Author: shannonbstyles

An open invitation…to judge me

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You probably will never ever in your life receive an invitation like this, so here goes. If you’re on the east coast, you like me are finally experiencing winter weather. I think it was 20 degrees yesterday morning! So as I stood in my closet and put on my cranberry colored wool pencil skirt (from J. Crew of course), a black tee, a black long blazer and my new Schutz pony-haired, leopard print pumps (a Christmas gift from my love), it occurred to me that I would probably receive a few stares because a cute pair of tights were not included in my complete look. So here’s my confession…I went bare-legged yesterday and it wasn’t my first offense. Okay, deep breath, bracing myself. Let the judgmental thoughts begin!

  
Why risk the flu and expose my legs to the bitter cold air, especially when my lovely mother just blessed me with several new pairs of stockings and tights in various designs and shades — think leopard and floral print, argyle, fishnet and navy blue. In my mind, there are some ensembles in which wearing a pair of tights or stockings are essential in completing the look. Yesterday, was not that day. I base my style on feeling and yesterday I simply wasn’t feeling wearing leg coverings. 

In my defense, even though it was below freezing yesterday, I technically never went outdoors. When I left out of the house, I walked out into the garage, got in the car and turned the heat on blast. When I arrived at work, I parked in the garage under my building, scurried up to my office and turned on my little space heater. So going bare legged wasn’t too crazy, right? You don’t have to agree, but in my mind it all makes sense and is completly justified. 

So there you have it, my winter time confession and the last opportunity I’ll ever offer for you to openly judge me. 

Now that I’ve shared this tidbit about me, what would you like to confess? 

XOXO,

shannon b.

Fall Wish List

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The fall season is the perfect time to introduce new staple pieces to your wardrobe…a new coat, a shiny pair of boots or a fabulous handbag. Although my husband took a look at my closet this morning and said (literally) “you don’t need another thing,” a girl can always dream…right!?!?

So, if by chance he’s reading this post or any of my amazing readers are feeling generous, here goes!

1. Mary Janes
I’ve been pining after this classic shoe for the past few weeks. I don’t know if it’s the cross straps or the fact that I can’t wait to pair them with knee high dress socks or tights, but this ode to traditional style is definitely on my must have list for the fall season. I love Miu Miu’s updated look of this timeless shoe.


2. Pussy Bow Blouses
I am absolutely adoring the trend of these beautiful silk blouses with the large bow embellishment. I can imagine wearing this with a tweed pencil skirt and a pair of back seam stockings. This blouse would look equally as stylish with a pair of wide leg trousers. This Valentino Red blouse is so yummy!

3. Faux Fur Collars
Okay, so not quite sure where I will wear this trend just yet, but it’s still on my list of items to have for the  season. Even though I’m in to taking risks in fashion, I’m not quite sure I can pull this look off at work. I’m sure it will cause many stares and not the good kind. Anyway, I am so in love with how the fur collar on this Joules Larkworth blazer takes it to epic style proportions! What do you think?


4. Felt Hat
Okay, so I’m not quite convinced I can pull of this hat because I have really short hair. I’m not willing to grow my hair out just yet, but I still think it’s worthy of being on this list. Adding this Emilio Pucci Woven-Leather Felt Hat or something similar to your ensemble will definitely complete your look and can make you look so polished. Who wouldn’t want that?

Putting this list together made me realize that there are a lot of items on my fall wish list that I wasn’t able to include. A second post may be warranted. Stay tuned!

P.S. – What wardrobe investment pieces are you hoping to add to your closet this season? I’d love to hear!

XOXO,
shannon b.  

DC Fashion Week? 

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Yes, you read the title of this post correctly…it’s DC Fashion Week! I know you’re probably thinking…

“What fashion contributions has our nation’s capital made to society?”

