WE’VE MOVED THIS BLOG!

Hi ladies!  MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT HERE – we’ve MOVED THIS BLOG to a new address! Please make a note of the new URL:

http://blog.sharoncapehart.com

We’re working to make it more user-friendly and filled with more content, so PLEASE bookmark the new address in your browsers now:

http://blog.sharoncapehart.com

If you’re “following” my blog here, please visit the new blog and enter your email in the “Subscribe to my blog” box to keep up to date with my latest posts!

There will not be ANY MORE posts at this current location effective immediately – so be sure to jump over to

http://blog.sharoncapehart.com

and follow me over there at our NEW BLOG LOCATION.

Thank you, and sorry for the inconvenience

How to Fix your Cankles!

So I have been inundated with emails about this and I really want to address this! CANKLES! Many women who age overtime start to retain water more and forget that this leads to swelling all over and our ankles and wrists are the first places it shows. BUT, there is an easy fix to this problem if you tend to swell 24/7 around your ankles:

•Wear pants. Do opt for pants whenever possible and make sure they aren’t tapered (leggings and skinny jeans are difficult to pull off with cankles.) A pant that falls in a straight line from the hip (not too fitted, not too wide) is the most flattering.

•Skip cropped pants. Avoid cropped pants that end at the ankle; it’s a difficult look to pull off with cankles because it highlights the problem area.  Capris and Bermuda shorts can work if they end at or right below the knee.

•Find the narrowest part of your leg. Skirts and dresses should have a hemline that ends at the narrowest part of your leg; for most women that’s in the knee area (either right above or below the knee.) Avoid ruffled or embellished hems that draw the eye downward.

•Love some tall boots! Tall boots were made for women with cankles. If you want to look long and lean, opt for leggings or slim jeans with a tunic, tucked in to tall boots. Many stores – like Zappos.com – -have boots made especially for wide calves if traditional boots don’t work.

 •Avoid ankle straps. Skip shoes that have lacing or straps that go around the ankle. The most flattering shoes have a heel or wedge that elongate the foot and gives your leg a slimmer look.

•Go chunky. Chunky-heeled shoes are especially flattering because they balance out heavy cankles.

•Decorate it. Of course, there’s always the fashion theory that says “If you can’t hide it, decorate it.” Wear an ankle bracelet or tattoo your cankles and show them off with pride.

Adele… TOO FAT???

So I am not sure if many of you ladies keep up with designer news as much as I do but I came across something that is definitely worth being blogged about! The famous designer Karl Lagerfeld who is known for designing haute couture and the newest line at Macy’s has definitely inserted his foot in his mouth this time. He has always been known for outlandish behavior and cynical comments but this really pissed me off!

He was interviewed by the free Metro Newspaper and he said that Adele is the new hot thing right now, she’s beautiful and has a pretty face but, she is “too fat”.

Now, we all know the fashion industry is nothing short of anorexic and that has not changed much over the years but COME ON! I think the reason I was so shocked upon hearing this is because Karl is one of few designers that is trying to lead a frontier in plus size fashion. This only leads me to think that he is merely doing it for money and no other reasons.

Adele, to me, symbolizes ¾ of women in this world. The size 2 and size 4 population is in short supply. Now I am not saying that it is good to be unhealthy and promote obesity but you should focus on what a person stands for and who they are, not what you THINK they should look like.

The rest of the article goes on to say that many companies and groups of people are lashing out at Lagerfeld and even boycotting his threads! He offered a public apology but then again, don’t they always if it’s going to jeopardize their cash flow?

Adele commented in response and said she is proud of who she is and no one, even of his stature, will change how she views herself.

How to Get Rid of your Buddha Belly!

I know every woman out there feels as though your body isn’t where you want it to be. As we age, everything seems to fall, sag, or sway in most unattractive ways. We start to notice the under arm flab, the thicker calves and thighs, the wider hips, and yes, the TUMMY! This is probably the worst area to gain weight and I know for most women, it’s the area we are most self conscious about. I know it sounds terrible but, at our age, it happens and there really is nothing you can do to counteract it. I have researched and studied a lot on this topic and I have found that while there are some remedies that are short term, there is nothing long lasting we can do to change this problem area. But, we can hide it!!!

