HOW TO MEASURE FOR THE RIGHT BRA SIZE

HOW TO MEASURE FOR THE RIGHT SIZE BRA

1. WHILE WEARING YOUR BEST-FITTING, NON-MINIMIZER BRA, MEASURE YOUR RIB CAGE UNDER YOUR BREASTS. THEN ADD 3 INCHES TO THIS FIGURE. THE TOTAL IS YOUR OR BAND SIZE (IF THE TOTAL IS AN ODD NUMBER LIKE 41, GO TO THE HIGHEST EVEN NUMBER—IN THIS CASE 42) ANOTHER WAY TO MEASURE FOR BAND SIZE IS ABOVE THE BUST, DIRECTLY UNDER THE ARMS. COMPARE THESE TWO NUMBERS; IF THEY ARE THEY ARE DIFFERENT, USE THE LARGER NUMBER
2. TO DETERMINE CUP SIZE, MEASURE GENTLY ACROSS THE FULLEST PART OF YOUR BUST-LINE. IF THIS MEASUREMENT IS 1 INCH MORE THAN YOUR BAND SIZE YOUR CUP SIZE IS AN “A”, 2 INCHES IS A “B” AND SO ON SO ON.

A PROPERLY FITTED BRA RESTS FLAT AGAINST THE BREASTBONE. IF NOT, TRY A LARGER CUP SIZE.

How To Shop The Sales

How to Shop the Sales

1 .Know what’s really a bargain, an item of clothing has great price only if you will wear it. Write down what holes you’re trying to fill before you hit the sales. Think about how an item will fit in your look next season.

2. Find your PAUSE button – stop before the checkout counter and divide your would-be sales and make two piles. DON’T compromise on cut or color. Ask yourself “Am I really gonna have this tailored? Is this a color I like to wear?”

3. Time it right—most department stores markdown merchandise 6 to 8 weeks after it hits the sales floor. The deepest discounts begin the week after Christmas. Memorial Day signals the start if the spring clearances.

4. Understand the policy if you are the type like me who hates to try clothing on you just need to take something home before deciding whether it is worth keeping. Make sure you can take it back Make sure you fully understand the policy, most clearance sales are final sales. I would hate for you to get home and find out that you don’t want to keep something you bought and then you read that it was a final sale.

Fave Fashion Magazines

1. People Style Watch
2. Lucky
3. Essence
4. Vibe
5. Instyle

Instyle also has great books as well, to get your style right for every occasion. Their books are my favorites.

People style watch is very new and I'm sure will be around for a long time. They offer style and trend advice that you can really use. They show you celebrity looks and actually recreate the look at an affordable price and unlike the other magazines that show you the $500 version of a $3000 jacket they show you the $89.99 version. So the magazine is real life style ideas and in today's economy we can all afford to save some money.

Essence is great for style inspiration and also they give style advice for the sistas that are a size 8-10; 12- 14; 16+ . Those are key sizes that many magazines leave out because I guess they think that woman doesn't it exist but anyhow we do exist and they cater to us. Not to mention essence always has very good articles about health, Business ownership and relationships all catering to women of color.

Top 10 Fall 08 Knit Trends

Top 10 Fall 08 Knit Trends

“completers”-- Sweater Jackets, Blazers, Motorcycle Jackets, Cardigans
Vests
Saturated Colors including Plums, and Greens
Grays Continue
Less Embellishments
Prints
Large-Gauge textures, including Waffles and Cables
Cocoon, Oval and Boxy-shaped Coats
Novelty Pieces Over Basics
Knitted Accessories to Complete Lines

How To Plan Your Wardrobe

According to INSTYLE magazine’s STYLE 101 book by Kathleen Fifield. Here are her steps to plan your wardrobe. She gives invaluable information that will help you for each season but every year for the rest of your life.
How to Plan Your Wardrobe

Step 1: Create an Inspirational Board. Make a habit of ripping out pictures from the magazines with looks you want to buy or imitate. Tack onto a bulletin board and see if any MUST- HAVES emerge.

