Showing posts with label Quick Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quick Tips. Show all posts

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Fashion Fridays: Things I Love

The scarf...

Scarves are an essential to the simple chic woman’s closet—they add a pop of color or a fun print to your fit and can be used in every season. You can wear them with jeans and a tee, leggings and a tunic, or with a blazer and some skinnys. You can even spice up your dressier evening looks. As statement necklaces can be pretty pricey these days—scarves are a fun alternative!

I think every woman should own at least three-- nice neutral like a camel or a black, one in your favorite color and one fun print. They are a timeless trend, and always classy.

I was going to try to do my first how to video on my favorite ways to tie my scarves, but I found a few at http://www.tiemyscarf.com/, so why re-invent the wheel? Check out my faves and be sure to SHARE with your best buds!

The Ascot Knot:



The Figure 8 Knot:



The Infinity Wrap 3 ways:



The European Knot:



Bundle up--it is getting cold!


Love,


Rose

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Home Décor: My Living Room's Face Lift


I haven’t really done a blog on home décor yet and yet it is one of my favorite things to do! Decorating a new home or re-doing a familiar space is therapeutic and it really allows me to unleash my creativity. I have been told that I am “craftsy” before—but I don’t take that to mean scrapbooks and paper dolls—more like I can make something amazing out of anything—no matter how bad.

How would I describe my home décor style? I’d say modern with a nod to tradition, sleek and simple (no surprise, huh). I love old hardwood floors, color blocking, abstract paintings, lots of family photos and I always opt for the darkest espresso shades of wood. But I also like for things to feel like home—just imperfect enough and comfortable enough to not feel like a model home...

There are two things that I dislike when it comes to decorating—1. When things are so perfect that it doesn’t feel lived in (and therefore you aren’t comfortable out of fear that you may knock something out of place!), and 2. When it is obvious someone hasn’t redecorated since your visit 15 years ago (grandmas are excused because it’s actually quite nostalgic to visit and feel like you were warped back to your childhood—baby blue paisley couches and all!)

Anyway, one of the projects that I had the pleasure of working on this past year was my home in Connecticut. We moved into this quaint colonial style house in New England, and my assignment was to redecorate the living room and the study— two small rooms on the main floor with the original hardwood floors still intact (yes!).

The previous family had painted the top half of the walls a stale and dusty periwinkle blue and the bottom half a sparkly (yes, sparkly) cobalt-ish blue. The kitchen was—and still is--canary yellow. Yeah. I have NO idea!

My first thought was PAINT IT—I could try to make the blues purposeful but it would have been too much of a stretch (and to be blunt the colors weren’t doing anything for me). I tend to gravitate towards warm colors for the parts of the house I will spend most of my time in, again, to make it feel like home.

My second thought was where do I draw some inspiration? Sometimes inspiration can be a color, a fabric, a painting or picture, an area rug—or even a comfy old couch that molds to your body. I’m a sucker for those oversized couches—the kind that you blink and then wake up an hour later having slept through your entire show!

Well, for this project I was inspired by this beautiful burnt brick reddish color. Now before I delve into painting—I plan out my space and consider all of the possible components:

1. What are the dimensions of the room and how can I maximize this space?

2. What colors will look good together and what type of accents do I want in order to
create a space that feels like me (i.e. plants vs. vases, photos vs. art, vintage wall hangings vs. 3 dimensional art etc.)

3. Does my color scheme allow for flexibility and easy updating—i.e. Will it be easy to change it up season to season or year to year with new throw pillows, accents or a different area rug?

Once you can answer these questions (and everyone is different), you can begin your project.

No matter how small your budget, you can always give your home a face lift--sometimes it is as simple as de-cluttering.

To help nudge you in the right direction, here are some quick and easy updates/ideas that I have used in the past (and for this project):

1. Framing fabric with abstract prints—I actually got this idea from strolling through one of my favorite stores—Crate & Barrel. I love Marimekko fabrics the most (the ones you always see framed at C&B and shown above)—they are vibrant, original prints that bring new life to a living space—and make for a cheap alternative to buying expensive paintings. The only thing is that C&B only sells them at their outlet stores (sad face). But—for our living room, we went to the fabric section at Ikea—and they also had some fun prints—and most prints have inverse prints with the same colors so you can switch it up. Plus Ikea has a super cheap framing section where you can pick up a variety of frames at a reasonable cost.

