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. 

Fall Fashions Are Here! Become A "Jean-ius" Before Shopping!

Before heading out to shop for your new Fall wardrobe, make sure you know the ins and outs of finding the RIGHT pair of jeans for you! No matter what age or what shape you body is, a great pair of jeans is essential to your wardrobe.   Chica Guapa has done all the research for you for this Season's latest cuts and trends.  So consider all of the factors below and become a “jean-ius”!

What is the best cut for your body shape?

There are many different “cuts” of denim available and each will look different on your body shape. The first step to finding your perfect pair of jeans is to determine what shape you are so that you can focus in on your best fit and the cut that is right for you.

Curvy/Hourglass: For your shape, you want to highlight your curves in the right places. Get a jean that is fuller fitting through your hip and bottom. Try for a medium or high rise and a contoured waistband to minimize any gap at the waist. A boot cut jean or fuller straight leg will look great on you and keep you in proportion. Generally, avoid a super low rise cut that might create the dreaded muffin top if you have fullness through the high hip! Also avoid super flare or very skinny jeans that could risk making you look disproportionate. Steer clear of back pockets that are far apart and could make you look wider than you are.  Try: Joe's Jeans Honey Boot Cut, Guess Brittney Bootcut with a medium rise, or Levi’s Modern Rise Supreme Curve Bootcut Skinny Jean- a superb invention!

Tall and Slender: For those of you that are tall, rectangle shapes, you can wear a straight leg, wide leg, boot cut or skinny jean. (Lucky you!) Avoid very baggy jeans that will highlight your slender physique. A wide leg jean paired with the perfect top could accentuate your waistline and create an hourglass shape.  If your derriere is on the flatter side, then try a jean with pockets that are detailed and are placed higher. Try: J Brand Jeans– any style, Guess Jeans, Mek Denim-Darwin Cut or Milano Straight, or Genetic Denim Liam.

Petite: If you are petite and slender, try a straight leg or slimmer boot cut jean, to create length. Being slim, you can also wear a skinny jean, but be sure to keep them looking long.  If you are petite and curvy, stick with a straight or fuller leg, in a dark wash. If you go for a tapered leg, ensure you have the right top to balance out your curves. Avoid jeans that are super flared, super skinny, or have very embellished back pockets. A wash with a vertical grain or whiskering will help to lengthen you. Try: Red Engine Lily Petite Boot Cut, Hudson Baby Boot, or Loft Petite Modern Straight Leg.

Super Curvy or Pear Shaped: Avoid wearing a super skinny jean. Get a pair that has stretch and a fuller fit through the hip and thighs. A fuller leg or boot cut would look great and help balance out your hips and bottom. Try: Joe’s Jeans Honey, Citizen’s of Humanity Hutton Jean, Genetic Denim Riley or Levi’s Supreme or Bold Curve Jeans.

Plus Size: If you are a fuller “round” shape, avoid the skinny or tapered jean that could create an unbalanced look. Go for a stretch jean with tummy control, with more room through the hip and thigh. Try a boot cut in a darker wash to create a more slimming effect. Try: The new line by DKNY featured at Lane Bryant, Liz Claiborne Classic Stretch Jeans or Levi’s 512 Perfectly Shaping Boot Cut Jean.

Maternity: If you are an expectant mother looking for a stylish maternity jean that has the comfort you need at the waist, Try: AG Angel Secret Fit Belly, Laurel Canyon High Panel by Paige Premium Denim, or all styles by Maternal America.

What Is Your Jean Personality?

Your next step is to consider what look you are going for and what styles are missing from your wardrobe that fit your “style personality.”  Do you need a dressy pair of jeans? Casual? Flashy or Rockstar? There are a variety of designer jeans and different washes suited for all your different looks and the image you want to present. Always remember that just because something is trendy or you see it on some Hollywood folks, it does not mean that it is the right look for YOU!

The Dressy Trouser Pant: The Dark denim trouser jean is a classy look and the lack of embellishment presents a crisp and refined image. You can wear to casual day at the office with a blouse and belt, or jazz it up for a night out to dinner by pairing with a great silk top, heels and accessories. Try: Red Engine, Levi's, Not Your Daughter's Jeans, Banana Republic, JCrew, or Loft.

The Skinny Jean: This jean is great for daily wear, when paired with a blouse and sandals or flats in the Summer, or a long cardigan and boots in the Winter. For a night out, you can pair with a fun top or a blazer and heels.  The darker the wash, the dressier the look can be. Try: J Brand, CAbi “Bree” Jean, Mek, AG, Paige Premium Denim, Madewell, Guess, Seven7 Jeans. Budget: Forever 21, H&M, Old Navy, JC Penny or Gap.

The Embellished Jean: This jean has glitz written all over it! Make sure the fit is perfect, because people will surely be checking you out with all those studs on your pockets and double-stitched seaming details! Try: Rock Revival, True Religion, Mek Denim, or Miss Sixty.

