Footwear, shoes, heel height, leaving shoes at the door....

S H O E S

• Leaving shoes at the door.....did you know according to research that everyday we track all sorts of pollutants into our homes, including lawn pesticides, coal tar from asphalt surfaces, lead, and even e. coli.  Taking off your shoes when you get in is an easy way to keep those toxins out.
• Also if we alternate your heel height each day we are actually helping out ourselves.

• High heels put up to 26% more pressure on your knees and up to 76% more pressure on the balls of your feet, wearing hem everyday can stiffen your Achilles tendons and permanently damage the muscles in your legs and joints in your feet.  Doctors say we should lessen those effects by alternating heels of varying heights.

• So how come those heels look so good on us, Ladies?
• What's your secret for your aching feet, do you wear flats or heels or a combination of both.  Would love to hear your comments and suggestions.  Unfortunately most of us cannot wear flip flops or tennis shoes to work, although its nice to ponder that thought.

Summer Trends 101 - or what works for the office/work

I don't know about you, but I am having a hard time figuring out what to spend my money on - when it comes to clothes for the office. How to economize and not be totally obsessed without having bought things that are at full price. So this blog is dedicated to the females in the world trying to find something to wear to work.  Gone are days of worrying about family vacations, trying to kick your Starbucks habit  or even giving to charity.  Here are my top FIVE must haves for Summer Trends, that you can wear !

Ann Taylor 

Perfect Kitten Heel - Liz

color - pumice stone

#182308

If the shoe fits - love it, this shoe is incredible and so comfortable that it can take you from the office to the romantic dinner with your guy

the must have for spring & summer

The belted half trench safari jacket

Found at Macy's, J.C. Penny's or Talbots

Instead of a suit, try a skirt and blouse.  You have been all buttoned up all winter, switch up your rotation with a cotton blouse that still means business and a lovely gray skirt.

Give your hefty leather bag the summer off !

Try this little, lightweight yet durable canvas bag, you can load up beautifully.

A classic revival, tradition with a twist

Jacket made from rayon, polyester, cotton and nylon

wear with pants or skirts, perfect fit for office or after

build your summer wardrobe with the great sales going on or for a switch .....

My friends and I get together twice a year for a clothing swap.  It encourages us all to go through our closets and weed out those things that no longer fit well, and we always go home feeling as if we've had a full day of shopping without spending a dime.  Our old clothes, get a new life, and those pieces that don't find a home go to charity.

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.

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...

Merci Beaucoup ...or a memorable outfit for Thanksgiving day

Thank you Elena 

Houndstooth Skirt - Black and white 

with riding boots, paired with a black cashmere sweater

Thank you Patti 
Seen here is lovely Patti wearing a wool animal print cloche hat

Thank you Linda 

Beautiful Linda wearing a black and white bamboo cardigan.

How does life get any better than wearing a Cashmere sweater?  Perhaps wearing riding boots with a Houndstooth skirt, or sporting a classy fedora hat?  Ladies its cold outside, thanks for bundling up !!  Thanks for being beautiful women making an outstanding fashion statement! The better we look, the better we feel. Black and white always one of our favorites to take us through the autumn and fall.

Let's get dressed !

Attention to detail --

Each morning we have a choice when we go to our closets to get dressed.  We tell a story when we choose the fabric, the style and the coordination of how we fit our clothes for our lives.  Inappropriate workplace attire would be any fabric that is faded or soiled and in need of repair. Clean, pressed clothing with polished shoes speaks volumes of who we are as a person.  Selecting quality fabrics is half the battle, and dress for the body that you have today and not the body you hope to have one day.  Choose undergarments that are nude colored or color coordinated with your outfit for the day.  Have a full length mirror available to check from head to toe and front to back your appearance for the day.  If you ever have a second thought or doubt in your mind on your appearance - don't wear that outfit.  Have you ever wondered why sometimes your day went so wrong and then you play back in your head the "tape" of choosing your outfit.  Less skin = better presentation

• classic solid colored outfit of well made fabric is better than trendy clothes
• tuck blouses into pantyhose to avoid seams or colors showing through pants or skirt
• Strappy sandals are inappropriate for the work environment
• get to know your Dry Cleaners - OR - learn to iron well
• matched suits should be dry cleaned at the same time together to eliminate uneven fading
• purchase the best quality of clothes you can afford in items that are classic

Shoe Shopping -- for non-killer shoes

Shoes, shoes, shoes....

Here is your cheat sheet to Heels that don't hurt that much...

☛ Stuart Weitzman- style, style and shoes that will last all night, for your next big event

☛ Salvatore Ferragamo- full range of shoe widths -- and the latest Trends....(my favorite)

☛ Aeorsoles- cute shoes and very comfortable --

☛ Easy Spirit -- in the 80's this line had an ad.."looks like a pump, feels like a sneaker".