FGI panel: (L to R) Justine Markese, Kate Leydon, Fredda and TOC's Liz Plosser.

Last night I moderated a Fashion Group International–hosted panel titled “The Energy of Beauty, Style and Wellness” at the new (chic, glam, happy!) Colorlab cosmetics store in Lincoln Park. (FGI is a global, non-profit, professional organization with about 5,000 members.) Attended by a couple dozen Chicagoland members—professionals who do everything from making clothes to working in home design, to owning boutiques—the snowy, frosty weather couldn’t freeze the smiles and upbeat vibe of the night. The three panelists, representing the worlds of beauty, style and wellness, shared tons of insightful observations and I walked back out into the snowy night armed with three inspiring life lessons. Even better, each one is a cinch to implement in my daily life.
Clean out your closet. Fashion guru, image consultant and lifestyle educator Fredda talked about how de-cluttering your life helps banish negative energy, which may be holding you back from success at work, weight loss or happiness in a relationship. She asked the audience to consider how much stuff they’re carrying around just because they think they should, because of guilt, because of emotional attachment, etc. Whether it’s a hand-me-down shirt from your sister, a clock you inherited when your grandmother passed away, a bowl your mom gave you as a birthday gift—if you’re not using it, or it doesn’t make you happy, get rid of it, says Fredda.

The result? You’re clearing space for positive energy and making room for objects you adore. I have seriously, seriously been talking about cleaning out my closet for months and Fredda’s words are the last nudge I needed. And stay tuned for next week’s issue of TOC, which features an article about how to make money cleaning out apartment thanks to the magic of eBay. FYI, Fredda currently leads a series of seminars and workshops at Wicker Park’s Ruby Room spa helping folks tap into their authentic selves and expressing themselves in their truest form aesthetically. There’s one tonight. 6:30–9pm, free (1743-45 W Division St, 773-235-2323, rubyroom.com).

Treat yourself. Kate Leydon, owner of Ruby Room, gave the group some insight into how healing touch is so important in these troubling times. As Leydon has observed, sometimes a customer isn’t just making an appointment for a eyebrow wax or a facial, she’s making an appointment so she can be cared for and touched by healing hands. Leydon works with her therapists, stylists and aestheticians on understanding what clients need and creating a safe, happy sanctuary for that healing to take place.

Interestingly, Leydon also works with her staff on how to deal with the many forms of “energy” they encountner during their work on guests at the spa, from toxic energy from a break-up, to depression, to excitement, etc. (Therapists can unknowingly “take on” the energy of the person they work on—think of all the baggage the guy who cuts your hair must go home with after a long Saturday at the salon.) For some awesome healing therapists, read our recent “stretch your spa dollar” feature.

Leydon also announced a new line of Ruby Room–branded Aroma Infused Flower and Gem Essence Collection, sprays which I’m dying to try.

Add a pop of color to your cube. Justine Markese, the senior brand manager for Colorlab, discussed how something as simple as the shade of lipstick, the color of your office wall, or the hue of the sweater you pull on in the morning can have a dramatic effect on your mood (and productivity). She told a story about how her office was painted while she was away on business. She came back to discover that one wall was an “angry purple” and another a “nursery yellow.” Markese says she oscillates between feeling mad and weepy during the day—clearly it’s time for a change of hue for her. I’m writing these words from the confines of a grey cubicle and Markese has inspired me to uplift my workspace. I’m going to bring in a colorful piece of fabric or bright, patterned scarf someday soon to see how that influences the vibe.