Nurturing Beauty Style Secrets Blog

“I don’t have time to go shopping and put together a wardrobe.”  I hear this all the time!

Often, what she is really (usually) saying is, “I don’t have time to walk around the mall or a store futilely trying things on that look terrible or don’t fit and then leave the store empty handed and miserable.”

Yikes!  Who would want to set aside any time for that kind of punishment?

Yes, we all have super busy schedules often balancing work, family, a few cats/dogs, school, friends…and a host of other responsibilities (take your pick) pulling us in a million different directions.

True, most of us have enough on our plates without adding one more thing – especially when that one thing has historically been unpleasant and often unproductive.  Better just to make do, tuck it under the rug and manage as best you can.  Sure, this will work for a while, but at what cost?

It is human nature to prefer to set aside time to do something we enjoy (or that is urgent) than to do something we dislike.  Why do you think messy basements stay messy, writing a paper for a class we don’t like gets put off to the last minute, or cleaning the refrigerator will not take precedence over taking our children to soccer practice or having tea with a good friend.

There are two very important things to consider here:

1.    Living with a wardrobe you don’t love has substantial hidden costs.

2.    Creating a personal style you love cannot only be fun but can take much less time than you think. (The good news is that when you are efficient and productive you can feel like the time is well spent considering the amount of pleasure the results will give you.  Of course, I understand that what feels challenging is the “efficient and productive” part!)

Let’s look, for a minute, at the hidden costs.  They add up over time and take their toll.

When you live with a wardrobe you don’t love, it:

• Undermines your spirit. Tolerating an uninspiring wardrobe takes a toll on your psyche.  You get dressed every morning and sometimes more than once a day if you have another engagement that day.  When you start your day off feeling frustrated, annoyed, hopeless or overwhelmed this feeling weighs on your psyche.  When you stand in front of your closet for an hour trying unsuccessfully to create an outfit (any outfit!) you can wear to __________, it zaps your energy. Who wants that?
• Sacrifices your dreams. Everyone wants to feel good about themselves every time they get dressed.  Some women have had that and lost it over time due to their body changing, lifestyle changes or just general aging (wondering what’s age appropriate, body has shifted a little, etc.) and others never had it to begin with.  In either case, it’s a dream lost…perhaps just buried deeply but it feels lost forever.
• Wastes your time. When your wardrobe and style aren’t working for you then a significant amount of time is used up trying to make things work when what you really long for is to get dressed effortlessly and, dare I say it, with joy!

Uninspired wardrobes happen.  It has nothing to do with your age, weight, profession, where you live or your financial situation. A frustrating wardrobe is an equal opportunity annoyance!

What Can You Do?

• Take a few minutes to jot down what having an uninspired wardrobe is “costing” you (refer to the list above and be creative…add your own).  Just let it flow.  As you write and reflect you are certain to uncover hidden costs and frustrations you didn’t realize were bugging you so much!  (We can all be very good at burying those — at least temporarily.)
• Keep those notes handy and add to them as things occur to you.

Then, stay tuned for the next installment and some fashion tips that offer some relief!

For now, keep smiling and give yourself enormous credit for looking at this deeply.  That’s the very first step (so many women just live with the frustration indefinitely), and you are on your way!

Vacations are a time to relax, renew and enjoy life, right? Try telling yourself that while you are madly packing the night before! I mean, who hasn’t run around at the last minute like a crazy person hoping you remember everything and still leaving the house the next day with the nagging suspicion that you forgot something important (and finding out all too soon that you did)!

No one wants to spend part of their precious vacation bouncing around from store to store replacing things they meant to bring with them. We can all recount experiences like that…perhaps it’s your favorite sandals for walking or going to the beach, the only sunscreen that won’t irritate your skin, your sunglasses, or your evening clutch so you don’t have to carry your big black tote bag with you everywhere. Aggravating doesn’t even begin to describe it!

Each time this happens you vow that the next time you’ll make a packing list so you can check things off as you pack them thereby reducing the chance of leaving some important detail out. But, once you’re back from vacation the urgency is gone, and it doesn’t return until the next trip. Somehow the list never gets made.

