I don’t know where my love affair with shoes began, but as far as I can remember, I have been obsessed with shoes. I should probably be an owner of a shoe store by now, but there’s still time to live out that dream! To me, shoes are the start of every great outfit; it's the period at the end of a style sentence. I’m constantly being asked, "how do you put your outfits together?" Well I always start by checking the weather, and I always decide on my shoes first. From there, I can just visualize what outfit will make these beautiful walking forms of art pop. That is literally how I build my outfit of the day. It’s no wonder I read the ends of books first. It's only fitting I start with the shoes!
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Since I’ve had my daughters, I have struggled with my weight. Going to the gym and counting calories just wasn’t in my schedule, and working as much as I do leaves little time. My life had been consumed with playdates, doctor’s visits, sports practices, and homework. I honestly forgot about me. I had left Chantera somewhere in between the carpool lane and the grocery store. It wasn’t until I went to my doctor for a routine checkup that I heard these words carefully fall from my doctor’s mouth: “Would you like to set up an appointment with a weight loss counselor?” At first I was so offended, I felt like the rest of the visit was a slow-motion montage of her giving me pamphlets and telling me it's normal. The word obese was said over and over, and I abruptly got up, thanked her, and made some mommy excuse to get the heck out of there! Here I was thinking I was thick and cute, turns out my lovely lady lumps I was so proud of were affecting my health. I’m a single mom of three girls, and I definitely don’t have time for that. I left my doctor's office feeling like, "oh she’s got me all wrong!" The scale...yeah that damn scale must have been on one because I look AMAZING! How’s that for being overly confident and semi delusional lol! I was so used to hearing others body shame themselves that I just refused to allow myself to go there. But ironically enough, it wasn’t until I couldn’t fit into my favorite go-to LBD that I just lost it and started to cry! I know as women, we have all had that moment of crying clarity. And it was in that moment that I just decided, "Chantera, it's time to care about you." I am no good to my children unhealthy, and my mantra became weight loss = your wardrobe! I can’t go to my clients' homes and not practice what I’ve been stylishly preaching. How am I doing it? Well there isn’t any secret to my now 20+ pound weight loss. I joined a gym that has a child care center. So that cut out the child excuse! But first I hooked up with a trainer to help me put together a routine and navigate the gym and its many machines, and I just stuck to it. I kept telling myself this is for me and my children, because a healthy mom is a happy mom. And my family deserves that!
It's one of my favorite times of the year! One of my favorite stores to shop for myself and my clients, Nordstrom is starting their Anniversary Sale! I'm a card holder so I'm so ready to shop for my girls and myself today! Oh and my clients! Click the link below... or run! Not walk to your nearest Nordstrom store. Happy Anniversary Nordstrom!
Anniversary Sale Early Access Starts July 13 and ends July 20! Nordstrom Credit Cardholders have until July 20 to exclusively shop the Anniversary before everyone else. Anniversary Sale for everyone runs from July 21-August 6! For a limited time, Nordstrom offers brand-new fall styles at seriously discounted prices, from top brands for Women, Men, Kids and Home. Sale Ends August 6. (Prices go up August 7) Click Link below to start saving!!!⬇️ Hi, I’m Chantera Gunn. I’m a mom, and some days I have no idea what I’m doing! Where is the bawling emoji face when you need it? Being a mom (a twin mom at that), I am constantly on Pintrest, Google, and even Instagram trying to get advice or new ideas on how to be their mom the best way I can. I’ve searched mucus and poo color meanings, how to trick my toddlers into eating vegetables, how to potty train. And now I’ve reached the point where I’m searching how to survive the “Terrible Two’s” times TWO. My identical twin girls have their good days, but boy, when they are having a challenging day, it’s a lot. When positive reinforcement and time-outs have run their course, it would be super easy for me to crack open a bottle of wine and grab a straw and head to my closet and just admire my new conquests. But then I look at their beautiful faces and think, "KEEP GOING MAMA!" I can look up and search all I want, but the truth of the matter is being a mom is about humility, patience and strength all in one. I am their only guide to navigate this life, so I am fully aware of the responsibility I hold to just keep trying and show them better. So on the moments I get to see them loving each other and practicing the life tools I’ve taught them, it feels great. And that bottle of wine that you were probably eyeing to flee the scene, well that can wait till after the kiddos are fast asleep! Fashionably Yours, The Style Gunn A ton of my style research begins with my nose in an InStyle Magazine, drinking a cup of coffee for focus, of course. It is so important for me to stay current and knowledgeable for my cleints so that I can give them the best possible service. That starts with me being honest, so that the wardrobe we build together is truly going to sustain them and encourage them to mix and match what is already in their closets to make these amazing outfits that both makes them look and feel incredible. It's my mission to leave them knowing more about themselves and their personal style so that they can build upon what they have learned. Personal style is about who you are and what you want people to know about you. It’s the first and last impression. It's one of the things that makes you unique. I love it when I hear, “It doesn't matter what I’m wearing" because it gives me an opportuiniy to explain why it does. Along with what you're wearing, your scent is also key in my opinon. I am in love with pretty much all the Bond No. 9 fragrances, but Madison Ave is my favorite. It's clean and light and smells amazing. It's my go-to for summer. Now my monthly planner may see a wee bit archeaic to you, but, for me, it’s so chic, and the motivatiom on the cover reminds me to keep moving forward in my quest to “Make America Stylish Again!” Not to worry, I just think it’s a cute play on the notorious slogan. I could also say we are more “Stylish Together,” but I digress. It's having this in my tote that keeps me focused, and I carry it pretty much everywhere I go. The necklaces are just fantastic to layer and wear with everything.
Fall's Coveted Givenchy Duetto Handbag
Just in: Givenchy's covetable Duetto handbag. Get your hands on pre-fall's most covetable new arrival. I am absolutely LIVING for this trend!! It's so versatile and flatters pretty much any body type! As the summer nights become cooler, it's not a bad piece to have in your wardrobe. PLUS!! It will get use in winter spring summer or fall!
Being a mom has its natural ups and downs, but being a single mom and a new business owner adds a very interesting, sometimes challenging layer to my life that requires a life balancing act that I have not yet perfected. But I’m doing it all the same! It honestly starts with the art of multitasking and setting boundaries for myself and others. I find myself making a ton of mistakes. But it’s those mistakes that push me to be better because I know better. Same with style -- your personal style is something that develops over time. As you mature, so does your since of self and your personal style. When I first book a client, I thank them for allowing me to be a part of their style journey. Coming into a client’s home and being allowed access to their closets is personal, and I take it as such. As life happens, getting married, divorcing, gaining weight or losing it are all changes we have to adjust to. Life has a way of changing not just how you feel about yourself, but how you view yourself. That almost always starts in your closet with that one phrase: "Ugh, I have nothing to wear!" Who is the StyleGunn you ask? I am a closet editor and wardrobe builder, but most importantly, it is my mission to encourage you and give you the right tools to navigate you on your style journey!
Fashionably Yours, Chantera Gunn |
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AuthorChantera Gunn is a wardrobe stylist and functional shoe-and-shopping-a-holic. Archives
March 2020
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