Blueprint for Style Wardrobe Styling & Image Consulting

Beauty

beauty bombshell: correct order to apply skincare products

Boom ! It’s real y’all! There IS a correct order to apply your skincare products to make sure they’re working….and given how much we spend on our products, we need to get it right! Celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau says products should be applied according to the size of the molecules they contain – so generally thinnest formula stuff first to the thickest! What gets us (read: ME) confused is that every skincare brand has its own philosophy

2020/08/18

Jewelry

nice to meet you: black-owned jewelry brand

Black-owned jewelry brand, Mateo Jamaican-born Matthew Harris Launched the brand in 2009 – started with a men’s collection before venturing into women’s jewelry! CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist in 2017 It’s sleek and sophisticated wearable art! Pieces are mostly made from 14kt gold

2020/08/16

Style

jeans are out. joggers are in.

So says WaPo, most financial indicators, and ‘the streets’! Jean sales have been on the decline for the last five years but the pandemic added another nail to the coffin. Athleisure, conversely, is doing much better! True Religion, Lucky Brand and G-Star RAW have declared bankruptcy since April The parent company of Joe’s Jeans and Hudson Jeans filed for Chapter 11 protection in May In July, Levi’s posted a 62% [plummet] in second-quarter revenue and announced plans to cut 15%

2020/08/16

Bottoms

perfect, perfect, perfect pants

Just thank me after you get these! I kept getting emails in my inbox and finally took some time to look at them – – Water-repellent fabric dries faster with quick-dry technology Commuter waistband Hidden zipper at back for keys and cards Hidden waistband pocket engineered for phone to lay flat against your body Reflectivity hidden under cuff for visibility Among other features….I was sold! After purchasing my pair, I’m sold. They will be my go-to breathable pants for

2020/08/15

Footwear

problem: no pedicure for 120+ days but I want summer shoes!

problem: I’ve been without a pedicure for 120+ days so cannot wear flip flops so what can I wear instead? solution: sneakers are NOT the answer but smoking slippers are – they are no-pedi summer shoes!! I happened upon the “Mon Amour” smoking slippers and got excited. They didn’t have my size (they run true to size!) so I snatched up the black “Cheers” option pictured above. I love them because they feel snug on your foot, the material is

2020/08/15

Accessories

nice to meet you: cute, fun jewelry designer

nice to meet you: Larissa Loden, a woman-owned business that crafts jewelry by hand in Minneapolis! They make lots of fun jewelry including necklaces (I have a cute one that reads GODSGIRL!), bracelets, and the like. Everything is very reasonably priced and they’re professional but fun-loving! The bracelet pictured above is a vintage rope chain available in limited quantities…check it out here! It’s ideal for everyday mixed with some silver arm candy and a few other bangles. Larissa Loden –

2020/08/13

Style

problem: my mask is functional but not cool

Problem: I’m a ‘team player’ and using the disposable mask but they don’t make me feel stylish. Is there a mask that is functional but fashionable too? Solution: This is an easy one because you just need to get something that works for you! The best facial masks to own have a few features in common…. you can breathe in them when worn properly they stay up without you having to hold it in place it shows your personality it’s

2020/08/13

Style

style guide for working moms

Working moms lead many lives…not to mention their own so nailing their own personal style can get dismissed! This downloadable style guide gives working moms their must-haves along with a lot of other insights critical to looking good and feeling great. Enjoy!

2020/08/12

Style

a one-piece swimsuit

Simply put: one-piece swimsuits can be sexy! I’m not sure where or when the idea came about that bathing suits that were one-piece (aka maillots) weren’t cool but, as with anything, you just need to find the right one that highlights your assets. I scooped this red one here and also scoped the black one too – and will get the pretty pink one before it’s over. Don’t stop there – I also found this textured, golden rod-colored one here which

2020/08/11

Style

problem: I’ve got to go back to work but not sure what I need

Problem: After 100+ days of living in sweats/leggings, I’ve got to go back to work (3 days/week) but I’m not even sure what I need to wear or have in my closet. Solution: Easing back into your kinda everyday work life after living in leggings/sweats + tee can be touch! You can do it in 7 steps!! [Sounds crazy but…start showering everyday and getting up at a decent hour] Pick-up your drycleaning – it’s been 100+ days and you never know what

2020/08/10

Grooming

men’s wardrobe & style essentials guide

Grab your complimentary downloadable guide here…..

2020/08/08

Style

problem: do I need bottoms for video conferences?

Problem: I’m doing video conferences almost everyday but do I have to put on bottoms or dress up below the waist? Solution: YES – you want something to cover your ‘special parts’ just in case there is a camera malfunction….or you stand up, forgetfully! For every client, I have the same advice along with the links to purchase the essentials. Create two uniforms so you have them at-the-ready. Ideal men’s pants and perfect women’s bottoms! Wear a nice top

2020/08/07

Beauty

problem: mask + makeup, do I need both/either?

Problem: I’m starting to head out and everyone is talking about wearing a mask, but if I wear a mask, do I need to wear makeup too? Solution: Simply put….Yes. Yes. Yes and Yes. The mask: we’re in the midst of a pandemic people….so unless you are by yourself or with individuals you’ve been quarantining with…..YES, you need a MASK! The makeup: while it’s not necessarily ;life or death’, makeup is your new lifeblood to facial recognition! Here is what

2020/08/04

Fashion / Style Events

problem: i want the perfect white shirt!

