Thanks for letting us know more about you Angie! very interesting!

I don't drink any coffee either, what many people find difficult to believe.

There are two things I could never give up in life: Coffee and Red Wine (well, aside from my Greg and my beautiful daughter/cat Pantani). I only drink water, coffee, and wine (with a beer maybe once a month). I tend to go straight through the day with coffee, switching to wine when I stop working. As a law student, I became crazy-addicted to coffee, and I love, love, love it. I do about 3-6 cups per day (or more if I have to work late).

Angie, I'm 1/8 Sicilian, and 1/8 Native American, which I love to throw out since I'm so blonde.

Oooh! I'm there Nicole. A simple pasta ranks as ONE of my all time best meals in the world.

How interesting Christie. We’re “exotic” blondes.

Tanya, I live in the Starbucks State. Coffee is an institution in Seattle and we don’t even have coffee machine! We are from Mars.

I find it interesting to hear people say they don't drink coffee. I grew up in a house where coffee was served to children (with lots of sugar and milk), and a cup of coffee with family or friends is a social event. Every day, I meet my friend for coffee before the kids get out of school. We take turns buying the coffee (hot or iced depending on the wether), we meet a church parking lot where we can see the after school traffic come out of the school driveway. Once we know the majority of parents and buses are gone, we know we can get a parking spot--we drive in to get the kids. I start my day with a walk, a bottle of water, and then a cup of coffee. I usually limit myself to two a day though.

I am not a big beer drinker--my alcoholic drink of choice is Stoli and Club Soda. And I never met a donut I didn't like--but I rarely let myself eat one.

The coffee thing turned out very strange for myself too.

In my culture ( small eastern European country) people drink tons of coffee - it's a part of a social ritual - wherever you go, whatever you do, you're offered a cup and it's almost an insult to refuse. I should mentioned that we typically drink what you guys would call " Turkish Coffee" here, it comes in a small cup, it's not filtered, so there's precipitate on the bottom. Some women can tell you your fortune from the precipitate: once you've finished your cup, you turn it upside down ( it's typically a small ceramic cup), wait for the remaining liquid to drain , and that the fortune teller "reads" the figures/shapes formed by the precipitate. It's fun waist of time. Sugar and milk are optional in this coffee. It is very strong.

We are in general an extremely social nation so everybody keeps dropping in for a cup and chitchat. And of course you are supposed as a host to offer it guests, the mailman, the repair guy, just about everyone. You get the point.

Anyway, as a teenager, I had a cup here and there, whenever I just could not ( socially) avoid it, but I actually never liked the taste, tough forever the reason I enjoy the smell of coffee. But then it really started bothering my stomach which is very sensitive, so I stopped completely.

Once I moved to US it's much easier to avoid it completely. I don't like it, and it's not good for me. In fact, I don't consume any caffeine whatsoever; I hate Coke too, and I'm used to drinking herbal teas ( peppermint, chamomile etc). As a result of that, if I have just a little bit, it keeps me up whole night and longer. So the only time I'll actually have some ( in the form of green tea) is when I need to stay whole nigh up working in a lab, which is about once-twice a month. Since my body is not used to caffeine, it works like a charm!

Interesting Nicole and Tanya. I grew up with British and Asian tea, no coffee. This has stuck. Greg grew up with British tea too. He’s as much of a teapot as I am. We have LOADS of tea in one day. But our tea cups are small. I’m sort of all about having tea, but you can have coffee if I have tea with you!

Green tea has an incredible amount of caffeine and will keep me up the whole night too.

Tanya, I'm an herbal tea person too. I generally try to avoid caffeine because I don't like how jittery it makes me. If I drink caffeine after noon, it has not much affect until waking me up about 4am the next morning. Weird-- but I maintain that it's true. I actually do love black coffee or cafe au lait but reserve it for special occasions.

Also, I'm half Cuban (great grandparents from Spain), 1/8 Irish and probably some British thrown in there too. Oddly, I don't know any Spanish Cubans as dark as my immediate family.

