Is your skin warm or cool?

Being able to determine your skin tone will help you to make informed decisions about color selections for hair, makeup and clothing. There are several simple observations you can make to help you figure out what your tone is.

You’re COOL if…
1. Silver jewelry stands out more than gold jewelry when placed on your skin
2. In direct sunlight, you see glints of blue, purple or green in your natural hair color
3. Your skin color in porcelain, rosy-beige, rosy-pink, dark olive, dark brown or ebony
4. You may burn easily in the sun
5. Your eye color is light blue, gray-blue, gray-green, blue-green, deep blue, deep green, brown or black

You will look beset in Silver, Platinum or white gold jewelry. Pearls and diamonds have cool undertones so often they compliment your skin.

You’re WARM if…
1. Gold jewelry stands out more than silver jewelry when placed on your skin
2. In direct sunlight, you see glints of red, orange, gold or yellow in your natural hair color
3. Your skin color is golden brown, warm peach, pale or yellow with freckles
4. You tan easily in the sun
5. Your eye color is blue, blue-green hazel, green, topaz, amber, cinnamon, coffee bean

You will look best gold, brass and copper jewelry.

If you are still puzzled try this technique:
Pull your hair off of your face. Wash your face and then place a white towel around your neck and shoulders. The pure white cloth will reflect skin undertones. If your face looks yellow next to the white towel you have a warm skin tone and if it looks more blue then you have a cool skin tone.

Best described as a season of change, fall ’08 is defined by
rich, elegant hues that offer a vibrant selection. New York’s
fashion designers emphasize cooler blues, greens and purples
in the top five tones used in their collections, followed by
variations of warm red, orange and yellow.
“Fall is traditionally a time for subdued, quiet colors, but this
season we are seeing a shift toward cool hues with bright,
exciting undertones,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director
of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Conventional tones such as
warm autumn hues, chocolate browns and steel grays are
also among the fall color choices. Blue and purple tones have
become staples, as illustrated by Blue Iris, one of the top 10
colors chosen by designers this season, and Pantone’s Color
of the Year for 2008.”

More in depth color exploration coming soon!

If you’re hosting a dinner party, and your usual t-shirt and jeans is not exactly what you had in mind to wear, how do you pull together a lovely ensemble without going extreme?  A little planning goes a long way. When you have so many other important details on your mind, last minute dressing can be a nightmare.

Plan ahead, have your outfit pressed and ready.

Keep it simple, a knit wrap dress is universally flattering and paired with a nude or beige heel can keep it relaxed, yet classy. Or maybe your in the mood for a sundress? A white blouse or tunic can be dressed up or down easily and is always appropriate for the summertime. Add a colorful pair of hoops and your ready for the hor d’ oeuvres!

Freshen your face right before the guests arrive. Make sure your hair is where it is supposed to be and touch up with some lip gloss.

DO wear an apron, there is no limit to the fabulous aprons available on the market, here are some of my favorites.

DON’T be the center of attention with you choice of dress. You want your guests to shine, not the converse. I made this mistake once, and once only when I was hosting a formal event. I chose a full-length red gown. Though lovely, it was too formal for the event and I ended up as the most extravagantly dressed female in attendance. Needless to say, I felt rather awkward the entire evening.

Remember your guests, they’re who really matter! Offer them a refreshing drink upon their arrival, make sure music is playing to set the mood and have a subject picked for great conversations.

Have you hosted any parties recently? Tell us about it! Any tricks you’d like to share?

While I can’t argue that white pants and skirts aren’t always practical, they’re stylish regardless of your size. The important factors are the fit and the ensemble. Here are guidelines for choosing a perfect pair of white pants:
* Keep the front plain, no pleats. Flatter fronts keep your fit smooth and streamlined underneath your tops.

* Side entry pockets or any type of patch pocket tends to show through the front of light pants.

* Make sure that white pants made of softer fabrications like viscose, silk, rayon and linen-blends are lined.

* Consider denim and thick cotton twills in white. These fabrics don’t need to be lined and the classic “5-pocket styling” works well.

* Stick to boot cut leg openings as the most versatile and flattering option.

All women can look incredible in the right pair of white bottoms. Striking contrast is key to creating a stylish ensemble with white pants. Match them up with a dark top and shoes and your look will pop.

