Dress For Less

By shopping the previous season's clearance, I am ready this fall! 

Ah, the joy of clearance and mix 'n' match!

Black and red top from Chico's clearance! The best way to shop! We have the joy of the hunt and find!
Red necklace from Nordstrom Rack.
Red handbag from Target.
Black pants from Lane Bryant.
Shoes from Famous Footwear.
Black tank top from Walmart.









Now the same outfit with another Chico's clearance top, purchased last spring but perfect for fall, or even holidays!

Looking Good from the Inside Out - the Importance of Beautiful Undergarments

Looking good from the inside out - the importance of beautiful undergarments.

Have you ever wondered how to get that inner confidence and radiance that women who seem to have it all have? 

Women often think about their wardrobes, but how about developing a lingerie wardrobe? This will give you the assurance that you are always looking great, head to toe, from the inside out!

Besides having that smart, well coordinated outfit that everyone sees you in, shop for your loveliest underwear. Want to wear blue today? How about a lacy blue bra and matching panty? It doesn’t need to be part of a set, but it should coordinate attractively.  Put it on. You may think, “What a waste. No one will see that today.”  

But wait -

Doesn’t it make you feel sexy?  Now that you have that glow, before you have even clothed yourself, putting on your pretty outfit will just be frosting on the cake! If a dainty bra strap shows, it will enhance your dress, or if the autumn wind blows your frilly skirt up, you have nothing to hide. Every layer of you is looking fantastic.

A friend of mine was feeling fab one day as she said she was feeling “perky” in her new bra. I’m sure all of us gals know that sensation!  New bras always give great support and temporarily make us all into sweater girls.  But has it ever occurred to you that part of the reason our new bras are so “uplifting” is because we adjust our bra straps properly! Tighten them often!  A week or a month later, you can still experience my friend’s “perkiness”!

Another very frugal friend told a story of her embarrassment when her doctor happened to see her bra, “all dirty and tattered.” Why be walking around with that shame?

Budget for underclothing in all the colors you like to wear, mix and match, and in styles you enjoy. There are great finds even at Walmart, so it need not cost a lot. Feel great. Look great.

Wearing gorgeous under layers will bolster your self image. You will feel and look unbelievable, even beyond your clothing! After all, isn’t that what fashion is really about?

Discovering Your Colors

 Discovering Your Colors

Everyone has colors that either bring out their natural beauty OR DETRACT FROM IT.  Your fashion hues are not necessarily colors that are your favorites, but shades that enhance YOU! Our skin tones have underlying blue tones or yellow tones. If your skin is blue based, you will look great in cool colors. If your complexion is yellow based, then the warm tones will be your asset. 

If you are not sure what your best colors are, drape yourself in different colors of fabric while looking in the mirror. Does your skin come aglow more with one color than another? It certainly does.  You will find you don’t want to wear other colors when you discover which colors look best on you. I look best in cool colors. My daughter looks best in warm colors. She will no longer wear blues after seeing her own radiance when she wears orange, a color which is not one of her favorites, but has become a favorite to wear.

Here I am in my lucky blue!

Your Husband Told Me...

      When I was in my forties I was in a time in my life when I was feeling ugly- old and frumpy. I no long longer had the svelte figure that I once had without even watching my weight. My life had hit an upsetting bump, and that wasn’t helping any! I was also wearing a size 14. Going to the mall had been one of life’s simple pleasures. I was so disappointed to discover most stores not carrying larger than a size 12 and on the other end of the spectrum, stores that didn’t have smaller than a 16 or an 18.

What was I to do? I walked into Walmart, found some inexpensive pull-on pants, and voila`, I found clothing that did the job, and it was cheap. Over the next ten years, I continued in this dowdy style. It cost me my confidence and contributed to my losing my job.

Then one day, my daughter, a 16 year old fashionista said to me, “Mom, you could be so pretty...” and it hit me then, that at 55 I could be approaching my last chance to look good ever! I started buying new stylish clothing and looking and feeling better than ever before in my life! I get compliments on my style from men and women alike even when I’m running errands. A husband even told me he wishes his wife would dress like me and would I take her shopping!

Nothing makes me happier than helping others so I will be sharing my fashion tips and finds with you.