Problem: You’ve tried sooooo many options but none of the shirts quite meet the ‘perfect” standard. What is THE perfect white shirt? Solution: There are lots of options out there….but some are too loose, too fitted, not long enough, not classic enough but this white button down is tried-and-true-and-PERFECT! STOP complaining that it costs more than your other shirts because if you add up the costs of all those others, this one cost less than that! Invest in looking awesome so

2020/07/30

Style

problem: I’ve been dressing for a pandemic for 4 months

Problem: pandemic + I haven’t bothered to ‘dress for success’! Solution: start small but be decisive! If you’re living on planet Earth then you’ve been living through a pandemic and depending on where you are, you’ve been holed up in your house or your partner’s house, and haven’t had to truly get dressed for 100+ days! To keep this simple, three solutions to get you moving forward to look and feel better: Throw away every t-shirt that has yellowed arm pits

2020/07/27

Bottoms

repurpose 4 pieces to work-from-home

A BIG thank you to NBC News for sharing my styling insights via their Know Your Value initiative! There are 4 [unexpected] pieces you can re-purpose from your closet right now to look put together as you work-from-home. The pieces include tank tops, and….(read more)

2020/07/13

Features & Series

my june obsessions & purchases

June Purchases The most basic but versatile piece in any closet is a button down white shirt. I found a beautiful one for summer here and it’s reasonably priced! I don’t like it but I’ve been reading that you need to wear a mask while running so I got this sweat-wicking, breathable mask!! I am 100% into wearing multiple necklaces so acquiring this Larissa Loden necklace! I’ve been researching and confirmed the BEST face masks I’ve used to date are these

2020/07/01

Features & Series

ClosetCARE service

ClosetCARE is here! We heard from several clients, old and new alike, that they wanted help maintaining the personal style gains they had made during in-person sessions or via ongoing services, so Blueprint for Style create an entirely new service to ensure current clients can continue their style journey! ClosetCARE is a monthly maintenance service. For a [super] reduced hourly rate, we’ll conduct conduct virtual closet check-ins, create monthly Top 5 Focus Items lists including direct links for purchase, address any

2020/06/11

Features & Series

11 goals for 2020

I started off 2020 with great intentions as did many of you. There have been some derailments, to say the least, but we persevere. I do not create New Years resolutions but rather focus on accomplishing larger milestones on my life journey. For any woman over the age of 30 years old, I would challenge you to create aspirations that you can build upon yearly. For me, I pray I can share my accomplishments throughout the year and they will all

2020/06/05

Features & Series

my may obsessions & purchases

May Purchases I had to get a garlic keeper because I was sick of having the bulbs just hanging out on the counter! My girlfriend, Steph, told me to grow up and get it so I did I sweat [not glisten] when I’m outside doing my socially-distant walk/jogs so I find my face needs more exfoliating. I scooped this Josh Rosebrook cleanser/exfoliator and I’m officially glowing!! I mentioned working out – – I need to do double-time after being away

2020/05/31

Footwear

clogs: they’re earthy stylish but are they good for you?

I’m a huge fan of clogs and it started, in earnest, when I was traveling almost everyday as a health care consultant. Clogs could be thrown on and off easily, they provided a little air circulation if you were headed to a warmer climate, and they provided protection if you were headed to a soggy or cooler climate. That love for clogs matured into the Dansko’s (you know the ones medical professionals roam the halls with…) and most recently, I’ve

2020/05/22

Beauty

my nails look a mess!

Before I had any idea quarantine was coming, I had decided to get my nails done and, to make matters worse, I had decided to get a gel manicure. Bad decision! Fast forward to day 50 of lockdown and my nails looked like a hot *ss mess. First ~ Steph saved me by doing a drive-by with some acetone nail polish…thank you! Then ~ my IG surfing yielded a new company called Static Nails that basically promises at least seven

2020/05/20

Lifestyle & Tech

post-quarantine – which fashion norm will you subscribe to?

When this pandemic slows down a bit….I mean this first wave at least….I am certain we’ll be re-surfacing with some new fashion and style norms. I can see a few factions popping up now like the “denim for everything” crew, “leggings for life” group, etc. I’m on the fence but likely sticking with my original idea: dressing for comfort & versatility! Which quarantine dressing faction are you joining?! [poll id=”16″]

2020/05/18

Style

my longstanding love affair with denim

I’m not sure when I came to admit it but I’ve had a longstanding love affair with denim for as long as I can remember! I thought it happened when I became an entrepreneur in the early 2000s and got to see how flexible it was but no. I thought maybe it happened when I purchased my first pair of $200+ jeans in Philadelphia with my friend Natalie back in the mid-90s but no. I wondered if it was when

2020/05/15

Features & Series

9 do’s & don’ts of quarantine dressing

I’ve been working with NBC News’ [know your value] team since last year. I contribute to their efforts with style articles every now and then – and this latest one details the 9 do’s & don’ts of quarantine dressing + some of my favorite pieces to make working from home easy! My guidelines include: DO create a uniform. DO focus on flexible pieces. DO rethink beauty and makeup essentials Read the rest here….

2020/05/13

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

beauty bombshell: correct order to apply skincare products

nice to meet you: black-owned jewelry brand

jeans are out. joggers are in.

perfect, perfect, perfect pants

problem: no pedicure for 120+ days but I want summer shoes!

nice to meet you: cute, fun jewelry designer

problem: my mask is functional but not cool

style guide for working moms

a one-piece swimsuit

problem: I’ve got to go back to work but not sure what I need

men’s wardrobe & style essentials guide

problem: do I need bottoms for video conferences?

problem: mask + makeup, do I need both/either?

problem: i want the perfect white shirt!

problem: I’ve been dressing for a pandemic for 4 months

repurpose 4 pieces to work-from-home

my june obsessions & purchases

ClosetCARE service

11 goals for 2020

my may obsessions & purchases

clogs: they’re earthy stylish but are they good for you?

my nails look a mess!

post-quarantine – which fashion norm will you subscribe to?

my longstanding love affair with denim

9 do’s & don’ts of quarantine dressing

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