One Chic Mama

Discovery 101: Summer Session

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:21:00 +0000

Just in time to celebrate the summer solstice! Take your wardrobe by the reins and learn once and for all what to wear and what to buy in this fun and informative session.

Think getting dressed has to be difficult or expensive? Think again!
In my Discovery 101 sessions you’ll receive an entire plan laid out for you to help you gain clarity on your style including what to wear, how to put it all together to create a look that’s right for you and much, much more. You’ll eliminate the guesswork and will start the year off feeling beautiful and radiating confidence!

This is for the woman who has ever:
• Felt overwhelmed by shopping
• Has a closet filled with clothes but nothing to wear
• Has no idea where to begin when putting together an outfit
• Worn clothes that just didn’t feel right
• Felt frumpy and stuck in a rut
• Wondered if she’s wearing what’s right for her

If this is you, then rest assured. The answer to your problems lies in discovering your personal assets and attributes. Take the guesswork out of shopping and stop wondering why certain things just don’t look good on you. Once you learn this invaluable information you’ll never again be confused by styles or wonder if a particular style is right for you. You’ll gain confidence and clarity in your wardrobe, while saving time, money and frustration.

What clients have to say:
“Being with you for the 101 Discovery Session was such fun and we learned a lot about what to do with our personal look… it was the MOST value for our dollar that we’ve EVER spent…”
E.C., Dumfries, VA

"I just completed the Discovery 101 session with Mary Michele. I had a fantastic time! Not only that, I was totally surprised at some of the fashion choices I was making that were not in my best interest! I am now more aware of the colors, styles, and accessories which are more flattering to my personal style. In just two hours, I totally changed my thinking about how I am dressing. (Including one big mistake that was making me look washed out and “matronly”!) Thanks Michele! I can’t wait to learn more!" Stephanie McDilda, Flashpoint International

Using my proven methods, I’ve helped thousands of women just like you learn how to get dressed easily and effortlessly, everyday! You can too! Join me for 1 of 2 sessions and unlock the keys to having a style that’s all your own.

Here’s what you’ll discover:
1. Your best colors
No longer will you wear black because you don’t know what else to wear. You’ll learn your best lights, brights and neutrals that make wardrobe building a snap.

2. Your face shape
Understand what hairstyle, neckline, jewelry and even shoes to wear based on this piece of information.

3. Your body type
Knowing how to dress for your body type is key to taking your look from frumpy to fabulous.

4. Your personal Scale
Ever wondered what size prints to wear or how much jewelry to pile on? This tidbit of information will let you know when enough is enough – and avoid anything that’s simply too much!
Hurry! Limited space available.

When: Thursday, June 20th 6 - 8pm
Where: 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 200, Raleigh NC

You’ll craft your very own personal style blueprint that will help you understand clearly and concisely what to buy, what to wear and how to put it all together.

A more than $997 value, this invaluable workshop is just $297! Hurry, register before June 15th and get a FREE copy of my ebook, What to Wear: Spring and Summer 2013

Click here to register: https://oy136.infusionsoft.com/app/manageCart/addProduct?productId=5

The Magic of the Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:45:00 +0000

What if there were one item of clothing you could put on that could make you look sleek, chic and pulled together, in one fell swoop? There is – the dress!

I love dresses and have for some time. In fact, I often favor them over skirts even though they’re not quite as versatile. And for good reason - dresses possess a certain magic that skirts don’t.

What is it about the dress? Dresses can be sexy, alluring and appealing in oh, so many ways, but that’s not why I’m singing praises to the dress today. I’ll save that for another time.

The reason I’m so keen on the dress, especially this time of year, is that they’re just so darn EASY! Yes, you heard me. Try it for yourself. Pop on a dress on a hot and sweltering day and see how compliments begin to fly. You’ll look polished while keeping your cool and will marvel as the compliments fly. People will tell you how great you look and you’ll wonder how it could all be so easy. After all, with a dress, you just pull it on, add a few simple accessories and a great pair of shoes and you’re off. No fussing with details, no coordinating pieces and wondering if they work. Easy peasy.

Recently I was at the beach and found a fabulous maxi dress while shopping. It embodies everything I love in a dress – it’s easy and relaxed, yet looks polished and elegant. After being on the beach all day and getting a little too much sun, it was the perfect thing to pull on for lounging about. It wasn’t tight fitting (so didn’t hurt my sunburn), was ideal for reading and relaxing after dinner, and the overall look was far more pulled together than I was feeling.

One more thing I love about a great dress is that it can be sleek and slimming. When the dress is a solid color or print, you get the elongating effects of top and bottom being the same, meaning it whittles away pounds and can even make you look taller.

When buying a dress, knowing your body type is key. Here are a few pointers:

If you’re an hourglass or pear shape, opt for a fit-and-flare style. This is fitted through the bodice, has a defined waistline, and has an a-line skirt that gently skims hips and thighs.
If you’re upper body dominant, opt for a fitted dress with waistline definition and a short, straight skirt. A sleeveless or halter-style will minimize upper body while focusing attention on your fab legs.
If you’re an apple shape, choose a fitted bodice. A bit of a sleeve such as a cap will offer more coverage around the underarm area, where a bustline can often pull fabric and expose your bra. Look for a great fit through the middle without a defined waist. Ruching, strategic wrapping or other treatment can be great for camouflaging a tummy.
If you’re a different size on top than you are on bottom, buying a dress can be tricky. My best suggestion is buy it to fit the largest part of your body, then have the rest altered.
Wear appropriate lingerie for your dress. Skip the thong and opt for boy shorts, high-cut briefs or Power Panties (such as Spanx) to create a smooth, sleek line around tummy, hips and bottom.

One of the downsides (the only one I can think of) is that I am often ‘accused’ of being ‘dressed up’ when I wear a dress. As if that’s really a downside!

Find your best dress this summer and see how chic, versatile and easy it can truly be!

Need help? As your StyleFinder™ Mentor, Consultant and Coach, I help you get to the essence of your style and dress in a way that makes you feel more like you, whether you’re a corporate executive or a stay at home mom. Email me at Michele@onechicmama.com to set up a complimentary get acquainted session and learn how I can help you!

Is Your Wardrobe Like Junk Food?

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:53:00 +0000

If I asked you to describe the clothing hanging in your closet right now what words would come to mind? Nourishing, fulfilling and sensual? Or would it be better described as unsatisfying, disappointing and always leaves you wanting more. Now make a mental note of these words, thoughts and feelings and notice how you feel.

Many people joke about fast food saying there's a secret ingredient that makes it addictive. While I'm not sure what goes into it, I'm pretty sure I know what's missing - real, whole foods that nourish the body and leave you feeling great. After eating a fast food meal, although we've often surpassed our daily calorie and fat quota by a stretch, we're still left wanting more because essential needs aren't being met such as vitamins, minerals and just the feel good factor of having sat down to a nourishing meal and enjoyed it with the company of friends and family.

Our wardrobes can have the same effect. There's no coincidence that cheap, mass-produced clothing is referred to as 'fast fashion'. It's quick, easy and inexpensive, much like a Happy Meal, but is too soon forgotten. It may not wash well or may pill more quickly than we'd like, leaving us to buy more clothing to replace it.

Now don't get me wrong - I tell my clients it's perfectly ok to have some 'fast fashion' in their wardobes but knowing how it fits in is key. When a wardrobe is built on good-quality core items then it can be updated seasonally by bringing in said fast fashion to give it a current look, inject some color and bring in some personality. But the differentiating factor is that these pieces are not purchased to last for several years. They're planned for, they're bought for the current season and they're discarded once they've passed their prime.

Having a wardrobe that is built on fast fashion (inexpensive items, sale items that aren't quite right or other items that were bought in the heat of the moment) will always leave us wanting more, causing us to over-buy (or overeat) because we never get what we need and are never really satisfied. Even when our closets are stuffed to the gills and we have so much clothing that we can't even get to it, we never feel that we can go to our closet, choose the perfect outfit time after time and emerge looking and feeling great. It's always a stress-filled endeavor.

So what's the remedy? Easy, my dear. A diet. But since I'm not a big fan of this four letter word I prefer to use the term 'strategy'. Here is my remedy for a junk food wardrobe:

1/ First, bust the clutter. Go through your closet and weed out anything you can part with, items you no longer wear and those pieces that pilled after the first washing. Take note of labels, how long you've owned the garment, and what attracted you to it in the first place. This will serve you well in the future.

2/ Now assess what's left. Are there some good, nourishing core items in there that you forgot about? Did you find some hidden gems in the midst of the clutter? Or will you be starting from scratch to build a wardrobe that will really serve you and leave you feeling 'satisfied' every time?

3/ Determine your needs. This can be an on-going list that you keep on hand in your closet. When you go to get dressed and have that "I wish I had a __" thought, write it down. Some of my best purchases have come from those very insights. Notice if you keep wishing for the same thing over and over (a great belt, a colorful scarf, a netural jacket, etc) and you'll begin to understand what you really desire from your wardrobe, and differentiate it from a fleeting 'craving'.

