Seeing Red

Q. from Carin

My husband actually arranged for a babysitter for Valentine's Day! What do I wear out to dinner? I was thinking red, but I don't want to be cliche.

A. from Joyce

First of all, Wow! Kudos to your husband! On Valentine's Day red will be everywhere, why not try something a little different, how about purple?

I like this one-

Donna Ricco Stretch Satin Sheath Dress
This dress has a flattering V-neck in the front and back, with straps wide enough to still wear a bra. The empire band of the same color wraps around, creating a sleek sexy look. Try wearing a pair of Spanx(http://www.spanx.com/) underneath to smooth out any unwanted curves. If purple is not your color it also comes in Frenchy pink and Lapis blue. http://www.nordstrom.com/

If you like long sleeve, try this pretty purple http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/

Either way you will look fabulous!

Make it your own

When it comes to fashion, there can be a fine line between unattractive and unbelievable.

Sometimes what looks nothing on a hanger can look amazing on*. That's why I always recommend trying everything (or, at least as much as your time and patience will allow). 

I found a dress at Neiman's Last Call sale that not only looked like nothing, but it was leaning towards really unattractive. But, eh, I was heading to the dressing room with a few other things and it looked a bit interesting, so I tried it on anyway. Well, I loved it. It's a gold and purple silk and lurex gown. Yes, gold and purple. Who would have guessed?

So I asked myself my favorite question, "Would I pay full price for this gown?" The answer: "Yes!"  

Tough sale shopping question answered, I started thinking about the possibilities.  I was saving $300, after all.  Was there anything I could do to really make it my own?

I'm 5'2", so shorter can often times be better for me, so I'm thinking of making it a short cocktail dress--it goes with me to the tailor tomorrow and we'll play around a bit.

So today's lesson: when shopping, keep in mind that anything (except knits) can be altered. Find pieces you love and make them work for you, make them entirely your own.  And if you find them cheap, better still!

*and sometimes, what looks amazing on in the front, can look not so much in the back.  Check both sides before leaving the house! 

Marshmallow Wo-Man!

Q. from Karen

Joyce,
Now that it is January and finally cold out, I really want a warm quilted jacket to wear when I am out with the kids, but I am afraid I might look puffy. Any ideas?

A. from Joyce

No one wants to look like a marshmallow! Here are a few stylish options you can wear to stay warm while making snowballs with your kids. The belts and buckles on these jacket will help define your waist and keep you looking great. Now all you will need is the snow!

http://www.bloomingdales.com/

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=95520&CategoryID=5585&PageID=5584*1*24*-1*-1*18


http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=97865&CategoryID=7107&PageID=7107*1*24*-1*-1*9

What's in a Name?

I have always enjoyed reading the names of nail polish colors. Some funny “red hot mama”, some sweet “ballet slipper” , some that took you away to a tropical island “pina colada”. Now I love the names of Jean Lines.

Rich and Skinny, Cheap Money, Citizens of Humanity, Habitual, Iron Army, Super Fine and now the Aristocrat.
This royal jean line carries such names as Sutton and Antoinette- after their favorite French queen. And come Spring 2008, the line will include dresses, skirts and shorts, for the true royal in you. (All of which can be found at http://www.barneys.com/)

I spy a great buy

I was walking through Target yesterday looking for a beer tub (don’t ask), when I spotted a rack with tissue weight t-shirts for $12.99. Scoop necked with 4 darts strategically placed to enhance your bust, wide short sleeves long enough to cover your top arms (which, by the way, is usually just you being overcritical of yourself). All around I give this shirt an A-. Why the minus? Because it is cut generously, so the sizing is a bit off (definitely try one size smaller).

Stylish t-shirts are a great layering piece in the winter and can be worn all year round. At this price you can wear them to the park with your kids and while cooking dinner with no fear. Gotta love that. And if your New Year's resolution was to clean out your closet, then throw away five of your old, ratty, unflattering t's and upgrade with these.

And keep your eye out for Target's lastest score: Jonathan Saunders, one of London's hottest designers, just signed a contract with Target. You can see his American premiere during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week next month.

Easy as Pie

Tuesday in someone else's closet

Today I was in the closet of a fabulous new client. I really liked her sliding foil-finished glass doors and the pullout drawer chest. She told me it was from Ikea. So, I ran home and pulled out my trusty inch thick catalogue and sure enough there it was on page 164. Who knew? http://www.ikea-usa.com/

If you have ever priced out closet companies or builders for your closet, you know how pricey it can get. Remember if you do get Ikea, you will have to put it together or factor in the price of hiring someone to assemble and install for you. For me the the price would be baking my husband a pecan pie.

Coldest Day, Warmest Thoughts

As I opened the door (brrr!!!) to send my children to the bus stop this morning, I began to daydream about spring. Spring fashion, to be precise.

You can sample spring's first buds--also known as the Resort Collections--online at Neiman Marcus.

My top two picks:
Catherine Malandrino's Chiffon Floral Trapeze Dress. Large floral prints taken right from nature and flowing skirts were all over the runways for spring.

Tracy Reese's Cinch Striped Blouse and Palazzo Pants. High waisted pants can be flattering if they fit right (first thing: get the pockets sewn shut to lay flat!), and the sailor-stripes-with-a-twist look of the blouse looks so incredibly fresh right now (and, more importantly, looks like the opposite of the eighteen layers I had on today).

Some of you may be lucky enough to be heading to a resort soon; for the rest of us...we just to hang in there for a few more months.

Heaping pile of...sweaters

Q from Karen:

I know you suggest folding knits, but then I end up with a messy pile on my shelf and cant find anything, any suggestions?

A from Joyce:

If you are anything like me, the new year is when I become completely motivated to organize. I often turn to http://www.containerstore.com/ for inspiration. Along with their annual Elfa sale, they have a great simple product to keep your sweaters from becoming a heaping pile of yarn. Their solid shelf dividers will help you care for your knits and keep you on schedule in the morning, #2 on the resolution list!