The Art of Becoming Visible

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21. How to Make the Sales Work FOR You, Not Against You Jul 29, 2021

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We're smack dab in the middle of summer sale season and it's the perfect time to restock your wardrobe. But before you get lured in by another 75% off sale and spend your entire budget on things you'll never actually wear, I want to share with you my best tips for shopping the sales. Purchase things that will give you a lot of bang for your buck, meaning things you can wear right now, into the first few months of fall, and will want to again wear next summer. Choose timeless and flattering styles, and opt for colors that makes you look fabulous and will get more bang for your buck! How to know if it's a great deal – Questions to ask yourself: 1. Would I pay full price for it? 2. Do I love how it looks on me? 3. Does it flatter me? 4. Where would I wear it? 5. What would I wear it with? Ideally it should go with at least 3 items. 6. How soon will I wear it? Or want to? If you're not sure, you probably don't love it. Follow me on Instagram @stylebymarymichele @shopstylefinder Join us over at the School of Style – SFSchoolofStyle.com Want to book your personal style session? Let's chat! Grab a spot on my calendar here: www.calendly.com/ marymichelenidiffer

Ep. 20 Travel Chic: Pack Light, Dress Well Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

Mary Michele Nidiffer, Master Style Coach and Founder StyleFinder Boutique www.ShopStyleFinder.com Book your personal/virtual style session with Mary Michele here: https://calendly.com/event_types/user/me Follow Mary Michele on Instagram @stylebymarymichele and @shopstylefinder Being fashion savvy in terms of travel doesn't have to be complicated. I want to share with you my top guidelines for packing light and dressing well. These can be game-changers not only when it comes to travel, but in how you think about your wardrobe beyond your next trip. My Best Tips: 1/ Choose a Color Capsule Select a Color Capsule of 3-4 colors including at least 2 neutrals and 1 color to pop. Don't forget to choose a metal too, for your accessories. Limit prints to just a couple for maximum versatility. Think beyond black! While black is easy, it may not be your best color. What else could you wear instead?  Black/Camel/White – leopard print, pink, red, green to pop?  Camel/Navy/White – stripes?  Navy/Pink/White – polka dots?  Turquoise/Green/Royal/White – floral?  Camel/Yellow/Cream – lace? Then choose pieces that are in these colors and mix and match them. Layer them, put things together in new and unexpected ways, and see how much mileage you can get from just a few pieces. 2/ Shoes First – You could easily pack an entire suitcase of nothing but shoes, but who wants to lug them around? Shoes can often be the bulkiest items you'll pack, so efficiency is key.

3/ Build a Wardrobe Capsule – Don't Assume you need 7 outfits for 7 days. If you choose 3 outfits that can mix and match, you'll wind up having much more to wear than you thought. Packing List (starting point)  Neutral Pants (2-3 pairs)  Jeans that fit well  Neutral Skirt (wrinkle free)  Tops in bold and neutral hues (tanks, tees, etc that are wrinkle-resistant)  Dressy tank  Neutral Cardigan  Anorak  Denim Jacket or Relaxed Blazer  Large Handbag that can double as Tote  Clutch  Chic Sneakers  Sandals, Wedges 4/ Secret weapons - I call these secret weapons because they expand my wardrobe choices without taking up much space, and pack a big punch. 1. Kimonos 2. Scarves 3. Anything Reversible 5/ Go Wrinkle-Free – Ideally, everything you pack should be wrinkle- resistant and in a fabric that you can easily wash out in the sink if you need to. Many of the fabrics in StyleFinder are just that, and you can roll them up into a small bag and pull them out to look gorgeous! Who has time for ironing? In fact, with just 8 pieces you can get at least 14 different outfits and these pieces would easily fit into a carry-on. But this doesn't even take into account adding in a kimono, scarf or other pieces such as fun tops, shorts, jackets, etc. 1. Cardigan/tank 1/skirt 2. Cardigan/tank1/pants 3. Cardigan/tank 2/skirt

