How to pull off a menswear inspired look?

One of the trends that we've been seeing a lot of is the Menswear Inspired look. A common question I am asked is how can I pull off this look if I want to wear it?
First of all, you'll want to decide in what way do you want to wear the Menswear Inspired look? What is the best way to carry off the look for you and your personality?
Do you love accessories and want to include it in your outfit very subtly with a handbag or shoe. If considering a specific piece of clothing you have many options: striped blouses, patterned vests, pinstriped skirt or trousers. When trying to follow a trend, it is important to pull it off in small doses. Try one menswear inspired piece among more feminine or basic pieces. Here in this picture Heidi Klum is wearing a plaid dress (menswear inspired). She's added some feminine touches from head to toe starting with her feminine hair style, belt and ending with shoes.

FEBRUARY is National Self-Esteem Month

The National Association for Self-Esteem has February as the National Self-Esteem month.

NASE and DSEF(Dove Self-Esteem fund_ are working to help foster self-esteem. The Dove Self-Esteem Fund is an agent of change to educate and inspire girl's on a wider definition of beauty and to make them feel more confident about themselves. As an Image-Style Consultant I am very interested and concerned with helping teens increase their self-image and confidence. I've developed an image course(IMAGE4 Teens) with the teenage girl in mind that specifically addresses image related topics that correlates to ones self-image. My IMAGE4Teens course will start in the month of March. To help support February as the National Self-Esteem month I'll be offering a discount for anyone who signs up for this girls image course. Sign up now and receive a 10% discount for the IMAGE4 Teens course. For more information go to: http://www.imagebygwen.com/ or email: gwen.rich@comcast.net

IMAGE4 Teens locations visit: http://www.renudayspa.com/

Does the handbag wear you?

Today I am going to write about some fundamental principles that will help you to choose the right accessories for you and your lifestyle. This is a picture of Vanessa Hudgens and the accessory that I am going to refer to in this picture is the handbag. Something about this picture doesn't look quite right?
Let's go over a few principles to prove my point. When considering an accessory such as a handbag, you want to remember:
Color, style, lifestyle and size.
Vanessa did a good job choosing the right color (black). Black is a great basic color for Vanessa and her natural characteristics. The style (casual) goes along with the style(casual) of her outfit. The bag is a good choice for her lifestyle when she is on the go. Lastly, the size, well this is the principle she forgot about. The bag is too big for her. The bag is wearing her. Vanessa is very tiny and petite. It is a good rule of thumb to never where a handbag that is larger that the width of your hips. That way it is more harmonious with your body, it won't overwhelm you like in the picture. Most importantly you'll' wear the handbag and look very stylish too.

To a Better You in 2009

This year will be a lot of things. One being that 2009 is a sign to return to the basics and find the things that really matters most in our lives. The most important being our health and well- being. Do you like the way you feel and look about yourself? If you're like most women you're unhappy about some aspect of your image or appearance. The way a women feels and looks about her image has a lot to do with her success socially and professionally. Does that resonate with you? If it does then why not make the commitment in 2009 to feel happier and more confident about the way you look. Why wait any longer. Stop putting everyone and every task before you!

As a professional Image-Style Consultant I can help you discover and embrace your challenges and attributes. Learn wardrobe strategies that create the illusion that you have more ideal proportions, capitalize on your attributes and focus on your strengths.

Stop waiting to shed those extra pounds or until you finally reach that ideal size. I can help you look younger and slimmer with a few simple wardrobe strategies. You won't even have to set foot into a health club or visit a plastic surgeon.

Start to except the body you were born with and embrace yourself just as you are.

If you're ready to make some changes in a new direction, and if you're ready to be the person you're meant to be, then I am ready to help.

I can be reached by phone, email, website or blogging.

I look forward to hearing from you.

What Color are you choosing for breakfast?

I was recently away for a little R&R. I was staying at a resort that I've never been to before. One of the brochures that they had in the room was for eating a healthful breakfast. The brochures theme was to order according to a food color chart. Different colors represented different menu choices. For ex: a High Energy breakfast was identified with the color "red" and Indulgence breakfast was identified with the color "yellow" and so on. This is another example of how color is all around us. Color affects us positively or negatively, whether we are aware of it or not. So at this resort they start your day off on the right foot by choosing color therapy which is a natural health alternative for choosing your breakfast. Color not only effects the way we look, but also the way we think, feel and act.


Here are the examples the hotel used for ordering your breakfast.

Follow your Color!

Low fat & low calorie- Violet: spirituality and peace


Indulgence- Yellow: Cheerfulness, energy


Low Cholesteral- blue: calm, quiet, tranquillity


High Fiber- green/blue: regeneration, restfulness


Hi Energy- red: strength, power,





As an Image-Style consultant one of the services I provide is on Colour Analysis. "Color is Power" and is an invaluable tool to have on hand. Depending on each clients, seasonal colour palette and lifestyle, they can choose to harness the power of color everyday.





I use color to my advantage everyday. I only wear colors that are in my colour palette. I use my best colors when I am feeling sick to evaluate my mood. Ex: if you look better you feel better. Depending on the occasion and audience I'll choose my colors accordingly. I almost never wear black. Black is not one of my colors in my seasonal colour palette. Instead my basic, neutral, solid color that looks much better on me is navy.


Color effects the way we look and evokes certain responses from those around us. What are the colors that you're wearing saying about you? How is your circle of friends subconsciously responding to your color choices?

Courtside Couture

Any Tennis fans out there?
Did you get a chance to watch any of the French Open?
I Enjoy the game of tennis and look forward to watching the Grand Slam event and seeing what styles and trends pop up on the tennis court.

What you wear on the court says a lot about you and

your " Personal Style".

NATURAL: comfort is more important than fashion. No fuss, simple and casual.
Ex: T-shirt with shorts or skirt


SPORTY: a little more emphasis on style. Simple with high-tech fabrics.
Ex: Amelie Mauresmo



CLASSIC: traditional, conservative styles, preppy, no surprises. Both top and bottom match.
Ex: Maria Sharipova

FEMININE: lace, ruffles, bows, pleats and bubble skirt.
Ex: Ana Ivanovic












DRAMATIC: lines, patterns are bold, colors bright. Trendy styles.
Ex: Serena Williams

















My favorite tennis apparel line is Peachy Tan. Peachy Tan has a fashion forward approach on and off the court.


Visit: www.peachytan.com