It’s a new year – an opportunity to reflect on what worked for you last year, and what didn’t. If 2010 didn’t quite live up to your expectations, take some time to get quiet and think about what you can do differently this year.

Do you love the image you are presenting to the world? Does it represent WHO you are and WHAT you do? If you can answer a confident YES, good for you! Maybe you just need to freshen things up a bit. Take a look at your intentions for the New Year and how you can bring those elements into your wardrobe for continued success and momentum. If your answer is NO, then we’ve got some work to do.

Here are five ways you can create a Powerful Personal Presence in 2011:

1.     REFRESH – If you’re feeling less than excited about your look, maybe it’s time to hit the refresh button.  Take stock of your existing wardrobe to see what you can do to rejuvenate some of those old standbys.  Adding an exciting new accessory, like a chunky necklace or scarf, can do wonders to jazz up an outfit.  You can completely change an outfit simply by adding a few great accessories.

• Add a pop of color with a scarf, necklace, shoes or handbag.
• Swap out a traditional blazer for a colorful cardigan, and add a belt at the waist.
• Be sure that your clothes are tailored to fit YOUR body.
• Check all shoes and boots, being sure that they are in good shape.  If not, now is a good time to purchase new or take them to the cobbler to be re-heeled and polished.

2.     REFLECT – Take a look at the top three goals for this year. How can you change up your wardrobe to help you achieve those goals and feel ready for any opportunity?  Is your image reflecting the influential, professional woman that you are? Step up your wardrobe by adding some polish and refinement.

• Add polished, shimmering, luxurious and lustrous fabrics such as sateen, silk, cashmere, crepe de shine, dupione and shantung.
• Wear items with little or no pattern.
• Splurge on a few designer pieces.
• Choose high quality, tailored to fit and perfectly constructed garments.

3.     REALIGN – If you are feeling that you’ve lost sight of your goals, now is the time to bring things back into focus.  Set your intentions for the New Year and set realistic goals.  Clear out anything that’s keeping you stuck, and open some space for new opportunities and abundance.

• Go into your closet and look at each of your garments to see if they are in alignment with your intentions.
• All garments that are not in alignment with your goals and desires MUST GO!
• Donate those things that no longer serve you, and help someone else — remember to lift as you climb.

4.     RECAPTURE – Have you lost that loving feeling for your business? Take some time to list all of the reasons you decided to become an entrepreneur.  What do you love about your work?  Recapture that feeling in your wardrobe.  Look in your closet for your favorite pieces to see what they have in common.  Are they all a certain color?  Do they make you feel a certain way?  Are they all made from similar fabrics?

• See if you can find a common denominator among your favorite clothes. What are the clothes you reach for over and over again?
• What do those pieces say about you or your personality? Are they communicating what you’d like them to?
• If you feel like you’re doing the same thing over and over and getting the same disappointing result, recapture some excitement by trying something new!
• Step outside your comfort zone and try a new look that will shift your mindset and help you get a better result.

5.     RENEW – Renew your commitment to yourself and your business by investing in yourself and creating a Powerful Personal Presence. Make this the year that you turn things around and really step up to the next level of your success. Be proud of the person that you are and allow the world to see the best version of YOU.  Step into your brilliance and feel the joy that comes with that.

• Write some affirmations to keep yourself on track.
• Post your affirmations in many places where you will see them throughout your day.
• Believe in yourself and envision yourself living the life you dream of.

©2011 Laurie Mandato

This is last post in my 5 part “Holiday Dressing” series. If you missed my previous posts you can find them here: Water Essence, Wood Essence, Fire Essence, Earth Essence.

Metal, the Perfectionist

You love elegant, quality garments and luxurious fabrics. You have no tolerance for ill-fitting clothes and everything you wear is impeccably well-made and tailored to fit perfectly. Look for monochromatic color schemes with little or no pattern and status or designer accessories.  Here are some things you might love:

*Note* Roll your cursor over each item for more detail and shopping links.

This is part 4 of my 5 part “Holiday Dressing” series. If you missed my previous posts you can find them here: Water Essence, Wood Essence, Fire Essence.

