What to Do When You Show Up Wearing the Wrong Thing

A couple of weeks ago I had plans to meet up with a friend for a beer and some catch-up conversation. I headed to a local joint in jeans, a sweater, and some crazy, furry boots that I scored at a clothing swap. I was comfy and wearing a great outfit for an easy evening out.

When I got there my friend was waiting with one of his coworkers who had another idea. She suggested that we go to a fancy-shmancy party that guaranteed many DC A-list artsy people would be in attendance.  I stood there in my jeans and had a mild panic attack. Normally I would be totally down for a fun adventure, but I knew I would stand out like a sore thumb.

And, I would have to answer the inevitable DC question of, “What do you do?” with the words, “I’m a fashion consultant.”

But, I did the opposite of my first impulse. I said, “Yes, let’s go!” I decided in that moment to just show up and see what happened.

We went to the event. I was ridiculously under-dressed. I decided not to do any explaining and not make any excuses. (Although when I first got to the party I had this impulse to stand on a chair and yell, “I didn’t know I was going to be here tonight! I love dressing up! I could have been dressed up!”) I met interesting people, had some cocktails, and had a great conversation in with my friend. Basically, I got out of my own way so I could just be present in the moment.

Since that evening I’ve been doing some thinking about what happened. SO, I created some quick rules to follow if you show up in the right place with the wrong outfit.

Quick Rules If You Show up in the Wrong Outfit

1. Breathe.

You will not die from this experience.

2. Make a decision and commit.

Will you stay or will you go? It’s up to you. Sometimes, though, just showing up is the most alive choice.

3. Realize that very few people will recognize that you are in the wrong clothes.

Seriously. Most people are so concerned about how they are looking / sounding / doing socially that they won’t notice.

4. Realize that even fewer people will remember.

Quick, name what 5 people were wearing at the last party you attended. Can you think of anyone?

5. Invest in others. 

Meet people. Ask them questions. Sincere questions about who they are. You may not get a lot of time to invest in someone at a party, but really try to see people for who they are. It will shift your focus to what’s really important and you might make a new friend.

Have you ever shown up to an event in the wrong outfit? What happened?

DIY Scarf Made Out of an Old T-Shirt

This is SUCH a fun project. It’s quick, easy, and I actually use the final product. Here is a tutorial on how to make a scarf out of an old t-shirt! Yeah!

Final Product! Fun & Funky Scarf!

(Just to let you know, I didn’t come up with this myself. I found this project on Pinterest and traced it back to the blog A Pretty Penny.)

First, get an old t-shirt. The one below was involved in an unfortunate kitchen accident. The damage was bad enough that it couldn’t be worn anymore so it was the perfect candidate for upcycling

Next, cut strips of fabric going from one side of the shirt to the other.

I ended up cutting the arms off the shirt for later on.

I also made small cuts in the fabric so the strips would be roughly the same size. You really can’t mess this up, so don’t worry about being precise. Just eyeball it and keep on going.

Next, stretch out the bands. The above picture shows the difference in length between a band that has been stretched a bit and one that hasn’t been stretched at all. The length just gives you more options when you wear it. You can put on the scarf in one long loop or you can wrap it around your neck twice.

After cutting the bands an interesting thing happened with the fabric. It actually rolled into itself.  It meant there were no frayed ends showing! The shirt was 100% cotton – I’m curious if the same thing would happen with a cotton blend.

I ended up with a big stack of t-shirt bands.

I lined up all the seams and cut a rectangle out of the leftover fabric from the sleeves. I wrapped it around the seams and then sewed it together.

The entire project took 15 minutes. How fab is that?

I have worn the scarf a number of times and have received some great comments and questions about it.

Ta-da! I love recycled fashion projects!!

xoxo

Why I Stole this Moisturizer from My Sweetie’s Medicine Cabinet

I’ve had a love / hate relationship with facial moisturizer throughout my life because I have naturally oily skin. Many products make me break out, but I’m at an age where I know that moisturizer is one of the best ways I can keep my skin happy for years to come. Thus, I’ve been on the lookout for a product that won’t break me out but will keep my skin healthy.

Enter Anthony Facial Moisturizer for men. I received it in a pack of products from Sephora and passed it on to my significant other. I tried it on a whim and promptly decided to steal it back.

Likes:

It’s not oily, very lightweight, and has an oh-so-slight citrus sent.

It goes on smooth and hydrates without feeling heavy.

It can be used daily.

