https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:10:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-490086 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:38:12 +0000 Vix 490086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great post, Ornella!</p> <p>And to bring it around to you for a minute -- I for one have had a blast watching your figure out/tweak your style to reflect your personality and preferences. </p> <p>BTW, you are such a confidence-booster to other members that I'm glad to hear your own confidence has grown in many aspects. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-490066 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:02:47 +0000 suzanne m 490066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornelia,as everyone here as already stated, thank you so very much for expressing what we feel in our hearts about this very special site, the team behind it, and all its players. Spread the joy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-490008 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:47:36 +0000 Anonymous 490008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, Ornella, what a beautiful post! That brought tears to my eyes as well. I missed the birthday celebration completely, and the video just blew me away. Hooray for Angie, Greg, and YLF! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489983 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:41:54 +0000 Ornella 489983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oops, my turn to be now be speechless and a bit tearful...</p> <p>Please excuse not addressing you all individually, I hope you all know how much your words mean. I've re-read them so many times since this morning.</p> <p>Fernanda, now this is a surprise! And once again your way with words is so spot on: <strong>JOY</strong> sums it all up what this place is all about. And the wardrobe adventures I strive for. "I'm no longer afraid to be the well dressed girl." Absolutely!</p> <p>For me, I am no longer afraid to be me, too.</p> <p>Thank you all for every second of joy experienced here. I wish us all many happy YLF years, so we can share and spread that joy. However internal and quiet our transformations are, do not doubt for a moment that they go unnoticed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489901 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:22:10 +0000 Sara L. 489901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lovely post! So well-written and eloquent! I agree with your sentiments and couldn't have said it better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489897 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:14:23 +0000 Michelle 489897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornela, this post is amazing and made me reach for the kleenex at least twice. You and your extraordinary thoughtfulness and compassion are one of the countless elements that make YLF my internet home. I can't say enough about Angie and Greg and all they've done, but I thank you, Ornela, for getting the ball rolling. :)<br /> You are so right, that anniversary video was an undeniable highlight of my time here. I was on a high all day after it was released, and all I did was devote five minutes to posing for a picture and sending it. It's all about the global colaboration and the sense of doing something worthy for people who deserve it.<br /> My personal connections to YLF deepened this year, whether it was interviewing people for industry posts, talking to people on the phone or *finally* meeting a bevy of forum regulars in person. That's more special than I can say, and I hope to repeat the experience with so many more of you some day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489865 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 04:19:41 +0000 Suz 489865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornella, what a lovely message, and thank you so much for putting into words what so many of us are thinking and feeling. And thank you also for making relative newcomers like me feel so very welcomed here. You are so right in what you say, and we are all so very lucky! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489859 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 04:07:51 +0000 Sveta 489859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornella, you expressed my feelings better than I ever could! There are countless fashion blogs out there but YLF is a very special place, created by two wonderful, kind and talented people - Angie and Greg. Thank you for making this world a better place! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489835 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:25:19 +0000 Vicki 489835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornella, you are a very caring soul and you are part of what makes ALL of this work with Angie and Greg and every one of these other wonderful YLF'ers. Thank you for speaking your heart and highlighting the past year. I am somewhat new here and reading your "memorable moments" reminds me how meaningful it is here at <a href="http://www.youlookfab.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.youlookfab.com</a>.</p> <p>Thank you for saying it in such a beautiful way! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489828 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:00:37 +0000 MsMary 489828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yessss!! Amen to every word of this! Thank you, Angie and Greg, for building this wonderful place! And thank YOU, Ornella, for being your wonderful self and adding so much to the discourse! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489811 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 02:17:38 +0000 Greg 489811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornella, thank you very much for these very kind words, and such a wonderful recap of 2011. You're right that I enjoy every minute of my work on YLF. You also work on software, so you know what a thrill it is when people use the things you build. The fact that this community is so special makes it even better. </p> <p>And of course, I get to work every day with my best friend and soulmate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489697 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:36:13 +0000 anne 489697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Ornella! Thanks for your lovely words and thoughts describing what many of us would strugge to articulate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489671 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:58:42 +0000 Transcona Shannon 489671@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Ornella. I'm not really sure what to say - but I know I want to say something. As someone who is a relative new comer to YLF, I can honestly say I have NEVER felt so welcomed into a community - there are no harsh judgements, only constructive comments and praise. Yes, the learning curve is huge but it's been a fun ride so far and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon! Angie, Greg and all of you have become a part of my life. </p> <p>I really want to thank you Ornella for putting these beautiful thoughts and discoveries into words. Angie &amp; Greg - clearly you are much loved and appreciated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489640 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:58:24 +0000 Sona 489640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornella- what a timely and wonderful post. I first joined YLF around the time Fernanda's style journey was written about and I was awed by the humanity, humility and honesty in it. </p> <p>I would like to say that seeing your committment to posting, leaving no stone unturned in turning closet orphans into winners and embracing of your luscious pear with gusto is also very humbling, honest, humane and amazing. Thank you for you and the many other YLF'ers too who make this a living, breathing community! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489625 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:25:27 +0000 Patty 489625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornella you are the elegant eloquent woman!! And also an inspiration to me as well--thank you for being- you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489600 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:37:47 +0000 AJ 489600@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ornella, thank you so much for writing this beautiful and thoughtful post! This forum is all the more awesome with your participation!</p> <p>November marked my second year here and I STILL look forward to starting my day with reading Angie's daily blog post. I usually end my day checking out the forum. You all are a part of my daily life and I'm so glad to have found YLF!!</p> <p>Kudos to Angie and Greg for making this site a wonderful place for us to build our "confidence muscles." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489575 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:33:30 +0000 Mo 489575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, you made me tear up, too. And you are so right - it goes beyond what clothes to wear - way beyond. Well said </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489557 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:37:40 +0000 Amy 489557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beautifully said! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489555 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:36:58 +0000 Debbie 489555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have made me cry. You have so thoughtfully put into words what this site is all about to me. Thank-you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489549 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:27:23 +0000 rae 489549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Amen! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489545 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:11:27 +0000 Fernanda 489545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My goodness, Ornella. I was standing in line while I was reading your post and I literally had to walk out and find some place to sit. You're generous and awesome beyond words. This took me totally by surprise, and all the great things that YLF have brought to me since I first stumbled into the blog passed before my eyes.<br /> Even though I don't post and comment as often as all of you, not a day passes without checking Angie's posts, all the members' comments, and the forum conversations. My life has been so influenced by everything I've learned here that I couldn't imagine it any other way. It's goes so much deeper than looks and outfits and clothes. Thanks to you all I'm no longer afraid to be the well dressed girl in the room (and by "well" I mean joyfully), which, as you say in your post, was the real problem behind. Namely, the fear of "not measuring up", which translated into "not trying at all".<br /> And, well, I've always regarded you as a real risk taker and joyful dresser, so reading what you wrote literally took my breath away. Thank you for sharing this. You just made my holidays! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489534 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:06:01 +0000 Lisa 489534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lovely recap! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489415 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:51:10 +0000 Angie 489415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*eyes watering*</p> <p>When I am less choked up, I hope to do your beautiful words and thoughts justice, Ornella. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-2011-memorable-moments-on-ylf#post-489400 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:37:32 +0000 Ornella 489400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Disclaimer: XL post</p> <p><em>Instead of weekly outfits summary…</em><br /> &nbsp;<br /> I've been thinking about many fantastic moments here on YLF, both the blog and the forum, and tried to filter out which ones stood out for me the most. The first two were no-brainers, but the contenders for the third place were very strong and I had hard time picking one out. From the outstanding, both in content and reactions, blog post about Angie's client Karen, to the excellent series of posts about Karen Kane clothing; from reactions to Glamour's non-glamorous moment to AJ's stylish feature in In Style; from nerve-wracking chase for Rae and her wedding dress to Suz's dramatic hairstyle change; from meet-up posts which took us to various places around the world to numerous threads from the new forum members sharing the familiar delight about discovering the YLF community; from several blog-posts and threads redefining the perception of pear-shaped bodies to NYFW series of Angie’s outfits. I have also managed to read through the entire blog archives earlier this year and I can tell you the insight into site evolution has been fantastic, and I particularly like that this year the format of the blog had changed to include not just individual posts, but entire series' and the book section too. What else is heading our way I wonder!