It was such an honor to be interviewed by Sylvia over at 40+Style this week!
A long-time fan and follower of the 40+Style Community, I was thrilled when Sylvia reached out and asked if I would be interested in participating in her popular Style Interview Series.
40+Style offers style ideas, how to dress and beauty information for women over 40.
“Our mission is to show you that you can look gorgeous and experiment with styles and fashion at any age. It’s all about having fun with style and fashion! Too often we get too worried about our wrinkled face, heavier bodies or loosening skin. Having fun with hair and makeup, fashion and new styles can help to make you look better, but also feel more confident and happy.
Looking good and being stylish is not so much about money, the figure you have or how old you are. It’s about dressing to your strengths, knowing your body type, and knowing and embracing your unique style.
We hope to help you in your quest to find your own style, dress to your strengths, look fabulous and embrace your age”.
About Sylvia:
Sylvia is the creator of 40+Style and the writer of most articles. She is also a keen photographer and you will find many of her pictures on this site too.
She is currently 48 years old and lives in Singapore. Although originally from The Netherlands, she has lived all over the world: Italy, South Africa, England, Japan, China and Australia. Sylvia has studied both international marketing, fashion styling and colour and has worked in various professional roles related to fashion.
40+ Style is her passion project and now her full-time job.
It is her current mission to inspire as many 40+ women as possible around the world and help them look and feel beautiful both inside and out
Here’s a peek at my up close and personal with Sylvia this week:
How to mix Bohemian with Classic – A Style Interview with Suzanne
Hi Suzanne. Thanks for taking the time out to answer a few questions for 40PlusStyle.com. Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
I have always been interested in fashion. I come from a long line of fashionable ladies that include my grandmother who at age 92 is the greatest example of personal style, to my mother and mother-in-law who are always they most fashionable ladies in the room. (You can read more on my Grandmother in this post on the blog) From playing dress-up in my grandmothers closet to learning to sew my own clothing at an early age; fashion has always intrigued me. Not fashion in the sense of keeping up with trends, but in how it makes us feel.
I love gorgeous fabrics, texture, innovative design, repurposing vintage pieces into something new to finding that perfect fitting dress which can give that bump in confidence to light up a room! After receiving my BSW from San Jose State I found myself at Nordstrom Inc. where I worked as a buyer, product design executive and later as a store manager for multiple stores in the Northern California area. Once my daughter was born, I left the fashion world for a more flexible career as a Realtor, allowing me more time with my family.
Get to know more about Suzanne and what inspires me by linking to the full interview over at 40+Style, click HERE
Now – the caftan!
It seems that the caftan I threw on for dinner while at the beach, this past Memorial Weekend, was quite a hit! I had many readers contact me to find out where I purchased it from.
As you can see I am wearing it with my white Paige skinnies, MK Michael Kors black thongs and a pair of RL gold hoops – best part, I can wear this caftan over my navy Robin Piccone swimsuit durning the day, how’s that for packing light?
I’m here to deliver, so here you go:
Neiman Marcus Label Floral Print Coral Tunic HERE| Feather Print Tunic HERE Last Call Original Price on both items was $105.00, now on sale for $45.00 (a total steal!)
The caftan online is more orange/green (unless the photo is way off) where as mine is more red/blue. I purchased it at Neiman Marcus Last Call in Milpitas, CA at the Great Mall. I was in the store just this past week and they still had some available. My guess is if you call with the online reference number they can grab you one, and send it if you are interested!
Here are a few other caftan tunics that caught my eye
Top row left to right: Avati Silk Caftan $178.00 – Anthropologie.com | Carmen Marc Valvo Coast Garden Printed Tunic Cover Up $133.00 – NeimanMarcus.com| Jennifer Lopez for Kohls Embellished Caftan Dress $52.50 Kohls | Odelia Printed Caftan Tunic in Tribal Print by Tolani on sale for $150.00 Neiman Marcus Row 2: ESCADA print Silk Chiffon Caftan now on sale, was $725.00/now $434.98 – Nordstrom.com | Oceania Tee $98.00 Anthropologie.com | Jennifer Lopez Embellished Caftan now on sale, $52.50 -Kohls.com | Carmen Marc Valvo Coast Garden Tunic in Coral $133.00 NeimanMarcus.com
And I just spotted this number over at Last Call
HERE was $145.00, now $59.50!
