Color My Closet

Varying degrees of color

2010-07-19T09:20:00.001-07:00

Do you know how many systems of color analysis exist today? I don't have the exact count, but there are well over 10 systems that I am aware of. Each system has something unique about it, yet not one is as comprehensive as it could be.

Color analysis is both an art and a science, and it continues to evolve year after year. It is not a perfected science, though. Back in the 1980s we had basic options of 4 seasons and 2 undertones. Now we have several variations on each season, and some color systems don't even use the seasonal matching concept.

Color analysts like myself do not typically invent the systems. We use them to do our analysis and are charged with the responsibility of choosing the most accurate system available to us. The system I use is state-of-the-art and is the most neatly packaged together system I've seen to date. It is called Sci\ART. I've been professionally certified on that system, and I use all Sci\ART color analysis tools and books of color for my clientele.

At the end of the day, most of my clients are not that interested in the science or technology behind color, though. They are only interested in what color can do for them. What colors make them look healthier, more stylish, younger, slimmer, etc.? What is their best or ideal color palette?

Well, you know what? I'm here to tell you that my view of color palettes has become much more lenient as the years go by. No longer do I believe that you only have certain colors you can wear. Yes, I offer you a book of your best 64 colors, but that's just it......those are your best, not ONLY, colors.

I now think of color on more of a sliding scale of favorability. We have your best 64 colors, then other colors that border them and are pretty good for you, and then we have colors that are your least flattering. There are no colors that you cannot wear. We color analysts are not the color police after all!

Your personal book of color is designed to be a guideline. If you find a color that matches your book precisely, then please buy it! It's ideal for you. If you find a color that looks as though it blends in with your color palette, then it will also look well on you. If you find a color that looks way off, then proceed with caution.
If you MUST have a color that is all wrong for you, then please accessorize around it with your best colors. Frankly, I wouldn't buy the color at all if I were you, because it won't blend well with your color palette. That's not me being the color police---I'm just stating my professional opinion as a color analyst!

Live in color!
Lauren

Where on earth is Color My Closet?

2010-07-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

To all of our faithful blog followers:

We owe you a big apology! While Color My Closet has spent the last several months doing TV work, trying to build up our YouTube channel, writing articles for Associated Content, tweeting and "facebooking," we have abandoned you.

This summer we are taking time off to revamp our infrastructure.....meaning the look and feel of our website, our YouTube channel, etc. We are also on vacation for the entire month of July. You know it's good to take a break and recharge your creative batteries from time to time.

Here's what we'd like to ask you, our readers. What do you want us to blog about? You see, we specialize in all things color, but we also know a heck a lot about the world of style and fit. We dress people on a very regular basis and love doing it. We're always on the lookout for edgy, funky stuff that real women can actually wear.

Here's the deal, though.....we've run out of ideas because we are using them up on all of our other projects...just being honest, folks.

We need your help....please comment below and ask us some questions. We know you can help us keep this blog going.

Thanks in advance for your most probing questions. We love you.

Live in color!
Lauren

Color from a Dude's Perspective: Real men wear pink...says Intern Allen

2010-03-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

Real men wear pink! Being the macho man that I am….I was skeptical. I’m all about risk and putting myself out there, but pink seemed a little much for my outgoing personality. It seemed too feminine and didn’t enhance the mountain man of manliness that is me. I loved the quote “my face carries the burden of handsomeness every day” because—well, that’s how I feel! Could pink make me even more appealing to the opposite sex? How do you improve on awesomeness? Never one to settle for anything less than my best, I decided to research the color pink a little more.

So I decided to ask women what they thought about men in pink. The first thing that comes to mind with the color pink and men is that women believe these men have confidence and are comfortable in who they are. Score—1 point for pink. I love to exude confidence, and I am comfortable in who I am. Pink seemed like it could be the jelly to my peanut butter. As I continued to ask what women thought of men in pink, the answers were all positive. Pink is a great compliment to most skin tones, who knew? Pink also hints at a sensitive man. Hmm! A man who is confident and sensitive? What lady wouldn’t love that! Not only can pink let women know that I am confident, but it can also show my sensitivity to the world and those women in the world. Bam—2 points for pink!

Probably the best thing I heard about pink is that women love the color itself. And when a woman sees pink, she’s more than likely going to give pink on a gentleman a second glance. Believe me, I think love at first sight is awesome, but most of us need a few glances before we are hooked. Wearing pink may just give me a way into the door of a woman’s heart. Or at least give her the second look she needs to fall in love with me! It turned out that pink isn’t a color to be afraid of but embraced. Maybe if I embrace pink, it would lead to women embracing me!

Pink is a scary color for most of the male species, but used in the right way, it can be a crucial ally in the search for great manly fashion sense. It can turn the ordinary and meek man into a bold and confident one! It can bring life and color to the dullness that most men find in their wardrobes. It suggests to the world that as a man I am complete and a force with whom to be reckoned. Pink is a friend in color that can make your life pop! Men, just keep this in mind: Real men do wear pink!

Editor's Note: Hey there, folks...it is I, Lauren, with just a quick commentary on the image I inserted into this blog post. I wanted to find a manly man wearing pink. How about this photo of actor Dennis Haybert (known recently for his acting on the show The Unit)!! Look at how chic and confident he carries himself in pink...real men really DO wear pink!

Color from a Dude's Perspective: Intern Allen & his dreams of baby blue!

2010-03-13T16:49:00.001-08:00

So as I spend more time with Lauren and Color my Closet, I’m being opened up to a whole new world. Still amazed that color could have such a huge effect on my appearance and feeling. That being said, I had to offer myself to the Color gods and see exactly what Lauren’s ideas were all about. So when she offered to do my color analysis, I was in for the adventure, albeit feeling a little nervous. And as Lauren sat me down in the chair with lights on in front of the mirror, I felt as bare as the day I was born. What had I gotten myself into? I have been in front of people in a Speedo and felt more comfortable than I did at that moment. Lauren explained that it wasn’t going to hurt….yeah right!! That’s what dentists say before they drill into your mouth.

And as I looked in the mirror while Lauren prepared to describe the different tones of color, several thoughts bounced in my head. My first thought was, “Oh yeah…I’m a good looking guy!” And then a scary thought popped into my head as she continued to explain the different seasons of color. Had I been wearing the wrong colored Speedo my whole life? Oh no, the wrong colored Speedo? That could have explained my dating drought. Then again, the fact that I feel comfortable in a Speedo could explain my dating drought.

I explained to Lauren what I thought was going to be my shade of color. Now I love bright colors, and of course since I love them, they must look good on me. She took notes, and told me she had her own ideas about my group of colors. Lauren then began to drape different colors over me. She explained very thoroughly what she was doing, comparing each color to the last one. She would scribble in her notepad.

Amazing, each color took a life of its own. Some colors would weigh on me and my face. Did I just get walloped with an ugly stick? What happened to the good looking guy in the mirror, and who was this guy posing as me? …. And other colors complimented me, danced with my face and my smile in unison. And every time I saw those colors on me, one thought popped into my head: Is it too late for me to get votes for People’s Sexiest man alive? I mean I looked good, and color was the key!

As Lauren finished comparing colors in her analysis, she explained that I was a True Summer. Not what I thought when I first sat down in the chair, but the colors seemed made for my face and smile. I told Lauren how I had a wedding (not mine) that I would be attending and the color analysis would help. One of the colors in my set that looks good is baby blue. Who knew? And guess what? My dream of wearing a baby blue tuxedo (with ruffles of course) would finally be realized. Life is good when you add color!

Macy's launches BRAND NEW Fashion Director Challenge--Daily $500 giveaway!!

2010-03-08T09:15:00.000-08:00

My colorful friends:

Boy, do I have great news today! Macy's has officially launched their new Fashion Director Challenge website today. This means that you can tap into your creative minds, put together an innovative outfit online, have people vote for you, and you could win.........

a Macy's $500 gift card

How does it work?

1) Log onto www.macys.com/fashiondirector

2) Read the style question of the day

3) Answer by selecting your own wardrobe solution from the many choices given. It's simple: cut and paste!

4) Submit your outfit and be SURE to share with friends & family.

5) The person with the most votes at the end of each day wins the $500 Macy's gift card.

In a conversation I had a few weeks ago with Milinda Martin, Macy's VP of Media Relations & Cause Marketing, she explained that the retailer wants people to tap into their playful, more creative side and have "fun with fashion."

It's all about playing with different options to create solutions that are both fashion savvy and representative of who you are.

The site is packed with plenty of options for outfit choices....so go and have fun, ladies!

Live in color,
Lauren

Invitation to Houston VIP color event: Color My Closet, Macy's & Estee Lauder

2010-02-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

Houston ladies,

Color My Closet is collaborating with Macy's & Estee Lauder on a VIP color event just for you. There are only 15 slots available, so please RSVP right away!

Dates: Friday, March 5 & Saturday, March 6

Location: Macy's Galleria at Sage, 2727 Sage Road, Houston TX 77056

RSVP required: 713-968-1914

Your VIP treatment includes:

*Mini color analysis by me to determine your undertone: cool, neutral or warm

*Expert match on foundation & concealer

*Selection of custom color palette & makeover

*Hair coloring & jewelry tips

There is a $50 minimum purchase for this appointment, and your free gift is included.

The 7-Piece Gift is INCLUDED with your Estēe Lauder purchase.

Gift includes: Choose your Color: Warm or cool shades of Pure Color Lipstick and an Eyeshadow Quad. Choose your Skincare: 7-Day supply of Soft Clean Cleanser and Time Zone Line and Wrinkle Reducing Crème SPF 15 or Perfectly Clean Cleanser and NEW Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Crème. Plus each Gift includes a Sumptuous Mascara in black and a chic lizard-pattern cosmetics bag and coin purse.

More FREE Gifts!

Spend $55.00 or more and get 4 professional makeup brushes in a sleek travel case!

And as a special BONUS receive a free 10-day supply of foundation that’s right for you.

Please join me for this fun & informative event!

Live in color,
Lauren

myPANTONE

2010-02-17T14:00:00.001-08:00

myPANTONE

Posted using ShareThis

I cannot color analyze you at first sight...and here's why!

2010-02-16T17:27:00.000-08:00

To continue our introduction from yesterday, we are discussing why I--the professionally trained color analyst--cannot simply look at a woman to determine her tone/season/color category.

Here are the top 5 reasons why this can't happen at first sight:

1) You color treat your hair. About 90% of you gals out there color treat your hair in some way. This means that you are altering the look of your skin just by shifting your natural hair color around. An accurate analysis requires that we cover your hair up with a neutral grey cap, so that the hair color doesn't interfere with the process.

2) You are wearing makeup when you ask me this question. Makeup is designed to mask imperfections and smooth out skin tone. We need to see the face without makeup in order to measure the different optical effects that various colors have on the skin.

3) The colors that you are wearing now alter the look of your skin completely, rendering it impossible to conclude anything definite regarding your color category. We do color analysis by asking you to first put on a neutral grey drape, or gown, to keep the focus purely on your face...and what various colored drapes do to the look of your skin.

4) We're sitting across from each other in a poorly lit room. The ONLY way to accurately analyze a person is in daylight, or full spectrum lighting (there are special lightbulbs for this purpose). This enables us to see the full variance of colors and better see their effects against the skin.

5) You use a self-tanner and thus alter the look of your own skin. Artificial self-tanners can render an analysis inaccurate, because they do not produce a natural, sun produced tan. We ask that you cease using self-tanners for at least one week prior to the color consultation.

I hope that this helps, and that folks don't get offended when I explain that I cannot color analyze them on the spot.

Live in color!

Lauren

The 1 question people ask me the most......

2010-02-16T16:51:00.000-08:00

Hello, colorful folks out there!!

Tomorrow I will cover a topic that I'd like to introduce you to right here. The # 1 most frequently asked question I receive is "What am I?", as in, "What season am I?".

It's an innocent question that seems reasonable to ask. Tomorrow we will uncover why any professional color analyst cannot answer this question on the spot.

I will be offering my top 5 responses to that question, explaining a bit more about the science of color along the way.

Live in color!
Lauren

Skin color VS Skin undertone

2010-02-16T07:52:00.000-08:00

So many people out there are confused as to how to classify their skin tone. What do we even mean by skin tone...and what do we mean by undertone?

To clarify, let's first distinguish between the two. Skin tone, or overtone, refers to the actual color of your skin. There are hundreds of variations on skin tone.

Undertone refers to whether you can wear cool, warm, or neutral colors. It has to do with how your skin reacts to certain colors, when those colors are placed next to the skin.

Colors that blend with your undertone bring out the best in your skin tone (color). In other words, your skin will look more polished, smooth, and rejuvenated in these colors. Color in the wrong undertone will visually accentuate any imperfections and/or create uneven skin tone.

When determining your color palette, it is essential to understand that it has everything to do with analyzing your undertone. I have personally seen women with ivory, rose beige, olive, bronze and ebony skin tones fall into the same cool undertone category. Yes, their skin tone/color varies tremendously, but they share the same undertone.

Please understand that color analysis has advanced so much that we are not only able to determine coolness, neutrality and warmth of undertone. We are also able to detect how neutral a person is.

The system I use, Sci\ART, contains 2 cool tones, 2 warm tones, and 8 neutral tones. The question then becomes: If I'm neutral, then what kind of neutral am I?

