Archive for July, 2007

Let Out Your Inner French Woman and Stand Out from The Crowd!

July 29, 2007 at 1:39 pm · Filed under Bracelets, Brooch, Costume Jewelry, Earrrings, European Fashion, European Fashion Accessories, European Lifestyle, European Style, Fashion & Style, Fashion Accessory Tips, Fashion Jewelry, French Fashion, French Women, Handbags, Healthy Habits, Necklace, Women's Style

How often have you asked yourself what the style secrets are behind the effortless chic of French women?  From elegant fragrances, amazing clothes, classic chic styles, lean silhouettes (even with the cheese, wine and chocolate), perceived natural beauty, you can’t help but ask yourself how they do it!   Believe it or not – it’s easy when you know how.  And, yes, I daresay we all have an “Inner French Woman” who is dying to spring to the surface, like a flower’s blossom gently unfolds.   

In America, as women, we’ve become “victim” to a self-punishing, depriving and self-sabotaging nature.  A lot of times, we’ve given up on ourselves to fully serve others and putting our needs aside.  We’re inspired by fear and self-loathing. So, in order to fill the void, the style of American women tends to revolve around the “more is more, new is best” idea. Our approach to fashion, food and fitness subscribes to this dictum, which is the absolute opposite of French style.    

Here are the secrets of French women you can use to help you stand out from the crowd: 

1.      French women intimately know their body and which styles look good on them.  They do not beat themselves up for perceived flaws, but know how to creatively put emphasis on their assets.  French women have more personality when it comes to their style – they own their look. So, it’s key to establish a unique look that works for you.

2.      French women buy a handful of good quality, neutral-colored staples that they can mix and match with each other for maximum wear.  They do not “collect” clothing.  Clothing is an investment and is meant for a return on their investment.  They also know when to purge an item.

3.      French women know the power of accessories.  They cherish four to five high-end fashion accessories (costume jewelry and scarves) that they wear all the time.  They might add one or two new trendy pieces each season and wear them out.  They also invest in high quality everyday leather handbags and shoes, keeping their return on investment in mind.

4.      French women become friends with a great hair stylist who is skilled at working with their hair type.  They get a fuss-free hairstyle and maintain it with great conditioners.

5.      French women treat their skin as the treasure it is.  Get a facial every month or just give yourself a weekly facial.  Maintain, protect and nourish your skin daily.  If you have great skin, you radiate and barely need any make-up. 

6.      French women use make-up as an aid to emphasize their beautiful features, not hide them under layers and layers of coating.  The principle applied is:  less is more.  Your basics include:  tinted moisturizer with SPF, a light powder, blush, a great mascara and a lipstick or lip gloss. 

7.      French women know only too well that you are what you eat, which is why they follow a diet that is rich in seasonal produce, red meat and oily fish – all of which help to keep a figure trim and hair, nails and skin in tip-top condition. To further boost their skin’s radiance, French women will also drink plenty of water and, for general well-being, eat a little of what they fancy – including chocolate and a glass of red wine.  They relish in the pleasure of small indulgences and do not beat themselves up, like American women.  Everything in moderation and smaller portions.

8.      French women believe in getting their exercise throughout the day, by walking and biking.  The important message here is to not become obsessed about your fitness activities, but pursue them with pleasure.  If you hate the stair climber or even going to the gym, find something that gives you enjoyment and not dread.  And again, don’t beat yourself up if you’re not keeping up with all your colleagues latest fitness center stories.  It’s time to be unique and do what is fun for you!  Follow the French on a balanced and time-tested approach to life. 

Keeping the above secrets in mind, you are now ready to let out your inner French woman and stand out from the crowd.   Unlock the world of sensory delights to discover yourself and assert your femininity! 

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.

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Looking Fabulous – With Accessories!

