Posts Tagged ‘style’

If you want to look good every day, three must-have items are: the right shoes, the right bra, and the right jeans.  Since bras and jeans can make or break your shape, perfect fit is essential. If only bras & jeans were as easy to fit as shoes!  Considering how much much less needs to fit into a bra, than a pair of jeans, bra shopping is easy by comparison.    Despite this, bra experts say 85% of women are wearing the wrong bra.  Not sure how they determined this, but it made me wonder ow many women are wearing the wrong jeans.

Think about it–the area from the ankle to the waist is at least 60% of the body, yet we‘re expected to find something something off-the-rack that mimics the size and shape of a body unlike anyone else’s with sportscar-like ability for hugging curves.
A jeans-buying expedition isn’t just a shopping trip,it’s a quest for perfection, as we search for a pair that will make us look and feel amazing.

There are hundreds of brands and styles, yet we all have days when it seems none are crafted for a body like the one we see in the fitting-room mirror.  Even Levi’s, who should be the world’s foremost expert on jeans, recently came up with yet another line for those who can’t find good fit among their other 170 styles.

The good news is this season’s trends in jeans should make get the right fit easier, but the bad news is that this season’s jeans may not be very flattering.  According to the trend-spotters, high-waists and wide legs are back–didn’t we just finish eradicating “mom” jeans? Is it possible the designers responsible are trying to sabotage us by reinventing unattractive?  Or are they they just unnaturally attached to their “mommys”?

There are countless numbers of articles written on how to pick the right jeans, but in seasons with unfortunate fashions, the focus should be on NOT wearing the wrong jean.  At times like these, a good mirror, a ruthlessly honest girlfriend and a few tips are helpful.

No matter your height or shape, the length and leg of  your jeans is important.  On their way out, are the recently popular” skinny jeans”.  This trend was one an average figure would work, but they made the very thin look spindly and the more fuller figured appear to be in danger of toppling.  Now it seems we’re going to the opposite extreme, with wide legs that should be reserved for pianos & pachyderms.  Aren’t most of us trying to look as long and lean as possible?  Is there anyone out there who has enthusiasm for jeans that will make them look shorter and thicker?

If you want to wear the wider styles this season, opt for flared legs cut a little closer to the contour of the upper leg, like flares or bells.  To get the longest line, pair them with a delicately tapered or pointed shoe.

Now that jeans come in different rises, there is no reason to be wearing jeans that are too tight or too loose in the waist.  Whereas having a small waist is almost always a good thing, when it comes to jeans  a tiny waist with an ample derriere can be problematic.   Brands like Apple Bottoms and L.E.I. are cut for more curve, but if a small waist is an issue, go for mid-rise to show off the booty without having it spoiled by a poorly fitting waist band.  For those who have small waists with less curve, low-rise jeans can create an illusion of a curvier figure by accentuating the hip.

Pay attention to the cut as well as the material.  There are many lines which use Lycra or Spandex to help minimize figure flaws.  The days when “stretch” jeans were guaranteed to accentuate the wrong things or make ripples where you didn’t want them are long gone, the newer blends have just enough “give”, to cuddle your curves.

If you aren’t as cheeky as you wish you were, highly embellished pockets can work in your favor, by adding bulk while creating an illusion of more. Pockets placed lower can help downplay a butt that isn’t as high as it used to be. but unless you’re under thirty (or look like you are) over embellished or novelty pockets are best left in the left in the Juniors shop.

Trendy washes and finishes come and go.  Whiskered, color rinsed, grunge wash, sharkskin, metallics–there’s always some new novelty, but when the trend is gone, those dated jeans should be too. Enjoy what’s current, but keep in mind smoother darker finished denims in less a trouser cut can go anywhere.

Finally, be fickle.  Unless you have a brand of jeans that never fails, experiment.  Don’t be so locked into what you’re used to, that you miss out on something better, and don’t be a slave to brands or styles that don’t work on you.  Hot brands and high-priced designer tags do not guarantee of a better looking jean.  Most importantly, don’t let vanity cause you to buy jeans that aren’t the right size.  No matter what the tag says, if it doesn’t fit great, it’s not your size.

Your body is uniquely your own.  No matter what everyone else is wearing, choose what makes you look and feel your best!

Almost every woman–and a few men, have cried (or cussed) over their hair.  Almost everyone has had the unfortunate experience of leaving a salon light-headed and lighter in the pocketbook, but less-than thrilled with the result.

Hair, good or bad, can be a head turner, but considering that hair is basically dead cells, its amazing how much time, money & energy we spend on it.  I find it especially ironic to consider that most of us aren’t nearly as invested in our teeth, as we are our hair.  Hair comes and goes.  Bad hair is usually a very temporary condition–if only bad teeth were as easily remedied as bad hair–when a tooth (or teeth) went bad, they’d already be growing their own replacement(s).

