Now THIS is a Barbie Collab You Should See

As a personal stylist for women, I’m always on the lookout for new collabs between brands, designers, bands and more. Some are big hits and some fall flat, to be sure. I was delighted to see that one of my favorite retailers, The Frankie Shop, just launched a collaboration with Barbie. If you know the Frankie Shop, you are likely a little surprised, too. Expect pieces that align with Frankie’s sensibility and celebrate Barbie. The collection will undoubtedly sell out fast to check it out!

16 Fall Dress Trends that will Leave You Yearning for Colder Weather

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I know a thing or two about getting dressed for cooler weather. One benefit of living it the Pacific Northwest is our weather variation. We’ve had weeks of sunshine followed by a few days of cooler temperatures and rain then back to sun. This means that we never really put away our rain gear and that we have a love/hate relationship with the fall.

It’s beautiful and we love it. AND it means our sunshine is coming to a close. Fortunately, the 2024 fall dress trends are so magnificent that fall is getting more appealing everyday. Let’s get you started, shall we?

Boho Style: Our 44 Favorite Picks from Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale 2024

Happy Anniversary from your very own personal stylist for women. Sure, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is a special occasion for a huge number of people. But in the Seattle area, we think of this as a hometown holiday. That means that every year I put together a collection of blog posts featuring my favorite products from Anniversary. With thousands of items on sale, it’s helpful to have a cheat sheet. And I have the time of my life digging into the year’s deals.

Edgy Style: Our 61 Favorite Picks from Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale 2024

Happy Anniversary from your very own personal stylist for women. Sure, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is a special occasion for a huge number of people. But in the Seattle area, we think of this as a hometown holiday. That means that every year I put together a collection of blog posts featuring my favorite products from Anniversary. With thousands of items on sale, it’s helpful to have a cheat sheet. And I have the time of my life digging into the year’s deals.

Classic Style: 62 of Our Favorite Picks from Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale 2024

Happy Anniversary from your very own personal stylist for women. Sure, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is a special occasion for a huge number of people. But in the Seattle area, we think of this as a hometown holiday. That means that every year I put together a collection of blog posts featuring my favorite products from Anniversary. With thousands of items on sale, it’s helpful to have a cheat sheet. And I have the time of my life digging into the year’s deals.

Featured Poplin Client: Emmy

As a personal stylist for over a decade, meeting with a new client never gets old. Despite working with hundreds of women, creating a style strategy for each one is a new adventure. After all, each client has a unique authentic personal style to drive our decision making. But she also has a different body type, color palette, lifestyle, budget and values. So even if we are supporting two women with the same style key words, their wardrobes will be different. This intentional approach means that she’ll feel confident that her pieces represent her, not someone else, and that they will simplify her life.

Emmy and I first met after her husband found Poplin online. With a very demanding job in tech, it was clear that getting dressed each morning was adding unwanted stress to her life. Her doting husband went on the hunt for a personal stylist and landed on Poplin. As a petite woman, finding items that excited her was tough and finding time or energy to shop was even tougher.

I can’t wait for you to hear Emmy’s transformation including her own words on the journey. Whether or not becoming a client is in your future, seeing images of women who have taken the leap and come out the other side is always inspiring. Let’s hear it for your morning pick me up.

Should I Wear a Belt?

As a personal stylist based in Seattle, I’ve spent over a decade deep in women’s closets. The initial tour of a new client’s belongings includes an overview of her pieces including and inevitable comment about belts. She either has a zillion of them in a drawer that she doesn’t wear or doesn’t have any. Regardless, a surprisingly high percentage of women feel that they lack some sort of expertise when it comes to styling a belt and that they are interested in my guidance on the topic.

With many things related to fashion and style, clients often feel that they didn’t get the memo and are ready to finally understand what to wear, when, why and most importantly how. That’s where I come in.

The Perfect Sheer Pieces for Your Body Type and Your Authentic Personal Style

As a personal stylist for women I am always on the hunt for new trends. Sure, there are shifts on runways that don’t translate to real life and yes, there are ready to wear movements that, while popular, aren’t super flattering. So, when we see trends that work on a runway and in real life, I’m all over it.

