Beyond Skinnies- The Tapered Trouser & You.

Remember when skinny jeans were just entering the lexicon? Not because we didn't understand the term, "skinny jeans," but more likely that men and women were a little concerned that their bodies weren't going to play nicely with them. 

And now? Now, how many other cuts of pants are in your closet? Probably not many. But, as we all know, skinny pants aren't flattering for everyone. Of course, we try a few tricks to make them work. After all, feeling current feels good. 

Whether you have a sea of skinny pants or you finally gave in and just have a few, now is the time to look beyond your skinnies. New silhouettes are here.

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Who will be Seizing the Neu Year? The winner is…..

A HUGE thanks to all of you who:

1. Signed up to receive emails from Poplin. FYI- Emails are limited to event invitations and newsletters, so if you haven't, you can still sign up!

2. Commented on our post on Facebook. Words matter.

3. Liked Poplin Style Direction on Facebook.

Each of you were entered into our drawing to win a crazy wonderful calendar from Neu Year. Check it out:

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Welcome the Neu Year with good design, possibly for free

Things I love: organization and good design. I spend most of the time on the blog focusing on clothing, but style is also expressed through the items with which we surround ourselves. So, when we needed a new calendar for our office, it had to be hip with lots of room to actually document daily activities and be VERY large. 

To my surprise this was incredibly difficult to find. Enter: NeuYear.

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Resolve to invest in yourself

Happy New Year's Eve! (And thanks to everyone for yesterday's very kind birthday wishes.) This is the time of year when we all start to recover from our gluttony and decide this is it. This is the year I….. 

Usually, resolutions have something to do with weight, money or the unwavering determination to do something for ourselves. This year, might I suggest a New Year's Resolution strategy that has the potential to hit all three categories?

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How can I wear this without freezing?

The holidays equal massive fashion magazine consumption for me. Today, I'm sharing that lovely feeling of escapism with some useful and motivating fashion information.

Enter the eternal question: "How can I wear ankle boots or open toed shoes with a skirt and not freeze to death? After all, it is winter." 

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Weight fluctuation got you down?

One of the most frequent replies when I tell someone that I'm a personal stylist is, "I'd love to do that. I'll definitely call you after I lose X number of pounds." Ugh. And, the holidays are the worst when it comes to weight gain.

With the exception of my very slim husband who has some magical gene, there are very few people who don't experience some sort of weight fluctuation. Sadly, as we gain, we tend to stop investing in ourselves and taking pride in our look. 

As a member of this club, I thought I might share some strategies for feeling good about how you look at any weight.

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The Stylish Woman: Post-Mastectomy

Over Thanksgiving I, like millions of other Americans, had the opportunity to spend time with my extended family. During the visit I discovered that someone in my family recently had a double-mastectomy. This wasn't the first time that someone I know has battled cancer. But, it was the first time since I started styling people for a living. Naturally, this lead to a conversation about what you wear after a mastectomy. It would seem that a woman could employ various strategies to balance out her frame (if she is struggling with symmetry, for instance). And, simplistically, that's true. Try ruffles or asymmetrical tops, for instance.

 

 

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Last minute gifts and stocking stuffers

My biggest problem with the holidays is that I see the perfect gifts for pretty much everyone pretty much everywhere. Yup. It's a curse. Perhaps this curse can be a blessing for you, Dear Reader. Here are more holiday gift ideas. After all, there's still plenty of time for shopping and loads of wonderful people who'd love a little something.

1. Tween girls. 

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And the winner is…..

Thanks to everyone who shared the post about our contest on Facebook! The winner will receive one free closet edit. This includes: an online personalized style plan that that can be viewed via a computer or mobile device. we edit your current closet to feature items that flatter and decide together what pieces are still needed. Knowing that your closet should feel like a boutique, we merchandise so that you can shop your closet with a smile each morning.

Value: $325 value (up to 2.5 hours). 

And, and all services include one complimentary wish list. 

So, who is it, already?

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Fashion & Function: Holy Comfortable Flatform, Batman

I heart a good platform. But, in a city filled with hills and a lifestyle involving a toddler and a substantial amount of walking, comfort is almost as important as style. (Yes. There are limits.) 

Therefore, one of my very favorite things, is finding a beautiful, memorable shoe that is also functional. My current obsession, the J Fresh loafer from Steve Madden. Observe it's awesomeness:

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Feel like winning? You've got until Tuesday!

I do. An old friend of mine always says, "don't take away the joy of giving." Translation: Just say thank you and allow someone to do something nice for you. After all, giving feels good.

In the spirit of the season of giving, I'm going to do a little extra giving of my own. 

One glorious reader (that means you!) will win one closet edit just by sharing this post on Facebook. Not on Facebook? Not to worry. Just shoot me an email and I'll enter you in the drawing. 

What's a closet edit, you say?

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5 Ways to Ensure You Look Smashing at the Holiday Party

Welcome to yet another holiday party season. A good friend recently said to me, "finding a dress for a holiday party is one of the most stressful things you can do." Oh, my. As it turns out, this is a pretty common feeling. 

So, last weekend when I was loaning another friend some of my favorite party pieces for her work holiday gathering, I realized that there are some tried and true ways to ensure that you look incredible at the party, in the photos afterward and most importantly, in your own mind. 

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Rocking the Photorealism

Whenever I work with a client, we focus on four things: body shape, lifestyle, budget and the impression he or she wants make via his/her clothes. Specifically, I ask clients a question: What three words would you like people to use to describe your style? Then, we use those words as a final filter when determining if a piece works for the client.

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I own it. Now, how do I take care of it?

Ah, the eternal question: I own it. Now, how do I  <insert need here>? Iron, wash, protect, the list goes on. As you may have noticed, Dear Reader, I'm all about the vegan leather/ pleather (let's face it, usually plastic) fabrics that are all the rage right now. After purchasing a few items, I quickly realized that I wasn't exactly sure how to address wrinkles. Hence, this post. 

Here are some handy tricks that will help you keep your fall finds looking their best all year long.

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Monday! Monday! Monday! My favorite deals

Legend goes that once you are back at the office on the Monday following Thanksgiving, your super online shopping begins. We're pretty sure that started when we all had dial up internet at home and something slightly above dial up at work. So, whether or not Cyber Monday is still relevant is questionable. 

Something we can count on? The absolute gloriousness of a good deal.  

Therefore, in celebration of Cyber Monday, here are my favorites. Get them while you can!

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Stylish gifts for the entire family -- Go!

It's officially here -- the holiday shopping season. For many of us, it may have started a little early since there are only four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. But, for the rest of us, the panic is likely just setting in now. 

I find that things are easier when I just dive right in. So, how about an abbreviated gift list for you and yours to get you moving? Over the next few weeks, I'll post more elaborate lists for members of your family. Have requests? Let me know! 

For now, here are a few of my favorites:

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Black Friday in Ballard.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that means the official crazy town of Black Friday is merely days away. Excited to start shopping for friends and family, but not so enthusiastic about shopping at 6 AM and the general beat down that has become part of this ritual? 

Well, I have good news for you. Actually, great news! 

Ballard retailers are doing something a little different. They are starting the season of giving with -- giving! Participating businesses will be donating a portion of their Black Friday revenue to local nonprofit organizations. That means when you shop locally, you help local nonprofits. And, you are sure to find some of your very favorite gifts, too. 

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