2. Fresh paint—never underestimate the power of a new color. My husband didn’t understand this until after the room came together and he said it made a world of difference! Home Depot has plenty of color cards and even a computer program that will help you put different color schemes together and give you some decorating ideas by seeing some of the already created living spaces.

3. New accents—try a fresh potted plant or 3 candles of different lengths—and keep in mind the space you are decorating. For example—on our bar in the study, I accented with a cocktail tray, a cocktail shaker and a magic 8 ball. Its fun and its practical!

So....here is a glimpse of how the living room turned out:

an over-sized comfy couch, framed fabrics, a colorful area rug, and lots and lots of photos!





All frames are from Ikea and were under 10 bucks (even the big ones!)

Happy decorating!

Love,

Rose

Sunday, September 12, 2010

REALationships 101: From a Man's Perspective

I’m a woman…and I know nothing about what men think. But-- I asked a few males a few questions for a little insight into the male brain for your reading pleasure…comments are always appreciated!

1. What makes a woman "the one"/ what do men want?

“Men want Claire Huxtable…a great wife, a great mother, beautiful, intelligent, a strong woman, witty, sweet, loving, caring–[Claire Huxtable] is everything you want in a woman. She got in Cliff's ass when he needed it–she makes him eat healthy–not only was she a lawyer all day, but she came home and COOKED. Women don’t understand that. She makes a man feel like a man–she never tried to outshine her man, and she never tried call him out– she was on his side. She had a say so in everything about the household but she let him make the decisions. You gotta let a man be a man. She even had good credit–and she was a FREAK too. That’s all men want–Claire Huxtable.”

2. Is it true that men don't want to get married?

“About men not wanting to get married–the honest answer is a lot of men aren’t ready to commit and aren’t ready to get married. And on the flip side of that most women aren’t ready to get married–whether they think they are or not. It takes TIME and a tremendous amount of work to have a successful relationship."

“I think a lot of women have wedding bells in their heads and want the glitz and glamour of the wedding, the ring and the dress. They are ready to talk about flowers and colors, but aren’t ready to talk about the serious issues that will come up in a relationship (i.e. finances, kids, family support, values, religion).”

“Marriage is the biggest decision you will make in your life–and picking the wrong person can ruin a person’s life–and every man has seen it first hand–whether its a guy at work going through a bad divorce getting his kids taken from him–or seeing what happens to your parents in a nasty divorce first hand.”

“All the woman has to do is wait–but we (men) have to go hunt and find the perfect person. Its a very complicated decision, and a very calculated decision–you don’t make this decision off of fluff like ‘she’s fine’–you make it more on ‘we have a great time hanging out–does my family like her do my friends like her, how does she manage her money? does she want the same amount of kids?’ These are questions that come up over time–that aren’t on the first, or second date. It comes after you have met their family, friends, and extended family.”

“The consequences of choosing the wrong wife are so strong that it makes you apprehensive about committing. There should be no pressure–if he is not ready–he is not ready. And when he is ready–he will let you know.”

3. Would you like to add anything else?

“One last thing–women should not let a man string them along–stand your ground, and if he is not going the places you want to go to (granted it takes time) then let him know and/or leave. And like my aunt says– 'why would he buy the cow if he gets the milk for free.’ STOP PLAYING HOUSE (living together/buying houses together but not committing to each other) and getting mad that you aren't married!"

Hope this helps. Post more questions that you want answers to in the comments!

Love,

Rose

Friday, September 10, 2010

REALationships 101: Attracting Mr. Right

It should be simple to attract someone—but let’s be real—sometimes its not. For the talented tenth—finding a man is a breeze, but women everywhere have trouble attracting the right guy. The main reason is lack of experience. They just don’t know how to go about finding a man and engaging them in conversation.

The big question should be how to be a more attractive you. It is more than just looking good, although that is important, too. You need to know what to say, how to act, and know what you are truly looking for. You may not be able to attract every man you set your sights on but your odds of attracting the right ones will definitely improve. So let’s look at some tried and true ways that have proved successful:

1. Have Confidence

This is my number one for a reason! You need to know what you want, be your best self, and it will come to you. Men are attracted to assertive and strong women. (**Not to be confused with aggressive or abusive women!) Being submissive, shy, and hiding in the corner of the room are not the business!

