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Honoring Self on Your Special Day

May 28, 2010 By 1 Comment

Today is my birthday.  This year I became active on Facebook, Twitter and to some extent LinkedIn.  For someone who is fairly private it gives me a feeling of being “exposed.”

So today, when I received birthday well wishes my first thought was to “poo-poo” it and just ignore it.  Of course it prompted me to think why?

For many of us we are so used to doing for others that when others recognize us it isn’t an easy thing to accept.  What I know to be true is that most people have a basic goodness.  I like people and love to learn from them.  People really do want to help others, we just need to let them in to do it.  This is not the time to rationalize the ‘why’ of this because what’s important here is that we are ALL special people.

We all have a purpose and were put on this earth to serve that purpose.  So on the day of all days, your birthday, honor yourself.  Allow yourself to bask in your own goodness and receive the well wishes of those who love and support you.  I know I’ll give it a go today.

Enough said, have an extra piece of cake today and remember:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

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Encore Fashion Show

May 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

EncoreJoin me next week at The Atlanta Botanical Gardens as the Fashion and Retail Management Program at The Art Institute of Atlanta present their Encore Fashion Show!

I’ll be there cheering all the hard work of the students.  Kristal, our intern this year will also be there.

I hope to see you there!

Filed Under: Events Tagged With:

Travel Smart – Get Organized

May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Summer vacations are fast approaching and with them comes the angst of wondering what to take.  While you may acknowledge that it is not necessary to take your entire closet, sometimes it is difficult to figure out just what to leave home and what should go with you.  Just as you might prepare of a holiday party, planning and preparation (focus) are keys to stress free dressing while away.

Check in with these 5 easy tips before you go to organize yourself before you go and you will look good, feel great and have fun each day!

  1. Note how many days you will be gone and the number of outfits you will need. Pay special attention to any activities that may require a different outfit (hiking, touring, etc)
  2. Next assemble your outfits based on your activity. This will allow you to put accessories, shoes, lingerie together with each piece
  3. Go neutral with your basic pieces.  Choose black, khaki, brown, or navy for your neutral core.
  4. Add an accent color.  Choose a color that you love in different styles and add it to the mix with your neutral.
  5. Keep your shoes in your neutral color and add 2 different heel heights ( pumps and flats for winter sandals or flats for summer)

These are the basic guidelines for creating a wonderful working wardrobe while traveling.  Always take your jeans and a crisp white shirt.  It’s a given these days that your denim can be dressed up or dressed down for many occasions.  A simple wrap and costume jewelry in your favorite accent color adds panache and style to the mix and you’re good to go.

Just remember to keep it simple.  For more effortless packing tips, read 6 Steps for Stress Free Travel

Next we’ll discuss traveling with children!  How in the world do you do it? Smile!

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Filed Under: How To, Travel Tagged With: ,

Image Assets Goes to Paris

May 24, 2010 By 1 Comment

Image Assets Goes to Paris I have had a number of clients recently traveling to points all over the world!  It has been my sheer pleasure to help them get ready for their trips.  Much like a “mother hen” I love to gather around them and hear all about their trips.

Once client recently spent 10 days in numerous points overseas, one of which was Paris.  Can you see the Eiffel Tower!  How exciting to have been on their trip albeit “virtually” with her!  She brought back this wonderful gift!

I was born in Chambley, France.  My parents were in the military and were stationed for several years there.  I do not remember my stay there, but love to say I was born overseas!  It feels so chic and worldly.

So, I have a challenge for you!  Let Image Assets go on your trips this summer!  Let’s see where we will go!  Take a picture and let see what parts of the world we can explore.  I want to give a “shout out” to Organized Instincts for snapping this photo and sending it to me!  Thanks Nanette!

Share with me your style thoughts.  What colors did you see?  How did the women look?  What about their hair style, color, length?  I’ll get a world map and put a pin every place you send!  Won’t that be fun!

Let’s see where Image Assets will go!  Together, we’ll go in style!

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Filed Under: Trends Tagged With: ,

Uber STYLE-The Art of Being Who You Are

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I love words.  I especially love expressive words.  The word “uber” for instance feels so good when you say it.

Uber has its roots in German language dating back to the 1800’s when philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche coined the term “ubermensch” to describe a higher state he felt men might aspire (superior men).  It was brought to the  United States and in the 1930’s  and used in the story of Superman, the iconic American hero.  It is through this association that the term “uber” carries much of it sense of  irresistible superiority!