DON’T wear white to a wedding

DO wear nude colored underclothes with white, so others don’t see more than they want to!

Remember, white is a modern update on black, and it doesn’t make you look fat.

Now that we know how to choose a neckline for ourselves, how are we supposed to accessorize that particular neckline? Here are just a few tips to help you out! Let us know how they work for you!

V, Sweetheart or Boat necklines are beautifully accented with a drop pearl necklace, solitaire pendant or a single gem that matches the color of your top.

Jewel, Scoop or Boat necklines can be adorned with a long string of colorful beads. Precious stones work well with a thicker day look, while crystals bring a little glamour to an evening ensemble.

Square necklines should be topped with a pendant that dangles from a long chain. Consider lengths that fall between the collarbones.

In a recent seminar I was startled to find that over 71% of women in America do all the shopping for their men! With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you keep your man looking great.

Suits, gray and black are the most versatile.
Sport coats, tan for summer, navy for work related, dark tweeds for winter.
Slacks, gray trousers are very practical for the combination of work and parties, but he’ll need at least one pair tan pants for those warm weather days.
Shirts, six collared shirts should be enough. White and blue are classic colors but throw a few more in there that are trendy. Since his pants are a solid color you can go with stripes or patterns, too.  Make sure he wears a light colored undershirt that does not show through or distract.
Ties, if you’re the fashionista of the family, stay up on the times. Are thick or thin ties in? Get a couple to fit with the season.
Sweaters, keep in mind where your man will be and if he gets overheated easily, no one wants to be around a sweat machine! Cashmere is nice and light and gives a very classy, clean look for any situation. There are lots of choices for style, button up, crewneck, v-neck, give them a try.  If he’s wearing a suit, a sweater-vest is best because it doesn’t have sleeves - and v-necks accommodate ties nicely.
Jeans,while the styling depends on body type, keep in mind, simple and straight is traditionally more masculine. Whatever you choose make sure they fit. Not baggy! Not slimmy!  This year you can’t go wrong with a dark indigo wash, which can be dressed up with a blazer, shirt and tie or dressed down with a polo and loafers.

DO replace belts and shoes every year, for an easy trend update.

DON’T
-underestimate the power of the iron or steamer.
-let them wear socks with sandals. If my dad is prone to this (under my ever watchful eye) then surely yours probably is too. ..

Remember, straight shirt hems are meant to remain un-tucked, while curved styling is meant to be tucked.

Here are some tips to eliminate the stress behind dressing a tall figure by balancing height.

Clothes: Longer tops visually shorten your legs as do cuffed pants.  Wear skirts that are a medium length and have a slight flare. Showing too much leg makes you look taller and a long skirt or dress gives your body length. Tuck in your shirt or wear a wide belt over your top at the waist. Long jackets make you look FABULOUS.

Patterns: Choose horizontal stripes over vertical ones; avoid pinstripes, for example, which will elongate your figure.

Color: Mix light and dark shades. Pairing a dark shirt with light pants, or vice versa, will shorten your body.

Shoes: Flats will obviously keep you at your current height, however don’t deprive yourself of fashion, choose lower heels that you love and wear them with confidence.

DO pick clothes that have larger details ‘ wide lapels, buttons and other features. Delicate details make the body look large by contrast.

DON’T dress all in one color, which enhances height.

Remember, hold your head up high, put your shoulders back and walk with dignity.

The diversity of belts has me astonished this year. From leather to ribbon, skinny to wide, belts were the must-have accessory this spring and will continue their trend through the fall. Trench coats tied with a gorgeous ribbon, skinny pants with a narrow patent belt, printed-woven belts, chunky belts and it goes on! Need some fashion how-to?

- Wear a belt high and cinched at the waist with a blousy top or baby-doll dress.
- Try an extra-long skinny belt and loop the end for an updated and stylish ’80s look.
- If you have a small figure on the lower half, try any belt along your hips to add definition.
- Go with the retro high waisted skirt and add a wide belt.
- Choose a ribbon belt to go with a skirt.

DO opt for a larger belt if you plan to wear it over a sweater or with lower-rise jeans.

DON’T wear a belt that doesn’t fit. If the belt is straining to fit in the last hole, it may make your clothing bulge unnecessarily.

Remember, you’ll need a smaller belt to go over thinner fabrics and for pants that fit at your natural waist.

