Image Matters!

Reeling and Healing

2009-07-08T10:31:00.000-07:00

Your image is as much about the things that can't be seen as the clothes you put on your body. When you live each day with gratitude and the joy of being alive, people see radiance in you without knowing what it is they're seeing. They just feel good when they are near you.

For two days this week I had the pleasure of being around women who had breast cancer. I had the priviledge of giving two presentations at Reel and Heal, http://www.realandheal.com/, a fly-fishing retreat for breast cancer survivors. Not only was it great fun to learn to cast a fly rod and catch a couple of fish in the beautiful Manistee River, I got to hear each woman talk about how they received a gift along with the diagnosis. As we sat around the campfire, these amazing women brought tears to my eyes telling about the way they look at life after getting a potentially fatal disease.

It's so easy to take the next day for granted and complain about the little things, isn't it? Cancer puts things into perspective, I think.

Hair, There and Everywhere

2009-06-30T08:55:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I got something in my eye while I was putting on mascara. I assumed it was an eyelash but I couldn't find it. How can you have something in your eye that feels like a toothpick and not be able to see it? Eventually I found the eyelash, but it was a couple of hours later and it's hard to think of anything else in the meantime.

What is it about hair when you've passed your half century mark? It falls out more easily and it grows where you don't want it. Just this morning, while plucking those pesky chin hairs, I found a jet black one, about 1/2 an inch long, growing out of the front of my neck! I swear it wasn't there yesterday.

How about the hair on the top of your head? Got as much as you used to have? Didn't think so.
The important thing is to have a great cut. I got mine cut today in a sassy short cut.

I took a client shopping earlier this week and I was looking forward to seeing her hair. When I did the first part of her image consultation, a couple of weeks before, she asked me what I thought of her hair and I told her I thought it would look great just a little shorter in an updated style. She made an appointment with my stylist and I knew she had been to see him last week. He took some length off and cut it in layers with the bangs off to the side. Very cute.

While shopping, I complimented a lady on her hairstyle. It was gray/silver, short and spikey. It was wonderful. She told me she was 76 and her stylist wouldn't let her curl it, telling her if she did she would look like an old lady. He was right. That cut made her look sharp.

Why do so many women, regardless of their age, keep the same hairstyle long after it has gone out of style? Check out this link and see some before and after pictures of hairstyles:
http://www.allure.com/magazine/2009/04/anti_aging_hairstyles

An Unhealthy Glow

2009-06-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

I just read an article in which the writer described tanned skin as having a healthy, radiant glow. When are we going to stop believing that? Or, more precisely, when are the last holdouts going to stop believing that?

Take the time to read the following article from The Cleveland Clinic:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Skin_Cancer/hic_Sun_Exposure_and_Skin_Cancer.aspx

Paying Full Price

2009-06-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

I paid full-price for a piece of clothing yesterday. Actually, it was an accessorie, a belt. It cost $58 and I am still feeling a little guilty. I found it at Chico's yesterday where I spent three and a half hours doing mini color consultations for Chico's guests. It was a lot of fun and lots of time to brouse the store. http://www.chicos.com/

When I shop for clothes, I scan the full-price items as I head to the sale racks. Every store has tons of sale items right now so why should I need to pay full-price for anything? That is usually the way I think, anyway. I love to find the bargains. I love the hunt. And I thought the belt was 30% off, but when I paid, I discovered that the belts on sale were the ones on the other side of the rack. Naturally. I bought it anyway because it looked so great on me. After I had the Spanx on. I tried them on and kept them on because they were so great. After a while I went back and got another pair in a different shade. I paid full-price for these, as well. I have bought other body shapers in the past because they were cheaper, but I never liked them that much. Once I tried on the Spanx I discovered why they cost more. They are worth the extra price. http://www.spanx.com/

Some things are well worth paying full-price. I will get a lot of use from that belt and it will be cheap compared to some of the belts I have that I rarely wear because they don't look that great on me. But they were a bargain. Well, there you go, I think I need to heed my own advice to my clients more often: if it doesn't look great on you, it shouldn't be taking up closet space.

