“You complete me”  was a great line spoken by Tom Cruise in the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire. Wow, that was almost 20 years ago!

Bet you think that  I am going to talk about my husband…

SURPRISE! Today I’m talking about ACCESSORIES!! Accessories are the completer pieces for your wardrobe. Your outfit can go from “OK” to “Aw Right, Aw Right, Aw Right”  just with the addition of an accessory or two.

There are so many ways to complete your look. There are quite a few variables to consider. Work or casual, day or night, glam or sporty. You also need to consider how you envision your look…classic? boho? glamorous? I tend to be rather eclectic in my style. We should all dress for the moment, but put a bit of a spin on it to make it more interesting and fun. I really enjoy the process of getting dressed and accessorizing my outfit.

There are many categories getting attention this fall season.

Boots– a category unto themselves this season. There are so many styles and moods…You can go from a tailored ankle boot to a motorcycle inspired look in either a short or high boot or really go for it with an over the knee boot. Boots this year have all heel heights, sometimes more than one zipper, buckles and fringe. In other words, if you can’t find a boot to buy this year you don’t want one!! Check out at QVC From Clarks:  Ankle boot A270266 ($108.24), ankle boot with buckle A257390 ($106.32), Biker look A236979 ($121.56), open toe  A268852 ($121.56). From Isaac Mizrahi: ankle boot A267122 ($117.27), ankle boot wedge A267367 ($119.87), riding boot A256982 ($177.64), mid shaft boot A256861 ($112.16). From Mark Fisher over the knee boot A256931 ($149.00). From Vionic suede ankle boot A259632 ($149.00).  At HSN from Vince Camuto an ankle boot with fringe #429-904 ($150.00)

Belts– are surfacing again in the form of narrow belts or Obi ties. Both giving attention back to the waist and giving you one if need be. See QVC obi belt from G.I.L.I.  A275439 ($86.00)

The BIG thing so far this season is Ponchos, Ruana wraps and vests. There are so many fabrics in these styles that they not only add color and print but they also add texture. Many styles have fringe trim which is a statement for fall. Items in this category can take a simple dress or skirt with top or pant with top to new heights for day or dressy events. Worth checking out on QVC are Layers by Lizden fringed poncho A267185 ($37.36), Shrug A256593 ($32.18) and Ruana A226406 ($45.00). At JCPenney check out an aztec print poncho by I Jeans Buffalo on sale for $39.99 and Liz Claiborne for $80.00. CHICO’S has some terrific styles including a perforated faux suede ruana with fringe for $129.00. For vests look to QVC LOGO BY LORI GOLDSTEIN for knits with asymmetric hems and stylish details. Susan Graver has a good selection of knit vests as well as fleece vests.

The Scarf- this is one category of accessories that is a staple for me. The Infinity scarf continues in all textures, colors, and prints. These work with any outfit as well as with outerwear when it gets cold. In cotton scarves bandanna prints are surfacing. Florals are always a staple as well as animal prints. Houndstooth, plaids, crazy checks, artistic prints will also be seen. I love oversize scarves that can also take the chill out for you in a movie theater. There is talk about skinny scarves coming too. No matter what the question, scarves can be the answer! JCPenney has a great selection of infinity scarves . On QVC look at  LIZDEN’s infinity scarf in crochet A226408 ($29.00) and Isaac Mizrahi floral print 28×72″ A256500 ($28.00)

Stayed tuned for bags and Jewelry…

Colors inspire. Colors attract. Colors motivate. Colors are mood makers.

The selection of colors for standards to be used in Women’s, Men’s, Children’s and Home each year is serious business!!!

Pantone is the global leader for color.There is a “color of the year” selected by a group of color experts headed by Pantone’s executive director Leatrice Eiseman. This group determines the “color of the year” and they also put together seasonal palettes.

In an interview for Nautilus by Claire Cameron, Leatrice Eiseman said that they came up with “Marsala” for 2015 because they were looking for a robust color. Marsala is the color of wine and it is seen in food too. People connect with wine and food and earthy tones. The colors selected for the fall seasonal palette are universal for women and men.

A really interesting note in the interview said that there is now a new color standard called “Minion Yellow”. Those little guys are just showing up everywhere!!  According to Pantone, the color standard is “the color of hope, joy and optimism”. How great is that? Let’s hope that the color shows up everywhere and conveys exactly that sentiment!

So….here are the colors you will be seeing for fall 2015.

