11 WAYS TO SHAKE UP YOUR LOOK THIS SEASON

After months of 40 degree weather, Macao finally got the memo that it’s FALL! Hooray. With this “official” change in season I have been feeling the need to shake things up a bit.

This shake up isn’t your standard summer-to-fall switch out either. Recently I have felt the need to reinvent myself. Maybe its my new-found singleness or that I’m just a girl that like to change her look quite often but something needed to change.

Here are 11 things that I’ve done to shake up my personal style. These tips work for nearly every season so give ‘em a try, it feels good.

1. Create a Pinterest board with looks that inspire you

I love Pinterest! It is probably my favorite social network. I use it gather inspiration for my clients and to gather inspiration for my personal style. I am constantly adding to my personal style board but I rarely go back and look at it. Well I did and I used to fuel shake up #2 …

2. Style outfits using the items in your closet to re-create those looks

My new style tradition is to style my looks for the week on Sunday night. I pull up my Pinterest board, get myself re-inspired, and then get to work. Its a fun way to bring new life to your existing wardrobe and an opportunity to try new things (style wise).

3. Sell the clothes you don’t wear and use the money to buy something new and exciting

I am a reformed style hoarder. In the past I was always terrified to get rid of clothes for fear that I’d need them someday or they’d come back in style and I’d be full of regret. Those days are done. Now I sell my clothes and use the money to buy new things that I will actually wear. I recently did another purge and it felt amazing.

4. Try out a new shade of lipstick

Makeup is the most inexpensive way to shake up your look. I have two signature lip colors but in honor of the shakeup, I am adding a new shade to the mix.

5. Get a tired looking handbag dyed for an instant refresh

I posted about this here and man is it an awesome way to shake things up. I recently took another bag in to get it dyed and am so excited to pick it up. Even doing something as simple as swapping your current handbag with a neglected one can help shake things up a bit.

6. Invest in a new pair of sunglasses

I am not the type of girl that wears a new pair of sunglasses with every outfit. I buy one really nice pair of wear them until I can’t stand them anymore. This season I am on the hunt for a “fun” pair to wear just to keep things interested.

7. Head to the tailor and finally get those pieces altered (you know what I’m talking about)

Last week I put on a pair of pants that I’ve had for YEARS but finally got tailored. My stars it was like getting a new a pair of pants. Take that sad pile of clothes that need to go the tailor or even to the cleaners and get that shit done!

8. Dress up for one week straight

This one is fun … If you usually wear jeans and tee shirts to work, go crazy and actually dress up. Wear a pencil skirt and a blouse instead. Why the heck not?! Stop saving your “good clothes” and take them out for a spin just because you deserve to look good and they deserve to be worn.

9. Swap your flats for heels

The older I get the less I care about being the girl who “wouldn’t be caught dead in heels”.  I wear flats because they are easier to wear and, lets face it, they are just more comfortable. Last week I decided to wear heels everyday and it was actually fun! Sure it was painful at times but I felt the “power” of the heel and it felt damn good.

10. Bust out the boots

Nothing says summer is really over like a pair of boots. Today I broke out my favorite pair of boots and it took my outfit up about 10 notches.

11. Do something drastic to your hair

I discovered something about myself last week and that is that I am a hair chameleon. I have been wearing my hair curly for over a year and I was sick of it. I’m not going back to chemically straightening my hair but I did decide to go get it flat ironed and OMG … I feel great! This was probably the most dramatic part of my shake up. I feel like a new woman and I have little confident boost that I didn’t even know I needed. So chop it off, dye it, or just re-style it for the fall/winter season.

Don´t be afraid to change things!!!!!

Changing motivates you!!!!!!

Marta Marques

THE TOP 10 SHOES EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN

Maybe I’m alone here, but … I’m a full-fledged shoe addict. Last week I found myself looking for the perfect shoe to go with my “perfect” outfit and I came up short. How can that be possible when you own an un-namable amount of shoes?

Just as your regular wardrobe needs those classic staple pieces, so does your shoe collection. It’s great (and necessary) to own fun, statement shoes but ladies, lets not neglect the classics.

With that being said, I have compiled a list of essential shoes that every woman should have in her closet. As I always say, invest in well-made shoes. Quality shoes will not only last longer, in most cases will be more comfortable than the cheap stuff.

Remember, you don’t have to run out and buy them all at once. Pace yourself, plus then you get to go shoe shopping more often.

1. CLASSIC BLACK PUMPS

Opt for the pointy toe version, as they will elongate your legs.

2. ANKLE BOOTS

Don’t let the fact that they are boots fool you, these are great for all seasons.

3. KNEE-HIGH BOOTS

Because every woman has the right to feel extra sexy sometimes.