I don't feel guilty about the price of the belt any more, either!

What have you willingly paid full-price for?

Let's Face It

2009-06-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

If you had the money, would you get some "work done" on your face if the only thing you didn't like were the signs of aging? I don't think I would (notice the word "think" here.) My face seems to fit the rest of me and where do you stop? Get one thing done and the thing next to it looks worse than ever.

Here are some quotes from some famous people about the subject:

Cher, 63: "I had my nose done, my breasts done, my teeth done, if I want to put tits on my back, it's nobody's business but my own."

Linda Evangelista, 44: "Models are not superhuman. We grow old. I use Botox, and I'm not afraid to say it, though I do like to keep some movement in my face."

Dolly Parton, 63: "If you've got the money and you're going to be out there, you owe it to people not to look like a dog."

Joan Rivers, 76: "You Simonize your car, so why not your face?"

Courtney Cox, 45: (She tried Botox) "You know you messed up when people close to you say, 'Whoa, what are you doing?"

Lisa Rinna, 46: "I saw a picture of myself and thought, uh-oh. You have to be careful. I'm a perfect example of that."

According to a study done by Case Western Reserve University, 40 is the age at which a few extra pounds will actually make your face younger looking. The research also found that too much drinking, smoking and sun still make us older looking.

Cleavage - is it just a little skin?

2009-06-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

A couple of postings ago I mentioned the website Boomer Women Speak and one of the forums is Fashion First. There has been an on-going discussion about the way women dress that started with the innocent question about the length of shorts. Women sure have opinions about what is appropriate! This will be great fodder for this blog!

One of the things that has come up is cleavage. These days cleavage is no longer just for evening wear or at the beach- it's everywhere - in the boardroom, on the Senate floor and at your local bank. I have to ask the following questions:

Is there an age limit? If you've got some, is there a minimum age? Is there a maximum age? Does size matter?

A New Look

2009-06-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week I did a closet makeover for a woman who had 5 decades worth of clothing in her closet. She knew she needed to down-size but couldn't decide what to get rid of and what was still in style. It was more than just getting rid of dated clothing, it was about not wearing "old lady" clothes while still looking appropriately dressed for a woman her age.

All this took quite a bit of time so we decided to take a break and after a quick lunch, we went to Fallen Timbers Mall. She bought some new things at both Penney's and Dillards, then back to her house to finish the job. There was a dresser and a half full of sweaters and vests she wanted me to look at! Not surprisingly, after she saw how great she looked in updated clothes, parting with the rest of the things was easier for her!

My father-in-law recently died and my mother-in-law had nothing to wear to his funeral, so my sister-in-law, Kathy, and I took her shopping. After finding black pants and a pretty turquoise jacket for the funeral, we kept going. All of mom's clothes needed updating so we found pants and tops she loved and could wear in different combinations. When we got back to her room at the nursing home, Kathy and I purged her closet. We left just a few of her old things and did that reluctantly. Mom was a little miffed with us for throwing out clothes that still had "wear left in them," but every time we see her she has the new things on and tells us how much the other women in the nursing home like them!

It's not just older women, either. I had a client who said, "you mean I have to shop once a year?" and she is younger than me.

Do you like to shop?

When are shorts too short?

2009-06-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

I recently joined the National Assn. of Baby Boomer Women, http://www.nabbw.com/. There is a sister site, Boomer Women Speak, http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com/, and do they ever. There are many forums to comment on but the one I went right to is Fashion First. Interestingly, there seem to be some who put fashion last and are proud to say so. It would probably be boring if it was otherwise.

In this forum, the founder of the association, Dotsie Bregel, asks if anyone is wearing good, 'ole shorts this summer. At this point in her life she leans towards capris and longer shorts. I'm with her on that one, except for "play" when it's really hot.

