This one’s for Team Bag and Team Polka Dot. For $40 this cute little cross body adds an element of fun to just about any outfit. I can see it adding a playful twist to a formal suit, a strict sheath dress, or a classic button down shirt. Or just wear it casually with jeans, leggings or a sweater dress. Mix patterns by wearing it with stripes, checks, argyles, florals or animal prints. 

It’s lightweight nature makes it ideal for traveling, while it’s hand free option is great for gals on the go. It’s vegan-friendly, a pretty good size for a cross body bag, and a fun gift for a friend or family member.

Some ladies feel restricted with their choice of clothing and accessory style because of their curly hair. For example, they are uncomfortable wearing certain patterns, textures, silhouettes, colours and accessories even though they would like to, because bolder outfit combinations clash with their curls. These lovely curly haired lasses are more comfortable wearing solids, neutrals, muted tones, subtle textures and dainty jewelry so that their curls can live in harmony with the rest of the outfit. 

I’ve never had curly hair, so I didn’t know that curly haired ladies could feel this way until I became a fashion stylist. I found it very interesting that some of my curly haired clients wouldn’t wear patterns with round shapes and design details like ruffles, polka dots, paisley, hoop earrings and flowers because, to their eye, those details competed with the curls. Others felt that their curls clashed with stripes, plaids and argyle. And others preferred to wear solid neutrals or very muted tones because their “wild hair” already attracted enough attention. 

On the other hand, I do have clients with extremely curly hair that wear it all. Bold patterns, brights, high contrasting colours, faux fur, ruffles, swirly patterns, ornate fabrications, and all sorts of statement necklaces and earrings feel completely right to them. 

I don’t think that you should feel restricted in your clothing and accessory choices when you have curly hair. To my eye, curly hair, no matter how extreme, works with everything. Yet, I also understand why some curly haired gals gravitate towards simple and solid neutral clothing. It has a calming affect that tames their hair, which makes them feel stylish and pulled together. 

At the end of the day how you dress your curls is a personal stylistic preference. There is no right or wrong. Curly haired ladies, do you ever feel restricted in your clothing and accessory choices because of your curls? Do some styles clash with your hair? Straight haired ladies, do you feel that curly hair can clash with certain colours, patterns, textures and styles of clothing and accessories?

YLF is all about starting conversations, sharing opinions and being inspired by this wonderful community. From the very beginning it was crystal clear we also wanted to create opportunities around YLF Books that incorporated this vital element of the YLF community spirit. Many of you immediately got on board and it didn’t take long before the idea of forming the YLF Book Club was born, our online discussion group where everyone can get together to talk about selected books and movies from the bookstore. As you know, we are kicking things off next Friday with Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange.

Of course we need a dedicated space to make all this happen, so we have added a Book Club category to the YLF forum. When you visit the forum you will notice the new “Book Club” button alongside the other forum categories. It is open to all YLF members and works in exactly the same way as the other forum categories. This is the place where we’ll get together to discuss the titles for YLF Book Club. It is also our virtual living room where we can chat about all things books and movies. Would you like to suggest a new title for YLF Books? Want to share your favourite books and movies? Are you looking for books on a specific topic or just need a fun new read? Love a title in our store and want to nominate it for discussion in YLF Book Club? Start a new thread and join the conversation.

Also, you can see the schedule of previous, current and future Book Club titles on the new Book Club page.

We hope you’ll have fun posting in the Book Club forum and reading other forum members’ contributions. If you have any thoughts or questions about the two new features, feel free to send me a private message, or to leave a comment on this blog post. Also, if you experience any problems please get in touch using the contact form, or by sending email to support@youlookfab.com.

New Giveaway

The Bra Book: The Fashion Formula to Finding the Perfect Bra is the latest addition to YLF Books. In this style guide TV personality and style expert Jené Luciani writes about the many bra fit issues women struggle with and how to obtain proper fit. A subject that we too regularly and extensively talk about on the YLF forum, and that comes up time and again. 

BenBella Books is now kindly offering to give away two copies of the book. For a chance to win, visit our Competitions section and tell us when you started paying attention to good bra fit and if this has changed the way you feel and look.

After a week of drizzly, gray weather I happily awoke to sunshine early on the morning of the Everett YLF meet-up. This would be my second meet-up, and I felt extra excited because this one was happening close to my own home; a chance for me to share some of my local haunts. As I was pulling up to the restaurant, The Vintage, I spotted a lady in an amazing bustled dress and tall lace-up boots across the street and realized it was Andrea (Random Thoughts). I managed to park while waving and grinning at Andrea (OK I parked first and then waved, don’t worry!).