Dresses are perfect for showing off femininity and are nice and cool for the summer heat. Aesthetically, dresses look best when they are filled in the bust, hip and derrière. Obviously, we always want to accentuate the positives without overstating them and deemphasize those features that you are less proud of. Here are some tips for finding the perfect outfit for you.

Willow - Little definition between bust, hips and waist. *think kate hudson*
Focus on your neck, face and arms for balance.
Choose tops that have an interesting design feature in the chest area. High necklines will give the illusion of slightly larger shoulders, which is a plus for you. A-line skirts, pencil skirts, dropped waist or handkerchief hems are all great for a straight figure. Use lots of color and design in straight figure clothing. The simple lines of your figure mean you can pull off a variety of texture and layering- have fun with colors and patterns!
Pear - Smaller bust, rounded hips and more defined waist. *think kate winslet*
Focus upward for balance.
Wear the right size, don’t try to hide your hips. Full skirts are actually a boon for you- (i.e. The Academy Skirt) Dark colors are always generally more slimming. Love detail on your tops and blouses! Solids for the bottom half and prints for the top half of your wardrobe will be best.

Hourglass - Bust and hips in equal proportions, with more defined waist. *think liv tyler*
Focus on waist for balance.
Look for tops that are cropped or end at the waist. Select tuxedo, shawl and v-neck collars. Seek to emphasize your waist without highlighting your curves by color blocking your outfits and adding a thin belt that matches the pant or skirt. Tight shirts and high necklines are NOT your friends, they just make your bust look bigger. The “the Pencil skirt” is your best friend, as it glides over your curves and flatters that hourglass shape. (I have one in nearly every color, including white) Pocketless pants and skirts minimize your full hips. Remember that dark colors such as brown, navy, charcoal and black are naturally slimming. Keep your jeans and slacks bootcut at all times!

Spoon - Full bust, small hips and small waist *think nicole kidman*
Focus on hips for balance.
Avoid tops with high-placed pockets, buttons or designs that draw attention to your top half. Try wide-leg pants and skirts or dresses that are triangular in shape. Have your clothes altered so they fit. Solids for the top half and prints for the bottom half of your wardrobe will be best.

Apple - Full bust, average hips and average waist. *think catherine zeta-jones*
Focus on mid-section for balance.
Pieces with vertical lines will flatter your curvier figure. Keep your accessories to a minimum and make sure they are proportionate to your frame. Avoid baggy or over-sized pieces. If your thighs are the largest part, try a one-piece with a graphic design. You can also add a bubble skirt to help camouflage your hips. Dress in tops with empire waists to elongate your figure.

Half-pint
You are under 5′ 4″ and  generally are a miniature version of the willow. Keep clothes in proportion to your smaller frame, this also applies to prints.  (small prints on a small frame). Skirts to the knee are most flattering and pants with heels will lengthen your frame.

DO accentuate the positives without overstating them

DON’T accentuate your larger area.

Remember, whatever you wear, own it. If you’re not confident in it, wear something else.

We can always be more pleasant to look at (in person or in pictures) when we dress ourselves well. Keeping in mind that we should be dressing for our particular body shape and skin tone, we should also remember that hair styling and makeup will enhance features to our betterment or detriment. Beyond those basics, and forgetting those annoying naturally photogenic people, there are a few things that anyone can do to look better in photos. Try out these tricks and stop running for cover whenever the camera comes out.

1. Minimize certain attributes by tilting your head slightly.
2. Arrange your body ¾ toward the camera, to minimize your hips, with one foot in front of the other and one shoulder closer to the camera. Weight on your back leg.
3. Stand up straight, shoulders back and relaxed. Think long and lean like a ballerina.
4. Flatter your face by angling your face at a ¾ angle to the camera vs. full front, and look up through your eyelashes. Practice with a digital camera and see what angles are most flattering to you.
5. Posture is a life saver and will dramatically improve your appearance. Sitting or standing up straight will make you look far superior to your slouching companions Do not lean in towards the center of the pic.
6. Relax. Think happy thoughts. If you know a picture is about to be taken, take a deep breathe, and exhale slowly. Nothing kills a photo like a tense or stiff expression.
7. Smile, regardless of anything else, the happier and more relaxed you are, the better the picture will turn out.