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Whew, we’ve made it through the busiest time of the year and we’re probably feeling a little bit sluggish and stuffed!
Not to worry, this week’s Fashion Flash is here with lots of great fashion, health and beauty tips to get you back on track!
This week our host is Keri from Fab Over Forty, one of our favorite “go to” sites we turn to for updating our make-up and finding out the scoop on new beauty products!
You can go there to read more about these topics:
- Giving can make you feel better and live longer!
- What are you planning to wear to that New Year’s Eve party? Get some great tips!
- More plus size inspirations…
- Feel like you’re in a food coma? Help is on the way!
- New Years = Glamour and Liz Taylor has always been tops for that. Learn how to channel this true glam gal’s style on “the cheap”!
- Pomegranate is so good for you! You will not want to miss this yummy champagne cocktail recipe!
- More on a new soy moisturizer!
Enjoy!
New Year’s Eve is one of those rare celebrations when what you choose to wear can really make your end of the year “hurrah” a time to shine. And if you want to do a little “sexy” it will be just fine.
Oh, that word again, “SEXY”…after 40, 50 and beyond it can be a daunting look to try to pull off.
Here are some ideas, do’s and don’ts for how to get that Fabulous After 40 look to start the New Year off with a bang!
Let’s talk about how to play up your best assets:
Got Great Legs? Then Go for a dress
The easiest way to start thinking about what style of party dress is to first take your hair style into account. If you have short, sporty hair then go for a style of dress that is simple and classic (no lace!) If you have soft curls or long hair then go for a more romantic look with flowing fabric like this pretty red dress. Showing off your legs is simple when you have a plan in place! (Nordstom). |
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| Party in Pants!You can still have fun if you wear pants like this soft and sultry velvet pants suite (Spiegel). The pretty bow will bring out the flirty feminine side of you. You can fill the scoop neckline with some sparkly baubles! |
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| Sultry Slimming Arms Don’t like your arms? Then just cover them, ever so slightly! This dress is a great example of camouflaging a problem area but still showing some skin! |
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Ring in that Waist! When you have some curves but still have a nice waistline, make sure you show it off! Don’t do baggy, you will be hiding what’s sexy!  |
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Thin straps can make you appear larger than you are!
Instead go with a halter that will give you more coverage or a bateaux neckline – oh so stunning! This is a case where more fabric is actually more alluring!
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Twinkle Toes! If you love sparkle but don’t want to splurge on a top or sweater that you might not wear again, go for some sparkle on the shoes! You can take a simple dress and make it shine with just the right pump or sandal.
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Faux Fur Fun! Want to draw attention to your pretty face? We have been seeing these colorful faux fur wraps all over the place! It’s a fresh alternative to a pashmina. Tie on this little piece and it can take a simple work dress directly from work to the party!
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Accessories are the Spice of Life: Textured hose and some bright sparkle jewelry (Banana Republic) are 2 more ways to add some wow!
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| Putting it all together: Here is Deborah with a simple shift dress. She just added a black faux fur wrap and some leopard gloves and she is ready to hit the town! |
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| JUMPSTART YOUR STYLE! Love these tips but want to go more in depth? Try out our best selling e-book Jumpstart Your Style to help you get started to finding your personal style! |
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JoJami and I with host Annette Hamm of CHCH-TV talking fashion
What do you do wear when you have a Christmas party to attend, but it’s not such a big affair that you need to go out and buy an expensive, fancy cocktail dress? For example, when you’re invited to an after work office party, or an afternoon neighbourhood drop in?
Is there a way to dress up something you already own and make it look festive and glam? The answer is Yes! We recently appeared on CHCH-TV in Toronto to show how. JoJami and I wore simple day dresses in solid read and the other, a blue and green print. by adding sparkle, sequins, faux fur, animal prints, lots of jewelry and blingy accessories we transformed our day looks into party perfect outfits.
Add faux fur and leopard gloves for instant glam
The leopard gloves we put with Deb's red dress
JoJami's faux fur and feather handbag
JoJami preparing props for on-air
Here’s what we mean. My simple red dress — great for the office, but add a black faux fur collar, leopard print gloves, a sparkly pumps and I look like the star of the party. JoJami adds a faux fur blue stole and a feather bag and viola- instant drama!
