Nothing to Wear? You Need A Capsule Wardrobe

What else did I learn from reading Nothing to Wear: A 5 Step Cure for the Common Closet?

Each person needs a wardrobe foundation before they can build.  Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo say that every person needs a capsule wardrobe (consisting of neutral colors like black, brown, charcoal, taupe or cream) which includes:

·         One dress
·         One three piece suit (jacket, pants and skirt)
·         Basic/and or colored knit tops with varying necklines
·         A white collared shirt
·         A pump, bootie, strappy heel and flat shoe
·         A pair of modern jeans
·         One “frosting” jacket in tweed, suede, leather, etc.
·         A bag or tote in a basic color with neutral motif

Each part of this capsule wardrobe is adaptable to your particular style.

Since the basics are so important, I found some great capsule items here at Garden State Plaza.

Do you have a capsule wardrobe?  Are you aware of your own personal style?

Nothing to Wear? Find Your Own Personal Style

Recently, I’ve been plagued with a closet full of nothing to wear.  Mind you, my closet is brimming with clothes, but every day when I try to get dressed, I can’t find anything I like.

I was whining to a friend and she gave me a book called, Nothing to Wear: A 5 Step Cure to the Common Closet, by Jesse Garza & Joe Lupo, and it helped me realize my problem.

What did I learn? We need to make sure that our image and our identity are sending the same message.  Once they are, we will feel confident, stylish, and ready to take on the world — with our own personality shining through.  Sometimes we can be thrown off kilter from our personal style, and we forget what kind of clothes make us feel good.  

I learned that it’s important to have clarity on your defined style before you can produce a wardrobe that fits you. 

Jesse and Joe have defined 5 general styles to which nearly all of us fall into. There is a great quiz in the book that helps you figure it out.  These styles are:

1. Classic
2. Chic
3. Whimsical
4. Bohemian
5. Avant-Garde

The idea is that every piece of clothing in your closet should fit into this style. Then all the pieces can work together to define your image. (Sometimes your style can fall into two of these categories.)  

I took the quiz and discovered I’m mainly bohemian with a touch of whimsical.  I’ve always felt pulled towards these styles, but recently haven’t been letting them shine through.  Looking through my closet I can now clearly see what the problem is.  These clothes that I hate are not in line with my style!  Something inside is saying — it’s not me!

Check out Jesse and Joe’s website at www.visual-therapy.com.

Are you aware of your own personal style?  Or do you have nothing to wear when you open your closet each day?

7 Little Black Dresses with Big Personality

During this party-filled time of year, there’s an essential that every girl needs — that little black dress.  There is something about a little black dress… it always looks great, goes with everything, and even hides an extra holiday dessert or two.  Fortunately, black doesn’t have to be boring… This season’s black dresses are full of personality and can show yours off in a big way.  Here are some little black dresses that will make a perfect addition to your party season — without breaking the bank.

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Strapless Tiered Ruffle Dress– Gap- $78.00: Simple and strapless, but with ruffles for some flirtaceous fun.  This little black dress that will be a pleasure to wear, and leaves room to accessorize.

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Sequin Chiffon Keyhole Dress– Bebe- $129.00:  How adorable is this dress?  It’s got sequins, a keyhole in the back, and shows off your legs.  This is a little black dress that will definitely attract attention.

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Satin One Shoulder Dress– Jessica McClintock- $90.00: This satin one shoulder with purple accents is anything but boring.  I say, rock-it with an up-do and some purple heels if you want to add some color.

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Maritess Sequin Dress– Forver 21- $27.80: This dress will show off your figure, and it accessorizes itself.  You can throw it on in a hurry and sparkle the whole night through.

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Animal Print Dress– Charlotte Russe- $26.99: OK, it’s not exactly an entirely  black dress, but it’s so much fun I had to include it.

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Embellished Tank Dress– Old Navy- $39.50: Elegant and feminine, this is a dress that likes to be danced in.  Strap on your heels, grab a dance partner and spin the night away.

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Black Lace Sweetheart Dress– Hot Topic- $39.00: I didn’t know that funky and lacey could exist in the same dress at the same time, but this dress does it and does it well.

Plentiful Patchwork

Patchwork is popping up everywhere, and it’s a creative way to add some color and texture to your look.  Check out these pretty patchwork pleasers.  What do you think about patchwork?

A December Must-Have

Call me crazy, but in my opinion, tree decorating, card writing, and holiday entertaining aren’t complete without a warm beverage in your hand.  And, also in my opinion, there is no warm beverage better than a fragrant cup of mulled cider.  Not only does it taste incredible, it fills your house with the smells of the holiday season: cinnamon, orange zest, clove and allspice.  Williams Sonoma mulling spice is by far my favorite.  It can be used with apple cider, or red wine for those who are feeling particularly “festive.”

UGG Australia & Chances to Win Jingle Ball Tickets at Nordstrom on Dec 9th!

What perfect timing!  I’m trying to pick a pair of UGGs to ask Santa for this Christmas – and now I can view the whole collection of boots, shoes and slippers at Nordstrom on Tuesday, December 9th from 4-6 pm!

And there’s going to be a chance to win tickets to Z100’s Jingle Ball! 

You can be entered to win tickets or meet-and-greet prizes to Jingle Ball starring Kanye West, Jesse McCartney, Katy Perry, Ne-Yo, Leona Lewis, Chris Brown, Paramore, Lady Gaga, Brandy & David Archuleta! (You must be present to win and 18 or older. No purchase necessary).

Check out the Jingle Ball website here. Carolina Bermudez from Z100 will also be there during the event.

So come check out the UGGS with me and join in the Jingle Ball excitement! For more information, please call (201) 843-1122 ext. 1300.

Gift Wrap at Lucky Brand

Lucky Brand is offering mall-goers free gift wrapping on any item from 11am-9pm every Saturday during the holiday season.

You can also take advantage of great holiday promotions like 30% off at Lucky Brand Stores and the chance to win $1,000 Lucky Brand Gift Cards.

Stop by the Lucky Brand Gift Wrap on the 2nd floor outside of Macy’s to learn more.

Topping it off

Fedoras, cadets, driving caps, beanies and truckers!  So many ways to top off his look. Check out these hats for guys (available at Metropark).  Which style is your favorite?

Uggs: Are They Really Heaven for your Feet?

Uggs have always appealed to me…

But I never bought a pair because I thought they were a trend… that would be over the second I got them. 

Well, I’ve been thinking this for years and Uggs are still here in full force.  And now I’m starting to realize that Uggs might not be a trend at all, they might be a wardrobe necessity.

Everyone I talk to raves about them.  They are the best shoes they’ve ever purchased.  They don’t want to take them off!  Yesterday, a friend called them “a fluffy piece of heaven that landed on her feet.”  Come on, really?  Are they really like fluffy heaven on your feet?  Because if they are, then it’s game over for my Ugg-less existence.  I absolutely have to have a pair…

So, Ugg owners, I’d like to know a few things…

1. Are Uggs really heaven on your feet?
2. Real Uggs vs. Fake, does it matter?
3. Do you think they’re going out of style?
4. If an Ugg newbie like me were to ask Santa for a pair, which style should it be? Classic? High? Short? Ultimate?

A Special Guest from the North Pole!

Santa’s here! Visit JC Penney court now through December 24th to have your picture taken with him. Santa will be on break feeding his reindeer from 1-2pm and 5-6pm.