This is an example of how I choose to dress for the remainder of the year.  The boucle jacket comes in handy during the cool Winter months.  White button down shirts or t shirts with heels are perfect for the Spring season.  This look is beautifully polished and feminine, just how I like it.

These are examples of the type of sundresses I enjoy wearing in the Summer.  I usually go for solid colors rather than a busy print.  Big and busy prints tend to make me look bigger.  That is why I choose solid sundresses or a sundresses with few prints that come together at the front center of the dress.  I find this style to be the most slimming.

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I've finally decided what my style will be for the Summer and Fall/Winter/Spring seasons.  I live in Florida where the weather is warm most of the time and HOT in the Summer.  We have some cool days in the Winter, but not really cold enough to wear boots and a heavy coat.  Therefore, I've decided to live in sundresses and sandals for the Summer.  My hair will have a wavy look.  For the remainder of the year, I will wear jeans, t shirt or white button down shirt, and heels.  My hair will have big bouncy curls.  My style is very feminine and structured.  I'm looking forward to the Fall when I can wear jeans and heels.  Sometimes, I will wear ballet flats, but not too often.

BREAKING FASHION NEWS

*MODELS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SHOES IN THE KANYE WEST RUNWAY SHOW. THE SHOW TOOK PLACE TODAY IN PARIS. MODELS HAVE BEEN WALKING IN SIX INCH STILETTOS FOR NEARLY A MONTH. IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO WALK ALL DAY, EVERYDAY IN ILL-FITTING SHOES.
*IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED, HEDI SILMANE HAS REPLACED STEFANO PILATI @ YSL AS THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR. PILATI SHOWED HIS FINAL COLLECTION FOR THE FASHION HOUSE LAST NIGHT AND TODAY.
*ALEXANDER WANG HAS BEEN HIT WITH A $50 MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT CLAIMING HE RUNS A SWEATSHOP IN WANG'S CHINATOWN STUDIO. I HOPE THIS IS NOT TRUE. WANG IS SUCH A BELOVED DESIGNER BY MANY IN THE INDUSTRY.  FOR MORE NEWS, LOG ONTO FASHIONISTA.COM.

Closet Makeover

After moving into my new place, I realized it is time for a closet makeover.  My inspiration is a mixture of Kimora Lee Simmons and Barbie's closets.  It is time to buy new clothes, change the carpet, paint the walls, and hang sheers in the entryway of the closet.  I'm choosing leopard print for the carpet and pink for the walls and sheers.  This is an exciting undertaking.  I can't wait to see the finished product.  My bedroom is decorated the way I want it to be.  The colors are pink and brown.  My bed has a pink and brown toile pattern with polka dots along the trim.  The curtains have the same matching pink and brown polka dot pattern even though I did not purchase them as a set.  I found the curtains online at Target and the bedding was purchased from Amazon.com.

THE DIVA, LADY BEE!

BEYONCE IS LOOKING FABULOUS AND FIERCE JUST ONE MONTH AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO DAUGHTER BLUE IVY. LADY BEE STEPPED OUT IN AN ALICE BY TEMPERLY RUCHED DRESS, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN CLUTCH, AND CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN STILETTOS.

Fashion News Roundup

1. The highly anticipated collection, Celine is cancelling their runway show this season due to the label's creative director's pregnancy.  Phoebe Philo will give birth to her third child in April.  She will show her collection during an intimate setting.  Tickets will be hard to come by though.  Check back for pictures and videos of the collection.
2. Model Alessandra Ambrosio recently walked the runway for the Colcci collection while five months pregnant.  She looked fabulous!
3. Karl Lagerfeld's lower priced line for Net-A-Porter launched on January 25th!
4. Jason Wu for Target hits stores this Saturday, Feb. 5th!
5.  Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent returned to court to argue their appeal over the right to the red sole.  Dian Von Furstenberg came to support Louboutin.
6. Nanette Lepore is coming to JC Penney!  Fabulous!
7. Doo Ri is collaborating with Macy's!  I can't wait to shop this line.

