Blueprint for Style Wardrobe Styling & Image Consulting

Grooming

Save Face Right Now!

There is a clear trend toward men being more concerned about their skin care – you only get one face so why not spend a little time and money to make sure it feels and looks great! You don’t need that lavender-scented stuff or some yummy smelling walnut-vanilla cream but just start with great basics…..Innovative Skincare has a 3-step solution that can help you save face! These pharmaceutical-grade botanical ingredients are chosen specifically for the skincare needs of men. They are

2015/11/12

Accessories

Winter Socks

I’m always cold so “preparing” for colder weather is a bit of an undertaking. One of my main winter essentials is warm feet – and for that I enlist the help of Free People. They make these over-the-knee cable socks that are perfect for walking around the house (wood floors…), rocking with my Hunter boots (they have no insulation!), or just under my tall boots. When I mentioned that the ladies in my #personalbranding class at Washington School for Girls

2015/11/11

Furnishings

Accessories Make The Outfit

There aren’t many gamechangers out there for guys so, know this: everyone looks at your tie (bowtie) and pocket square. Whether you’re getting dressed for the holiday office party, getting ready to knock-it-out-the-park for date night, or just heading to the big meeting at work, there are a few ties every man should own. They are… Red – the red should be a slightly deeper red and focus on a print or pattern that is simple to start. Throw in

2015/11/09

Accessories

It’s Here: Balmain x H&M

The lines are three blocks long, items are SOLD OUT online already (even before the stores open)….for a 110-piece collection, the dresses are upwards of $200 and there’s plenty. Womenswear, menswear, jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, bags, everything…. That said, these EIGHT pieces are not only my favorite but will likely be rock-able for years to come!! Overall, nothing is cheap, it’s NOT Balmain but some of the pieces are fun. Here are the Balmain x H&M pieces to covet…..

2015/11/05

Dresses & Outfits

Office-Appropriate Holiday Attire

That time of year is quickly approaching and some of you may be getting a little antsy trying to think of what you’ll wear for this year’s holiday office party. Don’t worry – remember these few tips and, of course, check out Blueprint for Style’s TV segment on ABC7’s Good Morning Washington to see great options for guys and dolls!! Or check out the items below so you know exactly what to wear. Our rules to remember: The best “holiday”

2015/11/04

Health & Beauty

Personal Branding at Washington School for Girls: Health & Fitness

This week’s session focused on health & fitness and how they shape your personal brand was our most interactive session to date thanks to Ingrid Nelson, a local fitness expert and national Nike ambassador!! She talked to the girls about why fitness was so important, quick edits to their current lifestyle that can have BIG impact, and gave some real-life examples of athletes who “get” to be awesome every day and have to work to make that happen. The girls

2015/11/04

Furnishings

Farmers’ Almanac Says ‘Bundle Up’ This Winter

Just get ready now….the Farmers’ Almanac promises/predicts a colder than average winter for the East Coast and Midwest. Translation: buckle down and gear up!! If you had one of those lightweight trench coats sans lining – think twice! Our picks for an overcoat that will provide real protection without making you look like a yeti (or abominable snowman) are below….. And don’t forget the scarf – a little color and a lot of warmth! [show_lookbook_widget id=”248728″]

2015/11/02

Dresses & Outfits

Ready for the Weekend: Casually Chic Grey Day

It’s outfit inspiration Friday! It takes the best pieces that are on-trend like the vest and makes them wearably chic for anyone. I love the knit hat instead of a fedora because it keeps the look cozy and not overdone. There isn’t too much color either but it’s not dark or gloomy — grey makes a great substitute for black! You can also substitute the tall, mid-heel boots for ankle booties and keep it even more casual. Either way you

2015/10/30

Beauty

Personal Branding at Washington School for Girls

I was connected with the Washington School for Girls through Junior League of Washington and while I was unsure how I could help, I ended up teaching a fall course to nine young ladies in the 7th & 8th grade! The importance of understanding how their personal appearance and how they view themselves affects how other see them is a point that I’m working to “make real” every week. From sessions on key interview tips to nail care to looking

