How to wear a shirt dress

Aug 16, 2011 by Clueless Fashionista

Even though it is still very hot in many parts of the country, we are rapidly approaching the fall season and this is a great time to start thinking about transition pieces that can take your summer clothes into the fall.

Shirt dresses have been around for quite some time and they are wonderful because they can look good on all body types. Here is a video that gives some great tips on how to best wear a shirt dress to avoid the boxy look and still look feminine and pulled together. Plus, the accessories suggested in the video can be bought at reasonable prices from stores like Target, Wal-mart and Dots.

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Think, Act, Love, Lose Weight-a book review

Aug 2, 2011 by Clueless Fashionista

I know I don’t talk about weight on this blog very often but weight and health are an important part of fashion and beauty. If you aren’t comfortable in your skin or feel negative about how you look without clothes on, chances are you may not like yourself with clothes on either.

As I go on my own journey towards becoming more comfortable in style, I realize more and more that confidence and feeling good about yourself are very important to the whole process. I was contacted by a publicist to do a book review on this book and I decided to give it a read to see if it truly was different from other diet books. I received a free review copy in the mail and skeptically began reading it.

I was pleasantly surprised.

“Think, Act, Love, Lose Weight” was written by Shane Jeremy James, a gentleman who dealt with his own issues of weight and poor health. After successfully losing 65 pounds, Shane wrote this book to share what he learned in his process. Although it reads a little scientifically at times, this book does a great job of offering tips, advice and insight into the steps necessary to lose weight. It also addresses some of the issues that can lead to weight gain and the feelings that it can cause. This is what sets this book apart from other diet books. Yes, Shane does discuss diet and exercise, but he also discusses goal setting, motivation and habit changing, which are all important aspects of maintaining weight loss and an exercise routine.

A word of warning for you meat eaters and dairy consumers, this book may be a touch off putting for you. Shane is a strong advocate of eating very controlled amounts of fish as the meat in your diet and no dairy at all. But, he is reasonable in that he does suggest cutting back on the red meat, dairy and poultry if you’re a hardcore consumer of these things. He also suggests things you can eat in place of them. Plus, he includes recipes and a meal plan to help you get a specific idea of what he thinks you should be eating. It’s a great help in getting started.

I definitely recommend this book and will be using it as a resource in my own journey towards better health. However, I do suggest that it would work best in a group because there is a lot of information in it. If you create a healthy living group, this would be a good book to read and follow. I highly recommend you join forces with friends and family to work towards becoming more healthy because the support is invaluable.

Get more info on the book or get a copy at the website www.thinkactloveloseweight.com.

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Summer Makeup Tips

Jul 21, 2011 by Clueless Fashionista

Here is a short video that gives some really good tips on how to keep your makeup on in the summer. Since a huge heat wave has enveloped most of the US, I thought it would be good to share some tips on how to stop your face from melting when you step outside.

I do agree that primer and translucent powder are great ways to manage your look and keep your makeup on. E.L.F. has great powders and a primer for under $10 so you don’t have to spend a lot. Just visit their website www.eyeslipsface.com or check your local Target.

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Designer Spotlight-Jypsea~Eclectic Handcrafted Leathergoods

Jul 7, 2011 by Clueless Fashionista

Hi Clueless Fashionistas! I know it’s been a bit of time since I last posted. Stay tuned for a post addressing my absence but in the mean time, I wanted to share a really cool designer with you called Jypsea. I’m always talking about the merits of accessories. While looking to expand my wardrobe and add some pizazz to my look, I realized that accessories were a great way to go because they give you the opportunity to be more daring and experimental in small doses. When I first heard about Jypsea, I was intrigued by the different pieces. I loved that the goods are designed with recycled leather. Meca McKinney, the owner and creator of Jypsea took some time out of her busy schedule to answer Clueless Madlibs and share what inspires her to create her fabulous leather pieces.

What inspires you to create?

I am inspired by nature, generally. The hues, textures, and organic shapes that develop naturally around us inspire me to create accessories with similar distinct characteristics.

What is one tip you would give to an up and coming designer?

Hone your craft and know where you want to end. If you want a nice retirement package and paid vacations, you may want to design for a major corporation and deal with what comes along with corporate life. But if you if you want freedom, autonomy, and unlimited creative expression, you may be happiest self-employed. Know that either decision has pros and cons then commit to being your very best at either.

Finish this sentence Fashion is temporary. Style is timeless.

Share a favorite quote that you use as creative inspiration.

