Who is your fashion icon?

I have asked and you have answered! There are so many people to choose from, past or present. Having a fashion icon doesn't mean that you model yourself after this person. You might not dress like them at all. All it means is that you respect this person's style and you model their confidence.  The best answer, and the most common answer, was YOU ARE YOUR OWN FASHION ICON! That is great! I have always said that confidence in yourself makes you the sexiest person. You should always reflect your own personality in what you wear. Whether it is great shoes, a red lipstick, a great suit-- whatever makes you look in the mirror and say, "Damn, I look good today."

As predicted, Audrey Hepburn was at the top of everyone's fashion list. She is my fashion icon. Her grace and class was effortless. She was not only an icon of her time, she continues to be a timeless representation of what a really lady should dress like. Others of her time are also great models, such as Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelley, etc.

Another great fashion icon is Michelle Obama. She is our Jackie O of 2011. She really chooses styles that work for her and she is a advocate for reasonable spending, by choosing lines from stores like J Crew. She looks put-together and fun and really owns her style. Rock on first lady!

Last, but definitely not least, you chose Sarah Jessica Parker as your fashion icon. She is the perfect icon to be jealous of! I mean, who wouldn't want Carrie's shoe collection! She is a great person to model after if you are looking for that person who has a quirky style with great accessories. She is always fashion forward with a vintage flair. Even in this white dress, she looks amazing and totally expensive!

Some other great answers were: Grace Kelly, Betty Draper Francis, Pizzazz from JEM, and of course, me ;-).
Let us be our own fashion icon! Always know that you can rock anything with the right attitude! You never know followers, you might be someone else's fashion icon every day!

What Makes You Feel Sexy?

Every person has something that they wear that makes them feel sexy. I have a few--- a great pair of jeans, red lipstick, a top that shows my shoulders.... Put all those together and watch out!

According to my Facebook friends, people agree! The most popular answer I got today would be a sexy pair of shoes. You could be wearing a bath robe and wearing a sexy pair of heels and would be a complete success. :) From someone who cannot wear anything with a heel, flats can be just as sexy. I am in love with flat boots. In the summer I love sandals. As long as they make a statement, your shoes can make you feel sexy.

The second choice would be a great pair of jeans. Making your behind look great and your legs look long. You can rock a great pair of jeans to the club, around the house, where ever. The best thing is that you can get a pair of heels or a some dark jeans for any price. Check out clearance sales, Payless, DOTS, somewhere close to you and within your price range. Be prepared for some pain. Unfortunately, buying a pair of good jeans can be harder than finding a bathing suit. But once you do, you will wear them until they fall right off. From my many years in retail, you want to remember that each pair of jeans is different. If you find a style and size that work, bring 3 pairs of the same size into the fitting room with you. I know it seems silly, but trust me, it is worth it. Also, do the squat test in the fitting room. Make sure they are comfortable.

 From my male followers, the answer was a great suit. I think channeling James Bond would make any man feel sexy. It is a key suggestion to get a woman's attention! Another sexy James to emulate would be James Dean. A great tee shirt and a pair of jeans. YES! So sexy! (And comfortable). The good thing about either, like the women's suggestions, would be to find something that is inexpensive. If you spend a little more than you would normally, it is something that will last a long time. If you have to wear suits to work, check with your accountant, you might be able to write them off on your taxes. 

The best way to feel sexy is confidence. I have said it before- even if you are naked-- confidence will make anything you are wearing, or not wearing, look sexy. Funny, being naked got a lot of votes too! :) 

Thanks followers! Talk to you next week! 

 

Making memories for less than $20!

I AM BACK! 

I am sorry that I have been gone for so long. I am back and ready with some great ideas for my loyal followers!

The warm weather is here and I have some great ideas to keep you busy either with your girls or with your favorite date!

Girls' Night In:

Invite some girls over, it is time to get in touch with your inner Samantha and Carrie! If you don't have a cheap way to rent movies like NETFLIX or RED BOX, have your girls bring over their favorite chick flicks and pick from the stash. 

Get out your blender ladies, here is a simple recipe for homemade strawberry margaritas: 

6 oz tequila

2 oz triple sec

8 oz frozen strawberries in the syrup

4 oz limeade concentrate

ADD ICE and BLEND! 

