As the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale is drawing to a close, there are still many beautiful LBDs available online and at the store.  And the timing is perfect as the holiday party invitations are just beginning to arrive! 

I love the construction of this Tadashi Shoji Seam Detailed Sheath Dress.  It is very flattering to the over 35 figure for several reasons:

• Horizontal seams accent a sleekly fitted sheath shaped with a wide V-neck and cap sleeves.  The eye is drawn up and down instead of attention hitting the sensitive areas!  Cap sleeves are great for deaccentuating the bust and horizontal seams take the eye off of the midsection.  Don’t be misled into believing that hiding under an oversized dress is slimming when the opposite is actually the case!
• Back zip with hook-and-eye closure does not put zippers or buttons in a place where it will distract or draw attention.  And yet, it is reasonable to tailor if a nip or tuck is needed. 
• Approx. length from shoulder to hem: 41 3/4” makes for an elegant length with high heels.  If you are thinking of a lower heel, be sure to take this dress up to just at the knee. 
• Lined, with underwire support.  Wardrobe malfunctions are practically impossible.   

Enjoy the holidays in your favorite new LBD from Tadashi Shoji at Nordstrom.com!

Not sure what the perfect LBD for you is?  Click here to visit the Nordstrom video library on fit. 

I love it when I see people who I have not seen for a while and they say, “You look great.  Have you lost weight?”  Because, the answer is “Yes, I have!”

A while back, I made the decision to drop off the 12 pounds that I had slowly put on over the past couple of years.  I had clothes in my closet that no longer fit and I felt old and tired.  I decided to use Weight Watchers because with their point program, I was able to change portions and ratios of my favorite foods instead of eating “diet food” in a way that would be impossible to manage.  The food I eat is generally pretty healthy so what I really needed was a strategy to work around special occasions and pizza with the Little League team. 

And now the dreaded holiday season. which for me, runs from Halloween to New Years, is upon us.  On top of everyone else’s holidays, our family adds in two birthday celebrations to the season.  But this year, I will not be adding on a few extra pounds to drop off in January.  Or not. 

Here are a few examples of changes that I have made that have been extremely helpful: 

Fill my plate with green/orange/yellow vegetables and fruits such as berries and melon, then add the right proportion of lean proteins.  It is satisfying, appealing and balanced so I am not hungry.

Using the Weight Watchers meal planner, I “budget” special meals for the week ahead.  

If we are going out to dinner or there is a special occasion, I will plan ahead what foods I will eat for that meal and how I will compensate around that meal so that I don’t blow it. 

For ongoing events like baseball games, I have charted out meals and how to cut back around those meals.  I also bring low point foods in my bag to snack on so that I can eat a small meal of the high calorie, high fat stadium food.  I even budget in a cold beer to wash down that delicious grease! 

I was sitting at lunch with three friends on Saturday (just before the Tim Gunn Fashion Show at Valley Fair Mall) when the topic turned to handbags.  One of my friends is tall and two are petite so the conversation turned to how height determines the best handbag.  And once again, the word “proportion” popped up. 

The bottom line is that your handbag must be in proportion to your height or it will look like luggage.  Its that important.  Do you really want to generate the impression that you are living out of your handbag?  Probably not.  On the other hand, the smaller a handbag is, the more it looks like an evening bag.  This could impact how seriously people take you, particularly in a business setting.

I received an email from a friend yesterday who was shopping for a relative for Christmas.  She wanted to find a good everyday handbag and her price limit was $50.  So I asked a couple of questions.  First, what is her overall size and stature.  The recipient is small and petite.  So that rules out any of the oversized models that are so popular this season.  Also, the relative is expecting a baby.  That immediately sent me to the Ellie Crossbody Bag from LeSportsac.  She will need both of her hands to be free and the ability to remain organized.  Lightweight is also important. 

I love Ponte Knit LBDs.  Ponte knit is very comfortable, easy to dress up or down, and travels like a dream!  The one downfall of Ponte Knit is if the cut is wrong for the body, it can quickly take on the look of man’s sweatshirt!  This LBD from Calvin Klein meets all my criteria.  The well tailored cap sleeve is a great detraction from a large bust.  The angled pleats are as attractive as they are flattering.  The strategically placed skinny belt will be a friend to most body types.  The back is finished off with a zipper and slit.  The length is just right for most any setting.  And thanks to the Nordstrom Half Yearly sale, this LBD will fit smartly into many budgets! 

But waste not a minute.  This perfect LBD is priced to sell and when its gone, its gone.  So, click here quickly to shop.