You’re not alone. I started to think the same thing. So, I jogged my memory and thought about all of the wardrobe pieces that have taken residence in my closet that have been influenced by Washington, DC culture (WARNING: If you didn’t grow up in the Washington, DC area in the 90s and early 2000s, this walk down memory lane will not resonate with you, sorry). I admit, my mind took me directly back to high school when anything with a Warner Brothers logo or character meant you were a fashion God…think Tweety Bird covered socks and hoodies (I know, don’t judge me). I thought about the various pairs of Parasuco, Sergio or Princess stretch jeans that I petitioned my parents for so that I could fit in with the other girls in high school. Or the early Saturday morning trips to the mall to purchase the latest pair of Air Jordans…luckily I never had to wait in line at Kid’s Foot Locker (having small feet gave me an advantage). I know it’s probably hard to imagine my closet filled with all of these items, but it’s true. I’m happy to report that 90 percent of those dated fashions were served eviction notices long ago, save for a few pairs of Jordans. Anywho, that trip through my fashion history was fun and painful all at the same time. So, how is the District of Columbia influencing fashion culture now?

1. Blazers

When people think about Washington, DC, they immediately equate it to the place where laws are created and where our President lives…in other words, politics. Politics to me means conservative, safe and quite frankly, snore city. Think gray and blue power suits and basic black pumps galore. Blah! Washingtonians have definitely taken an essential component of a traditional suit — the blazer — and made it fun…often pairing it with tailored jeans, fun skirts and colorful scarves. The blazer has definitely been revived and it’s fun to see the different ways they can be paired besides with its usual matrimony partner…a basic, conservative pant or skirt.

 

2. Fitted jeans

So, I already divulged the fact that my closet was full of stretch jeans when I was in high school. While I have no facts or statistics that this comfortable jean style originated in DC, I’m going to go out on a limb and say we were one of the first cities to adopt the trend. I mean, do you know how long ago I was in high school (don’t answer that)? Another embarrassing fact…I used to wear stretch pants UNDER my stretch jeans to make them even tighter. Thanks mom for my chicken legs gene! Anyway, for about as long as I can remember stretch or fitted jeans have been a staple here and not just for the ladies. It wasn’t uncommon to see a young man walking through Georgetown wearing tighter fitting jeans. Now, skinny jeans are a wardrobe staple for the younger generation of women and men all around the world.

 

3. Michelle Obama

Okay, okay, our fabulous First Lady has mentioned on multiple occassions that she’s from the south side of Chicago, which is hundreds of miles away from the nation’s capital. I’m including her in this list, because I think she represents the new wave of style many working women (including me) in the Washington, DC area have embraced since she took residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I think she is the anti-suit, which I absolutely love! Her preference for J. Crew cardigans over structured suit jackets and her penchant to wear a trendy A-line dress with kitten heels is so refreshing and really welcomed. Thank you FLOTUS for your influence on DC fashion!

So, there you have it. My thoughts on Washington, DC’s influence on fashion. Oh, and if you’re interested in attending any DC Fashion Week events, check out this link for additional information.

Have a great week!

XOXO,
shannon b.

P.S. – If you grew up in the Washington, DC area, comment on this post and let me know which trends you most remember that were influenced by life in DC. 

Cute, Comfy and Cool Cookout Couture 

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Do you like my play on alliteration for this blog posts’ title? Cute, comfy, cool, cookout and couture?!?! Do you know how long it took me to come up with that? Not long actually, but I thought it was pretty clever.

So, after attending a fun and fabulous Father’s (more alliteration for you) Day cookout this past weekend in hot, humid and Hades-like (last play on alliteration, I promise) weather conditions it occurred to me that trying to pull off a look that’s cute, comfy and cool all at the same time can be a bit challenging…especially if you’re jumping around on a moon bounce, dodging water gun fights and blowing bubbles (fun, right?) like many of us were at the Father’s Day fellowship.

So, what’s a girl to wear? No need to fret and head to the mall to buy new cookout wardrobe pieces. A lot of the items I suggest below you probably already own variations of in your closet right now.

As you’ll see, all of these suggestions are equal parts cute, comfy and cool:

Cute, Comfy and Cool Cookout Coutoure
These options will definitely help you stay cool and comfortable in the hot heat, while looking cute and as a bonus will camouflage your cookout food baby!

