MAYDAY MAYDAY . . . I've Outgrown My Closet!

I can't begin to tell you the number of times I've heard the following line from clients or potential clients: "I will call you to go shopping for clothes when I lose weight." Now, I totally understand wanting to get to that perfect size so you can rock that fabulous LBD you have now tucked away in the back of your closet. However, should the goal to shed those extra 5, 10 or even 20 pounds mean that you put off looking good until you reach your optimal weight? I think not!

Creating your personal style is a process, and it shouldn't be governed by the almighty scale. It is important that you look and feel good at any age, and at any size. I'm not advocating that you run out and buy an entirely new wardrobe at a size you absolutely loathe, but it will only make you feel worse if you don't have a few pieces in your closet that make you feel fabulous when you wear them. We as women are very emotional, and the constant reminders to lose weight (e.g. the rack of clothes in your closet that are two sizes too small) tend not to push us to the gym, but rather to the head table at a pity party. In my experience, you will only lose the weight when you look in the mirror, embrace how you look today, and think: "Wow! I could look even better if I shed those additional pounds."

Instead of declaring "I refuse to buy anything until I lose some weight," take an inventory of your current wardrobe.  If you need a few pieces to look good NOW, buy them. Just resist the urge to splurge. And about that rack of clothes you can't fit . . . HIDE THEM! They will only make you feel worse every time you open those closet doors, and that my friend is a NO NO!

Summer Must Have: Feminine Sun Hat

Sad to say, my internship blogging for Be Fashion Fierce has come to a close.  As my final blog, I'd actually like to talk about something I've had an interest in for a while now, but haven't had the chance to address.  After never wearing a hat in my life (except for playing softball in my younger years), I've been intrigued by the hats that are in stores for Summer 2010.  Since purchasing a large black hat that looks like I'm ready to go to the Kentucky Derby--in a sundress--I've grown to love hats, and I think everyone should have at least one. They are the best accessory to a sundress! Here are a few of the hottest styles . . . wear them to church, to weddings, to the shore, out for a day of shopping with the girls, or whatever occasion you may find.

Can't Get Enough of those Wendy Brandes Gold Snake Earrings?

"The size, style, feel and quality of the original Cleopatra earring kicks asp!" ;-) Well said by Wendy Brandes herself! Since Sex and the City 2 made it's debut last week, the talk of the town has been about Wendy's gold snake-like Cleopatra earrings. If you took a look at last week's blog, you'll notice that I found a look for less for these earrings. Since then, I've had the pleasure of communicating with Wendy Brandes regarding these earrings, and I decided to do a follow up for all of you on how to get the REAL DEAL earrings -- still at an affordable price! These earrings retail for only $450 dollars and are beautifully shaped and made out of sterling silver. Every fashionista must have a statement piece of jewelry, and these earrings are certainly a MUST HAVE for summer.  Make sure you check out Wendy's website at www.wendybrandes.com. You can even check out her blog where she talks about the earrings in the movie and her trip to see the movie with friends -- all of whom sported the Cleopatra earrings!

Wendy Brandes wearing her signature Cleopatra earrings

Sex and the City 2: Get the Look for Less!

Unfortunately, we’re not all lucky enough to have the budget that the stylists for Sex and the City 2 are privileged to have at their disposal.  Whether or not you’re a fan of the hit series or the movies, it’s still easy to get hooked on the outfits worn by these stylish New York divas. Officially in theaters as of yesterday, SATC2 will move every fashionista to check out what the girls are wearing this time around, and bring a little piece of the movie to her own wardrobe. Here are four signature looks from both movies worn by Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda, and where you can get their looks for less!

Carrie in a chic vintage white Halston dress; XOXO V-neck Drape Jersey Dress: $59!!

Miranda: Maggy London Black and White dress IS affordable at only $148! Just throw on a gold belt and you’re good to go!

Samantha: wearing Wendy Brandes Gold Snake Earring - $7,250!

Find similar earrings like this at polyvore.com for $300.

Finally, if you want Charlotte's conservative look in a stunning turquoise-green dress like this, then check out this dress on the right from Max and Cleo for only $95!

