Friday, February 5, 2010

Vote The Style Maison "best of" Jezebel 2010



It's that time of year again to vote for your favorite businesses in Atlanta for Jezebel's annual "Best of." From the best new restaurant to best weather person, Jezebel covers it all.


Be sure to vote for YOUR favorite Atlanta businesses before voting closes. While you're at it, be sure to vote The Style Maison for Best Personal Stylists in the Get Organized category! :)

Thank you for your support!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Big Bird at the State of the Union?

Who knew that Hillary Clinton would be such a trend setter on Capitol Hill? Famous for her collection of yellow suits, it seems that although Hilary was nowhere to be found, her suits did make an attendance at Tuesday nights State of the Union Address.



While I applaud the women of DC for attempting to break out of the uniform of a black or navy suit, with pantyhose and closed toe pumps, no one ever suggested that canary yellow was the answer. A boring, boxy suit in yellow, or even purple or red for that matter, is still no more flattering than a black one.

I can admit that their are still many careers that require a polished, professional suit to be worn, but fashion designers have become wise to this and created many figure flattering, detailed suits that are still somewhat fashionable. So, women of Capitol Hill, in a city that is quickly turning into a fashion focused one, please heed this advice and invest in some of the suits pictured below.

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Suit Tips:

1. Suit jackets should hit no lower than your hips. Anything longer is reminiscent of the suits worn by Lisa Turtle on 90's sitcom "Saved by the Bell."

2. If you are petite, a cropped jacket that is a little shorter in length will lengthen your leg line, making you appear taller.

3. A swing jacket is a great alternative to your standard blazer, and adds interest to an otherwise boring suit.

4. Look for suits that "nip in" at the waist to give you more shape.

5. Consider purchasing suit separates, they often have a better fit, and you can mix and match pieces together, creating a more modern take on the suit.

6. When wearing a neutral suit add a pop of color with a silk blouse or button up shirt.

7. If you are busty a 3-button jacket it the best option for you, anyone else will be more flattering in 2- and 1-button jackets.

8. If you must wear stockings with your skirts please DO NOT wear sheer panty hose in tan, white, or any other light color. Instead opt for an opaque tight, or a black sheer or patterned pantyhose.

8. 2 chic ways to update a suit: belts (thick or skinny), skinny pants

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

A Toast to Taupe

In the past few seasons, nail color has been just as important as any other fashion element. In '06 there was the gothic movement with shades of black, then '08 brought a slew of neon nails in electric pinks, yellows and oranges. Most recently for '09 was a surprising twist with an unexpected shade of jade green.

It's time to get sophisticated with this year grown up shade of taupe polish, the perfect compliment to springs subtle neutrals, pretty pastels and soft tones. Taupe has a way of blending in to any outfit, while still adding an element of sophistication, more than, say, the basic light pink polish.


As with most nail polish trends, this one debuted on Chanel's Spring 2010 runway show, with models showing of this mushroom-y shade. Other nail polish brands have taken note, and now there are variety of options to chose from.


Thursday, January 21, 2010


Pantone is the world leader for colors, not just for fashion, but for graphic design and interiors as well. Fashion designers use Pantone's color system to specify colors they use in their collection. Each season Pantone releases color swatches of the selected colors for the upcoming season.

From Pantone comes the color forcast for Spring/Summer 2010:

Designers bring splashes of sunshine to the runway for spring 2010. Vibrant brights add a sense of excitement to the color palette, while practical neutrals provide a safety net for cautious consumers.



“Now more than ever, women are vigilant when it comes to spending,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Instead of reinventing their wardrobe at the start of each season, consumers want pieces to complement what they already own. Pairing a bold color with a basic piece or freshening up their look with bright accents addresses the need for practicality, as well as fun.”

Spring and summer naturally evoke feelings of calm ocean waters and tranquil beach vacations
in cool, vibrant, tropical Turquoise. This soothing hue from the blue-green family conjures feelings of escape, especially when paired with Amparo Blue. With more warmth than the typical spring navy, this particular shade of blue is extremely appealing because of its brighter, more energetic attitude.