The Casual Jean: This jean is your everyday pair that can be worn doing your errands, to your child's soccer game, or will carry you right out to dinner! Pick the best wash to compliment your own personal style and the tops in your wardrobe. A darker wash will give a dressier look and lighter will be most casual. Try: Hudson, Joe's Jeans, Madewell, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, Paige Premium Denim or AG. On A Budget: Levi's, Gap, Aeropostale, Urban Outfitters, Simply Vera for Kohls, or H&M.

Assess The Fit

So you finally narrowed down to the best cut for your shape, the right wash, and the best style.  But…it turns out you are in between sizes! Fear not ladies, as this is an easy fix by your local tailor. If you are curvy or need more room in the derriere, it is often the case that the fit is a bit loose in the waist or has a gap in the back.  Or if you are wider through the hips and thighs from all those boot camp sessions you’ve been doing, then you will often need to go up one size. And for petites, sometimes a regular cut will have a better rise but you will need to hem the jeans! All these challenges can be fixed by your local seamstress or tailor. Seams or darts can easily be added along the waistline to create the best fit. If your jeans are too long, they can shorten and reattach your same jean hem. For anyone local to the New Haven area, Valentino Tailors in Hamden offers all of these services.  Be sure to prewash your jeans and bring your shoes with you to ensure the best length and fit.

Who’s Ready To Shop?
Last but not least, do not go it alone!!! Contact Chica Guapa to schedule a personal shopping trip and get the help you need to find the perfect jean and a great top before your next night out!

Cashing In On Your Unused Wardrobe!

As most of you know, part of Chica Guapa's mantra is to: reduce, reinvent and recycle.  Each year, I host a Clothing Swap Event, which is a great way for each of us to clear out some clutter and put our clothes back into circulation. The swapping continues among friends and family, even after the event!  For those items that are not swap worthy, donating to one of the many needy charities is also always a great way to recycle, while giving back to our community.  Another great option, that has become more popular than ever, is to consign your gently worn clothing and accessories. Consigning not only puts some of our best pieces back into action, but also pays us back partially for our investment!

I decided to take a spin at consigning a few great pieces from my wardrobe that I just don't seem to wear anymore. I had heard wonderful things about a local boutique on Whitney Avenue in Hamden called Karma Consignment, and contacted them to find out how I should proceed.
 
First, Karma specializes in high end clothing, shoes and accessories for women. They take in such brands as Coach, Dior, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Shoshanna, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Free People, BCBG and more! Next, appointments are required in order to properly review all of your items, which are limited to a max of 15 pieces per appointment and per the 60 day contract period. They are currently booking about a month out, so keep that in mind if you have seasonal items. And last, items must be newer than five years and must be clean and wrinkle free.

After patiently waiting for my appointment date to arrive, it was finally my turn to head to Karma and see which pieces of mine would "make the cut"! At my appointment, I had the pleasure of meeting the boutique owner, Liz Wilson, who is a real pleasure to work with! Her great sense of style and flair for fashion helps to ensure that the 300 new pieces she takes in every week are current styles that will keep Karma's inventory fresh and new for their clients.  While Liz reviewed all of my pieces, I shopped around and couldn't believe the great selection and prices for such top designer labels!  I chatted with Liz to learn more about the store and the process. Liz, featured in the photo to the right, opened Karma in April of 2011 and the business has been booming ever since! Her contracts for your consigned items are extremely fair and easy to follow. For each group of items you bring in you will receive a 60 day contract. It's up to  you to call in after the 5th of each month to find out if any of your items have sold and if you have a check available. Sure enough, upon my calling in on August 6th, I had a check for $65.00 waiting for me! For any items that do not sell after 60 days, Karma will either donate them or you can pick them up.

If your thinking of consigning, view Karma's website or give them a call to learn more!  And keep in mind, if you are looking for a great dress or outfit but don't want to splurge on a designer label that's over your budget, make the trip to Karma to find that unique piece at over half the price!  And as always, if you need help sorting through your wardrobe to decide which pieces to consign and which to keep, Chica Guapa is here to help you with a wardrobe and closet review!

Happy Consigning!

Keeping Your Cool This Summer!

With recent record high temperatures, it's no wonder that we're looking for all the possible ways to keep cool! One easy way to ensure your body temperature stays low is to wear light weight fabrics that will allow your skin to breathe and decrease perspiration levels. Below is a helpful list of fabrics and how they will hold up during these dog days of Summer! 

Cotton- Cotton fabrics can be light weight, soft and comfortable. They can absorb moisture, however if the garment is too tight or if the cotton is too heavy, it can cause skin to perspire. If too much moisture is absorbed and the garment is not properly cared for, it can promote bacteria growth.  So ensure a looser fit on super hot days and promptly launder your cotton garments!


Seersucker is GREAT for Summer! The fabric is woven together in a way that cause the threads to bunch, and gives it that unique wrinkled or textured appearance. This bunching causes the fabric to be mostly held away from the skin when worn, which allows heat to more easily flow out and air to circulate. Seersucker is also an easy care fabric and does not need pressing. 


Polyester - We all love our bargain suits and dresses, but most of them are made of polyester. Keep in mind that this fabric is not very breathable, so avoid wearing polyester garments on a really hot day!