If this sounds familiar, I can help. Years ago I made this packing list (because I’m a Virgo and mildly obsessive about things, and because I cannot stand feeling stressed the night before my vacation begins). I never pack without it!

Use it as a guide and personalize it for the next time you travel. It will make your life easier, your packing more efficient, and your departure worry-free!

Have a great summer and happy vacationing!

MY PACKING LIST

• Underwear
• Shoes
• Nightgown
• Robe
• Slippers
• Socks/Stockings
• Dressy clothing (if needed (we often overlook this))
• Belts
• Jewelry/Accessories
• Handbags (evening, casual)
• Foldable/Reusable Tote
• Wrap or Sweater
• Hair Brush/Comb
• Hair dryer (if staying at a B&B that doesn’t have them)
• Haircare products
• Small manicure set (or at least nail file and clippers)
• Bandaids
• Babywipes (keep them in your carry on)
• Toothbrush & floss
• Deodorant
• Nail Polish for touch ups
• Makeup
• Skincare
• Perfume
• Tampons & Pads
• Vitamins & Prescriptions
• Camera (for those who don’t have one in their phone)
• Contact lenses and solution
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Bathing Suit
• Bathing Suit Cover-up
• Gift (if staying with friends)
• Dirty Laundry Bag
• Exercise Clothing
• Sneakers & Socks
• Computer
• Cell Phone Charger
• Nightlight (if staying in a dark hotel!)
• Ear plugs (if staying in a noisy hotel!)
• Small umbrella
• Airline/Train Tickets/Itinerary
• Directions to where you’re going
• Passport (remember to check expiration date!)
• Plug adapters if traveling overseas
• Mp3 player
• Books to Read
• Neck Pillow
• Snacks for plane
• Stain remover (I love Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap)
• Tea bags (if you have a favorite green tea or herbal that you can’t find everywhere)
• Kids’ Stuff (not my area of expertise, so you’re on your own here)

THINGS TO DO BEFORE LEAVING

• Lower Heat/AC
• Set security lighting – lights on timers, etc.
• Unplug toaster oven, stereo, computer and TV
• Note to petsitter
• If going for an extended period, turn down the temperature on your water heater
• Consider turning off your water if you are going away for an extended time (or at least water to washing machine & ice maker (if you have one))
• Stop mail/newspaper if necessary
• Be sure a neighbor has a key just in case
• Remember to arm your house alarm if you have one

Traveling Without the Wrinkles

Do you ever wonder if it’s possible to travel wrinkle free? The answer is an absolute yes! One quick helpful tip. Save your dry cleaner bags. Store them in your suitcase so they are handy when you need them.

On my recent trip to NYC, I had to bring a jacket and a cocktail dress. I had no interest in ironing once I was there so I took a dry cleaner bag and laid it across my suitcase (letting it dangle out over the end). Then I laid my dress on the bag, letting it flow outside the suitcase on top of the bag. I placed another dry cleaner bag over the top of the dress and neatly folded my jacket on top of that bag. I finished with a bag on top of that. Then, I reached underneath all the bags and neatly folded them (all together) into the suitcase.

The bags create air pockets so the clothes are not squished, and they all arrived wrinkle-free in NYC. I even put things on top of the clothes, and they still didn’t wrinkle. Yay!

I hope your travels are safe, fun and have as few wrinkles as possible!

To download a printable version of Ginger’s Packing Checklist, click here.

Are you confused? Do you head into a store all hopeful and happy and leave disgruntled and crabby? Some of you tell me that shopping has gotten to the point where you walk into the store filled with dread and a certainty you won’t find anything – that’s how often you’ve been disappointed.

Knowing what to buy and what looks good can feel tricky. I regularly get questions about particular styles and whether they are suited to someone over 40…and in some cases, anyone at all regardless of her age.

So, I thought we’d have a little fun with it. Let’s talk about 5 fashion or makeup styles that are questionable at best and are, in some cases, absolute no-no’s, especially for women over 40(ish).

1. Puffy Short Sleeves. We are not little girls anymore, and puffy sleeves have a tendency to infantilize grown women. Sure, it can depend on the degree of “puff” and the feeling of the rest of the outfit, but if you put something on and the first thing you see when you look in the mirror is a young girl staring back at you, it’s probably best to leave it to the teenagers. If it is combined with a babydoll style top, don’t even try it on.

