Dress for the body you are today - not what you want to be or what you were in High School.

Dress for the body you are today

Not what you want to be

Or what you were in High School

How to Work with your Curves

• A dress with a belt will cinch you in, focusing attention on your small waist
• Keep necklines open
• A deep V neck or scoop neck lengthens your neck
• Don't cover big curves
• Big clothes on big bodies only make you look bigger
• Dress from inside out - a well fitting Bra and Shapewear will camouflage all lumps and bumps.
• Clothes should skim your body, not cling to it like a sausage casing.  Think high waist, wide trousers and A-line or flared skirts.
• Shorter, fitted jackets will also flatter your legs - and waist.
• Skirts should end just before or under kneecap.  Your legs will look longer.

10 Basic Women's wardrobe pieces - must haves for 2011

With the right basics - you can look fresh and fabulous

1. a basic dress -- wrap dresses or knit dresses are great
2. a great coat - invest in a piece that you love....
3. a great white blouse - it goes with everything
4. turtlenecks - not too dressy and not too casual -wear them with suits and jeans
5. black pants - need I say anything more?
6. accessories -- don't forget thrift stores and consignment stores for great deals
7. cardigans - don't forget the neutral colors
8. tee shirts -- great for layering
9. denim -- so important for everyone....all ages
10. the navy blue blazer - for business or casual as a key piece for the season.

SPANX -- my favorite way to whittle the middle and have great Legs!

Spanx has got to be the greatest invention known to mankind.

• Makes our legs look glamorous
• Invisible to most 
• Wear as underwear to avoid VPL (visible Panty Lines)
• Mega compression zones minimize love handles
• Comfortable waistband stays in place all day long, thank you.
• High waisted shaping sheers with super tummy control
• Helps us get into our skinny jeans - thank you Sara Blakely for helping us look Beautiful.

Also Spanx is now featuring:

• Camisoles
• Bras
• biking shorts

for 2011 - this is my new favorite product !! 

How to greet the Queen of England

Yes, she is royalty, but unless you're a citizen of Great Britain, don't curtsy or bow to the queen.

Over the weekend.....my husband and I saw a great movie and got me thinking about royalty. We saw the King's Speech and what a delightful true story, we both loved it. Listed below are a few bullet

points for all of you, just in case you are in a situation where you're able to meet a royal.

• Address all correspondence to the " The Private Secretary of Her Majesty the Queen," not the queen herself.  Request the correspondence be communicated to her royal person.

• Contact the queen at the following address:     Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, England

• Greet the queen as "your majesty" initially. Use Madame thereafter
• Accept the queen's offer of a handshake, and of course, a bit of conversation if she's willing.
• Don't show the queen your back, if you're following tradition, and leave the room only after the queen does.  Keep in mind that times have changed and formalities have eased.
• If you have gloves on, remove them.

Self Confidence and Self Esteem - Life's not a dress rehearsal

Self Confidence and Self Esteem

"life is not a dress rehearsal"

How many times do we tell ourselves there is no reason to dress up or put makeup when we are home alone?  With the New Year upon us we closely examine the quality of our real lives.  It does take extra effort to put out the good china, and it does take more effort to fix our hair and put on some makeup.  But, we all feel better when we do take those extra minutes to blow out our hair or put lipstick on.  We definitely act different when we are put together.  Just like every good actress knows the magic power of props and costumes to create special moods both onstage and off.

So here is to the New Year ! Let's tap into the excitement of real life and be the leading ladies in our own lives.

The Sephora-to-Go App: Take a tour

Handbags, pocketbooks, purses, bags, clutch part two

Magic, mystery, and money are all wrapped up in the myth of a classic handbag.

We have our traditional business shoulder bag for work, all business all the time. 

We then have our "go-to" Coach Hobo bag -- classic, stylish and our everyday purse.  Looks good all of the time, no questions asked.

Then we want a celebrity inspired purse.....just because.

Here is a fun purse designed by Jessica Simpson below.

.......the little black evening bag......

a must!

Innocence and Experience

the glamour of lipstick and a black small bag for

cocktail parties......Felix Rey is the best!

Friend or Faux....
here is a delicious fake animal print for fun.....
Talbots 2008

A bag that's chic such as the Coach purses you can wear everywhere day or night.  It gives you a sense of style immediately.

Sometimes we purchase a purse for remarkable interiors and openings.

Handbag style is a matter of personal taste..

Coach "Alexandra" 2010 bag

love the lining and all of the fabulous pockets inside...