July 11, 2010

Kelley Griesmer – The New Fashionista: A Woman of Style and Substance

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In the June edition of the Collective for Women Magazine (a publication of The Women’s Book that is distributed in the Columbus, Ohio area), we presented In Her Closet – an article featuring the fabulous Kelley Griesmer that gives readers a glimpse inside her closet, passion for fashion, career path, and community work. Given that space is limited in the printed publication, we promised to give you more of the interview via the TWB Blog. The article truly only offered you a glimpse inside the world of this fabulous woman. Below you will find more of both the discussion and behind-the-scenes footage of the photo shoot taken on location “in her closet”. Enjoy!

Kelley Griesmer is truly a woman to be admired. From Class Salutatorian, to honor graduate with a double major in journalism and history, to Phi Beta Kappa and JD (with honors) from the Moritz College of Law, to Clerk at the Ohio Supreme Court, to  partner at a prestigious law firm, to Director of Operations for a nonprofit that raises money for cancer research. In addition she serves as a Board Member for both The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio and CHOICES, all while being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. And she does it all while wearing the most fabulous shoes, carrying the best handbags, with a closet that most fashionistas would envy. Kelley Griesmer represents the epitome of a woman of Substance and Style!

Not only is she a woman who has given of her time, talents and treasures to our community, but she is also a woman who most would describe as incredibly funny with great “energy” and a heart for those in need. Kelley is an accomplished attorney who made the decision to do a total career change and leave the lucrative world of litigation to serve as the Director of Operations for Pelotonia – a new nonprofit that raises money for cancer research through an annual bike race that draws approximately 2,000+ riders each year.

     While “in her closet,” we discussed Kelley’s delicate dance to juggle work, family, and community and how she manages to look so great while managing it all. 

About her passion and how she finds fulfillment through work and community service involvement:

Probably sounds trite but I am passionate about improving people’s lives especially by helping empower people to take control of themselves and their surroundings.  Even though they all have very different ultimate missions, Pelotonia, The Women’s Fund and Choices all share that common theme of empowering people and improving lives.  Pelotonia empowers the community to unite and fight cancer by directly funding the research that will eventually lead to cures.  The Women’s Fund empowers women and girls to build life skills, become financially independent and become leaders in the community despite the obstacles that society may place in their way.  CHOICES empowers women to break the cycle of domestic violence in their lives.

Her work at Pelotonia. What is it? Why is it important? How can we, as a community, be supportive of it?

Pelotonia is a grassroots bike tour with one goal: to end cancer. Pelotonia proudly directs  100% of the funds raised to innovative, life-saving cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solve Research Institute.   In its inaugural year, 2,265 riders rode in Pelotonia and raised over $4.5 million for cancer research. Supporting Pelotonia is easy – you can ride, donate or volunteer. The entire cost of maintaining Pelotonia’s operating expenses is underwritten by generous sponsors. Our major sponsors include Huntington, Limited brands Foundation and Peggy and Richard Santulli. Pelotonia is important to the community because cancer research efforts are historically underfunded meaning that groundbreaking treatments and ultimately cures are unnecessarily delayed.  With the additional funding raised by Pelotonia, researchers will break new ground faster which in turn saves more lives.   

 How she views her own personal image and style as she serves as the “face of” Pelotonia?

My personal image and style has definitely evolved since I came to Pelotonia. We believe we are human billboards for Pelotonia so we try to convey the same differentiated message with our style as we do with our branding.  The good news is that when you are conveying a message of hope, energy and determination, that leaves a lot of room for imagination!  My old business suits have definitely gone out the window and there are a lot more jeans in my closet but I can still wear the heels!

How she describes her sense of style:

This is a tough one!  I haven’t every really tried to describe my sense of style before, but I think I always try to be creative and pulled together at the same time.  And I always like a little bit of an edge – a dramatic heel or some bold jewelry.  I always wanted to be a rock star, so you’ve got to throw a little glam in for good measure.

