"Notions" of good fashion...

What separates you from the worst dressed list? Your own style of course. Finding your style is never hard, your eye will always lead you to what you like, and it may not be what other people like at all.

Trust your eye! I always tell clients when choosing one outfit over another "What's your gut instinct on this?" Your first instinct is usually the best.

With all of the prints from floral to aztec, and embellishments of flowers, lace and ruffles in our busy closets right now, its hard not to start wondering "does this look like a pillow? A nightgown? Or even worse, a tablecloth?"

So how do you avoid that?

Here are some simple fashion tips to wade through the world of prints and embellishments:

Ruffles! - I love ruffles, especially vertical ruffles. They are slimming, stylish and super chic. If you are looking for a great cocktail dress, look no farther, vertical organza ruffles in nude or black with spagetti straps are perfect. But be careful of fabrics, you should stick with organzas and sheer fabrics. Cotton knit ruffle dresses can easily fall into the PJ category. If you dont like ruffles on your clothes, you can always incorporate them with fun sandals or a scarf.

Buttons Transplants- well lets just switch this right over and say when it comes to buttons, opt for brooches! Vintage is here to stay, and you can always find some great old clip on's or brooches at a thrift, antique or secondhand store, to spice up an outfit in lieu of a button. A needle and thread or glue gun is all you need to perform this vintage transplant.

Lace and Embroidery- Oh lace! It is so very flattering feminine and delicate. Don't be afraid to pop colors through or with your lace. A fresh pop of color in your outfit screams Spring :) A good way to introduce lace into your wardrobe is a lace back cardigan or a top with lace trim on the neckline. A little goes a long way with lace and embroidery. Sometimes a light floral embroidery on a top is all you need.

Flowers, flowers, flowers- between flowers and feathers, I am set. I love all kinds! But some don't belong in your wardrobe. If you have a flower you dont like on a shirt, take it off and upcycle it to a vase applique or attach to a frame! My one piece of advice here is, if it works for a dishcloth or pillow, don't wear it on your body. Have fun with flowers, especially the re-usable kind!

Prints Prints Prints- They are everywhere, and SO FUN. A good rule for prints is, if its overly flowy- tie with a belt or scarf at a flattering spot for your body. Right now, the belt is moving from the upper waist to sit loose and crooked around the hips.
Or when looking for a print dress, try to locate one with a solid color block area to enhance your figure. A good example would be a black area around the ribs between a printed top and printed skirt is really flattering. You want to wear the prints, not have the prints wear you :)

 Remember if one area of your outfit is busy, try to have something else plain. Like a floral skirt with a plain color tee, plain white scarf with an aztec poncho top, or an awesome leather satchel purse (my personal fav this season) and cowgirl boots with a floral dress.

Most of all, make your spring "notions" all about you. Happy Easter! xoxo Mag

Roarin for 20's Fashion and a Great Charity

Who doesn't love a good theme party? I love to dress up in character and paint the town red with the best of them, but when the party benefits a great charity like CASA (court appointed special advocates for abused and neglected children), then I am ALL over it! I was asked this week to feature fashion trends for this chic event, and am honored to do so. The event is "Puttin on the Ritz, A Roarin 20's Dinner & Dance, as the gorgeous Bridges Clubhouse next Friday night, April 15th. Click here to see the event on facebook and get info on tickets-http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=182953295080961.

The best thing about the 20's is that a lot of the trends are coming back by way of bows, lace and embroidery, and of course hair accesories. Let's take a closer look....

The 20's fashion is described as "depression chic". The decade where women liberated themselves from constricting corsets and ventured into trousers, flowy, comfy dresses and short skirts! Now the 20's was actually not all flappers, that trend did not come in until much later in the decade. But let's face it flapper fringe is fun. Look at these super stylin' 20's ladies, experimenting with new trends....

So right here you get a good look at outfits you could put together at home, with some men's trousers and boots, add in a chunky sweater and a cute headwrap (see me for those of course :))....

Now if jazzin it up a bit more is your style, look at everything black, cream and even red. This pic is the epitomy of 20's fashion- the sack dress, the forehead band, the super long necklace...simply gorgeous...

 The "sack" or "shift" dress, as it was called, is a straight square cut dress with a high neckline and usually two layers of fabric. Lots of lace and bows will get you in the mood. Look for mary janes, oxfords and spectator heels for your feet. I put together a special rack in the Pollux Montrose store specifically for this party, here are some ideas!

 This beautiful lace jacket is a personal favorite of mine, but you can wear it too :).

Here is the gorgeous sack dress with a large bow tie on the shoulder....

Now for your accesories! Long strands of pearls, headwraps secured with a vintage brooch, flowers and feathers with birdcage veils, and LOTS of sequins. Here are some examples of pieces I have for sale. I will offer free delivery for this party for anyone purchasing a piece, as well as donating 10% of my proceeds to CASA. The sky is the limit on what I can make for you, and in addition to these I have black sequins with peacock feathers, black and white feathers and much more. Email me here: magmocko84@gmail.com or search MagSoul on facebook to get your order in.

So ladies, get your handsome men, your beautiful girlfriends, and some great MagSoul gear and attend this fun event for a well deserving charity!
Xoxo, Mag