First, I’d like to thank Elisheva Basseri of A Bride’s Best Friend in California for sharing a fantastic blog with me.  Mrs-O.org is a great blog about First Lady Obama and what she is wearing from day to day.  I simply love it.  I think people are paying attention to the fashion choices of our First Lady now more than any time since perhaps Jackie Kennedy.  Which brings me to my point for today…

There has been lots of media buzz this week about the dress worn by First Lady Michelle Obama at the State of the Union address earlier this week.  It really was a lovely plum colored dress by Isaac Mizrahi.  The dress design was a simple knit top and dupioni silk skirt with a banded waist.  Many said that the simplicity of the dress spoke volumes, the knit top conveying a desire to “get to work”, while the regal, silk bottom still pointed to the importance of the office. 

 Image by Mandel Ngan / Getty Images

I should also point out that Vice President Joe Biden wore a purple tie and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi was dressed in a lavender suit.  People took note that purple is the coming together of red and blue.   Many say this was an effort to show unity and bipartisanship.  Can fashion really do that?

What do you think?  Did our nation’s leaders use fashion on Tuesday evening to convey a political message?  If so, wouldn’t you agree that we should note the importance of our own image in the pursuit of professional success?

Featured Stylish Planner of the Week – February 4, 2010

Jen Wooster-McBride, Columbus, Ohio

Note from Jeannine:   I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Jen long distance, via phone, Twitter and e-mail over the last few weeks.  She is very warm and sweet, a real breath of fresh air!  I’m very happy to share with you that Jen will be a regular contributor to The Stylish Planner starting next week!  Jen will be reporting on fashion and style for petite ladies.  She may be little, but she has a big voice to share with our readers about the challenges petites have in finding fashionable clothes!  Get to know Jen by reading her style profile here and watch for her first article next week.

Today, I thought I would share with you the results of my recent closet overhaul.  On January 6th, I wrote a post about my need for a major Closet overhaul in this post.  Feel free to review the details from that post, or read the short recap below.

I started 2010 with my closet in utter chaos.  Without a doubt, I was wearing the same things over and over again even though my closet was full of clothes only because I could not see everything I have.

Now, of course I would love to call Container Store or California Closets and hire someone to come in and build a custom closet, and organize it too.  The truth is, I’d much rather spend the money on upgrades to our kitchen, a room that people actually see when we entertain.  I decided to strip my closet completely bare down to the racks and reorganize, and finally get rid of things I don’t wear.  I deemed this Phase 1 of the closet overhaul and made a list of steps to follow so that I would stay on track.  Here is a summary of how things went:

On the day of the closet overhaul, I tweeted the following and attached this picture:

Pretty bad, right?  I was completely overwhelmed!

After stripping the closet of every last piece of clothing I own, I brought my husband in to remove one wall of shelving and relocate it to another wall area just inside the closet door.  (I should mention that we enter our closet through our master bathroom.)  We now use this area to store our bath towels and clothes hampers, and I have space left for handbags and hats.  See?

       Before                                                                After

Next, we reserved one of the shelves to relocate to another small wall.  I wanted an area designated specifically for my special occasions clothes without relocating them to another room, and I didn’t want them mixed in with my everyday items.  The area to the right of the photos is now the area for my special occasion items.  They are covered with clothing bags, labeled and stored behind some of my everyday dresses. 

      Before                                                                   After

Next, I accessed each item.  I very carefully chose what to return to the closet.  I ended up with 3 large boxes of clothing (a total of 68 items) to donate to charity.  I did keep a few things that don’t currently fit, but I plan to take them to be altered.  I think you will notice much more space between the hangers in all the photos.

When I returned the remaining items to the closet, I organized them much more carefully.  Check out these before and after photos:

    Before                                                                     After

Shoe Storage

    Before                                                                     After

Before                                                                     After

My favorite result of the overhaul:

My favorite part of the overhaul is the shoe storage area.  Now I can see all my shoes, and I have a small workspace area on the top of the shoe shelving unit.  On the shelf above, I used the pegs to hang long necklaces, and the small drawers contain cuff bracelets.  I installed the bulletin boards for keepsake items and magazine clippings of looks I would like to try.  I placed some pens, pencils, scissors and a journal on the workspace.  I use the journal to keep a record of what I wear and when.  In the journal, I also keep a list of everyday type items that I need to pick up as well as wish list.