Dislikes:

It’s advertised as a men’s product! There are legions of women who would love this!

Also, the $32 price tag seems a little high. That said, I’ve had a small bottle of it for months, so it does go a long way.

Definitely going to keep using this one!

What about you – have you found any great men’s grooming products that you absolutely love? Do tell!

xoxo

My Favorite Makeup Product of the Summer (and Possibly Ever)

This summer I discovered the wonder of Intuitive Cheek color by Smashbox.

It has been on the market for awhile, but it was a new discovery for me and it blew me away.

Basically, it is a blush that comes in gel form. And, here’s the kicker – it comes out of the bottle clear, but then switches colors according to your personal skin tone. Amazing.

I was a little skeptical of the product at first and ended up getting a sample of it at Sephora. (Side note – I totally appreciate that Sephora will let you take a sample of a product home. It makes all the difference.) When I touched the gel it turned hot pink on my skin, which again made me nervous. How could hot pink be the perfect shade for my skin?! But, when I placed it on my cheeks the most amazing thing happened – the bright pink, once blended, gave me a beautiful glow. It didn’t scream BLUSH, but rather just enhanced my complexion by giving me a pinkish glow. Gorgeous.

Everyone who came into my apartment that week I had to try it out. House rules. I was excited to see what color the product would turn on each person. It always came out pink, but varied from my hot pink to a rose color to a lovely shade with peach undertones. And it matched everyone perfectly each and every time.

O-GLOW Intuitive Cheek Color by Smashbox

$26.00

Have you ever tried Intuitive Cheek Color? What was your experience?

Fourth of July Fashion

What is everyone doing to celebrate the 4th of July?

DC can be a crazy place to live this time of the year! There are lots of tourists who come in to celebrate Independence Day on the National Mall. I am very lucky because I can see the fireworks from the roof of my apartment building. Each year I sneak up to the rooftop, enjoy the wonderful display, and slip back down to my cozy room. No traffic, no crowds, and no lines to use the bathrooms. When I started renting my apartment I didn’t realize it was going to be the best place in town on the 4th!

Below is some fun fashion that can help you celebrate. Whether you put on an American Flag or do something more subtle like a pretty red dress I hope you enjoy this weekend!

Crimson Sighs Dress

$96.99

ModCloth

Wooden Chandelier Earrings in Blue

$13.74

Mary Grace Jewelry (Etsy)

Tropical Sheath Dress

$148.00

White House Black Market

American Flag Photo Locket Necklace

$40.00

Heartworks by Lori (Etsy)

Vintage 40′s Carlye Rayon Crepe Full Skirt Dress

$185.00

Couture Allure

Aryn K. Halter Dress with Metal Clasp Buttons

On sale for $79.00

Treat

Irregular Choice Chica Chola Flag Platforms

$199.95

SoleStruck

The Best of the Best in Online Shopping Deals – June 30th

Here is the best of the best in online shopping deals today!

Kate Spade New York Aggie Leather Flat

$149.90

Rue La La

Just Cavalli Black & Gold Dress

$179.90

Rue La La

EDUN Ruffled Linen-Blend Mini Skirt

$94.50

The Outnet

MESSECA Cream Caged Wedge

$101.40

Oak

Dolce Vita Chelsey Shattered Print Dress

$69.00

Ideeli

Betsey Johnson Crystal Sunglass Ring

$22.00

Ideeli

Seamline By Cynthia Steffe Quin Dress

$59.00

Ideeli

Breeze Sandals in Silver

$14.99

Beyond the Rack

L’Wren Dolman Tunic / Dress

$48.00 (3% of net proceeds supports Wholesome Wave; Item is made in the USA, organic, and made out of recycled materials)

LovingEco

Gingham Short Sleeve Shirt

$87.00 with an additional 25% off with code TAKE25 (So, about $65.25). Also, Jack Spade is offering a $5.00 flat rate in shipping for a limited time.

Jack Spade

Splodge Dot Medium Seraphine

On sale for $207.00 with an additional 25% off with code SALE25 (So, about $155.25).

Kate Spade

Lawn Party Bitsy

On sale for $137.00 with an additional 25% off with code SALE25 (So, about $102.75).

Kate Spade

nicole by Nicole Miller Zipper Dress with Pockets

$19.99

JcPenney

Roxanna Bustier Combo Dress by Alice + Olivia

$139.00

Gilt Groupe

Did Newsweek Make a Big Mistake with this Cover?