It's funny how our coloring turns out, Patience. Both of my parents have pretty brown hair and tan skin. I'm light blonde (the only one in the whole family) with pale skin (the only one in the family). Most of my cousins are Latin American, so when we get together and take the "cousins" photo, I look like a lost soul.

I'm joining in late to the party. This is such a fantastic forum and what a great idea to introduce ourselves.

I am 42 years old, an hourglass, 5'3" and usually a size 4 or 6. Or a 2 in those stores that do a lot of vanity sizing like AT. I have known Angie for a couple of years and had the fortune to have her work (that would be gut the wardrobe and start afresh) with me on my wardrobe with infinite patience, a great sense of humor, and fun. And we became friends in the process which has been even more fun. It's amazing to see her business grow from a gleam in her eye to this!

I live in the Seattle area though I'm originally from India (black hair, dark eyes). I am an executive coach and consultant. I help leaders learn how to increase their effectiveness so that they have a more powerful impact on themselves and the world. I love my job. And I love my kids and husband. Even though I don't love my little mommy belly - it's been over 3 years so I guess I can't still call it a mommy belly and need to either accept it or do something about it soon

My style is classic with a funky twist. This is similar to my personality. I tend to take on a lot of responsibility but I also have a wicked (literally) sense of humor. Lately I realize that I haven't let that peak out much and need to loosen up a bit!

I like to take mainstream pieces with clean lines and then add something that has my unique stamp on it. And I love layering and playing with contrasting patterns and colors with cami's, jackets, tights, shoes, and purses. I will often integrate in an ethnic piece of jewelry or accessory to play with my heritage and skin color.

My favorite places to shop vary depending on the year. I almost always find something at Nordstrom in the various departments. I find Macy's overwhelming by myself but if I can stick through it, there's usually a top or two and their purses are often a great deal. There are spells where Express has pleasantly surprised me even though their clothes aren't super high quality - they are funky and fun and I can use them in layering even for professional stuff. I mostly wear trousers though have found that I can wear some pencil skirts and am just starting to explore with dresses - most of which I wear over jeans and have just one (but it's awesome - from the Black and White store) that I wear with tights.

My fantasy is that one day I will take the time to work out and pay attention to my body so that my belly is flat again and I have great biceps.

I would love to post some pictures so you get a sense of my body type/shape. It might be a few weeks before I set aside the time to figure out the system to do so.

I have very much enjoyed reading all your posts - thank you for sharing your ideas, advice, and a little slice of your lives!

Hello, all! I guess it's my turn as this posts approaches 100! Wow!

I’m 32 and have been married for 3 years; I have "the two greatest dogs" Mini poodles: one is 15yrs and the other is 2yrs old. I work full time. Although my office attire is conservative but casual, I still exercise some creative freedom in how I dress. I am Filipino and born and raised in the Bay Area, California!

I am 5’2”, muscular, short waisted apple shape with large bust, which makes it difficult to find clothes that fit properly. Typically, I wear size 6 pants, Medium tops and a size 10 in dresses. I love shoes especially high heels! My favorite colors to wear are browns and jewel tones. My style is classic with a twist. I like adding at least one element in my outfits to make it a little less boring usually adding jewelry and since I have been reading this blog, I've been playing with color combinations.

I have always loved to shop, but have recently either come home empty handed or with everything in the "to be returned" pile. Since I have been gaining weight these past few years, shopping has becoming more difficult. As Stacey London says, "Dress your best no matter your size" Recently I have been learning what to look for and what works for my body type with the help of all of you! I am also learning how to make nice fun outfits, how to combine colors and looks.

Thank you Angie for this amazing blog! Thank you all for maintaining this wonderful message board. I love all your posts, insight and advice! *Who knew I had so much to say?* Style on!

Here's my pic: http://i295.photobucket.com/al.....12-08b.jpg

Thanks Sihaya. I miss you and can't wait to have a cuppa soon. You’re a little funkier than you describe and have a fabulous ethnic side to your style that we preciously preserve. A true original in every way! The epitome of “dynamite coming in small packages”.

Thanks for the pic Plumeria. You look great!

yay Sihaya. Yet another person from the motherland! I am incredibly jealous of anyone who has had the good fortune of meeting Angie. I have only heard good things (and I would only believe good things anyway).