2. Too Tight Tops. Not too long ago my partner and I were having lunch in our favorite restaurant and a group of women walked in – two young women and a third woman who we presumed to be their mother. The mother was wearing a white spandex, low cut top. It left absolutely nothing to the imagination (especially from behind) and was unflattering on too many levels to count. I felt sad for her because instead of making her look younger it made her look older.

Yes, the style these days is to wear everything super tight, and in some cases it can have a slimming effect (if the fabric has enough body to hold you in). But, more often than not the opposite is true. Combine that with the fact that the designers today (especially in the summer) have a tendency to make tops out of paper thin fabrics that forgive absolutely nothing and reveal everything. Whether or not you find it attractive, the one certainty is that it is distracting.

Always be sure the fit of your garments skims your body and the fabric glides rather than clings.

3. Too Short Pants. Pants that end at the ankle are universally unflattering. They will always make your legs look shorter and never hit you at a place that balances your body. Mostly, they just look like you washed your pants and they shrank but you didn’t notice.

4. Heavy Eyeliner. Many women get stuck in a makeup rut wearing what they’ve always worn because it used to work. The problem is that what was fun and trendy when we were younger can look heavy and overwhelming when we are a tad older. So many women have come to me wearing a thick pencil or liquid eyeliner that probably was chic when they were 20 but now is distracting and just too much on their eyes. We see the eyeliner first and foremost and never get to notice the natural beauty of their eye color.

If this sounds familiar, switch for 10 days to using a powder liner on your upper lashline. Use a small liner brush and smudge it right between the lashes. Use a very dark brown, charcoal or even black. This look has a lot of impact without looking overwhelming.

Wearing eye makeup in a new way can be one of the hardest things for a woman to get used to. It is true that when we’ve seen ourselves the same way for many years, we almost don’t recognize our faces when the makeup changes. Even seemingly subtle changes have a big impact, which is why I suggest wearing your new look for 10 days before you decide (plus it can take you a little while to feel comfortable with a new technique).

5. Unnatural Lip Line. As we get older our lips get thinner. This is bad news for those of us who naturally have thinner lips. Knowing how to plump them up a bit without using injectibles is tricky. I’ve noticed women lining outside their natural lipliner with a lip pencil or wearing their lipstick slightly outside the natural line. Please don’t. Mostly it makes you look a bit like Goldie Hawn in “First Wives Club” and looks simply curious at best.

I understand this issue since I have a naturally thin upper lip. I use a very natural colored dry (not creamy) lip pencil to line just at the upper edge of my natural line. The color looks like my natural lips and that’s about as much as I can push it without it looking kind of scary! In case you’re interested, this is the lip liner I use: BWC Pinky Brown Lip Liner http://www.totalimageconsultants.com/makeup.shtml#lips The dryness of the pencil helps keep lipstick from bleeding.

And, when it comes to choosing a lipstick color, keep it in the light or medium range – never dark. And, smile a lot!

I want to be sure to acknowledge that fashion is not an exact science. I’ll be the first to say that. You will definitely find exceptions to every rule, and I am definitely one for trying new things and exploring new styles. That said, the ones I shared above are fashions that unless you are absolutely, positively sure you can pull them off, let someone else experiment with them. I promise that there are so many other beautiful styles out there that it’s really not necessary to try to “make” something work. If you have to try that hard it generally isn’t worth it, and you won’t miss anything by leaving it out.

Are you a woman over 40 who has your own list of questionable styles? Please share!

