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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.

All that jewelery you have needs to maintained along with everything else. It can be a hassle to take items to be cleaned, especially when you can do it right from your home at your convenience!

Things You’ll Need:

• windex
• a bowl
• a needle
• an old tooth brush
• paper towels
• water

Get a needle and gently nudge the stones in your jewelry piece that you are cleaning. You have to make sure that they are securely set before you do anything.

If all the stones are secure, drop it down into a bowl full of windex. Yes, I said windex. It’s the best thing to clean your jewelry in, and you probably have some around the house anyways. Let it sit in there for about 5 minutes.

Take a toothbrush and scrub the piece down. Get every corner. Make sure it gets down in between the stones and everything.

Now that you’ve scrubbed it, place it in a bowl of water. Let it sit for around 2 minutes to make sure all the windex is out. Take it out and wrap it up in a paper towel so it’s dry.

Thank you, ehow, for the tips.

It’s been sticking around for a while, and doesn’t show any signs of leaving- it’s that slightly tousled, yet utterly romantic “boho braid”. Because braids have such a classic appeal they have been reinvented numerous times to fit a more contemporary look.

For a “Heidi” braid look—all you need are a handful of flat bobby pins, a couple of ponytail holders, and about ten minutes. To start, separate your hair into two equal pieces. You don’t need a severe middle part, however, you do need to make sure that you’ve got two even hunks of hair at the base/back of your head. If you have bangs, feel free to leave them out. Next, plait your hair into two braids (not too tight), starting each braid right behind your ear. When you finish each side, wrap a ponytail holder around the ends, then flip the braids up and over your head. You can either remove the ponytail holders and pin your locks in place, or just tuck the ends under the opposite braid and pin. Starting with the ends of your braids, pin them securely all along your head, working back to the origin of the braid. You’ll need approximately one pin (per braid) every two inches if you have medium to thick hair (less pins are required for finer, lighter hair).

You can also try to add one French braid or Fishtail Braid across your forehead, which are slightly more work, or one classic braid somewhere amidst your hair, down or up!

Whether to make a statement or to just add a little pizazz to your otherwise basic look, try adding a braid unexpectedly this week. Let us know what happens!

*Fashion Flash*

Now introducing a new spin on a classic… move over black, this year designers let the little white dress step out. Adorably fun, it has been morphed from a convenient frock into a must-have, every-woman-can-wear-it item. What a black dress lacks in up-to-the-minute trendiness, the white dress more than makes up for. It is an excellent decision if you want to pull of an playful, sweet look. Our dress is not only the most flattering pattern (every shape looks good in it) but it also naturally draws your attention to the intricacy of the feminine eyelet material and it’s cut - to your natural waist - both very “in” this year. New York-based couture designer Nanette Lepore says, “It’s something that appeals to all people. People have an inherent psychological reaction to nice, crisp whites, and it’s nice.”

DO
accesorize with one bright color

DON’T
wear white to a wedding as a guest

Remember, get a dress you love and feel comfortable in. Check out our shape post if you are having a difficult time knowing what to look for.

Will you try the trendy white this year?

From messy to super-sleek, here are a few fantastic bun looks to give you some variety this summer whether hitting beach or ballroom.

Round or angular shaped faces should use parts as a nice focal point to the face, while other face shapes can easily use a “ballerina” slicked back approach.

Insider tip: most of these styles are based off a ponytail. It gives stability and a platform for securing your bobby pins.

Ballerina how-to: be sure to spray your hair with hair spray before pulling it back, pin securely in place and lightly finish with a shine spray.

Tousled how-to: put your hair in a messy ponytail, tease the pony for added volume and lightly pin in place leaving a few pieces out to keep it relaxed around your face.

Need some pictures? Check this site for some great ideas-
Know any hair bun tricks you’d like to share?

New seasons, new looks. Try the new summer trends with these easy instructions…

nude face + orange-red lips
It’s time to put away the heavy plum lipstick and opt for a more sheer, glowing visage for spring.

1. Add a bit of concealer if needed, under eyes especially.
2. Dab on a touch of pale translucent blush, (Revlon Colorstay mineral blush in Petals is subtle and give a bit of glimmer, $7 Drugstores)
3. Pat lipcolor on with a finger, and use a tissue to blot off excess. You’re going for
4. Add lip gloss for softness and shine.
5. Finish with the application of mascara

pink + pearlescent
Subtle and just plain pretty, it’s a ballerina look that flatters practically every complexion.

