Category Archives: Uncategorized

Our New Years Blog-olution!

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HappyNewYear2013_ThisHeartsOnFireA

Yes, it’s that time. Time to reflect on the past year and to move forward into the new one with purpose.

So as we move forward with this blog (and thank you so much for reading. And commenting. And “liking” us) we want your input. What would get you to read more? To comment more? To “like” us more?

You see, we’re here for you. So don’t be shy – let us know what you’re thinking, what you’d like to read about, what fashion conundrums we can help solve. We’d love your feedback – now and throughout the year (btw – if public responding isn’t your thing, and we get that it’s not everyone’s thing, you can always personal message Hallie here).

It’s the New Year and we are even more determined to take the stress out of getting dressed. Let’s do it together.

Happy Stylish New Year,

Team Hallie

Gift Guide- From our Favorite Retailers!

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With the Holidays here we thought it would be fun to offer gift suggestions from local retailers. We decided to have our “Go-To” superstars (to whom we are ever thankful and who help us often) choose their favorite merchandise in the store and share why its it’s their perfect pick of the season!

Over the next few weeks we’ll be visiting some of our fav stores in NE Ohio to gather great gift giving ideas-

Our first stop, the boutiques at Eton on Chagrin Blvd:

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*This reminds us our beloved Tieks we posted  here on Facebook earlier this year!

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Has this helped give you gift ideas? Do you have any amazing gift ideas you can share? Pay it forward, let us know… Next post we’ll be stopping by Beachwood Mall and giving you the inside scoop from some of our favorite stores. Stay Tuned!

Fab Find!!! Old Navy “ROCKSTAR” jean

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If the jeans fit…

At Hallie Headquarters we got a hot tip — That the Old Navy Rockstar jeans look and fit similar to the much pricier Rag and Bone Skinnies.

And the tip (thank you informant!) was right on. I not just bought one pair. I bought two for $70 bucks (although I think the dark wash fit more like my J Brand than Rag and Bone, but whatever – a win’s a win:). They look great tucked into boots as well as with booties and they come in every color imaginable (cords too). Plus, when my son spilled nacho cheese all over them at the OSU football game – I didn’t even flinch – $34.99 vs. $200 for a pair of jeans, keeps things totally in perspective.

What to give the man who likes to look good, but hates to shop!

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What to give the man who likes to look good, but hates to shop (Sound Familiar?) by. Erin Pollock

So, a few months ago I gifted my husband with the perfect experience – wait for it – the no shopping/ shopping experience. It’s called J. Hillburn, and it’s custom clothing brought right to your home. Let me explain this painless process – 1. Hillburn rep shows up. 2. Husband takes break during half-time of whatever game he’s watching 3. Husband is measured for exact fit. 4. Fabrics are picked (in our case, a collaborative effort between my hubby, me, and a J. Hillburn expert) 4. Bam – Shirts/Pants/Jackets and ready-to-wear (beautiful cashmere sweater) ordered all before game resumes.

It really is a modern way to outfit your man without inevitably leaving him sitting on the ledge of some mall fountain while you forget all about shopping for him as your radar naturally leads you to the ladies shoe department (which could mean, let’s face it, abandoning him for hours)

Anyway, if my anecdote isn’t enough to convince you, allow me to tell you what Hallie and Anastasia can offer this holiday (yes, they are now repping J. Hillburn!) These lovely and talented ladies are willing to throw in a 1 hour free consultation with the purchase of a $150 gift card (that’s a custom shirt and consultation with these fashion experts – A $225 value).

And with that I say, may you all have a very Happy Hilburn Holiday.

Thanksgiving Attire

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING! With the holiday upon us we decided share our top picks for functional and fashionable turkey day attire!

Look 1: I think this W by Worth frock with matching shell is a great casual dress for this particular holiday. The loose fit is incredibly forgiving after a day of eating turkey and stuffing.

Look 2: I love a chic slouchy trouser paired with more sophisticated pieces. Casually cool and comfy!

Look 1: I’m all for dresses that skim the body!

Look 2: This jumpsuit is an easy go-to. Sleek enough for the occasion, yet sporty enough for my comfort!