I am really pleased with the outcome of the closet overhaul.  I feel that I met the measureable goals that I set for myself at the start of the project.  Those goals were: 

A – That I be able to see every single item in my closet at a glance

B – That I reduce the total items in my closet by at least half

What I learned/helpful tips:

Feeling accountable motivated me.  When I tweeted that I was going to do the closet overhaul, I felt accountable to Stylish Planner readers to actually see it through.

Putting my hands on every single item was tedious, but worthwhile.  I found that I had lots of duplicate items, and things I had forgotten.  I’d been shopping recently for a pair of black leather slouch boots – I found a pair way in the back of my closet behind my long sleeve shirts.  I thought I had donated them to charity years ago.  Another example of forgotten items:  I vaguely remembered that I had a pair of navy cowboy boots, but I had completely forgotten how nice they are – barely worn Nocona boots! 

I had a lot of “junk” items from high school and college.  I am a grown woman now.  It is doubtful I will wear the pooka shell necklace or the Poison concert t-shirt again.  Truly sentimental things went into my attic “treasure chest”, other items went in the big “round filing cabinet” as they should have.

I had like items stored in too many places.  For instance, I found hats in 4 different areas of the closet.  Now, they are all stored in one area.

I was storing some clothing incorrectly.  When I ran out of shelf space for sweaters, I started hanging them.  I would grab one to wear and notice the hanger marks on the shoulders and shove it back on the rack.  I had to dry clean, steam and wash a lot of stuff just to make it wearable again.  Now everything is properly stored.

My handbags were very dusty.  Now that they are stored in bags and bins to keep the dust off, I’ll be more likely to use them.

Items in my sewing basket dated back to 2003.  I had a huge pile of items for sewing, so to even consider taking time to sew was overwhelming to me.  Many of these items were out of style, no longer fit, or I decided to donate.  I quickly worked through the pile and went from about 25 items down to 8.  I’ve since sewn all those items and put them away.

I’m not really lacking any items for my wardrobe.  I’ve been going along thinking I needed several key pieces to pull things together, but that isn’t the case at all.  Yes, I have a wish list of items I would like to have, but for the most part, the items on my wish list are classic, investment pieces that will require me to save money in order to purchase.  I’d rather save the money for those investment pieces than blow it on impulse purchases.

Now that the project is done, I make the time to keep the closet organized.  Somehow, having the closet clean and organized changes the perceived value of my clothing.  Taking care of them doesn’t seem quite as much like a chore.

There are only 2 phases remaining in the closet overhaul. 

Phase 2 will be to create a look book so that I have an organized, photo reference of my favorite outfits.  This will allow me to see looks without relying on memory and to really get the most from my wardrobe.  The look book will be helpful because I tend to wear the same items together instead of mixing up my separates from time to time.  I estimate I will need to create at least two books, one for warm weather and one for cold.  Once I get into the project, I may even see that I need a total of four, one for each season.  I’d like to complete a cold weather book by the end of March and I will wait until I change my closet out for the warmer season to create a book for warm weather.  I usually change out my closet in late April/early May.  I’ll be sure to share the process of creating the look book with you when I do it later this year.

Phase 3 will be to have a closet professionally designed and installed.  That will be a long time from now, maybe as long as 10 years, and it sounds like a wonderful 50th birthday present.  I’m sure it will be worth the wait!

What are your thoughts on my closet overhaul?  Do you have any closet ideas to tips to share?  I’d love to hear from you!

Fragrance is a wonderful thing.  It can make you feel beautiful, turn a man’s head, and enhance a first impression.  Many years ago, I learned to layer fragrance so it will last all day.  Layering your scent is easy, but it is slightly more expensive.  Instead of only purchasing the eau de toilette perfume, look for a fragrance that also offers shower or bath gel and body lotion.  This practice works very well for me because I have dry skin, so applying scented body lotion his a double benefit.  Keep in mind that if you choose to layer fragrances, you will most likely need to use less perfume.  I find that perfumes with high concentrations of alcohol in the ingredients can “change” over time, so purchase the smallest size perfume available.  This also helps offset the cost of buying the shower gel and body lotion in addition to the perfume. 

I recommend having two fragrances to be worn at different times.  I have my “special occasion” fragrance that I splurge on, and a more economical, very lightweight, water based body spray fragrance that I use as an “everyday” fragrance.  The Special Occasion fragrance is reserved for Holidays, date nights with my hubby, evening events, days when I need a little pick me up, and for Sundays.  (I picked up the habit of wearing my “best” fragrance on Sundays from my sweet mother.)

