Nicer weather is tip-toeing in Seattle.  And if you're like me, you're craving a few new pieces to update your summer wardrobe. 

A few of the questions I hear a lot, "I want to add more uniqueness to my wardrobe." 

I look in the mirror and feel like something is missing? 

How do I create a put-together look?

If you shook your head and are thinking, yes that's me, help!

You're not alone. 

With the warmer weather upon us, I've had a personal "missing piece" dilemma myself.

You're about to witness how I turned my ONE new purchase into a treasure of outfits. 

Do you tend to focus your clothing purchases primarily on "work clothes" and don't always want to spend the money on weekend clothes - am I right?

Hey, I do the same thing. 

I've noticed is my summer lifestyle can be a little more casual.  And recognizing that certain pieces are missing.

With the weather changing here in Seattle to around 60-70 degrees, one doesn't necessarily need a coat, just an easy-going jacket to throw on. 

One of my favorite pieces to wear and purchase is a classy, luscious, stylish jacket. I love how a jacket can give an outfit instant polish! And adds that tad of warmth you're looking for. 

I'M a simple kind of gal, and a great jacket adds that "exquisiteness" to my simple pants, skirts and tops.

What I was encountering every time I put on my jeans, that "easy-going" casual jacket was missing that I so adore.  

It was absent from my closet.

Only to find out the next time I'm trying to execute my dressed-up casual look, I'm back to the same frustration. Where's the jacket I NEED!

Are you ready for what I found? 

What's so cool about this ONE new piece is it solved a multitude of my summer wardrobe dilemmas. 

What attracted me to this jacket: Simple and effortless, and the RED pizzazz!

• I value comfort when I'm dressing casual - the lycra in the fabric allows me to move.

• It was simple and solid - that meant I could add it to all my prints.

• LOVED the Red - fun and passionate for summer.

• It dresses up my skorts and jeans. Remember I like dressed-up casual.

• I can wear it with my white, black and navy jeans.

• I can pair it with my black, white and navy tops.

• I reluctantly paired it with my lonely floral shell that's been hanging around my closet for 5 years. Guess what, it looks great with the RED jacket.

• And, the most fun - wearing RED lipstick.

I've been attracted to RED from the beginning of 2018. It started when I declared my 2018 words - Bold Commitment. 

1. This RED jacket has put the lid on the "missing piece" ... at least for the time being until another missing piece manifests itself.

2. The RED jacket provides my casual summer wardrobe with a put-together look!

3. I've never had a fun casual RED jacket ... Love the uniqueness it's adding to my flourishing dressed-up casual wardrobe. 

Imagine... the outfits that I could create if I found a few more missing pieces.

If you're feeling like you have some missing pieces in your closet, let's hope on a quick phone call and find out how we can transform your wardrobe by filling in the missing gaps.  

Style Confidence. Do You Have It?

Do you ever feel like finding your personal style is somewhat of a mystery? You take a style quiz and it tells you, you are classy chic, modern elegant, or boho?

So now you go looking for clothing pieces to match the "style quiz." You go into the dressing room with a handful of dresses trying to find what looks like "classy chic."

What you discover is the style doesn't fit your body type.

You're not sure about the color.

Then you catch a glimpse of a dress that's really fantastic, you love it but it's not really classy chic. Confused?

Wondering how to navigate the world of Personal Style?

Recently I was browsing YouTube to see what the "YouTube style experts" had to say on the subject of finding personal style. It was suggested that I go into my closet and see what I have "a lot of". Meaning I feel super comfortable in that style. Conclusion: that is my personal style.

REALLY...is that all I have to do? If it was that simple then why are so many women feeling frustrated with their wardrobe.

In a survey I conducted a few months ago asking, "what are your biggest style challenges?"

Women told me...

Sick and tired of feeling frumpy. What styles are right for my body type? Help me to understand what styles compliment my body type.

How do I dress appropriately for the next level in business? How do I communicate who I am? I want to look credible.

I have too many clothes. Where do I shop? How do I begin building a wardrobe.

What I know and believe: Style Confidence begins with the woman and NOT the clothes.

You're wondering, "Where do I start?"

First it begins with you. Who are you?

Second, I believe your clothing represents what you want to say without needing to say it.

We are multi-faceted women.

If you're like me, I love to express myself in different ways on different days. I love wearing a multitude of colors and styles.

Questions to Ponder:

1.Who am I? What do you value? If you could pick one word to describe you, what would it be?

2.How do you want to be perceived?

3. What do you want others to know about you?

4.What do you want to attract into your life?

5.What is your body type?

6.What is your natural coloring?

Why are all these questions important? 

The essence of Personal Style begins with you. What you choose to wear everyday tells me a little about you.

I BELIEVE that Style Confidence begins with the woman and NOT the clothes.

Why does it matter? You feel comfortable in your own skin. You're authentic.

Your clothing is there to support your dreams and goals. Not just another pretty dress.

When you have a Style Confidence Plan; dressing, shopping, mixing and matching and choosing colors becomes effortless.

If you're thinking, Annette I would LOVE to have all those questions answered. I'm tired of the confusion, self-doubt and navigating the world of Personal Style on my own.

I Invite you to join me on Saturday, June 2nd for a Fashion Feng Shui Workshop where we'll spend 5.5 hours honing in on your Personal Style. Leaving you with a plan of action to develop and achieve Style Confidence.

Get Your Tickets Today & Receive Early Bird Pricing: CLICK

Annette Bond, works with accomplished, professional women to achieve Style Confidence. 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.

