HOP SING VIBES... with Breanna!

Silk embroidered tunic - Odd Molly, cutoff shorts - Free People • hand-rubbed vintage distressed boots - BedStÜ

I haven't known this stunning and ethereal beauty for long, but her "beyond-her-age fashion savvy" is what drew her into my world. At only 18 years old she exudes an honest, fluid and natural self-expression that many woman twice her age lack. In this day and age, so many young women are buying into cheap and disposable trendy fashions; Breanna has an appreciation for high quality and design that belies her age.  She chooses wisely and invests in truly special pieces when she can afford the opportunity.  

She is remarkable! 

- Lauren

Graphic tee by Chaser, denim cutoffs by Free People

Name: Breanna Burkizer

Place of birth: Glendale, Arizona
Age: 18

Describe your "signature look"...
My signature look would have to be messy hair, winged eyeliner, and red lipstick.

Who or what inspires you?
Surrealism, music, photography, and nature inspires me most to be who I am.

What makes you feel beautiful?

I feel most beautiful when I have my makeup the way I love it, and when I'm wearing things that make me feel confident and cute.

Name an item of clothing you can't live without...

I cannot live without cute summer dresses and denim shorts.

Backless maxi dress & bralette by Free People 

"...anything from Wildfox- so worth it because nothing makes you feel as cute and comfortable!" - Breanna

The biggest splurge in your closet…

The biggest splurge in my closet would have to be anything from Wildfox- but they are so worth it because nothing makes you feel as cute and comfortable!

The biggest waste of money in your closet...
The biggest waste would have to be these very unflattering sparkly jeans I bought in Chicago. I didn't really want them, but the sales associate pushed me into getting them.

Graphic tee by Chaser, checkered trousers by Free People

What's the most memorable piece of clothing you've worn, and what made it special?The most memorable piece of clothing I've worn is the dress I wore to my graduation.  It was so beautiful and vintage, I felt like a 40's pin up girl in it- which is one of my favorite looks.

      

Sheer Knit Graphic Top by WILDFOX ,Silk Jogger Pants by Chaser

What's your guilty pleasure/something you can't resist?

My guilty pleasure would have to be the amount of candy I have.  I actually bought a 4 pound tub of redvines for myself yesterday. Oops!

"The biggest surprise about being 18 is realizing that being 18 does not make you a grown up."
                  - Breanna

Delicate embroidered blouse by Timo

What is your beauty/skincare routine?
The most important part of my skin care routine would be making sure all my makeup is off at night. I use the clarisonic brush to get everything off, and then follow it up with toner and moisturizer.

What has been the biggest surprise about the age you are now?
The biggest surprise about being 18 is realizing that being 18 does not make you a grown up, unlike I always thought when I was younger.

Print henley shirt by Odd Molly, cotton cardi by Pure Handknits

"Everything you have ever done has brought you to the moment you are in right now." - Breanna

Please share the best advice you've ever received?
The best advice I've received is being told to truly live in the moment. To clear the noise in my head, look at everything that is around me, and take it all in and be completely aware, because you only get one life and if you aren't enjoying every second you'll end up regretting it.

Do you believe in destiny?

I do believe in destiny, I believe everything happens for a reason, and that everything you have ever done has brought you to the moment you are in right now. That is truly something to appreciate and recognize.

What's next for you?
What's next for me is to continue doing the things that I love and to immerse myself in everything that inspires me.  I know that will take me somewhere great.

Thank you Breanna, you inspire us! 

♥

HOP SING VIBES... with Gudrun!

From the very first time this tall, attractive, and quietly confident woman walked through the door, all I could think of was how incredible she would look in our clothing... I wanted to run over and just beg her to try on a few choice pieces that would look perfect on her, but I refrained from accosting her - for at least 30 minutes! The power of restraint! Haha!

Meet Gudrun, she has been a Hop Sing enthusiast for about 3 years and she appreciates the whole unique process...  meaning she loves the involvement when we make special suggestions and help her choose styles that she may otherwise have passed by, especially when those pieces become favorite additions to her wardrobe. To my delight she allows me help her choose pieces that will compliment her life & personal style. It's truly a love, love relationship!  We love her & she loves us!  - Lauren

Name:  Gudrun Miller

Place of Birth:  Goerits, East Germany near the Baltic Sea, formerly Prussia.  Born right after WWII.  I grew up in Berlin and my family emigrated to the United States when I was 7.

Occupation:  Professional Counselor, Visionary artist and metaphysical teacher focusing on soul psychology.

Age: 67

Describe your signature look:  Funky but fashionable.  Casual but stylish. 

Who or what inspires you?  I am influenced by current fashion trends.  Lauren has been my greatest inspiration recently.

