4 Steps to organize your closet and simplify your life

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Shanna Pecoraro

Imagine you walk into your closet, everything looks interesting and inviting – you just couldn’t wait for tomorrow to get dressed! Is that possible? Yes, let’s follow the steps below and make your closet as inviting as you can imagine. The results of an organized closet will make your life simpler and get dressed in the morning more enjoyable.

Step 1.  De-clutter

  • Remove all dry cleaning plastic bags.
  • Get rid of the mismatched hangers.
  • Choose one hanger style that suits you and will look good in your pretty closet.
  • Find a different place for anything doesn’t relate to getting dressed needs.

Your closet is not a place to store golf bag, old clothes, or other people’s belongings: out with the excess baggage!

Step 2.  Decorate

  • Start with color. Give your closet a lift by taking everything out of it and repainting. (try a lighter or soft color)
  • In the far left corner get proper lights or install light fixtures so that every item in your closet gets an equal spotlight.

Step 3.  Display

  • Keep everything as displayed as possible. \
  • Sweaters, jeans and T-shirts can be folded neatly on open shelves.
  • Use a jewelry stand or add hooks to the wall to hold necklaces.
  • Scarf and belt racks help you see what you have.

When you walk into your closest and see all possibilities, getting dressed is easier and fun.

Step 4.  De-stress

  • Add a wonderful scent that you enjoy. (Lavender satchels will help keep your closet and drawers smelling fresh, not stale.)

Now that life and energy has been brought into your closet.  Does your wardrobe need more additional attention? No problem! We are here to help you with these and even more ideas to create ease in your personal wardrobe.  We’ll help you make your closet looked fabulous in the season. Contact us at: info@spimageconsulting.com

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ONE FOR THE MONEY

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Shanna Pecoraro

Author: Susan Sommers

Spring keeps teasing us here in New York City with a few days of glorious warmth followed by a weekend in the 30s.  March has always been a schizophrenic month.

Warm-weather styles this year are also on the schizophrenic side: neon brights alongside pale pastels, floral prints, geometric patterns and lots of solids, 20s elegance and tribal touches, to name a few.

Gone are the days when there was just one look and everyone was wearing it.

And then there’s you. What are you going to wear to look terrific, stylish and current?  You probably don’t have to invest in a new wardrobe, but you want to make sure you have at least one outfit that makes you look and feel amazing.

I call it my “money look,” and I usually have two: a dressed-up and a dressed-down professional (the one I’m pictured in above is the  dressed-down version).

These make me feel chic and empowered whatever my work day and I can vary them with accessories.

When you’re shopping for your money look, keep in mind the following: the occasions for which you need to look a certain way. Searching for a job, pitching for new clients or chairing a committee, for example, all call for different types of outfit.

And don’t overlook your job or role. When you don’t look like you do what you do, people are confused and distracted. You want to put your effort and money into an outfit that says exactly who you are.

No matter what else is in your wardrobe, I suggest you invest in a money ensemble you can count on when making a memorial impression is called for. Here are some considerations:

•    Love how you look and feel in the outfit. You probably can’t tell by the photo, but my little jacket is paperweight leather with a Lurex back and sleeves. It adds elegance to the simple dress it tops. The necklace is one I made and I love its heft and luxuriousness.

•    Select silhouettes that flatter your figure. The lines of your ensemble should highlight your assets.

•    Choose colors that are strategic to your image. You may love a neon green jacket, but if you’re a financial advisor, a shock shade may not provide the trustworthiness you need your clothes to say. You would be better incorporating the neon as one of the colors in a scarf around your neck and wear it with a jacket in a neutral hue.

•    Don’t underestimate the power of fabric. Those that look and feel costly say you are a success.

•    Use accessories to personalize your outfit—and also vary them so your look doesn’t get stale. Try to avoid generic jewelry. Select pieces that reflect who you are, all in keeping with the image you want to convey.

I hope this advice is helpful. If so, I’d love to see your money looks. Email them to me atsusan@dresszing.com.

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Love, Luck, Money and the Color Red, What’s Yours?

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Shanna Pecoraro

Valentine's dayAuthor: Dominique Isbecque

Yes, Valentine’s Day is associated with red roses and sweet hearts, but did you know that red is the warmest of all colors?

