Clothing Swap Sneak Peek

Clothing Swap Sneak Peek

On Friday, I'll be sharing 5 tips to hosting a clothing swap, but I wanted to share this adorable picture from the clothing swap that I helped a client friend host at her home last weekend!

My thoughts before hosting a clothing swap are always: hoping people bring enough clothing, feeling relieved to have the emotional weight off my shoulders as I bring clothing to swap (or donate), too, excitement to meet new potential friends and clients, worry that someone will feel left out of sizing or style, interest in what people will bring. 

This swap was no different! I'm so touched to have been asked to come help out, and I loved some of the conversations I had. We had a beautiful conversation about embracing our bodies now and as they are instead of waiting until a day that may never come. I found the references to what our significant others think about our bodies (very positive!) such an interesting contrast to the remarks made about ourselves (much less positive). Maybe we have something to learn from those around us?

Be Inspired By This

Be Inspired By This

I was so inspired by this beautiful mother & father-daughter photography project that I had to share it with you. This couple is dressing up their five year-old as different strong African-American women and documenting it in photography. I've seen riffs on this theme before, but these were particularly powerful.

See more on her father's Facebook page. 

Have a great weekend! I'm spending some quality time with my friends and my little one-year-old "nephew," hosting a clothing swap party for a client, and possibly meeting a styling client in the evening on Sunday, too!

Simple Easter Style

Simple Easter Style

Via

Bear with me. The caps on this post are going wild for some reason!

Dressing for church on easter is one of those things that stresses me out. First, i'm not catholic, like my husband, or even christian, like my mother-in-law. I'm very spiritual, but i was not raised attending any kind of church. Now i find myself spending easter every year with a family for whom going to church on easter is the norm. The first year i went, i almost bailed at the last minute because i had worked myself into such a tizzy. I was so unsure of what people would wear and so worried that i'd wear something offensive. Everything was tossed on to the bed as too tight, too conservative, too casual, too dressy. I think i had a full on suit on at one point. I can't even remember what i wore eventually. 

Thankfully, i've now been to church many times, and even on several easter sundays. But i'm acutely aware of the internal pressure we can put on ourselves to wear something that feels special yet natural. Combine that with things like walking half mile to get to a church or basting a special cut of meat in the oven before and after or chasing kids around as they find eggs, and it can be stressful! 

Here are my ideas for outfits that you can plan ahead with and not stress out like i did. 

On Bridal Hair

On Bridal Hair

Did you see this Buzzfeed article featuring women who wore their hair natural for their wedding day? It really got me thinking about something that has been on my mind since we got married a few years ago. While I'm not the first person to write about short hair for brides, I do have a personal experience with this.

Via

At the time we got engaged, I had chin length hair, and I immediately began to grow it out. I think I didn't feel like I really had the option to keep it short. It sounds silly to say that now, but I bought into the idea that I'd have more versatility if I had longer hair. In the end, the way that I felt on our wedding day didn't feel quite like me, and I wish I had at least considered keeping it short or even cutting it shorter.

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Of course, a wedding day often feels a bit like theater, not quite like real life, but I wonder if having hair that I identified as my own style would have helped me feel more grounded?

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I really love the images I see lately of women rocking their own hairstyles on their wedding days, whether it be short or natural or long and a weave! I hope they feel like themselves. They seem like they do!

Via

Via

My advice to you, whether you're getting married, attending a wedding, or just headed to the salon? Look back at pictures of yourself that you like the most, and start there. You just might surprise yourself! Because, in the end, I loved our wedding, and I DO look like myself, even if the hair isn't quite me. There's no hiding goofiness!

More of our wedding pictures here

Spring (Heart-Shaped) Things I'm Noticing

Spring (Heart-Shaped) Things I'm Noticing

Via

Have you noticed heart-shaped sunglasses popping up everywhere, too? It's one of those things that once I paid attention to it, I saw them everywhere! I love how playful they feel!

Especially when made up to be really pin up girl.

Via

Happy Monday! I heart you!

