Tim Gunn will be at Cincinnati’s Aronoff Theater on January 14th for a night of fun and insight with SmartTalk Connected Conversations.   SmartTalk has been bringing women together to experience the power of the spoken word since 1991. In the past several years, SmartTalk has grown into one of the most powerful and entertaining live events in the nation. The core mission of SmartTalk stems from the idea that women are inspired by the heart and voice of other remarkable women. In fact, we became more than just a lecture series but a series of connected conversations. These thoughts, stories and pieces of advice shared face to face create invaluable connected conversations that truly renew, enrich and uplift the spirit.

You have a chance to win tickets to see Tim Gunn!  Simply leave a comment and let us know you want to see Tim!  A name will be drawn at random, and the winner will receive two tickets to attend the show.  Good luck!

Looking for the perfect gift for the fashionista in your life?  SmartTalk will bring the sensational Tim Gunn to Cincinnati on January 14th, and there’s no time like the present to get tickets…and save.  Shop SmartTalk’s Holiday sale for 20% off tickets – starting Tuesday November 18^th.    Simply use “SANTA” to get the discount.  Shop now and save big!

The dreaded bridesmaid’s dress doesn’t have to be the dreaded bridesmaid dress anymore.  Brides are taking more chances now, doing what works for them and their likes, and moreover, their budgets.  If you are a good girlfriend to your friends, chances are, you have a closet full of disgarded southern belle dresses from their weddings.  But now that brides are adding their own unique twist, and realizing that no one likes the southern bell dress, and not even your BFF really wants to wear it. 

If you are getting married, you are strongly encouraged to (A) Be unique!  (B) Give your wedding your own personal flare of bling.  Let your freak flag fly, sister.  and (C)  Avoid the dreaded traditional bridesmaid dress at all cost. 

This is how a few beautiful brides injected a flare of their own personalities at their weddings. 

Do you know a peep toe pump from a platform shoe?  Do you know a stiletto from a sling back?

Shoe Terminology 101:

The Stiletto:  Stilettos are long, thin, and super-high heels  found on boots and shoes.  Stiletto heels may vary in length, from 1 inch to  10 inches or more if a platform sole is used…however, we’ve come to think of stilettos as being extremely high, with a pencil-thin heel.

Peep toe:  Not quite an open toe, and not quite a closed toe heel, the peep toe offers just a glimpse of your toes and your pedicure (make sure to have one if you opt for the peep toe).    Since it’s not quite an open toe, many times you can pull the peep toe off in the corporate world.  It can be professional when done properly.

Sling backs, an ultra classic.  What makes them a sling backs?   It’s the strap around the heel that makes it a sling back.  Otherwise, this would be a platform pump.  The sling back is a super sexy option, and makes your legs look long and shapely.

The platform:  Almost no heel has gained as much popularity in the last five years as the platform heel.  Once a choice of exotic dancers everywhere, platforms hit the Hollywood scene, and crossed over into the luxury set.  Platforms are actually more comfortable than you might think.  The front base of the heel creates the illusion that your foot is arched far more than it is.

The Wedge:  So the 70s called and demanded to be relevant again.  And that’s exactly what happened.  We embraced the wedge heel again as if were were tree-hugging-hippies in 1976 and added our new millennium chic twist.  The results have been phenomenal, and the wedge is relevant again.

Shapewear is certainly enjoying its time in the spotlight these days.

Shapewear is a different name for a girdle, the same kind of undergarment your mom and grandma wore.  It’s the elastic garment that cinches in  your body girth to give you a skinnier appearance, albeit, “about to pop” and “I can’t breathe” appearance.

Somehow, women seem to be embracing the new-school girdle and seem to be okay with it, as evidenced by its multimillion dollar sales in the US last year…although I can’t think of one man who would be okay with this look, with one exception, (and that exception being Dr. Rey).

Wouldn’t getting into shape be far more rewarding than squeezing your back fat or thighs into an apparatus that literally almost squeezes the breath out of you?  Didn’t Rob Lowe’s character in St. Elmo’s Fire (as he openly laughed at Mare Winningham’s character for wearing a girdle) steer you clear of even the consideration of wearing a girdle, er, shapewear?

Does the thought of having to eventually take your dress off for your significant other, or even worse, God-forbid, emergency medical staff, make you want to hit the treadmill instead of face the wrath of public humiliation?

Or does it?  The upside, after all, is having an appearance that divulges no bulges or flaws.  And if we look good on the outside of the dress, is that good enough for us to strap ourselves into elastic apparatus’ to conceal the real story?

What are your thoughts?  Shapewear…Love it or lose it?

Have you developed your signature style?  Developing one’s signature style entails far more than being a slave to the latest skinny leg trend.  To develop your signature style, you need to find what works for your body.  Forcing yourself to wear skinny leg jeans or high-waisted, just because they are in style, does not align with a signature style.  Pick pieces that you know look great on you…then stick with it and develop your wardrobe around those pieces.  Accentuate the good, get rid of the bad.  Choose wisely when you shop.  Signature style is really that easy.

If you like to bring the “girly” at all times, even after a nick to the leg with a razor, then Sephora’s Boo Boo Bling is for you. 

Boo Boo Bling is bandages with a bedazzled look.  Cover skin blemishes, scars, tattoos, and ugly boo-boos with bling!  Use the enclosed bandages to cover the desired area as you would with any other adhesive bandage. Then gently remove the matching Boo Boo Bling from the sheet and stick it on top of the bandage. The center of the jewels aligns with the bandage pad for easy application.

How creative!  Thanks, Sephora, for making it easy to be girly.

What’s new with jeans this year?  Lycra!  Jeggings are currently taking over the denim section in department stores.  Jeggings are leggings which are styled to look like super-tight, skinny leg denim jeans.  Considered the comfy approach to the 80′s look skinny leg that has taken root again with masses.  Love it or hate it?

Spa find of the day is the Westin Heavenly Robe.   They are amazing,  in a word.  Soft, thick, comfy, posh,  it certainly makes a girl smile.   They also have bedding which is ridiculously blissful. 

The colder weather means breaking your scarves out of archives.  One of the best things about the cooler temperatures is that it allows you to wear so many more styles…from boots, to jackets, to jeans to pashmina scarves.   You have a lot more options with a Fall/Winter wardrobe because you can layer with multiple pieces to accessorize your outfit. 

Pashmina scarves are super trendy and super sexy.  For more ways on how to tie a Pashmina scarf, see this post.   For additional ideas, keep your eyes on celebs like Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, Halle Berry, and Jennifer Aniston….celebs notorious for wearing Pashmina scarves.