My Top Fashion Looks from NYFW A/W 2015

I've never attended New York Fashion Week, but have always wanted to go. Especially now, since I'm in the process of launching a creative consulting company that offers wardrobe consulting services among other things, I really need to stay current. And what better way to do that than to be at the shows, watching beautiful designs in real time with real people. I can just imagine the energy. But until I get the opportunity to go (which I'm hoping will be very soon), I'll take the internet. And what a buzz NYFW stirred this week. Did you catch it? With all the online mags and social media capturing every immediate moment, it almost felt like I was there. Many of the clothes were luxurious with lots of volume and references to vintage glamour. There were so many great looks to choose from, but I only chose a few, 27 to be exact. So grab some coffee, and sit down with me as I comment on each of the looks in "editor-like" fashion. (All pics are from Vogue, and the links are included in the commentary).

This Christian Siriano dress has 1940's vintage appeal for sure. The structured, voluminous wing-like sleeves make it feel modern and feminine.

This model is workin' it at the Zac Posen show. Love the tailored fur blazer.

And who doesn't want a big bright blue fur coat? It looks like so much fun, and I believe in having fun with fashion. See Altuzarra.

Detail, details, details. And while most cable knit sweaters are bulky, I can really appreciate a sweater that is chunky enough to look warm and cozy, yet slim-fitting enough to be tucked in. See Altuzarra.

Exquisite tailoring here at the Derek Lam show.

This shapely, detailed Derek Lam coat is a modern interpretation of a classic trench—nice.

Yesss! Love the gold angular heel on these Jason Wu booties.

I adore J-Crew . Here's a great example of how they experiment with proportions, and are still able to appeal to the masses. So fresh and modern.

More lovely J-Crew. And my eyes go straight to the cute little tassels on these shoes.

Feathers, dots, and leather, oh my! I really enjoy juxtaposition in fashion, and here it is at its finest with a casual sweater combined with a luxurious floor-length feathered skirt. The 3-D dots add interest that compliment the dramatic feathers. See Alice and Olivia.

I must admit, I've been growing really tired of Chevron. But it is too cute on this 60's inspired mini-dress. I wonder if Marsha Brady would have worn this? See Jill Stuart.

Vavoom! Modern glamour all the way. I really love how the skirt has structure, volume, and movement. See Jenny Packham.

The subtle reference to the 70's, the mix-n-match patterns, and the edgy shoes are all pulled together to create this modern, feminine Lela Rose ensemble.

The tassel earrings on this refined Lela Rose dress adds just the right amount of whimsy to keep things interesting.

This Mara Hoffman dress has gorgeous lines. It's like an updated 70's strapless empire waist dress, the one with the frilly layer at the bust. I really like how she structured what was typically a ruffle, and infused it with ethnic inspired glamour.

Love this easy-going, bold print Mara Hoffman dress. It's reads cool luxury.

I haven't worn a red dress in forever, and I'm not typically drawn to red. But this Delpozo dress is everything. I don't think I'd be able to wear it because my busts are too big, but it has great modern lines. And the details on the arms are dramatic, quirky and feminine, all elements I love in a dress.

Hello 19th century! (I hate to keep saying it but) Love, love, love.  As a girl who was obsessed with Little House in the Prairie as a child, I have a special affinity for this look. The colors, the textures, the proportions— and is that piping detail on the skirt? Love you Marc Jacobs.

What's not to love about a matching sweater suit? And that reinterpreted pompadour— very creative. See A Detacher.

My mom had a cape coat similar to this one but I gave it away. At the time, it was so dramatic, and I didn't think I could pull it off. Darn, I should have kept it. See Michael Kors.

Modern shapes, clashing patterns— perfect. These patterns work because black is the common denominator and balances out all the cool, kooky lines. See Milly.

This Philip Lim outfit is sophisticated and edgy with its burgundy (or should I say Marsala) leather skirt and feathered sweater.