Winter: Shake It Off

Winter: Shake It Off

In advance of picking out your clothes for Monday (and hopefully for the week!), I wanted to say this. When I woke up on Friday, the first day of spring, I walked out my back door to this. Snow, gloom, and grayness. Was I back home in Vermont? Back to my law school days in Chicago? I've had many dreary first days of spring, but this one hit me particularly hard. I wanted to go back to bed until it was warm and sunny! 

Then I stopped stomping my feet and looked around a little bit. There, nestled under an inch of snow, were the first green shoots of my mother's bulbs! And if I got over my self pity, I heard birds chirping. And the trees had little buds! There was life beyond my sinus infection and the snow, and I was going to go find it! 

Here are some of my favorite ways for us all to wear spring all week. Maybe Mother Nature will know we support her efforts! 

This gorgeous dress above is

Mother of the Bride (or Groom) Dresses for the Moms I Actually Know

Mother of the Bride (or Groom) Dresses for the Moms I Actually Know

Via

I remember a picture that I sent to my mom before I got married: it was of a page from a magazine, and it laid out what that magazine thought was "The Only Option" for "Modern Mothers." I sent it to my mom because we both found it hysterical. Who were these "modern mothers" and what happened to their style?! 

Here's the thing: I don't know any women who want to feel dowdy on their daughter or son's wedding day! The women I know who have a child getting married feel just like the other women I know--they want comfort, they want to feel special, and they might have certain parts of their bodies that they feel more or less comfortable with. For some reason, though, many articles and stores think that mothers want to wear one of about three dresses, all pastel and/or beaded, and all with a cropped jacket.

This is what a modern mama can look like! 

In case you, or your mother (or your spouse-to-be's-mother), want something better than that, let's chat. You see, I recently worked with a virtual client (she's in the midwest) whose daughters are getting married this summer, and she wanted some help with what to wear for their bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and weddings. I'm going to share some of what I suggested to her over the next few weeks.

First, let's start with the main event. I think what any woman wears to the main event of a weekend, whether it's a wedding or a fun weekend away punctuated with a Broadway show, can help her mentally set the tone for the whole weekend. I don't say this to put pressure on anyone! In fact, the opposite! I think once you know what you'll wear for the most special part, the rest can just fall into place.

Spring Shopping at Old Navy

Spring Faux Shopping at Old Navy

The other day I went faux shopping for you all at Old Navy while I had some time at the mall before meeting up with friends for dinner and a movie. Mary wrote me and asked if I would consider going to Old Navy and taking some pictures for her of things that I like there right now. Of course I would! I found some really cute things that I wanted to share with you! Let's see what you think.

First, this jean jacket. It's comparable to the jean jacket that my husband got for me two years ago from Anthropologie, which means that it's stretchy without feeling flabby, it has great detailing and dark color, and it's fitted. 

I liked it with a few of the spring dresses they had (or anything light that you already own) for an outfit to wear now and then switch up later in the warmer months. This particular dress had a modern pattern and a flattering length for us shorter women. Sometimes maxi dresses are just too long!

You could even layer a cardigan (like this red pop of color) underneath if it's still chilly at night where you live, like it is here in Northern Virginia.

I also really like the idea of this jean jacket over a shorter dress, like this. See how the jacket feels a little tough and the dress feels soft and feminine? I love that difference. I also love how the sleeves can roll up on this stretchy denim jacket!

Speaking of jackets, I also really liked this military jacket. It's very similar to the Jcrew one of a couple years ago (although that one was waxed), but I think the cinched in waist is actually more flattering. The Jcrew also had HUGE pockets. I love the high neck of this Old Navy version, and it has gold buttons like the original one did. 

Ok, now on to dresses! Old Navy had a bunch of striped options, which are my weakness! The one above (and below) is a stretchy shift dress, which I think is the most flexible of all dress styles. I love a shift over a button down, for example. And no, they don't both have to be long sleeved.

This same style works really well with a sleeveless dress, too, and makes sleeveless dresses wearable even in the cooler months.

 And last but not least, this coral number. It is not my style, really, but I wanted to show you all an option with longer sleeves and a more full skirt. I think this would be gorgeous on many of you!

That's all! Thanks for the request, Mary, and keep them coming! 

