Beat Back the Winter Blues--with Reds

Photo by Lauren Modny

As a Vermonter, born and raised, I have to admit that I roll my eyes a bit at all the focus on the cold weather these days. It's winter. It's cold. To me, that's a given. But, that doesn't mean that I enjoy the colder months-I'm someone who runs cold, and I tend to get a little blue during the grayer, colder months, even though I no longer live in the far North.

One simple way I've found for keeping my spirits up? Red lipstick. I know; it sounds silly. But here's the idea: when I was in school I would always dress up whenever I had a big paper to write or a final exam coming up. I still do the same thing: on days when I least want to go to work, I'll dress up most. It helps me to feel perked up, more ready to face the day.  Even jeans and a t-shirt suddenly feels French with red lips, while my default all-black outfit looks less dreary, I like to think. You should give it a try! Check out how beautifully it works on different skin tones!

The BB Cream Secret

The BB Cream Secret

Jen and I have a secret: we're in love. No, no, not with each other (although I adore her, as I know many of you do, too, after yesterday!) We're in love with a cream. That's right. 

Let me say first that I don't have any makeup sponsors or any sponsors that make BB creams. My thoughts about them are all my own. That being said, I think you should try one. I can't imagine anyone who shouldn't. If you have freckles (like I do) and can't wear foundation because you look muted, try one. If you have dry skin, try one. If you have acne, try one (a non-clogging one). If you don't like the feel of makeup but would like to warm up your complexion, try one. If you have very fair skin and struggle to match it to makeup, try one. If you don't fit any of those but are interested, try one.

 

It won't surprise you at all to know that Jen from yesterday's post doesn't wear a lot of makeup, if any. I got her to try the BB cream that I like, which is from the Body Shop.  It's currently 25% off, and she got it at even deeper discount. It goes on sale fairly regularly so don't buy it full price unless you want it now, which I support! 

I love that one because I love that the Body Shop doesn't test on animals, and I love the lightness of the cream. At its essence, what it is is a tinted moisturizer that is better for your skin than a tinted moisturizer and that has a bit more coverage than a tinted moisturizer. 

You can try any one that you like. The Body Shop one comes out white and adjusts to your coloring, which is why I like it. You choose from a few shades and then it adjusts. Very simple! Not sure about all the alphabet soup of creams lately? Fashionista has a good article comparing the options.

If you do try one, let me know what you think in the comments! 

And lastly, thank you all for the beautiful comments about Jen's post yesterday here, on Facebook, on Instagram, and to my email. I love that her story resonated with so many of you. I feel very honored to work with incredible women around the country, and I will continue to share more and more of their stories. Keep reading! 

Also, take a look at the incredible vision board my friend over at Love Always Hannah made for 2014. I heard a lot of women be inspired yesterday and thought a vision board for style might be just the thing you need!

The Post About Jennifer

The Post About Jennifer

Typically, my in-person client posts have less dramatic names, but I feel dramatic about this post and this client. Today's post is about Jennifer, my last client of 2013. If you follow me on instagram, you know that Jennifer was an incredibly special client.

To tell you about Jen, I first need to tell you that when I was driving to her house, I was more than a little worried that I was about to be kidnapped-or worse. Or at the very least punked. I take safety precautions before going into anyone's home, but on that day I had extra measures in place. You see, the email that Jennifer's husband sent to me (the day after Veterans' Day!) was, well, seemingly too-good-to-be-true. Here is an excerpt:

I am requesting a personal home and shopping experience for my wife.  She read about you on one of her favorite sites... Mrs. Mustard Seed.  Her 40th Birthday is December 9th and I am throwing her a surprise get together with a few friends on the 7th.  THE ONLY THING SHE WANTS FOR HER BIRTHDAY IS AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOU :)!

My wife is a very special person to everyone, but especially to me.  You see...I am a retired disabled vet.  I went through (and continue to suffer from) medical issues caused while serving.  Just diagnosing the issues was a long drawn out process that took years and let alone the surgeries to try and resolve them.  My wife, Jen, was by my side through it all.  I am sure you have heard stories like that before, but to be honest she was more than by my side.  She saved my life...just by being the most awesome and supportive friend I have ever had.   

This person went on to describe that his wife, Jennifer, is also active military. While he can no longer work, she continues to serve. He told me that they were soul mates. He told me that he wanted to have his family pool together money for me to take her personal shopping in lieu of any other gifts. He wanted to know if I would accept her as a client. Accept her!? If she was real, I would marry her! (Side note: I waived my fee and had Jen add it to her spending amount, which I only mention to tell you that Jen's response was to ask me if I would reconsider and make it a fund for another woman to get six hours with me. She's amazing.)

That is how I ended up meeting Jennifer on the weekend before Christmas. She was real, and this is how she looked when I arrived.

