Savvynista

Mother’s Day Style Savvy

Maria — Sun, 12 May 2013 07:55:17 +0000

I couldn’t resist using my mom for a style post and how apropos to feature her on Mother’s Day. This is her special gift from me. She had so much fun posing in her classic SoCal style. Ever since I can remember, my mom never left the house (and still does today) without being fully dressed from head-to-toe always paying attention to detail. She’s also my biggest cheerleader in life and I love her immensely. Her “American” name is Fifi and you can always catch her with her sidekick Chihuahua Goldie. She also makes and sells jewelry at FifiandGoldie.com and has an Instagram account @fifigoldie.

While I was visiting the past few days, I noticed her wall clock was 5 minutes slow … once again. I told her that I was going to buy her a new clock and she reminded me, “In Chinese they say that it’s bad luck to buy someone a clock or watch because in Mandarin the word clock sounds exactly the same as the word ‘end’. You don’t want to be giving someone the end of their life.” Another one is to not put your handbag on the floor or ground because that means the money goes out of your purse, you want the money to come in. Although I half heartedly believe these superstitions, I still try not to put my purse on the ground.

Happy Mother’s day to all the moms out there and to my beautiful, zany, hip mother.

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How to Layer Necklaces

Maria — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:55:26 +0000

I’ve got 7, yes SEVEN creative ways to layer all your favorite necklaces. Not only that, I’ve come up with some pretty savvy names for these layering techniques to make it easy for remembering. I love hearing from you, please leave comments and share this video to your friends! XO, Maria

Top 10 Do’s & Don’ts to Buying a Wedding Dress

Maria — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:49:31 +0000

Recently I had the pleasure of helping a friend (who’s also a fashion stylist) find wedding dress options for her upcoming nuptials. Even stylists sometimes need the help of another stylist especially when it comes to a huge occasion like your wedding! The situation I was presented with was this: she needed 4 different dresses and we had a budget. One needs to be an actual wedding dress and the other three dresses she wanted something vintage, beaded, a la 20′s style. The place I was most impressed with was Glamour Closet off La Brea in Los Angeles. This bridal boutique carries designer gowns for half the price because they are either taken from the designers showroom or were samples.

If you’re a bride-to-be, here’s a savvy list of do’s and don’ts while shopping for and trying on wedding dresses:

Make a list of boutiques you want to visit for the day– it’s best they are no more than 10 miles within each other
Visit at least 2 – 3 boutiques in one trip, that way you have something to compare
Don’t bring along anyone you might end up getting into an argument with … it’s best to bring someone who doesn’t take things personally and can be completely honest or hire a stylist like myself
Wear a strapless bra to your wedding dress fittings (and panties of course)
Be open to trying on different silhouettes, even if you’re really stuck on a specific style
Trust the boutique staff when they help you because they know their inventory and help clients with gown fittings daily
After trying on dresses, narrow it down to your TOP 3 and try them on again, take a photo of each one (ask the boutique if you can take a snap, most likely they’ll say yes but some say no)
Whatever dress you try on that makes you smile the most, is the wedding dress for you (seriously) but take at least one night to think about it and look at the photos you took of yourself in the dresses
No matter what ladies, you will ALWAYS have to get a wedding gown tailored so budget about $500 for tailoring
Don’t buy a wedding dress online … bad, bad, bad

My Top Picks for Bridal Boutiques in Los Angeles:

Savvy Alternative: Swimsuit Coverups & Tunics

Maria — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 08:51:16 +0000

I know it’s barely spring and here I am showing you summer tunics already. Who knows, you might be planning a vacay to some tropical locale and this roundup of tunics could be just the extra inspiration or motivation to book that trip. Originally, I was going to write about my Belize trip part deux (part 1 here) but when I started pulling photos, I noticed a theme going … swimsuit coverups. I get a lot of response about featuring more savvy alternatives because it shows different price points for a similar luxe item. If you’re not feeling beach body ready, don’t go throwing on a lumpy t-shirt and shorts over your swimsuit, break out of your habit and be savvy with a stylish tunic coverup! I’ll be looking ladies and you don’t want to end up in my “So Not Savvy” column.[space]

Did you think I’d really be strutting in the sand with high heels? This is just for photos. Thanks for reading and please leave comments below, I love hearing from you!