Spring (Sneaker) Things I'm Noticing

Spring (Sneaker) Things I'm Noticing

Via

Do you know what makes the outfit above work? For me, it's the sneakers. I love the whole look, but it could feel totally different with this spring's brightly colored, pointy high heels. This is an outfit built for exploring a new city, heading out with a new baby, meeting up with friends, or going on a first date. The sneakers do all of that. And, if you agree, you're in luck. 

Liberty print Vans

Because OOOOOOoooo boy is this a good season for sneakers! I had a really hard time choosing favorites to show you here today, it's so good. Wherever you look, you're going to find cool sneakers in tons of colors. I promise. Here are a few favorites. 

Via Le Bunny Bleu

I'd wear any of these in the following way: for now, with jeans rolled up to just above the sneaker, whatever height that was, with something feminine like flowers and then a darker jean jacket. Then, with shorts and a button down shirt with bright lipstick in the early spring. Then with shorts and a flowy, festival-ish tank top in the summer.

Via Jcrew

Or with a great vintage-inspired dress because I love that contrast of soft dress meets sporty shoe. These two women nail it!

Via

Via

Happy 2nd Birthday, Jaxon

Happy 2nd Birthday, Jaxon

Dear Jaxon,

Happy Birthday! Today you turn two. I can't believe that you're so young still; it feels like you were always part of our family. I remember when you first came home, and I just stared at you. Who was this strange new dog in our home? You were already so different from your big brother, Cairo, and it took me some time to get to like you. I loved you immediately. So did your cousin, Sebastian!

Things like yogurt containers suddenly became fun in our house again! I took about 50 blurry pictures of that first yogurt experience with you because you just wouldn't stay still. There was so much you wanted to see and do!

Some of the names we have for you include Beefcake, Pig Pen, Munchie, Mun-Chi-Chi, Jax, Jaxy, Jaxy-Waxy, and Brudder. You are fearless, sometimes to the point of reckless. You love to swim more than anything, you still sit "in" my lap whenever I sit on or even crouch near the floor. You love to be dirty, love the snow, and love attention. You eat with wild abandon and drink equally loudly. You sleep next to the bed, along the windowframe, and then wake up in the night to go to your spot at the foot of the basement stairs. You love to run full speed ahead up on to the bed and our chests and bellies. You are a snuggle bug. You love to sleep on your back.

On the day we brought you home, you got tired at the end of our block, and I carried you in my shirt the rest of the way downtown. These days, you can go hiking for miles and still take a swim at the end of the trip. You love the car, especially if you can catch a breeze. You are the sweetest little brother, always cleaning Cairo's face with that tongue, which can't ever stay in your mouth. You are very smart, and I think you could figure out most things given enough time. You love kids and fun and are the life of the party. You have formidable mandibles and can make short work of any bone or stick.

You weigh 107 pounds, you've gotten stitches several times, you love food, especially carrots, meat, and fruit. You love to crunch and chew. And guess what? We love you.

The Best of StartCloseIn Closet Cleansing

The Best of StartCloseIn Closet Cleansing

Recently, I worked with a client to move her winter clothing to the side and focus her on spring and summer clothing. It struck me that many women keep all of their clothing in their closet year round, and I think that's not a great idea. In fact, I think it can be absolutely liberating to have less clothing in one place; it can save time, and it can make you feel refreshed and ready for the next season! 

So let's talk about how to cleanse your closet. I've written about this before, and I stand by my advice from this post where I advised you to first do the prep work before diving in to your closet, dresser, baskets, pile...wherever it is that you store your clothing. I use the word "closet" broadly here! 

In this post about switching from a summer to a fall/winter closet, I wrote "you should be able to fall into your closet in the morning and anything you grab will fit and feel like your best version of yourself." Here's what that could look like for you: try on everything in your closet. If it doesn't fit right now, get it out of your closet. That could mean donating it, selling it (I wrote about one of many sites that will buy your clothing in this post about doing a closet cleanse. I also love the site called Twice), giving it away, or just storing it somewhere else for a little while and pulling it out in a few months to see if it feels right for you then. 