How she manages to maintain her sense of style on a budget:   

Though I have definitely had to rein in my wardrobe budget since I changed careers, I can’t say that I shop any less.  I just have to be more thoughtful about it and fight the urge to make impulse purchases.  My Mom is a bargain hunter extraordinaire so I grew up learning the tricks of the deal-hunting trade and those skills have served me well.  If given the time, I can scour a TJ Maxx or a Filene’s Basement for hours.  I also LOVE the new sample sale sites like Gilt Group, RueLaLa, and Hautelook.  If you know the designers you like and can remember to get on-line at the right time, you can find some amazing deals.  I also get daily emails from Salemail which tells me when some of my favorite stores or favorite designers have items on sale.  I hoard every coupon and discount card that my favorite retailers send and I carry a Nordstrom Visa that pays me back in store gift certificates several times a year.   So needless to say, I find plenty of opportunities to update my wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Her favorite designers and tips on designer discount shopping:

I am a huge fan of Diane Von Furstenberg.  I also like Tory Burch, Vivienne Tam and Vince.  For t-shirts and cottons, I am absolutely addicted to Splendid.  Jeans – I love William Rast, Seven for All Mankind and Lucky Brand.  Shoes – I think the gold standard is Christian Louboutin but sadly you really can’t get much of a deal on those if they’re real. I love my Missoni heels and will have to go into therapy when I finally have to retire them. I have a couple of pairs of multi-colored Missoni heels that I got on clearance at DSW.  Between the two of them, they go with practically everything I own and they are shockingly comfortable, so I can throw them on with virtually any outfit and they pull it all together. For every day, Via Spiga makes some great, comfortable heels and on weekends, it’s hard to beat a pair of Havaianas or Converse sneakers. As for retail, I love Nordstrom, BCBG, Anthropologie, Banana Republic and J Crew.  I make a point of hitting sales when they happen, especially Nordstrom Half Yearly Sales and Saks after the holidays or mid-summer (great deals on designer shoes).  And it goes without saying that you must have a DSW member card!  I have gotten some seriously outlandish deals in there.

As the old saying goes “One [wo]man’s trash is another [wo]man’s treasure”, what organizations do you share your old (vintage) clothing items with?

I always donate my most business-like items to New Directions Career Center.  Otherwise, I send my things to Goodwill and I hope maybe someone will find that item they never thought they would see there.

To learn more about Pelotonia, or to sign up to ride, visit them on the web at www.pelotonia.org.

To pick up your complimentary copy of the Columbus area edition of The Women’s Book’s Collective for Women Magazine, or purchase a mail order subscription click here.

Kudos to Kelley,  a true fashionista of style AND substance!

Live passionately,

Toni Cunningham, Principal

Image Anu, LLC

 

June 9, 2010

Make Mine a Man of Style!

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Ok…Can someone please tell me where the unspoken rule is written that men do not need (or want) image and style makeovers. Or is it that we (women) have just assumed that men don’t care about that sort of thing, so we have decided to focus all of our attention on making sure that the ladies look and feel their best… Well, I submit to you that men value image and style just as much as we do – even if they are not as vocal about it as we are.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for a well-dressed man who smells good! To me, there is nothing better than a man who has a distinct sense of style, charisma, and charm. It’s something that I like to call “IT”. When thinking about those who we think have “IT”, I am sure that all of the usual suspects come to mind….Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, President Obama, and the list goes on and on.

But what about the men in our lives and communities? Are there men around you whom you admire for their “IT” factor (either silently or not so silently)? I can think of a few like my Grandfather Rev. Augustus L. Cunningham (may he rest in peace). He was always impeccably dressed. Then there was my Uncle Freddie, my mom even drafted him and my dad to join her as part of the Charisma Unlimited Models back in the 70′s.  In thinking about the haberdashers of today my friends Eric and Cal who relish in custom-made suits, and find great joy in shirt and tie shopping, come to mind. Not to mention my friend Jerry on the East Coast. His taste in both casual and dress clothes speaks of an elegance not often seen in men his age. These men are meticulous in their dress, and pay attention to every detail – even on the weekends!

