V-Style

First For Women Magazine Photo Shoot

Last month I styled the lovely Mary Jo for her feature in First Magazine For Women. Her professionalism and endurance made the shoot an absolute delight. 

Photography by Rob Andrew, Make-Up and Hair by Elaine Garcia

Personal Stylist Purchase - Bebe Blazer

I adore the casual blazer! I can feel so claustrophobic and uncomfortable in the usual structured blazer. When I spotted this for a client in Bebe, I made sure to go back immediately and pick up the exact one for myself. It is the perfect light grey, it is so yummy soft and the fit is sexy fabulous. I pair this with jeans, pencil skirts, shorts and some dresses. This cotton blazer is so fabulous and versatile I can wear it with a client, to a party and even use it in a photo shoot. Definitely one of my favorite purchases of the year. 

Product Review: gla.MAR.ous Headbands

When I cut my hair smoldering short last year I was in a constant state of panic, not because of the look so much, but because there is hair in my face. There is hair in my face. There is hair in my face. Ah! I couldn't stand it. Now, my hair is about chin length and although I can tuck it behind my ears now, it is still a bit of a battle with these darn wispy bits hanging about my face.

To avoid all the hassle, I have been on the look out for attractive and smart ways to comfortably keep my hair away. Not too much turned up for me. Standard headbands looked too neurotic to me and eventually gave me a headache. After that I was left with hats and sporty elastic things. Which is fine, but mostly I have been wearing this purple cotton thing my mom made in the early nineties. Obviously, all this goes down in my private life, not with clients. 

Luckily, I was shipped a sweet piece of headband from gla.MAR.ous. I could even get away with wearing this in front of some of my clients. Made from a zipper, the gla.MAR.ous patented headband is embellished with various colors, textures and adornments, but the one I love is the simple black metallic headband. It is adjustable, stylish and effective. My only qualm with it is the pink logo. As you know I am not a fan of logos, and the dash of pink does not work with all outfits I would want to pair with the all black headband.

Apart from the headbands, gla.Mar.ous collection also has adorable fringe tops. Fabulous additions to a beachy lifestyle or warm season get-up. I even used one in a photo shoot I styled recently for photographer Jonah Gilmore.

My product reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I never accept payment for product reviews although I am given the sample to keep. If I am sent something that is unimpressive or boring I don’t write about it.

My Most Recent Photo Shoot With Exquisite Weddings

My most recent work for Exquisite Weddings magazine is now on newsstands, but to see my favorite shots simply scroll down. My favorite part about styling this bridesmaid spread was taking a more fashion forward view on the idea. 

   

A Recent Photo Shoot I Styled

 

Hands down, my favorite part of my job is styling for the frozen image. Of course I love changing the lives of my clients as a personal stylist, but putting together an outfit or look for a camera rev's my little engine. Here are a few images from a shoot I styled for photographer Helene Cornell last month.

 

  

 

How To Look Slim In Pictures And On Camera

Last week I was hired to dress eight fabulous women and one upbeat fella who have lost anywhere from 25 to 275 pounds using a popular weight loss program. Although it is obvious how much weight they lost, the goal was to make them look their most slim for their testimonials. 

Before I share with you the fashion tips to looking your most slim in front of the camera, I want to give a whopping praise to the dedication and strength it took for these people to change their lives. I had a perpetual tear in my eye listening to these people talk about their life before and after the weight loss. These people feel unstoppable now. Nothing is too hard or scary for them anymore. Applause.

Now to looking slim in front of the camera. For Kelly, pictured above, when I first asked her to try on the skinny jeans she was upset. She thought skinny jeans would make her look bigger instead of slimmer. I asked her to trust me and try them on. She had never looked slimmer. The slim fit with slim leg will make a woman look... slim. Boot cuts, and flare legs interrupt the long line of your leg making you look wider and as a result look shorter as well. As long as the skinny jean isn't skin tight, you can bet on a flattering look.

I chose the top she is wearing because it hits her mid hip and has center front ruching. A top that has a close-to-the-body fit and hits mid-hip will create a long torso. The ruching will hide any imperfections on the belly with it's subtle bunching.

For Melissa, our second girl pictured, I used the skinny jean tip as well keeping in mind that solid colors are the most slimming. Three-quarter length sleeves also creates lean arms and the look-at-me buttons marching in a line up her torso gives a longer look. 

For our last woman, I put her in a v-neck blouse with a band at the end. The v-neck is a thinning look for all the women because it shows off unaffected skin and creates a flow to the look. With a band on your top you can raise the top up a bit, so it can lift away from her belly to hide any imperfections while still showing the thin width at the high hip. I chose the slacks for the straighter leg to create that lean look, but in a thick ponte fabric to hide imperfections. Also, you will notice I put all the women in heels.

My Groomsmen Spread in Exquisite Weddings

This month features my most recent work in Exquisite Weddings Magazine. Men are no longer just renting a tux, they want some of the spotlight too.

Statement Jewelry Dresses Up A T-Shirt

Every fashion consultant, style book or magazine will tell you that statement jewelry is the easiest and least expensive way to modernize your look, dress up your look or just stand out. Pictured below are photographs from a recent photo shoot I styled for photographer Rebecca Wilson. We decided to really take this advice to heart and have a Tee party.

CREDITS:

Photo 1: Bracelet by Miriam Jewels, Necklace is stylist's own

Photo 2: Necklace by Design by Micha

Photo 3: Ring by Design by Micha, Necklace by C.linea

Photo 4: Earrings by Miriam Jewels, Necklace by Gordana Gehlhausen of Project Runway Season 6, Ring by Chan Luu, Bracelet from Nordstrom

Photo 5: Ring and bracelet by C.linea, earrings are stylist's own

San Diego Magazine Cover Shoot

Last month I styled a photo shoot for San Diego Magazine's Cover spread on hot new restaurants. I used fabulous jewelry from Design By Micha, and clothing from Banana Republic and Neiman Marcus. I must say ladies if you have not checked out the Banana Republic shoe collection you are missing out. As for the fella, next time you are getting a gift for your man consider the BR. The clothes are stylishly conservative and the fits are amazing. As for my favorite look of the shoot, I would have to say the blue toned Gucci dress on the cover. It says, "I am on holiday and I am ever so chic." Although that long sleeve Diane Von Furstenberg top in the last picture is quite fabulous...

My Coat Photo Shoot

I recently did a photo shoot displaying some wonderful coats and jacket for this chilly season and I wanted to share the images with you. It just goes to show, all you need is a fabulous coat to make a stunning, look-at-me appearance...