At Style Sanctum, we usually start our day with a journal entry.  Most are just silly things like “Would you rather play in the sun and get sunburned or play in the rain and catch a cold?”  Others are more serious, but the purpose of all of them is to dump the brain and get the creative juices flowing.

On Monday, the entry topic was:  “Write about what makes you happy, sad, excited, nervous, etc.”  and what made me sad was that about six girls wrote: It makes me sad when my mom/dad yells at me.  Replete with pics of giant evil faced parents and bawling little girls with a trail of tears a mile long.  Sometimes, I read their entries, sometimes they share and I quickly move along.  This time I could not.  Visions of me on video tape yelling to my then two year old “Clayton, what color is this ball?”  over and over again burned my brain and then I had a quick mental flash of an article I’d read about how parents these days aren’t spanking, but are doing waaaay more yelling.

I am a recovering yeller.  I was a proud parent.  Proud to say that I did not spank my child, “we used time out,” instead, as if I was apart of some ivy league parenting school.  It made me feel as if I was a definite contender for the Parent of the Year award, but hid the fact that my child was yelled at in an effort to compensate for not spanking.  Then I entered my  12-step program, the world of Montessori.  I learned that yelling only made matters worse, because the yelling stressed my son and made him react to the yelling in negative ways.  I learned to get on eye level with him, explain what he had done wrong and then march him into time out for every minute he was old.  I can say that I have not yelled at my child since the wonderful parenting lessons taught to me by Miss Melanie and Miss Katie, and back then, received many compliments in restaurants about how well behaved my son was.

It made an enormous difference in our relationship.  He became more trusting of me, and showered me with kisses and hugs every chance he could get (and still does, o.k sometimes this can be a bit annoying) but he views me as his mother.  The one who protects him and as his protector he knows that listening to me, the first time, will save him from earth’s natural consequences.  All I have to do is count. 1-2-….

This is the comment that echoed most from the mouths of others as we began to embark upon this journey, but something inside of me knew better.  I went with what I did know- 1) Girls love pretty clothes (which starts at a very young age) and 2) Children soak up knowledge like sponges.  And I knew from experience with my 8 year old and the Montessori curriculum, that as long as children can have concrete experiences, they will explore, learn and retain it all.

So you must understand how impressed I was with the events of today.  I felt as if the girls hopped into the Totz and Teenz on Wheelz vans as giggly little girls and emerged into the Capitol parking lot as fashion archaeologists, ready to explore and discover new fashion frontier.

They brought their sketch books, listened intently and took meticulous notes.  They were impressed with the “fashion toilet” and the Capitol offices that housed fabulous inspiration boards. They recognized an Alexander McQueen dress immediately and felt honored to able to experience his genius in person.  They gasped at the price tags and then rubbed their little fingers against the hand of a Celine sweater and immediately piped “I finally touched a piece of designer clothing, and now I know why it costs so much, it feels so heavy!” They experienced the vertical garden by Patrick Blanc, recognized the concepts of unity and repetition in the pieces by Zero + Maria Cornejo and said “yes!” When asked if they’d heard of Stella McCartney.

And Jenny ending her presentation with “Phoebe came into fashion, felt that it need to go in a new direction and did something totally different from the dark colors and hard studs” was icing on the cake and made the girls realize that it really is all about their voice.

The girls look on as Jenny and Nicole share the blueprint for the vertical garden.

I have a client, Mrs. Chandra Hollier, who has a very preppy/classic sense of style and I must say that, (and I am not patting myself on the back, here) but, it SO works for her.  She has also transferred bits and pieces of this style to her little ones, and…

Too darling for words aren’t they?  I so love being a part of the next generation of style setters.

This picture was originally submitted to the Alex Grant blog.  His post and blog are well worth reading.

