Pictured above (from left to right): J.Crew Café Capri Pants- $39.99-$59.99, www.jcrew.com; Kate Spade Locked In Studs- $33, www.katespade.com

So much of finding and maintaining your own perfect style is centered on motivation.  You have to feel motivated to want to hunt.  To want to seek and search out the beautiful things in this life.  After all, it’s rare for an entire wardrobe encompassed of one fabulous piece after another to just fall into your lap.  It just NEVER happens!  I take myself as a current example.  While I’m likely one of the most OB-SESSED people with style and fashion you’ll ever meet, the one and only factor that can ever put those feelings to a grinding halt is pregnancy.  Currently pregnant with my third child, my desire to shop is at an all-time low.  Let’s be honest, not much is going to fit now and continue to fit through the next 9 months.  So the rational side of my brain says, “Shop? I’d rather take a nap!”  But fashion and style is not always rational, and what can never be forgotten is that the longer you step away from your style, the harder it will be to find it when you’re ready to pick it back up.  So with pregnancy in mind, and any and every factor that takes your mind away from who you are visually, let’s cover some ways to keep fabulous as a viable option even if “The Thrill is Gone.”

 “Calling all budget shoppers”

No matter if your budget is big or small, at the end of the day most of us live on some type of style budget.  A big part of being able to still shop with no motivation in the queue is focusing your attention on lower price points.  “Why?”  Because who in the world wants to spend a ton of money on style when you don’t even feel like thinking about it in the first place?!?  It’s always easier to rationalize a pair of $30 polka dot flats than it is to stomach the same pair of flats for $130.  It feels like less of a dent in your budget, aka less of an annoyance.  Of course, the rush of adrenaline in discovering a fab find on sale doesn’t hurt either.  It’s that rush that serves as your temporary motivation when the real desire in you has faded.  Finding the sales worth mentioning is all about strategy.  Do you shop at the beginning, middle, or end of the season?  While shopping at the end tends to get a bad rap, it is really the best time when you have no sense of style urgency.  To break this down a bit, understand that in the beginning of the season, a good chunk of what sells out initially tends to be trendy.  For someone looking to build a lasting wardrobe, this ticket to ride wasn’t for you anyway.  You want longevity, and the most essential wardrobe pieces will not sell out before the end of the season.  Instead, they will go on sale for 50-70% off.  To really stay on top of the game, you must ask yourself a few key questions regarding your sale purchase.  Let’s take a floral print tunic top for example.  If you’re someone like me, who at the moment knows that not much will continue to fit, I have to ask myself a few key questions:  1. Will the longer length of this top cover the massive belly and bottom that is on the horizon? (your question would be whether or not the top fits your current body shape)  2. Will this top carry me from spring-summer to fall-winter? (layered appropriately, yes)  3. Do I love this top, particularly since I don’t even feel like looking at clothes to begin with? (yes, and I love the sale price to boot!)  These are the questions that must be asked when buying at the end of the season.  You must always take into account your body shape, seasonal wear factor, and love of the item in question.

“Just a Spoonful of Sugar…”

Mary Poppins was likely correct when she sang “just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”  Working on your style can feel like taking medicine when you’re not in the mood to even care.  Whether your reasons are based on health, family life, work, or limited budget, that deep voice resonating through your bones urging you to give up the style fight can easily drown out the quieter voice saying “just take a quick look in the store.”  When focusing on your style feels like taking medicine, you have to figure out exactly what your spoonful of sugar is.  For every woman it can be different.  For some, it’s having daughters, and knowing that no matter how unmotivated you feel, you are their example of what it will mean to love the reflection looking back at you.  For others, it’s the sense of knowing that owning at least one pair of jeans that doesn’t make you look like flattened box from the back will keep you from jumping off a “style cliff!”  Whatever your “spoon” is, you must dig deep and find it, as the alternative will leave you with nothing but desperation and confusion down the road.  As someone who works with women day in and out who never found their “spoon” when they needed it most, I can guarantee you that!

So as I find myself in constant need of a nap and hearing nothing but B.B. King singing “The thrill is gone…” every time I consider shopping, even I have to switch style stations in my mind to Julie Andrews and her melodic notions that no matter how much you fight what you need, finding helpful ways to push through will serve you best in the long run.

~Lauren Deloach, editor of Category5

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Image 1 (from left to right):  Kate Spade Jeweled Collar Kati Cardigan- $178; Kate Spade Bow Tie Marilyn Dress- $286

We have been waiting since early February for Kate Spade to mark down their SO FAB spring collection!  Mint, bows, jewel cardigans…the SIL (So In Love) sale options have been haunting and taunting us with their beautiful design and full price tags.  But it is indeed true that good things come to those who wait, as there’s nothing like 40% off retail plus an additional 15% off for joining their mailing list.  Discounts combined, you can snag these so crucial year-round styles for 55%!  With a sale like this, click-buy is OH-SO inevitable!!!

