Why you FEEL uninspired with your current wardrobe, and it doesn’t FEEL like you have anything to wear.

Have you found yourself standing in front of your closet and feeling defeated? You don’t FEEL great.

It may FEEL like you’re in a slump, and your steadfast confidence is nowhere to be found.

What’s going on?  It’s that slow creep.

You’re on Facebook, and the picture you posted last year on the same date comes up, and you’re wearing the same outfit.

 You may be thinking, OMG I’m wearing the same outfit, “I need a new wardrobe.”

Maybe.

You realize it doesn’t FEEL that great either, or maybe you need to get rid of it.

Maybe.

Most often we think it’s the clothing pieces.  

They’re boring.

They don’t FEEL current anymore.

They didn’t wash up nicely.

The real problem could be YOU.

• You’ve changed.

• You’ve grown personally and professionally.

• You’ve taken your business to another level.

• You’ve bought a new home.

• You have a new romantic partner in your life.

• You’re taking dancing lessons.

You’re stepping into a NEW you, but you’re dressing exactly like the old self.

There is misalignment going on.

Of course you’re bored with your wardrobe.

Of course, your confidence FEELS off.  

You’re not the woman you were a year ago or even 5 years ago.

Trust me, I get it. We all hang on to clothing pieces that we spent a lot of money on.

They’re timeless, the color is great.

Sometimes it’s time to let go.

I want you to go put on an outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks.

• Take extra time with your makeup and hair.

• Make a date to meet up with your business bestie.

How do you FEEL?

Do you FEEL ignited?

YES!  That’s how you’re supposed to FEEL when you get dressed.

If this resonates with you, it sounds like you may be ready for a Style Reinvention or Refresh.

Private Style Consulting: https://www.annettebond.com/revealyourradiancesignatureprogram

Group Style Consulting: https://www.womenofdefinitivestyle.com/Waitlist

With Your Definitive Style in Mind,

💗Annette

3 Ways to Style Your Timeless White Blouse  

You may be thinking, white….it's a little boring?

Maybe you’re thinking you prefer a timeless blouse with more color or frill?

However, the white blouse is a wardrobe staple that is: 

• Timeless

• Versatile

• Luxurious

1.Let’s talk Timeless

Begin styling it with your classic black jacket. Simple. I'm sure you have one in your closet. Showing up professional and put-together is going to give you the confidence that you need as you head back to the office or begin in-person meetings. 

Add pearls, gold, or silver accessories to make it your own. 

2.Let’s talk Versatility

Style your timeless white blouse with a beautiful sweater or even a denim jacket. 

There is no one way to style your white blouse. The options are endless. 

As you are investing in the timeless white blouse, think of the various jackets you already own.

The timeless white blouse now becomes an investment piece into your wardrobe.

3.Let’s talk Luxury 

The color white denotes clean, crisp, and organized. 

Is that how you want others to perceive you?

Will you choose a beautiful Italian pima cotton fabric that says bespoke?

Luxury and custom. 

Let Your Timeless White Blouse do the Speaking for You. 

HERE ARE 3 WAYS I CAN HELP YOU DRESS WITH EASE, BE ON-BRAND, & GET NOTICED:

1. Capture my BEST style strategies and image advice that include secrets to honoring your inner beauty, to what style basics are a must, to creating a color wardrobe capsule – Get Your Ultimate Style Guide: 7 Ways to go from feeling ‘off’ to rocking a signature look that is uniquely YOU!

2. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing and style choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 30-minute Get Dressed with Ease Breakthrough session to share a little about your image challenges and what you’re envisioning for yourself, and we’ll devise a strategy, so you are ‘stepping into your excellence’ and showing up as the powerful woman that you are and dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

3. Join other like-minded successful smart women in my Style with Significance Facebook Group! This is a place to share personal styling ideas, get advice from a professional stylist, and meet other powerful professional women who value looking as good as they feel

My son Ryan introduced me to Deion Sanders favorite quote years ago.