Many of you find that it is a bit harder, as you age, to find clothing that meets all of your needs as an individual. Some women worry about hips, some thighs, some tummy’s, some legs. Well it doesn’t matter what part of your body you are shopping for, one thing will always stand true. You must pay attention to YOUR body type and YOUR needs but most of all WHAT LOOKS GOOD ON YOU.

As a younger girl, I always wanted to wear the latest fashions but I found that not all of the latest looks flattered my body. Now that didn’t mean I couldn’t have changed the look and made it more customized for my body but some looks just didn’t work on me. The same is true now. So I have come up with a few solutions for you ladies on how to camoflauge that tummy and make you feel confident in your clothes.

SWITCH ALL YOUR UNDERWEAR TO SHAPEWEAR

If you don’t already own super-control bike shorts, one-piece shapers, footless panty hose, and opaque stockings, YOU NEED TO STOCK UP! These are what I call, “plastic surgery in a pinch”. Every woman should own something like this because it holds everything in place and sucks and tucks in all the right places. Granted, thrashing around trying to get these suckers on is not a pretty sight, but the ability to lose 10 pounds in one minute is well worth the struggle! I have friends who wear them with everything and only remove them for bed, bathing, or intimacy. They are that life changing! There are amazing brands out there such as SPANX (which I am a firm believer in), Lipo in a Box, TC, Wacoal, or Donna Karan. These brands have the best quality items and they last the longest.

MANAGE YOUR MIDDLE

Your waist is so front and center that you want to avoid making it an attention-getting target. Some fashion trends, no matter how tempting they look on celebs, will only make YOU look fat. I know you ladies FEEL like Jessica Alba or Cameron Diaz but let’s face it, we have not the gym time nor the youthfulness that these ladies have in order to get and maintain the bodies they have! Avoid any materials or textiles that draw attention to the stomach. On the short list: tight knits, drawstring pants, pleated skirts, shiny materials that catch any light.

BUY A DRESS

Because there is no break at the center to attract your eye, a dress will immediately give your shape a sleeker line through the middle. A key strategy going forward is to buy dresses, not seperates. There really is nothing easier to slip on than a dress. You don’t have to do much accessorizing or worry about what matches with what and whether or not to tuck. BUT, you must remember, not all dresses are created equal. Go bold. Pick solid colors and…

EMBRACE THE EMPIRE WAIST

This trendy silhouette creates a higher waistline under your bust, which is most likely thinner than your tummy, which it skims and hides. Because it is a fuller top, you want to keep your bottom half narrow in lean jeans, slim pants, or a pencil skirt. Find a top that is not super voluminous, as you don’t want to appear pregnant.

TWEAK TRENDS

As I stated earlier, when I was younger I would see so many gorgeous celebs and think, “I want to be just like _____, she is my style icon.” While having a style icon celeb to look toward and gain inspiration from is great, you do not want to follow them off a cliff to fashion disaster. SOME LOOKS JUST DO NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE. A perfect example is LADY GAGA. I am in love with this woman. She is a great fashion icon, music icon, and even political icon but, I cannot go around wearing a one piece hot pant jumper with asymmetrical sunglasses on. However, I can take INSPIRATION from her gorgeous menswear styles and wear a sexy suit with a menswear flare to it.

I know aging is not the best thing in the world but IT HAPPENS TO EVERYONE. Embrace who you are and find your style niche and recognize that you are unique and gorgeous!

How to Host a Party

So I know the holidays are over (thank goodness) and we are headed towards spring and summer, but along with spring and summer come more and more outdoor festivities. Now these activities can be cookouts, barbeques, pool parties, or even drinks on the deck. Whatever event you are planning, it is important to know how to plan and execute a party so everything goes smoothly and everyone enjoys it. I know in most cases you think that when you host a party the only people really enjoying it are the guests but I hope after you read this that changes. With the right organizational skills you can really enjoy your own party and be stress free!

