Sunday, February 26, 2012

Do You Know Your Body Type?

I don't have as much time as I would like to write a post today, but I did find a very helpful and quick way to determine your body type. I already knew mine, but took the quiz to see if the answers I gave to the questions would reveal what I already knew. It was correct for me, so maybe give it a try and see if it works for you!

Shabby Apple Fit to Flatter

Sunshine in My Soul
































Sunshine in My Soul by bekzilla featuring floral tops

Because I am a pear shape, I like to find ways to "balance" my contours using color, pattern and garment shape. What every your type, there is a way to present your best attributes and camouflage the rest. The outfit above is a great example of how I like to do that for my shape. A beautiful printed or bright colored top, a well made skirt or pair of pants with a shape that allows my ample rear to not be the star of the show.

And remember, the most beautiful thing you can wear is a smile!
B-

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

So, How Do You Choose?

Before you go to bed or when you wake up in the morning, when is it you decide what it is you will be wearing for the day or event that you need to get dressed for? Do you choose an ensemble based on how you will spend your day, or with whom? Do you choose on the fly or are you a planner?
Answering some of these questions might give you important insight in understanding and appreciating your personal style.
An important thing for me in defining my personal style and feeling confidence in my choices was to decide that in most instances I would be making selections to please myself. I do like to make a great first impression, and appear tidy and well kept, but I don't typically make wardrobe decisions to make anyone else happy. I can't say that I have never done that, but for the most part I have learned that when I feel good in what I am wearing my confidence will light me up from the inside and I will have that happy glow.
This also leads into understanding and dressing for your particular body type and presenting your best attributes and concealing the less flattering ones. I am going to save that topic for other days as it is quite large. But what I do want to identify is that knowing and incorporating this information into your personal style raises your confidence to an even higher level.


Rain or Shine



I have to espouse the importance of using a site like Polyvore to "shop" your preferences and combine different pieces that are similar to those you own or would consider purchasing. It gives fantastic insight on how your style evolves and lets you prioritize important piece purchasing.

So, curiosity has the best of me, how do you make your wardrobe decisions?
B-




Monday, February 20, 2012

Pantone's Fall 2012 Color Report

Do you love color?
Does it "talk" to you and inspire you?
I think color is one of the most powerful tools we have in communication, it sends messages, creates illusion, implies power, and the list goes on. And while I love to look at certain colors there are many I would never wear because of my skin tone, body shape and many other reasons. The very same colors that I would never wear will look phenomenal on others and they likely would be best served not wearing what looks best on me.



I was really excited to see that Pantone has released their Fall Color Report for 2012! I was even more thrilled to see that gorgeous green on the palette! It has the nickname of "Becky Green" in our house because it is one of my all time favorite colors. I will be popping that color all year, but come Fall I will be owning it! Now don't think I will be working all these colors, quite the contrary, lol!! I know from years of buying clothes that I may love the color of something on the hanger and then getting them home and wearing it, the item just doesn't work. With that in mind, there are quite a few of these colors that won't make it into my closet.
How many times have I bought something, worn it once or twice and never felt quite right in it and then it went into the donation pile. I just don't do that anymore. I pay close attention while shopping, look at the lighting in the room and the wall colors. These factors will greatly distort or clarify the colors and how they look on you. If your skin doesn't glow and your eye color pop when you are in a certain color, don't buy it. Admire it on someone else it works on and stick with the colors that presents you in the best possible way.

So, is there a color in this report that is one of your signature colors? If so, which one and how will you be wearing it?

I am going straight away over to my Polyvore boards and building some inspiring sets with these colors, how will you be using the report? If you create something share a link, I would love to see how it inspires you!

Remember, the most beautiful thing you can wear is a smile!
B-



Sunday, February 19, 2012

Sequin and Suede




Welcome to the inaugural post of my new blog!! 


I just got home from a trip to Las Vegas where I attended MAGIC, a tradeshow for the fashion and apparel industry. It was a big piece of heaven for me and I left with my love for the fashion industry re-kindled. As a young student all I wanted to do when I graduated from Brooks College with an Associate of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising was be a buyer for Nordstrom and maybe work my way up into being a personal shopper. These were big dreams for a 21 year old girl who was getting married and moving out to the suburbs of Orange County. 
After the marriage and a move, a baby came along and then another, another and another. My new dream and passion was to be the most loving and devoted mom I could be to my beautiful children. 
I spent a few seasons working part time at Nordstrom during special events, and loved every minute, but knew it was not realistic for me to have a career quite yet. A move to Utah when the last baby was 1, so my husband could pursue opportunities, put me even farther away from the center of my dreams and I began working as a ski instructor at Deer Valley Utah (otherwise known as paradise!) for the next ten years. My children grew, and my dreams of fashion faded as I worried more about lunches, hurt feelings and skinned knees. I also took time after my career as a ski instructor to get a Bachelor's of Science in Economics (graduated Cum Laude!) It was great, while the kids worked on their homework, I did mine as well. From there I have gone on to becoming a freelance project designer in the paper crafting industry. 
Along the way I have learned many important lessons, some were expensive and other free. They all have lead me to where I am at now, and I am very excited to be standing at the thresh hold of my dreams. This is where I can take all that I am and deposit it into all that I want to be. Exciting, exhilarating, and very frightening! 


Sequin and Suede






































Sequin and Suede by bekzilla 




These dreams were hidden, afraid of being found. Because with my dreams there would come failures, disappointments and  pain. I have experienced much of that in my life, and hadn't wanted to add more to my plate. But I removed my fear from the equation, and realized that I could handle what was left. So I am forging ahead, excited about failures, anticipating disappointment and embracing pain. For without any of those moments I won't be able to find success, joy and growth.


One of the best ways for me to identify and enjoy my passion for fashion was through the website Polyvore. I am quite new to it and learning more each day, but the fundamentals with finding things that I like and combining them all together, I was like a duck in water. 


I will be looking for fashion that is fresh, modern with a classic spin and modest. What I find there I will be sharing here and discussing it! I do love the "labels" but will also be scouring for companies that fit my bill in all kinds of price points, so if you have a favorite, please let me know so I can check them out!!


And remember, the most beautiful thing you can wear is a smile  :o)


B-