A year in style school: epiphanies, truisms, discoveries and loving myself more.

Your face is your fortune.
Nothing beats a fantastic haircut, great haircolor and well shaped brows. These are non negotiable necessities not luxuries.Know your face structure and what suits you. I will always wear my hair long because shorter hair does not make me look edgier it makes me look wider. Skin care gets the top of my style dollar too: moisturizer with spf 30 is the bare minimum.
Sona's side note: While visiting Paris, I noticed most women bought their skincare products at a pharmacy ( over the counter) or a target like store. and L'oreal and la roche posay products were very popular there.

Some like it hot!
know your body temperature. unlike Angie I am always hot, dripping sweat hot. So I have slowly changed most of my blouses to cotton, silk and some poly blends that are cool against my skin. For me to invest in cashmere is like investing in a star in the sky to be named after me. good to know, but of no practical use to me. If on the other hand you run cold most of the time invest in warmer fibres and get great thermals.

Priorities.
For some looking professional is the priority. Urban edge for others. For me it is figure flattery above all. It took me a long time to accept this but my lower belly ( my nemesis!) also did give me my bebe. And then I struck upon the fortune of learning from Angie and the living fashion Veda : this blog: it teaches me to adapt newer looks without compromising my priority.

I am not the secret service.
All black is out. It makes me fade into the shadows. Pops of colors always!

My signature style:
I love jewelry. The majority of my pieces are handmade. I always try to incorporate some of this into my daily outfits. It smiles to make me think that the malachite came from Africa or that a Turkish woman made my scarf. I am not minimalist when it comes to accessories and although many members are incorporating minimalism into their current style journey I feel this love of and wearing jewelry will always be integrally Sona. A piece of jewelry, handmade by someone with love.

Try newer trends...in baby steps.
If you think citron would look awful on you, try a citron bracelet If it didn't work, recycle.

Never say never.
My biggest epiphany of my first year in "Angie school" was learning how to tuck and belt while keeping my figure flattery priority. I needed to add a jacket that then miraculously created a"nipped in" waist ( which does not really exist!). Wowza.

KNOW YOUR SIZE AND SAY IT OVER AND OVER: I WEAR A SIZE----- AND IT DOESN'T MEAN A THING.
Can you imagine any of our husbands or boyfriends or SO's saying : " Well I'v gained a few pounds recently so I'm going to buy the smaller size". I WEAR a size 12, I am NOT A SIZE 12. What I wear is not who I am. I refuse to buy 8's and 10's anymore because mentally that is what I 'think' I wear but not what I really ( need to) wear. Fine: mentally I can stay a size 8 and actually wear a size 12. Both my selves are happy!!

Quality is important:
and can be found at many pricepoints. always read fabric content. handwash bras and lingerie. take good care of your clothes and they will last!

HAVE BIG FUN!
styling, playing with combinations, window shopping, pinterest. Many have asked if it is frivolous? I have a simple answer: how can something that helps me feel good, take sideway glances in a passing mirror, improves my demeanor and makes me do a happy closet dance be frivolous? Its therapy as long as we stay true to our budgets: big and small.

Giving back.
When one imagines the magnitude of what Angie ad Greg are doing: running a community of style advice, style psychology and deeper issues in the world of fashion, fiber, body image and maintaining this site 24/7: their passion and philanthrophy shine through. Yes, they make some money from ads. But I am asking each and everyone of us to give back in some way: passing an item to a member, sending Angie and Greg a snail mail card or an online thank you. Also take time to give big compliments to others. it makes them feel well: WOW.

If YLF is the Gita or any other sacred text then Angie is the Guru an I offer my depeest saultations to Angie for helping my inner transformation from a clueless overworked Mom to a stylish, still overworked but no one would know it looking at me woman.

And where I would I be without this vibrant, living community: my own coral reef: bubbling with life and wisdom.

ETA: My biggest fashion icon: My Dad. never flamboyantly dressed but always immaculately groomed, with clothes that fit perfectly: he wore the clothes, the clothes did not wear him and his presence when he walked into a room made everyone take notice. Thank you to my Papa ( my shining star from up above) for sowing the seeds of this journey unknowingly.