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clutter is a mindset

Clutter is a mindset – get clear and change the game! Clutter is just a reflection of a lack of clarity. If you don’t know what you want, what works for you, and what you need, you end up with a cluttered closet. This is why you keep everything. Take a few minutes each day to get clear and focused. Doing so will help you get ready faster, look better, and be better prepared, all while saving you money. If

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jackie kennedy’s wedding dress designer

It was Ann Lowe. And, yes, I’m talking about the Jackie Onassis Kennedy who married JFK in 1953. Now, that that is out of the way, let me share why the once brilliant twinkle in my eye for Jackie Kennedy has been diminished. She did the unthinkable and never gave Ann Lowe her ‘roses’. When a reporter asked Kennedy Onassis who the designer of her handmade artwork was, she responded, “a colored dressmaker.” She had an opportunity to go high even though

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summer wardrobe staples

[shared on LinkedIn] The summer wardrobe staples every busy professional should own. The list is not endless. The list is a starting point. The list varies a little by industry. The list requires the application of your #personalstyle. Your SUMMER STAPLES include: 1️⃣ Lightweight, light-colored suit (not necessarily to be worn together) 2️⃣ White bottoms 3️⃣ Bright-colored tops 4️⃣ Smart layer (which we discussed in this post) 5️⃣ SPF (we favor this one because it goes on clear) 6️⃣ White

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one warm weather wardrobe must-have

[shared on LinkedIn] Say that three times really fast! This is one wardrobe #musthave every busy professional to own to build a versatile, summer wardrobe for work. On to business, summer is upon us so expect two things if you are heading back to the office: 1️⃣ a longer commute than you had from your bedroom to your “kitchen” office and 2️⃣ a [very] cool office. On the heels of a global pandemic, the lower temps were seen as good

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webinar: dressing for success in a hybrid world

Recently, in conjunction with the University of Michigan’s Alumni Association (AAUM), I conducted a 50-minute virtual webinar to help anyone who was doing business or working online or digitally. Dressing for Success in-person was hard enough – trying to determine the company culture, understand what Friday casual meant, or make sure your summer casual still looked like business. Well post-pandemic, the equation changed and requirements going forward are different, so your work/business wardrobe needs to change too. We reviewed where Dressing

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event! advice to put your best foot forward

Excited to join fellow Alumnae, Marci Wilf and Jane Gold, to talk about ways to advance your career & personal brand! This virtual event will be on Tuesday, May 24 starting at 8 pm ET. We’ll be discussing the topics of authenticity, personal brand building, and confidence in-depth, and providing tools to add to your career- building toolkit. SUPER excited for this – and would love for you to join! You can register [here].

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your seven summer pieces

Truth? The average American wears one of the same seven pieces in at least 43% of their outfits today…gulp! What are your seven pieces? This summer – dress for the summer you WANT! Schedule a quick complimentary virtual session to see if Blueprint for Style can help you live your best life this summer – and look the part!

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my cousin died in the Buffalo shooting…

Yep – my cousin Pearl died in that mass shooting in Buffalo but she would have forgiven the shooter. Thank you to my @KnowYourValue and @MSNBC family for allowing me to share a little about Pearl, so you can love her like we did! Read more here..

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metallic accessories for wedding season

2022 promises to be the Year of the Wedding! And given the packed schedules, you’ll want to think about your outfits now to avoid being caught out there! And unless your weddings do not feature the same group of folks and you’re not taking photos, you’ll likely need to think ways to save early. Lucky, you have Blueprint for Style! To make it a little less expensive, you can do the following: Opt for accessories in one metallic color palette

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ig live with @urbsuburbstyle

JOIN ME and Paul Gulch of @urbsburbstyle on Instagram …. on Wednesday, February 9th at 6pm PST/9pm EST We’ll be talking style tips, style trends, and style finds that will help you this new “casual” #wfh thing better! Walk away with the deets on Fashionably Casual and how to make it work for you during this phase of the pandemic … We all need a little help – let us answer your questions!! See ya there!!

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books & bras event

NOTE: to receive your 10% discount and complimentary bra fitting, you must have or purchase a copy of my newest book, The Creatives’ Closet.

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totes for everyone!

One thing that won’t ever change, whether you’re headed back to the office, to a local coffee shop for a change of pace, or jumping on the train for a workday trip, is the need for a FUNCTIONAL but FASHIONABLE work tote 👜 that can carry the essentials (read: laptop, tech peripherals, clutch, scarf, phone, etc) My picks for GUYS and GALS – no matter what your budget is – include … [show_lookbook_widget id=”501225″]   System tote by @Cuyana –

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for the work-from-home professional

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is happening right now – and there are lots of deals to be had! Aside from those sales, there are must-have items that are wise to have as you continue on your work-from-home journey. I’ve found this tray invaluable! no sides so my laptop can straddle the bed and the tray perfect flat surface for your coffee … and phone stand! chic enough to work as a cheese tray or serving platter once work is over!!