As Father’s Day approaches, I implore you to think of the men in your life and their sense of style. Are there those who could use a gentle nudge to have a “manly makeover”? Do they need to move from college-student grunge to mature young professional? Or how about the man who believes that his double-vented suits and short-sleeve dress shirts from the 1980′s are fine because they have no holes, rips or missing buttons? Do you find yourself embarrassed to go out with your beloved on the weekends because he looks like he pulled his jeans and shirt out of the hamper and put them on? If such is the case, you should make it your duty to do a “style intervention” on behalf of that man. Although he may resist, I promise you that he will be glad that you cared enough to speak up once he is totally made over. He will see that appearance does matter, and that people will treat you differently once they perceive that you value yourself.

Need help with getting started? There are plenty of resources to help your man become a man of style and distinction. Below are just a couple (compliments of Amazon.com):

 

Here’s to you Fellas! Happy Father’s Day!

 Live life fabulously,

~Toni

Toni Cunningham, Principal

Image Anu, LLC

Toni@ImageAnu.com

*Photos from www.brooksbrothers.com

 

May 2, 2010

Build Your Wardrobe on a Solid Foundation!

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Okay ladies, yesterday I did something that I have needed to do for a very long time. It is something that most of us avoid, either because we think we already “know” the information, or because we are satisfied that we have been getting along thus far without knowing so why bother. That something that I am talking about is a professional bra fitting!

Being an image consultant means that I stand ready to help people look and feel their best both inside and out. It also means that I can recommend to them the things that they will need to do to ensure that they get the look that they want and need, not to mention that they learn how to properly dress their body types. While I find that I do a pretty good job on myself, I always knew that I sometimes had a “mental block” when it came to being “well endowed”. I always envied my friends who could wear the cute little tops and dresses, or….heaven forbid…go without wearing a bra at all. That has not been my lot in life since the sixth grade! LOL

Never-the-less, in the past I considered my breast more of an annoyance than an asset. Now that I have had my professional fitting, and purchased a couple of new pieces for my lingerie drawer, I feel like a new woman! Ladies, it’ all true, wearing the correct bra size really does make you look 10 pounds lighter! It also makes your clothes fit better, and flatters you in ways that you never dreamed of.

Statistics show that upward of 75% – 80% of women are walking around wearing the wrong bra size. The problem was so bad that Oprah took it upon herself to do “bra interventions” a couple of years ago.  It does not matter if you have breasts that you believe are too large, or breasts that you feel are too small, the most important thing is to make sure that you are covering them properly. It is important that we learn how to dress our individual body types to ensure that we look our best in the wardrobe that we select.

It is important to remember that, with weight gain or weight loss, your bra size will likely change. The experts say that women should have a professional fitting done at least every two years, or after any significant changes have taken place with your body. Weight loss can sometimes tend to take your breast size down. However, in many cases, if your bandwidth goes down your cup size will typically go up (which is what happened to me!).

I must say that I was a little disappointed to have it confirmed for me that I would not be one of those ladies who can purchase my bras just anywhere. I will not be able to walk into a TJMaxx or Target, or even Victoria’s Secret because they will likely not carry my size. I was also dismayed to learn that I will rarely be able to pay under $50 for a good brassiere….I must consider it an investment in good breast health, and do what I must to keep “the girls” looking and feeling their best.

I encourage all of you to take the “plunge” with me (no pun intended), and treat yourself to a professional bra fitting. I was treated like royalty at Saks Fifth Avenue in Polaris. Go see Caitlin, she is a bra expert who has been doing this for over 9 years. Once you know your true size and fit, you will feel much more confident shopping for bras that you know will complement your look. I actually put on a dress shirt today that did NOT gap in the buttons! WOW!

In doing some research for my business, I came across several websites that offer women information and access to clothing and lingerie that works for their body types; especially for curvy or busty women. The site www.bravissimo.com offers great information related to sizing and fit, as well as lingerie and clothing items designed specifically for women with ample bosoms. I was even able to find the same brand names that I purchased at Saks for a fraction of the cost.

