I'm heading out of the house in my very own handmade faux fur infinity scarf from Foxglove. Care to do the same? Simply sign up for the Poplin Style Direction e-newsletter and you will be entered into February's drawing which takes place on Friday, February 28th.
Read MoreOne of the easiest ways to look better is to find a better fitting bra. True story. Any woman who has had a baby or major weight loss/weight gain is especially aware of this fact.
I feel like many women have heard this before, but that doesn't necessarily drive us to run to the closest department store for a bra fitting. After all, we are adults, right? Well, I'm here to encourage you to do just that and have the chance to help women in Africa. That always feels good.
Read MoreThere was a time when everything needed to match. Actually, there were quite a few times. But for the last several years, we've all been conditioned to make sure our ensemble isn't too "matchy-matchy," as they say. If you are skimming fashion magazines, websites or blogs you'll see that coordinating is once again cool. As a personal stylist, clients frequently wonder how to look put-together without being too in sync. It may seem overwhelming, so I thought I'd share with you, Dear Reader:
3 Ways to Match without being too Matchy-Matchy.
Read MoreNeed a faux fur shrug? If you are getting married or planning for a formal night out, the answer is absolutely, "yes!"
Need a faux fur infinity scarf? It may not seem like you do. Although, If you are a living, breathing woman this winter, it's quite possible your answer is, "absolutely!" Let me explain.
The Must Have Faux-Fur Infinity Scarf
This month my Seattle Sunday posts focus on bringing indulgence and glamour to your everyday life. No need for a special occasion or a life changing event. Invest in yourself with the help of local designers and retailers. Embrace Fancy February.
Read MoreI'm the kind of person who dreams about outfits. Meaning: I actually think up clothing combinations while I sleep.
This is how it works:
Something or someone inspires me and I'm reminded of a piece of clothing or a pair of shoes that I have and have been neglecting. Suddenly, as if shopping at one of my favorite stores, I fall in love with it all over and am determined to wear it in a new way. (For those of you who have heard me profess the magic of shopping your own closet, you are getting a sense of the evolution of that concept.)
So, Dear Reader, you can imagine how excited I get when I am asked to create outfits for clients using the client's clothing, shoes & accessories. Few things make me happier.
Read MoreMy name is Mellicia Marx and I'm an affiliate.
I recently spent the morning with a good friend of mine. When I stepped into her car, a glorious dark green Kate Spade handbag was sitting on her seat. I commented on how incredible it was and hours later she informed me that I had suggested it on the Poplin blog. Well, that explains why I liked it so much.
I get so excited to share new and exciting finds with you, Dear Reader. I quickly move to the next thing and often have little insight into whether or not these finds are working for you. In contrast to the face to face interaction I have with clients, blog posts don't result in the immediate feedback that a dressing room exchange provides. Although, writing these posts is one of my favorite activities, nonetheless.
Read MoreSeriously, a swimsuit? It's February.
It certainly is. For many of us, that means an escape to warmer weather. For others, it could mean visiting a local indoor pool or an opportunity to sit in a hot tub despite the cold weather. Strangely, I've had occasion to wear a swimsuit several times in the last week or so and I'm definitely hyper aware of what flatters and what doesn't.
Current and flattering swimsuits for your body. Go!
Read MoreDear Reader, you are so perceptive. It's no wonder we get along so well.
It's true. The blog has, in fact, changed. As it turns out there are an abundance of posts and more to come! So, in an effort to make it easier for you to see previous posts that interest you, we've truncated the posts so that more posts will fit on one page.
Missed some earlier topics? Some of the most popular include: Don't be afraid to be pretty, Weight fluctuation got you down? & Menswear Essential: The structured overskirt.
Read MoreFancy February continues. When the weather is cold and dark, the most appealing thing to do is crawl up in a ball, covered in fleece, holding a cup of coffee and wait it out. Sadly, we aren't actually able to do that. So, if you can't avoid leaving the house, why not embrace it?
Read MoreFor those of you who've been following Poplin on Facebook, you've certainly noticed my recent obsession with Citizen Rosebud, reseller of vintage and pre-loved clothing. I have her to thank for three coats in the last month. So, you can imagine my excitement when she told me that she had two, not one, but TWO Valentino dresses that she had yet to list for sale.
Read MoreEvery once in a while, I like to try to see things as if I'm seeing them for the first time. It's fun to remember the wonder and excitement that accompanied my first meal in Seattle, for instance. We ate at the Triangle in Fremont. Built to Spill was playing and I had just seen the sign in Fremont claiming the neighborhood as the "Center of the Universe". Built to Spill on the speakers, reference to one of their songs on the sign, it was meant to be. So every once in a while when I drive through Fremont, I try to imagine that this is my very first time seeing the sign and the bridge once again. I can almost hear the music.