Nice to meet you Sihaya and Plumeria!

Sihaya, your style sounds much like my own. Love it! I think I'm fundamentally a "classic" but I love the urban/funky/artsy element to my clothing.

Love your name Plumeria. Is that your given name? I have a Plumeria blooming in my back yard right now.

Thanks Christie - would love to see some pictures of you and one of these days I really will try to get mine posted as well. I love funky and/or ethnic or just about anything that's a bit off the wall or highly dramatic. I don't like boho.

Ok. Finally worked up the nerve to add to this thread. I struggle with shyness and drawing attention to myself. I do read the blog every day and chime in periodically. I have yet to post a pic of myself.

I'm 44, married 16 years, SAHM to my son, 10 and daughter 5. Currently live in San Diego but moving to Seattle area this summer. I am originally from Vancouver but moved to California just after I married my American husband. I now want to be closer to my family so we have made the big decision to head north. I will be going back to work once my youngest is back in school full time. I am weighing the pros and cons of going back into marketing OR back to school and heading in a new direction.

My body type: I am 5'6" and a triangle. I wear 4 on top and 6 on bottom. I have a very small frame and carrying some extra pounds these days so feeling rather mushy. I try and get regular exercise but most of my routines are upset by the lives of my children. My hair is darkish brown, pale skin, blue eyes. I look best in the cool, clear colors of the "winter" palate. I am also becoming more aware of my body type. I am petite on top, shortwaisted, short neck, small bust. And curvy booty, long legged on the bottom. Since I have knowledge of my body type, I am learning how to dress my own unique body. The day I discovered mid-rise bootcut pants was like a day of enlightenment for me! Suddenly all my proportions evened out and I looked pretty darn good.

My style: This is where is stumble! When I was a student and when I worked full time, I knew just what to wear and what felt comfortable. Since I became a SAHM, I have lost my way. It is very easy to fall into the schumpy sweat pants mode. For the past 10 years I have been experimenting with various styles and nothing has felt right. I often feel like I am wearing costumes and I feel like I am either underdressed or overdressed. The only things I can say for sure about my style is I am casual, slightly boho, artsy. I try and dress simply so that I can showcase my jewelry. Since I can make pretty much anything, my collection is extensive. I do try and incorporate trends into my wardrobe but I am selective. I may not know what I DO like...but I sure know what I DON'T! I like reading fashion magazines and websites/blogs...both for my own personal style issues as well as looking for trends for my jewelry-making endeavors.

My hobbies: I am a wanna-be artist and express my creativity with my scrapbooking, jewelry making and home decorating. We have bought and sold several homes and I have found joy in staging the houses for market. I have also been selling my jewelry the past year and enjoying the challenge of new designs and creating pieces for the marketplace. Once we get moved into our new house this summer, I will dust off my sewing machine and rediscover an old hobby that I let go once I had kids. I am very interested in politics and follow it closely...even though as a Canadian I can't vote. I am getting more and more eco-aware and enjoy learning new ways to improve the world we live in. I drink gallons of (organic!) tea daily but I still enjoy the pleasure of a nice latte occasionally.

One of my neighbors is Indian and you cannot even walk past her house without her handing you a cup of Chai tea! Good thing I LOVE that stuff. I often make excuses to go to her house in the hopes of getting a cup of that bliss!

Welcome Canadian Marlene and I know you’ve been a long time lurker! It’s super you feel comfy posting on this thread and we look forward to hearing more about you and your style when you feel up to it. Hopefully a picture at some pint too. I’ve been able to keep my head around the needs of the forum members that post pictures because it’s so much easier that way. Perhaps this will encourage you.

A premature welcome to Seattle! I LOVE it here and am very at home. We have Western European weather, much like Vancouver which I know you’re familiar with. I guarantee that your wardrobe WILL change once you get up here. You’ll probably kiss your San Diego clothes goodbye. A nice excuse to go shopping!