4. Cardigan/tank 2/pants 5. Cardigan/dress 6. Shrug/tank/skirt 7. Shrug/tank/pants 8. Shrug/dress 9. Top/Skirt 10. Top/Pants 11. Cardigan/Top/Skirt 12. Cargidan/Top/Dress 13. Tank/Dress 14. Shrug/Tank/Dress 6/ Final Edit Once you have your pieces selected, now it's time to make your final edit. Take one piece and see how many outfits you can make with it. Take pictures along the way or write down what you're pairing. This is where you'll edit like a pro, leaving out anything extra and only keeping those items you love and know you'll wear. 7/ Create Your Style File So you've made your final selections and taken your pictures. I recommend you download them and print them out. Having a Style File to refer to that's printed will make it easy to get dressed at a moment's notice and will help you feel polished and put-together, even if you're rushed. Print it out, tuck it into your suitcase and rest assured you'll look chic no matter what you're doing. **Checking your bag? Place a copy in your carry-on too, so if something happens to your luggage you have a record of all your outfits for insurance, or if you need to replace anything. Looking great while traveling can be easy when you follow these guidelines. A wardrobe capsule will assure that you have many great options with only a few pieces of clothing. Wrinkle-free fabrics will assure that you look great even after a long day on safari or sightseeing. You'll be surprised how many looks you can create using these methods, but the best surprise of all is that you can now get away with a carry-on! Bon voyage!

I'd love for to leave me a 5-star review! Tell me what you loved, what you'd like to hear more of and your biggest takeaway. Many thanks, sweet friend! XO

19. What to Wear When You've Gained Weight Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

Coming out of the Pandemic, one thing I've heard over and over from clients and friends – I've gained weight. Regardless of your weight, your size, your shape, YOU are worthy of looking fabulous and dressing well at every shape and size, with every inch or pound, no matter what. And you deserve to look and feel beautiful every single day! Here's what you need to focus on in your wardrobe so you can get the most bang for your buck while feeling like a million bucks! First off, let's talk about what NOT to wear when you've gained weight. The 5 B's to steer clear of anything that is:  Bland  Boring  Baggy  Bulky  Black Focus on this: 1/ Fit – size is just a number, but fit is what really matters. 2/ Slim Fitting Pants – these can visually take off 10 pounds! 3/ Play up Your Assets – Focus on the positive and that's all people will notice! 4/ Column of Color – Wear a dark top and bottom (or dress) with a jacket, kimono or cardigan to visually take off pounds. 5/ Personalize your look – Don't give up and toss your style to the curb; wear something that makes you feel all you! Staying connected to who you are and wearing things that make you feel amazing go a long way to boosting your self-esteem and helping you to feel that you haven't given up. Because you haven't! Join the waiting list for the StyleFinder School of Style at www.SFSchoolofStyle.com. Shop online with us! Find us at www.ShopStyleFinder.com or download the StyleFinder APP for iPhone & Android here:

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stylefinder-boutique/id1525834450 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.CSstylefinder.android Book your personal StyleFinder 101 session with me here: https://calendly.com/event_types/user/me Follow me on Instagram: @stylebymarymichele Take our FREE Style ID Quiz: https://shopstylefinder.com/pages/styleid-quiz

