Putting Together The Perfect Holiday Party Dress and Attire

The company holiday party comes in many shapes, forms and sizes.  Translate that into many wardrobe possibilities and acceptabilities!  Oh the what-in-the-world-do-I-wear-to-this-thing horror!  Calm down.  There is a dress out there for you.  I personally am a fan of the black tie affair, although I have to admit that finding a dress or gown can prove challenging.  Word of advice - start early.  In doing so you'll avoid the possibility of showing up in the same dress as someone else (yes, this mortifying situation happened to me once and I am still traumatized by it!)  But I digress.  In terms of formal attire, ladies and gentlemen please take note - the short cocktail dress absolutely is appropriate for a black tie affair.  It is ridiculous in this day and age to think you have to go gown just because it is a formal affair.  That being said, I, personally, love a gown - it is so forgiving and so easy to hide under. But, for those of you that don't own one or simply don't want to wear one, don't worry about it!  A beautiful, tasteful length cocktail dress can be just as dressy and elegant.  Don't shy away from short because of some sense of traditional convention!  However ladies, the tea length dress went out with poofy hair and scrunchies! 
Once you have decided on the "perfect dress" or even the one that will do, remember the power of the accessories.  "The only thing that separates us from the animal is our ability to accessorize!"  No truer words were spoken!  My friend in search of the perfect outfit has spent hours searching for shoes, jewelry and wraps.  Waste of time? Absolutely not!  Her boutique scouring (me along for the commentary and approval) has yielded the perfect shoes - not too strappy, not too high; the perfect bangles - just dressy enough with the right amount of bling; the perfect ring - yes, it's tasteful without looking overwhelming; and the perfect wrap - it's supposed to be 30 some-odd degrees where she's headed!  All in all, the last couple of weeks have proved exhausting and yet, the perfect outfit for the mandatory holiday party has been accomplished. 
For those of you out there fretting over the dress for that holiday party you are required to attend - relax.  The dress is out there and with the right accompaniments, you will be stunning.  I have no doubt that my friend will be the bell of the ball.  And thankfully, after this weekend is over, she won't have to worry about it again for at least 365 days!

quote courtesy of Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB): Steel Magnolias
photo courtesy of fashiontribes.com

Change is Good But Not For Hair

What is it about change that dares us to do something and then more often than not we regret it?  This sounds like a huge philosophical question fit for countless hours of discussion, but actually, and don't judge my shallowness, I am merely talking about hair.  My hair actually.  After I can't even remember how many years of long tresses, I decided to go a bit...short.  Yes, the signature locks have been shed for a shorter version of, well, something.  I would plead insanity, or victim of a hair dressers bad day, but actually, I asked for it.  Last week, with photos in hand, I requested to have about 3 1/2 inches lopped off.  Doesn't sound like much but in hair measurements, it's a scary amount!  Within seconds of the new do, I panicked.  What had I done?

My hair has always been one of those bane-of-my-existence type things.  I have to say that I really have beautiful hair and yet it's a total love-hate relationship.  Usually it's about the time that I have it cut or try out a new style that I think, wow, I really loved my hair the way it was before, and I really hate it this way!  I know some of you out there are nodding in wholehearted agreement.  Bless you.  But what is it about hair?  You can do so much with it and yet, let's be honest, so little.  It can be colored, streaked and highlighted; cut, trimmed or shaved.  You can layer it, bob it, feather it; wear it in a pony tail, a chignon, braid it, "bump it", beehive it; curl it or straighten it.  Really the possibilities are endless and yet, so many of us truly hate our hair and can't do much with it. 

So here I am with a much shorter hairdo than I would like and not quite the look as the picture promised.  I am regretting my rash decision for change and the "chop it off" directions I gave.  My attempt to look chic, stylish and sophisticated didn't really translate and instead I have barely shoulder length hair that I can't even figure out which way to blow dry!  Ugh!  It reminds me of something my dad always said, "the difference between a good hair cut and a bad one is about two weeks."  Hopefully he's right.  If not, I guess look for me - I'll be the one wearing a hat.

photo courtesy of Amy King's blog Amy King's Alias

Real Beauty - Finally

Kudos to Glamour magazine!  I am thrilled with the recent hoopla that Glamour magazine has caused by publishing a photo of a model with a real-life body.  Lizzie Miller is a 5'11", 180 lbs model who has a bit of a belly roll.  Pick up the September issue and you can see her in all her confident and beautiful glory!  The magazine, which has always been known for it's size 2, obsessively thin models, has decided to take a different approach and begin showcasing real body types.  Marisa Meltzer of The Daily Beast comments on how this photos is "leading a plus-size revolution."  Women around the world say horray!  And, it's about time.  
Fashion and beauty magazine are supposed to give us advice and show the everyday woman how to be glamorous and fashionable.  How can we take them to heart if everything in the magazine targets the unrealistic and obviously airbrushed images of waif-like models?  A woman's body is beautiful at every size and every age - there are just different stages of beauty.  It's about time that the mainstream glam mags recognize, accept and showcase this.  Thank you Glamour magazine and kudos to a very gorgeous Lizze Miller and her lovely belly pooch.  She is a truly sexy, confident, beautiful woman giving us everyday beauties something to smile about.

photo courtesy of Glamour magazine - September issue p. 194
check out the story in Glamour at http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2009/08/on-the-cl-the-picture-you-cant.html