Holiday Cheer: Things to Give, Things to Wear, Things to Do

From old standards (J.Crew) to new names to know (Brandon Blackwood), here is some inspiration for your holiday outfits and gifts. Click any photo to learn more and shop.

When a really, really festive outfit is needed, J.Crew is a go-to. Click here for all women’s holiday pieces and here for all men’s. And there always seems to be something on sale.

Want to shop with intention? Check out The Fifteen Percent Pledge supporting Black-owned businesses.

And it’s important to acknowledge that the holidays can be stressful and not everyone is feeling warm and sparkly. The Mayo Clinic offers good suggestions here. Be sure to take care of you ❤︎

and, a few fun festive things to do…

How to Get Dressed When You Don’t Really Want To

It’s been a minute since we all had to get dressed on a regular basis (or two-and-a-half years, but who’s counting?). Things have changed! And one of the biggest issues that I’m hearing repeatedly is that people aren’t excited to wear the items that have been sitting in their closets for the past couple of years. But at the same time, everyone is wondering what they should be wearing and re-thinking what they want to be wearing. And for some reason the stores seem to mainly be selling large floral prints with major shoulder details! Here are some ideas for getting dressed right now:

Try something different—especially for special occasions

Instead of squeezing back into Spanx and dresses, go for a chic look with pants. There are so many cool silhouettes out right now in great comfortable fabrics. Add an interesting shoe and pretty top (with or without the shoulder detail!) or buy a matching set then finish with special jewelry and enjoy yourself rather than being conscious of your outfit all night.

Click through for more details and to shop this board

Make your feet happy

Wear sneakers whether back to the office or out to dinner or to a party. Guys wear cool white sneakers with their suits now, so why shouldn’t we be just as comfy? Pro Tip: there are lots of trainers out there with a good amount of lift in the sole, so you will almost feel like you’re wearing a little heel. Another option for adding height: a platform sneaker.

Find a temporary template

Sometimes my clients will say “I wear the same thing every day, like a uniform!” The difference between a template and a uniform is that the latter becomes boring and the former allows you to play around inside some guidelines. Here are some good templates:
1) pleated trousers and a short sleeve top
2) blazer + T-shirt + jeans
3) a long skirt worn with slouchy sweaters

And remember this important word: temporary! You can wear these items on repeat for a few weeks in a row; or wear them for a season. Then you can change it up as the weather or your daily activities change.

The sweater + skirt template makes layering easy: add a camisole for warmth or a turtleneck or tights, as needed.

I hope these ideas help make getting dressed a bit easier for you in the upcoming days and weeks. Let me know if you try any of these! As always, click on any image and it will link to a shoppable board for you.

Between-Season Wardrobe Suggestions

Summer’s over (unofficially) but it’s still too warm most places to wear your Fall pieces. Here’s a quick guide for what to wear right now during these warm September days.

Creme-Colored Pants

Keep these Transitional Pieces: structured chinos or cotton jeans (pair them with a tank top or T-shirt and a denim jacket or cotton sweater)

Pack Away these Summer Pieces: flowy beach-style pants

Shoes

Keep these Transitional Pieces: sandals in leather with more coverage over the foot (think multiple or thick straps)

Pack Away these Summer Pieces: raffia, straw or shell-embellished sandals

DRESSES

Keep these Transitional Pieces: lightweight cotton or linen dresses in darker tones such as brown, green, mustard, pumpkin or black

Pack Away these Summer Pieces: lightweight cotton or linen dresses in brighter colors and beach-y patterns

skirts (this last one applies to any garment really)

Keep these Transitional Pieces: heavy cotton in plaids or solids

Pack Away these Summer Pieces: lightweight cottons in light-colored floral prints with ruffles and eyelet

I hope this helps you get through the next few weeks. As always, click any image to link to the product. Before we know it, it will be sweater-weather! And blazer and boot weather! And scarf weather! Can you tell Fall is my favorite fashion season? ☺️ 🍂

and a quick note about white jeans:

There is still always the question about wearing these after Labor Day. The answer is yes! Again, pair them with a darker toned top (as I suggest above for Dresses) and thicker strapped sandals to make them feel more Fall than Summer. Want to know more about this “rule?” Click here to see my Instagram post with the history behind this. Interesting!

Simple, Sophisticated, Art-Inspired Summer Outfits

Recently, I was inspired by the color palettes of two very different art exhibits. One at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence is full of intense color, highly digitized and monumental. And another at the Flinn Gallery here at my local library focused on simplicity, the hand-made and natural tones.

Machine Hallucinations—Renaissance Dreams by Refik Anadol

The large screen placed in the courtyard of Palazzo Strozzi displayed beautiful waves of color and immediately brought to my mind Zimmermann which is a gorgeous (and pricey) line of clothing that uses bursts of colors, organic patterns and light, delicate, feminine fabrics. These just seemed to be the perfect reflection of the colors and undulating shapes jumping off the screen. Click here to watch a short video of this piece.

