Tag Archives: Towson

GURU Style Stars: Amy, Emerson & JoAnn

9 May

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for Mother-Daughter pairs to feature as GURU Style Stars. I was excited when I spotted an even better find — three generations!

Meet Amy, Emerson, 4, and JoAnn! Love the pink — especially on a dreary day.

And yes, this trio paid a little visit to Lilly Pulitzer! That’s why they came to Towson Town Center on this day. Amy and Emerson live in Howard County, and JoAnn is from Catonsville. I’ll show you what’s in two of the bags in a moment…

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Amy, Emerson and JoAnn

JoAnn, Amy’s mom and Emerson’s grandmother, scored her pink rain coat at Gap. It really pops over her navy cardi, white tee and jeans.

Three Generations!

Three Generations!

Amy’s python print sweater and jeans are both J.Crew finds. Her necklace is from Ann Taylor. Her turquoise bag is Michael Kors.

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Little Emerson is wearing a sweet plaid top from Gymboree with jeggings and crocheted flats. She’s lucky her little shoes aren’t in my size…

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On this shopping trip, JoAnn bought Amy and Emerson these matching Lilly Pulitzer dresses as birthday presents!

Mother & Daughter Dresses

Mother & Daughter Dresses

Now for our Q&A:

Describe your style:

Amy: Casual, comfortable clothes with a little bling! I always wear jewelry.

JoAnn: I would say I’m more conservative, preppy.

What are your favorite stores at Towson Town Center?

Amy: Lilly Pulitzer and J.Crew. I like J.Crew for my everyday. Lilly for dress up, especially for summer!

JoAnn:  I like Talbots and J.Crew.

How do you two influence each other’s style?

Amy: I would say now I influence her. Years ago she influenced me more. I keep her up to date on new styles while keeping her dress age appropriate.

JoAnn: I do have some taste she can’t take credit for all of it.

Amy: You do have good taste, mom.

How have you influenced Amy’s style?

JoAnn:  I’ve influenced her to be a shopper because I’ve always been a shopper.

Amy:  I would say the biggest influence is you always told me to dress appropriate and not to be a showy person, not to wear revealing clothes.

Amy, who is also a mom to two boys, ages 6 and 8, is having her family over for a cook out on Mother’s Day. Do you have your Mother’s Day shopping done? Here are links to gift ideas for handbags at Michael Kors; gift sets from L’Occitane, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics and Yankee Candle; and jewelry at Tiffany & Co. Coming up tomorrow, see my finds from Pandora. Plus, here’s a link to my Mother’s Day gift segment on WBAL-TV.

You have through tomorrow (5/10) to enter for a chance to win a $50 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card in our Mother’s Day 2013 Sweepstakes!  All you need to do is leave a comment on any blog post that runs from 5/6 through 5/10.  Open to U.S. residents, 16 or older. For the official rules,  click here.  Limit one entry per person. 

Here are links to recent GURU Style Star features. You can access the full archive here.

May 2013:  5/2  Kenzie

APRIL 2013:  4/25 Sofia Rutka, 4/18 Donald Williams II, 4/11 Bailey Susic,  4/4 Kristen Luther

April 2013 Style Stars

April 2013 Style Stars

MARCH 2013:  3/28 Oral.   3/21 Brutina.   3/14   Regina and Christina.  3/7  Caroline Tracy

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March 2013 Style Stars

 

 

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GURU Style Star: Kenzie

2 May

From her hot-pink tutu attached to her onesie to her tiny Converse sneaks — 3-month-old Kenzie exudes cuteness!

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 Now for the full reveal!

Kenzie’s outfit and sneakers are from Spencer’s via hand-me-downs from her 3-year-old big sis.

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Mom, Jessica, stood in for Kenzie’s Style Star Q&A!

Describe Kenzie’s style:

It’s just my style, so I had to put it on her and see how it works.

What do you like most about dressing a little girl?