Where am I going with this? Zara, Dear Reader. I am going to Zara. Tomorrow, you'll be able to go on your own. But today, I'll do my best to take you with me and we can both experience Seattle's very first Zara — a flagship store, in fact — for the first time.
Read MoreI am a major political junkie. Plus, I'm originally from Northern California, and lived through a drought in my childhood. The result of these factors is that I'm hyper aware of our water usage. Lately, the news has been filled with talk about water- whether it's a story about contaminated water or a lack of rain, it's pretty clear that using a little less water would be helpful to the planet, but also ease my guilt, which is always helpful.
It occurred to me that you, Dear Reader, may be having similar issues (although I hope for your sake they are less intense.) I'm confident that we don't need to find more things to feel guilty about. So, I thought I'd make a few suggestions about how we can feel good about conserving water and still buy new clothes.
Read MoreI'm going to try something a little different for Seattle Sundays this February. I call it Fancy February. Oh, yeah, Valentine's Day, right? Date night. Love, etc. Right?
Nope. Actually, I've been thinking more about how we give ourselves permission to indulge on special occasions, like our wedding day, for instance. I'd like to challenge you to think of the last time you totally indulged in something that made you feel unquestionably beautiful. Please tell me it wasn't your wedding day. If it was, that's a good indication that Fancy February is for you. (Apologies, I started calling it that and couldn't bring myself to choose something wittier.)
The goal of Fancy February is to highlight local sources that will enable YOU to indulge today, because you can.
Let's start with hats from Olive & Boone.
Read MoreMy very stylish friend, Kelly, sent me a special request:
"I'm looking for a short statement necklace that I can wear with everything. Not too elaborate, please. Ideally with a little color. Everything I have is long and metal."
I love a good challenge.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Read MoreRemember that glorious contest to ring in the New Year with a Neu Year Calendar? I do. Why? Because I gave one away and because I happen to have one in my office and use it daily. I also remember it because it inspired some other readers to buy their own. (Plus, Jesse from NeuYear sent this incredible video over about how to remove permanent marker from a dry erase board. The guy is awesome. )
Read MoreI love this day already. I was driving through Phinney Ridge when I saw a mom and her toddler in full Seahawks gear waiting for the bus. The bus stops have been jam packed all morning and it was pretty clear they weren't going to make the parade. So, I thought, why not take them there? As it turns out, Annie and her son, Abe, were up for it and off we went. After all, I had a carseat, which is some sort of universal sign that I'm not a serial killer and that I can also safely transport your toddler.
In the end, they are happy, I am happy and our city overall is bursting with joy, which is unusual and incredible. Plus, later today I get to try on a couple of Valentino dresses from the Citizen Rosebud. I'm living the dream.
Because I have so many things I'm excited to tell you about, I thought today's post could focus on my current obsessions. There are many. Here we go!
Read MoreEvery Sunday I'm highlighting a local business, label or street style. Because, well, let's face it, the greater Seattle area is overflowing with incredible people doing equally incredible things. One post just isn't enough.
Two weeks ago, I featured Cleanscapes, a local store filled with sustainable fashionable items predominantly made in the Northwest. Every person who signed up to receive Poplin emails was entered into a drawing to win a Paper thinks orange leather tote bag provided by Cleanscapes.
Read MoreI hope you are enjoying Seattle Sundays on the blog. Every Sunday I highlight local style including but not limited to boutiques, labels and street style. Drawings for local products will be a regular occurrence, so if you haven't already, please sign up to receive the Poplin e-newsletter here.
Thanks very much to everyone who already joined the email list. Every person who is on the Poplin email list is entered into every Poplin drawing, everyone every time.
Last Sunday's blog post featured the Cleanscapes store in Issaquah. Thanks to Cleanscapes for providing one lucky winner with the handbag shown above. And our winner is....
Read MoreWhether you are a die hard fan or just along for the ride, you are undoubtedly going to participate in Sunday's game in one way or another. I'm posting this a little early to help you plan your ensemble for the big game.
Fashionistas may be excited to learn that members of the Nordstrom family were the first majority owners of the Seahawks, with Lloyd W. Nordstrom signing the franchise agreement in December, 1974. If you've been to a Nordstrom store lately you've likely seen the "12" decals on the doors. It all comes together.
Nearly 40 years later, I thought we could root for the home team from the personal stylist perspective with:
My 12 favorite Seattle Seahawk inspired shoes.
Read MoreYesterday was a thinking day. I spent the morning listening to a few dark stories on NPR. Then, I devoted some time to friendly acquaintances who've recently experienced tragedy. Yes, thinking for sure.
It's a funny thing, being a personal stylist. At first glance it can seem shallow and unnecessary. But, it truly is a quest to help people take the time to value themselves. I get to help them feel confident that they are expressing who they really are, so that they can unleash their power to do great things. It is, in fact, pretty darn rewarding.