What is STYLE? Better yet, what is YOUR style?   The types of clothes you wear, the fabric, patterns, combinations and brand are all key components in identifying your style formula.  No matter if you are an aspiring actor, a recent college graduate or a CEO of a major corporation, your STYLE should be uniquely yours and consists of a few general rules:

Be comfortable/natural: You should wear your style and not the other way around.  Ensure that you are mentally & physically comfortable in your clothing.  There is a difference between trying something new and having your clothes wear you.

Be affordable: Fashionable pieces are available at all different pricepoints, so make sure you maintain a proper balance to your wardrobe. Designer labels, department store brands, discount department store, consignment and thrift are all categories we recommend you incorporate for a balanced sense of style without breaking the bank.

Be age appropriate: This speaks for itself.  However, if you are raising your eyebrow about specifics, feel free to contact us with any questions. In theory, as we mature our style changes too.

Be Up-to-date: Have a lookbook that you keep looks and pieces that inspire you.  Before shopping, take a look at these items to keep them fresh in your mind. 

Be confident: Own your style, even if others may not 100% agree with you! 

Keep in mind, there are several other components in identifying your style such as how you want your clients & potential clients to see you; and what is appropriate for your profession. Never forget that first impressions are lasting and always put your best pedicured foot forward.  If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact us below or email your questions to info@styleinanutshell.com.

Style you later!

For 2012, Style in A Nutshell will be taking donations for the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center of Howard County.  Stay tuned for more details…

Have you ever  altered your clothes by a seamstress or tailor?  Have you ever tried on a dress that fit in the top but not in the hips? Or a jacket where the sleeves were slightly too long or short?

All of these issues can be resolved by a tailor or seamstress.  It is an amazing transformation to see how ready-to-wear clothing can change from standard to customize.  Most to all of us purchase ready-to-wear, but most of us never alter the clothing beyond the initial purchase.  The easiest way for anyone to separate themselves from the competition is to invest in tailoring.

Organizations such as Baltimore Fashion Alliance know the add value customized clothing gives to an individual’s appearance.  BFA created Attire 4 Hire, which provides recycled suits, shirts and trousers for men trying to re-enter the workforce.  They are in need of our help!  A4H needs to raise $1500 to keep their tailor on retainer.  Their seamstress ensures the proper fit of each garment provided by A4H, such as waist size and sleeve length for each individual.  A proper fitted suit adds to their confidence during job interviews.

For more information on how to assist with their cause, please follow this link https://givecorps.com/projects/76-baltimore-fashion-alliance-attire-4-hire.

If you don’t have a tailor and need one, ask around to friends, coworkers or family.  It is best to try and get a referral in order to get an honest opinion of his/her ability, turn around time and prices. You will be extremely satisfied at the difference tailoring will makes for your wardrobe.

Style you later!

This most wonderful time of year is typically the most difficult time to shop.  Large crowds congested parking lots and very long lines.  This is a typically day in the holiday day season, but what day kicks off the holiday season….BLACK FRIDAY.  It is right around the corner, so here are few tips to survive the day of all days for shopping and “saving”.

1. Find out what stores have what sales & items.
2. Decide your strategy plan. (i.e. If Target opens at 0400am and Nordstrom’s at 0600)
3. Write a list of thing(s) you want specifically, don’t be a browser.  Browsing takes too long.
4.  If you are shopping for clothes wear something that you can try clothing on top of or under such as a dress to avoid the time of going to the dressing rooms.  This may not work for everything, but save time on some items.
5. Eat a good breakfast and carry snacks & water in your purse

For those of you, who are weary about shopping on one of the most crowded day of the year, here are few points to ease your mind.

1. Most stores only carry a few of the items on super sale.
2. The amount of time standing in lines prior to the store opening, the chance of not getting what you want, plus the long lines could potentially cancel out the amount of savings for an item.
3. No need to get frustrated about not being able to find your size in the clutter.  With a simple click you will know if you size is available.
4. Online shopping has great sales & promotional offers.  It may not be as extensive as the savings in the stores, but it is still a great deal.
5. Don’t forget the lack of headache, gas for driving,  and comfort of being in your pajamas drinking hot chocolate while you shop is PRICELESS.

