A full length mirror…go buy one!

As I move about my daily activities I often notice people’s outfits and clothing choices.  Some people make great choices and look totally pulled together at all times.  Other people aren’t so skilled.  When I look at some people, it’s often painfully obvious that they got dressed in the bathroom mirror.  You know, the one where you can only see the upper half of your body.

That’s not a good way to make sure that your total look is all pulled together.  One simple way to start improving your wardrobe is by increasing your awareness of how you look before you leave the house.  A full length mirror is a must in any fashionista’s arsenal to looking fabulous.

I must admit it, I’m guilty of getting dressed from the neck up myself.  I don’t currently own a full length mirror so my goal for the next week is to go out and buy one.  That should be your goal as well.  If you don’t own one or the one you own is in disrepair from years of use, get a new one!  The great thing about these mirrors is that you don’t have to spend lots of money on them.  You can go to Walmart, Target, Kmart or even the Salvation Army and pick up a reasonably priced full length mirror.

So go!  Buy a full length mirror!  I’ll post a picture of mine when I get it and I invite you to do the same with yours.

Image is indeed everything

As much as we hate to admit it, our image plays an important role in how we are perceived by others and how successful we can be in life.  Being image conscious doesn’t mean you are vain or self-absorbed.  In fact, being more conscious about the image that you are presenting is very smart.  I wrote a how to article about how to create the image you want to have.  I speak entirely from experience in this article because I followed these steps to create the image that I have maintained since college.  Growing up, I was always a shy kid that rarely spoke my mind.  People seemed to think I was a mousy person and I resented that at times because I wasn’t mousy at all.  I hope that this article can help some of you ladies that may want to change how the world perceives you.

“Image is Everything” is one of the most true sayings. Your image is an important part of how you are perceived. Perception is reality and the image you have affects how successful you will be overall. Here is how to create the image that you want for yourself.

1.  Determine what kind of image you currently have. A good way to do this is by asking your close friends and family to give their perception of you. Make sure that they are being frank in this description. You would be surprised at how you are viewed as opposed to how you view yourself. Another way to determine your current image is by paying close attention to how people deal with you. If you take some time to step outside of yourself a bit and observe how the people around you react to you, it would give you some interesting insight into your current image.

2.  Determine the type of image you would like to have. The way you would like people to perceive you will affect how you go about creating your image.

3.  Determine how your current image differs from your desired image. This includes taking a long hard look at your wardrobe as well. You have to see the areas you need to change so that you can work on actually changing them. This requires being very objective about your perceived image and your desired image.

4.  Start taking steps to changing your perceived image. The easiest way would be to start with your wardrobe and go from there. It’s usually easier to focus on dressing the part first. Besides, once you start dressing the part, you will begin to feel the part and then ultimately you will become the part.

5.  Work on making your new image a direct reflection of who you are. This isn’t an easy or quick process but it is important and must be done. Take your time with it and enjoy the journey.

Tips and Warnings

Be honest with yourself. If at any time the image you are creating starts to feel forced or false, take a step back. It is important that your image be an extension of your true self and not simply a mask.

To read the article in it’s entirety, visit http://www.ehow.com/how_2246147_image-want-have.html

How to spice up your wardrobe while on a budget

I am still being inspired by the Sex and the City movie.  A while ago, I wrote a how-to article for a website called www.ehow.com with the same title as this post.  I figured I could share that article with you because this a great way  to add to the last post about Sex and the City and how to add some fabulous to your wardrobe.

Many people get bored with their current wardrobe and want to change, however their budget doesn’t always allow for a total wardrobe overhaul. You don’t necessarily need thousands of dollars to give your current wardrobe some kick. Here is how to update your look for less.

1.  Determine what budget you have to update your wardrobe. Adding some spice to your current wardrobe does require doing a bit of shopping but not necessarily a lot. Figure out how much you can currently spare.

2. Organize your wardrobe. Go through your current wardrobe and take inventory. If necessary, write everything down. Determine how many shirts, blouses, pants, skirts and jeans you own. Then categorize them by color to get an idea of what color is the base of your wardrobe.

3. Go shopping; this is the fun part. Take a weekend and visit a few stores. Discount stores like Target, Wal-Mart and Kmart are great places to pick up low-cost items. Also, thrift stores are great places to find low-cost wardrobe pieces. If necessary, map out the weekend. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes.

4. Focus on small pieces like accessories and simple shirts. Since you are on a budget, you don’t want to try to purchase whole outfits. Depending on your color base, find accessories that best compliment your wardrobe as a whole. Orange and yellow colors look great mixed in with different browns. Greens and reds look great with a black based wardrobe. Look for jewelry in different metallic colors. If you typically wear gold, go for the bronze and copper pieces. If you prefer silver, look for clear and black pieces but don’t be afraid of mix it up.

5. Make sure you stick to your initial budget. When you do decide to purchase something, make sure it is something that can be worn with a lot of different outfits. Your main goal for this shopping trip is to find a few great accessories that will compliment your entire wardrobe, not just one outfit. You want universal pieces.

Tips/Warnings:

• Don’t get set on one color palette. Be willing to experiment with splashes of color and prints, however be realistic with yourself. Don’t buy colors that obviously wash you out or make you look dowdy. When it doubt, take a friend.
• If at all possible stay away from the malls and boutiques. These places are usually full of wonderful pieces that may be priced outside of the budget you set for yourself and could lead to overspending.

More Sex and the City talk…

Hi there!  I’m sure that many of you have already been to the movies to see the Sex and the City movie.  For those of you who haven’t had the chance to check it out, I won’t ruin it by discussing what happened.  What I will say is that it’s a lovely movie that will please the fans of the show and create new fans.

What I would like to talk about are the fashions that are a major part of the movie.  Even if you haven’t seen the movie yet, you should have seen the ads and commercials for the movie.  You will notice that the ladies ALWAYS look fab-u-lous.  I have a suggestion for how we can work on adopting the Sex and the City style into our own wardrobe on a realistic budget.  As I watched the movie two things stood out to me most.  The ladies wore to most wonderful dresses and accessories.

What’s the lesson here?  You can make your wardrobe more fabulous by expanding your accessories and adding bright, colorful dresses.  You can visit stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Target to find reasonably priced dresses of all types.  These stores also sell a wide variety of accessories along with stores like Claire’s and Wal-Mart.  Don’t feel pressured to go out and buy everything all at once.  Take your time and add to your wardrobe slowly.  Keep things manageable so that you don’t become overwhelmed.  Fashion shouldn’t be overwhelming (unless you’re in the tents of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, which would be a wonderful type of overwhelming).  It should be enjoyable.  Go out, and enjoy shopping for your dresses and accessories!