Do Something vs. Being Someone

Every year, once the Academy Award nominations are released, I race to watch all of the movies that have received some sort of nomination whether it's "Best Picture" or "Best Actress in a Leading Role." Of course, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be planted in front of my T.V. watching the red carpet and whole shabang on February 26th!

Last night, I watched The Iron Lady. Meryl Streep, be still my heart! There isn't a film she has acted in that I haven't liked. She sure knows how to pick 'em and ACT! The Iron Lady is about Margaret Thatcher's life, and in the screen play Thatcher makes a point that nowadays it's all about being someone rather than doing something.

I think that is very true, and found it convicting. As an entrepreneur and self employed business woman, promoting myself is promoting my business. This is the case not only for stylists, but photographers, graphic designers, and any other one man show. However, I think sole proprietors like myself fall into self-centered traps, and forget that the whole reason why they are promoting themselves in the first place is because they wanted to DO SOMETHING! Business growth is definitely acceptable to desire. We need to put food in our mouths, but recognition should be a wonderful by-product and not the main motivator.

If our society just focused on doing something rather than being someone a lot more would get done! Creating beautiful art and helping people feel confident are why I'm a stylist. Just reminding myself of that motivates me to kick thing into high gear. If you're a business owner, stop and think about why you started your business, and keep your eyes on that prize.

Let's get off our bums and do something!

Some Peplum in Your Step

Happy Valentine's Day! I know this day isn't liked by everyone right now, but I just want you to know that I seriously love you and am so thankful to you for taking time to read this blog! On that mushy note, here is a feminine trend that you might want to sport today. Peplums, a gathering of fabric around your waist, are making a come back on the runway and the streets. They were most popular back in the 1940's when women had teeny tiny waists. The designer detail made women appear to have fuller hips.

If you already have a curvacious figure like the lovely Marilyn Monroe or Beyonce, this trend isn't for you. Well, unless you would like to accentuate your hips all of the more. For someone like me, with zero hips, I find this retro trend appealing.

Hair Bows

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and regardless of whether or not you have a sweetheart, you can look as sweet as can be. One easy way is to accessorize with bows. There's nothing that says, "I'm cute and sweet," like a bow.

Right now a big trend with these childhood classics is to place then just underneath your hair bun. Leather bows, floral bows, plaid bows...There is something for everyone. Have fun with it!

I Make Pinterest Boards

I've been on Pinterest for a year now, and I like I've said many times before, Pinterest has changed my life and my business in wonderful ways. One of the many ways it has changed my business is that I now make boards for clients and vendors as a service.

Why would someone ever pay for this kind of service you ask?

1. To visualize their personal style

2. For a shopping list of the latest trends to incorporate into their wordrobe

3. A visual uniform of what to wear to work, an engagement session, a holiday party, etc.

4. To see a summation of a vibe for a styled shoot

Below, is an example of a board I created for my friend Mike who wanted ideas for outfits he could wear to client meetings and to shoot weddings in. I put together a board that showed items that he should buy such as a crisp white oxford, chambray shirt, slacks, etc. I then sent him an email listing out all of the different combinations he could wear.

You might be saying to yourself, "Well, anyone can do this!" That's true. Anyone can sign up for Pinterest and make boards, but at the end of the day my job as a stylist is to bank on my artistic eye. I mean, all of you get dressed in the morning, right? But, I have to hope that the way I visualize outfits is more appealing. My growth in followers on Pinterest has definitely affirmed this thankfully because otherwise I might have to start thinking about a different career. haha!

Having a fashion stylist create a look book or style board for you is an extremely affordable way to get personal style advice tailored to your needs. After getting to know someone through email, phone or in person (depending on where you are located), in an hour or two I can create a shopping list and/or visualization of outfits that would look wonderful on you.

This service really came about from several requests from photographers, friends and social media followers. I'm happy to say that they are satisfied customers, and I would LOVE to make one for you!!!

To learn more about my pricing, shoot me an email, alexandra@avestyles.com. I'm also happy to offer this to photographers, planners, or agencies that would like to incorporate this service into their pricing packages!