Step 2: Edit your wardrobe before you step foot in a store, force yourself to try on your threads from last season, to see what still fits and looks current. Separate out clothes that could work if given alterations or slight repairs.

Step 3: Do some styling pull out your best pieces and assess what you’re missing. Do you need a print chiffon blouse to break up a sea of solids? Are you missing basic black pants? Could a wide belt complete an outfit?

Step 4: Make a wish list write down what you need and, in a separate column, what you want. Keep your list with you to avoid impulse splurges, and shop for the key items before you add in the fun stuff.

This is very good book It truly is a guide for the Fabulous life. It gives step by step guides on everything from choosing a wardrobe to decorating your house to throwing a party to guides on hair and make-up. It the best book 2008. I purchased the book at the Virgin Mega Store for $13.99 you pick it in most places where books and magazines are sold.

Tips For Wearing a Pencil Skirt at Any Size

First let me say you do not have to be skinny to wear a PENCIL SKIRT. You can be any size and wear one. Now how you wear it will determine whether it looks good or not. If you want to wear a pencil skirt and you have larger hips and you want to hide them instead of celebrate them always go for the classic banded waist pencil in black. Never and I do mean never do a band-less waist side zip. Most of those with either the band-less waist or the side zip usually have pleats and pleats are the Devil in your case. They make your hips look way bigger and protrude even more. Also to balance out the slim look of the skirt and hide a not so attractive mid-section wear a top with lots of volume. Such as, a blouson top or any type of frilly-flirty top that will add volume to your silhouette this is always a good look for something casual or a night out with your girlfriends. If you want a more sophisticated look wear the skirt with a button down shirt and tucked in and a blazer that can worn buttoned or unbuttoned. This provides you with a much crispier silhouette. These skirts can go with Boots or Pumps; Heels or Flats. They are so versatile they can be serious or flirty the looks never end with the different ways you can wear one type of skirt. Pencil skirts are most definitely a classic so don’t be afraid to splurge on a nice its not like they are going out of style. Remember these tips the next time you go shopping. Here are some examples:

Soho Babe Jeans

Soho Babe or Soho Jeans is a company I believe sells the best jeans. I have started a Jeans Revolution. Their jeans are SOOOOO stretchy and give a fit so flattering every single time I put them on. Every time I see them (in my size of course) I buy them. They are made with 96% Cotton and 4% Spandex so that they can stretch over all of your curves. My favorite is the skinny fit, for my figure it’s the most flattering. You don’t have to be skinny to wear the skinny fit. I repeat YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE SKINNY TO WEAR THE SKINNY FIT. I don’t care what the magazines say they only cater to skinny women anyway, as an image consultant I’m telling you that you can wear them even if you aren’t a size 2. The price is inexpensive but the quality is exceptional. Have you ever bought a pair of jeans and loved them and wore them all the time and then suddenly the part in between your thighs starts to wear thin and gets a hole in it from the friction from your thighs rubbing together. I know someone can feel me on that. Well not with these jeans the quality of the denim is so great that they stay the same after many wears and washes. They fit way better than some of the more expensive brands I own even the ones made for people with a small waist and bigger bottom. The worst fit is Apple Bottoms. They once had a great fit, one comparable to Soho Babe and but they became too “mainstream” and began serving a customer unlike their original customer and the jeans haven’t been the same since. But back to Soho Babe Jeans I just bought 2 new pairs in the last week and they are great. You can purchase them at Dr. Jays and Jimmy Jazz locations. Check them out, If you have seen them sold somewhere else let me know. They are available in sizes 1-15 junior sizes.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2008

Well all I can say about the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection at this years Mercedes Benz fashion week is I am honestly disappointed. I know that he is normally over the top and daring but this season he has gone too far. Usually his stuff is fun and people with style and flair really enjoy what hes offering and it still looks like something you might wear, but this is just plain out there. I applaud him for being daring but he couldve backed off and made some cloting people will actually wear. I found the collection to be all over the place and impractical. There were a few pieces I did like and but overall I was disappointed. Better luck next season.
HERE ARE A FEW ITEMS I DID LIKE:

