Look 5 Pounds Slimmer--Instantly!

Sounds like an info-mercial...but this "instant style tip" will make you look slimmer (yes, instantly)!

Simply "up-size" your handbag. Instead of cramming everything into that way too small handbag...ditch it for something BIGGER!

Bigger is better because you will look slimmer. It's a proportional thing. When you carry around a small bag, it makes you look rather large. A bigger tote is the way to go!

The proof is in the mirror. Stand in front of a full-length mirror at the store with your (way too small) handbag over your shoulder. Notice how your shape appears larger. Now, go try on a LARGE handbag over your shoulder. You got it...YOU are instantly slimmer!

Go forth and enjoy the holidays. Blessings to you and your loved ones this time of year. Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants

Bigger handbag--you smaller looking

MissusSmartyPants Archived BTR Podcasts

Hi Leslie,



I signed up for MSP two weeks ago and have been listening to the blog talk archives and loving your personalized style program.
  


I wanted to thank you because today I had (what is for me) a big step.  Even though I have all the head knowledge and know all the steps to cleaning out the closet, I have not been able to get motivated to make a dent. 

However, the regular messaging from you is very reinforcing and somehow when I heard you say "edit" your wardrobe, that term really helped make it less painful.  I was able to embrace that and I brought 15 items to consignment today and they took them all.  I also filled three shopping bags of clothes and shoes for donation.  I have lots more to go, but your encouragement got me to make the first leap.  



Thanks for all you do!
 Lisa

You can listen to MissusSmartyPants archived fashion podcasts here anytime!

Need help baby-stepping your way to a cleaner closet? Use MissusSmartyPants Closet Purge Tips

MSP Gift Certificate Special

Holiday Special! For a limited time only...

 

Buy any 12 month membership and get 1/2 off  a $29.95 gift certificate!

By purchasing one of the "Bundle and Save" packages you will get a $29.95 gift certificate* for 1/2 price!!!

 

* The $29.95 gift certificate can be redeemed for anything the recipient chooses (or use it later for yourself).

 

For example: Purchase together a 12 month membership (become a new member or extend your current membership) and a 12 month gift certificate at the same time and upon check-out you pay only 1/2 price for the gift certificate! That's a gift value of $29.95 for only $14.98! 

Simply choose one of these "Bundle and Save" options.

 

A MSP Gift Certificate is the perfect clutter-free gift for any recipient. Whether the recipient is a full fledged "fashionista" or just curious about learning style basics; there's plenty of useful style advice she will enjoy! From closet organization to putting together a basic wardrobe, what to wear and when; all style information is based on one's own body type which makes this a fun gift as well as a valuable resource!

How to know you have on too many accessories....

Dear Leslie,

I need help with accessories. Since you always seem to wear just the right accessories and just the right amount I know you can help me. Do you have rules that you follow when picking out your accessories you wear?

For example if I wear a bold necklace, should I not wear earrings or would it be okay? If I wear a chunky bracelet should I wear a ring on the same hand or on the other hand? When is it too much? What about mixing a pearl necklace and diamond stud earrings, yes or no? I just feel pearl earrings will look too matronly with the matching necklace, am I right about this?

By the way I love your website and your weekly style tips too! My style has dramatically improved since joining. I’m also having fun playing dress up in my closet.

Thanks in advance! Janella


MSP HERE: Dear Janella,

This certainly is a hard question to answer since answering it is somewhat subjective. Even fashion stylists don’t agree on what is the right amount of accessories. You’ll see everything in the magazines from no jewelry on a model to over-accessorizing—and everything in-between. It’s hard for the average women to know what is truly stylish and what's over-the-top.

Coco Chanel said "always remove one thing before going out the door". This is good style advice. I see plenty of women who over-accessorize with earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets all heaped on at one time. It often comes across as chaotic and distracting. Coco was right on this one less is more when it comes to accessories.



A woman's accessories should describe her personality. If you aren't absolutely confident that you have your accessories right, then just wear one piece that you love and leave it at that. If you have the confidence, you can pretty much pull off anything.

 

So to answer your question: “What rules do I follow when picking out MY accessories each day?” Here goes:



1. I pick and choose my accessories by instinct and by my mood.

Since I know (and don’t like) to wear matching “sets” I choose my accessories based on the color I’m wearing and the occasion I’m dressed for. Sometimes I wear large silver hoops with a chunky necklace because the silver in the hoops bring out the silver pieces in the necklace, or because the look I'm going for is a bit more trendy or urban. I try to experiment and pick pieces that describe my mood or vibe for that day. In other words, try on different accessories and see what looks the best on you.



