Richard's Coming Out {Enhancement part 2}

Richard's new look would not have been complete without a visit to Ann Marie Flores' The Salon on Broadway. She took his shabby look and made it sleek and stylish.

Richard with Ann Marie and his "products" by Redken. Ann Marie enlightened Richard in the use of hair products to enhance his new hair style.

Richard greeted his guests in his "before" look {I told you he had a sense of humor}. A quick thank-you smooch for his personal stylist before the new Richard was let OUT OF THE CLOSET!

Richard's COMING OUT! {Enhancement - part 1}

Richard's new "drop off" ensemble is a welcome update. He's now a retro dad wearing black EB Tek pants from Eddie Bauer, a cotton zip sweater from Banana Republic and Adidas Samba Sneakers.

Cutting the Rug with his beautiful wife, Deborah. Richard made it clear that his clothes had to be stylish yet comfortable enough to wear dancing {another great love}. He and his wife currently dance with Tango Fusion Dance Company.

More amazing Tango Fusion dancers.

As a software developer, Richard doesn't have a big need for lots of stuffy suits and ties, but wanted a more put together casual look that he could wear when traveling. The khaki sport coat is from Macy's. Sweater, shirt, and jeans all from Banana Republic.

Every well dressed man needs at least one good suit. We got his at Brook Brother's. Tie from Jos. A Banks. Deborah {wearing a flirty dress from Violet's} is his best accessory.

Who is that Dapper Man??? {Enhancement}

{photo by Kim Purdy}

Could it be??? No - it can't be.... No sweats, no baggy jeans, no p.j. bottoms with a faded tee??? No one could believe it... But it happened... I transformed Richard.

It was a great night of new stylish looks, dancing, cocktails, laughs, good friends and an enhanced Richard.

Stay tuned for all the sartorial fun...

How do you solve a problem like....{Enhancement}

{Richard sporting one of his more sophisticated looks?!?!}

...Richard. Husband, father, software designer, dancer, and fashionably challenged. Try this for a visual.... PJ bottoms, Life is Good tee, over sized 10 year old {I'm being generous here... might be 20 year} ski jacket, Doc Martins {from the 80's - yes cool, yet old}, disheveled hair, & a coffee cup. This is at school pick up. The best part of that ensemble? The coffee and his personality. Thanks to Richard's Southern charm it will make this style enlightenment so much easier.

Let the games begin!

The Grand Finale & Track Ready... {Giveaway Announced}

I love the wrap dress.  Erin went out of her comfort zone with this dress and has had amazing results!  She looks sexy and confident!  The wrap style plays up her girly figure in a very sophisticated way.  Spanx and Fashion Tape is a girl's best kept secret for keeping things where they need to be.

I wanted to play up the color because it's all about color this season {especially orange and bright yellow}.  I used the same blue peep toe wedges from the shop your closet post to play up the blue in the dress, but added an orange clutch, chunky necklace and fun flower cocktail ring to add pop!  Take risks and have fun with color - it isn't always about matching.

{Dress from Frivolous, Necklace and clutch from 80 West, Spanx and Fashion Tape can be found at Frivolous}

In Erin's Words....

"Thank you so much Susan!  Who knew shopping could be so much fun!  I love how we went through my closet first and decided which things work for me and then got rid of things that did not.  And then to the shopping!  I can truthfully say I did not expect to find much downtown to fit me .... but Susan knows what she is doing.  It was great to shop with Susan because she knows the stores and store owners so well.  These people are great!  So helpful and not scary at all!!!  

 

 I love all my new clothes ~ they are so comfortable and mix with all my clothes I already own.  When we were going through my closet Susan was surprised at the clothes and accessories I already had but never wear...Susan then asked me, "What are you waiting for?"  Well, I am not waiting any longer.  I have been stepping it up and wearing my cool jewelry and hats. Why not?    I have a great life and now I can look good while I am enjoying it!

 

Thanks to Maria for my great hair, I love it!  Much appreciation to Amy and Mary at Spa Cascada..  I love my make up and brows! Thanks to all who came to my big reveal and donated so generously to the Franklin Community Center food pantry".

 

Erin and her husband Mike, through their party raised $900.00 and donated two boxes full of much needed non-perishable food items to Franklin Community Center. Erin is truly beautiful inside and out!

 

A special thanks to Kim Purdy for taking all the pictures!!!

 

The winner of this week's giveaway and the start of an enhancement of their own is...

 

Rebecca..

Her comment was... "My daughter Alice {referring to my grey roots} said "Mom - it looks like someone dropped a powdered doughnut on your head"!

 

Enjoy SaratogaArtsFest this week end!! 

 See you next week when we will celebrate DAD! 