Like the scent of a blossoming flower,
Violet lends a romantic air to the warm-weather palette. This intriguing purplish hue is a distinctive addition to any wardrobe.

Yellow has made its mark on fashion and spring will further this trend with gleaming Aurora.
Reminiscent of the first glimpse of yellow as the sun begins to rise over the horizon, this shimmering, slightly greenish yellow adds a bold infusion.

Energy continues to surge throughout the warmer hues of spring, leading to provocative Fusion
Coral. This inviting orange connects directly to tangy Tomato Purée, this season’s classic red. Pair it with Turquoise for a retro look.

Thoughtful, cautious neutrals provide a dependable backbone to the brights of spring. Kick back and enjoy the bubbly luxury of Pink Champagne. This delicate, wispy tint is the season’s newest neutral. The melding of Pink Champagne, Tomato Purée and Amparo Blue is a refreshing take on the classic springtime combination of red, white and blue.

Three additional neutrals round out the palette. Tuscany, a warm beige hue, provides the perfect backdrop and works well as a solid base color with dynamic accents like Fusion Coral or Violet. Dried Herb is the ultimate green neutral, pairing well with all other colors. Ideal for bigger ticket items, cool Eucalyptus is the eternal, practical gray. Choose this nuanced neutral and add brightly colored exclamation points in shoes, jewelry and handbags.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

The Style Maison on Groupon!!

I could not be more excited for the new year! I think it will bring many changes to me, which I am so excited about.

First I'm excited about my brand new website for personal shopping and fashion styling, The Style Maison. I had an amazing web designer, Florie Coggins, who surpassed my expectations for the site.


Now, since Thursday, The Style Maison is being featured on Groupon, an awesome site for local discounts. Through tomorrow, Sunday January 10, you can purchase a $300 gift card towards my services for just $100!! This is a 67% discount! This is a great way to treat yourself for the new year, or a perfect gift for anyone. Visit my website to see all of the various services I offer.

Click here if you are not already a member of Groupon, and get in on their amazing deals!

* Also, thank you to Jennifer over at Atlanta on the Cheap for her comical write up about the deal! Look forward to working with you Jennifer!

** ALSO, thank you to Bargains in Buckhead for their fabulous write up as well!

Questions? Feel free to contact me!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

10 Trends for 2010

While many parts of the country are experiencing the lowest temperatures in decades, it is already time to look ahead towards Spring fashions. In fact, the fashion industry has already turned it's eyes towards Fall fashion. . .giving new meaning to the phrase "that's so last year".

So what does Spring fashion hold for us? What trends will linger, and what new trends will surface? Keep reading below to find my 10 trends for Spring 2010. Then continue to check back weekly to find each trend explored in more depth with examples of my favorite finds.



10 Trend for Spring 2010

1. Lusty Lingerie - Lingerie isn't just for the bedroom. . .this sassy trend makes it appearance every few years, but it takes careful planning to pull of the underwear as outerwear trend.

2. Peek-A-Boo - Perfectly placed cut-outs, mesh and sheer fabrics dominated runways, making for a PG-rated peep show.

3. Short Shorts - just when we thought hemlines couldn't get any shorter. . .they did. Now more than ever it is crucial to hit the gym and get those gams ready for short season.

4. Metallics- Sequins, paillettes and metallic sheen are on the menu for spring. Careful of quality to keep this look luxe instead of cheap.

5. Structured Ruffles - This girly trend has been one that keeps finding it's spot in fashion. This season look for more controlled, manicured ruffles.

6. Feathers - Another trend from fall, feathers make a bigger splash this season. Wear with care to avoid adding bulk to areas that might not need it.

7. Jewelry, Jewelry, Jewelry - The perfect, easy way to update any ensemble, bigger and bolder jewelry can make the simplest of outfits stand out.

8. Slouchy Trousers - High-waisted, belted and loose is the way to wear pants for Spring. Gauzy fabrics give this look movement.