To recreate these outfits for yourself, choose a vibrant color story and organic patterns and mix and match. Fuchsia, orange and pale pink is one palette. Turquoise, orange and green can be another. Continue the themes in the accessories: bows on shoes, beads on earrings, the raw edge on the straw hat. As always, click on any photo and it will link you to these lovely pieces.

Sound Garden by Akinori Matsumoto

The artist’s statement reads, in part, “We used to live more in synch with nature…we tend to forget that we are part of nature...my world is analog…it evokes a sense of nostalgia.” The soothing sounds and natural tones and textures inside the sound garden reminded me of the brand, Everlane. It’s known for simplicity of design, solid colors, natural texturing and quality fabrics at great prices. Click here to watch (and listen!) to a short video of this piece.

To recreate these outfits for yourself, limit the colors to neutrals found in nature. I restricted the palette to burnt umber, ivory and tobacco. Another idea would be olive, sand and white. Keep the details simple and geometric such as wide straps, circular buttons and spare accessories. Click on any photo for more details.

A Note about sets

Matching sets are still having a moment in fashion. These became popular during the pandemic with at-home, lounge wear sets and have morphed into “clothing you can wear out of the house” sets. Buying a set is a great way to maximize your wardrobe: you get a ready-made outfit when wearing the matching pieces together and at least two more outfits by dividing the pieces up. When you shop using a color palette, that ensures that all pieces will easily mix-n-match. Just a little pro tip for you!

An Early Summer Wardrobe Potpourri

Hello there, lovely friends and readers! it has been a minute! This Spring, time got away from me, but I’ve been thinking of you and collecting ideas to share. From fun capsule collections for all the Sporty Spice ladies out there (think golf, tennis and pickleball) to a Father’s Day gift guide to a friendly reminder to take care of your clothes before storing them away for the season, here are those thoughts and more for you in early June.

how to look great on the links & courts

Use color and accessories to create easy, pulled-together outfits for golf and tennis. Click on the images below to link to all of my choices. Did you know that Veronica Beard has a tennis capsule? I couldn’t resist choosing some old-school sneakers to pair with their pretty lace pieces—perfect for off the court. And I love a peach-n-blue color story for a golf wardrobe. Pretty, coordinated and functional—down to the soles of the shoes.

Do you pickleball?

It’s really popular here in my town. If forced, I can dress myself for all types of sports—but not really play any of them! What say ye, pickleballers? Would you wear these adorable pieces from Alice & Olivia on the court? They will definitely work off court. Don’t forget the coordinating and functional accessories—those are polarized Maui Jim sunglasses and waterproof sneakers.

Click to shop ↑

Have you flipped your closet yet?

The habit of moving clothing twice a year from your main closet into a storage closet may seem cumbersome, but it’s the perfect time to assess what you have, what you no longer need, and what you’d like to add into your wardrobe. Remember to never store pieces with oils or dirt. Here are some of my favorite products for wool and cashmere care.

my father’s day gift guide

I love Mr Porter—companion site to Net-a-porter—and I feel that they have a great edit for men. Fashion-y and wearable at the same time. I picked these basic silhouettes because they are easy for any guy to wear but each is an exclusive to Mr Porter so you can’t find these exact items anywhere else. You can splurge (that Cucinelli jacket!) or choose an economical gift (fun socks!). It truly is the thought that counts.

Click to shop ↑

Happy rainbows + great message = what the world needs now

June is Pride Month (“Happy Pride!” says Lisa—IYKYK!) and these pieces are upbeat while at the same time underscoring love and acceptance. Wear these all year long to show your support, kindness and compassion.

And I’ll leave you with some art…

There is nothing more uplifting and healing for me than standing in front of a beautiful piece of artwork. This exhibit combines so many of my interests (women, equality, race, textiles, New York City). It’s closing this weekend! Faith Ringgold: American People at the New Museum on the Bowery. Let me know if you have seen it!

Color of the Year 2022: Very Peri

“Creating a new color for the first time in the history of [Pantone Color of the Year] reflects the global innovation and transformation taking place…this new red violet infused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lay before us”.—Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.

Click to shop all of these beauties!

I love all of the thought and research that goes into creating the color of the year at Pantone. This is the first time they have CREATED a color to use as Color of the Year. It is very specific and so I’ve chosen pieces that fall on the spectrum of a blue hue with red violet undertones to share with you. For what it’s worth, “periwinkle” was always my favorite blue crayon in the big box (with the sharpener in the back…anyone remember those?).