What is your opinion of wearing shorts above the knee when you are past, let's say, the age of 50?

Fashion, Aging and Fun

2009-06-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

I recently gave a presentation titled, What's Age Got To Do With It? at a 55+ women's retreat. What fun!

A 74 year old came up immediately after my talk, and hired me for the whole image package (color analysis, makeup, closet and shopping.) She warned me that she still had clothes from 1965 in her closet! The ironic thing is, while she has had a hard time updating the way she looks, when I opened my big datebook, she whipped out her Blackberry!

Isn't it sometimes funny where our strengths and weaknesses are? I struggle with technology but I can put together a cute outfit in no time!

Which leads me to another question .... which will get us further in life .... brains or cuteness?

Oh, never mind. I'm just kidding.

Shopping at Lane Bryant

2009-05-11T05:41:00.000-07:00

"I am hiring you to take my daughter shopping. She doesn't wear clothes that look good on her and she thinks that nothing will." This is what one mother recently told me about her 18 year old, plus-size daughter. Although mom has talked to her, she thought it would mean more coming from me.

This past Friday, "Trixie" and I met at the Westfield Mall. We sat in the food court for a few minutes while I got to know a little bit about her. I wanted to make sure she had the same concerns as her mother. She did. She had on jeans and a top that clung to her body. To make matters worse, it had wide horizontal stripes. As we walked, she kept pulling it away from her waist, indicating that she was self-concious about her middle, where she carried most of her weight. She said that all of her tops were tight.

After a brief look around one of the anchor stores, I suggested that we go to Lane Bryant. The first thing we did there was have someone measure her for a new bra. The one she had on didn't fit her and made her look even heavier. She found a pair of capri pants that looked great on her and four tunic tops that she loved, as well as two bras.

Was she happy with her new look? Here are her exact words: "I look so skinny!"

Rethinking Aging

2009-05-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

May is Older Americans Month and later this month the Wood County Commission on Aging is honoring seniors 55+ (good grief, that would include ME) with a program titled "Celebrating Your Life." I have been asked to do a presentation that I am calling, "What's Age Got To Do With It? 10 tips for looking sassy and classy." It should be a lot of fun.

Barbara Riley, director of the Ohio Dept. of Aging says, "Today's seniors are shrugging off traditional stereotypes about growing old. Instead, they are living healthy and active lives, engaged in multiple endeavors. Our theme this year echoes the change that is happening in how older adults see themselves. They want to matter and make a difference, and our communities will be stronger with their participation."

In this mornings paper there was a short article titled, "Reminders of age undermine memory."

It states that older people who believe that memory loss goes hand in hand with aging may be undermining their own performance, based on research. This makes perfect sense to me since I am an absolute believer in the Law of Attraction. What you think about and speak about, you bring about. The universe gives you just what you ask for, or in a more biblical term, ask and ye shall recieve.

While dementia in older folks can't be denied, can we slow it down or stop it all together by thinking and behaving differently? I think so.

A Great Month!

2009-04-30T03:26:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy month! My husband had two valves replaced on April 1st and that was a bit scary, even though we knew he would feel much better after. He doesn't have any heart disease, just valves that hardly worked any more because of the Rheumatic Fever he had as a child. No wonder he had been getting so run down over the last two years! He is like a new man already!

He will be going back to work next week and it has been nice having him home this month. We have been able to go for rides and take walks. We have changed the way we eat to almost exclusively whole, organic food. Last week we drove to Defiance to C/J Farms, http://www.cjgrassfed.com/, and bought meat and cheese. These animals have never seen the inside of a cage, been fed genetically modified corn or given anti-biotics. It's food the way it used to be!

This past Monday I was at the WEN Trade Show selling Maggie's Fabulous Fashion Jewelry. That is such a fun part of my business. Actually, it's all fun!

Stay tuned for more blogs on a more regular basis!

