Does it ever feel like you just settle on a purchase because you've told yourself you're too busy to shop?

The piece you bought is OK, not great. But it will do.

I hear you, shopping takes time. And life is busy.

The thoughts that begin to creep in before you even go shopping...the dread, I can't ever find what I'm looking for, nothing fits right.

You've probably had those thoughts lurking in your head a time or two...I hear them all the time from clients.

And guess what, they're frustrated.

You may possibly be feeling the same way?

What I know from personal experience is that if we keep doing the same things over and over and don't get the results were looking for, NOTHING is ever going to change.

Reaching out for help can be hard.

You're thinking I should be able to do my own shopping, it's supposed to be fun right?

I don't need Annette to help me. Or do you?

As a person who values excellence, I pride myself in the Signature System I take my clients through.

It's not about sashaying into Nordstrom and finding a few cute pieces. (we will eventually find those great cute pieces, just later in the process)

The latest trend. The latest color. Here try this on.

The Annette Bond Signature System begins with you.

If you're like me you've taken a few personality tests and then wonder what do I with it? I pride myself upon "getting you" before we go shopping.

The process begins with an assessment/questionnaire to lay the ground work.

You've told me what you like, don't like, tried, dismissed...then we collaborate.

Then I utilize my professional training, innate talents and 30 years of working with women to our game plan.

By the time were done...you'll have a closet that reflects your unique style, feeling like a million bucks. AND no more wavering if you've got it right.

During our time together, I can honestly say, "I am in love with helping women reveal their radiance."

When you see it for yourself...that's a "magnificent day."

A longtime client responded recently with an email...Yesterday was great...very efficient use of my time. Thanks so much for your time and good eye!

New client email...Things are going great! I am loving my closet :) What a fantastic experience!!

I leave you with...the "Power" of a great black shell (fitted or one with more ease). Which style reflects you?

Hop on over to www.annettebond.com.

Click Schedule your Style Strategy Session to fill out the questionnaire (bottom of home page.) This will help me to understand what you're struggling with.

Annette Bond, works with accomplished, professional women to Elevate their Image.

She inspires women to elevate and express the best of who they are Now, so they can go out into the world with greater confidence and ease.

Annette is a Certified Personal Image Consultant AICI CIC, Corporate Image Certified, More Alive With Color™ Certified, and Fashion Feng Shui Facilitator (one of 30 women in the US)

Own Your Style with Confidence - Style Guide - Download Here

Are You Someone Who Has Lost Your Competitive Edge in the Way You Dress?

Recently I was having a phone conversation with an attendee from a recent workshop. I asked, "what prompted you to want to chat further?"

He said, "I feel I've lost my competitive edge with the way I dress."

Sometimes you get so comfortable in how you dress, you don't realize anything is wrong.

It could be your current job, the environment you're in, your weight or size that's possibly holding you back.

You stop shopping. Your style becomes stagnant.

The desire to show-up looking sharp doesn't matter anymore. You've told yourself, it's OK nobody really cares, it's my intellect that matters most.

Until, one day you see someone dressing differently. Your eye's perk up and realize WOW that person looks sharp!

So professional and polished.

Subconsciously you're wondering what that person does.

You're thinking I would really love to get to know that person.

Hmmm that person has it going on.

Your brain is going through a process that is called thin slicing according to Malcom Gladwell, author of the book Blink. You've just had a multitude of thoughts go through your mind in about 1/10 of a second.

That person made a great first impression and you're thinking I want what that person has.

You go home that night, look in your closet and realize you have a lot of clothes you're not wearing for one reason or another.

We all hold onto clothing for many different reasons. One being you spent good money on that suit or jacket and are having a hard time letting go of it. Or you're thinking I may have an opportunity to wear that jacket someday (which of coarse you may.)

What you may not realize is you're in a different place mentally. You're not the same person you were 5 or 10 years ago. It may be physically (you've lost or gained weight) but most of all you're in a renewed place mentally.

