FOLLOW MILE HIGH STYLE HERE
FOLLOW MILE HIGH STYLE HERE
Blog Update: Over the last 4 months, my blogging has taken a back seat to the design + development of the new www.milehighstyle.com. There have been many (too many) hiccups, but progress is being made and I’ll hopefully have it ready by mid Summer with updated pages, device compatibility, and an amazing Before + After feature! I can’t wait for you to see it.
My website and blog went live in April 2010, and one of my very first posts was on how much I love Lululemon. 7 years later, activewear is more popular than ever and Lululemon leads the pack. With so many new competitors flooding the market, I still consider Lulu to be the best in design, functionality, and fun. Yes they’ve had their screw ups (white see-through pants anyone?) and I’m not always happy with the changes in fit, but for my money no one else comes close.
Which is why I’m excited to recommend a new pant that is almost too fabulous to describe. The Align Pant II is soft and stretchy and made of a new ‘Nulu’ fabric (which they accurately describe as ‘buttery soft’) that is, simply, sublime. Plainly, you’ll feel like you’re not wearing pants. These non pants-pants have enough tech for Crossfit (or your chosen exercise cult) but too much for everyday street style; in other words, a home run.
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When it comes to signing new fashion clients, my biggest obstacle is neither the sartorial climate of our ‘worst dressed city’ nor the proliferation of new ‘stylists’*, flooding the industry with competition…. It’s this: ‘I have no place to wear anything stylish/dressy/fabulous’. I’ve addressed this matter here, but rather than convince you that being stylish should supersede the need for it, I’m instead going to argue 3 different and totally legitimate reasons why you should hire a fashion stylist right now.
1. A Well Rounded Wardrobe– Imagine never having to scramble for an outfit for any occasion. A black-tie wedding in Summer or Winter, a cocktail party, a dinner out in high-fashion New York City, a 4-day job conference, your rehearsal dinner or wedding brunch… I know many of you, and if any of these came up tomorrow, you’d be running to your favorite boutique, a stylish friend’s closet, or calling me last minute! It doesn’t have to be that way. Me? I can’t remember the last time I scrambled. A well rounded wardrobe should cover all your bases, and any stylist worth her Jimmy Choos should know the fashion checklist for life.
2. Stop Wasting– Without knowing the fashion checklist, you’re probably buying your 3rd black sweater when you really need a proper heel to go with that dress you wear for Summer weddings. Or a great boot for Fall that probably costs more but will actually last you through next Fall! You’re adding more junk jewelry to the collection when you really need a pair of gold hoops that go with everything. Do you have a black blazer? How about a high quality crisp white t-shirt? And a pair of nude high heels, do you have them? There absolutely is a list of items that every woman needs, and if you’re buying blindly, you’re wasting money.
3. Everyday Style – We all have our ‘red carpet’ moments, the 2% of the time we go all out and want to look our best. For some of you, that might be the one or two times each year you attend a formal event like a wedding or a fundraiser dinner. The other 98%, the reality of our lives (the school drop offs, grocery shopping and ballgames) is where a stylist can make the biggest difference. You don’t need a special event to look stylish and feel confident and beautiful. A daily uniform (also known as a ‘capsule collection’) much like style-star Jennifer Aniston’s is one important step past Lululemon.
*We’re currently at the tipping point in the culture where anyone who has ever enjoyed shopping is now billing themselves as a ‘stylist’. But buyer beware: be discerning in who you hire.
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As a one-woman enterprise over the last 7 years, I’ve come to understand that I am only as good as the people who work with me. A New York City babe, I am brassy and bossy and know that actualizing my vision can be challenging work. This post is a grateful THANK YOU to the following people who comprise my ‘team’ and all the sweet Google referral traffic that comes with it.
Sarah Kinn who makes art, places art, and can transform a pile of random stuff into a stunning gallery.
Kevin Stevens of KMS Woodworks who builds, renovates, trouble shoots, tinkers + toys, and is a true design McGuyver.
Homero Ocon of Champions Painting for making every room light and bright.
Dan O’Connor of Daniel O’Connor Photography & Digital Media for capturing and representing my work at its highest level.
Fiori Flowers + Sturtz & Copeland for creating orchid art, or a solar system out of succulents, and always having just the right something to finish the space.
Charlie Weisel for letting the light in.
Sondra Voss at Voss Art + Home and Michelle DeHaven at Haven Boulder who travel from coast to coast to discover cool, beautiful objects to bring back to Boulder.
Michael Auldridge Design Works whose creative savvy and collaborative spirit literally built an indoor forrest.
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Like many Colorado residents, I am very dedicated to my dogs. I have special wood steps allowing them access to my (and their) bed, my shower was specifically designed to accommodate a detachable head (for bathing), and the car remains filled with hair and Mt. Sanitas dust no matter how often it’s cleaned. However, one place that I won’t allow to go ‘to the dogs’, is the inside of my home. Living with dogs and all that entails (shedding, toys, food bowls, beds) does not preclude your ability to live with style. The following details how to keep the style integrity of your home intact despite your 4-legged children.
TOYS– Like children’s toys, doggy playtime accoutrement need their own container, and unfortunately, dog store brand toy bins are eyesores. The solution is to take something created for humans and use it for dogs. In that vein, West Elm makes fabulous woven and braided baskets in a variety of styles designed to hold newspapers, throw pillow, logs, and (you now know) dog toys. If your pup is a scratcher or destroyer, Design Within Reach makes a stainless steel wire basket that won’t be nearly as tempting to their mouth and paws. Another great idea is repurposing a wooden wine crate. If you’re willing to go the extra mile, Etsy or Ebay lists vintage ones. Just make sure to pick a good year.
BED– Designing for canines (and their people) has become a huge industry, with the quality and variety of dog beds serving as its ambassador. While we know that dogs don’t give a lick where they sleep, we should care about how it looks. With options ranging from Corbusier inspired sofas to specially ordered chaises, I’m simply suggesting the popular and reliable donut bed in a chic (and always machine washable) neutral color or animal print, available at most pet ‘boutiques’. For some extra panache, go with the shag.
SUSTENANCE– Like everything else in the canine retail world, dog food and water bowls have become increasingly stylish, personalized, and fabulous. From simple ceramic to modern metal, breed-specific, name-specific, cute or kitsch, styles range from gothic to neo-classical, mid-century to mod. Even the most basic white painted ceramic is light years more stylish than the standard (and unsightly) stainless steel bowls. Set atop a placemat (doggy or human), if your dogs don’t appreciate the effort, your friends and guests certainly will. Manhattan’s Canine Styles offers the best selection.
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