Men like women who have goals and motivation. Women that have plans for a future or know what they want out of life are far more likely to attract the right guy. If you lack confidence, then you need to work on building it up BEFORE you get out on the dating scene.

The only one who can give you confidence is YOU. Don’t seek it through compliments from others, or Facebook comments! It doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks—what YOU think is all you should care about—and if you are truly confident, nobody can take that away.

2. Have a Positive Attitude

This is for all of you who have never really had a relationship, or have been hurt before, or listen to their SINGLE disgruntled girlfriends for dating advice. NOBODY likes a downer. The downer is the person who is negative all the time and is a complainer. A negative person can kill a good mood and bring down a party in 10 seconds flat. So don’t let this be you.

Men like women who are positive and upbeat (of course this won’t be all of the time because we have that one special time of the month where there is a little edge in us). When you are trying to attract a man, don’t complain about the things going wrong in your life. If you had a bad day or your mother is driving you crazy, don’t bring it up. Guys don’t want to hear that when they first meet you.

Try to be in a positive frame of mind. Try to think about the silver lining in any situation. Even if something bad happens when you meet a guy, like someone spilling their drink on you, just keep it together. Laugh it off. The guy will find that kind of attitude so much more appealing!

3. Have A Good Self Image

Having a good self image means being comfortable with who you are. So you may not be a size 2 or have a perfect complexion. While there are ways to correct those problems, it takes time, and effort. The healthiest thing to do is to love yourself for who you are, flaws and all.

A lot of women fret because the man that they like does not notice them (have you ever thought about the guys that like you--and you don't notice?). Well, if the guy does not notice you, especially after you have tried to get his attention, then he just may not be the right man for you.

The right man is going to be someone who loves you for exactly who you are right now, faults included. If you have a poor self image and do not love yourself, remember what RuPaul said, "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?"

4. Know How To Communicate

This is a big one. One that most married couples are still trying to work on—and some divorced couples never learned. While staring into each others eyes may be romantic, it doesn’t tell you a lot about a person! To get to know a person, you have to be able to communicate with them. That means you need to be able to hold up your end of a conversation—and be real about who you are. **And don’t play games**

A problem that many people have is that they never know what to say when they meet someone. I was socially awkward once upon a time, and I learned how to overcome my fear of strangers! If you have trouble speaking to people you just met, I always (for starters) ask them the same question that they ask me!

Or if someone introduces you, ask “how do you two know each other”. Then you can follow up and get them talking about themselves (people love to do that). But it is not an interview so don’t keep asking questions. Share your opinion or your reactions with facial expressions and LISTEN—don’t be so consumed in what you will say next that you aren’t even hearing the other person! **And never ask what someone does for a living. It is just in bad taste, and puts them in a bind if they just got laid off or are not currently employed. Light topics like—“what do you do for fun”, or “what are your hobbies” are always easy to start with.

For those who say “I always attract the wrong type of guy” look at how you are non-verbally communicating. I.E. what are you wearing and how are you interacting with others (drunk, loud, tasteless)? What type of message does that send? If you don’t know, ask somebody! Remember that if you dress/act scandalous—men will follow suit. So don’t blame them!

Communicating with a man is the best way to let them know what kind of person you are. You can inform them your likes, dislikes, and any information about yourself—and be absolutely honest. You can also find out what kind of guy he really is (if he is being honest).

Once you actually get into a relationship—communication is that much more important—people tend to hold stuff inside because they don’t want to show their bad side, or let their anger/frustration mess up the mood, but that is when communication is of utmost importance (but that is a whole other blog!!).

5. Know How To Flirt

Flirting is the main method people use to attract others. In some people, it comes naturally. In others, it is much harder to do. It is a combination of verbal communication plus body language. Everyone has their own style of flirting—you just have to perfect yours—so here are the basics:

When you flirt, you should always make eye contact and smile. Be friendly and open. Our body language says a lot about our intentions. Use it to your benefit. When flirting, always face your body towards the person you are talking to and lean slightly towards them. Do not cross your arms as that is a signal that there is a boundary the person should not cross. Touching the person lightly such as on the arm or knee is a strong signal that you are interested in them.

The other part is to know when someone else is flirting with you—and if you see someone is interested in you but the feelings aren’t mutual—don’t be rude, just smile and keep the conversation friendly—and if he advances, politely be honest about how you feel. It has taken a tremendous amount of courage to approach you in the first place—so always be respectful.