There are varying degrees of neutrality. You may be neutral but leaning more to the cool (blue) undertone, or leaning more to the warm (yellow) undertone. You may require lighter rather than darker colors, or softer rather than brighter colors.

The point is that there is a key difference between undertone and skin tone, and that lots of folks fall somewhere in between cool and warm undertones.

Please feel free to respond with any questions. I always enjoy feedback and interacting with readers here.

Live in color!
Lauren

Color from a dude's perspective: Intern Allen

2010-02-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

So as a dude I had to find out why color was important, and I started where any normal male would. I dumped my Crayolas out on the table as if they were chicken bones, hoping that the answers to the universe would appear. After all, these colors had dominated my childhood, and my childhood was pretty darn fun! There had to be a correlation, and obviously--just like chicken bones--the only thing that appeared was Crayons, not answers.

It turns out that my search for color insights required more research and data (I know, big surprise!). I looked to music and more specifically to one of my all-time favorite songs: Devil with a Blue Dress. This only fueled my curiosity. I mean, why did the devil wear blue, why not purple, yellow or gold? I had to do more research…

According to the experts at wikipedia, color is an important part of human expression. If that is the case, then the 1980s were full of people expressing themselves, though I'm just not sure what they were trying to say. I read further and found that the color of bed sheets could elevate mood. This piece of information could prove useful at a later date, so I’m keeping that in my back pocket. But I still had more questions than answers…

I looked further on the Internet and found that there was color theory. Whoa! Really? Now I know that gravity is a theory, as I had seen it in play at an early age--it kept me from my dreams of flying and being Superman. Heck, gravity still keeps me from my dreams of flying and being Superman. But color theory? Maybe that didn’t explain why I couldn’t fly, but it might explain why Superman wore BLUE tights with a RED cape.

I read more, and just like music, words, or even the ingredients of your favorite dish, colors can be used to make harmony or to make racket and noise. Used properly, color can be brought together to do a multitude of things, to lift your mood and energy, to make you slimmer, to make you look younger. Color is a tool. Maybe Crayola crayons had it right: when color is used properly, you can make beauty.

I thought to myself and wanted to apologize to every art teacher I ever had, for my coloring outside of the lines and scribbling until the crayons were dust. I never learned HOW to use color. Now I know why I got the grades I got in Art!

I should have embraced color, then maybe my Valentine cards would have been better received. Maybe all those junior high dances, if I had dressed in better colors, I wouldn’t have had to hold up the wall, but instead would have been showcasing my dance moves--moves that up to that point had only been shared with my bathroom mirror. On my journey to understanding why color is important, maybe I had missed the key to my own personal style. I needed help.

Color My Closet, please help me! I’m a drab caveman who needs some color in my life.

TRYING to live in color,
Intern Allen

Q: Macy's, what have you done for me lately? A: A LOT..check it out!

2010-02-13T08:20:00.000-08:00

Many of you know that I have a nice working relationship with Macy's, be it shooting TV spots or hosting events in their stores. Truth is, I pursued Macy's a few years back. They surely didn't pursue me...Macy's is busy, folks.

Why did I want to work with Macy's to begin with? It's simple: I had a good shopping experience there once I discovered a couple of my favorite brands: INC and Alfani. I learned how to break down the intimidating department store experience into more of a boutique experience..and in turn wanted to partner with Macy's for my business, Color My Closet.

2009 was a good year for Color My Closet and Macy's. We partnered on more projects and discussed further collaborations in 2010. I'm excited about this year!

What about you, the consumer? Why should YOU choose to do business with Macy's? As responsible consumers and business owners, lots of us like to do what I call "eco-ethical" business.

We look to buy products and services from vendors who are ecologically and/or ethically compatible with us and our values. They put their money where their mouth is, so to speak.

Well, here is our list of 10 ways that Macy's put their money where their mouth was in 2009 to make HUGE social impact. Thank you, Milinda Martin, Macy's VP of Media Relations and Cause Marketing, for pointing me in the right direction here!

1. $1 million donated to Make A Wish chapters through our holiday Believe
campaign.

2. $750,000 donated to Feeding America for those using food banks,
through our Come Together campaign -- this equates to 10 million meals.

3. More than $6.5 million donated to Reading is Fundamental for
multicultural libraries and reading programs in Title 1 schools.

4. More than $6 million donated to the American Heart Assn for the Go Red
campaign, educating women on heart health, including their Por Tu Corazon
program for Latinas.

5. $1 million donated to the National Parks Foundation to protect our
natural treasures.

6. More than $16 million donated through the Macy's Foundation to
non-profits throughout the country -- these are smaller regional
charities.

7. More than $1 million donated to various HIV and AIDS organizations.

8. More than $1 million donated to Boys & Girls Clubs through our Thanks
for Sharing program.

9. More than $500,000 raised for local charities through our national
Shop For A Cause program.

10. More than $250,000 donated to the Family Violence Prevention Fund to
raise awareness of domestic violence.

This only scratches the surface of what Macy's has done for the community....my research uncovered dozens of other initiatives from 2009. These are only the highlights!

Live in color!
Lauren

Patricia Zohn on Walt Disney Animators (March 2010) Entertainment & Culture: vanityfair.com

2010-02-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

Patricia Zohn on Walt Disney Animators (March 2010) Entertainment & Culture: vanityfair.com

I so enjoyed reading this article in my March 2010 Vanity Fair magazine, which came in the mail yesterday.

It chronicles the lives of several young women who were responsible for painting the beautiful colors into thousands of "cels", or sheets for filmmaking.

They worked relentlessly and put in at least 16-20 hour days for months at a time just to get the right colors of paint on characters like Mickey Mouse and Snow White.

Speaking of Snow White, they were able to make her otherwise dull black hair come alive with some highlights, and her cheeks were made rosy with a beautiful pink paint flush.

So much of what these ladies did is now digitized, but their artistic talent and precision deserve special accolades and were indeed prized by Walt Disney himself.

In fact, these full color animated pictures could not have been made possible without these colorful gals!

Live in color,
Lauren

Black and gold---Who Dat Nation!

2010-02-06T23:03:00.000-08:00

Color My Closet owner and president Lauren Battistini was born and raised in New Orleans, so it is understandable that her latest YouTube video would be dedicated to a mini-analysis of the Saints' team colors: Black and Gold.

See the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRO3hXlYRCk

Behind the scenes on our latest TV shoot

2010-02-04T07:59:00.000-08:00

We've been enjoying a nice relationship with the good folks at ABC Live Well HD network's show Mirror/Mirror. This means that we pitch a lot of ideas to them, they ask us to present topics of their choice, etc.

Yesterday I was on location at Macy's Galleria on Sage to tape our 2 latest segments. Now, I cannot spill the beans on the details of the segments, as they have yet to air.

Let me say that each segment covers the topic of certain colors and how to wear them. We had the privilege of working with 5 fantastic models yesterday.

Karen is both stay-at-home mom and part-time business owner. Her industry is scrapbooking!

Amy is also a stay-at-home mom with a quick wit that tells me she may in fact be a member of the elite MENSA group (we'd have to ask her to verify :)...she was a kick to work with)

Vanessa is a student in Houston, Texas, and she is studying Fashion Merchandising if I recall correctly...

Jennifer works as an Assistant Manager of an upscale apartment high-rise in Houston. As our lone redhead on set, Jennifer made her modeling debut and now there's no turning back.

Shandolyn is a buddy of mine who has worked in various aspects of fashion, marketing and event promotions. She was rockin' out all of the looks we put on her.

Big thanks also to Andrea Bonner, stylist/owner of Style On Demand, for helping me behind the scenes.

And last---but never least---are my friends at Macy's. Not only did they provide all of the merchandise as well as locale, but they also provided beautiful gift bags and Macy's Money for my models. Thank you, MACY'S....we love you!

Live in color,
Lauren

New intern Allen to begin blogging "Color from a Dude's Perspective"

2010-02-02T17:20:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone of Color My Closet!

I’d like to introduce myself. I’m the new intern, Allen Salinas. Just to give you a little background on myself, I’m a 29 year old single male. I am a swim coach on a nationally recognized swim team in the Northwest Houston Area.

You may be asking yourself: Why would a young, very attractive hetero male like me get involved with Color My Closet? The answer is quite simple: the women of course! No, I’m just kidding, well only half kidding :).

Now, my knowledge of fashion and most specifically color is limited (I wear a red Speedo for goodness sake), but I am always eager to learn skills that may enhance my own worth to the opposite sex. Though I’m dashingly handsome, I hope to learn to use color to further enhance my image, as well as the image of that very necessary accessory on my arm—a girlfriend.

In my search for love, I hope to find a woman who is up with fashion, color, and style. If I for my part can help her out with these things, then I think she’d find me to be more than just a great face with a rockin’ bod.

So join me on my exploration of color and I’ll give you a dude’s perspective that can ultimately help all of us—male and female—on our individual style journeys.

Why we do what we do

2010-01-26T16:35:00.001-08:00

To my pals in the blogosphere:

2010 is a year for Color My Closet to truly define what we do and why we do it. We have always known what we are about, but this message is not always easy to convey in simple terms for everyone.

We believe first and foremost that every woman should have a color analysis, but why? The "why" is what potential clients want to know about.

Why color? Color analysis was popularized decades ago but lost its appeal somehow. People bored of hearing about the 4 color categories, or seasons. Like other trends, color came and went.

This generation of young women doesn't even know what color analysis is, much less why color is so important.

We witness some miraculous things every time we perform a color analysis on a client. This affirms what we know about color and its importance.

So after much rambling, here it is.....why color is so important:

1) You physically feel better in your best colors

2) People react more favorably to you when you are wearing them

3) You make a much better first impression on others when colors harmonize with skin

4) Knowing your colors simplifies your shopping (never again do you buy the wrong lipstick or shirt color)

5) Your skin looks glowing and smoothed in the right colors

6) The WRONG color can make you look 10 years older, and skin look sickly

7) The WRONG color can visually add 10-15 pounds

8) Teeth appear whiter in the right colors

9) Your eyes sparkle in your best colors

10) Your whole wardrobe mixes & matches perfectly when you know your color palette

11) Getting dressed in the morning becomes fun, not tedious

12) Everyone and his grandmother will give compliments when you wear your colors!

13) Studies show that color accounts for up to 90% of our total look

14) The science of color has evolved to include 12 (not just 4) color categories to more fully encompass the full range of skin tones found in all ethnicities

15) No amount of plastic surgery, skincare serums, or Botox can reverse the awful effects of wearing the wrong colors!

If you have any questions about color analysis, please email us at colormycloset@prodigy.net. We are here to educate you on color and how valuable it is to your life and appearance.

Live in color!
Lauren

Color My Closet mourns the untimely passing of our greatest mentor--Kathryn "Kitty" Kalisz

2010-01-20T20:38:00.000-08:00

Dear blog friends & followers:

Thank you for tuning in. It is with deep grief and sadness that I write this evening, as my mentor and dear friend Kathryn "Kitty" Kalisz has suddenly passed away. More specifically, Kathryn's life was taken from her in a violent way.

Kathryn was founder of the company Sci\ART, the leader in the field of color analysis, education, training materials and supplies. Kathryn, together with her 3 grown daughters and 2 other staff members, ran the business.

I am especially sad to report that Kathryn's office manager Debbie's life was also taken, and that Kathryn's youngest daughter Manessa was shot, injured and is now recovering in the hospital. Yet another employee Amy was shot and has also been hospitalized.

I simply cannot focus on any other details of these deaths. It is too tragic and painful.

In this blog post, I want to let you all know who Kathryn was to me, and how much of an impact she has had on my work as a professional color analyst.

Kathryn trained me individually for both Color Analysis certification and an advanced course called Color Mixing & Matching. We formed a bond in that we were both entrepreneurs, had a strong love of color, and were mothers of 3 children (though Kathryn's girls are grown now).

Kathryn was not only my mentor, but certainly one of my biggest cheerleaders. I would lean on her not only for business advice but for emotional support in the ups and downs of running my own business.

The pain of not being able to pick up the phone right now to call Kathryn is almost unbearable. There's so much to tell her....so much to catch up on....so many things happening in our business that she'd be extremely proud of.

One thing brings me comfort, though. Kathryn's daughters Louanna, Suzie and Manessa plan to continue running the Sci\ART company once they've had time to heal and put together their plan of action. They all wish to carry on their mother's legacy.

I am deeply touched that Kathryn's last blog post was dedicated to the time she and I recently spent together on Color Mixing & Matching. When I learned of her death, I frantically searched for a photo of us together....something at least to hold onto.

Imagine my surprise when a fellow color analyst forwarded me this link to Kitty's last post: http://blog.coloranalysis.com/?p=109

My prayers go out to the Sci\ART family right now in the wake of these terrible losses of life.

Lauren

Color My Closet soon to release our 1st ever Makeover Video

2009-10-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

Friends,

I apologize for not blogging more often. My intentions were good in the beginning and I cranked out almost 100 posts here. Unfortunately, my time has been limited due to some special projects we've been working on.

We are set to unveil the first ever Color My Closet makeover video. I am proud of this collaboration because it demonstrates precisely how we go about transforming a woman's look from head to toe with color.

