Jen Wooster-McBride is owner and CEO of J. Lauren Events in Columbus, Ohio.  If you haven’t already, check out her featured planner style profile and get to know her a little better.  Jen is a regular contributor to The Stylish Planner on the topic of Petite fashion, you will definitely enjoy her posts!

I found something that I am dying to share with everyone! A recent quest for a new cocktail dress brought me to a website called My Shape (www.myshape.com).  They said “We match your measurements to a wardrobe of possibilities”.  I was immediately intrigued.

You mean you can tell me what looks good, and I only have to order one size because you will match my measurements to the ACTUAL size of the garment… no, no, it can’t be.  Too good to be true.

But I gave it a whirl, because frankly I am sick of the shopping and returning pattern that plagues petite women.  I answered questions about personal style, fabric and fit preferences.  Then I entered my measurements.  A lot of measurements.  Now when I log in I can go to my own personal shop.  They recommend clothes, from a variety of designers, based on my preferences and that match my body type.  They even tell me what size to order!

They anxiety of needing to find something specific and that actually fits has been quelled. I am in shopping heaven.

Yesterday on The Stylish Planner, I shared my thoughts on pantyhose/stockings.  Oh, and did anyone else know about “mantyhose” before the post yesterday?   Strangely enough, the only comments on yesterdays post were from men – both of which were encouraging women to continue wearing them and recommending their favorite brands.  Hmmmm…

But, I digress.  To bring you up to speed if you didn’t read yesterday’s post, I LOATHE pantyhose and prefer to simply go bare legged when I can.  Tights and fishnets are ok – but don’t work with every outfit, hence my preference for bare.  However, one of the issues I have with bare legs is how pale I am in the colder months of the year.  Of course the obvious solutions for that would be to tan or use a self tanner.  I have done both in the past, but as I have gotten older and wiser, I’ve completely decided against tanning beds.  I do tan in the summer in natural sunlight, but I limit my exposure to increments of 30 minutes at a time and always use a sunscreen with a high SPF and reapply frequently.  So in the colder months, I’m left with only the choice of a self-tanner.  Which brings me to today’s topic – I can’t find a self tanner that I like.

www.glamour.com

Maybe it’s the smell.  All the products claim to have a great smell, but I can pick that smell up every time and I smell it all day long.  It is very distinctive to me.

Maybe it’s the fact that I must apply the smelly stuff for days before I even notice a difference in my skin color.

Maybe it’s the streaking or the orange knuckles or the way my ankles end up looking filthy dirty – no matter how carefully I apply.

Maybe it’s the fact that I end up looking so ORANGE.

Maybe it’s the fact that I feel the need to hang around in my bedroom completely naked until my skin feels dry.

Maybe it’s the fact that self tanning products can be expensive.  And of course, I need two different products – one for my body and one for my face – $$$!

Maybe it’s the fact that I feel I can only apply self tanner when I’m not leaving the house because #1 – the smell and #2 – I’m afraid wearing normal clothes and makeup will counteract the application of the product.

Anyone else have these problems with self-tanner?  I need to get through another couple of months of questionable weather before I can tan naturally.  I’ve got places to be and people to see.  And I’d like my legs to have a little color – is that too much to ask?

For anyone who still uses a tanning bed, please stop.  In addition to being linked to an increased risk of skin cancer, it is incredibly drying to your skin and will age you terribly.  Maybe not noticeably so now, but it will catch up with you – in the form of age spots and fine lines.  If you still insist on tanning indoors, you’ll want to increase your tanning budget by 10% starting July 1 due to the “tanning tax”.  Read more about that here:  http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/24/news/economy/tanning_tax/

There is no way to put this delicately…I DESPISE stockings (aka pantyhose).  With the creation of Spanx, I find no redeeming qualities whatsoever in everyday pantyhose.  In fact, I have not purchased a pair since I worked in the insurance industry in the late 1990’s.  I pray that I never will again.  They make my feet cold but sweaty at the same time.  Shoes that fit fine without pantyhose are suddenly too big with them on.  Within five minutes of finally squirming my way into them, I’ve picked them or poked a hole in them – just one wearing and there’s a hole in the toe.  Not to mention the going rate for a decent pair averages about $5 each – FOR ONE WEAR – ridiculous!

I will confess to the purchase of a couple of pair of fishnet stockings in black, a nice compromise for me, actually.  And I do wear tights in the winter.  Just no pantyhose, please!

