Break the Cycle

Most of the time when we shop for clothing, we are instantly drawn to certain items, colours and styles. Unfortunately, most women don't choose the right ones. Which may leave you with some great pieces, but these pieces probably just hang in your closet.  They are constantly tried on. Manipulated. But no matter what, they just don't seem to work.

Here are the reasons:
1) It's too big or too small
2) It's the wrong colour for your skin tone
2) It doesn't work for your body type

Let's break the cycle!

1)  Ok ladies. My number one rule (and I am a women with very few rules) is you have to try it on before you buy it! I know that for some of you this is a no-brainer. But believe me, I hear a lot of "oh, I didn't have time to try it on".  These items then are still hanging in closets with tags on. With many thoughts of being returned, but ultimately these pieces accept their fate as closet fillers - and this, whether you are aware of it or not, becomes a closet burden. Bottom line: it's a waste of money and energy. So please, try before you buy!

My second rule is buy items that fit your body NOW. Not "when I lose weight", or "in case I put the weight back on". Again, this is just a waste of time, money and energy.

2)  As for colour, when I work with clients, I know just by looking at them and by a series of questions, what colours suit them best.  If you really look at yourself in the mirror when getting dressed or trying things on, you can see what colours work and which ones don't.

Here's an exercise for you to do at home. Go to your closet and pick out something that you really love and that fits you well, but for some reason, it just doesn't 'feel' right. And then pick out something that you know looks great and it's a colour you always feel good in.  I bet that the reason the first item doesn't work has to do with it's colour. Really take a look at the difference between the two. When wearing a colour that suits your skin tone, you will look fresh and vibrant. The colours that don't compliment your skin tone will make your skin look dull and yellow.    

For more info on colours, click here. 

3) Not sure what your body type is? You are not alone. There are different categories with varying names: pear or bell shape and inverted triangle or martini glass shape. It sounds pretty complicated and to make things worse, you can be a mix of two of them!  When choosing clothing, dress your body by accentuating the areas that you LOVE, and camouflage areas that you would like to minimize.

See if you know the answers to the following questions. If you are not sure, send me an email and I'd be happy to tell you.

Question #1: I have heavier arms. Which sleeves are my best option?

A

loft.com

B

banana republic

Question #2: I have heavier thighs, which jean would suit me best?

A

Gap.com

B

Gap.com

Question #3: I have a boyish shape. Which dress will give me the illusion of curves?

A

my-wardrobe.com

B

stylehive.com

Question #4: I want to create the illusion of a fuller bust. Which blouse is best?

A

jcrew.com

B

bananarepublic.com

Question #5: I want to minimize my bust and make my torso look longer. Which blazer is better for me?

A

lechateau.com

B

h&m.com

Question #6: I want to hide the extra weight around my tummy. Which shirt is my best option?

A

piperlime.com

B

thisnext.com

Next time you go shopping or you are sorting through your wardrobe, keep these tips in mind. When you open your closet to get dressed, you should be faced with items that you love, that fit, that work with your lifestyle and your body type.

the colours of curry

Curry. There are so many reasons why I love curry. The flavours, the colours, the smells, the taste!  And now thanks to my wonderful neighbour and friend, I love the process of creating it.

Friday morning, while the fluffy white snow fell, Wendy and I started our first creative exchange.  As I have mentioned before, I love to make things. Experiment. Step out of my comfort zone and try new things. To grow and learn.  So when Wendy asked me if I'd be interested in doing an exchange
(read about Wendy's experience here)  - my styling expertise for her cooking expertise - I was all over it!

Indian food is a staple in our house.  Most families have pizza night, well, we have curry night.  Most of the time we order it. Simple, quick and delicious, and our restaurant of choice is Darbar. However, on the rare occasion that I decide to make it, it usually comes out of a jar.  I have tried making my own from scratch too, but it never seemed to turn out the way I expected it to, or liked.  Plus, I am terrible at following recipes!  I prefer to just "wing" it and add whatever I like and whatever I have on hand (one reason why I love to make soups).

Enter Wendy.  We first got a taste of Wendy's cooking prowess after our daughter Ryan was born.  She made us quinoa, curried beets along with a vegetable curry. Needless to say, it was delicious! Lucky for us, since she lives two doors up, we get to sample some of her cooking on a fairly regular basis.

 Cooking with Wendy was a fun and relaxing experience.  There was no pressure for perfection.  Just guidance. And laughs. Lots of laughs.  Wendy is a joyful person. She loves to cook. Loves to be around people. And she is one beautiful singer - check it out for yourself. 

The three dishes that we made were: 

Butternut squash curry with coconut milk

Cabbage curry

Lentil curry with carrots

& Peach chutney

The ingredients were fresh. The recipes were easy. And the final products were amazing.  

our spice selection

adding canned tomatoes to each dish

butternut squash curry with coconut milk

cabbage curry

adding grated beets to the cabbage curry

lentil & carrot curry

our creations

what I got to take home!!

I had such a great time cooking with Wendy. I feel more empowered and I am still amazed at how easy it all was.  My husband was thrilled when I came home with jars full of this yumminess. And I am now looking forward to our next curry night when I attempt it all by myself. Wish me luck!