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Features & Series

TOP 2017 fashion trends: ruching, ASYMMETRY, ruffles, bowties

This fashion asymmetry trend is another favorite along with ruching and its everywhere right now: ruffles, ruching, asymmetrical hemlines and bowties! I hate being a ‘slave to the trends‘ but this one is easy because it’s not going anywhere! It is, however, our last post dedicated to these trends, where to find them, how to wear them, and what to avoid. To find it, head to Topshop, Shopbop, H&M and Need Supply. And if you want to do it right:

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Features & Series

TOP 2017 fashion trends: ruffles, RUCHING, asymmetry, bowties

This is my favorite current trend and its everywhere right now: ruffles, ruching, asymmetrical hemlines and bowties! And as much as I hate being a ‘slave to the trends‘, I’m in love with ruching because it’s so forgiving! This is our second last post dedicated to these trends, where to find them, how to wear them, and what to avoid. Ruching can be done anyway you please and its the perfect camouflage for that still-working-on-it midsection and adds just a

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Features & Series

TOP 2017 Fashion Trends: ruffles, BOWTIES, ruching, asymmetry

We see these trends everywhere right now: ruffles, ruching, asymmetrical hemlines and bowties! And as much as I hate being a ‘slave to the trends‘, I’m in love with ALL of them. This post shares the know-how on bowties, where to find them, how to wear them, and what to avoid. The key to bowties is not to go overboard because it can make you look like little bo peep….instead focus on the smallest part of your body (or wrists/arms)!

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Features & Series

TOP 2017 fashion trends: RUFFLES, asymmetry, bowties, ruching

They’re everywhere you look this season: ruffles, ruching, asymmetrical hemlines and bowties! And as much as I hate being a ‘slave to the trends‘, I’m in love with ALL of them. So our next four posts will be dedicated to these trends, where to find them, how to wear them, and what to avoid. Ruffles are meant to be a flourish — so going head-to-toe will just have you looking like you belong in a chiquita banana commercial. Rather choose

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Features & Series

remember mom always said to e-nun-see-ate

So you want those Loubies and you roll into the store to get them and the salesperson looks at you sideways because you pronounced them “loo-bow-ton“?! Yikes! Part of the cross you bear being a fashionista is educating yourself on the correct pronunciation of those French words like “Loo-boo-tahn” heels. I love this qick-n-dirty guide created by PureWow that shows you how to pronounce your favorite fashion designers. Now — go forth, click on your favorite item and purchase with your

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Features & Series

gearing up for the holidays

When I think of the holidays, home decor and clothing for Christmas day or even a snowball fight outdoors, Lands’ End automatically pops into my head! As a kid, my mom purchased our boots from there (or L.L. Bean) and they have the best outerwear to prevent numb fingers and that warm feeling you get in your toes when you’ve been outside shoveling too long! TODAY ONLY: get 50% off one item [code ENJOY50, pin: 2308]!! Choices are endless but

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Features & Series

Want Online Discounts?

Have you ever wanted something super bad and then got side-tracked, and forgot about it? Less than 24 hours later, you get an email reminder that you ‘left something in your cart’….. Just hold on and it’s likely an online discount will be yours. That’s the trick: leaving a few items in your shopping cart for a little while or a couple of days typically yields a follow-up notification along with a discount offer to incentivize you to purchase! Don’t

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Features & Series

The Benefits of Repetition in Dressing

It’s not a really big deal so don’t frown your nose at it…dressing using the same pieces can be a great thing! I know you secretly want to be “cali boho” one day and “ultra-fem, uptown sophisticate” the next but, for the average joe or jane, your wardrobe should consist, in large part, of similar items. As humans, we’re creatures of habit so once you find something that looks great (which is different from “….was available in multiple colors”) then

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Features & Series

New FREE Style Downloadables Available!

About three or four times a year, Blueprint for Style gathers all of the requests we’ve had throughout the year and creates a few new concise, one-page downloads focused on a variety of topics for men and women! They are all made available – for FREE – here! It’s an easy way to get style direction and inspiration from an expert on a topic that interests you. If there’s something you want made into a downloadable, let me know here….and

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Features & Series

BfS + Buick = Brownie!

I’ve been working with car companies for a few years now and everytime I get a car, I’m ecstatic and start planning “adventures” to put as many miles on it as possible. Thanks to @BuickUSA, I’m rocking a beautiful metallic brown Enclave so follow my adventures this week via Instagram using hashtag #BfSBrownie! At a minimum, we’ve got Tummy Tuck Training on Sunday (a few spots left..),  Nordstrom Anniversary Sale client shopping, Chile’s Peach Orchard, Cirque de Soleil’s Kurios, and

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Features & Series

Designer vs Diffusion Lines

Like Marc by Marc Jacobs, RED Valentino, Z Spoke (Zac Posen), and Miu Miu (Prada), the brand MICHAEL Michael Kors extends a cheaper version of the brand to cater to low-end retail outlets. Indeed when you’re rocking MICHAEL Michael Kors, you are really wearing the brand made to cater to a lower price point. Michael Kors is the real name brand, original line ~ where the bags and shoes are upwards of $1000 vs. $250. The clothes, shoes, and bags in

