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Dear Readers,
As I write this letter, it is snowing outside . . . again. My readers in Florida, California and Nevada are weary of the chilly wet rain. And in Washington DC, even more snow is predicted. Good grief. Atlanta just had six inches! Brutal, that's what this winter has been. Therefore, I propose that we shelve the closet maintenance tips for now and let's concentrate on maintaining your sunny dispositions. So, if you cannot jet off to a tropical island [who can?] then why not make yourself a margarita, virgin or otherwise, play some Jimmy Buffett music, and read on . . . We are going to have some fun! |
| Five ways to lift your spirits now! |
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Call a friend today, make a date, and together drive to the nearest mall. Now, follow this simple recipe for an instant and quite satisfying taste of spring.
 Look for a great pair of sunglasses. You and your friend can help each other decide what pair is most flattering in shape, color and size. [Hard to see yourself when you are wearing dark glasses!] So when those beautiful blue skies and warm sunny days reappear, you will be oh so ready. Wearing these glasses, you feel empowered. You are chic. You are cool. And remember this: you don't have to be a movie star to feel like one.
- Get your make-up done at a store where the make-up advisors are over the age of 21 [that means you should probably skip the Sephora and Mac stores altogether]. It's free and there are many "gift with purchase" offers out there right now. Experiment with the new spring colors. Ask for an "evening" look rather than your usual everyday look. Try a smokey eye, a soft pastel lip color, a new eye-liner. I love Estee Lauder's latest "Double Wear Stay in Place" eye liner pencil. Honestly? It does not budge all day. And it has a soft rubber tip so you can easily smudge to blend. Afterwards, you and your friend can go out for lunch, order a salad of "lightly dressed" fresh spring greens, and wow the crowd!
- Give yourself a lovely lift [literally] and purchase a new bra. Not an everyday utilitarian bra, mind you, but rather something pretty, lacy, soft and sexy! Wear it often to remind yourself that you are feminine and you are beautiful no matter what. As a private indulgence, this purchase won't need a second opinion, so you can shop on line if you know your size and the brands you like. Just go to that great website I have mentioned before: www.freshpair.com where you can "buy underwear in your underwear" [free shipping and a wide selection].
- Make an appointment for a pedicure. Soon, you will be wearing open toe shoes and sandals, right? Do you have a gift card for a spa service languishing in a drawer somewhere? Do you remember how great a leg massage feels, or the sensuous, silky touch of freshly manicured feet? What a TREAT! Oh, and please choose a soft, neutral polish rather than a bright or dark color. It will make your feet look slimmer and your legs look longer. Ditto on your fingers.
- At your next hair appointment, shock and rock your stylist's world with a request for a "fresh new look". Bring in some pictures and discuss what colors and styles you like. Ask for a new color, a new cut or both. We have seen many "make-overs" on TV and have been wowed by some of the more dramatic transformations. But if you will notice, the clothes are only a part of the process. Without a contemporary haircut and color, the clothes become inconsequential and the overall look falls flat. So, think about going a little shorter, a little softer, a little richer, a little brighter. Maybe even consider cutting bangs? Now, that would be tres chic!
And as our friend Tim Gunn likes to say, "Come on, live a little!"
Best regards,
PS. Congratulations to those of you who were inspired to "edit" your closets after reading last month's newsletter. Hooray for you! You are lighter and brighter already!
Next month in the April issue of Style File, look for the scoop on Spring Trends for 2010 [and how to incorporate the keepers into your wardrobe].
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| best quote
of the season |
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"Inner beauty is so important, but not nearly as important as outer beauty".
Ellen DeGeneres,
comedian and TV host |
| always memorable... |
"Great style is evolutionary, not revolutionary."
anonymous
"You should focus on your best feature which is usually the eyes because they express your sense of self. Keep your make-up soft and bring the attention to your eyes".
Christopher Hopkins, stylist, make-up and hair expert and author of Staging Your Comeback
"In matters of style, and most everything else in life, it is not perfection that we seek; it is progress."
Tim Gunn, TV's Project Runway style expert and author of Tim Gunn's Guide To Quality, Taste and Style
"There comes a time when a woman's style needs to catch up with the rest of her life."
Kendall Farr, fashion stylist and author of The Pocket Stylist
"Hairstyle is the final tip-off whether or not a woman really knows herself."
Hubert de Givenchy, Vogue, July 1985
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