Category Archives: Key to My Style

Sharing an insight of how I work on my own style.

Key to Her Style, Key to My Style

Key to wearing leggings

Hello lovely ladies,

I feel like this may be very relevant to all us mommies out there.

I personally have loved leggings since I was little. Apparently I loved them more than anything else since I was walking. My mom wanted nothing else but to have me wear dresses, yet I had a different idea (having two older boys already, she said she made dresses for me herself,  I don’t blame her for being a bit disappointing and I am starting to feel her pain since my 3 year old has a mind on his own with the choice of clothes, sometimes beyond ridiculous). Anyway, back to leggings, why do we love them so much? COMFORT! no questions about it. I used to own all sorts of patterned leggings. I used to didn’t think in terms of an outfit though, I just liked things, and I wore them.

I still love what I wear but find it much easier to put things together since I DO think of the whole outfit. I plan before I shop and that helps hugely. I now also own only couple of pairs of leggings and don’t seem to grab them as much as I used to.

Don’t take me wrong, there is nothing wrong with leggings but there is a rule to wearing them that a lot of ladies seem to ignore, the rule is, they are a ‘substitute’ to tights not to pants. What that means is that anything that we wear with them should be covering the bum area. Unless you are working out, your leggings are not for showing your hips off. If you really need to do that, grab skinny jeans please.

There is really countless ways of wearing leggings, that is flattering, but also in line with a dress code.

Here is at least a few that I put together one afternoon to show you that you can even go day to night with leggings.

 

This is something you can wear to a lunch date with girlfriends as well as cinema date with your husband; date to night.

 

Same here, this is so easy to wear and comfortable but because you swapped your cotton leggings for sequin ones, you can wear this even to an evening out and feel fab.

 

This is one of my favourites. Add a classic white shirt to your leggings and layer it with a cosy vest, accessories will do all the talking.

 

This is very much similar, just make sure to keep the vest on. If you were to take it off, your shirt needs to be covering your hips.

 

Again, this is simply swapping your black tights this season for some sparkly leggings to dress the outfit up a little.

 

For a super simple combo, and for those of you who love a tee and leggings set, make the tee long, add metallic flats and a cute hat to make the whole look a little more interesting.

 

Let me finish with the simplest possible way to wear leggings; tee, leggings and trainers, I like to add a little colour here, since the rest was black to start with, but you can do your converse here too, as long as the tee is long enough to cover what needs to be covered again. Simply finish the look by putting the denim jacket on and voila!

It really takes 5 minutes to plan the outfit so that you can be comfy but look stylish. Have fun with it ladies.

Love,

Gosia

Key to Her Style, Key to My Style

Key to rocking the trend -all red

RED TO TOE

Although colours are only one facet of a garments design, colour is usually the first thing to attract us to clothing. The more you know about colour and how it compliments your unique features, the more fun you can have with it (not to mention the obvious; the way you will blossom ;))

I have gone through high street shops for you ladies. As you may notice yourselves, red plays a great part this season and you can all rock it. True red is a colour that we can all wear well, no matter what skin tone.

This autumn, if you are feeling brave you can even go ‘red to toe’ and let it make you fell and look fabulous. However, if you are new to red and would rather start with a little sample of if you can do it by:

  • adding red earnings to otherwise neutral outfit,
  • adding slightly bigger accessory (or two) such as belt, shoes or a statement necklace,
  • popping  a red lip on (one of my personal favorite mood boosters ;)),
  • getting a red shirt and rocking it ass opposed to a white one at times,
  • wearing a little red dress (you cannot go wrong with getting one),
  • getting a red coat (only if that’s you and you know you will be able to wear it often).

If terms of wearing those pieces often, remember that they will be very memorable and wearing them day by day may not be an option, black or neutral coat for example may be a better investment and you can wear it daily.

To know how to add a touch of colour to otherwise natural or black outfit, I am inviting you to check out my post on ‘Key to wearing black’.

It is great staying on top of the trends but remember that they come and go and if you are investing in pieces, be sure to have their versatility in mind.

My personal opinion is that every woman should at least try a red lip, so I’d start there however if the colour is not new to you go brave, go big and rock it.

