Style Tip | Solids

Opt for solids over patterns. Solids mix and match more easily, and are less easily remembered than prints...which will make you look like you have a lot more clothes than you really do!

Fall in Love Again...

I've said it once, I'll say it again - LOUDER: Shop your Closet? Then when someone asks where you got that cute shift dress, you can casually answer, "It's Vintage"!!!

Shop Your Closet - Knight and Day

What you'll need:

Blazer, alway the foundation to a great outfit and a tummy hider! Choose baby blue, white, cream or even black, they'll all work. White Tank: we all should have one of these by now!!! Shorts: the one Cameron's wearing are probably too short for most of the population, so buy longer ones or ones that can roll up and down depending on your mood. Wedges: the boutiques are inundated with some amazing wedge right now, they are the official shoe of summer and you need a few pairs. They are also a wonderful transition piece that can take you to Fall. Accessories: Lucite bracelet, which "clearly" goes with everything and a gold chain.

Voilà, amazing Summer style and it was all in your closet!!!

Rules to Shop By - Sale

1. Don't buy anything on sale that you wouldn't consider at full

price. (because you'll have a closet full of stuff you'll NEVER wear!)
2. Learn the markdown schedule at your favorite stores.
3. Shop sales on Friday nights, when stores tend to be emptier.
4. Use end of season sales to stockup on classics.
5. Befriend a sales person; he or she might put sale items aside

for you - or even give you a markdown before the sale officially begins.

Animal Instincts

Transition in style....buy pieces now that can also work in the Fall and Winter.

Animal prints are a great way to make that transition. Pair an animal print bag or shoe now with a white dress, and later pair them with a cashmere sweater and skinny jeans; an animal print top goes great with crop jeans and some clogs now, but in November pair that same outfit with some riding boot; and a animal print skirt would look great with a black tank and some sandals now, but when the weather turns cold add some tights and killer heels.

Leslie's Ten Rules of Shopping

1. Always try it on, and always sit down in it.
2. Be sure you know the stores return policy.
3. If you are unsure about a big-ticket item, put it on hold for 24 hours and think it over.
4. Don't buy anything that doesn't flatter you or isn't comfortable, no matter how of-the-moment it is.
5. If you have to talk yourself into a purchase in the dressing room, pass on it.
6. In a shopping emergency, go for shapes or labels you know you can count on.
7. If there's nothing in your closet to wear with it, skip it.
8. Really amazing one-of-a-kind items will disappear; if you fall in love with one, buy it right away.
9. Never purchase something just because it looks good on someone else.
10. If you can't stop thinking about an item, go back and get it instantly.

LBD - Yeah You Know Me

It's knows no social, style, or size boundary. Whether it cost $5,000 or $50, is a size 2 or 22, it is still a little black dress, and every woman should own one of the most versatile wardrobe staples you can have in a closet. Dress it down with a cardigan and belt. pair it with nothing but statement shoes and some amazing jewelry, or rock it out with leather and some sky high stilettos. Whatever you do, wear it with confidence knowing that you look great!

Short Stories

The long and short of it: shorts are a fashion trend not to be ignored this season, but make sure you wear them at a length that you (and everyone else) is comfortable with.

Shop Your Closet - 'The OC" Way

Rachel Bilson has amazing effortless chic style, I look to her often for inspiration not only for my style but also when I am styling my clients. Remember Simplicity is the Route to Elegance, and it starts with staples we already have...

This outfit has components we all own. The ripped jeans or the ones you can roll; A white tee, doesn't have to be a burn out like the one she's wearing; a blazer or cropped jacket; clogs if you're on trend, but any wood soled shoe can work - like a wedge; a large shopper in a vibrant color; a thin belt to hold up the "boyfriend" jeans and some great sunglasses. Mixing and matching is the best part about getting dressed, so get in your closet and shop around. You'll be surprised at what you can make with what you already have!

Thin, Slim, Longer, Leaner

To look thinner, dress monochromatic, all in one color, top to bottom, no patterns.

The visual illusion that a monochromatic outfit can create is a slimmer, longer body line by moving the eye down the body, from head to toe, featuring one color. Don’t think of an outfit all in one color as bland and boring, consider it a fashion challenge with the best benefits of making you look great and making you feel great in your clothes.