4/ Go shopping. Go alone, take your list and have a plan. You will buy what's on your list. You will only entertain buying other items if they pass this test:

· This item fits me very well, or I can easily have it altered (and am sure I will)

· This item goes with at least 3 items I already own

· This item is well made of quality fabric

· This item can be worn for more than 1 season

· I love it and can't wait to wear it!

5/ When you return home with your new items, have fun with them. Play around and see how many outfits you can come up with, and if you need anything else to complete a look (keep a running list so you'll always have a goal when you do have time to shop). Take notes and remember those outfits that really make you feel more like you!

Taking time to build a wardrobe that's filled with both quality items and a few fast food items that were bought with intention will serve you well. You'll be assured have outfits that are ready at a moment's notice and will leave you feeling comforted, satisfied and like everything's going to be ok - much like a homecooked meal from mom.

Spring Style Refresher

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:49:00 +0000

Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to refresh and update your style. Most women I talk to want to add a little polish and pizzazz to their image this spring but don't know where to begin. If you're stuck in a rut and ready to boost your image, read on.

Are you tired of what's in your closet?
Do you feel stuck when in comes to your style?
Are you confused about what's really your style?

Then I'd like to invite you to say 'yes' to yourself! Your image matters more than you may think. Too often I hear women complain about their lack of style, how frumpy they feel and how they dislike shopping. The good news is that knowing what to wear starts with knowing these tidbits of information. Once you know these, creating your wardrobe strategy can be easy. So I want to give you a little incentive to look your very best.

Announcing, my Spring Style Refresher - for a limited time only!

Book it here: http://tinyurl.com/d46mt7u

This package was designed to inject some style into your wardrobe, and to help you discover your own unique look. A quick and easy solution to knowing just what to wear this spring and how to WOW! everyone at all your special occasions. It includes:

1/ Color analysis with color palette. I’ll match up your skin, hair and eye color to determine your personal color harmony. Then we’ll discover your ‘Fabulous Five’ colors to help you create a wardrobe strategy and know where to put your focus. Let me help you to see how wearing color can take your look to new heights.

2/ StyleFinder™ Assessment to help you determine your personal style and how to put together an outfit that feels like ‘you’!

3/ Wardrobe strategy to help you determine what to add to your wardrobe now to get maximum benefit.

BONUS: e-book, How to Build a Wardrobe – This comprehensive guide gives you a step by step process to help you understand what elements are needed to create your perfect wardrobe and cultivate your personal style.

***MASSIVE ACTION BONUS – the First 7 women to book this package receive my e-book, What to Wear: Top 10 Most Wearable Trends of the Season

Your investment: Just $397 – a fraction of the cost of my regular packages – and is only available for a limited time! Book before April 15^th to secure your spot and save $$!
Book it here: http://tinyurl.com/d46mt7u

**If you have friends, relatives or co-workers who would enjoy this package, please pass this along. It's more fun to share!

How to Wear Emerald Green

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:41:00 +0000

By now I’m sure you’ve heard that the color for 2013 is Emerald Green. With St. Patrick’s Day, as well as spring, on the horizon, now is a wonderful time to think about integrating green into your wardrobe. Green is a very uplifting color that can be very flattering and easy on the eyes. The meaning of green is growth, renewal, healing, changing, wealth, stability, richness, wealth, earth-friendly, so it’s no wonder its popularity is on the rise. But what if emerald is not your best shade?

Emerald green is a gorgeous color. Deep and intense, it works best on someone with cool and deep coloring and is not the best shade of green for everyone. But I don’t want that to stop you from bringing green into your wardrobe in some form or fashion.

Green, as with any color, has many shades. If a particular shade, like emerald, isn’t your absolute best shade, I want to help you understand how you can wear green and look fabulous!

Because Emerald is the color of the year is not reason enough to wear it if it doesn’t look good on you. Look closely at how this green looks around your face. Does it wash you out? Does it light you up? If it’s not your best green, the good news is that there are many shades of green in stores right now so choosing one that is your very best should not be very hard at all.

If your coloring is warm, opt for shades of chartreuse, celadon, olive, sage, moss or grass. Your green has more yellow undertones and will flatter your yellow-toned skin.

If your coloring is cool, then embrace greens with blue undertones such as emerald, kelly green, lime, sea, jade, teal, shamrock and pine.

If you’re wearing multiple shades of green, be careful. I once had a college professor show up in no less than 10 different shades of green and it was all the class could do to hear what she had to say. Limit yourself to no more than 3 complementary shades of green, and err on the side of being conservative. Blending greens with other hues, especially shades of turquoise and blue, can be especially pretty and flattering.

If you suspect you’re not wearing the best shade for you, you’re probably right! Try a shade closer that will better flatter your personal coloring and see how it can transform your image!

Wearing what’s hot, whether it’s a color or a trend, will only flatter you if you wear it in a way that brings out your best.

Build Your Wardrobe with Your Fabulous Five

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:45:00 +0000

I’m not talking about your favorite rock band, I’m talking about colors! Recently I coined the phrase ‘Fabulous Five’ to help my clients understand their best colors and how to integrate them into their wardrobe.

By now you know that I’m a big believer in creating a wardrobe strategy. But many women don’t even know where to begin. While color may seem like the obvious place to start, learning how to leverage the power of color to work for you (not against you – bye bye, black!) and use color t guide you in knowing what to buy and how to pull it all together offers an easy blueprint.

For many years I have been coaching my clients to use a few of their best neutrals and best Wow! (accent) colors as a starting point. Learning to wear color in a powerful and positive way is a great thing but can be daunting at first. So starting with just a handful of colors can help you to focus and get exactly what you need, creating a core wardrobe and building from there.

This past week, in my Discovery 101 sessions it was thrilling to see so many a-ha’s around this philosophy, and see everything just ‘click’ when my clients discovered their Fabulous Five and how to put them all together.

Here’s how to discover your very own ‘Fabulous Five’:

1/ Core Neutrals

First, choose 2 of your very best core neutrals. You know, least memorable and most neutral. Dare I ask you to forget black? Even if black is one of your best colors, let’s find some other neutrals that tie into your personal coloring. These 2 will be your foundational colors and where you invest the bulk of your wardrobe budget.

2/ Wow! Colors

Next, choose 3 of your best Wow!, or accent, colors. These are those lights and brights that really make you stand out. They could be your eye color (especially if your eyes are blue), your skin intensifier or any other color that makes your hair, skin or eyes look amazing! You want colors that are memorable and make a statement about who you are.

3/ Mix and Match

The key to creating your Fabulous Five is that each neutral goes with each of the Wow! colors, and the Wow! colors can be interchanged and all work together. This mix and match approach allows for maximum versatility in your wardrobe, giving you more bang for your buck and making it EASY to know exactly what to bring into your wardrobe.

4/ Prints

While starting with solids gives you a good foundation, I strongly encourage you to bring in some prints, patterns and textures. Ensure that the prints contain at least 2 of your Wow! colors so they will coordinate with your solids. Jackets, cardigans, scarves, handbags, shoes, accessories, etc. are a fun place to bring prints in.

5/ Accessories

To keep things simple, choose a metal and stick with it. It will help you to know what to buy, ensure that your jewelry is neutral and goes with everything, and make it easy to finish off your look with the polish of accessories.

If you’re not what your Fabulous Five are, play with some different colors over the week and see what resonates with you. You want it to feel natural and all you. Once you get this formula down, you’ll marvel at how easy shopping can be!

Your Assignment: Determine your Fabulous Five colors for your spring/summer wardrobe and make a list of what items you’d like to add in which colors. Then let me hear from you! I want to know what combinations you come up with and how this formula works for you!

Look Fabulous for Less

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:43:00 +0000

Great style doesn't have a price tag. But it can be a real challenge to cultivate your own sense of style on a budget. That's why every purchase you make matters!

Your shopping habits have taken years to form, and you may feel that you have learned how to become a great bargain shopper. But do you really know what to buy and where to spend your money? Chances are your habits are sabotaging your style - and even worse - your budget!

Over the years you spend much more money than you realize on clothes, yet when you look in your closet you feel you have nothing to wear. How can that be? And why did all that money go down the drain? Not to mention time, effort and energy...only to leave you frustrated and depressed.

Learn the art of shopping on a budget and making every penny count

Discover how to have more to wear with less clothing

Change your mindset to feel that you have more with less

Indulge yourself without breaking the bank

and learn how to make shopping work for you and NOT against you!

Purchase your copy here.

Look Fabulous for Less is my NEW workbook and I'm thrilled to bring you all this wonderful information that will change the way you think about shopping and about your wardrobe. It not only is possible to look great on less, but you can actually make it easier to get dressed by planning strategically rather than snapping up the first sale item you see.

Creating a strategy is the secret to spending less, but knowing where to put your money - and how to get great things for less - are keys that will serve you no matter what your budget. When you learn these principles, you can apply them for years to come to look and feel your best on any budget!

Snap up your copy of Look Fabulous for Less before January 30th and receive a FREE copy of my recently updated ebook, How to Build a Wardrobe. These two tomes will be your guide and companion as you discover what your needs are and how to get what you truly want from your wardrobe.

