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Friday, March 30, 2012

Friday's Faux Paw

I wish female humans would understand that leggings are to be worn UNDER something as in a dress, skirt, long tunic, etc. When you wear them as pants you look like you forgot the rest of your outfit. You look even more ridiculous when said leggings have a sheen to them like the aerobics spandex of the 80's. I wasn't alive then, but Joelle assures me that it was truly a scary time fashionwise. And those that do not have perfect bodies (which is most of us) or have a bit of "junk in the trunk" when you walk, it looks like two pigs fighting in a sack. I really don't need to see this and no one else wants to either. So please be kind to the enviroment and mankind (and us dogs) and cover up your bumper. Not only will you look better, I will not want to bite your bum thinking it's alive.


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Viva Les Curves!

After watching the Academy Awards this year, I wasn't in my usual euphoria over the gorgeous evening gowns on the red carpet. Why you may ask? It's because I saw entirely too many women who were way too thin and sickly looking. When exactly did looking healthy go out of style? And more importantly what kind of message does this send to women, particularly young women? Apparently a very harmful message because in Canada one to two percent of women between the ages of 15 and 25 have anorexia and three to five percent have bulimia.

I remember as a young woman looking at magazines not realising the amount of retouching that had taken place on every photo. How I longed to look like that! I also didn't realise that the model had three hours of hair and make-up and another three hours in wardrobe to attain that look. No wonder I had low self-esteem issues because I looked nothing like the beautiful women in the magazines. I remember feeling so ugly and inadequate. At least nowadays, photoshopping is very mainstream and talked about. A great video to watch about the magic of photoshop was made by Dove:


This video and many others nowadays show what goes on after an image is shot and what goes on "behind the scenes" at a photoshoot.

Yes I still model, however I am very concerned about the message it sends to young women. I recently modelled and was interviewed for Lane Jensen's I Feel Beautiful When... project. I chose I Feel Beautiful When I Model in order to discuss my childhood low self-esteem issues and try to debunk the beauty myth:


Remember, you can't have style if you look sickly because you're starving yourself. eat healthy and always do some sort of exercise in your life daily - even if it's power walking/shopping for those great deals at your favourite mall! And above all love yourself because "We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle." - Marilyn Monroe.
Joelle

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Can't Wait For Spring!! The Top Ten Trends For Spring/Summer Fashion

Normally I am most excited for fall fashion. I love the fall textures, colours, and especially taking out my many pairs of boots. But for some unexplained reason, this year I am so excited about spring. Most likely because of all of the wonderful colours that seem to be popping up everywhere. Here's a quick run down of what we are starting to see everywhere:

1. Coloured Denim
Yes coloured denim is still everywhere, not just jeans, but now pants, shorts, and even capris. I have already purchased orange, red, navy, and white jeans and green pants. I still would like to add some purple jeans and cobalt blue jeans to the mix.

2. Colour Blocking
Colour blocking is still very popular this spring. If you are scared to mix brights, then colour block some nutrals instead. Unsure how to do it? Then invest in an already colour blocked for you dress.

3. Nautical
Ahoy, matey! Nautical is once again making an appearance for spring. Look for horizontal striped tees in red/white or navy/white, blazers in a solid like red, navy, or white, and even shoes in the same colours either solid or striped. If the look is not for you, then why not paint your nails in those colours?

4. Bold Pastels
Yes bright colours are in, but bold pastels are huge right now too. Because they are not as pale as in the past choose clothes with clean lines, and keep the neutrals for shoes and accessories.

5. Florals
With spring there are flowers and not just outside! Floral patterns are everywhere this season. To avoid overdoing this look, you only need one statement piece for maximum impact. There's also no need for lots of jewelry or make-up.

6. Pleats
Knife, accordion, or crystal, going with something pleated this season and you'll be in style. For extra glam, add some shimmer or shine. A skirt is the best way to show off some killer pleats. Don't over do your hair and pair it with some strappy platforms.

