Tie on a printed scarfGood morning!

Before I get into this week’s style tip, let me just say “Wow.” 

Thank you for all of the emails congratulating me on our 1-year anniversary! Not to mention all of your phone calls (and emails from the men!) that I received with your style questions, and other concerns not style related at all! It was such a delight to connect with so many of you including those of you who are not my clients (yet!:) Thanks again, for your patience with me getting back to you. 

Some of those questions, well, what can I say? I can understand why some of you wanted to call me personally. I thought I had heard it all but apparently NOT. Thank you for opening up to me and trusting that I would not judge you, but that I would help you. And as you know, anything you tell me is strictly confidential – my lips are sealed, unless you give me the OK to open them.

Thanks too for listening to me rant a bit about my own personal challenges in life. Sometimes a girl just needs to have a little “girl talk.” So as much as I may have been there for you, I want to let you know that you were there for me too. 

Speaking of challenges in life, it was brought to my attention by one of my dear clients, Liz, who had informed me that a good friend of hers, Tracy, contacted me through my “contact” page on my website, and never heard back from me. When I informed Liz that I never heard from Tracy, I started to wonder why I didn’t get her message and I began to get a bit concerned. 

It was then that I discovered that when someone emailed me through my website “contact” page form, it was sending all messages to an email address that I was not using. An email address that was put in place as the contact email address on my “contact” page form, but never set up on my server to receive those said emails. (There is a reason why I don’t call my “web guy” a “webmaster.” By the way, I fired him. )

Of course my heart began to pound when I realized that I had no idea how many people had contacted me through my website “contact” page form and never heard back from me. The “I’m always on top of it, pay attention to the details, get-back-to-anyone-who-contacts-me-within-24-hours” kind of girl, that I am went into a slight panic. My good reputation of being a responsible business owner was on the line, not to mention, my strong desire to help as many people as I can look their best. Who was not reaching me to help them I may never know. This thought was quite distressing to me. 

Which is the reason why I am bringing it up now. If you have ever sent anyone to my website to seek out my services and they contacted me through my “contact” page form, and never heard back from me, please let them know how sorry I am, and that I never received their email. 

Please either email me at michellem@michellemoquin.com or call me (415-889-6381), and leave me their contact information, and I would be happy to connect with them. Or if you prefer, just pass along my email and phone number and have them reach out again. 

I am so grateful for your referrals and so sorry for this technical glitch. Thankfully, the good news is, I have a new web guy and I am delighted to call him a “Webmaster,” as he definitely deserves that title! And yes, in case you are wondering, the “contact” page form on my website is now working. 

Since this newsletter is already quite long, I wanted to end with a style tip that is short and simple to follow. One of the challenges that I hear from women is that they need a way to get dressed quickly should they be challenged in the morning, i.e. sleeping through an alarm clock, an unexpected incident happens that needs to be handled immediately, etc. You get the picture.  

I’ve put together 6 easy steps that I personally follow when I’m rushed to get dressed and out of the house pronto. You too can use this simple method when you want to look put-together in a snap. 

My 6 easy steps for a quick put-together look:

Go-to outfits

  1. Pull out your favorite pair of neutral sleek fitting slacks or your best fitting jeans (If you have belt loops on your pants, I prefer to slip in a belt if the waistband is even slightly showing) and toss on a crisp white button-front or a cozy tee, in whatever styles are best for your Body-Type.
  2. Add a 3rd piece that fits your Personality – this is such an important step to looking put-together. This could be a favored blazer (Roll the sleeves for that effortless look!), a sleeveless jacket or draped knit vest, summer weight cashmere poncho, or a classic cardigan (Button the middle buttons only to create an “X” giving the illusion of an Hourglass.) This piece could be in a complimentary neutral or it could be in a punch of color. 
  3. Step into a pair of nude pumps, flats, or sandals – every girl should have this staple because they go with everything! Feeling a bit more daring, don a pair of snakeskin or leopard – they go with almost any color and pattern.  
  4. Slather on a tinted moisturizer, concealer if necessary, fill-in your brows, mascara your lashes, and add your favorite color lipstick. Spritz yourself with your preferred scent. 
  5. Finish off your outfit with an eye-enhancing statement necklace (My fave is by Keren Creations), a stack of bracelets, your best-loved watch (Or both!), and your rings with the brightest bling. (Don’t save the good jewels – wear them!)
  6. If you’re lacking and wanting that punch of color in your outfit, grab a colorful purse, or tie a printed silk scarf around the handle of your handbag, and out the door you go!

creating "go-to" outfits easily

Congratulations! You have just created a “go-to” outfit! Not only because it is an outfit that you feel good in (If you don’t, start with step #1 on a day where you have some time, and create ones you love), but it is an outfit that you can “go-to” when you are rushed and running late. 

Have 2-3 “go-to” outfits (that preferably work for any season) that fir your Personality and you feel fabulous in. Take photos of each of them. Don’t neglect this action because there will be a time when you really need an outfit ready (clean and pressed) so that you are out the door in five, looking fabulous.

And, if you’re like me, many times when I am in a hurry, I already have so much on my mind that I can’t think about one more thing, let alone remember an outfit that I feel good in. When that happens, oh and it will, that is the time to pull out the photos of your “go-to” outfits and pick one to wear. You’ll be so happy that you did this, you’ll be giddy. 

When life throws you a curve ball that could ruin your entire day, you can smile to yourself and know that no matter what…you got this…you’re going to look put-together and fabulous, and ready to conquer that curve ball!

Now, it’s your turn. Do you have  a “Go-to” outfit that you love? I’d love to hear from you.  Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.

Blog me.

Love,

~Michelle

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