Here is a little photo gallery from my recent trip to the shops. As you see, there’s no way you’d miss the red 😉

Karren Millen

Next

Monsoon

New Look

Dorothy Perkins

It is very interesting how shops suggest colour coordinating to us. Be aware of it and know your best way to wearing it. It is all driven by latest trends of course but on top of that I have noticed that the placement of the pieces created perfect colour combos for particular skin tones. You may get an inspiration if you are an autumn skin tone looking at the placement of the garments in Next (first three pictures), winter skin tone in Monsoon and Karren Millen or winter/summer skin tone in New Look.

I love getting inspired by watching it all but please remember to always have your own features in mind and do not let shop’s beautiful display stir you away from that.

Have an amazing day ladies.

Love,

Gosia

Key to Her Style, Key to My Style

Key to wearing black

2 Comments

So autumn is here. How are you all feeling about it in terms of your style? I personally love the leyers, boots, thicker textures and all the fun I can have with it. It can be challenging though. The shops will now be filled with earthy colours and as fun as it may seem it is not a complimenting option for all of us. Only some of us can wear it well (me excluding). With that in mind a lot of us will want to stick or turn to black. A lot of ladies turn to it as it tends to make one feel slimmer, smarter and possibly more powerful. However the season tones recommend only winter tones individuals wear the colour black.

With that in mind I put together few tips on how to successfully wear black (because we can’t all give it up).

  • Black looks its absolute best when worn with one or combination of neutral tones (e.g. white, grey, cream, tan, gold, silver, bronze or brown).

 

 

  • When wearing black with a colour, be sure to add another neutral tone to the ensemble – it looks less dated that way.

  • It isn’t easy to look good in black when worn from head to toe, but it can be done. Make sure that each item of outfit is of a different texture. The trick is to “add dimension” and avoid ” looking flat”.

 

  • Black items need to be very black! As soon as they start to lose their colour – the overall flattering effect is lost. To avoid them fading to fast, wash them in very low temperature, away from different colours.

  • Refrain from wearing black all the time. It has the power to “drain” one’s appearance. Remember to alternate with other colours that suit your skin tone.

 

Above all, make sure you feel comfortable in it and that it represents who you are. Get inspired by others but make it your own.

Here is to a sunny and memorable week.

Love,

Gosia

Key to Her Style, Key to My Style

Key to me – my passion

I am the best stylist I can be today. I will be better tomorrow. I will never be perfect. I am happy to learn for and from my clients. I get inspired for and by them. I put together ideas, outfits and ways to live a live when they love their style so that they can grasp the life they dream of.

Money is not an issue. Never. I can make you shine like a star, regardless of your budget. You will love the colours of your rainbow and let others love theirs.

I have only this life and it blossoms because I could not be more excited to share it with you. Your goals are my goals.

Your style is important. It is the clothes, it is you shoes, your hair, your make up, your accessories and your posture.

Your style then is your walk, your talk, your dance, your relationships, your job and your hobbies, it is your routines, your attitude and your approach to today and to tomorrow….. .

 

Key to My Style

Key to my happiness

6 Comments

 

 

There is no key…. there isn’t. The key is me. I lost the awareness of it for a while. First time, when I finally had a life that I love. When my marriage was finally on the track that I envisioned, meaning kids. I got so happy that I remember telling my husband that I am so content that even if we stay in the flat that we are in at the moment for many more years, I am happy and will be. I couldn’t wait to see his smile and approval. I did not see it though. Instead I saw disappointment. ‘Are you kidding me’ He said…. It took me a while to understand that it does not mean that he isn’t as happy as I am, and it does not mean that he is embarrassed to live where we do. It simply means that he wants better for us and our family. So I got so confused with the whole happiness and for a while I stayed that way.

I recently suffered another miscarriage. I lost a boy that is, second boy to be exact. When we lost Zac (first miscarriage) I was fully and utterly devoted to sadness and ‘blameness’, so much so that I opened myself to hearing it and accepting it from others. So much so that all I was telling myself was that ‘I lost a baby’, ‘I am not pregnant’, ‘Everyone else is pregnant or getting pregnant’ , ‘Everyone else has two or more children and they are not even trying’.

