No, I’m not going to talk about Fifty Shades of Grey, the hottest book on the market…NOR am I going to buy the book.

I gave it a passing thought and decided that just because it is the hottest book on the market and they can’t keep it on the shelves doesn’t make it good reading.  Rather it makes me walk the other direction…  Now, having said that if anyone wants to let me borrow the book, I’d read it to see what the ‘stir’ was all about.

As far as I can tell it is just another ‘sex’ book, and aren’t there enough sex books on the market today already?

Let’s talk about how this has anything to do with style .  It’s really rather easy!  I approach style much the same way as I am approaching the purchase of this book.

If everyone is doing a trend I tend to walk the other way.  I never want to look like I have just walked out of Chico’s, Talbots, J. Crew, Eddie Bauer, Land’s End, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Tory Burch or  Ann Taylor, but these are all stores that I will buy from.  I like their style. That gives you “Fifty Shades of Style”! 

Most people find a store and stay there.THIS is where they go wrong.  They buy everything from one store and that becomes their ‘look’.  Well, anyone can do that!  It doesn’t take thought to do that and the retailer wants you to do that. I don’t want you to do that.

 Fifty Shades of Style in a Store

That, my friend, is Fifty Shades of Style! Shop it, style it, get it!

Every year women the world over have angst over buying the best swimsuit for their body.  The decision to even wear a swimsuit can be a daunting one-especially as gravity takes hold and the body contorts itself into unrecognizable shapes.

To help you take some of that fear and angst before you go into the shops this season, why not consider looking for swimsuits that will give your assets their best advantage.

Remember it is all about balance and drawing the eye to your best features.  If all else fails, spend good money on a beautiful sheer tunic and a wonderful pair of pool shoes!  The shadows and illusions it creates will be a style statement that cannot be missed!

This Miraclesuit is one of my favorite swimsuits because of all the detail. It has ruching to slenderize in all the right places, enough coverage for a flattering neckline and support throughout the entire body to make you feel comfortable swimming or sunbathing!

Join me May 3oth, on The Learning Boutique, in our FREE Monthly Tele-Seminar as we explore what you need to know about swimsuits to get your best style this season!

P.S. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Swimsuits to Balance and Maximize a Small Bust

• Wearing ruffles, shirring, padding and boning on top will give you visual weight
• Wear patterns (polka dots, paisley) and embellishments on top
• Wear bolder colors on top and darker on bottom

Swimsuits to Balance and Minimize a Large Bust

• Be sure that you do not go too small. Spilling out of your top will actually make you look larger.
• Bathing suits generally run 2 sizes smaller than other clothing
• Select a top with underwire and support (some suits are sized by cup size)
• Your straps should not act as the ‘support’ for your upper body just prevent you from sagging
• Do Not wear the following: strapeless, string bikini, demi-bras, and key hole type

Swimsuits to Balance and Minimize a Larger Tummy

• Criss-cross under the bustline minimizes the waist
• Wear a busy print
• Use a bold pattern and detail at the waist
• Built in tummy control
• Wearing a tankini will be better for you than a bikini
• Be wary of the ‘muffin top’ if you have separate bottoms

Swimsuits to Balance and Minimize Wider Hips

• Boy shorts are NOT for you
• Pass on prints and ruffles below the waist
• High cut leg will narrow wider thighs
• Empire waist draws eye up
• Mix and match brighter top to darker bottom

____________________
Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas. As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.

Your Personal Best Colors

Knowing your best colors and getting your ‘colors’ done has a profound impact on your physical appearance as well as your pocketbook!  Here’s why:

1. Wearing your Personal Best Colors makes your skin look more vibrant and alive
2. Your best Personal Best Colors ‘pull’ your natural skin tone to the surface rather than draining it from the surface
3. Your Personal Best Colors can make you look 10 year younger
4. Knowing your Personal Best Colors make shopping easier because you walk by colors that don’t work
5. You save money because you will only put your Personal Best Colors in your closet!

Why It Must Be Done in Person

I’m sure there are advocates out there that will share with you the reasons ‘why’ it is OK to get your colors done online or by photos.  The problem with this is that you can never get true natural color via the internet or through photographs. The calibration of screens and the manipulation of photographs through inks and technology will never be able to give you an in person view of someone.

I have performed well over 250 Color Analysis in the 8 years that I have been performing them and am amazed at how different someone may look in photographs and in person.

1. Makeup Must be removed
2. Lips must be free of any lip color or stain
3. Lighting should be natural either through the aid of natural daylight bulbs or natural lighting.
4. It is preferable to have a cape or drape of some sort so the eye doesn’t wander to color that the person might be wearing
5. I do not have gray walls in my studio and I know some feel it is necessary, but because of how I position myself behind the client, and the direction of my mirror, I do not have wall space in my line of vision.

