I know we all love the designer collaborations with stores we can actually afford…especially during this recession.  Well if you missed the first shipment of Matthew Williamson’s collection for H&M, don’t fret.  The second shipment arrives in stores tomorrow, so plan your day accordingly. 

His color drenched collection carries with it the promise of the sun this summer.  Whether you’re looking for a stylish and affordable bikini, a sheer summer dress, or something stylish for your boyfriend, stop in to H&M tomorrow.  This is the first time that an H&M designer collaboration collection is available in all H&M stores and also marks Matthew Williamson’s menswear debut.  Welcome boys to Mr. Williamson’s wonderful world.  You won’t be disappointed!

While it may be tempting to throw clothing to the wind and jump straight into your tanks, minis, and sundresses, summer isn’t here just yet.  And I could bet that your beach body isn’t ready for center stage yet either.  Spring just began and in case you haven’t noticed, there is still a bit of a chill in the air. 

Spring’s soft, slouchy, boyfriend tees, and blazers make the perfect companion while not revealing too much of your reemerging killer silhouette.  Pair with a short short or skirt and heels to show off those legs and ensure that the look still has a feminine quality.   

The boyfriend blazer provides added warmth to your spring time look and can be shed easily when the weather heats up. 

Looks available at www.shopbop.com

If you are looking for style and image advice that won’t cost you a fortune, you’re in luck.  I am now offering my Special Reports for a fraction of their printed price.  They regularly sell for $24, but you can download them today for $9.99.  Simply click the links below to order yours today.  I know you will find the information very useful and that it will help you look and feel your best.  Enjoy!

55 Ways to Slim Your Silhouette with Ease
This 32 page book gives you 55 easy ways to slim your silhouette today.  It includes tips on foundation garments, tailoring, fabrics, diverting attention, body types, proportion and balance, color, swimwear and more.  It is a great place to start if you want to look slimmer without surgery or fad diets.  It’s amazing how implementing these easy tips can instantly help create a slimmer silhouette.

Polishing Your Professional Image

By implementing the proven tips and guidelines in this book, women will feel more self confident, up to date, and put together.  The straightforward style, practical tips, and advice in these pages are easy to grasp and can be used immediately.  Every woman, regardless of size, shape, or age will be able to look more polished and professional.   

Shopping isn’t a sport.   So many of my clients race through stores, because like most people they are trying to do too many things in too short a period of time, that they end up buying things they don’t try on, don’t really like, and that don’t match anything else in their closet.  The result is racks of clothes that sit in your closet unworn, and obscene amounts of money wasted. 

Take your time, especially in this economy.  Try clothes on.  Look for a great fit and fabulous fabric.  Think about what you already have that will work with this new addition.  Only then should you think about buying something new.

Most of the world has four seasons.  Lucky for us, here in southern California, we have two.  That means we can easily transition our spring style into fantastic summer looks.  Take a page out of the new Nordstrom catalogue (www.nordstrom.com) and try a slouchy springtime short and jacket with gladiators, long scarf, and black asymmetric fedora for a fabulous, relaxed weekend look.  Or, transition into summer with a denim skirt, killer heels, silky top, and straw fedora.  Both looks are feminine, comfortable, stylish, and spot on trend for spring/summer 09.

Brixton black felt fedora, $55
Arth brand asymmetric fedora, $105
Eugenia Kim summer fedora, $300
Eugenia Kim brown cloche, $315

If, like many, you have become obsessed with the amazing hats you see on celebrities or TV, but you haven’t a clue where to find them, relax, there’s Arth.  This gem of a hat store is tucked away in the LAB anti mall in Costa Mesa, with a second US location in SOHO New York, and is stocked with every possible stylish hat you could dream of.  From fedoras and panamas, to cloches and bowlers, and everything in between, the quality is impeccable and there really is something for everyone.  Check out their website www.arthhat.com and their blog for regular updates.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/6001814/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001814

Like everyone else in this tough economy, I’ve been taking a little break from shopping lately.  But as I’m off to an Oscar party tonight, the thought crossed my mind this morning to browse around online to see if I could find an affordable, cute dress to wear, instead of one of the old standards in my closet. 