As the temperatures rise, the needs of your skin change. We’re not only talking sun protection, although that is certainly an important component, we’re also thinking about what your skin needs to adjust and be safe and happy in the warmer temperatures. Here are a few basic tips:

• The Sun & Oily Skin — If you have oily skin resist the temptation to over scrub your skin to control oil and shine. Over rubbing your skin will only stimulate the sebaceous glands and actually create the very condition you’re trying to avoid, i.e., excessively oily skin (not to mention that it can cause more severe breakouts). It can be helpful to choose products that contain algae which detoxifies your skin and helps to control the oil.
• Don’t be lured by the drying effects of the sun. Although it might initially feel like the sun is drying up the oil and clearing up your skin, it actually thickens the skin (hyperkeratosis) blocking your pores and leading to more intense breakouts shortly down the road. Believe me. I know this first hand from when I was a teenage…a day or two of fewer breakouts (albeit sunburned skin!) and then. Yikes…let me just say, it was not a pretty picture! The reprieve is very short-lived! If you are taking antibiotics to control acne, beware that it also causes sun sensitivity so applying a sunscreen is critical.
• Sensitive Skin — If you have sensitive skin stay out of the sun as much as possible, always (that means every day even if you are not planning to spend prolonged time in the sun) protect your skin from the sun when you are outside (preferably with active ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide), and choose skin care products designed for sensitive skin.
• Mature Skin — Choose your Age Management skincare routine wisely. If keeping a youthful appearance is your ultimate goal (and for most of us over 30 it is!), be careful what you use during the summer months. Alpha hydroxy acids, which many people use daily or as a special facial treatment, make your skin ultra-sensitive to the damaging effects of the sun. In other words, AHA’s will not only make you burn more easily (and you’re burning more virgin skin!), but they make you more susceptible to hyperpigmentation (sun spots) which is what you are trying to avoid or diminish by using them in the first place. If you continue to use Alpha Hydroxy Acids in the summer, apply them at night and be diligent (I’m not kidding!) about sun protection. If you don’t, you’re wasting your money and run the risk of further damaging your skin. Ditto for Retin-A users.
• Sun Protection — Sun protection has become a complicated and huge issue these days. When to apply, how much to apply, what number to apply, what spf ingredients to use, when (not if!) to reapply! Yikes! It can make you crazy. So, let me give you a few tips to demystify it:
  • Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. There is very little difference between the protection in an SPF 30 and SPF 45 or higher and it often gives people a false sense of security about reapplying. Yes, no matter what number you use you need to reapply if you are out in the sun for any length of time beyond running errands.
  • Be sure it protects for UVA as well as UVB – it has to say so on the bottle (the SPF factor only applies to UVB rays). And, two of the best ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (with no nanoparticles). In case you are wondering if it really matters, let me share with you that 80% of any discoloration or aging spots you see on your skin are a result of damage from the sun. That said…
  • Not all sun exposure is “bad!” Apply sunscreen to your face and chest every day but leave your arms free from sunscreen several times a week while you are out in the sun for 15-20 minutes. Your body needs Vitamin D, and the most natural source is the sun. In fact, the majority of people are vitamin D deficient (especially those in the northern areas where you cannot get vitamin D from the sun for at least 6 months of the year!)

I know from personal experience how a vitamin D deficiency can wreak havoc on your health. Trust me, if you have not experienced that, it’s not nice. Your body needs vitamin D and the best way to get it is naturally from the sun (and, that said, definitely take a vitamin D (preferably vitamin D2 so that no animals are harmed (and it’s just as effective as vitamin D3)).

I am super pale and here I am sitting on the beach for 15 minutes with my arms free and clear to absorb my vitamin D naturally.

• Natural is better. When it comes to sun protection, natural is better. Remember, your skin is the largest organ in your body so whatever you put on it is absorbed. Until the FDA allows even more natural sunscreen ingredients (like natural botanicals) to be marketed that way, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (non-nanoparticled) provide the best protection with the least health concerns.
• Eat your veggies. I am into health and nutrition — always have been, and I can tell you it pays off. In this case, it helps with sun protection. Say what? Yes, you heard right. Eating your veggies offers you incredible antioxidant protection inside your body (which is where all skin cancers (and other cancers, obviously) start). I’m not talking about a couple of bites of broccoli. I mean…Eat Your Veggies! Lots of them at every meal.

Although each person’s skin is different and has individualized needs, these are a few basic (very basic) guidelines to follow through the summer months. Having had acne when I was a teenager I understand the confusion out there around what to use to take good care of your skin.

Good skin care habits do make a difference in the look and health of your skin and since we look at our face very day it often directly impacts our self-esteem and self-confidence. The better care you take of your skin the happier you’ll be when you look in the mirror.