FASHION NEWS ROUNDUP

 *Dillard's will donate over $1.6 million to the Ronald McDonald House Charities thanks to all of the shoppers who purchased a copy of the Southern Living Cookbook @ Dillard's.
*The CEO of Urban Outfitters has resigned. This is a tough blow for the company who is already facing financial woes. Urban Outfitters' stock has plummeted due to investors walking away from the compa...ny. Their financial problems will probably increase due the resignation of Glen Senk.
*The Crocs company announced yesterday they made $1 billion from the sales of their shoes. Hideous looking they may be, it seems these shoes are not going away any time soon.
*Skechers is replacing their spokeswoman Kim Kardashian with a dog! The french canine will soon appear in ads for the company.
*Finally, mark your calendars! Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week will take place from 2/9 to 2/16.

Body Shape: Bottom-Heavy or Pear

Women with this body shape should bring attention to their small waist and create an even balance between their bust and hips.  In order to achieve this look, select trousers that are tailored, have a flat-front, and wide or straight legs.  You want to choose dark wash jeans that flare at the ankle or straight leg and have stretch fabric.  A-line, wrap or draped skirts and dresses are other fantastic options.  Avoid prints on the bottom half of your body.  Skinny pants or jeans are not flattering, as they will create the dreaded ice-cream cone affect.  Avoid jeans with embellishments.  The fabrics you select should not be too loose and not too form-fitting.

Body Shape: Boyish

Women with a boyish shaped body (straight up and down), look fabulous when they create the illusion of curves.  Select pieces that showcase your small waist.  To create the illusion of an hour glass figure, choose pleated and peplum skirts and dresses; as they will add roundness to your bottom half.  Ruffles, bows, and v-necks create the illusion of a bigger bust.  Have fun with prints, but you should not go overboard.  Shirt dresses and wrap dressesalso add curves.  If you do not want to add curves but still want to look chic, A-line and shift dresses are perfect options.

FASHION NEWS:

1. KARL LAGERFIELD HAS A NEW LOWER PRICE LINE CALLED "KARL." THE LINE WILL DEBUT ON JANUARY 25, 2012 ON NET-A-PORTER. SIGN UP AT NETAPORTER.COM FOR UPDATES.
2. PANTONE HAS RELEASED THE 2012 COLOR OF THE YEAR, TANGERINE TANGO. THIS COLOR IS A REDDISH ORANGE AS SEEN IN THE SWATCH TO THE LEFT. DESIGNER'S WILL LIKELY USE THIS COLOR IN THEIR FALL 2012 COLLECTIONS. PANTONE WILL PARTNER WITH SEPHORA FOR A LIMITED EDITION BEAUTY LINE SET TO LAUNCH IN MARCH 2012. THE LINE WILL INCLUDE NAIL COLOR, EYE SHADOW, LIPSTICK, GLOSS, AND ACCESSORIES.
3. CHANEL'S NEWEST POLISH IS CALLED DIWALI. IT IS A METALLIC GOLD SHADE. EXPECT TO PURCHASE THIS POLISH IN THE SUMMER OF 2012. YOU CAN GET A SNEAK PEAK OF THIS SHADE AND CHANEL'S PRE-FALL 2012 RUNWAY SHOW AT FASHIONISTA.COM OR STYLE.COM.

Body Shape: Curvy

Curvy women should show off their waist by selecting clothes that are structured, nipped at the waist, and form-fitting.  Form-fitting does not mean tight.  Look for clothes that skim your curves.  For example, A-line skirts and dresses, empire waist shirts and dresses, color blocking, tonal dressing, pencil skirts, and pieces that come with a belt.  Curvy women will notice pants and jeans fit your bottom, but leaves a gap in the back.  Have the jeans or pants tailored at the waist.  Avoid large patterns, as they will only make you appear larger.

What is your body shape?

The secret to looking great is selecting clothes that look like they were made just for you.  You can achieve this by taking your measurements to determine your body shape.  Wrap a tape measure around your bust at the midline.  Measure your stomach by wrapping the tape measure around your body at the belly button.  Take the measurement around your hips or thighs, whichever is bigger.  There are four body shapes.  A woman can be curvy as an hourglass, top-heavy, boyish as in straight-up-and-down, or bottom heavy.  Plus-size women will also fall into one of these categories.  Once you know your measurements, you can save a lot of time when shopping, especially online.  You can also select clothes that flatter your body.  Look below for examples of the four body shapes.  These photos can help you to determine your body shape also.