9. Prints - Tribal, abstract, floral and graphic. . .prints are the fabric of choice for Spring.

10. Neutrals - A refreshing change from the dark colors of fall, light neutral shades of nudes, grays and whites dominate Spring.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Shoe Candy

As 2009 comes to an end, I thought I would leave you with wishes of Louboutin's dancing in your head. The below Louboutin's are by far the most drool-worthy pair I've found to date. These beauties are the perfect shoe to go with my New Years dress. . .but with a near $3000 price tag will most likely never find a spot in my closet. :(


Check back in 2010 for my top 10 Trend for 2010, and more to come!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Rodarte for Target - Released EARLY!


I'm not typically one to gush over Target's designer collaborations, however, the Rodarte collection is an exception. And, much to my surprise, they have released the collection in stores a day EARLY! These pieces are sure to sell out, so scoot over to Target quickly to see the pieces.

I had a chance to swing by and I LOVE the collection. Everything from the detailing, closures, and even the tag are high quality. My favorite pieces are three dresses in black, gold and light blue that combine elements of silk camisole's with floaty tulle. To preview more of the collection, visit the blog of fellow blogger Louisa at Large who posted a look-book early on this week!

Monday, December 7, 2009

You MUST Know About This!

If you are anything like me, you have an abundance of cocktail dresses hanging in the back of your closet collecting dust. You also are probably on the hunt for the perfect dress for the holidays and New Years Eve. It's not that you don't like the cocktail dresses you already own, it's that you have already worn them, maybe on multiple occasions. Unlike shoes or a sweater, cocktail dresses are one of those items that you only get a handful of uses out of.

Enter Rent the Runway. For a fraction of the price of buying a new dress, Rent the Runway allows you to rent designer dresses to wear for an event! Stocked with the season hottest designer dresses, members can rent a dress costing upwards of $500 or more for just $50-$200, depending on the dress.

You can search by categories such as: New Years Eve, Meet the Parents and Date Night. Stylists are also on call to help with sizing decisions and suggestions on how to accessorize your look.

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Unlike popular bag rental site, Bag Borrow or Steal, I find Rent the Runway completely affordable, and the fashionista's answer to never repeating the same dress. They even offer an option of renting a 2nd size for FREE! This ensures that you won't end up without a dress due to fit. I have found that many of these dresses are available right now in stores, so why not go try them on for size and fit there, and then rent them online!

Rent the Runway is a fairly new site, but I am excited to see what happens next season when their current dresses are no longer seasonal. My hope is that they will be selling them for steep discounts, giving members another way to score a top designer dress for cheap!

Want to join? Follow this invitation link: http://renttherunway.com/referral/lprattes

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Holiday Look Blog - Look 3


An invitation to a winter wedding can sometimes present a tricky situation - what to wear. Often winter weddings are a slightly more upscale events, that require a cocktail dress. Although wearing black to a wedding is perfectly acceptable, many people shy away from it. The problem then arrises of what colors are appropriate to wear which won't overshadow the bride?

Winter Wedding Guidelines

1. Do not wear any shades of white or ivory to a wedding; red should be avoided as well.

2. Ideal colors to wear are rich jewel tones, which add interest, but are subdued enough to not make you the center of attention (it's not your day after all).

3. During this season of sequins, metallics embellishments a general rule should be to keep all "flare" to a minimum.

4. Tights are an important part of a winter ensemble as they promise to not only keep your legs warm, but make any dress more winter appropriate.

5. If the wedding is held in a conservative church bring a pashmina to drape over your shoulders during the service if wearing anything shoulder baring.

6. Avoid anything too tight, low cut or short.


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Gift Guide - The Jet Setter

Whether your travel enthusiast friend loves a luxury vacation or is a budget traveler, the gifts below are bound to inspire another adventure. Think outside of the box with a travel magazine subscription, or a city pass full of tickets to attractions in the city nearest you. For the sensible traveler a universal adapter or digital language dictionary are top gift choices. Channel a jet setters inner fashionista with some great DVF luggage or a stylish bag for carry-on liquids.


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3. Citypass - $49 $ up
8. Luxury City Guides - $9.99 each


Take it to another level by booking a trip on Gilt Groupe's newest travel sample sale website Jettsetter. With everything from lavish european villa's to local boutique hotels, Jetsetter is a great way to find amazing deals on hotels. Click here to sign up and book your next trip!