August 20, 2010
- Gold is #1

Gold Gold is sun kissed. Gold is romantic. Gold is rich. Gold is the IT metal this fall! My theory is that anyone who grew up in the 80's or 90’s thinks of gold as being tacky or gangster. Not anymore! When it comes to gold clothing, one great piece goes a long way. Keep everything more subtle or classic if you go with a gold statement piece like a dress, jacket or pants. I just bought a gold sequin jacket myself. I'll pair it with a sleek black tank and skinny jeans. Coordinate your gold piece with neutral colors like black, brown or cream to offset the shine. If you aren't ready to take the plunge, start with your accessories. A gold multi-chain necklaces or bracelets are easy to do. It's all about taking this trend and adapting it to you. Whether you decide to baby step into gold with accessories or jump in with a sequin dress...it doesn't matter. Just go for the gold!

August 18, 2010
- Top 3 Fall Fashion Trends

Fall fashions have been in the stores as early as July. August is the time to replace worn out items from last year and update with a few trends from this year. Even if it is still 90 degrees where you are, now is the ideal time to get the best selections. The good news about the fall trends this year is that you will find many trends have carried over from last year! We love this because the more you can wear something the more value you can get out of it!

Jackets: You can't have too many jackets this season. Jackets are being seen in all sorts of materials including leather, suede, faux fur and colored denim. Military style jackets are particularly popular. They are the perfect way to layer and stay warm this winter. Tailored jackets also naturally have a slimming affect. This is one item that everyone can wear. Look for a perfect fit or get it altered to look just right!

Over-the-knee Boots: Boots in general are very in this fall. If you tried getting a pair late last winter, I hope you learned your lesson and will start shopping for your perfect boots now. They will likely sell out again this year as more and more people are pairing them with skinny jeans. Riding boots and boots with cuffs on the bottom are also popular.

Skinny Jeans/Jeggings: I remember years ago trying to convince people to buy a pair of skinny jeans. Many didn't want to invest in these stylish jeans because they thought they would be out of style. I've had mine for 5 or so years now...I don't think they are going anywhere. In fact, the jegging, which is a combination of a legging and a jean, is very hot too. You can't go wrong with a simple legging either. Pants that elongate and narrow your leg are in!

August 17, 2010
- Eco Friendly Accessories - Milena's Must-Have

August 13, 2010
- Skinny Jeans - Milena's Must-Have

July 22, 2010
- The Client Experience

June 25, 2010
- Hot Summer Essentials

Your summer wardrobe should be just as versatile and long lasting as your fall and winter staples. What really differentiates you summer look from your fall look is the light feel, color and style of everything. As the temperature heats up, you want to lighten up. Choose colors that are brighter, like yellow and lighter like peach. Breathable fabrics like cotton versus our heavy fall fabrics like wool and corduroy will lighten your look. The style of each piece should also lighten up. For example, tops should have open necklines and shorter sleeves. Shoes should be open toe and have less volume overall.

Creating the perfect summer wardrobe is easy if you have some of summer’s most versatile basics. Remember, embellishments and details like beads, sea shells, straw, floral prints and fruity colors will give each piece that light, signature summer feel!

White T-Shirt or Tank Throw a lightweight scarf or a fun dramatic necklace with this all-American staple. Opt for higher quality t-shirts since they often are more substantial to hide any imperfection and to keep this look polished.

Camisole Perfect layered under a jacket or layered with other camis. Try it paired with dark skinny jeans and a long necklace.

Sundress My favorite summer piece! A dress is always feminine and so easy to wear. A cotton sundress can be paired with flip flops for a casual beach day or glammed up with heals and a fun necklace for a night out.

Swimsuit Probably not your favorite piece to shop for, but finding one that works is key to making a splash this year. Check out the article How to Not Look Fat in a Swimsuit for great tips on finding the most flattering suit.

Jackets I love jackets any time of the year. Wear them as an outfit or as a jacket, they are so versatile! A nicely contoured jacket can also enhance any figure. A shrunken leather motorcycle jacket can be sassy or a simple cotton jacket can be easy to wear for cool evenings.