Be careful about wearing too much fragrance – the rule of thumb is that your fragrance should not enter the room before you do, or linger in the room after you are gone.  When your perfume is overpowering, it may be difficult to get people to take you seriously, or concentrate on what you have to say.  Remember, it’s easy to apply more if needed, but hard to dilute a fragrance if you’ve applied too much.  After repeated exposure to a fragrance, we tend to notice it less than others will.  I’ve heard many people with allergies complain that someone’s fragrance was bothering them.  At the start of your day, take into account who you will be around, and the setting you will be in.  For example, if you are flying or carpooling, it would be smart to wear a very light fragrance, if any at all.

According to Amazon, the 5 most popular women’s fragrances right now are:

Shown above from left to right:

1.  Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana – Price: $27.73 – $110.53

2.  Burberry Brit Eau de Toilette by Burberry – Price: $20.63 – $88.00

3.  Eternity By Calvin Klein For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 Oz. by Calvin Klein – Price: $34.11 – $62.00

4.  Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum by Juicy Couture – Price: $17.00 – $250.00

5.  Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker Eau de Parfum Spray by Sarah Jessica Parker – Price: $14.95 – $80.35

In case you are wondering, my two “signature scents” are:  Special Occasions: Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker and Everyday: Moonlight Path Path from Bath & Body Works.

What is your signature scent?  Do you have any tips for wearing fragrance?

In the past couple of months, I have posted some “what to wear” posts on the blog.  I covered what to wear to the wedding/event and what to wear to evening events (meaning industry events you are attending as a guest, not events you are working at).  I thought I would pick up on the series again with a few more entries over the next couple of weeks to round out the discussion.  I encourage you to read back over previous entries as needed.

A couple of weeks ago, we discussed whether or not wearing jeans to a client meeting is acceptable.  Prior to writing the post, I suspected that opinions would vary, and boy, was I was right!  While it seems that most planners err on the conservative side (as do I), some of the planners we have featured do wear jeans to client meetings.  It really all boils down to knowing your client base.  I encourage you to read the post and comments for more details, then decide for yourself what is best.

I think of a potential client meeting as a first date – I want to look my best.  Regardless of how they came in contact with me,  I dress pretty conservatively, keeping any “flair” down to just the smaller details of my attire.  Once I have a feel for the client’s personality, I may dress a little more casual at our subsequent meetings.  If I look my best at our initial meeting, then I feel confident and poised.  I can put my full concentration on how we can partner together on their wedding.

Here is a punch list of items I would choose from for a first time client meeting:

• Slacks – nicely tailored, lined slacks in a serious color such as gray, navy or black
• Skirt – no shorter than just above the knee, no longer than just below the knee
• Jacket – again, nicely tailored (fit means everything when it comes to a good jacket) and not too matchy-matchy with the slacks or skirt.  Note: I no longer wear matching suit jackets with slacks or skirts – I feel it ages you.  Mix and match your separates instead.
• Cardigan sweater set – our First Lady has this look down to an art (see below)
• Pullover sweater – you can’t go wrong with cashmere
• Basic white dress shirt
• Nice heels – make sure you are comfortable walking in them and that they are clean. Save the stilettos for evening.
• Simple jewelry such as classic diamond stud earrings or pearls
• Accent piece – when I’m feeling that my look is so conservative that I feel stifled, I use a bright, bold broach or scarf to accent my look with.  I would wear the broach on my jacket lapel or on the shoulder area (just above your heart) of a sweater.  If I decide to go with a scarf instead, I might tie it to my handbag, pulling a color from the attire I have chosen. 

Here are a couple of ideas for the look I’m referring to:

What do you wear to initial client meetings?  What are your tips for making a great first impression?  Let us know!

I’m a big fan of Neiman Marcus.  They are a great example of a retail company focused on customer service.  Every season, Neiman Marcus reports on trends and features an extensive shopping gallery of designers interpretations of these trends.  I just received the report yesterday and here is the trend forecast for this season, along with my commentary.  Enjoy!

1-Great White Shirt:  It’s interesting to see this listed as a trend.  I really think of white shirts as a classic piece to have in your wardrobe, regardless of your style.  The key is to choose one with a tailored fit.  I’m partial to Brooks Brothers no-iron (and machine washable) shirts, and they now carry them in short and long sleeve. 