Here are a few additional tips to achieving a great cookout look:

  1.  Stay away from all wearing white, for obvious reasons.
  2. Wear light, breathable fabrics. Think cotton, linen and silk. Lycra and wool are not your friends in the summer.
  3. Think about if you’ll be doing a lot of movement, i.e. jumping in a moon bounce or chasing after little humans. You might want to opt out of wearing a short skirt.
  4. High heels are a no-no. You don’t want to be that girl that everyone looks at sideways or risk the chance of breaking your neck trying to walk through the grass.

Hopefully you found these outfit ideas and tips helpful and won’t have any question of what to wear for the dozens of cookouts you’ll attend before summer ends. Also, if you like any of the items from my style board, please check out the links below and learn where you can purchase any of the items. And please, check out my Polyvore page when you have a chance for more style boards for various occasions.

XOXO,

shannon b.


Cool Change poncho top
calypsostbarth.com

Zara blue top
zara.com

Weekend Max Mara maxi skirt
matchesfashion.com

Paloma Blue green shorts
$165 – net-a-porter.com

Mia shoes
6pm.com

Floppy hat
$24 – newlook.com

Oversized sunglasses
societyofchic.com

Packing Tips from a Last Minute Packer

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As much as I love to travel, there is one element about traveling that I could absolutely do without…packing! I’m definitely one of those night before/morning of packers. I always wait until the last minute, but I’ve created and learned a few tricks over the years that have helped me to efficiently pack for trips to Paris, London, Antigua and many other fabulous places. In fact, in a few days I’ll be packing for a cruise to Bermuda (woot, woot), so I thought this post could not only help me, but also guide you as you start planning your upcoming summer excursions.

1. Simple and complementary
Try packing clothes in simple, complementary colors. Consider a neutral or dark (hides stains) palette that you can infuse with colorful accessories (think bracelets and light scarves). Complementary colors and patterns allow you to mix and match pieces and helps you cut down on the number of articles of clothing you need to pack.

2. Wrinkle free is right for me
Jersey, lycra, spandex, polyester (yes, I said polyester) and cotton knit should be a staple in your luggage. They are ideal for traveling because the potential of them getting super wrinkled while crammed into your suitcase is minimal. Also, try rolling all of your clothes instead of folding them for even less wrinkles.

3. Three pairs of shoes are good, seriously
I don’t think you can ever have enough shoes. That is unless you are travelling. Let’s face it, shoes take up a lot of space in your suitcase and they can make your bag even heavier. Another advantage of wearing complementary colors (see the first tip) is that you can pack just a few pairs of shoes that go with all of your looks. You should have a daytime, casual shoe (think flats), activity shoes (think sneakers) and nighttime shoes, heeled or wedge sandals.

4. The great jewelry detangler
There’s nothing more frustrating than packing necklaces and bracelets that get all tangled up as they get shifted around in your luggage. Consider investing in a jewelry holder, like this cute one from Stella & Dot called Roll With It. When you arrive to your destination you won’t have to waste time untangling all of your precious jewels.

5. Ziploc Freezer Bags aren’t just for storing meat
I know it sounds odd, but this is something that I tried years ago and it made packing and figuring out what I’m going to wear each day super easy. Days before I leave for the trip or even dig out my suitcase from the guest room closet, I plan out what I’m going to wear each day. If I’m taking a long trip, I even write down on a piece of paper what I plan to wear each day. When I finally start to pack, I go to the kitchen and pull out a box of Ziploc Deep Freezer Bags. The number of freezer bags I use is dependent upon the number of days I’ll be away. I start with the outfit that I’m going to wear on the first day and roll up each of the articles of clothing and put them in the Ziploc bag. Then, I add the undergarments that I will wear that day along with the jewelery. I repeat the process for the rest of the days I will be away. You’ll be shocked at how organized your suitcase will be and how easy it will be to get dressed each day. After you wear the clothes, you can throw them back in the  Ziploc bag, which helps in separating your clean clothes from the dirty ones.

6. Mix and match wear
Try to pack items that can easily be paired with a lot of things, such as a white tank top, jean jacket or long skirt. You can get a lot of leverage out of those basic pieces and wear them more than once (if the clothing item remains clean). As I mentioned in the first point, if you pack mix and match pieces in complementary colors then you can cut down on the number of articles of clothing you’ll need to pack.