Philip Lim is on a roll with this utility inspired, tie-wasted coat. It's what I like to call "the husband coat," the one the Mrs. puts on quickly (with not much on underneath) to go outside for the mail because hers is too far away. (As you can see, I think deeply about these things).

Simple and lovely with a little abstract print to add interest. See Raoul.

This is vintage 70's glamour all the way. Love how the headphones add a little urban touch. See Tracy Reese.

The sleeves are everything in this Victoria Beckham ensemble.

This look reminds me of a beautiful 19th century lady running from the manor in desperation after her parents forbid her to marry her one true love simply because he is the son of a farmer. Don't you get that vibe? ...I really like how the tailored coat off-sets the ornate, exotic flowing dress. See Vivenne Tam.

So there you have it folks. Hope you've enjoyed my pics. What are some of your favorite looks from NYFW?

Using Psychology to Decorate Infant Spaces

Hey all! This week I'd thought I would talk about some of the key elements to consider when putting together an infant room. If you've read my posts, you know I am in the process of decorating my new home with a number of rooms left to complete. And since my new baby, I've been thinking a lot about how to design a space that facilitates an infant's early development. As a psychologist I've taught child development, and know all about attachment and the psychobiology of emotion. But I've only recently considered applying it to infant design. Infants thrive with familiarity and secure base from which to explore their world. When they feel comfortable and safe, it frees them up to learn and develop. So it's important to design a space that promotes optimal development by ensuring that it is most comfortable and cozy for growing babies. With that said, babies learn and develop when their senses are stimulated like with a mobile or rattle. They also respond positively to certain amounts of novelty and surprise like rotating or changing pictures or quilts. This creates interest and varied experiences that facilitate neuronal connections in the brain necessary for development and enhanced problem-solving. Ideally, we want children to be in an environment that allows their great qualities and characteristics to be realized.

And let's not forget catering to mom or as we say in psych, the "primary caretaker." A study conducted by the design psychologist, Susan Painter, showed that the best predictor of how securely attached a mother is to her baby is her estimate of her competence as a caregiver. In order to promote a sense of competence in mom, the nursery should make her feel capable, confident, and secure.  So a nursery that is efficient and organized goes a long way in supporting mom which in turn, benefits baby. Like they say, happy mama, happy baby! Here are some pieces that I've collated with child development in mind. Of course, there are many more items that would fit into these categories. If you come across them, feel free to share them here. I'm always on the look out for cool nursery furniture or toys.

1. Sheepskin rug via Serena & Lily 2. Lilbow Pillow Doll via Roxymarj 3. Harper Rug via Pottery Barn Kids 4.Golden Pineapple Swaddle via Littlewoof 5. Musical Rabbit Angel Playmat via Smallable 6. Felt Camera Baby Rattle via Emy and Annie 7. Wool Felt Nursery Mobile via Dundryhill 8. Woodland Silhouettes via Brimful 9. Coral Jubilee Wallpaper via Spoonflower 10. Interactive Weather Map via Four Monkeys 11. Lake Glider via Serena & Lily 12. Pink Herringbone Hamper via Land of Nod 13. Vintage Pink Wall Tidy Pouch via Smallable

Different Time, Same Style

Hello. How has your week been? I've been busy with family and trying to register the name for my new creative consulting and wellness company. I never knew how difficult it could be to pick a matching domain name that wasn't already taken. Just a little tip: it really helps if you're company or blog name is specific and not generic, or one word like mine. For sure, I love the name Truly, but I must admit, it has been pretty difficult to work around. It's definitely been a lesson in patience for me, and learning to trust God in the process. Thankfully, I've come up with ideas, and promise to reveal more as things unfold. BUT, I will not be talking about domain names today. Instead, I decided to bring back my series, Different Time, Same Style. It's a column I started some time ago (see the first one here). In fact, I've started a few columns I no longer write because they didn't seem to work. But I really enjoy this one. Different Time, Same Style is where I answer the question, "What would they wear today?" I love history. I find it fascinating to learn about how people did things "back then" and the impact it has on us today. Recently, I came across an online photo essay, "Oct. 1969 Hippie high school," shared by the popular design blog, Design Sponge via mashable.com. It highlighted the impact that the hippie movement had on teenage fashion in the year 1969 with photos that were beautifully shot by photographer, Arthur Schatz. The article made some interesting points, mainly noting that the hippie movement evolved from counter culture to mainstream and heavily influenced the way high school students dressed. Essentially, the mainstream capitalized off the hippie movement by making mass produced hippie inspired clothes that the young generation could identify with and use to assert their individuality. Ironically, because "everyone" seemed to be wearing the clothes, the homogenized look countered the very freedom and individuality that the hippie movement represented.

