Top Ways To Show Off Your Bling!

Adding jewelry to your ordinary outfit transforms it from drab to fab!

A few tips:

KEEP IT CHIC AND CHEAP:

Loading up on sparkles can be very exciting but you should know your limits.

For example, you may love an arm party, however, remember to keep it minimal with the other baubles when sporting the arm party.

KNOW WHEN TO KEEP IT SUBTLE:

For instance, a ruffle or peasant type blouse looks best with a thin chain in the mix, not layers of bold or long necklaces.

NECKLACE WEARING GUIDELINES:

Layering - a mix of necklaces in close varied lengths can look festive but don't get carried away with heavy, confusing or weighed down pieces.

Choker - should make a statement all on its own. No need to add to this beauty of a look.

Textures - add colorful beads or turquoise for a boho chic look. Silver or leather and wraps for a punk look. Pearls for the prim and proper and feminine classic look.

FACE FRAMING WITH EARRINGS:

Whatever your preference, earrings are  the #1 piece of jewelry go-to for women. They are the first piece of jewelry most people will notice when in contact with you so they should be carefully selected.

EARRINGS 3 WAYS:

Studs - are not only for the conservative type but can be worn when already wearing a bold, statement necklace.

Chandeliers - draw attention. When wearing long or big earrings, consider skipping the necklace and decorate the arm instead.

Drop - the happy medium. A great way to get out of your comfort zone. Keeps it simple as well as adds a touch of color pop.

THE ARM PARTY:

Stacking - several bangles add a watch and a wrap into the mix. Don't overkill to where you are jingling down the hall.

Mixing textures - it's okay when going for the arm party but keep it limited to one or two types.

If you're going for it, don't be afraid to flaunt it!

BROOCHES: 

These are no longer considered fuddy-duddy. They take on a whole new meaning and add a touch of glam to your average jacket or top.

Put them on an unexpected place such as a scarf, hat, belt or even your favorite handbag to jazz them up a bit.

So just show off what best works for your style and have fun with it! If you love the way it looks then go for it!! 

Who Said You Can't Wear White After Labor Day?!?!

While no one is exactly sure when or why not wearing white after Labor Day is a fashion rule, the best guesses are that it had to do with women of "status" in the late 1800's.

To make a long story short, wearing white back in the 19th and 20th centuries was a "summer only" fashion rule. It was made up with many other high society fashion rules to distinguish old money from new "vulgar" money.

Once Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, society marked it as the end for summer fashion. Not everyone followed this rule, most famously, Coco Chanel, who wore white all year-round. Even though this rule was made up by only a few hundred women, by the 1950's, it was a wide-spread well known rule to follow for decades.

Let's fast forward to the 21st century shall we?

These days the fashion world is so much more relaxed and accepting that the only thing that should stress you out about wearing white is spilling something on it!

White has popped up in all the fall/winter runways. When shopping for winter wearing whites, look for heftier pieces as opposed to those light sheer fabrics. To make a smooth transition into fall, use layers and assorted textures of whites to give those lighter pieces some weight. Don't shy away from mixing your shades of off-whites and creams.

For example, a shot of white like a turtleneck under a sweater or a white shirt under a cardigan is a great way to ease your white wardrobe into Fall and Winter. Trade in your white linen pants for winter white wools.

Don't put away your white denims, instead, wear them with jewel-toned oversized sweaters or a jacket and leather boots for a very "Michael Kors" look.

Whether you live in New York, Las Vegas or Florida, you are ready to face Fall and Winter fabulously with the right Whites!

Life's A Beach!

Ok so here in Florida we can go to the beach 10 months out of the year, lets face it, we're spoiled in that sense. However, with school starting back up here in Florida in August, we Floridians feel a sense of Summer ending somehow!

Well we still have a couple of weeks left before doomsday and if you're wanting to get in a last minute day at the beach or beach weekend getaway, I have my top beach necessities to enjoy the beach to the fullest.

For a relaxing sun bathing day at the beach, I like my reclining low beach chair with pillow included. An umbrella is always a must for those real hot sunny days to escape the sun for a little bit. A very pretty bright hat to protect your head from burning can be so Chic along with my MK sunglasses! Most importantly, no matter who you are, use a 30 or above SPF sunscreen. I use the sweat proof type. You can never reapply too much! A snazzy and colorful oversized beach towel in case I want to take a nap under my umbrella or to just read a great book, which for me, a Nicholas Sparks novel is always the perfect beach book. My earphones for some relaxing music and a great beach tote to carry all my essentials in!