Earth, the Peacemaker

You love traditional styling and structured garments. Square detailing as in squared necklines or patch pockets suit you well. You’ll feel most comfortable in neutral colors and basic patterns, enhanced by classic, timeless accessories. Here are some things you might love:

*Note* Roll your cursor over each item for more detail and shopping links.

This is part 3 of my 5 part “Holiday Dressing” series. If you missed my previous posts you can find them here: Water Essence, Wood Essence.

Fire, the Pleasure Seeker

You are dramatic and love to be seen! Go for body-conscious garments in bright hues, bold patterns and animal prints for all eyes upon you. Your accessories can be bold, even whimsical. Here are some things you might love:

*Note* Roll your cursor over each item for more detail and shopping links.

This is part 2 of my 5 part “Holiday Dressing” series. If you missed my previous post for Water Essence you can find it here.

Wood, the Pioneer

You love sporty, casual styling. Ease of movement is critical — you must feel comfortable in everything you wear.  Look for vertical style lines and nature-based patterns and fabrics to make your heart sing.  Here are some things you might love:

*Note* Roll your cursor over each item for more detail and shopping links.

They’re here — the holidays and all those fabulous parties and events! It can be a bit overwhelming trying to choose just the right clothes, shoes and accessories that are authentically you. To help, I’ve created a 5-part series I’ll be posting here on my blog — one each day this week — giving you some great ideas for each of the 5 Fashion Feng Shui® Essences. Not sure which Essence you might be? You can take the FFS Quiz for a sneak peek.

Each year the designers dictate what we will see in the stores and this season we’ll be seeing loads of lace, velvet, sequins and embellishments on everything from sweatshirts to silk blouses. Blush tones and lots of sparkle are showing up everywhere!  When you shop for any occasion, look through the lense of your Essence and ask yourself:

• Is this a fabric that feels good for me?
• Will I feel authentic and excited to wear this garment?
• Does it fit me well?
• Is it appropriate for the occasion?
• Will I be able to wear it multiple times?

You get the idea.  Never buy because the sales clerk in the store thinks it’s fabulous on you — especially if you’re feeling that something is just not right! Listen to your intuition.

Okay … let’s get started with the Essence of Water.

Water, the Philosopher

You love creative styling. Flowing fabrics and unexpected mixes of colors and patterns allow your unique presence to shine. Accessories are a must for you and the more artistic or unique the better. Here are some things you might love:

*Note* Roll your cursor over each item for more detail and shopping links.

Your personal brand is reflected through your wardrobe and should flow to everything — your home, your business, your car … everything! Your logo, business cards and your website should reflect your brand and your essence. I’m not referring to wearing your colors and using the same colors in your branding. I’m speaking of your ESSENCE – the heart of who you are. When I teach my clients about their essence through my favorite style system Fashion Feng Shui®, we talk about how to dress in clothing that reflects that essence and how to let it shine in every area of your life. You eat, sleep and breathe your essence in everything you do. It is your signature — what makes you unique. Therefore, to feel your most authentic, and for others to get a sense of you, you must pay attention to how and what your image is saying about you in your life and business.

During a call this week with some colleagues, we were discussing updates and changes to their websites. They wanted feedback on how they looked visually and what the impact of that was. Knowing these women both personally and professionally, I felt strongly that a few of them had not allowed their essence or their personality to shine through. When someone comes to your website they are there to find out more about you and the work you do. Are YOU showing up? Besides being visually appealing, you need to allow your personality to show — let potential clients get a sense of who you are, how you do what you do, who your ideal client is, what you’re passionate about. Get the idea? It is their first impression of you, so you need to make a good one if you want them to stay long enough to learn more about you. If they feel an authentic connection to you they will want to learn more, sign up for your ezine or attend an upcoming event.

