Weddington Way NYE Wedding Challenge

Working as a stylist I have helped many brides, bridesmaids, and mothers-of-the-bride dress for that special day. I love discovering wedding fashion design companies that come up with trendy, attractive and affordable styles for this very special occasion. That's why I was thrilled when Weddington Way contacted me and challenged me to come up with a style board for a NYE wedding. How fun is THAT?
 
In my experience working with wedding parties, a bridesmaid wants to create a fun, joyous event for the bride. However the bridesmaid also wants to show her personality, be comfortable, and most importantly, feel confident in her bridesmaid attire. I chose Weddington Way's Veronica Tuxedo Gray dress for this challenge. It creates the perfect canvas for a glammed up look with pink accessories galore! I think NYE calls for pink champagne and all the trimmings! Take a look at other bridesmaids dresses from Weddington Way here.

1. This simple, pocketed bridesmaid dress in gray is a fantastic backdrop for glamorous accessories. Plus your girls can style it and wear it again and again. Weddington Way Veronica Bridesmaid Dress, $129.
2. 246 Ct. Heart Shape Pink Mystic Topaz Sterling Silver Pendant with 18" Chain, $25.eBay
3. Splurge on these Bavna Sterling Silver Earrings with Ruby Composition, $1,000, Bluefly.
4. Boohoo Darcie Woven Cape Jacket, $40, Boohoo. 
5. PIECES Pearl Bracelet, $12, Pieces.
6. Benjamin Adams Lawrence Ivory Wedding Shoes, $185, BridalShoes.

Dress Like You Mean Business So You GET More Business in 2015

FOR THE BUSINESS WOMAN WHO IS READY TO STEP UP AND STAND OUT!

I talk to so many women who don't like the way they look in clothes so they give up and make do with the sad clothes in their closet. They end up looking old-fashioned or frumpy which does not attract new clients. If this sounds like you, it's time to release all self-doubts about your age and appearance and make up your own fashion rules that express ALL OF YOU!

Many of today's business woman over fifty are gutsy, sexy, and personality plus! Their style expression is completely personal and effortless. They've given themselves permission to dress their own way, and they're not a slave to fashion trends (unless they work!).

Ladies, it's time to GET IT RIGHT! You can't afford to make the wrong first impression, and you certainly can't afford to make costly mistakes with your time, energy, or money. Here are four tips to step up your style and stand out!

4 STYLE TIPS TO STEP UP AND STAND OUT:

 
Tip 1 - Clean out your closet at least once a year and get rid of the following clothes:
 

1. Business suits - if your business requires a conservative appearance, break up the suit into separates and add a gorgeous scarf or brooch. For example, pair the blazer with wide-leg or skinny pants in a complementary color. Pair the trousers with a moto jacket or belted cardigan.
2. Elastic-waisted pants that make even the skinniest women look big.
3. Long, A-line skirts - if you're saving them because you think they'll be back in style some day, forget about it.
4. Bulky, cable-knit sweaters - these will only add weight to your body and increase your frump-factor faster than anything else. Do not wear sweaters with appliques especially around the holiday!
5. Frumpy-looking shoes - you know what I'm talking about, the clunky, heavy-heeled shoes that you know are NOT sexy or flattering but they're really comfy.

Tip 2 - Build your wardrobe around simple, classic styles that flatter your figure, and add interesting and unifying pops of color, texture, and pattern:

1. In the photo above left, Anna Wintour is keeping her dress and coat silhouette simple and classic, letting the pattern express her story.
2. Susan Street, photo above right, is wearing three classic pieces with an updated spin. Her accessories pull the outfit together in a sophisticated way.
3. Look successful. Let's face it, we're drawn to people who look successful! Spend money on well-tailored blouses and blazers, luxe fabrics, fabulous colors, trendy accessories, comfortable and fashionable shoes. You'll get more "cost per wear" from classic pieces.