2-Relaxed Pants:  I like this trend from a comfort perspective, but I think it is important to keep things in context.  This trend could easily look a little sloppy if not done right, so I would reserve it for casual wear only.  I also feel that this trend wouldn’t work for certain body types.  The billowy look these pants have around the hips may make plus size women look larger.  Proceed with caution also if you are petite – a longer pant will lengthen you much better.

3-Wedges:  I love a good wedge shoe!  Wedges offer the height of a heel with more stability and comfort.  Coach does a variation of a wedge almost every season.  One dislike I have about wedges is that they tend to be heavy and the extra weight in a high heel shoe can be really difficult to walk in.  Things to look for in a good wedge are:  construction with a lightweight material, or the actual wedge area may be hollow.

4-Shorts:  Well made cuffed shorts with a boyfriend style blazer and casual tee is a fresh, fun, casual look.  Right now in the cooler temperatures, you can find ladies wearing this look with opaque tights and heels, but when Spring arrives, just lose the tights!  I really like the carefree, yet tailored vibe.  Casual dressing should go beyond jeans sometimes!

5-Draping Details:  This trend is going to be around for a while.  As we have all seen in bridal gowns, draping and ruching does wonders for hiding problem areas, and certain fabrics drape so beautifully.  I especially like draping details on a cowl neck blouse!

6-Novel Tees:  I’m seeing a lot of tees with screen-printing, foil, ribbon detail, attached jewelry and so many other embellishments.  The good news is that your basic tees still work fine, just attach multiple broaches/pins, or wear lots of necklaces in varying lengths for interest.  Just like with #1 above (The Great White Shirt) fit is key.  Purchase tees with a bit of lycra included to keep a feminine silhouette.

7-Tribal:  Tribal has been on the trend radar for a couple of years now.  The tribal trend for 2010 is not just limited to shoes (as shown above in the lovely Giuseppe Zanotti sandal).  Tribal patterns are predicted to be hot in 2010.  Be careful, though – wild patterns can be tricky to pull off.  Wear tribal patterns in separates and pair them with a solid, neutral colored top or bottom.  I think I will attempt to pull this trend in through my accessories, such as the shoes shown above, or a bold statement necklace or earrings, or maybe even in a great handbag.  Hmmmm……

8-Denim Dressing:  This trend is not just about jeans!  I love the denim shirtdress shown here from Theory.  Dark denim is so much more interesting than basic black, just as slimming and it is completely seasonless!  I definitely have a denim pencil skirt on my wish list for this year – and I’ll be able to wear it all year long.  Dark denim is also a great backdrop for bold colored accessories!

9-Arm Candy:  Cuff bracelets are a great way to add interest to your outfits.  This is an idea way to express yourself, even when you need to still be somewhat conservative.  Bold jewelry can be a great conversation starter, is quite affordable and really does not go out of style.  I’m seeing a lot of color and sparkle in cuff bracelets right now, but the one shown here from Kate Spade is a little more refined while still being fun!

10-Blue:  Those of you that follow Pantone already know that turquoise has been named the color of the year, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!  However, don’t limit yourself to this specific blue/green.  Fashion houses included everything from royal and navy blue to the very palest shades of sky blue on the runways this season.  Blue is one color that most people can wear, it’s just important to find the right shade for your skin tone and hair color.  Ask a friend to shop with you for your Spring wardrobe and help you select the shade of blue that is most flattering.

11-Nude Shoes:  You may recall that I put nude pumps on my wish list for items to add to my wardrobe in 2010 in my first post of the year.  I want them purely for their practicality.  Nude is a neutral that works when black doesn’t.  Nude pumps or heels elongate the legs, making them perfect for short dresses or skirts.  As Spring rolls around, many of us will be including brighter colors in our wardrobe and nude shoes will be the perfect pairing for colors and patterns.  Not to mention that the color warms the skin tone and accents great legs!

What do you think about the trends for 2010?  Share with us what you love or hate – we enjoy hearing from you!

I suppose I am feeling reflective due to the recent earthquakes in Haiti. Or maybe it is because of the media coverage honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this week.  At any rate, when people step up to create change they have my attention.  Dr. King had many followers, but he alone became the voice of change for our country during a dark time in our history.  He was the one who stepped up and had the courage to say what others were thinking and feeling.  His words encouraged action.