The game of comparison is our unique and tailor made hell. There is no escape. The is no help. No matter how hard we try we loose. I was loosing.  Don’t take me wrong when that happened, Ben our first born was just over one year old and not only he kept me alive, he healed me daily too and I was also happy.

But I know now, and I finally feel it and get it, after loosing Gabriel (our second loss), that I cannot rely on my children, number of years between them, their health or their moods to make me happy. I cannot control any of that fully and it is simply not fair to depend on my children to make mama happy. That’s bullshit! I need to keep ‘my cup full’ and overflowing to share the happiness and make the best use of my talents and blessings to keep my family well.

There is one thing I always used to say as a little girl. I’d say ‘I am always happy, I just have bad days sometimes’. I don’t think I fully understood it then but I felt it and isn’t that the key? Feeling the life as opposed to overthinking it? It surely doesn’t serve me well when I do that. When I do that, I let fear decide and I focus on obstacles instead of being driven to grow.

So today, my message to self is, feel it girl, whatever you trying to think and overthink, drop it, step outside, dream it and dance your life like no one is watching. I have tangibly felt how fragile life is. It didn’t happen when I was ready and nothing else will. I can live a life that I desire today and today I do.

No matter what people tell me, I smile, I put make up on, I dress up, I have fun, I cry, I sing, I share my story and I heal. I don’t care about what is appropriate and what ‘should’ be done now. I am HAPPY and I always will.

Here is to crazy happy today.

I wish all of you bad days, good days, crazy days, fun filled ones and happy life.

Here are few of my very good days ;))

 

 

 

 

Love,

Gosia

Key to My Style

Key to getting inspired as opposed to coping looks

I have never understood the idea of ‘I need this dress’ when seeing someone looking amazing in theirs. I mean I have been in love with looks and still get the feeling but I don’t see the point in getting the very outfit someone else is rocking.

If it is one piece e.g. dress, jumpsuit, coat that I am feeling in love with and I feel that it is something that I could wear too, I wonder whether I already have something similar. If not I may shop for something similar, never really the same thing though.

If it’s an outfit that I feel drawn to, I wonder is the whole look something that could work with my body and skin tone, is it a detail in the outfit or is it the colours that I noticed? Then I let myself get INSPIRED. I go through my clothes and make it MINE. Sometimes it will look very similar to the inspiration, other times it won’t. It is super fun and it makes me realize that there really is always something to wear. You can do it by browsing through magazines or internet. I find Pintrest being the easiest lately. It’s so easy and fun making style boards, or any boards really.

I am sharing with you 4 different looks I put together this afternoon, it took 10 minutes. It really is that simple and helps you plan for shopping, you’ll spend less too 😉

I saw this and knew I have a simple grey t-shirt and this awesome turquoise necklace and here it is.

Here is another simple combo, I saw this and knew straight away that I can have the look with my top and skirt but added different accessories.

That’s when I reached for my shorts that I usually pair with a tank top. Love this idea of having it with a white shirt and a pop of colour heel.

This is when I got reminded to add belt to denim shorts. Also loved the idea of a statement necklace. Win win ;))

So please, next time you see someone wearing something you love, compliment them but stay yourself, if you must, get the same dress but in a different colour. Another thing you’ll avoid too is the game of comparison.

I hope that no matter what you are wearing today, you are loving it.

Love yourself and love your style.

Gosia,  xxx

Key to My Style

Key to My Happiness – banning the perfect and embracing the fabulous(ly) happy

I am sharing with you some pics from a date I had with my little gentleman.

It kind of started with a dress I recently bought. I was on a hunt for some old school dresses the other day and there is no better place for that than a second hand shops. I did it again. I found my treasure. This time it was nothing like any other dress I found before. I mean I have had pretty dresses in my life but there is something magical about this one. It makes me feel like a star but most importantly I feel like I can travel in time. Every time I put it on I wonder who, when, where rocked it before. I also wonder that my gran, who I never met, could have worn it……

 

 

 

I guess my point here is, that if you feel like to have a style that you love and to be able to embrace your life, you need a lot of money, think again. I am a great believer in being resourceful and in having fun. I do both and love my style. I am also here for you if you’d like that in your life.