 Look Good. Feel Good. Play Good.

 Then they Pay Good.

 I remember so clearly how Ryan memorized the quote and was buying into its truth.

 As a twenty-something young man at the time, of course he looked up to the professional football player.

 He was cool and successful.

 Being in the business of image and style for over 25 years, and working with 1000’s of women, it’s never really about the fashion but how the clothing makes one feel.

 It affects your self-image and self-esteem.  

When a piece of clothing is worn, it exerts an influence on the wearer’s psychological processes by activating associated abstract concepts through its symbolic meaning, Galinsky, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

The term coined by Galinsky, is “Enclothed Cognition.”

Dr. Adam Galinsky study found, "Clothes invade the body and brain, putting the wearer into a different psychological state. You have to wear the coat, see it on your body, and feel it on your skin for it to influence your psychological processes."

 The study featured undergraduate students who were either given a white doctors coat or told to wear street clothes and were administered a test for selective attention, such as spotting minor differences in similar pictures.

Those who wore the doctor’s coat made about half as many errors as those in street clothes.

When you are gearing up to put your best foot forward, what do you do?

As a businesswoman, you choose your most “confident look” in the closet.

Just like professional athlete Deion Sanders, it is gameday.

Expressing yourself and being confident in your self-image is one way to give yourself an edge whether you are powerful businesswoman or professional football player.

As a professional football has a brand with his uniform.

What does your businesswoman wardrobe say about you?

Is it expressing your uniqueness?

Do you have a signature look that differentiates you?

Does it reflect your expertise and brand?

Maybe it’s time to try on your ‘look the part’ confident look and step into your excellence?

You are invited to join me at my upcoming Style Strategy and Confidence Masterclass on Thursday, June 24th @ 1pm PST

https://www.annettebond.com/masterclass

BE the CEO of Your Personal Brand

Show up feeling confident & credible

Are you aware of your professional presence when you walk into a room?

Do you know how others perceive you?

Do you waste a lot of mental energy trying to figure out what outfit is appropriate?

Would you like to feel more empowered and distinguish yourself from the crowd?

Did you know that when you walk into a room, your image speaks to who you are in a millisecond?

Join Annette Bond, AICI CIC, founder and CEO of Definitive Style. She is ONE of only 3 women  in Washington certified with Association of International Image Consultants.

She specializes in supporting the high-level professional who is ready to heighten career and client opportunities. Ultimately, skyrocketing their confidence as a leader.

Annette created the Reveal Your Radiance Signature System.  The 10-step process prepares leaders to develop an elevated professional presence, be confidently styled, empowering them to create a memorable and influential personal brand and most importantly influencing how others perceive them as a leader.

You’re Invited: Sunday, February 9th from 1-4pm / $249 early bird pricing (after January 27th $299)

Location: Annette’s home studio in Sammamish, WA / Includes handouts and snacks / Limited to 10 Women

Attention: Women ONLY Attorneys, Financial Advisors and Professional Entrepreneurs

BE The CEO Of Your Personal Brand

• Discover the mistakes that detract from a confident and credible professional image.

• Create a memorable and influential personal brand image that attracts more clients

• Discover how to purposefully use clothing styles, colors, patterns and textures to feel more empowered; exuding inner-confidence and success.

• Get inspired by a mini fashion show from area boutique

Create A Winning Strategy In 2020 - BE The CEO Of Your Personal Brand. Show up feeling confident & credible.

Register: https://www.annettebond.com/be-the-ceo-of-your-personal-brand-workshop
Limited to ONLY 10 Women

There's a commercial on TV right now where a patient is in the hospital and asks the nurse what do you think of the Dr. that's going to operate on me and she says, he's OK.

The look on the patients face is priceless. Like what? What do you mean the Dr. is just OK?

Who wants a Dr. who is just OK, you want the best, right?

