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!

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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The Thick and Thin of it

There are many different opinions on eyebrow thickness.  Some say thin looks better, but others say leave them thick.  

How thick or thin your eyebrows are depends on your genetics, so don’t worry about what’s in style or what the latest top model looks like.  Fashions constantly change, so just learn to look your best with what you have naturally.

Take Brooke Shields for instance, she naturally has thick brows.  At a time when thin was in, she boldly displayed her full brows, and set a new fashion statement.  Full eyebrows that are groomed and shaped nicely can make your face look more naturally radiant.

Your eyebrows frame your eyes so it is important that the length of the brow is proportionate to your eye.

An arched brow opens up and lifts the eye (see picture below). 

Here are some basic guidelines and tips on eyebrows:

You only want to pluck the stray hairs that extend beyond the boundaries.  The most obvious area to start is between your brows.  

You can hold a pencil to the side of you nose and see where your brow starts, and pluck any stray hairs in-between.  Then pluck the stray hairs underneath your brows.  Never pluck hairs above your brows unless you have a few strays. 

Always pull out in the direction that the hair grows, not the opposite direction, or you will be training new hairs to grow in the wrong direction. 

The main thing is to try to create a gentle arch following the shape of the eye with the peak of the arch just outside your pupil (see picture). 

You’ll also want to use sharp, good quality tweezers.

Warning!   Did you know that if you pluck your eyebrows too much some of the hairs may not grow back?  So don’t over pluck!  It is best to only pluck one hair at a time, never try to pull multiple hairs at once, remember you can’t put them back!

The best time to pluck is after a bath, or shower, when your pores are open from the heat.  The hairs will be easier to remove. 

Also make sure you pluck a day before a big date, or party or your reddened skin with draw the wrong kind of attention.

If you have sparse or light brows use an eyebrow pencil that is close to the color of the hair on your head and use small upward strokes to simulate the natural hair pattern. You don’t want them to look painted on, but natural.

Whether thick or thin, with a little shaping of your brows you can give your face a lift and dramatically enhance your natural beauty.

 

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