Discovering Your Personal Style

Recently, I’ve added style photos to my social media feed.  I wanted to share my personal style, which is categorized as chic and modern.

This leads me to the topic for the blog post. How can someone discover his or her personal style? Essentially it’s about self-awareness and understanding your clothing preferences. The definition of style is, “a distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed.”

The first step to discovering your personal style is identifying a style icon. Do you prefer the total appearance of Lady Gaga or Michelle Obama?  Grab a few magazines and create a stylebook.

The next action is to visit your closet and examine pieces you have worn on numerous occasions.  This could be a fedora hat or cardigan sweater.  Are those items complimenting your features and body type (circle, triangle, hourglass, rectangle)?

Rebecca Minkoff

Consider your lifestyle and occupation when curating your wardrobe.  A corporate executive should invest in a high quality suit; same concept applies for weekly Pilates sessions.

Accessories are the best assets for discovering your personal style.  They allow you to change a look without purchasing new clothing.  A classic wristwatch can upgrade an inexpensive blouse.

Ultimately, it’s about feeling great and presenting yourself in a positive manner!

H&M Large Earrings

Quick Wardrobe Tips:

  •  Invest in alterations for ill-fitting items
  •  Use the dry-cleaners sparingly – can damage clothing fibers
  •  Spend extra money on work shoes, blazers, jeans, bras, suiting, and outerwear
  •  Find unique pieces at consignment or thrift shops

 

Designer David Meister Appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue

Fashion Designer, David Meister will make an in-store appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue Tysons Galleria on Saturday November 19th from 1PM – 5PM.   The designer will showcase his Fall/Winter 2016 Collection.

About David Meister:

Fashion designer David Meister is recognized alongside some of the most respected figures in American fashion. Meister’s name is synonymous with sophisticated, beautiful, body conscious women’s wear and his list of devotees reads like a who’s-who in the world of fashion, entertainment, and the arts. Meister’s designs are a red carpet staple, gracing the bodies of some of the most recognized women in Hollywood including Sophia Bush, Diane Lane, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sofia Vergara, Jane Lynch, Queen Latifah, Fergie, Tina Fey, Amy Pohler, Sigourney Weaver, Jane Fonda and Sharon Stone – among many others.

 

Local Holiday Season Events and Shopping

It’s time to start pre-planning for the holiday season.  I love to travel with my family but also enjoy partaking in local events. Holiday season planning is a mandatory task because it enables me to have a good time while being present (in the moment) with my kids.

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Photo Credit | Just Destiny.com

Why not take a break from shopping and indulge in a cup of afternoon tea?  The Townhouse Tea Shoppelocated on Olmsted Street was featured in Southern Living Magazine.  Relax with a friend and grab a cup of gourmet coffee or delicious pastry.

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Photo Credit | Yelp.com

Winter Wonderland at Railroad Park will host its annual ice-skating event starting November 26 2016.  Guests can purchase hot cocoa along with their family skate rental.  I’ve always enjoyed skating and this might be on the top of my holiday list.

If you’re obsessed with entertaining supplies and Santa Clause this is the perfect local suggestion. The Summit Birmingham will host its annual holiday kickoff with Swoozies Birmingham, Lights Up.  This event will include a parade, fireworks, and potential mall shopping.

To help us get around with ease and eliminate the question, “where should I park?”  Saks Fifth Avenue has a promotion with Uber allowing new users $20 OFF a ride to their store.  In the Uber app, enter code SAKS2016*  – this promotion alone will encourage my shopping with Saks this holiday season.  Plus, I actively use Uber and wanted to share with everyone here!  Don’t forget to check out their Holiday Gift Guide (click here)

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Saks Fifth Avenue – 2016 Fall Preview Catalog

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Fashion industry professionals are prepping for the upcoming fall season. Designers and retailers actively work behind the scenes; creating new visual displays to showcase merchandise and entice customers.

Saks Fifth Avenue is no exception.  The company provides an online 2016 Fall Preview catalog for shoppers to start planning their purchases.  A few of the trends shown include suede jackets, saddle bags, and motif designed clothing. There’s also hints of block heel pumps and plaid wrap midi skirts.

Shopping for the next season can be fun with the right store, merchandise, or price!

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David Meister Fall 2016 Collection

David Meister has taken this collection to a whole new level with a diverse, ready to wear collection of cocktail and evening dresses. Trends within the collection include flirty florals, colorful graphics, and sophisticated cuts.

The looks can be found nationally at Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdales, as well as in select specialty stores and through www.davidmeister.com.