BLUE REPRESENTS BOTH SKY AND SEA AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH OPEN SPACES

I also love the qualities that are typically associated with the color blue:
❈ freedom
❈ imagination
❈ intuition
❈ inspiration
❈ sensitivity
❈ faith
❈ wisdom
❈ loyalty
❈ confidence

Pantone says, “Rekindling gratitude for some of the qualities that blue represents complemented by a new perspective that resonates today, PANTONE Very Peri places the future ahead in a new light.” Ah! That is so hopeful and very inspirational!

On that note, here are some ideas for you—

Pair with basic jeans and pants to feel inventive and creative.

We are rewriting our lives and can open up to new possibilities

As we emerge from a time of deep isolation, it feels like just about everything around us is transforming and changing. I love the idea that I can choose new ways of doing things as I move forward, including choosing new colors to wear.

Pair with complementary yellow to feel artistic, courageous and free.

Dress it Up ✦ Dress it Down

Adding this dynamic color as an accent or as a complete tonal color story head to toe feels fresh and modern for Spring. Very Peri allows us to be bold, stand out and exude a joyful attitude.

Want to learn even more about using Very Peri? Click here for color palettes suggested by Pantone. So many interesting things to see and learn!

What to Do about a Closet Full of Clothes and Nothing to Wear

Have you ever stood in front of a full closet and thought, "I have nothing to wear!" It may be true. My client, friend and all-around cool-girl powerhouse, Jennie Baird, wrote these lines on my LinkedIn page. Thank you for the perfect opening to this month’s blog, Jennie!

This closet is full…but also full of outfits! She’s been given lots of attention recently ❤︎

There are a few reasons why the “closet full, nothing to wear” thing happens (day to day lifestyle changes, physical body changes, and not giving your wardrobe attention over a period of time). And there are some very simple steps you can take to remedy the situation.

  1. Set aside a few hours to focus on this. You deserve to give your time and attention to your wardrobe. After all, it’s a major way in which you communicate with the world. And, I love the notion that “what we give our attention to, grows.” If you feel like you struggle with personal style and/or getting dressed each day, I encourage you to give a bit more time and attention to this and see what happens 💗

  2. Go through your closet section by section. I love to pull out all the shirts onto a rolling rack and go through each one. Then do the same with pants and jeans, jackets and blazers…you get the idea.

  3. Start by keeping your favorites. Those are easy to spot! Then look at the pieces you never wear. Those are also easy to spot. Then decide on the “maybe” items. These could be basics you want to keep until you refresh them or unique garments that you don’t wear often but don’t want to release either. The bottom line: you have to love it or it has to fulfill a very specific purpose—otherwise it’s see ya later!

4. As you go, try to notice patterns: do you buy items that are really similar? For example, are all your work pants the same shape/silhouette or dark color? Do you own lots of sweaters in one or two shades? Things like that will make getting dressed harder because every outfit looks the same even though you’re wearing different pieces. The opposite can be true as well: Do you tend to buy interesting, unique pieces? Perhaps you don’t have enough of the basics to pull together an entire outfit. Analyze what you’re seeing in each section of your wardrobe and then think of what may be lacking. Start a list of those things!

5. This may sound overwhelming (that’s where I can step in and help if you’d like—I do sessions both in person and virtually), but you may be able to do this on your own more quickly than you imagine. Remember: you have to love it—you have to feel good when you wear it; otherwise it’s not serving you well and you probably won’t wear it, but your closet will look (and feel) full!

6. Wrap up this exercise by putting everything back into its place in the closet (click here for more on that and…perhaps dust in your closet while the clothes are out 😊 Many of you know firsthand how much I love to take a Swiffer to an empty shelf or bit of floorspace!). Donate or sell your giveaway pile. Here’s more on that. Garments with stains, rips, etc can be recycled. Here’s a good local-to-Greenwich textile recycling program. Many communities have them—find one near you. Commit to wearing the items you’ve decided to keep because you know you love them and they make you feel happy, strong and confident.

Now your closet will still be full…but full of outfits that reflect your values, needs and personal style.

How to Cleanse Your Wardrobe Palette

As we move out of the holiday hoopla (even the unexpected, scaled-down version that many of us had this year), changing the colors we wear signals a fresh start and is a great way to transition into January. Going from red & green, gold & glitter to a minimalist palette of black & white aligns with other post-holiday detoxes that many of us undertake.

Here are tips for how to style all-black or mostly black outfits. You can shop the looks by clicking on any photo or recreate similar outfits by shopping your own closet. I’ve broken them down by cold weather and warm weather combos so you can visualize these concepts no matter where you are right now.

  • When wearing all black, make sure that you combine shine, matte, texture and pattern so that individual silhouettes are well-defined.

  • Adding a white shoe or boot with all black looks chic.

  • So does a white jacket or coat over all or mostly black pieces.

  • In warmer climates, you can play with cropped shapes and lighter weight, textured layers (like the fuzzy black vest or multi-patterned scarf).

  • White footwear looks so fresh in these settings.

