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!

Do the ZUMBA!

Some of you ladies have already caught on to the latest dance craze but some of you are still slacking!! It is time to change that, it’s 2012!!!

Zumba is a great way to stay in shape and healthy by combining the latest in Latin and International music from all over the world and putting dance moves to these hot songs! Zumba is proven to help with cardiovascular issues as well as improved lung capacity and the ability to SHED THOSE POUNDS!

You can try Zumba at many different studios all over, my suggestion is going to dance studios you have around you or even Curves has a Zumba class! If you are like me and prefer working out in the comfort of your own home, they have the ZUMBA DVD which is fabulous!

If you own a gaming console you can also get the Zumba Game which tracks your target heart rate and monitors you step by step – so if you are working out too hard, they will stop you and have you rest. Zumba is an amazing workout BUT do not be fooled, it may look easy but it is not!! So take your time and ease yourself into it and only do what you can. You can slowly work your way up in time from many 10 mins to 15 mins to 20 mins but make sure you do not overdo it. This will be a great workout and it doesn’t take any time before you start seeing results!

Wrap THIS around your neck…

STATEMENT NECKLACES

We all have those days when we want to put minimal effort into getting dressed but look like we put forth a lot of effort. Often times we are getting ready for work or going out with friends and running late or taking care of a million things at once and taking 2 hours to get ready like we did when we were teenagers just isn’t ideal anymore.

Well I have the trick to take a simple outfit from “almost there” to “THERE!” Add a statement necklace! Take any simple outfit and put on a large, chunky, bold necklace. Make sure you are complementing the outfit and not overpowering it and keep the colors in the same range.  Here are some examples of how to wear a statement necklace:

Statement necklaces should add to the outfit, not take away from it. Remember, it’s all about bringing life to the outfit!

Menswear – for Women?!

This is my favorite look for Fall and Spring!!!! I know many of you have seen the Menswear looks that are out there right now and you are thinking, “I could never wear that.” Well you can!!! Follow these guidelines and you will be sure to pull off this look!

• It’s all about the lines: When shopping to create this look, make sure you try on everything and pay close attention to the tailoring of the item.  The blazer should have a nice princess cut that accentuates your waist and has broad shoulders to give you the appearance of a slender sillohuette.
• Pants: When shopping for the bottoms to this look, you want to find a high waisted wide leg pant or a straight leg pant.
• Details, ladies: Pairing both the tailored jacket and pants with a stiff collared top will create a gorgeous look that is sure to bring looks. Add a simple necklace and flats or a heel and you will knock em dead ladies!

If you need any more help with this look, Diane Keaton is a fashion icon for the menswear look.

Over The Knee… Oh My!

Ladies, we all know and love the movie Pretty Woman. Like me, I am sure that many of you would love to have the body that Julia Roberts spent months molding for this movie. There is one part though that every woman wants to re-create. THOSE DANG BOOTS!!!

After the movie, those boots were sold out for almost 4 years straight because they received so much hype. Now I know you all are thinking that you are too mature to pull off this look, (after all she was a gentleman caller!) But you can! Maybe not in the exact same way but you can pull off an over the knee boot.

Today there are many styles of over the knee boots. We have flat ones, round-toe, embellished, heeled, and even platform! Pair your over the knee boots with a skinny jean, leggings, or jeggings and add a simple cami with a cardigan, or for a fierce look add a leather jacket!  The boots should stand as the focal point for the outfit so keep everything else simple!

WARNING: DO NOT wear over the knee boots with a skirt or dress…it gives off the wrong impression and can leave others thinking that you and Julia worked the same block (if you know what I mean).

Here are some great styles I found that I think you ladies will love. Remember, you want these boots to be a reflection of your style so find that special pair and WORK IT!

Win Lancome’s Génifique in my February Sweepstakes!

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Win this fabulous prize by entering my February sweepstakes! Here’s how to win:

1. Enter your full name and email address on my sweepstakes page, OR text the word SWEEPSTAKES to 42828.

2. Leave a comment on one of the articles here in my blog, using the email address you entered in the sweepstakes.

3. OPTIONAL: Do ANY of the following to receive ONE ADDITIONAL ENTRY each (leave one comment per entry please):

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Good luck!

How to Get Rid of a Double Chin – with Makeup!

This is one of my most-requested tips, so I thought I’d do a video and show you exactly how to get rid of your double-chin with makeup alone!  The wonders of cosmetics, ladies – enjoy!

Cuff Boots – the CHIC Way!

Have you ever wanted to wear a cuffed boot but you were not sure how to wear it without looking like a pirate?

Well I have been shopping all over to help you ladies out and I have found that there is a way to wear these boots and they are very much in style right now.

This look started in the 1800s when a shoemaker was creating shoes for the village and he found that he could create sturdy flat shoes but he didn’t have anything for bad weather. For years the man struggled and struggled until he came up with a shoe that completely covered the shaft of the foot as well as half of the leg. Many were skeptical at first saying that the boot would never last but for years it stood as a fashion icon.

Today you can find many different styles of cuffed boots and I have posted here several that I think you will love. Boots are going to be very stylish for years and years. They add that certain something to an outfit and I think from the selection I have posted you can see that they are very versatile, and you can wear them with pretty much any outfit. Some great stores to try are DSW, Nordstrom, and Zappos.

Shoes… with Style!

Many of you ladies are in that stage in life where it is almost impossible to find the right kind of shoe. The shoes this day and time are either 6 inches high or flat and frumpy.

We often have issues with our feet whether it is swelling or arch problems and shopping for shoes is the last thing we enjoy next to weighing ourselves!

Well it is time to change that. I have spent time studying shoes and the woman’s feet and found out many things that I was unaware of before.

Many of us do not know the type of shoe we should be buying at our age and this is often why we have foot pain later in life.
Women 40+ have to find a shoe with arch support yet sturdy on the sides to support the ENTIRE FOOT. So here are some styles that I love:

Below is a pair of leopard kitten heels. These are very sensible if you are going to work or out to dinner and they give you just enough height to have a sexy leg without feeling like you are going to break your ankle.

If, on the other hand, you are just going shopping or out with girlfriends or even if you prefer a lower flat shoe, these Tory Burch flats are HEAVEN (below). They have a built in arch support with a cushion that sits behind the heel so you won’t have that painful blister occur like some flats tend to create!

Remember ladies, not all flats have to be frumpy and look like something our ancestors created!  Keep your style in mind and find something that says YOU!