The New Neutral for Fall 2011

Fall's new neutral for 2011 is heather gray.  I'm loving this color.  It is chic and glamorous.  Don't get me wrong, I still love my black pieces.  However, too much black all of the time can seem boring.  Heather gray is just as soft, sexy, timeless, and elegant as black.  One can pair pastel hues with heather gray for as a nod to Spring or select head-to-toe gray for a streamlined effect.  I prefer wearing this hue from head-to-toe.  How do you feel about this hue?  How will you incorporate this gray into your wardrobe? 

Happy Belated Birthday, Isaac Mizrahi!

Isaac Mizrahi was born October 14, 1961 in New York City.  After his graduation from Parsons School of Design, Isaac worked for Perry Ellis, Jeffrey Banks, and Calvin Klein.  Isaac started his own business in 1987.  He took the fashion world by storm.  The New York Times recognized him as "this year's hottest new designer."  Isaac Mizrahi's creations appealed to women of all body shapes and every aspect of a woman's life.  I admire Isaac for his ability to capture the glamour and chic of Manhattan during the 1940s and 50s.  Isaac briefly left fashion to pursue a career in the performing arts throughout the nineties.  He returned to fashion with a bang.  From 2003-3009, Isaac collaborated with Target stores.  The collections were brilliant, just like the designer himself.
  Isaac Mizrahi Resort 2001

Beyonce's Bombshell Glam

I admire Beyonce for her talent, grace, relationships (with her mother and husband Jay-Z), and undeniable style.  She makes a lot of songs that I, as a woman, can relate to.  Beyonce is a modern style icon.  Her look is a throwbak to a time when women dressed up to go to lunch and prefer dresses over pants.  Her clothes have definition (a cinched waist, a high, but demure hem), her accessories are glamorous and she loves sky-high heels seven days a week.  Beyonce is my inspiration.

Nicki Minaj Gets Her Own OPI Line

Nicki Minaj will collaborate with OPI for the rapper's own line of nail colors.  The OPI line by Nicki Minaj will hit stores in January 2012.  Minaj is known for her love of vibrant colors and over the top style.  Expect the line of nail colors to be the same.  There will be a two-toned polish that combines metallic and confetti glitter for one amazing hue, neon green, and more. 
Would you wear them?

Beauty Products I Want to Try!

• Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector, $18-This product claims to minimize the look of pores and keep your skin matte all day.
• Murad Acne Spot Treatment, $18-This product assures the buyer of its ability to get rid of pimples. 
• Listerine Whitening Pen, $11.99-This is an on the go whitener that contains hydrogen-peroxide.
• A Tinted Moisturizer to even out my skin tone in a more natural way while concealing imperfections.   I plan to shop at M.A.C. for this product.

• Curel Hand & Cuticle Therapy Cream, $5.99-This product will soften hands and rid your nails of unconditioned cuticles.

This Bra's for You

Did you know 70%-85% of women are wearing the wrong bra size?  Bra experts suggest getting a professional fitting once a year or if you've experienced weight gain or loss, or had a baby.  The right bra can actually make you look ten pounds lighter by making your waist appear smaller!  Many high end stores offer a free, professional fitting.  For example, Nordstrum, Bloomingdale's, and Dillard's.  I choose to have my fittings at Victoria's Secret.  So, the next time you are at the mall, stop in to get a proper fitting.  You owe it to yourself to look fabulous!

It's All in the Jeans

I've told you how much I dislike shopping. Either I shop online or my stylist selects clothes for me.

My exception to this scenario, is jeans. Jeans are very tricky, as there is so much to consider. I usually reserve a whole morning or afternoon when shopping for jeans. A woman must consider the wash, rise, shape, fabric, and pockets. The most flattering wash is either black or dark blue. A... lighter or faded wash will make your hips appear huge. A rise that hits just below your belly button is your best choice. Anything too low screams teenager or I'm trying too hard. Jeans that go above your belly button are called "mom jeans." A high rise jean makes your tummy, butt, and thighs look bigger. Straight leg and boot-cut jeans are ideal shapes, as they balance your hips to the rest of your body. Skinny jeans will give you the dreaded "ice cream cone" affect. Jeans with 2% or 3% spandex will hug your curves and move with your body without pulling or tugging. Finally, the right pocket size and placement will give your butt a good lift. Small pockets will make your butt look larger. Larger pockets that take up most of the seat area will visually give your butt a lift and minimize your hips. My pet peeves are slouchy jeans, the pancake butt aka uni butt, and jeans that makes you ask, "Where is her butt?" or "Did she take a dump?" Jeans should make your butt look fabulous and flatter the rest of your body.