To Hose or Not to Hose (as published in the Capital Newspaper)

That is the question we have all asked at some point in our fashion lives.  Do I wear hose with this? What color would look right? Is it okay to go bare legged?  At my age?  Relax and follow a few key rules that will have you looking fabulous, at any age.

Let the weather dictate.  No, this does not fall under the category of “you may never wear white after Labor Day.”  This is a common sense rule.  If the temperatures are soaring and you have a cocktail party, you will still look amazing without the nudes you think you need to cover up those chalky white legs.  Be sure to shave, exfoliate, moisturize and if possible, apply a subtle bronzer (Jergens Daily Glow Mouse will have you tanned in three applications without the orange hue or streaks).  Do not skip the all important pedicure if your shoes are open toed.  If you have unsightly veins or other imperfections that need covering up, opt for an ultra sheer, barely there color and keep in mind they do offer toeless versions for the sandals.  Bring the shoe with you because the cut of the shoe will determine whether or not you can pull this look off.  Some of you may be saying they cannot imagine a life without Spanx.  You don’t need to skip the body shapers, just be sure they are short enough not to peak out from under the hemline when you sit and cross your legs. (Practice in a mirror!)

In the cold of winter, opaque tights (that is, completely dark, not sheer) will go with absolutely every dress in your wardrobe and are extremely stylish. Add a simple black pump or a funky bootie to finish it off.  Not only will you add length to your legs, you will add length to your hemline.  Any time a dress fares a bit on the short side, an opaque tight and dark shoe will trick the eye.  Since you are showing less skin, the hemline appears more acceptable.  The same dress sans the hose may look risqué.

One rule of thumb applies to evening wear across the board, regardless of the season:  bare legs will always look better with formal evening wear.  Not even the black sheer tights you ask?  If your legs are so unsightly or you are that concerned about getting a chill, you would be better off wearing a longer dress than wearing hose to the gala!!

What is it about the white button down????

By now everyone has probably heard about the controversy surrounding the Miss USA pageant photo shoot.  If not, the synopsis is this: they decided to do a black and white, sexy pictorial with either fishnets and corsets or unbuttoned white men's shirts and undies while spread out on the bed or draped over the chase lounge...very campy and Victoria Secret inspired.  The photos were amazingly gorgeous but definitely risque, so I can see both sides of the "was this or wasn't this appropriate" argument.  Miss USA is a role model for young girls, but she is also a beauty queen.  (On a side note, one of our own Diva Strut and Sip Models, Simone Feldman who is the reigning Miss Maryland did not make it as a finalist but looked stunning and is a winner in our book!).  One thing the debate inspired me to blog about is the ooozing sex appeal of a woman in a white button down shirt (undone just a bit) that cinches the waistline and gives off that "I just slipped this on after a romantic tryst" look.  That is not to say the crisp, very professional version is not an equally important wardrobe essential for the working girl, but the men just cannot resist the look of us with tasseled hair in a better fitting version of their shirt.  Ooh, la, la!!

Where everybody knows your name

Like the old mantra from the 80's sitcom, Cheers, its nice to be surrounded by people that know me and with whom I feel comfortable.  It's not that I want fame, but when I go to the hair salon, the gym or my favorite restaurant and shops, it is always nice to know the staff will know my name and give me that extra bit of personal touch that makes the experience a positive one.  For example, when I head into Osteria Restaurant, they know exactly which wine to pour.  Liu Liu hair salon feels like a home away from home (think Steel Magnolia's without all the drama) and my instructors at Annapolis Athletic Club always make personal connections that remind me I am in good hands.
This is a principal I take seriously in my shop.  We make an effort to know our clients and what works best for them.  It is more than being able to style and offer advice about what will flatter their figure, it is about truly taking the time to get to know them and what suits their personal taste and lifestyle.  After all, anyone can go to the big box stores and have something rung up by a robot-ish, disinterested teenager.  But when you shop with us at Diva, we want it to be a personal experience - a connection. 

I challenge each of you to find a way to bring that extra personal touch to your life today.  Go out of your way to make someone feel special, even if it is just to call them by their name.

Cheers!

Pajama jeans...really??