Sheer pieces are one of those trends. Considering wearing see through or semi-see through pieces tends to evoke a strong emotional response. You are likely either in the “no thank you” camp or in the “intrigued to yes, please world.” Most often, sheer pieces are one of those, “I’d love to if I can pull it off” trends. And my Dear Reader, I’m here to show you how you can absolutely pull it off.

Specifically, knowing which sheer options are right for your authentic personal style and your body type will give you the confidence to rock them on the regular. A few years back, I gave a friend a sheer grey long sleeve fitted top for her birthday. I’m guessing she was in her late forties then and she was surprised by the gift. Her initial response was gratitude and a clear message that she was unlikely to ever wear the item. But now, in her early fifties, she told me she was wearing the top for her birthday dinner. Few things have made me so happy.

The right sheer pieces can be timeless, age appropriate and still super sexy. (As an aside, if you’e been with me for some time, you likely know my stance on “age appropriate.” Essentially, just imagine you are living to 90 and be sure you aren’t wrapping up one phase too soon only to be left with the same four items for a good thirty years. Anyway, I digress.)

Don’t be afraid to embrace sheer pieces. Below is a collection of some of my favorites organized by body type. After all, if you know what flatters your shape, you are able to filter out all of the noise and start to build a sustainable, authentic collection that will be with you for years. Off we go!

When is the Last Time I Wore This? 5 Strategies to Make the Best Use of Your Existing Pieces

As a personal stylist for women based in Seattle, I have had a hybrid work situation for over a decade. Some days, I’m out and about meeting with partners and colleagues, other days I’m with a client at her home and still other days, I’m at home with or without Zoom meetings throughout the day.

Now that a much larger percentage of the population is in a similar situation, I find that my learnings from years of choosing what to wear while walking this tightrope are more relevant than ever.

Shop Black Friday Sales for Your Hourglass Body Type

We’re finally here! This is the last installment of Black Friday Sales organized by body type. Our annual “Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale by Personal Style Key Words” is so wildly popular, we decided to try something different this Black Friday.

We’re organizing Black Friday Deals by Body Type to simplify your life, streamline your shopping and bring a spark of joy to your week. Here’s what you need to know.

How to Style a Silk Slip Dress for Fall

If you, like me, have become totally enamored with silk slip dresses, this is the blog post for you. Yes! They are everywhere. And Yes! They are feminine, functional and can be flattering. They can also be challenging to work with as the weather cools off. If you adore the idea of a silk slip dress but find that it doesn’t feel flattering on your frame or is a chore to style, we’ve got you covered.

Before we begin, All Saints has a stellar collection of “2 in 1s” or “two-fers.” Either name refers to a sweater that comes with a silk slip dress. They are beautiful and not inexpensive. This is one of my favorites. Enjoy a wide variety of prices and several styling options just for YOU. As always, I’d love to hear how it goes. Happy Fall, Dear Reader.

10 Brands, Retailers and Causes: Shop Your Values & Maximize the Impact Now

As a personal stylist for women and evangelist for all things that excite me, making the periodic lists of My Favorite Things is one of my great joys. This one, in particular, is focused on brands and retailers that are not only exciting for their visual design but also because of the values that each brand and/or retailer supports. Ideally, all of our purchases are aligned with our values. For some, those are a willingness to spend more in order to support up and coming designers or those who pay people a living wage. Others prefer sustainable brands that limit materials to biodegradable items, those that take up fewer resources or choices that reuse existing items. And for others, brands that align with her values may mean finding the best deal which leaves more of the budget for other items. My role is not to impart my values on anyone else.

Above all, I teach each of my personal styling clients to shop using clear filters: body type, personal style key words, color palette, lifestyle and when possible, values. So, keep those in mind when you dive into this list of my very favorite brands and retailers right now. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

I'm Petite. When Should I Buy Petite Clothing and When Should I Buy Standard Sizes and Have Pieces Tailored?

As a personal stylist for women everywhere, I’ve spent over a decade working with hundreds of women to harness their style. At a Poplin client event a few years ago, we took a group photo. It wasn’t until looking at the photo that I realized how many of my clients are petite. Of course, it makes sense. Finding pieces that fit your body is an essential component to feeling amazing in your clothing. And whenever retailers and brands make that process difficult, the result is often negative self talk and always frustration. This can happen thanks to the limited number of pieces available in certain size ranges- petite, tall, plus and especially petite plus.

