The sweets were supplied by Sweet e’s pastries and sweets, including truffle pops, Ganache dipped Brownies and a 9 layer chocolate cake.  Of course I had to try out the Ganache dipped brownies – anything with multiple chocolate has my name on it.  The wine was flowing along with the conversation thanks to Yellowtail wine.  Floral arrangements from Urban Fare made the space look and smell even sweeter.

The theme for the night was Effortless Style — from Business to SEXY and celebrity stylist Tracy Richardson was there to help gives us some tips on our style.  But before she got to our style she had a few words about how hard we can be on ourselves.  We need to give ourselves a break.  She then asked us to look at the woman next to us and give her 3 complements.  I completely agree with Tracy we are so hard on ourselves, often harder than others. So this was a lovely way to remind us how fabulous we are and get us to interact with the other women in the room.  I might steal this ice-breaker idea for other events.

Tracy brings us back to topic by telling us again how we all look fantastic. But that she’d love to see some colour.  She tells us all to go and buy ourselves a tube of lipstick.  She is all about the pretty and sexy.  Lead with some lipstick.  I realize at this point that I forgot to apply my lipstick before I put my purse into the WIL volunteer room.  The rest of me is all black and white.  So yeah, I likely need colour.

Tracy’s presentation was very interactive. She brought women up on stage to demonstrate what they did well and what could make her look better, she used some of the great pieces from Lou Lou Luv and Stella & Dot to show us what she meant.  She also involved the audience to test their new found knowledge.  Of course I looked at my own outfit and made small mental notes on what I would differently next time.   I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.

Tracy’s 3 key steps to style are:

1. Understanding your personality is key to finding your style. You need to understand your style personality.
2. Know your skin tone so that you pick the colours and accessories that work best for you and make you look as fabulous as you are.
3. Follow the curves of your body. 

Tracy spoke a lot about accessories. Which I believe can be an inexpensive way to finish an outfit.  Tracy’s best quote of the night was

“If you can’t afford jewelry. Wear lipstick.” 

Some of her other tips included:

• Dress so that people will notice your face – a long necklace brings attention to your stomach (I quickly rework my long black crystal necklace so it wraps around my neck and doesn’t hang down to my stomach).
• Movement of jewelry should match movement of the dress, so if your dress has a very angular pattern or  angular lines then jewelry should match.
• If do not know then mimic the shape of your face.
• Size accessories, purses and shoes to match your size. Small women will be overwhelmed with a large purse.
• If you wear statement shoes you need to balance elsewhere otherwise you are bringing all the attention to your feet not your face

At the end she reminded that we all looked fantastic and to remember that we are all beautiful women.  Then it was time to cut the lovely 9 layer chocolate cake from Sweet e’s.  Many of us visited the John Casablancas Institute exhibit and had some on-the-spot make-up touch ups to add some colour.  A little lipstick and blush can really make a difference in lighting up our faces.  Others took this opportunity to network over cake and accessory war stories. 

The final segment of the evening was raffle and draw prizes.  Amongst others there were great prizes from  Lav & Kush, Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Willow Spa and accessories from Lou Lou Luv & Stella & Dot.  But the best moment of the night was the squeal of delight that emanated from the winner of the JC Studio Fashionista Champagne brunch for two.

For pictures of the event check our Facebook Group page.  And while there join in some discussions on inspirational quotes and books.

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Tracey Rossignol is a member of the WIL Advisory Board and the Marketing & Communications Volunteer Team Lead.  She blogs about her misadventures in fashion after 40 at Fashion Forward 40.