Our style team is featured above: Heather Hughes (makeup artist), myself (color & wardrobe stylist) & Chris Do AKA Rockstylist (hair stylist). We had a fantastic time on this project and will be posting behind-the-scenes photos very soon.

In the meantime, please accept my apology for not blogging more. I hope to get back on board here soon.

Live in color,
Lauren

Rethink pink!

2009-10-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Here is our latest blog contribution to the uber cool site, Work Chic. www.workchic.com.

Check it out....all about fall's hot color pink!

Live in color,

Lauren

Our latest TV appearance on the Live Well Network

2009-10-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Check out how to visually slenderize your look by 10-15 pounds....all without diets! Yeah.....live in color, Lauren

http://livewellhd.com/video?id=7039118

Fashion personality TV segment you won't want to miss!

2009-07-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

Color My Closet was featured on ABC's Mirror Mirror, a syndicated daily show that is part of the LiveWell HD network. Beginning on August 3, 2009, you can view our segment online at www.livewellhd.com, then you click on Mirror Mirror on the left hand side of the screen.

Here is a rundown of what the models wore for the segment. I've broken it down by trend and fashion personality.

Many thanks to MACY'S for providing all of the clothing for this segment! They are the best!!!!!

THE TRIBAL TREND

Natural: Jones New York Baja collection- sandstone top and pant
Kenneth Cole coral wooden necklace and natural wooden bracelet
Nine West shoes, Calvin Klein Metallic Canvas handbag in Orchid

Classic: INC brand In Tropic Ikat dot top
Ralph Lauren Voyage brown pant
Kenneth Cole coral wooden bracelet
INC brand shoes in Qualabrn

Frilly/Girly: Kensie brand dress
Liz Claiborne turquoise earrings & Macy's brand multicolored bangles
Marc Fisher heels

Bohemian: Style & Co brand Animal Ikat dress
Macy’s coral and brown bead necklace
Macy’s multi colored glass bead bracelets
BCBGirls heels in BG Damara
Lucky brand handbag

Dramatic: Fresh Brewed yellow top, American Rag dark earth cardigan
Grane low rise skinny jeans
Macy's beaded bracelets and Macy’s woven earrings
Steve Madden shoes and Jessica Simpson handbag

FLORAL PATTERNS

Natural: Jones New York Tivoli collection--top, cardigan, pant
Macy’s silver flower earrings
BCBGirls shoes BGFreud, Calvin Klein Metallic Canvas Orchid handbag

Classic: Alfani galleria pink top and Jones New York: Tivoli collection mist pant
Etienne Monet gold hoop earrings
Jessica Simpson shoes, Calvin Klein Chino Beige handbag

Frilly/Girly : Adrianna Papell floral print ruffle neck dress
Liz Claiborne white flower necklace and earring
BCBGirls Ariel watermelon wood patent heel
Cole Hann Poppy clutch

Bohemian: Ya-da brand grey/pink/red top
Style & Co white bootcut denim
Kenneth Cole oval ring, silver dangle earrings, chain bracelet and necklaces
BCBGirls BG Damara heels and Lucky brand handbag

Dramatic: Sky orange maxi dress, Fresh Brewed yellow scarf
Macy’s coral bracelet and coral hoop earrings
Michael Kors spring orange summer wedge

THE SHEATH DRESS

Natural: Calvin Klein sheath dress and Jessica Simpson white scarf
Macy’s gold hoops and Ralph Lauren gold bangles
BCBGirls BGFreud heel
Calvin Klein Metallic Canvas Orchid handbag
Classic: Nine West Color me Chic ivory and brown dress
Nine West NWBarbe heels and Calvin Klein Chino Beige handbag

Frilly/Girly: Tahari Nick collection ivory and silver sheath dress
Monet flower earrings and Guess starburst ring
Alfani Randi Gold heels and Calvin Klein Silver Argent clutch

Bohemian: Maggie London ivory and violet sheath dress
Lucky maroon necklace and chain bracelet
Jessica Simpson Delanco shoes

Dramatic: XOXO Black Party sheath dress in jungle green
Kenneth Cole black square ring, Alfani black bracelet and Nine West square earrings
Carlos Santana Decadent Black heels

Live in color!
Lauren

Color for me as easy as 1-2-3

2009-07-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

Today Color My Closet was featured on Houston's daily TV show Great Day Houston. We discussed how adding color to your wardrobe really makes a 10 pound, 10 year difference.See video link below:

http://www.khou.com/greatday/video/?nvid=384509&shu=1

What we forgot to mention were the top 3 tips for adding color to your closet. Please see below for our easy, breezy top 3 tips:

1) Reconsider your neutrals. Black and white are not your only choices. Some women look better in soft whites or creams, greys and taupes, and deep brown, navy or charcoal.

2) Begin by adding only 2 to 3 colors to your wardrobe. That way you won't feel overwhelmed. What colors will you choose? It is best to look to colors that you've always been complimented on.

3) Follow our 2-1 rule: use 2 colors & 1 neutral together, or 2 neutrals & 1 color.

Live in color!

Lauren

The jumpsuit: too trendy or just right?

2009-07-25T17:17:00.001-07:00

The above image is one of yours truly---yes, it is I! After loving the black jumpsuits I saw in magazines, I decided to buy one for myself. It is touted as the latest trend, but I see it as something with staying power.

For me, here's how I made the jumpsuit work:

1) Resist temptation to overaccessorize--I adore tons of accessories, but the jumpsuit is statement enough. I kept earrings very small, put on a fedora for some sass, and used two long necklaces to break up the solid line of the jumpsuit.

2) Nip in the waist with a belt

3) Create some height with my 4 1/2 inch platform sandals

4) Walk like I own the world

5) Resist my obvious urge to add lots of color to the look (it's rare for me, the Color Ambassador, to walk out of the house without color)

6) Smile a lot because I'm right on trend!

Moving into the fall I will continue to use my jumpsuit by pairing it with a jacket of some sort, or a cardiwrap. This is a versatile piece, and I like that it can be dressed up or down.

Live in color!

Lauren

Color for the New Millennium

2009-07-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

Color My Closet is honored to have been selected as a guest blogger for the ever popular WorkChic folks. WorkChic provides day-to-night wardrobe and workwear solutions for the busy woman on the go...that's not their official tagline, but that's in essence what they do. They simplify shopping for the busy woman, that's for sure!

Check out my guest blog post below:

http://workchic.com/blog/2009/07/25/lauren-battistini-on-color-for-the-new-millennium/

Live in color!
Lauren

Choosing the Right White TV segment on ABC's Mirror Mirror

2009-07-06T07:30:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to the TV segment Color My Closet was recently featured.

http://www.livewellhd.com/mirrormirror/channel?id=6848680

Please do check it out and ask me any questions you have about wearing your right white.

Live in color!
Lauren

Calling all fashionistas to online bargains!

2009-07-04T14:29:00.001-07:00

This blog post has been written by my intern, Cassandra Latawiec. Check it out!

A few months back, Lauren introduced you to Shop It To Me and it’s fabulous to know that such fine labels can now come at more affordable prices! Now, as one of Lauren’s new interns I would like to share with you a few shopping secrets of my own.

For about a year now I have been a devoted member of Gilt.com and personally have been able to enjoy clothes by Marc Jacobs for a reasonable price. Now ladies, that’s impressive in itself for I am living on a college student’s budget! Yes, you have to sign up to get access to the wonderful deals, but it only takes a few moments of your time to create an account.

What is nice about Gilt is that it offers designer clothes, accessories and home furnishings for men, women and children. A new sale begins everyday at 12 eastern and 11 central, but beware, often times I have seen merchandise sell out within minutes on the floor. Be ready to click and seal the deal by planning out designer sales in advance! Just so you can get a better idea of what this site has to offer, this week Gilt is offering sales with Seven For All Man Kind, Chloe, and Tory Burch.

There are a few other sites like Gilt that my girlfriends are members of, and they have kindly shared their little secrets with me to share to you all as well! There are also Hautelook.com and Billiondollarbabes.com. Both sites follow the same concept as Gilt.

So please, go out and spread the word to all of your girls and enjoy a Marc Jacobs special. I know I have!

-Cassandra Latawiec

Live in color, ladies!! Lauren

Let's go tribal!

2009-05-22T09:16:00.001-07:00

One of this spring's greatest trends has been the tribal, or global theme. How women interpret a trend, though, is based largely on their fashion personalities. Here we will show some examples of how 4 fashion personalities would interpret this tribal theme.

The Classic below---Classics will embrace a trend but keep the fit very tailored and not so trendy as to never wear the garment past a season or two. Classics are known for taking trends and incorporating them strategically. Here below you'll see that the silhouette of the dress is very classic, and the print is not overtly 'tribal.' It's just a touch of the trend. This dress can be worn for years to come!

Our next fashion personality demonstrated below is the Dramatic. Bold in her trend choices, she will take a trend and rock it from head to toe. The Dramatic is often accused of getting carried away and overaccessorizing, but no matter....she looks great doing it. It takes lots of confidence and attitude to pull off the avante-garde looks of a Dramatic. If this Dramatic were to wear a tribal print along with the bracelets, she'd be sure that the pattern were very colorful and graphic.

See below for our Natural fashion personality. The Natural woman prefers to keep everything simplified and comfortable. She shys away from most trends and will only take the look so far. This safari look below is about as 'global' as the Natural is willing to go. This is fine, as she prefers a more subtle, laid back approach to her fashion choices. About the only thing we'd get the Natural to add here would a small necklace with wooden (very tribal) beading.

The last fashion personality is our Romantic below. There are actually two types of Romantics, the Bohemian/Eclectic and the Feminine/Frilly. Their signature look is one that is windswept, flowing, ethereal, one-of-a-kind, and always feminine. We have selected a photo of the Bohemian/Eclectic fashion personality. Note the gypsy like quality of the dress, as well as its flowiness. It looks like something that could have been found from a vintage shop. Both types of Romantics embrace trends on their own terms, putting a unique spin on each and every outfit they wear.

Live in color!
Lauren

How to Color Your Closet

2009-04-30T18:47:00.001-07:00

How to Color Your Closet

Posted using ShareThis

Well, I was going to L.A.

2009-04-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Ladies,

I had a trip planned today to Los Angeles for an advanced, three-day course on professional color mixing & matching. Yes, the class is right up my alley, and I was soooooooooo looking forward to it!

Normally I am not an alarmist, but I just couldn't bring myself to get on that plane filled w/ germ infested, recirculated thousands of times over air during this potential swine flu moment.

I have a family to think about and cannot run the risk of getting anyone in my home exposed to nasty viruses.

So all of that wisdom I was hoping to share about color mixing and matching will have to wait a bit...regretfully!

We are currently exploring more blog topics and will be posting some other cool stuff very soon. Thank you for your patience!

Live in color,
Lauren

Shop It To Me Mister!!!!

2009-04-29T21:26:00.000-07:00

Girls,

I've discovered a magical resource that I'd like to share....it's called Shop It To Me. Every day I receive a dedicated email from them, complete with my preferred clothing, lingerie, accessories and shoe designers' SALE ALERTS.

It's like having my own style spy, ready at a moment's notice to tell me about Diane Von Furstenberg's 70% off sale, or when Victoria's Secret has fab jammies on special.

Here's some info on the company, taken straight from their website, www.shopittome.com

Shop It To Me began after one too many frustrating trips to on-line retailers. We were tired of finding out about on-line sales too late. We were too busy to spend hours each day searching the web for the latest deals. Why couldn't we just give someone our preferences and have them search for us?

So we decided to create a different way to shop.

Our first service, Shop It To Me Apparel, proactively sends you clothing that matches your size and brand preferences as soon as it goes on sale. Shop It To Me Running allows you to find out when your favorite running shoe models and running gear go on sale. It's so easy that you will never shop the same way again.

Shop It To Me has been featured in publications like Daily Candy Deals, Glamour, and The Washington Post and is described as "a pick-me-up in the morning", "addictive" and "dangerous" with the caveat "boyfriends and husbands beware!"

Why add color?

2009-04-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

Color is everywhere. It evokes an immediate response, be it positive or negative, from all who view it. The colors we adorn ourselves with matter, and here are my top 10 reasons why you should incorporate more of it in your wardrobe:

1) Color makes up to 90% of that vital first impression for us
2) Color adds interest and character to the neutrals in our wardrobe
3) Color makes us feel better and more confident
4) The right colors make us appear well rested and healthy
5) Our skintone appears more even and luminous, while flaws and imperfections are minimized
6) We appear 10 pounds slimmer when wearing the right colors
7) The right colors visually brighten our teeth and eyes
8) Fine lines and wrinkles are minimized when we wear the right colors
9) Others are more attracted to us when we wear color
10) We appear more 'put together' in color

Live in color!
Lauren

New twitter friends at WorkChic

2009-04-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ladies, I am on twitter now....for business purposes. Truly I am trying to establish more camaraderie with other people in the worlds of color, fashion, and beauty. It's a good tool, though all this technology overwhelms me at times, and I've 'met' some interesting tweeps (people who twitter) out there.

One such group is WorkChic. I highly encourage you working ladies to check out their website. It is packed with actual advice...everything from putting together professional yet stylish ensembles to how to tie a scarf to breaking out of a color rut. They also feature sections on business casual, that often ambiguous area that leaves room for lots of mistakes! You will also find merchandise there at great deals. All has been hand picked with the working gal in mind.

