Max Out the Maxi

Available at asos.com

Spring is in the air, and there's nothing more versatile and comfy to wear than the maxi dress.  Here are my tips for making your maxi work for you this spring and all summer long:


1.  Glam it up with a pair of bold earrings or a statement necklace.


2.  For a "biker chic" look, add a cropped, fitted jean jacket.  Don't forget to pop your collar, roll up your sleeves, and add some arm candy.


3.  For a more conservative look, pair your maxi with a cardigan or boyfriend blazer.


4.  If you're petite in stature and you don't want to look frumpy, be sure to wear heels.  If you're seeking comfort and height, try a wedge.


5.  Want to look "boho chic"?  Add a floral print scarf and a crossbody bag.

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The Ten Commandments of A HAPPY NEW YOU!

If you didn't get the memo, 2011 is here and moving quickly!  In fact, we're already at the end of January.  That being said, I'm sure many of you have broken at least one of your New Year's resolutions by now.  Have no fear -- here's a way you can redeem yourself.  I'm challenging you to make a commitment to focus on YOU this year, and work  towards presenting your most fabulous (and fashionable) self every time you walk out the door. Now, I'm not saying it's going to be easy.  But . . . if you can pull it off, it will definitely be rewarding!  Here is a guideline to send you on your merry way! Repeat after me:


I SHALL NOT . . .

1. Wear my husband's sweatpants in or out of the house.
2. Wear clothes that are too small for me.
3. Wear clothes that are too big for me.
4. Buy anything that is not flattering to my figure.
5. Leave the house without wearing any accessories.
6. Wear athletic sneakers any where other than to the gym.
7. Dress in a manner that is not "age appropriate."
8. Buy the same piece of clothing in 9 different colors.
9. Buy one more pair of black shoes (when I have no other colors).
10. Hoard clothes I know I should never wear again (e.g. I wore them in high school).

Golden Globes Red Carpet Rundown

Just in case you missed my "Good Day Philadelphia" segment yesterday, here are my picks for best and worst dressed.  Although I saw lots of dresses on the red carpet that I loved, for me it's not enough that your dress has that "wow" factor.  Everything has to come together to create a polished look of perfection - hair, makeup, and accessories.  What did you think about the looks you saw on the red carpet?




THESE STARS KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK . . .

Mila Kunis

Milla Jovovich

Megan Fox

AND THESE STARS TOTALLY MISSED THE MARK . . . 

Helena Bonham Carter

Tilda Swinton

Christina Aguilera

Holiday Glamour by Vera Wang

If you're searching for those last minute holiday gifts for the fashionistas in your life, be sure to check out the Simply Vera Vera Wang Holiday Collection at Kohls. From glitzy multi-strand necklaces to sequined hats to chiffon fingerless gloves, you can't go wrong with the name that has become synonymous with sophistication and style. And the best part -- many of the accessories in the collection are less than $40! Now that makes for a Very Merry Christmas!!

Google Your Way To Being Fashion Fierce

Ever wake up in the morning, spontaneously decide you want to venture out and try to wear something a little different, and panic because you don't know how? That apparently happened to one of my clients last week, and I awakened to a "mayday, mayday" text message she had sent at 6:56 am. Needless to say, I did not get that message or the picture she emailed me giving me a sneak preview of her "look" until she was work. That didn't give us any time to correct that fashion faux pas on the spot, but at least we were able to rectify it a couple of hours later before too many of her co-workers had seen her.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, first pause and acknowledge that this is exactly why our mothers told us in high school to pick out our clothes the night before. (Sorry I had to go there . . . I couldn't resist.) Then, go straight to the internet and do a google search on the trend in question: "How to wear two cardigans?" or "Can I wear a blush-toned dress with a bright platform pump?" You can also search YouTube for possible step-by-step instructions. Regardless of the method you choose, you can feel confident that you walked out the door looking your best.

Farewell My Sweet Lady

It's been well over a month since I've posted a blog entry.  As they say -- sometimes life just gets in the way.  This past Saturday, we escorted my grandmother, the late Claries Toomer Bennett, to her final earthly resting place in Hope Mills, NC.  She was the Matriach of the Bennett family, and her life had a profound effect on every person who came within her reach.  

I would be remiss if I didn't dedicate this entry to her.  The picture above is of my Grandma taken in the late 1940's . . . she was in her 20's.  This picture surfaced over the weekend as people from near and far gathered at her home to celebrate her life.  Over the years, many have asked me where my sense of fashion and style originated.  I immediately respond "from my mother," who is the epitome of class and sophistication.  When I saw this picture only hours before my Grandma's "Homegoing Celebration," I realized it originated with my Grandma.  In addition to teaching my mother the virtues of unconditional love and respect, she clearly passed down the attributes of what it means to look like a Lady!

Grandma, you are missed, but never will you be forgotten.  I end this blog the way I ended my tribute to her on Saturday . . . "Rejoice my sweet lady. Heaven is happy to welcome one of its finest angels back home." 

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kicks Off Tomorrow at its New Location - Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park

(Photo from stylelist.com)

I have two favorite times of the year -- February and September. Is it because my favorite holidays are Valentine's Day and Labor Day? Absolutely not! It's because those months include two weeks out of the year when every fashionista feels like she's died and gone to heaven: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week! And this year provides a tee bit more excitement because after 18 years at Bryant Park (I must say attending my last show there last season was a little bittersweet), the shows have moved to Lincoln Center. I feel like a kid waking up on Christmas morning -- I know I loved all of the presents under the tree last year, but I'm hoping this year's presents will be even better!

The move to Lincoln Center has brought about many firsts, not the least of which is Fashion GPS, a web-based system rolled out by IMG Fashion (the producer of MBFW) that over 80% of the designers showing at the tents have opted to use. Instead of those often lavish paper invitations being sent in the mail, PR firms emailed invitations which contain a link for you to go online and RSVP with a touch of a button. You are immediately sent an email containing a confirmation number (gone are the days when you wonder whether or not your RSVP by email or voicemail was ever received), and . . . drumroll please . . . a barcode to be scanned at one of 9 kiosks on site! (The barcode can even be scanned right from your PDA!) These kiosks will spit out your seating assignment, and off you go to your show. They will even have computer terminals and printers available if you happen to forget to bring your confirmation email with you. IMG is hoping that this will dramatically cut down those long lines (which look more like a sea of people huddled together) you wait in to check in with a PR person frantically looking through a binder filled with names. (Of course the PR teams will still be on hand to handle the real problems and the computer glitches.)

While this to me is the biggest and most dramatic change, the new location now includes a significantly larger space, lounge-style seating in the lobby area to wait around between shows (music to my feet!), two interior courtyards, wireless internet access, and a 4th venue (venue names are now from largest to smallest: "The Theatre," "The Stage," "The Studio," and "The Box"). The Theatre can seat almost 1,000 people and can accommodate another 400 standing; The Stage will fit more than 800 fashionistas; The Studio has seats for 390 plus standing room; and The Box -- a smaller room for designer presentations, industry forums and press conferences -- can hold 450 standing. It also appears as though the chairs in the venues have been replaced with stadium style bench seating, no doubt one of the reasons they are able to accommodate more people.

Although I will miss the first day of shows tomorrow (last day of my Bermuda vacation), I hit the ground running before daybreak on Friday morning to make it to NYC in time for my first show at 9:30 am. My day starts off with Tadashi Shoji, followed by Duckie Brown, Georges Chakra, and Ports 1961. Hopefully I will get a quick nap in at some time so I can be ready for all of the Fashion's Night Out festivities!