I decided to take a look at Nordstrom.com and was pleasantly surprised to see that you can now search for dresses by body type.  Seeing as diagnosing client’s body types and offering style advice is my profession, I was so excited to see that they have classified all their dresses by body type to help the average shopper find a more suitable dress.  

While I didn’t agree with all their classifications, and I feel that they have left out two major body types (inverted triangle, and petites), in general, I think the average shopper would find the information and suggestions very helpful.  I love it when companies take their online stores one step further and look forward to sharing more style solutions with you as I find them.  Happy online shopping!

Like the sharp turns we’ve seen in the economy, spring fashion is all about movement.  From feathers and fringe, to ruffles, and tiered layers, we are seeing playful clothing on every major runway this season.  Now the pictures I’ve selected take these trends to the extreme, but you don’t have to.  You can find a skirt with a subtle feather hem.  You could find a scarf that has fringe on the ends.  Or, you could layer a tiered ruffle tank under a suit for a feminine touch.  You don’t have to wear these trends from head to toe, but they will certainly make heads turn this season.

In terms of accessories, bigger is certainly better.  Bib necklaces are where it’s at.  Forgo earrings, rings, bracelets, etc. and opt instead for one large statement making necklace.  Keep your neckline simple so your necklace can take center stage.

All in all, enjoy the freedom of movement in springs fun trends.  Fashion is about playing and experimenting, and there is no better time to play around a bit than now.  Enjoy! 

A.Z. by AZATURE has a new fan in RIHANNA.  Multi-platinum recording artist Rihanna was recently spotted wearing a necklace from the A.Z. by AZATURE collection on her appearance, One Night to Die FOR on the BBC.  She also sported A.Z. by AZATURE in her Rehab video with Justin Timberlake.

• download Lady Chatterley’s Lover

Azature Pogosian, the black diamond king, and the man behind AZATURE, once again proves to be the hottest new fine jewelry designer on the market.  With celebrities like Rihanna, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and T.I. all clamoring to wear his pieces, as well as a host of exclusive private clients, CEOs, and international royalty, this young designer from Los Angeles is a world wide design force to be reckoned with.   

Hailing from a long line of jewelers, Azature knows quality, expertise, and luxury.  As the leader in the world of black diamonds, Azature has the high honor of having a black diamond named after him.  The AZATURE black diamond is a specific shade of black, and of course is the only type of black diamond found in the AZATURE collection.

Both his exclusive AZATURE collection and his A.Z. by AZATURE line bring a modern, edgy, unisex, luxurious twist to the world of fine jewelry.  This is certainly one designer you want to keep your eye on.  Visit www.azature.com or call 1-888-494-6116 to order. 

Jewelry is a balancing act.  It’s all about size, scale, and proportion.  If you’re wearing huge earrings, skip the necklace and go for a fabulous bracelet or ring instead.  If you’ve got an exquisite necklace on, go small with the earrings and maybe just do a cocktail ring.  If an arm full of bracelets is your thing, counter balance them with fabulous earrings.  You get the idea.  You’re better off having one focal point, and one or two important pieces of jewelry than a smattering of small, meaningless pieces.   

You also want to keep scale in mind when choosing accessories.  If you are a very petite, small boned, 5 foot tall woman, you don’t want to over power yourself in a super wide cuff bracelet, or a very large, chunky necklace.  Your delicate features are going to need more delicate pieces.  Same goes with a very tall or large woman.  You will need accessories that are more substantial to look in proportion to your body.  If you put a very thin, delicate bracelet on your wrist, it will look ridiculously small compared to your larger limbs.  This is one of the most basic tips, but I’m telling you, most people don’t know it.