Red is also the color most chosen by extroverts and one of the top picks of males. On the negative side, red can mean temper or anger. Oops.

In China, red is the color of prosperity and joy. Brides wear red and front doors are often painted red.

Red roses symbolize passionate love. Ruby rings should be worn on the left hand. Red is the color of Mars and symbolizes the God of War.  Symbolism runs wide and deep:

  • In Feng Shui the color of LOVE is Pink
  • In Japan The color of LIFE is RED
  • In India Red means Purity
  • ORANGE In Japan is Courage while in Egypt it means mourning
  • Light Pink is considered FEMINIE and RED ties send POWER Messages

Besides finding the right warm or cool colors for our clients coloring, we can also guide their choices to help them send out the right messsages.  Clients who invest in their colors will be able to send out messages that can ultimately bring them respect, relationships, prosperity, promotions and just look really great!

Are you using COLOR to increase your business profits? Be in a position to better drive your results.

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Dressing Men from Looking Ordinary to Extraordinary

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Shanna Pecoraro

S.B peak lapelWhen it comes to dressing, always make sure that you think of your overall look. Your shirt, tie, suit and shoes might be expensive and look great, but do they work together? Do the colors complement your features? Do they fit your body type? Do they enhance your personal and professional image? Do they fit in the occasion?

In my opinion every man looks elegant in a well fitted suit and a gentleman’s wardrobe should begin with a classic tailored shirt and a perfect-fitted dark color suit.

The art of extraordinary dressing is about to create an overall unique look for the right occasion. Creating your unique look can easily be achieved by making a simple adjustment to ordinary looks.  Such as …

  • Simply replace traditional white or blue shirts with patterned shirts.
  • Add a sweater or vest to enhance a usual dress shirt and trousers ensemble to business casual.
  • Replace your suit jacket with a sport coat to provide a dressy casual look.
  • Add a packet square, cufflinks to accent what was once common.
  • Mixing color, prints or patterns in different scale are great ways to create interest in your look – For example, combine a subdued small plaid check dress shirt with a bold stripe tie or a dark color shirt with a bright color tie,. Etc.
  • Use an accent of contrast fabric to the interior of the collar and lining to express your individuality.
  • Using a specialized thread color to the button and button holes creates a personal touch.
  • Try a V-neck sweater over a classic tailored white shirt and pair them with a dark washed jeans and a tweed blazer to maintain your professional style.

These tips create an outstanding and updated ensemble appropriate for any professional or social setting. Want to know more about men’s image or tailored clothing please check www.spimageconsulting.com or contact us at: info@spimageconsulting.com

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A “Tiramisu Recipe” from an Image Consultant

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Shanna Pecoraro

“A recipe is only a theme, which an intelligent cook can play each time with a variation.”

                                                                     —-~ Madame Benoit

I know there is no time for you to experiment a new recipe for your holiday party. Since TIRAMISU (an Italian Dessert literally translated as “pick me up”) has become so popular in my dinner party and so many friends of mine have asked the recipe. I thought why not just post it on my blog to share instead of sending it to everyone.

Step 1

Ingredients: 6 large egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, and ¼ cup cognac

Put the egg yolks and sugar in a big bowl and beat them in the bowl with hand-held electric mixer in medium speed over the slowly simmering water until the mixture thick and color turns pale yellow. Whisk in the cognac until the mixture doubles in volume. Set the bowl over ice water to cool down.

Step 2

Ingredients: 1 pound mascarpone (a sweet, soft Italian cheese; never replace it with whipped cream) 

Fold the mascarpone into the mixture from step 1 and beat the mixture at the low speed until blended.

Step 3

Ingredients: 4 egg whites, 2 tablespoons sugar

Beat the egg whites with a clean beater on medium-high speed in a large bowl until foamy. Add in sugar and beat until stiff peaks formed. Fold the egg white into the mascarpone mixture.

