OMG, Did You See The Oscars?

Did you watch this year’s Oscars Ceremony?

I usually don’t watch them, but I do like to see the pictures of the “Red Carpet” fashions to see watch all the celebrities are wearing.  What one image stood out (like a sore thumb so to speak) concerning the fashions of the evening?  I’m sure there was more than one that comes to mind.

But the one image that went viral and caused “no small stir” was Angelina Jolie’s right leg.  You outta “google” it for a real laugh!

Angie wore a pretty black velvet gown with a slit up the side.  But what was so funny was that she strategically revealed her right leg every time she stopped to pose for a picture, and especially when she walked up on stage to present an award. Personally I thought that was very tacky of her.  Maybe she’s still trying to compete with the killer sexy legs of Brad’s ex Jennifer?

What bothered me even more than her exposed lower appendage was that no one even noticed her gown or her face.  Sure it was partially because her black dress was such a stark contrast to her pale legs, like her bright orange/red lipstick on her pallid white face . But the truth of the matter is that the color of her dress was not right for her to begin with. This time she got away with it because her dress is low-cut, so it doesn’t take away from face too much, and she was wearing the right shade of lipstick at least.

You’ve probably noticed that Angie LOVES black, it must be her favorite color as she wears it alot.  BUT Black is NOT the best color for her skin tone, her eyes, or her hair color.  Black just doesn’t flatter her natural Autumn features.  The most flattering colors Angie should be wearing are earth tones, like deep orange, dark green, and golden brown to name a few.

I guess I can’t help but notice these things being a certified color analyst and all.

Here is another photo showing her wearing the wrong color, doesn’t she look washed out, and pale in this drab grey dress?

It is very unflattering to say the least. Makes you wonder, What was she thinking?

What’s funny is you’d think that famous people would know and wear what looks best on them, especially when they have to constantly make public appearances.  You’d also think that the top fashion designers of the world that make their gowns would tell them “this is a beautiful design on you, but the colors are wrong, let’s see what I have in your colors”.  But amazingly they don’t. Neither do their hair stylists or their makeup artists!

It is very rare to see Angie in her right colors.

But look, I found one!  Here’s a pic I dig up from a few years ago.

Now can you see the difference?

This emerald-green dress just brings out the best in her.  Yeah Brad’s also in the picture, but try to focus on her, ok?

This beautiful gown in her proper color draws attention to her face, and not away from it like the gray dress did.  You see the hazel color of her eyes stand out and she just has a more naturally beautiful, elegant look.

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This is just a quick example of how “color” can make a big difference in one’s appearance.

Want to know more about how color can change your appearance, your attitude and your life check out my article on “What Season are You?”.  

I think Angie needs to read it too!

Instant Gratification

Ever heard the phrase “Patience is a virtue” ?

 It used to be a common phrase when I was growing up, but is pretty much unheard of today.

Who plants their own fruit or vegetables and waits for the harvest anymore? That’s what grocery stores are for.  Though it is a wise choice to raise your own crops, if you have the land, especially with food prices constantly rising.  Not to mention the taste of your own fresh food is so much better than store bought.

Ever made your own clothes?  It is rather rewarding to choose fabric that you like and a design that is unique to your own tastes, then making it with your own hands.  Does anyone even use sewing machines anymore?  I have one, but rarely use it just for small seam repairs.  Or how about spining fiber into yarn to use for kniting?  Do people still knit or crochet today?  Maybe, but not like in my grandmothers day!

Patience was a way of life. Now we have no idea what that is.

Wonder why?

Our modern society is into instant gratification. We are used to everything being at our fingertips.

Some examples of instant gratification:

Instant tanning (who wants to spend hours in the sun?)

Digital Photos (no waiting to develop film)

Microwavable or fast food (who wants to cook full meals anymore?  who has time?)

Audio Books or Videos (no one likes to read more than a page of text)

Pain pills (to treat symptoms instead of the cause)

Remote controls (can’t even move 5 feet to switch channels anymore)

Plastic Surgery (quick results, but don’t always meet expectations)

Liposuction (quickest way to loose weight)

Winning the lottery or any gambling (the odds are against you!)

The problem with instant gratification is that it can produce longterm disappointment when immediate expectations are not fulfilled.  It tends to make us loose patience, or become unthankful for things that take time to produce.

Delayed gratification has its rewards:

Relaxing with a good novel vs. watching a condensed 2 hours movie version (allows you to use your imagination, and read at your own pace)

Home cooked meals  vs. pre-cooked, ready-made

Healthy prepared food vs. quick junk food

Picking fruit from your own tree vs.  store-bought, under ripe fruit from out-of-state or country

Improving your looks and health through better nutrition and regular exercise

Treating the cause of a health problem and eliminating it naturally and permanently

Full time education to produce a career vs. low paying job due to lack of experience

So many things in life you just can’t shortcut on.  Relationships including marriage and parenting are the most important things in life that require longterm patience, and are the most gratifying.

Life is full of rewards when we take time to enjoy each and every minute.

It’s Not Too Late to Exfoliate

Exfoliation is an important part of any skin care regime.

