Matching vs. Coordinating

I had a friend tell me last month that she wanted to wear Red with Pink, and she did not want to conform to regular color matching standards. My response, "That's fine! Things just have go, they don't have to match." It then occurred to me that perhaps there are some out there that don't understand the difference between coordinating vs. matching. I am going to break it down into three easy steps: Complementary Colors, Opposites Attract, and finally Neutrals Go with ANYTHING Even Each Other.


First, lets look at a color wheel.

Complementary Colors: Find colors that are in the same family. If you want to wear red and pink that's ok, but make sure they are a complementary red and pink. mixing your warms and cools can often result in a crazy appearance.

Opposites Attract: We know this is true with couples it is also true with colors. Look at that same color wheel and then understand that the opposite side can match. Blue and Orange, Red and Green, Yellow and Purple...the list goes on. Don't be afraid to pair colors and even prints. Feel free to choose a simple understated pattern with a bold pattern. Don't worry they still go.

Neutrals go with EVERYTHING: Its true! Don't be afraid to pair your neutrals up. Where black with brown, the leopard does it and SO CAN YOU! You CAN mix your metallic, they are neutral. there are no rules with neutrals.

Mommy and Me

As a new mommy of one adorable baby girl I find myself wanting to coordinate my baby to my outfit. I realize of course that a baby is not supposed to be an accessories but, honestly? If you had a baby this adorable wouldn't you want to put her on wear her?

However, I feel that we must clarify; it is not ok for grown women to wear rompers or tutu's but you can color coordinate and wear similar accessories.

Here are a couple of examples:

This adorable dress is from Gymboree

This dress comes from Down East Basics

This little outfit comes from Childrens Place

This dress is found at Anthropolie

These are just a few ways that mom and baby can coordinate.

Another FUN trend is in headbands. Both mom and baby can enjoy a fashion head band.

Simply Memzelle is a brand that has an adorable line of coordinating head bands.

Accessories! Where should I spend my money??

Accessories are that special detail to an outfit that can set it off perfectly. I have many customers who want to know where to spend their money and what is reasonable. I always start off this conversation explaining that accessories, like all components to your wardrobe, should stand up well to the "cost per wear" analysis. Make sure that you are willing to pay that item its hourly rate...is it worth it? Only you can answer that! What I will tell you is that there are some staples that I think EVERY woman should have in her wardrobe.
#1: Great Day to Day Purse
#2: Pearls

#3: Head Band

#4: 4-5 sets of Earrings

Lets look at some examples!

Day to Day Purse: This purse should be durable and meet all your primary needs. It should be big enough to hold all your needful day to day items. Look for good construction, such as seaming and straps, along with high end materials such as strong canvas or leather.

This is from a designer called Tanneicasey on Etsy.com

This Purse is from Anthroplogie and is a nice soft leather

Another possibility is a designer purse. Dooney and Burke has an AMAZING guarantee on their bags, you can ALWAYS send in your bag for repairs and if they can't repair it they will send you a certificate for 1/2 off a new bag.

Pearl Necklace: Every girl needs a pearl necklace. They are classic, elegant, and they go with everything!

They don't always have to be the standard strand. Look for special details like this strand from Stella & Dot.

Head Bands: Everyone who knows me knows that I own a MILLION head bands! I love them and I am making them #3 on the MUST HAVE accessories! I like to look for local or small designers for head bands.

Shea Bay makes this neato head band

This one is by 123 Trinitroxy

This one is at Anthroplogie

Earrings: Earrings are a must have for women and I think you need at least 4 pairs of good earrings.

I like to have earrings that look vintage and special. These earrings come from Stella & Dot.

Express has a lot of classic earrings that go with EVERYTHING!

Looking for accessories is fun! Make sure and take time to do a cost per wear analysis and don't be afraid to invest in some lovely items.