The bows and the pretty tutus and dresses.

What’s your favorite store at Towson Town Center?

Hot Topic because it has my most favorite clothing, music, makeup, everything – my style.

What about when it comes to shopping for Kenzie?

I would say Spencer’s because they have everything like Hot Topic does, so she can match my style.

Here are links to recent GURU Style Star features. You can access the full archive here.

APRIL 2013:  4/25 Sofia Rutka, 4/18 Donald Williams II, 4/11 Bailey Susic,  4/4 Kristen Luther

April 2013 Style Stars

April 2013 Style Stars

MARCH 2013:  3/28 Oral.   3/21 Brutina.   3/14   Regina and Christina.  3/7  Caroline Tracy

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March 2013 Style Stars

FEBRUARY 2013:  2/28 Gary Davis.  2/21 Alli Province.  2/14 Danielle & Dave Epstein.  2/7 Beverly Alexander

GURU Style Stars, Towson Town Center

February 2013 Style Stars

 

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GURU Style Star: Sofia Rutka! Plus, an Art Opening!

25 Apr

I met this week’s GURU Style Star at an art opening! Not at a museum or gallery… but at Towson Town Center!

I’ll introduce you to our Style Star in a moment. But, first I want to show you a standout wall paper drawing that you’ll find on display on Level 2, near Crate & Barrel. It’s called “Loop.”

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“Loop”

Local artist and visual arts professor at Towson University, Amanda Burnham, who is pictured below, created the large-scale piece.  As you look at the installment, you’ll recognize elements of Towson. ”I was thinking not necessarily about specific references, but a general feeling — awnings and crosswalks and signage that are more evocative of what’s around and less deliberate,”  says Amanda. Some specific depictions, like the Tower on top of Stephens Hall at Towson University, were included as “anchors.”

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The display marks the launch of the IMACT program by Maryland Art Place  (MAP), a local non-profit contemporary art center. “IMPACT is a new, public art program developed to extend Maryland Art Place’s programming to broader audiences,” according to the center’s website.

Amanda says she enjoyed having kids and adults alike come up and talk to her while she was creating this piece on location. “It was great to hear little comments and have that back and forth.”

Stoney River provided the appetizers and Chick-fil-A provided the desserts at the opening for “Loop.”

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Appetizers from Stoney River & Desserts from Chick-fil-A

As I mentioned, I spotted this week’s GURU Style Star at the “Loop” opening! Meet Sofia Rutka. She is the program manager at Maryland Art Place.  Sofia is wearing a geometric print dress with drape sleeves. The boots add a fun touch. “I pretty much always wear boots,” she shares.

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Now, for our Q&A:

Describe your style

Usually it’s pretty classic. This is actually loud and trendy for me. I do a lot of jeans and basics. I love shoes! Shoes are my big statement usually.

What are your favorite stores at Towson Town Center?

I like J. Crew because they are classic and have all the basics. Also Madewell.  They’re a little more young and hip, and I like them a lot.

What trends are you excited about for spring and summer?

I like the patterns that are out right now — the geometric patterns like this dress, the more ethnic prints and that kind of thing. I don’t like pastels or florals. So it’s nice to see something else happening.

If I sent you on a $1,000 shopping spree at the mall, what would you buy?

Probably a new bag. I would go to Coach and buy a bag. I just love their handbags and I could use a new one.

Here are links to recent Style Star features. You can access the full archive here.

APRIL 2013:  4/18 Donald Williams II, 4/11 Bailey Susic,  4/4 Kristen Luther

April 2013 Style Stars

April 2013 Style Stars

MARCH 2013:  3/28 Oral.   3/21 Brutina.   3/14   Regina and Christina.  3/7  Caroline Tracy

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March 2013 Style Stars

FEBRUARY 2013:  2/28 Gary Davis.  2/21 Alli Province.  2/14 Danielle & Dave Epstein.  2/7 Beverly Alexander

GURU Style Stars, Towson Town Center

February 2013 Style Stars

Next week’s GURU Style Star wasn’t even born yet when I started this Style Star series!  Meet a little cutie next Thursday! 