As you know, when working with live television things happen, and we need to explain the mannequins that were on the set with us.  Forgive us, we wanted to give you so much body type information, and then realized that we were a bit overzealous in our attempt. We only had 5 minutes to explain the body types and had to cut the mannequins.  But here is the story…

When we were tasked with dressing the mannequins, I gave Kimberly and Jamie (our wonderful style makers) the assignment of making the clothes that we put on the mannequins interesting.  We brainstormed about how we could make the mannequins relevant for Charlotte women, and we came up with the Capri angle.

Every day we see Charlotte women dressed in a uniform of sorts that consists of: a top with a bit of a design, a necklace, Capris and sandals and we thought it would be interesting to take this “uniform”, show ways to update it,  and show the way that each body type would wear it.   Kimberly and Jamie then set about pulling clothes to match this vision and I must say that they did a bang up job!

L to R:

Body Type: Pear

In order to minimize attention to hips, a pear girls’ master uniform should consist of: dark bottoms and light tops.

Hugo Boss white top (Taylor, Richards & Conger Women) Trina Turk navy capris (Sloan) Gillian Julias bangle bracelet (TRCW) Cordani beige suede heel (Step by Sloan)

Body Type: Hourglass

The hourglass girls’ top and bottom are pretty proportionate.  Keep this proportion visual by adding elements that bring attention to the waist.

Rivamonti tank top (TRCW), GOLDISGN denim capris, (TRCW)Gunex leather belt, (TRCW) suede shoes Bruno Cucinelli (TRCW)

Body Type: Inverted Triangle

Tame those linebacker shoulders!  (I know, I have them!) The master uniform that allows you to do this?  Dark tops and light or printed bottoms.

Rivamonti black shirt (TRCW),  Peserico tan/white print capris (TRCW),  Caytamer black wedge espadrilles (TRCW)

*Stylists note:  Get in the mirror and play with these rules and watch what happens! (don’t forget to let us know whether this works for you or not) Oh, ho, ho it’s magic, you knoooooow!

Hey sweetie,
I am going to be in ny for a wedding in June. I will not have much time, so I wanted to get your top five must shop stops. Outlets etc.
Thanks a million,

I receive requests on a daily basis, but this has got to be one of my most favorite.  Where to shop in NY.  New York means so much to me.  It is the place where I came into my fashion “being.”  The place where I learned the “secret” to fashion and the place where I was allowed to be my self and know that it was “o.k”.  NY is my second home, and shopping at home is always delightful.

First stop: Bergdorf Goodman

754 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10019
(212) 753-7300

Most people think that Bergdorf is too “high end” of a place for them to shop.  Don’t let the ambiance or the doorman throw you. Get on the escalators, wonder up to the 3rd and 5th floors and hit the sale racks.  They mark down things with the quickness and you can find a special find at an unbelievable price. (Also, take a break from shopping and have the Waldorf Salad at the Cafe on 5.) Check out the reviews for yourself.

Image courtesy of anselda.com

Next stop: Ina

21 Prince St. Between Mott and Elizabeth

212.334.9048

This is one of my FAVORITE consignment shops and not just because some major Sex in the City clothing has been resold here.  When you walk into the store, it feels like REAL consignment shopping.  Not a store where everything is thrown together, because, “Well, we’re selling used clothes, for Christ’s sake.”  It is a consignment boutique where the merchandise is displayed in a way that makes you drool over every single thing in there whether you need it or not.  My kind of shopping.  “Hey, you need multiple options so that you can edit, and as long as I am buying investment pieces that I can keep for years, at a discounted price? Why not?” Shop. Here. Now!

Stop three: Big Drop, NYC

425 West Broadway
212 966 4299

Love, Love, LOVE!  This place!  I love that they present the trends in a NY sort of way.  When you go to their site, they have  styled the looks, which gives my clients a great visual reference when purchasing.  But, the clothes are easy on the budget and allow you to hop on any trend without breaking the bank.  Plus, the quality of the clothes works well back to all of the high end clothes in a wardrobe.  Hi-low shopping for sure!

