" TIME TO CLEAN OUT THAT CLOSET "

Looking well put together, effortlessly: A statement that carries a lot of weight for many busy women. Whether you are wooing a potential client with a power point presentation, at the park with your children or out for date night you want to look and feel fabulous, right? Of course!

Well fabulous darlings, it starts with your closet. I have two words for you, Closet Audit. Yes, you have overworked, overcommitted, stressed-out, and taken care of everyone else’s needs in front of yours. Now it’s your turn to be fabulous. Get ready to tackle or should I say torch your closet with bags in hand for those unflattering, ill-fitting pieces in your wardrobe that don’t do you, miss fabulous, a bit of justice! As your quintessential fashion fairy godmother, (or, as my clients say, “the little birdie on their shoulder”) I give you permission to purge, merge and splurge! They are the keys to detoxing your closet and renewing your style.

Have you planned your New Year’s Eve outfit yet? If you’re thinking about going the LBD route, there are ways to make sure you don’t look like every other woman at the party. With the right accessories you can make that LBD sparkle, shimmer and shine.

1. Pick a LBD that’s classic in style and has clean lines and a lightweight fabric. And the fit is it so make sure it’s showing off your bod to its best.
2. Choose accessories that add pizzazz. Pick jewelry that pops – like gold chandelier earrings and an armful of bangles. Add a chunky cocktail ring and you’re golden.
3. Set your LBD apart with a shimmery belt that ties in with your jewelry. It will make your dress look stylish and hip – and will help accent your assets too.
   

Women everywhere are jumping for joy in their distressed, high-heeled, wedged, thighhigh or short boots because they are so excited the season has arrived to wear them! Girlfriends that never thought about styling the ‘boot look’ before are busting down shoe store doors to get their hands on a hot pair of leather wares. As I look around the coffee shop, the mall, and the dentist office, I am bubbling over with glee because I see so many ladies getting on board with the current look. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish what the top trends are on the streets, but there is definitely no question that boots are the hot item right now.

Styles that Suites your Life

At a recent Fashion Show, we gathered some of the most fun and fabulous women in the area to showcase current trends from Saks and highlighted outfits that worked for the ladies’ personalities and lifestyles.

It is the Wardrobe for the Woman of Authority; Clothes for the Woman of Power. Fall’s 2010 fashion silhouettes are the perfect platform for stepping into your authentic self: confident, gorgeous, and in charge. I had the honor of sitting front row at Tyson Galleria’s second annual All-Access Fashion show. Front row to the action, front row to the excitement- but, most importantly, front row to fall’s amazing new line-up. Here are some Fall Fashion Tips from this year’s Runway show:

Love Fall Fashion ... so hurry up and drop to the 60s so we can embrace our boots, military jackets, boho scarves, fur vests and fingerless gloves!!

The easiest (dare I say cheapest!?) way to quickly covert your wardrobe to the Fall/Winter 2010 Lookbooks is with a belt!  So many options these days -- big and chunky, low slung, studded, thin and doubled, and another fav --- the wide elastic that cinches you in.  All of these options look great on the outside of your blouse, t-shirt, wrap dress, sweater.   A vest over your top gives a perfect peek-a-boo to your belt too!!

Nova Fashion Week (NOVAFW) is revolutionizing the art, business and social consciousness of fashion. An integral part of the growing Northern Virginia fashion industry, NOVAFW is exposing buyers and tourists from around the world to this “secret fashion Mecca” and all that Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland area has to offer both in fashion and international flair. NOVAFW will celebrate the region while creating both an impact and boon for its local economy. The event will take place from October 21-24, 2010 in Old Town Alexandria at Waterfront Park overlooking the National Harbor. A complete schedule is available on the event’s official website.

Potomac Mills celebrates 25 years with exciting new additions

Fashionistas, we found out today that Potomac Mills will welcome more new stores with the addition of outlet concepts from Juicy Couture and Lacoste. These great new stores will be complemented by an enhancement program of the property’s expanded Neighborhood 1 – Fashion District.

Kara Allan is a style consultant who is constantly on the lookout for what works and what doesn’t in the Northern Virginia fashion world.

Recently she went searching in the local malls – Tyson’s, Pentagon City and the Galleria for great style. She found some fabulous looks!

Here is her report:

So what  do you pack when you go to the beach?  I was just there, and my friend Lindley and I were laughing at how different we are.

Lindley, who invited me to her 7 bedroom Bethany Beach house for a week, had one pair of earrings and 3 cool beaded leather wrap bracelets.  I brought a hanging bag of jewelry. And it was heavy.  And I wore most of it.  I had a gold or silver ensemble daily.  Lindley only sometimes put her earrings in.  We have been friends for over 20 years. Nothing has changed.  She can cook. I do accessories.