I hope you find these tips helpful. Please share with me some of the tricks you use while packing. I might be able to use them for my upcoming trip! Happy packing!

XOXO,
shannon b. 

Why Would I Hire a Personal Stylist?

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Even though I work in the public relations (PR) field (a pretty popular occupation), when people ask what I do, I still find myself having to explain exactly what PR is all about. Now, you can only imagine, when I say, “I’m also a personal stylist” how people’s minds start to go into overdrive. Leave it to me to select two somewhat ambigious career paths!

If you’re reading this blog, I’m pretty confident that you understand what I do as a personal stylist, but I’m not sure if you know all of the benefits a stylist provides. Our job is to make your life easy-peasy…rather you’re someone that breaks out in a rash when the word shopping is mentioned or you’re on the other end of the spectrum and break out into song and dance when it’s time to take a trip to the mall.

We don’t cure diseases, but we can help build self-esteem. We don’t solve hard math equations, but we can tell you where to invest your shopping dollars and where to save them. We’re not entertainers, but we make the time we spend with our clients fun.

So what else can a stylist do?

1. Save you time

Your time is valuable, so instead of spending a ridiculous amount of it in your closet trying to figure out what to wear, a stylist can revamp your closet so that you can cut that time in half. We can help you purge items that you’ve been holding onto for years, but actually never wear. Closet clutter can definitely slow you down if you’re trying to get dressed pretty quickly. We also save you time when shopping at your favorite retail store, because we typically arrive at the shop before you do. We scope out the merchandise and set aside items that we think would be a good fit for you. That way, when you arrive all you have to do is head to the dressing room and start trying on the clothes. No more fighting through the clothing racks.

2. Save your money

Who doesn’t want to save money? You may not realize this, but you actually waste money when you buy items that just sit in your closet. Even if it was on sale and you got a great deal, if it never sees the light of day, it was a waste of money. My job is to help you avoid making expensive mistakes and talking you off the ledge from buying those lime green snakeskin joggers that you will never wear. During a closet revamp, we also take inventory of what you already own so that when we go on a shopping date, you don’t buy more of what you already have in your closet. We also show you how to make better use of the clothes you already own and how to wear them in different ways, which helps cut down on unnecessary shopping trips.

3. Save you from shopping indecision

Have you ever brought something and then days later regretted making the purchase because you either paid too much money, can’t find anthing else to wear with it or can’t decide if it’s the best look for you? It’s our job to be that sounding board you wish was with you in the closet every morning as you’re getting dressed or in the dressing room with you while you’re out shopping. A stylist is an expert in identifying current and future fashion trends and understanding what clothing pieces look best on our clients. It’s our job to be honest and make decisions that you sometimes don’t want to make.

So there you have it. Just a few benefits that come with hiring a personal stylist. Hopefully you’ll consider working with one, one day. Give us a try. We don’t bite!

XOXO,
shannon b. 

Down with Corporate Suits!

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If you’ve ever read any of my #WorkWearWednesday posts, you already know of my serious disdain for black, grey, blue power suits or corporate attire in general. DISCLAIMER: In the next few lines I’m going to go into excrutiating detail about my contempt of corporate wear. Please feel free to skip to the third paragraph if you absolutely love suits. 

As I was saying, corporate attire makes my skin crawl. Okay, that was a bit extreme, but I’m just trying to paint the picture of how much it really irritates me. I feel like my creativity is stifled when pulling out a suit. I would even go as far to say that I feel like a caged bird (and I don’t even know why they sing), but you probably already think I’m crazy.

RANT OVER

Anywho, so what do you do when you work in a corporate environment and “conservative” wear is required? Welcome to my world!! Even though I’ve introduced myself to you as a women’s style consultant and blithering blogger, by day I am a public relations professional working in a very buttoned up industry and have for most of my career. As you can imagine, I have a lot of experience stretching the boundaries with my fashion choices. Below are a few wardrobe and accessory alternatives to incorporate into your ho-hum office look.

1. Colorful pencil skirts

Pencil skirts have quite the presence in my closet because of their versatility. For example, you can pair them with a sweater, silk blouse, t-shirt and blazer. Pencil skirts are still structured enough that you look professional, but in bright colors (think pink, green or cobalt blue) they add an element of fun to the entire look. Check out my barrage of bright pencil skirts below. Yes, that’s a yellow one. It’s one of my faves!  