6. Dress For the Occasion

Common sense--you have to dress attractively. If you are not a stylish one—enlist the help of a stylish friend (or check out the “fashion looks and finds” tab at the top!) Men are VERY visual and physical appearance is always the first thing they notice. This doesn’t mean you need to push your cleavage in everyone's face--obviously that will cause men to follow suit. But be aware that men are attracted to different body types just like we are attracted to different physiques--show off your best features in a tasteful way.

Again--not all clothes look good on everyone. When in doubt, ask a friend. A very honest friend—send her a picture message or something (see dress right for your body type tab at the top!). Find clothes and colors that are flattering for your body and will present you in the best way. You don’t have to wear designer clothes but don’t be afraid to spend a little extra money. Clothes do not define who you are but they do make a statement and get you noticed.

7. Choose Your Standards

When I say “choose your standards”, I really mean “know your deal breakers”. Oftentimes women narrow the scope so much with their “list of requirements” that there is a one in a million chance you will even meet that person. If you find yourself cutting a man before you even speak to him—that is probably why you are complaining that there are no good men out there.

At least talk to a man long enough to get to know him a bit—and give him a chance. Instead of having a list, just know your deal breakers—for example—my deal breakers were: character issues, abusive, alcoholics, smokers, disrespectful men, shorter than me (sorry boys), womanizers, and “he’s in the mirror longer than me”s *Bonus points if you were a man’s man or loved kids (love it!). *moving on*

Lastly, just because you want to attract a man does not mean you want to attract any man. You need to decide what kind of man you want to attract. What are your standards? Setting the bar for what kid of guy you want defines who you are looking for and where you may find them.

8. Play On The Senses

We have other senses besides vision. The sense of smell is a powerful trait. Certain scents can trigger long forgotten memories in people. It can remind them of past events and trigger certain emotions.

Choosing the right scent is a great way to play against a person’s sense of smell. Like pheromones, a nice perfume can create chemical changes in the brain to put them in a more receptive mood. In other words, a scent can catch someone’s attention. This also makes it important to be your freshest—nothing is a turn off more than the smell of dirty hair, or other odors (including TOO MUCH perfume). If you are having trouble finding a scent, try some on and if you get a compliment—then that is the right one. I personally don’t do perfume, but Bath & Body Works have some really nice, mild body sprays that are very refreshing.

9. Socialize

If you hang out at home all the time with your dog and your television, your chances of meeting someone are 0%. Men are outside of your home, so get out and be social—and if you are a home body—host a small shindig at your house (game night, cocktail party, theme party).

There are a number of places where you can meet people. There are social events, get together with friends, clubs, lounges, parties, and practically anywhere there is a crowd of people. It depends on what you are comfortable with and what you are looking for. But you have to put some effort into it.

When being social, its okay to walk up to a man and say hello. Introduce yourself and your friends and dive in! Don’t be nervous (because they are usually more nervous than we are when it comes to meeting people). Plus, men like a woman who makes the first move. If you want to get a guy to come up to you, make eye contact and smile. Its as easy as that sometimes. If nobody is talking to you, go up and talk to someone--don’t hang out in the corners!

10. Build Suspense

It may be stereotyped but women love to talk. In fact, women love to talk about themselves and everything going on in their life. Usually, men are content to let women do all the talking when they first meet. It means the man doesn’t have to think about keeping the conversation going.

When you first meet a guy, you do not have to tell him your entire life story in the first five minutes. Sure, you need to tell him something about yourself. But it is a good idea to dole the information out a little at a time. Let the suspense build and eave some things to share the next time you meet. If you get a date, then you can start sharing a little more.

11. Have A Good Time

When going out, don’t be nervous, uptight, or scared. Meeting people should be fun. Get out there and have a good time. Even if you meet some losers or get rejected, try to laugh it off.

Rejection is always hard and if you are trying to attract someone, eventually you will get rejected. It hurts because it shakes up your self-esteem--but you will find that men are more afraid of rejection than we are. It is often the guy that gets rejected because they are the ones making the first move.

Another thing about having a good time is to realize that there are a lot of men (and I mean a lot) who act like complete jerks around women. They may think it makes them seem cool or maybe they just never learned any manners. Whatever the reason, these are the type of guys to ignore. Don’t let them ruin your evening—smile and say “on to the next”.