2.  I keep my look balanced.

I usually spread out my accessories to balance my look. If I wear a large necklace, my earrings are minimal. Or if I wear large earrings, I’ll wear no necklace. Or, if I'm wearing a statement belt, I don't wear a necklace so that the necklace doesn't compete with the belt. Again spread out your accessories—and use your full length mirror.



3. I get style inspiration everywhere! I read fashion magazines and peruse catalogs like J.Crew, Ann Taylor Loft, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie to see what is hot and what I like.

I interpret the styles for the season and use what I have in my closet. I make up my version with what I own. Sometimes I only need a small item to complete the look!



4. I always say YES to a sale! I stock up on accessories when I run across a good deal—and I’m always on the lookout.

Why pay a lot for accessories, when you can buy them on clearance for a $2 or less at thrift stores, garage sales, Claire's, Wal-Mart, or Target? The more you have the more options you’ll have for creating your own unique look. DON’T buy junk! Only buy what you like in your seasonal colors. At the beginning of each season I buy several trendy accessories to update my mostly classic wardrobe. I have a few pieces of real jewelry, shoes, and handbags to fall back on, but I love stocking up on inexpensive items to keep my wardrobe fresh and stylish.



5. I organize my accessories. 

You won't be inspired to wear any accessories unless you can see them all spread out! How you organize and display your jewelry is up to you. You may want to use hooks or accessory hangers to see all that you have. When I open my closet I can see all my options. I can see my necklaces, scarves, bags, belts and choose what to wear with my outfit. I organize each item by COLOR because I find that most helpful.

 

Now to answer your other accessory question... "Should you forgo earrings when you are wearing bold necklaces?

" You don't have to, but you certainly don't want your earrings to distract from your statement necklace. Small stud earrings that coordinate with the necklace always look great. They don't need to match perfectly, but they must compliment. My rule of thumb is if my hair is up, I always wear earrings. I usually do wear small studs if I am wearing a bold necklace. If my hair is down and I'm wearing a statement necklace, I might forgo earrings. But that is just my preference. I've seen women pull off bold earrings with a bold necklace. 



Should you wear both bracelets and rings on the same hand?

 Definitely! I would wear several bracelets too. You are making a statement by going strong in one area. I just would forgo a necklace, but balance the bulk out with large earrings. Again, this is just my opinion. 



You also asked: "Should you wear a chunky pearl necklace with diamond studs?" I worry pearl earrings would be too “matchy-matchy” and old fashioned look—am I right?

 You are correct, matched jewelry sets are outdated looking. However, if I'm going for a more classic look and I’m wearing a bold pearl necklace (chunky or several strands), I usually wear small pearl studs. If you are worried about looking too matronly, just forgo the earrings and let your hair cover your ears.

The most important thing about accessorizing is exploring and discovering what you like--then wearing what expresses your personality. 

Try new ways to wear a scarf (I've got an unusal scarf trying suggestion here for you). Try a new bold necklace. Try, try, try! Once you get over your initial anxiety, you will love “Showing Your Style” every day...that's what the Personal Profile System is all about--style confidence and loving your beautiful self!

Love, Leslie MSP

MissusSmartyPants.com-Thanksgiving Dinner Outfits

MissusSmartyPants.com-Thanksgiving Dinner Outfits by mspsmartypants featuring tall boots

Woolrich dress
$260 - farfetch.com

SELECTED wrap top
$46 - psyche.co.uk

White top
yoins.com

H&M skinny jeans
$39 - hm.com

Tory Burch leopard flat
adasa.com

Black Poppy tall boots
pacsun.com

Michael kors tote
$485 - monnierfreres.co.uk

Leslie Danzis station necklace
gilt.com

Burberry scarve
burberry.com

What's MissusSmartyPants Really About?

What's MissusSmartyPants.com really all about? It's about women. Women like you who simply want to dress better and feel good about themselves.

MissusSmartyPants is real style advice you can use. It's an easy-to-use style program that helps you find your best styles based on body's shape and take you through each season in an age appropriate way, teaching you how to touch on the trends and look current and up-to-date. It's what every woman wants personally for herself.

Is MSP for you? Yes! No matter your age, shape, size, height...you deserve to look and more importantly, feel your best! To personally help as many women as I can is my mission, no it's more than just a mission ...it's my passion to help each you get there...one baby step at a time.

