I'm all about dusters!!

I am drawn to these! I love long cardigans.

I guess by now you can tell I have lots of obsessions! Dusters have always been something that stops me in my tracks.

JOHNNY WAS

Pair them with jeans, shorts, dresses and/or trousers to elevate the look of your outfit. One of the best things about these accent pieces is that no matter where you live they are super versatile.

I love them in Florida because the air conditioning is always cranked and a layering piece is a necessity. By using a duster you get a whole different look than a shawl or basic cardigan. A duster adds so much more interest!

SHOW ME YOUR MUMU

In areas where the weather can swing from Summer to Fall or Winter to Spring, quickly and often sporadically, a duster offers warmth and style. AND, your outfit doesn’t have to be hidden under that coat! It’s out there for all to see, especially when the weather is in transition stages.

JOHNNY WAS

The best thing about dusters is that you don’t have to have full length ones. If you feel swallowed up in something longer there are great options in 3/4 length. I especially like those for traveling and for my clients who can’t carry off the length of the long ones. They may not necessarily be called “dusters” but they offer the same effect with “dressing up” an outfit.

Why not give one a whirl? If you have trouble styling these check out the ways to work with me! And, let’s chat about it! I’d love to help you!

AND, Keep an eye out on my insta and FB this week for some of my favorite picks!

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Take a walk on the wild side - how to tastefully wear animal prints!

I love animal prints but always hesitate to wear them…I feel like someone is going to confuse me with Peg Bundy of Married with Children!

So, let’s do this tastefully! Animal prints are beautiful and we shouldn’t have to worry about looking tawdry!

The key to wearing any print is to wear it simply. Make the print the focal point and don’t add a lot of extras. Keep the jewelry, handbag, and coordinating clothing items paired down.

I love the look of this high slit Topshop python (ok, it’s a reptile but I’m keeping it in the “animal” class for today). high waisted skirt. I always want to be able to take things from casual to dress. And, this skirt is super versatile. I paired it with my Fall obsession accessory color, burgundy ankle sock booties from Steve Madden. Super comfortable and I love how the “sock” grabs the ankle and keeps the leg line smooth. Dress it up with a bow blouse and sling back or simple pump.

Another Topshop fav!! Under $100 this python can take you from luncheon to dinner out! Super flattering side -zip, waist accentuating band. Two slits over each leg are pretty flattering and not over the top high!

Is all this print a little too much for you? How bout a simple scarf tied into a low pony. I love the oblong length of the one from Cabi’s Fall/Winter line this year. It’s great wrapped around the neck and tied on the side with sweaters or blouses. Don’t hesitate to wear it with denim either!!

I find the easiest way to bring in an animal print is with a tote or handbag. This one from White House Black Market is a great pattern. I would wear it year round and as a neutral. The soft white background and gold accents make it easy to go from everyday errands to a night out. And, who doesn’t love a tassle?!

I’m not necessarily a big AC/DC fan but I loved the orange accent on this tee and in the Summer, in FL, for me there is no better way to keep cool than with a tee and capri’s or shorts. I like to add graphic tees as my interest piece. And, why not take the “Highway to Hell” by throwing a leather jacket over the whole look for Fall?!

So, release your inner Peg and add a little roar or hiss to your outfit and have some fun!

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Do you have "Winter Clothes Fatigue?" 10 tips to help you get out of the Winter Doldrums.

“Winter clothes fatigue,” according to Chacha Olivia, is the frustration brought on by the short Winter days, lack of sun and freezing temps that have one wearing the same items over and over. One is dressing to stay warm and not dressing for joy. “WCF” can bring on feelings of boredom and sometimes “meh.”

Having been in Florida for almost 4 years now, I often forget the feeling of dread I would have waking up in the morning. I remember not wanting to get out from under the covers. The chill when your feet hit the floor goes right through you! Your outfits revolve around what will keep you warmest as opposed to what makes you feel alive and bright! I guess I could equate it with how I feel in Florida in October? Maybe not.

So, my friends living in cold climates, what are you to do?!?!

Here are some of my tips to make you feel a little lighter and cheerier. And, if you don’t experience “Winter Clothes Fatigue,” you might want to try them anyway! A midseason refresher is always a good idea! And, some of these don’t even involve clothing!!

1 Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure. There is nothing like feeling moisturized in the dry heat of our homes. If your salon offers a paraffin treatment…go for it! Choose a light color or even a bright one.

2 Go for a facial! Choose one that will offer extra hydration. Pampering ourselves is great any time of year!

3a and 3b Take all your salt stained boots and shoes to the cobbler for a freshening up! This one is pretty simple. I always feel better when I have repaired or refreshed items that were in desperate need of some TLC! Clean your Winter Outerwear. Dry clean your winter coats and wash your fleece pullovers and jackets. Over the course of Winter, outerwear can really take a beating. You will feel a lot fresher when things are clean.