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The most basic outerwear essential is a chic, camel trench coat
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the most basic but essential outerwear

Simply put, there is no piece of outerwear more basic but more essential than the trench coat! The one pictured is [here] – French-inspired! Flexible – check! Versatile – check! Classic – check! Essential – check! Burberry has a beautiful, more expensive version which  I love but whatever you do, heed the following recommendations: Go for camel [or navy]. Make the hemline just at or below the knee. Ensure it’s waterproof Get a removable waist belt And, while not essential,

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The must-haves to add holiday sparkle to any outfit or occasion
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must-have holiday *sparkle*

This year, more than in years past, we need to do holiday sparkle and find the joy of the season! It’s been rough year so, instead of all of the glitter clothing and Christmas outfits, I’ve found 9 items that can bring enough holiday sparkle to make you the bell of the Zoom ball….still! [Starting from the top left and kinda looping around]: Two-toned glitter clutch box in navy/gunmetal by Sondra (also available in gold/gunmetal) Silver glitter nail polish by Mischo Beauty Shoe clips Sparkly

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Monica Barnett with a big smile because of a recent business win
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the entrepreneur’s “grind”

So people will call it a grind but there’s a large part of me that thinks it’s a grustle [grind + hustle]. People ask why I’d work 80 hours per week vs. 60 per week elsewhere. The answer is simple: every hour I’m putting in is like giving to myself! 20 years ago I would have said, “No way!” and now you couldn’t get me to give it up… Today (figuratively), I help people align and perfect their visual resume, show up

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A stack of gallery copies of The Creatives' Closet
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book launch: the creatives’ closet

This book has been about two years in the making and there is a story behind — connect with me and I’ll share it or check it out here — but it’s finally here! On Friday, October 2, 2020 the go-to style guide book for female side hustlers, influencers, entrepreneurs, & empire builders will go live. The Creatives’ Closet is an essential business and style guide for any woman who understands that her personal brand IS her professional brand, and it holds

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no brainer classic ankle pants

They are moisture wicking, water repellant, and 3x dry fabric. And right now they’re under $60 – and go up to size 12 so it was a no-brainer!! I sccoped them in the petrified oak color so they could work for spring and fall when I need to go from casual living to impromptu business meeting…. WINNING again!!

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work from home attire

The new normal, at least for the foreseeable future, is working from home >> so video conferencing, teleworking, and lots of chatting with co-workers from the chest up! In your new social distancing scheme, you’re still going to be making coffee shop and grocery store runs and even meeting at a friend’s house to get something accomplished…. Do it in style and protected with this awesome jumpsuit ~ which happens to be 50% off!! Take your true size…it hits just above the ankle so

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first-ever online sample sale for m.gemi

I love the M.Gemi brand! It’s evreything that is right about footwear ~ handmade, small quantities, quality craftsmanship, Italian leather….. And they are having their FIRST-EVER online sample sale and the BONUS: everything is in perfection condition! But it won’t last long….

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my february impulses & obsessions

My focus for February was work so just about everything I scooped will be used for the furtherance of the empire…lol!! My impulses… josette harlow jeans by imogene & willie hot pink a-line dress by cos stores teal tulip-sleeve dress by badgley mischka navy blue straight-leg jumpsuit by black halo undone lipstick by kosas superstar cream deodorant by routine [works like magic!] printed slingback pumps by paul andrew [fierceness for the stage!!] My obsessions… higonokami short knife by imogene & willie g-ro carry-on luggage by g-ro [I’ve been wanting it

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casual Fridays with flair

  You’re a professional! But how often do you come up short on casual Fridays? Casual Fridays are your time to exhale but also a subtle test to make sure you understand the company brand. With these eight (8) items in your closet, you’ll be ready to rock and put your best foot forward but also show your personality too!

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a lesson in high-waisted denim

I want to share my style lessons so you can make the proper adjustments or not fall into the same rut… In this instance, I am talking about the lesson of ‘high-waisted’ jeans. They are NOT made for everyone! I wanted to make these work because they were selvedge denim ~ they were straight leg styling ~ they were worn in and slightly distressed. Everything signaled “love” until I got them home and rocked them to the Marsha Ambrosius concert….bad.

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BBBS presentation

Always an honor to speak with anyone who is willing to listen….and an even bigger honor when it’s “all about the kids”! Although you cannot attend because it’s for Big Brother, Big Sister Philadelphia members, you can quietly cheer and then reach out to me to tailor a session for your group!

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have you ever been in love?!

I have many times ~ and each time, I made the purchase [regardless] of price without hesitation. See. Love. Buy. Mine! How many items do you have in your closet that you pass by [daily] because it’s not quite the right size, you have “nothing to wear with it“, or it doesn’t quite fit anymore. After coming from my girlfriend Sandra’s place, she has effectively eliminated almost all of the clothes that are “iffy” ~ she has a closet full

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