When in Rome…(or London and Paris): Fashion across the pond.

I just returned from a trip to England and France. It was great to get away and see fashion across the ocean. I started my fashion vacation in York, where we were fortunate to experience “The Races” (the local horse races in York is a very big spring event). York was overcome with racing fans of all ages and you could definitely tell that the fashionistas were out and about!

York had stepped it up a notch and all the women were dressed to kill: great summer dresses were the major theme (it was an unusually warm end of May in York). Of course hats, a race day must, were seen on most all discerning women. Maxi’s seemed to be the common thread that carried through my England visit.

London was full of fun fashion, with the 70’s inspired Maxi Dress being the item of the day (yes it was still unseasonably warm). Dresses seemed to be the dominant theme in my visit to England, which suited me just fine as my spring /summer wardrobe is all about the dress and skirt!

So my conclusion to part one of “Fashion Across the Pond?” The Maxi Dress for summer.

I’ve made the hunt a bit easier for you by finding some favorites online.

• Boden has a lovely Applique Maxi Dress
• Banana Republic represents well with the IKAT Knotted Halter, perfect summer sun dress
• Gap checks in with a youthful,fun, affordable Vintage Floral Maxi
• Old Navy has a very inexpensive (great to try the trend) “Surplus Drawstring Maxi, and $19 Maxi skirt
• Ann Taylor Loft has a pretty Silk Maxi that is now 50% off
• Anthropologie rounds it out with a very beautiful, but expensive Endless Skies Maxi Dress

So take a fun trend tip from our British friends and try a Maxi for summer.

Watch for my next blog about another England adventure: the Spitalfield and Portabella Markets.

What's your style?

“Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style.”
~ John Fairchild ~

I received a DVD from my brother this past Christmas. He had pieced together our family home movies from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. When I watched it I was amazed at the women in them. No matter what the event, from a cocktail party to a simple picnic at the lake, each woman had style.

So my questions to you are:
Do you have style?
Do you know what your style is?

In our busy lives running here and there, working, volunteering, raising our families, we have forgotten about ourselves and really don’t pay much attention to what we are wearing. Most of us buy things and don’t even know what’s in our closets. So we end up wearing the same things over and over.

Building a working wardrobe can be daunting; and sometimes you can lose yourself trying to be “in fashion.” I believe every woman has the potential to look and feel beautiful; and with some help and inspiration, can look her best with little effort.

I would like to help you realize your style and build your fashion wardrobe around it
Together we will make your style “Simply Your Best.” Who knows maybe 30 years from now your grandchildren will look back and say, “My grandmother knew how to dress, she had style.”

Who inspires you?

muse
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin Musa, from Greek Mousa
Date: 14th century
1 capitalized : any of the nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology presiding over song and poetry and the arts and sciences.
2 : a source of inspiration; especially : a guiding genius.

I grew up with some incredibly fashion forward women in my life that have helped shape my style today. These women are just a few of the “muses” that guide my journey in the world of fashion.

My grandma “Nana” was a hard working, strong, and talented woman. She came to this country alone at the age of 16. Armed with perseverance and speaking only Norwegian, she carved out quite a life for herself. This was my first glimpse into the world of fashion. Nana was a Furrier/Designer for Marshall Field in Chicago. She had a great bohemian like fashion sense. I think I developed my creative, artistic sense of style from her. Really, who else could make an entire family of girls wear crochet hot pants?!

My mom is a beautiful, strong, and smart woman who overcame the hardships in her life with grace and dignity. She spent her life as a “professional mom,” raising eight children in a “Yours, Mine and Ours” family. Even with the responsibility of eight children she always looked polished and put together. Her style was - and still is - classical and timeless.

As much my older sister Claudia, hated her name, when I was younger I thought it was so romantic! She is a natural beauty with an effortless sense of style. The big sister you would look up to and admire for her cool mini dresses, great hairstyles, and cute little sports car.

These women taught me the art of looking your best and doing it simply and effortlessly. I would like to pass this gift along to other women. Believe me, I’ve made many fashion mistakes along the way (after all I did grow up in the 70’s!) But I have come to grow comfortable in my own skin and my fashion sense.

This is my inspiration. I would like to help you become comfortable in your style, and be “Simply Your Best”