Having Fun with Color: Creating Outfits withTeal

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Jennifer & Natalie

Sometimes it can be hard to incorporate an off beat color into your wardrobe. Sure, maybe you wear a fun shade of teal or aqua with your jeans. After that your coordinating ideas probably start to get fuzzy. Don’t relegate these fun colors to casual weekend wear! We have tips to help you mix and match bold colors into your everyday wardrobe.

Color Mixing: Red and Teal by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring betsey johnson jewelry

Teal looks stunning mixed with red. It’s a bold concept, so we’ve provided an easy visual cue. A neutral base like this tan pencil skirt is a great place to start. Then we paired a red ruffled blouse with a three quarter sleeve teal blazer. You favorite neutral pumps will ground this look further. Then you can play with accessories. On our lust list, Christian Louboutin color-blocked bag and Alexander McQueen peep toe pumps were too perfect not to include.

Mustard and Teal by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring a double breasted shirt

The pieces in this suggestion are basic silhouettes you should be familiar with. We’ve just updated them with new colors. Since we realize this might push you a little further out of your comfort zone, we’ve given you an option to try with jeans. Our favorite combination is the mustard ankle-length capris paired with a teal tunic. It’s very fresh for spring! Don’t these two shades look fantastic together?!? Our neutral base for this outfit shows up in the grey shoes and bag.

What do you think? Will you try mixing teal with other colors in your closet? If you’re still struggling, contact Natalie. She’s sure to help you adventure into color mixing.

Elan Service Spotlight: Wardrobe Makeover

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Elan

Are you one of those women who has a closet full of clothes but still feel like you have nothing to wear? Do you buy clothing and leave them hanging in your closet with the tags on? Are you a binge shopper? Do you keep clothing for a long time in the hope that one day it will come back in style or that you can fit into it? If any of these questions make you nod in agreement then my wardrobe makeover service might be just what the image consultant orders.

A closet ideally should be a reflection of the woman who owns it–however, this is often not the case. An important outcome of this service is seeing whether the clothes you do own are aligned with where you want to take your look and your image.

The ideal goal is for you to utilize and love ALL your clothes in your closet. After an initial consultation, I will review your current wardrobe for style, fit, color, relevance, coordination, and function. I take your preferences, priorities, lifestyle, tastes and goals into consideration so that the wardrobe makeover is customized to your needs. I will ensure you have key wardrobe essentials in place; purge items of clothing that are not in sync with your new image goals; and identify key gaps in your wardrobe. Continue reading →

Easy Ideas to pull together your jacket outfits

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Jennifer & Natalie

You have the perfect tailored jacket and a great silk cami to wear underneath. Now what? We’ve been building up to today’s post, now we are pulling it all together with our stylist tips.

Peplum Jacket Outfit by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring cropped capri pants

If you jumped on the peplum trend, you may be surprised how versatile this jacket actually is. We’ve found a fun bubble print cami to layer underneath. In classic “wear now, wear later” fashion, we’ve got two options for you. Wear your peplum jacket with a fitted pencil skirt now. Then when the weather turns and Spring emerges, update your look with white capris. For both ways, a neutral pump and wallet will finish the ensemble.

Coral Jacket by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring diamond jewelry

Are you following our tips and embracing a little color this year? These coral shades are so flattering whether you select a classic two button or a lapel-less style. We paired it with wider leg trousers that still exhibit a tailored feel. In this outfit we gave you a couple cami options. You can keep things bold up top and go for a fun graphic print or simplify your look with a basic black silk cami. Either way, your bold choice in blazer adds a WOW factor!

updated tweed suit by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring 18k jewelry

If you work in a more professional environment, look for small details to update your blazers. This herringbone tweed jacket has a solid moleskin collar. We paired it with a tweed box pleat skirt for added flair. With a few accessories tweed feels fresh and fashionable. This outfit is perfect for the cold winter months!