Center stage is Marsala- a wine, reddish brown shade. Warm and rich, naturally earthy.

Earthy neutrals are Dried Herb (an olive green shade), Desert Sage (a cool and soothing gray), Stormy Weather (think of the sky on a dark gray day), and Oak Bluff (think golden sun yellow after stormy weather!)

The more bold and invigorating colors are Biscay Blue (a lush elegant teal), Reflecting Pond (conveys dark blue with depth), Cadmium Orange (optimistic, fun, warm. This is a nod to the ’60’s and ’70’s), Cashmere Rose (looks very lilac, “soft pink hue…uptown color”) and Amethyst Orchid (Jewel tone. Vibrant! Bold! Exciting!).

The palette this fall is a terrific mix of earthy neutrals with bold color. The colors selected will permeate all fashion lines for fall and their influence will also be seen in the home categories.  The colors also play into the beauty lines. Make up, after all, can’t clash with the clothing!!

In my opinion the palette has great potential. In past years I have not always felt that way. Last year’s color was Radiant Orchid. That color was not great against all skin tones and it was not used extensively in clothing. No worries that colors you love will not share the spotlight. There will be vibrant gem colors, lots of chocolate and at least 50 shades of gray!!

Color is everywhere…color expresses mood…”feeling blue”… “seeing red”… “in the pink”…  “green with envy”.  Color expresses your own personal style. Try different colors and you will see how people react to you and how color can enhance your own well being. It would make me happy if everyone put on a little Minion Yellow!!

Fall is upon us!  I have always been very excited when all of the trends and styles were shown for the fall season. I recall, as if it was yesterday, sitting at the community pool with the HUGE August edition of Seventeen magazine.

So here I am years and years later still being thrilled when the conversation turns to Fall. There are so many things going on this year. Amazing that some of the trends which are “retro” and “vintage” are periods of fashion I have already lived through and actively participated!!

There is a trend which is a “nod to the 60’s”. I did more than nod at the 60’s!! Those were truly my formative years and some of the trends of this period are still my favorites! I love Luxe Bohemian looks…printed skirts, vests, embroidery, fringe and denim!  Then there is “70’s Chic” ruffled necklines as well as glamorous styles.

There are several things we can all add to our closets this season that will keep us looking on trend. Here is what I think is worthy of investigation.

A Moto jacket of some sort.  Leather is ideal, but if you are not comfortable with that there are versions available in different fabrications that cover the look (see QVC Susan Graver #A266820 for $58.00 as a good alternative).

Ankle boots…also known as “shoe-ties”. There are a lot of fabulous styles offered this season and a variety of heel heights that make it something that works for all of us. (again, some of the best I have seen so far are on QVC: Clarks and Isaac Mizrahi).

Fringe: in handbags there are many hobo styles available. The cardigan/kimono styles I wrote about for summer continue into fall in some beautiful prints and fabrics.

Lace as trims and and layering pieces. Looks are very feminine and bohemian. Combinations with chiffon and sheers look great.

Belts: tied belts are making a comeback!. Everything from skinny to Obi ties. Very flattering.

Denim- this has never left my closet and I am sure that is true for you too. Updates in pants are crop pants with a flare, and slight flare legs. Skirts are also trending as well as boyfriend shirts.

High low hems continue and the car-wash pleat skirt is also making a comeback. Seeing this in Dior’s runway show sealed the deal!

That is a capsule review of Fall 2015.

Stay tuned….Next I will tell you about the color palette for the season.

My husband likes to say that my arrival at a mall is akin to approaching The Mother Ship. This is particularly true when I get to Nordstom, Chico’s and JCPenney (no specific order…depends on what the search of the day is). I can actually feel excitement build. And I am told that if it is a really good sale, I glow!

This month is the Nordstom Anniversary Sale. My friends and I make this an annual event for lunch and shopping. One only gets a taste of what is to come for the next season but it gets you in the mood with some incredible beauty buys as well as new fashion items. Philosophy always has fabulous buys on skin care items.

This year I did find 2 things worthy of sharing. One is in the already fabulous Nordstom shoe department where they have now set up  a “build your own shoe” area.They are not at all bashful with prices (starting price $199.00) but the concept makes you go “hmmmm..”.pick your toe style, pick the fabric/color, pick the heel style and height! If price is not a consideration for you, it would be like having the glass slipper fit.