Tip 3 - Create a business uniform that represents your personal brand:

1. Creating a business uniform reduces the stress factor of shopping or getting dressed for last-minute client meetings. Build a uniform of core staples in your neutrals with pops of color. Your business uniform should align your inside and outside, feel comfortable, express your personality, and fit your body shape properly.
2. Have your "wardrobe essentials" on hand, cleaned and pressed. Pieces such as camisoles, dark jeans, blazers, button-down blouses (I love to pop the collar and scrunch the sleeves!), slacks (my current favs are cigarette-length pants), cashmere sweater, dressy boots, dressy coat, and accessories.
3. Do you know what color palette best represents your personal brand? An easy way to create a uniform is around a color palette because your wardrobe will easily mix-and-match. Buy colors that match your eye color, skin tone, and hair color. If you've let your gray shine through, you can wear cool, rich tones in blues, violets, and intense or muted pinks to add personality. If your skin tone is warm, colors like orange-red, plum, bronze and gold add richness to your uniform.

Tip 4 - Know what works with your body shape and what flatters your figure:

1. First, determine your natural body silhouette created by your shoulders, waist, and hips: hourglass, inverted triangle, triangle, rectangle, or apple shaped.
2. Know your proportions and dress accordingly using garments to balance and elongate your body. For example, a beautifully pear-shaped woman has a well-defined waist and full hips -- I adore this sexy silhouette! Since your lower half is larger than your top half, the key is to wear clothes that create balance and proportion by drawing the eye upward and wearing brighter colors and more embellishments on top. The length of your tops should always hit your hipbone. Accent your small waist with a belt or empire-waist dress. Emphasize your shoulders with a boat neck or cowl collar. De-emphasize your hips with wide or bootleg pants, A-line skirts and dresses that flow gently away from your bottom half. If you can wear heels, the height will elongate your leg line. If heels aren't an option, wear shoes or boots that match the color of your pants or skirt to create a long, lean look.

I'd love to hear from YOU: Do you have any 2015 style resolutions you'd like to share? What are you going to do next year to Step Up and Stand Out?

How Confident Are You?

This week's topic is about CONFIDENCE. Why is confidence important?

Take this short quiz and rate your confidence level

Confidence is one of your most important assets (and sometimes the most fleeting). It is more important than what you know or even how much experience you have. You've heard the term, "Fake it til you make it?" This phrase is a mindset of positive belief that promotes confidence. The "fake it" part is the awareness that you may not know everything about a particular job or task before taking it on. For example, you may have to walk into a room at a networking event and make a good first impression with strangers. The "make it" part is a mindset of success. So, even if you have fear or internal self-doubts, you have the belief that you can face anything and be successful. 

Every job I ever got was a "fake it til you make it" moment during the interview. I had to show my prospective boss that I believed in my ability to do the job. I mean, who knows everything about a job before you accept it? If I had shown any self-doubts about my ability to do the job it would have been a confidence killer and probably an interview killer.

For many women, confidence has everything to do with how you feel about your appearance. You may be ready to do more meaningful work in your career, but you have self-doubt because you know you'll need to get out and sell yourself. You'll need to make a good first impression so you have to get your image right! The negative self-talk chips away at your confidence, causing you to not believe in yourself, avoid taking risks, and look to others' opinions instead of trusting your gut. This lack of confidence may stop you from taking the necessary steps to start a more meaningful career or leave an unhealthy relationship.

Confidence gives you the strength to trust your gut
and follow your passion!

How confident are you when it comes to creating your own signature look? 

Are you confident enough to follow your own voice?

Take this short quiz and rate your confidence level

Fashion Tips for a "Less Than Perfect" Neck

I'm a HUGE Nora Ephron fan ("When Harry Met Sally") so when her book, "I Feel Bad About My Neck" came out, of course I belly-laughed my way through it. I highly recommend this book if you missed it. However, for many of my clients, necks are no laughing matter. Almost every client over fifty says to me, "I hate my neck" during our style consultation. I've heard women describe their necks as "chicken neck," "blotchy neck," wrinkled neck," and "turkey neck." YIKES! My response is always the same. I say to her, "Oh, you have a lovely neck. Here, wrap this scarf around your neck. Look how beautiful that looks..."