July 19, 2007 at 4:00 pm · Filed under Bracelets, Brooch, Costume Jewelry, Earrrings, European Fashion, European Fashion Accessories, European Style, Fashion & Style, Fashion Accessory Tips, Fashion Jewelry, Handbags, Murano Glass, Necklace, Women's Style

Many women seem to have a “thing” for shoes, designer handbags, fancy scarves and high-end fashion jewelry.    However, many women do not realize the powerful weaponry they have in their arsenal with these fashion accessories.  Most women either buy pieces to go with a single outfit or to be a slave to a seasonal fashion trend. They rarely consider how the fashion accessory complements their appearance, whether it will go with other items in their wardrobe collection, how many uses they’ll gain from the item and how many different ways they can wear the item. 

My goal is to help you understand the important role your fashion accessories play in creating your “look” and how you can easily set yourself apart to emphasize your uniqueness.  Yes, you heard me right – accessories are meant to play up on your individuality and uniqueness, which is, if we admit it or not, our true yearning as a woman.  We want to be different and unique.  Accessories can help you achieve this by bringing attention to your face, hiding those flaws you want to hide, or just making a statement about your individuality without your having to say a word. 

Let’s look at fashion accessories that you can easily play up on and create playful variances with: 

A neckerchief scarf can be worn as a:

·         Headband

·         Neck scarf with a collared shirt, V-neck, round neck T-shirt

·         Bracelet by wrapping around multiple times and creating a cuff-type bracelet

·         Tied around a plain handbag strap to add a splash of color and flair 

A long rectangular or wider square scarf can be worn as a:

·         Belt

·         Neck scarf loosely draped as a shawl, a wrap or with various types of knots

·         Top in summer

·         Skirt on the beach 

A brooch can be worn as:

·         On the front of your pair of favorite jeans or chinos

·         At the bottom of a long or short strand of pearls as a pendant, or clipped off-center on a double-stranded set

·         An addition to a scarf where it overlaps

·         A decoration to an evening bag

·         A cluster at the lapel or shoulder of a denim jacket

·         At the bottom of a V-neck 

A necklace can be worn as:

·         Part of a number of layered necklaces with varied lengths

·         A belt if a longer necklace.

·         A bracelet with multiple wrappings around the wrist

·         A basis of creating a new look with a brooch 

Fashion accessories are such a powerful arsenal in creating your own unique style.  Start looking at each accessory you have as to how to can create different variations.  Also, when purchasing new accessories, concern yourself with how many different ways you’ll be able to wear the accessory and whether the item or items will complement other wardrobe items you already own.  Don’t become a slave to the seasonal must-have’s.  Please also keep these five things in mind, when playing with your new look:

1.      It’s okay to mix silver and gold. 

2.      Focus on one key accessory, such as a necklace or handbag, and keep the other accessories light.

3.      Stay within a certain color family when accessorizing.

4.      Your handbag color and shoe color can be different colors.

5.      Most importantly – keep it simple, chic and feminine.   Adorn your uniqueness – look fabulous with fashion accessories!   

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.

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Does Your Personal Style Reflect Your Uniqueness?

July 14, 2007 at 7:02 pm · Filed under Bracelets, Brooch, Costume Jewelry, Earrrings, European Fashion, Fashion & Style, Fashion Accessory Tips, Fashion Jewelry, Handbags, Necklace, Women's Style

Does your personal style truly reflect your uniqueness?  Do you feel comfortable in your own skin?  Do you feel confident about what your look says about you?  Do you gravitate toward just buying the fashion magazine’s latest look?  Or are you constantly comparing how you look to others?   

My life’s experience is that many women do not own their look.  Many women do not embrace their uniqueness and instead create copycat, plain Jane or outlandish styles that aren’t reflective of whom they are.   

I believe that any woman can evoke the look that simply confirms her being and uniqueness.  She can look chic, feminine in accordance with her personality, lifestyle and very importantly, budget.  Here are the steps I recommend you follow: 

Step 1:   Discover what your body type is and which styles look good on you.  Kendall Starr in her book, Pocket Stylist, believes that regardless of whether a woman is average or plus sized, there is one of three basic silhouettes that apply to everyone. The three basic silhouettes are: 

BODY TYPE A: The average version of a woman whose shoulders are narrower than the width of her hips. Regardless of whether she is flat- or full-chested, this torso proportion is defined by a definite visual difference between the width of those shoulders and the width of the hips.  

