Body Shape 101

The simplest way to determine your body shape is to get naked, examine yourself in the mirror, and decide which is wider: your shoulders, waist, or hips. Painful for most of us, yes; however, it's the key to deciphering which clothes are most balancing and therefore, flattering. 

These are tips I've found to be most helpful to clients.  We all have body shaping tricks up our sleeves, so feel free to chime-in at the comment box below.    


Apple

Wide shoulders, bust, and waist with smaller hips

What to wear...

• Tops: V-necks create a flattering torso line. The tunic is your friend as the relaxed cut glides over the middle without calling attention. Empire-waists work well as the waistline rests just below the bust, emphasizing a narrow rib cage and camouflaging the middle. The structured style of a shift or wrap dress helps slim the middle and accentuate the legs.
  
  

• Bottoms: Choose bootcut pants as they balance the volume up top. 
  
  

• Avoid: Skinny jeans and high-rise pants, belts, or anything that accentuates the middle.
  
  

Fellow Apples: Kate Winslet and Jennifer Hudson 

Pear

Smaller shoulders and bust with wider hips, butt, and thighs

What to wear...

• Tops: Structured tops play up the shoulders, which evens out the lower body's proportions. Boatneck tops broaden the shoulders to offset fuller hips.
  
  

• Bottoms: Wide-leg pants slenderize the thighs while creating a longer and slimmer silhouette. A-line skirts draw attention to your smaller waist.
  
  

• Avoid: Shapeless tops and skinny jeans
  
  

Fellow Pears:  Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Love Hewitt

Hourglass

Ample chest, narrow waist, and full hips

What to wear...

• Tops: V-neck tops flatter curves without exaggerating them. Tops that cinch at the waist highlight the proportionate waistline.

• Bottoms: High-waisted pants hit at the natural waistline, drawing the eye to a small waist. Wrap dresses create a diagonal movement across the body that is very slenderizing.

• Avoid: Shapeless or boxy styles

Fellow Hourglasses: Kim Kardashian and Scarlet Johansson

  

Rectangle

Shoulders and hips are basically equal in width; waist has little to no definition

What to wear...

• Tops: Asymmetrical necklines create a flattering angle. Sleeves soften the broad shoulders, making the waist look smaller in comparison. Fitted jackets create a waistline. 

• Bottoms: Boot-cut pants that are slim fitting at the hips and wider at the hem give the impression of all-around shapeliness. Flared skirts with a tapered waist give the illusion of an hourglass.

• Avoid: Anything too unstructured around the waist, like Empire-waist tops, as they portray complete shapelessness.

Fellow Rectangles: Cameron Diaz and Gwyneth Paltrow

Remember, there's no right or wrong shape. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I simply choose to believe we've all got it goin' on. 

*Images: Zinkata's Body Shape Sketch & Google 

E-Style

We're Moms, wives, employees, chauffeurs, maids, chefs, nurses, tutors, cheerleaders, counselors... and the list goes on and on.  We're managing so many lives, we hardly find time to brush our teeth much less create a little aesthetic happy in even one teensie-weensie corner of our world.  

Well Big Mommas (and the families who love you), you're on the verge of becoming very happy and very stylish... with very little effort.

Introducing Satori E-Style. 

When you need decor, wardrobe, or staging help and an in-person meeting simply will not fit into your schedule, or you live outside the Austin area, an 
E-Style online consultation is the ideal solution for you.

Habitat E-Style.  Simply photograph all four walls of the rooms to be styled, note which pieces will remain in the room, email any images from Pinterest or magazines that inspire you, and provide budget information for each of the pieces you wish to purchase. Following the submission of this information, you will receive a virtual style file with sourcing information. You may choose to shop for pieces and complete the project yourself or, if you live in the Austin area, you may utilize the many resources Satori has to offer (i.e. General Contractor, Painter, Window Treatment Specialist, Upholsterer, Handyman, and Landscaper). 

Below are examples of virtual style files. You will have the ability to click on each object to receive vendor and pricing information.

  

Wardrobe E-Style.  Simply email a full length photo of yourself in your favorite outfit(s). Note your current top, bottom, and shoe sizes, and your budget for each new piece you would like to incorporate into your wardrobe. Including images that inspire you is always helpful. If you are unsure about garments to donate or consign, please include photos of these items, as well. Following the submission of this information, you will receive an invitation to your very own Satori Pinterest board which will include images and sourcing information based upon your specific style. Shopping has never been so easy.

Below are examples of wardrobe coordinates that may be found on your personalized Pinterest board. You will have the ability to click on the image to receive vendor and pricing information.