If you think you have an imperfect neck (who doesn't?) you can use one of these 5 style techniques to help you get over feeling badly about your neck. I call these techniques "The Art of Distraction," which is using clothing and accessories to draw attention away from your flaws and towards your assets:

Style Tip #1 
The most obvious solution to disguise your neck is to wrap a SCARF around your neck. Pictured below is a simply polished woman from Advanced Style. To the right, Judi Kadden looking lovely in a green scarf!

Style Tip #2 
Wear a collared blouse and pull the collar up, ala Diane Sawyer. Add a multi-strand necklace and you're all set! Here is Diane Sawyer looking lovely in her classic, crisp white blouse, and Susan Peters (Stylist Over 50 from Pinterest).

Style Tip #3
Layer, layer, layer! Layering a blouse under a sweater, or a light turtleneck under a sweater, adds interesting texture and "distraction" effect. Pictured below is a confident woman in black layers from AdvancedStyle and a more conservative, casual layered look.

Style Tip #4 
Another obvious style choice is a turtleneck sweater or a coat, which covers every inch of your neck and keeps you warm. Make sure the color is flattering against your skin tone, as that's a lot of fabric right up against your face. Also, if you have a large bodice, stay away from thick, cable knit fabric.

Style Tip #5
A cowl neckline doesn't actually cover your neck, but it takes attention away from your neck with the soft folds. Add a beautiful necklace and you're looking golden!

If you have an issue with your neck, ya gotta get over it and learn to love every part of your beautiful body. But, ya gotta love the cold weather for some of these Art of Distraction techniques! Do you have another style technique that works for you? Please share in the Comments below. I'd love to hear from you!

 

How to Look Chic and Feel Comfortable at a Holiday Party

Once upon a time, I could wear 3-inch strappy heels and stand all night at a holiday party. Those days are long gone! Doesn't mean we can't still be wildly attractive and get noticed for all the right reasons. Here's a festive, chic outfit you can stand in all night long.

Chic and Comfortable Holiday Outfit by truecolorsbylinda featuring a diamond solitaire

Roland Mouret scoop neck top, $580 / Jane Norman peplum jacket, $55 / Vince wool trousers, $275 / Chanel ivory ballet flat / Lipsy jeweled earrings, $16 / Allurez diamond solitaire, $120

Winter is Here!

Are you prepared for the cold weather?

If you live anywhere the weather changes significantly, it's time to move your summer rags out and move your winter rags into center position.  If you're like me, you use two ends of your closet. I have a wear-it-this-season end and put-it-away-until-next-season end. Everything that can be worn all year stays in the middle. 

Winter is about layering, faux fur and accessories.

Brrrrrr..... by truecolorsbylinda featuring lace up boots

Here are some Style Tips to think about as you’re building your winter wardrobe:

Style Tips for Winter
 
Desire. Know what you love. Know your colors and styles. Tear out magazine pages, surf the web, collect images of what looks best on you so that you can go hunting for it.  If you know exactly what you’re looking for, you won’t buy mistakes, and you’ll make a beeline for it when you see it!
 
Quality. Choose quality (good advice in all areas of your life). It is better to buy one quality sweater that will last for years, than three cheap sweaters that get stretched out or worn out by spring.  Look for fabrics like wool, cashmere, and quality knits.  They’ll keep you a lot warmer and look nicer!
 
Patience. Perfection takes time. Don't buy anything that doesn't make you feel AMAZING. Seriously. Compromised style rarely feels good and looks worse!
 
Budget. Set a budget for what you'd be willing to pay for the PERFECT sweater, coat, or pair of boots.  And check out Clothing Resale Shops in your neighborhood for winter treasures – wool scarves, cardigans, or leather boots.
 
Color. Winter is a time to wear darker, more intense colors. You can still pop your outfits with metallics, icy gray, icy blue, as well as white. For those "Winter" color types, wearing deep jewel tones, such as royal blue and regal purple is a fabulous change of pace from black.

Awareness. Most importantly of all, KNOW YOURSELF. Authenticity is energizing and magnetic, turning you into an attraction machine!
 
Treat Yourself. Paint your nails a deep rich color.  Invest in a few pairs of cashmere socks.  Buy new winter pajamas that you will enjoy wearing while you curl up with a good book and a cup of hot tea.