Purchase your copy here.

Because your budget doesn't have to mean the end of style!

Wardrobe Building Blocks: Secrets Your Mother Never Taught You

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:37:00 +0000

Decades-old dresses, ill-fitting jeans and tops that don’t go with anything. Does this sound familiar? If this is what’s in your closet at any given moment, then it’s no wonder every day when you go to get dressed you feel, well…

DESPERATE.

There, I said it. And I know how it makes you feel because I’ve been there too. Years ago. And I vowed never to return.

Want to break free of feeling desperate and actually have a closet filled with clothes that make you feel BEAUTIFUL?

CONFIDENT?

FABULOUS?

You can. But you need a plan. A really, really good plan. And I have that.

Many women grow up thinking that they know how to build a wardrobe because they saw their mother do it, or their great aunt, or the stylish mom of a friend. Yet the truth is that many women are misguided, and instead of buying things that work to build a wardrobe and give you plenty of options day in and day out, you simply repeat the same mistakes. Mistakes that are based on very out-dated rules. You know the drill…

Buy multiples. Wear a black dress. Everyone MUST have blah, blah, blah…

In my humble opinion, the only thing everyone MUST have are the right clothes!

Now, let’s get to that. In 2012, did you have the right clothes? Chances are pretty good that you did NOT, and that you spent a great deal of time feeling frustrated, overwhelmed and downright desperate when it came to shopping, putting together an outfit or getting dressed.

Do you really want to make the same mistakes in 2013? I know in your heart of hearts that you really don’t. How do I know this? Because making these mistakes time after time will only leave you heartbroken, powerless, timid and alone. Instead of taking the plunge headfirst into the dating scene, or a new job, or a big change or living the life of your dreams, you’re holding yourself back. Feeling unworthy. Playing small. I know. I’ve been there, remember?

So here’s my plan of escape for you. Don’t worry, it’s easy to follow, no matter where you are in the world. And the best part is that this truly is a ONE SIZE FITS ALL, even in a world where one size NEVER fits all. It’s adaptable. Open to interpretation. And something you can customize to express who you truly are, and be the best YOU, you can be. Sound good so far?

This plan has two parts. One is for those of you who are in the Raleigh area, or would like to come to Raleigh for a visit. It’s a great place, with lots of fantastic shopping, dining and much more, so as you leave feeling inspired, you can stop off and start building your wardrobe right away.

Plan 1/ Wardrobe Building Blocks: Secrets Your Mother Never Taught You

Workshop Intensive:

When: Wednesday, January 16^th, 9am – 1pm, including a yummy and delicious lunch

Where: The One Chic Mama Studios, Beautiful Lafayette Village, Raleigh NC

What: This 4-hour intensive will cover all the fundamentals of building your perfect wardrobe and will unearth secrets only the pros know. You’ll learn how to:

· Create a wardrobe strategy that works for you.

· Put together a fabulous outfit in seconds flat.

· Wear things in a way that brings out your best.

· Dress to make the most of your shape, size, age and personal style.

· Look polished no matter what your budget.

· Get dressed effortlessly, everyday!

Here’s what you’ll get:

1. Wardrobe Worksheets

2. Live demonstrations on models with real clothes to create outfits, learn to accessorize and accentuate assets

3. Up close and personal demonstrations by Mary Michele Little

4. E-book, A Wardrobe Primer

5. Personal Wardrobe Planner

6. Personal Image Checklist

7. E-book, What to Wear: Top 10 Most Wearable Trends of the Season

BONUS: The first 5 women to secure a spot will receive a complimentary post-workshop Style Strategy session to help you ‘unstuck your style’ AND a personal critique of up to 3 outfits by Mary Michele at the workshop. Hurry! Only 10 seats available!!

Book it here.

This valuable workshop is worth much more than the $497 price tag, saving you valuable time, energy and money. Yet you can save $200 if you secure your spot before January 9^th, 2013. You can attend and get all the great benefits for just $297, lessons that will last you for a lifetime!

Plan 2/ Wardrobe Building Blocks Beauty Bundle, virtual tools for managing your wardrobe

This virtual wardrobe booster is something that you can refer to over and over again, and will help you to save time, money and effort for years to come, while adding polish and panache to your image!

It includes:

1. Wardrobe Worksheets

2. E-book, A Wardrobe Primer

3. Personal Image Checklist

4. E-book, What to Wear: Top 10 Most Wearable Trends of the Season

BONUS: The first 5 women to secure a spot will receive a complimentary 30-minute Style Strategy session to help you ‘unstuck your style’.

This virtual bundle is just $97 until Sunday January 9^th, 2013, After that the price goes to $197

Purchase here.

This package is virtual and perfect for women around the world! Style is not limited, but something that we all get to experience, in our own unique way. I want to help you make 2013 your most chic year yet, no matter what your size, your age or your budget.

To your fabulous and unique style!

Make Your List and Check it Twice!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 16:25:00 +0000

Chances are you’re in the throes of holiday gift-giving, checking off your shopping lists and testing your patience. Yet there’s one list I want to encourage you to spend a little time on that you may not have thought of, and that’s your very own personal wardrobe list.

While your social calendar may be overflowing and your budget stretched to its limits, now is one of the best times to begin to think about your wardrobe for several reasons. First, if someone is buying you a gift and you know what you need, instead of ending up with another knick knack that just collects dust, you could actually be adding to your wardrobe. Get specific – “Gee, I could really use a new statement necklace in gold” or “I would love to have a few new short sleeved t-shirts from Michael Stars in jewel tones”. When you give them details, you actually do yourself a favor – and them a favor as well!

And second, this time of year (now through late January) is amazing for scoring deals. So when you’re out shopping for friends and family, if you see a not-to-be-missed deal on one of your must-have items, you can snap it up knowing it’s not an impulse buy and that it will be adding life to your wardrobe.

Many of my clients come to me with a closet filled with clothes, yet no strategic plan. Year after year they add to their wardrobes without any real thought on how all the pieces will fit together. They spend hundreds and thousands of dollars, but come away from their closet feeling desperate and depressed. This, of course, leads to more shopping, which really only exacerbates the problem. An once the mega clearance sales start, they’re tempted to snap up something for all the wrong reasons, out of desperation to have something new. So how to you get off the wardrobe hamster wheel? Start a list. Here’s how:

1/ Take stock – No matter how busy you are, carve out some time whether it’s a few minutes each day for a week or a few hours one evening. This is your uninterrupted time to get up close and personal with your wardrobe. Go through each item and assess whether or not to keep it. Does it fit? Does it flatter? Do you love it? If the answer is no, then purge it from your closet immediately.

2/ The Replacements – If it turns out that a well-loved favorite is now pilled, has stains or no longer fits you, ditch it and begin to look for a replacement. These will be some of the first items to put on your list, and chances are some of the most worn. Buy the best you can afford because these will be some of your go-to staples. If you feel inclined, buy two.

3/ The Staples – What basics are you missing? If you don’t have a favorite pair of jeans, are in need of some cardigans to layer, or a few separates to stretch your work wardrobe would make a difference for you, put these on your list. You want to choose items that go with at least 3 items you already own.

4/ The Spice – Now, ask yourself what you really want to wear. This could be anything from the latest boost to a beautiful bracelet or a pretty top. Think of items that bring your look current and you can’t wait to wear. This is the fun stuff, and if it’s trendy, you’ll most definitely catch a great bargain over the holidays.

5/ What’s Now, What’s Next – As you make your list, ask yourself what items will work for you now, and what will work for you in the spring. A little planning and strategizing now will make a big difference for you in the coming months, and will also help you to view your wardrobe as a unified whole that will take you in and out of seasons for the next few years.

So make your own shopping list, and check it twice. Go back to it as often as needed, and add to it what you desire. This ‘work in progress’ is something that you can keep going continually so that you always know what you need, and to get a better handle on how to take advantage of some of the rock-bottom crazy sales we’re going to be seeing post-Christmas. After all, a bargain is not a bargain unless it’s something you’d pay full price for. And when you have your eye on the prize, even though it’s worth it to pay full price, it’s so much sweeter when you get a bargain!

Need help? If you’re not sure what your style is, or where to even start, I’d love to help. As your StyleFinder™ Mentor, Consultant and Coach, I help you get to the essence of your style and dress in a way that makes you feel more like you, whether you’re a corporate executive or a stay at home mom. Email me at Michele@onechicmama.com.

Jump Start Your Style

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 23:25:00 +0000

If you’re a busy woman who has put herself last on her list. Perhaps you’re stuck in a rut, you’ve lost your sense of style or you simply want to redefine what your style is, whatever your age, this is for you!

Do you…

Wear the same things over and over?

Want a look that’s age-appropriate yet current?

Wonder what’s really ‘you’ anymore?

Find your body type has changed and you’re not sure how to dress for it?

Have a lot of clothes that just hang in your closet but you never actually wear?

Get tired of throwing away money on the wrong clothes?

What You Need Most Right Now
A simple plan that will tell you exactly what to wear, teamed with ongoing support to help you transition your wardrobe to be perfect for you.