Handbag Your summer handbag can also lighten up with materials like straw or canvas for a great day bag. Pick bags with neutral tones to keep them more wearable from year to year. If you are a leather lover, like me, try a fun color like papaya or a neutral cream.

Sandals Finally your toes can breath and you can show off your pedicure! Sandals with narrow straps and heals look best in the summer. Espadrilles or wedges are great for adding height to a pretty skirt or dress. Embellishments on flats can make up for any loss of height. Peep toes are perfect for a business casual office.

April 8, 2010
- 21 Signs Your Wardrobe Expired in the 90's!

We are ripe on 2010, but closer to embarking on the next decade. If your clothes are still living in the 90's, wake-up and realize they are expired!

It's not just about being stylish either. When your clothes are out of date, people's perception of you is that your ideas, thoughts and knowledge are out of date. Whether you are a financial analyst, marketing guru, or self-employed start up...you want to portray the image that you are current and up-to-date on what's happening in your industry!

Here are some signs that you are stuck in the 90's:

1. You have a fleece on big enough to fit you plus one inside

2. You wear overalls or shortalls

3. You wear body suits with those bibs

4. You have baby t's instead of t-shirts

5. You wear midriff shirts to show off your belly button ring

6. You wear Hawaiian shirts or shirts that say "Aloha"

7. Your skirts have an angled hem that comes to a point

8. Your jeans are baggy or have a flare leg

9. You are still trying desperately to fit into low rise jeans

10. You wear bike shorts for purposes other than biking

11. You have chunky heals or square toed shoes (aka pilgrim shoes)

12. You wear Doc Martins

13. You are still sporting "The Rachel" haircut

14. You accent your hair with butterfly clips

15. You wear a fishing hat when you are not fishing

16. The tags are still attached to your favorite baseball cap

17. You workout in noisy wind pants that you can tear away

18. You support your sports team by wearing your starter jacket

19. More than 10% of your wardrobe is Guess or Tommy Hilfiger

20. You still carry your work in a rectangle, hard-sided brief case

21. Your purse is actually a backpack

February 10, 2010
- Statement Bracelets - Bold, Chunky and Stacked!

Stacked Banglesby milenajoyfeaturing Lee Angel Jewelry bracelets

Bracelets are hot for spring 2010! They are stacked, chunky and making a statement! While you might be inclined to pull out your set of bangles from the 80's, today's bracelets are not plastic and bright. The most sought after bracelets are done in soft metallics made from metal, woods and leather.

Neutrals, metallics and turquoise are the in colors this season. Take advantage of these colors in your bracelet. I particularly love the mix on the bottom right (above) because they've mixed ivory with a soft gold. They've also used texture to really make these bracelets stand out. Play with different prints too, like the bracelets on the top left.

The less is more rule still applies here. Because this season's bracelets are heavy, you'll want to go easy on your other accessories. Let the bracelets take the lead and let your other accessories play supporting roles. You will want to pay special attention to what rings you wear because you do not want them to outshine your bracelet. I would suggest only wearing one or two rings that are simple and sleek. Do not make the mistake of wearing a lot of little rings - your look will become cluttered.

While buying some of these pre-designed stacked bracelet sets can be expensive, it certainly doesn’t have to be. Go through your jewelry box at home and see if you can't come up with some of your own combinations. Or invest in one or two bold bracelets and then pair them with some of your own. This is a great way to make something old new again. Then, mix and match the combinations for fresh new looks each and every time!

January 13, 2010
- Look Good While You Lose Weight!

By far the most common New Year's resolution this year was to lose weight and exercise more...but did you know that less than half of American's actually achieve their New Year's resolution? In fact, most have abandoned their resolution by the third week in January! Why? Not only do we not always believe in them, but we aren't taking the extra steps to fully engage ourselves in our goals.

While I can't give you advice on how to exercise or eat right - I'll leave that to my expert trainer Emilee Jones, I can give you style advice that is often overlooked in weight loss plans, but is crucial to your self-esteem and ultimately reaching your weight loss goals.