“Fashion is temporary. Style is timeless.”

If you enjoy owning accessories that stand out and make a boldly fashionable statement, you should take a peek at www.jypsea.com and add some of her pieces to your collection. If you aren’t ready to make a bold fashion statement, visit anyway. You may be inspired to step outside your box.

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How do I wear that trend…big bangles

Jun 16, 2011 by Clueless Fashionista

Bangles have always been style because they are a great piece of jewelry in general. However, for this summer big, bright and bold bangles are popping up on wrists everywhere. If you’re a bangle newbie, it can be a bit intimidating to wear such an eye catching statement piece on your wrist. Here are some tips on how you can get involved with the big bangle trend:

1. Buy a group of small bangles and stack them. This is a great way to ease into the big bangle trend. If you slowly build with your small bangles, you’ll be comfortable wearing big ones in no time.

2. Wear one big bangle at a time. If you want to do more than dip your toe in but you aren’t ready to dive in headfirst, try wearing one big bangle then when you get comfortable, add some small ones to it.

The biggest thing about enjoying this trend is to take baby steps. It can look super fabulous and add some great edge to your outfit as long as you’re comfortable doing it.

I would love to hear other tips on how you would incorporate this trend or how you have incorporated it into your wardrobe already.

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How do I wear that trend…wedge shoes

Jun 10, 2011 by Clueless Fashionista

If you hadn’t noticed, wedges are in full effect this summer. This is fabulous because wedges are a great summer shoe that comes in a variety of styles and heights. If you are usually one to wear flats, you can always get a cute one to two inch wedge and it will help you to transition into higher heels. If you are the one rocking four inch heels and higher, there are wedges for you as well. Plus, many wedges have a cool platform in the front which can make the highest heels very comfortable.

If you’re not sure how to work wedges into your wardrobe, rest easy. You can start with a neutral color like brown, black or beige (or any tan color neutral) and try them with any outfit. The cool thing about wedges is that they go with skirts, dresses, pants, shorts, etc.

Happy wedging!

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How do I wear that trend…shorts

May 27, 2011 by Clueless Fashionista

When we are kids, shorts are a requisite part of of the summer wardrobe because of utility. It’s a lot cooler to run around with shorts on than it is to wear jeans and other long pants. I’ve never seen kids running around complaining about their skinny legs or knobby knees. They just put on the shorts and go.

As we get older and more aware of our bodies and ultimately more self conscious, some of us stop wearing shorts and other short pants. I’ve done it myself. There were a couple of summers where I wore mainly jeans and just dealt with the heat. Then one summer, I decided that it was enough. I didn’t want to be hot any more. If you’ve ever been to Atlanta in the summer, you know that not only is it hot, it’s also humid, muggy and just overall miserable at times. So I was delighted to see that shorts were a trend for this summer.

If you’re not on the shorts bandwagon, I understand. However, there are so many different types of shorts and short pants that anyone can wear them and look nice.

1. Short shorts: These are definitely for the brave and nice legged ladies. Tread carefully when you wear short shorts and make sure they’re appropriate and cover your entire booty. There’s nothing cute about someone’s cheeks hanging out.

2. Above the knee shorts: Many women can safely wear these because they will flatter most leg lengths. They’re long enough for you modest ladies but short enough for you former short short wearers. These are typically best when they’re fairly roomy and fit loosely. If you wear them too tight, it will make you look short by cutting you in half with color.

3. Knee length shorts aka bermuda shorts aka short capris: These types of shorts take on a few other names and would seem to be the safest choice, but for us ladies with short legs, they can be really unflattering. When bottoms stop right at or below the knee, they tend to make you look shorter and they highlight the fullest part of the lower leg, your calf. These look best on ladies with long legs.

4. Capri pants: These aren’t technically shorts but they’re a great short option, especially for you ladies who don’t like showing much leg. They come in a variety of fabrics and can be very loose and comfy in the warmer months. Tread carefully when wearing capris. They come in a variety of lengths from knee length (like mentioned above) to ankle length. If you have short legs, stay away from the ones that stop right at the ankle for sure. They will highlight your short legs and make you look short in an unflattering way. I, personally, don’t care for capris of any length because I have yet to find a length that don’t make me look short and stumpy. I have short legs and a short torso so I’m very careful to stay away from things that highlight my shortness.

I hope this was helpful and I hope you jump into the shorts trend with more ease. The biggest thing is for you to make sure you try them on before you buy them and be honest with yourself about how they make you look.

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