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GURU Style Star: Donald Williams II! Plus, our GREEN WEEK 2013 Sweepstakes!

18 Apr

I noticed Donald Williams II’s colorful plaid bow tie before I even took in the rest of his outfit.

This week’s GURU Style Star looks like he could have walked straight out of a fashion spread!

Donald Williams II

Donald Williams II

Donald, a world religions teacher at St. Paul’s School for Boys in Brooklandville, scored his bow tie from Nordstrom. It’s by Ben Sherman. His yellow and white pinstripe button-down is also a Nordstrom find. His red-orange chinos are from J. Crew. He also found his Sperry Top-Siders at Nordstrom.

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Here’s our Q&A…

Describe your style.

I would say preppy is how I dress all the time for work and everywhere I go — except for Saturdays when I’m doing yard work.  I try to stay classy.

Tell me what you like about wearing bow ties.

It makes one distinguished. It’s an art and it’s really classy. It takes us back to times when men always used to get dressed instead of wearing jeans; men would always wear suits.

What is your favorite store in the mall and why?

My favorite store in the mall is probably Nordstrom Rack, because you can purchase everything at a discounted price… It’s a classic look. It’s not trendy but it’s classic. It’s timeless.

What do your students think about  your style?

They admire and are inspired by my sense of style.  More of my students have started wearing bow ties since I’ve come onto campus… I’ve been told I may get voted best dressed teacher of the year.

How has your style evolved?

It’s gone thorugh a number of changes. I’ve gone through a lot of life changes myself. In grad school, I started wearing bow ties everyday. Every time I wore a suit or khakis and a shirt, I would wear a bow tie to dres it up.  As an undergrad, I was wearing more urban and rugged wear — more trendy… The way I’m dressed right now takes me back to my high school days. I went to Mt. St. Joseph High School. We would dress like this all the time (minus the bow tie).

It’s our green themed week on the blog. What do you do to go-green?

I go paperless on all my bank statements.

Have you entered our GREEN WEEK 2013 Sweepstakes? You can enter for a chance to win a $50 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Card? You can enter by leaving a comment on any blog post that runs from 4/15 through 4/22. A winner will be selected in a random drawing.

Open to U.S. residents, 16 or older.  Entry dates: 4/15 through 4/22.  For the Official Rules, click on this link.  Limit one entry per person.

Here are links to more green themed posts featuring Aveda, Starbucks, TOMS shoes at Nordstrom and an eco-friendly cooking technique class coming up at Williams-Sonoma.

Interested in seeing more GURU Style Star features?  Here are recent Style Star posts. You can also visit complete  GURU Style Star archive. 

APRIL 2013: 4/11 Bailey Susic,  4/4 Kristen Luther

April 2013 GURU Style Stars

April 2013 GURU Style Stars

MARCH 2013:  3/28 Oral.   3/21 Brutina.   3/14   Regina and Christina.  3/7  Caroline Tracy

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March 2013 GURU Style Stars

FEBRUARY 2013:  2/28 Gary Davis.  2/21 Alli Province.  2/14 Danielle & Dave Epstein.  2/7 Beverly Alexander

GURU Style Stars, Towson Town Center

February 2013 Style Stars

Do you think you should be a Style Star? Leave me a note in the comment section and tell me a little bit about your style! 

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Lacoste’s Limited Edition Flag Capsule Collection — Perfect Father’s Day Presents!

13 Jun

It’s a conversation starter, spirited and a statement making gift for Dad!

Have you seen Lacoste’s new limited edition Flag Capsule Collection?  Lacoste (Level 2) is featuring a twist on its classic polos. The shirts are adorned with graphic designs representing flags from 16 countries around the world, including France, Spain, China, Italy, Brazil, the U.S. and more.

