The past week has been a bit of a eye opener for me. None of us are perfect despite how we would like to view ourselves. I am no exception to the rule. As many of you know, I have had a long standing, very “rocky” relationship with a business person and community leader that, of late, has had his share of troubles. I have never been very quiet about my personal feelings and have, perhaps, held on to things a bit too long. I guess I realized how involved I was when the media contacted me. My comment to them is my new stance on his and my view of one another, NO COMMENT.
He and I have spoken, very civilly I might add, and agreed to bury the hatchet and be civil to each other. Please let this put to rest any rumor that I wish any ill will to him or his career. The fact is that my feelings toward him and his feelings toward me are based on a business situation that happened between the two of us and no one else. As we decide how we will coexist in the future we will do so civilly and without comment, or involvement from anyone else. As I have stated before, my personal views of him or anyone else in no way reflect their ability to conduct their professional life the best way they can.
I wish this person well in every endeavor and hope he can work through this situation that I am sure he will find to be a small bump in the road. As I said before, I never realized how public our feud had become until someone gave my phone number to the media. I don’t appreciate being put in the middle of something that I was simply an observer of. Lesson learned.
Lesson for the day…. Learn how to let things go. I have and it does feel good!

Love,

CM

As I sit here… Pinot Grigio at arm’s length I am analyzing my life. In a good way. I think that everyone should stand back and take a good look at themselves. We all get so caught up with the day to day routine that we start to blur the lines between what we should be doing to succeed and what we are doing to “get by.”

I for one have taken a drastic step recently. I decided to start pulling back on the amount of actual styling that I am doing in the salons. I will of course continue to take my private clients but by making this choice I am able to focus on the direction and drive of my company. Christopher Macken Concepts has never been stronger. With that being said it was still not easy to make this move. I have had such a great “income” from the salon that I was too afraid to steer away from it. The catch is that the salon was only allowing me to grow to a certain level. Time to branch out! Time to reach for that golden ring; latch on to it, and run for every goal I have ever had. If you had told me 10 years ago that I would have a cosmetic line, a clothing line, and an advertising company all by the age of 28 I would not have believed it could happen. Continue Reading »

The time is now… the moment is here. I am so very excited about some of the new fashions that are emerging. They remind me so much of the styles in Miami. Classic, sophisticated, with a slight edge and always a sexiness. I am constantly reminded that many people get so comfortable in a style that they stop trying new trends. I, for one have never understood this. I love to allow my own personal style to grow and evolve. I have, on more than one occasion, looked through my closet and had a “what was I thinking” moment. We all have. Even after I have come across that shirt that I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing any more, I still do not throw it out. As my own personal style has evolved I have always had a hard time letting go of some of my “last season favorites”. Case in point… My Armani jeans. I have only worn them one time, and didn’t really like them on me then; yet at this very moment they are hanging in my closet next to my new favorite Oscar de la Renta navy pin stripe dress pants. The fact is that those jeans, the very ones that I have never like on me, look far better on the hanger.

As sad as it makes me to admit, I liked the label more than the jeans. There I said it! I am a label addict. And you know what I do not feel bad for it. I like nice clothes. I like the way the Italian linen feels on my skin and how the cut of my couture Versace blazer hugs my shoulders. When you really think about it, your outfit can make or break your whole day. Your choice in attire can empower you to take charge of your day. Walk with a bit more purpose and hold your head at the perfect “I know who I am” angle. Now I have over the years met people that feel that is shallow to have the idea that “the clothes make the man”. The fact is they are right, that’s why I say… “the LOOK makes the man”! Odds are that no one will ever know who made your suit, but they will know if they made it well and how it fits.

Example…. About 9 years ago I was in Las Vegas visiting a friend. I was there on a shoe string budget seeing as how I worked for a certain theme park in Florida that is run by a friendly rodent and didn’t have a lot of money to spend. I wanted so badly to go to this one nightclub in Caesar’s Palace but didn’t want to pay the high cover charge. One night I was very bored and got dressed in my best jeans that fit me perfect, a solid black button up long sleeve shirt, and a black Blazer that hung from my shoulders as though it was made just for me. After adding the black Kenneth Cole boots (the most expensive thing in my closet at that time) I made my way to the strip. Of course I walked past the club that I wanted to go to thinking that perhaps I could live vicariously through the people waiting in line. As I walked past I got closer to see in through the door, the bouncer that was guarding the rope unlatches the red velvet barricade and says “right this way sir.” I couldn’t believe it! I kind of looked around to be certain he was talking to me. He was! I partied for free that night. All because of the look that I was wearing.

My advice to everyone is to take an hour on a Sunday afternoon and thumb through the newest issue of your favorite fashion mag. If you see something that peaks your interest tear the page out. Next time you go shopping, take it with you! Even if you cant find the exact brands you can always “copy cat” the look with off brands. Remember, you don’t have to have a million to look like one! This will help keep your style in check and evolving, and in the end keep you looking and feeling your best!

Happy Shopping!

CM