It takes a practiced eye to notice the nuances of changes in skin tone and coloration when a client is draped. The client must also understand what to do with her colors once she has her new color tool! The colorist must teach the client how to understand and use her tools!

How to Shop

The job is not complete by the artist once the canvas is painted. Nor is the study of a person’s color complete once she has her tool.  The more the student uses and understands the complexities of color the better able she will be at using her tool to get her very best colors.

In the Month of May, 2012, I am offering a 1-time Special Opportunity to schedule a PCA during the summer months and get your colors done.

• Schedule and pay your deposit to hold a date for your PCA during the month of May
• Complete your PCA during the summer months of MAY, JUNE or AUGUST 2012
• SAVE $100 towards the purchase of your PCA Session

If you would like more information or would like to schedule your PCA, please EMAIL:  Info@StyleYOUniversity.com

1. Balance Figure with Color, Fitted Pieces

You can wear a fitted suit, even with a slim skirt, if you are bottom- heavy. Just remember:

• Keep the line long by using ll one color with slim-cut pieces. It elongates and slims the figure.
• Choose fitted jackets that end well above your widest point.
• Wear a top or jacket with structured shoulders, puffy sleeves, etc. to balance out your larger bottom half.
• Rely on a form-fitting, but never tight, skirt in a non-clingy fabric.

2.  Think Fit and Flare

One of the classic recommendations for the bottom-heavy figure is the full skirt. It’s still a great option, especially for dresses. How to make the full skirt work:

• Go for a fit and flare silhouette. Draw attention to the waist with a belt, gathers, band or other feature. The skirt should flare out from the fitted waist.
• Take the fit and flare silhouette one step further by opting for a strapless dress. You’ll get the benefit of showing off your shoulders, while concealing your hips. Also, the strong line of bare shoulders helps balance a wider bottom half.

3.  Find Jeans that flatter.

You can look great in jeans. The key is to choose leg openings and back pockets to fit your figure. Here’s how:

• Boot cut leg openings are the most flattering jean legs of all. The slight flare balances out wider hips and fuller thighs.
• Opt for a darker wash jean for the most slimming look.
• Five-pocket styling looks best, but you’ll want to avoid excessive embellishment on the back pockets if the size of your backside bothers you.
• The longer the jeans, the longer (and thinner) your legs look. Wear boot cut jeans as long as you possibly can without having them bunch up around your legs. If you can stand them, pair jeans with high heels for a super-flattering look.

4.  Put Prints on Your Smallest Feature

Another way to balance the bottom-heavy figure is to accentuate your top half with prints. Vertical stripes, menswear checks or plaids, floral and polka dots are all great options.

5.  Wear a solid pant or skirt and keep jackets short (never let a jacket end right at the widest point of your hips).

• Go for a Raised Waist
• If your natural waistline is thick, along with full hips and thighs, one of your best options in dresses is the empire-waist (raised waist) dress.

With this silhouette, the focus is shifted to only the top third of your body because the waist falls right below the bust line. This look works best with pear-shaped women who are small-busted.

6.  Pick a Pretty Neckline

You don’t need a plunging V-neck or tons of cleavage to pull this off. What you do need is added interest — a sweetheart neckline, a halter, a knotted front — to draw attention up and towards your face.

 7.  Light on Top, Dark on Bottom

As basic as it sounds, the best way to use color to camouflage/highlight figure areas is to use contrasts.  The black bottom with white top works like a dream: it brings the eye up to the lightest hue and the top half of the body.

8.  Choose Slimming Swimwear

The idea of high-cut legs on your swimsuit may make you uncomfortable, but they are a flattering way to make your legs look miles long. Here are more Do’s and Don’t s for swimwear:

• Don’t wear boy shorts. They’ll look boxy on you because they accentuate thighs.
• Do choose swimwear with graphic interest — vertical stripes, color blocking — strategically placed to draw the eye up.
• Don’t wear a teeny-weeny bikini bottom. The less fabric on bottom, the fleshier you’ll look from the waist down.

____________________
Posted by: Karen Hughes, Founder of Image Assets, an Image Consulting Firm serving the Alpharetta and Metro Atlanta areas.  As a seasoned certified image consultant, Karen follows a simple philosophy: educate, empower, and enrich the lives of her clients. Her philosophy is enmeshed throughout her practice and can be observed in her workshops, clinics, and one-on-one consultations. Her energetic and interactive style makes her a sought-after training resource for organizations and individuals alike. Even the most difficult topics seem effortless for Karen as she tackles such challenges as professional etiquette, business dress personal image and body shape.

Confidence is a matter of  developing the proper skills to know that you can achieve the goals you are setting.  Successful people are confident people. They know that in order to “do” confidence they must be in a constant state of learning and building knowledge.