I have seen it all now.  I just saw this ad on T.V.- "look great and be comfortable in pajama jeans."  I know we are becoming more and more casual in our lives and it is possible to look put together and not sacrifice comfort, but I think this is taking it too far!  There is something uplifting about a beauty ritual that makes you feel renewed, refreshed and ready to face the day.  It does not have to be complex and take forever (tell that to my mountains of hair that cannot be blown out in under 20 minutes) but you should at least take the time to plan an outfit, jump in the shower, throw on some mascara and lip gloss and a FRESH PAIR OF PANTS!!  Maybe denim leggings (dubbed jeggings by many) are in the same vain as pajama jeans with the whole "comfortably stylish thing" but there is one major difference:  the word pajama implies that you will be sleeping in them.  And rolling out the next day?  Really?? Eeww, this is just gross!

Oh the places I would go....

Like many of you busy Divas, I am pulled in too many directions to get away as much as I would like these days.  I was lying in bed this morning looking at the blue sky and listening to the birds and I decided to drift off into a "where would I go and why" day dream.  Here is what I came up with:
1.    The "I must visit this place just out of curiosity" category includes a yachting trip to Monte Carlo and a stay at one of the opulent palaces of Instanbul.  These trips are unlikely, but on the list nonetheless.
2.   The humanitarian side of me wants to visit poor countries around the globe and bring food, clean water and clothing to orphans.  Not because Angelina made it "en vogue" but because we truly don't have enough modern day Mother Teresa's and the world needs to care all the time, not just when Wyclef Jean hosts a telethon.  Why no telethon for Chile??
3.  For a red carpet in the Carribean experience, I would head for St. Barths.
4.  For reasons unknown to me, I would be intrigued by a trip to the Black Forest of Germany.  Maybe because of a Victoria Holt novel I read when I was young...
5.  For an exotic island get away, my top choice would be the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa.
6.  For a history lesson I would head to the Pyramids in Egypt and then pop over to the Great Wall of China.  It would be a Seven Wonders kind of thing.
7.  France - wine country, the Riviera and then cap it off in Paris....preferably during Fashion Week.
8.  The Almafi Coast of Italy and then to visit my family in Genoa and Portofino.
9.  The night owl in me wants to take an Alaskan Cruise. I have heard it is light out until 10 pm during certain times of year!
10. The Alps at Christmas...saw this on the travel channel...so cozy!!!
Where would you go??

Pedicure on our toes,toes. Tryin' on all our clothes, clothes...

Sorry to start your day with a quote from the crazy Lady Gaga wannabe, Ke$ha, but this weather makes me sooooo excited for spring clothes and all that goes with them!  Get to the strip center salons ladies and clean up your tootsies because when the weather is this nice out, it is perfectly acceptable to wear an open toed shoe with bare legs, assuming you have taken a few crucial steps to prepare:
1.  The pedicure and shave (duh)
2.  Some sort of bronzer on the legs (Jergens Daily Glow takes away the chalky white and won't make you orange)
3.  Stick to spring ensembles, this is not quite an all out summer situation just yet so grab a light blazer or cardi for when the sun goes down and skip the flip flops for now.
4.  A, light fragrance (leila lou at Diva with hint of pear is to die for!!)
5.  Wear bright color or soft neutrals and put the black, charcoal and brown back in the closet for a bit.
6.  Remember, denim is a year round commodity.  Wear a light weight fabrication if you want, but it is all about what you pair it with.  Try your skinny jean with a cropped nubuck ankle boot, hooded sandal or peep toe.
7.  You must have a cute, embellished top this season.  When done properly, this is not gaudy but glam!!
8.  Every diva needs at least one ladylike dress for daytime spring occasions (think graduations, baptisms and garden parties)
9.  Nude heels - cannot stress this enough!!  I know I repeat this every spring but you may need a couple pairs so you don't trash them, that is how much you will wear them.  They go with everything and will elongate your legs. Try them with your little black dress for a fresh take.
10.  Fashionable watch...if you are like me and you are resolving to be punctual then you must have a stylish watch to keep you arriving at all your events on time.  I am still looking for one...any suggestions?

Get Inspired!

Okay fellow bloggers...please don't feel the need to post everyday.  It is dreadfully apparent that you are writing simply to avoid having one absence from the blogosphere as though some catastrophy would ensue if you skipped a day or so until something actually inspired you to write.  We are all busy creatures and I would dare say no one is so interested in our daily thoughts that we need to be contrived in our writing.  People who blog and treat it as a job (except of course those of you collecting a paycheck) may be better served by taking a few days off to get inspired.  I may not always be terribly original, but I promise not to post something unless I felt I just had to convey my thoughts.  If I become too cookie cutter...somebody please stop me!