Once you have eliminated anything that doesn't currently fit you, check out my tips for visually organizing your closet from this post:

Use all one color (preferably white or those black fuzzy ones) hangers. It makes the closet look more cohesive, more like a store. Since we're trained to like the way clothes look in stores, it helps our brains to be more excited about our closets when they're organized. That means more fun in your closet!

Organize your clothes in a way that works for you. I like rainbow because I wear too much black, and it helps me to realize how many other colors I do have. I put all of [client Hannah's]black clothing up top in her closet because it's an easy color to use and doesn't need to be highlighted. She knows it's there to grab if she wants it. Having colors coordinated helps you to dress effortlessly in monochrome as well as to mix colors and patterns in new ways.

Here, in a post about doing an end-of-summer closet purge, I shared my guidelines for preparing a professional wardrobe:  

1. First, look at the most influential person in the room. If what you and that person are wearing look like they are attending completely different events (she's in a suit that could go to the White House, you're in a tshirt or dirty jeans or very casual shoes), then you might not be dressing in your most professional way. 
2. Take a look at how to incorporate elements of how that person is dressing into your own style (if she's the only one in a suit, for example, consider wearing a blazer to work more often, echoing an element of her formality and the formality she perceives for your office; if no one else wears open toed shoes at your job, consider trading your sandals for a pair of closed-toe shoes, even a more casual pair).

I think these tips can make a huge difference in how you feel while getting dressed for the day. My hope is that spring will bring relaxed mornings and fun outfits to you! As always, if you want help, I'm here to come play in your closet any time!

Here's my client's closet when I first arrived...

And during the closet cleanse...(That's me!)

And after!

Of course I couldn't resist hanging up a few outfits for her there on the side! Doesn't it feel brighter and lighter?

For the Love of Cropped Pants

For the Love of Cropped Pants

On Monday, I wrote about bringing a little edge to the office. A key component to that look was cropped, or ankle, pants. I don't know why, but I just find that lately cropped pants are the answer to every outfit question that I have: how can I show off these cute new shoes? Cropped pants. What can I wear to the office to make this outfit feel less boring? Cropped pants. What can I wear to convince myself that it's almost spring? You got it. 

Via

I particularly like how a shorter length pant, preferably with a narrow leg, can go anywhere, with any shoe, on many body types. Here's what I mean.

Spring (Shoe) Things I'm Noticing

Spring (Shoe) Things I'm Noticing

Via

Pointy toes are here to stay for awhile, I've noticed. They were big for fall-winter, and they're sticking around for spring, especially in bright, bold colors or pastels. My tip is to buy a 1/2 size bigger if you go pointy. If you're not into heels right now, there are some gorgeous flat pointies, too. 

Via

And whether they're heels or flats, I really love pointy shoes with cropped pants, full skirts, and wide-legged pants. They're incredibly flattering since they make it seem like your leg is just so long and lean that it extended beyond your foot into a point. Or something like that...

Jcrew Fall-Winter 2015

My other favorite way to see a pointy heel is with rolled up peg leg jeans, a tshirt, and a blazer for a spring date night or with holey, worn out boyfriend jeans, also rolled. 

How to Bring A Little Edge to the Office

How to Bring A Little Edge to the Office

Happy Monday! Thanks for bearing with me as blog posts have been a little lighter lately. I'm working on a few projects that I can't wait to share with you, but they've been taking my attention away from this page. My apologies!

Today I'm off to a work conference, and I'll be wearing a suit. However, that's a rarity for me these days. Mostly I wear business casual, as I know many of you do. A look that I love lately for work is a little bit rock 'n roll.

What if you started with a bad ass jacket, something with zippers, something a little boxy or even with leather sleeves? 

Via

Then, add a little bit of edge on the bottom, maybe cropped pants with a pattern?

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Now that you've balanced out the boxier on top with a narrower bottom, add a great heel or wedge for a little height, and maybe a bright t-shirt to add some color? Jcrew Factory has some incredible color this season, too!

Via

To recap: consider adding one piece (like a jacket with leather or zippers, a leather skirt, or edgy shoes) that feels rock and roll in with classic pieces, bright colors, and neutrals. I think it's a fun way to think about office wear this spring, don't you?