Keep up with our blog for more ways to look polished, pulled together and up-to date for all your occasions. If you need more personalized information feel free to Contact Us. We’re always delighted to explore ways we can serve you.

Cabin Fever $100 Cash Giveaway!

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Elan

Welcome to the Cabin Fever Cash Giveaway where numerous blogs including Flaunting It with the Image Diva will be giving away a cash prize of $100! Maybe you’re looking to spruce up your spring wardrobe or invest in new beauty/skin care essentials. Whatever is on your wishlist, an extra $100 can go a long way!

Want to enter? It’s so easy just check out the form below.

Giveaway ends January 27th 2012 at 11:59pm EST

Open to US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chic & Effortless Weekend Style

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Jennifer & Natalie

Whether running after the kids or running errands, sometimes it’s harder to get your weekend look pulled together than your office look. We’ve got you covered in easy styles that look pulled together and polished no matter what you have on the agenda.

Weekend Shopping by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring nine west bags

Pair your favorite flared leg jeans with a fitted sweater and ballet flats. We found this great chevron pattern at Madewell. When accessorizing a patterned sweater like this you can match the neutral shades or play off that pop color. We did a little of both. A larger tote keeps your hands free when running errands and doubles as a shopping bag for small items.

Weekend Tunic and Jeggings by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring a print tunic

Skinny Jeans, jeggings, or leggings look great styled with a tunic. We found three different styles that would work with this easy riding boot for the weekend. With a slightly longer silhouette, tunics keep you more covered up when wearing a fitted pant. Adding a belt can help give your waist some definition if you are feeling swallowed up in this style.

It only takes a few simple pieces to pull these looks together. You know at Flaunting It with The Image Diva, we are all about effortless dressing! You probably have many of these items in your closet right now. If not, there are still a few days to shop before the weekend. If you feel stuck we would be more than happy to help you pull your weekend look together. Just Contact Us!

Style on the Red-Carpet: Golden Globe Special Report

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Elan

I love watching the Golden Globes every year to see how the stars showcase themselves on the red carpet (and of course to see if my favorite actors and actresses won in their categories!).

This year the red carpet was very exciting for me. Stars in every age group, ethnicity and figure type flaunted their haute couture for us to admire or critique. Usually I would write my perspective on best/worst dressed. But everyone does that. This year I wanted to celebrate the actresses who don’t usually get talked about—you know the ones who are not a size 0-4 or who are perhaps too old for most folks to care?

But first, I HAVE to give a nod to my favorite of the night. Love, love, loved Charlize Theron. She looked like a Goddess truly a Dior blush toned creation with a plunging neckline, thigh high slit and big side bow. The description may sound like a lot going on but Charlize nailed the look to perfection. Her hair and makeup, soft: natural and feminine. Her ankle strap shoes—edgy and sexy. It all works on her tall, strong and svelte frame. Simply breathtaking.

Now I want to shout out the fab plus size girls who rocked the red carpet last night. First up, academy award winner Octavia Spencer who looks beautiful in a soft lavender gown. I love the shawl collar-inspired neckline, the ruching, beading and draping down the middle, and the fact that she bared her arms. This is figure flattery at its best. She glows, she is poised, and her hair and accessories are perfect. Love her and so awesome that she won best supporting actress for her role in The Help.

Continue reading →

Cash Giveaway! Enter to win $125!

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Elan

This great giveaway gives one lucky winner $125 CASH! Hostessed by Mama to 4 Blessings and Home Grown Families with the help of several other fantastic group of bloggers, including Flaunting It with the Image Diva we bring you Social Media Spotlight “Facebook”! This giveaway runs from 12:01 AM on Monday 1/16 and will run until Monday, 1/22 at 11:59 PM (all Eastern times). One winner will receive $125.00 Cash via Paypal! An awesome way to win money to go spring shopping! Have fun!