What makes you feel beautiful?  I like to look different.  Good quality stylish clothes help me feel beautiful.

Name an item of clothing you can't live without:  A great pair of jeans or two or three!  Now AG jeans.

What's the biggest splurge in your closet?  I think now it is Odd Molly clothing which I love and treat almost as collector's items!  Other than that, it is Native American jewelry made by artists who are friends. 

The biggest waste of money in your closet:  When clothes look good on me, I want to purchase them.  A lot of clothes look good on me so I am having to be more mindful of what I will actually wear!

What's the most memorable piece of clothing you've worn and what made it special?  I am looking for that piece!  It is the primal quest!

What is your guilty pleasure/something you can't resist?  A great glass of red wine.  or white!

Do you have a style icon?  I think now it is Lauren who embraces beauty in women regardless of age or size.  Other than that, it is whichever woman I may see that is happy in her skin.  I saw this a lot more in Europe and in South America, mainly Brazil where the women seemed so confident of their beauty regardless of age or body size.

What is your beauty/skin care routine?  I do minimal things regarding makeup.  I am very conscious of eating healthy and I use mainly simple things on my skin, organic if possible.  I am now also using essential oils internally and externally which seems to be helping my overall health and well being.

"...one of my missions in this life was to learn to love myself."

What has been the biggest surprise about the age you are now?  I am amazed that I love life!  I see the signs of aging and I am not overly concerned.  Mostly I am grateful to have wisdom and inner peace.  I wish I had known this when I was younger.

The best advice you have ever received:  This came from a spiritual source that informed me that one of my missions in this life was to learn to love myself.  I do now and that love has allowed me to forgive all that have ever hurt me and to forgive myself for my own shortcomings.

Do you believe in destiny?  Yes.

What's next for you?  I am open to that.

Thank you so much, Gudrun! You inspire us!

♥

"These Boots are made for Walking" (written for: Prescott Kudos music & entertainment publication 10/03/14)

Can I tell you a secret?

I happen to love the one-hit-wonder, "These Boots are made for Walking," by Nancy Sinatra.

In fact, standing here in my closet deciding which pair will march with me through my day - I hear it ... dadadum - dadadum - dadadum - dadadum. The famous opening beat of that iconic ode to boots plays in my head while I vacillate between tall pull-ons, distressed lace-ups, granny ankle boots, stacked heels, low wedges, or moccasin-style boots. 

And yes ... I LOVE them all! 

The truth is that while we Prescottonians keep up with all things trend and style, we don't follow them religiously. We tend to borrow new ideas, tweak them a bit, and adapt a look to suit our local culture. In short, we make it OUR OWN. Most of you ladies might agree with me that the Prescott look, much like the Prescott lifestyle, is founded on a mix of casual comfort and relaxed styles. 

While the big cities of Los Angeles and New York may be the fashion capitals of the United States, most often the styles that break into the fashion forefronts rarely originated from within the concrete jungles - especially when it comes to my favorite fall footwear: Boots!  

Consider the origins of equestrian, cowboy-inspired, moto, military, Victorian. The list goes on and on ...  Regardless of what works for the urban fashion world, in a small boutique town like Prescott, many of the latest and most haute-damn styles may not practically translate to the lifestyle of those living in a less than "Sex and the City" locale. Let's face it, while the sexy look of sky high or spiked heels may look classy on the catwalks, they may look downright classless on Whiskey Row.  

Prescott's look is urban classic-meets-rustic chic. Translation: We wear a lot of denim.  We might take really feminine tops and dresses and dress them down with denim and boots. Or, my personal favorite, pair a T-shirt, and cardigan with flattering jeans, and dress them up with a pretty statement necklace and boots. You get the idea ... everything goes with boots! 

And boots are not the place to skimp. Invest in a quality pair; they'll last much longer and only get better with wear and age. Plus, in the light of consuming less and repurposing, they also can be re-soled to extend their life (and your investment).  I have boots purchased 15 years ago that still satisfy my "sole"!  They take me comfortably and fashionably wherever my heart desires ... season to season, year after year. 

*cue music* Dadadum - dadadum - dadadum - dadadum (snap your fingers now) ... 

"These boots are made for walkin' and that's just what they'll do ..." 

Lauren Woltman can be found at Hop Sing Trading Co. in the Bashford Courts, 130 W. Gurley St.

Discover your Individual Fashion Persona...

Michael Kors said "70 percent of the clothes you own should be meat and potatoes, 30 percent should be icing and fluff - that's color, pattern, shine, accessories. Too many women get the proportions the other way round, then can't figure out why they can't get dressed."