One of my clients told me the other day that she wants to wear her skinny pants but she's concerned that they make her look "hippy." She has an hourglass figure so she has gorgeous hips! I suggested she wear tunic tops over her skinny pants. She loves her new stylish look!

Hip Cover-Up! by truecolorsbylinda featuring skinny pants

Zero Maria Cornejo v neck top / Red coat, $94 / By Malene Birger skinny pants / High heel boots / Nixon stainless steel jewelry, $165 / House of Harlow 1960 drop earrings / Joules navy blue scarve, $55

How to Choose Attractive Eyeglass Frames

I went to Costco this morning to buy new prescription reading glasses. As I looked around at the eyewear choices I noticed that most of the brands were clothing designers, such as Karen Kane, Lucky Brand, Polo, Coach, etc. It reminded me that eyeglasses make an important fashion statement so it's important to choose glasses that make you look and feel confident, as well as balanced and attractive. 

After all, you don't want to end up looking like this! :-)

Here are three True Colors Tips to consider when choosing your next pair of eyeglasses. It will save you time and mistakes!

Whether you're shopping for clothes or eyewear, I recommend the same procedure: 

#1: COLOR - Select colors that complement your skin and eye color
#2: STYLE - The shape and style should balance your facial features
#3: FIT - Make sure the glasses sit comfortably

Color

It's important to choose glasses that are in the same color family as the clothes you wear. For example, if your coloring is soft, muted and "summery," this transparent-colored DKNY pair will look harmonious on your face.

On the other hand, if your best colors are mustard-gold, dark orange and other "autumn" colors, you will ROCK a tortoise-shell frame (I bought the Lucky Brand glasses below).

Another consideration is the metal you choose. If your coloring is warm, a gold metal frame looks best. If your coloring is cool, choose silver frames.

Style
Your face shape pretty much determines your frame shape. In general, I like to mimic your face shape with the frame. If you have a round or heart-shaped face, try a cat-eye, aviator or large wrap frame. Basically you want to match the size and shape of your face.

Another style consideration is the overall "personality" of the glasses. If you have a fun personality your glasses should be fun, too! Play up your sassy style with cat-eye shapes and lots of bling!

If you're more of a quiet observer personality, choose a classic style and you'll feel like the glasses express who you are inside and out.  
 

Fit
Your eye care professional will guide you to find the right technical fit around your nose bridge and temples. But, more importantly, just like your clothes, your glasses should fit who you are inside and express your personality. The best judge of that is YOU.

Do you enjoy shopping for glasses, or do you end up trying on every pair in the store before you find the right pair? Do you think these shopping tips will help you pick out the perfect pair of glasses next time?

Why Should You Hire a Style Consultant?

I find there is a natural inertia, or complacency, when it comes to hiring a style consultant. If you ask any woman whether she's in favor of hiring someone to help her clean and organize her closet to create fabulous outfits that work, she'll invariably say YES. But when it comes to actually scheduling this service, she'll find many reasons to avoid it. 

Perhaps this stems from an underlying nervousness about confronting poor clothing choices she's made in the past (who hasn't made mistakes?), or the fact that some of her favorite clothes don't fit anymore. She just doesn't want to go there! What is it about our closet that reminds us of the past and all the experiences we've enjoyed or regretted? 

A style consultant can help you "heal your closet" by removing the confusing clutter and old reminders. She'll help you rediscover the hidden treasures in your closet that bring you joy and she'll make those clothes more present in your life. Cleaning out your closet is like a spiritual reawakening -- out with the old, in with the new! 

Here's a compelling reason to hire a style consultant: she will take you by the hand and guide you gently (or maybe she'll be more like Jillian Michaels shouting at you with tough love) through the process of confronting your cluttered closet, cleaning out what doesn't work, returning the garments that still fit and work for you, and organizing beautiful, put-together outfits. In the end you'll discover that almost everything you need is in your closet. You just have to clear out everything that doesn't work for you anymore! Doesn't this sound like a metaphor for life?