Whether you have an hour-glass or athletic build, or if you have petite or ample bosoms, it is important we learn to dress our body types. This will make a huge difference in your wardrobe and personal image; and it all starts with having a solid foundation!

Live purposefully!

Toni

Toni Cunningham, President

Image Anu, LLC

imageanu@gmail.com

 

March 16, 2010

Business Casual: The Death of Professional Dress in the Workplace?

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Ok….we have danced around the issue long enough….so I will just say it – there has been a death in the business world. It was a slow painful death, and one that many of us did not even realize was taking place…the death of professional dress in the workplace!

Now I am the first to admit that I was ecstatic when the first announcement came that we would have “casual Friday” every week. Why? Because it was as an opportunity to wear the cute jeans (that I had paid a lot of money for) to work. The funny thing is, for me, it took me longer to get dressed on casual days than it did on days when professional dress was the expectation. You see, for as far back as I could remember, going to work always meant dressing like you were making a “first impression” everyday. When I was a child, my mom always got dressed for work each morning in professional clothing. When she came home from work, she changed out of her “work clothes” before we went out to visit family or run errands.

As I got older, and entered high school, I attended a vocational school that had a professional training program called “Banking and Administrative Services”, the program was basically designed to teach students the skills and professionalism that would render them ready for employment right after high school if that is what they chose to do. My teacher’s name was Ms. Johnson, and she demanded that we dress professionally everyday – including Fridays! The only time we got a pass was if we EARNED a “Jean’s Day” ticket, or if we were a part of the school sports program and needed to wear our uniforms on Fridays. Professional image and dress was drilled into me before I even understood what it really meant. That was back in the early 80′s. By the late 80′s more casual styles were creeping into the office, and by the early 90′s professional dress was on life support! By Y2K, I think that someone just pulled the plug.

In this modern age of technology, and advanced knowledge, we are turning out some of the best and brightest young minds ever. We have young people graduating from high school and college  that can write programs for video games, start businesses in their bedrooms and dorm rooms that make them millionaires before they are 20 years old, and bring new and innovative ideas into our organizations that help to make us leaders within our industries. There is only one problem….they have no idea what it means to present themselves in a professional manner.

There is a huge disconnect between image and ability – between tastefulness and technical skill – between being prepared and presenting yourself. I look forward to being a part of the revolution that brings professional dress back to the workplace. I feel it is my duty…even my obligation, to do what I can to have a positive impact on an area that I feel so strongly about. As I tell the students [and adults] in my workshops, “Image is everything, and perception is reality.” And, while I may not be able to control how I am perceived, I am definitely able to control how I am presented!

Lest you think that I am promoting style over substance, please note that  your image has a direct impact on your earning potential. In the online article The Power of Professional Presence – 20 Basics For Career Advancement, the author states “Professional presence and image are cornerstones to career advancement and financial success. Studies show that 55% of other people’s perception of you is based on your visual appearance, 38% is based on your tone of voice, and 7% based on the words you use.”  There are also recorded interviews where CEOs and Executives admit to having not promoted someone based on their lack of projecting a professional image. With that said, I would suggest that the old saying rings true “dress for the job you want, not the one that you have.”

So ladies…will you join me in the revolution? Let’s bring professional dress back in style! Let’s show our young women (and men) how we did it “back in the day” when we took pride in the way that we presented ourselves – especially in the workplace.

I look forward to fighting along side of you to make our workplaces fashionable and professional once again…

Live purposefully,

Toni

Toni Cunningham, President

Image Anu, LLC

 

January 3, 2010

A New You for the New Year!

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Well…we did it…we made it through another year! For some of us it was a year of challenges and growth, for others it may have been a year of celebration, and yet for others it may have been a year of transition. Whatever 2009 held for you, you can safely say that you made it through to now!

The thing that always excites me about New Years is the chance to start again. For me, the dawning of a new year offers the opportunity to reflect on the past and plan for the future. It gives me hope for all of the possibilities that lie ahead, and encourages me to dream, plan, and prepare. For some of us we desire to “re-brand” ourselves during this time. We want something fresh and new! A new challenge….a new adventure…and yes, even a new look.

