In this fast paced world that we live in, when having to juggle and multi-task I think it’s a great idea to hide and constrict your arms . . . .don’t you?

Unless you live a life of leisure I can’t imagine that you could function in a cape. Picture this; you are chasing after your kids and you can’t get your arms untangled long enough to catch them, then what about the “drive thru’s” by the time you drag your arm across the service window you are wearing half of your meal on what would otherwise be a sleeve. Not practical, not comfortable unless you are just lounging around. Then the roominess comes in handy.

If you insist on purchasing a cape, select a solid color. Any pattern will add additional weight to your figure. And . . . if you think it will help hide what you don’t like it won’t it will only make you look like a solid mass walking down the street. Your best bet would be to try a different type of jacket.

With more than half the population on a diet it’s just what we need! Let’s add extra weight by wearing fuller skirts, what a brilliant idea! (on second thought it’s a great place to hide your Doritos!)

There are few words to describe these beauties . . . just take a look at what they do to the model shown below. She couldn’t be more slender and yet she looks like a balloon. Don’t bother dieting if you are going to follow this trend. …it will not matter.

. . . what’s right and what to avoid . . . . The sweater to the left is not flattering on most figures. Study the cut, it’s short in the torso, wide short sleeves and mock waist will create matronly shape. These sleeves will make very slim arms look “skinny” and a fuller arm “fat”. It will do the same for your bust line, either adding more weight or if you’re slender you will look like you borrowed someone else’s sweater that didn’t fit. Neither would be a look to go after.

The other 2, one sweater coat and the other sweater dress are both cut to flatter; creating a long lean line. Both, the dress and coat can be worn different ways. For example the dress can be left open and worn as a coat with the reverse approach for the center photo. This one can be adorned with broaches and/or a belt to be worn as a dress.

Get ready to be BOWed to Death this fall! From necklines to shoes and everywhere in between you will see bows both extra large to extra small. My suggestion for those who love them; choose wisely. One per outfit is enough. Don’t have them on your clothing as well as your accessories, it’s over kill. Remember that they will attract attention, so place them where you want people to notice.

If you have straighter ankles don’t wear shoes adorned with bows, if you are full bosomed don’t wear them on your blouse or top; instead if you feel that you are missing out on the trend you can always select a handbag with this accent. It keeps you in style without looking like a clown.

Keep walking, right by them . . . . don’t waste your time trying them on! These proportions all wrong for just about everyone. Most women will carry their extra weight around their hips and thighs. Look at the cut on the items shown (with the exception of the bottom right image); they accentuate that area of your figure bringing attention to it. The shoulder line is narrow and torso cut short; everything to make you look less balanced. Creating a dumpy silhouette.

The bottom right look does just the opposite, by exaggerating the sleeves making them almost clown like; not a good look unless you need something for Halloween!

. . . you were told that you shouldn’t be caught dead in them just last season! What happened? I guess it’s alright to pull them out since you now have the blessing of the fashion police, whew! I was worried for a moment, the thought of being incarcerated for actually wearing these things!

If you will take a good look at the trousers above you will see that they are comprised of all the things that the fashion police told you were absolutely wrong when it came to slacks; high rise, wide legs, pleats, double pleats, cuffs, etc., while they wanted you to buy the low rise, pencil thin variety. Now all of a sudden this is a great look! Go figure!

If you have followed my advice you would recognize that my message has been consistent; allowing you to take some items that are on the market and apply them to your figure for the best possible look; creating a balanced figure. The bottom right photo happens to spell out a great balance, pleats or not. It is one that you can look for when you are shopping and don’t (or haven’t) want the low rise trousers.

Remember that fabric and cut play an enormous part in how something drapes on your body; making it either fabulous or something that needs to be reconsidered. Also, as I have mentioned in the past you shoe choice can make a difference as well; either creating a slimmer leg line or adding weight by choosing the wrong heel. (See a previous posting on shoes)

When all is said and done, it’s about you, your lifestyle, your budget and your figure. Don’t let anyone talk you into being “current” just to say that you have the latest fashion. It’s a big mistake, you will never feel like you and it will affect how you go thru your day.

OK, so here is the scoop for fall 2007, all the so-called “must haves”. Things like full skirts, bows, chunky sweaters, capes, grey is the new black and of course something silver . . . .or a lot of silver, silver from head to toe if the designers have it their way. . . . you make the choice. Over the next few weeks I will break down the “whys”, why you shouldn’t listen. Stay tuned, I promise it will be interesting and VERY helpful.

