You can judge a book by its cover

They say "you can't judge a book by it's cover" but have you been to the book store lately?  I have to admit, on many occasions I have made a bee-line straight for those books with bright colored covers and adorable graphics.  I am immediately attracted to them and tell myself this must be good, after all, it's bright yellow with a cartoon of a slender fashionista walking her designer dog.  The book does not always deliver on the promise, but the cover does serve a purpose - it beckons you to come check it out.  How about that punk rocker chick with multiple piercings, covered in body art and pink spikey hair?  She wants you to make a judgement that she is a rebel who defies convention.   In fact, she would be insulted if you didn't.  Of course you can't determine simply by her dress that she is a good or bad person and unfortunatley, many people will jump to those conclusions.  But she is making a statement about herself and she wants you to to hear it.  You need to keep this in mind when you dress.  What do you want to say about yourself?  Even if you are simply running to the grocery store, pull a scarf around your neck, upgrade your running shoe to a flat boot and throw on a pair of over oversized shades and you can make a style statement in a pair of yoga pants. You've heard the saying, "dress for the job you want."  All that means is that you need to put the effort into your appearance to convey the message to the world that you care.  This is not vanity. Vanity is placing your physical appearance above all else, including others.  No self respecting diva would do that because she is too busy changing the world.  But you need to care about what image you project into the world.   No one knows this better than the marketing execs at Apple.  Put it in an adorable sleek package and you can sell anything.  Apple has the substance to back it up, but you know it's what draws you to those ipod nanos, they are just so darn cute!  It is all about marketing, so get out there and sell it divas!

Come on People! (Style Watch that is)

Sorry for my temporary absence divas...I am channeling Kate Beckinsale in White Out since we are covered in almost 4 feet of snow!! It's the perfect time to peruse the latest issue of People Style Watch and of course, I have issues with some of their advice on what's hot and what's not. Let me start by saying Tim Gunn and Stacy London are always on the money and that is why they have their own shows.  What I do have a prolem with, however, is some of People's "what's hot or not" advice.  Every time I flip to this section I brace myself for the rediculous list of "not hot".  What in the world are "long trips" doing on the "not hot" list?  Sometimes, if the planets allign correctly and you work hard, a long trip is just what the doctor ordered.  I often find myself feeling sorry for the perveyors of these banished goods and services until I realize that maybe no one else takes this list seriously either.  To be fair, they usually get the "whats hot" part correct.  But then, some of the "whats hot" advice out in the fashion world is a bit out of touch with the mainstream fashionistas.  For instance, space age shoulder pads and super shredded jeans landed on the "not hot" list.  I decided last fall when they first showed up on the scene that they should already be on that list and never bought into it.  I have a simple rule: if you think that an outfit will look utterly rediculous within six months to a year, chances are it looks utterly rediculous right now.  On a posiive note, if People Style Watch continues to feature fabulous merchandise that is affordable (they take the cake in this department) and advice sections from Tim and Stacy, I will stay a loyal subscriber.  I will probably lash out at the "not hot" list again, but they are just asking for that.

Keeping up with the Jones'

     Ok, so we all know that girl that asks, "where did you get that?" and the next week she comes to the office sporting the same thing she envied on you just a few days before.  You find yourself feeling annoyed and if you are like me you have to stop and take a minute to remind yourself what your mother would say; imitation is the highest form of flattery.  You take a big gulp and try to digest it.  She is right you know.
     I find myself in that predicament all the time being a boutique owner here in Annapolis.  There is a shop up the street that has copied us on so many levels (or attempted to I should say) since they opened.  In fact, they are probably reading this right now.  Anyway, the point is, you need to be you and express your individuality any way you choose.  When you are a strong person with great taste and have a passion for what you do, there will always be copycats.  Laugh it off and take pride knowing that although they would never admit it in public, anytime they copy you they are admitting that you are the best.  Pat yourself on the back and get on with your day knowing that as long as you are you and they are them, they will always be playing catch up.  You are a diva after all!!!