The new year is a perfect time to give yourself an image overhaul or update. Out with the old…in with the new! In your planning and goal-setting for the new year have you remembered to think about you and how you present yourself? What do you need to do with your image to support your goals and dreams? I have heard it said that you need to “dress for the position that you want, not the one that you have”.  Do you need a closet makeover? Or, have you been wearing the same hairstyle since Y2K? If so, that would be a decade….. which means it is definitely time for an update! (LOL)

And what about your personal goals? Where are you with learning that new language that you said you always wanted to learn? Or how about picking up the flute that you put down after Jr. High School music class? Did you register for those classes that you said you wanted to take to enhance your career goals and aspirations? What steps have you taken to get that business off the ground? The new year offers us a chance to BE new!

In this new year I look forward to connecting with you more, and to realizing the dream that I have for a thriving business doing the work that I am most passionate about….helping people to live their best lives while looking fabulous doing it! Encouraging people/groups/businesses to develop their personal brand in order to create the life and/or organizations that they dream about. I believe that, as I help others on this journey, I too will see my dreams come true.

I look forward to sharing 2010 with you. Celebrating our accomplishments, encouraging each other in our challenges and…most importantly, doing it all with style!

Live purposefully!

Toni

Toni Cunningham, Owner & President

Image Anu, LLC

 p.s. I am re-reading “Listen to Your Life” a book by Author and Life Coach Valorie Burton. She offers great insight into getting to the life that you want, along with practicle advice and exercises to assist you on your path to success. Check her out at www.ValorieBurton.com.

 

January 3, 2010

The Company You Keep…

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How many of you have heard phrases like “you are known by the company you keep”, or “birds of a feather flock together”? Those old clichés ring true in many cases. Whether we like it or not we are judged by the people we choose to hang with.   This is very important when you think about your personal image and brand.

During the holidays I had the pleasure of attending an event at a friend’s home. It was a wonderful, impromptu “chicken & waffles” party (for those of you who don’t know about chicken & waffles see me later!). Never-the-less, it was a great opportunity for our “friend group” to get together at the holidays and connect before we all went our separate ways to celebrate with family and/or travel for the holidays. We had so much fun! As I later reflected on the people in attendance I thought about the reality of what my “friend group” says about where I am in my life and career.

The affair was hosted by one of the couples in my peer group that I greatly admire. Both of them are successful in their own right and have managed to figure out how to balance marriage, career, and friends. Also among my peers were leaders of large nonprofits, elected (and soon to be elected) officials, a couple of doctors, several lawyers and corporate executives, as well as persons who serve us in state and local government. I could go on and on, but you get the point. All of these young professionals are focused and dedicated individuals who understand the importance of serving their communities, giving back with their time, talents and treasures, and continuously striving to be their personal best….and they were all friends of mine! I felt truly blessed to be in the company of such greatness. And yet none of us take ourselves too seriously. We have “old school” iPod music contests, lip sync to our favorite tunes and, at times, have been known to enter into a fierce and competitive game of TABOO!

Why am I explaining all of this? It’s simple….as it relates to my image these are the people who I am known to be associated with. As networking guru George Fraser always says “your network determines your net worth”. So the company that you keep really does matter  when it comes to your personal image and brand. Through this friend group I have met many influential people, had the opportunity to serve my community in ways that I never dreamed I would, and even ended up sitting in the office of the CEO of a Fortune 500 company talking about my vision for an organization that I am charged with leading. None of this would have been possible without me being deliberate in developing my network and being selective about who I associate with.

Now that’s not to say that we do not have several different friend groups that we move easily in and out of. In fact, I have a couple of distinct groups of friends and all of them add to my life in positive ways. The group from my teen years keeps me connected….the groups from my former jobs keeps me grounded (those girls are a mess and I love them so! LOL), and the group that I mentioned above keeps me motivated and pushes me to continuously develop myself both personally and professionally. The real value of having these friend groups is understanding how they add to your life, as well as ensuring that each of them (in their own way) support you in fulfilling your purpose and destiny.