Jump Start My Style Mini Session includes:

ü Personal Color Analysis (with your personal Color Alliance palette – whoo hoo!)

ü Body Type, Face Shape and Personal Scale Assessment

ü In-person consultation with me in my studio, or virtual Skype session if you’re out of town

ü Personal Style Workbook

Bonuses:

ü E-book, How to Build a Wardrobe

ü Personal Image Checklist

ü Affirmations

PLUS, the first 5 women (or husbands!) to book this special will receive my StyleFinder™ Assessment FREE! This offer is only good until November 26, so don’t delay

You get all this for JUST $397…a $997 Value and the best price I’ve offered for an in-person session in a very long time. But here’s the catch – I won’t be scheduling appointments until after January 1^st.You can go ahead and get your appointment on my calendar and I’ll give you some tips to get you started over the next few short weeks until we can work together in person. Sound fair?

Book it here.

This package also makes a fabulous gift for the college graduate, a new mom, your sister, your mother, your daughter or any woman in your life who could use a personal image boost. Just say ‘gift’ and I’ll send you a lovely gift certificate for you to wrap up and present on the big day (holiday, birthday, Christmas, any day…).

Michele

Get Style, Give Style

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:51:00 +0000

Quick, what’s your style? Not sure? Lost touch with it? Never really had one to begin with? Then it’s time to discover your style and define your life!

When you know what your style is, shopping and getting dressed just become so much easier. No more dressing all over the map. Creating a cohesive style helps you to cut through the clutter and get clear on what’s really you!

Understanding your style is like uncovering your very own super power. Stepping into your style is empowering and helps you to move forward in your work, your business and your life with confidence and grace, feeling that you’re just being you. Imagine that – a style that helps you to feel more like YOU, not like anyone or anything that you’re not (and will never be). This is about uncovering the beautiful woman you were created to be and celebrating her individuality.

My proprietary StyleFinder™ System was created to help you to just that – discover your true style, and cultivate a look that is consistent with who you are and all you do.

You may be asking yourself if this really works. Well, let me tell you that my true passion for most of my life (ever since I was a young girl and ripped a dress down the front because it didn’t feel like me) has been true style expression – first mastering my own, now teaching my clients to do the same. I have created a foolproof system that gives you 3 words that uncover the essence of your style, and who you are to the core. These words, when revealed, can be powerful. Not only do they speak to who you are, they speak to who you are not and make it easy-peasy to say NO to those things that just aren’t you.

Last week I had the pleasure of working with a client who was skeptical. In her words her style was all over the map and she was convinced that I couldn’t determine what her style was. After our first session, and a few days for it to all sink in, I showed up for a Closet Clarity session. Do you know what she told me? She said I NAILED it! That the words resonated with her. When she got her Elements of Style cards that include things such as her shadow side and what’s most important, she knew that it all had come together and that she was on the road to cultivating a defined style that helped her feel more like her. Hooray!

Because I know that you struggle with your style, dislike shopping and find it difficult to put an outfit together, I want to offer you some help. I want to help you discover your own true style and experience the ease of putting it all together.

StyleFinder™ Holiday Special

Purchase a StyleFinder™ Assessment + Elements of Style cards + StyleFinder™ Report for just $97

And GET ONE FREE!!

Book it here.

I feel that great style should be shared, and when you gift a friend or family member with the discovery of their very own style, you will also benefit because now you’ll immediately have a ‘style buddy’ who gets it. This is pefect for:

Your sister

Your mother

Your daughter

Your friends

Your co-workers

Your boss

Or any woman in your life who would enjoy knowing what her style truly is.

Once you sign up you’ll receive your very own assessment to go ahead and take. Then you’ll have your choice of having an assessment sent directly to your recipient, or a personalized gift certificate which you can wrap up for the holidays, tuck into their stocking or go ahead and give them immediately so that they can discover their true style and become empowered to express themselves through their image, boosting their career, their self-confidence and their style quotient.

What are you waiting for?

But hurry! This offer expires at Midnight, EST on Friday, November 16th.

The Truth About Skinny Jeans

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:56:00 +0000

By now, you’ve surely noticed that skinny jeans are all the rage. They’re everywhere you look – in magazines, on models and in stores. But the truth is they’re really not for everyone.

Years ago jeggings came out and were all the rage. I remember chatting with a boutique owner who informed me that “all women must own a pair of jeggings.” I beg to differ.

Call me a maverick, but I just don’t think that there is one item of clothing that all women MUST own, ever. Instead, I believe that all women should wear things that fit and flatter their body type, suit their personal style and work for their lifestyle, period.

I give you permission not to wear skinny jeans. Like, ever. Why? Because if you don’t look good then you won’t feel good, and if you don’t feel good then you’re jeopardizing your self-confidence and your own personal style. Regardless of what the trends are, what’s in style or what all your friends tell you to do, choose what really resonates with you and don’t ever second guess it! Ever.

For those who choose to wear skinny jeans, here are my suggestions for getting the most from this look based on your body type:

Linear (Tube) Body Type – You’re long, lean and have few, if any, curves. Skinnies are perfect for your lithe, athletic body type. Try pairing them with a long tunic. Layer on a jacket to create the illusion of curves. A pair of ballet flats will finish this look off with style.

Apple Body Type – Apples carry their weight in the tummy area. When worn correctly skinny jeans can show off your assets. Try a pair in a dark color and top it off with a roomy tunic in a deep, rich color that gently skims the body while making you look slimmer. Elongate your leg line with a pair of nude shoes and draw the eye upward with a gorgeous pair of earrings.

Pear Body Type – Pears carry their weight below the waist and are generally curvy in this area. Ensure you select a pair that fit you well in this area – high-waisted are best – and keep you covered without creating a muffin top. A printed tunic will draw the eye upward and a statement necklace will keep the focus where you want it – around your face.

Hourglass Body Type – If you’re curvy both above and below the waist, chances are you’re an hourglass. Be sure to choose skinny jeans that enhance your curves and don’t give you a muffin top. A darker wash minimizes your hips and thighs. Team these with a vibrant print tunic, but be sure to belt it to make the most of your small waist.

The Secret Power of Personal Style

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:25:00 +0000

Audrey Hepburn had it.
Coco Chanel had it.
Jackie O had it.

That certain something that you can’t really put your finger on but that is so compelling you just can’t look away. It’s more than just their clothes, it’s who they are to the core.

Their personal style and their very essence are presented in a way that we can all relate to and makes us feel that we already know these women. We get a sense of who they are: Audrey, playful and down to earth. Coco, bold, daring and unpredictable. Jackie, elegant yet relaxed.

Your style speaks louder than words. There is a secret power in one’s personal style that can help you to stand out for all the right reasons and become memorable. When you know what your style is, it becomes easier to communicate who you are to the world in all you do.

Yet if you aren’t sure what your personal style is, communicating who you clearly and effectively can be a tricky proposition.

Learning how to discover your very own personal style can be easier than you might think! Over the past few decades of my life I have paid close attention to personal style and to what makes a woman's look unique. I've noticed patterns, nuances and quirks. I've seen how women deny certain aspects of their style and they suffer (and so does their work). I've seen how not knowing one's personal style leads to overwhelm in the stores and in the closet, resulting in a mish-mash of clothing that doesn't really feel like you.

Well, say good-bye to not knowing. I've created my proprietary StyleFinder(tm) System that gets right to the essence of what your style is. I've seen many (many!) clients have huge a-ha's and breakthrough's as they discover who they truly are and how they revel in the fact that it just feels right. It's like unlocking the secrets to the universe and it's empowering in oh so many ways.

Want to know what your style is? I'd like to offer you my proprietary StyleFinder(tm) System (a virtual, online assessment taken in the comfort of your own home) at a steal! I don't generally offer this as a stand-aone service, but I know that this is powerful stuff and that boosting your style for the fall is the perfect time to get to the heart of who you are.

So I'm giving you the keys to the universe for just $97! You'll save over $100 just on the assessment alone, plus I'm giving you some other goodies!

For a limited time (through October 25th) I'm offering you my StyleFinder(tm) assessment. But that's not all! Because I want you to look your best I am goign to throw in a few bonuses to boot!

The first 11 women who sign up will a complimentary 30-minute phone or Skype Style session with me to discover how to put these elements into play and what to wear right now! Hurry!

BONUS: Receive my e-book, What to Wear: Top 10 Most Wearable Trends of the Season and a set of my Elements of Style Cards.

Sign up here.

Success Story:
"Discovering my StyleFinder(tm) iD has been very helpful in streamlining my closet. Now when I purchase clothes I feel more confident that I am investing in something that is truly my style. I have a closet full of clothes that I love and never have the dreaded, 'I have nothing to wear' conversation in my head any more. Now I think, "what do I get to wear today?"

Angee Robertson
Sheic Journals

To your amazing and beautiful style!
Love,
Michele

It's Fall and I'm Having a SALE!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:18:00 +0000

It’s fall - one of my favorite times of year! The leaves are changing, the temperatures are dipping and that can only mean one thing. It’s time to change your clothes!