It's simple: Look Successful. Feel Successful. Be Successful.

I use this tag line to describe the importance of a professional and social wardrobe to help you achieve your goals. It applies to your workout life too! If you are hitting the gym in your husband's shirt or the t-shirt from college that is too tight or unflattering...what do you think you will see in the mirror as you're lifting those weights or participating in a group exercise class? Someone who is overweight and looks ill fit in his/her clothes, that's who!

On the other hand, if you put on a workout outfit that actually contours your body and compliments your curves, you'll see the potential of a slimmer or more cut you! You'll also be able to see the progress you make as you begin to shed pounds. This will encourage you to keep doing what you are doing. Most people need to see some noticeable difference in order to keep up their stamina over a long period of time. When you wear clothes that are too big - you can't see the 5lbs you worked so hard to lose. You deserve it, so put on something that is more flattering to your body!

Don't know where or what to look for in your workout clothes? Here are a few brands that I recommend. Contact Milena at www.milenaconsulting.com if you need help finding the perfect workout wardrobe!

Lululemon www.lululemon.com Available for both men and women. The most stylish and flattering - you'll want to wear them even when you're not working out (but don't!)
Zella www.nordstrom.com Available for women. Good for yoga and lighter activities. Notice the contoured seaming which is very flattering!
Prana www.prana.com Perfect for the outdoorsy types. Who knew you could look so good climbing a mountain? (pictured above)
Nike www.nike.com A wardrobe staple for anyone who is a runner or does high intensity workouts!

(from lululemon.com)

December 9, 2009
- Your Winter Coat: Pick the Perfect Wrapping!

Keep warm this winter by wrapping yourself in a stylish jacket. Just like wrapping paper on a present, the jacket you wear says a lot about what is inside! Make sure these messages are in sync. You wouldn't put Happy Birthday paper on a holiday present. A gift wrapped in newspaper looks like the giver either ran out of paper (not prepared) or the gift isn't quite that special.

Take a look around you and you will soon notice a miss-match of coats with outfits and people that don't work together. Are you wearing your nice skirt suit with your puffy parka? That's a mis-match. Is your jacket dirty or ready to fall apart at the seams? It could be making you look dated and disorganized.

The good news is that jackets will go on sale right after the holidays so be sure to take inventory of what you need and get yourself prepared for the rest of the season. Here are a few good types of coats that will get you through most of winter's cool occasions.

Wool Coat: This is the staple that goes with your suits and dresses. A 3/4 length version is most versitile because you can easily dress it up or down. If you are blessed with long legs then a floor length one can be fun and dramatic for your dressier occasions. Most people gravitate towards neutral colors like black, grey and tan. This is a safe bet, but if you want to spice it up, try rich dark colors like eggplant. Light colors like baby blue or pink aren't professional looking, so avoid these colors for your work wear. If you are on a budget and can't afford more than one coat this year, this is the one for you!

The Puffer or Parka: There aren't many people in cold weather states that don't own one of these. While these coats will definitely keep you warm in the coolest of conditions, they are meant for those more casual occasions. They are perfect for a day in the park, watching a football game or running errands, not for professional wear or special occasions.

The Jacket: A jacket is simply a shorter version of a coat. Almost all jackets are meant for more casual occasions. Made out of everything from cordoroy to wool to leather, your jacket is a great staple for most all your casual occasions. Cropped versions expose more of your outfit and can really add to it. Think of your jacket as an accessory and it can be a lot of fun!

Special Occasion Coat: A coat that perhaps has a finer fabric like the one in the picture above. I have one that has a timeless lace overlay that seems to work with most dresses. Many of these coats have fun details that almost make them an outfit on their own. These coats are fun and can really make you stand out in a crowd when everyone is wearing something more traditional. The downside is that they may not always keep you the warmest.

Faux Fur Jackets & Wraps: A fun additon for the person who wants to change it up! Faux fur can make you feel glamourous and work well with eveything from a pair of jeans to an evening dress. Wraps are a great option if you only need to hop from the valet to the the door.