Work Out Tips

It's getting to the end of the month, the time where people usually give up on their New Year's Resolutions.  Like most people, you probably made a resolution to eat healthy, work out, and lose weight. If you're having some trouble, or just need a some tips in keeping you in check, here are 10.

1. C25K program. My mom, her boyfriend, my friend Janna, and I all have started this program. I touched on it last week, but I will explain it again. It's a 9 week program that helps you get from not running regularly to running a 5k without stopping. As the weeks go on, you increase the amount that you run in ratio to walking. You do the scheduled times 3 times a week. This first week (I did my runs Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday) was a schedule of a 5 minute warm up brisk walk, 1 minute run, 1.5 minute walk, 5 minute cool down. You do the run/walk portion for 20 minutes. I'm really excited to be able to run 3 miles no problem and to get my resolution of running at least 3 5ks this year under way.

2. Give yourself a goal. Like my 5k goal, give yourself a goal that you can actually achieve. It will keep you in check. Tell your friends about your goal to help them keep you accountable.

3. Grab yourself a work out buddy! Working out with a friend is always a great way to go. They help motivate you, and will notice if you don't show up. Let's just face it, the time flies by when you are chatting it up while lifting weights. Just remember to actually work out instead of being a Chatty Cathy!

4. 30 min cardio, 15 min strength. It's important to get 30 minutes of cardio in 5 times a week and 15 minutes of strength training 3 times a week. I read recently that when you strength training on a normal basis that your metabolism will speed up and will burn an extra 100 calories without you doing a thing!

5. Shop! Get yourself some new shoes, socks, gym shorts/pants, and shirts. And hey, while your at it, get a new gym bag! If it will make you feel good about yourself and motivate you to get your butt to the gym or to hit the pavement, do it.

6. Music. Download a new album or make a new playlist for when you work out. I get excited to listen to new music during my run, maybe you will too.

7. When? When should you work out? Whenever it's convenient for you. Sure, it gets your metabolism going early in the morning, but its fine after work too. Speaking of metabolism in the morning, nothing works better than eating breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day for a reason, because it gets everything going for the day.

8. Video games. Like the Wii fit or Xbox dancing games? Do those once or twice a week! They have some great work outs on there!

9. Classes. If your gym offers classes, take them. I regularly attend 2 classes at my gym and they are amazing. On Mondays I go to a Cardio Boxing class (unless I feel like doing something else instead) and on Wednesdays I go to Spin class. They both leave my feeling sore, which is always a great thing. If you find a class or 2 that sparks your interest, try it. Don't know anyone in the class? That's how you meet people! I made a friend that I chat with on the treadmill at the time during my Boxing class.

10. Stay motivated! You can do it! Just tell yourself that everyday. You can't get the body you want overnight, so work toward your goal and you WILL achieve it. I'm working toward a goal too, so let's do it together!

**Happy Birthday to my bestie, Brooke!! Hope you have a wonderful day :)

Cleaning your jacket

Happy New Year's Eve!! Hope everyone is doing something great to countdown the New Year! Whether it's dancing the night away at a club or it's relaxing at home and watching the ball drop, enjoy! With it being cold out, you are naturally going to be wearing a coat. If this coat is wool, and you happen to get a little something on it (which is bound to happen in a crowd full of people), don't panic! Here are a few ways to care for your wool coat. My coat will be leather because I just got an A-MAZING leather jacket yesterday, so here are tips for that too!


WOOL
1. Don't wash it! First things first, check the tag. Some wool you are allowed to launder, others not. If you are, just wash it like that. If it says to spot or dry clean, do NOT throw it in the washer! It will come out looking like a coat for a 2 year old. You can try using the dry cleaning kits, such as Dryel.
2. Spot clean. If the entire coat does not need to be cleaned, just spot clean it. Use cold water or stain remover to clean the spot. If the stain is food related, try rubbing the stain with carbonated water.

LEATHER
1. Surface clean. Wipe of any dirt on the surface using a soft cloth.
2. Soap and water. Dampen a soft cloth with some water and a small amount of hand soap. Work into a lather and apply to the leather coat.
3. Wipe off. Wipe the soap off with a slightly damp cloth. Follow with a swipe from a dry cloth.
4. Olive oil. Moisten a piece of cloth with some olive oil. Gently buff the leather with the cloth. You may use a leather conditioner instead.