And speaking of events, we’re coming into the peak season for live events, so be conscious when you’re dressing to speak or to attend a live event. When people have the opportunity to meet you in person, are they meeting the person they have been seeing in your headshot and on social media? Or will they be meeting someone 10 years older or 10 pounds heavier? Keep your photos updated! Headshots should be done professionally every 2-5 years. We all age and gain weight — it’s part of life. I am not suggesting that every time you change your hairstyle or hair color you need a new headshot (some of us would be changing it weekly!). I am saying that it’s important to portray yourself authentically — the person you are today. Allow your essence — that inner beauty — and your personality to shine through. Your ideal client will be drawn to that woman, the one who is confident enough to show up as herself. She is the real deal, confident, fabulous and in control of her destiny!

Here are a few tips to help you show up authentically in all areas of your life:

• Use a current professional headshot that really reflects your personality (that does not mean a black suit!).
• Wear colors that bring energy and your intention to the forefront.
• Write marketing and web copy that reflects who you are, what you do and lets your personality shine.
• Stand out in a crowd by selecting garments that suggest confidence, clean lines, your best colors and accessories that convey success.
• Stand tall in who you are and claim your success!
• Allow your essence to SHINE — bring it to everything you do in your life and business.

STYLE:

1. an elegant, fashionable, or luxurious mode of living: to live in style.
2. a mode of fashion, as in dress, especially good or approved fashion; elegance; smartness.

(www.dictionary.com)

When I meet with clients or potential clients for the first time, one of the things they often tell me is that they don’t feel like they have a personal style. Which really isn’t true, because everyone and everything has a style. They just haven’t discovered it yet! I bet you know all the things you don’t like to wear and could make a long list right now if I asked you to. So now you just need to pay attention to the things that you do like and make you feel like a million dollars. Everything has style — lifestyle, personal style, home style, etc. We all have ways of doing things that make us comfortable. If I were to ask five women to wear the exact same piece of clothing or accessory, and I took a photograph of each of them, I guarantee each one would look completely different. That’s because we are all unique individuals and have our own Unique Presence™relating to our personalities.

What’s your Style story? We all make up stories about ourselves from messages we received growing up, as well as the ones we create in our heads. What have you created that is keeping you from being the best version of yourself? Are you sabotaging your own success with these stories? It’s time to let go of your past and step into the woman you are today — a brilliant, confident, sexy, savvy business woman, author, speaker, mother. Stop letting the little voice in your head get the better of you. Allow yourself to step into that bigger vision of yourself.

Fashion and style don’t have to be a challenge or big mystery that some women get and others don’t; you just need to do some detective work to figure out what feels right for you. It should be fun and another way of expressing yourself. Style is a reflection of what’s going on internally and expressed externally. It’s much more than looking beautiful — it’s about the inner confidence and self esteem that come with being the best version of yourself! Your personal style is speaking for you before you have the opportunity to say a word. It is your first visual impression that you make when interacting with a potential client, audience or management team. Whether it is your headshot on your website, your website itself or you in front of an audience — your visual appearance makes a big impact. It’s what attracts people to you; it makes them decide if they want to take the time to get to know more (which leads to liking and trusting you) or if they will move on to the next person.

Are you still struggling to find your personal style? Do you look in your closet each morning wondering what you will put on to feel the least uncomfortable? Wouldn’t you like to greet each day with confidence and grace? If you answered YES to any of those questions I would love to take you through my five-part S.T.Y.L.E. system to help you discover your authentic personal style. The transformation really happens once you start to believe you are the person you see staring back at you from the mirror. It’s the inner confidence that has you standing taller, feeling ready to be seen, stepping into the spotlight and allowing yourself to stand out and shine!

Contact me today to schedule your Spotlight on Style Strategy Session so we can see if you’re ready for your personal transformation!

With Fall just around the corner, it’s time to change up your color palate and incorporate some of the season’s hottest colors.  Enjoy this article by Ali Brown on the five most wearable colors for Fall 2010 with tips on how to incorporate them into your closet.

Five Fall Colors to Spice Up Your Look

By Ali Brown

As the temperature drops and leaves change colors, it’s time to change your look as well. What better way to update your closet and turn over a new leaf (figuratively, of course) than by mixing in some of the season’s most stylish and on-trend colors?

Twice a year the Pantone Color Institute releases a color report setting the tone for home and fashion on the runways and in real life. This fall, they predict a mix of earthy and eye-catching hues that flatter on their own or inspire unexpectedly elegant combinations.