No matter if you brave the crowds or shop online, be sure that you are only buying what you need and not because “it’s on sale”. Buying something you not going to use or need is still wasting your money no matter the price. Most of all, BEWARE OF THE SHOPPER’S HIGH and make sure to inquiry about the store’s return policy.  Click here for a few more tips on how to save big bucks on Black Friday. 

Click here for more information on what to wear while shopping on Black Friday.  Good Luck & Happy Shopping!

Ever wake up to puffy eyes and don’t know what to do? There are a few home remedies and tricks we want to share with you.

#1 Tapping: gently tap under your eye

#2 Hydrate: by drinking more water you can depuff

#3 Spoons: apply cold spoons from freezer under your eye

#4 Cold press: apply ice, cold gel mask under your eye

#5 Tea bags: make some tea and use the tea bag to reduce puffy bags

#6 Cucumber slices: thin slices applied to un der eye area sooths and reduces bags

#7 Hemorrhoid cream: a little dab at night under each eye will depuff your eyes

Need more details…don’t fret.  Watch The Style Nut for specifics on how to do each of these home remedies.  Click here to watch video.

If you have a remedy you would like to share, please feel free to comment below or email us at info@styleinanutshell.com.

Style you later!

 

Style you later!

QUICK TIP: For women unsure if they are wearing the correct size bra, rest assured most of you probably are, but there is an easy solution.   Alex from Victoria Secrets states, “We all should be getting our bra size measured every 6 months”.  Why do you ask?  We found out there are constant factors that shift our bra sizes such as:

1. Having a baby

2. Losing weight

3. Exercising and gaining muscle

If you have experienced major weightloss you need to get re-measured sooner than later. Wearing the wrong bra size can cause spillage making the double bubble or can cause gapping due to the bra being too large.  It is an easy & quick process in order to find out if our size has changed.  Even if you are 100% sure of your bra size, you still need to recheck every 6 months.

If you live near Columbia Mall, go to Victoria Secrets and ask for Alex.  She will gladly assist you and provide you with your primary & sister size, as well as show you some current styles that will compliment and fit you perfectly.

Style you later!

With the canceling of Oprah’s show, some of you are left with a void to fill.  SIAN is stepping up to the challenge to provide you a few of our favorite things.  We have been received a few questions about products, which is always a great opporutnity to do a blog and share the wealth. These favorite things are random & are all products that have bee personally used and quality-checked.

P.S. Holidays are approaching and these would make great gifts & stocking stuffers.  Enjoy!

Neutrogena Bodywash in Rainfall

This product is amazing! The scent is not overpowering and you skin is left feeling clean and residue free.  The scent is unisex meaning for Men & Women use.

Burt’s Bees Fabulously Fresh Peppermint & Rosemary Body Wash

The #1 word to describe this product is REFRESHING.  It’s a great way to wake up in the morning. This bodywash does not get a huge lather, but it is better than a cup of coffee to get your day off to bright start.

Beauticontrol Skinlogics Lip Apeel

This product is the best of it’s kind!  Love how easy it is to use and the lip balm is great!  Tip: Exfoliate lips one to twice a week, but every night put the lip balm on to wake up to soft & supple lips.

Beauticontrol Instant Manicure

Hello, can we say WoW!!! Soft, moisturized, radiant hands are just seconds away with product. Tip: Use it all over body (i.e. arms, elbows, knees, legs, feet).  Great for double moisturization before shaving.  Love. Love. Love!

Kleancolor Nail Lacquer in Mystic Grass

Love. Love. Love this color.  It adds just the right punch of color. It is such a beautiful jewel tone with a slight pearlescent coating.

L’Occitane Cooling Powdered Foot Gel

Even though Summer is coming to a close it doesn’t mean that we should stop taking care of our feet. This product is a great way to relieve the aches and pains of your tootsies after a long day’s work.  The cooling sensation is phenomenal!