The article reminded me of the evolution of hip-hop culture, which also started out as a counter culture movement that the mainstream capitalized of off for profit. Eventually hip-hop fashions, originally created to reflect individuality and an attempt to stand out from what was perceived as an oppressive mainstream, is now mainstream. And really, where can we go without seeing some type of commercial, ad, or clothing line that hasn't been influenced by hip-hop.

Fun, young, free, & "edgy" mainstream style

1969 different time, same style2

 pic||clutch|| top|| shorts|| shoes

So when I thought about  what the teenagers in this article would wear today, I thought about the influence of hip-hop and the impact it has on teenagers, who by nature are inclined to assert themselves and push the boundaries of what mainstream, or their parents expect of them. The teens in the picture seem fun, young, and free, and their hippie inspired clothing reflects this. But their clothing is also noted to be more safe and maybe not as authentic as would be worn by true hippies during that time. This complex dynamic is what I attempted to replicate with the outfit above. The high-waisted jean shorts with the lattice crop top feels fun, young, and free, yet there is a little hip-hop edge with the graffiti (which would have never been considered a "thing" in the mainstream back in the day) printed designer clutch, and modern, metallic flatforms that are both youthful, and good for frolicking around. If these kiddos were teenagers in 2015, I think they would wear an outfit just like this. What do you think?

Newsworthy: Mind What You Wear By Professor Karen Pine

karen pine

When I was in college anxiously preparing for a for a big presentation, my roommate told me I'd be more likely to do well if I dressed up. While I wasn't sure if it would work, I put on my best slimming knee length skirt, and packed on loads of pearls (it was the late 90's). I can still see myself in class that day--definitely, anxious, but also dolled up and feeling pretty dapper. I got an A on my presentation, and at the time, I didn't think it had anything to do with my appearance, but now  I'm not so sure. You  may have heard me talk about fashion psychology, and only a handful of psychologist have begun to explore the psychological impact of clothing. One of them is Karen Pine, developmental psychologist and Professor of Fashion. This past week I had the opportunity to read her book, Mind What You Wear, and it is full of research (including her own) that speaks to the power clothing has on us. Here are some highlights from the book.

1. Fashion isn't just visual, it's psychological. What we wear impacts not only others but us, the wearer--and the impact is complex. It isn't rocket science to figure out that we choose clothes based upon how we're feeling. But our clothes sends a message to others who react to us based upon our clothing choices, which in turn further impacts how we feel about ourselves in the clothes. If I decide to wear an unusually revealing get-up, I'll probably get lots of stares and unflattering attention. This would certainly have an impact on me that either reinforces what I was already feeling (e.g., a desire for attention) or stirs up feelings (e.g., shame, embarrassment).

2. The effects of clothing on our mood is often unconscious. Do you notice that you have a little more pep in your step when you wear that tea length skirt, those sequin wide leg pants, or that cute matching top and skirt? (okay, yes these are all things I'm wanting now) But think of those lucky socks you may have or the piece of jewelry you wore on your wedding day, or other special occasion. Sometimes we form an emotional bond to our things that is so strong, they almost have a magical influence over us when we were them.

solange

3. Clothing can change our character. It's been said that the effects of clothing runs so deep it can cause us to act in uncharacteristic ways. Think of how you feel when you're made to put on a hospital gown or some kind of uniform? Famed researcher, Zimbardo (the one who conducted the famous Stanford prison experiment) showed that subjects who were asked to wear concealing clothing were more likely to express inhibited, cruel behaviors  than those who were not dressed as such. They call it the process of de-individuation, and it's a loss of both self-awareness and responsibility. While there are many other factors that contributed to the subjects' behaviors, the study sheds some light on just how powerful clothes can be.