I am so impressed with the site that I'm recommending it to you. You will be pleasantly surprised with their fab content. You can find them at www.workchic.com

Live in color!
Lauren

Why can't I match colors and fabrics?

2009-04-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to match fabrics, especially different black materials? Have you noticed how incredibly difficult it is to do? There are 2 main reasons why color matching is a frustrating experience, even for color analysts like myself.

First of all, matching fabric to fabric is virtually impossible because of the sheen on fabric. As you touch fabric and work with it you'll note that its color seems to shift as the light reflects off of different parts of it. This is why at Color My Closet we use personal color palettes, which are painted on archival canvas. The color doesn't shift; therefore, fabrics can be compared more easily to this constant, the personal color palette.

Secondly, have you ever tried to find the right lipstick color at the makeup counter? It looks pretty in the department store, but as you leave and walk out into the sunlight, you notice that the color is all wrong for you. Store lighting is notoriously poor and renders color matching nearly impossible. The only way to accurately match color is to do so in natural daylight.

Next month I'm going to take a 3-day course called Color Mixing & Matching. I look forward to learning more and shedding some light on this topic for all of you faithful readers out there. In the meantime, know that it's not your imagination that matching colors can be quite confusing...

Live in color!
Lauren

The top 5 ways color affects you and others

2009-04-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Color always evokes a response from us and others. It is inevitable. Color is emotional, powerful, and it communicates messages about us to others. We labor over what paint colors to use in our homes, and we should do the same when considering our clothing color palettes.

Here I have assembled my list of the top 5 ways color affects you and others.

1) The right color palette communicates health and vitality. When you are wearing your best colors, your skin, eyes, teeth and hair all look more healthy. You appear to be up to 10 years younger and 10 pounds more slenderized.

2) Wearing your best colors can give you a competitive edge in the workplace because you look more polished. Wearing your colors from head to toe creates a put together, uniform appearance that is visually appealing to your work superiors. You inevitably communicate that you are up to the task at hand, and that you are one step ahead of many coworkers.

3) Do you want to make a good impression on a first date? Wear your best colors to look your most attractive. Not only will you look more attractive to your date, but you yourself will feel more confident. We all know that confidence is always attractive!

4) Are you feeling blue (pardon the pun)? Do you feel exasperated or worn down? Color is one way to revitalize yourself. Colors can shift your mood significantly. If you want to cheer yourself up, then I recommend yellows and oranges. To feel calm and serene, I like blues and greens.

5) Are you frustrated every day as you try to find something to wear in your closet? One reason is because you keep buying the wrong things over and over again, and there those pieces sit cluttering up your closet. We are all guilty of this. In fact, it is estimated that women wear 20% of their clothing 80% of the time. So where does color factor into this? Well, when you know your best colors, you'll discover that the colors within your palette mix and match seamlessly. This makes wardrobe planning a cinch, as you can get more mileage out of just a few key pieces in the right colors.

Live in color!
Lauren

I feel like a Brazilian swimsuit model...again, in my own mind!

2009-04-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ladies, I've been talking about getting a Mystic Tan for quite some time now, but this week I finally took the plunge. Here's the deal: I have olive toned skin anyway and don't ever look pale, but EVERYONE looks better with a tan.

So in the name of beauty I went and got my bod spray tanned by arguably the BEST spray tanner in all of Houston. I say this not just because Danielle works down the hall from me, but because women from all over Houston traverse to see her. Many a Houstonian has made the trek to Danielle, selecting her over some uber posh places smack dab in the middle of the Loop.

Well, I found out from Danielle that she customizes her colors and has 6 different formulas based on one's natural complexion. She spray tans the fairest of women, even those with albino complexions. Apart from standing almost naked in front of her and feeling a bit embarrassed (because I'm very modest), the experience wasn't bad at all.

I have no splotchy marks, I don't look like Malibu Barbie, and the tan will last up to 10 days. Truth be told, I feel like a Brazilian swimsuit model :)....I mean it, I do!

If you want to get in touch with Danielle, and she's very reasonably priced by the way, please send me an email at lauren@colormyclose.com. I'll put you in touch!

Live in color!
Lauren

How I became a shoe department expert....at least in my own mind

2009-04-06T16:11:00.000-07:00

Many of you know about my recent guest appearances at two Macy's/Jones New York events. During the last two weeks I have become a shoe department expert...or at least in my own mind I have. First of all, the stockroom of Macy's shoe department is a numerically organized labyrinth (is that an oxymoron?), understandable only to a select few :). Now I have figured out why it can take several minutes for the shoe salespeople to find your right size and style in the back.

Did you know that there are dozens upon dozens of rows of shoes back there? And these rows go sky high it seems. I had the privilege of going to fetch some shoes for several models at my last two events. As a complete shoe addict, I felt like I had reached shoe heaven back there. The smell of leather and cardboard boxes was intoxicating, but folks, I only had 15 minutes to find some numerically coded shoes! And I was on my own because it was 7:00 a.m. and the Macy's shoe team had not yet arrived.

So there I was literally running through the stock room trying to make sure I could find each classification code, and not get in trouble with any shoe department people who might have arrived early. Well, first I was looking at the wrong code...the department code. Well, all shoes have the same department code....duh! After taking 5 minutes to figure that one out, I proceeded to use the style code as my guide. Yeah, that's the ticket!

I might very well have set a retail speed record last week when I successfully found 4 pairs of shoes within 5 minutes back in that shoe labyrinth. You had to have been there to fully appreciate the moment---it was a sight to see---me running around in the back with several pairs of shoe boxes stacked in my arms.

Too bad I didn't get to stay long enough...there's always next time! The things I do in the name of fashion.....

Live in color!
Lauren

Houston, we have fun FASHION FRIDAY!

2009-04-02T15:25:00.000-07:00

To all my ladies in Houston,

Color My Closet has been invited back to host a spring fashion event tomorrow with Jones New York at Macy's Galleria (@ Hidalgo).

I'd love for you to join us as we:
*talk about adding the right color to your wardrobe
*interpret spring's trends based on 4 different fashion personalities
*hold a drawing for a free 1-hour shopping consultation with me
*give you lots of exclusive incentives, gift bags, AND breakfast bites
*have fun celebrating FASHION together

Macy's Galleria @ Hidalgo--enter at 2nd level Macy's/Nordstrom garage (off McCue)
DATE: Friday, April 3, 2009
TIME: 9:00 AM but please arrive by 8:30
RSVP: email lauren@colormycloset.com by midnight tonight

Live in color!
Lauren

Where have I been?

2009-04-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

Ladies,

I must apologize for not blogging in the last 2 weeks. Color My Closet has seen a spike in business with 4 events held over the last 4 weeks!

In an effort to provide interesting, fresh info about color, beauty and wardrobe, I plan to blog every other day. It's so difficult to keep up with daily blogging, as I was trying to do, and blogging daily lowers the quality of content I'm able to provide.

Stay tuned for more information from Color My Closet. We haven't left...we've just been extra busy.

Live in color!
Lauren

If you like my blog, pass it on!

2009-03-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

Ladies!

I have a favor to ask. As a business owner and blogger, my mission here is to start a color revolution even bigger than what was begun in the 1980s. This means that I need some help.

If you enjoy reading my blog, then please send your e-friends my link http://colormycloset.blogspot.com.

Color My Closet works in Houston right now but plans to expand throughout the country in the future. All the exposure we can get is greatly appreciated.I promise that we will continue to deliver content-rich, yet concise color, fashion and beauty info.

Thank you very much. You can even subscribe to this blog and "follow" me. See the link!

Live in color!
Lauren

Do you know about Aging Backwards?

2009-03-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Through my media research and constant efforts to stay abreast of what's new in the color, beauty, and fashion industries, I ran across an interesting site called Aging Backwards.

Jackie Silver is the owner and face of Aging Backwards, and her mission is really quite simple: to show women (and men I presume) how to turn back the hands of time by taking care of themselves with the right combination of healthy life choices, exercise, nutrition, mind activities, and anti-aging products. She herself is 50 years old and still gets carded for wine at the stores!

I encourage you to take a look at her site, because Jackie is all about giving helpful, well-researched and tested advice to all of us out there. You can visit her at www.agingbackwards.com.

Live in color!
Lauren

Top 10 ways to guarantee a precise color analysis

2009-03-18T19:43:00.001-07:00

Top 10 Ways to Guarantee a Precise Color Analysis
Guaranteeing that color analysis is done properly is determined by the tools and surroundings used, as well as the analyst's skillful eye. Follow these tips before choosing your method of color analysis.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1484040/top_10_ways_to_guarantee_a_precise.html

Have you ever tried false eyelashes?

2009-03-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

About a year ago I met a lady who struck me as being so classy and put together. As I conversed with her, I took note of her eyes, but specifically her lashes. She had these Bambi-like outer lashes that looked tremendous. Now, it was obvious that she had false eyelashes, but she placed them strategically so that they gave her that uplifted, cateye effect. It was subtely dramatic if that makes any sense at all.

I decided that I'd try my hand at applying some false lashes today. Ladies, they are AWESOME!!! So I bought the individual lashes that can be applied to different sections of the eye. Experts say that it's easiest to dip the lashes in a bit of lash adhesive (which should be placed on foil first), then use tweezers to apply the lashes.

I wholeheartedly agree with the tweezers part. Using my fingers was just too obtrusive to work in that small space around the eye. I let the glue set then applied a coat of mascara. These lashes look beautiful!

If you would like to try your hand at this, then you can find very inexpensive individual or whole sections of lashes at any drugstore. The brand I picked up is at Walgreens--it's called Andrea.

Also, if you are scared to do these lashes yourself, I have been told that the ladies at MAC cosmetic counters are trained in this area. They have different sets of lashes to choose from, as well.

Live in color!
Lauren

Fashion word of the day--What is an obi?

2009-03-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

What do you think of when you hear the word 'obi'? I think of Obi-Wan Kenobe from Star Wars, but I got it all wrong. For years I've been inspired by Asian fashion, so naturally I was excited to see the new obi sashes or belts on the fashion runways. Obis are the ultimate waist cinchers, and they are as versatile as the pashmina wrap with the various ways they can be tied.

Obi is simply the Japanese word for sash. It is made traditionally of a soft material like silk, is very wide, and is wrapped around the body twice then tied in a variety of ways. Give the obi a try and let me know how you like it!

Live in color!
Lauren

Color My Closet invited to 'guest host' Jones New York Style Miles event in Houston

2009-03-16T09:24:00.000-07:00

Ladies,

My very sweet contacts at Macy's (I love them!) recommended me to their area contact (also so sweet!) at Jones New York, and I have now been invited to 'guest host' for two of their local Jones New York Style Miles breakfasts.

If you live in Houston, then I highly encourage you to be there. We will discuss Spring colors, strategically stretching your wardrobe, and there will be shopping incentives and other perks-----like a one-hour shopping consultation with me on the spot!

Click on the picture above to enlarge it...there is date/time/RSVP info there!

Please RSVP for this or email me with any questions. I feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity to work with both Macy's and Jones New York!

Live in color!
Lauren

Beauty find of the day--L'Oreal True Match

2009-03-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

You've heard me get on my soapbox and talk about how 2/3 of women out there are neither cool nor warm in undertone, right? Most of you are neutral. Well, the good news is that cosmetic companies are realizing that, as well.

If you don't already know about L'Oreal's True Match foundations and mineral powders, then let me introduce you. They are magically priced, can be found at Wal Mart and drugstores, and they are all coordinated with letters and numbers that are easy to use.

They all start with either C for cool, N for neutral, or W for warm. They follow with a number from (1) lightest to (9 I think) darkest. Best of all, L'Oreal's foundations are lightweight and offer buildable coverage. I have personally used these foundations on Caucasian clients with ivory and beige skin tones, Hispanic clients of caramel and bronze coloring, and on African-American clients of deep bronze and mahogany tones. These shades blend well into the skin and are very natural looking.

Now, please come and see me first for your color consultation, so that we can determine if you are C, N, or W. Won't you?

Live in color!
Lauren

Can we really rock the jumpsuit look?

2009-03-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ladies, can we really rock the new look of the jumpsuit? I asked myself this question then saw my dream jumpsuit the next day at Macy's. BCBG has a beautiful wide leg, silk sash tie jumpsuit that I believe can work on just about anyone!

I cannot find the picture of it online, so the one you see isn't right. The BCBG wide leg version is generous through the hip and leg areas, and it features that sash that can be tied in a variety of ways. The material is both elegant and lightweight, and it can be worn in so many ways for so many occasions.

For a business look, it can be paired with a button down white shirt with a funky belt, or with a blazer. For evening, it can be worn with a fur or metallic shrug and evening heels. It can be worn with some simple hoop earrings, bangle bracelets and strappy sandals. It truly is an alternative to the little black dress!

This is one trend that I think has some real staying power.

Live in color!
Lauren

Fun facts about color

2009-03-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some fun facts about color:

Color is not seen in an object. No, that object merely serves as a reflector of light, light that filters through your eyes to the brain, where that light is interpreted by your brain as color.

The color pink is used in prisons to subdue inmates. When an inmate is being particularly violent or unruly, he can be placed in a room that is painted a very soft pink. His pulse immediately slows, and he will immediately calm down.