I do not believe in perfection, nobody is perfect (I mean, my son is pretty perfect to me but you know what I mean). I found a great comfort in realizing that and falling in love in my imperfections and embracing them.

 

I do not have a well defined waist, but this dress fakes it so magically for me that I am barely breathing ;)). I have pretty funny toes and up until couple of months ago I would always feel awkward when wearing sandals and any open toe shoe; in fact I’d apologies to people that needed to watch that (yes, really!). But something inside me has changed and it’s actually my boys that I have to thank for helping me love and allow myself to be the way I am.

I am no longer apologizing for whatever I am not. I am happy and grateful to be alive and for having those fabulous moments, like this one 😉

This dress, that cost me no more than £4 has given me so much joy and excitement and I couldn’t wait to wear it. I love that the first time I rocked it was on a date with my little dude. I mean, just look at him…. my daily dose of inspiration.

 

 

Have a fabulous day everyone, pull that £10 out of your pocket and go wild next time you pass by the charity shop, you might surprise yourself too and remember to live your sparkle.

Love,

Gosia

Key to My Style

Key to Versatility of Boyfriend Jeans

Hello fabulous ladies and few great men ;))

I’m so happy to be sharing this post. The following are the 5 ways I like wearing boyfriend jeans. I looove this cut of jeans. The are flattering for most body types and super comfortable.

It is not only 5 ways to wear but also things you may wear in your first trimester of pregnancy. On these pictures I was exactly 12 weeks pregnant and fully going for comfort but at the same time liking to feel and look pretty ;)) This is the stage of pregnancy when most women still keep the pregnancy within the family and the closest friends and may not be going for bump exposure just yet 😉 Those jeans are pretty low rise so were perfect for the first 3-4 months. This was last time I wore them though as bump was just making appearance and lack of stretch in this type of denim stopped serving the purpose.

Back to ways to wear however, I am sharing with you the smart/casual as well as super casual and comfy. All the options are at most comfortable I must say. The block sandals I bought just before the photo shoot are amazing and can be worn with pretty much anything, pregnant or not.

This is very simple combo. Black sleeveless top, jeans, block sandals and all I added was jacket and scarf to give it all more colour (oh and my fave pair of glasses ;)) I love wearing jeans folded in all sorts of ways. Here I made them into 7/8 (one of the most popular length for pants at the moment).

 

 

 

 

 

For this one I simply swapped the jacket for a gingham style coat and a little clutch (much more subtle on colour, still cool smart/casual option).

 

 

 

This is super casual but I am breaking the typical T and jeans combo by making it blossom with flowers. What you think? I love putting sneakers on with shirts, fancy tops and even flowery skirts and dresses. I folded the jeans up a little higher to go with my ankle sneakers.

 

 

 

 

I just had to have a ‘dress over pants’ option here. So big season again and just so cool and practical. If you feel your dress is too short or you’re simply too cold, or for any other reason that leads to you feeling happy and fab, do it!

 

 

Shirt, jeans and a fave heel, enough said.

 

 

As per usual share your thought please. What do you think? What else would you add? What should we shoot next. Do you need advise in any aspect of styling? Message me here or go to my Facebook or Instagram pages.

www.instagram.com/gosiawillemse_personalstylist/

www.facebook.com/malgorzata.glowawillemse

Thank you Justyna for another amazing shoot and the most gorgeous pictures. Everyone, please check out the page www.facebook.com/jkphotograhyaberdeen/

Have a fabulous week all and shine bright.

Love,

Gosia

Key to My Style

Key to Fun In My Style

Hey my dearest. Hope you love what you are wearing as you are reading this. I hope you are wearing some of your faves and looking as amazing as you deserve. Would love to hear from you or maybe even see. Let me get inspired.