18. How To Master Online Shopping Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

Online shopping has become the norm for many of us, but recently shopping from the comfort of our own homes has taken on a new level of importance. Yet shopping for clothing online can seem a bit tricky. The good news is, armed with the right tips and tools, your online shopping experience can have a much higher rate of success and the experience can be become more simple. Mastering online shopping can be easy when you follow these simple guidelines: 1/ Know Your Style Knowing your true style is half the battle. Many women can easily be influenced by a model who looks fabulous in an item, even if they know it's not really their style. Know your look and what's right for you and it will help you to pinpoint what styles are right for you. Not sure what your style is? Take our complimentary Style ID mini-quiz at https://shopstylefinder.com/pages/styleid-quiz 2/ Size Matters (or Does it?) While we can often get caught up in the size of something, what really matters is fit. 3/ Signature Silhouettes Knowing your measurements is only half of the equation. The other piece as it relates to size is your body type. Know your body type and how you're built. When I work with my clients they each have their own Personal Image Blueprint with their Signature Silhouettes. This helps them to quickly and easily know what cuts to jump on and what to steer clear of. 4/ Details Matter Take time to notice all the details and be sure they will be right for you. This will go a long way to having only clothes that you love, rather than items that simply hang in your closet. 5/ Find a muse Finding models, whether on a LIVE show, a fit video or on a static image who are built like you will help you to know if the clothes will work for you. Online shopping has become so much more user-friendly in this day and age, so if you're new to it don't feel daunted. E-commerce merchants are here to make your experience one that is rewarding and are doing their best to offer all the information they can. When in doubt, message the vendor to find out more. And always be sure to ask about their return policy.

*Shop online with us! Find us at www.ShopStyleFinder.com or download the StyleFinder APP for iPhone & Android here: Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stylefinder-boutique/id1525834450 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.CSstylefinder.android Book your personal StyleFinder 101 session with me here: https://calendly.com/event_types/user/me Follow me on Instagram: @stylebymarymichele

17. Are you scheduling your style? Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

"You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it." – Charles Buxton We take time out for everything else, hair, nails, massage… But most women don't schedule time for their style We're not taught how to get dressed, we just WING it. I want to help you create a schedule and be strategic! What happens when we don't schedule it:  We don't plan to go shopping  We don't plan to clean out our closet  We don't plan time for alterations and wardrobe maintenance  We don't plan time to think about what we want our style to be This can leave us feeling frantic, disheveled and in a panic Start to carve out 30 minutes each week, then increase from there. Mark it on your calendar and hold this time sacred. Take this time to:  Get rid of a few items in your closet you know need to go (listen to last week's podcast)  Create a week's worth of outfits  Plan what you'll wear for an upcoming event and try it on with accessories  Journal about what you'd like your style to look like  Hire a style coach  Read about the latest trends  Go shopping for something you know you need  Make a shopping list of what you'd like to see in your wardrobe  Drop off alterations, repairs or dry cleaning When you do take time out to schedule a few minutes/hours each month to cultivate and curate your style:  You have what you need  You build your foundation  You know what's right for you  Your closet is organized and ready at all times  You feel relaxed, your confidence increases and you are able to fully step into your style

Come join us in the StyleFinder School of Style. We'll show you how to schedule your style, how to map out your blueprint and how to create a system for getting dressed. SFSchoolofStyle.com. I'm spilling all my best secrets so be sure to get in on this! Follow me on Instagram @StylebyMaryMichele and @ShopStyleFinder

Visit our boutique: ShopStyleFinder.com

16. Top 5 Things in Your Closet to Toss Right Now! Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

Mary Michele Nidiffer is a Master Style Coach, Founder of StyleFinder Boutique (ShopStyleFinder.com) and The StyleFinder School of Style (SFSchoolofStyle.com) Follow her on Instagram at @stylebymarymichele A wardrobe isn't built in a day, and typically women have years' worth of clothing jammed into their small space, cluttering it up and preventing you from seeing what you want to wear. More than creating clutter, it often causes shame. It's time to toss some things and I want to make it easy for you. If you start with just one small step, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment and it will spur you to take another, then another…Start with these 5 things (because 10 can feel overwhelming) and see where it takes you. I'm cheering you on, my friend. You can do it! 1/ Anything that you haven't worn in over a year. 2/ Anything that no longer fits. 3/ Baggy, pleated pants or jeans. 4/ Your old blazers. 5/ Anything that you can't.stand.to.wear. Period. Need help in your closet? Contact me to learn more about a personal Closet Clarity Session, or a StyleFinder 101 session to help you know what's right for you – and what to never wear again! Reach out to me at michele@shopstylefinder.com and let me know how I can help you feel beautiful! Did you hear? We have opened the doors up to the StyleFinder School of Style and I invite YOU to become a founding member! Sign up today at SFSchoolofStyle.com and learn the secrets to getting dressed in 7 minutes or less every single day. "Mary Michele has drawn on her lifelong love of style and extraordinary fashion sense to create an essential resource for the woman in search of the perfect look…to discover your best and most beautiful YOU!" Deborah Harrell Meehan ***Won't you leave me a 5-star review? If you enjoyed this podcast I'd love to have you leave me 5 stars and a few words about what you liked – and what you'd like to hear more of! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. XO Mary Michele