BODY TYPE B: The traditional hourglass – although Farr herself isn’t in favor of geometry or fruit-derived monikers (“no hourglasses, apples, pears, celery or any of that stuff”) – this woman’s shoulder width is essentially the same as her hip width, and the waist is generally well defined. Bust size can be anywhere from flat-chested to full-breasted. (Again, simply a particular that refines her fit – not a starting point.)  

BODY TYPE C: The shoulders are wider than the width of the hips. Broad-shouldered, narrow-hipped models fall into this category. Her waist is usually quite straight, and can be somewhat of a fitting challenge. Once you’ve determined your body type, go to a store with an honest friend.  Try on various fabrics and cuts to see how the material and shape emphasize or detract from your basic body silhouette.  Remember, window shopping is okay, no need to break the bank and immediately overhaul your wardrobe. 

Step 2:  Inventory your wardrobe and make sure you have these wardrobe basics, which complement your silhouette and lifestyle:

Pants:

  • Dark – Day Look In a simple, skimming cut and crisp high-quality fabric.
  • Dark – Night Look Fuller leg in a lighter high-quality fabric.

Jeans or Chinos:

  • To wear with a flat heel Hemmed shorter to wear with flats.
  • To wear with heels Hemmed longer.

Skirts:

  • Pencil, Trouser or A-Line Cut In black or lightweight wool.
  • A-line or Bias Cut In a flowy fabric for day or evening.
  • Skirt in a neutral, mixable style A subtle pin stripe or tweed.

Shirts:

  • White button down In a feminine cut.
  • White T-shirts Just the basic T, a boat neck, or V-neck.

Sweaters/Cardigans:

  • Black That tonally matches your black pants.
  • Neutral In a skin flattering tone, i.e. avoid stark white if you’re fair.
  • Vivid Color Must emphasize your features and not detract.

Jackets

  • Tailored It should match your dark pants in color tone and style.
  • Casual Bombers, motorcycle styles and windbreakers are good choices in fabrics like leather, suede, corduroy, soft wool or cotton twill.

Coats

  • Trench Good for the rain and in-between seasons – choose a neutral or black.
  • Knee-length For in-between seasons.
  • Winter Coat Invest in the best fabric you can possibly afford.

Dress or matching separates that create a dress. Always have a little black dress on hand.

Accessories

  • Cherish four to five high-end fashion accessories (costume jewelry and scarves) that you wear all the time.
  • Add one or two new trendy pieces each season and wear them out.
  • Invest in high quality everyday leather handbags and shoes.

Become friends with a great tailor who can assure that these key clothing pieces flatter your uniqueness. 

Step 3:  Find a great hair stylist who is skilled at working with your hair type.  Then get a fuss-free hairstyle and maintain it.  I don’t know about you, but I absolutely dread having to use several hairstyling tools and products.  It’s all about simplicity to manage my hair (flat crown and wavy length).  I could be using tons of root lifter, hair serums, along with a blow dryer, flat iron, three brushes and then finishing products.  However, I made a decision some time ago to embrace my hair texture and found a hair stylist who knows exactly how I “operate” and created a style accordingly. 

Step 4:  Treat your skin as the treasure it is.  Get a facial every month or just give yourself a weekly facial.  Maintain, protect and nourish your skin daily.  If you have great skin, you radiate and barely need any make-up.  The time spent on your daily skin care routine is also a wonderful time to dedicate to yourself and regeneration.   Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water to hydrate it. 

Step 5:  Use make-up as an aid to emphasize your beautiful features, not hide them under layers and layers of coating.  I firmly believe in the principle applied by French women:  less is more.  Your basics include:  tinted moisturizer with SPF, a light powder, blush, a great mascara and a lipstick or lip gloss.  Select colors that are complementary to your skin tone, hair color and eye color.  Heavy smoky eye make-up or bright red lips may look great in a magazine.  However, if they don’t reflect your uniqueness – leave them in the store! 

Let your imagination and creativity take its power to truly reflect your uniqueness.  So, when someone asks you:  Does Your Personal Style Reflect Your Uniqueness?  You’ll answer confidently:  Absolutely! 

Stylishly yours,

The MMC Style Maven

Ó 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, MMC Style.  All rights reserved.

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