Some other favorite things we picked up were gold sparkly platforms from Michael Kors, all sequin tanks tops and scarves, giant cocktail rings, sexy sheer patterned hose, long leopard gloves with zippers and enough bling to compete with the most decorated x-mas tree.
Sparkly gold shoes - Michael Kors, grogeous!
Happy Holidays!
Melissa looks like a goddess in this one shoulder dress!
We wanted to share an email from a reader , Melissa, who totally rocked a one shoulder dress! Here’s what she said:
I was surfing the net & read your article on accessorizing a one shoulder dress. Here’s a photo of me taken this past October. I’m 42 years old, & this was my daughter’s homecoming dress that I had delivered to my office! This was an impromptu shot, & I was really trying the dress on for kicks. LOL! I wanted her to see that it fit me too! I was wearing pearls at work, not really thinking about it, but the dress truly looked great with and without the necklace. Enjoy! Melissa
Melissa looks Fabulous!! and she got us thinking that we wanted to remind all of you that one shoulder dresses are excellent for Christmas parties. They’re sexy without showing too much, and very elegant too. The one shoulder style looks best if you have average to wide shoulders, but stay away from them if you have small shoulders and side hips ( pear shape). The emphasis up bareness up top will only make you look more bottom heavy. Here are a few we found that would look gorgeous this Holiday season:
| Satin Seduction: A knock-out dress with glam waist bling. It’s elegant, sexy and so age appropriate. This dress works at Christmas or year round! By David Meister (Saks) |
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| Deck The Halls: Picture yourself in this rich burgundy drape, standing by a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with candles aglow? Alice and Olivia ( Saks) |
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| Flirty and Fun: Love the drama of this feather trimmed one-shoulder. You’ll turn head on New Year’s Eve in this sexy, fashion forward gown. By David Meister (Saks) |
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Dear Glam Gals,
When my daughter Lauren announced her engagement last fall I began looking for the perfect dress. I found
This Mother of the bride looks gorgeous in her maroon dress and nude heels
MANY dresses in the stores and on-line that Lauren said NO WAY to because they were “old and frumpy”. So I went on your blog and found the advice I needed after ordering your book, Tweak Your Chic~ How to Dress the Mother of the Bride or Groom.
The step by step worksheet was especially helpful in narrowing down my choices and guiding me in finding a dress that I felt both comfortable and special in!
Thank you so much for all of your help. I love your blog and enjoy feeling FABULOUS after 50!
Claire Z.
Dear Claire,
The pictures say it all, you look just stunning in your beautiful dress! You are a star pupil! Congratulations on your daughters marriage and thank you for sharing your photos with us!
Want to learn more? Check out our e-book, Tweak Your Chic~ How to Dress the mother of the bride or groom.
Ali Brown with Deborah
What do Millionaires in the making wear to networking events?
Recently I was in Arizona at the Ali Brown Millionaire protegé Club Retreat learning how to create exciting on-line products and services to offer you here at Fabulous after 40.
Deb and Kirin "Red Haute Mama"
If you haven’t heard of Ali Brown she is known on the internet as The entrepreneurial guru for women, and was recently seen on ABC’s “Secret Millionaire”. I been following this razor sharp and fun woman her since she was The Ezine Queen!
Every year Ali hosts a huge event called SHINE, which I attend with over 500 women. This November 2, 3 & 4th it’s being held in Dallas, Texas and if you don’t have ticket you should really scoop one up. It’s going to be the event of the year!
Anyway, it was very exciting to dig deep into internet marketing while in Phoenix, but even more fun to get to know all the inspiring 80 or so, entrepreneurial women who came out to the 3- day event at the gorgeous Montelucia Resort and Spa.
Renee and Molesey
These gals looked Fabulous. Most were over 40, and enjoying their second or third careers. They were ambitious successful businesswomen with a burning desire to grow their thriving online businesses and bring their unique messages to the world.
Dorothy Rettay - The Angel Lady
No question these Glam Gals understood how important personal branding is when it comes to marketing your business. After all, if you are selling a high quality product or service, you better look as good as what you are selling or your credibility goes out the window.
Can you imagine buying wealth coaching from a gal who was sloppy, frumpy and looked like she didn’t have two cents to rub together? These gals got that.
