Fun in the City

I haven't been blogging this past week because I am deeply entrenched in another event I have the privilege of hosting here in Cleveland.

The Association of Image Consultants International OH/PA Chapter (I am the prez!) is having an education retreat here August 17-19. Very exciting for those of us attending and presenting. We've actually opened it up to local business people or anyone interested in image as a profession. This is our first stab at something so ambitious. We have invited the worldwide organization, booked some fabulous speakers (ok, most are my buddies, but fabulous nonetheless), and are just going to have an awesome time. Image consultants can PARTY! And we look really good in our party clothes!!

Here's the link.

I will admit I am the most excited about the stupid Lolly the Trolley sightseeing tour. I haven't a clue why. All this great stuff we have planned and I want to ride around on a trolley in the city I'm in every day.

So anyway, speaking of fabulous times, my party, Style & Cocktails, this past Monday was a big hit. Can't wait till the next one!

Here is a collage of pics from it! For the full event details and to put names with the smiling faces, check out ClevelandWomen.com!

Style & Cocktails

If any of the readers of my blog are in the Cleveland area and are interested, Kelly, Wendy and I are hosting a party this Monday, in conjuntion with ClevelandWomen.com ~

Monday, July 30, 2007
5:30-8pm
Ponte Vecchio Ristorante
2100 Superior Viaduct Suite 520
Cleveland, OH

Specials include $5 martinis and half-price wine and cocktails till 7pm

There will be prizes and giveaways including:

A Power Style Session with Kristen & Kelly

Makeup Session with Wendy

Two hours with Coach Joelle

Organization Materials
from New Order Organizers

Yay! A Makeover!!

While I was going through one of the worst times I have been sick in my life (or basically, all of 2007 so far), I got a fabulous opportunity to do a makeover for Inside Business magazine. They needed it for the February edition, so I had about two days to round everything up. I called on my trusty Style Team, makeup artist Wendy Fitos and assistant stylist Kelly Smith, as well as my standby, Aurora Farms Premium Outlets for clothes. I sent out an email to my readers and received about 30 responses. I chose someone I knew who would be easy to fit. When one has limited time, my belief is to take the path of least resistance! Especially when one is so under the weather.

Emily Honsa is a first year law student and works for the Cleveland Bar Association. I knew her from a networking group we were involved in and we had stayed in touch for the last year. I knew she would be easy to fit and easy to work with. She was even game to wear the “before” outfit I selected – a beige boxy jacket and blue floral skirt. I chose it because it was an outfit you would see walking around Downtown Cleveland on almost any day. Most women would wear it because it matches, has a jacket, and keeps them covered – so it conforms to their office dress code.

My goal was to update this look. I’m not for allowing any woman to look frumpy. You can honor your employer’s dress code and honor yourself at the same time by understanding your body and dressing it to show off its best points.

For Emily, proportion was key. We chose a mandarin-collar brown suede jacket that nipped in at the waist to build the outfit around. She is very fair – hair, skin, and eyes are all light. So we used the one strong brown piece and the rest of the outfit was more in keeping with her fair coloring. We selected a brown and lime green shell and ivory skirt. Accessories were all brown – tall boots, a two strand pendant, and faux snake tote. Intentionally controlled and conservative, but still feminine and fun.

Wendy did her makeup, and when she put on the brown jacket for the “after” outfit, it was amazing how her eyes stood out!

It’s always a mini-circus atmosphere when we get together to do these kinds of projects. It’s fun and exciting, and most importantly, we get to make someone look beautiful! What could be better than that?