Linen - Summer arrives, and our Linens are pulled out of storage! While linen clothing can be light weight and cool, the fabric wrinkles very easily.  If you are looking for a pulled together, clean look, then do not choose a linen outfit!

Moisture Wicking / Quick Dry Fabrics- For those who spend a great deal of time exercising or for those who perspire more than average, moisture wicking, quick drying fabrics are a MUST! Even during the cooler months, your first layer against your skin should be made in this fabric. You can always layer on a light weight fleece vest or outerwear as needed. While this fabric is common in socks, exercise shorts and sports bras, it is now available for more every day wear. Check out the line of mens and womens underwear and clothing from Exofficio.  This "go to" black dress is made of their unique "drirelease" performance fabric, which is GREAT for hot days and the perfect piece to pack for your next trip to the tropics!

A Makeup Makeover!

After recently clearing out some house hold clutter, I was left with a storage bin full of various makeup and skin care products, which was clearly not being utilized appropriately. While my expertise is in wardrobe and style, I had been struggling for some time with my makeup applications, and figuring out which products and colors would create the right look for both my professional consultations and also for the various fashion events I attend. And of course, I can't help to mention the battle with applying makeup over aging skin!  Just as my clients recognize the need for my services, I quickly realized that I was in need of some professional help in the makeup department!


Lucky for me, professional makeup artist and beauty extraordinaire, D.D. Nickel, is only a hop, skip and a jump away from me in New Haven. As soon as you meet D.D. you will immediately feel comfortable with her warm, easy going personality. And upon stepping into her vintage styled studio, located on State Street, and seeing some images of the amazing looks she has created for others, you'll feel relaxed and ready for her to perform her magic on you!  D.D. has created looks for celebrities and TV personalities, and has worked with runway, red carpets, and Broadway.  She offers her own line of makeup and tools, sold exclusively in her shop. Take a peek at her website to view her full Bio. D.D. is also part of the Style Confessions team and just published her first book for new artists, " How To Start a Home-based Makeup Artist Business". Stay tuned for her upcoming seminars as well.

D.D.'s unique consultation is only $150 and includes a review of your current products (yes- the entire arsenal of makeup!), determines your best colors for your skin and your desired looks, and then a makeup lesson so that you know the correct way to apply and achieve your new looks. D.D. will also provide you with an instruction sheet, so you can't forget any of the steps. It is well worth the price ladies! 


And for those interested in hosting a group event, please note that D.D. Nickel and Chica Guapa have partnered together to deliver a Fashion Party like no other for you and your girlfriends! Contact me for more information!


Once again, a special THANK YOU to D.D. for creating the perfect palette for my desired looks and teaching me the tricks of the trade!   For more information on D.D. Nickel or to book an appointment, please contact her at 203-777-4161.

Guess Access Fashion Blog: Wish You Were Here- Philadelphia!

Feeling the LOVE for a trip to Philadelphia? Check out my latest blog post featured on the Guess Access Fashion Blog!  Also be sure to check out the Lookbook of all the latest Guess watches to go with our favorite Summer fashions!

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Thanks to Ice Cube for providing me with the perfect title for this post!

Let's face it...we've all been a victim of our own fashion faux pas. While I always stress the importance of having a well thought out wardrobe plan, I realize that life gets hectic and we all make mistakes. Below is a quick checklist to ensure you avoid some common fashion blunders that can turn your image into a wreck!

Check Yourself...

*When wearing a new suit, skirt, dress or blazer, make sure you remove the "tacks" from the slit or vents.

*Always take a look at yourself in a full length mirror. If possible, have another mirror available so you see both the front and back views. This will help to ensure that everything is tucked in or positioned where it should be, that you do not have any large threads or pieces of lint in conspicuous place on your body.

*Look down at your feet...are you wearing matching shoes? (Don't laugh,it happens!)

*Make sure your garments are pressed and are wrinkle and stain free. 

*Are all buttons buttoned and your zippers zipped? (Don't get caught with your "fly" down!)

*Check for accidental deodorant stains after getting dressed. 

*For new garments, always remove the new style security tags sewn into the seam, as well as unnecessary hanger straps that are at risk for popping out. 

*For men, always make sure that the top button of your jacket is buttoned and the bottom button is kept open. 

*Do all of your accessories match? Belts, shoes and socks? Jewelry and handbag? 

*Check for runs in your nylons or tights and be sure they are the correct color.
*Make sure you have on the proper undergarments and that there are not any areas exposed or showing through lighter fabrics. 

*Remove all price tags from the bottoms of your shoes. (You may not be able to see them, but others can when you walk!)

*Make sure your shoes are free from debris or paper (especially the kind from a bathroom!).

*If your plans will take you straight from day to evening, do you have your essentials to get you through the transition? This would include: deodorant, makeup for touch up, brush and hairspray, dental care or mints, extra tights or nylons, a different purse or jewelry, a different pair of shoes?

*Take a close-up look in the mirror - do you have any makeup smudges or too much makeup on? A need to floss or brush again? 

Leave your house each day ready to take on the world and confident with how you look!