Want to learn more about good skincare? Please join me and my Co-Host, Marion, on Monday, July 18 at 8 pm for Skin Care From the Ground Up! on “Vegan and the Living Is Easy” www.blogtalkradio.com/gingerburr or call in at (347) 857-1293. We will be joined by a special guest Sally Malanga of Ecco Bella

When I work with a client in her closet invariably the discussion turns to jewelry. Does she have some? Like it? Not like it? Wear it? What kind…fine jewelry? Costume? Bridge? You get the idea.

Finally, I ask to see it. Can I tell you how many times that turns out to be a huge ordeal! At least 75% of the time her jewelry is either in a drawer in boxes, scattered in a jewelry box or in another room (in boxes, drawers or bags)!

Then, of course, I ask if she wears it. The answer is almost always…not really.

I can tell you right now that if your jewelry is strewn somewhere or neatly (or not so neatly) tucked away in boxes two things are generally true:

• It’s too much trouble to get to it to wear it.
• You probably have things you’ve forgotten about.

Thirdly, you might not love it enough to keep it handy so you can wear it. All of this could be remedied if you can create a way to display your jewelry. Several things will happen:

• You feel renewed excitement at the idea of wearing it.
• You will be able to find it easily – which is more likely to translate into you wearing it more, too.
• You will become acutely aware of what you no longer like or what doesn’t go with anything or is out of style which makes it much easier to purge.

The question then becomes, how do you display it?

Well, as you know, I spend time in lots of closets and have come across a number of women who have devised clever ways of organizing and storing their jewelry so it’s readily visible.

They are delighted to share their ideas with you:

Annie loves to take unusual containers and turn them into jewelry holders. Simply go to Bed Bath & Beyond and pick up a silverware tray and, voila, you can store your jewelry just like she does.

Amy took one shelf of in her closet to display her necklaces by attaching hooks. It was easy to see what she has and coordinate it with her clothes.

Claudyne lives in a fabulous old house that has a bit pole running through her walk-in closet. She attached plastic hooks and hangs all of her necklaces there. You can easily see what she has so getting dressed and accessorized is simple.

I also recently found this fun jewelry organizer on-line: http://www.belledangles.com/ I haven’t tried it but it looks promising. If anyone tries it I would love to hear what you think.

Lastly, I have a fabulous cabinet that doubles as a full-length mirror that I keep in my bedroom filled with all my jewels! It comes in several wood finishes, and the price has dropped since I got it so now’s your chance.

It doesn’t matter how you store your jewelry as long as you can see it and get to it easily. Like most other things when it’s out of sight it’s out of mind. Let me know what works for you!

I believe very strongly in helping women express who they are on the inside through the image and wardrobe choices they make. So, when I was asked to join 25 other amazing experts, heart-centered entrepreneurs to share valuable information to help women create greater prosperity in their life and business, how could I say no!

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I am happy to be a part of this opportunity to bring abundance and prosperity to body, mind, and spirit, (you’ll see three gifts from me on the page) and am excited about giving you the opportunity to receive all these valuable gifts.

This gift sharing event ends soon, so head on over now!

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I don’t know about you but in New England we went from winter to summer overnight. One day it was 49 degrees and drizzling and the next it was 85, sunny and humid. I hate it when that happens. There’s a whole section of my closet waiting to be worn!

Of course, wait 5 minutes and it could all change again. I keep hoping we’ll have a peek of spring sometime in the next month before we go to real true summer. But, that’s the beauty of New England…you just never know.

When the weather changes so dramatically one of two things happens:

• You’re so excited that warm weather has finally arrived that you throw caution to the wind and shed clothing with abandon.
• You were freezing one minute and now you’re hot and you stare miserably and hopelessly into your closet trying to figure out how to adapt.

So, let’s back up. While the first scenario might be more fun than the second (at least in the short term), chances are good that after a while you’ll think…Yikes…I’m feeling cooler but I’m not sure this is the best look for me. Sometimes this leads to a fun shopping session and sometimes it leads to the second scenario above!