4. STYLISH SNEAKERS

I’m not talking about your gym shoes; grab a pair that you can wear for comfort and style.

5. ANIMAL PRINT SHOE

This attention-grabbing yet still neutral print will stand the test of time.

6. BALLET FLATS

These classics are also perfect for running your daily errands.

7. EVENING SHOE

Because sometimes a girl needs to get fancy.

8. SANDALS

Give that fresh pedicure the attention is deserves.

9. WEDGES

Comfort, height, and style – all in one shoe.

10. STATEMENT SHOE

Told you there was a place for fun, statement shoes. Grab a pair that instantly upgrades the dullest of outfits.

by LAUREN MESSIAH

I love shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marta Marques

5 NO-FAIL LOOKS IF YOU ARE BIGGER ON THE TOP

If you want to really dress your best, it’s best to keep your body type in mind while shopping. You can have the best outfit in the world on but if it doesn’t make YOU look amazing then, “Houston, we have a problem.”

This week’s “5 No-Fail Looks For Your Figure” post is all about the ladies with large busts. It is very important to choose the correct silhouettes, patterns, and styles because one wrong move can have you looking larger than you actually are. I’ve yet to meet a woman who wants that to happen.

Here are 5 go-to, no-fail looks that will have you looking your best in no time at all.

1. ROCK A BLACK TOP

Keep the colors darker on the top (black is always a solid option) to help downplay your top half. Balance out the look with a colored or printed bottom because visually it will give you a more proportional look.

2. GO FULLER ON THE BOTTOM

The idea here is to create balance or an “hourglass” shape. If you already have the top-half filled, then you need to add to the bottom. What better way than with a full skirt.

3. THROW A JACKET ON

Jackets can be tricky for the large  busted ladies but when the fit is right, it can create a really flattering shape. Opt for a collarless jacket or a single button that allows plenty of room for your top half.

4. ALL-OVER PRINTED DRESS

All-over prints confuse the eye and therefor downplay your problem area. Bonus points for belting it. This creates a new focal point and really helps build that hourglass shape.

5. LENGTHEN WITH A SCARF

Draw the eye up-and-down instead of across your chest with a long printed scarf. A scarf is also a great way to instantly upgrade a “boring” look.

by LAUREN MESSIAH

Enjoy every tip, THAT'S why EVERYONE needs a Personal stylist :)

Marta Marques

TO MATCH OR NOT TO MATCH? THAT IS THE QUESTION

image via PopSugar

A variation of this post was originally published on Glam.com

As a stylist, this question comes up pretty darn often. Should my bag and my shoes match? My go-to answer has always been “heck no!” Not only do your shoes and bag not have to match, I encourage them not to. But as many of you know, in fashion there is never a pat answer to any style question.

So, to match or not to match – that is the question.

Here is the good news, you are “in” if you match and you are “in” if you don’t match. Isn't fashion great these days?

With that being said this year I have been seeing a lot of matching going on from the runways to the streets. The trend of the matching sets, once a fashion rule and then a fashion faux pas, has been seen on just about everyone. Trends come and go quickly in the fashion world, and the fashion world is known to be a bit “fickle.”

I am here to tell you that you can rock the “matchy-matchy” trend without looking like your grandmother.

MODERN SILHOUETTES ARE KEY

An over-sized clutch or a sleek tote paired with oxfords or an interesting boot is great pieces to try the matchy-matchy trend with. Utilizing modern accessories will keep the look less “old school” and more today.

KEEP YOUR COLORS IN CHECK

If you want to try this trend then please make sure the colors actually match. If you miss the mark on the color matching then it looks like you tried but missed the mark. Slight variations in color aren’t noticeable if the distance between each piece is far (bag and shoes) 

START SLOW

Maybe you aren't ready for the full on bag and shoe matching extravaganza. Try matching your shoes to you hat instead, or your bag to your bracelet? Like I said before, rules are meant to broken so have fun with it.

Marta Marques

by LAUREN MESSIAH 

How to Make your own closet - Lauren Messiah tell her story

IKEA HACK: DIY CLOSET ISLAND 

   

I have wanted a center island for my closet since, like, FOREVER! When I moved into my Hollywood Hills house I had a room devoted to my wardrobe and what that bad boy really needed was a center island. I had a custom closet company come by to do an estimate the most basic looking one was well over $2000. Yeah no. In hindsight it was actually good that I didn’t get something custom made because I later had to turn my closet into an office.

Now I have moved out of that house and into my own little 2-bedroom bachelorette pad. I turned the second bedroom into a closet and it’s staying that way! My handyman installed some cool custom shelving for shoes, custom racks for clothes, more shelves for bags, and custom rolling racks for more clothes. You know what the closet is still missing? A damn center island!!