2015/10/29

Accessories

WINNER: Truffle Bag

This post is easy because it’s to announce the winner of the Truffle clutch contest. To enter the giveaway, all you had to do was post a comment on the original blog and another comment on any other recent posting….and you could earn extra entries by posting more comments. This bag is awesome ~ small enough to fit in a large handbag or a tote but big enough to hold a lipstick, smartphone and keys. Or, as a few people

2015/10/28

Furnishings

Go To Work Looking Like Business

Briefcases are all over the place but a slim case that can hold your documents and newspaper and even your iPad while holding its own are less common. Enter the Franklin Folio that says business but I don’t take myself too seriously; and I have real work (as opposed to I’m a student with an internship). For the more established, the olive reads perfectly but for the younger set, the red or light navy work too. Either way, loss the

2015/10/19

Outerwear

Ready for the Weekend: Casual Chic Cape

Capes are instantly chic. Capes require a little work (they don’t necessarily stay in place all the time). The drama of a beautiful cape is in the colors. The styling trick to wearing your cape is to balance the focal point: beautiful cape = simple look, or monochromatic cape = dramatic outfit. This photo from Urban Spotter says hurried professional rock star doing easy chic. You can accomplish the same with this colorblock cape! And the BONUS: it goes with

2015/10/09

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Luxe Color: Camel

There is something undeniably chic and luxe about the color camel. It telegraphs luxury, it says high-end, and it works with any color to add a touch of upscale! Indeed, it’s one of my staple colors (along with navy blue and red). It goes casual with denim or more formal with your dark-toned, after-5 suiting. I already have a few older pieces that I wear to death but, here are some newer items worthy of purchase: [show_shopthepost_widget id=”1055566″]

2015/10/08

Food & Restaurants

On The Road: Carry-on Cocktail Kit

On your next long flight (mine is coming up next week so I’ve already put my order in…), skip the coffee, tea, and soft drinks for a real cocktail! Thank Carry-on Cocktail Kit for creating three lovely travel-size tins to mix a real drink at 30,000. You have the choice of an Old-Fashioned, Gin and Tonic, or Moscow Mule (I chose the later). Ready. Set. Off we go!

2015/10/07

Accessories

Truffle Privacy Clutch Giveaway

Functional. Sleek. Versatile. Chic. I loved my Truffle bags so much that sharing made sense. And if you’ve read my book, Without Saying A Word, then you know I have no love for black thus, this giveaway is for the gorgeous teal/red privacy clutch (pictured above). The privacy clutch is made of textured leather, measures 6.5″ H x 10.5″ W so big enough for all your essentials, and has a minimal, sleek design to be worn alone or tossed in

2015/10/06

Accessories

4 Perfect Pair for the Professional Woman

[show_lookbook_widget id=”242634″] Did you catch me on Good Morning Washington this morning dishing on the four pairs of shoes every professional woman should own?! As a professional woman, you could cull your footwear requirements down to four pairs of shoes [not that any of us wants to]. Power heel – the shoe that says you’re kicking a** and taking numbers! Polished, pointy toe flat – the casual Friday look that shows you can still do business and step with the

2015/10/06

Footwear

A Fabulous Fall Flats Closet

Are you looking for some fab flats for fall? Here are 11 pairs of fall flats sure to add flavor and polish to any look you put together (starting from the upper left and moving in a circle to the right): Riley leopard print flat, $100 – get extra 10% off if it’s your first visit Suede ballerina with embroidery, $160 – only a few left Baylee Louise et Cie tweed flat, $129 – an easy way to amp up

2015/10/05

Grooming

Men Need To Do Skincare Too!

Innovative Skincare makes it simple: these four products offer antioxidant protection, promote cellular turnover and improve overall skin health! Better skin without a lot of fuss and fruity-smelling stuff. Keep reading….. Starting next week, we’ll be doing a giveaway of the men’s travel kit so great skin can be yours!