The freedom that comes from banishing pantyhose from my wardrobe does create a bit of a challenge, however – what to do in the cooler months of the year?  Tights don’t always work seem to work, and neither do the fishnets.  I prefer to go bare legged, but then my legs are cold and pale.  Unless I’ve remembered to apply self tanner for at least a week prior to the event, which never happens – who know what they are gong to wear a week ahead of time?! (O.k.  Sometimes I do, I admit.)  Depending on the temperature, my legs may even look blue if they are cold and then there’s the lovely goose bumps to consider as well.  What’s a girl to do?!

What’s your anti-stocking/pantyhose solution?  If, like me, you spent years trapped in lycra hell from wearing pantyhose, take out your frustrations here – tell me why you also hate pantyhose – I’d love to hear from you!  If, by some chance, you still wear them, please help me understand why!

p.s.  I was more than a little disturbed at the discovery of "mantyhose" while writing this post. *SMH*

For today’s post, please keep in mind that I discuss this trend with casual attire in mind – not professional attire.  If you are brave enough to try this look, it is definitely best reserved for your personal time.

I’ve often wished I were more adventurous when it comes to fashion.  While I admire many trends, bold colors and graphic patterns, the practical side of me always seems to win out.  While I am personally not crazy about the socks and sandals trend, I have seen a few photos of it done well and it has tempted me to give it a whirl.  I’m still working up the nerve!  Done right, I really liked the pulled together casual feel it conveys.

For instance, I really like Carrie’s look below.  I would have paired it with a black sandal instead of brown, but that’s just me.

Photo courtesy of www.instyle.com

This look is a little too cute for me.  There’s nothing in the outfit that makes the look edgy.  It looks like something for a 4 year old girl.

Photo courtesy of www.MuiMui.com

What do you think?  Have you tried the socks with sandals look?  If so, how do you like to wear this trend?

This week, my past and my future collided in such a way that completely stopped me in my tracks.  I received an e-mail on Monday night from my friend and talented event planner, Eliana Baucicault of EllyB Events and President of the Atlanta Chapter of Wish Upon A Wedding.  She was writing to ask if I would serve with her on the board of Wish Upon A Wedding.  Wish Upon A Wedding produces weddings & civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness.

I had read some blog posts and tweets about Wish Upon A Wedding and had considered how I could be involved, but to be asked made it real to me and so Eliana’s request was a no-brainer.  Of course I’ll be involved!

I’ll attempt to briefly explain the whole “past and future colliding” thing without going into great detail.   It is basically my personal story about terminal illness and loss in my own family and how I feel that has equipped me with compassion for future involvement with Wish Upon A Wedding.

I’m no fan of the word “terminal”.  Doctors used that word for my mother when they sent her home shortly after Thanksgiving in 1980.  They said maybe she had a few weeks to live.  She passed away on January 3, 1981, just 20 days before her 48th birthday.  I was 11 years old.  By the time I was 16, after a gradual decline in his mental health, my father was institutionalized.  Doctors called it “organic brain syndrome”.  To me, that was a fancy way of saying he went crazy.  He passed away in 1997, after being institutionalized for over 12 years. 

I know it’s sad.  Sorry for the downer.  After years of looking at it from every possible angle, the one I’ve settled on is the “love story angle” and it works best for me.  My Daddy couldn’t live without my Mama and with his passing, he no longer had to.  He is with his beloved again.

One of my favorite books has these words, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (Ist Corinthians 13:7)  I’m reflective and grateful today.  Grateful for the reflection on my past today of my parents love story.  And grateful to witness in my near future, some wonderful new love stories of Atlanta couples.  I know I will see love endure and overcome terminal illness – it will be a powerful thing to see and feel.

LET’S DO THIS!!  Here’s more on Wish Upon A Wedding and how you can be involved:

As America’s nonprofit wedding wish granting organization, Wish Upon A Wedding produces weddings & civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness.  By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, it is our hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love.

We are rallying our team of Wish Granters across the United States! If you would like to be a part of our Wish Granting Team {or know someone who would} please submit a Wish Granter application.  How To Help :  make a contribution, become a wish granter, become a volunteer, donate airline miles, follow Wish Upon A Wedding on Twitter, become a fan on Face Book, and connect with WUAW on Linked In.  Of course, I will share any updates as they come my way.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.  Be blessed today, ya’ll!

I really enjoy seeing wedding professionals thinking outside of the box and collaborating in a spirit of helping one another.  I’m pleased to feature today a very unique opportunity for wedding and event professionals…

Carla Ten Eyck Photography and Jubilee Events present “Collaborate and Create”, a workshop designed for planners and photographers in the wedding industry. The event will be held May 16^th through the 19^th at the Ocean House in Watch Hill, RI. There are eight spots available. The workshop will give attendees an opportunity to design and create their own editorial style wedding photo shoot with the guidance and support of two experienced industry professionals. Each participant will leave with a phenomenal portfolio of their work.