The second thing I found  is a costume jewelry company called The Giving Keys (Los Angeles). There are several styles of bracelets and necklaces that consist of a real key on a chain or a bracelet. On the key is stamped an inspiring  word…the one I bought is “believe”. You are supposed to embrace the word on your key and then pay it forward to someone who needs the message. The company exists to employ those transitioning out of homelessness in LA. The company was founded by Caitlin Crosby in 2008. I just love the whole concept.

Looking for a shabby chic home accessory? A popular item right now is rustic wooden/brushed metal marquee letters with LED lights. Very good look if you home can incorporate this look. I found these in Nordstrom for $22.90 per letter. Here’s a tip for you…QVC has this in the Ellen DeGeneres Home Line. The Item # is H204013 and it is sold as words…LOVE, KIND, HOPE. All 4 letters sell for $38.00!! I am sure there will be intrinsic differences, but a look is a look.

Will discuss in next blog the trends for Fall…’60’s and ’70’s inspiration…haute hippie…color!

Anyone having gone through a divorce or the end of a serious, lengthy relationship can attest to the fact that it might take years before you believe in love again. A guy asked me once if I thought about remarrying and I told him “…when the moon is in the 7th house and Jupiter aligns with Mars…” Well, I guess that happened for me in December 2010!

Those who are widowed have the same feelings. It is said that those who experienced a good marriage are more open to remarrying. This is particularly true with men. They want that connection again.

Those of you who found the real thing the first time are really lucky.

It is never too late to find love again…or for the first time. One needs to believe that it could happen, and strangely enough it does happen. Tom and I met through EHarmony. Who would have thought that works! He was a widower and I was divorced. We both basically were looking for someone to spend time with- dinner, a movie, social engagements. My big thing was I wanted to have someone to take to weddings!! What a gift it was to fall in love. Granted, I did have my share of frogs before the prince arrived but I also had a couple of good experiences that helped me grow and learn what I really wanted.

On some show about animals I picked up an interesting bit of information.  Sea Otters hold paws at night so that they don’t drift apart. I think of that at night as I reach for Tom’s hand as we fall asleep.

Believe in Love…leave yourself open…take a risk. The return on the investment of your time is truly incredible.

PS: again my blog is not about fashion, but it is spot on transitioning!! Besides, July is a period of waiting for fall to hit the stores. Hang on, I will circle the wagons around fashion soon!

The first time I heard this phrase was from Dr. Ruth Westheimer at a recent book signing. It was Sherry Lansing, the first woman to head a motion picture studio and a friend of Dr. Ruth’s, who coined the phrase “Don’t retire, rewire”.

When you feel it is time to pack up your current career that does not mean you just park yourself in a rocking chair (although some days that could sound very tempting!). It is time to think about something else. Perhaps it is something you have always wanted to do, but there was never enough time. Perhaps there is something you have always felt a passion for but never had time to explore because you were too busy with life to figure out what niche you could carve out for yourself.

This is really a very exciting time in our lives. We are not Benjamin Buttons so let’s grow older with grace and remain interesting and vital human beings. Let’s connect with people and concentrate on them. Make relationships meaningful. Actively participate in your community. Maybe give a little bit back and volunteer doing something you like. This can be helping others through fund raising for a good cause or just lending a hand at your relative’s senior residence. It can also be through supporting the arts. Without people attending concerts, plays and art exhibits they would not be able to continue.

Of course, let’s not forget about supporting fashion! Try to be bold! Experiment with color and accessories as a way to dip your toes in the water. You won’t hear someone say “look at that woman in the beige dress”, but you will hear “look at that woman in the beige dress and orange shoes”!

Make your fashion statement fun…find YOUR Joie de Vivre…seize the day and brighten it. And as I recently saw on a wall hanging “Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle”

Ever think about if you could know everything about something what would that be?

I would love to know everything there is to know about music. To me, music is the answer no matter what the question.

Every mood, every emotion, every memory can relate to music. You hear a tune and you can immediately place yourself in the moment you first heard it. You can think of all of the different stages of your life and how that particular piece of music resonates with you.

Music has been a constant presence in my life. There was always music playing in our house. I was drawn to all kinds of music and fortunately for me my parents introduced us to a wide selection of music. Big band standards were always there- Vaughn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Robert Goulet and I can still remember my dad bringing home the first Elvis Presley album!! In addition to all of that, my parents also enjoyed opera and the love of that continues for me now. My first opera was in the early 60’s The Met’s La Sonnambula. Wow…I thought I was such a sophisticate! I can even remember the outfit I wore…It was a pant suit with a matching knee length coat…Hilary Clinton would have been envious!!

