mixing and matching textures is more friendly, approachable, cozy.
Pattern
Little or no pattern is more serious, authoritative; big abstract prints (think Hawaiian shirts) say fun, fun, fun; little floral prints say, “I’m sweet.”
Line
Vertical, straight up and down lines are more formal, rigid. Think pinstripe suits worn in the banking world. Curved, circular, or meandering lines are more playful, sensual, inviting.
Accessories
Shiny gold is most formal, next comes silver. Matte finishes or colored metals are more informal; jewelry made from wood, paper, or fabric is taken less seriously and is not seen as very important.
This is again from Brenda Kinsel’s book 40 Over 40.
05.31.07
The Importance of Knowing Your Colors
Here’s another great quote from Brenda Kinsel’s book 40 Over 40. If you haven’t read it and you are a woman over 40, or approaching 40, I highly recommend it.
“Wearing flattering colors can make up for lack of sleep. The right proportions of a suit can knock years and pounds off your driver’s licence….A pleasing, appropriate ensemble can get you a promotion, a date, win your case, give you instant confidence, comfort, and personal pleasure. Clothes celebrate, announce, advertise, and declare yourself. You hardly have a more powerful tool for life….The right clothes have the uncanny ability to make you feel at ease, more beautiful, more assured, more ‘yourself’ that you feel with no clothes on at all.”
Spending time and money on your clothes and appearance does not make you vain. It is important to your self esteem, success, and energy levels to look and feel your best every day. Go ahead, you deserve it!
05.29.07
When to let go of old clothes
“No matter what, most old clothes don’t get better with age, they just get antiquated. And those leftover clothes worn today only make you look older and dated…. Styles do get recycled – in new fabrics, with new details. If you have items from another era in your closet, give them to the kids and go out and buy the new version…. The thing about expired clothes is that everyone else can see it so much faster than you can. When you’ve been living with something for long, you tend to make a gazillion excuses for it if you’re not wearing it.”
Live in the moment, be honest with yourself, and get rid of things that are dated or that you are not wearing. It is much better to have less clothes that look fabulous on you and that you wear regularly than a closet full of ill fitting clothes that you never wear.
- Quote from Brenda Kinsel’s fabulous book 40 Over 40.
05.25.07
Orange County Baby Boomer Jeans
For all you baby boomer women out there, there is a great brand of jeans made just for you. They are called Not Your Daughter’s Jeans and you can find them at many department stores and boutiques around Orange County. They have extra spandex in them to make them nice and comfortable, but they also have a built in tummy cincher to keep everything where it should be. All of their styles are hip and modern, yet appropriate for those who don’t want their bums or underwear exposed.
Solutions is a denim boutique in Newport Beach (on 17th St.) and is a great resource for denimwear. They carry Not Your Daughters jeans and the sales staff are very helpful. Tell them I sent you.