12. Don’t Be Too Available, to Accommodating or Too Easy

This is MAJOR! By being a bit elusive, you build up more respect from a man. If you barely even know him—don’t make him your n umber 1 priority so fast. Yes, that means don’t wait by your phone so you can text him right back or pick up on the first ring. Don’t call him six times in five minutes—don’t change your plans because he called you last minute. Don’t answer the phone in the middle of brunch with your girlfriends because you are so excited to see him calling—send him to voicemail like you would anyone else (and as to not be rude to your friends).

But don’t play hard to get, either. Some men might give up easily and pursue other interests. And don’t play games—that “Rules” book—throw it away because men HATE games. Honesty will earn you mega cool points and besides we are adults—we should act like them.

*Real talk* Guys like the thrill of the chase—and honestly we women like to be chased but we think it will be even better when we get caught (and sometimes it is). BUT you don’t have to be easy to catch. Make it exciting for the man too—because they actually don’t like to catch—I personally think that they just like to chase!

What are they chasing? *real-er talk* SEX. Let’s be blunt—no man approaches you because he likes your smile—he is attracted to you and wants to have sex with you (it's true, ask a man). For almost all men that is the driving force—the countdown to sex. Sure we’d like to think it is our dazzling personality—or getting to know us is his goal—but his goal is sex (it's the hormones).

Now while his goal is sex, along the way you can actually dazzle him with your personality and he may actually start to like hanging out with you, which will lead to an actual relationship. If he really likes you and likes spending time with you then he will make you his girlfriend (and introduce you to his friends). So stay fresh—and interesting.

The dictionary is full of a lot of words to describe a woman that is too easy to pick up and none of them are very nice. Being too easy is a sign of desperation and can brand you in a negative way. If word gets around that you are easy to pick up, then you will start attracting the wrong sort of men. Plus men don’t like women that have been around the block.

13. Be Yourself

Simple enough. Remember to be yourself. Never, ever act like something you are not just to attract a man. You want the guy to like you, right? Well, you need them to like you for the real you, not someone fake. Always be yourself. If the guy doesn’t like you for who you really are, he isn’t the right one for you.

If all else fails, rent that movie How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days and do the opposite!

Happy dating!

Love,

Rose

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Food 101: Dazzle Your Drinks


So I was flipping through this book that I bought way back when (Playing House by Celeste Perron)--trying to figure out some cute party ideas for a dinner party, and I came across the cutest little recipe for flavoring ice cubes! (The rest of the book wasn't that great, but this section was!) How fun--freezing little bits of fruit or herbs right into your ice cubes!

Not only are they original, but the color adds a bit of festivity, flavor--AND it keeps your cocktail from getting diluted. For all of you out there who know everything about the kitchen--this is a new trick for your bag, and for those who are just getting comfortable with the idea of entertaining more--this will earn you rave reviews!

Here are my top 7 ice cube flavors:

1. Cucumber-Basil Puree- Combine 1 cup water, 1 cucumber (peeled and seeded), 1/4 cup torn basil, and some coarse salt in a blender and freeze in an ice-cube tray.

2. Orange-Lime Mix- Combine 1 1/2 cups orange juice, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1 teaspoon lime zest in a bowl and freeze in an ice-cube tray.

3. Lemonade Raspberry- Dissolve 2 tablespoons sugar in 1 cup warm water. Stir in 1/3 cup lemon juice. Divide 6 ounces fresh raspberries into an ice-cube tray. Place a sprig of mint in each cube. Add lemonade and freeze.

4. Mojito or mint cubes (my fav!)- Combine 1 part fresh lime juice and 1 part simple syrup, and pour the mixture into ice cube trays. Chop up mint leaves and add a pinch of chopped mint to each cube. Voila!

5. Mandarin Cubes- Chop up mandarin oranges, and place a chunk in each section of an ice cube tray; then fill the tray with orange juice.

6. Grape-Lime Cubes- Combine 1 part water with 1 part fresh lime juice, and pour it into ice cube trays. Dice a mixture of green and red grapes, and place a bit of each into each cube; then freeze.

7. Berry Cubes- Dice a mixture of blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Fill an ice cube tray with orange juice, and add diced berries to each cube. Delicioso!