Red is a power color and one universally favored by men to be worn on women. When men see a woman dressed in red, she becomes 30% or so more attractive to them. I read this stat somewhere recently...take my word on it, okay?

People size us up within 90 seconds, and their first impression of us is based predominantly upon the colors we are wearing. In fact, color alone accounts for between 62 and 90% of that vital first impression.

Some argue that black is not a color, that it is absence of color. I disagree, especially when we try to match different black garments in the store. Look at all the shades that exist.

Yellow and orange are not recommended as great paint colors for home kitchens, as they reportedly stimulate our appetites. Hmmmmmm....my kitchen is painted in yellow....oops!

Blue is the most universally preferred color by all adults around the world.

Live in color!
Lauren

How to calculate your fashion common denominators

2009-03-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

No, I am not a mathematician but I do have an accounting degree. Isn't that crazy? Here I am in this very creative, free thinking field of color and fashion with an accounting degree. Frankly, I enjoying employing both skills in my work, because I always seek to create logical ways for women to take image into their own hands.

Here's my latest logical tip for cultivating your signature style: find your fashion common denominators. What is a fashion common denominator? It is simply the characteristics that your clothing and accessories have in common. In my case, my common denominators are color, strong patterns, geometric or sharp lines, and florals.

Here's how to find your common denominators. Take 2-3 fashion magazines and cut out as many pictures as you can--pictures that catch your eye. There doesn't have to be any logic to it at this point. Simply cut out the pictures that inspire you....be they jewelry ads or models wearing Chanel.

Once you've done the cutting, paste those pictures onto some posterboard, collage style. Next to each photo, describe what specifically you like about it. Focus on why you like the piece.

Once you've labeled each picture, go around looking for words you've used consistently. Those words will help you determine your style patterns and tastes. They are your fashion common denominators, the constants that you should continue to shop for.

Try this experiment and let me know what you think.

Live in color!
Lauren

Why nobody looks right in clothes

2009-03-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here is statistic that I'll bet you did not know: Less than 1% of women look good in store bought clothing. Do you know why this is?

Store bought clothing, or ready-to-wear apparel, is manufactured to a perfectly proportioned standard of a women who is 8 equal head lengths in height. In other words, her bone structure is perfectly proportioned. Nothing needs to be altered on her. Her legs are the perfect length in proportion to her torso and so forth.

What do the other 99% of us women do? Do we cry, throw a tantrum in the fitting rooms, or write vicious letters to clothing manufacturers? No, ladies, we are above all of that.

Here's what we do. We give thanks to the good Lord for making us unique, with bone structure that is all our own. We give thanks that clothing manufacturers are now able to give us millions upon millions of clothing options due to this universal standard of a fit model.

We recognize that if a garment fits our coloring, style and overall body type requirements, then we can simply have it altered to our unique bone structure. This is after all what women in past generations did. Everything they wore was tailored to their specifications.

I always tell clients to factor alterations in as a portion of their clothing budgets. The right tailoring can visually slenderize you by 10-15 pounds in an instant....with no dieting!

So there is NOTHING wrong with you ladies if the pants or sleeves fall too long or too short on you. It's not you.....it's the clothing! Make the clothing work for you, not the other way around.

Live in color!
Lauren

Why should we all love turquoise?

2009-03-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Turquoise is such a beautiful color, not only because everyone has a shade of it that she can wear, but because it is both a calming and balanced color. We feel better in turquoise. Turquoise coordinates with everything from black to grey to brown, and from pink to yellow to purple. It is such an incredible 'go to' color because it's universally appealing and non-controversial. It grabs attention without seeming obnoxious.

It looks fresh and bright against the tanned skin of spring and summer, and bold and rich against the darker clothing selections of winter. If you are looking to add just a little bit of color to a predominantly neutral wardrobe, then turquoise is a safe bet for you. Best of all, you can find turquoise year round since it is always 'in style.'

Live in color!
Lauren

Spring clean your wardrobe

2009-03-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

We have officially sprung forward, ladies, so it's time to spring clean those wardrobes! Here are some things to do not only to preserve your fall/winter wardrobes, but to get ready for the colorful spring and summer ahead.

1) Set aside the heavier winter fabrics and darker colors.
2) Get rid of those winter garments that are worn or tattered. They don't deserve you anymore!
3) Be sure to dry clean and properly store the other winter garments. They will be fresh and ready for you next fall.
4) Evaluate your lighter weight and seasonless fabrics. If there is anything there that is worn, tattered or out of date, toss it...and you know why!
5) Be sure that you have the basic spring and summer neutrals like: white denim, linen pants, white lightweight Ts and gauzy shirts, and other neutral colors like khaki, grey or taupe. Navy is a great alternative to black for the spring and summer.
6) Pick 3-4 new colors you'd like to add in for spring. I suggest finding your best red, turquoise, pink or coral, and green. Buy a few tops and accessories in those colors.
7) Go out and find yourself a pretty dress in one of the colors. While you could certainly go and buy up a cute print, a solid color is far more versatile.
8) Check out your makeup bag. Set aside the rich, darker hues in favor of the lighter, more lively colors.
9) Buy yourself one statement piece of jewelry in a stone like turquoise.
10) This has nothing to do with wardrobe, but get yourself some new highlights to coordinate better with your lighter, fresher wardrobe.

Live in color!
Lauren

How to get the flawless face without tons of makeup

2009-03-09T10:27:00.001-07:00

Three days a week I'm in full glam mode, but the other four days I don't feel like putting on makeup. Instead of going out totally bare faced, I choose to do the 'non makeup' look. Here are my tricks for looking totally fresh and natural:

1) Cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, protect with high SPF, hydrate like crazy...that's a given!

2) Illuminate. I use a skin illuminator that can be worn alone or mixed with foundations and tinted moisturizers. This creates that bronzy glow. My favorite illuminating product is by Senegence www.mylonglastingbeauty.com.

3) Brighten. I use a facial highlighting pen by Mary Kay. This product is applied to forehead lines, the inside and outside corners below the eyes, and on any deep, recessed areas of the face. This products visually lifts those darkened, shadowy areas and acts to visually rejuvenate the face. Its does for the face what teeth whiteners do for the teeth.

4) Hint of tint. I use a tinted moisturizer by Mary Kay, though the best on the market is by Laura Mercier. I only apply the tint to areas of my face that have blemishes, like the nose and chin.

5) Powder up. There are so many great mineral makeups on the market today. You can buy high or low end, and they create a very natural, non-makeup look for the skin.

6) Conceal. I use concealer in one shade lighter than my natural skin tone. Both Mary Kay and Laura Mercier make nice, creamy concealers that don't settle into fine lines.

7) Lashify! I love to put one coat of mascara on upper lashes only. It really does wake up the eye.

8) Glossify! Dabbing some clear or slightly tinted gloss brings the rest of the face to life.

9) Colorize! I always....always....always use color around my face with a scarf, piece of jewelry or t-shirt. It instantly lifts the face, minimizes fine lines, wrinkles, and imperfections, and brightens your whole look.

In effect, you walk out of the house looking put together but not all glammed out.

Live in color!
Lauren

Fashion word of the day

2009-02-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

I've been asked by my clients to define certain fashion terms that I use. There are so many out there, after all, that even I don't know all of them. Since one of the big deals for Spring is the maxi dress, let's define the word and show some examples here. This begins the first of many blogs entitled: Fashion word of the day.

Maxi dress-- a dress that is ankle or even floor length. Though typically seen this season in the form of a sundress, a maxi dress is any dress of full length. We are seeing maxi dresses in various ethnic or floral prints, and in bold solids. They are made in gauzy, lightweight, or silky fabrics. This makes them perfect for beachwear, vacationing, date night with the hubby, or out to lunch with the girlfriends. To accessorize, I recommend bold hoops or dangling earrings, and bangle bracelets. Also, sandals or espadrilles work for footwear.

Live in color!
Lauren

Edgy hair, the new accessory

2009-02-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Since chopping off my very long, very curly, very crazy (think Diana Ross) hair two years ago, I've discovered that hair in and of itself can be the ultimate accessory. Now with shorter hair, I can wear some cool hats, use different earrings, and easily flat iron my hair and spike it up for fun!

Here is a tribute to cool, funky hair. I want to encourage each of you to experiment with a hairstyle that is a bit more daring than you're accustomed to. You WILL get compliments...enjoy the pics!

Affordable couture

2009-02-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

At the top of my wardrobe basics list is a great 3 to 5 piece suit. The problem is that many of my clients struggle with finding their right color, fit and/or suit combination. It is rare to find a 5-piece suit (blazer, vest, pant, skirt and bermuda short combination), much less to find one in your ideal color.

I, too, have struggled to find just the right suit. Suits feel too stuffy to me, and I want mine to look more funky than most. Enter Mary Denney, clothing designer and owner of MLD Limited, right here in Houston, Texas. Mary has been in the apparel business for decades, and she specializes in what she calls affordable couture. Working with both brides and women like me wanting wardrobe basics, Mary believes that if you can dream it, she can create it.

I have my first appointment with Mary this week to have a 3-piece white suit made. I simply couldn't find my right white anywhere, or anything with the fit I want. Anyway, who wants to look generic? Several of my clients want to see my results so I'll keep you posted with some pics..... as soon as my suit is done!

Live in color!
Lauren

What if this Spring's bold hues don't suit you?

2009-02-25T09:34:00.000-08:00

What do you do this Spring if the bold and vivid colors aren't in synch with your personal coloring? As a professional color and wardrobe consultant, I can tell you that there are ways to work around this dilemma. Here are some helpful tips:

1) Hold off on buying up a bunch of pieces just because they are 'in style.' It is far better to wait until your colors come back into season than to buy colors that are wrong. Wrong colors will age you by visually dragging your face down and accentuating fine lines and wrinkles. They also visually add 10-15 pounds to your frame!

2) Take this time to buy up those neutral wardrobe investment pieces. Everyone has a good light, medium and dark neutral that works for her. For me as a Bright Winter, it's pure white, medium silvery grey and ebony. Get your colors done for sure to determine your best neutrals.

3) If pastels and other muted tones look best on you, but you cannot find your colors, then infuse color with accessories. Stone jewelry is a good choice because you'll find it in various hues. Take turquoise for example--you can find it in very light colors, as well as vivid and dark hues.

4) Invest in your cosmetics. You can immediately add vibrancy to your look with new blush and lipstick, as well as by experimenting with different eyeshadow and liner colors.

5) Update your denim and buy some high quality in several styles that are figure flattering.

6) If you must buy the new 'it' color, then buy it cheap in the form of accessories or a top. Always wear your best colors surrounding it, though, and make sure that your wrong color is not the focal point of the outfit.

Live in color!
Lauren

What color is your fragrance?

2009-02-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

I conducted a very informal survey last week among some of the moms and dads at my son's swim practice. I asked them to smell different fragrances, describe them to me, and then assign a color to them. Every participant described the smell with a noun like water, flowers, sunshine, or a funeral! They then associated those nouns with a particular emotion, and then assigned the fragrance its own color.

One fragrance reminded several of my participants of a flower. Well, what color do we think of when we think of a flower? One partipant said lavender (because it seemed light), another hibiscus (because the fragrance was bold), and another white (because it was a pure scent).

The same fragrance reminded all of them of flowers, but they each had a certain color in mind. What a varied response! Our perception of color is based in large part on experience and emotion. For example, my participant who said that the fragrance reminded her a flower, a hibiscus, attached an emotion to that by saying that it was a 'bold' fragrance. Once she attached an emotion to the fragrance, she could create its color, which was red.

My subjects had difficulty attaching a color to the fragrance until they were able to attach an emotion to it. One participant identified a fragrance as being yellow, because it opened him/her up and created awareness. I really had fun with this experiment and concluded that colors, scents and emotions have a real connection.

Live in color!
Lauren

Children and their love of color

2009-02-23T08:57:00.000-08:00

When I was first studying color back in the 1980s, I was told that people naturally gravitate toward the colors that look well on them. This is particularly true with children. Children have an inate ability to pick their 'right' colors. I see this in my own home. One of my daughters is raven haired with olive skin and hazel eyes, while my other daughter has blonde hair, fair skin and blue eyes. When I ask them to pick out clothing or crayon colors, they always choose differently. The clothing that my brunette daughter selects is always bold or rich, in red, fuschia, purple, royal blue and black. My blonde daughter prefers the softer pastels in pink, mint, robin's egg blue, and light yellow. Their artwork reflects their color preferences, as well, and I observe the same color combinations used there. This leads me to my other point. Children understand how to mix and match colors----for the most part :)!They pick colors with the same look and feel. My blonde wouldn't mix bold fuchsia with her delicate pastels, for example.

Live in color!
Lauren

The sublime yet shockingly powerful effect of fashion ads

2009-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

I experienced something so interesting last night, something that really surprised me. I always thought that I was relatively unaffected by the quantity....and it is large....of fashion and beauty ads I come across daily.

Yet yesterday I found myself doing something extremely out of character. As I was experimenting with all the ways I could wear my new yellow scarf, I found myself making a head scarf out of it, knotting it in the back, and pulling on some hoop earrings. Never in my life have I worn a head scarf, and this look I suddenly created was brilliant. It looked like some exotic African princess! I decided then and there that I was going to rock this look over the spring and summer.