4. Clothing affects the way we think. Yes, it's true. In fact, research has shown that female subjects made to do math problems in a bikini performed worse than those were not made to wear one. They postulated that the women in bikinis internalized society's objectification of women which made it difficult for them to concentrate. In other words, their self-objectification used up their mental resources. This concept has also been known as enclothed cognition, and means that both the experience of wearing clothes and its symbolic meaning affects our thinking. So the next time you choose an outfit, make sure you're comfortable in it, otherwise it can use up the mental energy you would use for other things.

4. Clothing can keep you stuck in a rut or get you out of one. In an attempt to get people out of a fashion rut, Professor Pine co-founded Do Something Different, a psychology based program that encourages people to make small, yet meaningful changes in their look. People are asked to try a "Do" each day for several days, like "Do dress to impress today, "Do try a new color combo today," or "Do stand out today." I love this idea, and it seems to have really made a significant impact in people's lives.

Professor Pine also gives us a treat by including a list of clothes that make us feel happy along with the theoretical basis for it. She calls them happy clothes, and I couldn't resist putting together a few pieces based on her list. See them here:

happy clothes

vintage cameo|| J-Crew flats||Miu Miu sweater|| Miu Miu skirt||

Chois dress|| Lulu Frost earrings|| Kenzo pants

If you like what you're reading, go ahead and order the book (kindle edition only). I think you'd get a lot out of it. ♥

*Top 2 Images by Truly blog.

5 Ways To Be Happy While Chasing Your Dreams

Have you ever thought about what life will be like once you achieve your dreams? Maybe you've daydreamed about completing a degree, starting a business, or getting a book deal. They all sound great, and it's easy to fantasize how good life will be once we get there. Believe me. I know. I used to fantasize about how settled my life would be once I defended my dissertation. And after I got through that, I thought earning my Ph.D. would give me the ultimate satisfaction. Once that was behind me, I concluded that I would finally be at peace once I became a licensed psychologist. I didn't see the pattern.  There was always a hoop to jump through, and I wasn't good at being content while going through the process. I was awful at it.

Now graduate school seems like a distant memory, and although I wasn't quit sure what my career would look like, I never imagined that I would find new dreams to chase--I mean really big ones. I'm currently in the midst of developing a consulting business and it's the same process all over again-- the process of pushing to see my ideas come to life and blossom.

But of course, new goals don't necessarily mean new habits, and I've caught myself repeating the same old patterns-- being so focused on the goal that I fail to be happy and content during the process. So to put a stop to all of that, I've used my intellect to overcome my emotional limitations (something I always tell my client to do) and came up with five ways to be happy while chasing those grand dreams. Hopefully you'll find it helpful. Here it goes...

1. Write down what you want your future self to say about you. Imagine your 85-year-old self. What do you want her (or him) to say about you at your age? With all that hard work you put in, wouldn't it be a shame to look back and think wow, I was never really happy. Your time is a precious commodity, something you'll never get back. So be conscious about acting in ways that will make your 85-year-old self look back and smile. Don't let negativity steal your joy and ultimately your life.

2. Refuse to follow your feelings. It's so easy, and even euphoric, to fantasize about the rewards that come along with accomplishing goals. But unfortunately, the daily grind of making it happen can turn even the toughest of us into procrastinators at least some of the time. The trick is to ignore feelings that make us want to procrastinate, and make the first move. That first move doesn't have to be anything grand. It could be as simple as sitting down at your desk, or putting pen to paper and writing down a few words. You'll be surprised how a simple act can give you the impetuous to start doing what you may not feel like doing.