Now what to put them in? To start you out, I found the following pairings on www.squidoo.com:

  • Chocolate Martinis: Chocolate, Mint, Coconut, Almond, Hazelnut or Vanilla ice cubes
  • Mojitos: Mint or Orange ice cubes
  • Screwdrivers: Strawberry or Raspberry ice cubes
  • Tequila Sunrise: Orange, Strawberry or Raspberry ice cubes
  • Long Island Ice Teas: Lemon or Lime ice cubes
  • Margaritas: Strawberry, Lemon or Lime ice cubes
  • Bloody Marys with frozen cubes of V8 Spicy Juice
  • Tropical Drinks: most any fruit flavored ice cubes (or combinations of different fruit flavors) work well in most tropical drinks
**A cheaper alternative or something for the kids (if you are entertaining them) is using fruit punch or Kool-aid and freeze as ice cubes for tea or lemonade. You get sweetener and flavor all at once without watering down the flavor.

Flavored cubes are especially great for spicing up simple, low-calorie, club soda-based drinks. They make a basic drink more interesting without adding calories and are small on effort, but huge on impact. You can also use contrasting colored cubes to contrast for visual impact--LOVE IT!


Cheers...

Love,
Rose

Monday, August 16, 2010

Save it or Shred it?


If you are anything like me, you sometimes get bogged down with sorting through the mail. It piles up so quickly right!? Frankly sometimes I just don't feel like shredding, sorting, or filing so the pile can get pretty intense!

Another problem that I have run into is an overflow of thick files from years and years of filing statements and other papers. Since I was never told how long you are supposed to keep this stuff, I did a little research and I found out some answers! Here is what I found:


Keep for ONE MONTH:

• Credit card receipts
• Sales receipts for minor purchases
• Withdrawal and deposit slips (toss after you have checked them against your monthly bank statement)

Keep for ONE YEAR
• Paycheck stubs
• Monthly bank statements
• Monthly credit card statements
• Mutual Fund, 401K, any other Retirement account statements

Keep for SIX YEARS
• W-2s, 1099s, and other guts of your tax returns
• Year end credit card statements,
• Brokerage and mutual-fund summaries

Keep INDEFINITELY
• Tax returns
• Receipts for major purchases
• Real estate and residence records
• Wills and trusts

Keep in a SAFE DEPOSIT BOX


• Birth and death certificates
• Marriage licenses
• Insurance policies

Hope this helps!

Love,
Rose

Monday, August 9, 2010

Fashion Fridays: Dress Right for your Body Type

Okay ladies, let's talk about our bodies. Your body is your temple, right? And naturally you want to look your best whatever your body type may be.


Luckily that is why there are so many different styles and trends. And yes, this means that not every trend and style is for you/your body type!

Fortunately for us women--we are beautiful in many different ways, and thus we naturally have different attributes that we want to highlight.


I have done my best to categorize all of bodies types that I have seen and added an appropriate name for each (you will see). I never liked those negative labels like "pear" or "box" so you will have a much more appealing name to call your body type after reading this blog!

Scroll down to see which one best matches you--and remember, you may be a combination of more than one. Once you find your body type--I have added celebrities to watch, what your style goal should be, and things to AVOID!!! I have also added other names you may have previously heard for that body type.

Please share this link with girlfriends, mothers, sisters, cousins, whoever you think will benefit from reading--the more the merrier--by clicking the tab at the end.

I got most of the information from DressYourBodyType.com which is an excellent resource because they have detailed rules for each body type. Some of the info is kinda dated, but it is still really good! Go to their website by clicking --> HERE.

Have a great day and don't forget to share with at least one friend by clicking the tab at the end!

Love,
Rose

P.S. I may do a blog on dressing right for your age too...

The Goddess

(Formerly Petite)

Celebrities to watch: Kelly Ripa, Kristen Bell, Natalie Portman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jada Pinkett-Smith


Style Goal: to elongate your figure


Characteristics: If you answer "yes" to almost everything below, you have a petite figure and should read on to find out what garment is best for your shape:

  • You describe yourself as having a “small frame”.
  • You are typically under 5'3".
  • You wear “ankle” length pants or may feel “short”.
  • Balanced proportions.


