https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989663 Tue, 08 Jan 2019 00:17:19 +0000 Mainelady 1989663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>TG thank you for the link! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989514 Mon, 07 Jan 2019 17:04:09 +0000 Angie 1989514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*APPLAUSE*</p> <p><b>Helena, </b>your fabulous goals were achieved, so pat yourself on the back. You have never looked better. Keep Calm, Carry On </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989509 Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:45:40 +0000 texstyle 1989509@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Happy New Year!&nbsp; You really did nail your goals - well done. And I can relate to many things - like #4, realizing what works for you instead of just trying to force a new thing. I've done the same myself and those are always my mistake purchases. When I stick with what I know works, I'm good. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989505 Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:21:46 +0000 Christina F. 1989505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi TG, thanks for this post. I think you have a personal style that, to me, seems very authentic for your personality and life. I'm glad you hear that you think it's largely working for you. When you did stretch your comfort zone a bit, I think it worked <i>because</i> your personal style is so well defined if that makes sense. I hope you keep that up in 2019. </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989482 Mon, 07 Jan 2019 14:17:52 +0000 Helena 1989482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>kkards</b>, thank you! elegant and sophistication are not words I see in myself ... but they are definitely aspirations.</p> <p><b>Karen </b>and <b>Taylor</b>, thanks for your kind encouragement!<br /><b>Sarah</b>, glad it helped!<br /><b>Rachy</b>, it's a fine balance - going to experiment with different ways of adding variety that don't break the bank and fill the closet! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989369 Mon, 07 Jan 2019 03:22:07 +0000 rachylou 1989369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very smart! The one about ‘variety’ gets to me, yes it does. I should look out for that too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989316 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 22:32:30 +0000 SarahD8 1989316@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>torontogirl, thanks for your response about your policy of "non-interference" and a less fraught way to evolve your style. I also tend towards over-analysis and uniform extremism, so this is really helpful guidance to me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989268 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 19:15:24 +0000 taylor 1989268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Keep it simple and trust yourself !<br /> Excellent words to guide your style journey.<br /> I enjoyed reading your style goals and achievements </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989229 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 16:46:35 +0000 karen13 1989229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Setting goals is great, but actually going back and seeing how you did is the key!&nbsp;Thanks for the update - it is very motivating! I have enjoyed your style and think you are in a style happy place right now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989222 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 16:13:18 +0000 kkards 1989222@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>well done...<br />Re descriptor...casually elegent or quiet&nbsp;sophistication.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989200 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 14:22:52 +0000 Helena 1989200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jane, forgot to thank you - Queen Letitza is a great style inspiration - and her hair! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989186 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 14:06:22 +0000 Helena 1989186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Everyone, thanks so much!</p> <p><b>Suz</b>, thank you, and you have helped me so much over the years, if I've ever reciprocated, I am truly happy to have done so xx<br /><b>Nemosmom</b>, I like your moniker suggestions a lot; I'll write them in my journal to ponder, along with <b>Shevia's </b>"warm elegance" (this is nice because it speaks to an evolving direction) and <b>FashIntern's </b>"singular riches", which I need to ponder, it has such depth. Thanks ladies!<br /><b>Runcarla</b>, definitely, and they are front and centre for 2019 too - I see it as also an example to my kids, and my husband is better with his self-care when I am good with mine - so it's good for my whole family :)<br /><b>Deb</b>, I am the same - I bounce from goal to goal like a ping-pong ball. I am learning to set goals in a way which accommodates my bouncing!<br /><b>Mainelady</b>, you are lovely xx I've come up with my own technique based on about a million tutorials, but here is a good straightforward one:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.charlottaeve.com/2018/02/14/eyeshadow-trick/">https://www.charlottaeve.com/2.....dow-trick/</a>. I'd recommend making a cup of tea, grabbing your eyeshadows, and falling down the YouTube rabbithole some quiet day Basically, you apply the contour below the browbone (rather than along the crease), keep lines straight rather than curving down, and blend everything up. Hope that helps!<br /><b>Cindy</b>, best of luck with the no-buy!