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Home Accessories for your Fashion Accessories

Maria — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:30:55 +0000

I’ve been on a spring cleaning frenzy for the past 4 to 5 days, reorganizing my closets, office and style studio. It’s a lot of work! It never seems that way when I help my clients do this. I’m fairly pleased with the turnout, I just have a few more things I need to spruce up in my studio and then I’m finito. Coinciding with my spring cleaning/organizing mode, I had the pleasure of participating in the Spring Social Event held by West Elm in Santa Monica. At the event I did a style presentation, showing women how they can use home decor accessories to display their jewelry and other fashion accessories inside their home. To me, using decorative bowls and plates to hold my baubles looks special and reminds me of what pieces I have. This way you can display them on top of your dresser, vanity, desk…wherever makes sense for you. For your fine jewelry pieces, it’s best to keep them stored individually in felt lined jewelry boxes. Remember, savvy style is not just about what you wear, it’s also about expressing it other areas like your home and office.[space]

I love these paper flowers at West Elm and creating an ombré floral arrangement. Yes, I actually do have these at home.

At home, I display my jewelry in a glass case. Ideally, I need 2 more of these cases (notice the bottom with all the boxes) they are all filled with a lot more baubles.

AND of course I couldn’t resist getting a selfie shot…I happened to be located next to the mirrors.

I’m Wearing | Single by Galina Sobolev top (old) see (here) | Aqua skirt (old) see (here and here) | Enzo Angiolini heels recently purchased at DSW

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Savvy Alternative: Celine Style Trapeze Bag at JCP

Maria — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 05:10:55 +0000

I read the fashion trades weekly to keep in the loop of trends, collabs, etc. but a few days ago the media was in a tizzy over Forever 21′s copy of the Celine trapeze bag. I tried to find the bag online and that page has been removed. I wonder if it’s because of all the backlash or did they sell out at $34.98 for the bag? Who cares if F21 made their own trapeze bag? There are brands imitating this style and isn’t that the best form of flattery anyway? I personally like when my girlfriends voice how much they like my style and outfits, asking if it’s okay they buy what I’m wearing. Of course it’s ok! That’s part of my job as a Style Coach is to inspire women to not be afraid of piecing together outfits from their favorite style inspos and icons.[space]

Now for my new FAVE place to shop, you’re going to die. My mom did when I told her and dragged her into this store last week. JCP … yes, JCPenney! I’m telling you they are doing some amazing designer collaborations and have updated their stores. I’ve been to 4 different locations in Southern California and they were all merchandised beautifully, very modern and fresh. I know, right?! I shop at many places and my “go to” department stores are Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue, so when I rave about something I’m not joking around. BTW, the trapeze bag above from JCP is real leather for $50. Insane![space]

I’m Wearing | Paige Denim jeans | Prabal Gurung for Target heels | JCP trapezoid bag | Charming Charlie bracelets

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Spring Style in Belize, part 1

Maria — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:37:58 +0000

West coast style meets island style on the coast of Ambergris Caye (now San Pedro) in the beautiful country of Belize in Central America. If you follow me on my social media outlets, you might have seen some photos from my trip recently. I finally had a chance to go through and edit my photos to make sure I capture the essence of this amazing place where the locals are genuinely kind and the colors are vivid. This post is part 1 to my Belize style series, stay tuned for part 2 & 3. Savvy Style Tip: neon has made a return from last year (I have a feeling it’s going to stay), with that bold statement, invest in a few neon pieces but make sure the style is something that you can wear again next spring/summer like a maxi skirt and jewelry with a mix of metal and neon.

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I’m Wearing | Forever 21 top | JCP maxi skirt | Nine West wedges (old)

I stayed at Mata Rocks Resort for my trip. This place is small, quiet, great service and on the beach. They provide complementary continental breakfast daily and bikes to ride into downtown San Pedro (about 10-15 minutes).

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March Modness

Maria — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 05:02:02 +0000

It’s March and that means Mod Madness or “Modness” … if you’re a fashionista, stylenista, savvynista like myself then you’ve seen this 60′s inspired trend walking down the runways and in some of your fave stores. Michael Kors rocked this trend with his 2013 Spring/Summer collection, giving mod a modern spin without being so literal. Below are some savvy pairing ideas for you to try at home.[space]

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