Accessorizing Your Wardrobe

Having a nicely curated collection of accessories is just as important as having a great wardrobe. The right scarf, piece of jewelry, belt or purse can often help to tie an outfit together or allow it to stand out. When shopping for accessories, we often tend to make the same mistakes we do when shopping for clothes, and are left with pieces that are worn only once or left with the tags still on them. 

To avoid making some bad decisions, follow these simple steps to find your best accessories without breaking the bank!  

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1) One of my biggest rules: NEVER shop for anything until you know what you HAVE and what you NEED. Take a few minutes to go through your collection of jewelry and review your wardrobe so that you have a clear picture of what it is that you are looking for. Make a list of the key pieces that need to be accessorized and require a more special look. Create a Pinterest board or take some photos of styles you have in mind and bring with you when you are ready to shop.  

 

2)Determine your accessory "color palette".  Will gold or silver look best on you? Do you need a pop of color, and if so which color(s)? Be sure to consider which colors will help to enhance your skin tone and complexion. Take the time to pull out the clothes you wear most frequently, and also any special outfits you want to accessorize. Either hang your clothes on a rack (shower bar works great!) or lay them out on your bed. Take a photograph with your phone or camera of all the pieces and your color story will unfold! If the image reveals a rainbow of colors, then consider scarves and jewels in complimentary or analogous color harmony. If your wardrobe consists of mostly neutrals or only muted colors, then consider some bolder colors to brighten up your skin tone and change up the look of your outfits. If all neutral is your game, then utilize your best metallics to keep a streamlined look. Click here to view a color wheel and learn more about color theory.

3)Bring your key outfits with you and try on the accessories before you make the purchase.  Enlist help when available! If you are attending a designer trunk show, like one of my favorites, Aquinnah, or an accessories party, like Stella & Dot, speak one on one with the Designer or Stylist who will surely pass on their expertise, especially if you are looking for something very unique and planning to spend a bit more money. When assessing the accessories, be sure to consider if it is the correct length and size, and if it hits at your correct focal point. This will avoid having to go back and make returns, or getting stuck with jewelry that isn't the right fit or look for you. 

4) And last but not least, keep your accessories organized to ensure ease of access and avoid any damage. A standing jewelry case is a great investment and takes up minimal space. A wall unit consisting of bars and hooks can also do the trick for displaying your jewels and reminding you of all that you have in your stock pile. A ringed scarf hanger is also great for keeping organized and costs less than $5 at Walmart!  

Happy Accessorizing!

Interested in overhauling your wardrobe and accessories, or learning what your best colors are?

  Contact CG Consulting today! 

Earrings and necklace in top photo is by Stella & Dot, styled by CG Image Consulting. 

It's All About The Dress!

If you haven't noticed, Spring and Summer are all about the DRESS. And the good news is, dresses can be found for any body shape- finally! With the bold colors of this season and the mix of floral and stripe prints, my only advice is to be sure you know the colors and patterns that will work best for your skin tone, skin texture and your body shape. Not everyone can wear every pattern and color! (That's why that dress you bought last year on final sale is still hanging in your closet!) If you're not sure, contact me for a quick analysis or to head out on a personal shopping trip. 

Here are some of my favorite dresses for the Season, one for each body type!

HOURGLASS

This yellow floral wrap dress from Macy's is perfect for any hourglass or curvy shape. It's medium print is just bold enough to avoid over accentuating the curves!

PEAR / TRIANGLE

This dress is also from Macy's and is great for a Pear or Triangle shape. The pattern is a mix of small and larger floral print, but the flowers get smaller in the skirt, which will help to minimize a Pear's lower half, and keep more attention at the top half. The narrow straps and v-neck will also help to draw attention to the top.

RECTANGLE

This Polka Dot Shirt Dress from Express is perfect for Summer, and perfect for a Rectangle body shape. The v-neck creates a wonderful focal point, and the belt cinched around the waist creates an illusion of curves- just what a rectangle shape wants! 

ROUND

This sleeveless A-line dress by ALYX from JCP is great for rounder shapes! The pattern is right on trend, and all points lead to the waistline to help define it. It has an elastic waistline and just the right amount of stretch for comfort, yet is sophisticated enough to drape an open front cardigan or blazer to carry this outfit through to the night.  The v-neck helps draw attention to the bust line, which is great for round shapes. Wear a great bracelet and shoes to also draw attention to your wrists and ankles!