Continue reading →

Effortless Dressing for Plus Size Gals

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Jennifer & Natalie

We are always on the lookout for niche brands for under-served demographics, such as the plus-sized market. We understand the struggles to find figure flattering clothing. Therefore we love to celebrate brands that serve in creative, affordable and stylish ways. The Limited, which has long been known for a blend of professional and casual looks at great prices, is now putting some focus on the plus-sized women. They’ve recently launched a new line, eloquii dedicated to clothing for women size 14-24.
The assortment is similar to what you’d expect from The Limited. Right now they are helping you kick off the New Year with 30% off your entire purchase of $100 or more. Eloquii allows you to view products by silhouettes that are most suited for your unique body shape. Let’s help you find $100 worth of figure flattering styles to fill your shopping cart!

Heart: Fullest in the bust area.

A color blocked jacket with a high stance keeps the girls locked and loaded while providing a slimming silhouette. Blessed with skinnier hips, you can pair this jacket with the matching color blocked pencil skirt.

Teardrop: When it’s all in the Hips.

You want to accentuate your waist, right under the bust. Select a dress with a high waist and full skirt that will float away from your hips. Two In One Belted Box Pleat Dress may be asking you to be a little daring. It’s such a flattering silhouette and simple print, we’re sure you’ll be sold as soon as you put this dress on. If you’re still not convinced, we also found this Pleated Cowl Neck dress in deep cranberry with a similar silhouette. The cowl necklines also help add a little volume up top.

Emerald: Relatively straight from bust to hips.

Look for belted styles that help give you a defined waistline. Two button ruched sleeve jacket in emerald green does just that. You can easily pair it with you favorite black trousers and this printed silky shell.

Remember not to hide in your clothes. Find pieces that make you feel great! Be fabulous in the body you have now!

Enter code WINTER30 at checkout for your savings.

Get the Skinny on Tailored Jackets

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Jennifer & Natalie

Last week we showed you the best styles to layer under your fitted jackets. As promised, today we have the top silhouettes currently on the market in fitted, tailored jackets. You can find these in different colors, fabrics, textures and pricepoints.

The “peplum” style is always in vogue (if you can find it) and it flatters all figure types! The bodice on these styles is fitted with a little “skirt” over the hips. It creates a natural hourglass silhouette. This blue casual jacket is from White House Black Market. We love the details on this fitted blazer. It’s in a great shade that can be worn to the office or on the weekend with denim. This particular jacket is cut very short so be sure to pair with a longer cami or blouse as shown above.

J.Crew has a collection of schoolboy fitted blazers. It’s a shrunken silhouette with all the classic elements of a traditional blazer. We love the different fabric variations. You can pick this blazer up in wool flannel, academy stripe, plaid, or tweed.

Zippered jackets also tend to have a naturally fitted effect. We found this zippered jacket at Anne Klein. It gives the basic black blazer a contemporary update. Plus the zipper adds versatility–wear it open, zipped all the way up, or play with how much you zip depending on your desired effect. Note the pairing of this jacket with a coral shell.

For a jacket that has a bit of a cardigan vibe, check out Halogen Ruched Three Quarter Sleeve Jacket available at Nordstrom for $99. Lapel-less, without a closure and with minimal details, this relaxed open jacket is perfect to layer with a T for a casual look. The pop of its very trendy orange hue makes the statement here.

Want to splurge on a showstopper? Nanette Lepore ‘My Song’ Boucle Knit Jacket is for you! It features princess seams (instant contouring!) and belted waist to ensure a streamlined, figure flattering fit. The Deep Sea boucle jacket is finished with satin trim. This is a winner gals! Perfect for the office or out to dinner.

Stay tuned, next we’ll show you how to create outfits with these jackets and silk camis.

New Year New Reads Giveaway Event!

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Elan

Welcome to the New Year, New Reads Giveaway Hop!

Flaunting It with The Image Diva

A Style, Image & Fashion Blog: so you can look Fabulous for all your occasions

Monthly Archives: January 2012