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Daniel Lawson and Lafayette 148 New York Fashion Presentation

Emmy Nominated Daniel Lawson, Costume Designer for “The Good Wife,” Joins

Lafayette 148 New York for Exclusive DC Fashion Presentation

This season, Emmy nominated costume designer Daniel Lawson will be joining Lafayette 148 New York for an exclusive fashion presentation at Saks Fifth Avenue at Chevy Chase, Maryland on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 11am.

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Daniel Lawson

“I can always rely on Lafayette 148 New York for their chic, elegant and modern looks to put on my leading ladies,” says Lawson who has been using Lafayette 148 designs on CBS’s critically acclaimed drama series “The Good Wife” starring Julianna Margulies, Christine Baranski and Chris Noth, and is often cited as one of the “best dressed shows on TV.”

Lawson will be joined by Kate Bennett of Politico’s “The KBG File,” for the fashion presentation to discuss Fall 2015’s biggest trends for both work and those off-duty moments.

Guests at the event will learn how to style the new collection for work as would Julianna Margulies’s The Good Wife character, enjoy champagne and sweet treats, and have the opportunity to work with Dan Lawson one-on-one after the presentation.  Interested guests can reserve their space by emailing RSVPChevyChase@s5a.com.  The event will also feature ‘instant pretty’ make up consultations by Bobbi Brown.

The Lafayette 148 New York Fall 2015 collection is a nod to the 70’s done in a soft neutral gray palette.

For more information about Lafayette 148 New York, visit www.lafayette148ny.com.

National Coffee Month Lifestyle Segment – WBAL TV Baltimore

August was National Coffee Month and people everywhere celebrated this delicious beverage.  I’m an avid coffee drinker and brew a pot daily.  Some people like to enjoy a cup of tea but there’s a few tricks to brewing coffee at home.

Kimberly West

I like to use filtered water for the best results; add hazelnut (or vanilla) syrup along with creamer and sugar.  If you’re monitoring your sugar intake, substitute with a sweetener.  Take your coffee up a notch by adding whipped cream and cinnamon.  As a hobby, my mom and I like to purchase flavored coffee beans such French Roast, Pumpkin, or Caramel Pecan.  It’s fun to taste the various spices and scents!

Also, the best place to store a bag of coffee is in a cool, airtight container to ensure the flavor’s not lost.  Last Sunday, I had the chance to share coffee, espresso, and tea brewing products on WBAL TV Baltimore.  I am always enthusiastic about discussing fashion, parent, or home products.

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IMUSA Electric Espresso Maker | IMUSA Espresso Set | KRUPS Savoy Machine

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Krups Burr Grinder | Ten Thousand Villages Mugs | T-Fal Electric Kettle

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Chatting with Jennifer Franciotti

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Smiling with Miri Marshall, Meteorologist

I had a great time visiting WBAL – TV Baltimore and hope the items (shown) will encourage my audience to enjoy brewing products at home.

National Wear Your Lilly Day – June 21st First Day of Summer

Lilly Pulitzer®, the authentic resort fashion brand owned by Oxford Industries, Inc., (NYSE:OXM), is thrilled to celebrate the long-awaited first day of summer, June 21st, aka National Wear Your Lilly Day in a bigger way than ever before. Never needing a cause for celebration, Lilly Lovers will toast their lighthearted lifestyle and the sunny days to come in their favorite Lilly pieces.

 

Summer is bolder and brighter and in the world of fashion, Lilly is THE resort brand to fulfill those requirements. The perfect answer to a jet-set lifestyle inspired by their Palm Beach roots, the Lilly world is filled with bright colors and wild prints. Whether you’re at a pool-side soiree, weekend wedding or burying your toes in the sand, Lilly Pulitzer’s classic chic styles and personality-filled prints are always bound to kick your summer into high gear.

 

Lilly will also be spreading the celebration on June 21st in-store, online, and via their social media platforms. Just like Lilly opened stores wherever she had friends, on National Wear Your Lilly Day you will find well-known friends of the brand painting your Instagram feed in colorful prints and sunny illustrations custom made by the Lilly Print Studio. Taking the social media a step further, this summer Lilly is innovating with a user-generated content gallery via Offerpop Commerce that turns the hashtag #summerinlilly into a shoppable feed from bright & stylish Lilly Girls.

 

Finally, Lilly Pulitzer retail and signature stores will be partying Saturday, June 21st with music, sips & sweets, giveaways and much more!

 

Shop the Summer Collection at www.lillypulitzer.com so you are ready for the First Day of Summer!