Before you get stuck…

Let me share some tips for dressing well, comfortably, and authentically for the summer season (and for those of you who are experiencing winter right now, save this, and it will come in handy in a few more months!):

• Be prepared. While about mid-February we think spring will never come, it always does. And, often it seems to catch us by surprise. There are several reasons that being prepared makes a difference.
  • You’ll have more choices. I agree that the retail shopping schedule is nutty (it’s hard to think about buying sleeveless tops when the temperature outside is hovering around freezing, but you must). If you wait until the weather warms up and you realize you need things, it could be too late. Yes, the stores are already going into sale mode and it’s barely June!
  • It will save your sanity. If you have ever tried to put together a seasonal wardrobe when we’re in the middle of the season you know that yes, you might luck out and get everything you want (on sale even). But, more often what happens is that by the time you shop there is little left to buy…at least in your size (or so it seems). You find a great skirt but no top to go with it or you have a great pair of capris but all the good shoes in your size are gone. Not only will your sanity suffer but you’ll waste time inside agonizing over how to put together a wardrobe when you could be outside enjoying the warm weather.
  • Is your weather fickle? In New England (and maybe other places as well) you must be prepared for the possibility of either a cool summer or a brutally hot one (like last year). By the time you know for sure what the weather will be Fall clothes are in the stores so be prepared either way or you’ll be out of luck about late July if you guessed wrong!
• Dress to Express. Remember my article on never settling for just ‘good enough?’ This is a season when I see a lot of that going around. Knowing who you are and how to reflect your personality in your wardrobe whatever the season is, is super important. It’s the missing link for many women. Yes, the summer throws in monkey wrenches like sandals, capris and lightweight (a.k.a., less forgiving) fabrics, but that means it’s even more important to stay true to yourself. Please never settle for just good enough! There is always a better choice (or else leave it on the rack). Listen to your inner guidance for cues as to what really speaks to you.
• Understand Your Needs. Are you always hot…cold? Do you walk a lot so you need super comfortable sandals? Do you have to crawl around on the floor (with children, as an IT specialist or organizing guru), or do you run board meetings and have high-powered lunches? What about leisure time, vacation, and dressy summer events? When you are in the dressing room, be sure to ask yourself, “When will I wear this?” and “How will I complete this outfit?” The last thing you want to do is get home and realize that you bought some fun things but you still have a lot of wardrobe loose ends!
• Have a Back-Up Plan. If your favorite designer has gone crazy and shows everything in chartreuse or only cap sleeved, flimsy T-shirts with cargo shorts, you want to be sure you know where to turn next. Having 2, 3 or 4 stores where you like to shop can make a frustrating shopping trip more productive and fun. You just leave and head to another store.
• A love affair with linen. One of the first questions I ask clients at this time of year is…do you love linen or hate it. No one is neutral on this! If you love it great, but you might want other alternatives for those days when linen doesn’t feel right (you’re not in the mood for the rumpled look) or you just want a change. This season has been great for that.

There are lots of pretty jackets and sweaters with a loose weave that let you stay cool but still feel covered, pulled-together, or professional (or whatever your reason is for wearing another layer). Here is a pretty example:

Or, a short-sleeved jacket can be a good alternative (be careful, though, this look can get frumpy in a heartbeat):

I’m sharing this now because there is still time to create a fabulous wardrobe for the summer. Hey, it’s a beautiful season when we don’t have to be all bundled up and wearing our snow boots. You want to spend as much time as possible enjoying the experience and not dreading getting dressed every day. Take a few minutes to plan your wardrobe now and then you can relax and enjoy the rest of the season with delicious abandon!

I’m not sure I’ve ever met a busier or more diversified vegan than Susan Daffron! Want to know how to write a book (hopefully a vegan one!), then Susan is the expert for you. Or, perhaps you want to know more about adopting a dog or cat from a shelter, Susan can help you there, too. On May 30 at 8 pm (eastern), I will talk to Susan about all her many talents and sharing lots of valuable information with you.

Susan Daffron aka The Book Consultant (http://www.TheBookConsultant.com) is the president of Logical Expressions, Inc. a book and software publishing company based in Sandpoint, Idaho. She is the award-winning author of 12 books (10 of which she published) and a contributor to 4 other books. The first book she published was Vegan Success: Scrumptious Healthy Vegan Recipes for Busy People (http://www.VeganSuccess.com).