Change your shoes, change your life

Shoes glorious shoes!!!! I love shoes, they can make or break an outfit. They are built for beauty, comfort, protection and so on. They are wonderful and yet it is one of the most difficult items of clothing for most. What is so hard about shoes? Well, there is sizing not just on length but also width. Next there is function to consider, comfort and of course style...so much to consider it can really cause some turmoil. Here are some tips:

Sizing: I have found that most of my clients are wearing the wrong size shoe...you may find that odd but it is true. Proper fit on a shoe is CRITICAL, there is much to consider. Deseriee Stimpert wrote a step by step guide to measuring your foot.

• Trace your foot.



• Mark the outermost points both length and width of your foot.



• Measure the length of your foot with a measuring tape rounding to the nearest 16th mark.



• Measure the width of the foot



• Measure both feet and take the largest of the two.



• Here is the link to the conversion from inches to shoe size



• Here is the link for width
  

Or you can go to Nordstroms and have your feet measured for free.

Function: What do you need the shoes for? Are they work out shoes, work shoes, date shoes, running around shoes....the list goes on. I say people need at least 5 pairs of shoes to meet the following categories: church, work, workout, date, and comfort shoes. I shoes are just that they are SHOES, not sandals, or flip flops they are SHOES. I say this because many people want their comfort shoes to count as flip flops...I am sorry that does not count. Each of your shoes should serve their purpose well. Work shoes, work out shoes, and comfort shoes should all be comfortable and versatile. Also understand that the shoes you are in the most should be reflected in cost. Don't hesitate to spend a little more money on work shoes that you will wear everyday and all day to ensure that they are comfortable and look good. The function of the shoe will determine the style in many ways. If you are a nurse you are not going to choose 4 inch pumps you are going to choose a specialty comfort shoe, and if you are a banker you are not going to choose crocs you are going to choose a pump or dress shoe.

Use these guides when looking for shoes and you will soon find that you will be able to build a functional and comfortable shoe wardrobe.

Holiday Dressing

I know it has been an obscenely long time since I have written! However, that will be changing!!! For those readers who have not seen the blog before let me introduce myself, I am Sarah Hosman, fashion expert. I aim to keep you in style and to help you find yourself in fashion. I teach women how to dress right for their body type. I also do personal shopping and styling for many clients, so if you find the blog interesting and would like to book a personal styling session with me I am happy to take you out shopping. For those who follow the blog, you know I have much to be thankful for, Dagny Ayn Hosman entered the world October 10th and she is perfect and already so fashion forward!





The Holiday Season brings with it many opportunities to dress festively. Many women feel that festive is found in a delightful Christmas Sweater or large pin with characters such as Santa, Rudolf and Frosty on them. However, I would like to propose that such style should be reserved for those under 14 or those over 70. If you are 15-69 then I propose taking a look at these three looks for Festivities. One is casual, one is business casual or casual party, the other is formal.

Look to your childhood Christmas tree for inspiration...Look for color, light, tinsel, ornaments, and signature creations!

Casual:

Anthropologie Sweater

Payless Shoes

Down East Basics Jeans

Payless Bag

Work or Casual Holiday Party

Down East Baiscs Dress

Ann Taylor Loft Cardigan

Nordstroms Bootie

Anthropologie Necklace

Down East Basics Trench

Anthropologie Tights

Target Bag

Cocktail or Holiday Party

Anthropologie Dress

Anthropologie Necklace

Nordstroms Pump

White House Black Market Clutch

Great Skin, Hair and Makeup Help to Complete ANY Outfit! Part 1: Hair

No matter what you are wearing, regardless of how much it cost or what it looks like, a fresh face and nice hair REALLY help to make you feel GREAT. How you look on the outside and the image you project to others directly affect the way you feel about your self and the results you get from others.

Lets go ahead and just dispel some myths right now about hair and make up.

Myth 1: You can't a fashionable hair do and make up in less then 1/2 hour. WRONG!!!!

Myth 2: My hair is awful and nobody knows how to cut it. WRONG!!!

Myth 3: Skin care routines are too time consuming and don't really help any way. WRONG!!!

Myth 4: Good skin care costs too much money. WRONG!!!

Myth 5: Wearing a lot of make up just makes people look fake. WRONG!!!


