Style Maven: Minamilist with an Edge

 As I mentioned in my last post, over the next few days I will be featuring five stylish ladies with supernova personal style who all work with me at ITVS. Our office has a real casual air about it so when someone does step it up style wise it’s highly noticeable and these ladies never disappoint. And I love it! So meet Cheryl. What I appreciate about Cheryl is that she always maintains a very clean minimalist look that also manages to be classy and extremely confident.  She chooses clothes that have very clean uncomplicated lines that are not only comfortable but also harmonious. Cheryl can often be seen wearing a variation of one color-- one of my favorite tricks for creating a sleek, and elongating silhouette. While she favors more muted colors like gray, cream and black, Cheryl makes her outfits pop with edgy attention grabbing shoes. I have a feeling that she might have a slight shoe addiction. The girl rocks some serious ( towering) heels!  High impact bags and classic silver jewelry adds extra polish to all her ensembles.  Here’s a little insight into Cheryl’s personal style.

How would you describe your style?

Simple, easy, not too fussy and with a little flare (color or design).

What or who is your style inspiration?

It really all depends on my mood. Some days Rachel Zoe is an inspiration especially when it comes to pairing separates that I wouldn't think to put together. Other days it can be my mom who has a custom clothing boutique. And every once in a while it can be my inner heavy metal chick.

What style rules do you live by?

I don't buy or wear anything that makes me feel uncomfortable, especially around the waist. There's nothing more I hate than feeling bloated because I convinced myself that I can wear a size too small for myself, which I haven't done in a really long time and don't plan to ever do. I fully believe in being comfortable and confident in your clothes, no matter what your style.

What are three pieces you are lusting after for your fall wardrobe?
- a comfy oatmeal colored blanket sweater

- tall (over the knee) black boots with a sensible heel.

- a pair of UGG boots. Don't laugh, I have two big dogs that have to be walked three times a day even tho we have a backyard. That means I'm out in the soon to be freezing cold at the a** crack of dawn and freezing cold evening right before bed. UGG boots are sooooooo warm and cozy that I won't be miserable while walking my dogs.

What is the best style and fashion advice you’ve been given?

Stay true to yourself, wear what you like, and spend your money on quality not quantity. You might be saying "duh", but it works for me. Rarely do I spend money on something "trendy" that I kick myself for because it's useless in a couple of months.

What stores do you hit up on the regular to get your fashion fix?
 Nordstrom Rack, piperlime.com, and once in a great while Ambiance as a special treat.


What's the last word on this approach to style? The minamilist look is an effortless, unfussy, unadorned, and powerfully understated style of dressing that virtually all women of any age, shape, can rock.  

London, Paris and Barcelona In My Future

Okay Dahlings. I’m beyond excited. In six days I will be leaving the country for 15 days for a much needed respite from the daily grind of work/home, home/work, if you know what I mean. Yours truly is heading to London, Paris, and Barcelona. The hubby is going ahead of me to Poland for work and then will head to London where we will meet to start our european escapades. I’m dreaming of shopping in the Marias and eating macaroons at Pierre Hermé and Laduree bakery in Paris, eating tapas and visiting surrealist painter,  Salvador Dali’s hometown once we get to Barcelona, and visitng museums and colorful markets in London (among other sights and sounds). I will be moving around a lot and that means I need to pack light. And that’s where the panic comes in. The hubby has limited me to five outfits and three pairs of ( sensible) shoes. I’m desperately overwhelmed with picking the right pieces for my urban travels which gets complicated because I have to pack more bulky pieces than usual as a result of the weather this time of year . But I also realized that perhaps the less clothes I bring, the more reasons I will have to shop. And after all, H&M did just open a flagship store on the Champs Elysee. Oh La, La, La.

But before I head off I’m working on putting together a few posts featuring five style mavens from my office. The gals I chose all have five unique looks and they all couldn’t be more different from my own style aesthetics but I love watching the looks they sashay into the office with. The posts will feature three of their favorite looks, what inspires their style, and what they are lusting after for the fall season. What I like about these ladies of style is that they have managed to use their clothes as a true form of self expression. They march to their own fashion drumbeat without taking themselves too seriously. I get style inspiration from all of them and ultimately that’s what a true style maven does; they inspire others to dress better. Look for these posts in the coming days. And of course you can expect a full fashion report from my travels. Laters, Dahlings.