July's Nutshell

I believe we can learn an awful lot about ourselves and others by sheer observation. This month, I challenged myself to take notes on the-out-of-the-ordinary (and not so out-of-the-ordinary), in order to figure out what makes people tick. I didn’t figure it out, but I did see and experience a few things that made me go ‘hmmm…’

*It’s always nice to get together with friends you haven’t seen in a while. It’s even nicer to encounter and befriend new people who share your outlook on life.

*Getting upset about or questioning the activities of others serves no purpose whatsoever. Live and let live – it’s an old cliché, but a mighty good one.

*Creating a scene at the grocery store because you misread a coupon is never a good idea. Taking up the time of the busy grocers to question it and demanding they honor what you believed the coupon represented is even worse. Slamming your cart into the cart of a certain gal as you storm out of the store is inexcusable, and may result in unwanted attention, as that certain gal you slammed into may take to her blog and muse elegantly about it.

*There are truly some wonderful and helpful souls among us who go out of their way in order to help us succeed. Take the time to thank them.

*Meddling in the business of others is just a bad idea, no matter how noble your intentions are. And if your intentions aren’t noble, then shame on you.

*Renewing an interest in As the World Turns is only going to cause you pain when the show ends in September. You’re still stinging from the cancellation of Guiding Light, so why on earth did you put yourself in this position?

*Positive attention brings much greater satisfaction than the negative variety.

*If you’re not in the habit of looking your spouse in the eye every day and sincerely telling him how much you love and appreciate him, do it. Now.

*Rainy evenings are best spent eating pizza and enjoying a marathon of Christopher Guest movies. Be careful, though: you may find yourself tossing about lines from those movies for days to come. (Current faves in the Newman household: Wha’ happened? Dibbit schmibbit, I said ham, and the ever-popular This one goes to eleven.)

*Exercise extreme caution when allowing the over-85 crowd access to tequila.

*Never wear a jogging bra when shopping for clothes. Do shower before hitting the fitting rooms; boutique owners and stylists everywhere will appreciate it.

*There really is no substitute for Fresh Step cat litter.

And that, my friends, is my July in a nutshell. Here’s to a fabulous August!

A Fashionable Sneaky Peek!

I’m sweltering in the Houston heat and humidity, so I must confess, Sweeties, that I wasn’t too terribly interested in opening any of the many fashion magazines I subscribe to, all of them proclaiming
“What’s Hot for Fall!”

But open them I did and found myself in for some truly delightful and inspired reading.

My goodness gracious, we’ve got ourselves a regular popourrie of new styles coming up, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! My fave five fall looks are as follows:

Fur-bulous! (faux or real): an explosion everywhere on the runways, from vests to jackets to fur-lined collars.


Dare to Drape: Draping will be HUGE this season! We’ll also see a lot of ‘cut out’ looks as well.




Leggy looks: skinny and slim-cut pants reign supreme. Don’t be afraid to try a pair on – you’ll love them! Panty hose are still out, but brightly-colored tights are still in.




Bye-Bye Bling Bling: Fall’s accessory must-have is the fantastic layering of pearls or beads.



Color Story: We’ll see a lot of burnt sienna and camel. Other big colors for autumn include gray, lipstick-red, teal, and purple. Michael Kors covered it beautifully!You can catch his fall fashion show here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inkRKFWpbUI

Boutiques everywhere are already bringing in a bit of fall, so hop to it, my friends!




Beth Newman
Image Consultant/Life Coach
Newman Image
www.newmanimage.info
Look, feel, and LIVE your absolute best!

My book, Become A First Style Fashionista, will be available through Amazon in August!

The Old Razzle Dazzle

Give 'em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate
(‘Razzle Dazzle’ from the musical, ‘Chicago’)

Razzle dazzle. I often associate it with sequins, boas, glitter, and perhaps a disco ball thrown in for good measure. I love razzle dazzle, but I don’t necessarily think it needs to be limited to tangible bright-and-shiny objects.

Razzle dazzle is an attitude and some people emit it so beautifully that it can actually bring me to tears. These are the fabulous people…the people we desperately want to come to our parties…the people whom we’re convinced are far more interesting, intelligent, and glamorous than the rest of us.

Take heart, Sweeties – everyone possesses the power to razzle dazzle.