Thanksgiving is a casual holiday, not a stuffy one – (although i usually end up stuffed. bad joke, i know). Anyway, point being I like to approach the holiday with a dressed up, but down ensemble.

Look 1:  A sleek tux jacket dressed down with denim and specs. Jacket on and you’re all holiday, jacket off and you’re all football watching couch potato.

Look 2: A sweater that I actually own – sweet and girly with a hint of sparkle that I will make more casual by pairing with jeans or cords (perhaps even the oxblood ones I mentioned in our “how to crew” previous post) – love the idea of pink and rich burgundy hues coming together for the fall holiday.

Look 1:  I must own 5 of the same, identical, black, stretch turtlenecks from H&M, and for good reason! They are amazing! Most people wouldn’t want to wear a skin tight, what looks to be very restricting turtleneck to something where they know they are going to be eating themselves into a coma but with these turtlenecks they stretch along with you.

Look 2: I need to be sure and bring a giant, cozy, over-sized cardigan. My thinking behind this is that no matter who I am with or how great the conversation I always fall asleep.

Fashion Hmmmm’s…Answered

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Let me start by saying everyone has been there. It all comes down to Balance & Proportion!!! The little details that please or displease your eye all add up. Your pieces should compliment one another, and when they don’t, finding out why is important. Is it the shape? The color? The fabric? The length? It’s also important to keep in mind that the proportions are changed every few seasons – similar to the way the hem length of a skirt changed season to season in our mother or grandmothers day. It is the fashion industries was of staying in business!!!

Almost everyone has what I call “orphan” pieces in their closet…those items that don’t seem to work well with anything but you love them alone. To avoid this you really have to take a moment before purchasing. Think about whether you really like the look of it on you and the fit. Is it flattering? What does it go with? Do you already own pieces that may work with it, and if not are you willing to create and purchase a whole outfit around this one piece? I like to call it “shopping with intention” and we work with our styling/wardrobe clients to create personalized shopping plans that help avoid impulse shopping and promote this type of purchasing with a mission.
Another way to prevent the “wardrobe domino effect” is having “The Essentials” in your wardrobe. The essentials are those work horse pieces, like a black suit, dark denim and a classic pump that might not be overly interesting or appealing on their own but will give you a ton of milage when mixed and matched with other pieces in your closet. I can’t stress enough how essential it is to have these basics on hand in order to get the most out of your wardrobe. How many of “The Essentials” do you have in your closet?

Fashion Hmmmms by Erin Pollock

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The problem with getting dressed.

How often it happens. I buy the perfect shirt, but I don’t have the right pants. I have the right pants, but not the ideal shoe. I’ve got the perfect shoe, but alas, not the right jewelry. Why does putting together a great outfit have to be so much darn work? I mean it even goes right down to the undergarments – how many times have you walked around knowing the fancy dress you bought really needs a better bra? Or the white pants, well what works under white pants anyway?

Is there a solution? Or are we all destined to fit our wardrobe together like legos, piece by piece by piece? Just pondering this as I try to figure out what to wear with the adorable new scarf I bought that doesn’t look good with a single jacket I have. Ugh.

Anybody else wonder what staple pieces will help solve the “wardrobe domino effect?” Or, do you have your own game plan to “outfitting” that I should know about? Post your wardrobe solutions and/or conundrums here and Hallie will comment/answer later this week.

Where to Find Your Inner First Lady

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Just like our elected politicians, sometimes we too get off track from our agenda – this post should’ve run last week when it was more timely, but we still think the info is too good to miss – (and thankfully we don’t need to call a press conference to make it all better:) Happy reading- thanks, Hallie & Co.

We had a thought today at Hallie Abrams Personal Wardrobe Consulting. Although we went over a few rules to follow when trying to reach your First Lady style potential we thought it would be fun to get a little more specific. Not just what to look for but where to look!  The First Lady could, with out a doubt, be dressed by ANY designer in the world but that is not to say she does not travel down some of the same roads as us when it comes to putting a look together. J.crew, H&M, Micheal Kors, all picks of the always impeccably dressed current First Lady on more than one occasion. We have put together four looks suitable for Americas leading ladies, which we have all kept very accessible for you! 
Look 1:

All items pictured above can be found by clicking below-

Blouse , Blazer , Skirt , Pin , Bag , Shoes , Earrings

Look 2:

 

All items pictured above can be found by clicking below-

Dress , Necklace , Bag , Jacket , Bracelet

Look 3:

 

All items pictured above can be found by clicking below-

Jacket , Skirt , Blouse , Shoe , Bag , Earring

Look 4:

 

All items pictured above can be found by clicking below-

Dress , Jacket , Shoe , Bag , Necklace , Earrings

Are these looks you could see your self wearing? To a party? To work?  An interview?