The latest Newsweek cover is ruffling feathers. The layout features a Photoshopped picture of Princess Diana and Kate Middleton seemingly walking side by side.

The pictures were obviously selected due to the similarity in style of dress. Editor Tina Brown also penned a fictional article about the type of life Princess Di would be leading if she would have lived to see her 50th birthday (which happens to be this Friday).

The reaction to the article and the cover has been mixed. The London Telegraph called it “ghoulish” and even said that Brown was “Newsweek’s grave robber.” Others think it is inspired.

It is interesting how clothing plays a part in this story and in the countless comparisons that are made between Middleton and Princess Di. Style always tells something about personality. Yet, any overlap that Middleton makes in her fashion choices will always trigger a Princess Diana analogy.

This fictional Photoshop moment makes me uneasy. It reminds me of something a tabloid would do instead of a magazine with a long history of actual reporting. If Newsweek was trying to push some buttons it certainly accomplished that goal.

On a lighter note, the cover goes to show that a shift dress will always be relevant and in style.

What do you think of the Newsweek cover? Is it in poor taste or is it an interesting way to contextualize the fictional Princess Diana article?

Hate Shopping? You are in Good Company!

As a fashion consultant I talk a lot about shopping. One conversation I have on a daily basis is how clients hate to shop!

I can’t say that I blame them. There are so many choices out there that it leaves people frozen. The book The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz talks about this exact subject.

The thesis is that we face so many options that it exhausts us mentally and physically. (I would add in emotionally and spiritually as well.)

If you are one of those people who hates to shop because you hate crowds, pushy sales people, and / or the logistics of navigating stores, here are a few tips to can help you out:

• Go shopping on a Monday or Tuesday night. I absolutely love to go shopping with clients at the start of the week. Why? There are fewer people and open dressing rooms. Plus, there is simply more room to hear yourself think when you don’t have a ton of people in the same space.

• If a sales person is being too pushy just say something. You don’t have to be rude or mean – just speak up and say, “I don’t need your help at this time, thank you.” In some stores landing a sale means commission. Everyone has to earn a living, so don’t take it personally if you are approached. You can politely say that want a bit of time and space to look on your own.

• Know that you have to get clothes at some point during the year. This may sound like a no-brainer, but many times people who hate shopping put it off to such a point that it compounds the problem. Clothing has an expiration date just like everything else. Well made clothes will last longer, but chances are you are going to need a couple of things every now and then. It’s just part of living – we need to wear clothes. A bit of budgeting and planning will go a long way to being mentally prepared to get it done.

• If you are on a budget work from the back of the store to the front. Stores typically put their sale merchandise in the back while the newer items are closer to store entrances.

• Bookend your shopping trips with things you enjoy doing. So, if  you have to go shopping set a time limit and call your best friend after it is done. Make sure that your favorite show is TiVo’d so you can go home and watch it. Go to a yoga class. Love coffee? Start your shopping trip off buy purchasing a cup. The idea is that you can build a ritual around it to bring down your stress level.

• Bring water and a little snack. It makes a big difference in comfort level.

• Don’t wait until an event to get the item that you need. Perhaps you are going to a wedding or speaking at a conference and thus need a new outfit. This means you not only have to shop, but that shopping trip has a deadline. If you put it off until the last minute two things are very likely to happen: 1) you aren’t going to find something that you absolutely love – you are going to find something that is available. This means it has a high likelihood of you feeling “meh” about it. If this happens a couple of times during the year your wardrobe gets full of items are just “meh,” thereby leaving you more unsatisfied about your wardrobe as a whole. 2) You are going to spend more money than you intended. Both of these reasons ultimately lead to more stress around shopping! To combat this, take out your calendar and look at the events you have for the remainder of the year. Six weeks prior to the event  write yourself a note that says “get new outfit for Holiday Party” or whatever the case may be. Then plan a trip to do just that. Many times the act of just writing it down will make it stay in the back of your brain, so when you are out and about and see a dress you think, “ah! I have the holiday party in a couple of weeks!” This little bit of planning can help take some of the pressure off of your shopping trips.

What about you? Do you hate shopping? Any tips to make the experience less stressful? If so, feel free to share in the comments below!

The Hair Accessory That is Making My Summer So Much Easier

It has been SO HOT in DC lately. For a gal with long hair it usually means I get to pick one of two options – keeping my hair down and dealing with the extra heat / sweat, or pulling it back in a pony tail. Thank goodness for Spin Pins by Goody!

