I'm rocking some SERIOUS bangs and guess what -- I LOOOOOOOOOOVE THEM!
My super amazing girls weekend in D.C. included a much-needed trip to my favorite salon -- one80. If you're local, go there and ask for Remi. You won't be sorry!
Trip details to come (including our million viewings of a certain movie - WHICH WE LOVED!).
Print Page
When you decide to make a homemade costume and realize you have everything you need to be her:
The tats:
The skinny jeans and heels:
The booze and smokes:
The hair (oh, the hair!):
And of course the eyes:
Happy Halloween!For two-and-a-half seasons, Mad Men has become one of my must-see-weekly-or-die indulgences. It delivers decadent sets, period-appropriate (and swoon-worthy) clothing, complex characters, intriguing storylines and the sexiest leading man on television. If you're not watching, shame on you. Call me and I'll loan you seasons one and two.
And then there's Joan. She's sexy, curvy, strong, seductive and sooooooo well dressed. I want to be Joan. I want to look like this on a daily basis:
or this:
or this:
That's why I saw this dress and immediately knew it had to be mine. From the royal blue wool to the button detail and straighter skirt, it's delicious. And so Joan-inspired, but fresh and current.
Yummy! Buy yours here.
Print Page
Heather, my first What Not to Wear victim, is learning to mix and match her glorious wardrobe. Most of her pants are still being tailored (a must, ladies), but she's embracing the new -- but still very "Heather" -- look! Here's what she wore this week:
A colorful printed top (a bit out of her fashion comfort zone but too chic to resist) with a high, defined waist, paired with dark trouser jeans and suede camel wedges. 
A basic, yet detailed (making it a bit more fashionable) knit brown tee with cotton khakis and brown patent leather flats. Heather had been wearing these pants with heels (in preparation for a flood?), but she learned about where your pants should hit your shoes (the hem should graze the bottom of the shoe's heel). 
Black 1960s-inspired swing sweater paired with a basic white tee, trouser jeans and the BARGAIN of our shopping experience: $20 Banana Republic heels (they were originally $120!).
Heather pulled off Friday casual chic in her gray twist-front shirt (that emphasizes the narrowest part of her torso), a red cami underneath (adding a pop of color) and jeans. Perfect!
...or it may be just the kick in the pants your husband needs (ahem, CHRIS!).
SO, I've been working on a top secret DREAM JOB project for the past four months. I was "hired" by my friend Heather's AMAZING husband to host WHAT NOT TO WEAR for his very deserving wife.
Here's the thing about Heather -- she's gorgeous. BUT, like a lot of women who give birth, take care of their families and juggle work, church and family commitments, Heather needed to rediscover her personal style.
Her husband armed me with a wad of cash (literally a white envelope loaded with A LOT of money -- if you want to know the exact amount, e-mail me at heywickstroms@gmail.com) and we set up the ambush.
STEP 1: The Salon
Luckily, one of the clients Heather and I work with is a swanky Aveda Salon and Spa. With the help of our bosses, we set up a "client meeting." Upon arrival at the salon, Heather was faced with this:
Here's her fake smile and what-the-heck-is-going-on-here reaction shot (also, a "before" picture). 
Before she could run in the opposite direction (trust me -- she almost did!), we whisked her away for a spa pedicure/manicure. 
Next on the agenda: hair. I wanted Heather to have a low-maintenance but sophisticated style. We evened out her length and gave her subtle layers. Then we framed her stunning face with a short fringe of side-swept bangs. 
STEP 2: The Shopping
The night before our ambush, I pre-shopped and put clothes on hold for Heather. This allowed us to hit more stores in a short amount of time and gave us a strong start to our two-day extravaganza.
Our goal was to find great-fitting basics to serve as the building blocks of a mix-and-match wardrobe. Heather was a trooper, trying on everything I could throw at her. And drinking up (okay, maybe being force-fed) my constant instruction about fit, color, fabric, texture, neutrals and pulling an outfit together.
By the end of day one, we had the start of a great new wardrobe and still some cash left over. 