The power of a drier sheet

While the lack of humidity makes the weather appear wonderful, it is disastrous for hair during the winter! Alas, the power of a drier sheet!

1. Not only do they rid the static in the drier, but it also works in your hair. Just rub and rid.

2. Electricity is everywhere! You touch someone, and zap! Put a drier sheet in your coat pocket and it will eliminate getting electrocuted.

3. Wipe surfaces of clothing, TV screens and computer monitor to remove static.

4. Place at the bottom of a garbage bin...it helps!

5. Place in smelly shoes overnight.

6. Place in drawers for a fresh scent.

7. Place in your suitcase and gym-bag to eliminate the smell.

8. Dust your blinds.

9. Clean pet hair from the floor or furniture.

10. Loosen caked-on food from a pan. Place a dryer sheet on the bottom of a dirty pan, fill with lukewarm water, and let it sit in the sink overnight. The pan will be easier to clean in the morning.

Tips on tipping

Not sure how generous to be for the holiday season when it comes to tipping? Here is a quick guide to how much you should spend on normal services. This is the holiday season, so tip as much as you can! If you can't give money, maybe give a gift. Courtesy of The Today Show.

Waiters - Give what's in your heart. If you go somewhere regularly, tip a little more or tip the same all year round. I always tip 20% year round, so I like to do a little more for the holidays.

Postal workers - They are not allowed to accept cash, but they can accept a give if it doesn't exceed $20. Give them something less than $20 or a bottle of booze.

Hair stylist/barber - Be generous and tip on the price of the cut. 100% tip for the holiday season. Yes, this means that if your cut is $30, you tip $30. This is the same for dog groomers.

Nanny - Live in nanny's should get a months pay tip, au pairs should get a weeks pay, and babysitters should be tipped a little more for the night.

Garbage men - $20 or bottle of booze. If they are taking away illegal things all year for you, tip them.

Dog walkers - 1 week pay

Last minute gifts

In a bind, or just simply forgot about a certain friend for the holidays? It's okay, everybody does it and you still have a few days left! Here are a few ideas for quick last minute gifts that will be greatly appreciated. You won't even have to feel bad about forgetting about them, because these gifts are great!


Wine Label. A nice bottle of wine is a great go-to gift for the holidays. Turn up your creativity this year and personalize the wine with a decorative wine label. Try a label with red and green and write a holiday greeting. 

Monogram Wall Art. Creative a decorative and personalized monogram to give as a handcrafted Christmas present. Paint a wood letter a neutral color and decorate with button, ribbons, and other embellishments. You can either keep it styled for year round, or can add Christmas colors and elements to make it for the holidays. If this is for a family, use the last initial.

Personalized Tin. If you baked a bunch of cookies for the holidays, or any other tasty treat, here is the perfect idea! Grab a plain tin and adorn with festive paper, ribbon and a framed message. Attach decorative wrapping paper to the lid using spray mount, double-sided tape, or glue. Write or print out a note inside of the frame.

Other great gift ideas: candles, soap (with the colored chunks), flowers, book ends, door stoppers, and picture frames with a memorable picture inside. Think outside the box!!

Blue Christmas

Have yourself a blue little Christmas. Not blue as in sad, but as in the color! There are so many styles you can decorate your home for the holiday season, and sticking to one color looks so great! I love the look of blue accented with white and silver, it looks so chic. Here are some great things to get if you are deciding to have a blue Christmas!

When decorating your tree, stick to just white and/or blue lights. I definitely want to try this blue themed tree once I have a house of my very own! Stick to blue and white hued ornaments and even frost the tree to add a snowy effect!

How gorgeous is this Christmas wreath, done in shades of blue? I think it is so adorable and well made! Find this beauty on Etsy for only $35!!

Every dining room table (or coffee table) needs a beautiful centerpiece. Why not continue your blue Christmas onto it? A good idea would be to either collect or buy pine cones and spray them white (either with frost or spray paint). Add blue and silver ornament balls for a classy touch. You can also try a simpler centerpiece by placing blue hued ornaments in a glass bowl and draping pearls through it. I can't wait to try these too!