Susan is also the President and Founder of the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals (http://www.NAPRP.com), an association that offers tools and information to help people working in humane organizations save more companion animal lives.

Susan spends most of her time writing, laying out books in InDesign, or taking her five dogs out for romps in the forest. She also teaches people how to write and publish profitable client-attracting books and puts on the Self-Publishers Online conference (http://www.SelfPublishersOnlineConference.com) every May.

Please join me and my Co-Host, Marion, on Monday, May 30 at 8 pm for “Vegan and the Living Is Easy” www.blogtalkradio.com/gingerburr or call in at (347) 857-1293.

At first, as I walked around a department store with a client, we were not finding her colors very easily.  This was back at the beginning of the spring shopping season when everything seemed to be beige!

After about 15 or 20 minutes she turned to me and said, “I would have left the store by now and gone home empty handed and frustrated.”

I told her to have heart, take a deep breath and relax.  We would find what we wanted.  Sure enough, at the end of our shopping time she had the two outfits (plus a few extras!) we had been looking for so she could feel absolutely confident making a presentation the following week.  The colors were perfect, the styles suited her personality and they were appropriate for being in front of her staff and colleagues.

Sure, shopping successfully takes understanding certain guidelines, fashion rules, and of course, personal styling tools.  It also requires a certain amount of persistence and a positive attitude (which, I know, many of you have lost over the years).

It’s important to know when the store just isn’t doing it for you and when you need to focus and dig a little deeper.

Since we are in the middle of the shopping season, I wanted to give you all a boost of confidence to help you navigate a shopping experience with grace and feel productive at the same time.

How to Shop Successfully:

The next time you head out to the store of your choice, keep these tips in mind:

• When you go to a department store, go with a purpose and find the specific department that fits your needs.  (Try to refrain from getting distracted.)  If that still feels overwhelming, ask for help or shop in a smaller store.
• Set an intention. Go in with the intention that you will find everything you want joyfully and effortlessly (if you go in as if you are waging a war you will exhaust yourself and sure enough the going will be tough – just as you expected!)  To counteract this, create a positive affirmation before you even start.
• Look for your best colors ONLY – make this the first thing you look for once you find the department you are shopping in.
• Shop for one thing at a time, e.g., jeans, suit, outfit for a specific event, etc.  Keep it simple and you are much more likely to feel happy with the outcome.
• Shop only when you are relaxed and happy. Skip this one at your own risk.  I have seen women shopping when they are harried, not feeling well or down in the dumps, and it is rarely a pretty picture (at least for someone who generally dislikes shopping (for those of you for whom shopping is retail therapy, that’s a different story – it is more likely to give you a boost)).

Be sure to avoid:

• Wandering aimlessly around the store. Have a purpose and goal in mind and stick to it.
• No multi-tasking. Trying to focus on 3 or 4+ items at once will put your mind and psyche on overload.  Of course, if you have immediate success with your original objective and you have the desire and energy to keep going then, by all means, keep shopping.
• Run from pushy sales women. There are two types of saleswomen you want to avoid: 1.  Saleswomen who insist that they know better than you do about what you should buy.  Even if something does look good, if it is not your personality or you just plain don’t like it, it will just sit in your closet unworn.   (Note: This does not mean you shouldn’t try new things, but sometimes the sales women are way off base.  If you have your words (from the inner beauty work we’ve done together or through the home study program, this will help to keep you on track).) 2. Saleswomen with frenetic energy.  Both will exhaust and overwhelm you – and you are sure to buy things you don’t like!

If you have your Nurturing Beauty Shopping Guide from “Who Taught You How To Dress?” be sure that is in your handbag at all times.  It will help keep you on track and make good selections.

If you have been procrastinating about getting your spring shopping done, print out this article and take it with you.  Keep your chin up, plan on success and most of all, have fun!

(Note: If are still not having any success or you find yourself procrastinating endlessly, I am happy to help.  Take a minute to fill out the “I Need Help” form on my website (http://www.totalimageconsultants.com/i-need-help.shtml) and let’s set up a time to talk.  Let’s see if we can find a way for you to create a wardrobe you love and feel great dressing every single day!)