I had a pleasure to have some fun recently with JK Photography again, this time is was a studio photo shoot. I would lie is I said that I’m natural. Nothing further from the true. I have just discovered another area of my life full of room for improvement. Well, will have to be done right 😉

This was a great experience overall. I got to wear few of my new pieces and few almost vintage. I absolutely love mixing old with new. I had recent trends in mind with this one but also tried to stay true with myself and my style.

 

 

 

This is my faaaaaaave coat. I got it last year and everyone who knows me has probably seen me wearing it, all the time. You can probably see it’s been worn and I’m going to need to part with it at some stage but not yet. It looks good and makes me feel awesome so you’re staying buddy ;)) .

Jeans, we all have them right. At least I hope you do as this must be the easiest thing to wear with anything. Next time you shop for a pair, pay a little bit extra and buy the ones that compliment your body perfectly. You will be grateful. If you need advise on that, email me.

I added fishnet stockings under the jeans. Try it out this season and see if you like it. If you do, rock it, if you don’t, stop it.

 

 

 

Now this is what I call a treat. I have been wanting and needing a hat for a while now and now this is a new addition to my wardrobe. So versatile and I will be wearing is whenever the wind doesn’t blow with more than 15 m/h (anyone up North here with me knows what I’m saying ;))

That big shoulder top I am wearing was ‘a little’ out of my comfort zone but it spend way to long in my wardrobe and it was time. Perfect for a shoot. May work out couple of more things to pair it with. If I don’t within a month, it will need to find a new owner 😉

 

 

 

Poncho, so easy to wear or should I say through over your shoulders. I love this one for its colours and texture but it is missing a belt at times so I added a simple leather belt in black to keep it in place. I actually got this one at men’s department. I was so much easier to find a plain one made of great leather as opposed to going through all the multicoloured, fancy ones at ladies. Just like petite ladies can shop at kids department, we can all check out men’s wear sometimes (thinking shirts and jumpers here ;))

 

 

Now here’s an outfit I love but I have come to realization it is not perfect. Don’t take me wrong I am all for ‘as long as it makes you happy, wear it’ but I realized it doesn’t. That is why I am giving this skirt away. I love the ruffled top and it is staying but the skirt will be perfect for a lady with a defined waist. It is super comfortable and has pockets which I love but I will love it if it will serve someone else. If I get no response on this I will simply give it away to charity. We had a good run but it is time my dear ;)) (email me if you’d like it and im happy to give it to you).

 

As always please comment and share your thought about the post. Let me know what you bought recently and how you put together new and old. What are your absolute faves and how are you treating yourself this season.

Live your sparkle lovely ladies and until next time.

Gosia

xxx

Key to My Style

Key to my shopping joy

Hello ;)))

Have you ever struggled with shopping for yourself? I know I have. If you did too, I hope you will find this useful. I am sharing with you how I get ready for shopping and updating my wardrobe in line with most recent trends as well as with my personality and my body.

One of the things we all do in one way or another is looking through a lot of pictures that the fashion world bombards us with from every angle possible. Even if you don’t buy magazines any more (or you never have), even if you don’t watch it online, you will still be surrounded by it (at a supermarket, at a shopping mall, driving around town the, billboards are almost walking all over us… we don’t even need to realize that but it is true). It takes a little work but it is worth it to get a little more familiar with all these messages and TAKE CONTROL! ;))

STEP ONE

One of the things I do and have fun with is making inspiration boards. In terms of clothes I do one and update it regularly. There are things that I absolutely love, that are classic and timeless and they may stay on my board for a long time, but others will come and go or come and stay.

So, whether you do it on the Pinterest, using your phone and make it into collage or the old school way, give it a go and have fun. Pin or cut out images from recent magazines that inspire you and that you like, even things that may be out of your comfort zone. My eye is always primarily attracted to things that I see myself wearing and maybe even know what I would pair it with. I look at all the images and absorb it for a moment.

STEP TWO

I go into my wardrobe and check what is it that I already have that is relevant. I take it out and have a little fun. See how can I make it current. Sometimes accessories may be enough. Sometimes adding a new/different colour and creating a completely new outfit that you have not tried before will make it relevant. You may find you are so on trend that you really don’t need the shopping any more (why not treat yourself to spa as a reward for being so organised ;)) if you decide you still need a little update, have yourself, not the trend in mind at all times!