  • Matching sets are equivalent to a one-n-done dress. I love that this one is not a knit.

Here are a few interesting pieces I found during my online shopping travels. Do you have pieces like this in your closet already? Your mission, should you choose to accept: create 3 or 4 black & white outfits and wear them on repeat over the next few weeks. Click any photo to link.

Last thought: Have you watched “Being the Ricardos” yet? So entertaining and I learned so much about Lucy and Desi—things about their early personal lives as well as their professional success and talents. And the costumes! Any vintage-lovers out there should watch simply for the gorgeous clothes on all of the characters. Here’s the Amazon Prime link and here’s a link to an interview with the costume designer.

3 Steps to Easy, Gorgeous Holiday Outfits

Who’s excited to get dressed up again for the holidays? We’re not completely clear of this pandemic, but we are in a much better place than this time last year. I want to share 3 quick tips in hopes that they help you get dressed—with less stress and more joy— so you can get out there and celebrate with family and friends.

Step 1: Plan your Outfits Now

Look at your calendar and make a list of events, meetings, dinners and even coffee dates with friends. Make a mental note of what you’d like to wear for each one. Even the casual meet-ups feel much more festive this time of year and you’ll be happy you gave a bit of thought to your outfit ahead of time. BONUS POINTS for trying outfits on and photographing them ahead of time. That’s how I make my clients’ LookBooks and so many people tell me how much time and energy they’ve saved by scrolling through the outfits, choosing one and then heading out the door.

Step 2: Be an Outfit Repeater

You know that feeling when you put an outfit on and you. just. feel. incredible? Your energy rises; your confidence rises; you feel strong; you feel like your best self. Well then, wear those outfits on repeat! There’s no reason to wear them once or “save” them. Most likely, many of your events and dates will have different audiences. Who cares if the pictures might have you in the same outfit. It’s sustainable, it’s more responsible, it’s a smart way to wear your clothes. And, it makes you feel happy!

If you see me out-and-about this holiday season, I will most likely be wearing one of these outfits. I love them so much; I already have them planned out; and by January, I think I’ll be over these color stories. So I’m gonna wear these babies into the ground over the next few weeks!

Step 3: Wear your Pieces in More than One Way

When you have a unique or favorite piece, find ways to create outfits with it for multiple occasions. Wear it dressy, wear it casual, wear it to meet a client—you get the picture. Again, planning this out ahead of time reduces the stress and lessens the chance of you tearing through your closet at the last minute; or, looking at your favorite pieces and thinking, “I really wish I wore those more.”

Friendly reminder to use code Maria15 when shopping online at The Perfect Provenance. It’s not a commission for me; it’s a gift to you for reading my emails and posts. Thank you!

And click here to watch the Instagram Live recording: How to Style Holiday Outfits.
Pick up some tips on wearing all black; the Rule of Three; and moving out of a period of austerity into one of joyful abundance.

Things to see and be inspired by:

Click the images to link to all the good info!

Which Boots go with which Jeans?

I often get this question, “How do I know which boots to wear with which jeans?” The best way: try them on together! Here are some general tips based on the leg style of jeans (and pants, too).

Skinny Jeans

First of all, yes they are still “in!” And you can wear them a variety of ways depending on the boot. These are perfect for tucking into tall or mid-calf boots. But you can also wear them over top of a close fitting ankle boot. This always looks really chic. A skinny jean that hits just above the ankle works well with a low-cut bootie—seeing a bit of skin is a great way to elongate your leg and is a little sexy for a night out (even when it’s cold outside—showing just a little bit of skin between your boot and pant looks great).

Straight Legs

This style of jeans or pants allows for many boot options. As long as they don’t push out the silhouette of your jeans, then your boots can sit away from your leg a bit (or be close fitting, of course). The point: you don’t want any part of the boot interfering with the straight line created by your jeans/pants.

Cropped

If your climate is warm, you can wear a bootie that hits below the ankle bone with crops. But for the Northeast and other colder climes, choose a boot that ends above your ankle bone and is close fitting to your leg when you wear a cropped pant or jean.

A Few Random style tips for jeans-n-boots:

Wear with Skinnies

Click the image for more details on these fun options.

Wear with Straight Legs

Click the image to shop.

For Crops Bootcuts & Flares

Click!

Fun Fall Outfits

Add brown + black outfit combinations into your wardrobe for refreshed daytime and evening looks.

Click on any image to shop my Virtual Storefront for Fall 🍁 or combine similar pieces from your own closet. I bet you have a lot of good stuff in there! Scroll down for my list of the 4 best buys for this season.

What to Buy this Fall

A Hero Coat or Jacket—find a great pattern that will finish any outfit: daytime or dinner—put a fabulous coat over anything (sweats, too!) and you’ll look great no matter what.