Take a moment and look on the website at the beautiful New Orleans shoot featured in Brides Magazine and on Style Me Pretty.  As of the time of this writing, only one spot remains for plannners!  Carla and Candice explain why they hold these events and how collaborating on creative photo shoots has helped their businesses:   

“So many planners and designers have written expressing interest about how we put together our monthly editorial shoots. We began setting up our own creative projects in 2009 and have achieved great success in having them published and featured. Not only has the buzz about our shoots been positive, but they have allowed us to explore artistic avenues that aren’t always available when working on a client’s vision. We have found ourselves more inspired, enthusiastic, innovative, creative, determined, and challenged than ever before. The best part? All this has translated into more business for us all– and it will for you, too.

If you’ve been dreaming of putting together a creative and amazing wedding-styled editorial shoot than this workshop is exactly what you’ve been looking for.”

For more information feel free to visit www.collaborateandcreate.com. Or contact Jubilee Events’ Owner and Creative Designer Candice Dowling Coppola at candice@eventjubilee.com

Ladies, when you attend, be sure and send me a sneak peek of the images, ok?!

Last year, I learned of what I thought at the time was the strangest beauty trend I’d ever seen.  A pedicure in which the foot soak consists of about 100 little carp fish, known as “doctor fish” nibbling away at the dead skin on your feet.  Once the fish have had their way with your feet, you proceed with a regular pedicure.  Ummm, yeah, no thanks!  

But this product trumps the little fish any day…  While running on the treadmill yesterday I was watching the show, The Doctors.  I love this show, I really do.  They do a great job of reporting on the latest findings in healthcare, nutrition, exercise, anti-aging, etc. and presenting it in a manner that is easy to understand.  I always come away from this show feeling better informed, and with something new to try or implement in my own life.  I’m still having trouble, however, wrapping my head around a new anti-aging treatment that was featured yesterday.

SkinMedica’s TNS Essential Serum is a new anti-aging skin treatment containing Nouri-Cel MD, a proprietary blend of human growth factors.  Many thanks to the good doctors who were kind enough to translate…I learned that the treatment contains circumcised foreskin.  Yes, you read that right.  Someone’s darling new baby boy gets the “snip snip” and for approximately $250 per 1 oz. container, I can improve the appearance of fine lines and even my skin tone.

www.skinmedica.com

Now, let me say that I am very intrigued by the science behind this product.  It has been very effective in speeding skin cell turnover in burn victims, minimizing scars and expediting healing time.  That is incredibly amazing to me – medical science rocks!  Being a lover of all things anti-aging, I would probably run out and buy this product except for one thing…

I have a son.  When he was born a little over 8 years ago, we opted to have him circumcised.  I never once thought about what happened to that “part” of him – until now.  I’ve gotta confess, this whole thing creeps me out a little bit – for that reason.  Oh, and it raises a lot of questions too…

1)  Shouldn’t someone ask permission from the parents?  Isn’t this similar to organ donation?

2)  Could someone request that their own son’s foreskin be reserved just for their personal use – or is that even weirder than the tissue going to a stranger?

3)  Could you “earmark” your child’s foreskin to be used for medical purposes only – such as for burn victims?

4)  Historically, circumcision is on the decline – if this continues, will that cause the price of the product to go up?

5)  Does the hospital profit from the collection of the tissue?  If not, who does?

Disclaimer:  Please understand that I am not judging the makers of the product or anyone who chooses to use it.  I’m sure I am weirded out by this only because I have a son and am looking at it from that perspective.  I have read about the use of cord blood cells in skincare products before and never gave it much thought.

I would love to be having coffee with all of you right now and openly discussing this topic.  Who every thought a discussion of beauty products could be so interesting – or am I just easily amused?

What do you think?  Would you try this product?  Do you see any moral ramifications to the use of human tissue in cosmetics and beauty treatments?

“Does anyone actually plan weddings anymore?”  I saw this comment on Twitter recently, and I must say, I get it.  There certainly are a lot of education opportunities available to wedding and event planners right now – no doubt, more than ever.  You may roll your eyes every time someone announces they are starting to do workshops, but I say this is a good thing – and here’s why:

In the past, we were faced with very few educational options.  Sign up for an expensive online course with some unknown association, wait forever for a particular topic to be covered at a local workshop or lunch & learn, or wait for an association’s annual convention to get more info on a particular topic for your business.  In these scenarios, either the content wasn’t covered in the depth that we would like, or we would be required to pay for a convention/seminar in it’s entirety and sit through countless other topics in order to hear about the topic we are truly interested in.  Now, we are seeing seasoned wedding and event professionals who organize and present workshops based on their particular area of expertise in cities all around the country.  Hmmm….much like the Photography industry, right?

