 GlamourByLBD Note: When I first met Julie B., the stylish and fun CEO of The Magic Fridge at the eWomen Conference, we were relaxing in the pool after a day of travel. The next morning, when I saw her in the hotel lobby, my eye was immediately drawn across a hotel lobby to her use of color, an integral part of Julie’s signature style. I asked her to write about how she uses her creative sense of style to project her image as an entrepreneur in a creative business. Remember, your signature style is reached when you dress for the life you want in the body you have.”
About a year ago, I made a discovery about myself when a simple and common question was asked in a slightly different way. It’s a great business strategy to work with your strengths, but instead of bluntly asking, “What are your strengths?”, this particular worksheet asked, “What are you frequently complimented on?”
I would never have listed my personal style as a business strength, especially since my business has nothing to do with fashion, but it is something I am often complimented on. I was just starting to get into business networking in a big way, and I started looking at how people dressed at networking functions. Everyone was working very hard to have their business stand out from the crowd, but at most of these functions, especially the co-ed ones, fashion seemed to be at the bottom of the priority list. I realized that by having interesting clothes and accessories, I might be able to stand out and be remembered in a positive way.
In one particular organization, we wear our business cards in badge holders clipped to lapels or on neck lanyards, so I often dress in colours to match my business card. I use a neutral metal necklace in place of the standard woven lanyard with promotional printing on it so as not to detract from the ensemble. For other groups, I have a plain silver-coloured magnetic nametag with my name printed in black in large letters, but not my company name. This emblazons my name in people’s memories and prompts the question, “What do you do?”, which starts the conversation for me.
Another strategy I use is to dress in neutrals with a standout necklace or earrings. I often network in denim trousers, a white or off-white shirt, grey blazer and a string of oversize bright orange beads - think giant orange gumballs against a white and gray background; of course they get noticed! I have a similar turquoise necklace, a string of shiny bright yellow-green buttons, artisan-made copper and glass earrings, and an African-look wooden necklace with flat wood discs the size of a digital camera, painted to look like ladybugs. When I show up as a return attendee at a networking group, I am often recognized, both consciously and subconsciously, by my outfits, or more accurately, the difference between how I dress and how everyone else dresses.
In embracing my love of fashion, and especially jewellery, I am able to enjoy networking in a way I never had before - it used to be my least favourite part of being a business owner. Now, choosing and wearing elegant and interesting clothing and accessories makes getting up at 6AM, eating rubber eggs and drinking tepid coffee almost tolerable.
Julie’s fabulous sense of style and her culinary treats can be found in Ottawa, CA or by visiting her website at www.themagicfridge.com.
Are you looking for your own signature style but can’t make it past the maze of your closet? Email me and lets change that!
 This question actually comes from me. Today as I was packing for the eWomen conference in Dallas, Texas, I was trying to decide if jeans were appropriate. The answer is “yes” and “no”
I will not be wearing jeans but I am going to take denim pants. They are high waisted and have a flared leg with no distressing and only minimal pockets. They have a “business” cut. They are also a very dark gray/almost black wash. I would have also considered an indigo wash. I will be wearing the pants with an exquisite necklace, tailored blouse and heels, which will also dress them up quite a bit.
There are some nay-sayers who believe that these jeans make the wearer appear larger. While that is not true, they are a lot of jean and I would not recommend them for anyone who is petite. I have a very short waist and very long legs so this is one of those styles that works for me. If you don’t have long legs but like high heels, this style will probably work for you too.
Another thing I am seeing sneak back onto the scene are colored jeans. In nearly all cases, these would be perfect for business casual.
So think carefully about denim as a Business Casual alternative because worn the right way, it is a great alternative.
 Everywhere you look over the past few summers, you see shorts taking on a dressier role. Everything from capris, to gauchos to bermudas and even short shorts are being worn with dressy shoes and touted as appropriate for the office.
So, are shorts appropriate for the office? My answer is “yes” and “no”. Here are a few questions that I have for you before I give my answer.
Does your workplace have a dress code? If so, it probably addresses the issue of shorts. When all else fails, read and follow the directions.