But if you’re like most women, you have no idea what to wear, or worse, where to start.

Before you set foot in the stores, letting panic take over and prompting you to make purchases that you’ll only regret later, I want to give you some tips that are going to help you shop with a strategy and buy only those things that will look good on you – and that you’ll actually wear!

So I’m having a SALE! (we all love a sale, don’t we?) But hurry, it’s only for 3 short days. SAVE on 2 great offerings that will help you to take your style to the next level, no matter where you are.

Sale #1
Fall Fashion Express
Do you know what colors look best on you? Do you know what to buy besides black? Want to know how to dress 10 pounds thinner, save money and look your best? Then this is for you!

Personal Color Profile
Body Image Profile
5 outfit recommendations to help you know what to wear.
BONUS: E-book, “How to Build a Wardrobe”

This package is virtual and can be done from anywhere in the world! And it’s a STEAL at just $197!! (Save more than $250!!).

Book it HERE.

For the first 5 women who sign up I’m going to gift you with a complimentary 30 minute style strategy session with me. Don’t miss this one!

SALE #2

Personal/Virtual Shopping

You’re buying 2 hours of personal, guided shopping or virtual shopping with an expert to help you ensure you get what works for you!

I’ll shop with you or for you, online or in-person. This is perfect for those special occasions (the holidays are right around the corner) or simply building a fall and winter wardrobe that will boost your image and help you look your best.
This package is virtual and can be done from anywhere in the world! And it’s a STEAL at just $350!! (Save $200!).

Book it Here.

BONUS: E-book, “What to Wear: The Top 10 Most Wearable Trends of the Season”

But don’t delay. At midnight, October 4, these specials will disappear just like Cinderella’s carriage did.

NOTE: These packages make wonderful birthday gifts, holiday gifts, employee incentives or an investment in yourself! (After all, you are your own best investment). Gift certificates are available.

I look forward to helping you know what to wear, and to feel great about yourself!

Love,

Michele

What You've Been Waiting For!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:42:00 +0000

I’m in New Jersey today preparing to deliver a corporate image workshop at a Women in Leadership luncheon but I wanted to take a minute to tell you about a brand new offering that I know you’re gonna just love!

I created this for those of you who simply don’t know what to wear and want to look your very best! I’d like to introduce my StyleFinder™ Blueprint in a Box. Designed to give you a clear idea of what to wear for different occasions, this gives you the chance to work with me virtually while getting so much more than I’ve offered in the past.

I know how much you really don’t like to shop, or just don’t get how to put things together. StyleFinder™ Blueprint in a Box is your solution! Designed to be much more than a lookbook, Blueprint in a Box gives you detailed information that you can refer to, and outfits you can duplicate, over and over again, ensuring you’ll look great for years to come!

· StyleFinder(tm) Blueprint in a Box includes:

· Personal color and body image assessment
· StyleFinder(tm) assessment
· An in-depth guidebook with detailed information on building a wardrobe, wearing accessories and guidelines on what to play up and how to enhance your assets
· Up to 25 'new' outfits made from clothing you already own and/or new items with links to purchase
· BONUS ebook, How to Build a Wardrobe

StyleFinder™ Blueprint in a Box is a completely virtual program that will help you know what to wear for business, on the weekends, on dates, when speaking in public, whatever it is you want to look your best for.

Upon signing up you’ll receive a detailed questionnaire that lets us learn more about you and how to create a look that is just right for you. One you complete the assessment and return, along with several photographs, then we’ll set to work creating your blueprint.

Imagine, your very own personal guide to style! What more could a girl want!

This package is valued at more than $1697, but I’m only charging $897. However, for a limited time you can invest in your image – and yourself – and get the blueprint for just $697, saving $200! You’ll get the best of your personal image information, teamed with personal shopping done by me – just for you! It’s like having your own personal stylist, without having to leave the comfort of your own home!

Say YES to yourself and sign up today here.

Bonus: First 11 women to sign up get a FREE 30-minute style coaching call or Skype session with me along with a FREE copy of my seasonal trends e-book, What to Wear: Your Guide to the Top Ten Most Wearable Trends of the Season.

I can’t wait to help you look your very best, for whatever it is you want to do in life!

Hugs,

Michele

PS – Pass this on to a friend who might enjoy it and you’ll have the perfect style buddy who really gets your style!

{StyleFinder™ Profile} Miss North Carolina Discovers Her True Style!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:24:00 +0000

Miss North Carolina, Arlie Honeycutt, knows a thing or two about style. After all, the Garner, NC native has been in the spotlight, presenting herself at her best since the age of 14 when she was bitten by the pageant bug.

Arlie couldn’t have been more of a delight! She is kind and gentle, with a generous heart. To help Arlie uncover her true style, I asked her to take my StyleFinder™ assessment. My philosophy on style is that it is not just the clothes you wear, it’s dressing authentically for who you are from the inside out. Connecting with what your style truly is, and finding ways to express that through your clothing can be a powerful force in feeling confident and empowered by your own style. I wanted to help Arlie know what to look for in her clothes so that she stays true to her style. After all, with so many opportunities to experiment with different styles, it can sometimes be tricky to have clarity on what your own is.

Arlie’s StyleFinder™ iD is Delicate/Classic and Sporty , and in working with her I found that this is spot on in helping her express exactly who she is.

Delicate means that what’s most important to her is a look that is feminine, yet not overdone - certainly a look that flatters Arlie’s soft coloring, feminine charm and gentle nature. This is tempered with Classic, which means a timeless style that transcends the trends. While Arlie looks amazing in whatever she puts on, classic styles are her go-to without getting too caught up in the trends. Sporty is Arlie’s supporting word and shows that what is fundamental to her style is comfort. Yet while comfort is of utmost importance, she must not sacrifice her style or she will be left feeling disconnected from herself. Put these words altogether and you have a recipe for style that creates a look just perfect for Arlie.

Want to discover your true style? Contact me at Michele@OneChicMama.com for details.

* Mary Michele worked with Arlie on a recent article for the Fall 2012 issue of Triangle Style Magazine. Read the full piece and see more images here.

What to Wear Every Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 23:28:00 +0000

Do you have a go-to outfit? You know, that fool-proof, fail-safe look that you resort to for more occasions than you’d like to admit? While many women do have their tried and true, often what happens is that it starts out looking great, then becomes faded, worn and – yikes! – begins to look frumpy. Yet knowing how to recreate this perfect combination of chic, casual and comfortable can leave you feeling more than a little anxious. Have I hit a nerve?

If you’re like most women, putting together an outfit is not something you look forward to. In fact, it may very well strike fear in the hearts of many as you visually appraise the contents of your closet. Then when you open the door you stand there and stare. Blankly. With little or no inspiration. And grab, once again, your go-to outfit. Chances are at least one item is black. And chances are, when it comes right down to it, you don’t really love it and it’s not doing anything to bring out your best.

But where to even start? Let’s start with the basics. Let me introduce you to ‘Upscale Casual’, which just happens to be the perfect blend of casual yet chic and is appropriate for many occasions; business casual offices, dropping the kids off at school, volunteering, grocery shopping, client meetings, PTA, book club, dinner with friends, networking events and so many more.

Upscale Casual is what I end up recommending to so many of my clients for work, to wear when they want to look pulled together but low-key on the weekends and for any other time they don’t need to be dressed up but want to look great. While it may seem tricky, the effect of Upscale Casual is what I like to call ‘greater than the sum of its parts’. That is, the overall look is far more polished and chic than the pieces themselves. Here’s how to get it:

1/ Start with the Basics – You can start with simple items – jeans and a t, a nice pair of trousers and a tank, even a simple dress. The better quality and fit, the better. Buying the best you can afford [core items] will make something simple into something special. Simple pants and a top are great to wear around the house, the studio or to work, then when you want to go out into the real world, simply throw on your add ons.

2/ The Third Layer– There’s something about a jacket or cardigan, aka the ‘third layer’, that just gives your look a whole new edge and makes you feel more polished and pulled together. Your third layer could be a great trench, a blazer, a cardigan or other topper. Choose one that is a great color for you, that fits you to a t without adding bulk and really brings your look together.

3/ Shoe In – Shoes for this look can be as simple as you like. Stick with flats or low wedges for best effect and ease of movement. When you’re busy and have a lot to accomplish, wearing high heels or wedges can actually hinder your progress.

4/ Accessories Count– This is where you get to punctuate your look and create your signature style. When adding in accessories, forget your tried and true’s and opt for something that will add punch to your outfit. Something that speaks to you and your personal style will pull everything together in a chic way.

5/ Go For the Flow– While I am not a fan of wearing things that are matchy-matchy, you do want your look to flow together. That is, everything should ‘relate’ to each other – clothing and jewelry alike – to create harmony. This will ensure that you’re not overdressing or being overpowered by your look. When it just flows effortlessly, it’s just right!

See what Upscale Casual outfits you can create in your closet. Try mixing and matching things in new ways, taking a jacket out of context and pairing it with jeans, and simply pairing things in a way that is chic, yet still has a casual vibe. This should open up a whole new world of possibilities while making it easy to know what to wear everyday – and giving you many options to choose from!