In a Pinch? Shop your Closet!!! {Enhancement Week #2}

Pictures by Kim Purdy

We all have those moments when we feel like we have NOTHING to wear. This is when having the wardrobe staples comes in very handy.  We took these classic khaki trousers that Erin already had in her closet and paired it with a black wrap blouse that Erin has had, but never wore.  The blouse is the perfect silhouette for Erin.  The wrap style works well because the v-neck adds length to Erin and flatters her bust.  The top hits her right at the hip line and shows off her waist.  The wide leg trouser adds balance to the whole silhouette giving it a classic and polished look.  We made it Erin's own by adding funky jewelry.  The chunky coral necklace and fun blue peep toe shoes adds just enough color to make it appropriate for any summer event!

{Coral necklace from 80 West}

 

 

Enhancement Secrets Revealed {Giveaway Wednesday!}

 {pictures by Kim Purdy}

I hate to give away all Erin's secret's {and mine}, but then again, that is why I'm here!

Secret #1 - Maria Brower.  Amazing hairstylist.  I've been using her for years, so this is the hardest one to divulge...  A former New Yorker who takes beauty and style seriously {now you know why I love her}, but the best part is she wants YOU to be happy.  She sits with you to discuss lifestyle and how much time you can realistically spend on your daily hair routine {ponytail not included}.  She spent years working for Redken selling their products to salons, but always kept her hands in hair - her first love {sorry Chuck}.  She knows product and how to execute the best current cuts and colors.  Interested?  E-mail me and I'll get you set up!  Pass it on... 

Secret #2 - Spa Cascada.  OK - I haven't been so good at keeping Amy and her hacienda style spa a secret.  It's made a few posts here and my spirit has been rehydrated there plenty of times.  Amy and her dedication to her craft continues to be an inspiration to me.  Her eyebrow designs, skin care treatments, facials, and makeup knowledge has enhanced many Saratogians.  Add Erin to that growing list.    

Secret #3 - You can experience some enhancement for yourself.  This week's giveaway is a free hair consultation from Maria with a complimentary Redken Shade's EQ Conditioning Crystal Clear Glaze treatment {I've had a few and love them!}.  As Maria says, "this will give the winner exceptional shine and condition without any color change to the hair.  It's ammonia free {gentle to the hair}, acid balanced, and fortified with wheat amino acids".  What's this mean to you?  A better conditioned, full of body, shiny mane!

I'm not done yet.....  the second part of this brilliant giveaway is a free make up consultation with Amy at Spa Cascada.  Amy will discuss make up trends with you, check out your skin, apply a little Glo Minerals and fill you in on what colors work best for you.  Another secret you will walk away with - Blinc Mascara.  The newest {and greatest} mascara on the market.  You'll be ahead of your friends by "tubing" your lashes instead of the passe way of painting them!

Free hair consultation, hair glaze treatment, make up consultation and the newest mascara on the market - you will be on your way to the enhancement you always dreamed of!  Make a comment on this post to make that dream come true!  Winner announced on Friday!  Good Luck! 

Meet the ENHANCED Erin!!! {Enhancement Week #2}

Taaa dahhhh!!!!  Doesn't she look great?! 

Nothing says summer better than white.  Crisp, clean and light is just what we are looking for on hot summer evenings.  But, when the sun goes down it's best to be prepared with a soft light weight wrap.  This is the perfect summer evening outfit for Polo, a dinner party, or a night poolside with friends. I love how the all white layer adds length to Erin, while the wrap when tied defines her waist.  Silver chain necklace and matching earrings add length but are light weight and don't over take the outfit.  A bold cuff and fun beaded bracelets complete the look.

{Pants, tank and wrap from Violet's of Saratoga.  Earrings and Necklace from Frivolous.  Silver cuff, beaded bracelets are from Erin's closet!}

Erin raves about how comfortable and easy this outfit is to wear.  The truth is you don't have to sacrifice style for comfort.  Erin can easily chase after her three boys in this cool cotton black swing skirt that shows off her great legs!  We paired this with her white tank {above} layered with a light weight blue tank. On cooler days or evenings at the baseball field she can layer on her blue wrap {above}, and a funky bright scarf to brighten up the ensemble.  Dainty jewelry adds just the right detail.

Having key pieces in your closet will make mix and matching easy.  This blue wrap will get tons of wear.  To show how different it can be I tied it in the back for the second look and it gave it a much different look and feel.

One of these essential wraps can be yours!!  Stop by Violet's of Saratoga, tell them DTSB sent you and they will give you 20%  off a wrap in the color of your choice - they have a plethora of colors to choose from!!  Run don't walk... 

{Skirt, white tank , and scarf are from Violet's of Saratoga  Blue tank from  Old Navy  Jewelry is Erin's own}