A Skinny Jean, Try-On Shopping Trip!

Here's the deal: Skinny jeans are not for everyone. Most of you know this.

While I, myself, have a dark denim pair from Forever 21 -- I am very conscious as to how I pair them up with my blouses, dresses, and jackets. I can tell you that as I lose weight (8 to a 6 currently), they are much more slimming on my pear shape. And no lie, I have had my own share of fashion flops despite the praise I have received when wearing them.

This is why I love to see boy-cut body shapes sport a slim pant. Narrow, straight hips do not have to be hidden in a loose slack or jean, because that can actually emphasize the lack of shape on the bottom.

So with great joy, I have an 11 a.m. try-on shopping trip with my new client (and fellow Beauty Chatter), Jennifer. She has a great shape: busty on top and narrow on the bottom. While we joke about giving one another of what we have (I give her some of my rear, and she gives me some of her cleavage!), she truly wishes that her narrow waist, hips, and thin legs could appear fabulous. And with great excitement, I will help her accomplish just this! A skinny jean with high, small pockets will give her a tighter look around her hips and bottom; at the same time, however, when styled with bias-cut blouses and fitting jackets, the eye will be sure to continue moving up to her proud features.

Because I have had such great experiences with Forever 21, and I love my $13 skinny jean from there, we are going to meet at the Victoria Gardens location in Rancho Cucamonga (about an hour east of LA). With a speed record of one hour, I typically get a client in and out -- unless he or she enjoys schmoozing. Showing up early with a handful of clothes ready to greet the person, or already having his or her dressing room set up, is how I provide ultimate personal shopping. No matter a client's size, body shape, or style; everyone deserves excellent customer service.

This is the number one goal of Good Girl Gone Shopping, with A-list treatment and attentive sincerity the other qualities of my personal shopping, wardrobe consulting, and styling business! So let's give a cheer for Jennifer, who is willing to try a new style for the first time. My goal: to upgrade her classic, sexy look into head-to-toe "fabulosity." (Shoes are another shopping trip in itself!)

So be sure to keep up with my blog news, as I plan to then post Jennifer's before and after pictures in my photo gallery.

(And, my friends, as you shop for new trends, here is my reminder: Just try it on! Many clothes can be misrepresented on the hanger.)

Photo Credit: http://www.storeappeal.com/ and http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/

Michelle Obama Reclaims Her Style With a Jason Wu Ball Gown for Inaugural Bash

Remember my confusion and discontent with Michelle Obama's Narciso Rodriguez red and black dress on Election Day? Well, thank you Jason Wu; this 26 year-old, New York designer's white, one-strap dress made it to the stage on Inauguration Day, reclaiming Michelle Obama's style and proving that everyone has (distracting!) fashion flops now and then -- even our new First Lady. (Wu, a designer who is known for his soft palletes and chiffon, truly scored with this opportunity.)

And Barack Obama, our gracious new president, also donned a classic ensemble with a black suit, a white shirt, and smart white tie. Just another reason for us all to cheer and say "Yes We Can" -- true style in the White House!

Photo Credit: http://www.newsday.com/

Nicole Richie's 'House of Harlow 1960' Featured on ClosetMouse.com

So I have two announcements my friends:

(1) I am a new featured fashion stylist and personal shopper on ClosetMouse.com -- a fresh community where fashion designers, stylists, personal shoppers, makeup artists, fashion writers, image consultants, fashion publicists, and even fashion students can join. I would suggest registering today if you're interested, because there are some fabulous professionals out there! Plus, you can then visit my profile and learn about my rate details. ClosetMouse.com also provides knowledge regarding the distinctions of each type of fashion job!

(2) And on ClosetMouse.com, I will be writing new articles. After just learning about Nicole Richie's new jewelry collection, House of Harlow 1960, I'm absolutely in love! A bit late to hearing about her accessories line, but so glad I found it. Exclusively on ClosetMouse.com, I chat about House of Harlow 1960. (And if you haven't read The Truth About Diamonds yet, you gotta! Thanks for lending me yours, Leeann. Promise to return it soon...let's do lunch.)

I know, another celebrity designer (like gag you with a spoon?). Besides Gwen's L.A.M.B. line, I am very happy about Nicole's launch. And named after her daughter -- how cute is that...

(ChicGalleria.com, AgendaMag.com, BeautyChatBlog.com, PlasticSurgery.com, and YourNewBodyBlog.com are additional, fabulous publications I am apart of as either columnist, contributor, or senior editor. Visit my services section to learn about what I offer as a freelance professional.)

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com

Now She Can Protect Her Mary Jane's! The Winner of the Shubi Bag Contest Is...

"Married To lt" of Treading Water, and she is totally excited about Mary Jane's! Her passion for this fashionable shoe won her a Shubi Bag from Shoe Smitten! Thank you to everyone for entering, as our footwear is sacred and always needs protecting.