On Monday, the post on The Stylish Planner was on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the recognition of this day as a day of service in our communities.  In this post, I challenged wedding and event planners to choose and add a philanthropy to your business by the end of January.  It’s not just good business, it is the right thing to do.

Instead of posting a featured planner of the week today, I thought I would take this opportunity to talk about action instead of fashion.  Planners, by definition, do things for other people.  You need a servant’s heart to be in this industry, and if you don’t have a servant’s heart, you may want to reconsider this as your career choice.  Here’s a glance at some amazing planners across the country are what they are doing to give back:

 Eliana Baucicault of Elly B Events, Atlanta, Georgia (Eliana’s husband has loved ones in Haiti) pledged a percentage of her profits for the rest of the year, to Wyclef Jean’s Yele foundation.

Nadine Poliard of Nadine Lynn Weddings, Atlanta, Georgia – Nadine initially feared she may have lost loved ones in the first earthquake – she has since received reports that everyone is accounted for.  Nadine organized a grass roots type of e-mail to her friends, encouraging donations to various organizations while updating us on the status of her family.  Just this morning, I received another e-mail message and a tweet from her in regards to H.R. 4462, a bill to allow all Haiti-related charitable deductions made through March 1, 2010 to be deducted on 2009 income tax filings.  A broad, bipartisan coalition in the U.S. House has already passed HR 4462—now, we just need to encourage Senate to support the bill.  You can submit an e-mail now through the Habitat for Humanity website.

Lindsay Pitt of TOAST Events, Atlanta, Georgia pledged donations of $50 to the Red Cross for every couple scheduling a consultation, and will double the donation when a contract is written by the end of January.

Bridal Bar Atlanta pledged $20 to the American Red Cross for each bride who schedules an appointment with The Bridal Bar or books a Bridal Bar event professional all this week.

Emilie Duncan of Emilie Duncan Event Planning & Kasey Skobel-Conyers of Bliss Events of Ohio are organizing an annual event called Columbus Cakes for a Cause to benefit the Mid-Ohio Food bank and Operation Feed.

Latrice Cushenberry of Bridal Opulence in Nashville, Tennessee spent Monday “on” volunteer duty instead of taking the day “off”.  Second Harvest of Nashville coordinated over 200 volunteers that committed 600 plus hours on MLK day to help sort food for the emergency food box program and pack backpacks for hungry children in middle Tennessee.

Thank you ladies, for giving your time and financial resources to our communities (and beyond) and for setting an example for the rest of us.

I’d like to reiterate my challenge to all wedding & event planners: have you incorporated a service or charity into your business?  If so, please tell us about it – I’ll write another post on the ways planners across the country give back to their communities.  Please provide the name and website address for your chosen charity, what your goal is for 2010, (i.e., a certain number of service hours, or a particular dollar amount) and any other information you feel we should share.

Feel free to leave comments here regarding this post or what the ladies mentioned here are doing in their communities.

For planners that are 30 and up, or for those with sun damaged skin, consider adding a makeup primer to your beauty routine.  Primers are a must have addition to your anti-aging arsenal of products.  Basically, primers work much the same way as spackle does when painting.  Prior to painting a surface, painters will use spackle to fill in any cracks and smooth the surface.  Likewise, primer preps your face, creating a smooth surface for your foundation.  Primers are effective in minimizing and filling in fine lines, prepping your face for flawless make-up application. 

You should find when using a primer that you need less foundation than usual, or perhaps even that you can go without foundation at times!

Here are three makeup primers to try:

From left to right:

Vitamins A, C & E in Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer provide a dose of antioxidants to protect against free radicals.  Retails for $30.00 at www.lauramercier.com.

Formulated with Botafirm, a combination of peptides and botanicals, Revlon Age Defying Instant Firming Face Primer.  Retails for approximately $13 – 14 at most drug stores.  Note from Jeannine:  I have tried this product and while I did notice that fine lines were smoother, this made my skin feel tight and a little dry.

Pearlescent pigments and natural light reflective ingredients in Global Goddess Upgrade Complexion act as optical smoothers for fine lines creating a youthful glow.  Retails for $28.00 – 36.00 at www.globalgoddessbeauty.com.

Are you currently using a makeup primer?  If so, tell us about it!  If not, will you be adding primer to your beauty routine any time soon?

Tattoos are spring’s hottest accessory.  Yes, you read that correctly.