Here's another reason to hire a style consultant: she will help you create "Go-To Outfits" for your current lifestyle. For example, she could create complete, accessorized outfits for your:

• Client meetings
• Job interviews
• Date nights
• Speaking engagements

Yes, this service does cost money, I won't kid you. Style consultants have to earn a living. But my experience has been that no one has EVER regretted it; on the contrary, what I hear from my clients proves to me that this very personal, very motivational and life-changing experience is worth every dollar and moment you spend.

Find Your Hidden Closet Treasures

If you're interested in learning more about my services, please visit my web page, Grow Confidence, and while you're there, sign up for my Free 5-Day Wardrobe Strategies Mini-Course.  

Are Your Wardrobe Staples Updated?

Updating your Wardrobe Staples every couple years is an important activity because it keeps your outfits current. Wardrobe Staples are not to be confused with the basic foundation pieces, such as underwear, socks, sleepwear, etc. Wardrobe Staples are the versatile building blocks that make your outfit come together in a cohesive look. If your staples aren't in place you will probably end up with a lot of closet orphans, or one-offs, that don't really coordinate with anything. 

Your Wardrobe Staples will be different than mine. They're very personalized and based on your signature style, climate, body type, and personality. Do you prefer to wear a blazer over your t-shirt or button-down shirt? Prefer jeans to dressy trousers? Or, do you wear pencil skirts and maxis? It's important to ensure that your wardrobe staples are current. You should revisit seasonally to ensure the staples still fit, suit your lifestyle needs, are fashionable and in good shape. Yes, even jeans wear out! 

My list of Wardrobe Staples has changed over the years as I've simplified my lifestyle and work mostly from home. My climate is warm and temperate most of the year, so I don't make dramatic wardrobe shifts from one season to the next. I now prefer to wear nearly flat sandals, shoes and boots versus tall heels. Here's my list:

1. V-neck t-shirts and loose-fitting tops: I collect v-neck t-shirts in high quality cotton in all my colors. I also wear a lot of loose-fitting tops that I sometimes half-tuck in front. These looser tops range in color, geometric patterns, and even animal prints.
2. Casual blazers (including a jean jacket): I still love adding a casual blazer over a pair of jeans and a nice top when I meet with clients or go out to lunch with friends. A jacket pulls my outfit together, and with the addition of a colorful scarf, I have a chic, casual look. My blazers include denim, corduroy, wool, silk and cotton.
3. Cardigan sweaters: I own several cardigans in various lengths and thicknesses.When the weather gets chilly, my favorite outfit is a long-sleeved t-shirt, jeans, cardigan and boots.
4. Jeans: I just discovered and purchased a pair of Gap Boyfriend jeans for running around town. These aren't for everyone, as they're loose and won't show off your beautiful curves. However, for comfort I give them an A++. I have several skinny jeans in dark blue, black, white, tan skinny, and spring colors. I'm happy to see bootleg jeans making a comeback because I held onto my Paige bootleg jeans!
5. Dressy Tops and Cigarette Pants: My signature look for events and speaking engagements is a fitted silk top with a black or navy cigarette pant, topped by a dressy blazer (Theory or BCBG), and either suede Sam Edelman booties or black gladiator sandals. The look is fashionable, versatile and best of all, comfortable for sitting and walking.
6. Chunky, colorful necklaces and metal bracelets: I love finding unique necklaces that POP my outfit. A local artist makes beautiful, one-of-a-kind necklaces from antique pieces she finds all over the world. Another local artist hammers gorgeous copper bracelets -- I love wearing copper because that's my True Colors metal as a COPPER (discover your True Colors!).
7. Tall Flat Boots and Booties: Black and Neutral: I have a black Sam Edelman tall boot that I bought at Finders Keepers Consignment, brown suede tall boot, and several booties in browns, tan, cognac and black. Most are several seasons old, but they still look current and attractive.

If you haven't already done so, consider making a list of Wardrobe Staples. When clients call me for a style emergency session it's often a case of missing or dated wardrobe staples. These are not the most exciting items to shop for, but they transform your wardrobe into signature style outfits. When you keep your staples current and replenished you'll have a stress-free dressing experience every day! 

