I absolutely love styling outfits and since I’m not an “on-the-scene” type of lady I flex my creative muscle styling others. I’ve styled for weddings, graduations, girls’ nights, and even funerals. I’ve styled by sending pictures through emails and text messages and most recently by using Skype. My main clients are my uber traditional mother, my stylish sister and my fun and frugal aunts.

My mother has a very easy sense of style but her new love of ethnic fabrics and accessories makes her fun to work with. She resists all things edgy, flashy and trendy but when it’s all said and done she follows my guidance and loves the look. My style wish for her is to take my looks and incorporate them into her everyday fashion. She tends to tone it down but owns some of the most amazing accessories from thrifting and traveling abroad.  I’m for showcasing unique style whenever possible. I feel no greater joy than seeing someone pair an unassuming outfit with an unexpected accessory.

Next is my younger sister who will try everything my mother resists. She is edgy, she is eccentric, she is unafraid to try new things even if she sometimes wouldn’t without a push from big sis. My sister loves unique accessories and bold colors. She finds the best jewelry in some of the most unlikely places. Who knew the art museum gift shop sold affordable earrings and bracelets that look like works of art? When I style her I usually appeal to her classic sense of dress, which we both got from our mom, but then add a show stopping accessory or three! I experiment with bold textures and muted colors with my sister. I have two favorite looks that I styled for her over the years. My bachelorette party was a night of little black dresses. I styled her in a strapless, form-fitting, cocktail length LBD. I can’t recall the jewelry but I jazzed up the dress with a wide metallic silver loop belt under the bust line forming an umpire waist. For more drama I found sky-high silver pumps. The pumps were cagey and fabulous but killed her feet so she ended up changing them after a round of pictures and a walk through the club. My other favorite look was for her undergrad graduation. She wore a navy blue silk blend bib dress that flared from the waist. It was a fabulous find at a designer discount store. I accessorized with pearls and beads and a nude snakeskin peep toe pump with hints of purple. To tie it all together I found a great PVC envelope clutch with a large wooden medallion at a teen apparel store. 

My aunts have yet to be styled from head to toe but that is soon to change.  I’ve got my hands on one of them for the Sex And The City 2 premiere May 2010. She has no idea the fabulousness that awaits her. My younger aunt has taught me the joys of spinning jewelry and accessory racks. My favorite fashion find of last year were the $8 sunglasses I discovered at the hardware store and their $5 replacement from the neighborhood grocery market when I sat on them. Admittedly the $8 pair was better but I guess you get what you pay for. LOL.

I’ve learned over the years that the more things change in fashion the more they stay the same. I’ve also gathered that I need to take pictures of my creations as all the bragging seems empty without photographic proof. From this day forward I will do better.