Need I say more? As far as the most common guilty pleasures in life for women, shoes must rank in the top five! There’s nothing quite like pretty shoes to turn a girl’s head. The fashion scene has been overwhelmed by the intoxicating color and texture combinations of the last few seasons. Summer, of course, gives you the opportunity to wear these shoes, while showing off your perfectly polished toenails!

So, what’s new?

Metallics: It used to be that metallics were saved for special occasions, but over the last few seasons, we’ve seen them everywhere from flip-flops to dress shoes. While the brushed metallics are easier to wear due to being less shiny, more and more brighter versions are showing up everywhere. They look amazing with matching jewelry and accessories, clothes that you can’t wear black shoes with, black clothes, and lots of skin!

Color blocking: Color blocking is still going strong and now is showing up in shoes. If you don’t quite have the confidence to wear color blocking, why not start with your sandals this summer?    

Summer wedges: Wedges have been back for a few seasons, but this summer, you’ll see a lot more of them in natural tones as well as bright colors. I love the mixology of the textures within the same color scheme. So comfy and versatile!

Ballerina flats: These flats can range from romantic to edgy, depending on the color and textures. Worn with shorts or dresses, it’s the perfect season to try something new while showing off your summertime skin!  

Just for men:

Huraches: Making a comeback, you’ll find these leather woven shoes everywhere. Pair these with khaki shorts,  casual slacks, or even straight jeans cuffed up for an updated look to a 70’s favorite!

Slip-on shoes: From more casual top-siders to dressy loafers, you’ll see them more and more with dressier clothes. Try skipping the socks for a more European look.

Leather flip-flops: A little nicer than your average foam rendering, it’s the perfect sandal for running around town or a casual evening out.  Choose a wider strap for balance and more fashion statement. These are versatile enough to be worn with a button down and linen pants to a T-shirt and shorts.

Two-toned oxfords: Making a resurgence in a big way, you’ll find these in dual toned leather panels. Reminiscent of 1920’s gangster style, this look is very wearable due to the classic lines. Be sure to let the shoes do the talking here and keep the rest of the outfit basic and scaled back!

One way to make an understated, but chic fashion statement is to wear trendy shoes and wear clothes that can be a back-drop to the footwear instead of competing with them. This is a very classy look and the balance of the tried and true, yet edgy combination helps you to pull off the new shoe styles confidently! And remember that shoes are the perfect place to have fun with color!

The choice is always yours, make it a good one!

~ Lani

Ladies, let’s face it (no pun intended), one of the most common ways to look outdated is wearing your makeup the same way you have worn it for ages. Not only does your skin and hair color change as you age, but makeup fashion changes as well. I seldom recommend dramatic changes in cosmetics to my clients, but subtle differences have a huge effect.

Here are some makeup inspirations for Spring!    

Trend: Cat-eyes– Add more mascara and/or falsies to the outside corner of the top of your lashes and go heavier on the black or black/brown eyeliner on the top lashes only. A little retro, a little Meow!

Trend: Crimson lips- Orangy-red lips are a spring standby, but try on several shades to make sure it complements your skin color. Make sure you go more neutral with color on the rest of your face before you try these lipsticks though! If you have thinner lips, try a sheer red gloss instead. As a rule in warm weather, forego the matte lipsticks for shiny and glossy ripe color!

Trend: The Navy Eye- Navy lined eyes are the smoky look for spring/summer. Remember to wear it with a neutral face and lips. Perfect for spring and summer evenings out on the town!

Trend: Sun-Kissed Skin– Be careful with this, ladies. Strategically well placed bronzer can be hot, too much bronzer or self tanner is not. Your guideline is to run a large, fluffy brush of bronzer lightly over areas where the sun hits you naturally on your face, décolletage and even the tops of your feet when you’re wearing sandals. Try an iridescent, copper-colored cream or powder eyeshadow for a subtle, but flirty look.