Tony Robbins says:  ”Success leaves clues”

• What clues are your clothes leaving?
• Are your clothes showing up confident? 
• Do your clothes say you are ready for success?

Luncheon Networking Event – The Confidence Factor

Join me On May 23rd, in Atlanta as Confidence & Success Coach, Martha Forlines and I show you how to “DO” Confidence. We’ll share with you tips on creating and doing  not just a “Confident” Closet but how to Listen and Hear the Self Talk and Prepare for a Confident Self in this

2 hour Luncheon Networking Event.

• First, it’s the trying on and seeing yourself in the mirror.
• Second, it’s hard to know…is BLACK really your best color when wearing swimsuit??  Besides, you ARE seeing a lot of skin, right?!
• Finally, if you are over 45, should you still wear a swimsuit?

Sometimes it’s just too much to think about!  I know, I’m there…Let me help you out here:

Getting Ready to See Yourself

Before you go into the dressing room….get ready to see yourself naked, or near ‘bout.

• Shave your legs.
• Put some self tanner on…get your hair fixed and put on some makeup.
• Wear a pair of heeled sandals or slides.

All of these things will make you look better in the mirror.  Self-tanner will help hide some of that cellulite left over from your winter months in hiding.  Makeup will make you feel better and your hair being done…well, it just makes you feel better about the whole process.

What Color Should You Wear?

Honestly, most women gravitate to a black swimsuit simply because they know that black is slimming.. well, have you ever considered that black is slimming when you are wearing ‘all black’?  Yes, it is most slimming when you are covering up your entire body!  Wearing a bathing suit you are showing more skin than you usually do, so black isn’t always your best bet!

As someone who is passionate about color, I have changed my views on black swimwear and am an advocate of your favorite color or your very best color next to your face!  It will compliment your skin tone and make you look more vibrant and alive in all that skin!

Style Your SwimsuitOver 45? 

If you are over 45, you might be asking yourself, “should I even be seen in a suit anymore?”  My answer to you is: “Not necessarily.”

Rather than hang up your bathing suit, why not consider you are “seen” in one! Don’t stop just at getting a new suimsuit…No….I want you to consider styling that suit!

• What shoes will you wear with your new suit?
• What cover up will you wear? There are some beautiful sheer covers that will show your shape without SHOWING everything!
• What will your hat be to protect your lovely face?  AND if you are just ‘sunbathing’ or at a pool party,
• Why not accessorize your suit with some fun new bangles and a great pair of sunglasses and
• Don’t forget your tote to carry your towel in!

This year, don’t hide under your towel, get out there and be seen!  Join me on my tele-seminar on May 30^th.  Learn what you need to know to look good, feel great and have fun in the sun this  summer!

A Great Accent Color   is the soul of every closet.  Foundation is the heart.  When creating a closet that works and one that supports your lifestyle needs, great accent color is essential. My mantra has always been “core, accent, accessory”.

Every day when I dress, I ask myself “what color I want to be today”.  That “color” is my accent color. If you have built a core wardrobe with pieces that fit, flatter and feel good on your body, your accent color makes getting dressed easy.

This past week was my daughter’s birthday.  She is just beginning to build a wardrobe for her everyday “work” life.

Accent Color Challenge

Choosing an accent color shouldn’t be difficult, but that is where most women get into trouble.  Most women find a great top and buy it in a million different colors.  I challenge you to think differently.  I challenge you to work on understanding only your very best colors and work on 1-2 of them each season.  When you choose only one or two accent colors to work on each season you begin to search those colors out in the market and can then focus only on your best style.

Go Deep With Your Accent Color

Rather than having lots of different pattern in tops, shirts and blouses, minimize the pattern in your closet.  Add pattern only after you have developed a depth in color will allow you to mix and match all your pieces with your foundation.

Can you tell what accent colors she is working on this season? The best part of all is that your wardrobe begins to have personality..YOUR personality because everything in your foundation/core wardrobe should be interchangeable with your accent color of the season.  You will event be able to work those accent color pieces back to past season pieces to freshen them up!

It’s fun to minimize your wardrobe selection by adding just an accent color or two! Once you’ve figured out what colors make your feel good and flatter your personal body’s characteristics, you can then have even more fun with your accessories!

So tell me….what is YOUR best accent color?  Are you wearing it?  Are you using it in your wardrobe? Remember it’s:  “Core-Accent-Accessories” that make your wardrobe unique.  Stop buying the rainbow and get into your very best colors this season!

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

If your birthday is in the Month of May your color is Bud Green! According to Colorstrology, by Michele Bernhardt, you are Healing, Rejuvenating and Prosperous!

“The color for the month of May is Bud Green.  Vital and assuring, this is the color of stability and healing.