Is that how you're feeling about your wardrobe? It's OK. It's fine. I look OK.

If that works for you, wonderful. You probably don't need to read any further.

Or, is your personal style beginning to affect your self confidence when you walk into a room?

Years ago I took the Strength Finders assessment and it told me my #1 Strength was the Maximizer. (something you may not know about me...I LOVE self discovery)

Excellence, not average, is your measure. You are compelled to nurture it, refine it and stretch it toward excellence. You polish the pearl until it shines. I remember thinking, OMG that is what I do, I'm the Maximizer. .

Helping women Elevate their Image is what I do best.

It's not just what I do, but it's my passion to help women show up dressed oozing excellence instead of just OK. Never apologizing.

You may be thinking about the Reveal Your Radiance Style Academy and wondering, do I really need that program? Or is my wardrobe just OK the way it is?

What I've found over and over is that it's the little things that make a big difference.

I call it.....you don't know what you don't know.

• You don't really know your best colors

• You don't really know the best styles for your body type

• You don't really know how to dress on purpose.

• You don't really know what your personality has to do with your style?

• You don't really know how to mix and match your wardrobe?

They may be little things on their own but combined they make a BIG difference in your "elevated image."

Learning and discovering all these little things in the Reveal Your Radiance Style Academy are tools that will serve you for a lifetime.

Wouldn't you love to quit the madness of filling your closet with clothes that are just OK?

If you are a little bit curious and thinking this really does sound fantastic.....let's set up a quick 10-15 phone conversation where I can answer your concerns and questions.

Visit: www.annettebond.com/revealyourradiancestyleacademy

Invest in YOU. A style system that will serve you for a lifetime.

I can't wait to chat with you!!

Give me a call at 425.868-1816 or email me at annette@annettebond.com to find out more.

February, the month of LOVE! And Beyond.

Valentine’s Day can represent many things – a romantic dinner with your partner, celebrating with a gal pal or time with loved ones. Why can’t this continue past February?

Sometimes we neglect to notice what we LOVE about ourselves or at least recognize.

About 6 months ago I retook the DISC assessment. I was in a transformational coaching program at the time where our strengths were being discussed and how we were using them.

What actualized completely surprised me. I was in the 97% of I style (Influence). It revealed to me that I should be making stronger use of my communication and people skills. Utilizing my energy of inspiration, passion and wisdom in a more influential way. Letting my Fire shine brighter.

I became aware that I was moving a strength of mine to the rear vs the forefront.          

I thought, why am I doing that?

The first truth that came out; what will others think of me if I shine brighter? What I came to understand is that we as humans judge. That is just what we do. You’re judging my article as you are readying this and I am judging the next person on Facebook, lol. Good, bad, indifferent, it just doesn’t matter. We’re human beings and our brains can’t help but judge.

You may be thinking ONLY metals judge. Well maybe we Metals do have a little more tendency to judge. But I would guess that 99% of you out there worry about what others think also, am I right?

As we all go through the Fashion Feng Shui process of evaluating who am I and discovering our essence, I believe we can very much have a blind spot.

Why is it so darn hard to see what we LOVE about ourselves when various assessments and people point it out so blatantly?

With that being said, I proposed to my Definitive Style community an exercise.  To candidly observe what they LOVE in their wardrobe.  

So of course I needed to do the exercise myself. Again, I was actually surprised with the results.

I hope you’ll play the game with me. Take out a piece of paper and sketch out a tic-tac-toe board. In the middle square write: "What I Love"

1. Step into your closet or jewelry box and choose 5-10 pieces that You LOVE.

2. Set them out on a table and begin writing the qualities that you LOVE about them.

3. Read the qualities out loud…do they resonate with you?

4. If someone was to describe you with these words, would you feel flattered?

5. Do you unequivocally say yes, that's me?

6. Do any of words give you butterflies?

7. Are you ready to shake hands with the words and own them?

8. Are you ready to stretch a bit in 2019 and take on the butterfly words?

As you look at your words, do they fit into a nice box of your primary and influencing essence? Or are they outside the box more than you think?