For a healthy start to a beach day, I also like to walk/jog alongside the coast. A few must-haves for that is a great pair of running shoes to maximize your run. Plenty of water to stay hydrated and if you're like me, and like a little flavor in your water, pack a few of those Crystal Light flavor packets to go in your light travel cooler along with some of your favorite healthy fruits! Lastly, some comfy flip flops to pair up with your cute cover-up to take a stroll along the shops and restaurants to take you into the evening!

Why Not Shop In Your Own Closet?

Ok let's talk...we all wish we had one of those luxurious, huge, walk-in closets you see in all celebrity homes right? Some of you may actually have one like that. However, if it's messy, it doesn't even matter! I have a decent size closet for my home. It's a semi walk-in (well supposed to be without the shoes taking over the entire floor) and its separate from my hubby's so it's all mine. It was just so cluttered.

I couldn't find anything to wear even though I had a very full closet!

My mission had begun...to prioritize and organize my closet!

1)Purge:

Lets be honest...we tend to wear our favorite pieces over and over again! Take note of what it is about those pieces you love! Is it the colors? The way it fits? Then on those pieces you never wear, ask
yourself why and then try to follow my general purge rule...if you haven't worn it in 6 months or more, get rid of it...donate it!

2)Stop shopping (as much):

I admit I'm a shopaholic on a budget. If it's on clearance, I convince myself that I need it and it's ok because it's on sale right? Wrong! It ends up sitting in my closet never worn and  just taking up valuable real estate! I've decided on quality over quantity and versatile pieces that I can mix and match.

3)Empty out your closet:

In order to get a real fresh start to your new closet it's important to completely empty it out and dust shelves and clean floors. Also, you may find clothing squeezed in between other clothes that you completely forgot about because you couldn't even see them! Hence the title about shopping in your own closet.

My clothes were so closely hung together that it was too much work trying to look for different options to wear so I would wear the easy accessible clothes over and over. After removing all my clothes, I found clothes I forgot I have and cannot wait to wear them!

4)Hangers:

Although this is still a work in progress for me personally, it is a good idea to invest in good hangers. I find that the felt hangers work the best. The clothes grip on very well. If you buy a few at a time until all your plastic ones are replaced, it can be budget-friendly. These can be found at most stores like Target or Wal-Mart.

5)(Last but not least)Color Coordination:

Arranging your clothes by color is the best idea! You can easily find what you want to wear. It's appealing to the eye and makes your closet feel like your own private boutique! Also, I realized by arranging by color, that I don't own anything yellow and the fact that orange is my favorite color, I didn't own very much in that color!

As for shoes and handbags, I had plenty of shelf space that with my hubby's help, he cut two wood boards to size and placed them on two of my shelves so I could store my less worn shoes on them and more often used shoes on the floor in a single row for quicker, easier access.

My handbags went in the higher shelves. I kept my mini stepladder folded away in the closet to get my handbags whenever I needed a change.

Now I just absolutely love walking into my closet. I just stand there in awe of how nice and organized it looks. The rainbow of colors and accessories make it so much more easier to look at and find something to wear so easily. I'm also saving a lot of time getting ready. I hope I can keep it up and make it last!

So what's in your closet? 

High Fashion Jewelry Care

Chances are you own at least one piece of high fashion jewelry especially if I'm your Premier Designs Jewelry Lady (wink-wink).

But do you know how to care for your pieces? I'm sharing some helpful hints and tips on keeping yours protected and clean. Now keep in mind, high fashion jewelry is not necessarily meant to last a lifetime especially if it's your absolute favorite piece that you wear every day. However, there are things you can do to protect your jewels a bit longer than normal if you follow these tips:

1)Always put your jewelry on last and take it off first.

2)Store your jewelry in a dry, cool enclosed place such as a jewelry box, zip-tight bag or pouch.

3)Avoid moisture of any kind. Us Premier Jewelers call it the 5-S Rule. No sleeping, sweating, showering, swimming or spraying with your jewelry on.

4)Remove your high fashion rings prior to washing your hands.

5)Avoid jewelry cleaners. They have an acid solution that will eat away at some metals. Use it just for your sterling silvers. Never use cleaners that contain alcohol, acid, ammonias or vinegar. They can rust your jewelry.

Use water and a mild detergent. You can use a gentle toothbrush to get behind nooks and crannies. Rinse and gentle pat dry with a soft cloth. 

Use polishing cloths regularly for just brilliance and shine.

I've also heard that using Windex or a comparable cleaner is a great way to clean your jewelry. 

Always make sure your jewelry is completely dry before storing.

