What happens when you put six strikingly dynamic and insightful women in one room together?
Pure magic! Because even without the lights, the backdrop and the fancy camera, these women sparkle and inspire, whether they're walking the runway at the local grocery store or building their own empires.
Leigh Ehrlich
Vice President, Budget & Financial Planning, Lehigh Valley Health Network
I can't start my day without a double espresso, Rosie's Boot Camp and a fabulous lipstick. I feel my best when wearing four-inch heels—any higher and I can't run in them, and running is usually required at some point during my day! Sophisticated and feminine, with a splash of playfulness, is how I would describe my go-to look. My friends always want to borrow my statement necklaces and whimsical clutches—Kate Spade has the most eye-catching clutches; they're always a conversation piece. I feel most inspired when I'm organized, exercising, entertaining, shopping for shoes or drinking champagne. The item I have the most of is shoes—a whole closet is dedicated to my “solemates.” J.Crew #2 pencil skirts are a wardrobe staple; they're timeless and can be dressed up or down. And dresses: shift, flared, sheath, I love them all. An honorable mention goes to the Lululemon section [of my closet]. Sweating in style keeps me motivated. I could do without flat or sling-back shoes. Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Nic & Zoe, J.Crew, Alice & Olivia, Kate Spade, Stella & Dot, Henri Bendel and Milly are a few of my favorite brands. My favorite places to shop in the Valley include AM Luxe, J.Crew, Lara Bly Design Studio and Lululemon—and if the Valley is taking suggestions, I'd love a Saks, Henri Bendel and Neiman Marcus. The end of each season or after the holidays is when I find the best sales. My style icons are Coco Chanel, Grace Kelly and my grandmother—women who understand that fashions fade but beauty is eternal. Fun and trendy outfits that I can use as motivation to schedule cocktails with friends or a date night—black and white pumps or booties, summer wedges and a white denim dress—are on my 2017 wardrobe wish list.
Carmen Toro
Owner, Esthetician & Makeup Artist, Beauty Alibi
I can't start my day without my coffee and morning prayer. I feel best when I'm wearing jeans, high heels and a blouse, or a nice dress. Casual elegant is how I would describe my go-to look. My friends always want to borrow my shoes, sandals and boots. In my zone, applying makeup for a client, is when I feel most inspired. The item I have the most of in my closet is shoes. The item I could do without is sneakers. Jessica Simpson shoes, Touchstone jewelry and Beauty Alibi lipstick and mascara are my favorite brands. My favorite place to shop in the Valley is Macy's. I find the best sales at Marshalls and TJ Maxx—my son works there. Jackie O is my style icon. I don't need anything, but a new Infinity FX35 is on my 2017 wardrobe wish list.
Gwen Sagula
Master Level Personal Trainer & Master Level Group Exercise Instructor, FIT Club, The Fitness Plaza Iron Run, Oxyfit, Jewish Community Center
I can't start my day without a fun and challenging workout. I spend six days a week in workout gear so I love to put on a great dress and heels in my off time. My go-to look is a fantastic LBD with great details or tailoring, an interesting pair of shoes and a statement earring or ring. My friends always want to borrow my accessories. I spent 20 years in the fashion industry as a merchandise rep and buyer before I became a full-time personal trainer—that's 20 years of jewelry samples from all of the lines I represented! I feel most inspired when I'm with my fitness and personal training clients. Just recently N-Tensity Gym, where I worked for the past three years in Hellertown, closed, and a group of former clients got together and re-opened as FIT Club just to keep the sense of community/fitness family going. I am proud to be a part of that. In my closet, I have the most dresses. I have a collection of LBD and, more recently, have thrown in a little color. I could do without celebrity brands. I would rather see a fashion line back a contestant from a Project Runway season. I love classic pieces from Theory and Vince. If I am looking for a great dress or top, my go-to is Tibi or DVF. In the Valley, if I'm looking for another pair of earrings (and I shouldn't be), Dandelion at the Promenade is where I go. I also love Clementine Salon in Bethlehem for hair and make-up. I never buy anything full-price. As a former buyer, I know when things get marked down. I register everything I like at shopstyle.com and I patiently wait until I like the price as much as the item. Nordstrom Rack online gets a great selection of off-season items from all my favorite designers as well. I love real-people style. Most celebrities have stylists, so that's really who's picking their outfits. Whenever I am out and about or travelling, I like to check out what people are wearing. My 2017 wardrobe wish list? I'll know it when I see it!