I encourage you to consider who you are “connected” or “associated” with. Do they add value to your life? Are they good for your image? Are you good for theirs? All relationships should be mutually beneficial exchanges where each person walks away better for the encounter. I also encourage you to rid your circle of toxic relationships/friendships. If negativity prevails in certain groups, then that is a sign that it is time for you to excuse yourself. And if the group that you associate yourself with does not challenge you to grow, then you might want to consider how much time you want to devote to the interactions with that group. A wise person once told me “if you are the smartest person in your circle, then it is probably time for you to find a new circle”.

With that I want to say THANK YOU to my friend groups – all of them! (and you know who you are) I pray that I add as much to your lives as you do to mine. For those of you who may have determined that you need to expand and/or change your circle, I submit to you that developing a knack for true networking is the best way to begin. For me, networking is defined as “seeking to develop mutually beneficial relationships” and “giving before getting”.  True networking is NOT the exchange of business cards! If you are truly a networking novice, there are books, workshops, and personal coaches who can assist you with the basics of developing this skill. Once you understand the basics, it is then up to you to add your personal brand and style to the process to make authentic connections.

Live purposefully!

Toni

Toni Cunningham, Owner & President

Image Anu, LLC

For more insight and information on networking, check out the two publications below on Amazon.com:

Click: Ten Truths for Building Extraordinary RelationshipsMake Your Contacts Count: Networking Know-how for Business And Career Success

 

December 7, 2009

You don’t have to be a celebrity to have a stylist….

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What kind of images do the terms “image consultant” or “stylist” conjure up in your mind? Do you think of Rachel Zoe (stylist to the stars), and that madness that is exhibited on the BRAVO channel? Or what about celebrities on the red carpet, with their carefully contrived images, that they have paid thousands of dollars to have someone create?

Please allow me to liberate you from those thoughts! Most of us have “informal” image consultants or stylists in our lives already. How about your BFF that will tell you, without mincing words, when the outfit you are about to wear out is atrocious? Or how about that friend does not hold back on commenting on your new hair style, or make comments about the new dress or suit that you so proudly purchased at the Macy’s sale? Most often they are offering criticism without being very diplomatic, nor do they offer solutions to the problems that they are so quick to bring to your attention. Thus…the difference between your BFF and an image/style consultant.

If you find yourself answering yes to one or more of the questions below, you may benefit greatly from working with an image consultant or stylist:

  • When shopping, do you find it necessary to purchase the entire outfit at the same time (i.e. suit, blouse/shirt, shoes, accessories, etc.)?
  • Do you then ALWAYS wear that outfit the exact same way?
  • Do you have a lot of clothing, but feel that you have nothing to wear on any given day?
  • Are you challenged by “mixing and matching”?
  • Do you look at others and envy their “put together” look?
  • What about networking? Are you terrified at the prospect of attending networking events?
  • Do you need help with building a personal brand?

Depending upon where you are in your life and/or career, you may find it beneficial to seek out the professional services of an image consultant or stylist.

Personal Stylist: One who assists with developing a style or look for the client with the major focus being on outward appearance.

Image Consultant: Taking a more holistic approach, assists with everything from outward appearance to support with personal development such as networking skills, building a personal brand, and other areas of coaching related to internal and external needs.

Image and style coaching can take place in many forums. Some may choose to do group sessions, while others prefer one-to-one coaching and support. In addition, there may certainly be times when you do have a special occasion where you need assistance with pulling together your look and presentation. Image/style consultants may assist with making you “red carpet ready” for that special event.

By now you are probably saying “I can’t afford to pay someone for that kind of support”, and to that I say – in some cases- you can’t afford not to! We must begin to look at this form of improvement as an investment in an asset (YOU), and think of it as a way to maximize your ROI (return on investment). I believe that you will be surprised to learn that the investment will be minimal in comparison to the rewards.

Remember: Image is everything, perception is reality!

Be the best!

Toni Cunningham, Owner & President

Image Anu, LLC

 

November 30, 2009

Snap Judgements….We all make them!