Here are five of fall’s most winning and wearable colors with tips on how to incorporate them into your closet.

1. Purple Orchid

Whether in a cashmere sweater or a chic cocktail dress, purple orchid makes a bold, beautiful look for fall, creating a regal, even mystical quality. Pair it with chocolate truffle for a luxurious evening look or with cream to create a more understated outfit for daytime.

2. Chocolate Truffle

The richness of this hue evokes indulgences from a fabulous Parisian bakery. How could you resist those juicy, plum-tinged undertones and that deliciously decadent finish? Wear Chocolate Truffle as an on-trend alternative to the Little Black Dress. Or invest in a pair of suede boots in this sumptuous shade.

3. Rose Dust

Romance is in the air as this alluring color casts its spell. Rose dust makes a flattering neutral for most people, whether in a pencil skirt, a fitted jacket, or a beaded bag. It’s also versatile enough to wear year round, so it’s worth investing if you find an accessory you love in this shade.

4. Lagoon

This dreamy turquoise is Pantone’s color of the year: the perfect hue for poolside adventures and tropical getaways. Whether you’re sporting a sarong in St. Lucia or a maxi dress in Mexico, Lagoon feels relaxed, yet refined. Don’t have any exotic escapes on the calendar for this year? Choose a pendant necklace or a cuff bracelet with a few stones in this shade to instantly evoke that breezy vacation vibe. No passport necessary.

5. Woodbine

This lush shade of green works on its own or with patterns. Want to shake things up style-wise? Mix Woodbine with Purple Orchid. Consider a fitted wool coat in this color or a jersey wrap dress (solid or print). You can guess what color the other women will be when they spot you in this daringly distinctive shade.

Whether you play it safe with a classic like Chocolate Truffle or pick a more shocking shade like Purple Orchid or Woodbine, these colors are sure make to a memorable style statement this fall.

© 2010 Ali International, LLC

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: “Self-made millionaire entrepreneur and Inc. 500-ranked CEO Ali Brown teaches women around the world how to start and grow profitable businesses that make a positive impact. Get her FREE weekly articles and advice at www.AliBrown.com

Working with women stepping into the spotlight means that I talk to my clients a lot about first impressions. We talk about how they would like to be perceived. Some of the responses I hear most often are professional, polished, approachable, as an expert … and the list goes on. Rarely do I hear someone say I want to be perceived as the woman who looked really good! But it really goes hand in hand. Remember the old saying “if you look good then you feel good, and if you feel good you do good”? It’s true. Think about the last time you worked from home and didn’t bother to get showered and dressed as you would if you were going to an office. How productive were you? Did you accomplish everything on your to do list? Did you feel more tired all day? Your wardrobe affects you more than you might like to admit. I’m not saying you need to be dressed to the nines every day, but you should want to be the best you can be.

Here is a quotation from Lisa Earle McLeod’s column that she wrote recently titled Can Cool Clothes Make You Successful? “As a professional speaker, I know that first impressions are important, so I’ve always paid some level of attention to my wardrobe. However, as my life got busier (and my body got lumpier), looking decent had become yet another item on my seemingly endless to-do list. Good suit, check; brush teeth, check; back-up batteries, check.

I had forgotten that one of the people I was making an impression on was me.”

I am certain that she is not the only woman who feels this way. It’s true that when you put on a stylish suit or dress that fits beautifully, and coordinate just the right shoes and jewelry, you walk a bit taller and you FEEL an unshakeable confidence! There is a difference in how you present yourself when you’re coming from that place of confidence. I have watched this transformation many times — women staring at themselves in the mirror and wondering who that confident, professional woman is staring back at them!

Looking great and feeling that confidence is key to your success. It does not replace the need for education and work ethic, but let’s face it, people are visual by nature and your appearance is a form of communication. It speaks for you before you have the opportunity to say a word. As Ms. McLeod said, one of the people you’re making that impression on is yourself. When you create your wardrobe for success you are telling yourself that you’re worth it and that you matter. It’s an investment in your success and your self worth.