Fashion Blogs

What do you do as a fashion consultant?

I mainly help clients and friends clean out and organize their closets and shop in their closets. I like to instill that you should never say that you don't have anything to wear. What I tend to say, like my mother says, "How am I going to wear this?" I like to figure out ways to reinterpret pieces into a new look. We wear only 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time. Think about that and we realize that we don't need so much.

Have you always done nails?

I started out doing hair. I'm licensed in cosmetology. I started specializing in nails because the technicians worked all the time. I wanted to be a makeup artist until I realized that they didn't work as much, so I focused on nails. It kept evolving and my business grew.

How do people find you and your nail services?

My business is called Hiatus Beauty Lounge. It's based mostly on referrals. Most of my clients I've had for 30 years. I had a salon that I closed a year and a half ago. I got tired of the overhead. I was working to pay the rent, not enjoying my clients and my profession. I'm open to new clients; people can email me at hiatusbeauty2@yahoo.com.

What are the trends in nails right now?

There's a lot going on. Gel nail polishes have topped everything. There are home gel products and professional products, which I use. Those are the ones that require the use of an LED or UV light. We can do enhancements, natural nail manicures and a big trend, the stiletto and coffin nail styles. There are negative space manicures and encapsulated designs are fun. There are so many ways to express yourself with nails now, anything goes. The trends in fashion run neck and neck with nail fashion.

Do you have any tips for getting our nail polish to stay on longer?

During the week put on another coat of topcoat and some cuticle or baby oil. It will give you a couple of extra days. Use a soft file to fix any little snagging edges of the nail, but don't disturb the polish or its seal to the nail.

Let's talk fashion. You were in Paris several weeks ago did you buy anything cool?

I bought the blue patent oxford shoes that I brought today to our photo shoot. They're from Zara and they were only $30. I didn't buy too much. I bought some accessories, gloves and a couple of pins. Clothes are still high (price) even though the dollar is stronger. A lot of the things are the same as what we have in the States and the things that weren't were not in my "wealth management plan." I did buy a beautiful authentic military jacket at a vintage store. Gucci just did a similar look in a long coat, mine is short. I paid about $43; the Gucci is probably $4,000.

Tell us something people might not know about you.

I'm a pearl girl. My motto is "Just throw some pearls on and it'll be OK." I have tons of pearls. And, I say that I'm "Off the cuff." I like the eclectic and I like things fitted close to my wrists. I collect cuff bracelets. I always dress something up or down with pins. I also love tuxedos. I've bought them tailored for women and men. The men's I just wear loose and more casual.

Can you tell us more about your style?

I'm very eclectic and classically on trend. I love the unexpected of being eclectic. That runs through me in all aspects of my life from friendships and religion. I love the diversity of fashion. I love high-low spending and mixing and matching. I like the freedom. It comes from my mother. We call it "Irene-ification." Whenever we didn't have something she would figure it out. She was the originator of "Make it work," not Tim Gunn from Project Runway. We always recycled and repurposed everything. She was a divorced mother of three girls. She's very fashionable and talented. She should have been a designer. If we needed a new outfit we would look into what we could make. She had a really good seamstress. She taught us skills and how to sew. We would look at vintage and house sales and we were dressed beautifully.

Is that where your love of fashion comes from?

That's where it all started for me. I even studied fashion at Ursuline College and I went to Paris 30 years ago. I studied in a program called Paris Fashion Institute. They taught us how to forecast the coming trends and helped us figure out what we wanted to do in the fashion industry. I decided that I was not going to return to Cleveland to work at Higbee's and try to work my way up. I was already in the beauty industry so I decided to use what I learned to enhance my business.

Good decision! Do you like to shop?

I have to say that now when I shop I go to find things, not buy things. I am looking for a look or a specific item, not just shopping. I look for something special and my mom instilled in me that anything I buy, I should be able to wear it three different ways. It's a good rule of thumb. I do shop vintage. I think some of the quality of things is so much better than what you find now. I think it's also my way of not constantly consuming brand new things. I never buy anything at full price and I need a 12-step program for my shoe addiction!

Where do you shop?

Anywhere and everywhere. I like Banana Republic andSaks. Online I like Bluefly and for housewares, Joss and Main. And for basics like T-shirts and jeans I go to Target. I'm always looking for something that appeals to me and I like a markdown. Things change over so quickly, especially with the Internet, it never takes long for things to go on sale even within the current season. I like vintage and I am always looking for white button-down shirts with cuffs because those shirts for women new are hard to find and expensive. I can wear a man's small, too.

What does your wardrobe reveal about you?

I hope it says that I'm approachable, diverse, fun, that I have a little humor about myself and that I care about myself.

Do you follow the trends?

I'll do anything to be unique like putting pins on my hat. I'll repurpose. I always shop in my closet first then I look to the trends and the magazines for inspirations on how to reinvent or reinterpret that item into my current look. It all goes back to my mom. I want to be current, but I don't want to be like everybody else. I also learned about forecasting the trends while I studied in Paris so I play a little game with it now. I pay attention to my beauty business and in my own closet and I try to determine what trend is coming back.

Are there any trends coming that you're looking forward to?

When I was recently in Paris I saw a cool applique technique coming for the spring. The clothes almost look 3-D. It made me happy to see that. And, I'm happy to report that scrunchies are coming back and I'm really looking forward to putting my hair up in them. I got shamed a few years ago when someone kindly pointed out to me that they were lame. I want a scrunchie!

What is your favorite season for fashion?

I have to say fall because I can transition summer into fall and wear them both. I can mix the colors, the weights and the textures. I love seeing the layers of silk, wool, suede and leather. I love boots and coats. I feel like you are more dressed in the fall. It's also ageless. In the fall you don't have to be perfectly in shape or tan. You show less skin, which is good the older I get.

Where do you find fashion inspiration?

My mother. She still loves it even though it's harder to go out. She still has her 'eye' and she can touch fabric and know if it's quality and how far you can tweak it. She's amazing. She taught me to repurpose, recycle and appreciate vintage.

Do you have any favorite designers?

I like Chanel, Victoria Beckham and Donna Karan. I try to find the looks for less.

Do you recommend any beauty products?

First, you need to take care of your nails. They are the 10 best accessories you can have and having them in good shape makes you feel better. I like the products I get at my aesthetician's studio. She is Tamiko Ruby J. of Studio LL50on Chagrin Boulevard in Beachwood. Her skills, her makeup and other products are amazing. She also does Reiki.

How has your style changed?

I don't do fads anymore. I did it when I was younger because it was inexpensive and I wanted to be in style. I'm more tailored and classic these days. I also don't like wearing big, brand identifier logos and I don't like wearing things that are not age appropriate for me. I wouldn't wear leggings and a midriff top. I also try to make my outfits effortless, it looks better.

Do you read any blogs?

I do. I love these young, fresh minds and their perspective on current fashion. I like Who What Wear and Net-A-Porter.

If you could buy any fashion item, what would it be?

I would buy a traditional, quilted Chanel handbag in black and an Hermes scarf to tie on the bag.

Do you have any more advice?

First, always be confident. You can tell yourself to be confident. Anything looks good if you have good self-esteem. Also, when purchasing I think of pieces in terms of if it will "owe me change," meaning, will I wear it enough to make it worth the price. I look for investment pieces for less. I look for good workmanship. I will save for that special item instead of not getting it and buying lesser replacements over and over again $29 at a time. Buy the real item. You have to follow your own personal standards.

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