2. Statement jewelry

Sometimes your jewelry is the star of the show. I’ve invested in several bright and beautiful pieces that add an additional umph to my work looks. I love pairing a chunky bright orange necklace with a navy blue shift dress. Check out some of my statement making pieces (and additional accessories) below. Could you see yourself adding something similar to your office look?

 
  

3. Anything but basic black pumps

I have to admit that sometimes the only shoe that will work is a black pump, BUT that’s not the case for every work outfit in your wardrobe. Experiment with different colors, textures and heel sizes. Try pairing oxfords with a jumper dress and white collar shirt or wear leopard print pumps with a black skirt and green silky top, like the picture below. What do you think? Are you brave enough?  

 

Hopefully these tips won’t make you feel that you’ve stepped too far out of the box. These are just baby steps to help you bring the boring suit quotient down to at least a two or three. 

Try incorporating these suggestions into your workwear over the next week and let me know how it goes. 

XOXO,

shannon b. 

P.S. I was seriously considering calling this blog Confessions of a Corporate Style Rebel. Maybe it’s not too late? 

How to Get Dressed in Five Minutes

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Without fail, whether we are going to work, church, on a date or a special event, I’m ALWAYS dressed before my husband. How is that possible, when as a woman I have more items to incorporate into my overall look than my husband does? Think handbag, jewlery, sunnies, etc.

What I am doing that my dear hubby seems to miss?

There is a one-step routine that I’ve followed for several years. I’ve been able to shave time off my own style sessions.

So, what’s my secret? Brace yourself! I pre-plan my looks. So what does that mean? I plan the outfits in my head and store them there until I’m ready to bring the look to life. For example, on Sunday I’m already thinking about what I’m going to wear to work on Monday and Tuesday.

Now, you’re probably thinking, THAT’S IT?  That’s the earth shattering one-step routine that will cut my dressing process down to five minutes? YES! Somethings just aren’t complicated and getting dressed everyday for work or to head out with your girls shouldn’t be complicated. Trust me, I definitely notice a difference when I don’t pre-plan my looks. I procastinate getting out of the bed in the morning and hit snooze because I’m trying to bide time and put more thought into what I’m going to wear. When I finally get out of bed, I spend even more time (that I don’t have) in my closet experimenting when I should be on my way to work. Not to mention my closet ends up looking like the Tazmanian Devil spun his way (minus the wacky sounds) through my racks and floor.

So, when is the best time to do all of this pre-planning? For me, I do a lot of the mind coordination during my long drive to and from work. I will confess, there have been a time or two (or a million) when I’ve planned out a week’s worth of outfits during a conference call or meeting at work (shhhh). That’s what I call effective multi-tasking!

For my mommy readers, the title of this blog may be a bit ambitious. I can’t say that I’ve actually tested this theory with a bunch of little humans running around, but the point here is that advanced planning really helps to save time. Also remember that the five minutes is ONLY for getting dressed. It doesn’t include all of the primping  we do in addition to getting dressed. Think hairstyling, lash curling, make-up applying, leg shaving, etc.

Now, that I’ve let you in on my secret, I challenge you to try and get dressed in just five minutes this week. Pre-plan your looks and see how much time it saves you in the morning before work or at night when you’re headed out on a dinner date.

Take the challenge, pre-plan your looks and get dressed in five. Ready, set, dress!

XOXO,
shannon b. 

The Road to Discovering Your Style Personality

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So, if you remember from last week, I told you to make a list of all of the adjectives that describe that one item in your closet that you have multiples of. Unless you wrote that list on the back of a napkin that you eventually ended up throwing away (thanks a lot), then it’s time to pull it back out for our next step in the style discovery journey.

  1. What is my style personality?

I almost liken discovering your style personality to figuring out your zodiac sign. Each sign has it’s own characteristics that are “supposed” to describe you. I think the same can be true for your style personality.