Paris runway shows for Spring 2010 included tattoo-inspired body art from several fashion houses.  My personal favorites, however were shown at the Chanel show.  The designs are so ethereal and feminine and the designs showcased on legs are shown in such interesting areas.  The versions showcased by the legendary clothier will now be available this Spring, marketed as Les Trompe L’Oeil de CHANEL Temporary Skin Art.  The limited edition designs are based on the temporary tattoos that global creative director Peter Philips designed for the Paris runway show.  Each pack contains five sheets (with 55 total designs included in each) and starting in mid-February they will be sold for $75.00 at Chanel.com.
What do you think?  Would you consider purchasing these?  I think it is a great idea for someone considering a permanent tattoo.  Let us know your thoughts.

Featured Stylish Planner of the Week – January 14, 2010

Latrice Cushenberry, Nashville, Tennessee

Note from Jeannine: I first met Latrice Cushenberry about this time last year at the Southern Weddings Magazine Premiere Party here in Atlanta.  Latrice’s personality can best be summed up in one word: integrity.  Just listen to her talk about her clients, and you know they are receiving a level of customer service we often do not see today.  She has an amazing work ethic and intense focus that I really admire.  Latrice and I have very similar beliefs about looking and being your best in business and life.  I am genuinely blessed to call her my friend – she makes me want to be a better person.  Please enjoy getting to know Latrice and reading about her professional, savvy style!

Company Name: Bridal Opulence

Number of years in business: 3

Website: www.BridalOpulence.com

Blog: www.BridalOpulenceBlog.com

How would you describe your personal style?  That is a hard question because it depends on my mood.  I would say classic chic, with modern touches through accessories, I love chunky and fun jewelry and great scarves.  Accessories can make a simple outfit pop!  You must accessorize!

What is your “go-to” meeting attire?  When I schedule meetings through the week, its typically business casual, slacks & blouse with a kitten heel or unique flats,  On the weekends I tend to dress down for meetings wearing a wide leg denim trouser & trendy top with accessories.  {Get the trend…accessories!)

What is your “go-to” evening industry event attire? (i.e., associational meeting, vendor or venue open house, etc.)  Dress trousers with a dressy blouse or blazer.  I always try to have a conversation piece with my jewelry.  It sometimes breaks the ice especially when at networking events.  I have found that people will comment/compliment you on things that catch their eye, which in turn makes it easier for them to approach you and strike up a conversation.

What is your attire for wedding/event day set-up? For the day of the wedding, I typically wear all black.  I have some favorite wide leg black yoga pants, that really can be dressed up or down and they are super comfortable paired with a black t-shirt with simple jewelry.  My shoes are very important because many events its normal to work a 12 – 14 hour day, so I wear Cole Haan shoes because of their Nike Air cushion insoles.

What is your attire for actual wedding/event?  My typical attire for the wedding/event is black trousers & monogrammed company black blazer.  I try to jazz up the uniform with a bold necklace that compliments the wedding color palette.  Shoes – Cole Haan zebra print loafers or a patent leather black Cole Haan loafer.

What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days?  See above – Cole Haan – I am very loyal!

What are your favorite jeans and why?  I have 2 favorites – Gap Long & Lean because I am a short and they really elongate my legs, especially with a great heel shoe.  I also like Seven jeans in dark denim trouser boot cut because they can be dressed up or down.

What are a few of your favorite cosmetic products?  I am very loyal to MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Foundation.  I am beginning to play up my eyes a lot more and am learning to do a smoky eye.  I am loving MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadows & also on the cost effective end, I have found E.L.F. Shadows are great along with their eyelash/eyebrow gel combo mascara.  L’Oreal Volume Shocking Mascara is a staple in my makeup case also!

What products are in your current skincare regimen?  I use an African Black Soap Bar to cleanse my face daily.  It has really helped to even out my skin tone.  I follow that with a Nutrimin C Reality Day Creme, SPF 8.  Every 8 weeks I try to have a microdermabrasion treatment.  In between the treatments, I create a scrub for my face using baking soda & water and it works as a great exfoliator.

Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why?  I love First Lady Michelle Obama’s style.  She is classic & timeless with flair.  Also, Kimora Lee Simmons for how she wears her accessories.

Please share with us (in 50 words or less) your favorite beauty or style tip: Your personal style makes you unique, accessories create that WOW factor – don’t be afraid to be different!