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Image 2 (from left to right):   Kate Spade Bow Tie Isadora Top- $166; Kate Spade Locked In Studs- $33

Click this pic to watch the May 3rd "Defining Your Style" segment on Virginia This Morning with Lauren Deloach and Carrie Rose!

Friday kicked off a SUPER fun installment of the “Defining Your Style” Series, and this week it was all about the top Mother’s day gifts.  Check out the full segment here, and be sure to tune into CBS6 every Friday at 9am for a new style segment coming your way!

Below is a listing of the fabulous gifts shown during the segment:

• Red Door Spa @ Short Pump gift card:  Purchase a $200 gift card and receive a $30 spa card!  They are currently offering the “Beautiful Mom” package, which features a massage or facial plus a manicure, pedicure, and makeup “refresher.”  Call 804.360.1239 for questions or to book an appointment.
• Red Door Lemon Burst Polishing Scrub (120 mL/$38):  Revive skin with this freshly scented manual exfoliator enriched with jojoba oil, Vitamin C and E, and hyaluronic acid to smooth skin, stimulate collagen production, and protect against free radical damage.  Available in spa.  Visit www.reddoorspas.com for more details!
• Red Door Illuminating Vitamin C Activator (30mL/$110):  Delivering 25% of lipophilic Vitamin C, this enriched treatment combats sun damage, free radical damage and provides deep hydration at the cellular level for immediate radiant results.  Available in spa.  Visit www.reddoorspas.com for more details!
  
• Red DoorAge Defense Multi-Peptide Moisturizer (30 mL/$120):  A star product in the collection, this ultra-moisturizing blend of peptides, essential minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, also includes oxygen boosting benefits to increase skin cell circulation and stimulate cellular renewal for dramatically revitalized skin.  Available in spa.  Visit www.reddoorspas.com for more details!
• Kiel James Patrick Bershon and Berkshire Polka Dot Bow Tie Bracelet- $58, www.kieljamespatrick.com
• Kiel James Patrick Quartermaster Collection Bracelets- $75, all sold on www.kieljamespatrick.com
• Kiel James Patrick Vickers Leed Headbands- $35, sold on www.kieljamespatrick.com

• Emerson Fry A-Line Mod Top in Ivory or Black- $198, www.emersonfry.com
• Emerson Fry Lee Pants in Black- $225, www.emersonfry.com

J.Crew Collection Silk Wool Punk Floral Trouser- $398, www.jcrew.com

Recommend for Categories: 5

Recommend for Body Shapes: All body shapes

Cat5 Style Take-aways: These pants are GORGEOUS, and scream summer FAB!

J.Crew Cafe Capri- $89.50, www.jcrew.com

Recommend for Categories: 1- 5

Recommend for Body Shapes: All body shapes

Cat5 Style Take-aways: J.Crew’s Cafe Capri pants are definite wardrobe essentials, and this shade of peacock teal is right on trend.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Lilis- $27, www.nordstrom.com

Recommend for Categories: 1- 5

Recommend for Body Shapes: Not Applicable

Cat5 Style Take-aways: This shade comes off like a super chic neon coral.  Nothing overdone, or obnoxious…just beautiful.

Free People Kiley Dot Flats- $68, www.freepeople.com

Recommend for Categories: 3- 5

Recommend for Body Shapes: Not Applicable

Cat5 Style Take-aways: These polka dot flats are SO SO SO serious style business!  L-O-V-E!!!

Pencey Standard Fencing Blazer- $189, www.shopbop.com

Recommend for Categories: 1- 5

Recommend for Body Shapes: All body shapes

Cat5 Style Take-aways: This jacket is super chic, and a great addition for work or play.

Rodarte Radarte Barbed Wire Tee- $125, www.modaoperandi.com

Recommend for Categories: 1-5

Recommend for Body Shapes: All body shapes

Cat5 Style Take-aways: Graphic tees are everything!

Marc by Marc Jacobs Standard Supply ID Bracelet- $88, www.shopbop.com

Recommend for Categories: 1- 5

Recommend for Body Shapes: Not Applicable

Cat5 Style Take-aways: This season teal is THE color of the season, and this ID bracelet is SO the way to go!  It just feels super cool!

Kate Spade Locked In Large Studs- $58, www.katespade.com

Recommend for Categories: 4- 5

Recommend for Body Shapes: Not Applicable

Cat5 Style Take-aways: This version of Kate Spade’s Pyramid earrings are larger than the original size, and we couldn’t be happier with this new release!  SO CHIC!  Pyramid earrings are the new “classic-edge!”