And this is the email that Jennifer sent me this week, wearing a dress, belt, and boots that she bought alone inspired by our time together.

And this. Look at that glow!

I'll share more of the incredible pictures that she sent me in a bit, but I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I? So there I am, at Jennifer's house. She's not going to abduct me, it seems. I meet her husband, and he's just as warm and loving in person as via email. And we head upstairs where I learn about Jennifer's unique clothing situation.

Sneak Peek: Jennifer

Sneak Peek: Jennifer

Tomorrow's post is one for the books. You will not want to miss it!

Bragging about my clients

Bragging about my clients

Lynne is just one of my incredibly talented clients. I have to brag about (or, as they say in Virginia where I live "brag on") her a little bit here. Just take a look at the skirt that she sewed and the way she styled it! Not only do I want one, I want to be her! Don't you?

Reader Q&A: How to Wear Jean Skirts

Reader Q&A: How to Wear Jean Skirts

Via

Earlier this week, I Kelley posted a question for me in the comments section of my post about fresh ways to wear jeans, and I loved it!

Hi! I've not been following for a real long time, and I immensely enjoy your great advice and tips.
I don't wear jeans, but I do wear jean skirts. Could you do a post on jean skirts?
Been wearing more belts, Kelley

I love this question because  I think jean skirts have the potential to be a very versatile piece of clothing for every age, but I also think they can go downhill fast. Here's why.

Too much of this exists. Not only is it very short, this skirt doesn't fit very well! And even they couldn't figure out what to put with it, the poor model had to go topless.

Via (although I'm not recommending that you buy this!)

Typically I don't say what not to wear, I prefer to focus on what to wear. Here, here's a cuter skirt (despite those strangely high butt pockets) from that store so I don't feel like I'm picking on them. I could also include a picture of the old college standby, that cut-off jean skirt that is from American Eagle or Abercrombie. That's also not what to wear after if you want to look polished while also wearing a denim skirt.

On the other hand, a denim skirt can, in many ways, be treated like a regular skirt. Here are what I think of as the basics:

• it should fit well, 
• it should highlight the parts of your legs and body that you want to highlight, and 
• it should not feel like a cliche. 

First, it should fit well, which is sometimes hard since the denim can be stiff.  Stiff fabric can stand off of your body and leave you drowning in fabric. If you're shopping online and can't feel the fabric, look for words like "light denim" or "soft" in the reviews. This Woolrich skirt is described by a commenter as "not as heavy as a winter jean." Perfect.

I like a denim skirt with some visual interest to it so that the only thing carrying it isn't just its denim-ness. Here, it's the red stitching and the built-in belt.

Via Etsy

Here, Lane Bryant did a cute smocked waist with buttons. Make sure to get a size that's small enough that the wait hits you at your smallest part, even if that's quite high.

Via Lane Bryant

I love a good paper bag skirt, and one in denim is very nice. I worry a bit about the shortness of this skirt, though, since I'd want that waist to sit nice and high. This might be a better length for a petite woman, but the concept of the paper bag waist would be nice in a longer skirt for anyone.

Via Etsy

Now that you've got a skirt that isn't too stiff and maybe has some visual interest, put something with it that's not a cliche. What I mean by that is: not a graphic t-shirt that looks like what a college girl would wear it with but also not anything too western. Boots excepted! I love tough boots like cowboy boots with denim skirts, especially longer ones. However, on the top part of your body, I'd tend to avoid anything with rhinestones (unless you are an actual cowgirl or going to a rodeo), fringe, or Navajo prints. Think of things that contrast with the stiffness of denim, just like I talked about with jeans.

What about some colors and softness that ooze femininity?

Found Via

What about a bright contrasting color tucked in that is just as stiff as the skirt? Love those cuffed sleeves!

Via

And yes, t-shirts naturally love denim skirts; you don't need to avoid them entirely. However, it should be a t-shirt that fits you well and is stylish, something you'd enjoy wearing with jeans. For winter, add moto or cowboy boots to this look. I love a full skirt like this for winter because you can layer up as much as you need to under there! Put on some fleece leggings-no one will be the wiser!

Via

I know that some of you likely have long denim skirts that you like. I searched near and far for pictures of great long jean skirts, and I just didn't find any that I personally liked. Most of them are so shapeless. However, for those who have modesty standards or who just like the feel of the longer denim, here's what I'd advise. 

Consider a midi length that feels a bit retro. You could always cover up the legs with tights or even boots, but she doesn't get as lost as she would in something all the way to the floor. The vintage print top is very in keeping with the drawstring waistband and the entire vibe. I love this. And if you are really hoping for longer skirt ideas, please email me. I'll think about it more!