Fashion Hmmmmms by Erin Pollock

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Can someone out there please educate me?

If you’ve been invited to an event, a wedding, a bar mitzvah, an anniversary party, etc.. (and odds are you have), you have received an invite. And on the invite there is usually a dress code. So, that being said, you should have a clear picture of what to wear – I mean it’s written (or embossed) in front of you. Right? Wrong, because it never makes sense. Ever.  Here’s what I mean –
Black-tie optional  – Really, what’s the optional all about? I never want to be under-dressed so I tend to land on the dressier side of things, but then I never want to be over-dressed either… Can’t someone just tell me what they want?

Dressy casual – Oxymoron if I’ve ever seen one. Hello? Aren’t dressy and casual two totally different things?

Country club attire – What is this the 1950”s? I picture white gloves and shift dresses

And my favorite, the invite said “Night Club Fabulous” – I haven’t been to a nightclub since I had kids. I don’t know about anyone else.

It would be great if someone could create a little handbook, a glossary so to speak, with the terms and little pictures of appropriate clothing next to them to help take all the guess-work out of this. Hallie, are you listening?

Actually, maybe Hallie can help (how about that for an idea?)

Post what befuddles you here and Hallie will answer our questions later in the week.

Intern Post- Sydney Davis

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I had the great pleasure of having 2 fab interns (Sydney and Branden) work with me this summer. Each has a different area of focus and interest yet both brought a lot to the table and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know and work with them both.

Since I am not a big corporation with a formal internship program we kind of made some things up as we went along. We brainstormed many, many ideas and each of them took what spoke to them and ran with it. 
 
Sydney is a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis. She is interested in writing with a focus on fashion. Sydney has written for local publications as well as her high school newspaper and is working on getting involved with the newspaper on Washington University’s campus.
 
Sydney wrote this lovely article focusing on a challenge that many women face…

 

How To Fit and Flatter a Large Bust- Sydney Davis

Much of today’s trendy clothing is designed without big busts or bra straps in mind, which can make it difficult for a woman with a full chest to both look good in clothing and stay up with what is in style. Yet, with a little help, everyone can look fashionable while still flattering their own unique shape.

Although a full bust is often viewed as a gift from Mother Nature, it can be difficult to find clothing that not only fits, but also flatters a large chest. It is crucial to have coverage without completely suffocating your chest.  Although there are many elements that determine whether or not a piece will work on a woman with large breasts, I have found that the neckline is extremely important.

Necklines That Work:

1. Sweetheart- the sweetheart neckline shows a bit of cleavage while still providing support and coverage. Many pieces with the sweetheart neckline have wiring or boning to help support the bust. With a strapless piece, this neckline is extremely flattering.

2. One-shouldered- a one-shouldered piece is fun and trendy while still fully covering a large bust. Of course, one would have to wear a strapless bra, which may be difficult for some. Yet with a good-quality bra with a strong underwire, it can definitely be done.

3. Jewel- this neckline is higher up and looks great with a statement necklace. Although with a jewel neckline and a large chest, the piece must be more fitted. If one were to wear a jewel neckline with a looser piece, a draping effect would occur, which would not flatter the chest.

Necklines That Don’t Work

Any necklines that cut directly across the bust line can hit the chest in an awkward place, causing either discomfort or a large amount of unwanted cleavage. The other neckline that is particularly unfit for women with a large bust is a piece with a plunging neckline, specifically one that has a very high waistline and triangle-like sections which hold in the bust. Obviously, it is very difficult to draw strong lines between what works and what does not, but hopefully, these words and images can help you to draw your own line between what flatters you and what does not.

Dressing well with a large bust can be extremely difficult, but hopefully these guidelines help you to select a wardrobe that flatters your curves.