YOU ARE WHAT YOU READ//

One of my favorite things to do is read magazines - specifically magazines about style, fashion, and design. All magazines, however, are not made equal.  Standing in line at the grocery store there are the likes of US Weekly, People, Cosmo, etc. and all of these are complete crap (which is part of their appeal).  But if you are looking at these for fashion tips, look again.  These publications show a variety of celebs in shots ranging from movie premiers to "everyday life" and most of the time, they look like crap.  Demi Moore and the like have stylists (ahem Rachel Zoe) and the Paris Hilton types are rich idiots dressed up like stripper Barbie.  Any way you look at it, the images in these magazines are not ones to aspire to or compare oneself to.  Point and laugh at the plastic surgery, borderline eating disorders, veneers, and overly produced looks and walk away.
Moving up the ladder of sustenance are magazines devoted strictly to fashion - Vogue, Elle, Bazaar.  There are talented folks working at these publications and in order to stay on top of what's new in fashion and style reading these magazines is a must.  Experts such as Sally Singer (Vogue) and Kate Lamphear (Elle) and of course the queen of all things fashion Anna Wintour are behind these publications and they have found a way to bring the guts of the fashion world to the masses.  They are a little celebrity heavy (hey, it sells!) and trying to interpret the looks on the models runways is hard.  But looking at these magazines can help you begin to understand what to fill your closet with and how to style them.  I personally tear pages out that "speak" to me and save them for inspiration.
The most "nutritious" magazines are the ones that incorporate style, fashion, art, and design while keeping the focus off celebs and all the mainstream trends that over saturate popular media.  These magazines focus on people whose everyday lives are stylish, they aren't necessarily famous or drop dead gorgeous but they are far more interesting because they understand that fashion doesn't exist in a vacuum but that it intersects with all elements of our culture: art, music, economics, design, etc.  In this way, fashion becomes more than just clothes and shoes but part of our cultural makeup that everyone participates in (whether they realize it or not).  Whether you shop at TJ Maxx or Bergdorf Goodman or any variation in between, you are participating in "fashion".  Doesn't it make sense to participate in an educated and empowering way??  

From left: French Vogue editor in chief Carine Roitfeld is possibly one of the most stylish and chic women in the world.  While I love American Vogue (all hail Anna and Grace) there is something magical about its French equivalent.  I can't really read any of it but looking at the images is like entering a fantasy world.  I think getting a European perspective on fashion and style is really important (plus the French know style like no one else).  Seeing the differences between the French and American interpretation of trends and style opens up a new avenue for creativity in your own wardrobe. 
Industrie is a magazine published in the UK and they claim to be "The world's first culture of fashion magazine".  With thick, non-glossy paper and oversized images and print, it feels like a cool newspaper and truly touches the culture of fashion in a global way.  The fashion spreads feel like art, not a ploy to sell you something. 
Love is my favorite of the bunch.  It is the brainchild of uber stylist and fashion powerhouse Katie Grand.  This too is published in the UK and only comes out twice a year (thank God I have a great friend in London who sends them to me!).  It is a very photography led magazine (the best and most creative photographers have free reign here) and although it focuses heavily on the "ins" of the fashion industry, it is quite accessible and fun (there is a quite a bit of nudity!) and fashion is integrated into every story and the context of each subject, just as it should be.

 From left: V Magazine is an in-your-face approach to fashion journalism.  You aren't going to find lengthy stories written about trends or people, mostly just larger than life photographs that tell a specific, and sometimes controversial, narrative.  Nudity is splashed here and there and fashion seeps into every angle from art to personality profiles to music.
i-D Magazine is yet another gem printed in the UK and has a unique perspective on all things stylish with it's tongue in cheek attitude and collage-like layout.  There are a lot of great interviews with folks from all walks of style (some you've never heard of but end up being really interesting) and when you are finished perusing this publication, you feel like you have been to a party with people so cool it feels illegal.  
W Magazine is the "who, what, where, when, and why in the world of style".  While this "slogan" is a bit cliche, it is true.  Recently, W got a new editor, Stephano Tonchi and it has a new direction and feel (good and bad).  This is now the kind of magazine you have to be prepared to read, it is very article heavy, but the writing is quite good and and the fashion photography is still some of the best.  Having Kim Kardashian on the November 2010 cover is a bit off-putting but spreads on artists like Barbara Kruger make up for it.  Again, the way Tonchi focuses on style as opposed to fashion is refreshing and makes W a more "intellectual" pursuit than most.

WWW.//

For someone who loves to shop, I hate shopping.  I love hunting for that perfect shoe, piece of jewelry, coat, nail polish, anything really.  When you are passionate about fashion and style, your wardrobe becomes an extension of yourself, something you nurture and care for.  With my work, my goal is to help everyone, fashion crazed like me or not, learn how to nurture their wardrobes and personal style. Nurturing your wardrobe and style means staying true to yourself in a sophisticated, practical, authentic way by choosing new pieces wisely and eliminating things you have literally and figuratively grown out of.  

