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DRESSING FABULOUSLY CASUAL
by Michelle Liberman
FEB. 17th, 2010
What’s casual to you? Sweats? Jeans? A funky dress? Dressy pants? A short skirt? Sexy boots? Converses? Answer: any of it.
Casual dressing, for many, suggests unfussy or careless throwing together of things. What that can result in, sometimes, is a walking fashion disaster if you are actually being “careless.” If you’re making this blunder of looking like a frumpster and calling it casual, stop. It’s time to re-define your style definition of “casual.” Casual dressing implies free and easy; not showing effort or strain. Casual dressing is NOT haphazard dressing.
What we actually all want, in the name of “casual,” is effortless style. We all want it. We all can have it. There is a feasible way to put together an outfit by just grabbing any old thing in your closet and having it look marvelous. Every item in your closet must fit and flatter you.
Effortless style requires some effort, of course. The effort lies in understanding how clothing can look amazing on you (anything from sweat pants and sneaks to a cocktail dress and heels). Yes, even your sweats, jeans, and workout shorts can flatter you and look great. The trick? Fit. Make sure every item of clothing you wear fits your body well.
Effortless manner (the ease and comfort with which you wear your clothes) also comes into play with casual style. Do not mistake comfort and ease with frumpy, loose, and ill-fitting. Too many people err in that direction in fear of looking like they’ve “tried too hard. Be comfortable…in clothes that fit.
Nowadays, the popular trend of the slouchy style shirt helps polish the informal look. Gorgeous designs in light, beautiful fabrics cascade down the body. They are fantastic “sophisticated casual” pieces because the shapes and fabrics are striking and flattering for many body types while the flowing design evokes a sense of freedom and laid backness. Casual. Effortless beauty. It’s a wonderful thing. Just make sure your slouchy style shirt actually fits you and follows the contour lines of your body and isn’t just….well, sloppy. These pieces are versatile because they can be easily dressed up as well.
So whether your idea of casual is “sophisticated,” “pretty,” “grungy,” “punk rock,” “sexy,”….the sky’s the limit with your casual attire expressions. Casual is what’s casual to YOU. What you feel free and effortless in. I’m sure you’ve noticed the theme of this article on what makes casual successfully stylish = Fit. Make sure you dump the frump, and ensure that everything fits you well.
HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT GIFT
by Michelle Liberman
DEC. 15th, 2009
December is here and shopping is in the air!
The holidays are officially here! And we all know what that means. Finding that perfect gift. There is nothing more gratifying than watching the face of someone we love beam over a gift that lets them feel appreciated and shows that you really thought of them when buying it. Achieving this can sometimes be harder to do than finding the Holy Grail.
The Shopping Friend is here to help you this year. No, I’m not going to list a bunch of cool items for you to “pick” from. That’s not very thoughtful or unique. Sometimes the person you’re buying for may be very easy to buy for. They may have already expressed that they want the Flip camera or a gift card from Whole Foods. Or maybe they’re easy and are happy with absolutely anything. There are just those people who are grateful and happy for anything you give them (wooden carving of a bunny, an airport gift shop snow globe, a fridge magnet…) bless their souls.
There are gifts that would be pretty spectacular for anyone. Flying a fighter jet, being able to dive down to the Titanic in a submarine, tickets to the Super Bowl, or creating a life for a week where you can be James Bond or a supermodel. If you don’t have a kajillion dollars, then read on.
We’ll go through the process that professional personal shoppers go through to find that “just right” gift for someone and pass that knowledge on to you! The perfect gift really depends on the individual. It may take a little bit of time (and I don’t mean like weeks or anything – so sit down, your loved one is worth it) and let’s get started!
First, know who you’re shopping for. I don’t mean, “I’m shopping for Kelly.” Do they love sports? Do they scrapbook? Do they like to buy art? Do they like to paint art? Do they like to cook? Do they like to be taken to fancy restaurants? Do they like animals? Do they like hiking? You get the picture. Make a list of all the things you know they really like.
Second, do a little research on the things they like. Hey! Sit down. You love them. They are worth it. Research some of their interests as if it’s yours. For example, if you’re a guy and you like football, would you want your girl to get you a football magnet because they know you like football or would you like it if they did a little research, found out when the next game was in the closest stadium to your town, and got you tickets? Or what if they did a little more research, discovered your favorite player on your favorite team, and got you an autographed football from them? The results that can come from just a little bit of research is astounding! So if you know your girl likes to knit, don’t just buy her yarn! Find out all the knitting needles that exist, think of what you know she likes to knit (if it’s sweaters, that requires bigger needles), and buy her the appropriate materials to meet her heart’s desire. Simple!
Third, once you have determined their interests, hobbies, and desires. Ask yourself if they would prefer an experience or a tangible product. For example, if you know your wife likes dancing, do you decide to buy her a package of dance lessons (experience), buy her new dance shoes or a dancing dress(product), or take her out on the town to dance with her (romantic experience). This last one guys, is always the best. The romantic experience. Keep that one always in mind. If you can somehow tie in romance into an interest or hobby of theirs, you will be golden for at least several weeks.
That’s all there is to it! Easy breezy. Now, of course, if you just absolutely don’t have time, or you’re trying to find that “perfect, unique gift” for 14 people, maybe you want to hire some help. Enlist a friend or another family member or call The Shopping Friend.
Lastly, you may want to consider the gift of a personal shopper or stylist for your loved one. The Shopping Friend has been a gift to many a spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend, or even someone’s child. It’s a very unique gift, an extraordinary service of pampering and feeling special, and most people would never even think of it! Plus, it falls under both categories of experience and product. You buy them the experience of shopping with a personal stylist/shopper and they also get the benefit of the clothes! (Don’t forget to give them money for the actual shopping!)
In the end, we all know what the true spirit of the holidays really entails. We know what’s really important – expensive gifts. No. That was a test. If you agreed, you failed. So even if you can’t find the perfect gift for your spouse or you don’t receive exactly what you want come Christmas or Hanukkah day, be thankful you have someone you love so much that you’d spend time trying to get them something special or thankful you have someone in your life who loves you enough to even get you a gift! More power to love!!
Happy Holidays from The Shopping Friend!!
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