The Right Swimsuit for Your Body Type

After wandering through the bathing suit section at Target a few days ago, I started to worry whether or not I had chosen the right swimsuit style to best flatter my body type. Being a pear shape, I’m always very conscious of my legs and hips, and generally have to wear a size larger on the bottom than on top. I decided to go with a bandeau ruched top, to give the illusion of a fuller bust, and a high -- but narrow cut -- bottom, to give the illusion of longer legs. After doing some research on finding the best swimsuit for your body, I discovered these perfect little videos, where each video is designed for each body type as it relates to swimwear. The pear, apple, hourglass, and inverted triangle shapes are all covered. I’ve watched all of these videos, and whoever made them seems to be right on with their style tips! So before you hit the beach this summer, take a few seconds to watch these videos (they take less than 60 seconds), and see if you are suiting up correctly this season. Also keep in mind that color and pattern play a role in where other’s focus on your body, so make sure you listen to the color advice given as well. After watching these videos, I am confident in my swimsuit choice and am ready to hit the sand! For great separates suiting options for your body type, check out www.victoriassecret.com where you can mix and match bottoms and tops in all sizes and colors!

Video - Swimsuits for Your Body Shape:  Apple 
Video - Swimsuits for Your Body Shape:  Hourglass

Video - Swimsuits for Your Body Shape:  Pear

Video - Swimsuits for Your Body Shape:  Inverted Triangle

Alex and Ani: Eco-Friendly Jewelry

As the school year comes to a close, graduating seniors at PhilaU who were lucky enough to land jobs will begin the rest of their lives in the workforce.  It sounds dreadful doesn’t it? Well, perhaps not so much for my very close friends who have landed amazing jobs, one of which is with a jewelry company I had never known.  Now that I've seen her rock her personal collection of the company's bangles and necklaces every day, I've become a fan of Alex and Ani.  After hearing about the company and seeing some of the products, I thought I’d introduce it to all of you!  I’m still trying to pick out what I need to have from their jewelry collection; it’s challenging because it's all beautiful!  Alex and Ani is an eco-friendly jewelry company started by designer Carolyn Rafaelian. Products are created using recycled materials made entirely in the United States. They carry everything from bracelets, necklaces and earrings to rings, hair pieces and bridal pieces. If you’re looking for everyday jewelry that’s eco-friendly, check out their website at  www.alexandani.com

Finding the Perfect Fitting Jeans

We all know that most women struggle when shopping for their denim jeans. It seems like there are an infinite amount of styles and brands out there for a variety of prices. So how do you know which ones are right for you? While I can’t see you and tell YOU specifically, there are some great guidelines that all women should follow. Here are a few things to take into consideration when shopping for jeans: fit type, rise, leg fit and wash type.

• Fit Type: Most jeans come sized relaxed, slim, regular, etc. Slim and extra slim are best for those who are tall and thin.

• Rise: Rise is something that really gets to me when shopping for jeans. No one wants a high rise unless you’re specifically looking for a pair of high waisted jeans. TRY ON your jeans to assess the rise before you buy them. Try sitting, crossing your legs and bending over to make sure that you’re comfortable.

• Leg Fit: This is the part that usually gets me the most frustrated when shopping for jeans. These days a lot of women are looking for the skinny leg jean, but some women have larger calves than others. I’ve found what works best for me with a skinny jean is that it MUST have spandex or lycra in it to give it some stretch, otherwise it will not fit over my calves. Also, look at other cuts like boot cut, straight, skinny, wide, flare, etc. Don't forget to keep in mind the shape of your hips and shoulders when choosing a leg fit in order to give your entire body a uniform silhouette.

• Wash Type: Darker washes tend to be more flattering and thinning, and are also easier to dress up if you’re wearing jeans out at night. Whisker washes draw attention to the hips and thighs. Lighter washes can hide a multitude of sins BUT can also make some look heavier, so be careful when trying these on and know what look you’re going for. Also, color washes can tend to add stiffness to the jeans because of the larger amount of dye in them.

Lastly, when you’re shopping for your jeans, don’t be afraid to pull a sales associate aside to assist you. Get opinions in the dressing room so that you don’t walk out wearing a mistake. Also, research your jean companies. Most websites have great sizing tools for denim for all body shapes and sizes; take advantage of that! And finally, it’s not always true that spending more money gets you a better fitting jean. Every body type is different, and brands that you’d never imagine trying just might be the ones to surprise you!