I already knew that the custom route was a no-go, so I looked at my other options. Home Depot does custom work but that was pricey too. My handyman knew a guy but then you have to figure in parts and labor. So I took to the internet to find a cheaper solution. Enter this lovely blog post about an IKEA hack that will give you a closet island for around $300. Done and done.

So last night I went to IKEA and bought up my supplies. With a little Lauren-style decorating, this island would be the greatest thing my closet had ever seen. Hopefully. I do have some pretty terrible IKEA related memories and I’d being doing this ALL by myself, so …

WHAT I BOUGHT

• IKEA 2 x2 Expedit Shelving Cubes in High Gloss White (3)
• IKEA Silver Legs (6 packs of 2)
• IKEA Expedit Drawer Inserts in High Gloss White (2)
• IKEA Knobs 2-pack (2)
• Marble slab (50″ x 35″) *coming soon*

WHAT I USED TO DECORATE

• Cute tray
• Stylish books
• Flowers
• Scented candle
• Jewelry busts

HOW TO DO IT

1.) Build the shelves. They are shockingly easy, especially for IKEA but if you are easily frustrated bribe a friend with pizza or hire someone to do it for you.

2.) Drill in the legs. This part is trickier because the shelves don’t have pre-made holes for the screws. Definitely use a power drill or a handy friend.

3.) Arrange the shelves. I took the advice of the DIY blogger and I didn’t bond the shelves together. They are all just sitting there nicely in case I ever want to use them somewhere else in the  house.

4.) Add a topper. Ok so I wanted to add a topper to my island right away but when I found out the price?! Yeah no. A piece of marble (how good would that look) will cost me $1400! I decided to downgrade to granite, $850! Alright, lets downgrade to fake-ass marble … $550. So basically I am leaving the top alone until I can score a great deal. It will happen. Mark my words.

5.) Decorate. This is really what takes this from a piece of crap from IKEA to a stylish closet island. Stacked books, jewelry boxes, a tray, fresh flowers, jewelry busts, candles … all of these little things take the island to the next level.

Okay maybe I shouldn’t have put the extra beautiful inspiration pics up before I posted my pics but here they are.

I am actually quite happy with how the island turned out. A good temporary fix until I have the funds to build my REAL dream closet. The next phase of the room is to get a fancy-pants chandelier and some more shelving on the walls. God I love my closet.

by LAUREN MESSIAH

I really love this IDEA. I have to love it, i will try for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy

Marta Marques

5 NO-FAIL LOOKS IF YOU DON’T HAVE CURVES

Dressing for your body type is probably the most important element when it comes to putting together a solid/ flattering look. Unfortunately it’s also the most difficult part. With fashion magazines and style bloggers force-feeding the latest trends down our throats, it’s easy to get caught under the style spell. That shapeless dress that Olivia Palermo made look so effortless and chic can quiet easily make it look like you ate an entire Thanksgiving turkey in one sitting. Not exactly what most of us are going for when we get dressed in the morning.

I am freaking stylist and even I can fall victim to this. Last week I bought the most fabulous and comfortable Prabal Gurung dress. The small was too big (uh, that never happens) so I got an XS … that was too big too. I decided to get it shortened but didn’t get the waist taken in. I figured I could go for a baggy mini dress type of thing. Problem is, I have an hourglass figure. In person I looked cuter than a damn button. However in photographs I looked like a spaceship. I should have listened to myself and gotten it nipped in at the waist or belted it. Live and learn.

In this little blog series that I’m calling “5 No-Fail Looks For Your Figure”, I will style up 5 looks that will you have your shape looking like its best self. First up is for all of my ladies with no curves. Enjoy …

 1. TRY HORIZONTAL STRIPES

Just as vertical lines draws the eye up and down your body, making you look taller and leaner, horizontal move the line across your body creating the illusion of having curves. A striped top or dress will not only make you look incredibly stylish but it will also make you look curvier than you actually are. The wider the stripe, the more body you’ll have.

2. BALL SKIRT

When you are lacking curves and want them, you can use additional fabric to your advantage. A exaggerated skirt paired with a interesting top or necklace can help fake an hourglass silhouette. You ladies are also one of the only body types who can successfully rock the voluminous trend without looking larger than you actually are.

 3. LAYER IT UP

Add a little dimension and depth to your look with layers. You curve-less frame welcomes the added bulk, so pile it on.

 4. WIDE LEGS PANTS

Skinny and slim cut pants can be great for girls with no curves but they can also be problematic too (if you can’t fill them out). Enter, wide legs pants. These stylish pants are making a comeback and will add volume to your frame.

 5.  BELTED DRESSES

Belts are probably the easiest and most inexpensive way to fake curves. Belt a baggy dress for an instant hourglass figure.

Enjoy every tip

Marta Marques

by LAUREN MESSIAH