A Straight-leg, High-rise Jean—if you haven’t found your straight-leg fit yet, now is the time. Blue, black, grey—any wash works. And, yes, skinny jeans are still in! Just add a straight leg jean into your closet, too. High-rise tends to be the most flattering.

A Brown Blazer—it can be wool-n-nubby; it can be checked-n-cotton. Wear it over jeans…over dresses…over blouses + trousers. This will make any outfit say “Fall.”

A Print Dress—wear these with or without tights, depending on the climate. Tall boots, ankle booties or even sneakers will work. Find a one-and-done dress that you love and wear it all the way through the end of 2021.

Field Trip: Brooklyn Flea in DUMBO

Are you a treasure hunter? If yes, then the flea market Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass in Brooklyn is for you. From the table with the giant pile of garments, textiles and handbags ready for rummaging (no labels, very affordable) to the-buis.com stall with color-coded vintage designer finds (think Chloe, Dolce, and Moschino to name a few), there is something for everyone. 

To start your field trip, enter 80 Pearl Street, Brooklyn into your GPS. That’s the location of the flea market every Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Click here for the official website. We parked at 181 Front Street Parking—not great for SUVs, but it’s in the heart of where you want to be. There are many other parking garages around and the subway stop is super closeby, too.

The flea market stalls are mainly under the massive arch of the overpass. Take your time browsing through all of the offerings. Most vendors take Venmo (and some take credit cards), but you probably want to bring some cash, too. In addition to clothing, there are furniture and household item stalls—music and art posters—vinyl records (45s, too!) and cassette tapes—down to a bowl of vintage matchbooks next to some classic magazines still in their plastic sleeves.

My stylist suggestions for shopping clothes at any flea market:  pants are tough because often they’ve been altered—jackets, tops and dresses tend to be great flea market finds—make sure you try everything on, look in the mirrors provided and better yet, have someone snap a few photos of you front and back before deciding on a purchase—stock up on fun and unusual accessories.

When you’re ready to eat and possibly buy something that hasn’t been pre-owned, then head to these nearby places:

  • 50 Washington Street for Sweet Green which is just up the street from one of my favorite places ever: John Fluevog shoes (both men’s and women’s fabulous and unique styles).

  • 80 Front Street for Front Street Pizza. Get a whole pie or pizza by the slice—or order Italian-American favorites by choosing “one from column A and one from Column B.” This is right across from Scotch & Soda—authentic & individual Amsterdam design for both men and women.

  • 53-83 Water Street is home to Empire Stores (PSA: these are the public restrooms you want to use!) which houses shops, a food hall, art gallery as well as restaurants with great people-watching and river views.

Take a walk in the park, enjoy gorgeous views of The Brooklyn Bridge, visit Jane’s Carousel and if you walk below the Brooklyn Bridge in the park to its left, you’ll see Lady Liberty in the distance. Enjoy this fun part of the city and let me know what you find at the flea market!

Pack from the Ground Up

Summer travel is here—doesn’t it feel all the more special since we couldn’t do it last summer? I know I’m so grateful. Here are some quick tips for you and your suitcase. Buon viaggio, everyone!

Start with your shoes. Determine what you’ll need based on where you’re going. To the beach? Then sandals, flip-flops, pretty going-to-dinner shoes (not necessarily a heel). Sight-seeing? Then comfy-but-still-cute sandals and sneakers for lots of walking. Aim for 4-6 pairs in total.

suit case.jpeg

Build your outfits up from the shoes you choose. If you start the other way around (with the outfits), often you end up needing to bring too many pairs of—heavy, space-consuming—shoes. Choosing a color story (blue/white/bronze for example) or a motif (florals) helps to ensure most items mix-n-match and can be worn multiple ways and multiple times. Be sure to include shoes and accessories in your color stories, too.

Remember the in-between times. Bring casual but presentable pieces to wear to breakfast or for lounging around in the afternoon, taking a walk or post-spa treatment. I’ve added a few ideas in the photo above—click here for more details.

And, last but not least—The White Rule: if you’re packing white jeans/pants, bring more than one pair. They just always seem to get a stain or a little “dingy “ if you wear them on repeat while away. Here are a few of my current favorites!

Safe and Happy Travels to you!

It's that time of the (wardrobe) year again!

Now that summer has unofficially begun, it feels safe to pack away all the truly cold-weather pieces in my closet. Here are 3 important things to do right now to maintain your wardrobe, year in and year out.

1) Always clean your wool and cashmere pieces before packing away.

Moths LOVE soil and stains. And, leaving dirt and body oils on the fibers will cause them to deteriorate more quickly. PRO TIP: you can wash at home! Click here to read how; or take everything to your favorite dry cleaner.

Click to shop these wash-at-home supplies ↑

Click to shop these wash-at-home supplies ↑

2) Clean your shoes and boots before packing away.