Trend: Look-at-Me Nail Color– Shades for fingernails and toenails you’ll want to try for spring are lavenders, all spectrums of tangerine as well as blues. Worn best on shorter and groomed nails. Time for that mani-pedi!

I rarely recommend a specific color or brand in my blogs because every woman has a different skin tone. What I know for sure is there is a shade that you can wear of almost any make-up trend available. It all depends on how you put it together. If you’re unsure, ask for help at the cosmetics counter or call your local stylist!

The choice is always yours, make it a good one!

~ Lani

Everyone knows that what comes around goes around, but in fashion what goes around again will always take a new little spin that makes it new and exciting to wear. Fashion rarely  re-emerges in the exact same shape and form from its original debut. What makes these so wearable is that it’s a familiar style, but with a new twist!

Here are some fun, wearable styles you’ll be tempted with this season:

Colored jeans- New pastels and neons are a new take on denim. Wear pastel tops with pastel jeans or bright tops with bright jeans.  I also like to balance the color with a neutral (white, black or denim) on top and wear with cowboy boots!

Bold Jewelry in settings of gold- Shown in big rings, necklaces, bracelets as well as earrings. The small change from silver to gold is what makes it new and updated. Look for fun finishes like brushed gold to elevate your style.

Trench coats in fun new color- Look for them in pinks, melons, greens for spring/summer. Polish any outfit and turn heads in a flattering new color.

Statement flats- Take the old stand-by, flat slip on shoes and buy them in fun, bright patterns, stripes and embellishments! These look best with simple pants, skirts and dresses.

Clutch purses- Back in style again, but this time you’ll see them with big buckles and new shades. These clutches will update any outfit!

T-shirt dresses- Above the knee T-shirt dresses of the 80’s are back.! This time around you’ll see them in stripes. The skinnier stripes are more flattering and look great with a skinny belt and longer necklaces. Breezy and fun for spring and summer!

Be careful about what you try to revive out of the back of your closet. Sometimes it works, but oftentimes it doesn’t. Small styles changes like different sized collars, textiles and necklines may seem small, but add up to a big difference in the overall look of your outfit. I like to just buy the newer version to incorporate with my current wardrobe for an instant seasonal update.

Like I always say, “Details make the difference.â€

The choice is always yours, make it a good one!

~ Lani

With each season brings pieces that are going to instantly update your wardrobe. A lot of the time it’s a cool new accessory, but sometimes it’s just so simple, it’s right in front of your face! The striped T-shirt is a classic but it definitely comes and goes out of style. How fresh and new it looks depends on how you wear it with other pieces. Horizontal stripes are not your thing? You may change your mind this season!

How to wear it:

Nautical vibe: Classic, breezy and cool with a new twist of adding funky accessories and colors! You can never go wrong with this look. It’s playful and a little sexy at the same time. Wear it with khakis or jeans. What I love about Nautical is how you can dress it up or down depending on what you mix it with.

What about shoes? If you’re wearing the Nautical version, this is definitely a spring/summer look, so skip the boots and wear something more season- appropriate. And don’t be afraid to add a punch of color on your feet to liven things up!

Other accessories? How about adding a bright handbag or clutch? And we’ve all seen those berry red lips in the magazines- this would be a great time to wear it! You can also paint on a fun, bright Poppy color or French manicure on your fingertips and toes. With jewelry, keep it more on the simple side. Clean lines define the Nautical look.

Mixing it up: My favorite way to wear stripes! Note the way the striped tee updates and adds interest to this look. The pattern sizes are pretty close and the colors complement each other but don’t necessarily have to match exactly. Accessorize it up and you’ve got a fabulous look that makes you look like you know what you’re doing!

What about shoes? With this more eclectic feel, you can wear a fun leather sandal or a vibrant pair of pumps. If you wear it with jeans or a skirt, you can wear boots with this as well.