Warm up in style!

Happy Fashion Forward Friday! Better late than never, right?

A couple weeks ago I talked about coats. If you missed it, click here! There, I talked about the guidelines in what to look for in a coat. This week, I going to discuss the perfect coat for your body type. Being cold doesn't mean that you have to throw on a sweatshirt! Find the coat that works the best for your body type and look hot during the winter!

1. If you're busty. I know the feeling, and it's definitely a challenge when looking for the perfect coat. First of all, if it doesn't button or if it does button and looks like it's going to pop...it's not the coat for you. If you're busty, go for coats that have a fitted, sleek line. And keep it short so that the focus isn't on your bust, but on your smokin' legs. Also, don't buy anything double breasted, as the double buttons add width. Make sure the shoulders aren't too big as a tailored top flatters best. This coat pictured is by Tulle and can be found at lulus.com for $74.

2. If you're petite. Petite is described as being 5'4" and under. You don't necessarily have to be super thin to fit into this category. For this body shape, look for coats that are tailored above the knee so that you appear taller. Cool shrunken toppers are your winter staple. Also, choose patterns and details that lend style but don't overwhelm your short frame. This coat pictured is by Decree and can be found at JCPenney for $90.

3. If you're plus size. A-line all the way! This will skim your curves and make you look beautiful. Clean lines and minimal details are the key to a sexy silhouette. This adorable coat can be found at Torrid for $128.

4. If you're pear shaped. This means that you have wider hips than shoulders. If this is your body, stick to coats that have a belted option as this will make your waist look tiny. Accenting your waist is your main priority, so look for belts or coats that are tapered in the middle. *I have more of an athletic build, as I don't really have many curves in the waist and hip area. I find this style of coat to be complimentary to my figure, even though I'm not technically pear shaped. This coat is by Mac&Jac and can be found on amazon.com for $119.

Applying fragrance

A lot of women worry about wearing too much perfume, which can definitely happen sometimes. I sometimes choke and get an instant headache at the amount some people wear. Your fragrance reflects your personality. Choose something that suits your and allow it to become a part of who you are. Easier said then done. Hint: go to Sephora and ask for a sample of a perfume you think you like. They will gladly give you a couple samples. Here are some tips for applying your winning fragrance.

Start the day. Wear daytime fragrances lower on your body. As the perfume evaporates, it rises up, so you continue to smell it all day. Spritz behind your knees, on your wrists, and a little on your skirt or pants.

Spray it high. When you put on an evening fragrance (anything that makes you feel more sensual), spray it behind your ears and around your neck so that it envelops you right away, rather than rising up slowly. You can even spritz a little in your hair.

Let it develop. Hold the bottle five or seven inches away from your body and spray each area once. The fragrance should mist onto your skin - if the area feels wet, you're holding the bottle too close. Fan your wrists through the air a few times, then move them toward your nose. You will begin to smell the fullness of the fragrance on your skin within a few minutes, which is the time it takes for the alcohol solution to develop and release the top notes. At that point, if the scent isn't strong enough, spritz again. If it's overwhelming, go into the fresh air and move around a little. The excess will evaporate.

Be Decadent. If you can afford to go through perfume bottles quickly, then apply your fragrance the way Mrs. Estee Lauder did: she would spritz an area in front of her body, then walk through the fragrant mist so it settled lightly on her skin and clothing.

Never rub. Don't rub your wrists together to transfer the fragrance from wrist to wrist. Tap your wrists together instead.

Germs are not for sharing

'Tis the season for germs and colds! You can't be too careful when it comes to staying healthy. Here are some germ mythbusters that will help you not just during cold season, but during any season.

1. Myth: Toilet seats are really bad. False. You won't catch STD's from a toilet seat. Urine is sterile, so you won't get bacteria from it. Most germs are on surfaces around the toilet.

2. Myth: Flip flops protect you from germs at the gym. False. They don't protect you from pools of water. Don't touch the walls and the floors of the shower, they are filthy.

3. Myth: 5 second rule is okay. False. 1 second is enough time for bacteria and germs to latch onto the food.

4. Myth: Recycled airplane air is really bad. False. The plane has the air recycled through a filter and is actually healthier than the air is office buildings. The reason you get sicker easily is because of the close quarters. Be careful of surfaces on the plane or wipe your area with antibacterial wipes.

