Fashion Emergency Part III

Dear Divas,

Having a cute, pulled together look is not about having a closet full of expensive, designer clothes.

It is about shopping SMART.

With a few key pieces you can always have something to wear.

The key to looking great is about ACCESSORIZING.

Shoes.

Purse.

Belts.

Jewelry.

A basic, solid colored core wardrobe.

What does that mean???

Every closet should contain:

A great fitting pair of blue jeans. Pay $$$ if you have to, to get a great fit and look. Go shopping and try some high end ones on. You don't have to buy them, but try them on to see what you could look like. Save $$$ to invest in this. The beauty of a pair of great jeans is you can wear them dressy or casual. If you pair them with a cute shirt, jacket and heels you are date night ready. If you pair them with a football t-shirt, tennis shoes and a baseball cap you are soccer game ready.

A great fitting pair of black slacks.

Some solid color shirts. For sure a white, black and brown. You need t's, tanks, long sleeve, and 3/4 sleeve. These are for layering your look.

Lightweight pants or capris.

Jacket(s). Denim, Khaki, a fun color, doesn't matter. If you stay at home full time I'd say one jacket will suit you fine. If you are in the business world then you know, the more jackets the MERRIER!

A pair of flats (shoes) in either black or brown. (This is the most simple thing you can do to update your wardrobe.) This is to wear with your black pants or jeans. On those days when you want to be comfortable but look cute you can put on your jeans, flats (instead of tennis shoes), a solid color shirt and...

JEWELRY.

Here is the thing about jewelry. Right now, you either wear it or you don't. If you wear it you know how great you feel when you put that necklace, bracelet and earrings on. You sparkle. Even if it's a gloomy, rainy day you shine. Here's the thing. Your jewelry is what is going to take your look from DRAB to FAB.

This kind of closet can be built up over time. Think about simple, basic when you are shopping though. You should be able to wear your shirts with all your pants. Jackets should be able to inter-mingle with shirts and pants.

Your mission this week: Look around while you are out. Pay attention to the women that are well dressed that catch your eye. What is it about their look that you like?

Fashion Emergency Part II

911: Now that your legs and toes are whipped into shape let's talk about your shoes. Do you have some cute sandals/flip flops and a pair of flats?

DID: Yes, and I bet Yellow Box will be coming out with their new Spring line in the upcoming weeks.

911: You are right. Wow, a smart Diva, I like that in Emergency situations. Don't make the mistake of passing up the cute Yellow Box bling when you see it. I'm looking at your chart and I see you allowed this to happen last year. Tsk Tsk Tsk. I see this happen far to often. A Diva sees a pair of Yellow Box. It is love at first site. And she keeps going. And she misses out. Then she struggles with jealousy every time she sees fellow Diva's wearing her shoes. Not good.

911: You are also going to need a pair of flats. You can wear a pair of thin trouser sock with your flats. This will be a must on cooler days when you can't wear your Yellow Box. Check Targe', the Wal-Marts and Payless. You can find these for $10 or so bucks.

DID: I'm needing some Retail Therapy anyway so this is doable.

911: Let's review our checklist so far...

• presentable legs, even if they are looking like the ghost of Christmas past
• pretty toes
• sandals
• flip flops
• flats
• lightweight pants (linen, denim, something light and Springy, can be pants or capris)

Stay tuned to see how our Diva In Distress fares. I do hope she makes it through her Fashion Emergency.

Fashion Emergency

The following is a call from a Diva in Distress. Hopefully we can all learn from her so we don't find ourselves in the same emergency. Northern Diva's be warned because the potential for this disaster to strike your home is coming. Southern Divas please take caution.

911: 911 What's your emergency?

DID (Diva In Distress): Yes, I do not know what to do. It is hot outside today and I don't have anything to wear.

911: You have NOTHING to wear?

DID: That's right. NOTHING. If I have to wear my black outfit or a sweater again today I will surely fall over dead.

911: Do you have any possibilities in the attic you can pull down and try on?

DID: Yes, but the attic shrunk my clothes during the winter. Again.

911: Mam, Don't panic, I can help you. The important thing is to stay calm. You don't want to frighten the children or your husband or your checkbook.

911: You need to start by taking inventory of all your options. Spring days are coming. DO YOU HAVE A PAIR OF LIGHTWEIGHT PANTS OR CAPRIS? If not you need to locate a pair immediately. I don't care if you have to go to the Goodwill or the Walmarts. This is a staple to get you through.

DID: OK, I can locate a lightweight comfy pair of bottoms.

911: Now, let's talk about your legs and toes. Have you shaved your legs recently?

DID: I plead the 5th.

911: Well, you need to shave. Immediately.

911: How are your winter toes? What's the status on your polish?

DID: Well it depends. Do you see the polish on my toes half empty or half full?

911: Just as I figured. Take your winter polish off. Today. Here is how to give yourself a quick pedi. This is imperative as you will be wanting to wear sandals/flipflops in the coming days and weeks. Take a warm bowl and fill it with hot water and soap. Soak your feet and enjoy some TV. After 20 minutes or so, get one of those foot scrubber things and show your footsies some love. Lotion them. Repaint your nails.

DID: Cajun Shrimp?

911: Perfect.

(there is more to the call but you'll have to stay tuned...)