Don't forget to pick up your fun margarita glasses at Christmas Tree Shop for less than $2!!!

Want something to do while you are watching all those girly movies? How about a wardrobe swap? Save some money for your summer wardrobe by asking your girls to bring all their unwanteds and throw in the middle of your living room. Go ahead and get crazy! It is like a new outfit with no money spent!!!!! 

Last, every woman needs a facial! Here is a really easy and inexpensive recipe:

1 tablespoon old fashioned oatmeal (finely ground)

1 teaspoon plain yogurt (preferably organic)

a few drops of honey, warmed with a hot spoon

MIX, apply to your face, leave on for 10 minutes, and finish with a hot wash cloth!

TOTALLY RELAXING!!!!  

 

 DATE NIGHT:

Do you and your love need something to do that isn't going to cost you a fortune? Well here are some great ideas for you New Englanders out there! (Don't forget, these are ideas you can really do anywhere!) 

Hampton Beach-

* Pack a picnic and have dinner on the beach while you watch the sunset

* Share some fried dough while you take in a free concert

* Beat 'em at skee ball in any of the arcades

* Finish your night with great Karaoke and dancing @ Stacy Jane's! The best bar on the strip!

Night in Boston:

* Can't afford an expensive restaurant or a club cover? That is totally cool! Look online for clubs that do "free covers" if you go during a certain time. 

* Grab a hot dog from a street vendor and cop a squat at the Public Garden

* Channel your inner child at the aquarium or the science museum

(It is really endless!)

Getting in touch with nature:

* Check out Walden Pond--- swim, hike, just relax! Beautiful scenery and history right there and all you have to do is pay for parking! 

I hope this inspires you to get outside and make those memories! Happy Spring followers! I am so excited for what this season has to offer!

 

Cleaning out your makeup bag

Do you have a makeup bag that is filled with everything from lipstick to the glitter that was part of your Halloween costume in 2004? You are like almost every woman! I did some research on About.com:beauty and you are going to be surprised at how long you can actually keep your makeup! I was...

First, make sure you check out my makeup tips from a few posts ago. This post with those will really get you started on the right makeup experience. Just remember, it doesn't require you to spend hours in the mirror or hundreds of dollars for expensive eye cream.

Concealer: lasts 12 months

Powder: lasts 2 years

Gel cleaners and creams: lasts 1 year

Pencil eye liner: 3 years  (remember to sharpen regularly!)

Eye shadow: lasts 3 years and makes a great sub for eye liner!

Brushes: they can last forever if you wash them every few months with a mild soap

Sponges: wash weekly and discard monthly

Foundation: water based lasts 12 months, oil based lasts 18 months (remember, you might not need foundation, concealer, and powder-- base it off of your own skin. Also, you might need 2 different shades for different times of year.)

Lip liner: lasts 3 years (cheap works just as well--- and stick to a nude shade, specifically a color that is closest to your own lip color)

Lip stick: lasts 1 to 2 years (see tips for making it last!)

Mascara: ONLY LASTS 4 MONTHS!

Nail polish: lasts 12 months (if it starts to seperate, you might want to throw it away!)

The biggest and most important rule is that if you are sick or having a bad reaction to your makeup throw it away-- no matter how much you love it, or spent on it!!!!

I love it ladies-- you are becoming fashion and makeup experts before my very eyes!!!

Carrying your style into your home

Whether you are still living in your childhood bedroom, a college dorm, an apartment, or your own home-- your style can carry over into the way you decorate. You want your home to make you feel comfortable and happy. If you are trendy and original or sweet and traditional, you can use these characteristics to inspire your living space.

Which room do you want to decorate? Your bedroom, kitchen, a game room? Start by making a list of things that make you happy: your vacation at the lake, chocolate chip cookies, the color yellow... You get the idea. Then use this list to create a theme. For example, the picture above: the colors are simple but work well together and the furniture is easily transferrable. Throw pillows and curtains can change the look for a room at the lowest cost.

You might have one item: a photo, a blanket, a favorite tee shirt that you can decorate the room or rooms entirely around. You could do each room in a different vacation spot that you like, or that you want to go to. For example, you could have a sanctuary spa in your bathroom with stones, candles, great fluffy pillows. You could change your livingroom into an old Hollywood movie theater with framed black and white movie posters and a great tv and couch.