Step 4

Ingredients: ¼ cup cognac, 2 cups espresso café (long), 36 pieces of Italian Ladyfingers, and ¼ cocoa powder (unsweetened)

A Tiramisu Recipe from an Image ConsultantCombine the espresso and cognac in a small bowl. Dip the ladyfingers into the espresso mixture one at a time. Lay them side by side close together into the bottom of a glass baking dish (9” x 9”). Spread 1/3 of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the ladyfingers. Sprinkle 1/3 of cocoa powder on the top.  Dip the remaining ladyfingers in the espresso mixture and repeat the process to make the 2nd and 3rd layers. Sprinkle with the remaining cocoa powder on each layer. Cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 5 hours before serve.

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What you should know before you go “Holiday Gift Shopping”

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Shanna Pecoraro

Shopping listWe all know that holiday gift shopping can be very stressful if you are having HOLIDAY ANXIETY. Please read the tips below before you start to shop. 

Plan ahead and think with your heart, then make a list that includes:

  • Who to give – Family members, Co-workers, Boss, Clients, Babysitter, Mail carrier, Doormen etc.
  • How much you want to spend – Always stick to your budget, for the co-worker, boss or clients.  You also have to consider the company policy/guide line.
  • What to give – Don’t try to find something “Unusual” or “different”, think what they really want. (Take their personal test, life style, hobbies/interests in consideration)

It’s OK to ask people for hints or a wish list. You can even take photos and gather ideas during the year and save them in your smart phone. When it comes to shopping, smart phones are really a time saver. 

  • Where to get the gifts – Use the list, schedule a time to shop in person or go online.
  • When to give – Send the gifts by mail: consider the delivery time; give them in-person: make sure the recipient will be in.

Remember not everyone celebrates the holidays the way you do.  So if you send a holiday card, you shall be mindful about the message. A hand writing note with simple “Season’s Greeting” “Happy Holidays” is always appropriate.

I hope you find these tips helpful and have fun with your holiday shopping. “Happy Holidays” everyone.

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Make a Holiday Party Enjoyable for Everyone — Be a Welcomed Guest

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Shanna Pecoraro

Holiday partyAn invitation to a house party presents the occasion to share special time together with special people? Are you prepared to be a welcome guest? Here are some suggestions …

  1. RSVP first (Verbal or written invitation) – once you accept an invitation, keep your commitment and be on-time.
  2. Never arrive with empty hands – something special for your host, i.e. chocolate, flowers, wine, etc.
  3. Dress for the occasion – Check with your host or hostess for the dress code (It’s a formal, a casual, or a theme party) if it hasn’t been specified in the invitation.
  4. Be prepared for both hot and cold indoor temperatures – If your jacket is the show piece of your outfit, be sure you can take it off and still look appropriate in the layer that’s underneath the jacket. Prepare for a chilly room or the outdoors by bringing a festive shawl or a nice-looking cardigan.
  5. Don’t dunk yourself in scents. When preparing for an intimate gathering, go light on perfume or avoid the perfume altogether. Many people are allergic to scents or turned off by heavy scents.
  6. Be prepared for party in a house that has a no-shoes rule. Check your pedicure, be sure you feel comfortable in your outfit without shoes, and/or wear clean socks with no holes in them.
  7. If you have food allergies, don’t make it a problem for the already overworked host or hostess. Eat before the party or offer to bring a dish to share. If you have pet allergies, bring your allergy medicine with you. Look for a chair that’s wooden or leather and avoid sitting on the upholstered chair.
  8. Keep your cell phone off with only rare exceptions. If you need to check in with the babysitter, step outside to make the call. Or put your phone on vibrate and keep it in your pocket for emergencies only.
  9. Watch the host or hostess for signs of fatigue. If either of them starts yawning, gets up to clean up, or stops pouring wine, take the hint and wrap up the evening by giving your thanks and offering one last time to help clean up.

10.  Send a note within 24 hours, thanking your host or hostess for the wonderful time you had.

Now, it’s time to get together and give thanks to each other. Have a wonderful and enjoyable party!