Hi all.. I am Mirah ...I chime in once in a while though I have been a long term reader of the blog. I am 29 and work in a pharmaceutical company in biostatistics. I live in Philadelphia. Originally from India, I moved to the US for graduate school and started working thereafter. Have been in the northeast for the greater part of 6 years.

I'm 5'4" black hair, brown eyes and a mixture of all body types currently. I love dressing up and have never thought size to be a factor to be stylish. My personal style is mostly modern with clean lines but with artsy/funky or ethnic elements in them. I like adding ethnic scarves or dramatic jewellery or an unexpected twist to otherwise simple outfits. I used to be a pants/jeans person but have started wearing skirts and especially in love with dresses since I started reading YLF. I never imagined I could pull off with grace anything that travelled north of my ankles My current goal is to lose enough weight to look fab in a DVF wrap dress..
for someone who lived and slept in jeans, I havent worn denim in the past 3 years. Shoes..love them. I was a platform girl and could easily walk in 3 inch platforms all day long ..now I seem to have outgrown them a little (gray in my hair is proof enough ..) but also love wedges, ballet flats and my new favourite..knee length boots.

Shopping wise.. My favorites are H&M, NY&Co, BR and ATL..sometimes Macy's and Nordstrom. But I also check out kohls and other bargain stores once in a while.

Apart from clothes I love reading, travelling, cooking and currently aspire to learn flying ( if i manage to remain unbroke after all the shopping I've been doing ). I am a music buff and dabbled in learning the violin for a while but gave up before my neighbours threw me out. I am also an electronics geek, I collect gadgets and have a passion for photography...especially portraits. I am a vegetarian though not a vegan yet..

And since so many of you ladies love tea..I hereby invite the YLF mafia to grace my humble home with their presence for high tea.. I propose to have tea ..eat my home made indian snacks and discuss fashion..and Nicole, I make killer filter coffee too

here's me at my sister's wedding in the traditional sari in my favorite color

http://i296.photobucket.com/al.....e/mez3.jpg

Okay, if Marlene did, I can :)! I didn't post to this thread originally because I don't participate here as much as so many of you do. I also don't take the time to read everything, more like just stopping in and seeing what grabs my eye. There's such a community feeling here...it's very welcoming and informative at the same time.

By the clock, I'm 53, but gosh, that's a silly number isn't it. I've lived in Seattle since 95 but originally from Massachusetts and also lived in Utah, California and Hawaii briefly (wonderful but very little clothes are needed!). Now that the sun has come again, I love Seattle :)...it really is a very peaceful, great "little" city. We live in an apartment on Capitol Hill, and I can walk to do all my errands in the neighborhood and go downtown, it's great.

I am married for the second time to a wonderful geeky guy that's much younger than me ( we got together way before Demi and Ashton made it popular...and frankly, I'm grateful that there are more of us now)) And I am the mother of two college age sons who constantly amaze me...my oldest leaves for Berlin in three days...first time to Europe.

My main passion in life for the last 20 years or so has been/is spirituality...with style a close second, or really much of the same. I had a dramatic "born again" type experience 16 years ago that changed my life and gave me a sense of everything being beautiful...including me. I found I wanted different clothes and colors and textures after that, and it's been a gradual but wonderful journey of self discovery and expression for me.

I often feel like I have a"shopping genie" or a sixth sense when it comes to finding clothes for me and occasionally take friends shopping, especially my kids and my husband. I've done many things for jobs, including housecleaning...I have a natural talent for order and making things beautiful...and I like to cook too.

Because of my geeky husband, I have gone more digital...and have a blog where I post photos: http://liminalenterprises.com/ ...mostly for my mom and my dad who are "ancient" by the clock and can't travel any more and live in New Hampshire and we miss each other...the computer bridges some gaps. I like that I can share "moments" with them. In my travels there are so many pretty things, it's fun to capture a few of them.

My body type is rectangle...and I wear jeans mostly. My style evolution seems to change with time and the trends too...but I tend lately to be attracted to edgier rather than classic (if I were rich I'd wear Rick Owens) and neutrals ( I let my hair go back to gray and there's a nice harmony there), and denim! I am in awe of the blue jean and it's practical applications for every day life!