BCBG Fall 2008 RTW show

Well I have many thoughts about the BCBG Max Azria show that took place this past weekend. Well to start off let me just say I really like the styles of the clothes that went down the runway. I can really see myself wearing those clothes to the office everyday. The one thing I didn't like was the fact that they did not use much color. People are already sad when the Fall comes and then to make it more depressing they have collections with no colors. The colors that were used were brown, bronze, grey, winter white, black. The collection could be called a North eastern collection those are the only colors you see here in NYC. When are we going to start adding colors to our clothes and stop looking like we are going to a funeral everyday. Also they used a lot of Ruffled collars and neck lines and they were just too over done at times I was really disappointed with that, but all in all good collection, i will definitely getting a few pieces this fall.

Here are a few of the pieces that came down the runway at BCBG Max Azria

BE A STYLE STAR

Do you have trouble deciding what to wear or never know what the hottest new trends are for the upcoming seasons. Why not get a PERSONALIZED STYLE GUIDE for your specific body type, budget and even personality. The style guide is the best way to ensure you look your best everyday. I will be able to tell you what looks best on you and bring out that STYLE STAR FASHIONISTA in you. Even if you think you have your style in control the book can help you to keep up with current trends and buying guides that fit your budgets and also how to get the best value out of the items you purchase. I give a shopping guide and will even go shopping with you if you live in NYC or DC metro area. If you are ready to look your best everyday and get that self confidence back. EMAIL ME I can help you I am a trained professional with insider advantages to the fashion industry. EMAIL ME TODAY for pricing. Be the envy of all your friends.


My Email:
maya.langham@gmail.com

Shoe Statement: Manolo Blahnik, Sergio Rossi, Marc Jacobs and more on YOOX.COM

Brand New HYPE

OMG does anyone else love HYPE handbags as much as I do. I have become completely obsessed with them. The leather they use is so soft and supple and the bags are very affordable for the quality of the leather they use. If you are a broke college student like me you really appreciate getting quality items for a good price. The average retail price for the bags is around $250 dollars and most often than not you can catch them on sale on a number of online sites for half the price or somewhere close to half. The bags are very fashionable with classic elements so you won’t want to throw the bag out when that handbag style is not popular. They offer a wide variety of styles and colors that fit into any Fashionista’s wardrobe no matter her personal style. These bags have even been gaining popularity amongst celebrities and their inner circles. So if you are in the market for some fresh new bags you should check out hype handbags. If you want a complete listing of online stores that sell the bags leave a comment and or feel free to email me and I will email you a copy of the list.

DRESSES MAKIN A COMEBACK

It’s no secret that dresses have made a comeback. From the longest of maxi dresses to the shortest of mini dresses and even those in between. Style is becoming more feminine by the day. A few of my favorites from the new Spring 2008 runway shows that premiered during Fashion week in September of 2007 are from the Baby Phat, DVF, BCBG and Dsquared. There are many advantages to wearing a dress like you don’t have to worry about which pants to wear with them, you can throw on heels or flats, boots or pumps. I am a boots girl so I wear them with almost everything. Also with dresses if you need to quickly get dressed for work without a lot of thought and look good effortlessly. Put on a dress and your favorite shoes and if you are uncomfortable with your midsection or legs then put on a pair of SPANX it will stop all jiggle. I love SPANX; you will lose a few inches instantly off your waist line. Here are some examples of the Dresses that hit the runway in September that will be hitting the streets soon.

Fashionista of the Month

RIHANNA !!!!!! IS THE FASHIONISTA OF MONTH. SHE HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY ON POINT WITH HER FASHION CHOICES AND HAS HAD WOMEN RUSHING TO THE SALON WITH HER PICTURE SAYING GIVE ME THIS HAIR CUT. SHE IS A TRUE STYLE STAR EVEN OTHER CELEBRITIES HAVE SWAGGA JACKED HER LOOK. HERES TO RIHANNA AND HER STYLIST FOR SHOWING US ALL A NEW TAKE ON STYLE.