STEP THREE

I CHALLENGE myself to something new and out of my comfort zone. For example, this season is huge on pink. ALL PINK, that’s a colour that I have grown to love now but I have so far been ‘doing it’ in small doses. Now, this season is about going pink from head to toe. First question is, what is my shade of pink? Can i do pink at all? The answer to most skin tones will be yes but it is important to wear the relevant shade and to pair it right. You can see that pink in most cases in pretty cool (cold). Pair it with violet for winter skin tone, pink with baby pink or baby blue (summer), pink with orange or brown(autumn), pink with yellow or green (ish) tones (spring). These are just examples but I hope you get an idea. I dare myself to try this as a dose of crazy and out of my comfort zone this season but it will probably not become my uniform. That is why I am not planing on spending a lot of money on this part of the trend.

 

STEP FOUR

In terms of CLASSICS. Trench coat is back. Has it ever been gone really? Now, this is a piece that everyone can make their own and it is more than worth investing in. It comes in many shades and can be styles in many ways. They usually come in camel and sand but who said you can’t get one in pink or brown. As long as this is YOU. Go for it. So this step for me is all about the the investment buy, possibly the most important point on the list if I don’t already own one.

STEP FIVE

Another things you may wish to add to your wardrobe and your vocabulary is LSD (long-sleeve DRESS that is).  Oh how relevant for all of us in UK this is? I looooove this. I have few already and I am so excited for updating them. Choose from patchworks, animal print or punchy florals and make it you own. For now, leyer a roll neck underneath and add knee high boots or uncle boots for a mini version and feel fabulous. With ruffles being back and fun again you may be rocking two trends at once if you like too.

 

Bare shoulders are still in and relevant but now it’s all about asymmetry. Again, remember to see what you already have or how can you style a shirt or a jumper and wear it differently this season. Let the trends inspire you to wear what you have differently and make a list of what is missing and what will make you excited about getting dressed and looking you best.

 

STEP SIX

Yes, I said MAKE A LIST. Believe me I am not a natural planner and this did take a while for me to absorb but it makes my life easier, it is better for my budget and it actually adds to fun. I am back from my shopping trips with things I wear and love, every time. Points to remember when you are shopping:

  • stick to the list (there will be things you haven’t seen before and you will fall in love ( no you don’t NEED them! )
  • think if you can wear it at least 3 different ways (unless you are shopping for a wedding dress)
  • if you are buying a top that will go with the skirt you already have (take the skirt with you), if you are shopping for a dress take heels with you (your posture changes)
  • try EVERYTHING on
  • ask for assistance, try different sizes (don’t stick to one number even if you have all your life, they change, you change, and new styles may also effect the overall shape of the garments and most importantly of your silhouette in them
  • take a friends that understands what you like, what you are looking for, what compliments your body shape and your skin tone, how you wish to be perceived and genuinely wants you to look amazing
  • take pictures (or have your friends take them, these mirrors and lighting in fitting room are not our best friend)
  • move about (make a little dance even)
  • enjoy the proccess
  • once you are happy and absolutely LOVE IT, then spend your hard working money on it.

 

Now, I would love to hear from you on how you get ready for new season, how you update your style and how you shop. Please be critical of everything you are told. Don’t take everything you see and hear as a fact. Check out different sources. You don’t need to like everything that is new. You actually shouldn’t, plus it isn’t really new. The trends come and go but your style can last a lifetime. What you are wearing needs to represent who you are, how you want the world to see you, it should compliment your body shape and skin tone and lastly you should be considering trends. It is fun and I enjoy the the new in my evolving style (in small doses, a little at the time) but if you have it all figured and feel like you would rather stay there and you are happy, I respect that.

Let me know if you found it helpful and what would you like me to share next. I have only touched on some of the newest trends as I try to keep the posts at certain length but I would be more than happy to elaborate if anyone wishes. Please leave a comment below.

Also don’t hesitate to contact me directly if you need more personal advise (then drop me an e-mail to gosia.willemse@keytome.co.uk)

 

With Love,

Gosia