Episode 15. The REAL Reason Women Hate Shopping and How You Can Learn to Love It Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Do you love shopping or hate it? Regardless, it's something we all have to do at some point in our lives and the more enjoyable it is, the less stressful it will be. Learning to enjoy shopping can help you cultivate good shopping habits that work for you, not against you. Starting by doing your homework can help you to make smart decisions and not become tempted by things you don't need. Here are my suggestions to prepare you: 1. Make a list - Start by going through your closet to determine where there are "holes" in your wardrobe. Do you need the basics – a new suit, a few pairs of pants, great tee shirts – or do you need colorful accessories that will make our core items pop? 2. Three is the Magic Number - If you find yourself tempted by something that's a great deal, ask yourself if you truly love how it looks on your body and if it's something you'd pay full price for. If the answer is yes, and you can make 3 outfits with it then go for it! 3. Get the Munchies - Grab an energy bar or some trail mix and a bottle of water. You'll need sustenance and don't want to risk making a poor wardrobe decision if you're feeling light-headed. 4. Know Thyself - Know what styles flatter your body best and stick with them. Don't be afraid to try something new, but if you've learned that a certain cut doesn't work on your body type, steer clear of it and stick with cuts that enhance your assets. 5. Color is Key - Know what colors are your most flattering tones. These will make you look your best and enhance your natural coloring. If you have had your colors done, take your palette with you. 6. Mix high-end and low-end - Shopping can be a fun game and shopping in a variety of stores helps you to create a look that's all your own. You can mix items from Saks with something you found at

a consignment shop, or TJ Maxx, to great effect and no one will ever guess how much (or, rather, how little) you paid for it when the overall effect is nothing short of fabulous! Plus your look will have your personal stamp on it rather than looking like it's right off the rack. The most fashionable ladies shop this way and it makes for a much more interesting effect overall! 7. Have a Strategy - Your core pieces are the ones you want to invest in, but seasonal trends are where you can get away with going budget. Trendy items won't have the longevity of the classic items in your closet. Do a cost per wear analysis – divide the price by the number of times you think you'll wear an item. For example, if you pay $30 for a dress, but only wear it twice, that's $15 per wear. But if you find one you love for $300 and wear it 100 times over the course of 3 years, that's $3 per wear. Which is a better bargain in the long run? Follow me on Instagram @stylebymarymichele Follow me on Instagram @stylebymarymichele Take our Style ID quiz: https://shopstylefinder.com/pages/styleid-quiz Shop our Boutique: https://shopstylefinder.com/ Work with me: calendly.com/marymichelenidiffer

