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So I’d like to introduce you to this month’s Charm City StyleMaker, Ava Marie. A Meteorologist for our Baltimore NBC affiliate WBAL, she often not only tells me what to expect with the weather for the day, but gives me some outfit inspiration as well. I’m always quite grateful that someone has to be up, dressed, and looking fantastic on TV before I open my eyes. “Morning Person” I am not, but admirer of personal style? That I’ll do at any hour.

So let’s look past that smiling face we see in the mornings on TV, and see what’s inside the closet of one of my favorite TV personalities.

Ava Marie Final

How would you describe your personal style?
I stick to the classics: sheath dresses, cardigans, blouses, blazers and pencil skirts. I choose a lot of solid, bright colors, because they look the best on camera. Patterns are so popular right now, but they can get too busy in front of the weather map. When I’m reporting from out in the field, I trade out my heels for a pair of flats. I never know what kind of activity I’ll get thrown into, so I always want to be ready!

What are your favorite places to shop?
I honestly shop everywhere: local boutiques, department stores, outlets, discount stores and online flash sales. I even stop by my local Goodwill from time to time. You’d be amazed by some of the pieces I’ve found at a thrift store, sometimes still with the tags on. No matter where I shop, I always check the sales rack first. To me, finding a good deal is half the fun! And since I’m the type of person who likes to vary my outfits, shopping the sales helps me maintain a bigger wardrobe without breaking the bank.

What are 5 things currently in your closet that you can’t live without?
Can the answer be ‘everything’? Seriously, ask my husband, I have a hard time letting go of clothes. But if I absolutely had to narrow it down, the list would include:

1) Max Studio copper brown leather pumps – Copper brown is my absolute favorite color for shoes, from sandals to boots to heels. It’s much more vibrant than a typical brown but it still matches with almost anything.

photo 3

2) Ariat leather cowgirl boots – These are the real deal. They’re from a western store in Denver. My mom gave them to me as a Christmas present years ago.  They’ve been everywhere with me through the years, and they remind me of home. I’ve started finding excuses to wear them to work, like when I report at the State Fair and Preakness.

cowgirl boots

3) Banana Republic black pencil skirt – a quality black pencil skirt is must have. It’s so feminine and professional, and literally goes with everything.

4) Tiffany& Co. sterling silver bead studs – my older sister bought these for me as a college graduation present. They’re so simple, but beautiful, and they remind me of my sister every time I wear them.

5) CAbi skinny jeans – These are the most comfortable skinny jeans I’ve ever owned. They fit me perfectly. I mean, I don’t even have to jump up and down to put them on! They look great with a pair of flats in the summer, and tucked into riding boots in the winter. And the best part, I got them in excellent condition from Goodwill for $5.

jeans

What current trend do you love and how do you wear it?
My favorite fashion trend is the waist-cinching belt. I hope it never goes out of style! You’ll see me wear one often, in many different widths and colors. I love how they flatter your waistline and pull an outfit together. I usually wear mine to cinch the waist of a cardigan, but I also like to pair them with dresses.

What trend would you love to cool off?
Baggy blouses. Off the rack, they look great. But I’m always disappointed when I try them on. I don’t know why, but I feel frumpy when clothes are baggy around my waist. Hence why I love to wear belts!

If you won the lottery, what is one style related purchase you would make?
I’d buy an extravagant dress straight off the runway. I’m a pretty practical shopper, so it would be fun, just once, to blow some money of something ridiculous. But after that, I swear I’d still shop the sales.

Seriously, don’t you just love her more now? I love that she sticks to the classics, but finds a way to make it interesting by adding colors and belts. Having great basics that mix and match well may be less fun to shop for, but if you take Ava’s tip about making the “hunt” fun (shopping sale racks first) and varying where you shop, including thrift shops, you can get great items at great prices. And I can’t be mad at a girl that can’t live with out her boots, but would by a gown straight off the runway.

Thanks to Ava for being so kind! Be sure to catch her on WBAL in Baltimore.
XO