Why do I need to exfoliate?   Exfoliating removes the dull dead outer layer of  skin cells, unclogs pores, helps reduce acne breakouts, and keeps skin clean.  It also allows the new layer of cells to emerge, making your face look more healthy and radiant.

How often should I exfoliate? Once or twice a week is suffiicient depending of course on if you have dry, normal or oily skin. Two times a week for oily and once a week for normal to dry skin is good.

Should I wash my face before exfoliating?  Yes, you want to remove the surface dirt first.

Will it dry my skin out?  It can depending on what type of products you use.  It’s important to apply a moisturizer to your face after exfoliating.

Should guys exfoliate? YES!  Men need to take care of their skin, and remove dead skin cells just like women.  It also helps men get a better shave by exposing the hair follicles.

There are 2 basic types of exfoliation:

1. Mechanical Exfoliation– involves physically scrubbing the skin with an abrasive. They can include such things as microfiber cloths, adhesive exfoliation sheets, micro-bead facial scrubs, crushed apricot kernel or almond shells, sugar or salt crystals, and abrasive materials such as sponges or brushes.

Professional treatments include Microdermabrasion and Micro Diamondabrasion.

2. Chemical Exfoliation– includes facial scrubs containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, citric acid, or malic acid.  These can be applied in high concentrations by a medical professional, or in lower concentrations through over-the-counter products.

It is recommended for people with acne to use products that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).

One of my favorite products is Adrien Arpel’s Microderm Cleanser.  It’s both a gel cleanser and exfoliator in one!  It’s gentle but effective, with the same crystals used in professional micro-dermabrasion treatments.  It’s enriched with vitamins A, C and E to help repair and maintain healthy skin.  I love how it makes my skin feel!

Professional methods can be very costly, but there are many inexpensive exfoliators you can make yourself with household ingredients such as coffee grounds, baking soda, sugar, even asprin.

Here’s a video for a great do-it-yourself facial:

Aspirin Mask

So in conclusion there are many ways to exfoliate, the main thing is to make it part of your regular beauty regime to help keep your skin looking radiant, silky smooth and refreshed.

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Beauty Only Skin Deep?

If the Shoe Fits

Why do women have such a fascination for shoes?  

Why is it that no matter how many pairs we have it’s never enough?  And when a new style appears we just have to have it!   There are varying statistics, but it seems that the average number of shoes a woman owns is bet. 20-40 pairs (depending on age of course).

Ok, I had to check my closet.  I’m amazed!  I’ve got 27 pairs including sandals and boots.  Really I only wear about 4-5 pairs regularly, and of all my footwear only 7 pairs are “High Heels”. 

Aren’t you a little curious how may pairs you have?  I’d love to know if you’d like to comment below.

One woman who had the ultimate shoe obsession (but then she could also afford to) was Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines.  Here’s an actual quote from her, “I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty.”   Yes, Imelda, that’s important to get the record straight.  🙂

I’ve tried to analyze this fascination we ladies have, and I think I may have figured it out!  Let me know if you agree or not, I’d love to hear your perspective.

Could it be the icons we had growing up?  For me, growing up in America I remember Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, with her ruby red slippers, that magically transported her to the comfort and safety of her home and family.

Then there was the story of Cinderella, whose glass slippers (with the help of her fairy godmother) transformed her into a princess and won the heart of the handsome Prince Charming.

I find it interesting that “shoes” seem to be the key to happiness in both of these stories!  Can you think of any others?

 

 

 

 

 

 Brief History of Shoes

Ancient shoes (sandals) were mostly made of leather soled bottom.  They were originally designed to protect the feet from the harm (remember everyone walked everywhere in ancient times).

Also it’s interesting to note that only the wealthy could afford sandals, everyone else went barefoot.  The more wealthy had ornately decorated sandals.  You could tell how well off someone was by looking at their feet.

Just imagine a person from ancient times being transported into the modern day and taking a peek into your closet. Upon seeing all your shoes they would think you were a queen!

The popular platform sandal has changed a bit over the years, and depending on the culture:

From the Japanese geta

To the retro 70’s  sandal

To the modern high heel sandal

Where did the concept of the High Heel come from?

High heels have been around for centuries.   No one is quite sure where they originated, but some have even been found Egyptian tombs.

During the 1500’s high heels became popular in England and France for wealthy women.

It is said that one queen who was vertically challenged had special shoes designed with high heels to increase her stature. This then became a fashion trend for all other high society women, of all heights.

High heels were also popular among men of the French & British Court.

You think the pointed stiletto style shoe  is modern?

Take a look at these ancient shoes.  Heels were obviously not practical for walking long distances, but doesn’t the shape look familiar?

 

Here is a picture of a group of ladies trying on some stylish high heels in the 1930’s.

This pair of shoes is from the 1930’s.  They look surprisingly similar to some styles today, don’t they?

Shoe styles just keep getting more and more outrageous

We sure have come along way from shoes being worn for protection and comfort, to fashion statements and self inflicted torture!