Now for an unexpected tip:

Use a chalk or the little silicone bags found in your newly purchased pair of shoes or handbag and place it in your jewelry storage place. These actually absorb moisture that may leak into the area where you keep your jewelry stored for extra protection!

So there you have it! Happy cleaning and enjoy your High Fashion Pieces even longer!

Space-Saving and Wrinkle-Free Packing for your next vacation

Do you love going on vacation but dread packing? Who doesn't? I know I do! I cannot even go away for just a weekend and not pack my entire closet. I so want to be one of those travelers that can just use a carry-on bag for a weeks vacation but who am I kidding? I feel like I have to have choices when it comes to dressing. I'm not a huge planner of what I'll wear the next day. I dress according to my mood the morning of.

However, last year, I was introduced to a new way of packing that is both space-saving and mostly wrinkle-free! On my last planned get-away, my hairdresser, Elizabeth, suggested I roll my clothes when I pack. Say what? Some of you may already do this but at first, I couldn't grasp this concept. Now it's the only way to go! Basically, you pick out each outfit from head to toe including undergarments and you roll them tight like you would a newspaper. You can also choose to add the accessories but I go ahead and plan the jewelry I'd like to wear with each outfit and then I separate them in a baggie and carry it on with me for security reasons. Research shows that flight attendants have been roll packing as well, even up to 40 garments in one suitcase. 

The true test was when I recently helped my daughter pack for a five week, overseas trip to Europe where the weather is very unpredictable this time of year so we had to pack for both hot and cold weather! On top of that, we had only one suitcase allowed at 50 pounds or less. Now that was a challenge but she did it!

A few other packing tips include shoe packing and utilizing every inch of your suitcase inside and out for miscellaneous items. I try to wear the bulkiest or heaviest shoes on board and as I've mentioned in one of my previous blogs, I swear by Switchflops. A basic flip flop with interchangeable straps that can match up with your outfits especially in the summer. Best space saving shoe out there. Also pack your undergarments or socks inside your shoes and pack lighter by packing interchangeable clothes.
Did you know that you can create a little extra room in your suitcase by closing and standing up your already packed suitcase, shaking it up and down a bit and then laying it flat and voilà you will be able to pack a couple more things!

Let me know how your next vaca goes if you pack using this technique!

For a detailed how-to-guide on rolling your clothes, I recommend this link:www.wikihow.com/Roll-Clothes

Are you a migraine sufferer?

Although this is not your typical Glam topic, as a fellow migraine sufferer, I felt the need to share one of my worst recent migraine episodes and what got me through it.

But first, what is a migraine?

It's a common type of severe headache that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. In many people, a throbbing pain is usually felt on one side of the head. A migraine can last anywhere from 4-72 hours.

While there are many causes for migraines, the more common triggers are known as Physiological such as hormonal changes during menstruation (that's me), pregnancy and menopause, Dietary such as certain foods like caffeine and even chocolate and Environmental such as barometric pressure changes, air quality and odors.

For more information about migraines, search the attached link:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIgraine

There are a multitude of ways to try to treat migraines, your more common ways, of course, are with prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and a more unconventional way of home remedies available through the Internet.

While I've tried many treatments, I revert back to otc Advil Migraine which usually works for me if I catch the headache in time at the very beginning stages. The prescribed medicines for me, honestly, scare me with all the serious side effects that come with it.

However, when it comes to the home remedies, I've tried my fair share, from drinking hot teas (peppermint or chamomile), a cold rag or ice pack on the back of your neck, placing used coffee grinds on your forehead, drinking caffeine plus chocolate at same time (even though this combo can also be triggers), flaxseed, oils and magnesium to name a few!

However, in a desperate plea to my friends on Facebook on any remedies they may know of on my most recent fateful migraine attack, I took the advice of a fellow Jeweler, Erica. She, as a past migraine sufferer herself, suggested Vicks Vapor Rub! Say what? You know we all have this medicinal staple in our cabinets! We all grew up with this in our households and may even trigger some childhood memories when you smell Vicks right?

Well guess what? It worked! I rubbed it on my temples along with an ice pack on the back of my neck and I felt relief within 15 minutes. A nice cup of hot tea didn't hurt either! I'm not saying I was in the clear but I was well on my way. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel (no pun intended)!

Of course, before use, make sure you're careful around the eyes, nose and with children.

In my research, I found many different uses for Vicks Vapor Rub that may surprise you. Check those out at:

www.dumblittleman.com/2009/11/twelve-surprising-uses-for-vicks.html