Bud Green opens the heart and rejuvenates the spirit.  The sun moves through the earth sign of Taurus during the month of May.

This earthy quality is prevalent as the color green springs into action after the bleakness of winter and graces us with its presence.  Bud Green gives us a balance of strength ans substance

The color Bud Green can be used by anyone to balance and support the physical body. 

Bud Green resonates with life’s riches.  It’s color  corresponds with nature and can be both physically and emotionally healing.  Wear or surround yourself with this color to increase prosperity and promote material wealth.  It opens the heart to the true fortune of following your soul’s purpose and making it manifest.” -Michele Bernhardt

If your birthday is in the month of May, enjoy the newness your color brings into your wardrobe!

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

People see movie stars, entertainers, even public figures dress in a certain way and try to emulate their style.

Truth be known, if you don’t “KNOW” your style, you stand very little chance at having a successful style or being successful for that matter.   As former Vogue Fashion Magazine Editor, Edna Woolman Chase once said,:

“Fashion is Bought, Style One must Possess”

What Does Your Style Say About You?

Style tells people a lot about who you are.  Are you outgoing or reserved?  Are you high energy and active or are you more mellow and relaxed?  The clothes you are drawn to, the clothes that you feel your very best in, are those clothes that support this inner core being.

Being Someone You’re Not

We all want to dress differenctly at certain times and you CAN.  Building a wardrobe that is authentic and speaks to the very nature of who you are you must build a foundation first. Dressing like someone you are not, is not about being a different person.  For example, if you are in a business meeting and want to portray a serious mind, you will want to wear clothing that supports this look….NOT sexy alluring clothes.

Foundation First

Once you have created a foundation that consists of fabrics, patterns, and styles that support your body’s figure line and style personality, only then can you begin to explore ways to adapt that style personality to other types.  Having a romantic style one might support this with fabrics that are more delicate with detail that is flowing such as ruffles or lace.

Where Style Goes Wrong

Style goes wrong when you have too much of a good thing.  Being all classic, traditional, sporty or dramatic tends to be over the top. When you only have one style in your wardrobe, your style becomes boring, common and easily outdated.  There are 8 different style personalities and it takes continual effort each season to adapt your style to the trends.

Learn How to Develop Great Style

Great style is a balance of all the style personalities with a core foundation that is based in classic lines and details.  You can listen to the specially recorded live tele-seminar and download The Learning Boutique’s Companion product to learn more about getting to your personal style

• The Mystery Behind Great Style USD 14.97 Add to cart

I’m glad that she’s taking on the obesity epidemic; I even support that she is trying to have a connection to the ‘average’ (whatever that is) American family and hard working women.

So this isn’t anything about public policy or political gain AND, I’ve dressed and ‘re-dressed’ her before and now feel that I need to do it again.

Part of me likes the outfit she chose, the part that wishes I was young enough to pull it off. By the way, she’s not either).

The other part of me says “this is our role model for our children”. Michelle Obama is the First Lady the woman that meet world leaders and affects change in America as well as the world at large…So how “should” someone of this stature appear in public?

There is a disconnect, and it happens because as much as she would like to appear “average” and in touch with the “average American family”, she’s not.

She’s Not Average

She’s not average, and by trying to dress average it diminishes the strength and power that she has to affect change in America.  Like it or not, she is and will ever be held to a higher standard than we hold ourselves simply because of the position that she holds.

Re-Dressing the First Lady

So back to “Re-Dressing” the First Lady.  What works:

• She’s stylish and looks great in heeled pumps
• Gold. She’s looks great in GOLD

But WHAT was she thinking? What doesn’t work:

• Tight jeggings, skinny jeans, leather spandex (or whatever she’s wearing) is definitely NOT her best look, no matter how well she tries to hide it.
• The geometry even though styled great isn’t her best pattern. It sits at her widest part of her body
• She’s trying to look ‘with-it’ but she is seriously missing the boat on thisone.

She Could Have Worn:

Here’s what Michelle Obama could have worn and been so chic, trendy, age appropriate and connected with the kids!

Remember she’s not a “Hollywood” Star she’s the First Lady.

I have 3 choices for her all flattering her best feature…her arms, which she loves to show off!

•  The first choice is a great shaped blouse that would show off her shoulders and draw attention to her face.  It’s chic and understated yet fun and fitting for a First Lady.
• The second choice is my favorite for her.  Sequined top with a shaped skirt topped with some leather trim and some great sleek black pumps. Add a few accessories and WOW~
• The third is a shaped lace dress in her best dress shape.  It flatters her wider hips and thighs without calling attention to them.  Nude pumps add a bit of Spring freshness topped with gold pearls

I don’t know, what do you think? Was she representing what a First Lady should be representing?  What do you think?