Want to learn how to create Upscale Casual outfits in your wardrobe? Book a Closet Clarity session with Michele and see how many ‘new’ outfits you can create using what you already own.

Email Michele@OneChicMama.comfor details!

Do You Know How Beautiful You Are?

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:39:00 +0000

I work with many women day in and day out, and have plenty of conversations with women about image, style and how they feel about themselves. One thing seems to be a theme, over and over. Women love to talk about their flaws. You love to discuss how ‘big’ your thighs or your butt are; how your smile is crooked or your midsection has expanded beyond recognition. And one thing is for sure – this is a glass half-full way of looking at things that is sure to keep you small and keep you feeling as if you’ll never be beautiful.

Want to know a secret? While your opinion is important, it’s not your body you need to change but your mindset. YES! Simply shifting how you think about yourself can truly transform how you feel about yourself. Your feelings lead you to positive actions that can help you to look great. And looking great leads to feeling confident, sexy and unstoppable!

Thoughts = Feelings = Actions = Results

Shifting your self-image can be as simple as shifting your focus. When you focus on what’s lacking, compare yourself to others or what you perceive to be your ‘flaws’, your energy is lower, your mindset is negative and you are unable to see your true beauty. Yet changing your perspective to see what is amazing, great and fabulous about you can help you to feel and look beautiful!

Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, it’s your own definition of beauty that either limits you – or liberates you! When you come from a place of abundance and embrace yourself, warts and all, you can begin to see the beauty that you already possess. Let’s redefine beauty so that you can begin to see it for yourself.

You may think I’m crazy, but keep reading…

See, I speak from experience. When I was growing up I focused only on what was ‘wrong’ with me. I wasn’t as pretty as the supermodels in my Teen magazine and I sure as heck wasn’t as thin. I spent hours in front of the mirror, cursing my curves and berating my body. It didn’t do a whole lot except make me focus on the negative and keep me small. I said negative things to myself over and over and over, which kept it top of mind, which kept me focused on it, which depressed me and made me feel ashamed. I’ve come a long way and I want that for you, too!

Beauty isn’t something external or superficial; beauty begins within. Loving and accepting yourself in your own skin, no matter what your size, weight, age, etc. will free you from your own limiting beliefs that you aren’t good enough and liberate you to see the unique beauty you already possess.

One of the keys to this is gratitude. Being grateful for what you have – a healthy body, a strong spirit, a well-proportioned shape, eyes that can take in the beauty around you, gorgeous hair, etc. – is the best place to start. When you change your attitude from one of scarcity (I’m not good enough…) to one of abundance (I am grateful…) it will help you to see how much you truly do have. This leads you to feeling as if you are enough, which leads to self-acceptance and love. Being at peace with yourself is where true, authentic beauty starts.

Loving yourself on the inside makes it so much easier to love yourself on the outside and present yourself in a way that truly lets you shine! No more over compensating with expensive name brands or pretending to be something that you’re not! This is your time to play up what’s great about you. Wear your best colors (eye, hair) to personalize your look and draw focus to your beautiful features. Wear clothing that’s cut for your body type, no matter what it is. Wear things that make your spirit soar and your heart sing. Dress in a way that makes you feel more YOU!

This allows you to radiate your beauty from the inside out, showing the world that you believe you’re beautiful. And the cool thing is that whatever your attitude is about yourself is what others adopt. So when you believe, deep down in your heart of hearts, that you are beautiful in your own way, others will see it too! They’ll sense your peace with yourself and your happiness, and they’ll want that too!

So start today. Make a gratitude list of all your personal assets and embrace how truly blessed you are. First love yourself, then adorn yourself accordingly. And see how this can transform not only your self-image, but your whole life!

Wishing you tons of self-love!

Need help embracing your beauty and dressing to play up your assets? Let’s schedule a “Find Your Style” inquiry session today! Email me at Michele@onechicmama.com and see what’s possible for you!

Your Face is Like a Work of Art; It Deserves a Great Frame

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:21:00 +0000

Bono. Anna Wintour. Tina Fey. Jackie O. What do these well-known folks have in common? They are all known for the glasses they wear - whether sunglasses or prescription - and they have used glasses to enhance their own personal style.

Aside from changing your hairstyle or your clothing changing your glasses is one of the most image-altering things you can do. After all, when you first meet someone you make eye-contact with them, and when you do, you certainly notice their eye wear. When it's in sync with your style, enhances your assets and punctuates your look, the effect is simply magical. However when it doesn't flatter your face shape, the styling works against you or it sends the wrong message it can be off-putting and actually create a barrier between you and others.

Whether you're selecting a pair of sunnies to add to your collection or a pair of specs that you'll wear day in and day out, ensuring that you're getting the best pair for you can mean the difference between looking great and boosting your credibility, and feeling self-conscious and creating a distraction for others. Choose wisely and you'll never regret it!

With so many styles, shapes and colors of glasses - not to mention price points - it can be a challenge to know what styles suit you best. I want to equip you with the tools to know just what makes a pair of glasses right for you!

1/ Overall style - Because glasses create such an impact it I can't stress how important it is to wear glasses that punctuate your style. If you're creative yet you opt for boring shades, you lose a valuable opportunity to show the world your true colors! Pinpoint what your style is and adorn yourself accordingly. If classic is your look, look to classic icons such as Jackie O for cues. If you're more expressive, want to show off your girly side or have a wild streak, let your glasses tell the world who you are! Wearing something that really resonates with your personal style will help you to feel like your glasses are an extension of you!

2/ Shape - Round? Oval? Rectangular? Oversized? With so many shapes and sizes it can be difficult to know exactly what to choose. Take note of your face shape and repeat the lines in your glasses. Have a sharply angled jawline? Choose glasses that mimic the angles. Have a full, rounded face? Select a round frame that creates balance and harmony. Knowing how to enhance your face shape and create balance is key to choosing the correct shape for you!

3/ Color - Wearing glasses that have a hint of color is a great way to play up your eyes. If you aren't daring enough to go for an overall bold hue, try a subtle metallic frame in your eye enhancer or a pair of glasses with rims lined in your eye intensifier to make your eyes really pop! Ensure the color is one that you truly love and works for you.

4/ Placement - Now that you've chosen a frame based on your coloring, your face shape and your style, you must ensure that the placement is right for your face. This means you want the pupils of your eyes to be dead-center of each frame, AND you want to ensure that the frame is wide enough to fit your head and the arm is long enough to reach behind your ear. I have seen way too many people wearing glasses that aren't a great fit and I have to say, the effect can be strange and distracting. like something's just not quite right, but you can't put your finger on it.

5/ The Fab Factor - How fabulous do your glasses make you feel? I want you to find a pair you LOVE, whether you'll wear them every day or once in a blue moon. Wearing glasses that you don't love and don't flatter you is a great way to ensure you'll never wear them. And if you have to, you'll feel so depressed that you won't want to go out in public. So really, what good are they?

Choose your glasses wisely and you'll be sure to get your money's worth every time you wear them! And who knows, you just may get mistaken for a celebrity!

Want to learn how to choose your best glasses shape? Join me tonight, August 15, 2012 from 6 - 8pm in Raleigh at the Spectacle (the Lassiter, N. Hills www.specsnh.com) for complimentary sushi, champagne and a glasses fitting and find the style that's just right for you!

Have You Lowered Your Expectations?

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:39:00 +0000

Years ago I heard that to avoid being disappointed that I should not have expectations. While at a certain level this makes sense, there is a big part of me that screams out in rebellion. After all, if I don’t have expectations, how will I reach my goals? How will I know when I’m where I want to be? How will I know if things are meeting my standards?

I think many people have come to lower their expectations so as, well, not to expect too much. This happens out of politeness, it happens out of convenience but mostly, it happens out of fear. After all, if we have expectations and they aren’t met, all we’re left with is one big disappointment. So lowering your expectations kinda seems like you can have your cake and eat it too, doesn’t it?

Yet, when it comes to your image, this isn’t exactly the truth. Lowering your expectations when it comes to your style and how you want to present yourself may lead to less disappointment, but it can also lead to a low self-worth, holding yourself small and encouraging everyone else around you to hold yourself small as well.

You were born to shine. Not just twinkle, but SHINE. Out loud. In the spotlight.

I know what you’re thinking. Not me. I don’t want any attention. I just want to blend in. Well, let me tell you that I used to be in your shoes…and that you’re dead wrong.

Say what? You heard me. I can’t let you go on like this. Lowering your expectations. Chipping away at your self-image and your self-esteem. Looking like something that, years ago would have made you cringe, but now you just chalk up to being ‘too busy’ to mess with or too tired to care about.

Yeah. Let’ s see where that gets you.

Think of a beautiful rose. It bursts into full bloom without holding back. It gives it everything it’s got and then some, the way it was created to be. You weren’t created to hide, but to blossom into your full beauty and potential. I want to help you do just that!

Why am I calling you out? Because I care. Because I love you. And because I have been there and done that and it is SO not where you belong.