You are ready to elevate how you show up.

You're ready to take control of your personal style.

You're ready to get back that competitive edge you once had.

Style has come along way over the last 5-10 years especially for men. The selection in styles, colors, prints and silhouette has evolved and expanded.

If you want to stay current and relevant, I suggest shopping a minimum of once a season. (fall and spring)

Now that you've realized you need a change, the next step is eliminating pieces in your closet that are not working for you and add pieces that elevate the new you as well as make you feel like a million bucks! (Don't worry... I'm here to take you through that daunting process.)

Think of it as investing in yourself to become a better you. Let your expertise and talent be revealed through your dress.

Let your presence do the speaking.

It's a new season, a great time to look at your wardrobe with a fresh pair of eyes.

Is it time to gain back your competitive edge with how you dress so others can say, "WOW, that's a sharp person!"

If you said YES, let's chat. Book Your Style Strategy Conversation Here.

COLOR can be magical!

How many times have you been ambiguous about what to wear and you look in your closet and find that delicious sunny coral t-shirt that makes you smile and feel good all over? Or you’re out shopping and a rack of beautiful reds and burgundies catch your eye.  For an instant you think, “Wow, I love that”, while thinking oh I could never wear that and you’ve quickly move to the rack of all black.

I want you to STOP right there and start rethinking the way you look at COLOR.  Why did you say, “I can’t wear that”?  Who told you that?  There are comments made in our past by people who most likely we really never took advice from but in one moment a spontaneous statement was made and we have kept it in our mind for years….and have never let go of it.

It’s funny how we do that, isn’t it. Or maybe you had a color analysis done in 1982 and the lady told you these are your “six colors” and red and burgundy are not one of them. You took her at face value and never again tried red or burgundy.

Today, I want you to open your mind to COLOR.  COLOR can be magical.

• Color can make you feel good

• Color can be emotional

• Color can bring out your personality

• Color can attract others to you

• Color can be creative

• Color is inspirational

• Color can show our feminine side

• Color can show our masculine side

• Color can evoke and inspiration

• Color can stand out in a crowd

• Color can add a spark to your life

• Color can bring confidence

If you are one of those people who wear’s alotttttt of black, I invite you to start experimenting. Or maybe you’re just afraid of the reaction you will get by wearing more color. Whatever the reason is you need to start by taking a step into the world of color. I want you to take your favorite black pant with you shopping.  Let’s start with 2 colors.  We’re going to begin by choosing colors that compliment your eyes.  If your eyes are a blend of blue/green then those are the two colors to begin with. If your eyes are brown then I want you to try blue and purple as they are complimentary colors of brown.  If your eyes have a goldy green then you will choose a gold tone yellow and green.  If your eyes are gray, choose a blue and maybe pink.  This is your first assignment in putting to the test the world of COLOR.

As you are choosing your color pieces, you have variety of options.  You could choose a beautifulblouse that may be a solid or print. A beautiful  sweater. Or it could even be larger style statement necklace or scarf. 

Remember this is all about experimenting; you don’t have to buy it. But just try it; you might like it as Dr. Seuss did with green eggs and ham.

I am going to go back to the red and burgundy example at the start of my story, as they are Pantone’s Fall 2014, Aurora Red and Sangria.  Aurora Red and Sangria are what I would call crossover colors and that means everyone looks good in them.  They are colors we see in nature.  Would you ever say your beautiful red geraniums look terrible with the brown dirt – NO.  Would you ever say the burgundy looks very out of place in the evening sunset, heavens no.  There are a set of colors that are eyes are accustomed to seeing in nature and against many backgrounds, these are called crossover colors.

So go out there today and have fun with color. Embrace color. Give it meaning. Pair it with other color combinations and be courageous. Let your personality shine. Show a little of your feminine side. And most of all don’t be afraid to stand out in a crowd because of COLOR.