5. Myth: Kitchen sponges clean counters best. False. The sponge holds onto bacteria and actually spreads more germs. Use wipes or paper towels.

6. Myth: Makeup testers are safe to use. False. Eye makeup and lipstick are the worst. You can get pink eye or oral herpes. Use disposable applicators or just take a chance and purchase the product.

Problem solved

Thanksgiving not going as smooth as you would have hoped? Don't lose your cool...here are some solutions to common problems that may happen to you tomorrow.

Problem #1: Not enough matching plates for your table.

Mix a few plain white dishes. The trick is to not mix in the oddball plate in pairs: try putting one at the head of the table so it looks like it belongs.

Problem #2: Spilled wine.

Don't take the linens off the table mid-meal, it will come out just relax. For temporary, blot up excess liquid with a clean white cloth. Then, cover the stained area with a clean napkin and enjoy the rest of the meal.

Problem #3: Dry turkey.

This means it's overcooked. You can still serve the dark meat, which will still be moist. Put the slices of dark meat in a shallow pan. Pour chicken or turkey broth and moisten them thoroughly.

Problem #4: Turkey doesn't thaw in time.

Never thaw it on the counter. Clear out your sink, plug it, then place the partially thawed turkey in the sink. Run cold water into the sink until the sink is covered. Every 15 minutes drain and refill the sink. Note to self, it takes 24 hours to thaw for every 5 pounds.

Problem #5: Picky eaters.

Make a couple dishes that are very plain, like a simple salad, plain dinner rolls or roasted veggies.

Happy cooking!

Tips for Black Friday

This week the ads will go out for Black Friday. This is the busiest and most exciting shopping day of the year and you need to be prepared! Here are tips to help you navigate your way through the crazy crowds.

1. Check out the ads. Your local newspaper will be filled with ads and coupons. This will help you organize your day to maximize savings, since many stores offer special discounts that are time specific.

2. Research. Be knowledgeable about the products you want to buy. Some "deals" are for crap products. Know if you are truly getting a bargain.

3. Compare prices. There are a lot of websites that compare product prices.

4. Look for early bird shopping discounts. These deals usually run from 5am to 11am with no rain checks. The early bird will get the worm.

5. Be a night owl. Internet shoppers can beat the early birds by shopping online in the pre-dawn hours of Black Friday. Many retailers will be posting their Black Friday specials, which can be ordered online and picked up at your local store. Special web only deals will also be available starting as early as Thanksgiving Eve. Many of the outlet malls and factory stores will be opening Thursday at midnight, with early bird promotions.

6. Bring the ads. Many stores offer a lowest price guarantee, but you will be required to show a copy of the product being advertised for less. Most retailers will not meet Internet prices though.

7. Get a gift receipt. This will make it easier for the gift receiver to return.

8. Decide how early you'll arrive and plan accordingly. Dress warmly for the occasion in comfortable clothes.

9. Shop with a list. To avoid getting overwhelmed, bring your list with you of who and what you are shopping for.

10. Have fun! Don't be a Debbie-Downer...make this day be a rush and enjoyable!

Vintage shopping

Do you want items that no one else has? Well, then vintage shops are the place for you to go! Not necessarily just vintage shops, you can find great steals in any second hand store, such as a consignment shop. Secondhand shopping is a great way to get awesome clothing inexpensively. Here are a few tips to help you in your search.

1. Belts. Belts are easy to try on in a secondhand store and you can find some real individual styles.

2. Bags. Bags are easily fixed if the strap is broken. Vintage pieces are very in!

3. Boots. Easy to slip on.

4. Etsy. Etsy has a lot of sellers with vintage pieces that they are selling. A lot of the sellers have the clothing on actual body forms, so you can see exactly how it will look on.

5. Mysisterscloset.com. Designers jewelry, clothing, and everything!

Coats for you

It's almost that time of year again...when the weather is crisp and there's a chill in the air. Oh I can't wait! I know it has reached that time in some parts of the country, especially Colorado right now, and in Florida we've even had a couple cold fronts already. Well, this brings us to this weeks Fashion Forward topic, the best coats for your body type. Just because a coat is adorable doesn't mean that it's the right cut for you. Follow these guidelines and you will look great!