In today’s pop culture uber is used interchangeably with the word super, but means so much more that.  Uber has a sense of excellence and superiority-confidence if you will that just can’t be conveyed by using any other word.

Katharine Hepburn and Paul Newman are arguably two of the most recognizable faces.  Both  had “uber style”. Passionate and opinionated, they always knew “who” they were.  Uber Style is the true sense of being who you are, no matter what.

Knowing who you are starts within, a deep connection with your roots and a very real, spiritual sense of belonging.  Many have an innate sense of knowing “who” they are.  For most though, this connection develops over time as we try on styles, watch our mentors or connect with icons and those we respect.

Uber Style is NOT a copy of someone else. Uber Style is YOU!  How do you get there if it’s doesn’t come naturally?  (remember style can be taught!)  It’s not difficult; but to learn what your style is you must connect with it on every level.  I encourage you to become more cognitively aware of what you really do like.  Ask yourself these questions:

  1. What music do you enjoy on most days?
  2. What style does your home life reflect?
  3. What cars do you admire?
  4. What are your favorite colors?
  5. What characteristics do you most admire in a person?

If you have difficulty answering these questions, simply ask yourself these questions in the opposite way.  What is it that you DON’T like? Most people can tell you immediately what colors, music, cars or decorating styles they don’t like.Send us your ideas. Who do you think has Uber STYLE today and follow us as we continue to discuss how you can get Uber STYLE!

Finally, browse magazines; not just fashion magazines, but business magazines and pop culture magazines as well. This will help you really connect on a more cognitive level with who you are and how you want the world to perceive you.  Have fun with it, create a notebook out of it and add to it over time. You will see even you can have Uber STYLE and remember:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Filed Under: How To, Style Tagged With: , , ,

Wardrobe Creation – Plan and Commit

May 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Reflecting on the events I have attended over the past several weeks reminds me the importance planning and commitment play in our success.  I participated in both High School and College graduations in addition to formal Courts of Honor where  the Boy Scouts highest achievement, the Eagle Award honored 4 young men.

You don’t get to walk across the stage, and receive your diploma without some level of commitment somewhere along the line.  A Boy Scout doesn’t achieve the rank of Eagle without a high degree of planning and commitment.  You don’t create success overnight-even though the term “an overnight success” may lead you to believe this.  A successful wardrobe is not created in one shopping trip.  There’s always a plan to your wardrobe success.

The Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared” says it all.  I’m committed to my business, but sometimes I get off track because the plan is not being followed.  So it is in life, to be successful and find joy that comes from success, planning comes first.  Planning doesn’t guarantee your success though.  You must be committed and go at it systematically day by day, week by week, month by month and so on.

As we move through life we “graduate” from certain stages and find that we can often get lost in the detail.  Life gets in the way and often we lose the path that was so clearly defined.  There’s always a way to find your path back!  Many women come to me when they have lost their way and are trying to get back the style they once felt connected to.

Beginning their “Journey to Style” is a way to that will help them create a plan and systematically create the wardrobe that works for the life they lead today!  Planning and commitment go hand in glove.  My mother always said “measure twice, cut once” and it is true.  Before you purchase that next clothing item ask yourself these questions:

Does it fit my body?
Does it flatter my body?
Does it feel really good on me?
Is it part of my overall plan in my closet?
Will it go with at least 3 other things in my closet?

If the answer to these questions is “yes”, then you can feel confident in adding it to your wardrobe NOW!

Commit to creating a plan for your success by building a wardrobe that works for you and you will find that you always:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Filed Under: How To, Wardrobe Tagged With: , , , , ,

And the Winner Is

May 15, 2010 By 2 Comments

Kathy_CurrentlyPlease join me in congratulating Kathy Powell as the winner of our “Sofie Made Me Do It” Contest.

As could be expected, each entry was heartfelt and sincere-each deserving to win.    “Crowning” Kathy as the winner was a unanimous decision by each judge in a silent poll.

It has been my experience that it is unusual for someone who is as young as Kathy to connect so deeply with herself and we all felt a common bond her story.  BUT, because this was supposed to be FUN for everyone and wanted to honor each individual submission.  Everyone who submitted an essay will win a  “Sofie Made Me Do It” Package that includes:

Scholarship to Style Camp,  Brow and Nail Package, Summer Survival Kit, and Soul Coaching to get them started on their style journey!

