Doggy Style

Doggy Style

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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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You Get What You Pay For

You Get What You Pay For

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Liz01Without a doubt, the least enjoyable part of an otherwise totally kick-ass job, is telling clients that they need to be spending more money on their clothes, shoes, accessories. It seems to be part of the human experience to have hang ups about money; we all do. It also seems nearly universal to want to get the most for the least, and I am no exception to this preference. At different times, I’ve procured for clients, friends and myself $1500-$2000 handbags, nearly brand new, for $300-$400 from my favorite consignment store, Common Threads. When at all possible, I prefer to buy things very gently used and very deeply discounted. But that’s not always possible. A finite amount of merchandise at any given time does not always permit the possibility for these incredible steals.

As much as my services cater to styling my clients, they also cater to educating them. I want you to know what’s overpriced (Ralph Lauren), what stores provide outstanding customer service (Chelsea in Boulder), what accessories are really worth the splurge (shoes), what are the best items to buy at consignment (bags), where you can save (costume jewelry) and where you should not. So when I tell you and my clients that they need to be spending more money (in relation to what they have available to spend), please believe that I know what I’m talking about.

I speak more about this issue here. And keep this in mind when you’re considering the upgrades: I’ve never, personally and in my business, known anyone to regret spending more.

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Practice Makes Perfect

Practice Makes Perfect

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My clients often worry that they’ll never be able to shop again; fearing a regression to old buying habits, they want my stamp of approval on most purchases post Mile High Style intervention. And I’m happy to do it. Not only do I like to go above and beyond for my clients, I completely understand their trepidation in venturing out on their own. I’ve been there too. I tell them, as I’m telling you, that you will get better at style, but it will only happen one way: with effort.

Social scientist Malcolm Gladwell maintains that expertise in any field is, to a large extent, determined by the ‘10,000 hour rule’: practice any task 10,000 hours in your lifetime, and you’ll master it. 10,000 hours is probably not necessary for the average person, but some work is absolutely critical. When it comes to improving style (as opposed to playing an instrument, learning a foreign language, mastering a foul shot), the practice is all visual and all about exposure.

*Magazines– reading the right fashion magazines is the single best way to expand your fashion acumen. They not only show what’s available, but also what’s possible in terms of pairing. And like most things, all fashion magazines are not created equal. VOGUE is mostly known for editorial content and won’t help you a bit. Stick to Elle, BIZARRE, and Lucky and subscribe monthly! Flipping through one during the occasional pedicure won’t cut it.

*TV– while not as comprehensive, certain shows can help. ‘What Not To Wear’ is a big hit, and while it won’t necessarily inspire you to high style, it will certainly demonstrate what not to do (and that’s half the battle). ‘Project Runway’ helped me learn the language of fashion, which is always useful, and old episodes of ‘Sex & The City’ have no shortage of inspiration.

*Street fashion– I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been inspired by an outfit on a stranger, and so often it’s just a matter of pairing (as in ‘I never thought about wearing trouser jeans with that or ‘that kind of shoe isn’t too trendy and really looks good that way’). Paying attention to what’s around you will give you great ideas.

*Blogs– Reading mine is a great start, as I try to break down style into bite-size pieces. Many others are also fabulous (including an old friend from New York, who really takes fashion to the outer levels- www.thelittleblacklist.com). Log on and see what we’re saying, wearing, loving, recommending.

And try on. Spend 5 extra minutes in your closet considering the possibilities. And ask: why would this work, why wouldn’t it. And take a chance. Great style is 50% confidence, and there’s only one way you’re gonna get there.

 

 

 

 

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The Hermes Scarf

The Hermes Scarf

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True story- I was two hours into a outfit-making session with one of my loveliest clients. This was the second time I had been in her closet and, assuming I had seen everything but still feeling something was missing, asked if she had any silk scarves. Out of a box in the closet, she reveals, almost as an afterthought, an Hermes silk scarf.

I probably don’t need to tell you how much trouble she was in (lots) that it took four hours of working together and my shot-in-the-dark probing to uncover the single most important accessory in the history of fashion and style. Since her look (like most of my over-40 clients) centers around pristine basics accented by fabulous accessories, that single scarf literally changed the punch and power of many, many outfits. That is the force of an Hermes scarf.

I understand that $400 is a lot of money to pay for any item, much less a scarf. I also understand that there are birthdays, holidays and other special occasions; piggy banks, consignment stores and hand-me-downs. While I think $400 is nothing to pay for the best accessory money can buy, anyone should be able to acquire one for less. Wear as a belt with jeans, tie around the handle of a big girl bag, or sport the old fashioned way: around your neck. For you women over 40, the necessity of this item increases as you age, when sophistication and refinement [should] become the backbone of your look.

Available in countless amazing patterns (horses appearing the most frequently, a tribute to the House’s roots as an equestrian boutique) and every color of the rainbow, I recommend their signature orange. If you’re ready to buy, here is my choice for classic, here is my choice for modern, and here is my choice for very modern.

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MHS Wish List: Dolce & Gabbana

MHS Wish List: Dolce & Gabbana

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I’ll give it to Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana- they know how to make a statement with their clothes. And while I find most to be about 3 steps past the point of wearability, this blouse is sublime… With a price tag to match.

Bring on the sales!

 

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