Avoid:

  • Over sized tops and coats.
  • Large, over-powering patterns or prints.
  • Skirts that are way too full or too-long.
  • Pants that are too wide or cuffed at the hem make you look shorter than you really are.
  • Blousy dresses
  • Be cautious when picking out a long dress. It may swallow you.
  • No child-sized swimsuits!


The Queen

(Formerly Full Figured/Apple/Diamond)

Celebrities to watch: Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Hudson, America Ferrera, Queen

Latifah


Style Goal: For the full figure, you want to minimize those curves, but not deny them. Your #1 challenge is finding beautiful, trendy clothes that fit. First, let's find out if you are a full or curvy figure. If you answer "yes" to most of the characteristics below, then read on.

Characteristics:

  • You have a full bust and hips.
  • You may be thick-waisted or you have little to no curve in the waste.
  • You feel your hips and upper portion could be smaller and want to minimize the portion.


Avoid:

  • For button-up blouses, make sure the fit is right. The space between the buttons may open a bit. To solve this problem, use Velcro to secure the fabric. I hear it works perfect.
  • Waist length jackets. This piece cuts the body in half. You want to elongate the body not chop off.
  • Throw out the skirt that is gathered at the waist.
  • Pleated and ankle-tapered pants.
  • Big-patterned prints --run the other way!
  • Tight satin-y dresses or any thin or flimsy fabric will ruin those curves.
  • Anything too baggy--the volume only makes you look heavier than you actually are.
  • Granny-style skirt swimsuits - give them to Goodwill!


The First Lady

(Formerly Pear/Triangle)

Celebrities to watch: Michelle Obama, Lucy Liu, Kristin Davis, Jennifer Lopez, Sandra Bullock, Alicia Keys

Style Goal: The challenge is finding apparel that balances the upper portion with the bottom. Our goal is to visually slim your bottom half and play up your top. Choose bottoms with flowing fabrics to de-emphasize your wide hips.

Characteristics: You are generally bottom heavy. You have a slender neck, narrow shoulders, smaller bust, as well as a shapely waist, generous lower hips and full thighs.

So you think you may have a pear shape figure? Well, since this is the most important part of developing your image, let's make sure. If you answer yes to all of the statements below than you most likely have the pear shape figure:

  • You have narrow shoulders. Your bust and waistline are small and petite.
  • You have more voluptuous hips, bottom and thighs.

  • You are blessed with the “derriere” syndrome.

Avoid:

  • Tops that hit right at the waist or waist length jackets
  • Don't wear extra full or clingy skirts.
  • Drawstring pants, gathered, pleated, cuffed, or tapered ankles.
  • Be cautious when it comes to skinny jeans.
  • The same rule applies for skirts has it does for dresses. No full and clingy dresses.
  • Stay away from boy-leg styles or super-high cut legs.
  • No vertical stripes for the bottom half.






The Empress

(Formerly Busty/Broad Shoulders/Inverted Triangle)

Celebrities to watch: Jessica Simpson, Naomi Campbell, Demi Moore


Style Goal: You are blessed with a generous bust-line but haven't a clue how to balance your shape. You probably feel like people only see what's below your face. Well, lucky for you women pay thousands of dollars to have that bust-line. That's not the only plus; there are ways to wear certain fashions to complement not flaunt.


Characteristics:

  • Bra size is over a "C" cup.
  • Usually this shape has a combination of a shorter waist.
  • With out the right support, your body can look 10 pounds heavier than it really is.
  • Lower portion of body is petite to normal size compared to the upper portion.

Avoid:

  • Embroidery, ruffles, gathering, shirring or big patterned tops. All they do is draw more attention to the bust-line.
  • Flimsy fabrics or bias cuts lack support. Shop for thicker cotton or wool textiles.
  • Be cautious with Empire waists. Make sure there is no extra fabric gathered or shirred around the bust.
  • No waist-length jackets
  • Mid-thigh or narrow skirts make you seem top-heavy.
  • When shopping for pants or jeans, keep away from super skinny or super full legs. However, putting the boots over the pants works well with skinny jeans. It's a great trick to balance the top with your bottom half.
  • Run from fullness on top such as ruffles or shirring.
  • For special occasions, keep it simple on top. Don't let the clothes wear you.
  • Be cautious when purchasing string bikinis!



The Renaissance Woman

(Formerly Classic Hour Glass)

Celebrities to watch: Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum


Style Goal: The hourglass figure is the dream body shape, so make sure you accentuate your curves well.


