Relax, packing can be simplified. Assess what you need for each day and activity of your trip. Use a packing chart to help you pack only what you need and still feel like you have plenty of stylish outfit options.

Destination: Business Trip

Travel By: plane

Trip Length: 4 days

(View larger chart)

Clothes to Pack:

-Grey Suit
-2 white t-shirts
-trouser jean
-Cardigan
-Wrap Dress
-Little Black Dress

Accessories to Pack:

-pashmina
-brooch
-bold necklace
-3 pair of shoes (metallic flats, red heels, black pumps)
-hosiery

Step 1: Choose a Key Item

This item is the inspiration you build an outfit around. It can be as simple as a shoe, a bold necklace, a skirt, a top, or anything that inspires you while getting dressed on that day.

Step 2: Support Your Key Item.

Consider what additional wardrobe pieces you can use to complement your key item. To figure this out you can ask yourself a few questions. Is my key item a neutral? A psedo-neutral? Or is it a color that needs to be paired with a neutral?

Does my key item stand out on its own or need additional personality? Support pieces could be a bag, belt, piece of jewelry, scarf, or jacket, etc.

Step 3: Complete the Look

In this step you are beginning to put the finishing touches on your outfit. This is the step where you make an outfit look like it was meant to be worn together instead of looking like pieces of clothing you decided to wear together. Completer pieces could be a belt, cardigan, or jacket, etc.

Step 4: Add a Dash of Pizzazz

This is the last step of creating a great outfit. This is where you make an outfit memorable. An element of pizzazz adds personality to an outfit and helps you make it your own, or unique to your personal style. You can add pizzazz in many ways. It can come from a detail in one of the items you are wearing, an unexpected pop of color, a bold pattern or color, or bold jewelry.

EXAMPLE

Key Item: Green Pattern Shirt

Element of Pizzazz: Pattern in the shoe and the shirt

Supporting Item: Jean Skirt (neutral)

Completer Piece: Belt

Are you tired of spending $$$ on clothes you don’t love to wear?

Do you wish someone would show you how to get the look you want?

I’m excited to do just that with my new Stylish Inner Circle coaching program. This coaching program actually teaches you step-by-step how to achieve your style goals. Through LIVE phone classes, style guides exclusive to SIC members, Q & A sessions, and VIP discounts you will have the tools you need to discover the best way for you to look and feel great.

You can have any style or look with a little guidance and a belief in yourself. For the same amount you would spend on two magazines and a cup of coffee, you get an ongoing style resource that shows you how to always feel and look great.

To activate your two-month trial in my Stylish Inner Circle, sign up now through my secure online registration. You only pay a one-time charge of $5 for customer service and handling of your membership materials. (This charge covers the entire two months.)

Then, after your first 60 days, you can continue this exciting coaching program for only $9.99 a month (or pay $94 for a full year and get $25 in savings). It’s only $9.99 a month to finally discover your style potential.

Yes, sign me up for my two-month trial membership!

Don’t let your closet frustrate you another day. Activate your two-month Stylish Inner Circle trial today, and discover how to get dressed in 10 minutes or less and feel great every time you walk out the door.

Don’t miss the next Stylish Inner Circle call on Tuesday, February 23 at 12 pm Eastern.

“Travel In Style without Bringing Your Entire Closet”

This call is ONLY for Stylish Inner Circle members. Join now to access this call with your two-month trial membership for only $5.

For more information about the Stylish Inner Circle please visit http://www.stylishinnercircle.com

Q. Why am I getting black stuff under the eye even when I’m not wearing eye liner or mascara on the bottom?

A. Black stuff under the eye (when unintended) is annoying. In fact, it ranks right up there in the top most annoying things having to do with makeup. Black stuff under the eye can be caused by several things.

Your foundation, goes on first then your concealer, and blend, and blend. What I recommend at this point is taking a fluffy ponytail brush  and dust on the slightest little bit of translucent powder or secret brightening powder by Laura Mercier, right under your lower lash line, but NOT any farther (one wouldn’t want the powder to settle into any, ah-hem, fine lines). This will help keep your eyes smudge free. You can also use the powder on chin, nose and forehead to reduce shine.

Even the best shoppers have occasional slip ups. To get the most out of the items you buy, you need to properly integrate them into your existing wardrobe. It’s not uncommon to find wardrobe pieces that have been hanging in the closet for months with the tags still on. Even for the most disciplined shopper there are steps you should take after you complete your shopping. When you return home from shopping get the most out of what you buy with these simple tricks.

