Sunday, September 30, 2012

What to Wear When You Are Feeling BIG or the Beauty of an An Empire Waistline

Last night we had friends over for dinner and had a fabulous dinner that my husband fixed.  Downside:  I ate sooooo much!  This morning I was feeling heavy, so I decided to go to my fall back dress for church on this kind of day.  The Empire Waistline Dress.  This waistline hits at the ribcage - the smallest part of most women's bodies.  Then floats away.  Nothing tight around the waist.  Perfect.  Just make sure it's not too voluminous or it will look like a maternity dress.  Here I am with this ultra-comfortable dress on:

 
Next time you are trying on dresses, try one with a higher waist.  I think you'll like the way it looks!!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Great Wig Boutique!

Today I had a great experience at a fabulous wig boutique in Tallahassee called Cynthia's Wig Boutique.  Check out the website  www.cynthiaswigboutique.com.  Beautiful wigs in all styles.  Jewelry, handbags and make-up.  Cynthia is an enthusiastic, caring owner who works with women who have lost their hair for various reasons.  She also fits breast prostheses.  I recommend you check out her website and the store in Tallahassee (set back from Capital Circle N.E.). Open to the public on Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and during the week by appt.  It is a hidden gem!!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Cool Snakeskin Watch

I am really into accessories this year - so much fun and less expensive than buying a whole new outfit.  Found this cool watch at Chicos last week:



Great neutral color, so it can go with anything.  Look for a fun watch at your favorite store!!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Fun Red So Slimming Getaway Pants

The other day I was in Chico's store www.chicos.com checking out the fall merchandise and found these fun red So-Slimming Getaway pants

 
 
 
There was also a 25% off everything in the store sale going on, so I thought, "What the heck, I'll try them on."  I've been wanting something besides navy and black pants.  Well, I love them!!  Comfortable, fun and slimming.  I will wear them with camel, black, white, navy and even a print.  Sunday I wore them to church with a white button-down shirt and a print scarf.  Got some animal print flats at Shoe Station with birthday money to go with them, too.  I say go crazy and have some fun with colored pants for fall!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

My Top 5 Life and Health Challenges

I have been thinking about all the life and health challenges I have had in my lifetime, in addition to the body image problem that most of us women have had at some time in our lives.  It is the body image issue that got me interested in starting this wardrobe consulting business- to help women be able to look in the mirror and smile and say "I look and feel good!"  It's not just about creating outfits - it is a change in attitude and acceptance of our bodies. 

An aspect of this business that I would like to expand is working with women who are experiencing life and health challenges.  Changing their stories from a spirit of defeat, discouragement, and/or illness to one of victory, joy and wellness.  In the spirit of sharing some of what I have been through in my life, here are my top 5 life and health challenges that I have encoutered over the past 60 years:
  1. Alcoholism of parent and former spouses
  2. Divorces - parents and myself 
  3. Single parenthood
  4. Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  5. Early retirement (great, but still a challenge)
So my plan is to expand my business to include wellness consulting (or coaching) in the near future.  I had a career as a health consultant before retiring and I have navigated successfully (with a lot of bumps) the above challenges along the way.  You can check out my bio on the Meet Jane page of my website www.lifestylesbyjane.com.  Stay tuned!!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

A Colorful Fall Coat/Jacket

Yesterday I went shopping with a client to round out some essentials in her wardrobe.  One thing I thought she needed was a versatile fall/winter jacket.  I also have been dying to see her in orange (which she said she did not like) because she has peaches and cream skin with freckles and auburn hair.  We were in luck at Talbots www.talbots.com where we found a blanket jacket/coat in a cute a-line shape in multiple color plaid (brown/orange/fuchia)-perfect for cooler weather.  I also had her try on an orange pullover sweater underneath.  Fabulous combination and it looked great with her coloring.  Here is the coat:


A jacket in a plaid with multiple colors is fantastic for your wardrobe - you can wear it with so many things.  I highly recommend and encourage you to not be afraid of color!! 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Beautiful Scarves