If not, is your office trendy, modern or conservative and classic? If your office is classic, I am thinking that the gauchos may be okay but the other forms are just too casual. Is your office dressy or business casual? In many cases, longer shorts with a jacket and accessories to dress them up are more acceptable in a business casual environment. Unless you work on the beach or at a summer camp, never wear shorts, a casual or sleeveless top and casual shoes such as flip flops.
What part of the country are you in. The East is far more conservative than the West and the technology industry is far more into “self expression” than the banking industry. Look around you. Are the people who have the job you want wearing shorts to work? If so, then go for it!
Click here to learn more about Business Casual.
Click here for an article on Business Casual confusion in USA Today.
Click here for more information on Business Casual
 A few weeks ago, I received a comment from one of my readers, “This woman does not have large hips or thighs! I am tired of seeing these articles recommending swimsuits for certain body types & not showing what the swimsuit looks like an a woman who actually has the body type! If my thighs looked like hers I would not be searching for a bathing suit to help minimize my thighs!”
She is absolutely right. Even the websites with clothing for women sized 8 plus do not generally use “true to size models.” Junonia is a wonderful exception. A website dedicated to active women who are size 14 and above, this website is chocked full of smart, attractive and comfortable clothing for women on the go. Great clothing from the inside out for travel, exercise and a great section of beautiful and flattering swimsuits/beachwear.
Looking for comfortable clothes to get moving? Flattering and comfortable, tug-free swimwear for summer vacations? Comfortable clothing and shoes for vacation travel or just to lounge around the house or knock around town? How about those dreaded business casual clothes to fit in at the office or meetings and appointments? Junonia’s got you covered! All on a website that is enjoyable to use.
This offer is a great incentive to check out their website. With this offer, get $10 off of orders of $10 or more.
GlamourByLBD Note: A few years back, I had my teeth whitened at my dentist. I was so glad that I did it. Now, that same process is available to you at your favorite spa! Kelly Lanspa shares with us the medical and beauty benefits of this quick. easy and painless process. Put aside the whitening toothpaste….
The year 2009 promises to be an exciting year bringing hope and change, not only for the country but also for ourselves. The opportunities for self-improvement are endless and include eating a better diet, exercising more, increasing your business knowledge, and attending networking events. However, all of these take time and the results are not seen for months. There is one improvement that is almost instantaneous and benefits your health, your looks, your confidence and even your success in life. What change can affect all these areas? A bright, white smile!
We all know that a beautiful white smile is pleasant to look at but do you know how important it is to your personal and business success? According to an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry national survey, 99.7% believe a smile is an important social asset and 74% of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success.
There are many ways to whiten teeth but the fastest and most effective approach is Chairside Teeth Whitening. Once only available at dentist offices, this treatment can now be offered at day spas, med spas, salons and chiropractic wellness centers for a fraction of the price of the dentist. Chairside whitening uses high strength hydrogen peroxide gel and patented LED cool blue light to accelerate the gel and quickly begin oxidizing both internal and external stains from the teeth. In just 20-40 minutes, you can see 2-8 shades whiter teeth with little to no sensitivity.
But there are benefits to professional LED teeth whitening that go far beyond improving your looks and confidence. Researchers in Hebrew University, Israel and the University of California San Francisco discovered that the combination of LED light and hydrogen peroxide killed the bacteria that cause cavities, gingivitis and halitosis (bad breath). These microbes live in communities of biofilm in your mouth that are many layers deep and serve as physical barriers that most antibacterial products can’t penetrate. The combination of LED light and peroxide provide a 1-2 punch to the nasty germs with the black colored bacteria absorbing the LED blue light and the peroxide killing the remaining bacteria. The health effects and whitening results from the light and peroxide last a minimum of 6 months and in some cases up to 2 years. Chairside Teeth Whitening is extremely effective at reducing the bacteria that cause painful and expensive oral health problems like cavities and gum disease. To read the research reports click on the link http://www.xpressmile.com/?section=Clinical_Research_Teeth_Whitening .
Now that you know how important a white smile is to your personal and business success, your confidence and your health, schedule a professional teeth whitening today at XpresSmile. Start 2009 with a sparkling white smile and better health! Contact www.xpressmile.com or call 888-838-5193.
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