INVERTED TRIANGLE

Those who have shoulders broader than their hips and lower half have the shape of an upside down triangle. This White Cotton Eyelet Wrap Dress from Ann Taylor is perfect for your shape! It helps to create an illusion of balanced proportions, helping the lower half to look as wide as the top half. The wider v-neck and cross over style also helps to draw attention in, instead of out to the shoulders. 

Contact CG Consulting learn about our Spring and Summer Personal Shopping Sessions and Group Fashion Parties! Book by Memorial Day and enjoy special savings! 

Accessorize Your Way Into Spring!

Transitioning from a cold Winter season into the warmer temps of Spring can sometimes be a challenge. The weather here in the Northeast can change in a flash-  from blizzard conditions one week to birds chirping and sun shining the next! That often leaves us confused with how to dress and unsure of which pieces to invest in.  To avoid any seasonal wardrobe stress and prevent unnecessary spending, just keep things simple and utilize your existing wardrobe paired up with some great accessories to create a Spring look. Pull some key pieces from Winter, like colorful cardigans and neutral blazers, and go with a layered look to carry you through the next few weeks.  Check out some of the great looks I created from my own wardrobe and accessories!

I'm thrilled that lace and texture remain popular for this next Season! I paired up my cream lace blazer layered with a soft silk blouse and accessorized with a beautiful custom necklace from local CT designer, Aquinnah. Paired with dark denim and a neutral heel, the outfit is chic and romantic!

Featured: Custom necklace from Aquinnah, designed by Kelley Solomon

I took advantage of the floral trend for this season and paired up my favorite scarf with my mustard blazer, and accessorized with my new Stella & Dot Julep Bangle. The perfect accessory to tie in all the bold colors of my outfit!

Featured: stella & dot Julep Bangle from Stylist Tricia Monaghan

I paired up my crepe scallop top from Ann Taylor, in a blue "desert sky", with my favorite bracelets from stella & dot, and my gold link necklace. This top can be dressed up or down, depending on what you wear on the bottom and how you accessorize!

 

Featured: all from stella & dot: Julep Bangle, Lakra Tiger Bangle, and Renegade Gold Bracelet  from Stylist Tricia Monaghan

If you watched the Oscars, pastels are IN! I love my new Sanibel Chandeliers from stella & dot! The translucent green stone is soft and light, and the earring can dress an outfit up or down, and paired with cool or warm neutral tones! I love the new looks of the season that combine pastel greens and warm pinks and peaches, like these two dresses from Victoria Secret.  

So enjoy this time of year, and when it doubt- accessorize!! 

If you're in need of help pulling together some new outfits and accessories for the Spring, contact me to book a wardrobe or personal shopping session. Book now to take advantage of CG Consulting's Spring Specials- $25 off all consultations.  If you're interested in getting some friends together for a night of fashion tips and deals on accessories, host a Chica Guapa Fashion party combined with a stella & dot party and reap the rewards! 

Spring Is Around The Corner!

Spring is just around the corner! Whether the Ground Hog sees his shadow or not, we should be ready to transition from Winter and welcome the glorious styles of Spring.  What's hot for 2013? Mod looks in white and black, vibrant reds, ruffles with a twist, bold black and white stripes and sleek geometric prints.  Before you embark on the hunt for these new trends, be sure that know which colors and patterns will suit you best. Not everyone looks good in black and white, and not everyone can pull off bold patterns! Make sure you consider your existing wardrobe and determine which pieces are keepers and what new items you should invest in for this Season. Be careful not to go too mod, with risk of looking like you are heading to a retro costume party! As always, contact me for any help shopping or organizing your Spring wardrobe.

Last Minute Gifts!

The Holidays are upon us! For those of you still waiting for inspiration, or still waiting to find the time to shop, here are some great last minute gift ideas that are just a quick call or click away!

Great Gifts A Click Away...

Red Envelope is always full of great gifts! I just love this Cubist Martini Set for that special hostess with the mostess!  

For a great family gift or for the newlyweds you know, a piece of personalized wall art from RedEnvelope.com will surely touch their hearts!  

Target has a great selection of scarves and gloves for men and women, including these Tech Touch options for those with smart phones.

Still need more choices? There's always Amazon.com! And they are still offering free two-day shipping with a trial of their Amazon Prime service. 

Shop Local & Customize Your Gift! 

For the special ladies in your life, consider a custom piece of jewelry from local CT designer Aquinnah, who is still taking a few more last minute orders for next week! My favorite piece of jewelry is my gold lockets necklace from Aquinnah! 