"I'm Going To Make That Audience Rock"

2009-04-19T04:32:00.001-07:00

Those were the words of Susan Boyle, before she opened her mouth and a beautiful song sprang forth. I'm sure you have heard of Susan by now - the frumpy, not-so-beautiful woman who brought the audience to their feet on Britain's Got Talent. If not, listen to her performance before you read any further. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

I have listened to it twice and both times the tears ran down my face.

Susan Boyle is a perfect example of a late bloomer - someone with a hidden talent and passion that has been put on the back burner because of the needs and duties of everyday life. Only when the circumstances were right did she dare to show the world what she could do. She dared to take a chance. She knew people would laugh at her and decided it was worth the risk.

She is also the perfect example of people judging you by the way you look. The outside doesn't reflect what's on the inside or what abilities and talents we possess, but it often is a pretty good indicator, or so we assume. Only on rare occassions do we get the chance to prove otherwise.

We are judged by the way we look, so why not strive to look the best you can if that might reflect who you really are?

Actually, I CAN believe it's not butter

2009-03-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

This post has nothing to do with image, but it is about something that I am becoming passionate about: whole, natural food. I recently bought the book, Nourishing Traditions, The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0967089735/bookstorenow57-20

The introduction is eye-opening to say the least.

Here is a paragraph about Hydrogenation .... "This is the process that turns polyunsaturates, normally liquid at room temperature, into fats that are solid at room temperature ---- margarine and shortening. To produce them, manufacturers begin with the cheapest oils -- soy, corn, cottonseed or canola, already rancid from the extraction process --- and mix them with tiny metal particles --- usually nickel oxide. The oil with its nickel catalyst is then subjected to hydrogen gas in a high-pressure, high-temperautre reactor. Next, soap-like emulsifiers and starch are squeezed into the mixture to give it a better consistency; the oil is yet again subjected to high temperatures when it is steam-cleaned. This removes its unpleasant order. Margarine's natural color, an unappetizing grey, is removed by bleach. Dyes and strong flavors must then be added to make it resemble butter. Finally, the mixture is compressed and packaged in blocks or tubs and sold as a health food."

Just something to think about.

A Real Woman

2009-03-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a refreshing comment and a candid observation from Jo Frost, Supernanny, who was on the cover of Figure Magazine, http://www.figuremagazine/, last month:

"What's accepted as a beautiful woman's body here (America) is basically what you'd see on a 13-year-old at Abercrombie and Fitch." When she saw the cover of her most recent book, with her wrinkles airbrushed out, she insisted they be put back in. "I like my face. My wrinkles tell the story of my life. I don't believe women should feel pressured to fight every sign of aging."

Wouldn't it be wonderful if every woman felt like that?

Shopping

2009-03-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

"I need help. I have gained 20# and 3 kids in the last year and all the stress that goes with that. I have nothing in my closet I like. I have 3 pair of pants that fit! I keep trying to shop but when I find the time I am so disappointed because nothing fits right and I end up feeling awful! What can you do to help me? Anything?"

I received this email a couple of weeks ago from a 38 year old who needed to update her wardrobe with some clothes that made her look good and feel good. She just wanted some casual clothes and in two hours of shopping at Target and TJ Maxx last Saturday she had 3 pairs of capris, two denim jackets (white and blue), a number of tops, a scarf and a pair of white flats. She was thrilled. She brought her 12 year old daughter along and she had both ends of the age spectrum telling her which outfits were a "yes".

Mom, would you trust your 12 year old to dress you?

Middle-aged Spread

2009-03-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

Who was that women sitting on that bike? It couldn't be me, at least not the me I carry around in my head. Or the woman I see when I intentionally look in the mirror to make sure I'm looking as good as I possibly can. That woman stands up straight and sucks her belly in. While I certainly know that I am not the most attractive woman I know, I think I'm pretty hot for 58 years old. That woman in the mirror at Lifestyles could not possibly be me. That woman looked like a bean bag sitting on the seat.