PLAN IT OUT: The biggest mistake most people make when it comes to party planning is they are missing one key component…the planning part. Yes you sent out invitations, yes you bought food and drinks, but often times you invite too many people and you don’t have enough food and drink to accommodate the room. THIS IS A PROBLEM! I cannot tell you how many times I leave frustrated when someone does not plan out a party correctly because it really is an easy fix you just have to think smart.

During a cocktail party, people need typically 4-5 feet of personal space. So if you’re hosting in your living room of about 400 square feet, you can accommodate 80-100 people. In general, 80% of the invited guests will RSVP in the affirmative and of those, 5% will flake out or have something come up last minute. So for a general rule of thumb, for every 100 people you invite, expect 75 to show up.

If this is a small intimate party, it will most likely be a lot easier to plan out because not that much thought is involved. But, if you are hosting a party of 30 or more people, HIRE A BARTENDER (TRUST ME!) or you will be serving drinks the entire night and you won’t be able to enjoy your own party.

Now for food. If you are not serving a meal, expect each guest to consume about 10 appetizers over the course of the evening. You always want to have more than less when it comes to food. What is not eaten you can save for a snack in your fridge for the upcoming week!

Remember that when you plan a party, you are considering what is easiest for the guests so always be prepared for anything and everything!

These steps will help you when it comes to party planning and will ensure that you have a great evening with close friends!

How to Get Younger Looking Eyes with Makeup

I think that my favorite part of the human body is the eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul and I absolutely believe that. If you want to catch someone’s attention, you do it with eye contact. So for this entry I really wanted to focus on applying makeup to the eyes. I think this is a topic that for older women isn’t talked about enough. We see plenty of products and tutorials geared towards the younger generations but I sit back and wonder, what about us? I have experimented and tried many different makeup brands and techniques and I found some that I think will really help women bring out not only natural beauty but also keep your eyes healthy and skin firm.

First let’s think about all of the latest trends out there….

You have the smokey eye, the cat eye, the natural eye, the sunkissed eye, the dramatic eye, yadda yadda yadda.

Jennifer Anniston

These looks are fabulous but the trend in makeup is really shifting towards a healthier, natural look. Now if you are like me you are into more coverage. I love the natural appearance, but I don’t want to feel like I have no makeup on what so ever.  Whatever your preference, you always want to start with a great foundation that is long lasting, you don’t want to get through half the day and have to reapply your makeup. Now that we are focusing on the eyes, you want to use a subtle blush that has a light pink tone to it. Something that shows up but isn’t going to overpower the eyes.

Next, you are going to start on your eyes. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.

EYEBROWS: Make sure you have waxed, plucked, or trimmed eyebrows to the shape that you want. The eyebrows frame the face so go with a natural arch.

EYE SHADOW: Now you want to pick a very subtle brown shade and place in the crease of your eye. Blend the color in so it starts to fade to a lighter, more natural tone.

EYELINER: Use either a brown or black eyeliner but remember to use lightly.

The most important step in your eyes is the mascara. You want to use lengthening, NOT PLUMPING, mascara. Apply 2-3 coats of mascara and allow each coat to dry halfway before starting a new coat.

Finish off this look with either a nude or soft pink lip and you are natural and fabulous!

How to Wear the Maxi-Dress

So as Spring 2012 quickly approaches, we are seeing more and more skirts and dresses and very flowy, sexy material. I think one of the greatest styles that is really going to hit this Spring is the maxi dress. Now I know most of the models that you see wearing these dresses appear younger, but you can really utilize them for trips you may be taking or even dates you will have!

To dress up the Maxi Dress: you want to look for a simple print maxi dress for this. Nothing too paisley or crazy, something simple. The most popular and effective ones I have seen are the basic color maxi dresses or the striped maxi dresses. Then pair your dress with a structured blazer, wedge shoes or heels, and a statement necklace that compliments (but DOES NOT take away from) the outfit.