Are you ready to become all that you can truly be? 

It's working for so many women. Why not you? Why not today? Right now is the best time to "jump right in right where you are" and begin.  Join MissusSmartyPants with a Personal Profile style membership for your body type.

Here's proof dressing well improves your life in so many ways:

Leslie, I have been following your dressing advice for several years now and I thought you would like to know that this 61 year old grandmother received the best compliment this past Sunday at church.  One of the ladies at church said hello to me, asked me how I was doing and then said, "Bonnie, you look like a young girl!"  I was wearing a black pencil skirt (just below the knee - I'm a "C"), black flats, a black short sleeve tee with a long tan 3/4 sleeve sweater.  I am a Spring and well aware that black near my face is not the most flattering for me so I wore a teal statement necklace and medium gold/teal hoops. The teal, gold & tan complimented my Spring complexion and kept the black tee from causing me to pale out.  My makeup was still in the Spring color range.
 
Since I started dressing the Missussmartypants way, people are surprised to know that I really weigh 170 lbs.  One lady even commented that she thought I was in the 130-ish lb. range. My 29 year old daughter recently said to me, "I didn't think the time would ever come that I would be interested in my mother's clothes".  She even recently borrowed that black pencil skirt of mine to wear to a wedding!  I receive compliments often on my complexion, when it's really the color of the makeup and clothes that are so flattering.  Thank you for helping me age gracefully! 
Bonnie in Ky

Here's to finding your own kind of beauty! 

For The Love Of Scarves

Want an instantly chic look but don't want to over-extend your budget? The answer to your dressing dilemma is to pull out a scarf you hardly ever wear!

There's more to scarves than just throwing an infinity scarf around your neck...although they are pretty cool in there own right for adding a bit of style and color to your outfit.

Scarves can be tied so many different ways, you'd be crazy not to explore a few new ways you can wear the ones you already own!

I still get requested for how I tied this scarf (especially when I'm wearing it!). Here the step-by-step guide scarf tying guide

It's been a bit cool in the mornings and wearing all gray seemed, well a bit dreary and gray...so I popped on this red floral scarf to add some color AND instant style!

 

Will you join me and wear more scarves this season?

Want more scarf tying ideas? Click here and request MSP's Scarf Tying Primer

(available for any MSP Personal Profile SYSter)

MissusSmartyPants.com-How to wear this season's midi!

MissusSmartyPants.com-How to wear this season's midi! by mspsmartypants featuring turtle neck tops

Splendid turtle neck top
$95 - donnaida.com

Coast black velvet top
$40 - coast-stores.com

Doma red moto jacket
marissacollections.com

The Row knee length a line skirt
matchesfashion.com

J W Anderson knee length pleated skirt
$675 - harveynichols.com

Fleece lined tight
maurices.com

Jessica Simpson black platform booties
nordstromrack.com

Spring Step black velvet shoes
6pm.com

House of Harlow 1960 locket jewelry
houseofharlow1960.com

Lucky Brand tartan scarve
luckybrand.com

MissusSmartyPants.com-Winter Coats & Cold Weather Style

MissusSmartyPants.com-Winter Coats & Cold Weather Style by mspsmartypants featuring a black purse

T By Alexander Wang black turtleneck
$400 - net-a-porter.com

DKNY coat
nordstrom.com

Yves Saint Laurent skinny jeans
$605 - farfetch.com

Lipsy black booties
$135 - lipsy.co.uk

Chanel black purse
madisonavenuecouture.com

Dents leather glove
asos.com

Akira scarve
shopakira.com

Barry M red lipstick
$9.67 - princesspolly.com

5 Steps To The Perfectly Layered Outfit

Fall has arrived! The mornings are cooler now...making it necessary to grab a sweater (or lightweight jacket) before heading out the door. It's a refreshing change to feel the cool, crisp air and behold the trees ablaze with brilliant autumn color! Fall also means the return to dressing in layers. Grabbing more than a sweater and layering on a few light layers makes every woman look pulled together. When an outfit is well layered, it's always a fabulous fall look.

Fall is about wearing pretty sweaters to stay warm. Of course eating anything pumpkin and "comfort foods" like homemade soups and stews make fall special too. But when it comes to choosing what to wear, you want to choose layers. Layers can be worn in a multiple of creative ways and they create a multitude of outfits using only a few pieces. However one BIG word of caution...Layering can be two things: done right OR look lumpy and frumpy!