Once inside Andrea and I chatted away like good old friends, though this was our first time meeting in person, and gleefully sipped on coffee. The Vintage is housed in one of the few 19^th century buildings that still stand in Everett, though it’s been updated and many of the oldest features have been torn out; the brick interior walls are covered in old art and the vibe is pub-like, with low lighting and a simple menu.

Shortly after Andrea and I got our coffee Angie and Antje arrived, followed by Arya and Hannah (Charmian), then Kari and Christy (Christyg), and lastly Laurel and her cutie-pie daughter Clementine; each greeting becoming longer and more jubilant. Food was ordered and the non-stop gabfest began! We went around the table introducing ourselves and talking about how we each came upon YLF, and let our conversations wander where they took us.

While listening to each amazing story, I took a few minutes to appreciate everyone’s fab outfits and how complementary each one was. Arya’s mossy-green cardigan brought out the color of her eyes beautifully, and her hand-knit arm warmers were super cute; she looked so comfortable in her skinny jeans you would never guess she’s a recent convert! Hanna was wearing the beautiful Eliza J shift dress in purple over slim jeans and heels, perfect for the wedding she was attending after the meet-up; the jeans easily swap with tights, and heels would finish the look off. Andrea’s fun All Saints dress perfectly embodied her fun personality, and her wine-toned scarf injected just the right amount of color.

Christy looked just as sharp in smart casual as she does in her business wear; both she and I are devoted members of Team Heels, but were both wearing flats for the day! Kari had expertly incorporated three shades of purple into her outfit, which looked gorgeous with her red hair. Laurel and Clementine made the cutest mother-daughter pair; mum in perfectly flattering Winter colors, daughter in perfectly flattering Spring colors. Antje’s mix of red, black, camel, and polka dots may sound classic, but her outfit was completely urban and funky. And Angie’s outfit embodied the spirit of having fun with fashion: slouchy pants, cheetah print booties, furry vest, and suspenders; yet she looked as elegant as always (it’s no wonder we are all so inspired by her!).

From the restaurant, Antje bid us adieu and the rest of us headed up north to the Tulalip outlet mall to do some Serious Shopping. I could write a novel on the whirlwind shopping excursion! We stopped by Burberry (where Angie found a great plaid coat, but the discount just wasn’t good enough), LOFT (where I think everyone found something), Kate Spade (where Arya and I each bought the same bright orange-red purse, and Angie bought a wallet), Elie Tahari (where Christy bought a tweedy jacket), Clarks (where Christy found a great pair of sandy colored heeled desert booties, and Arya bid us adieu), Joe’s Jeans, Brooks Brothers, and Ann Taylor (where Christy and I bought, like, the whole store).

We’d only gotten through a quarter of the mall and decided a drink-and-snack break was due. Fries, salads, and refreshing cold drinks were had to replete our energy, and Angie also met a very cute little Yorkie pup.

After our break, we continued onward! We stopped by BCBG, Nine West (where Laurel and I made use of their buy-one-get-one-40%-off to each buy a pair of heeled oxfords), Levi’s, J.Crew (where I bought an orangey-red striped tee to match my new Kate Spade bag), Kitchen Collection (where Laurel found something she’d been looking for for composting; then little Clementine decided she wanted to go home so the two of them bid us adieu), Banana Republic (where Kari found a great dress but the dressing room lines were excessively long, so Andrea and I barricaded a corner for her to try it on over her clothes, but ultimately she passed on it), Benetton (where Angie found a perfect bright green coat… one size too large, so she woefully had to pass), DKNY, and Vince Camuto. Whew! I’m sure I’ve missed a store or two.

Angie was brilliant to shop with, even in a group shopping for themselves, she made sure that no one felt left out. She offered tips as requested, gave opinions in dressing rooms, and helped us to find both items we were looking for and items we may have passed up. I am sure I can speak for everyone who was there when I say, thank you for this Angie! And seeing Angie pass up on two nearly-perfect coats was, for me specifically, an invaluable lesson in being patient for those perfect items. 

It was a wonderful day, full of friends, shopping, and food (what better way to spend a Saturday?). I can’t properly put into words how much I enjoyed meeting both new and familiar YLF faces, and how grateful I am to have the opportunity to do so. I hope everyone enjoyed the small slice of Everett they experienced, and I must say I just cannot wait until the next get-together on 10th December!