1. Try on everything you buy again. Make sure you can still answer yes to all of your shopping guidelines once you are at home. If you bought shoes, give them a practice run. Wear them around the house to ensure they are as comfortable as they felt in the store.

2. Save and keep your receipts in one place. This way if you need to return something you can get a full refund. Just as a precaution, leave the tags on until you actually wear something out of the house.

3. Create a new items section within your closet. As you wear each new item, integrate it into the proper wardrobe section of your closet.

4. Assess your new items section every 30 days. If an item is still in the new section after an extended time period, you may consider returning it for a refund or a more useful item.

5. Schedule a time to play dress up in your closet. Come up with outfits you’ve never worn. Take pictures of outfits you create to reference on days you are lacking dressing brain power.

For additional tips on how to shop smart visit www.charlestonstyleconcierge.com and sign up for our free monthly ezine.

Do you wish you knew how to use make up to help you look modern and fresh?

This month’s Stylish Giveaway is brought to you by one of my favorite freelance make up artists, Kelly Tick. Kelly works with clients to show them how to use make up that brings out their best features. Kelly belives you can have the make up tools you need on any budget.

Enter to win a make up makeover with Kelly Tick. Your makeover includes:

• Inventory of your current beauty products to discover what you have and what you need.
• A make up session to teach you how to play up your features and wear make up in the most flattering way.
• Meeting Kelly at your favorite make up counter to purchase the items you need to complete your make up look.

*Must be available to come to Charleston for your makeover.

This is an exciting Stylish Giveaway. Enter to win and make sure to spread the love and share this with your friends.

One lucky winner will be randomly chosen on March 1, 2010 and notified via email. Good luck!

Yes, I want to sign up for the make up makeover.

Every morning you’ve got to know what the weather is like and what to wear. The Weather Stylist has made it easy for you with their styling suggestions based on your local weather. Simply plug in your zip code and get the local weather report and an ideal otufit solution.

You can get suggestions from the Weather Stylist from their website or by downloading their app from the iTunes store for $1.99.

This dress is from The Limited and is a classic belted long sleeve shirt dress. Upon first glance its simplicity might not excite you. The belt alone with its cheap grommets and material buckle are enough to turn you off. However, it is the simplicity that can make this dress a versatile wardrobe staple.

Many of my clients confess they typically wear clothing in their closet only one way. They feel challenged to visualize any other way to wear something than what they already know. For instance, this dress could be your funeral dress. It sits in your closet collecting dust because in your mind you have to wear it as is, to a funeral. Let’s breathe some life into your wardrobe!

One simple trick to add pizzazz is to wear an interesting belt. Just because this dress came with an ugly belt doesn’t mean you have to wear it. Choose a belt that adds visual interest and adds an element of your personality to the outfit.

Check out the same dress below with the red or gray snakeskin belt. This dress is now much more chic and interesting! All you did was change your belt. It changes the way you perceive this outfit. This girl now has presence and something interesting to say.

The next time you’re searching for the perfect outfit, whether in your closet or in a store, think about how you can make simple changes in order to put together a look that turns heads.

If you feel like you are in a fashion rut and can’t figure out how to wear things in new and different ways, join me for a FREE telecall, “Get Out of Your Fashion Rut.” Sign up today!

DATE: Wednesday, January, 27, 2010 at 12 pm Eastern

TOPIC: “Get Out of Your Fashion Rut: 5 Simple Ways to Jump Out”

(In a hurry? Click here and sign up.)

It’s so easy to fall into the habit of walking into your closet and emerging wearing the same boring outfit you always wear. It’s safe, and much easier than dwelling over your lack of other options.

Let’s face it. It’s easy to find yourself in a fashion rut.

Spice up your wardrobe and love what you wear by joining me for this free telecall “Get Out of Your Fashion Rut: 5 Simple Ways to Jump Out.” On this call you will discover:

• What style secrets can constantly refresh your wardrobe.
• How to never fall into a fashion rut again.
• What three simple things can change up an old favorite.
• How to make your wardrobe feel fun and new without spending a lot of money.
• What three rules every piece of your clothing must follow.

This call will be recorded. Just sign up and the recording will automatically be emailed to you after the call.

Reserve your space today!

See you there!