This week learn the 5 steps to the perfectly layered outfit...

 

This week's article on layering will give you practical "how-to" style advice. There are 5 steps to help you get every layered look right. You certainly don't want to look baggy or messy when you are trying to stylishly layer--I'll show you how to do it right. No more mistakes with MSP's step-by-step layering tutorial. 

"5 Steps To The Perfectly Layered Outfit" will show you how to mix short and long tops, dresses and skirts, blazers, sweaters, vests, belts, leg-wear and more, to create one stylish outfit after another! You will also get a LIST of unique fall color combinations to try this season! 

Get ready! This week's layering article will be posted on Thursday in all 5 Personal Profiles and it's going to change the way you "style" your daily fall and winter outfits!

Get this week's layering guide & SAVE it to use all season long!

MissusSmartyPants.com-Figure Fixing Jackets!

MissusSmartyPants.com-Figure Fixing Jackets! by mspsmartypants featuring a red jacket

Burberry jacket
burberry.com

Balmain jacket
$2,625 - shopmrsh.com

Emilio Pucci military jacket
$2,225 - farfetch.com

Temperley London red jacket
$1,115 - temperleylondon.com

Ruffle hem coat
ustrendy.com

Chicnova Fashion green coat
chicnova.com

Knit blazer
maurices.com

Linen blazer
jtomsonplussize.com

Now Posted! Grab N' Go Outfits

Want to have a few stylish outfits set aside on hangers...ready to go?

Over the years as a fashion stylist, I've found what women really want is to feel comfortable in their clothes while having a stylish edge. Yet when they are dressed casually, they often feel sloppy, not stylish at all. Being in a hurry in the mornings only adds to this vicious cycle of feeling un-styled.

This week, your wardrobe basics get ready for any occasion. From dressed down, casual chic to dressed up...you get complete outfit suggestions!

Create of few of these outfits for yourself and hang them up in your closet for next week!

Sample Article: Celebrity Style...Sneak A Peek!

Professional stylist are hired to put together complete "outfits" for their celebrity clients; showing them what to wear...and how to wear it.

Celebrity stylists create personalized wardrobe plans for their celebrity clients. Their outfits are based not only on their body type, but are complete grids of what accessories and shoes to wear, etc. This way they can't get it wrong (kinda like a Grananimals for adults, LOL!) . Everything is done for them. They have a complete wardrobe plan.

MissusSmartyPants is your personal stylist! This week, I'm going to do the same thing for you. Together, we will create "copy-cat" outfits (personally I've made 5 different celebrity inspired looks) there are also celebrity inspired style for each of the 5 body types!

Click here to view MSP's style article: Celebrity Style Article & Outfit Photos

I got choked up when I read this...

Dear Leslie...Just read your last email about "Owning Your Style".

Had to write and say that your words are like a soft blanket that provides warmth and comfort. Thanks for using your skills to instruct and encourage your readers. You are a BIG BLESSING to so many women! May you be doubly blessed in return. :) -Anonymous in FL

LESLIE HERE: Thanks dear SYSter, I needed that hug today :)

The Ultimate Fall Wardrobe Planner!

The Style Recipes eBook will change the way you dress forever! This is the ultimate  ‘what-to-have and how-to-wear it’ guide. It’s like nothing else you’ve seen before. This style guide takes the guesswork out of your ‘what to wear’ dilemma. You will learn which items to have in your wardrobe that will effectively coordinate into stylish outfits!

In the Style Recipes eBook, you get the LIST of the 25 key pieces that will help you mix-up one stylish outfit after another! With this list and outfit suggestions, MSP shows you HOW to create over 100 outfits. That's right, only 25 pieces and you can create over 100 outfits!

Never have a 'what to wear' dilemma again! Finally, the help of a professional stylist telling you how to create a multitude of stylish looks. Being stylish couldn't get any easier than this. With your copy of the Style Recipes eBook you will finally save time and money while increasing your wardrobe--chic quotient!

The Style Recipes eBook can help you:

. Improve your style confidence
. Express your personality
. Show that you are a modern and up-to-date woman
. Help you make positive first impressions
. Attract positive attention
. eBook Download is a PDF file

BONUS: Included in this eBook is the MissusSmartyPants Wardrobe Grid Worksheet. It will help you plan successful outfits you’ll love wearing again and again. Use the worksheet grid to keep track of the outfits you’ve created using your tops, bottoms, accent pieces and accessories.

Style Recipes is the ultimate fall wardrobe planner! Get your copy today!