1. Start with light foundation, but only enough to cover imperfections. Keep your skin fresh
2. Blend shimmery golden pink highlighter (eye-shadow) at the inner corner of the eyes, across the lid, and the bow of the lip.
3. Line eyes with gray pencil, angling down into the lashline. Blend
4. Warm cheeks with a sheer blush, (Covergirl TRU blend mineral blush in “Pure Romance” is really good on both eyes and cheeks ($7 Drugstores)
5. Finish with Rosy-beige or Nude lipcolor, almost like a Victorian rose, applied lightly. (Bare Escentuals Lipstick in Berry Glace is one of the most wearable pinks ever $15 BareEscentuals.com, Ulta, Sephora)

copper + bronze
From beautiful bronzer to shimmery copper eyeshadow- welcome the “it” color for summer cosmetics.

1. Try a coppery lipstick or lipgloss- SHU UEMURA ROUGE UNLIMITED in BG 908, lovely ginger falls squarely in the classic creamy, true-lipstick category $23 shuuemura-usa.com
2. Loose coppery eye-shadow – (bourjois Paris dose De Nacres mini loose powder eyeshadow in No. 1- has extra fine milled mother of pearl, dotted along the bottom lashes, it’s ethereal and delicate $8 Ulta)
3. Eye liner (Revlon Marble-ous Match Liner/shadow duo in set “The Nude”, a chubby two ended pencil- fantastic copper glow around the eyes $10 , Drugstores)
4. Bronzer- Just brush on a some warmth to the apples of your cheeks. But go sparingly, avoid the “fake tan” look.

I have a confession to make- I am a compulsive hat buyer! Hats are far and above my favorite accessory. Unfortunately, I’ve found that many women believe they look terrible in hats, but in reality, just don’t know how to wear them. Here are three ways you can dramatically increase your odds:

Find a color that complements your skin. Hats are closer to your face than anything else you wear. Hence, if the color isn’t flattering, it will be especially noticeable. Try the hat in a natural light. If it makes you look sallow, put it back.

Wear your hair differently. Many women just plunk a hat on top of their everyday hairstyle. If you already have a wide face, this can exaggerate it to an unflattering effect, especially if you have long or full hair. If you really like a particular hat, but just don’t think it works on you, try pulling your hair back in a tight chignon or a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, or pinning the front sections back. At the very least, tuck hair behind your ears. It may improve matters dramatically.

Make sure the hat is angled to its best advantage. If a hat doesn’t look good when you first try it on, you may not be wearing it far enough forward or back. Many hats, especially stiffer hats made of felt or straw, will also wear better when you tilt them slightly. Try angling your hat to the right or left, and look at it from every direction in the mirror.

Voluminous skirts, smock dresses and spacious or ruffly shirts can swamp a tiny frame or make a fuller figure look even larger. However, with some clever style know-how and great fashion accessories, the volume look can really work. It’s a question of teaming it with outfits that compliment rather than swamp your figure, which means that tops need to be fitted and waists need to be cinched. You will then no longer be in danger of taking off like a hot air balloon.

Flouncy skirts are proving fun and feminine, a lively look for spring and summer. Big and bouncy, swish and swingy, it’s time to feel free again. Forget clingy, constricting and go for full and flowing. Pretty and practical voluminous pieces give you a carefree edge. Accentuate your waist with a belt; add a fitted top or a shirt gathered in at the waist.

Whilst volume works well on a slender, straighter frames, women of all body shapes shouldn’t be nervous about experimenting with the trend. Most often is it how the look is put together that counts. You need to think carefully about your whole ensemble from the basics to the accessories. No matter what shape you are, if volume is worn confidently and cleverly there is always a way to make it work.

DO
wear belts

DON’T
go flowy all over

Remember, love your natural waist and add definition accordingly.

There is no doubt that animal prints are in for 2008 and it’s vital that we remind you that wearing animal prints can either add a touch of class to a smart outfit or produce a nightmarish fashion disaster. Here’s how to wear animal prints with style. Keep your silhouette simple, elegant and sleek - no big hair, you’ll look like a lion. One safe way to incorporate these fun prints is through some jewelery, like our bracelets (hurry, supplies are limited!!), pair these with some simple tribal earrings with a neutral, solid colored outfit and you’ll be on the road to fashion success.

DO
pair prints with neutrals and solid color-schemes, especially basic black, crisp white, chocolate brown, and beige.

DON’T
wear it all, just because something is available in animal print doesn’t mean it should actually be worn, no one wants to feel as if they have actually just been on a safari after spending time with you!

Remember, animal prints are most fashionable when worn only in one pattern, and to keep things tasteful, limit the print to one item at a time.