Characteristics: You have a small bone structure; defined waist; curved hips; protruding bottom and shapely legs. The body shape that most clothes today are made for.

Dubbed the “perfect body shape,” an hourglass has equally-proportioned bust and hips with a well defined waist. 36-26-37 is an example of an hourglass silhouette.

Avoid:

  • Hourglass shapes should avoid stiff, bulky fabrics
  • high necklines
  • tapered pants
  • baggy clothing
  • David Justice...(okay that was a joke--he is Halle's ex husband!)
  • yeah, that is pretty much it ;)


The Duchess

(Formerly Rectangular/Tall & Slim/Athletic)

Celebrities to watch: Jessica Alba, Nicole Kidman, Cameron Diaz, Gabrielle

Union

Style Goal: With this shape you might look shorter and/or heavier than you really are. So your main goal should be to create a waist on your figure and add more width to your upper and lower part -- transforming your body into a proportionate hourglass shape.

One advantage is you don't have to hide unwanted curves. You can emphasize areas that other women can't. With a tall frame, you want to work in a little curve with different blouses, ruffles, tailored jackets, belts and other fun trends

Characteristics: Do you struggle with shopping for the perfect outfit to bring out your girly side? If you match the profile below, you may have a tall and slim body type:

  • You have little to no curve in the waste.
  • You have long arms and legs.
  • You have a straight shape from shoulders to hips.
  • You maybe thick-waisted or very lean and tall.
  • Your goal is to look more feminine.

Avoid:

  • Leave plain t-shirts, camisoles and solid tanks as a second layer
  • Don't wear a v-neck alone. Tight v-necks over elongate the body. Stick with blouses and ruffles.
  • Stray from extremely full or baggy pants. You have the body most trends are made for. Flaunt it!
  • Straight, boxy mini skirts.
  • Tight knit dresses.


The Diva

(Formerly Curvy)

Celebrities to watch: Beyonce Knowles, Selma Hayek, Nelly Furtado


Style Goal: For the curvy figure, you want to minimize your curves, but not deny them. Your challenge is finding beautiful, trendy clothes that fit. First, let's see if you are a curvy figure.

Characteristics: If you answer "yes" to most of the characteristics below, then read on.

  • You have a full bust and hips.
  • Your shoulders and hips a line evenly.
  • Your waist curves like an hourglass but you are fuller around the bust-line and lower portion.
  • You feel your hips and upper portion could be smaller and want to minimize the portion.


Avoid:

  • For button-up blouses, make sure the fit is right. The space between the buttons may open a bit. To solve this problem, use double sided type to secure the fabric. C'est magnifique!
  • Throw out the waist length puffer jacket. This piece cuts the body in half. You want to elongate the body not chop off.
  • Throw out the skirt that is gathered at the waist.
  • For pants, avoid pleated and ankle-tapered pants.
  • Big-patterned prints are a big no! Run the other way!
  • Tight satin dresses or any thin or flimsy fabric will ruin those curves.
  • Don't wear anything too baggy or with too much volume
  • Throw out the granny-style skirt suits!


Le Petite Diva

(Formerly Curvy Petite)

Celebrities to watch: Reese Witherspoon, Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Style Goal: For the curvy petite figure, finding clothes that do not overpower your frame and still, minimize your curves is one of your biggest challenges. First, let's find out if you are a curvy petite figure.

Characteristics: If you answer "yes" to most of the characteristics below, then read on.

  • You have full bust and hips.
  • Your voluptuous curves are well proportioned with you r body.
  • Your goal is to elongate your figure.
  • You feel your hips and upper portion could be smaller. You want clothes th at slim your curves instead of drawing too much attention to them.

Avoid:

  • When it comes to work environment and wearing button-up blouses, be cautious of the space between the buttons. It tends to open a bit. A quick solution to this problem is adding velcro to secure the fabric.
  • Items to throw out: waist length jackets. This item tends to cut the body in half. Before purchasing any garments be sure it elongates your body.
  • Stay clear of big prints and patterns that over-power your frame.
  • Avoid pleated and ankle tapered pants.
  • Be cautious when picking out a long dress. It may swallow you.
  • Don't be ashamed of your curves. Channel Marilyn Monroe --she had voluptuous curves and is an icon.

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