I found this great tip for cleaning patent leather in the September issue of Lucky magazine.

You’ll need: A couple of cotton pads and a bottle of standard-issue nail polish remover.

How it’s done: Immediately after wear, just spot-clean surface stains by lightly rubbing with a cotton pad doused in nail polish remover.  Air-dry for about five minutes, then store the item in a cool place.  NB: Patent easily absorbs colors from other leather pieces, so wrap bags in tissue paper and keep shoes in their own box.

I love it when I find great cleaning tips that are so easy, simple, and inexpensive!

I am in love with the big leather tote bags that are popping up everywhere this season from high end designers to bargain stores. Of course, the ones I like the best are from designers like YSL and Michael Kors, but unfortunately those aren’t quite in my budget right now.

However, I have found a great equivalent from Banana Republic for only $248…now that is much more doable! Here’s the link…

http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=37456&pid=513236&scid=513236022

They are showing a peacock green color in their ad campaign, but I can’t seem to find it online. I also love this black patent leather snake skin bag though. It’s a great size and I love the chain detail. I think I just might have to go get one!

I was recently asked to respond to a question on the Squeeze OC blog from a petite, busty woman who wanted to know what styles were right for her. If this is you, I’ve copied and pasted the question and my response below.  I’ve also included the link in case you’d like to check out the actual blog.

http://fashionfix.freedomblogging.com/2007/09/07/qa-a-style-dilemma-of-petite-proportions/

Fashion Fix recently received this style question via e-mail from reader, Connie, a petite woman in her 60s:

Question: “I am 62, 5′1″, 130 lbs., 36DD, with (a) thick waist, stomach, and midriff. What style of clothes would look best on me? I usually dress casual. I need to exercise, but will not. Just want to cover these areas the best I can…”

Fashion Fix turned to local image stylist Erin Stafford for her style advice for Connie, and other petite women like her.

Answer: “Since you are petite, it is essential that your clothes do not overwhelm you. With a large bust and prominent tummy, many women think that they need to hide in voluminous tops and dresses. This only makes you look bigger…”

“Look for clothes that are made from soft, supple fabrics that drape nicely over your curves. Stay away from stiff or thick fabrics, as they will make you look boxy.

You want to find clothes that skim, not stick, to your body. Stay away from added detail on top such as patch pockets, epaulets, double-breasted jackets or tops, bulky buttons, etc. These details will only add bulk up top… You can add the detail below your waist.

You sound like you have the typical oval body type, which means that you probably have great legs. Don’t be afraid to wear dresses that drape over your curves and end just below the knee, perhaps with some hem detail. This will bring the attention to your great legs.

Monochromatic looks help create a longer, leaner silhouette. You can also try wearing darker colors on top and lighter colors on bottom to help visually reduce the size of your top half.

In general, clean, simple lines and silhouettes will work best on you.”

I’m happy that the rise in pants is getting higher, as I’ve seen the tops of enough women’s underwear to last me a lifetime. The low rise, ultra low rise, and super duper low rise pants were just getting out of control. I mean, who really wants their bum hanging out every time they sit down? And who wants to see that unsightly view?

Although the rise is getting higher, I think it’s important not to get too extreme. The new trend of really high waisted pants is not for everyone. If you are 8 feet tall and 100 pounds, by all means, embrace the trend. But if you have any more meat on your bones than an anorexic model, you need to evaluate this trend carefully.

Women with hourglass silhouettes will usually look good in this style of pants. They have well defined waists, which the higher rise will emphasize nicely.

Inverted triangle body types could also wear this trend well. Their bodies are normally broadest through the shoulders and chest, with small hips and thighs. Therefore, the high waist helps to accentuate their natural V shape.

Although women with triangle silhouettes have small waists, this trend will accentuate their waist too much, making their hips and thighs look much larger…and who wants that? Find pants that have a slightly higher rise than normal, accentuate the waist, but make sure to wear a more voluminous top for overall balance.

