Gilt Trip
Roll out the red carpet.
Michele Franchi is a walking New Year's resolution. The 40-year-old mother of three (ages 10 to 17) exercises every day, eats a healthy diet, and gives generously to charities. Her one vice is fashion, but even there she's more moderate than most. "I live in T-shirts, yoga pants, and Puma sneakers during the day," says the Southborough resident, who works part time at the activewear store Lucy in the Natick Collection. But nights out are a different story. "I go to a lot of charity events to benefit breast and ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, close relatives have experienced both," she says. That's one reason Franchi is so health-conscious. Another is staying fit enough to wear slinky eveningwear. "Halle Berry is my role model. She always looks feminine, sexy, and ladylike." Training to teach yoga and Pilates keeps Franchi centered in more ways than one. "I really enjoy the people at the gym. It's not just physical, but also a mental stimulant."
For glamourous dresses
Franchi likes the selection of Nanette Lepore and Nicole Miller at Native Sun in Sudbury (365 Boston Post Road, 978-440-7854) and the bold, body-hugging styles at Marciano (Natick Collection, 508-651-0984, marciano.com). For entrance-making designs, she goes to Bloomingdale's (The Mall at Chestnut Hill, 617-630-6000, bloomingdales.com) and Nordstrom (Natick Collection, 508-318-2600, nordstrom.com).
For jewelry
Aldo Accessories (Natick Collection, 508-653-1574, aldoshoes.com) is a costume-bauble bonanza for Franchi. She also splurges on pieces by David Yurman now and then at Goldstein Swank & Gordon jewelers (Solomon Pond Mall, Marlborough, 508-624-9994, goldsteinswankgordon.com).
For activewear
"I love Lucy [Natick Collection, 508-647-4752, lucy.com]," says Franchi, who is such a fan of the store's workout clothes that she got a part-time job there. For sneakers, she runs into Puma (Natick Collection, 508-653-0501, puma.com) and Niketown (200 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-267-3400, nike.com).
Send comments to magazine@globe.com.