4 Try wearing some scarves as an accessory to your outfit and not just a way to keep warm. Look for different ways to tie them to freshen things up. I love this video from Wendy's Lookbook and it’s quick! 25 Ways to tie a Scarf! In under 5 minutes :) (I would also suggest following her…she’s amazing!) The important thing to remember is to use different scarves! Don’t be an outfit repeater…go dig out another scarf in your closet…I bet you have one!

Shopping at Vagabond Apparel in North Palm Beach, FL. Love this great little Valentine cashmere sweater from Minnie Rose. Perfect pick me up, even in Fl!

5 Purchase a “pick me up!” Find a good sale at one of your favorite stores and purchase a new sweater or matching hat/gloves and scarf set. Choose a bright color or something that makes you smile.

6 Start looking at new Spring trends. January is the best time to start checking out Spring fashion trends in magazines. What is the new Pantone color of the season? Are prints going to be small or large? What are the heels and toes like in the new shoe trends? Keep a list of things you may want to add to your wardrobe. Spring lines hit the stores in February…the best bags and shoes come out early and they sell out quickly! Act fast!

7 Try layering different items of clothing in your wardrobe. Tired of wearing the same old sweaters? Don’t really want to purchase any more “cold weather attire”? Try layering a short sleeve tee (maybe a fun graphic) over a solid long sleeve tee. Pair it with your favorite denim. Thinner items can offer a lot of warmth too. You can also check out my post "Are You An Outfit Repeater?"…and see different ways to “shop your closet” and get more use out of the items in there!

8 Try out a new fitness routine. Have you tried spinning or Pilates or how about Lagree? Try out a free intro class and wear some fun athletic wear-NOT BLACK! 

9 Plan a Winter getaway. Start packing or creating a list of what you’ll bring. See my "Not your Average Pack Like a Pro" Post. This will brighten your spirits and give you some warm weather to look forward to. Nothing like getting off a plane and feeling the sun on your face and looking up at the palm trees!!

10 Not traveling? Host a party! Serve some signature summer cocktails (with umbrellas), offer up a great summer music playlist and a fun game of limbo! Encourage Summer attire…even if it’s a hat or Hawaiian shirt. Maybe you can plan it around that new Spring outfit you just picked up!!! (wink wink)

Whatever you do, hang in there, Spring is around the corner!!

January is the best time to look at magazines for Spring Fashion Trends.

Start thinking about what you’d like to add to your wardrobe this Spring.

What needs to be replaced? What needs to be updated?

Theo-Chacha Olivia

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Not your average "Pack Like a Pro" post.

I have never been the best packer, I always pack a little too much. I often come home with some items that I didn’t wear. But, really, what’s so bad about that? If I can still fit it all in a carry on for short trips and keep it under the weight limit for longer ones why do I obsess over “packing light?”

But 3 trips in 3 months... a family vacation to Utah, a drive up North to visit family and friends, and a fun “work” getaway to Europe with my husband…forced me to look at how and what I was packing. And it led to a big realization….I love my clothes and I want to wear them. I want to “dress” (when I am away) the way I would “dress” when I am at home. I am not interested in having the same 2 pairs of pants take me through a week. I LIKE OPTIONS! It was such a relief when I finally came to terms with this!

How did I finally arrive here? I took the time to really think about my travels.   

Not the answer you were looking for? I know. I didn’t think I’d be writing a post like this either.

It would be easy for me to offer up a capsule of 3 bottoms and 3 tops and tell you that you had to wear each item 3 times. Then I could show you how to mix and match them. But, the chances of you having those 3 types of items in your wardrobe wouldn’t be that great and, you might not even like that particular look! I could also give you lots of ideas for different kinds of vacations and different lengths of stays. And, at some point I will probably offer up these types of posts. However, if you struggle with packing and always find yourself procrastinating until the night before a trip I do have some ideas to help make this process less daunting.

I was always finding packing so stressful. I was determined to find a method to take the stress out of it. Vacations are supposed to be about relaxing and having fun, right? Why not start de-stressing before you leave?

My Hard-earned tips for better packing:

1 Don’t procrastinate!!! Start thinking about your trip as soon as you know it’s going to happen! Taking the time to think about things in advance really helps!

2 Pack yourself first. I would always pack myself last….this is something I don’t do any more. I find it much easier to pack for my kids and if I pack them first I am almost always pushing my own packing to the night before. BIG MISTAKE! I now think of it like the oxygen on the plane. Pack yourself first!

3 Create a list of staples to bring. I keep a list of cosmetics and a list of staple clothing items that I take on every trip. I always keep one in google docs-that way I can refer back to it without having to write it all over again for the next trip. Everything should be on this list from toothbrush to underwear. I offer a copy of this list at the end of this post! Packing for more people than yourself? Start lists for them too.

Now create a list of things specific to this trip!

1 Keep an eye on what the weather is going to be like at your destination. Will it be a rainy/cool season? Will you need a jacket? Keep a running list of these items that you need to bring.