Via Etsy

Think beyond the jean skirt even when you're styling one. What do you like wearing with other skirts? Could that also work in this case? For example, here she's wearing black on the bottom with jean on top. What if she swapped it so that the skirt were denim and she had a black cardigan or black leather jacket on top with that same white t-shirt (or go wild with a pattern!), shoes (or tights and low boots for winter), and hat?  

Via Kiyonna


Thanks for the question, Kelley! I hope this helped!

Body Inspiration

Body Inspiration

Have you all seen this incredible compilation? I love it.  Like this

And this

And this

And proud to say that my business would NOT be one of them!

Happy New Year to all of us-and the bodies that we inhabit this time around.

StartCloseIn 2013 Highlights

StartCloseIn 2013 Highlights

I officially launched this blog and business in July, and it's been an incredible journey so far! I was lucky enough to work with amazing women, like Mad Men-inspired Erika, new grandmother Anna, "tomboy" Andrea, new mom Melissa, my dear friend (who is in her third trimester!) during her pregnancy, the sweet and generous Marian, spunky, hilarious Lynne from Beautifully Made, and new runner Christina, and many, many women via FaceTime and Skype whose pictures I do not have, like Tricia from Little Cottage on the Pond, the grandmother in Florida who rides motorcycles and has the best laugh, the woman with size 5 feet in the midwest who struggles to find shoes that fit, the mother of two who paints incredible furniture, and the other incredible women of all ages, shapes, and sizes from around the country looking to re-discover their sense of style.

I was featured on Style Love, helped friends pack for a women's weekend in NYC, revealed my inner badass,guided you through cleansing your closet, dreamed of pixie cuts for winter celebrations for my best friend's party coming up next month!

Some of my favorite posts were my black & white post, how to wear white after Labor Day with Love Always Hannah, talking about belts, Halloween costumes for women who don't want to be naked, shooting outfits for fall (including layers!) and easy, festive holiday style with the #YouSparkle collaborative, and, on a personal note, our two-year wedding anniversary.

My styling business went from something I've done for years with friends to a legitimate business that's growing and growing every month. I went from telling my husband, "I have one styling appointment every week this month!" to having to sometimes having 4-5 clients per week and booking out now for April. My blog went from my few friends and family reading to thousands per day on great days and a regular stream of hundreds of readers per day. Thank you.

And in my personal life, I became a mom to a second son (our three-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog Cairo is my first baby), our Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, Jaxon, got promoted in my day job, visited family and friends around the country, continued to make our house a home, and realized we were right where we needed to be all along.

Thank you-for reading, for commenting, for sharing with friends, for sending me pictures and text messages telling me how good you feel about yourself. What a great start toward building positive inner voices for us as women we've made! I'm so proud of us. Thank you for sharing in that with me.

-Ella

New Jersey Clients for January 11 or 12?

New Jersey Clients for January 11 or 12?

I'll be traveling to the NJ/NY/Philly areas on the weekend of January 11 and 12, and I have just had an opening come up. If you're interested in an in-person styling session or personal shopping trip, please email me ASAP. First come first booked. 

$75 for three hours/$150 for six. 

startclosein AT gmail.com 

A Perfect New Years Day Outfit, New Pricing, and a free, no-pressure printable

A Perfect New Years Day Outfit, New Pricing, and a free, no-pressure printable

I worked yesterday, but I have today off. I'm not sure what we'll do today aside from a hike planned with our Bernese Mountain dogs, but to me a New Years Day party is the best. There's so much less pressure than for NYE, and many of us have the day off. We're not hosting, but if someone were to invite us to a great mid-day, low-key brunch party, in my ideal world this is what I'd wear: an incredible cashmere sweater from GH (don't own it, but if I did, I'd buy it two sizes too big and wear it drapey) topped with this amazing jean jacket that my husband gave me for Christmas, and what have become my standby, these faux leather pants. 

And I've made just three resolutions for 2014. I love making resolutions, but this year I've decided to keep it simple! I find that sharing them helps me hold myself accountable to them.

Here's a little printable if you'd like to set a few for yourself-just right click and save it, print it, and write in your resolutions!

Speaking of keep it simple, what about something like Be Daring? Or are you going to ease into January without making resolutions?

I'm pleased to announce that my virtual sessions have been a success! When I first launched my blog, I wasn't sure if they would be a good idea or not so I discounted them for two months. I'm happy to announce that virtual sessions (via FaceTime or Skype) are a go! I will now charge the same rate ($75) for a three-hour virtual session as I do for a three-hour in-person session for all services booked in January regardless of when the service takes place. Note that I am booked for January and February and will not have any additional sessions (aside from those already booked) in March due to assisting with a friend's labor. I am now booking for in-person and virtual sessions in April. Please visit this page for additional information about pricing and booking.