Last week I posted a blog about using scarves to accessorize an outfit and, if you look at the outfits I have put together on Polyvore, you will see that often I include a scarf.  It is a quick way to add color and pizzazz to any ensemble.  I am always on the lookout for stores with colorful and unique scarves.  Well, I found that store last week in Thomasville, Ga. - it is called EarthLover.  Find it online at www.earthlovershopping.com.  Tammy was kind enough to give me a tour of the store - filled with fair trade and eco-friendly items from 42 different countries.  I was particularly drawn to the jewelry and scarves.  The scarves are incredibly beautiful and unusual.  They each have a story. check these out
 
All kinds of fabrics - even some made from Indian saris.  Be sure and make a trip to Thomasville to look at these scarves and see the store.  Or go online to shop.
P.S.  The jewelry was amazing, too.  I bought a beautiful Guatemalan bracelet for a friend's birthday and couple of bracelets for myself!
 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

It's OK to Be Yourself or You Don't Have to Be Perfect

In case you think that I am always dressed perfectly, let me just say that is not true!  There are days I hang out at my house with my yoga pants on or days like today when I went to exercise the horses at my favorite stable, Hands and Hearts for Horses in Thomasville, Georgia.
www.handsandheartsforhorses.com  It is a therapeutic riding stable for people with various disabilities and riding there has been  great help to my grandson.  Anyway, of course I'm not going to wear good clothes or worry about my appearance when I am around the horses (doing something I love!)  Some days it's fun to not think about putting together an outfit.  Today I looked totally non-glamorous, and loved every minute of it!  Being yourself and doing what you love is all good!!!


Monday, September 10, 2012

Go Wild with an Animal Print Scarf!

Did you ever have a day when you felt down in the dumps and decide that a trip to the mall might perk you up?  Well, today was that day for me.  Had to pick up a french press coffee pot for my husband (because I broke his over the weekend), so I made my way to Penneys first.  I have been looking for an animal print scarf for myself (I love adding a scarf to an outfit!), so I cruised by their accessories department.  They did have a large number of really pretty scarves and found one for $15.  Here is one I found at Chico's for $49 which I love, so there is a large range of prices you can pay for an accessory that will perk up an solid color dress, suit or blouse.  I like it with red, black, brown, gold, white - you name it!

 
Check out my "Fall Day in NY" post below for another example of how to use an animal print scarf.  It can really spice things up!!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Autumn Cool

Autumn Cool




Brown jeans
windsorstore.com


Acne boots
$515 - farfetch.com


Scoop cowgirl handbag
sheplers.com



Nouv Elle yellow gold jewelry
$41 - julesb.co.uk


Aviator sunglasses
windsorstore.com



How to Put Together an Outfit

I have had women ask me how to put together an outfit easily, so here is my method.  Don't be intimidated!

1.  Pick out a basic piece (i.e. solid dress or pants in a neutral - black, navy, gray, red.)

2. Choose a blouse or jacket that goes with it - contrast color, same color different fabric, print or pattern. 

3.  Choose accessories that "go with" your outfit.  Pick out an interesting necklace, earrings, bracelet, perhaps picking out a color from your basic pieces.  Don't be afraid to go bold.  Make a statement or go classic (gold or silver). But don't overdo it!

4.  Shoes and bag - depends on the occasion - neutral (black, navy, brown, nude) or bold (red, print, purple, textured.)

And you are done!

I have created outfits on www.polyvore.com and have posted them on Pinterest and my blog page.  Check them out for ideas.  Don't pay attention to the brand and cost in the pictures - just take in the shape, color, style and shop for similar items at your favorite store.

Be brave and try it for yourself.  If you need help, call me!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Business or pleasure lunch out

Hate One Body Part?

Every woman has at least one part of their body that they don't like.  For me it has always been my hip/thigh area.  However, the older I get, the more sensitive I am about the back of my upper arms.  My four-year-old grandaughter loves to feel the back of my upper arms, because they feel cold to her.  She calls them my "flaps!"  Recently, when on vacation, my husband took a picture of my over-the-top excitement over seeing a mama moose with a baby and a mama bear with two cubs.

 
When I saw the picture, all I saw were my "flaps" instead of remembering what a great moment it was.  Can't we all be a little more gentle with ourselves, quieting the critical voice and accepting the way we were made?  Sure, I do exercises for my triceps, but some things just can't be changed.  How about appreciating at least one part of your body today?  Check out my outfits on Pinterest or on this blog for ideas on putting together a "style that makes you smile" when you look in the mirror.