How Do You Evolve Your Personal Style?

I'm so excited to share a fresh, new take on my Confidently Styled Woman newsletter/blog with you! It’s all about my personal style and how I dress to support my evolving lifestyle—plus, I’ll show you how to do the same!

As we grow and our lives change, so does our wardrobe. I’m excited to share more with you—how I bring beauty into my life through what I wear, how I live, and how I stay healthy.

Back in 2018, I worked with a branding expert to define my core values. The one that stood out the most was well-being, and I started wondering how that fit into my styling business. Now feels like the perfect time to explore it.

I've noticed that many of my clients' work wardrobes have evolved over the past five years—fashion has, too. Today, there are so many ways to look polished, stylish, and comfortable while embracing a more relaxed approach. No matter where life takes you—whether it's the boardroom or a trip to Italy—you can show up as the Confidently Styled Woman, dressed perfectly for the occasion.

I can’t wait to take this journey with you—it’s going to be real, inspiring, educational, and so much fun!

It’s time to let your personal style support the fullness of your life.

What I’m Styling

My lifestyle has evolved—my styling business is now 99% virtual, meaning I no longer see clients in person or attend business meetings regularly. My husband has retired, and I’ve stepped into the wonderful role of being a grandmother.

So what does that mean? My wardrobe has evolved, too.

• But it’s not just about updating what’s in your closet—it’s about shifting your mindset. If you’re like me, you probably have a certain image in your mind of what a “traditional grandmother” looks like and how she dresses. There’s a reason so many women seek a fresh, modern alternative to the name "grandma." But personally? I love being a grandma.

• Why does this matter? Because words carry meaning. The words we use shape our thoughts, and our thoughts influence our actions. While my approach to style hasn’t changed, my evolving lifestyle has led me to embrace a new genre of clothing—styles and fabrics that align with where I am now.

I’m still Annette Bond—I still want to feel put-together, stylish, and confident in my clothing choices, no matter the occasion.

If you’re experiencing a similar shift and find yourself frustrated each morning, unsure if your wardrobe still fits your life, it may be time to create a wardrobe that truly reflects your new chapter.

No matter what changes life brings—whether it’s getting older, working from home, navigating a divorce, or stepping into a new promotion—it’s important to embrace where you are right now.

Let’s stay connected in my Private Facebook Group, Confidently Styled Woman

With Your Definitive Style in Mind, 💗Annette

Read this if you have a hard time deciding what colors look best on you but you’re still not sure how to go about it

“A colorful trend is coming back around and responding to today’s wardrobe crisis. Color analysis — or sharpening one’s personal style game using compatible colors from the color wheel — has been said to lead to more decisive dressing. The idea is that it takes the guesswork out of getting dressed, doing makeup or hair.” ~ Leatrice Eiseman, International Color Expert

Color is everywhere, we can’t escape it. But many times, you may not know what to do with it.

It’s especially stressful when you go shopping, so many choices.

How does one decide?

Color analysis has been around for a long time, making its biggest impact in the 80’s.

I was there. As I was entering the fashion industry in the 80’s I knew it was important to understand how to use color in my profession.

More recently, COLOR has led to illuminating ones “personal brand.”

COLOR plays a big role in your decision making. Everything from website colors to your wardrobe palette to meaningful branding colors. It’s all interconnected.

What is personal color analysis?

It’s a process where one learns what COLORS look best with your eye, hair, and skin tone.

1. You then receive a beautiful COLOR palette that takes the guesswork out of choosing new clothing pieces.

2. It helps you gain confidence and zero in on knowing your most flattering shades.

3. It is not only a confidence builder but gives you the know-how to use color with your wardrobe but in the illumination of your personal brand.

STYLE TIP!  Using personal COLOR analysis for clothing selection can simplify the shopping process and help you zero in on “your colors” and ignore the rest.

Sustainability.

I’m sure you have pieces in your closet you continue to keep because you love how the COLOR makes you look and feel.

Did you know, the average consumer throws away 81.5 lbs of clothes every year (that’s 11.3 million tons of textile waste that hits landfills!)?

STYLE TIP! When you love and embrace certain colors, you hang onto pieces longer.

What is a Colortime System?

I’m honored to be a certified color consultant with More Alive With Color, Color Clock System™.  It is not based on the seasons, but rather on the changing light at certain times of day. 

More Alive with Color, Color Clock System

“This is a more inclusive and international method, as many people live in climates where they cannot relate to “winter” colors; they simply do not experience those cooler color temps in their surroundings. 

Anyone, no matter where they live, can understand — through their own experience — the significance of the cleaner, sharper, jeweled tones of Sunrise hues, the sun-drenched subtlety of mid–day tones (which I call “Sunlight”), or the warmer drama of a beautifully striated Sunset painted across the sky.

Also included is a fourth palette called the Crossover™ colors that contains colors that are so apparent and prevalent in nature that they work with every palette. These include shades like Pantone’s Sky Blue, Sand, True Red, and Black.  Pantone is the most widely-used color system used worldwide, Pantone colors are used throughout the Colortime system.” Leatrice Eiseman

STYLE TIP! COLOR is the foundation of all fashion, and it makes us feel a certain way.  Why wouldn’t you want to understand how to use COLOR to put your best self forward?

Color for Confidence

My Color for Confidence program is a hybrid self-led / in-person, (via Zoom) bespoke customized experience to help women understand and discover her BEST and most flattering colors.  

Through the More Alive With Color, Color Clock System™, you will look at your unique inherent coloring, define your Signature Colors, utilize the goof-proof combinations, all of which allows you to create a wardrobe with ease, simplicity, and confidence.