When I first meet with my clients for the Personal Style Consultation, I usually give them a Style Personality test. I know that sounds agressive, but it’s a no-fail test. In fact, I don’t even call it a test. They don’t even know I consider it a test, well until they read this post! Through some research and my own experience, I think there are about five different style personalities. They are listed below along with a few adjectives that describe each personality.

Natural – Relaxed, effortless casual, functional, no-fuss, minimalist or bohemian; Think long flowy dresses, soft tees, boyfriend jeans and dusters. Famous naturalistas: Solange Knowles, Sienna Miller or Joy Bryant

Classic – Structured, clean lines, timeless, tailored, sophisticated, traditional or elegant; Think structured blazers, shift dresses, neutral colors, pearl accessories or tailored jeans. Famous classicistas (okay, I made that up): Kerry Washington, Jackie Kennedy Onassis or House of Cards’ Claire Underwood (played by actress Robin Wright)

Trendy – Electic, spontaneous, risky or sassy; Think fringe, joggers, leather, jumpsuits, midi skirts or looks inspired by celebrities or fashion magazines. Famous trendsetters: Rihanna, Miley Cyrus or Kelly Osbourne

Dramatic – Bold, statement maker, head turner, intriguing or confident; Think statement jewelry, leopard print, bright colors, feather boas or sequin gowns. Famous drama queens: Madonna, Diana Ross or Lady Gaga

Romantic – Feminine, whimsical, flirty, soft or flowy; Think maxi dresses, floral print, lace, tulle skirts or pastel colors. Famous romantic ladies: Emma Stone, Jennifer Lopez (red carpet) or The Notebooks’ Allie Hamilton (played by actress Rachel McAdams)

Now, compare your list from last week to the section above and see if there are any matches. This will help you determine your style. 

Disclaimer: This isn’t the complete list of style personalities.

There are several; however, in MY experience, these are the most common. If you don’t fall into any of these categories, it is okay. That just means that we have to do a little more digging.

I look forward to hearing your feedback and which personality best describes you. Take my short quiz below, so I can see where you land. Oh, and in case you’re curious about little old me, I fluctuate between classic, dramatic and romantic on any given day. Did I also mention that in general I’m extremely indecisive? I think my various style personalities are validation of my vacillating thought-process!

xoxo,
shannon b.

The First Step to Defining Your Style

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“How would you describe your style?”

That’s typically the first question I ask a new client during our initial consultation and in most instances, the response includes a lot of hemming, hawing, gasps, long breaths, forehead scratches, sighs and finally…

“I don’t really have a style.”

With so many style choices and options available for us to choose from, no wonder it can sometimes be overwhelming to choose just one. But do you really have to? Do you have to pick one style?

Well, depending on who you ask, you’ll get a different answer. I’m under the mindset that you can have more than one style. My style personality fluctuates from time to time and that’s perfectly fine with me.

So, with all of the various styles out in the world — preppy, bohemian, grunge, goth, hipster, girly, conservative, etc. — how do you even begin to define your style?

I think there are a few of questions you can ask yourself (it’s perfectly fine to talk to yourself, I do it all of the time) to help put you on the golden brick road to owning your style. Let’s start with the first one today. I’ll save question two for next week.

  1. What do I gravitate towards?

Do you have a closet full of white collar shirts or casual blazers? Do you tend to buy the same type of wardrobe piece over and over again? There is no wrong answer. If your answer is yes, that is totally fine. It just shows that you know what you like, but dig a little deeper. Why do you like that one item so much? What is it about that item that makes you keep going back? For example, if you have 17 casual blazers in your closet, (meaning you wear them outside of work) is it because you think it makes you look polished? Does it cover up body parts that you’d prefer to deflect attention from? Do you like the flexibility of blazers? You can pair them with jeans, a tutu, a dress or pencil skirt…that’s a lot of flexibility! After you interview yourself about why you gravitate towards certain wardrobe items, write down a list of adjectives that describe that item. Hold on to the list and I’ll tell you what to do with it next week…that’s called a teaser! Oh, and if you don’t tend to gravitate towards one (or more) specific items, next Monday’s post is for you too…that’s called a double teaser!

Here’s to starting this style identity journey together.

See you next week! 

xoxo,
shannon b.