Whether or not you are petite, defined in the US as 5’4” or below, you’ll find some real gems in this blog post. (As an added bonus, this post also features petite Poplin clients so you can dive into each woman’s style and see the magic of great fitting clothing and hear her perspective on working with Poplin.)

Before we begin, it’s helpful to truly understand the impact that having limited options has on a woman’s approach to personal style. Over the years, I’ve discovered that when a woman is limited to a small selection of pieces because of her size, she has often closed herself off to the idea of truly wearing what she wants. (This can also happen for women who don’t have access to desired retailers or brands because of their location or Trans women who are new to women’s clothing altogether.) Regardless of the reason, when a woman can’t even SEE the clothes she is interested in available to her, she an easily internalize that those styles aren’t for her. So, when I ask her to think aspirationally, if she could have any style without concerns about budget or lifestyle, she has no idea how to answer.

This is only one of the many reasons that fashion’s more inclusive approach to showing models of all body types and sizes is extraordinarily beneficial. Of course, there’s a long road ahead. But, we’re absolutely seeing progress.

Now, back to our original question: Should I buy petite clothing or buy standard sizes and have things tailored? The answer is: it depends or both, depending on who you are. Let’s dive in!

The 31 Best Boho Pieces at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023

As a personal stylist for women, few events are as impactful as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Yes! Seattle is the home to Nordstrom HQ and that alone makes us love this sale. But, what truly sets anniversary apart from the others is that the sale consists of items for fall that are on sale first. When the sale is over, the prices increase. So, we have the opportunity to stock up on items that we’ll be wearing as the weather changes, rather than items that are from last season.

As a member of the Poplin community, you know that seeing something you like that is within your budget and available in your size is not reason enough to purchase it. The most important factor to determine whether or not you make a purchase is confirming that this piece communicates your authentic personal style and is available in a color that works for you. This color can bring you joy or be in your color palette. Ideally, it will do both.

Every woman has a unique authentic personal style and our goal is to help her harness that style and have the confidence to wear pieces that make her feel like the best version of herself. Anniversary is a great place to start that journey. The Poplin Pinterest Boards are another resource to get you there.

So this week, we’re combining the two. Each day we’ll share a blog post featuring my favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023 organized by style key words. You’ll see incredible finds in a range of price points and sizes for your Effortless, Minimalist, Edgy, Boho and Classic Style. So, get ready to shop and as always, let me know how it goes! Welcome to Day 5- Boho Style.

How to Shop for the Best 46 #EdgyPieces at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023

Few events are as impactful as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale, at least when you are a personal stylist for women:) Yes! Seattle is the home to Nordstrom HQ and that alone makes us love this sale. But, what truly sets anniversary apart from the others is that the sale consists of items for fall that are on sale first. When the sale is over, the prices increase. So, we have the opportunity to stock up on items that we’ll be wearing as the weather changes, rather than items that are from last season.

As a member of the Poplin community, you know that seeing something you like that is within your budget and available in your size is not reason enough to purchase it. The most important factor to determine whether or not you make a purchase is confirming that this piece communicates your authentic personal style and is available in a color that works for you. This color can bring you joy or be in your color palette. Ideally, it will do both.

Every woman has a unique authentic personal style and our goal is to help her harness that style and have the confidence to wear pieces that make her feel like the best version of herself. Anniversary is a great place to start that journey. The Poplin Pinterest Boards are another resource to get you there.

So this week, we’re combining the two. Each day we’ll share a blog post featuring my favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023 organized by style key words. You’ll see incredible finds in a range of price points and sizes for your Effortless, Minimalist, Boho and Classic Style. So, get ready to shop and as always, let me know how it goes! Welcome to Day 4- Edgy Style.

My 27 Favorite Minimalist Pieces from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023

As a personal stylist for women, few events are as impactful as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Yes! Seattle is the home to Nordstrom HQ and that alone makes us love this sale. But, what truly sets anniversary apart from the others is that the sale consists of items for fall that are on sale first. When the sale is over, the prices increase. So, we have the opportunity to stock up on items that we’ll be wearing as the weather changes, rather than items that are from last season.