Of course with teeth style & color options are limited, but with hair there are so many choices:
Short vs. Long
Curly vs. Straight
Layered vs.Blunt.
Natural vs. chemical.

If the style options aren’t enough to keep us constantly contemplating a change, there are all the implications.  Our hair can affect how masculine or feminine we seem, how old we appear, or convey how stylish we are–and that’s just the hair on our heads.  An abundance of luxuriant hair on the head is good,  but on the body–not so much.  We may be simultaneously, trying to remove the hair we don’t want while trying to cultivate and preserve the hair we do want.

Because most of us vacillate between loving or hating our hair, we quickly learn the value of a good haircut.  A good hair cut can be expensive, but a great haircut is worth the price.  Because I just got braces, I can’t afford to have a bad haircut.  If my newly acquired mouth full of orthodontic apparatus isn’t enough to leave me feeling attractiveness-impaired, the last thing I need is a bad cut. With braces I’m just one bad haircut away from being something like a “purse-holder”.  (For those who have never had the misfortune, “purse-holders” are the girls who are never asked to dance, and therefore stuck watching purses, while their more attractive friends are dancing.)

My hair was due for a change, it was too long.  My hair was too long.  Short-hair people probably won’t understand that, but take my word for it.  There is such a thing as too long, and mine had reached that place about three months ago.  Though I was badly in need of a haircut, I was not in no mood for a bad haircut.  Taking the philosophical approach, I did the one thing I know that guarantees a good haircut.  I got a haircut the no-lose cut–the one that makes me feel good no matter how it looks.

If you are as fortunate as I am to be able to grow long hair, at least once in your life, you should consider donating the stuff that would end up on the salon floor to Locks of Love.  Thanks to Oprah, I think everyone in the country knows about the non-profit organization that makes wigs for children who have suffered hair loss  due to cancer or alopecia.  Because my hair grows quickly, I’ve been fortunate enough to donate hair a few times.

The helplessness we feel when someone we know is affected by illness or cancer is something that we all eventually experience.  When there is nothing we can do to change the outcome, we do our what we can to improve outlooks. Donating a ponytail is nothing to someone with a healthy head of hair, but to a individual who is suffering from alopecia or dealing with the challenges of an illness, it could make a huge difference.

No matter how my hair looks today when I leave the salon, I’ll leave knowing I just got a great haircut!

Apologies to the gentlemen readers of de blog, but it’s been over a year since the topic of the “girl talk” blog ventured onto the subject men would rather not read about.  Count your blessings. We could justifiably whine about our periods once a month, while sending all men we know postcards (or missiles) from Crankytown, but de blog women have better things to do.  Pardon us, as we delve into the one part of the female anatomy that fails to capture men’s imaginations.

I was enjoying the company of a friend I’ve known forever when, in an enthusiastic conversational exchange, he accidentally got me with a bit of spittle. Had he not been so apologetic and visibly embarrassed, I might have teased him.  (After all what’s a friendly little exchange of spit between old friends, eh?) Though I was unfazed, clearly, to him it was a less-than-fabulous  moment. We all have them.

The best days are those on which we feel fabulous, look fabulous or when circumstances convince us we are fabulous. In a perfect world, women would wake up every day feeling spunky, competent and beautiful.  Alas, this is not a perfect world.

Lack of sleep, too much stress, bad hair, favorite jeans in the hamper, or moments of self-doubt can leave us feeling less than fabulous.  Still, when it comes to being diva-rrrific, women have all the advantages. We have more wardrobe options and grooming helps than men care to employ.  Not only that, but are allowed to play dress-up whenever the mood strikes us.  That’s one of many reasons I love being a woman, but there are so many more.  For starters, we can cry without having anyone question our sexuality, we carry cute handbags instead of sitting on sciatica-inducing wallets and we can do one thing men can‘t–give birth.

Anyone who has witnessed birth, knows it is a miraculous thing, but the downside of the miracle is approximately every 28 days fertility has a way of posing unpleasant inconvenience.  Nothing quite like cramping, bloating or bleeding to diminish our fab-quotient.

Even though it isn’t always possible to feel our best, we don’t have to surrender to everything that would drag us down.  I feel the same way about my period, as I do about maternity clothes.  It’s bad enough to be in a less-than spectacular condition, without making it worse by wearing dumpy clothes. I want to wear what I want to wear, every day of the month.

That’s why, when I first saw the new panties from Sexy Period, I had to have them. Not only that, but I wanted all my girlfriends to know about them.  Once upon a time, women burned their bras to symbolize women’s liberation.  Stoke those fires again, it’s time to burn your granny panties.

