Style Beyond Measure

Early January is such a great time for looking ahead.

I don’t know whether its the cold, brisk January air or the act of cracking open a brand new calendar, but I always feel a sense of excitement in the early weeks of the new year.

The saving grace of a “do-over”. One more year to get it right (whatever right is!).

What does “right” look like for you this year? What would you most like to see happen in 2007?

For me, my “right” is looking like adventure and authenticity - hopefully viewing each day in a more open adventurous way…allowing for experience rather than clamping down and trying to control a certain outcome. Also, approaching things more authentically - coming from a place of self-truth, more of who I really am on the inside, rather than a more “pleasing” facade (i.e. saying goodbye to the old habit of saying “yes”, when a “no” would do my soul much more good!).

One place that I’m going to experiment with adventure and authenticity is in my wardrobe. Odd as it may sound, I do think its possible to let your overall intentions for what you want in life trickle down into your wardrobe. It can be a wonderfully easy and concrete way to start living your intentions. Something that shows up in the “real” world…announcing in subtle ways to yourself and others where you’re heading this year.

How would that work…the “wearing” of your intentions?

That’s what we’ll explore in the next few weeks. In the meantime, go ahead and think about your intentions for this year. What do you want to do? Who do you want to be? What do you want more of in your life?

Take some quiet time and meditate on these questions. Be gentle and listen for the answers. If they don’t come right away, don’t worry. Just leave the questions open in your mind and, no doubt, just the right response will bubble up in a day or two. When they do, write your responses down and “try them on” for a few days. Mull them over. Live with them and see if they are a good “fit”. If so, great!

Bring them with you the next time you visit here, and we’ll explore how you can infuse your wardrobe with your intentions - just one more delightful and creative way to manifest your desires in 2007!

Of all the nights of the year…look gorgeous tonight!

It’s the last night of 2006 and a perfect opportunity to celebrate your gorgeous self - whether you are going out on the town and ringing in the New Year with “Mr. Right”; or, spending a quiet, cozy evening at home with loved ones (human, or those furry ones with cold noses)…I’m not kidding!

Be Brave! Take a page from our French “sisters” style notebook - it’s not so much about what you wear, as how you wear it.

If you are going out on the town, then make them weep with how wonderful you look…

Try something a little daring. Not over the top, just enough out of the ordinary to make them sit up and take notice.

Not a makeup girl? Then just for tonight, wear a little lipstick or gloss, a sheer eyeshadow and some mascara - not a lot, just subtle with enough ooomph to play up your best features.

Maybe change up your hairstyle for the evening…go for soft waves if you normally play it straight. Pull it up if you normally wear it down; or, get out the flat iron and see how silky you can go.

Yes, you can still wear last year’s black dress if you’re going out - no one will remember its last year’s model, especially if you pair it with new earrings or a new shawl or evening bag. Style tip: Unique accessories are a quick and easy way to up the fashion ante on a night like tonight.

Whatever little festive addition you employ…just remember “subtlety” is the key. Don’t wear false eyelashes if you never wear makeup to begin with. Don’t go platinum blond “just for tonight”, if you are a tried and true brunette. You get the idea - subtle, yet memorable (and not the same old you they see all the time). Shake things up just a bit!

Now, for all of you lovelies that are spending New Year’s being cozy at home…you, too, can be gorgeous. Really! Its another page from the French girls style notebook and its called being gorgeous to yourself…something they do with ease and we should learn to do as well.

Being gorgeous to yourself is pampering yourself in any and all ways. Not sloth and overindulgence…think “nurture”, here.

That means snuggling up in your favorite pajamas or lingerie set tonight whether you are sleeping single or double. Does that mean silk or flannel to your inner Goddess? Not sure? Ask her, she knows!

It means watching your favorite movie of all time with the lights out and indulging in your favorite treats - a big plate of linguine and clam sauce, or maybe a nice slice of chocolate layer cake washed down with a glass of icy cold milk.

It means luxuriating in a ridiculously immense bubble bath with a glass of wine and a favorite paperback ’til your toes are pruney.

It means anything that makes you feel special and pampered and worthy and truly honors your spirit. That’s what looking gorgeous means tonight and every night.

I hope you have a fabulous New Year’s Eve tonight - whether you’re in pearls and pumps; or slippers and silk pajamas. Remember, make ‘em weep…

See you next year!