E-Staging.  This is the ideal solution for Realtors and homeowners. Simply photograph the exterior entry, all four walls of each room to be staged, the back yard, and garage. Following the submission of this information, you will receive a virtual staging file with instructions for improvements and sourcing information (if applicable). You may choose to complete the project yourself or, if you live in the Austin area,  you may enlist help from the Satori partnered resources (i.e. General Contractor, Painter, Window Treatment Specialist, Upholsterer, Handyman, and Landscaper).

E-Gift Certificate.  Giving the gift of stylistic happiness has never been more convenient. Whether your special someone needs a little decor or wardrobe love, Satori provides the gift of aesthetic happy that truly keeps giving.

...You know, Salary.com calculates the average Mom should be compensated approximately $100K/yr. for her maternal responsibilities. With this in mind, I see no harm nor foul in forwarding this little nugget of 
E-Styling information to the family members who want to give you the best on your special day. -Jus' sayin'.

Happy Mother's Day!

*Sources: Pinterest & Salary.com

Painterest

Paint is the most inexpensive way to spruce things up. But, it can be extremely intimidating.  The color you see on that small piece of paper you pick up at Lowe's will look nothing like the color it portrays on your walls.  Repeat after me:  Sample boards are your friend.  Move them around the room and check them out during different times of the day when the light is shifting. Sample boards provide a much better portrayal than painting a square on the wall.

Meanwhile, here are a few faves to help kickstart your search.  

Front Doors.

Red is the color most clients want to paint their front door.  Although it can work, it can look dated.  If your heart is set on red, here's a good option...

Depending on the exterior color of your home, I vote for black/charcoal.  Black creates an entry-guing, dramatic statement.

For those funky central Austin bungalows, green is the way to go.  Come on, don't be scared.

Interior Rooms.

Now, let's open that front door and explore the interior.  A tried and true way to select interior colors is to determine which direction the room faces.  -Fun little feng shui trick.

Now for the NOW colors in every imaginable hue...

Grays.  

Neutrals.

Browns.

Reds.

Oranges.

Yellows.

Greens.

Blues.

Purples.

Pinks.

Color selection is part of my day job, so feel free to schedule some Satori time for assistance.  In most cases, we can select colors for multiple rooms in an hour.  Remember:  Always test drive your selections before investing your money.  Don't paint swatches directly on the wall; instead, paint sample boards that you can move around the room and examine during different times of the day when the light is shifting.  ...And I'm partnered with fantastic painters who charge well below industry standard and have a proven 100% client satisfaction track record. -Don't go it alone; we're here for ya.

*Images: House Beautiful

SoulSpace

Do you know Xorin Balbes?  Oh my gosh, I didn't either until I recently read Susan Casey's Home, Sweet! Home interview in O Magazine.  This dude's book, SoulSpace, is engaging, compassionate, and uber-thought provoking.  -An absolute soulful must read.

Balbes, a celebrated designer, believes that making your home a nurturing reflection of your inner self is not only possible for anyone, it's imperative. To create your own soul space, follow Balbes's eight steps (...and buy the book ...and schedule some time with me... I'm shameless):

Assess.
Take inventory of your home to determine what you love and what's merely taking up space. Which rooms make you feel most comfortable? Is there a room you never use? Are there items in your home that no longer reflect who you are? Keep on eye out for hidden inspiration. "Often our deepest, truest style is represented by a single object in our home."

Release.
Separate what to keep from what to sell, donate, or toss. Let go of anything collecting dust (this includes garages and attics). Let go of anything that dredges up unpleasant emotions, even if the item is expensive. Let go of anything that is outdated, damaged, or uncomfortable. "Get rid of all that weight and set yourself free." 

Cleanse.
Break out the vacuum, replace filters and lightbulbs, rotate your mattress, etc. Nurture your home.

Dream.
Who are you and who do you want to become? Allow yourself to experience new things. Get inspired by checking out new neighborhoods and restaurants. Create a vision board by tearing out magazine images that inspire you.

Discover.
Bring those dreams to life. Let your imagination lead the way.

Create.
Make your home yours. Rearrange your furniture. Paint. Hang a chandelier. Now's the time.

Elevate.
Add some fresh flowers, music, and a spritz of an appealing scent. These are uplifting elements.

Celebrate.
"For some people the soul space process might take years to fully express," Balbes says. "But if you can even start it, you're beginning to connect with your true essence." 

I can't begin to express how often I meet with a new client who wants change, hires me to make those changes, then tells me they dislike certain pieces, but 'can't get rid of them because...' It's frustrating for me, but most importantly, it's a self defeating barrier between them and the home of their dreams.  

This is about how you think, feel, and sense the world. Declutter, refresh, and enhance your habitat -- all the while transforming your soul.  

*Images: Lumeria, Photographer Chris Craymer