Fall 2014 Trends & Tips to Update Your Current Wardrobe

Have you seen the September 2014 issue of InStyle magazine? Whoooeee! It's an inch of pure fashion fun and trendy ideas to spruce up your sexy, fall wardrobe. 

You'll see trends such as thick knit sweaters, sweetheart necklines, menswear, flared jeans, cognac accessories, boxy coats, white pumps after Labor Day, aubergine, tailored culottes, animal prints (yes, still around!), monochromatic colored outfits, chunky knits, furry faux coats, flat oxfords, miniskirts, long skirts (yes, on the page after miniskirts), luxe track pants, nude makeup and nail art. You get the idea...

For those who have been around the block a few times, you're probably not running out to buy all the latest trends. Your style is more about individual expression, comfort, classicism, exhibiting strength and confidence. So my advice is choose one or two trends that light you up inside and pair them with your existing wardrobe. Here's some suggestions (Men's fall trend ideas coming soon!):

Loose-Fitting, Wide Pants
 
I'm talking harem pants, silky loose track pants, boyfriend jeans, and wide-all-over trousers. Boot cut and flared jeans.

Elegantly sloppy.

If you've been living in skinny jeans and leggings for years, this is quite a switch. I have a feeling this loose pant style is like a potato chip -- you can't stop with just one!

 


Winter White

White is hot again for fall and winter. 

This cotton-blend biker jacket looks great over a pop of color such as tomato red, mustard or aubergine. A great alternative to neutral gray, black, and brown.

Pair with colorful eyewear, cream wool pants, and animal print pumps!



Sporty-Luxe

A dream come true if you dress for comfort first!

Invest in an upscale sweatshirt, silky track pants, or a bomber jacket. You'll feel like you walked out the door in your pajamas, and you'll be completely fashion forward.

This is a sporty look that may take you back to your h.s. daze...




Boots and Booties

We're still wearing our booties from summer to winter, and it looks like there's no stopping this trend.

Wear booties with skirts and dresses. Here are a few tips to pull off this look:

• Keep hose and booties a similar color to create a longer leg line
• If flat booties are hard for you to pull off, wear a heeled bootie for a longer look
• When wearing mid-calf boots, show a little knee
• Booties that are low and close to the ankle tend to look more flattering  

What Does it Mean to Dress Your Age These Days?

I think about how different the dressing style rules were for our mothers and grandmothers, and how much more freedom we have today to express ourselves, regardless of age. When I was a child, my mother dressed very differently than my grandmother or younger women. Now, the same pair of designer jeans and top can be worn by a 20-year-old and a 65-year-old. These days, your dress style depends more on your lifestyle, personality and career than your age. Our goals have changed, too. Now we get to express our individualism, celebrate our power, energy, and wisdom, at EVERY AGE.

The key to looking powerful and energetic at any age is to BE POWERFUL AND ENERGETIC. It's not just about wearing the latest style trends. Wearing trends can backfire when they're wrong for your personality or figure shape. You can always temper a trend by pairing it with a classic piece. 

Take the trend of silky track pants and printed loose pants. Silky track pants are trousers made of dressier woven fabrications that are cut like fleece sweat pants or “track pants”. 

They usually have an elastic waistband and drawstring, are tapered at the ankle, and are roomy right through the leg. The baggy fit is about relaxed comfort and a small amount of slouch.

When not styled carefully it can read "early 90s" in a bad way. That's why no matter what your age, if you don't like a trend, or you don't know how to style it, you might want to let it pass. If you do like a trend, and it suits your lifestyle and figure, then go for it, regardless of your age!

Here's my recipe for looking energetic and powerful at any age:

• BE energetic and BE powerful
• Take the best care of your health (eat well and stay active)
• Get a modern hair style that suites your face and skin tone
• Make sure your clothes FIT well
• Wear great-fitting undergarments (yes, that means a professional fitting and spending serious money!)
• Update your eye wear (buy chic, trendy sunglasses and adventurous eyeglasses)
• Revamp your makeup and skincare routine (radiant looking skin is ageless!)
• Invest in high quality, chic shoes (who doesn't notice a great pair of shoes?)
• LOVE whatever age you're at!