It is never OK to have two separate wardrobes, as it impacts both your style and budget!  It’s all about knowing how to purchase pieces you can dress up and down, that will serve many functions in your style life. Check out 4 Minutes to FAB Style w/ Lauren Deloach, the editor of Category5Style.com, and see her FAB examples that will start saving you shopping time and needed money. For more details on clothing & accessories shown, visit www.category5style.com!

Check out the listing below of all the fabulous pieces featured during the segment:

• Maison Scotch Le Femme Tee (similar style)- $49, sold by www.shopeurotrash.com
• Kule Jayden Jacket- $255 (on sale), sold by www.kule.com
• Current/Elliott Destroyed Boyfriend Jeans- $206, sold by www.shopbop.com
• Elva Fields Statement Necklace, lavender sold out, but similar styles at www.elvafields.com
• 3.1 Phillip Lim “I love Nueva York” tank- $115, sold out at shopbop.com, available in black or white here
  

Pictured above:  Chanel Azure #657- $27, sold at Nordstrom and Chanel

Pictured above (from top left, clockwise):  Manhattan Wallet- $83, Elefant Handbag – $242, Magnolia Handbag – $242, Manhattan Handbag- $242

Pictured above (left to right): Free People Capital Peplum Jacket- $148, Free People First Dance Tunic- $68, both sold by www.freepeople.com

We all go through times and stages of life where you just want to be comfortable.  For some, it’s just one day of the week.  For others, it can be years where you need to find “comfort” in your daily wardrobe.  The problem?  Comfort is a slippery slope.  Making purchases in the name of comfort can quickly lead you down a dark path of holey sweat pants and oversized t-shirts.  Before you know it, you can find yourself completely lost as to what you should actually be buying, versus the nightmare pieces you’ve been purchasing.  Let’s delve into the idea of comfort, and focus on ways to maintain a sense of style and comfort!

From the bottom…

So many women begin their path to comfort, only to find themselves lost, by focusing on the wrong type of pants.  While sweat pants seem like the most common culprit, it’s really elastic waist pants that do the most style damage.  Don’t get me wrong, I totally get the draw.  1) You don’t have to focus on your shape 2) You slide them on no muss-no fuss 3) No paying for that dietary cupcake or French fries decision.  It makes life a bit easier.  Here’s the problem ladies:  Elastic waist pants give you zero shape, and in turn give you nothing to feel confident about when faced with your bottom half.  When looking for comfort, it’s important to focus on bottoms that will still give you shape.  Leggings are the most obvious solution to this problem.  A year-round wardrobe investment, you can most certainly rock out leggings with tunic tops and remain comfortable.  An out of the box style solution would be pants that offer a naturally loose fit, but in a chic way.  Emerson Fry’s Silk Lee Pants are meant to offer a loose fit, but because of the low pockets and fitted ankles, they come off looking anything but lazy and all things fabulous.  Another perfect option is to keep your focus on boyfriend jeans.  As style and comfort can be difficult to put into the same sentence, the same can be said for jeans and comfort.  There is a natural tendency to gravitate towards fitted jeans on your search, when the truth is that a pair of loose fit boyfriend jeans can come off much more stylish (and comfortable!) than the alternative.  To date, no designer has done it better than Current/Elliott’s Boyfriend Jeans.  It’s the kind of chic-comfort that becomes addictive, and easily the perfect go-to, as you can dress the jeans down with flats or up with heels.

To the top…

When looking to maintain comfort and style on your top half, there are certain characteristics you always want to be mindful of.  First and foremost, pass on the plain crewneck tees.  They offer zero dimension to your top half, and almost always come off boring.  Instead, keep your focus on prints with interesting style details.  Cotton tops with fun prints and interesting design details, that’s the ticket.  They not only allow you to keep comfort in your wardrobe, but provide you the option to dress up as necessary.  This is the definition of versatility in your wardrobe, and knowing how to stretch your style dollars to boot!  For example, Free People’s First Dance Tunic is made of cotton, has a classic polka dot print, and offers a ruffle hem to add that fun detail needed to jump from basic to fab!  While this top is meant to hang loose and not really create shape, you maximize your comfort and still maintain your style by layering the tunic with a lightweight jacket that will create structure and accent your shape (see example Free People Capital Jacket pictured above).  You’re still comfortable, but you’ve maintained a strong sense of style in the process.  Not to mention, this look works perfectly with leggings and boots/ballet flats (ummm…comfortable).  Simple and easy, all without sacrificing your style to achieve it!

 ~Lauren Deloach, editor of Category5