And neither does your car or your house or your job. Who you are is defined by your actions, your words, your thoughts.

Your clothes are tools to communicate to others who you are and how you see yourself. For those of us who love clothes and shopping, they can also be a creative expression -- what is more gratifying than finding the exact pair of shoes to go with a dress?

Are you funky and unconventional as a recent client of mine described herself? Or sophisticated, vibrant and inspiring confidence? Do you value yourself enough to invest some time into looking and feeling great each morning? Or are you in a constant battle with the clock to prioritize your needs in the overall balance of your household? It's not always easy, but how we look does impact how we feel and how we behave. It also greatly impacts how others treat us.

So, as we head into rainy weather and the half yearly sale at Nordstrom, I thought it might be nice to pass along a few tips to help you, dear reader, feel good about how you look out in the world, even if you only have a few minutes and even less motivation when getting ready.

Finding the perfect frames AKA. I can finally see.

Chicks who wear glasses are hot. True story. Sadly, I've always had incredible eyesight and just sat on the sidelines as other ladies rocked some spectacular frames. I know. Clear lenses exist, but it just didn't seem right.

Be strategic about your style & your money

For those of you who have been around me, you undoubtedly know that one of my very favorite things is telling random people how to find something I'm wearing that they like. Yup. Conversations commonly go as follows, "I love your (let's go with dress)."

"Thank you so much. I got it at (let's go with Target). You should go get one. They have several colors and it was only $28."

I bought them. Now what do I wear them with?

I am loving all the real world fashion questions that people have been asking me lately. My good friend, Sara, was so kind as to post one on the Facebook page. A challenge! I'm in.

Functional items so hip, I just might start biking

I am obsessed with these pants and I don't bike.

An alternative to yoga pants: The maxi skirt

Welcome to autumn in Seattle. With the recent cold foggy mornings, it's no wonder we hear the call of our favorite yoga pants. If you're a mom of young children, the call might be more like a shout.

Don't give in. You can still be comfortable and look great. One answer: the maxi skirt. It's just as easy to throw on as a pair of sweat pants. Pair it with the same v-neck t-shirt and a cardigan you were planning to wear, add a scarf and you are suddenly chic.

Most maxis are super functional, but take care to find the one that fits your needs. A few of my favorites:

YOU really can rock fall trends, I swear.

Client after client seems to think that current trends are for someone else. Not true! Of course, it is imperative that your style reflect who you are and not just the latest fad. But, your look can be authentic & current. Often times, you just need one new piece to change everything. Such as:

Fashion & Function: Staying warm on your wedding day

A huge thanks to the folks at Elegant Affairs for sharing Poplin with their blog readers. As a special thank you, today's blog post answers one of the most common questions brides ask: I have the perfect dress. Now, how do I stay warm on my wedding day?

Answer: The faux fur shrug. Let's face it, few things are more on trend right now than leather, faux fur and animal prints. But you can bring an unexpected, sophisticated AND uber practical touch to your big day by rocking a quality (hand-made in Seattle!) shrug like these one from Foxglove Bridal. This one even has pouches for your hands!

Genius tricks of the trade: Quick fixes for fashion mishaps

Yes! I did find this dress at a vintage store. Thanks for asking. I love it, too. Oh, the hem is coming out in back? Oh, dear. Oddly, my office doesn't employ a tailor.

With a long career doing public speaking, there were a number of times when I discovered that my hem had come loose or my button fell off immediately before heading off to present to hundreds of people.

So, over the years, I've discovered a number of quick fixes. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites:

Genius Tricks of the Trade: Your cocktail & your handbag at a party

Recently, my husband and I were at a party for his team at work. One of our friends arrived looking glamorous, as usual, and carrying a Coach clutch which perfectly completed her outfit. Clearly, the bag was not an afterthought. However, when she arrived, she needed to find just the right place to set it down so that should could eat, drink and enjoy the party.

Tragic. The clutch completed the outfit. But, in order to enjoy herself, she had to put it somewhere else.

This is when I was reminded of a trick of the trade: coordinating your cocktail and your clutch at a party.

Summer Isn't Complete Without The LWD

Style Tips, Women's fashionmelliciaOctober 2, 2013Comment

Genius! Tricks of the trade: Getting those boots on.

This year, I've been fixated on finding the perfect pair of brown boots. And, I did! Thank you, Nordstrom. They can be worn over the knee or slouched down. Dressed up with a fitted dress or down with leggings. And, they are super comfortable. Thank you, Frye.

Sadly, like many other slip on boots (ack, no zipper!), I couldn't get them on my feet. With high arches, this is a common issue for me. However, I had the salesperson of dreams, Alec at the downtown Seattle store. And, he showed me this week's Genius Trick of the trade: Getting those boots on.

Must Haves for Her: Leather or Vegan Leather

If you've been in a store in the last several months, you've undoubtedly seen leather, vegan leather and vinyl everywhere. Maybe at first you thought, leather pants, no way! But, now, the pants, the jacket, a shirt perhaps are all starting to seem possible.... make that essential, if only you knew how to make it all work. Here's a tip to get you started:

Find a unique signature piece that can also be a staple.

Style Tips, Women's fashionmelliciaSeptember 23, 2013edgy, fashion, fashion approach, hip, leather, Personal stylist, Seattle, SkunkFunk, urban, vegan leather, womenComment

An alternative to Danskos: Tsubos

One magical day last year, I discovered Tsubo. Fashion forward with a focus on comfort and craftsmanship, the brand won my heart. I found a pair in the incorrect box at the Rack, clearly hidden away from other shoppers. I won.

I've had that pair of Tsubos for over a year and they are a clear go to when I know I'll be on my feet for a substantial amount of time AND I want something edgy that attracts attention.

Style Tips, Women's fashionmelliciaSeptember 1, 2013comfortable, Dansko alternative, fashion, fashion approach, hip, Personal stylist, Seattle, Shoes, Tsubos, urban, womenComment

Seattle Essential for Her: The Infinity Scarf

In any other city, you might consider an umbrella. Not in the great Northwest. We only use umbrellas as accessories to complete a look (if the umbrella is exceptionally stylish or we have a job interview), in extreme weather or if we absolutely MUST walk across downtown during a rainstorm.

What's a girl to do?