Speaking of shoes, I'm creating a webinar, "If The Shoe Fits..." that's all about what shoes to wear with different outfits, what shoes to wear if your feet aren't perfect, and more shoe talk. I'll announce the webinar soon...

Style Video Launch! Transform How You Look and Feel!

If you have ever stood in front of your closet and said, "I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!" then this video is for you. I've created a 4-Step Program to Confident Dressing that aligns your inner and outer beauty. Watch it right now! You're going to learn color and style tips designed for the busy, home-based woman executive who wants to be an ATTRACTION MACHINE. 

I'm a home-based woman executive, so I understand that when you step out the door to meet with clients or speak at an industry conference, you need to look and feel confident. All it takes is self-awareness, a desire to get out of your style rut, and some "know-how" to put together attractive outfits.

After watching, please leave a comment with ONE THING you're inspired to do to go from DRAB to FAB!

July is "Bring Out Your Unique Strengths" Month

What is dragging you down?

Are you unhappy because you're not perfect? Do you feel like everyone else is better than you? Or, is it that you don't feel like you're special or unique?

Well, I have some news for you...you ARE UNIQUE. But as soon as you start comparing yourself to others, you lose your uniqueness. I'm writing this because I need to heed my own advice sometimes. Whenever I feel like I'm not special, or that I'm not reaching my goals fast enough, it's time to take a break from the madness and appreciate all that I am.

Here are some ways you can remind yourself to express your uniqueness:

#1 - Do work you love

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE working with women to help them rediscover their beauty and spirit! I love the responses I get from my clients after our style sessions. One recent client wrote, 

"I was curious to know why wearing the right colors matters.  What’s the harm in wearing lipstick red or stop-sign yellow?  Well, after Linda got rid of the wrong colors in my closet, and magically assembled outfits for me, I became a believer.  I was astonished at the feedback I got from people I know well, not to mention, perfect strangers!  Even when I look in the mirror, I see myself emerge more than ever before.  What can I say but I’m a believer in True Colors and in Linda Waldon." -- K. Rogers, San Luis Obispo

Conclusion: love your job with all of your heart. Have pride in it, do it 100%, and keep growing in it. Your unique contribution will fill your heart with joy. If you hate your job, change it. Start something new, create it, market it, perfect it, and love it with all your being.

#2 - Wear clothes that reflect who you really are inside

Is your image helping or hurting you?

What does your image say about you?  Think about the last time you met someone for the first time.  What kind of impression did you make?  

Some say it's wrong to 'judge a book by its cover.' Yet we all do it.  For good reason!  

 Clothing still plays a significant role in our first impression -- the way you dress tells the world how you feel about yourself, so show the world you care.

Your Image IS Your Business

Pay attention to your personal brand. Everything you say and do reflects who you are. Become a thought leader and change the world one thought at a time.   

#3 - Take care of your health and well-being

Fall in love with yourself.

Nurture your body with love, nutritious food, and exercise. 

"I fall asleep feeling beautiful," she said to me. "Then, in the morning, before I leave the house I say five things I love about myself, like, I have really pretty eyes, or, those sit-ups are really working! That way I can go out into the world with that extra bit of confidence. It's a feel-good protein shake that fortifies my soul in case someone messes with me."

Try eating mostly vegetarian a few days a week. See how creative and fun it is to fill your shopping cart with colorful vegetables and then roast, stir fry, steam, or eat vegetables raw.  This plate above is 3/4 vegetables with roasted potatoes and asparagus, heirloom tomatoes, sweet peas, asparagus, and sliced hormone-free beef tenderloin filet, served with Dijon mustard for zing.

#4 - Start with small life changes

Build the life you desire by starting with small ‘dough ball’ changes so it's not so overwhelming. For instance, if you're a writer, a colleague of mine, Adele Sommers, recommends writing small metaphorical "dough balls" of content that you can "stack in the freezer to be pulled out later" when you are ready to create something like a book or workshop. By creating small dough balls one at a time, you are not faced with preparing ten loaves of bread all at once, and the task doesn’t feel so overwhelming.  