You’ll then have an individualized 50-minute white-glove color session where we will clarify your best colors, mix-and-match outfits inside your closet, discern what colors are NOT good on you, and expand on how to use COLOR for your personal brand, and any other burning questions you might have about personalized COLOR for your business/personal lifestyle.

Personal Color Analysis: https://www.womenofdefinitivestyle.comcolorforconfidence

With Your Definitive Style in Mind,

💗Annette

Amplify Your Unique Style with Fashion Feng Shui

Do you find yourself being wishy washy when trying to decide if something looks good on you?

Have you noticed you need validation from the salesperson, your husband, your girlfriend if you outfit looks great?

What If…you could have a more planned and authentic approach to your wardrobe and image, helping you identify your unique style?

• A wardrobe you LOVED.

• And know you are rocking your look with 100% authenticity.

Years ago I was trained through a style system called Fashion Feng Shui.

Dressing the whole YOU from the inside out.

I’ve always believed that Style begins with the woman, not the clothes.

When you begin understanding the power of YOU, your strengths, your values, you will begin owning your unique style.

Through Fashion Feng Shui, you will begin to understand the whys…why you love drama, why you love simple, why you, love unique, why you love traditional.

It is a blueprint to teach you how to align with the authentic YOU - from the inside out.

What does dressing from the inside-out mean?

• It means honoring your inner beauty

• Honoring your strengths

• Your values

• Your essence

When I learned about this, I fell in love with Fashion Feng Shui.

Wouldn’t you love to combine your personality strengths with your Style?

• I learned WHY I’m so picky with how my clothing fits

• I learned WHY I love pink so much

• I learned WHY I love feeling put-together

If you are a woman who is smart and successful but style hasn’t always been on the front burner.

I get you, I work with lots of women just like you to combine your magnificents with your personal style.

It’s fascinating and sooo much FUN!

Join me for my upcoming workshop on Thursday, April 6th in Kirkland WA: Amplify Your Unique Style

If you’re not local and would to be kept in the loop for my upcoming virtual Fashion Feng Shui workshop leave a comment below. OR sign up to receive my Get Style Confidence Guide

In the meantime, we’ll be style chatting more about Fashion Feng Shui in my private Facebook group Confidently Style Woman on Wednesdays at 12noon PST.

With Your Definitive Style in Mind, ANNETTE

What to Wear to Thanksgiving Dinner?

That is a question I ask myself. Do I want to dress up? Do I want to feel super-duper comfortable? Or is it going to be an attitude…it doesn’t matter if I am rocking a stylish outfit or not?

You may be asking yourself the same question.

Getting dressed can feel the same way as ‘dressing your thanksgiving table’.

Everyone approaches it very differently.

As I was pulling up my blank page to write, I decided to look in my vault of prior thanksgiving articles.

Something really cool came up that I wrote in 2016.

As I was reading it, I thought wow, I wrote this. I hope you glean as much as I enjoyed reflecting on my prior thoughts about image and style.

If you’ve been following me for a while, one thing I know for sure, image and style begin with you, not the clothes.

Many think of image and style as ONLY outer appearance.

Yes, I help you with outer appearance, but your outer appearance can only look as good as to what is going on in the inside of ‘how you think of yourself’.

My greatest joy is watching you get dressed and then look in the mirror and LOVE what you see.

1. That means there is a positive self-image going on.

2. When you LOVE what you see, your heart opens.

3. Your self-respect is expanding (something I totally value).

4. And a radiant smile reflecting back to you.

That’s what I want you to think about as you step into your closet and make your final decision on what to wear to Thanksgiving dinner.

I’m so thankful for the memory of my client Barbara who demonstrated that kind of joy.

Barbara told me she had finally given herself permission to feel beautiful, vibrant, and fabulous.

As she was reflecting on her reveal your radiance style journey she realized, she felt like a beautiful package that she couldn’t wait to be opened.

Barbara’s new elevated self-image is how I want EVERY woman to feel.

Now it’s your turn to feel like a beautiful gift.

So, what are you going to wear to Thanksgiving dinner?

1. A beautiful comfy sweater

2. Your favorite pair of jeans

3. A fun flirty dress

4. A gorgeous scarf

5. Edgy leather jacket

To view outfits, visit https://divalanistyle.com/ and use Code ANB12

Whatever you choose, have fun with your outfit.

Make sure you LOVE what you see in the mirror.

Put on your smile.

It is your best accessory.

You will warm the room.

Speak with your smile. A smile says, “I’m glad you’re here and I’m happy to see you.”

Bring your thanksgiving and gratitude in whatever you decide to wear.

I know it will be beautiful.

HERE ARE 4 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. Join my upcoming FREE 60-minute Style Strategy and Confidence Masterclass. Register at: https://www.annettebond.com/masterclass

3. Work with me privately to take you from questioning your clothing choices to creating a signature wardrobe that is uniquely you. Schedule a 60-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, dressing with ease. https://www.annettebond.com/contact

4. 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

Essential Ingredients to Elevate Your Confidence, Part 4 of 5 Parts series: Self-Acceptance.

Have you caught your self being critical about your image, maybe more than you should?

Saying things like, “I don’t like my arms, I’m having a bad hair day, I hate my middle section?”

What if you began to focus on what you do like about yourself?

In business we talk say, “what you focus on, expands.”

Let’s chat about self-acceptance, I know it feels like a big emotional word.

In simple terms, it is, accepting you as you are.

Recognizing your strengths.

Self-acceptance is one of the most essential ingredients to elevating your confidence and letting your radiance be revealed.  

Love to invite you to be part of my private Facebook Group: Style with Significance where we can continue our conversation.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/stylewithsignificance