Other accessories? Have fun with this and experiment with bracelets, a great belt, scarves and jewelry. Try your hand at mixing patterns but keep it a similar size print. Remember to keep the same feeling of casual or dressy in your whole look. Example: if you’re wearing a tee with jeans and a soft scarf, don’t wear a conservative business jacket. You should be choosing a soft cardigan or a more casual blazer with this more laid back style.

Details, details! Note the scale of the lines. If you’re a small person, you can get away with wearing the bigger size stripes, but if you’re an average to larger frame, then stick to a smaller scale. The bigger the size of the stripes, the more visually larger the object (you) will appear to be.

Clothes are a great way to express yourself and you should be experimenting with them. Don’t keep wearing the same styles over and over again. We’re all creatures of habit, but once in awhile, try something new and remember to always have fun!

The choice is always yours, make it a good one!

 ~ Lani

Shhhh…. I won’t tell anyone. This is a safe place to read about them and decide if you’re guilty as charged. You can spend as much money as you want on clothes and cosmetics, but if you’re doing one of these numbers, it isn’t going to matter.

       1. Wearing the same make-up for years and years: As time goes on, our skin and hair changes and likely if you’re doing the exact same make-up routine you were doing 10 or 15 years ago, it can definitely make you look older than you are or at least outdate you. You should lighten up your make-up colors with time, with the exception of red lips on occasion. And please make sure your foundation matches your skin tone! Getting a make-over is a great way to see how you should be wearing your make-up at any age.

2. Over processing your hair:  How do you know if this is you? Well, I admit my picture is a bit exaggerated,  but if your hair doesn’t have any swing anymore or feels light as cotton, it’s probably over-processed. One great way to tell is by taking a picture of yourself in natural light. Take a good look at just your hair. Does it look damaged? Is the color still right for your skin tone? Let’s face it, we get used to what we seen in the mirror everyday, so go to a professional hairdresser and colorist and have them assess what color and cut you need to get your hair back into top shape! Spending money on a professional colorist is well worth it as store bought hair color definitely damages your hair a lot more.        Â

3.  Wearing the wrong shape clothes for your body type: One of the biggest faux pas women make is wearing clothes that are too big and shapeless when we feel overweight. If you’re top heavy and you wear the wrong neckline or too large of a top, you will carry the silhouette of your chest all the way down as long as your top goes, making the rest of you look bigger too. With a myriad of different clothing shapes available, don’t just pick the same one every time. Take the time to experiment with different styles and necklines. Look closely at celebrity and fashion magazines and pick out the women with your same body type and note what styles they wear.  If you just can’t figure it out on your own, hire a personal stylist.

4. Wearing the wrong undergarments:  Your body can’t look it’s best if you’re wearing a misshapen bra that doesn’t support you or you’re showing obvious panty lines.  How do you fix this? Go to a nice store and spend time trying on different bras. Ask the salesgirls to assist you. Many times they are trained to help you find the right fit for your body type and get your bust measured! You may have been wearing the wrong bra and cup size for a long time! I’ve noticed that even when body weight fluctuates up and down, women keep buying the same bra size. You should also consider purchasing shapewear that you can slip on under your form-fitting tops and dresses to cinch in your waist line and give you more body confidence!

    5. Showing too much skin or tattoos: What’s considered the norm in recent years is certainly not news, but there is a time and place for all things. Use your good judgement. If you work in an environment that is not creative and uber casual like a café or a coffee shop, then showing off your tattoos is probably not a good idea. The same goes for showing too much skin. It’s fashionable to wear bare legs with skirts these days, but don’t wear them to work with a mini skirt. And the same rules apply to cleavage in the workplace. It is distracting and not in a good way as far as advancing your career.  A good rule of thumb is if it’s questionable whether it’s okay for business or work, it’s probably not!

We’re all crazy busy these days, and it’s hard to have objectivity with ourselves, so it’s good to have reminders like this every once in awhile. We need to take the time to evaluate what’s working and what’s not working anymore for us. Repeat after me; “Change is good.”

The choice is always yours, make it a good one!

~ Lani

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