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On this past Friday, Dr. Phil had a show entitled “Snap Judgements”. The basic premise of the show was that people make [snap] judgements about others based on what they see. We all do it!

The show went on to discuss the challenges that people face based on the judgements that are made about them. There was the mother who is concerned about the wardrobe choices of her 16-year-old - she doesn’t want boys to look at her and think that she is “that way”. Then there were the blond twins who are nanny’s, and they discussed how they have been turned down for jobs because the wives did not want them to be around their husbands.

My favorite, however, was the exercise that was done at the beginning of the show where audience members were lined up on stage, and two volunteers had to match the names to the ladies. The two that stick out the most for me were the names Marilyn and Deja. There was one African-American woman on the stage, along with about 6 others. During the name match, the African-American woman was given the name Deja, and an older looking white woman was given the name Marilyn. When the true names were revealed, Marilyn was the name of the African-American woman, and a younger white female in the line up was Deja. This was just one example of how we judge other’s by the “filters” that we have set up in our own minds.

During my sessions on image I tell groups that, within the first 11 seconds of meeting someone, we make at least 22 assumptions about them. Isn’t that remarkable? We do it subconsciously. It is so much a part of us that we don’t even realize that we are doing it. That is why first impressions are so important. As the saying goes “you never get a second change to make a first impression”, which is why your personal image and brand are tantamount to your success. The questions I often ask my clients include:

What kind of first impression do you want to make?

What is your personal “brand”?

How does your current image or look reflect your brand?

It is just as important to focus on image, interpersonal skills, and personal branding as it is to focus on technical and professional development. It is a known fact that people are attracted to what they see FIRST.  Image is just as important as technical skill and education when it comes to career success. Studies have shown that looking good breeds confidence as well.

So I ask you, what are the 22 assumptions that are made about you in the first 11 seconds?  What kind of impression do you make on others after an encounter with you?  You have worked hard to get to where you are, to get the education…build your skills…develop your network.  The next step…evaluate your image.   Since we know that “snap judgements” are going to be made, let’s make sure that those judgements are positive ones.

Stay tuned for my upcoming blog series entitled “Style & Substance” featuring women who are managing successful careers, and doing it with style!

Remember: Image is everything, perception is reality!

All the best,

Toni Cunningham, Owner & President

Image Anu, LLC

 

November 22, 2009

Fashionista on a Budget: Keeping up your look for less

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Tough economic times do not mean that you must sacrifice fashion and style, although it may mean that you have to adjust your buying habits in order to “streamline” your budget. I’m a firm believer that its much more important how you PRESENT it, than how much you PAID for it!

Have you ever seen someone wearing something that you KNOW costs big bucks, but on them it looked like just another sale/clearance item from the discount store you happened through last week? I have and, trust me, it’s very disheartening to see. Especially when you know its something that, if you could have afforded it, you would have made sure you had all of the right accessories (and maybe even a trip to the hair salon on an off week) to ensure that you presented the piece as it deserved to be seen.

In these tough times we can not always afford to shop like we have when times were good.  As I mentioned in my last blog post (Clothing: When is enough, enough?), we must learn to “shop” our closets, and look at the things that we already have with a new appreciation. While this is true, it will likely also be true that we will have “staple” items that  need replaced. When this is the case it may call for us to consider new places to shop that won’t bust the budget, but will still allow us to look and feel our best.

Here are some tips for purchasing/replacing staple wardrobe items on a budget:

  • Try places like Target, Kohl’s, New York & Co. when purchasing staple items such as solid-colored turtlenecks, cardigans and twin sets. You can also replenish your tights and trouser socks at these stores as well;
  • Go back to some of the stores that you may have given up on in the past such as The Limited, Express, or Ann Taylor Loft to purchase your “go to” dress slacks, sweaters, blouses and blazers;
  • Want to pick up a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes on a budget? Mr. Choo has now introduced a line at H&M Cloting store, with prices starting at $129 per pair (note to self: we have a H&M store in Tuttle Mall!) www.hm.com;
  • Make it a point to check the clearance racks! My motto: Buy it on sale, but wear it like you paid full price…

Remember that you can pair the cheap with the chic and still look good. Don’t be afraid to mix & match your high-end pencil skirt with the twin set that you purchased from Wal-Mart (yes, I said Wal-Mart!). It is also worth noting that accessories can make all the difference in the look.  Add a belt, or bold necklace, or large bangles to give an outfit more pizzaz; accessories are the most inexpensive way to add drama to an otherwise ordinary ensemble.