I bought them a few months ago and didn’t use them. The other day I broke them out again after being inspired by a number of hairstyles that I came across on Pinterest. (And if you aren’t on Pinterest leave a comment below with your email address and I will send you an invite. It’s my latest addiction!)

Pic from hairstylesbob.com

Isn’t that adorbs?

Pic from aisle-candy.com

I don’t know which is more fantastic – her side bun or her amazing red hair.

Pic from weddingbee.com

I’m not someone who is naturally talented when it comes to putting together a breezy hairstyle. But, I decided to give it a go. And here is how it turned out:

It took me all of 10 seconds to put this together with the Spin Pins.

Love how it turned out a bit messy.

I’m so happy to have additional options when it comes to hairstyles and the summer heat.

Have you tried Spin Pins? What did you think?

Makeup Options for People Who Hate Makeup

“I don’t make an effort to be sloppy. I just don’t consider a perfect hairdo and a perfect face to be beautiful.” – Juliette Lewis

Isn’t that a great quote from Juliette Lewis? It’s such a wonderful reminder. Sometimes I think we strive for perfection / to look like other people, when in reality beauty is comprised of who we are, our attitude, and how we carry ourselves.

Thus, I don’t think that makeup is in any way a necessity. It can be something we partake in or not. Yet, when I find myself in discussions with clients who don’t wear makeup most of them are not entirely against it. Usually people fall into one of three categories:

1. They think they don’t have enough time to apply it in the morning.

Mornings are hectic. The last thing we want is to add more “to do” items to our schedules before we even get out of the door! Yet, a simple makeup routine should only take a few minutes. A great instructional guide is The 5-Minute Face by Carmindy (otherwise known as the makeup artist on What Not to Wear). The photographs are clear and helpful, she gives both expensive / inexpensive product recommendations, and she talks about age appropriate makeup. A solid resource.

2. They are completely overwhelmed by all the products on the market.

Two products that are really great entry points into the world of makeup are Tinted Moisturizer and Tinted Lip Balm.

Stila Tinted Moisturizer

Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 20

$32.00 from Sephora.com.

Tinted Moisturizer is exactly what it sounds like – it is moisturizer that just has a little hint of color. Many of these products include SPF protection as well. So, your face is getting moisture, sunscreen, and just a tad of color all at the same time. It’s a fantastic option for those who don’t want to bother with foundation.  Just rub it in like you would any other moisturizer and you are out the door in about 30 seconds. Easy Peasy.

CoverGirl Tinted Moisture

Covergirl CG Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisture

You can find it at drugstores for around $7.00.

(I’ve never worn Covergirl’s Tinted Moisturizer. Has anyone out there tried it? I’ve heard / read such great reviews about it that I wanted to point it out.)

For lips Tinted Lip Balm is where it’s at. They aren’t as vivid as a regular tube of lipstick, but have more color than a normal lip balm product. One of my faves is from Burt’s Bees.

Tinted Lip Balm from Burt’s Bees

$7.00 online (can also be found at drug stores / health food stores).

I like this product because it has just enough color. Many tinted lip balm products look okay when you pop off the cap, but when they are applied the color is nonexistent. I’ve found that I can swipe these guys on when running to meetings or while I’m on Metro and it gives me a nice hue that says “yeah, I’m totally together!”

Total time for applying tinted lip balm = 10 seconds.

Total time of having a non-makeup makeup routine = under 1 minute. Love it.

3. They don’t know how to apply the products or think they are doing it incorrectly.

I completely understand why this can stop women from wearing makeup! Learning application techniques can be tricky. But, there are some resources out there that can put us on the right track.

If you are a book worm I would suggest Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

It’s a beautiful book. It’s also a thorough resource about skincare, how to pick the correct colors, and basic application directions.

There are also many amazing makeup artists who can do your makeup for a special occasion or teach you basic techniques.

One of my favorite makeup artists in the DC area is Irina Gerasimova. We have worked together on photo shoots a number of times and I’ve always been impressed on how she can put together such a wide range of looks. She does a soft and natural face just as well as she does something that is bold and avant-garde. She does makeup for brides / bridal parties, runway shows, photo shoots, individuals who are just learning about makeup, etc. etc. Plus, she’s just a lovely person on top of everything else.

For those of you who are in DC Salon Roi in Woodley Park conducts 45-minute private makeover sessions. For the month of April they are running a special where this makeup application session is just $40. For more information click here.

What about you? What is your relationship with makeup? Love it? Hate it? Have any other makeup resources people should know about? Do tell!