Between 1962 and 1966 Lincoln Center came into being.  I am a regular visitor to this day. I had the most outrageous honor of being given a Lincoln Center Student Award. I think it was in 1966. It consisted of tickets to a variety of events at Lincoln Center. A good part of the fun was traveling into NYC on the train with Mike Masone and John Savage (back in the day he was John Youngs to all of us at POBHS). I could understand how both Mike (I believe he was a clarinet player) and John (a vocalist) were chosen, but I just lucked out being the one who was active in student government and chorus!! Speaking of John…at our high school no one would ever be ale to forget his rendition of “Climb Every Mountain”-I could probably start to cry just thinking back to him singing that at graduation.

As I age, my taste in music remains eclectic. I love rock as well as popular music and I still cry at every opera that my friend Julie and I have attended over the years. I have introduced my husband Tom to opera and he has enjoyed it.  Many of the tunes are familiar to everyone, he tells me, because we all grew up hearing them as background music on cartoons!! It is true!! My favorite is anything Puccini has ever done…as ELO says in Rockaria, “…she loves the way Puccini lays down a tune…” That’s me.

I have been lucky to have musicians in my life who afford me opportunities to experience a lot of different things. My friend Al Regni is a fantastic and well known sax player. He has played with the best from Broadway to the New York Philharmonic and the National Symphony and scores of other things. Al’s daughter Marissa is a violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra. My niece, Alison Crossley ( I thank my first husband for sharing his family with me!) is an up and coming flutist. It is so wonderful keeping up with their careers and being able to share in some wonderful moments.

Music is a universal language…it affects a person’s blood pressure and instills calmness. For those with dementia is has even been studied how it opens up the arteries increasing the blood flow and adds to one’s well being. I often feel the need to sing which opens up your chakras!!

OK…back to how does this relate to fashion….Have you ever seen a fashion show that would be presented without music? I rest my case.

This weekend is the official transition to summer. I thought this week would be a good time to share some ideas to update your look for the season. I think most of us would like to be “on trend” and but leave “trendy” to someone else!! Nothing worse than looking like you are trying too hard to be someone you are not.

My post-career wardrobe did not need too many adjustments since I was in the fashion business. Those of you coming out of very corporate environments may have a greater adjustment to make. You need to have a balance in your closet to be able to get a casual look and also use those pieces for soft suiting for dressier occasions. The best way I have found to do this is deciding on the look you are comfortable in and then add a piece or two of what is on trend. This can be done with fabric and color. This season we see the continuance of chiffon and sheer fabrics. I have loved this trend that has been building for a couple of seasons. There are so many great looks you can get by adding chiffon open front cardigans to your wardrobe. They are so figure flattering with the cascading fronts. Chiffon has also been big in scarf tops, tunic length tops and this season the kimono style “jackets” have been introduced. The two top places to get this look is either at CHICO’S or the SUSAN GRAVER line at QVC. The prints have been so beautiful and the color palettes have been very friendly this season. JCPenney has also had a great selection of these tops this year. When I was in retail buying I bought this category under accessories (which is the department you will find these items in stores). Back then we called the category “cover ups” which was a catch all for styles that were fashion items that were not blouses, shirts or sweaters. Buying accessories was my favor of all areas in my lengthy career (of course it helped that my boss was one to encourage her associates to test their wings and let their creativity grow. Thank you to Joanne for that!). I found a fabulous kimono style jacket at JCPenney in a chambray blue and ivory print with fringe at the hem. Fringe is also a big trend right now. Just make sure that you don’t look like you have put on a vintage lampshade to achieve the look!!! I also have found other printed kimonos there with high/low hems that can be used either dressed up or down with jeans or crop pants.  The best selection of printed chiffon vests is also found at SUSAN GRAVER at QVC. An additional tip that I got is that you can take the vest, fold it to put the armholes together, wrap it around your neck and pull the ends through the armholes as you would when doing a European tie with a scarf. The look is quite nice!! Also gives you a couple of looks with the same item when you are on vacation!

Another look that is everywhere right now is stripes. Looks particularly good in black and white…and that look is oh so French!!

