Today’s Fashionable Friend Friday is fashion stylist Tina Broccole of Wardrobe Envy. Tina is a Greenwich CT based Wardrobe Stylist and radio personality who shares her take on style, trends, and curating the perfect closet. I recently had the best time on her podcast, The Fashion Department with Tina. I really wanted to get ask her some questions for you. So I sat down with her and we talked about everything fashion. Her podcast is a must-listen too. Click HERE to subscribe!

How do you determine a client’s personal style?

I sit down with each client and get to know their personality, lifestyle, needs, and wants. That combined with their body type and proportions shapes their style. 

Where would you search for clothes?

Boutiques, showrooms, department stores, retail chains, and online retailers 

How would you source rare items?

I would utilize international websites as well as vintage stores/sites

What would you do if a client insisted on purchasing an ill-fitting item?

Advise against it and offer other options but at the end of the day its the clients choice to wear what they feel best in

Which current trends would you incorporate into your clothing selections?

If I’m pulling for a client it’s not about trends, we try to focus on building a capsule collection with quality closet staples first and then layering in a few fun pieces according to their wish list. 

Are there any designers that are your go-to?

 Mostly designers with classic  tailored pieces, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Dior, Carolina Herrera

Tell us about the podcast.

The podcast is called The Fashion Department, My guests range from designers, to stylists, to influencers, to local shop owners. Together we discuss all the facets of the fashion industry including trends, street style, sustainability and the business of fashion

How do you find guests?

All of my guests are people that contribute to the fashion world in some way and have a clear understanding and appreciation for all aspects of the industry. 

What’s one item that everyone should have in their closet?

A classic coat

What is one item that everyone should get rid of in their closet?

 Anything that doesn’t make you feel fabulous 

When you shop in a boutique clothing store, the emphasis should be on quality versus quantity. That also includes your customer service experience. After all, shopping in a boutique is a large step up from shopping in a big box store. So, it’s not just about fashion. It’s also about the passion employees have for their jobs and how they support the customer.

If you’re a woman who enjoys shopping, you already know that your shopping habits are distinctly different from your boyfriend’s or husband’s. 

Blame it on evolution.

Men are different from women when it comes to shopping. 

That’s because women are the gatherers – they collect items to assess and analyze. They fill up their shopping carts – separating items as they go along. They also expect more from store employees when making selections.

Men, on the other hand, are hunters – they go after one item and buy it. While they naturally expect to be treated with courtesy, their expectations are still not the same. 

Because of a woman’s tendency to survey items carefully, they often require more information. Therefore, they frequently need more details. 

After all, no one wants to fall into a habit of compulsive buying – something that may happen if you’re not sure about your purchase but still feel compelled to buy it. 

Great customer service is marked by several factors. When you receive personalized support  and can easily find what you’re seeking, you may feel you’ve reached nirvana as a shopper. A knowledgeable employee who is friendly and helpful can make your shopping experience heavenly. 

Any assistance that is rendered promotes a more positive atmosphere. Indeed, politeness and courteousness can go a long way in making shoppers feel more confident and informed.

Factors that Prevent Shoppers from Returning to a Store

According to eMarketer, shoppers do not revisit stores where employees were rude, the store is disorganized, or an employee could not answer their questions. If they feel alienated during their shopping experience, they also won’t return for a visit.

An Exceptional Online Shopping Experience

When you boutique shop online, it’s important to shop at a well-organized and managed website. That means you should be able to find what you’re seeking according to:

• Price
• Material
• Size
• Color

You should also be able to shop under categories, such as “New Arrivals,” “Clothing,” “Dresses,” “Accessories,” and “Sale” items. These categories should be easily accessed from the home page.

Final Thoughts

Shopping is something that is both personal and a treat. That is why boutique shopping is trending nowadays. Be true to yourself when you shop. Make sure the service you receive is not only personalized, but also carefree.