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989167 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 13:16:30 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1989167@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great to see you hitting your goals.&nbsp; For the 2-word moniker, how about "singular riches"? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989160 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 12:25:51 +0000 cindysmith 1989160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good work! I'm hoping I can do half as well with my no-buy this year as you did with your style goals for last year </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989153 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 11:38:41 +0000 Mainelady 1989153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations! You had a very successful year! I really like reading how you have been able to try some new things, without feeling like you need to rigidly stick to pre-established decisions. An open mindset and trusting yourself are important to any kind of growth. Reflection is equally as important. You have demonstrated how well those practices can serve us. Maybe you weren’t intending to be an example when you set and shared your goals and progress, but you are! Thank you! You have an incredible sense of style and FWIW, i think your goal for 2019 is perfect!<br /> Do you have a resource you might share re: the hooded eyelid make up techniques?<br /> Wishing you a fabulous new year! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989141 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 09:51:51 +0000 Jane 1989141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In a recent thread, Inge suggested this&nbsp;Queen Letizia of Spain as a possible source of inspiration. I wondered&nbsp;which Kate's style evolving whether Queen&nbsp;Letitza&nbsp;might be a good balance? &nbsp;Links are from Inge's posting...<div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/451626668877363550/">https://www.pinterest.com/pin/451626668877363550/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/426012445989735054/">https://www.pinterest.com/pin/426012445989735054/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/401453754280454015/">https://www.pinterest.com/pin/401453754280454015/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/401453754281288382/">https://www.pinterest.com/pin/401453754281288382/</a></div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/803259283516183891/">https://www.pinterest.com/pin/803259283516183891/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.semana.es/casas-reales/elarmariodeletizia/letizia-recurre-al-gesto-mas-chic-con-el-abrigo-camel-20181009-002032738/14"><a href="https://www.semana.es/casas-re" rel="nofollow">https://www.semana.es/casas-re</a>.....2032738/14</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e8/c7/5e/e8c75e02f6366d94f49784a4c33bf5c0.jpg"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals" rel="nofollow">https://i.pinimg.com/originals</a>.....3bf5c0.jpg</a></div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989115 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 04:47:57 +0000 deb 1989115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are so good at sticking to your goals. Kuddos to you. It is&nbsp; something I have trouble with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989105 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 04:05:22 +0000 Carla 1989105@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So good to hear that taking care of yourself was something you could 'check' off for 2018. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989100 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 03:46:09 +0000 Jaime 1989100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Warm elegance? I think I would prefer not to have a specific person in a short moniker - regardless of how lovely she is or how much you might resemble her ! Your thoughtful reflections are a pleasure to read. I am inspired to think about mine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989084 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 02:25:59 +0000 nemosmom 1989084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I joined YLF late in the year (Sept, I think?) and haven't seen how you've grown, but I admire how you held to your resolutions and saw progress last year. Your goal for '19 (<i>My plan - trust myself, keep it simple, hold it all lightly, have fun</i>) is EVERYTHING.</p> <p>For your two-word moniker, how about "Approachable Kate" or "Commoner Kate"?! :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989075 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 01:58:24 +0000 Suz 1989075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Helena</b>, you did an amazing job with your goals this year and really nailed it. You've never looked better. The decisions to let yourself move outside your immediate comfort zone without overly pushing yourself and to keep some things in a holding zone to bring them out when you feel that need for "more" were brilliant.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also, I agree with you that outfits with high contrast navy and white are killer great on you and also outfits with one bright colour and neutral.&nbsp;</p> <p>As an aside, I want to thank you again for your recommendation of Your Best Year Yet. I have been using it ever since you mentioned it to guide my yearly reflections and it has been SO HELPFUL!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989064 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 01:13:01 +0000 Helena 1989064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, thanks Sarah, that's hugely encouraging!