1. Go with classics. A knee-length wool topper with a tailored fit is a true classic that will not quickly (if ever) go out of style. The specific shape is up to you: double-breasted, belted or robe styles are all great picks.

2. Think investment. It's likely your biggest purchase of the season, so budget accordingly. And be willing to go on a few shopping trips to find the perfect one - a coat is the rare garment from which you can demand perfection.

3. Make it a close fit. You want the closest fit possible, but one that gives you no difficulty in getting into or buttoning.

4. Look behind. Check your rear view. Some shape to a coat is good, but you should never see an outline of any junk in the trunk. The coat should glide over any problem areas and have movement in back.

5. Watch for drape. A coat should not only button easily across your chest, but it should fall in a straight line from the lowest button to the bottom hem, a sign that it's a well cut and has ample fabric to suit your hips.

6. Check the hem. Take into account if you wear skirts and dresses and how they will look with the length of the coat. Also, check proportion and shape of the coat.

7. Factor in layers. Consider the clothes you will be wearing under the coat. If you need the coat to cover a suit jacket, bring one with you when you shop.

8. Take a seat. Your coat should "sit" well. Button it up and sit down in the dressing room. If the closures pull or if you have 2 laps, that coat is not for you.

Flawless nails

I love getting manicures, but hate that the polish doesn't last very long. I usually paint my nails at home every week although I get irritated because I get little air bumps on my nails. It's beyond annoying and doesn't look very good after working very hard to keep a steady hand. Last week, I asked my manicurist for some tips on how to achieve flawless nails and to avoid the air bumps. I decided that this knowledge shouldn't be just mine, but that I should share the wealth. Here are my Top 10 Tips for flawless nails.

1. Don't shake. Don't shake the bottle, but rather roll the bottle in your palms to blend. My manicurist told me that shaking causes the bubbles, which can stay in the bottle for days.

2. Don't shake/blend clear. The clear polish does not need to be blended, so just apply it. It's thicker, so the blending isn't necessary. Bubbles caused from shaking the clear can last even longer than colors.

3. Don't use too much. Globbing too much on causes a mess and will cause your polish to chip faster.


4. Only remove one side. Once you dip the wand into the bottle, only scrape one of the sides off for the perfect amount.

5. Use a dot. When applying onto your nail, dot the center of your nail first, then use strokes. The dot in the center helps to distribute the polish evenly. So clever!

6. Use the corner. Use the corner of the brush to stroke the sides of the nail.

7. Use pressure. Don't just glide the polish on your nail. Apply pressure and it won't allow the bubbles to form.


8. Avoid chips. After your 2 coats of polish, swipe the tip of your nail with a vertical swoop.

9. Base, 2, and Top. Always apply a base coat, 2 coats of color, and a top coat. The base seems unnecessary, but it is important to protect your nails from yellowing.

10. Let it dry. The manicurists don't have enough time between appointments to allow your nails to dry fully, so they just quickly do it. When you are painting your nails yourself, let the coats dry between coats to have the best result.

HERE'S MORE TIPS!!
11. Use vitamin E oil on your cuticles. It heels cracked cuticles and makes them so soft.

12. When you're at the salon, beware the drying station with the light. The light is very harmful for your hands and will age them if you get manicures often.

13. If you have 2 half empty bottles (or more) of polish in similar shades, say a bunch of red/pinks, combine them to make your own unique shade.

14. Polish with glitter or shimmer in it lasts longer than flat colors.

15. Bring your own polish with you to the salon. It will call your inner germaphob self and you can fix your nicks at home.

Pumpkin for the skin

I was watching The Doctors a couple weeks ago and they had some wonderful recipes for a pumpkin facial and body butter. Pumpkins are everywhere this season, so it's really easy to attain these ingredients. These recipes are high in vitamins A and C and antioxidants and minerals. They will also keep your skin smooth and moisturized during the winter!

Pumpkin Facial
2 teaspoons cooked or canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/4 tablespoon milk (or whipped cream if your skin is very dry)

Combine ingredients and apply to face. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

*Enzymes from the pumpkin gently exfoliate dead skin cells without scrubbing, which can break capillaries. Milk and honey attract and retain moisture.