Also $59.50, I am loving this tie-dye tunic by Michael Kors!
Now, pair one of these up, with versatile white skinny jeans
Left to Right: Paige Skyline Ankle Peg Jean (what I’m wearing) | Joe’s ‘Spotless’ Cuff Crop Jean | Hudson ‘Ginny Crop’ Stretch Skinny Jean all via Nordstrom.com
Left to Right: Simply Vera Wang Cuffed Jean Capris – Kohls. Reviewd on the blog HERE | NYDJ ‘Bella’ Straight Leg Crop Jean | Lucky Brand ‘Emma’ Stretch Crop Jean (plus size) both via Nordstrom.com
add an easy slide on sandal – to kick off when you head into the sand or house
Left to Right Row 1: Guess Jamarra Jelly $30.99 at 6pm.com | MICHAEL Michael Kors Racquel Thong in Gold $79.99 at 6pm.com | Mel by Melissa ‘Forever’ $20.14 at 6pm.com | Tory Burch ‘T’ Logo Leather Thong on sale $122.50 at Nordstrom.com | Vera Wang Footbed Thong $38.99 at Kohls | MICHAEL Michael Kors ‘Sondra’ Jelly $58.95 at 6pm.com Row3 : Union Bay ‘Tiara’ Jeweled Sandal$29.99 at Kohls | Calvin Klein’Ula’ Thong $59.25 at Nordstrom.com | Sam Edelman ‘Treva’ Sandal (more colors ) on sale $59.96 at Nordstrom.com
Looking for more white jean inspo?
Check out this post HERE
Looking to update your boyfriend?
Click HERE for inspiration and shopping links
Looking for ideas to work your Boho-Beach Vibe?
Click HERE
Headed somewhere with a pool?
I’ve gotcha covered; swimsuits to cover ups HERE (don’t miss the bonus link in this post to Melissas swimsuits for every body type over at Yummo Mummo)
A fun summer read for your fashionista?
Don’t miss Freya’s book review of Chloe by Design HERE , a book set right here in our own backyard, Santa Cruz, CA!
#SummerIsHere (yes, I made that up!)
Enjoy the weekend and thank’s for stopping by!
XOXO
Suzanne
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Lesley says
May 30, 2015 at 11:01 pmI have 3 months in one suitcase around Italy, Spain and the UK – August, Sept and October. Any tips re packing please?
Thank you
Lesley
asksuzannebell@gmail.com says
June 1, 2015 at 8:35 pmHi Lesley! How exciting, 3 months in my favorite places, sounds fantastic! I am thinking since you are there for 3 months that you will be doing a bit of everything? When I travel to Europe, I start with a color story – for me this is black. I would start with your basics in knit as they wash and dry easily, can be rolled up in your suitcase to save room and don’t really wrinkle. Key items that go in my suitcase are (1) black knit dresses (maxi and short) inexpensive options at Old Navy, Banana Republic, Target and Gap (2) black cardigans (easy to stuff into your backpack, purse or around your waist (3) black knit skirt maxi and knee length (4) Crop leggings – I like the Zella reversible everyday crop legging from Nordstrom as I can wear it to hike in the daytime and wear them at night with a tunic. They don’t really look like work-out pants, but have the comfort and ease of care as a yoga pant. Best part, they are reversible so you get a double use out of them. (5) black swimsuit (s) (6) add tanks and tees in black and white, maybe add some stripes or loge tees for fun (6) a white shirt/tunic that can be worn with leggings, tied over a dress or with a skirt(7) a very comfortable walking sandal in black or metallic that can go day or night (8) athletic shoe in black or gray. I would then add on from here. Perhaps a kimono in black and white that can go over your swimsuit and double as a layer piece if its chilly in the evening. Tunics double over swimsuits and can be worn with leggings or white denim at dinner. A few casual dresses are great day to evening, work over a swimsuit and are perfect for hot weather. Stick with a color story that works with black so you can work your basics in with everything. Perhaps throw in a scarf to keep you warm on the airplane and double as a cover up or shawl in the evening. Accessories? a packable cute backpack or cross body bag, a packable hat (I like Eric Javits @nordstrom) a pair of silver or gold hoops or simple studs and some bangles or a cuff, sunglasses and hair ties! You’ll buy stuff there so don’t pack too much! Hope that helps! Have a fabulous time! Suzanne