</p> <p>I didn't really check in, I must admit - I think they were ideas whose time, for me, had come ... it was actually more of a policy of non-interference this year lol (from the master over-analyzer and micro-manager) ... so that I worked on my style in a way that was a little more natural and a little less fraught, I think.</p> <p>I do think it helped to recognize in myself an overaching tendency towards uniform extreme-ism, punctuated by fits of wanting something totally new and different - so I purged a lot LESS this year, and tucked things I wasn't using much into a bin to "shop" from when I needed a change - it really helped me to get out of the shop-purge cycle I was stuck in previously and let me have a little more fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989061 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 01:06:51 +0000 SarahD8 1989061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, what an amazing job meeting your goals! Did you have a system for checking in at certain points throughout the year to make sure you were on track?&nbsp;</p> <p>I agree with you that your experiments/forays outside your "rules" have been a huge success -- you've managed to push outside your comfort zone but not <i>too</i> far if that makes sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989056 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 00:52:39 +0000 Helena 1989056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gretchen, it's hard to get to a really meaningful two words isn't it - which is, I guess, why they are so useful when you hit on them. I went through Style Statement a few years ago and landed on "Simple Cultivated" - which is okay but is missing something ... I'll let you know if I come up with anything, and please do the same! :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989048 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 00:29:08 +0000 Gretchen 1989048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow - what great progress on your goals! My hat's off to you.&nbsp;</p> <p>I"d love to see where your thinking on moniker takes you as I'm revisiting as well.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/happy-new-year---looking-back-and-looking-ahead#post-1989041 Sun, 06 Jan 2019 00:12:33 +0000 Helena 1989041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Fabbers, happy new year! We are just back from a lovely sojourn to the Caribbean, and I'm just catching up with the forum. Also giving thought to the year that has been and the year ahead!</p> <p>Looking at my 2018 resolutions, I feel pretty good about how I progressed (virtually by accident, as I wasn't disciplined about checking back in) (progress report in <b>bold</b>):</p> <p>1. Go through Angie's style refresh process. In particular, I need to make maintaining my hair cut and color a higher priority, and I need to do an eye makeup technique refresh to perk up my rapidly sinking eyelids!! <b>CHECK - Freshened up my haircut, found a colorist I'm really happy with, and learned some hooded eyelid techniques. Also, am having fun with lipstick and nail polish lately.</b> Additionally, I have plenty of clothes, so Angie's suggestions about revisiting shoes, purses and accessories would be useful. <b>Half-points on this one - I bought a few things I'm happy with, but wasn't very strategic about it - something to consider for 2019.</b><br />2. Start bending the rules I've spent years accumulating to fit my personal style. Be more emotional with my style choices. Revisit my "classic polished casual contrast Kate" style words to see if they still fit,and revise if needed. <b>CHECK - These words still work for me, and I am happiest when I am meeting them. "Kate" I hold lightly as her style becomes more 'royal' and less approachable. Pops of bold color have added interest while holding true to my words. Looking back on WIWs, my favorites where either neutral with pattern/contrast (navy and white being the favorite) OR had a pop of color - least favorite were multiple colors or color + pattern in a single outfit. I'd love to boil this down to a two-word moniker, so it feels more philosophical and less check-list - sometime to ponder in 2019.</b><br />3. Physical fitness is a huge priority for me in 2018. Create a small updated fitness capsule to support this. <b>CHECK.</b><br />4. I live in dark wash skinnies, yet keep buying different colored and silhouetted pants/ bottoms to 'add variety'. Stop doing this! In fact, variety is not something I need particularly and most of my "variety" items end up in the donation pile. Stick what works for me for clothes, and find variety elsewhere in my life, or just enjoy it on others! <b>CHECK, although I am shifting my jeans silhouette towards a higher waist and bought a chopped-hem straight pair I love, and I did buy burgundy velvet pants ... see point 5 :)&nbsp;</b><br />5. Counteract my tendency towards rigidity by allowing myself to break these resolutions guilt free on occasion! <b>CHECK! A surprise success. I am finding ways to apply what I've learned in ways that work for me, using systems as guidelines and inspiration rather than pass/fail assignments, and making sure my adventures in personal style are a net positive rather than a source of stress.<br /></b><br /><b>For 2019,&nbsp;</b>really my only goal at the moment is to keep going as I am going - I feel good about my style direction, the ways I've added some interest and personality to my simple preferences, and the role personal style is playing in my life's journey. My plan - trust myself, keep it simple, hold it all lightly, have fun. To the year ahead! xoxo </p>