Or give the gift of Italian delectables from P&M Orange Street Market. They can whip up a custom basket for you filled with their famous jarred sauce, imported pastas, cheeses, Italian chocolates and cookies, and anything else you'd like! 

For the wine lovers, a set of these wine glass markers, available at The Write Approach in Woodbridge! The owner and staff are the best, and they'll be sure to help you find the perfect last minute gift from the selection of unique stationary and gifts! 

Or, pick up a gift certificate from from any one of your local businesses! For those in the New Haven area, consider a gift certificate for any of these unique items or services:

*A Custom Shirt or Suit From Valentino Tailors in Hamden

*A Wardrobe Makeover Session or Day Of Shopping From Yours Truly! 

*Nail Services From Vanessa Ann Day Spa in Hamden

*A Photography Package From Take Aim Photography 

*A Facial or Makeup Session With Jennie Fresa in Clinton

*Dinner at Caseus in New Haven (My favorite restaurant!)

Happy shopping and happy holidays to all! 

How To Wear A Scarf

          

Scarves are still all the rage for this Season! Take advantage of this inexpensive way to add dimension and color to your outfits.

Clients often ask me how to best wear their scarves, and my response is that there are MANY ways! I  found this great online tutorial that has video clips showing 37 ways to tie a scarf.  However, one quick word to the wise!  Before sporting your favorite look, always consider your body shape. If you are petite, round or curvy, and looking to create an "elongated" look that will draw the eye up and down rather than side to side, don't bundle your scarf around the neck or have a large wrap style scarf cut you in half. Instead, wear skinnier scarf around your neck, draped long and loose. If you are a pear shape, consider the fuller tie styles, like muffler or triple loop, to add volume and attention to your top half, and detract from your bottom half.

The above scarves can be found at Chico's, Urban Outfitters and Forever 21. If you need help determining the best looks for your body shape, contact Chica Guapa for an individual consultation.

Happy Tying!

The Perfect Jewels For The Season!

Our final days of Summer are upon us, which means that it's now time to transition our closets and get ready for Fall outfits! Before you break the bank on any new clothes, consider enhancing your wardrobe with some fabulous new accessories in the season's best colors. Statement necklaces, flirty bangles and dramatic earrings in bold hues of red, blue and green can all enhance your look and help you with seasonal transitions. Lucky for me, my friend Tricia Monaghan is a Stylist with Stella & Dot, and was able to get some new pieces just in time for the start of Fall. I've had a great time wearing all the jewels and styling many different looks, and would love to share these images and ideas with you for some accessory inspiration!

Ready to head out on the town wearing a great blue top, accessorized with my new Renegade Bracelet, Serenity Stone Earrings in Jade, and Lakra Bangle! 

The Olivia Bibb Necklace in Deep Coral pairs perfectly with my white and black chevron maxi dress! 

 The Olivia Bibb Necklace makes the perfect statement with all my neutral tops! I'm obsessed! 

I just love my Capri Chandelier Earrings! I love this mix of deep coral, red, orange and gold tones paired up with a deep, royal blue! 

My Jade Serenity Stone Earrings are soft and romantic with this season's deep golden yellows and rich blues. 

A close up of my new favorite bracelets! The blue Lakra Bangle, which is two enamel tigers accented in gold, paired with the sassy Renegade Bracelet. I threw in a couple of my own skinny bangles to add to the effect!  

Thank you Stella & Dot...I LOVE all my new accessories for the Season!!

If you're interested in scooping up these or other goodies from Stella & Dot, click here! Be sure to take the time to read up on the great incentives for hosting a trunk show with Tricia as well as learn more about this great company!

BRACELET GIVEAWAY!!!

Ladies...here's your chance to win one of Stella & Dot's best sellers...the classic Harlow Bangle! To qualify, follow these three easy steps:  1)Simply click on this link to Tricia's Stella & Dot Stylist page on Facebook, 2) "LIKE" her page, and then 3)post a comment on her page about this Chica Guapa Blog Post and which featured pieces you like the best! That's it! And then you'll be entered in to the drawing to win this great Bangle! Good luck!!

Don't forget...for those of you in need of some help accessorizing and pairing up some great outfits for Fall, be sure to give Chica Guapa a call!  You can also consider a Fashion Party with your friends which can also be combined with hosting a Stella & Dot party!

Happy accessorizing!

*All styling and images in this post, with exception of the Harlow Bangle, created and taken by Alicia Valentino, Chica Guapa/CG Consulting. All Stella & Dot jewelry provided by Tricia Monaghan.