Above & Beyond Style

What if your right next step (in style, in life, in anything!) may be just...right...there? Sometimes when we set out to change something, it may feel like the step we need to take is way far off. But what if it's just shifting our orientation by one degree? That small step could take us out on an entirely new unchartered course. This week, Missy and I discuss magic starts, those one degree st...

The feeling of having a pair of jeans that fit and feel *just right* is kind of magical. This is why venturing into new styles/shapes for denim can be quite the process, but oh so worth it. Dr. Melissa Carrick (a self-proclaimed denim lover) and I talk about a right next step with denim and if that effort could unlock your personal style. And now is THE time to try because so many old (and new) st...

Have you ever considered using a wardrobe item beyond its intended function or purpose? We are sold clothing or accessories typically in one specific way, but what if we wore them in a new or expanded way? This could be the right next step for you to unlock your personal style! Listen in as I give 5 examples of items you could wear in an expanded way. To learn more about Maria and her work (which...

"A style revolution happens through small steps of evolution!" In this week's episode, Missy and I tap into the inside out process of personal style by using words that describe how we want to feel in our clothes. Listen in as we challenge you to explore your own signature style words as the right next step. To learn more about Maria and her work (which includes hiring her to help yo...

Styling a third piece could be the perfect next step to elevate or customize your personal style. This week, I give you 5 examples of third pieces that I love to complete an outfit or make it feel more cohesive. As an added bonus, I curated some of my favorite options for you to shop directly! You can find them all here . To learn more about Maria and her work (which includes hiring her to help yo...

In this week's episode, I share some recent small steps I've taken and seeing how they might unlock the "next right thing". As we continue to explore the number 5's change energy, I wondered about how it might feel to take an intentional purchasing pause to look at my wardrobe with a new set of eyes. Could a shopping pause provide a useful respite to reevaluate my own style?...

This week, we explore another next step in our style journey... what if we used travel as a mini-exercise to experiment with our style ? In this episode, Missy and I provide you with 5 travel hacks to help you pack light and select clothing with more purpose. We guarantee you'll find some key takeaways to try for yourself! We also reference suitcase stackers (or packing cubes) in the episode;...

This week, Dr. Melissa Carrick (welcome back, Missy!) and I talk about signs and how we make meaning of them. After a recent style challenge, Missy came to a realization about her style (and life) through our work together! Then we chat all about Allison Bornstein’s Wrong Shoe Theory, which opens up a new way of thinking about “right vs. wrong” and playing with an unexpected shoe choice as the rig...

The number 5 has to do with rapid change, and I take a deep dive into its meaning and what it has to do with this season's topic: how can the right next (small) step open the door to bigger style transformation? I give you 5 (of course 5!) examples of style rules we could let go of to take a small next step toward more authentic style. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Inst...

So good to be back with you all for Season 5, where we get to dig even deeper into conversations around style, change, and life decisions. In this episode, I share my story about why the number 5 has come to mean (for me!) taking the Right Next Step. Influenced and informed by the two books (linked below), I am excited to share how taking the right next step could not only change your style, but m...

To make way for big change, sometimes we have to clear a path for it to arrive. Dr. Melissa Carrick and I talk about "the purge" so we can clear the channel for those Yes + No messages to come in. Missy offers a great practice for us to try, and in turn, we discuss what to bring along going forward. This includes great packing tips! To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on I...

After a brief break, Dr. Melissa Carrick and I are back with this week's episode about learning the language of Yes and No. We all receive various invitations from the Universe, and we owe ourselves an RSVP! This action step requires that we get clear about those responses that tell us yes & no information, especially when it comes to style! Listen in. To learn more about Maria and her wor...

We take a pause from our conversations with Dr. Melissa Carrick to bring you a real-time chat as I embark on a very big wave next week: traveling abroad to Europe! Listen in as I talk through this decision and the importance of trying things on (and I don't just mean clothing!) in the midst of change. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mfd_style⁠⁠...

This week, Dr. Melissa Carrick and I are joined by her husband, Zeke Phillips, to dig deep into entrepreneurship. Through their storytelling, we learn more about Missy's recent sabbatical, how to redefine success, and the power of trusting our inner knowing. You won't want to miss this episode! To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mfd_style⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week's episode revisits our question around the big/little waves of change and poses the question: how did we know it was time to make a change ? Dr. Melissa Carrick and I talk about about reading and interpreting signs and how pain can be a motivator for change. We further discuss the benefit of sharing these kind of stories together and with you. To connect with Dr. Melissa Carrick, you...

In this week's episode, Dr. Melissa Carrick and I explore our unique interpretations of how we feel with the "oncoming wave"- ironically, something we didn't see coming! We further discuss bracing vs. embracing a wave as we ask ourselves, is this wave for me ? Listen in as we reconnect with a new definition of home as the waves come- both big and small. Ask yourself: what would i...

"Would you learn the secret of the sea? Only those who brave its dangers, comprehend its mysteries." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow In this week's episode, Missy and I revisit this quote from episode 3, and we uncover the mystery , the whisper , the pause , the reimagining and the curiosity of change. This process, as we come to learn, is at the heart of what we are doing with our lives...

In this week's episode, Dr. Melissa Carrick and I explore the idea "change is my natural state," which leads us into unpacking the world of surfing. By further exploring the metaphor around riding the waves of change, Missy helps us understand core surfing concepts and how those perfectly apply to transitions and change. We also hear the story of Missy's early love of the sea, an...

I am joined by Dr. Melissa Carrick to unpack this season's greatest metaphor and lesson: riding the waves of change. Change is at the heart of every style consultation I've ever conducted, and we talk ALL things change: our lives, our stories, and saying YES to the invitation (or soul imperative as Missy describes it) to do something unconventional. And the cherry on top? Our style and war...

Welcome back to Season 4! In this episode, I unpack why Riding the Waves of Change truly captures the conversation I wanted to have. Joined by a stellar conversation partner, Dr. Melissa Carrick (also known as Missy), you learn about her background as a chiropractor, educator, fellow change-maker, former style client of mine, and life-long surfer. Together, Missy and I will discuss our transitions...

Last week, I posed the question: What are your style pitfalls? What gets you off track from authentic style? And you came back with some seriously good intel. In this week's episode, I recap your feedback and offer a few solutions along the way. This season gave us an opportunity to look at a variety of obstacles or challenges that can get in the way of our authentic style, and hopefully, you&...

Back again with another update on my style resolution with vibrancy as I visited coastal Connecticut! Then, I take another look at these style pitfalls with a bit more focus on the psychology of authentic style. Maybe you've never really been on track with your style? Maybe there's not even been an opportunity to focus on authentic style? I also have a listener request: would you email me...

Sometimes when we look at the extremes of style behavior, we can find clarity in the middle, which I argue is where authentic style lives. This week's episode looks at the Minimalist, the Maximilist, and the Moderate, and offers tips for how to orient ourselves toward a more moderate, authentic style. To learn more about Maria and her work, follow her on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mfd_style⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on...

Let's take a brief break from style pitfalls, as it's been 5 months since I first discussed Choosing Entrepreneurism , and it's time for an update! I recently made a big life transition (sold my home + seeking where-to next!), and it felt appropriate to share more about my spiritual journey as I continue to choose entrepreneurism. I've had several great coaches, mentors, and friend...

This week's check-in on "vibrancy" comes after a VERY big shift I made last week (spoiler alert: I moved!). And it all got me thinking: While I am looking at settling into a new community or neighborhood, I'm curious about whether the pressure to belong is impacting how we get dressed. Does your neighborhood have a look? A uniform of sorts? Do you find yourself feeling the pressu...