Perfect timing for the upcoming Olympics!  According to the company, the line is being released “in celebration of the global competitive spirit of 2012.”

Dad can be bold with a large scale flag design or go for a more subtle look, such as the white polo below with the flag decorated crocodile.

The collection also includes PVC tote bags for women, polo shirts for boys and caps. The collection is expected to be available in-store through the summer.

I wanted to give you a closer look at this polo, featuring black and white flags, with the 16 featured countries from the collection depicted in color.  This polo comes in an engraved display case.

Comes in an Engraved Display Case

So, which flag would you go for?

This blog is hosted by Weinberg Harris & Associates, 623 W. 34th St., Baltimore MD, 21211

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Finding the Right Bra for your Body: Wait until you see the selection at Soma Intimates!

28 May

When is the last time you were measured for bra size?

Six months ago? Two years ago? Back in college or high school? Never?

Diane Faulkner, the manager at  Soma Intimates (Level 4) recommends getting measured every year and emphasizes that size does shift over time, depending on lots of factors including weight loss, gain, stress and more. Plus, sizes can differ from store to store and from one bra style to another!

So how do you know if your bra fits and what styles are most flattering for your shape? Those are just two of the questions I asked during a recent visit to Soma.

Diane says that you want to make sure your bra fits in three places — The band should be snug but not too tight. You don’t want spillage out of the cup. Or, if there is a gap between your body and the cup, the bra is too big. The apex or center of the bra should lay flat against your body.  Diane says a majority of women are wearing the wrong size.

Finding the right fit is more important than you may think. A well fitting bra is slimming. An ill-fitting one can have the opposite impact. Take a too tight band. That can create spillage in the back.  In this case, moving a band size up can mean a slimming silhouette!  The band should be parallel to the floor and sit below the shoulder blades for optimal support.

Diane recalls  a client who had never been measured and  came in wearing an old bra. “The bra was so old, it gave her a sagging look,” she says.  “Once I got her fitted, you could see the clear definition in her shape.”  It’s a story that Diane can tell many times over.

Here are some tips from Diane on what styles can work best for different body types and needs.

Let’s say you want a smoother appearance from the back and the front. Soma has a special Vanishing Back style.  “It’s all about troubleshooting,” says Diane.  “If you’re concerned about bulges on your back, this bra is the one for you.”

Vanishing Back Style

Diane explains that the band is wider and the material itself is thicker on this supportive bra.

A smoother look

A push up bra is an instant solution for smaller busted women seeking a larger bust size. Take the Ravishing Push Up. Its demi cup style not only adds lift, but it also creates the appearance of more cleavage.  Some push up bras will even boost your cup size.

Adds Lift and Enhances Cleavage

If you want full coverage, check out the Allura Collection. The Allura bras are good for all body types and perform well under tee-shirts.

Allura Animal Lace Bra for Full Coverage

Do you want to minimize?  You’ll find lots of solutions that create illusions of a smaller bust. According to Soma, you can go down by up to 3” in cup sizes C-DDD. Some bras minimize more than others.

The Lace Susana Bra takes away up to 3”

The Verona Bra can minimize up to 2”

With summer coming, you need a go-to strapless bra.  With the Multi Way Allura bra, you can go strapless or use the straps in a criss-cross or regular style.

Bra of Many Hats!

A Closer Look at the Multi Way        Allura Bra

There are even more styles available at Soma. No matter what you choose, Diane encourages her clients not to get stuck on a given size.

Plus, be sure to check out the sleepwear, loungewear and summer dresses!
 
*Please note that that the tips in this post are from Diane and do not represent the opinion of Soma Intimates.
This blog is hosted by Weinberg Harris & Associates, 623 W. 34th St., Baltimore MD, 21211

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GURU Style Star: Tanya McCluskey!

24 May

Meet this week’s GURU Style Star….

Tanya McCluskey’s hot pink and white graphic print sundress caught my attention as I was buzzing around the mall the other day. I live in dresses during the warmer months. There is nothing easier than throwing on one piece and being good to go.

