The idea for Dress Your Heart was born at (of all places) a funeral.
My dear friend, Connie, lost her husband West to cancer and, in tribute to his outgoing personality, she asked that we wear happy, vibrant colors to his funeral. I wore a Nehru collared cashmere duster in a bold red and black pattern, with black wool frog closures, over a black sweater and slacks.
Afterwards, at the repast, my friends, Allison and Ileana, complimented me on the outfit and reminded me that they often complimented my outfits. They suggested that I turn my styling skills into a business. I was skeptical at first, but when they told me about successful Personal Stylists and Image Consultants they had met while at professional conferences, I became intrigued. "You would be great at it!" they enthused, and to back up their claim, Allison, an attorney, volunteered to be my guinea pig.
That afternoon, a seed was planted and quickly grew. Something about the idea just seemed to fit. As a former publicist, I understood the importance of a well-crafted personal image and I had years of experience helping family, friends, and the occasional client style great outfits.
My life, like everyone else’s, is a work in progress (I’ve gained weight, I’ve lost weight, I’ve run important public relations campaigns, and I’ve run “Please-For-The-Love-Of-God-Get-In-Bed!” Mommy campaigns) but, for the most part, I have found my way and I now realize that it was all preparation for “such a time as this.”
I enjoy making things pretty: from interiors to food to people and whatever else isn't nailed down and off-limits (sometimes those too!).
My glamorous Mom
Four-year-old me after raiding my Mom’s closet. A stylist in the making!
My style-love began at my mother’s knee, watching her dress for formal dances and other glamorous events. An Army officer‘s wife of the 1960s-1980s, she dressed beautifully for every occasion, from afternoon women’s teas to glittering galas. The clothes, the jewelry, the make-up, the shoes! I was hooked at a very early age. Mom introduced me to an extraordinarily stylish life but, as I grew, I began to understand what I liked apart from my mother; thereby developing my own sense of style.
As I continued to turn my friends’ idea over in my head, I recalled my habit of offering styling ideas and opinions to strangers while shopping— either to affirm their choices or to gently encourage other selections. But I got the biggest kick out of seeing the look of happy astonishment on their faces when they saw how gorgeous they looked.
When I see that look of delight and confidence, that immediately crosses a face when someone likes the way they look, I feel over-the-moon with exhilaration and joy that I have helped them find their “inner heart’s style.” That is precisely how I knew that my friends’ idea for me was perfect.
A couple of weeks later, I developed a questionnaire to determine Allison's personal style. I helped her clean out her closet and took her shopping. It was a success AND we had fun doing it! The resulting wardrobe came just in time for the start of her new job at a New York law firm. She loved the way she looked and the confidence it gave her. She even went so far as to buy a red dress, something she swore she would never do! My only regret is that we didn’t get a picture of her in that red dress.
The day that Dress Your Heart was born, I joined with friends to say goodbye to Connie’s husband, West, a lovely man with an expansive personality and warm heart. It was a reminder to remain open to new ideas and experiences, no matter their origin. My life is richer for it and I hope that your life will be enriched by my efforts.
“I welcome you to the Dress Your Heart universe and I look forward to guiding you on your journey to finding and refining YOUR “inner heart’s style.”
Let’s Get Started!
Are you ready to step into your most stylish self RIGHT NOW? Let Dress Your Heart be your guide to the style inside! If you live in Northern Virginia, call for your FREE thirty minute Project Consultation or email this form today: