When my 14-year-old daughter walked downstairs one morning sporting a fancy new pair of Birkenstock sandals, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. First of all, I had no idea she had purchased these and I certainly never pegged her as an earthy-crunchy type.

My apparent shock at her uncharacteristic footwear forced the question, “Mom, what are you looking at – do you hate them?”

My answer, “No! In fact, I love them!”

Birkenstocks, Baby!

At this point, I ran out to the garage where I was pretty sure I’d tossed my old Birks several summers ago after a random painting project. I was so excited to share in Ally’s new found love of Birkenstock footwear, I nearly tripped running out the door.

Upon my enthusiastic return, Julia took one horrified look at Ally’s and my feet and said, “What are you two doing? Those are awful.”

And so, the Birkenstock camp discussion ensued. I explained that you either love Birkenstocks or you hate them. Julia made it clear she was in the hate camp. I took a quick trip down memory lane recalling when I first slipped into my own hippie sandals. This was in the early nineties, fresh out of college, post-1980s neon and the grunge movement at it’s peak. Then, my sister’s reaction to my new, crunchy look was the same as Julia’s…not a fan.

Then, and even now, I liked the transformation I felt when in one moment I’d be happily dolled up in fancy heels and the next minute I was running around in my Birkenstocks and tattered cutoff shorts. It was like having a free-spirited alter-ego.

I, personally, am happy Birkenstocks are back. The other day I wore my 25 year-old pair out in public feeling on trend, nostalgic and comfortably undone.

What Camp Are You In?

Are you glad or mad that Birkenstocks are back? Before you scoff, take a look at all of the new styles, colors and patterns at Birkenstock.com. They have a shiny snake collection and I think the white ones are great.

I’ve known about Stitch Fix for a while. My friend Maureen (Hi Mo!) has been using the service for a long time. The idea intrigued me, but I didn’t give it a try until last year when my sister, Karla, and I decided to try it together. I was pretty excited and liked the idea of having an online wardrobe stylist because 1) I needed clothes and 2) It allowed me to make choices without a salesperson hovering over me. I do like to shop, but I tend to go for specific items and rarely deviate from my basic style. My wardrobe was/is unbearably boring.

My First Fix

Enter Stitch Fix – my new online wardrobe stylist. If I’m being totally honest, my first Fix was a disaster. The note from my stylist was addressed to the wrong name and the clothing didn’t suit me at all.

To be fair, the style profile I set up may have been a little confusing and I didn’t set up a Pinterest board like they strongly suggest. My initial reaction was to give up, which I did for about a year. Meanwhile, Karla was getting Fix after Fix full of great clothes. Her online wardrobe stylist, ErikaK, had her look down and I was jealous.

My Second Fix

After much encouragement, really relentless pushing, Karla convinced me to give it another try. I requested her stylist and got a really good Fix.

The thing about having an online wardrobe stylist is that you have to be a little flexible. While there were items in this fix that I didn’t need, or weren’t what I would have selected for myself, I kept all five items because if you do that you get 25 percent off the total cost. This is in addition to the $20 service fee deducted from whatever purchase you make.

The cute handbag, shown, is very close to one I have, so I gave that to Karla. The navy striped sweater is also similar to one I have, but I kept it because it’s longer, softer and has a great zipper detail in the back which opens to a cool, sheer panel.

The army green jacket was a keeper by my standards and my girls and even though the pink pants and print button down shirt are not things I would typically buy, I’m glad I kept them. I desperately need to mix up my look and try styles, colors and patterns that I normally wouldn’t. Having someone else make choices for me is fun and prevents me from coming home from the mall with all of the same old styles.

When I finalized my order for this Fix, I was able to send a note for each piece detailing what I liked and didn’t about each one. According to Karla, this is a great way to provide your stylist with more information about your specific likes and dislikes.

So, as I wait for my next Fix, I’m again excited about having an online wardrobe stylist.

Good to know…

You can specify the price range you are willing to spend in all categories – pants, tops, accessories, etc .  You can let them know what you don’t want (i.e. jewelry and handbags) and you can request outfits for special occasions. They send you picture cards for each item in your fix with outfit suggestions – I love this! If you decide to return everything from a Fix you still pay the $20 service fee.

Check out  Stitch Fix to learn more.

Outtake – Thank you Lysa!

Check her out this Friday at the WOW, Winning Opportunities for Women, 21st Annual Conference at the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury, MA. She’ll be talking fashion and style.

I am thrilled to introduce you to Grace Marie Moschetto, Stylist and Owner of GraceMarie Beauty. Grace is guest blogging today with some fabulous spring makeup and beauty tips.  Enjoy!

SPRING ON THE CLASSICS!

By Grace Marie Moschetto

Each year as March and April emerge something exciting happens. Mother Nature opens her closet to bring her spring wardrobe into sight. She admires her varietal color palette made up of pastels, neutrals and glimmers of vibrant hues. She creates an amazement of textures as she hands winter to spring. “New” is always spring’s theme.

Along with spring’s newness comes a balanced, reliable consistency known as “classic.”

The fashion, salon/beauty, and event industries may view spring as their greatest ally in promoting their wares.