Secret Shopping Spot - Pharmacy Fashion

Never underestimate the style at your local pharmacy!!!

No longer just for greeting cards, sunscreen, a spritz of perfume, and sundries. Our Local drug stores are getting in style and packing their stores with great accessories. This weekend I did a little shopping at Bushard's Pharmacy in Laguna Beach and what I came away with was 6 new fabulous and of the moment hats; all ranging from $20 to $45.

Shop Your Closet - Posh Style

You have the Blazer and the Cargo Pants, and if you don't, you need Them! They'll continue to be a strong pieces all the way through Fall. The Gray shirt you usually use to work out in will have to be upgraded to a hanger and not folded (stuffed) in a drawer. No nude pump? I recommend investing in one, they go with everything!!!!! Don't like wearing heels, then stick with a sandal like the t-strap one in the photo. Add a gold watch and throw on some sunnies, and bam you have a killer outfit!!!

Strap On or Off

If your legs are on the shorter side, or you want your legs to look a little longer, stay away from ankle straps. Ankle straps cut off right at the ankle, making your legs appear shorter than they really are. However, if you are fine with the way your legs look, go right ahead and go with ankle straps. To get longer legs, try either stilettos, pumps, or small-heeled sandals, as they make legs look thinner.

Style 101, Back to Basics

Ensure that your wardrobe is built around some style staples which will take you from season to season and can be dressed up or down. A good coat, a little black dress, a wrap dress, well cut jeans, a classic pair of black pants, cashmere cardigan and a stylish crisp white shirt. Update these looks every season with some fabulous accessories.

Leslie's Ten Rules to Shopping

1. Always try it on, and always sit down in it.
2. Be sure you know the stores return policy.
3. If you are unsure about a big-ticket item, put it on hold for 24 hours and think it over.
4. Don't buy anything that doesn't flatter you or isn't comfortable, no matter how of-the-moment it is.
5. If you have to talk yourself into a purchase in the dressing room, pass on it.
6. In a shopping emergency, go for shapes or labels you know you can count on.
7. If there's nothing in your closet to wear with it, skip it.
8. Really amazing one-of-a-kind items will disappear; if you fall in love with one, buy it right away.
9. Never purchase something just because it looks good on someone else.
10. If you can't stop thinking about an item, go back and get it instantly.

Smells Like Vintage

A surprisingly easy trick to dispel that lingering vintage store aromas: Dampen two cotton balls in vanilla extract and place them besides (not on) your clothes in a sealed box or zippered plastic bag for one to two days

Hot Tip

For me, getting an iron out to smooth my hem or reach the spaces in between buttons on a shirt, just isn't going to happen.
I personally like steaming everything I own. But, I would like to share with you a tip of the trade. Use a flat Iron for those little areas. So perfect, right? These little lovelies that make our hair so sleek and shiny can also make our clothes look neat and polished.
So go out today and buy an extra one, and keep it close for when ever you need a last minute clothing fix.

Leslie's Ten Rules of Shopping

1. Always try it on, and always sit down in it.
2. Be sure you know the stores return policy.
3. If you are unsure about a big-ticket item, put it on hold for 24 hours and think it over.
4. Don't buy anything that doesn't flatter you or isn't comfortable, no matter how of-the-moment it is.
5. If you have to talk yourself into a purchase in the dressing room, pass on it.
6. In a shopping emergency, go for shapes or labels you know you can count on.
7. If there's nothing in your closet to wear with it, skip it.
8. Really amazing one-of-a-kind items will disappear; if you fall in love with one, buy it right away.
9. Never purchase something just because it looks good on someone else.
10. If you can't stop thinking about an item, go back and get it instantly.

Sales, Rules to Shop By

In these times of recession a girl can always turn to a sale to get her fashion fix while still staying in her budget. And although we here at LifeStyling feel that sales for the most part should be avoided. We thought it was our DUTY to help you shop a sale well, and so here are some rules to shop by...

1. Don't buy anything on sale that you wouldn't consider at full price.
2. Learn the markdown schedule at your favorite stores.
3. Shop sales on Friday nights, when stores tend to be emptier.
4. Use end of season sales to stockup on classics.
5. Befriend a sales person; he or she might put sale items aside for you - or even give you a markdown before the sale officially begins.