Pumpkin Body Butter
1/2 cup cooked pumpkin puree
1/2 cup solids from a can of coconut milk (creme at the top of the can)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Spread mixture generously on skin and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

*Coconut creme moisturizes skin, while cinnamon brings blood and nutrients to the skin's surface, giving it a healthy glow.

Makeup expiration

Have makeup that you've been holding onto for years because you just don't have the heart to throw it away? Well, it's probably unhealthy for your skin. Makeup has an expiration date, so follow the guidelines to determine what and how often you should throw away in your makeup bag.

1. Mascara. Every 3 months. It introduces bacteria into your eye, so this needs to be replaced fairly often.
2. Eye Shadow. Every 3 months. Introduces bacteria as well.
3. Lipstick. After 1 year. The oils become rancid.
4. Foundation. 6-12 months once opened. It depends on how you apply it to how long it will last.
5. Blush. 2 years. Powder lasts longer. Cream lasts less because it holds onto moisture.

- With makeup, the performance usually lasts as long as the expiration date.
- Once every 2 weeks, wash you brushes with shampoo and water. You can also put them in the dishwasher.
- Beauty alert tabs are available, which you can write down the date that you opened your makeup.

Personalizing your LBD

So you hear all the time that a little black dress is a staple item for every woman in her closet. Finding the perfect fit is half the battle. You can't just grab any black dress and call it "the one," thought has to go into it. Just because that dress looks terrific on someone you saw wearing it, does not mean that it will be the one for you. Ask yourself: Will it look good on me? Is my shape being flattered? What is my body shape? Does this dress hit me in all the right places? Understanding your body type is important not only on your quest of your LBD, but in wearing other garments as well. Here are great examples of how to personalize your little black dress according to your body shape.

Pear Shape. Full skirts disguise heavy hips and show off your tiny waist. A fitted halter or strapless silhouette is very flattering, as it shows off your small top half.

Leg Conscious. If you don't want to show off your legs, but still want to look sexy, try to find a longer skirt that hits midcalf or longer. Be careful not to go too long, especially if you are short.

Wide Shoulders. You don't need to hide your shoulders, show them off with an asymmetrical neckline, which will balance out your body. Avoid puffy sleeves, they will make your shoulders appear wider.

Full Bust. V-neck, square neck, sweetheart, and wrap dresses are perfect for you. Look for fabrics that skim, but aren't too clingy or too stiff. Avoid over embellishment tops.

Small Bust. To add more volume, look for embellishment or fullness on the bust.

Hourglass Figure. Mid to large breasts, small waist (about 10in in difference), and curvy hips. Wear dresses with V neck tops with panels or darts and an A-line skirt.

Apple Shape. Larger shoulder than hips. Concentrate on accentuating your waist line with a fitted or pencil skirt.

Straight/Athletic. Very small difference between bust and hips (4-5in). Accentuate hips with an empire waist dress, belts, and some stitched lines 3 inches under your bust.

Happy shopping!! And Happy Fashion Forward Friday!! Have a great weekend :)

Wardrobe must haves

Trying to revamp your wardrobe and just don't know where to start? First of all, go through your entire closet and purge what doesn't fit and/or you haven't worn in a year. Next, fill in the holes with closet staples that never go out of style. Invest in these items and you will not be sorry.

1. Little Black Dress. We hear this all the time, but it is very essential for a woman. A simple black dress can go a long way and can be used for multiple occasions.

2. Black Blazer. Find the perfect one that flatters your body, pair it with jeans and a button down for a chic look.

3. White Button Down Shirt. Invest in a new one every season. You can never go wrong when you pair this with a pair of jeans, dress pants, or a skirt.

4. Trousers. Make sure they are cut perfectly for your shape. If you're only buying one pair, buy in black or navy. Make sure you match the length of the pants with the height of your shoe.

5. Beige Trench Coat. Or camel, which is hot this season. This goes with everything.

6. Big Black Bag. Or in camel. This holds everything and is perfect to shove things in when you have kids.

7. Great Pair of Jeans. You should have one pair that fits you perfectly. This can be worn with everything.

8. Perfect Pumps. Make sure they fit perfect and feel great. Peep toes are hot too.

9. Statement Jewelry. The focal point of an outfit. Pick one item to build your item around.

10. Diamond Studs. These are chic, timeless, and so beautiful. They don't really have to be diamonds, they can be fake! If buying fake, buy them smaller.