14. Top 3 Ways to Bust Out of a COVID Style Slump Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

After a year of wearing comfy clothes, many women have shared with me that they're feeling frumpy and frustrated and have a few extra pounds to boot. No matter where you are in your journey, I've got you! Today I'm going to share with you 3 easy ways to bust out of a COVID style slump. 1/Reframe No matter what your situation, I invite you to see things differently. How you feel is just that – a feeling. And you can change how you feel about yourself and your style. Don't let the frumpy zone keep you stuck and living a life unfulfilled! Go for what you truly want. 2/ Reinvent Who do you want to be? This is the perfect time to get clear on what image you want to project. Find images and words that you want to incorporate into your style. {Take our Style ID mini quiz here: https://shopstylefinder.com/pages/styleid-quiz} 3/ Reimagine Play dress up – find what looks great on you now! You may find that a style you loved is no longer right for you physically, but also emotionally. Maybe you're working from home and the suits you used to wear are no longer appropriate. Maybe you realized you need more color in your wardrobe. Discover new ways to wear old favorites, or visit your fave local boutique and try on some new things. You'll know when you put it on if it's right for you! Follow me on Instagram @stylebymarymichele and @shopstylefinder Shop our boutique and sign up for our newsletter : www.ShopStyleFinder.com Work with me calendly.com/marymichelenidiffer

13. Five Tips For Finding The Perfect Dress Jun 03, 2021

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Follow me on Instagram @stylebymarymichele

Take our Style ID quiz:

https://shopstylefinder.com/pages/styleid-quiz Shop our Boutique: https://shopstylefinder.com/ Work with me: calendly.com/marymichelenidiffer Five Tips for Finding the Perfect Dress "What is important in a dress is the woman wearing it." – Yves Saint Laurent Buying a dress may be one the of most challenging experiences, right next to buying a swimsuit. The good news is that it doesn't have to be so complicated. Here are my best tips to help you choose the right dress for you: 1/ Buy for your Body Type 2/ Skip the Black and go Blue… 3/ It's All in the Details 4/ Make it Your Own 5/ The Whole Shebang Wearing a dress isn't just putting on another piece of clothing. It's about an attitude, and creating an entire look that encompasses everything from your hair, makeup, jewelry, handbag, nails, shoes and legwear (should you or shouldn't you?). When you wear a dress, you embrace your femininity, step into your power and show off your most beautiful self! Because, girl, you've still got it!

12. 5 Compelling Reasons Authenticity Matters May 27, 2021

Show notes

Follow me on Instagram at @stylebymarymichele and @wine_women_style Shop our boutique: https://shopstylefinder.com/ Work with me: https://calendly.com/event_types/user/me Take our Style ID mini quiz: https://shopstylefinder.com/pages/styleid-quiz "Life's biggest heartbreak is being untrue to yourself." – Robin Sharma 5 Compelling Reasons Authenticity Matters Being the most authentic version of who you were meant to be allows you to live a more fulfilled life in many ways. Expressing yourself authentically through your style can help you to see yourself as who you truly are and show up as the real you. 1/ Create deeper connections  More easily connect to others  Feel more connected to self  Being understood  "You get me"  Clients become magnetically attracted to you 2/ Creates Trust  Give others permission to be themselves too  Others know who you are and what you stand for  Clients feel safe with you  Creates level of expectation – they know what they're getting, no bait and switch  Builds trust in yourself 3/ Builds Confidence  Being deeply anchored in yourself creates an unstoppable confidence  Deep trust in yourself  Self-expression is freeing on so many levels  Free to be who you are = self-validation  Self-awareness, self-worth 4/ Live a Richer, Fuller Life  Self-expression is vital to our lives  You're happier  Creates a ripple effect  More enjoyment, more pleasure, more fun!  It doesn't seem like work

5/ Become memorable for all the right reasons  Others will remember you because of your quirks – what makes you different makes you unique  Set yourself apart  Get away from comparison and set yourself apart  Create your own identity, style and brand that's all YOU!

Raves & Faves:

Le Grand Noir Brut Rose Brut Rose 2013 grenache blend Languedoc France Strawberry on the nose, hits of citrus, raspberry, flavor is fruity but not sweet, creamy vanilla, dry $14 http://www.legrandnoir.com/ We'd love for you to leave us a 5 star review on iTunes! Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wine_women_style/ Join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/winewomenstyle For more information or to work with Mary Michele go to https://winewomenandstyle.com/

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