Refreshing Your Look

I get in these moods where I have to move furniture and home accessories around. Sometimes I buy a few new home accessories to "update" my homes overall look. For instance, decorative balls are very inexpensive and can be found at all of the import stores. They look great on top of a candlestick or try them in a decorative bowl or hurricane. And a really easy way to update is to change the color of your candles.

As I was doing this today, I realized it isn't any different than buying new accessories for your closet. Accessories also "update" your wardrobe. And just a simple accessory purchase is a very smart way to to refresh not only your homes look it helps you get more mileage out of your wardrobe.

Shop smart for accessories. When it comes to your home you don't need to spend a lot of money. Look for simple additions such as pillows, candlesticks, vases and things that will "pop" in your room. In your wardrobe look for a trendy watch with a great "pop" of color, or a new Spring/Summer handbag with the seasons new colors.

I assure you these simple additions will lift your spirits and give your home and/or your wardrobe an up-to-date look ready for the new season.

What's your favorite way to update and refresh your homes interior? What's your favorite item to update in your wardrobe - a purse, scarf, watch, etc.? Send me a comment...

And the Oscar goes to...

Well last night I watched Barbara Walters on her Oscar night special, and didn't she look fabulous in the soft yellow gown and those Tiffany blue beads? I didn't see her on the red carpet, but if she wore that dress she would've gotten my vote for best dress. One thing I've noticed about Barbara, even on the View, she does love accessories and wears them well.

And, then of course, I watched the Oscars and I'm wondering why they just don't make Jack Nicholson the emcee. He is always front row center and gets more attention than any other actor. I wonder if they have ever thought of having him as the emcee?

I knew none of the movies as I never seem to get out to the movies much. I did get to see Juno, which I loved and was glad that at least it was recognized for the original screen play.

And my last thought, is about the best song. I didn't really care for any of the songs and wondered what happened in that category this year. It was pretty flat in my opinion.

Oh well, another year of Oscar and maybe I'll remember what got nominated and try to see them when they come out on video.

Where is Your Paradise?

I'm listening to Jimmy Buffet for a little inspiration. Hmmmm, maybe I should fix myself a margarita! I love Jimmy because he can always make you smile and move a little to the music. Oh to be on an island right now would be heavenly, wouldn't it? What tropical get-a-ways have you been to? My favorite was Bora Bora. Wow, what a paradise! It must be what Hawaii was many years ago. There was nothing to do there except lay in the sun and have tropical drinks. And who would've guessed I would be fine without shopping. It was heaven!







Here's a picture taken where I recently attended a destination wedding in Riviera Maya and a little "Jimmy"....

So young Princess Lia brought coral and pearls
Gifts to the travelers from some other world
The Bush doctor mixed up a magical spell
Swore them to secrecy, never to tell
So young Mr. Moon flew away in the night
With his best friend Magnus right by his side
The sun was rising, they'd be home by noon
Humming the words to this magical tune
Chanson pour les petits enfants
Chanson pour toute le monde
Chanson pour les petits enfants
Chanson pour toute le monde

Mellow Yellow

How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun. -Vincent Van Gogh



I stepped out into the single digits the other day and was cheered by the Spring colors in the store windows. Yellow reminds me of Italy in the late Fall and how the painted yellow buildings bring a bit of sunshine to the landscape. And that's what the store windows accomplished, bringing me a bit of sunshine on a very cold day. My favorite - a very mellow yellow. Coldwater Creek had a great pair of pale yellow jeans that I think would be a great addition to my wardrobe. What is it about the color yellow that brings a smile to my face? I'm always drawn to the color yellow in the Spring but it's a color I have to be very careful wearing. It has to be a very soft yellow for me and that seems to be in abundance this Spring.

If you have trouble wearing the color yellow, try wearing splashes of yellow in accessories like this flirty strap watch with yellow face and leather strap covered in yellow satin.


Embrace the color yellow this Spring whether in clothing or accessories and bring a little sunshine into your wardrobe!

Fashion Can Be Confusing. . .

when you are invited to a party

What is "formal", "semi-formal", "casual", "metro-casual" and the new one I heard today - "upscale casual". When you send out an invite make sure your guests are clear on what you want them to wear, especially if it's that important to you. I recently attended a party that stated "semi-formal" on the invitation and some came in the metro to upscale casual category. Chances are the host may be okay with this, but keep in mind that they wouldn't have put semi-formal just for the heck of it! And if you're not sure, why not call and ask.

Well here are my thoughts on dress definitions....what do you think?

Formal is when you are on a cruise and have that one evening where you dress up "formal"(no pants allowed). That means long gown for the women and tux or dark suit for the man. The cruise lines have to actually spell this out on their brochures. When someone says it is formal attire only - think black tie-formal.

Semi-Formal is usually after five attire or when you are going to a wedding and a short party dress, not a day wear dress is the ticket. Now you could wear pants here if they are cocktail pants, silky wide leg with a formal (not daywear) top. Most wedding invitations will have semi- formal on them and I am always amazed how many show up in jeans and a jacket for him and a sun dress for her.

Casual is just that - casual. Wear your shorts, jeans, sundress, skirt and blouse, capris, etc. I think anything is acceptable for "casual".

Metro-Casual is jeans with "style", meaning a sport coat with a great pair of jeans and a great graphic tee for a man. For the lady, a great sexy silky top with jacket and pressed jeans for a woman and the highest sexiest heels you have in your closet. And, don't forget the accessories here - I think it's the most important part of "Metro-casual".

Upscale Casual must mean the same as metro-casual, except you are bringing out the wow factor accessories. Wear your pearls, diamonds, rolex watch, etc. Oh, and the shoes, make sure they are Prada or any favorite designer shoe.

Check out the fashion quiz and see how much you know about what to wear at your next party.

Of course, you can always take the approach that Paris Hilton takes, "The only rule is don't be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in."

Winter Blues

I never really noticed seasons until I moved to the Midwest. As a California girl each season just ran into the next one. Life was simple. I don't think I ever wore a boot unless I went to the mountains to play in the snow. And when it rained, I just wore closed toed shoes. But now my closet is jammed with boots, 11 pairs to be exact. I've got short boots, tall boots, boots with high heels and boots that have a wedge or stacked heel. These boots take up a lot of space in my closet, but it seems I need all of them. My dressy boots are upstairs and my boots for shoveling snow are downstairs. That's right, I have more than one pair of snow shoveling boots - don't you?

And, why all this talk about boots? Because I'm ready to show my toes again. My feet have the winter blues! I want to wear my toe rings and my anklets! I want my pedicure to shine! Have you ever seen that shoe commercial where the young woman sits down to try on a pair of shoes and takes off her winter shoes and socks -- you can actually hear and see her toes breathe!!!! My toes long for that moment. Unfortunately, we have had a lot of snow this winter. In fact, so much snow, that even my closed toed shoes haven't seen much action this season.

So I'm singing the Winter Blues and longing for sandals, peep toes and even a little toe cleavage. Aren't you?

Who let the dogs out?

What makes people go out in their pajama bottoms? Who in the world started this trend? YUK!!! Do these people lack self esteem? Do they even care that they look like they've gone to the dogs? So then I think to myself, WhatEver accessory goes with pajama bottoms? And this I think must depend upon your mood. Usually I don't see any worthwhile accessory on the pajama bottom person. I mean, if you're going out in public at least make somewhat of an effort to look like you aren't sleep walking. And the worst - flip flops or clogs as your shoe of choice. YIKES!!!! Fashion police where are you?