You tell me when you look at these images if you would want to run out and copy the looks. . . . after all they are very inviting. Both models look so happy to be wearing these clothes.

When you think about more than half of the women are a plus size, wanting to look slimmer in their clothes I can’t imagine how they would feel in any of these looks. (Actually I can imagine. The answer is horrible, fat and dumpy). The last thing you would want to do while putting any one of these on is to say, “Honey, does this make me look fat?” Your husband/significant other would not be able to lie! And then, there goes the evening!

Each one of these adds weight to your figure. Just look at the women wearing them, they don’t look like they have had a good meal in months and they look heavy in them. What’s wrong with these designers, don’t they like us?

When you see these or similar things on the rack in your favorite store, do yourself a favor and save your money!

Next up . . . . .we have been told to throw these out and now that we have they’re back!

There are 2 new cosmetic items that I would like you to know about, one being for your eyes, the other for your lips.

This new line for V.I.P. Cosmetics is called “The Moment Colours” which has a fabulous eye pencil that comes in a variety of shades. The texture is soft, giving you a smoky look and yet well defined. It goes on strong without pulling or stretching your eyes; the last thing that you want to do is pull on the skin around your eyes! Something that is difficult to find. Normally you get one without the other.

The other is their lip liner, also in “The Moment Colours” line. This too has a lovely texture to it, allowing you to line without a hard defined line leaving you with a perfect shape. It’s available in many shades making it easy to blend with your favorite lipstick color.

Their items are available on line at: www.vipcosmetics.com and retail for $9.00/ea.

Enjoy the day!

Sorry for the absence over the last several weeks . . . I was away, then getting ready to launch a new business and most tragically, I lost a long time friend.

I’ll tell you more about the new business project a little later; for now I want to share with you a very good product that I discovered recently called Gosmile. There are a “gazillion” tooth whiteners on the market; some very uncomfortable to use, some painful, some gum irritating and some just plain not worth the money. This product isn’t free by any means although they do offer you a free trial for $9.95 which is great. In the whole scheme of things it isn’t extremely expensive but you can plan on spending approximately $90.00 for the initial supply.

The beauty of this system is the ease of application (individual ampoules with soft cushion applicators and only minutes to apply), it keeps working for 15 minutes after the initial application lightening your teeth 4 to 10 shades, you are able to target problem areas and it’s powerful yet safe for the enamel. I try everything and those that know me will attest to the fact that I’m not shy about telling you when something is a waste of time and money. This product worked so well that someone asked me if I had veneers! (I don’t.) I thought that was a pretty good endorsement for the product, try it I really think you will like it.

You can sample the product on their website or look to HSN (Home Shopping Network) for their special deals.

Whether you are listening to a “so called” expert on TV or getting professional advice in current magazines I need to point out a couple of items that you need to consider when shopping for slacks. The things that I will point out will not be addressed elsewhere.

Many women carry some extra weight in their hip and thigh area, so shopping for pants can be a pain in the derrière! When you are uncomfortable with that part of your figure it is extra painful to shop for pants. If you listen to the fashion experts you will not find the best look for your frame.

Currently, wide leg (not to mention they’re pushing high rise pants when for the last several years we were told that it was a “sin” to even look at them) pants are popular. You will hear and read that if you have a fuller leg you should buy wide leg pants. Well, I beg to differ especially because selecting the correct shoe along with the correct fabric will make a difference in your overall proportion.

Stand in front of a full length mirror . . . put on a wide leg pant and see if you don’t look like a column holding up a roof! What you will need to do is find a fabric that drapes properly (hangs without clinging) and secondly fits across your hips and bottom. Then, what you will need to do is select a shoe with a heel that will give you a longer looking leg; not stilts just a shoe with a little lift maybe a stacked heel where the pant leg will land on the top of the shoe, slightly covering it. Now stand back again and take another look. If you still look like that column holding up your roof then you need to take the pants to a tailor and have them slightly tapered from the thigh down to the shoe. Not creating a cigarette or ankle hugging look, just slightly tapering the leg creating a slimmer line.

This holds true for cropped pants as well. When you purchase a cropped version you should make sure that they don’t flare out from under the knee. This coupled with a Jersey, knitted fabric that will cling and show any excess weight or cuffs and/or adornments will make you appear shorter and heavier.

Trust me, if you will do this you will have a new love for wearing slacks!