STEP 3: Taking Out the Trash
After two intense (and exhausting) days of shopping, we headed back to Heather's house for an old-fashioned CLOSET GUTTING. First we emptied every article of clothing from her closet. Then we tried on the clothes and talked about fit and quality. 
Many items were sacrificed to the black plastic hefty gods. 
My favorite sacrificial items: the man shoes (as worn by me). I thought these were her husband's! 
Next we began building outfits, mixing her new wardrobe with the items that survived the trashing. I laid out her pants and showed her how to mix her tops to make chic and interesting outfits. 
Here's me, sweaty and tired (and rocking red lips), but still firing off fashion advice!
We added pops of color to her business wardrobe. 
We talked about ways to pump up her casual looks from slubby polo and faded jeans, to flattering tees, layering pieces and updated denim. 
We even walked through the fine art of picking neutral colors and patterns and using them to their fullest advantage. 
STEP 4: Made Over!
At the end of the day, we created an entire wardrobe full of new pieces to highlight, flatter and draw attention to Heather's innate natural beauty.
Our shopping list included:
- a chic hobo bagHere's one of Heather's chic ensembles, a classic Jackie O-inspired jacket paired with tailored black slacks.
- a pair of trouser jeans
- 7 pairs of work-appropriate trousers
- 8 layering tanks and tees
- 5 blouses
- 4 cardigans
- 5 pull-over sweaters
- 2 jackets
- a dress
- 5 pairs of shoes
- a pair of earrings
Chris: "I want to do a daily dose. How do I hide the fat?"I need your advice, oh wise ones. It's important -- it involves fashion.
Remember my last dilemma? Thanks to you (wait, did I actually follow your advice?), I bought the purple one (it was a sale on top of the sale -- woo hoo!), regretted it, tried to exchange it for red (which would have cost more), kept purple, wore it once, waited, sulked, continued to think about the red, waited, finally saw the red version on sale and made the grand exchange. Now it hangs gloriously in my hall closet.
I'm yet again torn about a jacket:
The pros:
- it's SOOOO me!The cons:
- FLOWERS!
- GIRLY!
- PIPING!
- SPRINGY!
- Anthropologie (need we say more?)
- jackets are universally flattering outfit-completers
- Goes with a million outfits -- cute dresses (already have), jeans (have), colorful flats (have), tees...
- I've been so good about not shopping -- this was my first trip to temptation in OH SO long!
- I need a post-January pick-me-up
- It's not on sale
- It's from Anthropologie
- Does not comply with aforementioned shopping diet
- Not a "need"
- Mr. Wickstrom is not on "Team Buy It!"
I bought the cutest outfit for my friend who's pregnant with her first daughter. I would totally wear this dress (maybe event the tights!). When did Baby Gap clothes become so covet-able?
Print Page
Remember the Great Jacket Indecision of '08?
I was prepared to follow all of your advice. Really. I've been (reluctantly) resisting all the beautiful little things catching my eye this season, many of which are ON SALE. (Except for this. I'm lobbying hard, Santa!)
BUT
I took Chris to the store on the day of the sale, intending to merely show him the jacket. I tried it on and whirled a few times. We agreed it was adorable, but I found myself returning the hanger to its rack.
SUDDENLY, Chris noticed a sign: 30% off all outerwear. "I wonder if the coupon is on top of the sale?"
I raised my eyebrows, grabbed the jacket from the rack and practically sprinted for the line. When I reached the counter, I queried the sales rep with a hope-filled voice, "Does this coupon work on top of the discount?"
"Yes."
My face lit up with the true of joy of a major sale. Chris nodded his approval and I quickly bought the jacket before the salesperson changed her mind.
The only difference? I chose purple.
I'm so grateful for happy little accidents.
What has been your best deal of the season?
Print Page
I'm honestly trying to curb my spending, particularly on frivolous items. I mean with the tanking economy and approaching holidays, 'tis the season to be saving.
That said, I'm still me. Of course I fell in love with this tartan plaid jacket last night. BUT, I didn't buy it.
I will not influence your decision, except to reveal this: 
(Feel free to print and use the coupon this weekend.)
...as the day I got bangs again. The last time I had bangs, they were accompanied by a cropped spiral perm. I hope I never again think a perm is a good idea.
Print Page