What surprised me was how I described my favorite accessories, they were 50% Fire. The power was in writing the words down. I didn’t perceive myself as having that much Fire in my wardrobe and then realizing they were my favorite pieces.  I LOVE continuing to learn about myself while honoring my strengths. 

Fire, of course that’s part of me…my favorite color is fuchsia and I love pearls.  

What I do know is my navy sheath dress that fits me to a tee (metal) is my foundation and feels perfect for me but I love the luminosity and warmth of adding Fire.

The first step is becoming aware.

What are your blind spots?

What have others told you you’re really good at and you unconsciously ignore?

What words from the tic-tac-toe exercise made you think a new thought?

Whether your essence is Water, Wood, Fire, Earth or Metal there is nothing more powerful than showing up and radiating as the real you!  

Annette Bond is known for helping women “Elevate their Image."

She’s on a mission to help every day women who have put themselves at the bottom of the list when it comes to style. Your style is a representation of your personal essence - and it deserves to shine because it's a reflection of who you truly are. 

This newer, shinier version of you will pay dividends in business and in your personal relationships because of how you'll be showing up, your BEST self. 

Annette works with a client focused approach, she prides herself on “getting you.” The end result is instant gratification…Creating the perfect wardrobe for the real you.

You're put-together, polished and ready to step into the world with revitalized confidence.

Certified Image Consultant - AICI CIC

Certified Corporate Image Consultant

She is a certified color consultant who was personally trained by Leatrice Eiseman, known as the “international color guru”.

And also one of 30 women in the U.S. certified in Fashion Feng Shui.

Annette Believes:

Style begins with the woman, not the clothes.

If you're like me you probably learned to get dressed when you were four or five years old. Kindergarten or preschool?

Or at least your mother allowed you to go out of the house with your personal picks.

So WHY at 40, 50 or 60 years old does it seem sooo hard to get dressed?

Each time I work with a new client, I continue to understand and receive new insight into the struggles and challenges of getting dressed.

You try on 3-4 outfits for every event and settle on the "best one" or the one that is "good enough."

You wear repeat outfits and it gets old fast.

Wishing you looked and felt better in your clothes.

• Could be the style or color that's not right

• A trend that doesn't serve you

• Your girlfriend that told you it looked great, deep down inside you knew it wasn't right but you bought it anyway

• Fit isn't complementary to your body shape

• You're not the same size you were a couple of years ago

I can help you discern:

• Color

• Fit

• Proportions

• Style

I pride myself on helping you curate a wardrobe that FITS YOU NOW!

As you arrive for your appointment, ALL the clothes are mindfully selected for you before you arrive.

I just ask you to show up with an open mind to see yourself as a whole person (a package) not the ONE thing you don't like about yourself. 

Recently, I was in the dressing room with my client Shelley. She hired me because she was in a transition with her career. She didn't have outfits in her closet that she felt confident in.

She was missing those go-to-outfits that made getting dressed easy.

As I observed from the distance, the look on her face as she tried on every last piece of clothing that FIT her body type. (And yes, she was NOT the size she once was)

PRICELESS.

She felt like a million bucks.

She smiled at herself with delight.

Oozing with Confidence.

She had a budget in mind and ended up spending double the budget because she found so many pieces that made her feel like a million bucks.

What's it costing you to wait until...

Life is short and wouldn't you love to FEEL CONFIDENT NOW?

Not in 2 months or 2 years?

Honoring the body you have NOW is a gift you can give yourself today.

When you fight against your body you only cause frustration and angst.

Annette, I'm ready to start LOVING my closet and want it filled with pieces that reflect my unique style and also FIT!

Let's Talk

With Your Definitive Style in Mind,

Annette

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.