Of course, it was me. It was the physical me, anyway. I'm not in bad shape, but I'm no spring chicken and parts of my body don't sit where they used to. But, you know what? It's OK. I'm good with it. I like getting older and when I don't catch unexpected glimpses of myself in the mirror, in my head I'm hot. Call it vain if you want, but the world would be a better place if we all had a healthy dose of self-exteem.

Let's hear it from the strong, beautiful women (that would be all of you, if you only knew it!) What do you know about yourself that you really like?

Friendshop and Warm Weather Dressing

2009-03-18T05:51:00.000-07:00

It's been a month since I have posted, and an extraordinary month it's been. I have had a beautiful two week vacation with my best friend and the weekend after I got back, I went on a retreat with several other women. The past month has been a time of reflection on where I am in my life and I have to say I have never been happier.

Warmer weather is here and it is time to get out of the cold weather clothing. Does this time of year sometimes cause you to think you don't have the right clothes to wear? The transition time of spring and fall was always a struggle for me, when I thought that I couldn't wear the winter clothes and it wasn't yet warm enough for the summer clothes. I thought I should have seperate clothes for those in between times. With little money to spend on clothes, I usually felt I was not dressed the way I would have liked to be. I thought, when I have more money, then I can dress the way I want. Well, I have more money and I spend less on clothes than I ever have. These days, I dress smart.

Don't worry about having a seperate set of clothing for those transition times, just wear a light weight jacket with the warmer weather clothing, put a light weight pair of leggings or tights under the spring dress or wear light colored boots.

Too Many Clothes??

2009-02-07T03:49:00.000-08:00

Do you have too many clothes? I'm not talking about the clothes that don't fit or are hopelessly outdated, I'm talking about the clothes you actually wear.

This week I helped a client go through all of the clothes in her closet because she was frustrated with the jam-packed mess she had. She shared a closet with her husband and he had more clothes than she did, but that's another story. "Lucy" easily parted with some things that she knew didn't look good on her, some she had never even worn, but still wanted to keep more than she should have. She said, "I wear them". I don't make anyone part with something, but I ask them if they think they look great in it. It plants a seed and they may decide it doesn't have a place in their wardrobe when they start feeling better in the other clothes they're wearing. After all, why should you settle for second best?

We think we need to have a lot of clothes. We think more clothes give us more choices, but in reality, it makes getting dressed more confusing and stressful. When we have a lot of clothes we usually have all colors of the rainbow and many different styles of clothing. One thing I know for sure, not all colors will be flattering to your skin tone and not all styles will flatter your body shape.

Figure out what style and colors work for you and stick to them. Find your style, the look you like. I wear denim jackets a lot, both with casual bottoms and dressier/business bottoms. Denim jackets may not be your cup of tea, but they work for me.

You will reap compliments and save money by wearing only the clothes that you look your very best in. I don't know about you, but I want to look my best everyday.

Business Casual Defined

2009-01-29T07:01:00.001-08:00

With President Obama now in office, the dress code in the Whitehouse is changing. He was photographed on his first full day in office with his suit jacket removed. Under President Bush, this was a no no.

Over the weekend, his aides didn't know how to dress. Some showed up in jeans and some were in suits and ties, so the President issued an informal edict that weekends were "business casual." He set the example when he showed up for a meeting with his chief advisor dressed in slacks with a gray sweater and a white buttoned-down shirt.

Hooray! The President knows what business casual means. Many people, including business owners, will be wise to take heed and note that there is a difference between "business casual" and "dress down."

What Were They Thinking?

2009-01-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

My client had been invited to attend a ball at a country club. She was very excited, as well as nervous, wanting to make a good impression on everyone there. She felt like she might be a little out of her element among these women of good breeding and fine taste. Three days before the ball she brought her dress to me to get my opinion and see if I thought the shoulder pads should be removed (they were) and an hour before the ball, she came over in her beautiful dress with her hair styled and I put her in some pretty makeup.