All day I kept trying to figure out why I stumbled upon that idea in the first place. After all, I was merely working with a large scarf around my neck. It dawned on me as I was re-reading the latest edition of my Vanity Fair magazine.

Smack dab in one of the ads for Banana Republic was this beautiful woman of color, a musician I believe, wearing a gorgeous silky looking head scarf. Somehow I was captivated by it and didn't even realize it until I recreated the look all on my own.

Fashion ads really do guide behavior, much more than I realized.

Live in color!

Lauren

What is alluring?

2009-02-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to be alluring to you? Is it an attitude, the swagger of your walk, the perfume you wear, the confidence you display, or the clothes you wear? Is it based only on physical beauty, or do other things factor into the mix of what makes a person alluring? Look to the left. The model is covered up but certainly exudes sexiness. Look to the right. This model is very scantily clad...does that necessarily make her more alluring? I don't think so. I am extremely curious to receive feedback here, so please post comments. My opinion is that, as an old college friend once said, "Sexy is an attitude." Interestingly, it's not automatically the most physically beautiful woman in the room who is deemed to be the most alluring. I'm researching this subject out of sheer curiosity.

The gig is up with me, of course, because I am happily married to a very alluring man myself. I'm just curious about the role that internal and external factors have on this concept of being alluring. What do you think?

Live in color!

Lauren

First of its kind style workshop sponsored by Color My Closet

2009-02-20T16:42:00.000-08:00

First of its kind Color My Closet brings you the best, most interactive workshop to date!ng into style workshop
p details
Dear Houston ladies.....or those of you who want to fly in,

Do you remember playing dress-up as a little girl and loving what you saw in the mirror? We are here to help you bring back that lovin' feeling when you get dressed every day for any occasion.

Color My Closet is now holding style workshops at Macy's of the Galleria at Sage Road, centrally located for your convenience. We will keep the small group setting while putting into practice the wardrobe concepts we discuss in the workshop....using Macy's clothing and accessories.

Please read on for more info and don't miss out on this unique style experience!

Workshop details: Spring into style workshop

Color My Closet is pleased to offer this 3-hour, interactive workshop to you. The first of its kind, this workshop will cover the following (and much more):

*Use 20 pieces to build a whole wardrobe
*Build the right shoe and accessory collections
*See how this Spring's trends can work for you at any age
*Take your fashion personality quiz
*Dress for your age and body type

Date: Saturday, March 7th or Saturday, March 21st
RSVP:Please reply to this email with your choice of date
Time: 2:00-5:00 p.m. The time flies because we have FUN, ladies!
Location: Macy's Galleria @ Sage, 2727 Sage Road, Houston TX 77056
Fee: $99 payable in advance via secure PayPal link or $125 at the door

Win a 1-hour shopping consultation on the spot!
Names will be drawn at the end, and one participant will win a 1-hour shopping consultation with me in Macy's following the workshop.

Does shopping in large department stores frustrate or overwhelm you? Do you wander aimlessly through the malls only to come home with the wrong clothes....or nothing at all?

Do you question your look and clothing choices, wondering if they are really "you"? Do you return much of what you purchase, or leave it hanging in the closet with tags still attached?

If so, then this is definitely the workshop for you. I cannot wait to help you take image into your own hands.

Visit my website at www.colormycloset.com to contact me please!

Almost forgot! You will receive a style workbook as part of our workshop. This workbook can be used in the future to refine your style and recreate your image any time you want........

The color orange

2009-02-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

It is said that the color orange is huge for Spring. You will see it everywhere, on product packaging, home accessories, paint colors and fashion. What is so great about the color orange, though? Surprisingly, few people are drawn to orange in its purest form or hue. It is orange in its various tints and shades that attracts people. Tints such as peach, coral, salmon and melon are most appealing, and translate well into fashion. The color orange is associated with freedom, independence, optimism and exuberance towards life. No wonder the color works well for people during all this tough recession talk!

What other colors can be combined with orange? Here are some combos I really like: Orange and pink, orange and royal blue, orange and turquoise, orange and white, orange and tan, orange and red, or orange and magenta.

Live in color!

Lauren

That one piece of jewelry

2009-02-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Do you have that one piece of jewelry that you are known for? For me, it's the hoop earring. I've been wearing them faithfully ever since my college days. I use hoops to add width and definition to the center of my narrow face. They are timeless yet trendy, casual yet polished and elegant. They come in so many forms, from exotic rounded disks to basic silver to decorative with a bit of hardware. These earrings to the left are classic with a 70s Halston feel. They are certainly an investment piece. I found them on www.macys.com under the description: 14K gold polish oval hoop earrings. $550

The neon pink hoops I found at www.forever21.com. Forever 21 is a very youth-oriented retailer, but I shop them consistently for trendy tops, handbags, and jewelry. Most earrings are priced below $10.

Also found these fun Grecian looking gold earrings and hammered silver hoops at Forever 21.

Live in color!

Lauren

Wardrobe ideas for Amy

2009-02-18T19:00:00.000-08:00

Part of my duties as a color and wardrobe consultant are to give my clients inspiration and ideas, so that we can plan their wardrobe together. I am posting several items here for one of my clients who lives out of state. She is planning a trip to Mexico in a month and is looking to pull a mini-wardrobe together. Understanding her fashion personality and body type, I have selected some preliminary clothing for her to consider. Once I get feedback on my wardrobe ideas for Amy, we can fine tune the list and set a shopping plan. How exciting!! I want to go to Mexico, too! For Amy, I'm going to recommend the following colors: bright white, vivid turquoise, cobalt blue, purple, bright teal green, her True Winter bright yellow, and bright purple.

The pieces I recommend are:

1 patterned maxidress to do double duty, worn over swimwear or for excursions

1 solid colored dress (see the sweater dress above)

1-2 pairs white jeans (bootleg and/or wide leg trousers, or even a linen baggy pant)

1 pair of white or denim Bermuda shorts

1 denim pencil skirt

1 peasant top in a bright solid or a pattern

1 exotic looking tunic

1 shoulder baring top in a solid color

2-3 layering tanks to be worn solo with baggy pants or under some of the tops selected

1 gauzy white button down shirt that is easy and flowing to go over tanks

1 pair of metallic sandals

1 pair of neutral colored espadrilles

1 swimsuit

1 fabulous belt that can be used with dresses and some of the shirts

We'll see what my client thinks :) Stay tuned!

Live in color!

Lauren

Create a visual eye lift with cosmetics

2009-02-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Ladies,

I have a confession to make.....my eyes droop a little on top. Well, first of all, they are deep set, and then my lids are starting to hover over my eyes a little. Do I worry about this? NO way....there are bigger fish to fry.....you know what I mean?

I do, however, enjoy discovering tricks to visually lift my eyes upward towards the heavens, because they just look better that way. For any of you out there with eyes that have started to sag, these tips are for you:

1) Groom your brows to draw attention upward. There are fantastically cheap brow gels out there that do the trick, or you can spray a bit of hair spray onto your brow brush, then brush brows immediately. Cover Girl's Define-A-Brow gel COST = $6.00

2) Apply lengthening mascara onto the upper lashes only, focusing especially on the outer lashes. There is NOTHING better than this to visually lift the eye. Approximate COST = $10.00

3) Use a light, illuminating eyeshadow up along the brow bone. Avoid anything too sparkly. Matte formulas are most age appropriate. Laura Mercier's Matte Eye Colours COST = $22.00

I like the shade of Morning Dew, which is a light neutral pink

4) My favorite trick of all is to use a heated eyelash curler. Another image consultant in town introduced me to the Japonesque brand, which can be found at ULTA. Use the heated curler after mascara application. It sets the mascara and lashes in high position for the whole day! Approximate COST = $18.00

5) My last trick sounds great in theory, and I've seen it done very well on mature women. This trick is something I've yet to master but will one day! It is false eyelashes, the individual ones that you can apply to the outer edges only. These lashes can be found at any drugstore, though I am told MAC Cosmetics counters specialize in lash application.

If I did my math correctly, the non-surgical eyelift only costs $56. You are totally worth it!

Live in color,

Lauren

Top 10 tips to guaranteeing a precise color analysis

2009-02-16T16:58:00.001-08:00

Ladies,

Options for color analysis abound, from online color tests to color consults at the makeup counter to professional color analysis in a studio setting. Research your options carefully, because the more accurate the analysis, the more rejuvenated, slenderized, polished and put together you will appear as a result!

Here are my top 10 tips for guaranteeing a precise color analysis:

1) Be sure that natural sunlight or full spectrum lighting is used. Poor lighting makes it almost impossible to complete an analysis.

2) The room's walls and surroundings should be in a neutral grey that will not compete against or detract from the colored drapes used for analysis.

3) Hair and body should be covered with a neutral grey cap and gown, as well, and the analyst should wear an analyst's gown to cover her own clothing.

4) Test drapes used must be measured for color accuracy. The results of a color analysis are only are accurate as the test materials used!

5) The color analysis system used must account for the possibility of neutral skin tones, since up to two-thirds of women are neither cool nor warm in undertone.

6) No makeup should be worn during the analysis, as makeup both masks and alters the look of the skin. During a color analysis, it is imperative that we see the visual effects of both right and wrong colors on the skin.

7) No facial tanners should be used for at least a week prior to the consultation, as some self-tanners shift the look of skin tone too much. Additionally, colored contact lenses should not be worn, because part of the analysis involves observing visual effects of certain colors on a person's eye color.

8) How many colors are included in your palette? Be sure that the consultation includes at least 60 colors that all mix and match. This provides a breadth of color to work with and facilitates easy wardrobe planning.

9) Personal books of color should be provided as part of the consultation. Some books of color contain fabric squares, which are extremely difficult to match against other clothing fabrics seen in stores. Matching fabric to fabric is complex, even for master colorists, because fabric has a sheen that changes appearance as light reflects off of it. The most accurate personal books of color, when printed on archival canvas, are not only lightfast and guaranteed to last a lifetime, but they serve as a constant against which various fabrics can be compared.

10) Training of the color analyst is the perhaps the most important dimension here. There are so many online training programs, but an analyst should ideally be trained in person by a company that specializes in the field of color. There is simply no substitution for receiving hands-on training, despite the many online training programs available today. The art and science of color analysis take practice to understand and time to perfect.

Live in color!
Lauren

You--a work in progress

2009-02-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

Today I'd like to comment briefly on you--you in the past, present and future. As it pertains to image and fashion, you are constantly evolving.......or should be. Certain looks that worked during your 20s are simply not going to work in your 30s, though many women get caught in a time warped fashion rut!

It is important to assess on an annual basis what you truly want your image and look to convey about you. If you are entering into your 50s, for example, and are shifting to a second career, then your hair, makeup, wardrobe and accessories should shift accordingly.

I always ask my clients to write down a list of adjectives that describe the message they wish to convey to others. Some write intelligent, down-to-earth, professional and approachable, while others write attractive, creative, exotic, quirky and unique. Determine what kind of style statement you want to make this year, and for all the years to come.

Live in color!
Lauren

The allure of accessories

2009-02-14T08:42:00.000-08:00

Ladies, do you love accessories as much as I do? Have you ever gone out and bought accessories without even giving consideration to what outfit you'd pair them with? I do this regularly and thus never spend too much on my accessories unless the piece is something I'd wear for many years to come.

My favorite place to shop for inexpensive accessories is Target. They always deliver on the latest, most colorful, and most exotic pieces at extremely affordable prices. Additionally, check out Forever 21 for up-to-the-minute trends on the cheap. While Forever 21 caters to the teen and 20s set, many of their accessories are appropriate for all ages.

Live in color!
Lauren

The power of the clutch

2009-02-13T08:45:00.000-08:00

The power bag for Spring is the clutch, in my opinion, as we are seeing it in so many forms. From patent leather to color block to python and exotic textures, this multipurpose handbag is making its mark. All bags were found on ELLE's website at http://www.elle.com/.

Live in color! Lauren

2009 Spring shoe report SANDALS

2009-02-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

Python is the skin of choice for Spring, and thong sandals are as popular as ever.

Notice the hardware on these taupe colored sandals. They lend a Grecian feel to the shoe.

Not just python, but with a twist of interesting cutouts on the shoe itself. There is so much detail in this season's sandals.

Spring is upon us and there is nothing better to me than wearing new sandals and having my toes freshly pedicured! How about you? Check out these beautiful 2009 Spring sandals that I found at ELLE's site http://www.elle.com/.

Live in color!

Lauren

2009 Spring shoe report DETAILS

2009-02-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

The 2009 Spring shoe collections abound with beautiful, ornate details. Take for example this shoe above with the detailed gold embellishment. These shoes are statement pieces, works of art.

You will also see some cutouts at the tops and sides of feet, in interesting places, creating a customized look for the wearer.

Ankle straps are extremely popular for spring shoes!

Fun nautical details involving rope straps are being incorporated, as well, this season.

Python is the 'skin' for this season's shoes and handbags. I also love the beautiful slant on this heel.

All of these shoes were found on ELLE's website at www.elle.com. They have an entire section dedicated to 2009 Spring shoes.

Live in color!

Lauren

2009 Spring shoe report INTERESTING HEELS

2009-02-10T08:27:00.000-08:00

There's no doubt about it that the 2009 Spring shoe collections are works of art! Note the interesting details on the heels, like on this grey pair. The camel colored shoe here has an interesting clear heel with silver latticework details.