I’ll say it again. You were born to shine. You were born to be not mediocre, or okay, or nice. You were born to be GORGEOUS! BEAUTIFUL! FABULOUS! With no apologies. Yes, you.

Why? Because when you hold yourself small everyone around you holds themselves small too. Out of politeness. Especially in the south. Because we don’t want to out-do each other, but mostly because we feel that it’s really, truly wrong to be in the spotlight, or to even want to be.

But I want to tell it like it is. Until you can love yourself enough to step into the spotlight, you are holding yourself and everyone around you small too.

When you can embrace your beautiful self, warts and all, and love every inch of you and present yourself in a way that enhances your beauty, you make God proud. He didn’t create you to be mediocre and put yourself at the bottom of your list. When you don’t take care of you, who will?

So SHINE, dammit! (I don’t curse often, so please pardon my French) Raise your expectations. Hold yourself accountable and don’t let yourself go. It doesn’t take a king’s ransome or all the time in the world to look good, or even your best. I’m not talking red-carpet ready, but a realistic version of yourself that’s more than what you’ve been settling for.

Show yourself off. Embrace what’s great about you. Wear your best colors. Wear what makes you feel like standing up for what you believe in and making a difference in the world. Wear what makes your heart sing. When you do, others will too! Your behavior gives others permission to step into their greatness and their potential. And taking one small step towards looking and feel great brings you one step closer to YOU!

Need help to discover how beautiful you truly are? Contact me at michele@Onechicmama.com to set up a Find Your Style Inquiry session and learn how you can blossom into who you were meant to be.

It's My Birthday and I Have a Gift for You!

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 22:05:00 +0000

One Chic Mama is proud to celebrate 4 years of business. It’s hard to believe that just a mere 4 years ago I was making my foray into image consulting and I had no idea what was in store for me. It’s been an amazing journey and instead of merely stepping into a new phase of my career, something much bigger happened – I stepped into my life purpose!

Doing what I do now – empowering and educating women to be their best – is truly a culmination of my decade as a fashion designer, mixed with my personal journey to self-confidence and topped with a true passion for style. Now I get to work with clients that I love doing work that is meaningful. Making a difference for women across the globe has been both an honor and a blessing and I wake up every day simply grateful for the opportunity – and for you!

It warms my heart when clients tell me how much I helped them, how much money I saved them and how good they now feel great about themselves. Over the weekend I met with a friend who is also a client for a glass of wine and she casually exclaimed that ‘working with me was the best thing she’s ever done for herself”. She went on to say that because she worked with me and discovered her best colors, she realized that she was coloring her hair the WRONG color. AND that switching to the right color had saved her at least $1000 since last summer. WOW! Can you believe that? She’s now dressing for her body type and feeling fabulous – especially since she’s been inspired to lose more than 20 pounds!

It got me wondering how I can make a difference for so many more women. I have so many conversations with women about how they want to make a change but they feel they can’t afford it and it simply breaks my heart.

So…I have created a few special offerings in honor of our 4^thbirthday to help you take your style to new heights while sticking to our budget.

For the month of August I am extending to you not one but two special offerings. This is the first time I’ve created an offer like this and it’s only good for a limited time.

Birthday treat #1

Color You Beautiful!

You, yes you are gorgeous! If you can’t see it then I want to help you make a change. This simple package uncovers a few major pieces to the puzzle to help you look your best and is a great introductory package to start you on your journey.

It includes:

1/ Personal color analysis with an in-depth session to help you learn about your personal best colors. Did you know the colors on your body determine your best ‘black’? Do you know what your best ‘romantic color’ is? Did you know that the veins in your skin give you clues to understanding what to wear? Let me help you to see how wearing color can take your look to new heights.

2/ Personal wardrobe plan to help you determine what to add to your wardrobe now to get maximum benefit.

3/ Personal Image Assessment with a ten-point checklist to help you make tweaks to your image from head to toe so you can put your best foot forward.

BONUS: e-book, How to Build a Wardrobe – This comprehensive guide gives you a step by step process to help you understand what elements are needed to create your perfect wardrobe and cultivate your personal style.

This package is available for clients locally and virtually. Local clients will meet in my studio, virtual clients will meet via Skype.

Your investment: Just $297 – a fraction of the cost of my regular packages. Book HERE.

Birthday Treat #2

Seasonal Uplevel and Update

This package is geared towards those of you who have already worked with me and know the fundamentals yet want to keep your look on-trend and on target! Whether you’re trendy or not, keeping up with the season’s best trends is a wonderful way to keep your look current and avoid falling into a rut. Find out what’s hot – and what’s right for you, right now!

This package includes:

1/ Seasonal e-book, What to Wear Fall/Winter 2012-2013 (Available August 31)

2/ 1-45 minute Skype session to discuss your wardrobe strategy and what updates are right for you.

3/ Personal image report with suggestions on styles, colors and looks to work into your wardrobe.

This package is available for clients locally and virtually.

Your investment is just $147. Book HERE.

Bonus: Purchase either (or both!) birthday package before August 10^th and receive a copy of my e-book, Beyond the Little Black Dress, totally free – as my gift to you for saying “YES” to you!!

***Super Style BONUS Add a 2-hour personal shopping trip to either package for just $350 (save $150 off regular price) Book HERE.

AND because I like to reward clients for taking massive action in bringing out their best, I want to give the first 10 women who book these specials with me a bonus 30-minute Skype consultation, where you can ask me advice on anything (style-related, of course), have me critique your favorite outfit or discuss how you can take your look to the next level.

So don’t delay! I’m here for you to help make a difference in not only your style, but your LIFE! Because when you look great, you feel great and you touch those around you in ways you’ll never even know.

To your amazingly beautiful and unique style!

Xoxo

Mary Michele

What Are You Tolerating in Your Wardobe?

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 20:35:00 +0000

In our lives there are many things that we tolerate each day that are out of our control; the traffic during your daily commute, your take-out order that got screwed up, your in-laws who decided to drop in unexpectedly. Sometimes we just need to embrace things and move on.

Yet when it comes to your image and your wardrobe, simply tolerating things that bother you zaps your energy and sends the message to yourself that you don't matter - that you don't deserve to have a perfect wardrobe or even a clean pair of pants. And what does that do to your self-esteem? Well, you can only imagine.

A few of the many things we tolerate when it comes to our clothes include:

- wearing clothes that don't fit or flatter your body
- wearing items that are stained, ripped or torn
- wearing items that don't really suit your personal style
- wearing pants that need to be hemmed
- a disorganized closet that makes you depressed to just look at it
- a lack of style
- a bad haircut or no hairstyle
- a messy makeup drawer filled with old or broken cosmetics
- shoes that need to be polished and/or repaired

Ok, I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Now I'd like to ask you to think about 5 things that you tolerate in your wardrobe (or with your image) that, if corrected, would help you feel like a million bucks. This could be anything from the threadbare bra you wear to the ill-fitting jeans you own. Start with the most simple-to-fix tolerations and then make a point to do something about it. Once you take charge of those little frustrations then you can begin to focus your energy on taking your look to the next level, wearing the right clothes for your body and feeling fabulous!

If you need help to boost your image and take your style to the next level

From Style to Success

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 19:11:00 +0000

Do you have a style? Do you even know what that style is, or what it announces to the world around you? If you're not sure, then it's time to get clear!

You are your brand. But why is that important? Your image speaks louder than words and a well-crafted image can help you get noticed for all the right reasons, attracts your ideal clients and helps you take your business to the next level.

To wit, a poorly thought-out image speaks just as loud, telling the world you’re unqualified, undermining your expertise and destroying your credibility. Yikes! But before you hit panic mode and wonder what your image is saying about you, read on...

“A brand with no point of view has no point; full-flavor branding is in, vanilla is out.” - BrandingStrategyInsider.com

I know how important your style identity is in your career, especially as an entrepreneur. So I've put together something that will help you to not only boost your style, but give you some insight into just exactly how you should be presenting yourself in person, on your website, at events and even through your marketing. Are you sending a clear and accurate message? Or does your image create brand confusion?

Would you like to:

· Define what your style REALLY is and learn to express it every day?
· Become the go-to resource in your field?
· Get noticed for all the right reasons?
· Create an image that is memorable and successful?
· Learn how to boost your style to boost your bottom line?

Don’t wait any longer! Purchase Here

Get a leg up against your competitors this summer and be ready to hit the ground running in just a few weeks. My Summer Program, From Style to Success Program will quickly help you to:

· Discover and clearly define your own style
· Stand out like a rock star in your industry
· Become the go-to resource without question
· Create an image that matches your message and has client’s saying ‘yes’ before you say a word
· Know exactly what to wear every time
· Know what message your image is sending
· Build your brand and boost your image

What’s Included:

You’ll start by taking my StyleFinder™ Assessment. From there you’ll discover your StyleFinder™ keywords that will help you to gain a clear understanding of who you are and how to reflect that in everything you do. In this virtual 4-part course you'll learn not only what to wear but how to take your personal style words to a deeper level to create a brand identity that makes you memorable and top of mind, for all the right reasons.