As a member of the Poplin community, you know that seeing something you like that is within your budget and available in your size is not reason enough to purchase it. The most important factor to determine whether or not you make a purchase is confirming that this piece communicates your authentic personal style and is available in a color that works for you. This color can bring you joy or be in your color palette. Ideally, it will do both.

Discover How to Communicate Your Classic Style with 75 Essential Pieces from the 2023 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

As a personal stylist for women, few events are as impactful as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Yes! Seattle is the home to Nordstrom HQ and that alone makes us love this sale. But, what truly sets anniversary apart from the others is that the sale consists of items for fall that are on sale first. When the sale is over, the prices increase. So, we have the opportunity to stock up on items that we’ll be wearing as the weather changes, rather than items that are from last season.

As a member of the Poplin community, you know that seeing something you like that is within your budget and available in your size is not reason enough to purchase it. The most important factor to determine whether or not you make a purchase is confirming that this piece communicates your authentic personal style and is available in a color that works for you. This color can bring you joy or be in your color palette. Ideally, it will do both.

Every woman has a unique authentic personal style and our goal is to help her harness that style and have the confidence to wear pieces that make her feel like the best version of herself. Anniversary is a great place to start that journey. The Poplin Pinterest Boards are another resource to get you there.

So this week, we’re combining the two. Each day we’ll share a blog post featuring my favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023 organized by style key words. You’ll see incredible finds in a range of price points and sizes for your Effortless, Minimalist, Edgy, Boho and Classic Style. So, get ready to shop and as always, let me know how it goes! Welcome to Day 2- Classic Style.

The 30 Best Pieces to Communicate Your Effortless Style from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023

As a personal stylist for women, few events are as impactful as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. Yes! Seattle is the home to Nordstrom HQ and that alone makes us love this sale. But, what truly sets anniversary apart from the others is that the sale consists of items for fall that are on sale first. When the sale is over, the prices increase. So, we have the opportunity to stock up on items that we’ll be wearing as the weather changes, rather than items that are from last season.

As a member of the Poplin community, you know that seeing something you like that is within your budget and available in your size is not reason enough to purchase it. The most important factor to determine whether or not you make a purchase is confirming that this piece communicates your authentic personal style and is available in a color that works for you. This color can bring you joy or be in your color palette. Ideally, it will do both.

Every woman has a unique authentic personal style and our goal is to help her harness that style and have the confidence to wear pieces that make her feel like the best version of herself. Anniversary is a great place to start that journey. The Poplin Pinterest Boards are another resource to get you there.

So this week, we’re combining the two. Each day we’ll share a blog post featuring my favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023 organized by style key words. You’ll see incredible finds in a range of price points and sizes for your Effortless, Minimalist, Edgy, Boho and Classic Style. So, get ready to shop and as always, let me know how it goes!

Fashionable Sun Protective Clothing for Under $100

Summer is here and that means it’s time to stock up on sun protective clothing. The challenge is that so many options are functional but not fashionable. Not to worry. Your very own personal stylist is here to help. Take a look at an assortment of my favorites. Whether you are looking for extended sizes, various lengths or just something that feels fresh, there are options for you. Have a great time out there.

Not Loving Your Neck? Here's What to Do.

As a personal stylist for women, my conversations with clients go well beyond clothing. Naturally, we often discuss weight fluctuation, shifting identities and aging. Yes! There are a zillion clothing options for you to choose from and of course, flattering your frame has a major impact on how you feel. But the most important filter when choosing an item is whether or not it aligns with your authentic personal style. Does it fee like YOU? Does it feel like the YOU that you want to be, not the one that avoids risk of rejection or embarrassment. We’re talking about the you who wears that leather jacket or those wild shoes. Or perhaps this is the you that feels more comfortable in “menswear” or clothes that feel genderless. Whatever your innermost desire, that’s the you that the world deserves to see.

I’m in my late 40’s and am well aware of the changes in body, skin and hair that women my age are experiencing. Body acceptance is about loving your body where it is right now and finding beauty in it at every age and every size. This is absolutely achievable.

Body acceptance does not mean that you have to embrace changes that you don’t love. After all, we’ve got tools to address this. One of the most common concerns I hear from women over 45 is a sudden awareness of their necks. And not in a good way. When we’re younger, our necks aren’t really a thing and then one day… they are. So, if you’ve suddenly discovered your neck, here are some tips to help you love it again.