Smart, confident women have always defined fabulous, but the definition has now been broadened by two women who decided to turn their idea of sexy leak-proof panties into a reality. (Victoria doesn’t know any secrets this good.)  I got in touch with the brainy beauties at Sexy Period, and they were more than gracious in offering to help me spread the word.  In fact, they are giving de blog readers a chance to win their choice of undies from Sexy Period.

So here’s the deal.  Visit http://sexyperiod.com/store/collection/ to check out the goods. Then send de blog an e-mail with a photo of the panties you’d like to burn and a note telling us which smokin’ hot pair of undies you’d like to win.  (Style, Cut and Size) Photos will be posted, but we won‘t identify which shameful panties are yours. A panel of judges will select the winner.

Just so we’re clear here, this is serious (and lighthearted).  Photos should be tasteful.  This is not a solicitation for pictures of women in their underwear.  (Lord knows, there are already enough websites devoted to that.)  Men may send in photos too, but if any of my gentlemen readers are wearing panties, please lie and tell us they belong to your mother, sister, girlfriend or wife.

The more the merrier, so spread the word by sharing this link:  http://www.deblogsite.com/?p=3257

GOOD LUCK!

Entering: Contest is open to anyone 18 or over.  Entrants must submit a photo of the panties they’d like to ditch in a usable digital format. Along with the photo entrants will be required to specify which style and size of Sexy Period panties, they’d like to win.  Entries (note with photo attachment) must be e-mailed to: deblogsite@yahoo.com

Photos will be posted in a gallery format on de blog. By submitting a photo, you are agreeing to allow the photo to be used by de blog or Sexy Period for promotional purposes. To prevent panty-pervs from stalking de blog readers, entries will be identified in a way which does not disclose the identity of entrants.

Winning: Finalists will be selected by judges appointed by de blog.  Sexy Period will choose a winner from the finalists.  All decisions are the sole discretion of the judges from de blog and Sexy Period.

The prize will be one pair of panties (your choice) selected from www.sexyperiod.com.  It is the winner’s responsibility to provide a valid shipping address in accordance with the delivery restrictions of Sexy Period.  Prize will be shipped directly from Sexy Period via U.S. Postal Service.   

Winner will be notified via the e-mail address used for entering, at which time, shipping address will be required.  After notification, the winner will have 5 business days to respond.  Failure to respond within the time limits, will result in forfeiture of the prize; in which case it will be awarded to another entrant, as selected by our judges.

Deadline: All entries must be received by July 31, 2011, (11:59 p.m. PST)

Photo and slogan “All 28 Days” are copyrighted material are used by permission of of Sexy Period. de blog reserves the right to refuse acceptance of any entry that is deemed inappropriate by de blog or Sexy Period.

Men wrongly believe women talk about nothing–because they get lost in the number of words women use.  They also falsely believe everything should be distilled down to a few important facts, but women know it’s the details that matter.  Focusing on the details has me completely frustrated with mascara, or more accurately, the perfect mascara.

For women, it’s all about the details–small subtleties that make a difference.  While, women will buy a dress because of a small detail or another shade of lipstick because it matches a favorite blouse or sweater–men have trouble identifying lipstick in any color other than red.  And though, sometimes the attention to detail is intended to be noticed by men, it’s usually only noticed by other women.

This is particularly true of make-up.  I have yet to hear a straight man say, “That woman needs more make-up.“  Though men generally like the way women look when they are attractively made-up, most men say they prefer women with little if any make-up.  Though they may decry the use of cosmetics, it doesn’t keep them from being attracted to a pretty face, especially when they haven’t a clue how much make-up they’re seeing.

Men do notice eyes.  No matter what else they like, eyes are usually near the top of the list.  Whether it is because of their  appearance or what they reveal about a woman, men see eyes.  (Sometimes it takes them awhile to see them, but after they’ve looked at everything else they find interesting, they usually find the eyes above the other attractions.)

Tut-tut, enough about men!  I never wore mascara until a few years ago when my once-show-stopping eyelashes, seemed to need an understudy.  My first mascara was chosen with very little discretion from a drugstore.  It cost about $5.  Fortunately, it turned out to be a good one.  It became my lash-booster of choice, until it was discontinued.

With cosmetics counters offering hundreds of choices, it didn’t seem like a big deal to find another.  What’s the difference?  It’s black stuff in a tube tube, eh?

You’d think so–unless you had experienced this frustration.   It was the beginning of the ongoing quest to find the perfect mascara.  Buying and trying tube after tube, I was amazed at how many different kinds of mascara exist and how different each was.