2015/10/05

Accessories

A Watch For a Lifetime

I am a believer that the parts come together to represent the whole — there is no truer a case for this philosophy than with a watch, right? Recently, I was reading an article in Marie Claire about what to splurge on at every age and it said that by age 45, it should be a really nice watch. Well, I am almost there so it’s time (no pun intended) to get serious about my watch selection. The options

2015/10/02

Accessories

Ready for the Weekend: Pretty Bags

I love a good bag that I can use to keep my makeup, tech peripherals, or handbag odds n’ ends. And we all know a love a good clutch too so, when I saw these Truffle bags, I got all tingly inside! They’re sleek. They’re functional. They’re versatile. They’re quality. I scooped a few different ones (the clarity document case, privacy clutch, and small clarity pouch which is TSA-friendly!!) and next week, Blueprint for Style will be hosting a giveaway of

2015/10/02

Hotels

On The Road: The Quin Hotel

How many hotels are in New York City? It’s not a trivia question (but if someone knows, please share…) Next question: how many hotels in New York City have Bergdorf on speed dial? Well if you’re lucky enough to stay at the posh Quin Hotel (rooms start at $600/night) then you are ready for real style! The room phones have a Bergdorf button that connects guests to a personal shopper. Enough said…

2015/10/01

Footwear

Work Pumps: Anything But Ordinary #ElevatedEssentials

[show_lookbook_widget id=”240942″] Work pumps don’t have to be boring. In fact, work pumps should signal you mean business and, in spite of your ability to ‘blend in’, you’ve got the goods to stand out…literally! Think sexy sophisticate. Think power professional. Think business bombshell. Think digital diva. Think savvy shogun. These are the shoes that can go with you from everyday meeting to girlfriend meetup at the Ritz to dinner at Rose’s Kitchen to date night at Mastro’s. Put them on

2015/09/30

Lifestyle & Tech

Washington School for Girls

I’m giddy with excitement to be working with the Washington School for Girls. It’s an independent, all-girls, Catholic day school serving grades 3-8 in Anacostia…and it’s tuition-free! Yours truly will be part of the Extended Day program and teaching a class on “personal branding” to seventh and eighth graders — it’s never too soon to understand your worth and how to project the value positively!! Each week, the girls will learn about a different aspect of their personal brand from

2015/09/29

Bottoms

The ONE COLOR to Add To Your Closet This Fall

I know I share the Pantone Color of the Year and what not but, this is not that. I’m talking a color that will set off your boring black but also play nicely with your camels, browns, tans, and khaki colors. Drumroll…..aubergine! [show_shopthepost_widget id=”1042084″] For the fellas, this should be fun because it gives you just a little somethin’ but still works with your dark suits and your casual Friday tan slacks. Note that you can get jiggy with some

2015/09/29

Men's Matters

Men’s Fall Must-Have #1: Quilted Sport Coat

Guys aren’t that complicated so the list of fashion must-haves is short not to mention for fall. I hypothesize that fall is THE favorite season for men because, in general, it fits into their style ethos of relaxed, cool, simple but comfortable. If that’s the case then there are FOUR fall must-haves for every man. So as not to inundate you with to-do’s, we’ll provide one each week for the next four weeks. Just keepin’ it simple. Today’s fall fashion

2015/09/28

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

Save Face Right Now!

Winter Socks

Accessories Make The Outfit

It’s Here: Balmain x H&M

Office-Appropriate Holiday Attire

Personal Branding at Washington School for Girls: Health & Fitness

Farmers’ Almanac Says ‘Bundle Up’ This Winter

Ready for the Weekend: Casually Chic Grey Day

Personal Branding at Washington School for Girls

WINNER: Truffle Bag

Go To Work Looking Like Business

Ready for the Weekend: Casual Chic Cape

Luxe Color: Camel

On The Road: Carry-on Cocktail Kit

Truffle Privacy Clutch Giveaway

4 Perfect Pair for the Professional Woman

A Fabulous Fall Flats Closet

Men Need To Do Skincare Too!

A Watch For a Lifetime

Ready for the Weekend: Pretty Bags

On The Road: The Quin Hotel

Work Pumps: Anything But Ordinary #ElevatedEssentials

Washington School for Girls

The ONE COLOR to Add To Your Closet This Fall

Men’s Fall Must-Have #1: Quilted Sport Coat

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