This is for all my moms that write in with questions for tutors and help for their children. I found this article and really wanted to share it….I have been there so I feel your pain!!!! xx

Studying can take its toll on your sense of self-confidence, especially if you want to be a top student. This might be out of pride in your academic achievements, wanting to gain access to a lucrative career, or a desire to learn as much as you can about a particular subject. Whatever your reasons, becoming a top student is not an easy task. If you are looking for ways to make this a more straightforward process, take a look at these five tips.

1. Set Realistic Goals

While aiming high can lead to amazing success, it can also leave you feeling like a failure if you fall short of perfection. This is not a productive or sensible way of going about your studies. Instead, create a list of realistic goals that you can achieve by studying well. For example, becoming exceptionally rich within five years might not be a helpful goal, but if you want to study and start your own business, then you can break down the steps that will lead to this achievement in a clear and more doable way.

2. Identify Your Main Challenges

Not every student faces the same type of challenges. Figuring out what yours are will help you to overcome them. For example, you may have financial troubles or dyslexia that can get in the way of your studies. Pinpoint your specific challenges and outline the steps it will take to get to the other side. This might involve reaching out for help or learning new techniques.

3. Find Out the Requirements of Your Preferred Universities

If you are studying in preparation to apply for a university or other kind of further education, you will not only need to study extremely hard, but you will also have to research the various requirements of your chosen institutions. Even if you want to apply to the same program at different colleges, they might have different requirements for your qualifications ahead of being accepted. Check with Campus Reel what the requirements are so that you can realistically plan for your application. Once you know what is expected of the candidates, you will be in a better position to make yourself a desirable applicant. Use this knowledge to direct your studies accordingly.

4. Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Leaving important tasks to the last minute is a surefire way of causing yourself unnecessary stress and risking your grades. Pace yourself and be patient with the process.

5. Plan Your Studies

As mentioned already, top students rarely leave all their studies to the last minute. It takes preparation and thinking ahead to make the most of your potential as a student. At the beginning of the semester, gather all the resources you will need and keep them somewhere easily accessible. Create a study plan that encompasses various levels of time, such as the entire semester as well as a weekly and monthly plan. Creating this at the start and sticking to it will greatly help you to achieve your goal of being a top student.

I recently was introduced to the amazing new hair care line Danyelli Laurette created by Danielle Settembre. And I am hooked and you will be too….

Danyelli Laurette is a new line of hair created by Danielle Lauren Settembre, owner of Hair Saloon & Café in Scarsdale, and founded on the mission of taking good care of YOU. The team of amazingly strong women has forged the highest quality, all-natural ingredients to produce a line of organic hair and body care from a family-owned farm in upstate New York. Forget a lab, the team likes to use their creative abilities, and the earth’s natural plant-based ingredients picked right from a garden. Danyelli Laurette is paving the way for the hair and body industry for all working women so that you can do both. I recently sat down with the founder Danielle and asked her some questions about the line. I was so impressed. For more information or to order the products visit their website HERE.

What inspired you to start your own line?

Since opening my own salon ( hair saloon & cafe) I am creating a brand and will franchise one day and want to create high-quality products that go with the space 

What is your favorite product that you created?

 My favorites are my shampoo & conditioner bars which are eco-friendly and great to travel with. 

How often should you shampoo your hair?

I say twice a week depending on the quality of the product. Most people I know hair gets greasy and it’s mainly because of low-quality products filled with chemicals. Our brand is all organically grown ingredients with zero chemicals and safe for all color-treated hair 

Should you condition each time?

I always recommend conditioning with shampooing to ensure the hair stays moisturizer 

What order should we use products in?

Shampoo then conditioner 

The body bars are used to wash the body

What is the most important thing you can do for your hair?

The most important thing is not overwashing it, using heat protectants, and hydrating it with a great conditioner 

What is your best suggestion for thickening hair?

For thickening hair, I recommend using a volumizing shampoo/conditioning first as the foundation. Then using a styling tool such as a thickening spray or mouse 

What is your best suggestion for heat-damaged or dull-looking hair?

A conditioning masque once a week for 10 to 20 mins left in then rinse. Best for hair repair. 

How do you stop wasting products?

Use small amounts then adjust accordingly  

What is the one product you cannot live without for your hair?

I love my conditioner