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. 

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!