Wipe off any dirt or debris and/or take to a cobbler to restore the leather and heels or toes. Leather will dry out and crack if not treated regularly and replacing a heel can add years of life to your shoes or boots. Don't have a cobbler close by or want to try something new? Click here for a new online cobbler service which looks so cool and easy to use. Thank you Annie Sullivan for the recommendation!

3) Launder your jeans and other washable items before packing away.

They will be fresh and ready to go when you need them next Fall. I machine wash my jeans inside out in cold water, delicate cycle, then pop them into a hot dryer for 5 minutes (tops!) to steam, then hang on “clippy” hangers to dry completely. Stand right beside your dryer if you do this—don’t walk away and forget about them in there. Here’s more info on the best way to wash denim. PS—When it comes to jeans, I recommend owning different washes and silhouettes. Here are 3 great examples:

Bonus tip: Pack items away by category: all your tops together, all your pants, dresses, T-shirts, etc. Hang what you can, in color and garment order, in other closets and/or use clear plastic bins to protect everything while allowing you to see what’s inside for easy access when the seasons change again.

Take care of your clothes and they will love you back for a long time.

Are you a Rachel, a Monica or a Phoebe?

The Friends Reunion was a fun highlight to this rainy Memorial Day Weekend here in Connecticut. I thought it perfectly captured how I remember each of the six cast members: fun, kind, smart, talented and genuine. And what an amazing surprise to see my 25-year-old self pop up at the very end: running into the shot as the actors step out of the fountain, dripping wet. I wrap a towel around Jennifer as the Opening Credits shoot concludes.

See below for some personal memories that came back to me as I watched the Reunion.

And, I was inspired to “shop” for my actors one more time—at least, for the girls! Here are a few boards that reflect each character’s style. Which style profile most resonates with you? Click through to shop any and all pieces. I think my personal style is more a Phoebe with a little Monica thrown in!

I found Rachel’s wedding dress in the Warner Brothers costume department. I remember expecting there would be 40 or 50 dresses from which to choose, but when I got to the “wedding dress aisle,” there were only 8 or 10 on the entire rack. A few were really vintage (think 1930s) and a few were joke-y (really large or with silly bows and ribbons attached), but there was this one that seemed to be a possibility. Unfortunately, there were absolute no tags inside or out—I had no idea what size it was. But it looked like the right era and vibe. I brought it back for the fitting—my boss, the extremely talented costume designer Debra McGuire, wasn’t too happy that I only had one choice. Luckily, it fit like a glove! None of us could believe it when Jennifer stepped into it, we zipped it up and it did not need one bit of alterations! We bought a $25 headpiece from a local bridal shop, found some pearl jewelry in the wardrobe room stock and—violà!—Rachel’s first outfit for the pilot episode was complete.

The Opening Credits (in the fountain) were shot at the Warner Brother’s “Ranch” which was a separate lot from the main Warner’s lot where we shot the show. After a long day of rehearsals for a different episode, we began the Opening Credits shoot at 11:00pm and wrapped about 3:30am. Who would have guessed that those few hours of filming would become so iconic? I remember the director asking Courteney to exaggerate the “pull” action of turning off the lamp at the end. She did that action over and over again until they got it just right.

During the Reunion show, the cast is asked if “there was anything you didn’t like?” and David talks about Marcel (the monkey). I remember the monkey getting away from his handler one day and running wild through the many ladders and sky-high catwalks that filled the upper portion of the soundstage. I’m sure the monkey was in heaven, but the rest of us had to wait around for hours until they finally found and lured him back down to work—I’m sure using lots of the grubs that David described in the Reunion. I remember how badly those grubs smelled! I was not unhappy when I first read the next script that had Marcel going to the San Diego Zoo.

I hope you enjoyed my walk down memory lane. I’d love to know your thoughts on the Friends Reunion, too! Drop me a quick email here. 

Be Comfortable for the Month of May’s Many (often outdoor) Celebrations

What to Wear

Covid reinforced that comfort is key to feeling great in your clothes. While I’m not suggesting you wear sweatpants to your daughter’s graduation, I am saying to keep comfort in mind while putting together your outfits. And because we are still in the pandemic, many celebrations are mostly outdoors so the weather should determine your level of comfort.

If it’s going to be in the sixties and overcast, wear pants and a sweater rather than the beautiful dress you may have been planning. Bare legs and open toe shoes while out in the the wind will pull your attention away from the people and ceremony you are celebrating.

If it’s going to be in the eighties and you’ll be in direct sunlight for the afternoon, consider the fabric content of your outfit. Natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk will keep you more comfortable than any polyester blend.

What Not to Wear

  • Stilettos and kitten-heels on grass and gravel. It will be hard to walk, you may ruin the heels of the shoes and you’ll feel uncomfortable and sad. Not the feeling-tones we’re going for now that we can be together celebrating once again!