She called the next day to tell me she felt beautiful and very much at ease amongst the others. She said she wished I could have been there to see how some of the women were dressed. One well endowed woman had on a very tight bodice that squeezed her breasts so they popped up about three inches high. They were squeezed so tight they didn't even jiggle!

Another lady, who was no spring chicken, wore a dress with see-through panels from under her breasts to her hip bones. Another had a dress with a big ruffle wrapped around the whole length of it. She said it looked like a sheet of toilet paper wrapped around her. And then there was the very well-endowed lady in the strapless gown who had to hold it up while she danced. And one more, the woman with the deep V-neck that shifted so much when she moved my client was afraid the girls might fall out.

Breeding and good taste?

Taking Care of Your Skin

2009-01-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

My skin gets so dry this time of year! That's the comment I hear from many people these days. This last month has left many of us with dry, flaky skin, but increasing our moisturizer may not be the entire answer.

We get a new layer of skin about every 30 days and when we cleanse our face we get rid of most of the dead skin cells. As we age, the turnover is slower and the dead cells can cling to our face (sounds awful, doesn't it?) more easily if we are not vigilant at exfoliation. Most brands of skin care carry a microdermabrasion product that does a great job of getting rid of the flaky skin, but you can do a pretty good job with a washcloth, too. Lather up the cloth with a good cleanser and gently scrub your face in a circular motion. Pay extra attention to the spots you know are dry and pay attention to the easy to miss spots like the sides of your nose. Good exfoliation helps unclog pores.

Always follow with moisturizer twice a day. Yes, you need to remove your makeup at night!

Love It or Hate It!

2009-01-23T10:52:00.001-08:00

It seems everyone has an opinion about the dresses Michelle Obama wore on inauguration day.

The dress and and matching jacket she wore during the day was a yellow/green. The designer, Isabel Toledo, calls the color lemongrass. I think that descibes it pretty well. As near as I could tell, it has an undertone of green. It is a warm color and I doubt if Michelle's skin tone is warm, but she could carry it off better than lighter skinned women.

I heard someone say they thought the green gloves didn't look right with the dress, but they were a perfect compliment, especially with the green sash on it.

I was, well, kind of shocked when I saw the ball gown. She would have looked so much better in a vibrant color and there was way too much frou frou going on. I thought it was much better suited for a debutante ball.

I would be interested in hearing what the rest of you think .........

Oh, the burgundy scarf the President wore during the parade looked wonderful!

Chic For Less

2009-01-19T07:28:00.000-08:00

I am all about looking great without spending a lot of money and I'm very excited about being interviewed this week by The Mirror, Maumee's weekly newspaper, at CJ's Closet at Parkway Plaza in Maumee! CJ's is an upscale consignment shop where you are apt to find designer labels at very affordable prices, as well as more modest labels. The Mirror, http://www.themirrornewspaper.com/, is doing an article about saving money at consignment shops.

With saving your money becoming the smart thing to do in this economy, resale and consignment shopping has become chic ("elegance by virtue of being fashionable"). There are different styles of chic, for example geek chic and shabby chic, so you can be elegant and fashionable in your own style. With consignment shopping, you can try out different styles and find your personal persona at bargain prices.

For those who want to accessorize with designer labels but don't want to buy them, they can be rented. Check out these websites: http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/ and http://www.blingyourself.com/. They are fun to look at even if you're not interested in renting!

Share your great finds from consignment shopping.

A Balanced Life

2009-01-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

I am just loving this snow day! I have started taking down the Christmas decorations and while I took a break from that, I finished a good book I have been reading.

I just started reading again this past fall. Since I started my business three years ago I had read nothing but books that would help me grow my business. I hadn't realized how much I had missed getting lost in a good novel!

The other thing that I started doing again over the holidays is counted cross stitch. I used to do it while I watched TV and I had an unfinished piece I hadn't picked up in years. Now I am well on my way to getting it done!

And, the funny thing is that I am getting more business and finding myself unstressed about it! I am sure it is because I have found some balance in my life.

What do you do to balance yours?