Lady Gaga is known for her outrageous outfits on stage, but come on this is stupid! Does she have to travel in costume too?

She made an absolute fool out of herself by falling down at an airport, trying to walk in these ridiculous 12″ platform boots.   What was she thinking?

It seems she falls quite often. Either she is quite clumsy, always intoxicated or it’s the shoes!

(Or maybe all of the above).

Being fashionable is one thing, but putting your health and well being at risk is another.  

Be good to your feet they are the only pair you have, and they need to support you for your whole life!

Just remember styles come and go as fast as the weather changes, so don’t be too concerned with keeping up with the newest trends.

When you do an inventory of your shoes you will notice (like i did)  that 80% of the time you only wear 20% of the shoes you own.  The 80-20 rule applies to your clothing too!  I know for me it is time to do some Spring cleaning!

Now before you go on your next shoe shopping spree do me a favor.

Close your eyes, click your heels together and repeat after me, “There’s no place like home! There’s no place like home! There’s no place like home!”

🙂

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Tends and Trends

Tends and Trends

Fashion is fickle.  Trends come and go.

But we still tend to follow whatever the latest fashion gurus dictate is “In Style”.

Do you think fashion designers really consider or care what their styles will look like on the majority of the population?  Or do they just love to come up with those weird, quirky styles that only look cool on anorexic models, making the rest of us look like blimps?

The fashion industry continues to provide cookie cutter molds that are unrealistic that make the majority of us feel inadequate and unattractive.  Just think when you see a model or celebrity wearing the latest style, is your body shaped like theirs?  Are you close in age to them?  These are important things to consider when you tend to follow the current trends.

If you want men to go gaga over you, please don’t follow the styles of Lady Gaga! She loves to “shock and awe” us with her outrageously tacky fashions, but then that IS her quirky trademark.

Remember Madonna’s style back in the 80’s, how every teen had to dress like her? Her styles over the years have been quite wild (and downright slutty).  Then Gaga carried it a bit further beyond wacky and weird.

Neither of them are natural beauties in my opinion nor do they have perfect figures. Maybe that’s why they dress so outrageous, to hide their flaws!  Or to flaunt them!

You may not have killer curves like Kim Kardashian, or a derrière like J Lo, but you are uniquely beautiful in your own right.

Learning what brings out your best attributes and hides your flaws is the real key to being “fashionable”.

A very important thing to remember is that there is NO such thing as a PERFECT figure!

Personally I’ve never been too concerned what others are wearing, or what is “in” style at the time.  Maybe because I had a brief modeling career back in my twenties and I’ve seen how fast trends come and go.  I also learned the hard way how expensive it is to keep “in style”.

Here  are a few things to ask yourself that will help you determine what styles look good on you:

Are you petite?  (I hate using the word “short”)

Wear clothes that make you look taller, not ones that emphasize your size.  Avoid long skirts that are below the knee.  High waisted clothes and shorter length skirts and jackets look good on you!  High heels are great but be careful, you don’t want it to look like you are trying too hard to look taller.

Too Tall?

The taller and slimmer you are the more styles you can wear.  But if you are over 5’7 it’s best to avoid high waisted jackets and vests.  Skirt lengths can vary, but keep in mind that mid length hems can make you look shorter and add weight.  Choose high heels that don’t add too much height, as you don’t need it.

Are you overweight?

Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight, that show every bulge.  Do wear clothes that have vertical lines or seams rather than horizontal.  The right colors can also have a slimming affect. And despite popular belief, the color black can actually make you look larger (unless you are a Winter, then Black looks great on you!).

Here are some fashion mistakes to avoid:

UGG!!!  This is a big NO-NO!

I don’t care how comfortable these are.  Ugg’s were designed to be worn with leggings or tight jeans NOT shorts, or skirts, how tacky!

Over accessorizing is another big NO-NO!  This can make you look bargain basement cheap.

Pants that are too long or too short.  Or pants that are too tight or too loose.

Oh yeah and where did the tight jeans with the thongs sticking out the top come from?  Yikes!

Is this the women’s version of the men’s pants hanging below their underwear? OMG! 

More Fashion No No’s-

Too much denim.  Demin jackets do NOT go with everything!

Always wearing solid colors.  That is so blah!  Better to have a print or patterned blouse with solid color pants or visa versa.  The colors don’t necessarily have to match, contrasting colors can add a dramatic affect.  Just stay with colors within your Season to look your best!

Women over 50 wearing the styles of women in their 20’s.  Boy this one really gets me!  Stay with styles that flatter your age, not make you look ridiculous.

Sweat pants with writing on the butt!  OMG I saw a very unattractive heavy set woman wearing a pair of tight sweat pants that had “sexy” written across the butt. What was she thinking? I couldn’t believe it!

I could go on and on!

The bottom line is that no matter what is in style for the moment when you “know” what looks best on you then people will notice your true fashion sense and want to follow you!

You’ll be a trend setter!

P.S.  If you can think of any other fashion mistakes you’d like to add feel free to comment.  We can help each other out here.  Thanks!

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What Season are You?

Makeup Your Mind