Happy New Year!

Out with the old, in with the new...2008 was a hard year for most people. So our cash flow might be running on low for a little while. It's time to re-evaluate what's important and what really makes us happy on the inside. Once we like ourselves and are happy (i mean really happy) not superficially happy, everything else is icing. That's enough philosophizing! 

Start making a list on where you would like your style to go. Are you more the put-together-head-to-toe girl, or are you the less high maintenance but doesn't-give-up-on-individual-style-girl. Neither one is better than the other, but your approaches to buying and figuring out where you want to go is different. When you're looking through the pages of Vogue, InStyle or even US magazine, start ripping out looks and celebrities you are drawn to. Even though those clothes and accessories are a little more than maybe you would like to spend, you can start collecting key pieces and start building your closet wardrobe. 

I always get the question, "how do I know what's a key piece"? A key piece is something that can always pull a look together. Like a great coat (vintage or new), a multi strand pearl necklace, an amazing pair of shoes or handbag. Accessories are the easiest pieces to keep "key." It's because fashion changes quickly, that if you try to keep up with it you'll probably hit bankruptcy pretty quickly. Keep silhouettes simple but with a pop of trendy. If you're dressing trendy head to toe, you'll be disappointed the next month. Fashion will have already moved on. If you keep it too simple, sometimes you may look dowdy or boring. So it's finding the balance within the two. 

Just look inside and don't be afraid to pull it out of you. Take you're time in finding who you are. My dad always says, "figure out who you are and dress accordingly".