Notice that the heels have different widths and shapes to them, adding even more interest and intrigue for 2009 Spring shoes.

Live in color!

Lauren

2009 Spring shoe report NEW COLORS

2009-02-09T08:10:00.000-08:00

I am in love with shoes, ladies, and most of you are, too! The shoes I am displaying today were all found on http://www.elle.com/. They have a fantastic section of their site dedicated to 2009 Spring shoes!

Today's focus is on color. Note the color block concept where several bold colors are used at once. Also note that patent leather and suede are incorporated in many of the 2009 Spring shoe collections.

The new trend of neon translates into shoes, as well, with bright blues, melons, greens and hot pinks.

Live in color!

Lauren

What's up with the neon?

2009-02-06T08:51:00.000-08:00

Ah.....fresh fashions abound this year!

Can you believe that spring is just around the corner? And can you believe that neon---yes, 80s style neon---is in style again? I laugh as I remember some of the neon outfits I created in my younger years. Yes, neon is truly meant for the younger scene, so how do we incorporate it as adults, or should we?

This, my friends, is a matter of fashion personality and boldness. If you choose to do neon, I suggest doing it sparingly in the way of a bracelet, scarf or handbag...maybe even as a tank under a t-shirt. The key as with other trends is subtlety. What we see parading on the runway is generally exaggerated and very flamboyant, so avoid using too much neon in real life.

Live in color!
Lauren

The 20 garment challenge

2009-02-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

I am issuing a new challenge for all of you out there....it's called the "20 Garment Challenge." The challenge is to see who can go for the three months of June, July and August with only 20 garments of clothing. The basic premise is that you can make 20 garments stretch into dozens and dozens of unique outfits, while using accessories to keep things fresh. Stay tuned for more specifics, but the basic rules are:

1) You can only use 20 garments--be sure that they mix and match very well

2) Swimwear and workout gear do not count as part of the 20 garments

3) You are allowed to use or buy as many accessories as you wish to keep things fresh

4) We will create a budget to stick to in building this wardrobe of 20 pieces

Again, stay tuned for more info.

Live in color!
Lauren

What is your best red lipstick?

2009-02-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

Some of you embrace red, while others fear it for its boldness. There are thousands upon thousands of red lipsticks on the market, so consider these tips before wasting your money on a drawerful of the wrong 'reds.'

Consider what it does to your skin and teeth color--Trying red lipstick on before purchasing is imperative! Unfortunately store lighting is poor, so it is advisable to walk outside with a mirror and test the color in natural sunlight. Your best red lipstick will not overpower you, it will visually whiten your teeth, and it will brighten your face. If your coloring is very warm, stay away from pink or blue-ish reds, which make skin look pale, and always go with reds that have an orange hue. If you are cool, then the blue and pink reds work best. Avoid orange reds or rusts as they will yellow the teeth and create a sallow look to the skin. If you are neutral, then you really should call me for a color consult :) to determine your perfect red.

Determine the intensity of your red lipstick--If you have a very bold fashion personality and like to stand out in a crowd, then a heavily pigmented, matte color will work best for you. If you prefer a more natural look, then you can go with a rich lip gloss that has a hint of boldness to it. Your best red lipstick is one that you feel comfortable in.

Consider what is age appropriate--For the woman in her 20s or 30s, matte lipstick is fine. After that, I highly recommend smoother, moisturizing lipsticks. Another trick for women in their 40s and beyond is to apply a very matte lipstick, blot the lips, then apply some clear gloss or even Vaseline to soften the look.

Think about the occasion--For evening and holiday parties, bolder reds are fine. It is better to tone the red down for daytime with glosses. The best red lipstick suits the occasion.

Please email me with any feedback or questions. I'd love to point you in the right direction.

Live in color!

Lauren

Color combinations

2009-02-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

Did you know that color combinations matter just as much as or more than the individual colors we wear? In a book entitled Understanding Your Color--A Guide to Personal Analysis, written by my mentor Kathryn Kalisz, there is a section on the optical effects of harmonizing colors. You can check out more about Kathryn's work with color at http://www.sci-art-global.com/.

To quote Kathryn, "Colors in harmony with a skin tone bring life and vitality to a person's coloring." Furthermore, harmonizing color combinations are able to find each other so to speak, and they always cause an almost breathtaking effect on those who view the colors.

Harmonious colors create a youthful glow to the skin, as well as a visual face lift. They impart a look of health and vitality to the skin, brightening both eyes and the whites of teeth in the process.

Think about a beautiful painting or other piece of art. The colors all work together to create a visually appealing experience. The same holds true for the colors that we wear every day. Harmonious colors intensify and strengthen each other, creating a more put together and visually pleasing look for us all. They also make wardrobe and accessories planning simple.

Live in color!
Lauren

Virtual personal shopping

2009-02-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

Ladies,

Color My Closet is pleased to offer a new service for women who are low on time and high on efficiency! Introducing virtual personal shopping, Color My Closet can now work with women all across the country. This service is expressly for women who want to pull together a look without shopping in the physical stores for hours at a time.

Who is the ideal candidate for virtual personal shopping, though? She is the woman who has trouble finding what she wants in the stores, has become frustrated and overwhelmed with all that's out there, or who doesn't understand her own fashion personality. Other women who fit the bill are those who just don't enjoy shopping or don't have the time for it.

Virtual personal shopping is a stand-alone service as well as a complement to the in-home wardrobe consultation. Following the wardrobe assessment and creation of a shopping checklist, we can go online and find some of those pieces to fill in wardrobe gaps.

Please contact me if you would like assistance in this area. It doesn't matter what part of the country you live in. I can help you find ensembles that complement your personality, body type, best attributes and lifestyle.

Live in color!
Lauren

Spring 2009 Top trends Part 2 of 2

2009-02-01T09:36:00.000-08:00

Moving on to other Spring 2009 trends:

Embellished boho (see below) is a new trend that is so beautiful because of the use of vibrant and rich colors with interesting fabrics and textures. You'll notice that the look is still somewhat structured and less 'flowy' and bohemian than one might expect.

Pastel colored suits (above left) will also be popular as an alternative to traditional black pantsuits. I'm so relieved to see the lighter, fresher colors coming out now. We will also have color block prints (above right) as on this dress above--which have a bold and strong look about them.

Subtle--yes, subtle--touches of neon will abound for Spring (see picture at left). Not that there is only a fringe of neon showing, so it has a tiny throwback to the 80s.

Sequined daywear is also in, so that those embellishments on an outfit make wearing additional accessories unnecessary.

The cropped military jacket is also a 'go' for Spring, though women who are very short waisted should not choose this look.

Last but not least we are seeing some 80s flair in the way of cropped cuts in clothing and very vivid colors. The key to not overdoing this and looking too dated is to add a boldly colored blazer or one of something else--never overdo this or you'll run the risk of looking clownish.

Live in color!

Lauren

Spring 2009 Top trends Part 1 of 2

2009-01-31T09:18:00.000-08:00

Black on white prints are big this Spring. Any combination of black and white can work for the more conservative woman, even something as simple as mixing black and white beads.

Not pictured are zipper details, which can be found on jackets, pant legs and even handbags this season. Oversize necklaces are also continuing into the Spring, and I feel that they make great investment pieces for their enduring quality.

The look of pants this Spring will be decidedly relaxed and ethereal, being loose on the hips and tapering slightly at the ankles. Either fitted tops or loose ones belted in keep the look sharp and fresh.

The accessories report indicates that big, exotic bangles when layered will be big, as well as oversized pattern handbags. How fun!

Last but not least, we have the sophisticated trench coat, which is longer and has a more luxe look because of the shimmer. It easily transitions from day to night. And.....hot pink! I am so excited because this is such a brilliant and attractive color on lots of skin tones. This information comes compliments of Glamour magazine, so I cannot take credit :)

Live in color!

Lauren

Own Your Age

2009-01-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

It is time to own your age, ladies! I want to see what 40 really looks like, and 50 and 60 and 70 and 80 without going under the knife or being injected with substances to plump up the skin. I want to see more women who own their age and are utterly unapologetic about it. Can you help me?

If you have decided to age gracefully with only the help of good topical products and innovative beauty tricks, then I would love to have you submit a good photo of yourself to display on this blog.

Own your age--that is going to be my mantra moving forward, ladies. This is not to criticize those women who have opted for injections or cosmetic surgery. In fact, direct relatives of mine have gone under the knife in the name of beauty. This is not about judgement. I just want to see for myself how good 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 can look without medical intervention.

I look forward to your photos, ladies. Own your age!

Lauren

How do you feel in your clothes?

2009-01-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

It doesn't matter if you wear the latest trend or most expensive garment--if you don't feel comfortable in the outfit, then you'll be fidgety and won't wear it well or look your best. It will have been a wasted purchase--perhaps one that just hangs in your closet for years.

When you feel comfortable in a garment, you exude confidence and appear more attractive. You 'wear' the clothing instead of having it 'wear' you. Let's look at 3 simple steps to making sure you feel comfortable in your wardrobe:

1) Do you love it? If you would wear the garment over and over again, and find yourself grabbing for it routinely, then you love it. If you hesitate before putting it on, then you don't love it and should get rid of it.

2) Does it fit properly? This seems rather obvious, but I see so many women pulling up their pants or fidgeting with a dress collar because of ill fit. Be sure that your garment skims (not clings to) the right places, and that you have it altered for your body type.

3) Does the fabric feel good on my body? Fabric makes a difference on so many levels. Most importantly, the right fabric feels like a second skin, and you don't feel itchy or uncomfortable when wearing it. If anything about a fabric bothers you, then ditch the garment in favor of one that feels nicer to wear.

Live in color!

Lauren

Pantone's 2009 Color of the Year

2009-01-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

I love the website of http://www.pantone.com/ because they are the quintessential predictors of color for home, beauty and fashion. According to Panton, the 2009 color of the year is Mimosa.

According to Pantone--and this is a direct quote:

In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow. "The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation."

What I love about the color yellow is how appealing it is to everyone, even if everyone doesn't like wearing it next to the face. This shade of Mimosa can appeal to both men and women. For men it can be incorporated into a striped or patterned tie. For women it can be incorporated very well into accessories, handbags and patterned tops.

Yellows in general coordinate with virtually every other color, and my favorite neutral to pair it with is actually grey. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Live in color,
Lauren

That one special outfit!

2009-01-23T13:59:00.000-08:00

Just came from a fab wardrobe consultation in which we got rid of 80% of my client's wardrobe, and she didn't whine, whimper, cry or throw a tantrum. In fact, she felt relieved and looked happier and happier as we dwindled her wardrobe down to next to nothing!

Here's the thing, though.....we were able to create around 10 new outfit ensembles with 4 simple garments and a few tops we held onto because of their color, embellishment or flair. We had soooooo much fun, because it's always better to have a few great pieces than a whole lot of nothing great.

The truth is that we could have kept going, creating even more ensembles. There was enough left in my client's wardrobe to play with and create many more fun, unique looks.

Stay posted because I'm going to ask my client if we can post a couple of 'before' and 'after' photos. My fave piece we kept is her pant suit. It fits perfectly and is just the right shade of white.

For my client, the white pants suit is that one special outfit! She can wear it for job interviews, date nights, girls' nights out, and on the job.

Live in color!
Lauren

Support Color My Closet in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

2009-01-22T18:31:00.001-08:00

Support Color My Closet in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

Posted using ShareThis

The power of color analysis

2009-01-22T07:52:00.000-08:00

Recently a new client drove over 4 hours to see me for a color analysis. Not everyone is willing to do this, of course, but this lady understands the value in what we do at Color My Closet. She understands the difference that the right colors can make for her personally and professionally. Here below I've pasted the contents of an email she sent following our color analysis:

Dear Lauren,

You know I have had my colors analyzed 3 times previously in my life, and none of those even compares to my experience with you on Saturday. You were so warm & set both my sister and me at complete ease. You explained things so well, so that we could see what you were seeing in the mirror when you analyzed the colors. Finally, the way you analyzed my coloring left no doubt at all in my mind or my sister's as to my season so that I feel completely confident now regarding choosing the best colors for myclothes & makeup - two areas where I always felt rather overwhelmed with the choices & always felt like I was choosing the wrong things. I'm truly excited to build my wardrobe now, rather than dreading it.

Color analysis is a tool we use to make women look rejuvenated, slenderized by 10-15 pounds, more put together, professional, and just downright awesome!

Live in color!
Lauren

What's your wedding white?

2009-01-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Every day women all across the country walk down the aisle in the wedding gown of their dreams. The only problem is that their gown is often the wrong color--the wrong shade of white. After spending thousands of dollars on the materials, cut and style of the dress, many brides simply don't concern themselves with the color of the gown itself.

Where color is often an afterthought in the dress selection process, it should be the first thing considered. The right wedding white illuminates a bride's skin and makes her photograph more beautifully. The right white visually slenderizes her and gives her a healthy glow.

Conversely, the wrong wedding white can make a bride's skin look dull. It can visually draw out imperfections and make skintone look very uneven--and even accentuate fine lines or wrinkles. The wrong color of wedding gown visually packs on pounds and yellows both eyes and teeth.

This is where a color analysis makes the difference between looking okay and looking dazzling on the big day. A certified analyst determines how you should color your hair, what makeup hues work best, the precise jewelry accents, and of course the color of wedding gown. She can even determine the best bridesmaid gown colors that complement all skin tones!