Appropriate wedding attire

In one of my speech classes in college, I presented the class with "Appropriate Wedding Attire." I get asked a lot, "what should I wear to a wedding?" So, for Fashion Forward Friday, I wanted to give you the information that was in my presentation. I broke the slide show down in seasons, so for this post I will give you the Fall and Winter rules. Note: these are the rules for women; if you are a guy and want rules, feel free to email me.

First of all, you need to look at the invitation. The invitation sets the tone of the wedding. If it's colorful and fun, you don't need to dress so seriously. If it's fancy, rest assured that the wedding will be someone of an elegant event. Second, you need to know what time the wedding is, as there are specific rules. If it's an afternoon wedding (before 6pm) you should wear lighter colors, if it's an evening wedding (after 6pm) you can wear black, darker colors, and sequins. Third, you need to know which type of wedding it is so you can dress appropriately.

Basic Don'ts:
- Don't wear white or ivory
- Don't wear black or sequins during the day
- Don't wear anything club appropriate
- Don't wear denim
- Don't wear anything too short, low cut, or too revealing

Fall Wedding
- Wear heavier fabrics and darker colors, such as burgundy, dark green and navy
- Always wear stockings or hosiery (unless you live in Florida...too hot for that!)
- If Black Tie fall wedding, floor length formal gowns are the most appropriate
- Dressy cocktail dresses (shown right) and evening suits are also appropriate

Winter Wedding
- Wear necessary outerwear, such as a long, classic coat, or faux fur
- Fabrics and colors should be similar to fall - heavy and dark
- Always wear stockings and hosiery
- Shawls and scarves are a a great way to mix accessory with function

Beauty is pain

When it comes to being a fashionista, heels are the key to looking great! Nothing beats a gorgeous pair of shoes, that is except for pain. If you wear heels for a long period of time, you know exactly what I mean. While the American Podiatric Medical Association suggests that you toss any shoes that cause you discomfort, I'm sure that the stylish person you are deems this an impossibility. Here are some tips that will hopefully help your feet feel a little bit more comfortable.

1. Buy the right size. A no brainer right? But seriously, when is the last time you've been measured for a shoe? I probably haven't been since I was a kid! Podiatrists say that our feet can grow larger as we age, as it can during pregnancy. So, it is pretty important to know what size shoe you are. Tip: make sure that there's a thumbs-width between your longest toe and the shoe tip to give your toes room to move. For heels, this means you may need to go up a size for a more comfortable fit.

2. Stick to round toes. As opposed to pointy-toed shoes which makes your toes crunch up, the rounded toe allows for your toes to lie flat and spread out naturally.

3. Watch the width. Some of the time, the toes aren't the problem, it's the width. Many fashion shoes come in a standard medium width. If you have wide feet, this simply will not do. If you find a pair of shoes that is to die for, ask if they come in a wide width. They probably won't, so you can usually take them to a shoemaker and they can stretch the shoes to widen the toe box, enhancing comfort.

4. Cushion! While most heels don't come with adequate cushioning on the balls of the foot, add an insert. They are available everywhere and WILL help!

5. Switch them up. Don't wear the same shoes everyday, alternate. Switch between heels and flats to maintain comfort. Although heels elongate your legs when you're wearing a skirt, they are less important when you are wearing trousers, so give feet a rest on those days.

6. Wider heel. Stilettos are gorgeous, but try wearing heels with a larger heel, or wedges.

7. Injections. I was watching on The Doctors the other day, and they were addressing this problem. In a day visit, they extracted fat from a woman's stomach and injected it into the balls of her feet, right under the toes. The natural fat provided the feet with the cushioning it needed. Watch the video below.

Foot Tuck Fat Pad Augmentation for High Heel Pain

Tips for aching feet:
1. Soak your feet is Epson salt
2. Get a pedicure! What an excellent excuse, right??
3. Place a full water bottle on the ground and roll your foot back and forth

Hopefully this will help your feet to look and feet great!!