Darlene Pors
Senior HVAC & Plumbing CAD Designer, H.T. LYONS
I can't start my day without Starbucks coffee and Labrador kisses! A smile is the best accessory a woman can have. I feel my best when I'm wearing jeans, pumps and a blazer. My go-to look could be described as classic with a blend of trend. I like classic pieces that I can keep for several years and keep adding those updated trendy items to get a new look. My friends always want to borrow my shoes and handbags. When I'm dressed with a purpose, I feel most inspired. It's always fun to go shopping, whether in my favorite stores or my own closet, to put together that right look for a special occasion. The item I have the most of is shoes! Ask my husband—he swears I have 500-plus pairs. Street Chic Utilitarianism is a trend I could do without—not a fan of the oversized cargo pockets, drawstrings or boxy shapes. My favorite brands include Talbots, Trina Turk, Tory Burch, Tieks and Coach. Talbots is my go-to store for business and everyday apparel. They sell petites, and that means no alterations. It fits! I find the best sales wherever I'm shopping! I hardly ever pay full-price for anything. I always know my price points and look for the best deals on the quality pieces I want. I have always loved Audrey Hepburn's minimalist-chic style. Less is more! But I would have to say in present times, Lilly Collins has a fabulous chic, classy style regardless of what she's wearing. My 2017 wardrobe wish list includes a Tory Burch rattan satchel, a Barbour wax coat and vest for my dog showing and more Tieks—can never have too many colors!
Jaime Martino
Registered Nurse & Graduate Student, DeSales University
I can't start my day without plenty of time so I'm not leaving the house in a frenzy. I feel my best when I'm wearing a professional blow-dry by any of the lovely stylists at Salon James—it's a mood booster no matter what I'm wearing. Heels also do the trick. In the summer, my go-to look consists of a flowy maxi dress and sandals. In the winter, heeled boots with black jeans and a button down. My friends always want to borrow my evening or party dresses. I feel most inspired when the seasons change. I have more jumpsuits than I'd like to admit. I can't think of a trend I could do without—even if it's not for me, variety makes life interesting. Some of my favorite brands are Alice and Olivia, Sanctuary and Cupcakes and Cashmere. I also love the selection at Anthropologie. My schedule is pretty busy so I do most of my clothes shopping online. I find the best sales at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus Last Call. Nicole Richie and Joanna Gaines, depending on the situation, are my style icons. A new go-to black pump is on my 2017 wardrobe wish list.
Stephanie Yachim
Head of Recruiting, Crayola
I can't start my day without breakfast and coffee. I feel my best when I'm wearing jeans, a T-shirt, blazer and heels. My go-to look could be described as classy-preppy-chic, with a pop of color. My friends always want to borrow my shoes! I literally have a wall of shoes (in triple digits). I feel most inspired when I'm surrounded by other inspiring people. I'm highly extraverted and as an HR professional, we're “people people.” Positive energy is truly contagious! The item I have the most of is duplicate pieces! They say if you find something you love, buy it in every color! So that holds true for my shoes, dresses, blazers, pants, shirts, you name it! I could do without the crop top and bralette trends—I'm way more conservative with my style. Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, J.Crew, Kate Spade, Lucky, H&M and Vineyard Vines are my favorite brands, and anything coming from Stitch Fix! I'm all about supporting local boutiques and #shopsmall. Plus, you feel that sense of “uniqueness” that you don't get from buying at major retail chains. Marshalls/TJ Maxx is where I find the best sales—that place is always a steal of a deal! As far as style icons go, I'm drawn to ladies with timeless style who add their own flair into it—like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Blake Lively. On the other hand, Jessica Simpson and Kristin Cavallari are ladies who have built successful fashion empires, which I admire (and purchase from quite often). My 2017 wardrobe wish list includes freshening up my work dress collection, adding some new statement jewelry pieces and throwing in a few more current trends—floral, fur and fringe!