To dress down the Maxi Dress: find any maxi dress that you like. This can be a printed maxi, tribal, striped, racer-back, etc. Then add a cute pair of sandals and you can wear this look pretty much anywhere.

What I love about the maxi dress is how effortless it is and how simple it is to create a very fashion-forward look in seconds. Have fun with this look and try all different styles of dresses to see what hits you!

Win Lancome’s Genefique this month!

http://seg.sharethis.com/getSegment.php?purl=http%3A%2F%2Fsharoncapehart.wordpress.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost-new.php&jsref=&rnd=1328657818027

Lancôme’s first skincare that boosts the activity of genes and stimulates the production of youth proteins. A true skincare innovation with 7 worldwide patents pending, Génifique is the foundation of every woman’s skincare at any age or for any skin concern. Visibly younger skin in just 7 days. Skin looks as if lit from within – breathtaking radiant. Its youthful quality returns: cushiony soft and velvety to the touch. Drop by drop, skin is vibrant with youth, its tone becomes astonishingly even, its texture dramatically refined.

Win  this month at Frumpy 2 Fabulous!  CLICK HERE for the entry details, and get your name on the list gals!  Winner will be announced on February 29th.

M83987W8XSTJ

http://edge.sharethis.com/share4x/index.24569cde2fd3a34049b2201e5f5f9bea.html

Edward Scissorhands Chic: Studs and Spikes!

This is one of my favorite looks that transitions throughout the year, and you can wear it anytime. The best way I can describe this look is “Edward Scissorhands Chic”. That probably sounds really odd but that’s exactly what inspired this look. The idea of real hardware mixed with black and leather is such an iconic look that a woman at any age can pull it off. Here’s how we do it:

Pick one item that you want to stand out in your outfit. This can be a bracelet or a shoe or even a handbag. Look for styles that have studs or spikes on it that you can really see yourself wearing. Here is a pair of Louboutin heels that have studs all over them that really give any outfit a pop of sexy! With studs and spikes you really do not need to add to many accessories because the studs and spikes take on that role of an accessory.

Here I also wanted to show you a handbag. It is a Burkin Knockoff but I love the spikes on this. This handbag would dress up any look and really stand out as a statement in your wardrobe. Spikes and studs will be around for a while so feel free to INVEST in this look because it will be around for a while!

Remember ladies, be daring! This look is for a CONFIDENT woman so when you wear it, own it!!!!!

The Changing Landscape of Fashion

David Wolfe

So over the years I have really been studying the fashion industry as a whole and what styles will be predominant and stick around and what styles will fade out. I have had the pleasure of hearing David Wolfe, a fashion forecaster from New York, discuss where fashion is headed and I am here to tell you that we are really headed in a great direction. I really think that fashion is going to become very innovative and very AFFORDABLE.

I think these big name designers such as Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Monique Lhuillier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc. will be coming out with lower priced lines of clothing or even a store that carries the same lines of clothing at cheaper prices—think outlet mall. We are already seeing a HUGE shift in fashion headed in this direction. Look at Michael Kors who has the MICHAEL by Michael Kors line which is cheaper. Look at Betseyville by Betsey Johnson. Look at Simply Vera by Vera Wang. Fashion is really going to shift in this direction and I think it is going to fit our lifestyles better and really make fashion fun again.

Our lives just aren’t like they used to be. Back in the good ‘ol days we used to go out to fine dining, when’s the last time you really did that? We used to fly and it used to be a real luxury experience, remember the Pan-am days? Our world has just changed so much that we are rushed at everything we do, worrying about how fast can we get from A to B and not really leaving much time for luxury and enjoyment. Back then, we needed luxurious fashion and expensive looks because we really had a different lifestyle - now that has shifted, so I think fashion has to do the same thing. And I think designers, as a whole, really see that need for the shift as well and they are answering that need. All in all fashion is going to take an amazing turn and I really look forward to seeing what comes, even within the next year. Keep a look out ladies!