Follow me on LinkedIn / Wardrobe Wednesday on Facebook

annette@annettebond.com

www.annettebond.com

UPCOMING EVENT: Is Your Wardrobe in a Style Rut?

Elevate Your Image Workshop / Saturday, September 29th / 10am-3pm / ONLY 7 Spots Remaining!

Deadline to signup is September 17th!

Sign Up TODAY

As I picked up my InStyle magazine an article caught my attention, "Do Clothes Make the Woman?" 

The article was written by the fashion feature director of InStyle magazine. I would agree we at one time or another believe that the clothes make the woman. You may still feel that way. 

This Saturday my son is getting married. Looking and finding the perfect dress was an effort, I have to admit. I began the process thinking about the wedding colors, should I wear long or short, what was the mother-of-the-bride wearing, etc. Sounds logical right?  Not ever being a mother-of-the-groom, I felt it was my responsibility to "fit in" with the wedding. 

After 4 months of looking, I found myself trying to work within the parameters I had made up wasn't working. I was trying to make the "pink of the season" work for me - it didn't. I was trying to find a "mother-of-the groom look", it wasn't working. It finally occurred to me that everything I teach and inspire women to do, I wasn't doing. 

Can you believe it - I fell into the trap. 

The wedding was now 4 weeks away and I had to find my dress, I needed a new strategy. 

I decided to let go of all the preconceptions of what I thought I "should wear".  I took a step back and started shopping from the perspective of what gives Annette Style Confidence, what makes Annette feel like a million bucks, what are Annette's most flattering colors and silhouettes.

I ordered five dresses online. Three worked. One was amazing. The one I thought I was going to love was the worst. On the hanger it was gorgeous! I thought it was perfect! But, the dress took over, way to overwhelming for my height. The dress wore me. 

Have you ever gone out shopping for "the dress" thinking that the dress is going to compensate for all your insecurities and what you perceive to be personality flaws?

Or the pressure to find the dress that is going to disguise ample upper arms or camouflage a tummy? Not a bad thing but I believe shouldn't be your total focus. 

To feel ultra confident, comfortable in your skin and at ease...I believe Style Confidence begins with you, not the clothes. 

Who are you at the core? What is the message you want to speak without actually speaking? What are your best attributes? What is your body type?  

When you begin with YOU...the dress narrates a story about you. The dress has influence and purpose. And most of all, there is an ease and comfort with the dress. You can forget about the dress and BE YOU. 

If any of this resonates with you and you're tired of trying to figure it all out on your own, I invite you to:  

1.    ook A Style Strategy Session.  We'll chat about your greatest wardrobe/style challenges and frustration. What you want to change. A solution for achieving Style Confidence. 

2.    Fashion Feng Shui Workshop on Saturday, June 2nd. A Style System that begins with you, the woman. 10:00-3:30 / Annette's home office in Sammamish, WA ONLY 8 Spots Available!

3.    FREE Event on Tuesday, May 1st.  Effortlessly Elevated. Re-imagine Beauty in Your 50's. Studio Skin & Sculpt in Shoreline. 

I BELIEVE there isn't a more powerful feeling than when your outfit truly expresses who you are. It represents everything you want to say without needing to say it. 

With your Definitive Style in Mind. 

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.

Are you a 50+ savvy business woman who is still wearing skirts, jackets and pants from 10 years ago?  

Back in the day you invested in great timeless pieces, great neutral colors, and quality fabrics? Right? I commend you for that.  Unfortunately our so called "timeless" pieces do become dated and we need to replace those basics  every so often. What looked amazing 10 years ago looks old and frumpy in 2013.  It's time to update and look relevant, stylish, and classy at 50 years old.

Tip #1

Wear a slimmer pant or top that works well with your body type.

Tip #2

Update with current colors like Pantone's Vivacious (pink tone), Samba (beautiful red) or Acai (plum shade) for Fall 2013.

Tip #3

The universal skirt length is at the knee - you can go above the knee 1" or below the knee 1" depending on your vertical body type.