7. The White Shirt
The white shirt has taken on many a new appearance this year. Designers have knotted, tucked, slashed, warpped, drapped, and layerd it to create a a new way of wearing this wardrobe staple. You don't have to tuck it in, but pair it with a short skirt for a more modern look. Keep accessories white as well - except for your shoes of course.

8. Neon
Are the 80's rearing their head again? I think so! Neon is back with a vengeance. Try a pair of taxi cab yellow pants or a flourescent orange mini skirt. If you're not brave enough, why not some lime green pumps?

9. Shimmer
Clothes have been starting to glow this spring inspired by how water looks being lit by moonlight. You can try this trend with pearly colours in uncomplicated silhouettes. Only do this with one item of clothing. This is wearable during the day too!

10. High Waists
This is not a look that everyone can pull off. Your legs will look longer, and you won't have the "muffin top" bulge, but if you have wide hips, these pants can make you look wider because of the higher up waist. Tuck in your shirt, otherwise people won't know you're wearing a high waist pant at all. Wide pants work best with a lean jacket. A high waisted pencil skirt looks good with a loose blouse.

Zeke will be here Friday with another Faux Paw. I'll be back Monday to talk about something extremely important. Stay tuned!
Joelle

Monday, March 19, 2012

Looking Good In A Flash!

Okay, as I have mentioned more than once in this blog I am not a morning person. It really doesn't matter how much sleep I get, I still hit the snooze bar an average of two times per morning and barely drag my butt out from under the sheets in time to get ready for work. I have found that I only need a few minutes to do the basics and I still manage to look put together. I will share this with you, so when you have a time contraint you can also look good.

First lightly apply foundation if you wish to. Then apply concealer where you need it, for me this means under the eyes and on my nose. I skip the powder but for those with oily skin, lightly dust with powder. Use a light eyeshadow (white or pale pink for fair skin, champagne or pale gold for medium skin, pink/gold or pale bronze for dark skin) to highlight under the eyebrow and on the inside corners of the eye. This makes you look more awake. If I have more time I also apply eyeliner on my upper lash line. Also make sure to curl your lashes and apply mascara on your upper lashes only. By doing this you will draw attention away from dark undereye circles and wrinkles. Lastly, apply some blush and tinted lip balm or lipstick and you're ready to go!
Joelle

Friday, March 16, 2012

Friday's Faux Paw

You bought a wool coat? It sure looks great on you. The reason I and everybody else knows that it's wool is because you didn't remove the tag stating that it's "100% Wool" from your sleeve. When purchased, many coats and suits (yes male humans this includes you) will have a tag stitched to the sleeve stating that it is made of wool or saying where it was made or by whom. It is your job after you buy it and bring it home to take scissors or seam rippers and remove the tag or you look rather silly. We don't really need to know that your coat is made of wool as long as you look good while wearing it. Don't make me jump up on you and remove the tag with my teeth because I feel like doing that everytime I see this faux paw. Not cool.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Solving The "I Have Nothing To Wear" Blues

If you're anything like me, Monday morning comes way too quickly after a weekend. Most of the time I pick my clothes out the night before a workday because I am not a morning person. Sometimes, though, I get sick of doing that or just feel plain uninspired. So what's a girl (or guy) to do in this case?

I may just have an answer to this dilemma. Choose a day off from work, grab yourself a beverage and some snacks (I like red wine with cheese and crackers). Then get some fast tunes playing and a Polaroid instant camera (if you only have a digital camera, that's okay; but then you'll also need a colour printer.)

Start putting together work outfits complete with jewelry, purse, and shoes. If you like an outfit a lot, put it on and get someone to take a photo of you in the outfit. Repeat. Feel free to write on each photo any details about the outfit you wish to remember and the date if you wish. Put the photos in a mini album or pin them on a bulletin board. These outfits will be your "go-to" outfits that you can reach for when you're uninspired--or too tired to pick something out. Now dressing for work will be easy.

Zeke is back on Friday with another Faux Paw he is tired of seeing.
Joelle