Here’s a look at their millionaire in the making style. Love that so many of these women many used strong color and prints to announce their energy and enthusiasm!
Beth- Arizona's PR Queen
Deborah, Anne and Vitalia
I have an afternoon wedding on the 25th of this month, and love the look of the Maxi dress, but have no idea what kind to choose. Also, I’m 5’3 and wonder if this style would even work for me?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Yes, A maxi dress is a wonderful choice for an afternoon wedding, but here’s the catch. You have to be careful you don’t pick a maxi that is too casual for the affair. Some of the maxis out there look like they belong lounging by the pool. You are best to choose a maxi in soft fabrics like silk, jersey or chiffon, rather than cotton or linen. Also solid colors are more formal than prints- not to say you can’t wear prints, but be mindful the pattern is not too funky or beachy.
Also, since you are only 5’3″ avoid maxis with little or no shape because they will drown you. Petite women need to choose maxis that sit closer to the body and have a defined waist. The defined waist can even be a higher one – i.e. empire waist.
Here’s a few maxis we found that illustrate these points and reveal some other Do’s and Dont’s …
DO wear Dresses with a bit of Bling
This beaded jersey dress has a bit of sparkle up top which makes it appropriate for a fancy occasion like wedding. Some skin is revealed up top, but not too much. Still, for the church part of the ceremony we’d recommend a pashmina wrap for your shoulders to be respectful. (Nordstrom) |
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DON’T wear Plunging Necklines
All eyes should be on the bride, so don’t try to upstage her by wearing a dress as low cut and revealing as this sexy, red halter,no matter what your age or how good it looks on you. (Nordstrom)
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DO wear Feminine dresses that move
We talked about soft flowing fabrics. This pretty Shelly Laundry empire maxi dress is chiffon will make you look like you are floating on air. The vibrant painterly print pattern is so in vogue at the moment. $385 (Nordstrom) |
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DON’T wear Animal Prints
This leopard Rachel Zoe maxi is great for a Saturday evening out with friends, but too edgy for a family event like a wedding ceremony. (Nordstrom) |
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DO wear Florals
Florals are always appropriate for a wedding and this Donna Morgan Chiffon maxi is pretty and appropriate. This is a big busted gal, but her dress covers her well while still revealing her figure.$142 (Nordstrom) |
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DO wear Caftans
This Rachel Pally caftan with butterfly sleeves is elegant, appropriate and perfect if you have a few pounds to cover up. Solid purple is elegant, a busy patterned can also work, (Remember Hillary Clinton) or sometimes it can be too much. Keep in mind that smaller women need smaller patterns and full figured women need bigger patterns to balance them out. $131 (Nordstrom)
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DON’T wear Casual Maxis!
Don’t wear maxis that are so casual, there is nothing you can do to dress them up. Some Maxis like this sporty striped Donna Karan maxi were meant for the beach! $59( Nordstrom) |
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DO wear Black and White
White by itself is a no-no for weddings, black can work for a formal or evening wedding. For a summer afternoon wedding we prefer the combination of black and white in a graphic print to look modern and chic.( Saks) |
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DO choose a dress that sits close to the body if you are Petite
We talked about this earlier and here’s a good example. If you are tiny a big flowing maxi can overwhelm. This dress has a defined waist and sits close to the body so it won’t overwhelm you. The ethnic print gives it a more casual vibe, and would work best at a more relaxed wedding.(Nordstrom) |
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DON’T wear flats unless…
A flat sandal, preferably metallic, is fine for a backyard or outdoor wedding , but for an indoor wedding we’d suggest that you wear some pretty heels or wedges to kick the look up a notch. photo look too Don’t forget a pretty necklace or earrings to also raise the elegance level. (Nordstrom) |
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DO embrace Color
Don’t be afraid of color no matter what your size. The right colors will make you look wow! This Donna Morgan chiffon maxi with empire waist looks fab! Notice the sexy heels too. Dress is $142 (Nordstrom) |
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Having always thought of Princess Diana as a role model for taste and style, every once in a while we can’t help but stop and wonder, what would she be wearing these days?
Here is a “fantasy” collage in memory of Diana’s 50th Birthday! She will stay a Glam Gal in our minds forever!
