She'll love these beautiful gifts and you'll love the price! 

These gorgeous glass teardrop earrings with hand-painted gold borders are from JulRe Designs 
and only $17.00!
Sorrelli crystal cocktail rings are fun and oh so reasonably priced at just $23.99! From Nordstrom

This Nine West gold watch from Zappos only looks expensive and at just $49.00 it makes a fabulous gift!
Give her the gift of style with a thirty minute wardrobe consultation with "moi" via phone. She'll receive tips for dressing her body type, places to shop, and ideas for putting gorgeous outfits together. $50.00
Susan Kanoff

LOVE this metallic bag from J C Penney for  just $45.00! It's the perfect accent piece to any outfit.

Dress from Ann Taylor Loft, boots Calvin Klein and necklace on the Macy's clearance table for $8.00!

I've had a lot of requests for outfit ideas so here we go...
Someone asked me what color tights and boots to wear with a navy dress. There are a bunch of options---nude leg with brown, black, camel or stone boots. However I like gray tights with gray boots. What do you think?

I had so much fun filming a style segment with NECN this fall!

I'm not too good at taking self-portraits with my phone, but I want you to check out this Alpaca sweater by Gap. I can't find it online but it's in the stores now for $59. I'll tell you why I love this sweater--it's lightweight but warm, it hits at just the right spot (not too short or too long) and it has a little extra room around the middle (doesn't show muffin top) but it's not baggy. It comes in a few different colors too...

This fall, I treated myself a leather dress from Banana Republic. I initially ordered it online but waited to checkout, and by the time I did, it was gone :(   But I was meant to have this dress...low and behold, a few weeks later there was ONE left in the store in my size for 40% off...yay!!!  I love it because of a few reasons. 1.  It's comfortable!!! When buying leather look for good quality, glove soft leather that moves with you and isn't stiff. This dress is so soft and buttery!  2.  It goes with so many pieces in my closet. From a cardigan to a jacket or "as is", it's a versatile chic piece that I will wear often.  3.  It can be worn for 3 out of 4 season....spring, fall and winter.  4.  I feel GREAT in this dress...chic and stylish!

Belting has become the end-all way to accessorize. Although many stylists encourage their clients to "belt" regardless of their body shape, my philosophy is different. I believe that belting is not for everyone.

So who should belt? If you have a defined waistline (hourglass figure) or if you have a straight "boyish" shape, a belt can accentuate your curves and create an ultra-flattering look.  However if you have extra around the middle or a very round tummy, a belt is going to draw attention to the area that you are most likely trying to camouflage.

Here are some guidelines to follow for adding a belt:

1.  Position is key!  Play around with the belt to find the most flattering spot on your waist. If you are very big chested, do not belt high on the waist as it will make you look even bigger. Most women look best when a belt is hitting the smallest part of their waist (the part of the waist that curves in).

Curvy women should make sure that the belt accentuates the smallest part of their waist.

2.  Layer  Wear a belt on the inside--belt a top or dress and throw a jacket or sweater over it. For women who are "waist conscious" this look can give a slimming effect. 

3.  Choose the width:  If you are petite or short waisted, a very wide belt will shorten your torso. A better choice for you would be a thin or skinny belt. However if you are tall or have a long torso, you can definitely wear the wider styles.

4.  Lengthen  your look.  If you want to get the longest sleekest look,  match the color of your belt to your outfit, but give it visual interest with patent leather, snakeskin or suede.


5.  Bottom line is...only wear a belt if you love the way it looks on you. Otherwise skip it!

Try a wedge instead of a  heel which puts less stress on the front of the foot since the slope is gradual.

Valeli Wedge from Zappos

Isaac Mizrahi NY from Piperlime

                                  

Cole Haan makes a pump with Nike Air Technology designed for comfort

Leather is so chic, comfortable and stylish. Here are a few ways to wear it this  season. If you're not into wearing real leather try "pleather"--there are some really great "fauxs" out there!

Buttery soft leather sheath dress from Banana Republic. Pair with heels and pearls...or tights, boots and a chunky sweater!

This fabulous chocolate brown leather skirt is from H&M and is only $129.00 Dress it up with a sequined top or go casual with a sweater.

These skinny black leather pants are soooo amazing. Fabulous with flats and a loose sweater by day to pumps and rhinestones at night. By Current/Elliottk at Net-A-Porter.

Cameraman Mike, Leslie Gaydos (reporter for NECN) and me.

After shooting at my house, we took a trip to Chic Consignment in Andover where I helped Leslie shop for clothes!

At Chic

I made Leslie buy this top---it looks amazing on her!

Newbury Street was in all its glory this past Thursday night as it celebrated Fashion Night Out.
The street was closed off to traffic and swarms of decked out fashionistas sipped cocktails, listened
to live music and checked out the latest styles in the boutiques. From DVF to Ted Baker, Nanette Lepore and National Jean Co., Newbury St. doesn't get more fun than this!

1.  Sunglasses...quite honestly because I am constantly losing or breaking them. Marshall's and TJ's has fabulous shades for around $10.00/pair.
2.  Tee shirts and tanks. I like to replace mine every season because they get stained and shrink. Love Gap's tees--they're cheap and they fit great.

3.  Trendy pieces...why spend a lot if it will go out of style next season?
4.  Hoop earring...yep I tend to loose these too!
5.  Exercise clothes. Why would I want to spend a ton of money on clothes that I get sweaty and gross in?

How about you? What do you refuse to pay top dollar for?

Hate to shop for a bathing suit? Read my article in Merrimack Valley Magazine to take the stress out
of hunting down the perfect swimsuit!
http://www.mvmag.net/index.php/2012/06/21/susans-swimwear-guide/

I just started writing the style column for Merrimack Valley Magazine. Hope you enjoy my first article on hand-panted wedding dresses!

http://www.mvmag.net/index.php/2011/12/29/painted-wedding-dresses/