<br /> &nbsp;<br /> What I love the most, regardless of the final list, is how my horizons are being broadened at rapid speed and how every single day I am privileged to be the audience of the fantastic posts and WIWs, confirming that beauty, grace and elegance are not limited to body type, size, age, budget or lifestyle. I've said it many times, real style does not live on the glossy magazine pages, but it comes from the real women. And many of those women make this place their virtual homes.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> So, without much (more) further ado, these is the selection of YLF moments that resonated with me the most in 2011. Join me in sharing yours if you like.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> 1. <strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/2011/04/05/happy-fifth-birthday-ylf">YLF's 5th birthday on April 5th</a></strong> :: I was in THE bubble the whole day - I could feel the global energy! The quiet build-up to the surprise that was prepared for Angie and Greg was magical. Something about knowing that so many beautiful, compassionate and intelligent women from across the globe, united not just by their love for style but tremendous respect for Angie and Greg, came together, gave me goosebumps and a few tears countless times that day. Reading all the messages was about witnessing the floodgate of the most wonderful, positive emotions opened. If you want to revisit the comments and the sentiments in the blog post, make sure you check the video card too.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> 2. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/03/fernandas-style-journey-part-1"><strong>Fernanda-effect</strong></a> :: Of all the clients whom we met this year, for me personally, it was Fernanada herself and her style journey that completely blew me away and remains the biggest inspiration. I could not believe the reaction her two (<strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/03/fernandas-style-journey-part-1">part 1</a></strong> and <strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/04/fernandas-style-journey-part-2">part 2</a></strong>) posts had caused with me. There she was, saying openly to the world she had been lost in front of the wardrobe - before she was touched by Angie(l). A few things I'll always be thankful to her for: 1) This beautiful and strong women had not been afraid to admit she was <em>failing</em> at the most "womanly" and seemingly easy territory - getting dressed! 2) She trusted this community of complete strangers enough to be so open - what a credit to Angie and her blog audience! 3) She and I are of similar age, which instantly sealed her as my role-model, especially because those were the early days of my own WIWs when I was still way too self-contentious and felt too exposed and uncertain of whether it was a clever move. Fernanada had massive effect on me and helped take down major barriers inside me. The whole series of posts was rounded up with <strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/07/my-recent-style-epiphany">Angie's own style epiphany</a></strong>, which was cherry on the cake in many ways and after which one I felt my own level of style literacy had rocketed. It was the true beginning of having fun with fashion for me.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> 3. <strong>Picture Perfect Challenges (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ylf-picture-perfect-challenge-2011-keepsake-thread">Paintings</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ylf-summer-picture-perfect-challenge-keepsake-thread">Photographs and </a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dress-the-decade-keepsake-thread">Decades</a></strong> :: These events were proper style Olympics where the good old creed of the importance of taking part, not winning, is what really matters. So pure in its intention and so creative in its execution! Again, the same as the blog's birthday, the global energy on the days and weeks when we did them was fantastic. Starting from the Southern Hemisphere and finishing with the far western corners of the North America , we took turns in interpreting the same inspirations in our own ways and appreciating each others' outfits and ideas. There really is not better demonstration of the only rule we follow here, no better crash-course in style and no better place to get to know all the characters, no better occasion to get tremendous amounts of ideas one place. Fun doesn’t get more fun than this.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> On a personal level, I have started posting my WIWs this year and realised very quickly that the benefits of such little ritual reached beyond just fixing my appearance. My style evolution coincides with another aspect of my life that I try to put in order, and conquering the wardrobe was simply about flexing and strengthening a confidence muscle so I can use it elsewhere - I quickly drew parallels between my style preferences with the lifestyle choices. A while back I've written a long post about what <strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-silver-jubilee-of-weekly-themes-what-ive-learnt-so-far-long">I'd learnt from my style experiments</a></strong> and a few days ago I had reached <strong><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/its-definite-my-self-perception-has-changed-completely">the highest point of self-acceptance</a></strong> I can remember. Yes, sorting such trivial things as dresses, jeans or shoes can lead to much deeper revelations. The added beauty of this community is the unspoken understanding that we are much more than the contents of our wardrobes.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> But, back to the three YLF moments that include the entire community, they stand out from all the others for being utterly fun, insightful and inspiring. It is such a privilege to be a part of this community. And, here it goes again, but why miss the opportunity to say it: thank you Greg, for making things tick smoothly and to the highest standards. For us YLF is a playground, for you it is a job - but I believe you are the lucky one who enjoys what he does. Thank you Angie for being the driving force in releasing the barriers within us and teaching us to love ourselves and appreciate diversity and the other women even more. I know it won't get to your heads if you do it, because I do hope that sometimes you just sit back, cup of tea in hand of course, and enjoy knowing what community YOU TWO have created and what impact you have on us. </p>