Everything we say, do, feel, and yes, wear can increase our razzle dazzle quotient considerably. The razzle-dazzler will not show up anywhere in public wearing just any old something-something. She’ll look far more interesting than her beautifully-garbed friends: an antique broach, an old derby hat, riding boots….sure beats the uniform look of mass shoppers everywhere.

The razzle-dazzler lives up to his name because he can tell a deliciously gripping story. Getting shot at while working undercover for the government – that’s razzle dazzle. A gruesomely-detailed account of a bunionectomy – not so much. An online status update that he’s just shared a fabulous dinner with Liza Minnelli – that’s razzle dazzle. An online status update that he just downed a burrito from the corner 7-11 – not so much.

A razzle-dazzler emits light. She walks into a room and owns it. She’s relatively quiet, though, preferring to observe what is most likely a group of well-meaning-yet-trying-too-hard-individuals. The razzle-dazzler doesn’t have to try at all. People are naturally drawn to her. She’s mysteriously fascinating. She appears genuinely interested in what others have to say. She keeps her voice low, and her sly sense of humor makes those over-the-top-bawdy girls seem rather sad.

The razzle-dazzler does not seek entertainment from a satellite-empowered box; he gets his kicks by simply living. His artistic, literary, and musical tastes are quite varied, and he’d never bore you to tears with political talk or tell you to get right with the Lord.

So you see, razzle dazzle truly is within our grasp. We simply need to make an effort toward it. Wouldn’t the world be a far more interesting and enlightening place if we did?

Beth Newman
Image Consultant/Life Coach
Newman Image
www.newmanimage.info
Look, feel, and LIVE your absolute best!
Online consultations available
My book, 'Become a First Style Fashionista' will be available in August through Amazon.

July's Good Buys: The Beach Emergency Kit

‘Tis the season when many of us – including yours truly – set sail for sand, sun, and perhaps starlight soirees by the sea. Don’t you dare do it, though, without your Beach Emergency Kit (henceforth known as the BEK).

Most of this applies to the ladies, but gents, there are a few little items you, too, could afford to take along (in your own bag – hers is already full!)

A spare swimsuit: in the event you’re invited to a pool party or dinner aboard a handsome stranger’s yacht, you’ll want to wear something different…something not covered in sand and seaweed.

A pair of cheap lightweight earrings: to go along with the spare swimsuit should either of the above occur.

A baseball cap: it will keep the glare off you whilst riding the waves. Your regular sun hat won’t do – save it for when you’re lying on the sand sipping a frosty beverage.

Refillable spritzer bottle: Fill it up with water for a quick refreshing face or body spray or to wash off the salt and sand.

There’s more I’d like to place into what I’ll refer to as the “Well, Duh” category.

Honestly, I’m surprised how often people turn up at the beach without the following: sun block, lip balm, sun glasses, a small mirror, a comb, a tiny pouch of tissue and baby wipes, travel-size deodorant (please), hand cream, a big bottle of drinking water , and money (a few bills and maybe some change – nothing major)

Of course, you should personalize your BEK with other products that you can’t live without (hair gel, extra pair of contact lenses, etc.)

Now, should you have an inkling that the day’s beach activities will lead to a little night action, remember the following, and add accordingly to your BEK:

In addition to the small earrings, throw in a cheap, beach-inspired necklace or bracelet for added pizzazz.

Create a new evening look from what you’ve already got in your BEK. Perhaps your bikini top stayed dry. If so, pair it with the bottoms of the spare (be sure they coordinate, though), or you could simply put on a pair of shorts. A sarong utilized as a swimsuit cover can easily be transformed into a halter top. Play around with it until you get it just right.

Pack the jeweled flip-flips. They’re much more suitable for evenings.

Of course, it’s vitally important that before you reach your evening destination from the beach that you put your comb, baby wipes, tissue, and deodorant to good use.

Do right at the beach without looking too done-up. Have fun, remain flexible, and strive for a truly fabulous fun-in-the-sun summer vacation!

Ps…if you have any other additions to the BEK, I’d love to know about them!

Beth Newman
Image Consultant/Life Coach
Newman Image
www.newmanimage.info
Look, feel, and LIVE your absolute best!

online consultations available; my book, 'Become a First Style Fashionista' will be available in August through Amazon!