Burt’s Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar Scrub

BBC & P Sugar Scrub is confusing because you won’t know if you should eat it or use it to exfoliate away your dead skin.  The smell alone is DELISH!!!  It leaves your skin feeling soft and luxurious!  Tip: Great to use before shaving your legs and you may want to use it dry before starting your shower for a really good exfoliation.  Try it once and you’ll be hooked!

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes

If a little piece of heaven has fallen onto earth it is in the form of these towellettes!  They are wondeful.  Removes makeup, refreshes your face after a long flight.  Tip: Refridgerate for a cooling effect and keep a pack in your purse or car for needed emergencies.  We can’t get enough of these life-saving towelettes!

Mac Cremesheen Lipgloss in Richer Lusher

This gloss is simply a must-have! We have yet to find someone that doesn’t look fabulous in this shade.  It works for so many skin tones.  It glides on like silk and makes your lips look and feel amazing!

Again, just to reiterate…These products have been great for me.  Use any and all products with caution to make sure that you are not allergic to any indgredients, etc.  All of the products are reasonably priced and tend to last a long time depending on the duration of use.  If you would like to share any of your favorite products feel free to contact us at info@styleinanutshell.com or comment below!  If you decide to try one of these products please tell us the pros & cons of your experience.  Style you later!

Can you feel the breeze of change coming?  Fall is knocking at our door, and I am excited to say HELLO!  With the change of weather, most of us need to change our closets by putting away some of our Summer gear to make room for our Fall threads. It’s a perfect opportunity to do a Fall Overhaul, but not just a surface purge.  Let’s clean from the rooter to the tooter to include shoes, makeup, jewelry, medicine cabinet and even under the bathroom sink.  If you can’t see what you have how do you expect to use or wear it.

Being a believer of “practice what you teach”, there was an overhaul done this weekend and here are some pictures of the results.  The closet is always kept up-to-date, because of the “purchase rule”.  (For those of you wondering what the purchase rule is…for every item you purchase you need to get rid of an old item in your closet.  It keeps the clutter down and allows you to maintain your closet.)

Don’t overwhelm yourself and be sure to take it one section at a time.  You can do it over the weekend or set smaller goals to take care of a section per day.  Take baby steps and before you know it you will be finished. Depending on the item be sure to donate or trash the appropriate items.  There are plenty of local charities, donation bins or friends/family that can use a lending hand. 

We know you spent this weekend shopping all the great Labor Day weekend sales.  Go ahead and set some time aside during this week to do a thorough cleaning before Fall kicks into full swing.

P.S.  Don’t forget under the sink and the medicine cabinet.  Two places in general that sometimes are overlooked.  If you need a tip, here is a great general rule of thumb: “If you have to make up a rationale, reason, or excuse to keep it…TOSS IT!”

We have all heard of the bucketlist, but for those who have not it is a list consisting of items you want to do and experience before you die.  I have tons of things on my bucketlist to include going to a tanning salon.  Too many of my friends have told me interesting things about tanning.  Well, this past week a friend and I went to tan at Hollywood Tans, which was quite an experience.  It was confusing at first because of the series of questions:

#1 What number do you want so I looked at the board and said 54 (which was the number in the  middle).

#2 Do you want oil?

#3 Do you want goggles or stickers?

Once I struggled through the questions with laughter and confusion, I ended being lead to these space pods, which looked like they were going to send me to another galaxy.  Mentally thinking, beam me up Scottie and praying I don’t get left in there to overcook.  Overall, the experience was fun, between the industrial fan, holding on to the handles, bright beaming lights and wonderful music selection it was like a party in very tiny subway. I am sure a few of you are asking will I do it again.  Perhaps.  And if not, it was wonderful to experience at least one.  <Chris checks off tanning on her Bucketlist>

Why am I sharing this? Life is always about trying new things.  Perhaps something completely outside of your forteit and without trying you will not know if its something you would want to try again.  Sometimes in life, its great to be able to say, “Yes, I tried that once.” So think about it, get up and try something completely off your radar, whether it be an activity all the way to wearing that bold lipstick color.  You will never know if you like something unless you try, which is the key to life.

So, get up, get out and try something completely outside of your comfort zone.  I’m off to my next BucketList adventure.  Let’s us know how it goes!

Style you later!