My special thanks go to the panel of judges who didn’t know what they were getting themselves into!  You are all awesome.  Please visit their website and learn more about what they do!

Susan Cadley, LPC, CSC, Certified Soul Coach, Owner of Living From Within, LLC
 Alyson Hoag, CEO, Authentic Beauty, LLC
Kyle Young, CEO, Kyle Young Inc.-Effective Ideas and Multi-TaskingWoman.com

For now, I hope you will enjoy Kathy’s submission and I look forward to posting all summer long as we continue to journal and video her progress in her personal  Journey to Style. Read on and remember:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Dear Sofie,

I did it. In March 2009, I realized that I wasn’t happy with me: how I looked, how I held myself or how I treated myself, so I decided I needed to take control and set a goal to lose weight and revitalize my self esteem. Knowing that slow and steady determination would win the race, I sought support and set to work changing habits. Now, 14 months later at 27 years old, I’ve gone from a size 14 to a size 6. I have energy and muscle definition. I’ve made a commitment to allow myself to take pride in my accomplishments and have embraced my spiritual side and faith to help build me up.

I feel like a new person, but my outside shell is still the woman I was before. The majority of my clothes are size 10 or 12, so my new inner strength is drowning in an over sized, sloppy-looking exterior. I’ve bought some smaller-sized clothes, but on top of losing weight, I’ve also lost any sense of what my style should be or what’s best for my current body. After losing a full cup size and gaining shoulder muscle, I have no idea how to dress my new torso. The shirts I have were designed to hide my tummy and accent my chest, but both seem to have disappeared! I get excited about a smaller size and find myself chasing the lowest number, regardless of how the pants fit. I end up wearing clothes that are either old and too big, or new and too tight, because in my head the smaller the clothes, the smaller I look.

Part of my personal transformation during this past year has been growing into my career. I discovered my passion for nonprofit organizations in college and ever since, have thrown myself into creating, promoting and assisting programs & organizations. I’ve always considered myself a pseudo-professional. I was (and really, still am) a young adult working for small, meaningful organizations on very little money. I’m feeling the inward transition from the worker bee mentee to embracing the expertise I have and stepping up to be a leader in my field. Working for charities and ministries has not been a good influence on my wardrobe. My work spaces have been casual and my budget tight, but as I take my career to the next level, working with larger organizations and starting to do consulting on the side, I need to learn how to best utilize my limited funds with items that fit me and are appropriate for the setting so I can drop the pseudo and confidently present myself as a true professional.

I want this makeover because I’ve been building my confidence from the inside out. It’s time for the outside layer, my wardrobe, to catch up!

Sincerely,

Kathy!

Filed Under: Events, Makeover Tagged With: ,

Stuff in Your Closet

May 12, 2010 By 1 Comment

DSCN2982My daughter graduated recently from college.  It was a hallmark event in her life.  Alton Brown, famed author and food critic was the commencement speaker.  He  offered his thoughts in a non-traditional manner to challenge the graduates.

Thought provoking as it was, there was one key point I wanted to talk about. “ Stuff!”

He challenged the graduates with regard to collecting “stuff”.  Stuff is the trappings of life.  “Things” in life we feel we can’t live without – cellphones, ipods, fancy cars, shoes, leather, fur, diamonds, etc.

It’s not that you shouldn’t have “stuff” or even that you don’t deserve stuff, but “stuff” isn’t what makes us happy!

He next asked who was in debt. A full 2/3 of the audience raised their hands! Do you think that it is because they have already acquired “stuff” in their lives?

DSCN2928I think as a parent, we may have done our children a disservice by giving them so much “stuff” already. I know that I’m a bit guilty of that.Even though my children have always worked, they have never known what it feels like to truly “need” something.

As Americans, we have helped build a booming business in third world countries because they are reselling all of our “stuff”. On some level this makes me happy, but honestly do we really need so much “stuff”?

My childhood best friend lost her home in a fire recently and she has lost all her “stuff“. I would bet you anything that the only real loss that she feels right now are the photos of her children that act as reminders of their younger days.  That’s the “stuff” happiness is made of.

What, you might ask does this have to do with clothes? I’d say A LOT! I starts with a little bit of “retail therapy” then morphs into other things.