Here's what you'll get:
1.      StyleFinder™ Personal Style Assessment with iD
2.      StyleFinder™ Elements of Style Cards
3.      4- Weekly assignments with supporting materials
4.      1 - Group Q & A Call
5.      1 – Group Coaching Call
6.      MP3 recordings of both calls

Bonus: Be one of the first 10 women to sign up will receive a complimentary 30 minute Skype session along with a 21-point Image Assessment to help you know what to work on and how to create brand consistency.

Hurry! The Weekly Assignments Begin on Monday, July 23!

Purchase Here

This is the best deal around and a wonderful way to ensure that you’ll take your image to the next level while creating a style that’s all your own and has you feeling more like YOU!

I look forward to working with you and helping you take your style - and your brand - to new heights!

Warmly,

Mary Michele

StyleFinder™ Mentor and Coach

www.OneChicMama.com

Is Your Image Holding You Back?

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:26:00 +0000

Image is everything. When you first meet someone they form a judgment about you within less than 30 seconds (and more like 3). What this means is the way you look matters more than you might think. What matters even more is how YOU feel about your image.

I’ve had many conversations with women over the years about how they let their image hold them back and, quite honestly, it makes me very sad. It really doesn’t have to be this way, and the solution can be much more simple than you may realize.

Have you experienced any of these?

Scenario 1: You’re working from home and wearing your most comfortable clothes (read sloppy and ill-fitting) when you realize that you need to head to the grocery to pick up a few things for dinner. While at the store you see someone you would absolutely love to have as a client, yet you don’t like how you look and think if you say ‘hello’ they would be left with the wrong impression. So you sneak out without so much as a peep. Opportunity missed and now you feel horrible about yourself.

Scenario 2: You get a call at the last minute to go to dinner with friends. You haven’t been out in a while and would love to go, but know you need a new haircut, want to learn some new makeup techniques and you have no idea what you’d even wear because you’ve put on a few pounds. You politely decline and spend the evening at home alone, polishing off a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Opportunity missed, you feel horrible about yourself and your friends think your avoiding them.

Scenario 3: You just started a new business and you know that getting out there and talking with people is a great way to spread the word and get new clients. Yet you spent all your money on the business and have nothing to wear that you feel is a great reflection of your brand, so you stay home. Opportunity missed, you feel horrible about yourself AND you just said good-bye to thousands of $$ in potential new business.

So let me ask you, is it really worth it? I think not! You were not created to hold yourself small and stay home alone. You were meant to shine your light and be your very best! It’s up to you to show yourself off in a way that makes you feel amazing and share yourself with those around you! Here’s how:

First, realize that you’re your own harshest critic and that friends or potential clients will be judging you much less harshly than you judge yourself. While I want to encourage you to take time out to feel fabulous, cut yourself a little slack. We all have ‘off’ days. If you’re caught on one of yours, simply put on your best smile and enjoy life anyway! What they’ll see is a radiant, beautiful woman who is happy with herself.

Feeling ashamed of your image is very disempowering in all aspects of your life. Ask yourself what one change you can make right now that would make a difference and make that change! Then go forth with all the confidence you can muster and focus on your friends or clients. Starting with one small change can, over time, add up to a major transformation and help you create an image you’re proud to show off.

Looking your best doesn’t have to break the bank. Look for low-cost options that provide great results for little cash and see what a difference they can make!

If you’re feeling bad about yourself in general, shift your attitude to being grateful. Create a gratitude journal and list everything you have to be grateful for in your life. Include your personal assets such as your gorgeous hair, your strong arms and your smile that lights up a room and you’ll begin to feel better about yourself in no time.

Create a vision board and pull out images of how you’d like to look. What would your perfect outfit even look like? What words would you like people to use to describe you? What image would you like to cultivate that exudes your personal brand? Begin taking steps immediately to put those into play. Baby steps may seem small but they’ll get you to your goal nonetheless!

Take massive action! Commit to giving yourself a makeover of sorts. Do what it takes to feel like a million bucks, not just a hundred. Don’t settle for second best – you deserve to look as fabulous as possible and taking steps to do so will boost your confidence, your self-esteem and how you are perceived by others. I’ll let you in on a little secret – others will perceive you as you perceive yourself. So boost your self-image and that alone will go a long way in boosting how you are perceived by others!

I look forward to hearing where you take your image and how much saying ‘yes’ to you can propel you forward in your life, whether personal or professional, and help you to live the life you’ve only dreamed of! It doesn’t have to be hard – you just have to do it! If I can support you just send me an email at michele@onechicmama.comand I’ll be happy to send you my list of daily affirmations, share with you a few ideas and even give you details on how we can work together to help you reach your goals. Be your beautiful best!

Is Your Clothing High-Fat?

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Michele ) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:01:00 +0000

Looking your best involves playing up your assets and downplaying your, ahem, flaws. While I don't like to use the word 'flaws' per se, I use it here to make a point. You know what your flaws are, just as much as I know what mine are. Not sure? Your flaws are those things about you that you typically hate (again, another word I don't like) and are quick to point out to others. That drive you crazy and you wish you could just zap with a laser beam and be done with. But that you're stuck with for now and evermore.

What if I told you that there is really nothing wrong with your body. Would you believe me? What if it was your clothes that were making you look fat? Let's explore this idea further and see how it just may be so.

I find that my clients and women in general aspire to great heights when it comes to their image. You're served up ideals of rail-thin models who look great in everything they wear on a silver platter. You embrace those ideals as your own, regardless of how unrealistic they may be. You diet, you exercise, yet, the cold, hard truth is that you're just not built that way. You have curves. You have a few extra pounds. You're what I like to call a 'real woman' and you're never going to be a size 2, ever, and that's ok because you're perfect just the way you are (more on that later). What I've found, though, is it really isn't about your size at all but about how you wear your clothing and how you present yourself. You can be a size 22 and still look great if you are wearing clothing that's right for you. Feeling big is a mindset and often what happens when women feel big (I know, I've been there) is that they just let themselves go and wear what is comfortable rather than what they truly want or what is right for their body.

When you perceive your body as imperfect and your inclination is to 'hide' it in big baggy clothes, items that are ill-fitting and things that simply make you look bigger than you truly are. It's just second nature to want to cover up what you perceive as a flaw, but what really is happening is that you're visually adding pounds. Your clothing becomes high-fat and makes you look bigger than you really are. Sounds crazy, huh? Yet it's true.

Here are five signs your clothing is high-fat and visually adding pounds to your bottom line:

1/ Lack of Definition - Your clothing is bigger than you are and, quite simply, shapeless. Your body gets lost in the excess fabric, making you feel smaller but the truth is what people see is the shapeless, amorphous clothing. Which looks big. Which in turn makes you look big. It seems counter-intuitive, yet it's a fact; wearing clothing that TRULY fits your shape will visually take off pounds and inches. Try it and see how great you can look, no matter what your size.

2/ You Feel Frumpy - Frumpy is usually synonomous with sloppy, and if you feel that way it's a pretty good bet that you look that way. Start with small steps and do what it takes to boost your image and take care of yourself. Get a haircut. Have your nails done. Get more exercise. And wear clothing that makes you feel fabulous!

3/ You Wear What's Comfortable - While dressing for comfort doesn't always mean that you look frumpy, the key is that you don't sacrifice style for comfort. Sure, comfort is key but so is looking great. When you sacrifice style for for comfort you begin to lose your sense of style and venture into that treacherous territory where frumpy slowly overtakes your look. One day you'll wake up and ask yourself who it is you see staring back at you in the mirror. Then you know you're in trouble.

4/ Wearing Bright, Shiny Objects - Yes, I want to encourage you to wear color, but no, I don't want you to get carried away and be the first thing that the vultures see while they're circling from above. Color is a tool that can work for you or against you. Shine is an element that can amplify color and turn a mild-mannered top, dress or skirt into a high-fat nightmare. If you're not at your ideal weight or have more than 5% body fat, I want to advise you to steer clear of shine - aka satin, silk, patent leather and the like. When clothing has shine to it, it simply makes you look bigger than you are. Add in a bright color and you're looking heavier than you've been in years. Shiny fabrics, like clingy knits, show every lump, bump and bulge and do nothing for your bottom line. Not good, huh? Yeah, steer clear. You can thank me later.

5/ You Don't Have a Good Foundation - Few things are more important than a good foundation, and by foundation I mean lingerie. Wearing a bra that you're spilling out of, panties that leave unsightly bulges or lingerie that is too bulky for the clothing you're wearing will only add pounds to your look. Have a bra fitting and ensure you get a great bra that won't leave lumps and bumps. Invest in different styles of undies - boy shorts, thongs, panties, shapewear - that will lave you with a smooth bottom line, which can make you look pounds thinner. You want to create a sleek look under your clothes which can guarantee that you'll look slimmer and trimmer, no matter what your size.

Want to learn how to dress to look pounds thinner? Contact me to set up a complimentary Find Your Style Inquiry session at michele@onechicmama.com and we'll discover how you can look your very best!