Thursday

I got to wash my hair! Yippeee! It was thrilled and was terribly obienent this morning as a result.

Black cotton cashmere cap sleeved v-neck shell from Ann Taylor Loft and triacetate black suiting trousers from Ann Taylor. Two gold chains from Express, gold bangles from Claire's and of course, my black leather thong heels from Mossimo. May be boring, but each summer I buy two pairs of these shoes (if the ones from the previous year are in bad shape) and they suit me fine. Less than $20 each and a great way to show off a fresh pedicure - my summer treat (and right now I am sporting a blackberry shade, a nice preview for fall).

hair is washed with Suave Professional Color Care shapoo and conditioner, while damp I applied Pantene's Thickening Spray and Sexy Straight Hair balm. Dried with a round brush, and then a few pieces hit with the straightening iron.

Makeup is L'Oreal True Match foundation, Nars Orgasm blush. For eyes, I tried the new Body Shop shadows. WOAH! They are not at ALL like the old ones! The pigment is intense. I was used to swirling my brush and often having to layer the shadow to get the color I desired. With the new shadows, the pigment is so deep that a light touch of the brush is aplenty. Unfortunately I found out AFTER application. I used many a Kleenex and Q-tip to clean up my eye area this AM. Now I know... Anyway I used the new Taupe ont he lid and Soft Black in the crease and along the lash line. L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black. On lips I tried the Body Shop's High Shine Lip Treatment in Red Glaze. Not a fan. It has a weird berry scent that I find childish and a bit like cough syrup. The product is sticky but not int he way that it lasts all day. I felt as though I had food on my lips. The red is non-existant on the lips as is the sparkle. I ended up putting Maybelline's Forever Metallics pencil in Berry Glossy over it for some color. I believe I won't be wearing this gloss again.

Online Vendor Review - IGIGI

It’s fun when online purchases arrive in the mail. Come home from work and a box or bag is waiting for you on the doorstep. It’s even better when that box is a gift. When I received my purchase from IGIGI, I felt as though I had received a gift from a loving friend. Carefully folded, wrapped in tissue and sealed with a logo sticker, I felt as though this was bought at an exclusive boutique, not from an online vendor. I love it when online shops take the care with their garments that their brick-and-mortar counterparts do. It shows respect for their product as well as for their customer.

I received my wrap top from IGIGI just before a trip to the beach with my mother and sister. We range in sizes from a 10 to a 16 on top, five feet tall to five foot six. I thought it a perfect way to try the cut of IGIGI’s clothing on a variety of shapes of women.

I received the top in plum, a deep cool-toned amethyst. The fabric was similar to Chico’s Traveler’s collection, but with more weight and less ribbing. The top was a wrap style, but the underpart was attached to the top front part of the wrap. I like it when the wrap top is attached; for busty women like me when the top is not attached in front, I find the underpart slides under my breasts causing a gaping neckline. The tie part was thick and the length where it could be made into a bow, but I preferred a square knot. There is front vertical seaming that gives a lengthening and slimming effect.

I personally found the top too large for me in a 14/16. Though my bust fit well in it, the shoulders were too large, the sleeves too long and the body hit a bit too long on my hips, looking more like a casual tunic than a dressy or evening top. My sister is taller than I, a larger size and leggy; the length and size was perfect on her, and the color was great with her light auburn tresses. She said she could see it for work in the fall with a black camisole underneath and fluid black pants and for going out without a camisole, a cool necklace and dark jeans. We both liked the fabric and the shape so much we are considering purchasing the wrap dress for fall – I will even take it to a tailor to get it to fit my shoulders and height, I was so pleased with the quality of fabric and workmanship. I can see it for work, for play, for daytime weddings and taking front and center in my closet.

The garment came with a folder full of information about IGIGI and a catalog of some of their products. I loved knowing that the designer Yuliya Zeltser started the company because her mother was plus sized and had a hard time finding flattering and stylish clothing. Unlike many plus sized brands that just see women over a 10 as all over bigger, IGIGI sees that women come in different shapes and gear much of their website organization to the seven shapes of women – the diamond, the figure eight, the hourglass, the inverted triangle, the oval, the rectangle and the triangle. I love this. We women KNOW we are not all the same shape yet most designers don’t seem to take larger breasts, hips shoulders or lack of curves into consideration.

All in all, I am highly impressed with this online vendor. I feel confident in recommending this company to those who are average height or taller, and a full plus size. Please check them out, and if you use the code IGIGI at checkout, you can get 15% off. Do visit them and experience a company that is different from the mainstream, and good at what they do. Oh, they ship internationally and have the option of customer service in Spanish. How great!

Tuesday Tip – For the Fashion Fearful

I apologize for this being delayed, computer issues on yesterday.

Many of you may be reading this for entertainment. You are stylish, you are hip to trends. You know what looks good on you and what is positively ghastly. You wear your shape with pride and class. You don’t need assistance, you’re just cruising by.

Others, you care, but you don’t know where to start. You have been wearing the same pieces for over a decade, even though your shape, lifestyle and tastes have changed. Clothing has been something you use to not get arrested for indecent exposure, not something you care about. Now for whatever reason, you have started to care. And this terrifies you. Where to start?

First things first, fashion does not have to be scary. Let’s scratch the word FASHION. It evokes 3-inch thick Vogue magazines, stiletto heels, clothes you cannot sit in and designers one’s name cannot pronounce (or ever be able to afford). I like the word STYLE. Style does not disappear when a hemline goes out of the limelight. It does not waver from season to season. It does not offer free advertising for brand names and it spans generations and waistlines. Style is available for all, no matter your shape, your age or your budget.

I am going to ask you to do a very terrifying thing. Purchase a full-length mirror if you do not already own one. They are available for less then $20 from Big Box retailers like Kmart and Target. This can be most anywhere – the back of the bathroom door usually hidden by your robe, on the inside of your closet door, in your hallway closet in the foyer I even have one in my office/gym/spare room (which explains the Bowflex in every picture on my other blog). Place it anywhere you want and what works with your home. Now USE IT. So many women do not own a full-length mirror. This must explain why so many women walk around in too-short trousers, clunky shoes with trim pants, and panty lines visible a mile away. Each day before you leave your home, LOOK AT YOURSELF. Do you like what you see? Now you can’t remove the hips, the wrinkles, the breasts or the nose with a flash of a wand, but that is not what you are looking at. Are you “wrapping the package” in a flattering way? It doesn’t matter what you like and dislike about your figure or your face; you do not have immediate control over that. What you do have control over is how it is covered. Do those trousers dig into your midsection causing the dreaded “muffin top?” Is that skirt hitting in the middle of the widest part of your calf, causing your legs to look shorter and thicker than they really are? How does that turtleneck REALLY look with your round face? Is that skirt really work appropriate or more dance club appropriate? Does that baggy sweater cover your bumps or accentuate them?

Once you have become comfortable with said full-length mirror (at least two weeks of daily views) you will see your wardrobe will change slightly. The pleated pants will be worn less, and possibly donated to a charity. The beloved dress that is “a little tight but not bad” may take a place farther back in the closet until you again reach goal weight. And those tunic sweaters that you feel hide all your sins? You will see that they really don’t achieve much at all. This is a good thing. A GOOD wardrobe is based on quality, not quantity. So you only like two pairs of trousers in your closet now. Who said you can’t wear the same pants twice in a week? Unless they are lime green with fuchsia polka-dots, I highly doubt anyone will notice. What they will notice is the stained, threadbare too short chinos that you are sporting in the sensible trousers’ place. If you don’t like something on you, you should not hang on to it. You will not miss it after a short period, and if you keep it, you may actually wear it again. Even if you end up with only three bottoms and four tops, you will survive. Slowly you can add to this collection with pieces you love and that love your body.

Now how does one go about buying new clothes? Malls are scary places, sensory overload of sights, smells and sounds. Online shopping is a game of Russian roulette and can be quite costly with returning those items that are not right. Boutiques are quaint but often costly and have a minimal amount of sizes and selection.

As I have mentioned before, I find malls to be the best for the new to wardrobe building. Clothing is something you wear every day and effects every aspect of your life. You would take a half day for a doctor’s appointment, why not schedule a wardrobe doctor appointment. Malls are lovely before the lunch rush. The stores are pretty empty and the salespeople are bored. Bored salespeople equal helpful salespeople and less frantic of salespeople. They will take their time with you, bringing you other sizes to the fitting room and giving you advice and opinions. Managers usually work on Monday early shifts and they usually have the most experience and the best sales skills. If you cannot take off a morning to shop, consider early on a Saturday or later on a Sunday.

Go to the mall with a list. A pair of black trousers, a new pair of brown boots, a couple of business casual tops. Then stick to that. If you need work clothes, do not even walk by the yoga pants, the jeans or the hoodies. They may be safe, but they are not necessary right now.

Consider solids. Solids may seem drab and boring, but they are the most versatile. A solid top will most likely match your solid bottom, and it’s less memorable, meaning you can wear it more often without anyone noticing. You see when your neighbor wears that floral skirt again, but when she wears a blue dress, you only notice the color, not the date of when it was worn. Find your personality through scarves, jewelry, shoes and handbags. No clue what colors go with what? Here is some assistance. This is not all-inclusive, but a simple list to help with those crazy colors shown in stores this season:

Color Bottom	Color Top	Complimenting Accessories (shoes, belts, bags)
Black	Most any color except a medium brown or browns and navys that are almost the same shade as the black	Black is a safe bet. You can go with a contrast color (anything but brown, tan and navy) as long as the top is also black or a dark basic color (red shoes with a khaki sweater and black skirt)
Brown	Ivory, brown, tan, red, pink, lighter shades of blue, dark orange/rust/terracotta	Again, safe to go with the same color and only use a contrast if the top and bottom are both neutral (ivory sweater, brown pants and green pumps)
Camel	Brown, pink, black, ivory, plum, dark greens, navy, French blue, red, dark purples	If you have camel already, great! If not, consider the top. If it is a warm color (red, ivory, plum) brown is a nice compliment. If it is cool (black, purples, French blue) consider black. Navy is a shade that can go either way, though I think darker shades look better with black and lighter shades with brown.
Navy	French or baby blue, pinks, white, camel, ivory, dark red, lighter shades of green	Again, if you have navy shoes that closely match the bottom, wear them. I personally find navy bottoms hard to match and just never wear them. If you like navy, consider the rules above. Darker navys with black and lighter with dark brown or camel.
White (no matter what the fashion mags say, should only be worn from June through August unless you are a true expert fashionista)	Most any color except beige, ivory or a very pale shade of a color.	I do not believe white shoes should be bought by anyone except nurses, brides and true expert fashionistas. Since these white skirts and pants are being worn in the summer ONLY, consider a neutral like a tan shoe. If you are wearing a bright colored top (colbalt blue, hot pink, red) consider black shoes instead.
Ivory	Black, brown, medium to dark greens, pinks and blues, red, navy, tan, purples and oranges	If it is a warm shade (orange, brown, tan) consider brown. If cool (black, blue, green) consider black. No one needs to own a pair of ivory shoes.

When you are shopping, consider your lifestyle. If you are reading this, you are probably not the type to have 40 pairs of shoes. Try to build your wardrobe around one shoe color. If you are fair haired, you may feel better in browns. If you are a brunette, you may be like me and prefer black. I only own one brown pair of shoes and no navy; I shop and think, “would this go with black shoes?” If it won’t go with a pair of shoes already in my closet I will not even try it on. It is far too expensive and complicated to buy a pair of pants and then have to search for matching shoes, belt, top and accessories to match it. If you like black shoes, consider only buying bottoms in black, ivory and tan or camel. If you prefer brown, consider only brown, khaki and camel. Personally, I find navy too difficult to match and blend into a wardrobe. If you cannot think of at least two things and one pair of shoes in your closet that an item will match, don’t buy it. It will cause you too much strife.

As for WHAT to buy, check out the sidebar. I have some suggestions as to what basic items every woman could use in her wardrobe. Also consider your lifestyle. If you are a stay-at-home mom, you may not need a pantsuit as much as quickly as a woman who meets with clients at work on a daily basis (though trust me, once you have a new wardrobe and a new look on life, almost all women will find needs for all the items on the list!). Start off slow. A pair of pants to replace the ones that accidentally got washed and now don’t hang right. A new sweater to replace the baggy tunic you have sported for a decade. A dress for that upcoming wedding that will also be appropriate for your company holiday party AND your niece’s christening. A pair of simple black pumps that will go with your work pants AND that dress for the upcoming wedding. Go slow. No one is keeping a tally of how many pieces of clothing you own. Scour sale racks. Once you are comfortable with your size and what styles flatter you, venture to the online vendors and boutiques for variety (and often for better prices). Note the designers that fit you well and be loyal to them. Also be loyal to the shops that fit you and treat you well when you visit. Good salespeople will take down your information and notify you of sales and special events in their shops. This can save you money and time when adding to your wardrobe. Try to stay away from malls at holidays and on Saturday afternoons until you feel very strong and comfortable with shopping – these times will make you want to crawl back into your home and cover yourself with fleece. And finally, believe in yourself. Wearing flattering, well made and fitting clothing is something you DESERVE. You work hard, you care about others, you are an important person on this planet. You deserve to feel good, to look good, and to present yourself to others as the wonderful person you are.

Wednesday

These pictures are hideous; I promise I look far better than these shots! Black and white lightweight cotton dress from Adriana Appell. Black cotton knit shrug from Target. Silver cuff bracelet and my trusty black leather thong heels from Target.

Hair is still dirty (wash tomorrow - yee haw!). I showered, which left it a bit humid/damp. Blew it all dry with a round boar bristle brush. Then I hit a few pieces in back with the straightening iron. These pictures really show the new color. I am liking it more and more!

Makeup is L'Oreal True Match foundation in C3, Physician's Formula mosaics bronzer, a touch of Nars Orgasm blush, Damson lipstick from The Body Shop. Eyes is Revlon's ColorStay shadow quad in neutral - ivory on inner corners and brow bones, khaki on the lid, chocolate int he crease and along the lash lines. Two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black.

Tuesday

I never like my haircut on the second day. When you get it colored, you can't wash it. I am terribly particular on what products I use and how I style it. My stylist is very talented with shears and color, but I don't particularly like the way she styles it. Curly hair is a bit frizzy, straight hair is a bit too straight and flat. Get color and you can't wash for 48 hours, leaving the limp hair product in the whole time. I do the best I can with what is in there and count down the hours until I can wash it and style it the way I like best.

I changed the color. I felt as though I was getting too blonde. I have done actual blonde before, and had the crazy skunk stripes of blonde in the late 90's. Looking back at photographs, neither were flattering. I feared I was becoming one of those women who has highlights overtaking her natural color. Thank goodness my stylist Kathleen saw the same thing I did. We decided to do less honey, more chocolate and auburn and bring it back to a brunette look for fall. Also added thicker bangs. The more I have bands the more I like them on my face. I think this will be a good cut for the autumn.

Anyway, the outfit. Ivory lace top with satin ribbon belt from Banana Republic. Ivory camisole from Express. Denim trousers from Ann Taylor. Silver and pearl dangly earrings from... some brand that sells at Lord and Taylor. I considered them for my wedding and never got around the returning them. And then my black leather thong heels from Mossimo.

Hair is second day dirty, though I must say the shampoo person at the salon gave me the biggest darn head and neck massage with the shampoo and conditioning. Very nice, got a good tip. This morning I hit it all with the curling iron and then brushed it out. Not loving it, but I know it will be good in a few days.

Makeup is L'Oreal True Match foundation, Physician's Formula mosaics bronzer, a bit of Nars Orgasm blush, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in neutral - ivory on the inner corners and bow bone, khaki on the lid, chocolate in the crease and very thinly along lash lines. Two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black. On lips is another Body Shop lipstick in shade 12, this one is Damson. I find it to be more warm in tone, but I like it. Imagine blending terracotta and plum together with a very subtle shimmer. As a Winter, I still find it flattering. I put it on at 7:30, it is 11:30 and I still feel it and slightly see it on my lips. not bad for a traditional lipstick and me eating a piece of toast and a cup of coffee and talking and yes, even licking my lips.

Monday

Black tape-yarn scoopneck short-sleeved sweater from Ann Taylor Loft. Chinese Red shantunk drop-waist pleated skirt from Banana Republic. Open-toe pumps from Steve Madden. Silver cuff and hoops.

Hair was washed yesterday, a bit of Frizz-Ease Dream Curls sprayed in, and hair allowed to air dry. This gave me this morning some perfect ringlets and some messy stringy pieces. Hit the stringy pieces (mainly back of head) with the curling iron and then brushed out the whole look. Not too worried about my hair today; have an appointment with my stylist after work and my hair has risen the white flag in defeat. it has been too long between salon visits and it just won't try any longer.

Makeup is L'oreal true match foundation in C3, Nars Orgasm blush, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in neutral - the ivory on the inner corners, brow bone and a bit on the lid. Two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black on curled lashes and a thick line of Maybelline's Ultra Liner in black on the top lash line. On lips is The Body Shop's new reformulated lipstick in shade 03, which I believe is Plum.

I know I mention The Body Shop products a lot. I used to work for the company, so I have a ton of their makeup, especially shadows. They have recently repackaged and reformulated their entire cosmetics line. I used to hate their lip products - the glosses I found wore away soon and had a weird berry smell. Their lipsticks were cheap feeling and the casing was crap - the cap always fell off and product got all over my bag. Not a fan.

Well I recently bought their sheer lipcolor in 02 and the lipstick in 03 and I am a big fan. They products are creamy, wear well, feel good, smell mild and the colors are flattering. The sheer lipcolor in 03 is a a shimmery dark berry in the elongated tube, but is a pretty pinky plummy neutral on the lips. Like my lips, but a bit darker and a bit pinker. I wore it Saturday night with my new blue dress from target and it complimeented the cool blue nicely. The 03 lipstick was only reapplied after lunch today; each time I saw my reflection in the bathroom prior to that, I had tinted lips. This is huge for me; I rarely wear colorful lipstick because it wears away so easily on me leaving smeary lips or nude lips all together. Also, after a weekend of wearing both products, my lips feel very soft and healthy. Again a rairity for me with my sensitive and dry lips (hence my affinity for glosses and balms). I also purchased two different foundations, a highlighting pen, a cream blush, a gloss and some other goodies. As I use them, I will let you know how they fare.

Friday

I had a completely different outfit on today and had to change; I just didn't feel right. This morning I spent an extra-long time at the gym, had a hearty yet healthy breakfast and went out in the front yard to play with the dog. It made me feel very... relaxed. More L.L. Bean than Nordstrom. So I quickly changed.

Coral and white striped cotton sweater AND white stretch denim skirt from Ann Taylor Loft, silver hoops and cuff bracelet, beaded thong sandals from Seychelles.

Hair was wahsed and conditioned with Suave Professionals Color Care; this stuff gives my hair really soft soft soft little-kid hair. Then a bit of Sexy Straight balm, then dried with round brush. Teensy bit of BioSilk on the ends to cover up the desperate need for a trim.

Makeup is L'Oreal True Match foundation, Physician's Formula Magical Mosaics bronzer in light, a bit of Nars Orgasm on the cheeks. On eyes is Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in neutral - ivory on the corners and brow bone, khaki on the lids and a bit of olive on the lower lid (leftover from previous outfit). L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black and a line of Maybelline Ultra Liner in black on the top lash line.

Thursday

Darn difficult Blogger; I haven't been able to get on here in over 24 hours! Argh!

Anyway, on Thursday I wore a black cashmere shell from Banana Republic, white twill cuffed cropped pants from Casual Corner, red, black and white striped oblong scarf from Limited in the hair, silver hoops and cuff bracelet, black leather thong heels from Mossimo.

Makeup is L'Oreal True Match foundation in C3, Physician's Formula Magical Mosaics bronzer in light, Sally Hansen's diamond lipgloss in Champagne Toast, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in neutral - khaki on the lid and ivory on the inner corners and on brow bone. Lashes curled and L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black applied; then I applied a line of Maybelline's Ultra Liner in black on the top lash line.

Wednesday

Ah, to shop in your closet! Things you forget about suddenly fit better, are more in style, etc... This is a vest I got for some ridiculously cheap amount on the clearance rack at Ann Taylor a couple of years ago. It is the same fabric as a suit I have from there, but instead of being solid black, it has very fine pinstripes of brown and white. I used to wear it a couple of years ago with a white blouse under it and a black pencil skirt. Over the years, the vest didn't fit well so it was retired to the very back of the closet. This morning when trying to pull out a jacket fromt he back, I felt this vest and decided to see how it fits now. It fits! I decided to pair it with a white ribbed tank from J. Crew, black suiting trousers from Ann Taylor Loft, black pointy leather pumps from B.P./Nordstrom, a short pearl necklace from Monet, longer pearl necklace from Limited, and pearl and "diamond" studs from Monet as well.

Hair had Sexy Straight Balm applied to it damp, blown straight with a round boar bristle brush and a touch of BioSilk applied to the ends.

Makeup is L'oreal True Match foundation, MAC Studio Stick concealer, Physician's Formula Magical Mosaics bronzer in light, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in neutral - ivory in the inner corners and along the brow bone, khaki on the lids. The Body Shop's Soft Black shadow in the crease and along the lash line. Line of Maybelline's Ultra Liner in black on the top lash line and two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black on curled lashes. On lips is Sally Hansen's Diamond lipcolor in Champagne Toast.

Tuesday’s Tip – Mind Over Matter

This is a post I have been thinking about writing; have made drafts but never completed. This is to many women in my life who fear that caring for their looks detracts from their intelligence. You are beautiful, you deserve to feel great about all aprts of you, not just your mind.

Many women, especially Americans feel that caring about their looks detracts from their intelligence. I remember my freshman year of college, attending study sessions with women wearing threadbare and misshapen thrift store sweaters, ill-fitting stained trousers and skirts, clunky shoes and unbrushed hair. It seemed that the less a woman cared for her appearance, the more intelligent she was.

Why can’t a woman be intelligent AND well put together? Looking good does not require a woman to invest many hours a week pouring through fashion magazines and watching only the Style network on television. You don’t need to hit the mall every weekend and you do not need to change your interests. It isn’t being hip to the latest trends that makes a woman look great; it is having a sense of style that transcends trends and accentuates the persona of the wearer.

Oprah Winfrey. Diane Sawyer. Ségolène Royal. Hillary Clinton. Anna Wintour. You may not agree with their politics or profession, but would anyone doubt the intelligence of these women? They are all smartly dressed females, yet their intelligence is able to shine through. What works for Diane Sawyer can work for you as well.

Just as you wouldn’t put any old painting on your wall, you shouldn’t place any old sweater on your body. If you don’t care for your person, why should others care? If you are intelligent, more often than not you are sharing your knowledge with others, be it for business lunches, discussion groups or presentations. You are interacting with people, and people will be judging not only what comes from your mouth, but the package holding that intelligent mind.

Without changing your entire world, there are a few things you can accomplish to maintain your lifestyle but add some personal style to it.

1. Care for your hair. If it’s always in the way and you keep tucking it behind your ears, pulling it up in a clip or piling it in a half-hearted bun, you may need a haircut. Your profession causes you to bend your head down in concentration; long layers may not be the best for you. If you find your hair a burden, it’s often best to have less of it. Along these lines, care for the hair you have. Accept that it is curly, fine, straight or coarse and have it styled to accommodate that. This doesn’t require hours of time with tools and products, just a decent haircut that allows a low-maintenance regimen. Along with that, use proper shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. The cheap brands at the drugstore are just as bad as washing your hair with dish detergent – they will increase spit ends, frizziness and lackluster color. There are lower-end (and cost) brands that will baby your hair – consider the Suave Professionals line. It’s in most big box retailers and usually is less than $2.00 a bottle.
2. Donate the distressed. Would you drive a client in a car with a hole in the window? Would you serve guests at your dining table with a broken chair? Then why are you wearing clothing with holes, stains and tears in them? Replacing these items will not cost you an arm and a leg – slowly replace them by carefully searching sale racks, discount stores or even thrift stores. You can be quirky, creative and intelligent with complete clothing.
3. Show your personality. So you are an artist, an author, a Nobel peace prize winner. Why are you dressed all in gray, brown and black? You have a colorful mind, let it show in your dress. Love purple? Why not get a purple sweater, a purple scarf, a purple purse. Add some color to your wardrobe; this is the easiest way to freshen your complexion, add shine to your hair and improve your figure. Don’t believe me? Buy something in a color you are passionate about and see the compliments roll in. People will think you are thinner, taller, happier and in love just with a change of color.
4. Go for simplicity. When you are busy, the last thing you have time for is matching outfits and worrying about your wardrobe. Make it simple. Buy solids and stick to simple cuts and fabrics. If you invest in simple flat front pants, a-line skirts, solid well made sweaters and basic dresses, you can wear them for years without looking dated, trendy or tacky. Prints are memorable, it’s harder to have a simple fuss-free wardrobe if it is full of plaids, paisleys and florals. It’s easier to wear the same dark red merino v-neck for five years, once a week than a striped one. Want to show your creative side? Do it with necklaces, bracelets, scarves, shoes and handbags. Invest in basic simple pieces – less worry about what you are wearing and more ability to transcend seasons, years and trends.
5. Care for your skin. You don’t need to wear makeup to look polished; if your skin is healthy, you will glow. Wash it with a gentle cleanser, be fastidious with the sunscreen, moisturize day and night, do not overwash your skin (skin should never feel tight after cleansing). You will have your body and your skins forever; care for it now and it will be a good friend throughout your lifetime.
6. Buy a new pair of shoes. Like your skin, your feet are with you forever. Your shoes should be in good shape, supportive and a joy to put on each day. Instead of basic black flats, why not try a pair of red, or even leopard spotted ones? Shoes should be reheeled and resoled every year or so; this will keep them from being permanently damaged or affecting your health (bad shoes can cause leg and back pain as well as feet woes). A woman does not need seven dozen pairs of footwear, but should have the basics for all events – sneakers for sports and activities, pumps for dresses and more formal events, boots or loafers for pants and jeans and a sandal that can be worn with skirts, dresses, cropped pants and shorts. The rest is up to you. As for these essentials, keep them simple and you will need fewer pairs. Keep them polished, maintained and in a safe place when not worn and they will last you for years.
   

Tuesday

Plum fine jersey dress from Gap. Gosh I wish the picture better showcased the rouching and styling of the dress - I got it for $14 and I ADORE it. With it I have a thin strand of beads - glass and wood. On my feet are my beaded thong sandals from Seychelles.

Hair is second day dirty, a few pieces curled then brushed out so it looks less fried. I am two weeks late for my cut and color and it is really showing it. Monday is my appointment, I cannot WAIT!

Makeup is very subtle - L'Oreal True Match foundation only where needed (around eyes, on cheeks and chin), Physician's Formula Magical Mosaics bronzer in light as powder and color, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in neutral - ivory on inner corners and on brow bone, khaki on lids and along lash line. lashes curled and a coating of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black. On lips is Sally Hanson's diamond lipgloss in Champagne Toast.

This Weekend and Monday

As you know, Friday I went down in the outfit posted. Friday night us three (my mom, my sister and I have an annual trip to the shore) walked around the town, people watched on the boardwalk, and then headed to an Italian restauraunt where we dined on steamed mussels, dipped garlic bread in the broth and had a lovely bottle of wine. We then headed to a small bar where a blues/rock band was performing where we danced, chatted with other patrons and had a relaxed time. I wore a coral cotton camisole from Gap, my beloved lowrise bootcut jeans from Gap, my beaded thong sandals from Seychelles, two coral glass chip necklaces and my hair wavy. I cannot believe I actually forgot my hair products so I used my sister's John Frieda Frizz-Ease Dream Curls on damp hair, a Tresseme hairspray and a LOT of a curling iron because the stuff just didn't work right for me.

The next day, we had breakfast at the hotel, then headed to the beach. Aquamarine halter one-piece suit from J. Crew, navy crinkled gauzy v-neck tunic coverup with tonal embroidery from J. Crew, black Reef flops, black sunglasses, a denim skirt from Old Navy brought along so I was decent off the beach. I like to have a bit of a color story, so my bag is berry and turqupoise - L.L. Bean and my towel is shades of blues.




That evening, we walked through all the little shops. No luck this trip, no new accessories. We were going to have dinner at a raw bar, but the waitlist was insane. Good thing, because we found the most amazing restaurant - gorgeous decor, the menu was creative, the wine list extensive, the food tasted fabulous - my taste buds were exhausted by the end. We then walked on the boardwalk, my sister and mom had ice cream and the breeze was jsut right. I wore a black fine jersey rurplice to with flowing sleeves from Ann Taylor Loft, the same jeans as the previous night, black stacked flops from J. Crew, silver hoops and multiple silver bangles from Ann Taylor Loft. Hair was a bit better - I had a chance to let it air dry which helped the curls set. Makeup was subtle - spot foundation, Physician's Formula Magical Mosaics bronzer for powder and color, L'oreal Voluminous mascara, Revlon ColorStay neutral shadow quad - ivory in the inner corners and along brow bone, khaki on the lid and along lower lash line, a bit of Goldie lipgloss in Blossom.

The next day we had breakfast and then headed to the outlets where again I had no success (some goodies for holiday gifts from Harry & David and a shirt for the husband from Gap Outlet). I wore a plum jersey sleeveless surplice-front dress from Gap and black Reef flops, silver hoops and necklace. Comfortable, easy to change out of, perfect outlet shopping attire.

Due to uploading pictures from the trip on my home computer, I forgot my camera at home and do not have pictures of today's outfit - black tencel fitted tee from Banana Republic, white tonal stripe trousers from Tahari, my black thong heels from Mossimo, white bead necklace (vintage), my hair straight and my makeup the same as all weekend.

Friday

Purple and green batik-print cotton top, wrap style from Gap. Lowrise bootcut jeans from Gap. Gold chain from Express, knotted and gold bangles from Claire's. Beaded thong sandals from Seychelles.

Okay, don't get grossed out but hair is third-day dirty. The bod is clean, the hair is barely brushed. I am heading to the beach after lunch today and probably will head straight into the ocean. Why bother with doing my hair?

As for makeup, I made a little montage...

You can see I put foundation on only one side of my face.  This shows how foundation changes the tone of my face, but doesn't really coat the skin. Just gets rid of the redness and makes it look smooth. Love L'Oreal True Match. I apply it with my fingers, blend with my ring finger.

Full face of foundation

Where I apply my concealer, MAC's Studio Stick. Applied straight from tube

Blended concealer (with ring finger only!)

Blended with eyebrows shadowed in (Maybelline's brow powder in med/dark brown, Trish McEvoy slanted brow brush)

Bronzer added to cheeks, nose, forehead... gosh the whole face and neck and collar bone (Physician's Formula Magical Mosaics in Light)

Shadow applied - ivory and olive from the Revlon ColorStay neutral quad of shadows. I applied with my finger, ivory to the inner corners, olive on the lid and along lower lash line.

Lipgloss (Goldie's Blossom) and mascara (L'Oreal Voluminous to lashes curled by Shu Eumura)

Thursday... Look what I Have!

That's right ladies and gentlemen, I have the dress I desired from Target! Toya inspired me; I left work yesterday around 3pm and headed to the location near my office, hoping a different community would offer a different clothing collection. The Paul and Joe collection was right in front, and I immediately spotted the mallard blue color on a rack. There were about a dozen dresses left, half of them were a size Large. I didn't even try it on, I dashed to the register and headed back to the office. I figured if it wasn't flattering, I could return it at lunch the next day. Not returning it, but I really do need to update my shoe collection to have a pair worthy of this dress (and many of my other more formal dresses... I have been a shoe slacker).

So the blue dress from Paul and Joe for Target, gold chain from Express, gold bangles from Claire's, copper and gold sequined heeled slides from Mossimo (last summer, a coworker was wearing them and I HAD to have them, yet rarely wear them).

Hair is second-day dirty. I brushed it out, hit a few pieces with the curling iron that were bed-headed and then brushed it out again with a wood-bristled brush.

Makeup is L'Oreal True match foundation, MAC Studio Stick concealer, Physican's Formula Magical Mosiacs bronzer in light for color and powder. Onlips is a L'Oreal lipstick that Andie McDowell promotes, it is anti-feathering with two ends - one a base coat and one a top coat. Ledft it at home so do not have the name or color, but it is a soft plum shade with a hint of shimmer. A cool neutral. On eyes is The Body Shop's Shimmer Cubes. I have raved before about the Warmth collection. Each season they come out with a Limited Edition color; a few winters ago they had a palette that was a dark purple, a soft silvery plum, a light sparkly teal and a darker mallard blue. I have the light teal fainly on my lids, I mixed the dark purple and teal together and applied to the lower lash line and in the crease. I usually don't wear such crazy makeup to the office, but I just HAD to with this dress! So disco fever! So two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black and a thin line of Maybelline's Ultra Liner in black on the top lash line.

Wednesday

Black stretch v-neck sweater from Banana Republic, white denim skirt from Ann Taylor Loft, red stone necklace from a boutique at the beach, black leather strappy thong heels from Mossimo.

Hair is Suave Professionals Healthy curls shampoo, conditioner and mousse. Unruly pieces curled with iron.

Makeup is L'Oreal True Match foundation, MAC Studio Stick concealer, Physican's Formula Magical Mosiacs bronzer in light, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in neutral - ivory in the inner corners and along brow bone, khaki on lid and along lower lash line. lashes curled thanks to Shu Eumura, two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara and thin line of black Ultra Liner from Maybelline on the top lash line. On lips is L'Oreal's Endless Kissable Shinewear (without the extra gloss) in color 530.

You Snooze, You Lose

I was on the Target website on yesterday just looking at their dresses. I am a huge dress fanatic in the summer, and the cheaper the better. I want lightweight fabric, breezy cuts, something that is work appropriate, but also can work for a night out or a casual wedding. I found this dress. $29.99 and an awesome color as well! How great would it be now with my long gold chain and my gold leather strappy heels? Can't you see it in fall with a great pair of retro peeptoe pumps? I see it with a great scarf at the neck and boots as well. I put it in my cart, am tasked at work and end up closing the window.

AND TODAY IT IS SOLD OUT! Less than 24 hours later! The horror! My local Target has a horrible clothing department, I KNOW it won't be there, and I do not want to settle for the black dress. I have black dresses, and I feel that this thin jersey will look more elegant in blue than black.

Waaaah! Hopefully it will come back in stock quite soon... though one can't expect it since it's by one of their roving designers......

My Peace and Quiet

This is my dressing table. I always wanted a dressing table. My mom has a large white antique one with a three-piece mirror attached and a matching curved bench just right for women wearing lots of crinolines. I loved sitting at that dressing table, surrounded by pots and bottles of potions for beauty. There was a shallow long drawer in the center - here is where she placed many of her tools - powder puffs, hair clips, brushes and sponges. there were six smaller drawers - three on either side. In these drawers she had little boxes to separate blushes, shadows, pencils and several Revlon lipsticks. She seemed to have every shade imaginable but was partial to Iceblue Pink. When I started wearing makeup, I too wore Iceblue Pink, as well as Almay's One Coat mascara, Almay's makeup remover pads and slate eyeliner pencil (cannot remember the brand).

In the sorority house in college, my roommates and I made one of our standard-issue desks into a dressing table. We hung a mirror above the desk and draped scarves from it. We covered the top with our many bottles of perfume and stuffed the two drawers with our crazy collections of cosmetics. Electric green shadow, silver false lashes, and several tubes of Revlon's Coffee Bean and Toast of New York lipsticks. The 90's were about brown lips and neutral eyes, yet when we went out we glammed it up. I kept my makeup brushes in a coffee mug with my sorority letters on it, a gift from my Little Sister.

My bachelorette apartments after college were too small for dressing tables. makeup was kept in a Caboodle, and later a professional-style makeup case complete with shoulder strap and locks. All my shadows, pencils, powders and lip products were organized by color story in their separate little compartments, brushes in the medicine cabinet or on the bureau still in that sorority coffee mug.

When I moved in with my boyfriend/now husband, our house was too small to accommodate all of our furniture, let alone a dressing table. Our bed took up the majority of the room, leaving little space for two nightstands, a chest of drawers for him and a bureau for me. The makeup case went in the bathroom under the sink, the coffee mug of brushes in the cabinet above the toilet.

After six years in this cramped space, I decided to get creative. The bed went against the wall, requiring only one nightstand. This opened up the long wall, giving room for a cedar chest at the foot of the bed and to bring in my husband's childhood desk. At first we considered using the desk as an actual desk, but having a computer in the second bedroom, it would be a tad redundant. I took it over, bought a bench from Target (Shabby Chic collection) and brought all my bottles and pots to the desk.

By transferring to this new dressing table, it gave me a chance to trim down my cosmetics collection. Gone were the electric green eye shadows, the 99% empty foundation bottles from last season, the face shimmer (not the best idea on a person who already glistens in the heat), the lipsticks I bought but never loved, the shedding and cheap brushes, and all the false lashes I bought with the best intentions for a holiday gala or event but never could properly adhere to my lid. I tossed all the perfumes that were years old and only kept the ones I actually wear (or find too beautiful of a bottle to toss). I was amazed that a jam-packed professional makeup case was able to be pared down to two baskets in the lone desk drawer.

I collected my favorite trinkets that have gotten lost in the home - a lacquer box my friend mailed me when she was studying in Japan, a Buddha statue I made in elementary school, a picture of my husband an I when we had just started dating, a porcelain container with a female bust on top - a gift from my sister-in-law and full of little vials of perfume samples. And flowers, fresh flowers were a must. My mom often had a blue vase with some sprigs from the lilac bush outside the back door. My lilac bush is not as mature and fruitful as hers, so I have so settle for grocery-store alstromeria that I change out every other week.

This morning, sitting at my dressing table, applying my foundation, I realized how much I enjoy this ritual, these few minutes every morning where I sit in silence and apply my makeup and fragrance. It's the same type of peace I get when I paint or work on stained glass. Many may find this ritual to be shallow or superficial, but I find it divine.

Tuesday

Today I am going to see Christopher Cross perform at a pub after work. I know, Christopher Cross! Doesn't that take you back? I am very excited, it is a small venue, everyone sits at tables, I believe only 75 people are able to fit in there. So I had to dress for work as well as play.

Black sweater tank from Ann Taylor Loft. To work I wore a knit black shrug with the tank. Black and white and sequined skirt from Marshall's. Silver and black leather necklace from Chico's, silver bracelets from Ann Taylor Loft, silver hoops. On feet are my trusty Mossimo black leather strappy thong heeled sandals.

Hair is second day dirty. I took a curling iron to it and brushed it out. Someone today that left me with a bit of a feathered Farrah-like 'do. It's cute, I'll accept it.

Makeup is L'Oreal True Match foundation, MAC Studio Stuck concealer, Chanel pressed powder and Nars Orgasm blush. For eyes, Revlon's ColorStay neutral quad - the ivory in the inner corners, lower lid and brow bone. Two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black on curled lashes and a medium line of Maybelline's Ultra Liner in black on the top lash line.

Monday

Black tape-yarn scoop neck tee from Ann Taylor Loft, denim trousers from Ann Taylor, silver bracelet from Ann Taylor, silver hoops, silver pendant from my mom's jewelry box. Black leather thong heeled sandals from Mossimo.

Makeup is L'Oreal True Match foundation, MAC Studio Stick concealer, a touch of Chanel pressed powder, Nars Orgasm blush on the cheeks. On eyes, ivory shadow from Revlon's ColorStay quad in neutral, Granite shadow from The Body Shop on the lid and along the lash lines. Two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in black to Shu Eumura curled lashes and a faint line of black Ultra Liner from Maybelline. On lips is Maybelline's Wet Skine lipstick in Ripe Plum.

Hair is Suave Professionals shampoo and conditioner for curls, the matching mousse, the hair dried with a diffuser and unruly parts curled with an iron. The curls wer brushed out gently with a wooden-bristle padded brush from The Body Shop.

Dare to be Bare of Hair

So Frida Kahlo sported a mono brow and mustache, and was still seen as a beautiful and sexual being to many men. When you become as talented as she, then you too can do as you wish. Until then, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and let’s not have it be you as Teen Wolf. Though you may find those random hairs to be barely noticeable, I bet everyone you meet is aware of them and wondering why you haven’t done anything about them.

Brows
People thread, tweeze, sugar, wax and chemically remove the hairs between their eyes and brows (and some above the brows). How do you know which method is best, and how much is too much?

If you are a novice and a low-maintenance woman, I believe tweezing is your best method. It is the least painful, the easiest to do at home, and can give the most natural results. Experts say to take a white eyeliner pencil and draw the shape of the brow you wish, then tweeze above and below.

Companies such as Paula Dorf and Anastasia offer brow stencils to help you make a shape and also fill in with color if they are sparse. Other experts tell you of using that pencil in a different manner: place the pencil parallel with your nose, touching the widest part of your nose and the inner tip of your eye. Where the pencil hits at the brow, that is where your brow should start (or where you should begin plucking the monobrow). Then angle the pencil and have it still at the widest part of your nose/nostril, but now have the pencil cross over the center of your pupil. Where the pencil hits on your brow is where the peak of your arch should lie. Then have the pencil travel from over your pupil to the outer tip of your eye. Where the pencil hits on the brow is where the end of your brow should be.

If you have never tweezed before, both of the above can be quite daunting. I know many women who leave the first time to experts. They find a reputable salon or spa (not the little nail place down the street where they wax 20 pairs of brows in a 30-minute span), explain what they want (it’s okay if you want exactly what nature gave you, minus the hairs popping out in random places. However if you do not tell your esthetician this, you may end up with a much sleeker look) and have the excess removed by a multitude of processes. Waxing is by far the most popular and widely available. The pain is not as bad as sitcoms portray it to be, but do know that you will probably leave the salon with redness (do not schedule a first date or interview the afternoon after a waxing).

For maintenance, I highly recommend doing it yourself. Repeated waxing can pull at the delicate eye area, casing bagging after repeated use. Also, why pay on a monthly basis for something you can do at home? These days, perfectly sculpted brows are not en vogue. For several ears now, all types of brows have been popular. Take the shape that the esthetician gave you and maintain it on a daily basis with a pair of tweezers. I am a huge fan of Tweezerman tweezers. These days they can be found at any discount beauty supply store, department store’s cosmetics department or specialty beauty boutiques like Sephora and Ulta. Tweezerman tweezers are expertly made and offer free sharpening for life (keep that original casing!). I like the slant tweezers – They have the point to capture little dots of hairs just appearing, and can easily grab actual hairs; even the very soft fine ones. Keep your tweezers protected and try not to drop them – this dulls the points and changes the balance. If treated properly, you will never need to purchase another pair of tweezers. Only remove the hairs that are obviously out of place. The biggest mistake women make is over-tweezing their brows.

I like using a two-sided lighted mirror; one side has magnification, the other is normal. I look at the regular reflection for stray hairs, twist the mirror, use the magnification to pinpoint the hair, then turn back to see the result. If you only use a magnification mirror you will easily end up with overly tweezed brows; same with a regular mirror – without magnification you may end up grabbing six hairs instead of one, leaving a bald spot. The mirror shown was found at Target for about $30.00.

Other Facial Hair
Do you think it’s so light that no one notices? That if you were born with it, it belongs there? How about that you have no time/money/energy to deal with that fuzz above your lip or on your chin. Well people do see it, no matter how blonde. A platinum mustache is still a mustache; it is just a different color. Be you a proponent of cosmetics, a feminist, a Stay at Home Mom, a woman dealing with menopause, or a woman with a similar heritage to me, if you have a few stray hairs and leave them be, you are not representing yourself in the best manner. They are seen, and they and you shall be judged. Harsh? Superficial? Yes, but as a woman who too needs to do hair removal on a monthly basis, I accept it just as I accept it as I accept that style dictates what people think of me, that my home and office and posture dictate what people think of me.

If you have one or two little pesky hairs on the chin, they can be easily whisked away with tweezers. However those who have a bit more hair, other methods may be more successful. Depilatory products are far more gentle, better smelling and simple than the products of the past. Ones made for the face, such as Surgi-Cream and Sally Hansen’s Crème Hair Removal have almost no odor, are applied to damp skin, allowed to sit less then 10 minutes, and removed with a damp cloth. They are gentle enough that they can be applied as you are drying your hair or making breakfast and will be able to go to work or school that day and not worry about redness. Depending on the speed of your hair growth, this method would be completed every 2-4 weeks. Unlike shaving, hair removed via depilatory grows back soft – no stubble. Just ensure the formula you purchase is exclusively for facial hair – your face skin and hair is far more delicate than other parts of the body.

Many women choose to wax excess hair on the face. As one who has had little success with at-home waxing kits and just can’t stomach the time and money to hit the salon on a regular basis, I personally do not use this method. However this is an easy way to zap all hair away, and is especially good for the peach fuzz that someone get on the sides of their face, and can be done at the same time as brows, bikini line or any other places that you have hair removed. Threading (where a licensed person uses two threads to twist and roll across the skin to remove hairs gently) is another good choice for stray hairs, though again requires regular visits to a salon.

Arms (and belly)
Many may disagree with me, but I feel that a woman’s arm should have hair on it. If you were born with little hair on your arm, you are a lucky girl. However is you have dark or thick hair on your arms, you may be wondering what to do.

I spent the majority of my high school and college years bleaching my arms with Jolen Creme Bleach. This product is gentle, does not create reddish or brassy tones and seems to thin the hair as it lightens it. In about 10 minutes, my arms suddenly looked slimmer and more feminine. As I got older, it seemed that my arm hair thinned on it’s own. Since college, the only time I have bleached my arm hair was for my wedding, again via Jolen. Jolen can be found in any local drug store.

Many women have the trouble with a faint “treasure trail” on their bellies – a bit darker of hair running from their belly button down below the waistband. This also can be remedied with cream bleach. As that the tummy does not see sun as often as other body parts, this skin is delicate. A facial formula of bleach is a good choice for this skin as well.

Rest of the Body (armpits, bikini line, legs and thighs)
Due to differing opinions on what is appropriate, I will not divulge into this area. Shaving, waxing, bleaching, sugaring, laser removal and electrolysis are all options, though many are controversial. The belief of removing this hair is often based upon cultural and religious beliefs. As that these areas are easily covered by clothing, it is your personal choice as to what you do with that hair.

Electrolysis and Laser Hair Removal
I have never tried either of these methods, and do not have any friends who have either; therefore I do not have “real-world” experience from real people to share. These two methods have proven results, but can be quite costly. If hair is affecting your daily life and other over the counter methods have not been successful, I do encourage you to research these methods.

We will spend hundreds on a television set, but hate to spend a dime on our own face. The next time you buy a latte, a CD, another home appliance, think if it will give you as much long-term pleasure and happiness as something done for your body, the vessel that carries you around for the rest of your life. Taking care of yourself is not selfish, it is pleasant survival. Your body works very hard and is the reason why you are where you are today. It deserves presents and pampering for it’s lifetime of dedication. If it is not performing to standard, even more the reason to pamper it. You only get one body, respect it.