  • An outfit without layers. Spending long periods of time outdoors almost guarantees changeable weather. If you’re stuck in a (beautiful) cashmere sweater and the sun comes out, you’re going to be unhappy and uncomfortable. Always have a finished layer underneath so you can remove the top piece and still feel dressed. And don’t forget a pretty coat or jacket in case the weather goes in reverse—something appropriate over a sundress rather than the cardigan you grabbed at the last minute which kind of just “kills” the whole look.

  • Anything that you haven’t tried on, all together. For these special occasions, make sure you give yourself the gift of time, ahead of time. Try on the outfits—every single piece. Take a picture so you won’t forget anything when it comes time to get dressed or pack.

What to Bring

Contingencies!!
Here are some ideas:

  • a packable down jacket in a cute zippered pouch. This is a great “seat cushion” if needed and can layer under a pretty Spring coat for when the wind starts to whip.

  • a cute rain poncho you can carry in a purse

  • a pretty visor for the blaring sun

  • a full outfit change in the car if the festivities will include an indoor restaurant/component or you want to take pictures in something specific

  • a compact sunscreen that fits into your bag no matter the temperature. Here is my favorite!

Final thought: as many of these celebrations tend to be far from home, this is one time that I wholeheartedly advocate for over-packing. Bring choices! You won’t be sorry.

✷ click any photo to link to more details ✷

Airplane Wardrobe Heroes

You want to be comfortable on the plane, of course. But you don’t want to look “schlumpy” 😊 The solution? Wear a hero piece—a great jacket or awesome shawl/scarf or good color pant. Choose a color story that makes sense for your arrival destination—so darker for cities, lighter for beaches/resorts. I pulled a few images from a “Friend” to inspire you (punny, I know!). Happy and Safe Travels to you as we start to open up again 🙏🏻

Click to see all details ↑

Click to see all details ↑

a variety of wardrobe heroes for your next plane ride:

That pagoda image is a scarf!

That pagoda image is a scarf!

Comfy Jeans on a Plane.jpg

White Tank + Comfy Jeans

Just add a few great accessories (and probably a cardigan for warmth and comfort during the trip).

Plane Outfit Building Blocks.jpg

Plane Outfit Building Blocks

Keep the basic pieces of your outfit simple and stretchy; then add the hero pieces on top.

Final thought:

Don’t skip the jewelry. It really will make you feel pulled together. And, if you’re not quite ready to travel just yet, click on any of the below to attend a few virtual happenings (get dressed for these, too! You’ll feel good!).

In Need of Newness: Spring '21 Trends to Try

As usual, there are many trends out there for the new season. Some you can skip. But some will work for how we’re dressing right now. Here are my top 3 choices: Red—Button Down Shirts—Pretty Knits. None of these will fall into the pandemic-induced “I bought it; I couldn’t wear it” category!

Add a few new pieces into your wardrobe right now to boost your energy and confidence. Click on any image below to see each piece individually and don’t hesitate to call me if you need help deciding which to choose 😊

Spring 21 Red.jpg

RED

Instantly energizing, this vibrant color evokes intensity in the best possible way.

Wear red head-to-toe or use it as a pop of color. The tiny Tory Burch bag is a great way to do this!

Three Ways to Wear Red Pants:

Click here to see-n-shop all of these choices ↑

Click here to see-n-shop all of these choices ↑

button downs.jpg

BUTTON DOWNS

You gotta love it when a staple is designated a trend.

The coolest way to wear these shirts is buttoned all the way up and untucked. If you crave a bit more shape-definition than that, then do the half-tuck or tie these at the waist.

Three Ways to Wear a Button-Front Shirt:

Click on the image or here to see-n-shop all the details ↑

Click on the image or here to see-n-shop all the details ↑

pretty knits.jpg

PRETTY KNITS

Feminine touches are everywhere this Spring—from eyelet to ruffles and lace to candy-colored hues.

Throw one of these easy sweaters on with jeans, chinos or a long skirt and you’ll feel pulled-together and updated. 

Three Ways to Wear a pretty knit Sweater:

Click here for all these links ↑

Click here for all these links ↑

Want to read more about these and other Spring 2021 trends? Click here for the Mr. Porter edit (one of my favs because it highlights both chic yet wearable pieces).

Wishing you all well as we turn the corner to better weather. Spring is 23 days away, but who’s counting? 🙋🏻‍♀️

IMG_5122.jpeg

The Half-Tuck

Wondering what that is? Here’s a visual for you!

The Life-Changing Magic of Layering Up

Do you find yourself taking A LOT of walks these days? Here are my winter walking layering tips. Why layer? Multiple layers of clothing create pockets of air that stay warm because of our body heat. The more layers, the more pockets and the warmer you stay. I learned many of these techniques from other crew members on overnight movie shoots. It gets cold when you’re outside all night—even in Southern California!

