Style. What is it? It’s like an enigma. Some people seem to be naturally stylish. And yet, it seems to elude others.

Personal style tends to refer to one’s external presentation of fashion choices, hair styles and personal grooming details like nails, facial hair, makeup, etc. Fashion choices tend to reflect one’s culture, status, individual taste, career and lifestyle. Personal style is the way in which individuals choose to combine external indicators along with fashion choices colors, textures, prints, patterns, silhouettes, accessories and other particulars.

So, how do you find yours? Try this fun DIY project to aid you in your journey:
• Find an unlined journal or a three ring binder with blank sheets of paper to serve as your personal style book.
• Section off your book with these categories; i.e. suits, pants, skirts, blouses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, swimwear, accessories, evening/cocktail attire, hair styles, makeup and a wish list. Include brands that you love and the local resources to help you implement your style choices.
• Find and paste images of items that fit in all sections. Choose images that you believe define you now or illustrate how you want to be defined.

Ideally, these images represent your personality, profession and the various roles you play in your life. The beauty about your personal style book is that you can dare to try new and different things. Plus, you can (and should over time) add and subtract from it as often as you feel. As you contribute to your book, you will see a pattern emerge. By identifying your pattern, you will gain confidence in creating and reinventing your definitive personal style. The real bonus will be the wise fashion and beauty investments that you will make in yourself, saving you time and money and assisting you in always looking your absolute best.

Examples of women with style:

image courtesy of daily.chiconline.com

image courtesy of biographyonline.com

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What did an arranged meeting and assigned writing exercises do for me? Find out more in this pod cast.

Bari Ellen in LA at the Chicken Soup for African American Women’s Soul booksigning event

Bari Ellen and me

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Getting your wedding style and beauty plan together requires thoughtful consideration and planning. Since your wedding is essentially about you, the bride, then it behooves you to address these details:

Your Style
Vera Wang, www.verawang.com, has identified five bridal styles – Traditionalist, Individualist, Modernist, Romanticist and Minimalist. Select the dress style that best fits your personality and find the most beautiful and comfortable gown that interprets your style. Make sure that you and your groom complement each other and your style is cohesive with your overall wedding theme.

Gown Trends
The fall bridal runway is a white sheet filled with bling, lace, flowers, tiers, ruching, intricate detailing including seams and a mix of short and long designs. It seems like Carolina Herrera, Kenneth Pool, Liancarlo and Monique Lhuillier are in love with strapless numbers.
Oscar de la Renta, one of my personal favs, is doing what he does best – feminine ruffles, lace, tiers and intricate detailing. Dynamic duo, Badgley Mischka is bringing home the bling.
David’s Bridal is always an affordable and creative outlet for gorgeous gowns.
Resources: www.carolinaherrera, www.kennethpool.com, www.moniquelhuillier.com, www.liancarlo.com, www.oscardelarenta.com, www.badgleymischka.com, www.davidsbridal.com.

Jewelry
The perfect accent can not be overlooked. Since jewelry frames your face from your eyes to your collarbones, it is critical to select shapes, styles, length and quality that are in line with your gown, your features and your budget.
If you wear a gown with lots of detail such as flowers, asymmetrical shoulder lines and bling, you probably want to focus on a beautiful but small to medium set of earrings. You can also wear a beautiful bracelet, stack smaller bracelets or a delicate cuff to amp up your wrist.
If you chose a strapless version, you can play with a larger scale necklace or draw eyes up to some chandelier style earrings. Add some body glitter to give you just a little bit of glow around your decollate and shoulder area. Think of Mariah Carey’s tan with flecks of gold glitter (but not so much).
Gowns featuring ruffles, lace or tiers should have jewelry that has the same elegant, airy feeling that most designs exude. It is a perfect opportunity to add jewelry with texture and dimension.
Basically, your gown, accessories, makeup and hair should not compete for attention. The focus should be your face, especially your eyes and smile, and everything should flow together to accent all of your positives.

Check out our custom design services for bridal and other jewelry needs by emailing define@stylefoliojewelry.com. This custom designed Fresh Water Pearl and Red Swarovski Necklace is in the $300 range. Shop the Bridal Bliss Collection.

Hair
Gentle waves from the ‘20’s and ‘40’s, sophisticated chignons, avant-garde creations or ‘70’s straight all take the stage. Remember to practice your hairstyle with your stylist in advance to make sure that it is the best look for you and your gown. Take photos of yourself. Sometimes what looks good in the mirror doesn’t translate well in a photo or video.
www.toniandguy.com, www.sassoon.com

Make up
Simply put, hire a professional. This is one day of do-it-yourself mistakes that can’t be redone nor the event repeated. Makeup Pro, Robert Saenz, states that his goal is to make the bride the best version of themselves. “It is important to be patient when a makeup artist works on you, so plan your day accordingly. Avoid high-frost, metallic looks and amp for full pigmented, natural hues like those from MAC and waterproof mascara,” adds Robert. Ladies, please don’t overlook the importance of a great facial and perfectly arched eyebrows. Test some makeup looks with your artist (including photos) in advance to see which one really makes you shine!
Resources: RobertSaenz@hotmail.com, www.maccosmetics.com, www.damoneroberts.com.

Shoes

Two words – Manolo Blahnik. Ok I know a few more. Your shoes will be seen, so pay attention to the color, height, style and comfort level. In fact, like your hair and makeup. A mistake I often see is women choosing a shoe that is too heavy or clunky for the fabric weight and style of garment she is wearing. So, try to mimic the fabric weight and texture in your shoe selection. Make sure shoe accessories or details like studs or diamonds don’t snag on your gown. Try them on next to your honey so you can avert any alter surprises.
Resources: www.manoloblahnik, www.sergiorossi.com, www.ninewest.com, www.zappos.com.

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