The older I get the less “stuff” I want.  I do love some of my things as they make me happy-my ipod with music on when I walk and I really like my bread machine!  But as Coco Chanel said, and I am really trying hard to abide with “less is more” and it’s not because of the economy either!

Each season I encourage my clients to clean out the clutter and rid themselves of some of their things that no longer work in their closet. So as you part with some of your “stuff” ask yourself why you are getting rid of it.  It’s not really “retail therapy” if it doesn’t  look good on you, make you feel your very best and feel really great next to your body!

If you want to “shop your closet” join me on my next webinar and learn how.  Register Here

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have Fun Doing It”

Filed Under: Closet, How To Tagged With: , ,

Honoring Beauty at Any Age

May 8, 2010 By 2 Comments

I was in the book store recently looking at all the book titles in the “beauty and health” section. You know the section I’m talking about. These are three of the many books that promise “ageless beauty”:
Maybe it’s because my birthday is coming, but it sure seems to me there is a whole bunch of “aging” beauties out there trying NOT to look old.

Did you watch Dancing with the Stars this season? I don’t  tune in often, but did on the night that Buzz Aldrin, former Astronaut was dancing his last dance.  The guy is my dad’s age,  and I would guess that his wife is about the same age.

Good for him for getting out there and being active and alive.  When they panned to his wife I started to think about “ageless beauty”.

This photo was published in 2009, and I won’t get into what I would suggest to his wife.  The photo itself isn’t bad-I just get the sense that they are trying to look “young” NOT simply being “youthful”.

The fact is, we all age or at least I hope to have that opportunity!  The challenge it to stay vibrant, healthy, and youthful NOT YOUNG. They say with age come wisdom.  I think some of that wisdom goes out the door when we look in the mirror!

We tend to turn to easy (albeit often expensive) fixes.  You know what I mean, injections, hair and other implants, dye, even surgeries.  The challenge is to make the appropriate changes that will allow you to continue to look as youthful (not young) on the outside as you may feel on the inside.

With age comes wisdom and earned respect.  Don’t lose that by making fatal mistakes that dramatically alter your appearance.

My mother-in-law who as never had a single thing done to her (not even dyed her hair) said recently, “sometimes it just makes things worse”.  Her beauty secret is to always put a bit of rouge on and lipstick.  She told me just last week that “as you age, you need to start wearing less makeup-as it makes you look more harsh”. Now, that’s a beauty secret that I can keep up with!  So here’s to being beautiful inside and out!

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Filed Under: Beauty, Birthday Tagged With: , , ,

Graduations, Birthdays and Transitions – What Are You Waiting For?

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I spoke with a gentleman who said something that really sparked my interest.  He said that it didn’t really matter what happened in our lives we all just wait to fix, clean up or change until a momentous event.  I have to agree that most of the time this is actually true.

Think about it.  In the spring if you are  good about maintenance around your home, you will do “spring cleaning”.  Wash the windows, freshen everything up and move things out, fix things that are broken.  Giving the feeling of starting over, a fresh new approach to things, it give us the permission, a reason to make changes.

Momentous birthdays, anniversaries and promotions are ways that we celebrate changes in our lives.  May is the month for graduations, June is considered the month for weddings.

Why do we have to ‘wait’ to make changes?

  • Too busy
  • No Money
  • Need to lose weight
  • Fear

Great Basketball Coach John Wooden once said:

“When opportunity knocks, it’s too late to prepare”

If only for a crystal ball!  What life might be after….maybe we’d jump right in and do it!.

Sometimes it’s best NOT to wait for an event or transition to make that change.  Learning about and getting the right image for a career  is one of those times.

So I ask you, what are you doing to prepare for  your success in life? Are you waiting to a life event to bring changes to your wardrobe?  Do you need a “reason” to make changes?

If you need a reason, I’ll give you 3! In less than 10 seconds people decide:

  1. How successful you are or will be (how much money do you make)
  2. How smart you are or whether or not you can “handle” the job
  3. Whether or not they will be able to work with you (are you going to be a new connection/colleague/friend?)

Your credibility starts with your visual image.  It’s sad but true, we do really judge a book by it’s cover.  Not just in today’s slow economy but when the economy does turn around your current as well as future success depends begins and ends with your ability to communicate in such a way that you are seen as successful!

So as the Nike commercial says, Just Do It! And remember to:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Filed Under: First Impresions, Image Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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