Like one grieving a loss, I was in denial.  I refused to believe it was really gone.  I checked store after store, hoping to find my brand.  When this proved futile, I moved into the second stage of grieving–anger.  I contacted the company convinced that it must have been renamed or repackaged.  No response.   Eventually, my anger turned to acceptance.   It was time to move on.  I had come to terms with my loss and decided to explore new possibilities.  I chose another mascara of the same brand.  Like many to follow, within a few hours, this smeary concoction gave me the appearance of having been on a cocaine bender.

I tried one whose new and improved brush style promised no clumps.  Several no-clump mascaras later, I am convinced there isn’t such a thing.  Each brand promised something, length, curl, volume, fullness–I found most of them to be more of the same.  I tried products costing from $5 to $25.  Went to the high-end cosmetics store and asked them for a recommendation, they assured me that the overpriced mascara I’d just purchased was revolutionary, innovative and sure to become a best-seller.

I’ve lost track of how much I’ve spent on the dozens of styles of mascara I tried.  Some gave me caterpillar lashes, others turned my eyes into Alice Cooper-like stars.

I decided to throw all those tubes out in favor of Latisse, a lash-growing product.  Latisse produced noticeable results, quickly, but I had trouble remembering to put it on.  It is a pricey product and the results are contingent on faithful usage.

Mascara is not a one-size fits all item.  Some have long lashes but too few of them.  Some have plenty of lashes which are too short.  Some want their lashes longer or darker or fuller.  All I wanted was a  teensy bit of help, to make mine look the way they used to.  Just as every woman has a favorite color, a perfect pair of jeans, or a perfect outfit, there is a perfect mascara for every woman.  I am still looking for mine.

.

Picked up a magazine at the newsstand.  Magazines are perfect for those with a limited  time or attention, because they are full  of short bits.  There are always photo spreads, tips for how to do things better and the ever-popular quizzes.

In school, nobody got excited over quizzes, but put one in a magazine and readers enthusiastically reach for a pencil.

Magazines for women routinely have quizzes on how to determine one’s style.  This amuses me.  If you have a mirror, your style probably isn’t much of mystery.

Seriously gals, you know your style, you know what you wear, you know what you like.  You have ideas (which may or not be right) about what looks good on you.  You know what kinds of things you wouldn’t even wear for the one-time-only-last-day-on-the-planet apocalypse.

Yet, the irresistible draw of answering a few questions in return for a snappy label continues to intrigue.

Is your style sporty?  Is it more posh?  Maybe it’s just scary . . oops, sorry, I got distracted taking the “Which Spice Girl are you?” quiz.

Back to the subject . . how we see our self becomes the determining factor in how we dress our self.  We have labels in our head and an idea of the personality we wish to project.  Some people are able to stick to one style throughout their lives with only slight variations, but the divas update their style with each new season.  Ultimately, you will wear what makes you feel like you.

Woman can shop at the same store and still not look like they have anything in common.  One year my sister and I bought the same dress.  That is, they were the same until we put them on.  She teamed her simple white dress with canvas espadrilles.  I wore mine with black & white spectator pumps.
Same dress.  Different girls.

It all comes down to attitude.
Women will announce that they can’t wear capris, skirts, prints, stripes, or ___fill in your own___.

Not everything works on everyone.  Low-rise jeans aren’t as easy to pull off after a couple of children.  String bikinis are reserved for a very small number.  Lipstick colors like green, yellow and black are best left to those under 25, but there are many things women avoid, simply because they haven’t the moxie.  It’s a confidence thing.

Red lipstick, the color red in general, hats, and short skirts are just a few things which frighten the timid.

I bought a raspberry bra several years ago–not nearly as practical as white, beige or the perennially popular black.  Previous to the acquisition, I had been a devotee of a certain designer style bra.  On a whim I bought a bra that was unlike any other I’d ever worn.

That bra changed my life in some small way.  Someone asked me if it changed me because it made me feel like a fabulous sexy woman.  Nope, didn’t need a bra to do that. There was just something about it that made me feel good.  (If a kicky-fun bra was all that was needed to change our self-esteem, who would pay for therapy?  Then again an hour spent with a therapist costs roughly the same as an hour spent shopping at Victoria’s Secret, so it’s probably a wash.)

Like wearing a designer original, perhaps it was knowing that at any given time I was the only woman in the room wearing that bra.
Maybe it was wearing something that was as vibrant as I am.
Maybe it was the fuschia-red color, maybe it was the fit or maybe it was just knowing how often men forget that with women there is always way more than meets the eye.  (And it’s not the stuff under our clothes.)

All I know is this simple necessity empowered me in some way.

Live a little.
Wear Vixen Red lipstick.

Wear scarlet, crimson or cranberry.

Work a fedora.
Show a little leg.
Be a new you–even if only for a few hours.

Grab your “fab” and work a look–after all, why should the other women have all the fun?  Anything could happen!