Annette is one of 30 women in the U.S. and one of 75 worldwide who are licensed to teach Fashion Feng Shui.

Warm summer days can sometimes signify a more casual look at times. We tend to see more skin. Bare legs. Bare arms. Sleeveless dresses. Fewer jackets. Opened toe shoes. 

It can be confusing how much skin should you show or how casual can you dress without comprising your professionalism. 

The image consultant catalog of rules says that if you break a rule or two you're OK but if you break too many rules you lose your look. 

Are you going to show off your neckline, arms or legs. Doing all three - eludes too much skin. Especially if you work in a male dominated environment. 

My Business Casual philosophy: A comfortably relaxed version of classic business attire, with no sacrifice of professionalism or personal power.

Feeling comfortable in your own skin is Confidence. 

If you have a tinge of hesitancy if you're dressed appropriately, I suggest taking one last look in your FULL length mirror to make sure you're not sacrificing your personal power.

Lets explore some ways to feel lighter in your dress without comprising professionalism.

5 Ways to Rock Your Summer Business Casual Look!

#1 TIP Add a lighter color - pastels in blue, white, beige, the new blush pink. Or it may be just one pastel wardrobe piece you add with black or navy. 

#2 TIP Add a classy sandal to complete your professional pulled together look.

#3 TIP My favorite pantyhose. If covering your legs is a must for you try the Donna Karen / The Nudes hosiery that are toeless or sheer. 

The Nudes give your legs a polished professional look without looking like you're wearing pantyhose.

#4 TIP Focus on your accessories with a great simple sheath dress.

#5 TIP Add a sweater or jacket for those important business meetings. Jackets always add authority.

 Have an incredibly stylish summer.

Summer is here and we love simple, stylish and effortless!  Who says you can't look cute while playing in the sun?

Where the Wear It:

1. Summer Barbecue

2. At the Park

3. Saturday Errands

4. To the Winery

5. Stay-at-home Mom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHY I LOVE THEM:

1. The Fabric

2. The Color

3. The Simplicity

4. The Style

5. It's Effortless

Stress-Free Summer Packing Exists!

There’s hardly anything more stressful than packing for a trip. You’ve probably had your own nightmare experience whether its forgetting the most important outfit for your business trip (the complete outfit is hanging in your closet 3,000 miles away) or you forgot your makeup bag on the bathroom counter. Or maybe the new shoes you purchased for the trip have left you with blisters on Day One. It’s time to adopt a new plan for packing! Start with a timetable and work your way up to the big day.

Here are some pre-departure tips to help you

14 Days Out

Although your trip seems far in the future, it’s time to start prepping now! 

Try on and write up or take pictures of all the pieces in your highest impact outfits. What are high impact outfits? They’re the outfits that are the most important outfits you’ll be wearing on the trip. Attending a wedding? Interviewing for a job? You know which days or nights mean the most to you so be sure you create those outfits early. This way you’ll have time to purchase any components that might be missing.

Do you take prescription drugs? Check the refills now. Your pharmacist will help you stock up so you won’t miss any days.

12 Days Out

Investigate the condition of your outfit pieces by looking closely at each clothing article. 

Finalize your high impact outfits and check closely to see if any articles need repair, alterations, or cleaning.

10 days Out

Start brainstorming your low to medium impact outfits. 

These are the outfits you’ll wear on day trips, visiting museums, going to the beach, socializing with friends, relatives, having casual dinners out. Try on the different possibilities and be sure to include the accessories. Let these possible combinations simmer for a couple of days in a section of your closet. That way you can mull over your outfit ideas without feeling rushed.

7 days Out

You can start creating your non-weather related pre-packs.

Some items can be packed right now. Consider gathering up your panties and bras now and packing them in a small travel bag. Nightgowns or pajamas and anything you use just before bed can be packed in a small travel bag. Do you have a favorite lip balm you apply at night? Do you wear earplugs or eye-shades? Designate a travel pack for just these items. When you get to your destination, you just pull out this nighttime pack and you could be asleep in five minutes!

 

Make another pre-pack for your workout gear if this is included in your itinerary.

Count out your daily vitamins and/or medications and put them in mini-plastic pouches for each day of your trip. You’ll feel so good taking care of this ahead of time.

Your toiletries and hair products can be pre-packed now too and placed in your suitcase. A benefit of having an extra set of makeup is that you can pack this early and avoid any panic about forgetting a most important product.

5 days Out

Your anxiety might be presenting itself. Keep calm and get more of your packing prepped. 

Check the weather at your destination. Now you have a clearer idea about the forecast and how it will affect your wardrobe. However, always pack a couple of pieces of clothing for each extreme weather possibility. That could mean a pair of shorts and a long-sleeved sweater.

Since you already planned out your high impact outfit ideas on Day 14, time to put them together completely. Check to be sure you have the accessories for each outfit.

Make the final edits of your travel wardrobe for your low to medium impact outfits. Do laundry if needed. Plan your actual “day-of” travel outfit.

1 Day Out

Don’t worry, you’re ready for this day. Time to fit it all into your suitcase and get some good night sleep, stress-free.

 Make yourself a note of anything that needs to be put into the suitcase just before you leave. This could include a curling iron, makeup, and makeup tools.

Have your travel outfit laid out and ready to go, especially for those early morning flights.

Need more simplifying?

Let me help you. I've packed my clients for many different destinations and occasions. They love how simplified their packing experience becomes. You could be the calmest customer in the security line on your next trip!