We are going to cover each of these myths and I am going to explain how to make you feel great in just a few minutes. I have sold Mary Kay Products for years and I have done hair for years that was what started me on the path of fashion. If you want to check out my website it is www.marykay.com/shosman1 or you can email me at perfectpintuck@gmail.com for a personal skin care and color consultation. The consultation is COMPLETELY free and I am happy to come to your home (if you live in the Phoenix area) otherwise I can help you over the phone and via email.

Hair: First and most important is that a good hair dresser is worth their weight in Gold. Not to be critical but Supercuts, Great Clips, these types of chain stores will not provide a quality hair cut as a rule. There is always the exceptions but don't live by the exceptions live by the rules. Look for a salon that has an established clintel and take recommendations from your friends who have good hair cuts.

Here are some other tips for getting a good hair cut.

• Your hair dresser should be in the age range of 22-40 so that he or she is up to date on the latest hair trends, styles and techniques.



• Look for a hairdresser that has been styling for more then 3 years. This does not include beauty school or assisting time.



• Don't switch hairdressers often, let that hair dresser get to know you and your hair. Even if the first cut is not perfect. Give a hairdresser two chances.



• Your hairdresser is not a mind reader! Bring LOTS of pictures in of the hair cut you want along with pictures of the color you want. This helps the hair dresser visualize what you are visualizing.



• Look for hair styles that fit your lifestyle and personal hair dressing skills.

When looking for a Shampoo remember that not all shampoos are created equal. Expensive salon brand shampoos are more concentrated and have less additives creating softer and shinier hair. I have used Redkin for years and I love it. Bedhead is another good brand. I have found that shampoos like Pantene and Finesse tend to weigh the hair down and build up like soap scum in your hair. My Redkin Shampoo costs $24 for the large bottle and I have to replace it every 9 months, I wash my hair 3 times a week so that shampoo costs me $.22 a wash. 25oz of Pantene usually costs about $8.50, one bottle used to last me 3-4 months which means that it is really the same cost... Always look at COST PER USE not cost.

When you are styling your hair look for details...If you are going to "pony up" with a ponytail then make it a stylish ponytail. If you are going to wear it straight and down why not try an inexpensive head band. I have always found that a 1920's hair style and fashion looks good on me so I take a lot of inspiration from that. I usually wear head bands, barretts and bows that fit that look. You can do the same, look through the decades and look for inspiration from styles of that decade. (Don't pick the 80's though....it was a bad time for hair)

Honor the Occasion and Respect Yourself With Your Attire!

I know that I have blogged about this before but it is a point that is so important! That point is dressing appropriately for the occasion to show honor and respect to those you are with and yourself. I want to set up some important guidelines to follow when dressing for different occasions.

I know many struggle with this and building a wardrobe that will work in your life so please feel free to use me! I am Sarah Hosman, Personal Shopper and Stylist. I would like to make you feel GREAT 100% of the time and help you find a wardrobe that will work for you and your life.

Out to Dinner with Friends: This sort of event does not require a ball gown but it does require some effort. Depending on the restaurant take a few extra minutes to make sure you are wearing a nice top and appropriate Pants or skirt. Unless you are at the Beach it is NEVER appropriate to wear shorts to dinner. Here are some suggestions:

Hot Date with your Man: Ladies don't go frumpy when you are on date with your sweetie, make sure you look sexy for him. This is a good time to show off your figure and your curves. Show a little skin for him! Here are some suggestions:

Church: This where you go to worship your creator and show respect for him...well then, dress nicely! I saw folks leaving from church on Sunday in shorts and tee shirts...UNACCEPTABLE!!! Men should always look to dress business professional and the same is true for women. Here are some suggestions:

Wedding: Depending on the theme usually go with church appropriate is wedding appropriate. If the wedding is on the beach or outside you can dress down but still keep it classy. Here are some suggestions:

Work: Depending on your work place you may be able to dress down or have to dress up either way make sure your hair and makeup are done cute so that you look professional. Remember that anything you would wear to the club should never be worn as work attire. Dress to impress and dress up! It will get you noticed in a positive way and could lead to a promotion. Here are some suggestions for business casual to business professional: