Truly Styled

Q. How can I look great this fall with a limited budget?

A.  I think we are all feeling the tightness on our wallets.  We just don't have the extra money for ourselves and some of us are feeling frustrated.  We want to look great this fall but we aren't sure how to pull it off without looking "cheap".

Lucky for us there are so many great places to go for discount pieces that look like an investment piece.  Here are some of my favorites.

Target!!!  I can't stress this place enough!!  Look at these shoes!!!  And there are more like it!  I mean, $32.99 for a shoe that looks this great?  Come on!!  They have all the latest styles like the Mary Janes that we are seeing everywhere, adorable flats, the cutest leopard ballet flats I've seen for $25.00.  So, don't go to Target just for toilet paper and Qtips.  Not only will you find beautiful shoes that look really expensive, you will find great bags, accessories and coats. 

Hire a professional wardrobe consultant.  This may seem like a plug for my services (and it is) but seriously it will be the best money you ever spend!  People like me will help you make smarter decisions on purchases, making sure it's the right fit, the right style for your figure thus making less mistakes which of course means spending less money!!  I mean, really, how many pieces do you own with the tag still on?  How many times do you need to look at your closet and scream "So many clothes but nothing to wear!!".  End it today!  Get smarter with your purchases and ask a professional for help.

Check out www.piperlime.com a great website owned by Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy.  It features the seasons greatest shoes, bags and other items and is extremely easy to use.  I found this bag shown for $80 by searching for bags under $100.  It's beautiful and the perfect addition to your wardrobe this fall.  A great neutral that will go with everything.  They have suggestions for mens fashion and women and just about everything you will could need in shoes and bags for fall.

Other great stores to check out is H&M, Forever 21 and JC Penny for discount items.  Just know that when buying clothing from these locations and Target they are not investment pieces and you will most likely not get a lot of wear from them next season.  Some pieces will survive, but count on them not surviving and you won't be disappointed.

So, don't despair!!  Search the discount stores, hire someone you trust to help you make better, smarter decisions and look great this fall!!!  You can and will look great!!

Aging Gracefully?

I had an interesting weekend that I thought I'd share with you.  My husband and I are blessed enough to have the most fun, loving friends on the planet.  For years we've been getting together as couples or splitting up for girls trips/nights out or golf trips for the guys.  Every so often all 6 couples get 12 bleacher seats and hit Wrigley Field.  This year started out as fun as past years.  The guys sat in one grouping on the left and the girls (how long can I use the term "girls"?) sat on the right.  The guys spent the entire game gambling and pouring water on each other (did I mention most of us have hit 40 or are near?) while the girls chatted, drank beer and talked with the young group of guys on our left.  There were about 6 of them in their mid-20's.  Darling!!  Asked questions as if they were interested in our boring lives and we answered as if our lives were as exciting as a 25 year old starting a new career and living single in the city.  It all started out fun, light hearted and lots of teasing but somehow the teasing took a bad turn.  I asked one of them to take a picture of the 6 of us.  We re-applied lip gloss and made sure he got our best angle considering we were in bright sun in the bleachers.  We were all posed and thinking we looked hot (I don't mean sweating) when one of the "darling" boys said "Smile desperate housewives!"  It was as if someone threw water on us.  We glared at him and one of them said "No, he meant hot housewives!".  Needless to say the damage was done.  He busted us.  We were thinking we were hip, cool, and young when we are really married, old(er) and trying to stay hip.  We brushed it off as the pros we are and just got another beer.  The fun continued when the 25 year old asked me what it was like growing up in the 80's?  Another slap of reality.  I remember asking my mom what it was like growing up in the 50's.  I am now that woman who gets asked what it was like growing up in a certain decade.  When did that happen?  I still feel like I'm 20 something (most days). 

I went out to celebrate a friend turning 40 with a couple of friends last week and we were talking about what it is like to be 40.  What does it mean to us?  It was a a great discussion and I'll tell you it wasn't anything about wrinkles, sagging boobs/knees/arms...or gray hair.  It was about feeling sexy, sexier than we did in our 20's.  It was about feeling like we didn't have to get anyone's approval anymore, we were free to be who we want to be and not who someone or society is telling us to be.  So, I will gladly tell someone what it was like to grow up in the 80's.  I'm not 40 yet (2 more months) but when I am I'll let you know if I still believe this : )

"The" Shoes for Fall

We've tackled trends for fall but what about shoes you ask?  It's back to the 80's and the 40's.  I'll list what I've seen so far and in a future blog I'll give you tips on how to add these trendy pieces without going broke.  I'm always a fan of staying classic.  The classic pump, a great pair of knee high boots with a pointy toe, a ballet flat.  But it is fun to see what's new this season and see how to incorporate it into your current wardrobe.

• Shootie-see above.  It's a mix between a shoe and boot, not quite an ankle boot.  Seen with dresses and tights.

• Moccasins's-yes, Mom, this one is for you.  Every year we would go to Eagle River, WI as a kid my mom would always purchase at least one new pair of moccasins.  She really was cool!  I was just there, I should have picked up a pair.

• T-Straps-Great look for those of us with short legs, it elongates the look of the leg.  It's a very vintage look and great with opaque tights.

• Boots- All types.  Some with fringe, some with fur, heels (especially wood), flat (like a riding boot).  Great look for fall!

• Mary Janes - I'm not talking about the ones I got for my daughter to go with her school uniform.  These are with heels.

• Purple - In every type of shoe and goes with so much.   

More to come on how to make due with what you have, find some great deals and how to be trendy without looking ridicolous.

Tips to Fall for

  Fall?  Really?  Do we have to go there already?  It feels like summer has just begun!   If you have been to the stores in the last week or so you have already seen some of the new fall fashions.  It is exciting!  The August issue of fashion magazines will be filled with what is hot for fall.  As I look out my window it is sunny and 94 degrees, hardly fall, but I'm already thinking of what pieces I have that will transition well into the cooler months.  What I can use from last year and what I will need to add to punch things up a bit.  I know I'll need something purple or blue (which is so hot this fall!) and the perfect chunky sweater. Here are a few must haves this fall.  The trick is making it work for your style, figure and age. 

• Bows-really cute on a blouse worn under a vest or on it's own with a classic skirt.
• Statement necklace-long and bold.  Great over a chunky knit or sweater dress.
• Men's Wear-Classic tailored look, vests, tweed.  Just make sure you still look like a woman.
• Plaid-you will see this everywhere!  Find the best way to do this, in a scarf, skirt, shirt, whatever works with your figure and style.
• Sweater dressing-so comfortable and can be dressed up or down.  Add a belt or statement necklace.
• Color for fall-blue, from slate to electric blue.  Make sure you know what color blue looks best with your skin tone.  Purple will also be everywhere.  Shoes, sweaters, blouses, accessories.
• Boots-from shoeboots, to ankle to knee.  They are everywhere (more on shoes later)

Don't let fall sneak up on you.  You'll want to be fabulous for fall!

My New Favorite Makeup Find

I have said it before and it needs repeating.  I am not a beauty editor (but I'm starting to feel like one).  I love makeup, skincare, anything that will make me feel more beautiful.  I love to try something new, get a pick me up from a new gloss to something more of an investment like skincare. 

I went to visit one of my best friends for her surprise 40th birthday party (more on that fun trip later!) and she was primping in the bathroom (she has always been known to have a full makeup counter with her at all times) and she's swirling this powder all over her face for a flawless finish.  I ask her what she is doing and she starts gushing over Bare Escentuals.  She said she is completely sold on it.  Her skin looks amazingly smooth, not too made up, it's glowing!  Needless to say I'm sold!

I go to Sephora although I saw it at Target.  I always like to see the makeup on me before I make an investment.  Anyway, I get a makeup artist who is trained in this makeup line to tell me what all the talk is about.  He starts swirling away on my face once we have determined the best color package for my skin and I'm shocked!  My skin has never looked so smooth yet natural before!  It covers all my skin imperfections (which he calls freckles instead of sun spots, I love him!) and redness for what I can only say makes my skin look radiant.  It's made of pure crushed minerals from the earth and has SPF of 15.  I  got the package for my face but there are also packages for eyes as well.  I get home to put everything away and find it comes with a DVD.  I just can't bring myself to take 60 minutes to learn how to apply makeup and I think I'm doing ok without it. 

I went with the starter kit which appears to be the best value. You can go to  www.sephora.com to find out more information on what it comes with.

I completely recommend trying this makeup!  It has withstood the heat of a street fair with out melting off my face (and I'm a sweat-er).  I actually had a friend I haven't seen in awhile ask me why at my age I don't have many wrinkles.  I replied that some of it is the good genes I got from my parents, my Arbonne skincare line I use and this miracle makeup system called Bare Escentuals.

Commandment II

Commandment II:  Do Not Force Your Figure into the "It" Style of the Moment

All styles do not work for all women.  It's a hard fact to accept.  Think skinny jeans if you're wondering how true this commandment is.  They are certainly not for everyone, right? 

You need to completely understand your figure to know what will work and what will not.  Are your hips wider than your shoulders?  If so, maybe you skip low-rise skinny jeans.  Are you petite?  You should probably ignore the new hot look of long dresses.  Color is important too.  Yellow is such a hot color this season but there are so many different yellows out there and not all are right for everyone.

So, understand what is most flattering on you so when you get hit with all the  "must haves" for the season you won't get suckered into buying something that will look horrible on you.

The Ten Fashion Commandments

Of course I'm not implying that anything about fashion is more important than the guidelines that God gave us to live a life that is pleasing to him.  This is strictly for fun however,  these "commandments" should be taken seriously.

I'll be doing a series on this and hope that you find it helpful and fun!

(some of these are from Bradley Bayou with my own 2 cents added in)

Commandment I:  Choose the right undergarments. 
We covered this with the bra blog, but there's more than a bra you should be thinking about.  Especially now that we are in skirts, dresses and white pants.  We need to make sure we are showing no panty lines ever!  Here are some ideas:

•     Thong underwear.  No, they are not uncomfortable, just try them. I like Natori and Felina low-rise thong.  I've also heard a lot of women love Hanky Panky.  They are very sexy but not as comfortable as the ones listed above in my opinion.  Low-rise is important too because you don't want to see your underwear peeking out over your pants do you?
•     Boy-shorts style underwear-seamless.  Try Shimera
•     Control undergarment-like spanx.  Every woman should have one.  You never know when you will want to smooth some 'things' out.  Wherever your trouble spot is get a piece that smooths it out.    There is one for every flaw (tummy, thighs, back, you name it).  The trick is, if you experience undergarment rolling down fro the waist make sure it's long enough  to tuck it into your bra.  Everyone swears by Spanx but you could also try the Target brand called Assets

Q. Do you have a peference on a self-tanner?

A.  Does anyone remember the days of the super orange looking self-tanner?  Thankfully self-tanning has come a long way.  It had too.  All the information about how bad the sun is for our skin was going to have us paper white year long.  I have to come clean and admit that I love the look of tan skin.  I know it's so 70's but I love it.  I think everyone looks healthier with one.  Now, the tan we get from the sun is a thing of the past, but what now?

I have gotten many questions about a previous blog entry about my visit to tanning salon that offered the Mystic Tan.  How much was it and what did I think?  It was $36 which included my 10 minutes in the tanning bed (shhh).  It lasted about 5 days.  It met my needs.  If you remember, I wanted a tan before I had to bare my body in a swimsuit after 9 months with absolutely no sun on this bod.  Yuck.  The man that worked at the spa mentioned that I should do it a week before I wanted to really look tan because it has different effects on different skin tones/types.  It worked fine for me.  It also got me a great base to move forward with.

Now, to answer your question.  I have been dying to find out if all the hype about Jergen's Self-Tanner with Firming was all that it says that it is.  I have to say, I love it!  I chose the medium-dark tan (different colors for different skin tones) and in 3 days it looked great.  It goes on really easy and doesn't have an unpleasant smell (those of you who have used self-tanner know exactly what I'm talking about).  I would caution you on applying it around your ankles and feet.  It can get an orangey look around the ankle bones and feet bones.  I read that it could be applied with a cotton ball but with all the time it takes to put the cellulite cream on and then the self tanner who has time?

I'm all for a great looking tan that doesn't involve the damaging effects of the sun.  I'd love to know what you think and if you have favorites!

Why can't I be 5'6?

I don't really ask for much.  I'm not asking for 5-9.  I'd even take 5'5.  But at 5'3 and nearing 40 I think my chances of adding a few inches are over.  Actually, aren't I suppose to start shrinking at some point?

That's why I better figure out the best way to make myself appear taller than I am.  There are many advantages to that.  I will not only look taller, I can look leaner and my posture may be better too. 

Here are a few general tips I've learned.  There are many more specific tips based on your exact silhouette (shorter legs, short -waisted, etc...) but these are great general rules to follow.  I will have more about specific figures in later entries.  If those of you who are petite follow these few tips I promise you people will swear you are 2 inches taller than you are (which gets me to 5'5, yeah!)

You must start with a great tailor!!!  See previous blog for more information on tailoring.

1.  Pants.  You need to keep them as long as possible without having them drag on the ground.  They should also be straight-leg.  If there's too much of a boot-cut it could make you look shorter.  Wide-leg can be OK but you have to promise to only do it with heels, and wedges would be best.  I find the best petite jeans at Ann Taylor Loft.  Banana Republic also has a great petite selection, but some stores have a very small selection.  You will have to go on-line to check them out.  Joes Jeans have just come out with a shorter jean selection as well.  I love these jeans.  You can find them at major department stores like Nordstroms, Macy's and specialty jean boutiques.  If you need to have your pants tailored you will need the original hem on the jean.  Otherwise you will look like your jeans have been hemmed and that can look bad.  For those of you who love capris (which I'm not a fan of, especially for petites) the best look for you will be at ankle length and a straight-leg cut.  FYI, as a fellow petite woman, I rarely buy petite pants.  At 5'3 I can get a regular pant tailored and not loose too much of the look of the leg if I'm having them tailored for heels.

2.  Skirt length.  The best overall length for most people is at the knee or a couple of inches above the knee.  Look at the bend in your knee and go up an inch or two.  This will elongate your legs.  If your skirts are too short and you are over 35 you will look ridiculous.  Mini-skirts are for the young.  We've had our time and it has passed.  Let them go.   

3.  Shoes.  This may be as important as the right pant.  If you are wearing a square or very round-toe shoe get rid of them!  They will immediately make you look shorter.  A pointy-toe shoe will elongate the leg thus making you appear taller.  Ballet flats are big now, petites should focus on a less rounded-toe and you'll do fine.  I always feel better in heels, but as a stay-at-home mom of two little ones I would look very foolish running around the park in my platforms.  So, I always look for a cute ballet flat or pointy-toed casual shoe.

Did I mention a good tailor : ).  I'm not kidding!  Super, super important!!!

 

The Great White Pant...

So, if you've been following this blog you know I think the white pant is THE pant to have this season.  I have mentioned in another entry that Express has a great white jean.  I have found two more white pants that are worth posting about.

 Banana Republic has a great wide-leg white jean.  The waist is a bit higher which makes shorter legs look longer and those with a muffin top more comfortable.  It has white stiching on the jean which can make it look more like a pant than a jean.  Easy to dress up or down.

  Issac Mizrahi for Target has an amazing white sateen pant for $29.99.  They run a bit big so if you are usually a 6 go for a 4.  I usually have to have everything tailored and these fit me off the rack (although I'll have to wear a pretty high heel with them).  These too are higher waisted and have a cleaner look to them than a jean.  If you don't like the appearance of the pockets (and this goes for all white pants) just have your tailor remove them.

And one more tip, check your car seat before sitting in them.