So why not make an effort to change? Enjoy the financial rewards and satisfaction of investing in a more functional wardrobe! Today  we're talking "Clothing Personality". Defining yours can be rewarding, however refining it is an art! Having a signature style is easier on the wallet, easier on the soul and seriously easier when getting dressed every day.

The following is a list of questions to ask yourself that may help you define your personal style trademark. The goal is to create a style that is uniquely yours, looks great on you and feels even better! Why should you care? Because millions of women are suffering and they may not realize it. You need to know your fashion-self and help her edit and or build the perfect wardrobe with pieces that are loved and thoroughly enjoyed when you're wearing them! Ultimately this can help eliminate living with a closet packed with clothes that are not quite right for - whatever reason - you know, the things you don't wear or even like all that much. Or worse, never wore them at all? Perhaps you're a victim of the dreaded price-tag-still-attached syndrome? Thus, creating the vicious cycle of making it much harder to part with those boo-boos, because they've become a shrine to how much money you've wasted. The crazy thing is that, even though you may own plenty of clothes, you somehow know deep down that you lack the basic foundation for a simply enjoyable, versatile and ultimately "wearable" wardrobe.

Answer the following questions -on paper ... in pencil.

Do you have a personal style icon? If so, answer the three following questions:

1. What is your favorite thing about the way she looks?

2. Are you being realistic about your body type if you follow her style example?

3. Is your lifestyle compatible with that look?

It's time to update your shoe closet. You're in a shoe store:

1. What matters most? Comfort or style?

2. What type of shoes do you instinctively look for?

You just won a closet makeover from your favorite store, which store would you beeline to? (Your answer here best defines your favorite fashion look ... and don't allow geography stand between you and this answer! Remember, we are seeking your fashion identity here, let's go all out!

1. What look does that particular store uniquely offer?

2. Would that look fit your lifestyle?

What type of accessories dominate your wardrobe? 

1. Simple and understated?

2. Bold and blingy? 

3. Accessories?

5. Don't quite know?

If your answers are scattered it could mean you like different styles, but it also can mean that you may be suffering from a clothing multiple personality disorder, a confusion created when you're strongly influenced by others to wear clothes not wholly fitting with your inborn personality. It could be induced by a mother, a husband, a job, a fear... 

How you answered these simple questions might help you define your clothing personality, and she might need professional help! It's okay to ask for help, it's not okay to let someone else make the final decision! You must be present and accounted for in the final cut. The only way to know if a style is innately yours is to try it on at your favorite fashion purveyor and see if you're "feeling it." I see a lot of women "team shopping," and asking girlfriends, "Do you think I would wear this?" You shouldn't ask a friend to answer that extremely personal question, you must be true to your own eyes, thoughts and visceral connection to that piece, it's an investment in you. 

Do you love it? Does it make you feel good? How else will you wear it? Where will you wear it? If the answers are there for YOU ... buy it, wear it and own it — In every sense of the word!

Holiday Advertising Hop Sing style!

Yesterday our beautiful holiday ad came out in the Prescott Courier! 

The behind the scenes "work" of this photo shoot was considerable, but when it's a labor of love, the old adage is true... It's true, "love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life"!

My camera shy but -oh so adorable niece- "Stormy Rose" was kind enough to suffer through oh.... Maybe.... 2000+ shots! Yes.... really!!!

Our photo shoot location was an amazingly restored Victorian era home, registered on the Society of Historical Homes, located in Prescott Arizona. (The homeowner, a friend and a substantial collector all things amazing including... Hop Sing fashions). As with most Victorian homes the lighting is minimal and the rooms are often shaded in substantial amounts of beautifully stained glass windows... For a photographer...lighting can be a challenge. 

However... Challenges are often opportunities!

Disadvantages can be used to your advantage... Hence soft Rockwell-esque silhouettes.

The past begins moving you towards the future.

Romantic lace worn over or under...

draping flowing lines. Casual yet dressy, wearable at home and on the town.

And just when you thought you have to be "her" to wear these things...

Along comes all 52 years of "me"... OMG! Oh Well! When in Rome...

"Please be kind... Tell me if I need to suck something in", I repeatedly said...

Now, let me be clear... I'm not ashamed of my fluff & curves, but having them preserved in digital history is another story all together... Not my comfort zone!

Blue hair, contrasted color... Soooo me!

Well, I digress... The point of this message, you don't have to be 20 something to enjoy Hop Sing! In fact very few of our customers are... You do need a sense of individualism.

No cookie cutter fashions here! 

The bottom line is... Ladies my age should never compete stylistically with their daughters, but neither should we compete stylistically with our mothers! Find the perfect balance for your age and body type, then embrace you! Life's too short to blend in!

Inspiration: Audrey