Like your wardrobe, start small with accessories and do your research. Don't make any expensive purchases without being 100% sure that you are going to be happy with the end result. This also doesn't HAVE to be expensive with stores like the Christmas Tree Shop and do-it-yourself projects from Joanne Fabrics or Michaels. Also, recruit your creative friends to help. Have your artist friend paint or your sister that is good with a sewing machine make you the curtains you saw in that home magazine. Most importantly, if you are not the owner of the home, you want to check with your parents, landlord, or the school before you make any permanent changes.

Good luck being creative! Please post pics of your final design ideas!!!!

Saying I Do, part 3

One of the biggest decisions that you will make (after choosing WHO you are going to marry ;-D) is picking your wedding dress. Get all of your ideas together but remember these details: your budget, the style that best suits YOU, the season, the theme of your wedding, where you can shop. If you have a $100 or a $10,000 budget do not allow the bridal consultant or your maid of honor to talk you into trying on the more expensive dress "just to see what it looks like" because that is going to be THE DRESS and unless you are willing to cut the budget somewhere else, do not torture yourself.

Also, remember what styles work best for your body type. I love mermaid style dresses but with my hips it would have looked HORRIBLE! So, I chose dresses with a-line skirts and ballroom skirts. Don't be afraid to try on a style that you might not like at first. I did not think I wanted strapless until I tried it on. You will also know when it is THE DRESS! You will feel it, I know it is clique, but it is true.

Do not go diet crazy. You will hate your life! Just remember while you are trying to look your best: eat healthy, get exercise, drink a lot of water, and get enough sleep! Sleep is really important, especially the night before your wedding. No girls' nights out that night!

The best tip I can give you for your wedding prep is: practice, practice, practice! Whether is is doing your hair and makeup, walking in your wedding shoes, sitting in your dress, your vows, anything that doesn't come naturally! You don't want to try something for the first time on the day of your wedding. It will make everything go so much smoother.

This day will be the beginning of your life together as a married couple. Here are some tips to make your relationship stronger:

* Say "I love you" everyday whether in person or over the phone-- don't forget.
* Always have open communication! You are a team and need to be there for eachother!
* Don't be afraid to ask for advice but remember if you get advice, you don't always have to follow it. Every couple is different.
* Always remember to laugh!
* Don't lose yourself. It makes your relationship stronger if you each have your own passions and hobbies. You don't need to share everything.
* Always make "us" time-- whether you are together for 6 months or married for 25 years with children. Take one night a week to have a conversation, go on a date!

Good luck and enjoy your day. It goes by so fast!

Before you walk down the aisle, part 2

So, you have picked your date and you have some ideas of your theme and color scheme. Great! The next step is to make sure it works together. For example, we wanted a Fall wedding. So, we chose an October date. I love the colors red and black-- and they look great with orange and yellow. So far, so good. We wanted to include one of our favorite Halloween movies-- "The Nightmare Before Christmas" so Jack & Sally became the icon for our wedding--- on the cake, on the invitations, etc. But as you can see, everything worked. You can't really have a Spring wedding with pastel bridesmaid dresses and a "Vegas" theme....

Don't lose yourself. Mix it up. Have some classic touches with some creative, personal touches. We had the cake cutting and the first dance. But instead of serving cake for dessert, we served apple crisp. It doesn't all have to be traditional and it doesn't have to be "unique and creative." Don't give up on what YOU want! NEVER FORGET THAT!

If you are on a budget, figure out what is important. I spent more on my wedding dress and made my own invitations. Instead of paying for a professional to do my hair, I had my best friend do it. I spent more on the food we ate but the hall we had our reception at covered EVERYTHING with the price of the food. Actually, if you want a wedding in NH I highly reccomend Promises to Keep in Derry, NH. They were so reasonable and helpful. I wouldn't have made it through my day without their help.

Another thing that will help you get going is to decide who is going to be responsible for what. You might want to have your fiance and the best man (woman) be in charge of getting the tuxedos and planning the rehearsal dinner. Your maid of honor could be in charge of planning the centerpieces and favors. As long as you have open communication with your wedding party it doesn't have to be all your job!

Deep breath-- no matter what happens, it will be fine! You are marrying your soul mate!

Tune in tomorrow for details on your dress decision and planning a honeymoon!!!