2 Jot down your itinerary. Will you have a “formal” event? Do you need something dressy? Will you be hiking? Will you need hiking shoes or will sneakers suffice?  If you aren’t committed to activities or tours what types of things do you see yourself doing? Do you have outfits in mind that you’d be comfortable doing them in? Add these items to the “need” list.

Now create a list of things “you’d like to have with you”

3 Are there items in your wardrobe now that you’d really like to take with you? These types of items tend to be my “go to” pieces at home. They are the pieces I am most comfortable in and  I can easily coordinate with lots of other items. For instance, I have a favorite pair of jeans, a layering tank, a basic tee and some sort of sweater/topper that I always build outfits around. These items inevitably wind up being my plane outfit. Add these items to the “would like to have with me” list.

4 Speaking of plane outfits...plan that too.  

5 Decide on the luggage. If the trip is for a week or less and you can do laundry, a carry-on should do it! A couple of weeks away and I will check my bag. Even if I can do laundry-I don’t want to, and really don’t want to rely on having to!

6 A couple of weeks before you head out... Set aside some space, maybe in a spare bedroom, and pack the cosmetics. Lay out all the “staple,” “need,” and “would like to have with me” items. I like to use a small clothing rack, it helps me to see everything hung with coordinating shoes and accessories.

7 Now here’s the really important part! Pull out the matching shoes and accessories. Start coordinating ways to mix and match items with other pieces in your closet. One great rule of thumb is 3 tops to a bottom! You won’t necessarily take everything you lay out. You will find, as you go along, that you can take out pieces because some items will go with more than one outfit. Take the time to do this in advance and I promise you, you will not overpack.

When all the outfits are ready and you can actually start putting them in the suitcase you can decide if the couple of extra items that you’d really like to take will fit in, or, you can just leave a little room in that suitcase for some “vacation finds.” ;)

Want help with your carry-on packing? Check out my list of “Carry-on Musts”, available below. In it, you’ll find my list of the things I pack to bring on every flight…things you won’t want to forget or leave at home!

I have included some of my more detailed carry-on packing ideas. You’ll find clothing I like to travel in, packing accessories that maximize organization, and ideas that will get you through security with more ease!

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Are you an "Outfit Repeater?"

I am! It takes effort to dive into my cave of clothes and come out with new ways to create looks with things I already own.

Couple this with the fact that I am always looking for what’s “the new look or the new color” and it’s so easy, in this online world, to be inundated with emails from stores where I shop. They do an incredible job at capturing my attention with catchy headlines and beautiful photos. I find it exciting to add these new pieces to my wardrobe for the season and, truth be told….I then tend to wear that “look” a lot. Hence, I become the “outfit repeater.”

My aha moment! “Shop my closet!” I keep saying I’m going to get better about “shopping my closet” So, I decided to challenge myself.

I pulled out a dress to wear, that I purchased at the beginning of Summer, that I hadn’t worn. It was pretty easy to style. It’s a bit of a fun print so it didn’t need much in the way of accessories and I paired it up with a pair of platform white sneakers for running around to all the after school activities. I wish “I had a dollar for every compliment I got that day!” Guess what happened next? I was totally motivated to wear something else that I had yet to wear...ta da!!!!   I mean….shame on me!!! “I have nothing to wear” should never cross my lips.

It is pretty easy to grab the “go to” pieces in our closets. But, all of those other items are in there because you liked them enough to buy them. I want to encourage you to get use out of them! I want to challenge you to “shop your closet”!

So, here are a few ideas on how to style something that has been waiting for some attention from you….most importantly….start with something easy first!

1. Maybe take a dress that you haven’t worn in a while. Is it a “shirt dress?” Try wearing it open with a tank and pair of skinny or tapered jeans, throw on an easy ballet flat and viola!

2. Do you have a denim blouse or plaid blouse that hasn’t seen the light of day? One look I love to wear is a pair of jeans with a basic tee or tank and tie the blouse around the waist. Throw on a fun pair of “kicks” and there you go...you’re wearing the blouse! (kind of ;))

3. How about the silk scarf that usually just goes around your neck with a blazer? Try tying it round your wrist as a bracelet?

Why not tie it onto your handbag strap for a little added color?

or around the waist of your favorite jeans as a soft belt?

4. I love suits and it seems like they are making a little comeback! It’s hard to hear the word suit and not think of an office and a briefcase. Why not make it casual? Put it on with a classic crewneck tee, maybe pull out that scarf again as a belt and instead of heels or ballet flats put on a fun pair of sneakers…(not your running shoes but a fun flat form) like these…

You don’t have to style something new every day. Don’t make it stressful.

Try it once and I bet you will want to start getting more use out of those things you aren’t wearing. With all the clothes in our closets we should never get in a clothing rut. It’s ok to be an outfit repeater...just try not to have a static uniform!

Still struggling?...Consider working with me! There are a variety of ways we can work together to pull your style, closet and outfits together. Check out the options here.

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