3. Listen to the encouraging words of others. There's a lot of negativity out there and people can keep you from accomplishing your goals if you let them. They might even mean well, but sometimes people have a way of distracting us with their own drama. On the other hand, there are people who can relate to where you are in life and have a lot to say about your journey. These people can be great sources of inspiration, and give you the lift you need to feel good about maneuvering through the process, even when the process doesn't feel so good. I'm a very spiritual person and love to listen to preachers and speakers who reinforce my faith in God and the life He has destined for me.

4. Put those encouraging words into action. Encouraging words may give us an emotional boost, but after a while simply listening to others gets stale. That's because the words have to be put into action. When we rely too much on others to get us through, it may feel good in the moment, but there are no long term changes in us or the way we go about dealing with challenges. So to avoid being overly reliant on others, be sure to apply what you hear to your life until it becomes a habit. This means rejecting old habits and making a conscious decision to do what may not come natural (like not following your feelings).

5. Force  yourself to enjoy the rewards along the way. Yes, I mean force. Most of us have heard that it's important to reward yourself for the little things along your journey. But many of us give lip service and say we'll do it, yet never do. I think it may be because it is so far removed from what we are used to doing, and rewarding ourselves just takes up too much time--but it doesn't have to. It's more about having an appreciative mindset than it is about tangible rewards. You can reward yourself just by feeling proud that you've accomplished one or two things off of your to-do list. Think of it as practice for when you achieve those bigger accomplishments. If you don't learn to be happy with the little accomplishments, despite the setbacks along the way, you won't be happy with the big ones because there are always going to be new goals to conquer.

Know that being happy through the process doesn't mean feeling happy all the time. It's more about being content with your life, with YOU, through the good, the bad, and the ugly. And really, this is the ultimate accomplishment, because what's better than looking back and knowing you were happy.

What do you think about these five ways?  How do you cope with career challenges or obstacles to fulfilling your dreams? Feel free to share them here. ♥

*All images by Truly blog

Creating Healing Spaces

Some months back I participated in an online workshop Healing by Design Psychology, with environmental psychologist, Toby Israel. If you don't know what design psychology is, you can read all about it here. But in a nut shell, it's a discipline that combines interior design with psychology to help people create spaces that they connect with on an emotional level.  I love the cross-pollination of design and psychology (so much that I created a blog about it!), and as someone who has worked in a hospital setting, I see how useful design is to help create what Toby refers to as "spaces that sustain, inspire, and help us heal." Not a whole lot is known about the relationship between physical health and healing spaces, but research shows that the quality of the environment supports well-being. This probably doesn't come as a surprise as it isn't a stretch to see how a supportive and welcoming environment, one that makes people feel comfortable and uplifted, can lead to better physical health. You may have heard it referred to as  the mind-body-spirit connection, and many with a strong faith and spiritual life have experienced healing that cannot be explained by science alone.

During the workshop, Toby talked about the keys to creating healing spaces in healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living. Of utmost importance is designing elements that helps patients feel in control, and loved and supported. Patients should be engaged in the creative process (such as through focus groups) and elements should reflect an emphasis on the future and moving forward.

There are many design psychology exercises that can be utilized to achieve healing spaces. I've mentioned some of them here, but you can read more about them in Toby's book, Some Place Like Home. She conducted one exercise with us during the workshop, a guided visualization exercise, and it goes something like this: write down a timeline of all the spaces you've been in from childhood until now. Which one did you enjoy the most-- the one that made you feel most comfortable and refreshed. Now close your eyes and visualize yourself in the space and the way you felt there. What words come to mind as you envision it. With eyes open, write down all the words that you thought of. Now pick your five favorite words and use them to write a sentence or two that describes your ideal healing oasis.

Not too hard, right? My five words were "inspirational," "bright," "refreshing," "greenery," and "liberated." And my idea healing oasis statement read as follows: it's a space that is refreshing and inspirational with bright colors, and a lot of references to greenery and nature. It's makes me feel safe, strong, and liberated.

What words described your ideal healing oasis? Use it to create a room in your home, and let us know if it impacted your emotional connection to your space.

image sources (in the order they are presented): 1||2||3||4