The sweltering Oklahoma heat is already at 90+ degrees, meaning you are perspiring minutes after you get out of the shower and full out drenched in bodily fluids the second you walk outside, complete with frizz hair and an oilified face.

But…how HOT are you? I’m not talking Fahrenheit or Celsius either. Do you know what’s hot this season and what’s not? Do you even care? If you don’t, you should and I’ll tell you why. As seemingly superficial as some people think fashion and personal style is or can be; I have a different philosophy. I believe in lifestyle dressing within a budget that your busy life will allow, especially with fuel prices and college tuition going through the roof. If you are a stay-at-home mom (the hardest, lowest paying and least appreciated career of all…you teachers come in second), a soccer mom, executive, entrepreneur or artist, it can be done. You can look “put together” all of the time with just a small investment of time and energy.

Time + Energy = Results!

What kind of first impression do you want to make? How do you want the world to portray you? Do you want to feel different on the inside? I am not saying style is paramount to spirituality, religion or overall well-being. Perhaps that is just an illusion thereof. Most people know that happiness and fulfillment are inside tasks. Filling yourself up with material things, most of the time, creates shame and guilt, like impulse buying. If you are unsure about something, don’t buy it. Put it on hold. If you are still thinking about that same item the next day or for many days ahead, then purchase it. Feeling good is also an outside task. How you define your style CAN change the way you feel on the inside. Fashion make-overs ARE life -changing. Skeptical? I have many testimonials to prove it. Try it. If you are unhappy with the results, you can always go back to baggy tee’s, jeans that are outdated and either too big or too short and Nike’s. Or, better yet, continue wearing the all black that you insist is slimming.

To prove this concept, I am offering a complimentary fashion consultation, complete with one-on-one dressing room set up (by appt). This service is offered after hours, which saves you time and energy that you shouldn’t have to part with. For people braving the fast-paced lifestyle, curbside, home pick-up and deliveries are available as well.

Every body type can wear any style or design. You just have to know how to dress for your body type, what separates to put together and in what ways to pull it in and pop color. The most important catch is the “BIG A.” ACCESSORIES! … The ultimate key to affordability while staying with the up-to-the-minute seasonal trends.

What’s HOT and what’s NOT: Your T-Town Summer Style Guide

COLOR, COLOR, COLOR! Please…push the black to the back! If you insist on wearing it, be sure to pop it with a pattern, metallic or bright hue of some sort. Yes, we all need the perfect lil’ black dress, but save it for a black tie event or a funeral: or better yet, when you’re dead.

Let’s talk trends of the season, starting from the bottom and working our way up.

Shoes:
Try a platform with a raffia or wooden heel in metallic or snakeskin. Square-heeled but more refined and streamlined heels (much more comfortable than the stiletto) with a rounded but slightly squared off toe and buckle, accents in pucci prints or bright colors are also a must. Think Gladiation, with gold and silver flats adorned with crystals and jewels. Want comfort? Kelley green flats with gold buckles and chains make the hit list. If you want the newest trend yet to hit T Town, it’s the platform with heel cut outs…coming soon.

Separates/Denim:
Hi-waisted denim and trousers belted or not, are at the top of the list. Fold them down with a wide woven belt underneath (for us short-waisted girls). This new trend should be paired with a tight-fitted, tucked in tank layered or worn out and belted. The other option is the new shrunken blouse, very Audrey, complete with tie neck, lots of buttons and smocked at the waist. In patterns or in sheer silks, muted pinks and grays or bright mod prints. Good in the leg dept.? Short shorts, wide-leg capris and rolled embellished shorts in denim colors or light weight cotton complete the list.

Dresses:
Probably the most in thing this season! Short, banded, in patterns of plaid or polka dot increase the list. The comeback trend is long dresses…patterned or plain (not black). Complete with necklace-like halter. Try in plum, orange or fuchsia.

Headwear/Handbags:
Time to do away with the blacks and browns where purses are concerned. POP THE COLOR, obviously I have mentioned this enough (trying to drill it in). Metallics and patterns are the way to go. Headwear is here to stay, and transitioning into fall as well as fingerless gloves and other trends we will talk about when the season is ripe.

So if you are stuck in your little fashion box or are somewhat style-deficient, then wake-up and re-create yourself! It doesn’t take much either. Help is out there…and complimentary at that. You have nothing to lose and only self-confidence to gain!

_______________________________________

Kim Abdo
Isabellas
Fashion Stylist, fashion guru@peoplepc.com
918.406.1911(by appt.)
918-744-9100 – Isabellas@peoplepc.com
35th St. off Peoria
www.Isabellastulsaworld.com

SPEXTON, SPEXTON, SPEXTON

There is the most fabulous niche downtown on 2nd and Lansing, across from Tiny Lounge called Spexton Jewelry. If you are looking for high-end designs in stainless steel jewelry, check out this hip finery.

The two owners and operators, Nate McPherson and Greg Shelton, have a cosmic display of chic jewelry in their trendy studio downtown. Greg, the manufacturer, designs bracelets, rings and necklaces out of industrial and precious metals such as sterling silver, 22k gold, titanium, stainless steel and copper. Other elements that make these adornments fantastic are rubber and diamonds …lots and lots of diamonds.

McPherson, the sales and marketing guru, said, “What’s unique about our jewelry is that each piece is totally individually hand-carved and produced, whether the design is the same or not.” Shelton creates each item single-handedly with manual tools.

Spexton’s Jewelry was a hot item worn in February. 2007 New York Fashion Week in Designer Carmen Marc Valvo’s collection. After Fashion Week, the Spexton boys have received nothing but bigger news. McPherson has said to expect great things from Spexton. “Spexton is a big, giant ball of potential.”

Boutiques around the area such as Miss Jackson’s, Chrome, Dwelling Spaces and Silver Queen in Park City, Utah have carried the Spexton line.

Most attention for Spexton is currently generated by their website. Within the hour that I visited the chic studio, website hits from Tulsa, Virginia, Colorado, Georgia and Atlanta were coming in. However, their biggest clientele is primarily Oklahomans, followed aggressively by Cali, New York, then Texas. France is the biggest consumer outside of the U.S.

McPherson and Shelton attribute all of their success to their customers, which they describe as wonderfully unique. “We have a strong lesbian clientele,” said McPherson. “It’s super special.”

If you are interested in Tulsa’s finest, exclusive jewelry line, visit Spexton Jewelry studio or check out www.spexton.com. You must hurry, these commodities are hot… and I’m talking about the jewelry!