Welcome fellow neighbour Judy! I'm in Madrona and I've probably walked past your house in Capital Hill several times. I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to post and we look forward to hearing more about you and your edgy Seattle style. Rick Owens is fabulous!

Are you “the” Mirah that looks so polished in her heels and knee length dress?

you are too kind Angie but yes thats me all right

An official welcome Mirah! Another lady from the “Motherland” as Maya would say. Love your beautiful Sari and I’m thrilled you incorporate your ethnic heritage into your style ( Sihaya does that too). Have you tried a wrap dress yet? I suspect it’ll look great. And I’m there for High Tea and snax. 3pm is a good time!

Welcome to the forum!

Mirah--you do biostats? I'm considering it as a graduate degree (still working on my undergrad in stats), but I really want to teach and work on a research team. How do you like it? Are jobs limited to certain cities?

Thank you Angie..and I'm eagerly waiting for you to come visit for tea! I did try a wrap dress and I loved how great it feels..I have only found one so far which is a good fit but a tad too long and since its a true wrap its kinda hard to hem it (i do my own hemming but this one may need to go to a tailor) . I will post a picture next week.

Ana..i work in applications of biostats..mainly statistical analysis of clinical trial data for new drugs and medical devices. My grad major was biomedical engineering..so I am still learning stats. But I am having fun so far. There are a lot of jobs if you do a formal degree in biostats..and since you are interested in teaching you wont have much of a problem regarding location since all good schools have great biostat programs. During my job search I have found a lot of job openings all along the east coast, california, and texas.

II’m tickled that we have stylish scientists, mathematicians and engineers on this forum. SO FAB.

I’m excited to see that wrap dress on, Mirah and it sounds like lab style is fab style, Ana.

Thanks, Angie! I'll look for you in the neighborhood! ( I can only hope I'm well-dressed when I run into you :)!)

You have shared so much of yourselves and have been so helpful with what to wear with my lilac sweater that I think it is only fair share my “who’s who”. Another petite here, I’m Eva. I am 42 (for a few more weeks) and have been married for 17 years. No kids, but 3 dogs that I adore. I am a 5” 2 1/2’ pear - size 2 on top and 4/6 on the bottom. I am half Chinese and half Austrian, born and raised in Honolulu (a hula dancer in high school before it was off to collage). I work full time at a large insurance brokerage company. The dress code is business casual to business formal (with Friday jeans for charity donations).

I am PASSIONATE about my 3 dogs. I have 3 border collies (ages 15, 12 and 5) and almost all of our hobbies (competitive and performance canine disc, canine agility, and hiking) include our girls. I have to share pictures of them. I also work out to stay in shape and fit in my clothes. I have tons of regular and step aerobic tapes/DVD’s and a full set of weights in the basement.

http://i281.photobucket.com/al.....G_1970.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/al.....ltcrop.jpg

I met Angie several years ago when we were both on the community advisory board for Dress for Success Seattle, a non profit organization that helps low income women transition into the workplace with mentoring and interview appropriate clothing. Prior to meeting Angie I was pretty clueless about style and fashion. Oh, I knew when something looked good, but I didn’t necessarily know how to pick out the good items without trying a lot of the bad. I was also wearing the wrong size. It is amazing how many compliments I get now on my clothing – all from Angie’s influence!

I try to catch up on the blog and forum every few days. I lurk a lot and enjoy everyone’s comments. Everyone is so helpful!

Eva! Your pictures are beautiful! I've hugged, kissed and played with all your girls and they certainly keep you on your toes. Gorgeous!

I love the picture of your pups by the lake--that is a classic photo. Border Collies are some of my favorite dogs! It's so nice to meet someone who has them that puts them to "work" (I bet they LOVE it!).

Yay, another dog person! Your pups are adorable Eva. There's something about an intense BC face, isn't there? They're a little too much dog for me, but I always admire those who have them, especially when they use their talents.

Thank you! My baby girls are wonderful. The older 2 are retired, but the younger one (the white girl) is in her prime and loves agility and disc. She jumps beautifully - I am so proud of her.