As far as seasonal bottoms go, I love a skort! You can find them at QVC. This one piece short-with-attached skirt is really great! It gives you a more finished look than a pair of shorts and gives you the freedom to be on the floor with your grandkids…or stand over a subway grate in Manhattan without feeling like you are in competition with the iconic photo of Marilyn Monroe!!

So, go ahead and enjoy your summer fashions, and as Coco Chanel said…”Fashion in not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

I think that fragrance is such an important addition for everyone. I feel bad for anyone with allergies because I think fragrance communicates something to those around you. Of course, one has to be careful that  your fragrance does not enter a room before you do!!

I started to wear fragrance in junior high. For anyone growing up in the 60’s  I bet you can guess that it was Ambush!! After that, in high school, I graduated to Shalimar by Guerlain and that became my signature through college. After graduation I started to experiment with a variety of fragrances. I kicked it up a notch with  Opium (Yves St Laurent), Dune (Dior), Pheromone (Marilyn Miglin) and Sublime (Jean Patou) This was when I started to pay attention to top notes, mid notes and base notes. I found my preference ran to scents containing Bergamot, Vanilla, Lavender, Mandarin Orange, Sandalwood and Amber. Knowing this made it easier to make decisions on fragrance and not buy something that would wind up giving me  headache! If you ever have an opportunity to go to a perfumerie the one on Capri in Italy and one in Paris are both worth checking out.

In the early 90’s while traveling in London I discovered the Jo Malone fragrance line.That company was not yet in the United States (since 1999 they are an Estee Lauder company). My friend Jane and I spent a lot of time at Harrods checking out all of the very different scents offered…Cassis and Wild fig, Lime and basil, Nectarine and Honey!!. This is when I discovered the fig scent and it was added to my list of favorites.  I was really happy when the line finally got to the US.

For the past few years my scent has been Donna Karan’s Cashmere. I was wearing it when I met my husband and it is his favorite. The best way to get the most mileage out of a fragrance is to layer it…shower gel, lotion and then a spritz!! This sure can get expensive, but it is worth it!!

A great discovery for daytime, in particular, is the Philosophy line. My favorite place to purchase it is at QVC because they offer sensational pricing for duos and sets that include additional products. You can purchase super sizes on your favorites when they run promos or specials. Right now I am crazy for Sweet Vanilla Fig. Fresh Cream is another nice scent as is Pure Grace. All Philosophy products are  so clean smelling. People standing behind me on line have asked what the scent  is!!

Experimenting with fragrance can be a lot of fun. It brings out your individuality, makes you feel great and keeps you feeling young!!

We all know that life is one big transition. I think one of the biggest passages is when parents become your children.

Tom and I were married in 2012 (16 months after we met). It was a wonderful celebration- church wedding and all with both of my parents walking me down the isle. So many people were Wow…look at her parents!!! They were a striking couple with high energy. Dad and I had a father-daughter dance to “Unforgettable” and people were amazed watching a 90 year old twirl me around the dance floor. Three months later (almost to the day) he was diagnosed with cancer. So began a 2 year (almost to the day) journey to his life’s end. We were there just about every weekend and all vacation days through 2 surgeries, taking care of medication, appointments, fixing meals et al. During this time my mom started to loose short term memory which was probably God’s way of getting her through losing the love of her life since 1945.  I try to see something good coming out of tough times. Through all of this, my brother Bob and I have become closer than we ever were. I now consider him right up there in the best friend category and I have also gained a new appreciation for my sister-in-law Joyce. Things are starting to get back to normal now…a new normal. I retired 6 weeks before my Dad passed away. Mom is now settled in assisted living and enjoying all the activities which is so much better for her than hanging out with us all day!! She is living one town over from us and we visit several times during the week. And now we get to have dinner with my brother once a week when he comes to NJ to see Mom!!

You are probably saying, Elaine I thought this blog was going to be about style…I’m getting to it!!

My mantra is Get up…Dress up…Show up. When there are times that you feel like your energy is running out, one way to help yourself out is to care about what you are wearing!  Sound shallow? Try it!! It works. See how much better you feel when someone compliments you. When we moved mom into assisted living she was not exactly thrilled with the arrangement. But I kept arranging her closet for her and suggesting she wear outfits she always enjoyed wearing…and you know what? She started a trend among the women at her residence to pull their outfits together! I started seeing more scarfs and jewelry!! One of the people there said if Ralph Lauren ever needed a 90 year old model it would be my mom!!

So…my point is that fashion plays an important part in every day living.  As Bill Blass said, “When in doubt, wear red”.