In order to do this, you must shop.  Love it or hate it, it is just inevitable.  I have spent time on both sides of this equation, as a shopper and a salesperson.  My experience as a boutique owner opened my eyes to the needs of customers and the difficulty good salespeople face.  The sad fact is that good salespeople are few and far between so customers are often left to their own devices.  All stores, even the most high end, have problems with customer service - the fact is that to be guided properly through a shopping experience you must have someone helping you who is first and foremost knowledgeable about the products they are selling and someone who is sensitive to your personality can detect when to help and when to back off.  Here are a few "rules" that my experience has taught me:  if you walk into a clothing or accessories boutique and the people working there do not represent the atmosphere of the space they probably don't know anything about the labels, the fit of the clothes or how to style them appropriately. Just like in education, the smaller the size of the class/place you shop, the greater your odds are of getting proper, well informed help.  Shoppers must be prepared for all kinds of things when they go out into the jungle of consumption.  Your best defense is a good offense - people like me are out there to give you the tools to help yourself so you don't have to listen to the daft salesperson following you around the store trying desperately to make a sale.  If you know what you are looking for, what your wardrobe needs, what fits you best, and how to combine all those elements, you don't need ill-informed, style-challenged salespeople to help you and you can navigate your shopping experience without too much stress.  

OR...
you can shop on this little invention called the internet!!  I say a prayer every night for internet shopping. It is heavenly and if you haven't discovered the benefits of shopping online, you are way behind the times!  Most of the shopping I do for my clients is online.  It doesn't matter if I am looking for something very specific and hard to find or something widely popular; I can find it quickly and painlessly on the internet.  No, you can't feel the fabric or try it on, but don't you want to do that in your own home anyway?  As long as you have a few days to spare, you haven't lost anything by shopping online.  You have saved the headache of traveling, dealing with crowds of people, incompetent salespeople, etc. It's a no-brainer really.  There are hundreds of online boutiques and some are fine-tuned and actually practice better customer service than most bricks and mortar stores. Here are my go-to sites.  Do yourself a favor and give online shopping a try.  It takes a little practice, but it is the way shopping is done these days.  There isn't anything you can't find...

Lagarconne.com is probably my favorite "place" to shop.  It is clean, easy to navigate, carries the best labels, shows them styled, and has great customer service. 

 Net-a-Porter.com is the leader in luxury e-shopping.  You can find pieces here from the highest end to the most wearable basics.  Everything here is seamless - customer service is the best I have seen anywhere.  The photographs are of highest quality and you feel as if you are trying things on while you search the site.  Founder and CEO Natalie Massenet is a genius and has created the model for what online shopping should be.  

 
Most people know Shopbop.com - the selection is huge and the customer service is impeccable.  This site will keep you updated on new trends and show you how to style them.  The buyers for this site have really figured out how to reach the largest audience possible - everyone can shop here with ease.

Revolveclothing.com is another site much like shopbop.com where the selection of labels and prices is huge and makes for a thorough shopping experience.  They have a sister site, forwardforward.com which is great too and focuses on higher end brands.  This site is on the edgier side (which I love) but still has great things for everyone.


Check out the links on my site to lots of other favorite sites as there are too many to feature here!

MOMS RULE//

Part of what I do with my company is helping moms get their style and mojo back.  Being a mom of a 2 and a half year old and with one on the way (8 weeks to go!!) I know how difficult it is to be a mom and feel attractive, cool, and sexy.  It is far too easy to let your appearance and style go, but doing so is a mistake and can make you feel old, worn out, and frankly depressed.  There is nothing vain about wanting to look good - it is amazing how your confidence and attitude towards life in general changes when you can walk into your closet, effortlessly pick out a simple and chic outfit (even if it is to run errands) and go into the world looking like you care about yourself (everyone around you will also be grateful that you aren't in a worn out, unflattering, velour sweatsuit made by that one brand, oh what's it called...Juicy something??!!) 
 
The fact is, if you don't have a well stocked wardrobe filled with classic essentials, it is close to impossible for busy moms (or anyone for that matter) to feel good about what they wear.  A wardrobe needs to be updated seasonally - this doesn't mean going on a spending spree, but in the fall and the spring, you should do some homework (consult an expert, read a fashion magazine, etc.) and see what colors, shapes, and pieces are current and see what you are missing.  While you are updating, get rid of things that are past their prime so you are constantly infusing your wardrobe with updated classics and getting rid of outdated trends.  Moms get into ruts with their wardrobe because the focus is elsewhere and the time to shop or clean out your closet just isn't there.  I want all moms out there to know that letting your style and confidence in your appearance go is NOT okay.  Of all people, you need to find a way (hire a consultant!) to make this a priority.  Just because you have stretch marks from pregnancy and haven't lost all all that weight and things hang in ways you never would have imagined doesn't mean you can't walk tall, look hot, feel great about yourself, and set an example for your kids and others about what is means to be a powerful woman.  I have done posts in the past about essentials that all women need (review if necessary) and some of those essentials include accessories - a great shoe, piece of jewelry, or handbag.  I believe that money should be spent on these things more than certain pieces of clothing - cheap leather looks cheap, cheap jewelry looks cheap and knock offs are not an option - so spend your money where it matters most and invest in well-made, beautiful accessories.  

I am currently 8 months pregnant and have had to get creative with how to maintain a sense of style as I grow and grow and grow and feel tired and gross most of the time.  Just because you are pregnant or have just had a baby and still feel like you are in an alternate universe physically and mentally doesn't mean you can't accessorize, or plan for the future.  Nothing boosts motivation to get your old self back like having new pieces hanging in the closet waiting for you.  Here are some of the ways I have invested my money while pregnant - most of these things I can wear now and love (except the Dries van Noten blazer!) so as to maintain my style mojo.  Whether you are a mom-to-be, a stay at home mom, or a mom with a family and a career, these are the kinds of things you can buy that will start to put you back on the style map.  

Celine riding boot/Dries van Noten blazer/Natalia Brilli gold leather cuff/Isabel Marant two-toned bootie/Ann Taylor scarf

 photos by E. O'Mahony