Just Google “photography workshops” and you will see what I am talking about.  There are photographers holding workshops on photography business start-up’s, editing, lighting, client relations, studio management, post-production, getting published, branding and photography techniques, including hands on shooting tips with actual models and detailed design elements.  From the activity I see on Twitter, not only do these workshops sell out, but the attendees completely rave about the content and experience.  Attendees chose certain workshops because the subject matter was something they were particularly interested in.  They came out of the workshop feeling informed and empowered, with most or all their questions answered.

Being able to pick and choose the workshop you are interested in is key.  We are all at different phases in our businesses.  Naturally, some people are more creative and excel at the design side of the business.  Others excel at the business side of things.  No matter your level of success or expertise in any area, if you are passionate about what you do, you are always looking for ways to improve. 

I read a statistic back in January of this year that disturbed me.  It said that approximately 60% of brides this year plan to start a wedding related business after their own wedding.  *GROAN!*  (NOTE:  I have been unable to find this statistic again – please forward it my way if you know what I am referring to!)  As if the industry isn’t already challenging enough….here come the brides!  Are you and your business ready for that?  Set yourself further apart from the competition, take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available to you.  Add another notch to your belt, another certificate to your wall, perfect yet another aspect of your business.  The more knowledgeable you are, the more confidence you have and clients will take immediate note of that upon meeting you.

Knowledge is power.  –Sir Francis Bacon

What workshop or seminar do you plan to attend (or have you attended) this year?  What topics (for wedding and event planners) would you like to see presented in a workshop or seminar?

p.s.  I like to feature educational opportunities on The Stylish Planner.  Please see the drop down tab labeled “workshops” for more information and follow me on Twitter & Face book (see links above) for future educational announcements.  If you are a speaker or presenter and would like your workshop featured on The Stylish Planner, just send me an e-mail to:  info@thestylishplanner.com.

As if we didn’t love Cole Haan enough already…

Donate your shoes in a Cole Haan store, or make a minimum $10 donation in stores or online and receive a 20% discount off your entire purchase.  Cole Haan has partnered with Soles4Souls on this shoe drive.  Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and the closets of people like you. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away over 7 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes (currently donating one pair every 9 seconds.) The shoes have been distributed to people in over 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States.  Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.

C’mon – what better time to buy those Nike Air shoes you’ve been wanting AND contribute to a good cause?

To read more about why we love Cole Haan, click here:  Stylish Planners love Cole Haan Nike Air shoes.

Happy weekend everyone!

Yesterday, I attended the Atlanta Wedding Professionals monthly networking/lunch and learn.  The speaker was Steve Moore, owner and creative director of The Moore Agency.  His presentation topic was: “Attract a million dollar client by looking a million dollars”.  In addition to sharing his background, he addressed  what is and what is not appropriate to wear when meeting with your clients and attending industry events.  Kellie McDonald, Stylist at Banana Republic at Phipps Plaza was on hand with the latest spring fashions.  Steve and his staff at The Moore Agency provided makeovers for 5 local wedding professionals, and Kellie with Banana Republic styled their clothing for the runway show.  Kellie and Steve thoughtfully showed some great ways to take your look from day to night.  This was really on point for a room full of event professionals because as much as we work during the day, we also like to party at night, and there is always an event to attend!

Here are just a couple of my favorite Banana Republic items used for the presentation:

Classic Sleeveless Sheath Dress – $150          Indigo 3/4 length sleeve Trench Coat – $175

I especially appreciated that Steve shared thoughts similar to mine regarding fashion in a professional setting.   Here are just a few things he said that resonated with me (and I’m paraphrasing):

• It’s great that you have a pair of $600 designer shoes, but we do not want to see them every time we see you.
• We should not smell your perfume before you actually enter the room.
• If your shoes are dirty and unkempt, you will not receive my attention. (He was speaking to men at the time, but this applies to women as well.)
• Change up your look – accessories are your best friend.

I really enjoyed hearing from Steve, and especially seeing an emphasis placed on keeping your image professional and taking pride in your look.

Thanks to Heather Vreeland of Atlanta Occasions Magazine and Linda Surles of Atlanta Bride and Groom Planner for sponsoring the luncheon and for coordinating events for Atlanta Wedding Professionals.  You ladies rock!