"Hair's a Thought..."

"I Hate my hair!" How many times friends do hear this or say this in the course of a day? Better yet, how many times do you see someone in the street or even (shhhhh) someone you know and think, "She really needs to do something with that hair of hers." So..."HAIRS" the thing..... In my opinion if you're pushing past 35 you should NOT have hair longer than the tips of you shoulders, and unless you're working out or your 12, your regular everyday hair-do should NOT be a ponytail.

"Hair" are my reasons...(I promise i'll stop with the pun thing after this..)

First of all, as you get older, in case you haven't noticed, stuff starts to droop and hang. Gravity is rapidly drawing us down and it's happening everywhere on us including our faces. When that starts to happen, hair that is too long and hanging down ACCENTUATES this long-faced, drawn out, yes...older looking face!. I hate to say it girls. I know many of you want to hang on to your hair clutching it like a security blanket, but if your past 35 you really need to hack some of that off. Now I'm not saying you need to run out and get a "Sharon Stone" but if you fit into the category where you're reaching that age group and you can actually BRAID your hair, you really ought and need to consider a new, shorter, up to date style. I think shoulder length hair is more than plenty long if you're that attached to it but it still needs to be chipped or layered slightly around your face to give it some movement and to help "lift" your face naturally. I swear it can take years of your life. Click here to take a look at this little slide show if you have a minute. Notice not all of these women took a lot of length of but just enough to soften and shorten the look of their faces. (ok I know the make up and happy faces help too.) See what I mean? Nothing drastic was done, no shaving of the head was involved, just an update and a few measly inches here and there. If you're really brave, for my friends that live out here in Central Mass, take yourself over to Salon Sogno and see Jack or David or any of the great stylists there, and tell them I sent you for a makeover. For my peeps on the South Shore, check out Charles David Salon. Both are FABULOUS!

Oh What Will I Wear For the Holidays?

With the upcoming Holidays fast approaching, I've been asked by some fashion conscious friends of mine.."What should I wear to a semi-casual gathering?" O.k well maybe not in those EXACT words, but you get the picture. For a dinner out at a restaurant, I am a fan of the dress or a the skirt with a great pair of boots. The look is still dressy, but not over the top and it's not going to leave you feeling "over dressed". Pants work nicely here too with some great shoes and perhaps a satin blouse or something even with a little sparkle. Definitely accessorize and it's a MUST that you switch out the big everyday hobo bag you lug around to a clutch or small handbag.

Here's a few great looks from Ann Taylor . Save the look on the far right for the dressy-dressy holiday bashes, or tone it down with a boyfriend blazer. P.S. right now they have some great sweaters for $49.50!!, buy one for a gift, or create an outfit for yourself by matching one with a sexy cami and great pair of velvet pants! Don't forget you can make any of these looks more glam with some flashy (but over the top) jewelry. Enjoy the season!!! (we'll talk after the 1st on maybe how to hide those few holiday pounds...)

Open Toes and Panty Hose?? NO!!!!!!!

I get this question a lot. "is it ok to wear pantyhose with an open toe shoe?" Here's the answer. Listen people, we are all individuals with our own sense of style, we like what we like and some of us don't really care who agrees with our fashion choices, but my opinion on the subject? I would rather have my toes fall off than to have them seen in an open toe shoe with nylon wrapped around them. It's just wrong.....there are only 2 reasons why one would choose this option... it's a horrible mistake, or there is clearly a medical reason (like a vein problem) See this picture? Seriously who among you out there find this look appealing? Especially with the reinforced toe thing going on.. I just threw up in my mouth a little... I will say however that a month or so ago I did see a picture of a girl in a magazine with a really cute pencil skirt, a very textured colored tight and a chunky not too strappy, platform shoe that was passable. There are some strict rules here women before you adopt this look, so listen up. It is WISE to match the shoe to the tight, it CANNOT have a reinforced toe and the shoe MUST be of winter weather color and material. Do NOT attempt this look in a summer sandal with a kitten heel and a nude hose, you will look ridiculous and will only succeed in drawing negative attention. If you have ANY questions, please feel free to contact me directly, this is a case of fashion emergency!!

Add Some Color!

I was playing around with the layout of the blog today and thought I'd "style" it a little bit by changing up the color palette. This is a good idea and the best time to change YOUR color palette!. If you're always one to go towards a dark "safe" color, be bold and try something new!. Some really great colors for this winter season that I'm loving lately are the rich, deep jewel tones. You know the plums, the teals, the orange-y reds. Add one or two pieces to your wardrobe and look out!. They are bright but still warm and they'll take the place of your fading summer tan in the way of color. Can't afford a that new blouse or sweater? Add the colors in the way of an accessory. A bright scarf tied at your neck or worn as a belt, or even tied around your purse punches up anything from jeans to a pants-suit. Still too much? try a great colored over sized bangle or a jewel encrusted pair of earrings and you're on your way!

Boutique Day!!

Well today is the day that Franny P's Boutique (located in Norwell, MA.) is coming to my house!! Owner/operator Kristine Pourier is bringing her beautiful shop to my home to let my friends and theirs shop till they drop. Lisa Miller is also bringing along her jewelry designs, and my head has been spinning with all sorts of new ideas. The fashion tip for today is, try and build your wardrobe up a little at a time with a few great, classic pieces. A black pencil skirt, a well fitting pair of jeans, a basic blazer. Most of us has these key pieces already in our closets. Try pairing them with different items and create your own signature look. A work-style blazer over a simple T and jeans is a punched up casual look, especially with great accent piece, like a fabric flower pin on the lapel. I found one at whitehouseblackmarket in a great burgandy color, check it out!! right now they are offering buy accessory item, get one at 25% off. Nancy is wearing that exact look with a great pair of peep toe shoes and slim black pants (which she already had in her closet.)

Finish Your Outfit!!

Ok, you have the dress you have the shoes, you did your hair and make-up..What's missing? Oh right, the accessories!! Do not even attempt to go out the door without finishing that outfit.. Accessories are the icing on the cake, the bow on the present, the final, perfect finishing touch that will complete your whole look. Jewelry is one of the best ways to accent an outfit and help create your signature style. I especially love the jewelry from Lisa Miller of Lisa Miller Original Jewelry Designs. Choose from her current collection or have something custom made just for YOU! Lisa is available for home shows, custom orders and repairs. Call her to buy yourself something something fabulous, or better yet book a show and earn it for FREE!! 508-873-1814

Well, I decided to start a blog today. I thought at first it was mostly going to be about style and fashion, but after thinking a bit more, decided to add some other random thoughts to the blog, because after all, we all have them. I'd like this blog to be a place where people can come to get some ideas on clothing and accessorizing, but also a place to have a laugh, share some ideas, and maybe just vent a little. Sticking to fashion first however, here's a thought...Those of us living in New England KNOW that we are forced every day to watch the weather report before heading out the door. We never know what be from one minute to the next what will be in store for us. Today is a day for cozy...It's cold, it's drizzly and it's dark.. That doesn't mean sweats and a T people, we still have to have some style!! Depending on what your plan for the day is, work or play, I'm totally into dresses lately. There are a TON of versatile dresses out there ladies, you just need to think outside the box and get one on. Try one with a pair of tights and boots or over leggings or jeans. It's a no-brainer idea and you can really "dress" it up or down. See my website www.stylefromyourcloset.com to see a Nine West dress wrap dress over jeans. Funky look, comfy and way stylish..