Tip #1: Always start with a base layer of either silk, wool or a performance wicking fabric. Build up from there with more performance layers or everyday winter clothing.

Tip #2: Don’t forget to layer on your legs! I double up my fleece tights—seriously makes a huge difference. One pair of winter tights and I’m still cold while out walking. And, wearing jeans with nothing underneath is chilly! I love long-underwear silks under jeans and my friend, client and podcaster at Wellness While Walking, Carolyn Cohen, suggests old pantyhose under jeans. So sustainable—love that! Carolyn also gets the credit for the awesome title to this blog post 🙏🏻

A base layer tight underneath a thicker fleece tight always keeps me warm. And SmartWool socks are a must. Click to see more details of each piece in this photo.

A base layer tight underneath a thicker fleece tight always keeps me warm. And SmartWool socks are a must. Click to see more details of each piece in this photo.

Silks, tights or pantyhose under jeans (plus SmartWool socks) will keep you toasty! Click for more details (especially on that happy Stella McCartney/Jeff Koons cardigan)!

Silks, tights or pantyhose under jeans (plus SmartWool socks) will keep you toasty! Click for more details (especially on that happy Stella McCartney/Jeff Koons cardigan)!

Tip #3: Double up on your hands, too. I love to wear my leather gloves with wool mittens on top when I’m walking in the neighborhood. The mittens create a big warm pocket of air around my fingers. And when I need to actually pick something up, I slip one mitten off and my leather gloves are ready to go. Carolyn’s tip: hand warmers in your gloves. No hands in pockets while walking for safety reasons.

Tip #4: Fleece on your head. A loosely knit hat will let a lot of air in—typically a good thing, but when it’s super cold, I love a fleece hat or fleece-lined hat.

Tip #5: Make sure your coat covers the Tushie! Choose a mid-thigh or longer length winter coat. And I always add a scarf (I guess that’s tip #5a 😊 and these days I’m doubling up on masks, too—tip #5b!)

A few more tips from Carolyn: sunglasses if it’s windy and don’t forget to protect cheeks and lips, too. Check out her Walking podcast here.

And a big shout-out to my awesome friend and self-taught knitter, Sue Imperato, for the beautiful gift of these handmade mittens. She gave them to me last year—-so waaaaaaay before Bernie’s Inauguration mittens were a thing. She’s in front of the trend!

Want to try and make a pair yourself? Here are Sue’s instructions:

  • Yarn: I used 4 skeins of Icelandic Lettlopi wool - super warm and durable (online ~ $5-6 each + shipping)

  • Needles: Two sizes of circular needles – I used US4 and US6.

Here is a “work in progress” shot.  I make mine 2 at a time, but you could also make one at a time which is easier to manage

I hope these winter walking tips are helpful. Wishing you all a safe and healthy February! I’ll leave you with one last image—some really cute winter shoes-n-socks combos…I don’t typically wear socks with Ugg boots, but when it’s really cold, I do!

Click to shop these fun choices. How cute are those Converse All Stars?

Click to shop these fun choices. How cute are those Converse All Stars?

Why You Should Care about the Color of the Year

If you like incorporating trends into your wardrobe without buying ‘trendy’ items, then using the color of the year is a great way to do this. Shop your closet and use pieces you already have. Or, buy intentionally and selectively to anticipate the trend and dress with modern, contemporary style. Once you start following the Color of the Year announcements, you’ll notice how these colors pop up everywhere, all year long: in clothing, accessories, home goods and interior design.

Click to see more details on my Virtual Storefront.

Click to see more details on my Virtual Storefront.

 I absolutely love that message and how much thought goes into choosing the color(s).

I also think many women shy away from wearing yellow. I’d love to show you how you can wear this cheerful-yet-elegant color.

Remember that tones and shades matter the most when choosing to wear the color—especially near your face.

A lemon-ice shade of yellow has tons of white in it—if you prefer more saturated colors, then choose a goldenrod or mustard yellow.

How to know which is best for you? Here’s a quick cheatsheet:

  • blue, grey or green eyes

  • fair or pale skin

  • natural blonde or light brown hair

  • lighter, less saturated shades of yellow will work on you

  • brown or hazel eyes

  • dark, olive or golden skin

  • black, dark brown or auburn hair

  • deeper, more saturated shades of yellow will work on you

Click here or on the photo to see details and/or shop these beauties!

Click here or on the photo to see details and/or shop these beauties!

Still not sure about wearing yellow? Then choose different shades for accessories—most notably, handbags. Think of a goldenrod purse as your neutral bag. Wear it with everything, whether it ‘matches’ or not. Here are some beautiful golden/grey accessories combos that will work with everything from sweatpants to jeans to leggings. Click on the photos to see more/shop on my Virtual Storefront.

Sending uplifting and positive vibes to you all! 🌞💪🏼