Effortless: showing little or no effort, easy, uncomplicated, fluent, simple, and painless.  I would say most women decide to ignore their style because they think it’s too much work, too complicated, requires too much effort and it’s much simpler to have NO STYLE.

I want us to learn from Audrey Hepburn about her “effortless sense of style”.   Audrey Hepburn was comfortable with her body.  She was a size 0 but she also had a size 10 shoe and and a 32 A cup size.  She knew what looked good on her body shape and what didn't, she knew her strengths.   Her style was an extension of her inner beauty.

Let’s take a look at her simple wardrobe in “Breakfast with Tiffany’s”.  All the must have basic pieces every woman needs in her wardrobe.

• Little Black Dress – (LBD) – that fits your personal body type

• Pearl Necklace – go for layers

• Pearl Earring –pick the style that speaks to you and your face shape

• Black Pump – goes with EVERYTHING

• Sunglasses -  that fit your face shape

• Gloves…instead maybe a great Black Handbag

• Hat…if not a Hat maybe a great Scarf

Take some time to shop for these effortless pieces to add to your wardrobe.  It’s your time to create a style that is effortless, classy, painless and confident.  And before you know it you’ll be sashaying out the door every morning with the Effortless Sense of Style that Audrey Hepburn had.

 Next week we’ll discuss her hair and makeup.

White House Black Market does a really nice job with showing you how to mix and match with a few great basics and adding a pop of color.  We all love black and white but many forget to add some pattern or texture to change it up.  The skirt and jacket below are great examples of taking the many black pieces in your wardrobe and updating them in a new fun way.

Love the below-the-hip length of jacket. This style can do wonders to camouflage your midsection but keeps a nice straight line.  It's classy, can serve as a coat in many climates, and is a fresh look from the blazer.

I also love the idea of adding a LGD (little green dress) as a favorite and accessorizing with neutrals such as gold, silver,  or white come spring.  If you love your little black dress, have fun with color in the same versatile ways.   If green isn't your fav, individualize your black ensemble with a color that makes your inner sparkle, flicker.  I am excited to explore the 2014 Pantone color of the year, "Radiant Orchid".

COMPLETE YOUR DEFINITIVE STYLE WITH...

A SCARF

What a great way to add texture and uniqueness to your outfit.  Choose a scarf that speaks to you in color and pattern.

SHOES

A spectator with a kitten heel is so versatile. Don’t forget about a suede booties shoe, Or a great pair of boots/tights.

A NECKLACE

Are you looking for elegance, classic, dramatic, feminine? You define your style…

How many of you knew that EMERALD Green was the color of the Year?  For those of you who didn't know, every year Pantone Color, the leading color authority for fashion and home chooses a color that represents what is going on around the world with fashion designers, decorators, our economy and anything else that might influence our surroundings such as the upcoming Olympics.  In addition to the color of the year they also select 10 Top Colors for spring and fall that will be a big influence in the marketplace.

I am going to admit right now that I have never been a green fashion person although I decorate with it all the time.  Did you know that usually there is a reason why psychologically you don’t like a color? I encourage you to take a minute to think back on your past to discover if there is a reason why you don’t like GREEN.  In my color sessions with clients, I find a great deal of them who are not fans of green and some who love it. Be aware that there are at least 50 shades of green, so if you’re one of those who don’t like GREEN, experiment with a totally new shade. I hope you’ll also consider adding some GREEN clothing pieces to your wardrobe in the near future after learning a little more about the color.

What got me excited about EMERALD is the meaning of the color.  As you can see from above, there are a lot of standout adjectives such as magnificent, lively, radiant, and striking and so many more powerful descriptions of the color EMERALD. It makes me happy when I think of these words.

Green in general describes people who are usually stable, balanced types; kind, generous and can be a good listener from Leatrice Eiseman’ Book More Alive with Color®.  I did my own FACEBOOK survey and asked my followers what they thought of the color green and these were some of their responses:

• Love it, Vibrant, Alive.

• Nature, Crisp, Clean.

• Doesn't look good on me.

• I love green in my décor.

• Has to match my eyes in order to wear it.

• Looks good on red heads.

• It’s a color of healing, money and growth.

So what is your take on GREEN or the color of the year EMERALD? I would love to know!

Does the subject of accessorizing with jewelry have you completely baffled or stymied? Whether it's an overwhelming jewelry box or an empty one, intimidation at the jewelry counter or lack of confidence in your decision-making, it's time to get over these common jewelry concerns.

What do I do with jewelry I already have but don't wear?

This part of your "wardrobe" needs purging and editing just like your clothes do. Most likely you have jewelry that's broken, has lost its meaning to you or doesn't suit your style.  Keep what you love, discard or donate what's broken or not working for you. Your discards would be welcomed at women's shelters, Dress for Success organization or consignments stores.

If I've already spent money on clothes, why would I want to spend money on jewelry?

Your outfits look more polished and put together when you wear jewelry.  It also add more depth, definition and interests to what you're wearing.  Jewelry expresses your style and individuality. Another plus for spending money on jewelry is that it expands your clothing investment. Adding or changing the jewelry you're wearing transforms simple, classic clothing pieces.

There's so much to choose from; how do I know what to buy?

Pay attention to three things: color, proportion and whether or not you love it. If your coloring or outfit is warm, look for warm metals and warmer shades of stones, gemstones or colored beads. If your coloring or your outfit is cool, go for cooler shades in jewelry and you'll be able to wear them all the time. This is also an opportunity to wear a "new color"  that you normally don't wear next to your face.

Look at the scale of your features and bones to understand proportion. If you're large boned, chances are larger pieces will be better on you. If you have small facial features, smaller and more delicate pieces will be better on you. Or if you're working with large scaled proportion but like delicate necklaces, try clustering multiple layers of them to create a bigger impact.

If jewelry is a weak point in your wardrobe, don't let it get the best of you. We can tackle this subject together. You'll soon experience the benefits of rediscovering jewelry.

Update Your Wardrobe Effortlessly with a Striking "Statement Necklace

A statement piece adds flair and finesse for a perfectly polished look!

Rule of Thumb: Add "one" statement necklace, earring or bracelet - never all three.

1. Statement Necklace

Wear this with a simple neckline, solid color or simple print. Layer your necklaces. Select different lengths, chunky or more delicate depending on your style. Decide upon a style that inspires you and has you saying "I Love It", I can't wait to wear it.

2. Statement Earrings

Short hair or long hair - perfect! Busy fabrics, lots of detail at the neckline, not a necklace girl - opt for statement earrings.

3. Statement Bracelet

Wear with a  a sleeveless piece, with a great necklace or earring or on its own. Try a cuff bracelet, or layer 3, 4, 5 bracelets at a time.

Tip!  

Have fun! Experiment with something New! Accessories are that added "finishing touch" that can make your outfit a standout.

Sometimes you just need that one piece that makes it feel new and alive. Whether you add the zebra gloves, stylish booties, or a hint of fur, you've got an updated look for Fall 2011.  Eggplant, Vivid Viola, or Raspberry is going to make you stand out in a crowd.

 

Go a little crazy.

Be a little dramatic.

Have a lot of fun.