Depending on your particular size and proportions, a rectangle body type could look good in this trend. It may help create the illusion of a more defined waist. Give it a try in the dressing room and see if it works for you. Don’t force it though. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. Embrace another trend.

Oval and diamond silhouettes should steer clear of this trend. You cannot create a waist where there is none. Embrace the beautiful colors and floaty dresses that are everywhere right now. They will look great on you!

Do you find yourself thumbing through People magazine in the check out line for a quick look at what the celebrities are wearing? Or scanning the latest fashion magazines to see what designers are promoting this season? Or looking at the mannequins in the big department stores all in an effort to figure out what’s “in” this season?

Although you may discover what’s “in,” you won’t necessarily know if it’s a style that will look good on you or how to make it work with the rest of the clothes in your closet. Without the help of myself, or another professional image consultant, it is difficult to make sense of the ever changing trends and how to make them your own.

Luckily, the ever innovative and style savvy veteran image consultant, Brenda Kinsel, has started a new series of ebooks to help you understand the current season’s trends and how to make them work specifically for you. Available on her website (http://www.brendakinsel.com/books_brenda_book_01.html) for $34.95, along with her 5 other full length books, How to Look Great This Season is a must read for every woman who wants to look on trend, but age and body type appropriate.

Keep your eye out next season, and every season thereafter for the updated edition. These are easy to download and can be read as soon as you purchase them. There is no going to the book store and no time wasted waiting for the book to arrive in the mail.

If you haven’t read any of Brenda’s other books, this is a great place to start. I guarantee you’ll be ordering her other books after reading this one. Her fun writing style and over 20 years of experience make it easy, effective, fun, and powerful reading.

Enjoy looking your best today!

If you are a woman working in the corporate world, you have probably pondered the question of what business casual actually means.  Here, according to Judith Rasband’s Style Scale is a pretty easy definition for you to keep in mind.

The Softly Tailored Level of Dress
Key Element = The Jacket

Predominantly tailored design elements, mixed and softened with some untailored design elements.  It’s the mix, or combination, of design elements from different levels that creates the message appropriate for business casual.

Messages - Accessible, influential, capable, receptive, less formal, consistent, dependable.

Examples - Unmatched skirt and jacket with shirt or blouse; unmatched dress and jacket or blazer; unmatched slacks and jacket with shirt or blouse; shirt dress.

Casual Tailored Level of Dress
Key Element = A Collar

Messages - Approachable, influential, flexible, cooperative, informal, conscientious, relaxed.

Examples - Skirt and shirt with collar, with sweater or vest; pants and shirt with collar with sweater or vest; skirt and shirt with collar or polo shirt; pants and shirt with collar or polo shirt or turtleneck; knit dress; float dress or jumper.

Here are a few great items that every woman needs in her arsenal of quick fixes.  Starting your fashion fix survival kit is key.  These products can serve as the beginning and you can add to it as you see fit.  Make sure you bring these save the day items along with you on any trip…as you never know what might happen!

Static Solution - Avoid irksome static on tights and skirts with this nifty static solution spritzer.  ($5, thelaundress.com)

Quick Cleanup - The professional stain removal kit from Madame Paulette contains wipes that target various types of stain emergencies. ($50/5, madamepaulette.com)

Button Up- No See’ems are ultra-strong adhesive fasteners that keep buttoned shirts from gaping. ($13, bugcatcherz.com)

Hold It - The Strapper is a handy tool that can convert a regular bra into a racer-back. ($6, thestrapper.com)

High Steppin’ - Hue’s Gelz purse pack has three styles of shoe gel pads to absorb impact and prevent chafing. ($15, at Bloomingdale’s)

No More Blisters - This ingenious and invisible Blister Block roll on reduces friction to prevent blisters.  Ideal for the first day you wear your new shoes. ($7, drugstore.com)

Hide and Sleek - Extra low-cut Kushy foot socks have a massaging sole and are perfect with toe revealing flats or vampy heels. ($9/3, kushyfoot.com)

**Taken from an article in the September In Style Magazine