Here is what Married To It, a Houston, Texas contest winner said about her love for Mary Jane's. I love her attention to detail regarding the various styles coming out this year in '09:

"I really love the new Mary Jane's that are out. They are not just the single strap. Although I love the classic( I just picked up a new pair in black) I appreciate the new styles double straps, extra thick straps, and the colors. I also like the revived chunky heel."

...And have a fabulous Saturday! (My plans for the day: I am going to hit the high school track to run and do my ups and downs on the bleacher steps, before Steve and I head to LA to see "The Wrestler" and grab some lunch. Yes, it's his pick this time!)

Photo Credit: http://www.kaboodle.com/

Winner of the Shubi Bag Contest To Be Announced!

Coming soon! Stay tuned.

Other hot articles coming up:

- An interview with fashion and home decor designer Tracy Porter

- A guest blog post from Luxe Tips

- Nicole Richie and House of Harlow 1960

- My weight loss journey

- Styling and personal shopping info

- New, hot sites to join!

- ... and more!

Photo Credit: http://www.appeal1.com/

Send Me Your Pic and I Will Critique for FREE!

New style pictures up in my photo gallery (and many more to come)! Not only do I encourage you to check out two gals who needed my help -- be sure to take notice of the January "New Year" Special. I will help you get your own look in gear.

What will YOU be wearing in '09?

How Bright is Toooooo Bright on the Bottom?

As I lose weight, I am envisioninng new styles to sport other than shades of blue denim jeans. As someone with hips and a "big butt" (while getting firmer by the minute!), I know that I have to be quite delicate in what I pair up with a colored denim pant. Hence: a longer, loose blouse with a vest or cute jacket is probably the safest and most flattering for my shape. While I love the hot pink, I will probably start off with the blue/purple-ish pair to the very left. Just as I recommend to friends and clients that it will be more comfortable for them to try new trends if they comfortably transition into it... Think the Good Girl should steer clear from going too bright?Click the right button and check out my other layouts on Polyvore!

GIVEAWAY! Win a Shubi Bag to Protect Your Shoes!

In my efforts to reach out to all of you as your go-to personal shopper and wardrobe consultant, I offer you my first giveaway of 2009!

Anna of Shoe Smitten is graciously offerinng you, a Good Girl Gone Shopping reader, the chance to win a Shubi Bag. (Remember my interview with this shoe crazed-fashion blogger and business owner in October?) Here is a little info about this item, directly from Anna's Shoe Smitten Boutique:

The Shubi company was started by two sisters who are polar opposites yet together form the perfect pair, with both bringing forth very different talents and skills and each maintaining a unique style of their own. Soomean is an art director for an advertising agency in NYC, while Jihwon is a pharmacist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite living on opposite coasts and working in very different professions, they are bound by a love for stylish shoes, the latest fashion trends, and for making things happen creatively.

These two creative sisters came up with the idea after a frustrating and fruitless search for a way to tote their shoes around town with style and class. Living in Manhattan, Soomean always carried an extra pair of shoes for commuting to and from work. She, like many city girls, would tote her shoes in flimsy, beat up, plastic, grocery bags because she could not find suitable shoes bags to tuck them in. Soomean complained to her sister about not being able to find cute shoe bags, and Jihwon mentioned that she had the same problem during her travel.

So, the two crafty sisters decided to create a bag that would give their lovely shoes the care and rest they deserve when they are not pounding the pavement -- and the Shubi was born. The Shubi company came to life with a desire to bring fashionable shoe bags to the mainstream.

(Don't you just love learning the behind-the-scenes details of businesses and designers?)

To ENTER the Shubi Bag giveaway, just comment on this post, and tell me which shoe you are the most excited about this season and why. I will choose the winner based on her passion for fashion! The winner will receive a Shubi Bag directly from Anna, with love. Contest ends Sunday, January 11th at noon.

For other fun shoe gifts, visit Anna's Shoe Smitten Boutique! Then follow her on Twitter, and let her know Elana sends her gratitude.

Photo Credits: http://www.shoesmitten.com/cart

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Rebecca Bloomwood Goes Big Screen!

Happy New Year my frugal fashionistas!

If you have yet to get on board with Sophie Kinsella's fabulous chick lit series, starting with book one called "Confessions of a Shopaholic," then yes, you ARE missing something in your life. The movie hits theaters the day before Valentine's Day this year (February 13th), and my sister and I already have a date to watch our favorite character, Rebecca Bloomwood, do what she does best. Let's just say "frugal" is not in her vocabulary.

READ MORE about why (me) the Good Girl Gone Shopping loves this character so, by visiting Chic Galleria!

Photo Credit: http://www.sophiekinsella.com