Posted in Etiquette & Protocal, Style Tips | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Proper Fitting Steps for Men’s Dress Trousers

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Shanna Pecoraro

Perfect fitLast week my husband bought 2 pairs of new plain bottom trousers. When he got them home they were an inch shorter than they should be when he tried them on after a week of “hemming”. Of course this is the result of the wrong measurements taken by an inexperienced store clerk. We all know that for the most of ready-made dress trousers, a tailor will hem the trousers after they have been sold. This is a standard procedure. But with fewer stores having qualified in-store tailors these days, it leaves our clients at the hands of store clerks. Most have no real fitting training and are only eager to sell you what is available with as little alteration as possible!

If you bring your client shopping for dress trousers, remember the following fitting steps which will help you gain more trust and respect:

  1. Ask your client to wear dress shoes with proper heel height when shopping trousers with you. (Some high-end store with in-store tailor provide dress shirt and shoes)
  2. After your client slips on the trouser, ask him to stand naturally in front of the mirror. (do not try to hide any extra pounds)
  3. The Client should place the trousers as high on his natural waist (1” below his navel) as comfortable in order to provide ease of movement.  (Never places pants on hips or below any beer belly). The waist should not be too tight (there should be extra room for 2 fingers).
  4. With pleated trousers, the pleats should lie flat while he stands and pants should be wide enough to cover his shoelace. For men under 5’10” cuff size should be1-1/2”, if taller than 5’10” should be 1-3/4”.
  5. With flat front, plain bottom trousers you should ask a slant hem half inch downward from front to back and pants should be long enough to cover the tops of his shoes.
  6. If you need to taper the legs it is essential that both inside and outside seams be pinned to insure that the crease will remain vertically straight.

As it is true with shoulders, most people have one hip higher than the other which translates to imbalanced legs. So my suggestion is to take a separate length measurement one leg at a time, to ensure proper fitting pants, balance and an elegant finish.

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The Perfect Jeans for Your Body

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Shanna Pecoraro

It’s too bad that not every outfit will, literally, fit into place as perfectly as those magical jeans that fit all four friends despite their different shapes and sizes in The sisterhood of Traveling Pants. But, don’t fret! Finding a pair of perfect Jeans for your body isn’t a rocket science if you understand what your body assets and challenges are.  Just follow the tips below you’ll find a best-fitting jeans in no time!

  • If you have a small waist – Having a small waist is an asset. But when you are buying ready-made jeans, you might find a problem with the fitting. Look for a low-rise style that has a waistband that sits on your hips, not on waist, which can prevent gapping. Opt for a style with a waistband that is slightly higher in the back and drops lower in the front. 
  • If you have a flat butt – Look for a lower-rise style with back pockets that sit higher on the butt. This offer s a snugger fit, and the pockets draw the eyes up, giving the butt a visual lift. Or ask for a style with built-in panel in the back which lifts the butt.
  • If you have a big butt – Try to look for a style with no additional design on the back pockets. A trouser-cut style with a darker wash will be more comfortable and will give you a slimmer look.
  • If you have full thighs & hips – Avoid a low-rise style and try to look for a pair of trouser- cut jeans, if you want to have a streamline look. Stay away from skinny jeans and look for relaxed-fit style.
  • If you have a full tummy — Try to find a style that fastens below the belly button, or look for a dark colored style with built-in tummy control panels in higher-rise — it’ll help remove any un flattering bulges.  Pair it with heels for a slimmer look.

Just remember the dressing ABC:

Accentuate your body assets, Balance the difference and Camouflage the body challenges.

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Top 8 Reasons to Work with an Image Consultant

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Shanna Pecoraro
  1. Look Younger and fit in any situation.
  2. Refresh your wardrobe using the clothes you already have.
  3. Improve presence and self confidence in the work place.
  4. Build respect and support in your area of expertise.
  5. Improve life & social skills by learning etiquette and protocol.
  6. Discover and reinvent your personal image.
  7. Upgrade your life style, update your wardrobes.
  8. Create outfits that showcase your family heirlooms that you store away in drawers.

Looking great and feeling wonderful about yourself is a daily salve that helps you get through the ups and downs of life. Make this the month you take action on your behalf. Don’t put yourself and your personal needs on hold for one more day. You deserve to get dressed – not just in clothes, but also in style – your style. When you greet each day with confidence, just think of the opportunities that could come your way! Contact us at: 212 945 9620 or email info@spimageconsulting.com to set up an appointment.

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