If you are planning your wedding and get stuck on color, please do give me a call. I'm here to help you shine on your big day.

Live in color!

Lauren

Winter coats and boots

2009-01-15T10:09:00.001-08:00

Now is the time of year to great deals on winter coats and boots. Department stores and retailers like Burlington Coat Factory have begun to deeply discount these items. You may wonder what kind of coats and boots are worth buying right now.

Check out your coat closet first. Ideally, you should have 2 trench coats (one neutral and one a color or print), a casual short coat, a versatile mid length, and a dressy coat for special occasions.

As for boots, it's good to have 3 pairs: ankle boots in a neutral like brown or black, tall black boots and tall nude colored boots. The nude color may be harder to find.

Live in color!

Lauren

Using wardrobe to boost self-esteem

2009-01-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

When was the last time you looked in the mirror and said, "Hey, I love what I see here!"? Probably hasn't happened in awhile. Many grown-up women focus solely on their perceived flaws and have an unbalanced self-esteem, a product of the teenage years I suppose. I see this all the time as a wardrobe consultant. So many women lament over heavy bottoms, flabby arms, or poochy stomachs. They complain about droopy eyes and large foreheads, all the while missing out on their fascinating beauty. And, yes, I see fascinating beauty in all women every day!

What if women shifted their thinking by shifting their wardrobe? Instead of buying pants to minimize the look of their derriere, what if they bought those great new earrings to highlight their cheekbones and eye color? What if they busied themselves with shopping for their assets instead of shopping around their perceived flaws?

This is all fine and dandy, but many women are so self-deprecating that they haven't taken time to assess their beauty and best features. I encourage you ladies to list your top 5 best features, and even more for that matter. If you have trouble, ask your spouse, significant other, best friend, sister, or mother. They all see your beauty daily and can attest to it!

Live in color!
Lauren

International style inspiration

2009-01-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

Looking for style inspiration is the same as looking for inspiration when decorating a home. We often look to other parts of the world--exotic architecture, colors, foods, and landscapes. It helps to create that eclectic style so many of us like to incorporate into our home decor.

On a style note, think about the patterns and textures of clothing that you enjoy wearing. For me, it has always been oriental patterns with flowers or butterflies. I enjoy silky fabrics and kimono sleeves--always have and always will. This clothing inspires me and makes me feel comfortable. This season I'm ready to incorporate something a bit different, though.

Color has always inspired me, but nowhere have I seen more beautiful motifs and color contrasts than in Greece. White combines with all variations of bright blue and metallics. Incorporating white as my principal neutral, I'm going completely Greek this spring and summer.

Live in color!

Lauren

White jeans now....get 'em while they're hot!

2009-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

I used to have the same problem with white jeans every year until now..... I used to wait until April or May to get my summer whites, but found that the selection was quite low. You see, all the good styles are available now, and they won't be around for long. Savvy shoppers (like me finally) will buy them up in triples, so do not wait. Check out The Gap, Banana Republic, J.Crew, Etcetera www.etcetera.com, Macy's or Dillard's.

White jeans are so flattering, even for those women who have more ample hips and bottoms. There is a sleekness to them, and I even believe they can be worn well during wintertime!

Live in color!
Lauren

What's your fashion personality?

2009-01-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

Your fashion personality is all about clothing styles, makeup, hair, and accessories. It dictates where you shop and how you mix and match clothing. It has to do with texture, color, and what you naturally gravitate towards.

There are 4 basic fashion personalities, though infinite variations exist due to our uniqueness. Each of us also has a primary and secondary fashion personality, so we tend to blend elements of at least 2 basic fashion styles.

The Natural

Naturals prefer minimal makeup and jewelry with basic, no-fuss hairstyles. They do not tend to embrace trends but prefer basic, easy-to-wear pieces that lend a casual air. The natural woman values comfort and simplicity, and she will often buy the same garment in a few basic colors. As for color, the natural woman opts for neutrals and one or two colors in her palette.

Jennifer Aniston the Natural

The Classic

Classics dress in pieces that are well-tailored and can stand the test of time. They are not slaves to trends but incorporate new looks and colors sparingly. A Classic's hair and makeup will be timeless with a bit of edginess to express individuality. What sets the Classic apart, though, is her ability to build a wardrobe that looks stylish for years to come.

Kristin Davis the Classic

The Romantic

The Romantic is a woman who showcases her femininity with soft, flowing hair, shimmery makeup, and clothing that has embellishments, texture and a bohemian flair. That Romantic flair can be expressed in a frilly way with bows and lace embellishments, or in a bohemian chic way with vintage shirts, vests, and flowing skirts. What distinguishes the Romantic is how she wears things that feel good and bring out her femininity.

Kate Hudson the Romantic

The Dramatic

Many celebrities and rock stars fall into this category. The Bold or Dramatic woman embraces virtually every trend. Many women have elements of Dramatic in their wardrobe but have another primary fashion personality. The Dramatic is all about fashion evolution with her edgy haircuts, bold makeup, and uber-trendy looks. She dresses fearlessly and wants to stand out in a crowd.

Rihanna the Dramatic

Again, there are so many variations on these basic four fashion personalities due to the complexity of women. If you would like to take an online quiz from Color My Closet to determine your primary and secondary fashion personality, then please email lauren@colormycloset.com.

For a nominal fee, we can discuss the results to determine where you should shop and what looks are right for you this season!

Live in color!

Lauren

Ode to denim

2009-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Denim rocks! That's all there is to it. Denim is a wardrobe staple, and all women should have 3 pairs minimum.

Casual style for flats

Dark wash bootcut to wear with boots and heels

Funky, stylish denim fit--here are trouser jeans, or you could pick skinny, high waisted, or embellished styles

Denim fit is most important, though, and allow me to share a secret with you: http://www.zafu.com/. If you haven't already heard, this free website asks a few short questions then outputs dozens of denim styles and brands based on your body type. Think of all the time you can save in the stores thanks to this great tool!

Live in color!
Lauren

Fashion Fit Formula

2009-01-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

How does off-the-rack clothing fit you? Do you have to hem pants, adjust sleeves, nip fabric in at the waist, or not buy some pieces because they fall at the wrong places on you? Take heart--you are not alone. Less than 1% of all women fit properly into store bought apparel.

Why don't clothes fit us right? The answer is simple: The retail industry mass produces clothing, manufacturing it to a perfectly proportionate standard of 8 equal head lengths. The good news is that we have access to all kinds of clothing thanks to mass production. The bad news is that no one measures up to that perfectly proportionate ideal due to our unique bone structure.

Speaking of bone structure, I'd like to introduce you to a revolutionary tool called the Fashion Fit Formula http://www.fashionfitformula.com/. It is an indispensable tool in my wardrobe business, one which teaches women their ideal clothing and accessory lengths down to 1/8 of an inch in accuracy.

1/8 of an inch in accuracy--can you imagine? The Fashion Fit Formula provides your ideal necklines, sleeve lengths, and short, skirt, Capris, dress, and even coat and jacket lengths. The beauty of this tool is that you can apply it to clothing hanging right now in your closet. In fact, when the formula is applied to new and existing clothing, you appear perfectly proportionate lengthwise and 10 to 15 pounds slimmer!!

You read me right--10 to 15 pounds slimmer with just a nip and tuck of fabric. See some before and after pics for proof:

Our client here was covering her plus-sized frame with loose and long garments. You see that by hemming both the skirt and jacket, she appears at least 20 pounds more slenderized. We also brought the sleeves up to an ideal length and added a soft scarf at her ideal neckline point. Immediately slenderized!

On this model, the scarf on the left was adding bulk and cutting her off at the neckline. The scarf was then tucked in and placed at her ideal neckline point, opening up that area and visually slenderizing her face. The skirt was hemmed up to create more proportion for her, and the jacket pockets were folded inside to slenderize the hip area.

The Fashion Fit Formula is such a fantastic tool that wardrobe consultants like myself here in the U.S. and Canada offer this directly to clients. It lasts a lifetime because your bone structure remains constant throughout life--even when weight fluctuates.

Live in color!

Lauren

The fashion highway

2009-01-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Just as our tastes in music, food, friends, and hobbies change as we mature and evolve, so do our tastes in fashion. Traveling along the fashion highway should be an enjoyable--not tedious--journey for us. How DO we travel life's fashion highway, though? It's simpler than you think.

The first step is to determine your wardrobe constants. Your fashion constants are those items that you always enjoy wearing, feel most like you, and are consistently on your 'need to replace' list. Some of my fashion constants are denim, form fitting T-shirts, hoop earrings, and summer sandals. Year after year I replenish my stock of these constants, and they make my ride along the fashion highway much smoother!

The second and final step is to freshen up your look as you evolve. Inject fun and interest with new patterns, textures, colors, and/or accessories that inspire and reflect the new, ever changing you!

Live in color,

Lauren

Got color? Got job security

2009-01-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

Job security is on everyone's minds these days, and the thought of losing one's job, revamping a resume, and going back out on job interviews distresses most people. Have you ever thought about how to ensure job security, though? It extends far beyond technical abilities, continuing education coursework, reaching quota, meeting deadlines, working well under pressure, and dealing with interoffice politics.

One crucial way to safeguard your job is to pay close attention to your external appearance. This involves not only dressing the part, but also dressing in the right colors. Color accounts for up to 90% of that vital first impression, and it evokes an immediate response from others--be it positive or negative.

Why is color so vital to your job security?

You look competent in the part--When you wear your correct colors, you look more polished, professional, and put together. You look like you belong in the position you currently hold or--better yet--are poised to land that great promotion.

You set yourself apart from the competition--Very few people pay attention to their color choices because they don't understand how integral color is to their look. You can immediately gain a competitive edge over coworkers or other job applicants by wearing your best colors always.

You garner more respect and trust in the workplace--Studies have shown that when people wear the wrong colors, others are put off and find it difficult to listen to or trust them. The opposite is true for those who wear their right colors, as others both listen more intently and are more drawn to them.

You control your image rather than have it control you--When you wear your best colors, you can better control how others perceive you. You can also begin to understand how to use color to evoke certain emotions and send clearer messages in the workplace.

You exude more confidence--Wearing your colors not only impacts others positively, but it also makes you feel more confident and put together. We all know that a confident employee or job applicant fares better than a person who is insecure about his or her appearance.

Got COLOR? Then you got JOB SECURITY!

Live in color,
Lauren

My emerging love affair with hats

2009-01-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

I have found a new love--hats! What a great solution as my short curly hair grows out into a bob! So far I bought a tres chic red beret and a funky page-boy gray cap.

Why do I love hats so much? For starters, they are a fun way to express fashion personality. They also express my creative side, and they are ageless. Lastly, only women with confidence and swagger can truly wear hats well......

Since I'm in an experimental phase here, I'm only buying inexpensive hats from Target and Forever 21. In time hopefully I'll have a collection of cool hats to show off!

Live in color,
Lauren

Take a cue from Coco Chanel

2009-01-02T16:34:00.000-08:00

In the words of Coco Chanel, "I don't do fashion--I am fashion."

It is said that when Coco Chanel passed away, she only possessed 5 or 6 pieces of clothing in her wardrobe. She understood how to make every piece do double, triple, even quadruple duty, and she epitomized fashion and class until the very end.

Why is it, then, that we feel the need to keep buying piece after piece after piece of clothing for our wardrobe? We only wear 20% of it anyway. Did you also know that we waste 9 years of our lives shopping only to toss or return 80% of what we purchase?

I encourage each and every one of you ladies to keep your wardrobes simple. Make sure that the few pieces you love are of good quality, flattering cuts, and of course in your color palette!

Live in color,
Lauren

New Year New You

2009-01-01T10:03:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2009! Let's chat about New Year's resolutions. Most of us set them but falter and lose hope after just 30 days. Scores of articles are written about why we don't keep resolutions or how we can better follow through on them.

Here is my month-by-month, easy-to-follow guide to improving your appearance in 2009. This is one resolution you'll want to keep!

January--Sift through your wardrobe and get rid of things that are old, tattered, ill fitting, or that you haven't worn in over 2 years.

February--Pull out 5 favorite pieces from your closet and make a list of pieces that you can add to them--i.e. accessories, jackets, new shoes, etc.

March--Focus on color. Think back to the colors you've always enjoyed wearing or gotten compliments on.....buy more of these colors!

April--Consider a new hair style, even if it's just getting highlights or creating new bangs.

May--Revamp your cosmetics palette. Summer is around the corner and our skin color generally bronzes slightly.

June--Buy 2 pairs of white jeans--one for heels and another for flats. This is by far the most versatile and figure flattering item in your summer wardrobe.

July--Try some of the great self-tanners out there, or even go to the salon for a spray-on tan. They can look very natural!

August--Save your dollars for cashmere this winter.......set a goal to buy 1 cashmere piece each season in a fun new color.

September--Time to change cosmetics again. Pick some new lipstick and nail shades.

October--Buy some fun accessories for winter--funky hats, scarves, and gloves.

November--Shop early for holiday party attire. Get yourself a fab pair of evening heels, sparkly earrings and/or necklace, fab handbag, and coat or throw.

December--Buy that cashmere you've been wanting--on sale!

Live in color!
Lauren