This also applies to lifestyle changes, and your dough balls could be things like starting to walk for twenty minutes every day, cutting out soft drinks, or writing short stories that will one day turn into a novel.

Start out with small accomplishments that turn into the life you love.  What begins with a dough ball could end as a multi-tiered wedding cake!

Stop belittling. Start believing. Be the unique person you are!

A Lesson in How to Get What You Want

I came across this short Abraham-Hicks video about weight loss, and it seems to me that it pertains to anything you want to attain, such as more confidence, better self-image, more money, improved relationships, or a better job. 

The message in the video says the best way to get what you want (for instance, to lose weight) is to start doing things that make you feel better about yourself, and that will shift your vibration in a positive direction. Only then will things start to change. The formula, as Abraham describes it, is to "Use action to improve vibration." 

In other words, give up focusing on what you don't have (for example, a perfect body) and focus, instead, on what you do have--beautiful skin, long legs, or a great hair style. Look in the mirror and acknowledge your best physical features, then highlight those assets with clothing and accessories. When you look "put-together" you'll feel better about yourself, maybe get a compliment, or two, and this will shift your vibration in a positive direction. Who knows what will happen next...

Give a listen.

Signature Scents for Men

I have spicy geraniums in full bloom in my yard, and I tell you, their scent is heavenly. One of my favorite parts of summer is the wafts of fragrance I get to enjoy as I go through my day. 

Sandalwood rules as far as I’m concerned, so you might say I'm an earthy woman. Its exotic, sweet, woody fragrance feels like home on my skin. Many ancient cultures in India, Egypt, Greece and Rome incorporated sandalwood into their religious and spiritual traditions. It is considered a symbol of vitality in India. I have adopted sandalwood as my signature scent.

What's your signature scent?

The Importance of a Signature Scent

I write about the importance of dressing with confidence and finding your signature clothing style. I also believe that finding your signature scent is just as critical because our sense of smell plays a role in the attraction between two people. Your attraction factor is tightly linked to not only your appearance, but to the way you smell. Your signature scent transmits who you are to the person standing close to you.

Scents for Men

Here are some scents for men that you might find appealing:

Coffee

If you love the smell of a dark roasted cup of joe, you'll pick out the coffee qualities in scents like Polo Double Black, Armani Attitude, or Givenchy Play Intense. Another scent combining coffee and lavender with low notes of amber and sandalwood is the very affordable Rochas Man. 

Spice

The spices used in fragrances are aromatic cooking ingredients like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. If you are a spicy kind of guy, check out Gucci Pour Homme II, Burberry London, or John Varbatos Vintage. My husband wears Kolnisch Juchten, by Regence Paris, which sends me swooning every time he's near me. He sometimes splashes on a spicy sandalwood aftershave cologne called Sandalwood from www.TheArtofShaving.com.

Vanilla

If you love vanilla, Boss Bottled (a classic) or Givenchy Pi gives a soft hint of vanilla. Tobacco Vanille, by Tom Ford, blends vanilla with the sensual smell of tobacco leaves (not to be confused with choking tobacco smoke) to create a seductive, pipe smoke effect.

Chocolate

Chocolate may be appealing to eat, but can be a tricky note for men to wear. Aim for the rich, sensual cocoa of dark chocolate and offset it with the scent of leather, spice, or wood. Dior Homme Intense achieves this balance. 

Citrus

Lemons and oranges smell fresh and energizing. Acqua Di Parma, the original lemon-based cologne that shot to fame during Hollywood's Golden Age, remains popular, along with the classic, Christian Dior Eau Sauvage. 

How to Apply Cologne
If you are wearing a strong fragrance, only a small drop on your chest is necessary. Sometimes men don't realize how overpowering a scent can be to the person standing or walking nearby. We have all experienced the gagging results of over-application! Less is more when it comes to cologne application. 

And, remember, cologne is supposed to be used after you shower,

Not INSTEAD of a shower! 

 
My recommendation is to step out of your comfort zone and test some of these fragrance categories. Bring your significant other to the fragrance counter and make it a date night!