This Sparrows Point mom of three topped her dress with a shrug from Nordstrom Rack and finished her outfit with cute t-strap braided sandals, another Nordstrom Rack find.

Tanya even gave me a lesson on how she styled her hair. She took two sections of hair, twisted them around to the back of her head, gave the twisted portion a lift up and sealed it with a barrette.  I’m planning to attempt this look today!

Luckily, Tanya’s youngest daughter, Faith, didn’t mind me stealing mom’s attention for a few minutes to ask her about her style.

Tanya, what’s your secret for looking great when you don’t have much time and have to get out the door?

Describe your style… 
Easy, whatever I can get away with — with no ironing. Sundresses are the best.
If I gave you $1500 to spend on anything at the mall, what would you buy?  
I would want to buy a maxi dress that ties around the neck. I would want a pair of Joe’s Jeans.  I’d say a Kate Spade bag. Skinny jeans with a tunic top with a great pair of strappy sandals.
What is your favorite store at the mall and why? 
I like Nordstrom because you can get everything there. They have the Rack where you can get good deals. It is one stop shopping.  

If you could dress like any celebrity, who would you pick and why? 

Gwyneth Paltrow. She just looks so elegant and classic all of the time.
 

Here is a look back at all of the GURU Style Stars!

MAY

5/17 Kate!

5/10 Rasmita Subedi

5/3  Carrie

APRIL 2012

4/26  Melissa Lazarofsky

4/19 Julie Bruce

4/12 Kate

4/5  Naomy Ramos

MARCH 2012

3/29 Tina and Crystal Tringali

3/22 Lexi

3/15  Kimberly Brown

3/8  Nadine Nerrette

3/1   Dawn Richardson

FEBRUARY 2012

2/23  Alissa Mandanici

2/16  Six Little Girls

2/9   Abigail Eder

2/2   Lindsey Barnaba

JANUARY 2012

1/26  Michael Poole

1/19  Laquita Carrington

1/12  Lindsay Lopez

1/5    Sisters, Ryleigh and Ashley

This blog is hosted by Weinberg Harris & Associates, 623 W. 34th St., Baltimore MD, 21211

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See my Preakness Fashion segment from WBAL-TV and get last minute ideas!

18 May

Looking for a last minute dress to wear to Preakness or to a Preakness party?

I featured three fab frocks from around the mall recently on WBAL-TV. Just click play to see the segment.

 Here is another look at the outfits I featured.

Preakness Fashions

Samantha’s single shoulder, black and white dress is from White House Black Market.  The blue flower pin, cobalt clutch, shoes and jewelry are also from White House Black Market.  The hat is from Macy’s.

Danyette’s colorblocked dress with a cascaded, pleated hemline is from BCBGMAXAZRIA.  The clutch, cuff and shoes are from BCBGMAXAZRIA as well.  I’m also wearing a dress and belt from BCBGMAXAZRIA.

 Elizabeth is wearing a bold floral dress from Macy’s by Guess!  We added an extra pop of color with her hat, also from Macy’s.

This blog is hosted by Weinberg Harris & Associates, 623 W. 34th St., Baltimore MD, 21211

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Stumped on What to Wear to a Wedding? I’ve started shopping for you!

13 Apr

Stumped on what to wear to a spring or summer wedding?

I did a little shopping for you.  Whether you want to tango with tangerine, go in full bloom, sparkle or go for a bright, bold hue, you’ll find it right here!

I included dresses for afternoon, evening and ones that can transform from day to night with some dressier accessories. The great thing about these picks, is they can be worn again and again.  This is great if you need to attend multiple weddings or formal events this summer!

Are you searching for that PERFECT dress for an upcoming wedding or special event? Let me know how I can help.

This blog is hosted by Weinberg Harris & Associates, 623 W. 34th St., Baltimore MD, 21211

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