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Features & Series

Hodge Podge of Discounted Awesomeness

I realized there was a BIG sale at Net-a-Porter and went to see what I could see….based on what I needed. I saw this picture from the latest issue of EDIT and what struck me was how chic it looked in spite of it being mostly black, and how fabulous it looked even though it was just jeans. It’s all about the accoutrements! Surfing around you can still find a lot of very good deals. I finally scooped my rms

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Features & Series

Add Feminine Chic To Your Style Persona

Yep – just like that….in a jiffy! Only it’s not so easy but with a quick download of Blueprint for Style‘s latest “Fem Chic Cheat Sheet”, you’ll have a good idea of where to start, your top five feminine must-haves, and what to look for going forward. Enjoy the download! If you need more, consider a quickie style session. If there’s a “Cheat Sheet” idea you’d like to see or a topic you want illuminated, click [HERE] and tell me

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Features & Series

Thank You!

Blueprint for Style has some of the best customers around and we want to spoil you just a little bit. Today through November 25th, we’re offering 20% off any service! That’s it…. Update Your Look NOW! {once you’ve clicked the button and chosen your service, head to checkout. during checkout, add promotional code “Thank You!” to reflect the 20% discount}

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Features & Series

To Make Your Hair Fabulous….

…listen to Ashleigh, the owner of Taylor & York Salon! For weeks the girls kept asking when the ‘hair lady’ was coming and, sure enough, they brought all of their excitement to the table…and questions! One of our young ladies couldn’t make class and ran up to me before she left to say, “I can’t stay and it’s the ‘hair lady’ today, isn’t it?! I’m going to email questions!” Ashleigh handled it in the midst of scouting for future interns

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Dresses & Outfits

Let’s Talk Live: Five Holiday Dressing Money Savers!

[show_shopthepost_widget id=”1187375″] We all want to look fabulous for the holidays but who wants to spend all of their money on outfits? Just because we have an active social calendar doesn’t mean we should have to spend like it…..so, here are five essentials to add to your closet that can travel outfit to outfit while keeping you in the holiday spirit! Shoe clips Metallic blazer (or conversely, a metallic wrap for dressier functions) Metallic clutch Tuxedo pants (I love cream

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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

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Dresses & Outfits

co-LAB Style Conspiracy

So Kayla, of Freckles in April, and I slaved over this collection ~ we surveyed people (namely us!), we combed the style blogs and magazines, we went back and forth with each other – to curate this seven piece collection of fall items that ANY working woman could use as a base to get through the season. The items included: Print/patterned skirt Jersey throw-n-go dress Dark denim bottom Cream/white sneakers Versatile layering sweater Bad-hair-day hat (similar one) Fabulous button down

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Personal Reflection: Advice to My 27 Year Old Self

I had some thoughts to share with my 27 year old self…and thought “why not share them with you too because something may resonate with you now…or 20 years from now.” Dare I say, you’re going to get older and while you won’t look the same, you’ll still look good (it’s in your genes). Take this opportunity over the next three years to ask mom as many questions as you can possibly think of and if you’re smart, record the

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Features & Series

Style Challenge: I’m a Professional Who Wants to Push the Limits

Are you the woman who lives by day in a professional and fairly conservative work environment but your inner fashionista is screaming, “Don’t confine me!” Are you dying to push the fashion boundaries but your all-consuming work life isn’t making it easy? Three helpful hints: Choose bold jewelry – start with a few bold necklaces to frame your face and set off your outfit! Focus on statement pieces – under a navy suit, this stands out and by itself, it

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Fashion

How To Pack for ‘Hot & Humid’

I’m ten days into my working vacation in south east Asia (Thailand and Vietnam) and the temps have been hovering around 90+ degrees with 90% humidity. It can be hard to maintain your cool in that land of heat (unless you’re dressing for the beach). To make it “haute” in the hot and humid climates, abide by these 4 rules: Natural fibers are best because they allow a bit more movement – silk, cotton and linen… Don’t go too fitted.

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Features & Series

How To Do A Style Menage a Trois

Have you ever dreamed of a threesome? A print + 2 colors? One wrong move and your ménage à trois can go very wrong… Have a fulfilling menage a trois by following a few simple rules: There can only be one dominant…color! Everything should be in “sync” but not the same. So a floral + 2 hues of pink, or a black & white stripe + 2 hues of black (grey, platinum) Don’t do it everywhere! Focus the print and let

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Fashion / Style Events

My Top Ten Favorite Style Blogs

WhoWhatWear – when I am feeling uninspired, I go here because the team of writers covers every possible scenario you can think of and although it slants toward twenty and thirty-somethings, there’s all luscious tidbits to find Cheetah is the New Black – this blog does ‘laidback but curated’ to a capitol T! And the owner just opened up her store in Cali could I have that? – she has a leaning toward west coast casual but I love her most

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suede rubber, redecker, shoes, handbags, suede cleaner
Features & Series

Suede Rubber

I’m showing this on MANly Monday but this is a tool for anyone who owns suede! I’ve tried it and I’m a believer ~ Redecker suede rubber is EVERYTHING! Save a frustrating trip to the cobbler and get a bar of this to remove dirt and stains for your shoes, handbag, belt, even that vintage skirt….. Get it and make your 2015 go a lot smoother….having nice things is cool but taking care of what you have is just as

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