Remember, looking good does not have to break the bank. You don’t have to spend a “million dollars” to look like one!

Happy Shopping!

Toni Cunningham, Owner & President

Image Anu, LLC

 

November 9, 2009

Clothing: When is enough enough??

Posted by imageanu4u under Personal & Professional Image
[4] Comments 

This may sound strange coming from an image consultant, and self-certified Fashionista, but believe it or not there does come a point when enough is enough when it comes to clothes. I am facing this stark reality as I battle with laundry and dry-cleaning that has managed to take over my space. I finally had to cry “uncle” and sit still long enough to get some laundry done, while creating bundles that need to be taken to the dry cleaners. I think I might need to take out a small loan to recover them once they are cleaned and ready for pick up! Not to mention that every closet in my condo is bursting at the seams, and the spare room could really stand to be made into a large closet.

As I was folding clothes, and lamenting my current state of “laundry abyss”, I promised myself that I would never let this happen again (yeah right!). I also started to think of the advice that I often provide to clients during my “Closet Makeover” sessions – advice that I need to heed myself! 

Do you need some strategies for keeping your clothes from taking over your domicile?  Below are some tips to help you streamline your wardrobe:

  1. Get rid of all excess! In most cases, if you have not worn it in over a year, chances are you won’t miss it.  Here’s a little trick to help you determine what’s important to you in your closet: hang all of your clothes facing the same direction in the closet and, for the next 6 months, each time you wear something  hang it back in the closet facing the opposite direction. After 6 months take a look at what things that you wore continuously, versus those things that you did not touch. Evaluate why…do not fit? Not in season? No longer in style? Based on the reason, determine whether it stays or it needs to go.
  2. Declare a moratorium on shopping. Now I know that this is easier said than done. Believe-you-me, I am the worst offender when it comes to shopping. I shop when I’m happy, when I’m sad, when I have the money, and sometimes when I don’t. Shopping is my therapy of choice. That being said, in these economic times – when we need to do more with less – it is a good time to reevaluate our attitudes toward spending. Most often, if we are honest, we have not leveraged the wardrobe that we already have. Personally speaking, being more conscious of spending has encouraged me to “shop my own closet” where I have put together wardrobe combinations that I never considered before.
  3. Limit yourself to updating only the basics (if needed). Do you need a new black suit or white blouse? Is it time to update your LBD (little black dress)? Or maybe this is the year that you need to invest in a new black skirt or neutral pair of pants. Maintaining your “wardrobe basics” is a must. If you decide to spend this year make sure that it is investment dressing (i.e. spending more for non-trendy quality clothing that will last for years to come).
  4. Invest in new accessories. One of the easiest and most economical ways to update your wardrobe is to purchase new accessories. Check out what the hottest colors are for the season, and purchase a new purse or a cool pair of shoes. You can also update your jewelry collection, and try adding colorful scarves or a beautiful broach.  Any of these items will serve to make the old look new and fresh.
  5. Give back. Remember…One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure. There are many organizations that could use your donations of clothing and accessories. If you have items, in good repair, that no longer work for you remember to donate them to organizations such as the YWCA of Central Ohio or Dress for Success. There are many women in transition who would benefit greatly from your clothing items as they seek to start a new life or gain meaningful employment.

These are just a few things that we can do to ensure that we are maximizing the wardrobes that we have. In most cases I think that you will be pleasantly surprised if you take the time to do a serious assessment of your current wardrobe and, instead of always feeling the need to add more, think about how you can use what you have to make the old new again.

Oh….and we won’t even get started on shoes! (LOL)

Live fabulously,

Toni Cunningham, Image and Brand Consultant

Image Anu, LLC

 

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