When it comes to fashion, hair, nails, and makeup, as sure as spring has sprung, presentations of the classics will be made. And they will be dressed up with little twists of time known as “trends.”

The fashion industry will always rely on Mother Nature’s closet as its primary source of inspiration. This spring is no exception. Have you noticed the use of animal prints, denim, floral patterns, stripes, and a worldly stamp of a global hot spot?

It’s a brilliant formula to blend with spring pastels and vibrant “teaser” summer colors. Add in light, airy, bouncy, blousy, and breezy clothing and you have the perfect “mood package” known as a spring wardrobe.

With the abundant clothing delights available to you, hair, nail, and spring makeup looks to match are yours for the choosing! Every day is a day to play.

Hair

The ponytail is THE hair style that will go with everything! Yes, everything. From the super casual to the fanciest of fancy, from teased and edgy to straight and smooth to curly. In the alphabet of hair language, the ponytail is the letter “A.”

Face

Like the pony tail, flawless skin and red lips will always be in style. With the infinite shades of color and pigment dimension technology available today, any skin tone and skin type can be accommodated. The skeptical and frightened no longer need be afraid of red lip color!

Nails

Hands down, lightly colored, pastels, or “French” mani/pedi’d fingers and toes are the classic of the classic of nails.

With closets, hearts and minds wide open, this season is yours. How will you be “springing on your classic?”

Thank you Grace for these great spring makeup and beauty tips! I am so happy that my perpetual ponytail is on trend and red lips, here I come.

I am happy to bring you this guest post from local fashion stylist, Christina Cafua.

I know Christina as a neighbor, mom and a striking woman.  While her personal style has always been eye-catching, she only recently turned her passion for fashion into a career. In a “do what you love” moment of brilliance, Christina began working as a fashion stylist at dresscode in Andover. For every outfit she models and every pic she posts, Christina makes me want to step up my look.

Please enjoy this guest post from Christina in which she shares her journey and some great fashion options for spring.

Do What you Love – Becoming a Fashion Stylist

by Christina Cafua

For many years, I understood something…all women are beautiful. Taking care of myself is natural to me and I believe every woman can and should be well put together.  As it often happens to a girl, I frequently hear, “my wardrobe is full, but I have nothing to wear.”

It became clear to me that I don’t just want to dress nicely myself, but I want to pass this knowledge on to make other women feel beautiful and amazing. It feels good to see joy in their eyes as a result of my work.

So, I turned down my office job and decided to begin working as a fashion stylist at dresscode boutique in Andover, MA. Dresscode is owned by Amy Finegold, who is such an incredible woman. I also enjoy volunteering at Uncommon Threads, a nonprofit boutique-style clothing program that empowers survivors of domestic violence and women in need through clothing.

I’ll be honest, making the decision to change my life wasn’t easy. But when you decide to do what you love, and what you find most interesting, nothing can stop you. Now, I plan my own time while boosting my clients’ image and bringing beauty into the world. At the end of each day, you need to feel fabulous. My goal is for my customers to have fun, but more importantly, to make them look and feel amazing. A lot of times, all you need is a small push to help you feel confident about trying something different. I offer the following services: assessment of individual style, wardrobe assessment and shopping support.

“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak” – Rachel Zoe

Four Great Looks

Photos courtesy of Christina and dresscode

Thank you Christina! You do what you love and it shows in your enthusiasm and great work.

Be sure to reach out to Christina or stop in to dresscode to take your style to the next level.

Christina Cafua
978.771.0854
Fashion Stylist
dresscode, Andover MA
www.dresscodestyle.com
ccafua2000@yahoo.com

Down to the wire…I finally snuck in a visit to this shoe exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum, just a week prior to its close on March 12^th. I am so glad I did.  Shoes are my weakness.  I love them in all shapes, sizes, heel heights and colors. It always amazes me how my shoe choice can transform how I see myself and feel in an outfit.

Not long ago, I attended and posted about the Killer Heels exhibit at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH. Whether Shoes: Pleasure and Pain at the Peabody Essex Museum was similar or different, didn’t matter – I wanted to see it.

Shoes: Pleasure and Pain

So yesterday, I made my way to Salem, MA (I thought the venue was in Peabody – Oops!) and enjoyed an afternoon full of footwear. There were over 300 pairs of shoes to peruse.  From vintage to contemporary, I loved every minute of this visual pleasure. And while the exhibit was named Pleasure and Pain, there was no pain for me.

When I saw a local realtor, whose face I’ve seen on countless FOR SALE signs, featured at this exhibit for her closet and collection, I tingled with excitement. Shoe heaven was closer than I thought.

If you want to see this display of greatness, be sure to find time between now and Sunday.  I’m sorry I didn’t get the word out to you sooner, but better late than never and you still have time.

Museum Passes

Also, if you go, be sure to check your local library for museum passes.  I didn’t think to do this until my librarian extraordinaire sister, suggested it – Thank you Kiki.  With my pass, I received an $8 discount on two adult tickets regularly priced at $20.  Not bad! And children under 17 were admitted free of charge.  Julia and Ally came along and got a good look at what it means to have a shoe obsession.