Opening Ceremony

34 Howard Street
212 219 2688

The first time I stepped foot into this boutique was many years back when Proenza Schouler, (my tie dye obsession in another post) debuted their collection for Target in this store.  (I know I have the pic somewhere!  I will find and post.)  But, this store is not for the faint at heart.  It is great for picking up that “something- special- that- you- won’t- be- able- to- wear to -work, but- absolutely- NEED -to- make- your- outfit- interesting, kind of thing, but not for er’day clothes.  Find that piece that makes you move out of your clothing shell, here!

Uniqlo

546 Broadway, New York, NY 10012 USA
Telephone 917 237-8811

When I was last at fashion week,  I think it was February of 2009, I passed by this store on my way to a show.  I peeped my head in, just to see why it was soooo freaking crowded and I fell in LOVE.  Rows and rows of basics, with a great item popped here and there.  I had to rush to the next show and so my time was cut short, but, vowed to return, and have been trying to shop on line every since. (Hint, hint Uniqlo people!)

image courtesy of retail refugees.

Kirna Zabete

96 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012

Tel: 212.941.9656

Yes, I love quality clothes, what can I say?  I am cheap and I expect my skirt to last for more than a season.  5 years is the minimum time a piece MUST be able to hang out in my closet, any less than that and I am MAD.  Enter designer clothes.  I LOVE them and learned to love them, when? Of course, when I lived, worked, studied and played in NY.  Life lessons come in all shapes and sizes.  Kirna Zabete has a lot of lessons that you can learn from and they are on. sale. now! Go!  You will LOVE this quirky, but amazing store.  I do and so do my Lanvin, on sale, will have for years, boots.  Thank you KZ.

Last Stop: Woodbury Commons

498 Red Apple Court
Central Valley, NY 10917
(845) 928-4000

I have such fond memories of this place.  Driving across the Tappan Zee bridge for a day of shopping bliss.  This is the BEST outlet on the planet. Why?  Because they have a Chanel store.  Enough said.

image courtesy of hey jude!

Today, I was quoted in the Charlotte Observer’s Style Section about my fav looks for summer.  And I said “tie-dye”.  I got a lot of questions and inquiring remarks about tie dye.  “Tie-dye?” “Really?” I was inspired by Proenza Schouler’s Spring 2010 collection.  Style.com lauded it as one of the top ten collections of the season and along with Phoebe Philo’s runway debut for Celine, it was my favorite!

The new tie-dye!

Today was one of those days, you know when something totally unexpected happens to you and slaps you in the face and screams “pay attention!” That’s what the Lobster Raviloi and Strawberry Tart did to me when I had lunch at The Art institute’s Artisan Restaurant.  The presentation and service were impeccable! Kudos, guys!

The Artisan. It is open Monday-Wednesday 11:30am to 12:30 pm, (704) 357-5900.

While reading my daily blog roll, I came across this unbelievably beautiful image of Rosella Jardini, the Artistic Director at Moschino.  This was taken by Garance Dore’ and is on her blog.  She is shooting their ad campaign.  But, I love Rosella’s style.  Simply impeccable.  She reminds me of all of the grand dames I have grown up watching and that have been my inspiration along my fashion journey.

And to top it all off, I had the most beautiful staff meeting.

Saw this jacket by Basler at Paul Simon for women.  I was doing research for a blurb in the Observer about summer favorites, and suddenly had a vision of a tall, striking woman with perfect hair and nails, (polished in OPI red). The red nails clutch a white Hermes Jige, while white jeans or slacks and a luxurious white t form a monochromatic tunnel.  Accessories include a HUGE gold charm bracelet, the care of the wind through her hair, and huge gold hoops.  No shoes in the vision this time, however.

While spinning around Charlotte, taking inspiration for upcoming stories, I cruised by Consign by Design (one cool consignment shop) and found some pretty, pretty pieces.  Like this BEAUTIFUL dress from Chris Benz.  I tried it on and it was a bit small for me, but, I have been thinking about it and decided to post the photo.  Isn’t it pretty? I can’t believe that it is on the 1/2 off rack for $80!  Great wardrobe add for a Whimsical or a Romantic style personality.

739 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207-2259, (704) 348-2506