APROPROS

I used to think it was okay to be overdressed at an event. I stand corrected. I recently witnessed one highly overdressed woman in a sea of basic black and boring neutrals, but instead of standing out in a good way, it was downright embarrassing. Maybe it was just the dress, or perhaps it was the way she carried herself in it, but it made the term "dress appropriately" seem like sage fashion advice.

SUMMER LOVIN'

You may think red lips are best saved for the holidays or special occasions but think again. Red lips in the summer, paired with bronzed skin and very little eye makeup (mascara only) takes red from too polished to perfectly fresh. Stila's Long Wear Lip in "Lover"is the ideal red and texture for the summer season.
www.stilacosmetics.com

BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

Seriously, I think I may be going blind...in yoga class. It's supposed to be relaxing, soul searching, centering. It's not. Just as I'm finding serious equanimity in my pigeon pose I'm blinded by tiny reflectors on every woman's butt, back, sleeve, ankle.  They're small but powerful. I'm pretty sure Lance Armstrong could wear them at night and not get hit by a car. They are the annoying logo of Lululemon, a workout clothing line, which I'm told wears like iron, costs a fortune and is admittedly stylish, but maybe they're best for runners and outdoor athletes. I currently just wear Target's Champion line. It's cheaper, sort of cute (how cute can yoga wear really be anyway?) and won't distract my fellow yogi. OM.
www.target.com

EASY ON THE EYES

You honestly don't have to be Angelina to get this look, nor do you have to hire a makeup artist to apply it. Stila created a waterproof liquid liner that glides on so easily, won't smudge or run, is carbon black (that's seriously black) and stays put all day. Whether you're a makeup junkie or a total novice, achieving this look will be a snap.
www.stilacosmetics.com

JUMP IN

H&M Jumpsuit

I couldn't help myself. I know this is one of those outfits men will think is ridiculous and women will love, but who are we dressing for anyway? Ourselves!! It comes in black and navy (I got the navy) and will be my
go-to outfit when the weather warms up.
www.hm.com

LIKE MOTHER NOT LIKE DAUGHTER

I love makeup. I care what clothes I wear. I can obsess over a pair of shoes or a perfectly tailored jacket. This is me. It is not necessarily my daughter. While my daughter shows signs of all these interests I fret that maybe it is my influence that has her crazy for paper fashion dolls and not her own. When she tries to put on my makeup or stares at herself in the mirror muttering about the color of her hair I want to remove all mirrors (and Disney books) and give her the "you're beautiful just the way you are" speech. But then I feel like a hypocrite. How can I powder, spray, wax, peel, update my wardrobe, etc but tell her to be happy as is? My only solution is to model sane behavior. (No, that doesn't mean wearing sweatpants every day and forgoing makeup.. that would be completely insane) Instead, I will wear makeup and smile at myself in the mirror instead of asking myself, "Why did I bother?". If I step on the scale and it goes up I will exclaim, "Yes! I'm growing!" And when the grey hairs start coming in I will marvel at their shiny-ness...instant highlights! Maybe if she sees the fun in the non glam moments as much as the glamorous ones the kid'll be alright.

UP UP UP

I did it. I bit the bullet and got my first pair of high rise pants. Yes they're still skinny but it's a step in the right direction. And I have to say, as noted by a friend, it's pretty nice to bend over and not have everyone on the planet know the color of my underwear...or lack thereof.
www.gap.com

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

Contrary to my earlier dieting posts, my new year's resolutions are actually to eat more ice cream. And start drinking. (I've had this one several years in a row and it still hasn't stuck. Maybe this is the year) I'm not kidding. Being controlled is overrated and so is fitting into a size 0. No one cares. So if eating ice cream makes you happy and nicer to be around, then do it. If taking time for yourself makes you happy, do it. If getting dressed in outrageous outfits (or really simple ones) makes you happy, DO IT. Nothing's sparklier than a happy, content woman. Nothing.

ON A HIGH

It may not happen today or next week but it will happen. Eventually low waisted, skinny jeans/jeggings/pants are going to seem out of date and what will replace them are fuller pants, longer, and most notably, high waisted. (I love these because they aren't quite as full as the other styles that will be hitting runways...easier on shorter/petite girls.) It'll be time to start tucking in again, using your belts and getting back that hourglass shape you've been hiding the past several years. 

www.urbanoutfitters.com