Having Fun with Color: Playing with Fuchsia!

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Jennifer & Natalie

Are you a woman daunted by bold and bright colors? Are you perhaps afraid to embrace hot pink/fuchsia, for instance? Well snap out of the color doldrums, because it’s your time to shine! Hot pinks ooze with personality–you can convey sass, originality, command, allure, fun and make a statement rocking these hues. There is no reason to shy away from this color, unless of course you just don’t like it, but what’s not to like! Here are a few effortless ways to mix fuchsia into your wardrobe.

Fuschia Fun by jessica-k-rodda featuring chain earrings

You can try mixing fuchsia with shades of grey. Start by finding a figure flattering fuchsia dress like this belted number (simply gorg!) We paired it with a swing jacket with black grosgrain trim. This will help tone down the bold color. When you’re ready to embrace the shade full on, lose the jacket. We finished the look with soft grey accessories. An envelope clutch, signature earrings, and Corso Como pumps from Nordstrom give the outfit sophisticated style.

Fuschia Fun Weekend by jessica-k-rodda featuring sparkle jewelry

For more pizazz, mix fuchsia with orange. This is where the fun really begins! For a casual weekend, ground this powerful color combination with dark wash denim. Don’t worry; you don’t have to take this all on at once. Layer a pink top under a cardigan and then just wear your own favorite neutral accessories. Another option is to wear a white tee under the cardigan and try out the colored tote bag, the shoes, or both. We’re happy with any baby steps into color play.

From sophisticated to playful weekend, fuchsia is a versatile color you can look fabulous in! Next time you’re out shopping don’t skip over this color. Put down the black top and go for one in a ravishing shade of fuchsia instead!

For more fun color combo ideas check out Natalie’s bestselling book, Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style. It is available in Paperback, Kindle and Abridged Ebook Format.

Stylist Tips to help you Belt It!

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Jennifer & Natalie

Adding a belt to your looks can be a daunting idea. Skinny or Wide? Does it distract or add to my belly? So many questions and personal image issues to contend with! It’s a wonder anyone tries this style. We are going to give you a few tips and inspirational images to help give you the confidence to Cinch It!

Belted Trench Coat

First, you don’t need to be a size two to create a belted waist! Chandra Wilson did a great job with this mid-width belt. It helps give this floral, trench style dress a flattering waistline and breaks up the print. She looks like a fabulous hourglass!

Belted Sweater Here is another great example of a mid-width belt being used to give a looser silhouette some shape. It’s placed at her natural waist and prevents an otherwise bulky sweater from overwhelming her frame.

Skinny Belt over cardigan

Skinny belts look nice over thinner cardigans. They should also sit at your natural waist. It looks equally chic on an Oscar de la Renta runway model as it does on the everyday women giving this trend a go. Notice how Lisa from Shoestring Fashion is mixing mustard with chambray!

We also love when skinny belts are worn under a cardigan to define a dress or skirt. Found on Skinny Petite, defining her waist a little higher helps give her a long and lean look despite her petite frame. If you try this with a dress, be sure the belt makes it to your natural waist (the skinny part of your torso or the place that indents when you bend to the side).

You’ll probably need a separate selection of belts to wear at your waist. These belts are typically shorter in length so they fit nicely at the waist. Otherwise you’ll have a long tail to deal with. We focused on skinny and mid-width belts because they are the most universally flattering. If you have a tummy, wide belts cinched at your waist can accentuate it so be careful. Leave us a comment on how you’re struggling to Belt It. We’ll follow up with more inspiration images to help get you on track.

For more tips to help you create stylish looks that fit and flatter, check out Natalie’s bestselling book, *Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style*. It’s available in Paperback, on Kindle, and in an abridged Ebook format.

Spring into the New Season with our Top 5 Spring Trends!

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Jennifer & Natalie

Are you ready for Spring yet? We sure are! We want color and sunshine to rain supreme once again. Shop now to get your wardrobe ready for when the sun comes out. We’ve got 5 top stylist tips to get you ready.

1- Colored Pants

You can pick up this trend in denim or chinos, but it’s definitely one to try. Skip the black and tan shades this spring, and opt for a fun hue to cover your legs. Gap has launched a “Be Bright” collection giving you an affordable way to try out this new trend.

2- Floral

All over the Spring runways we saw floral blooming. Many designers even created head to toe looks in vivid floral prints. We’ll be happy if you embrace floral in at least one piece this Spring. At Nordstrom we found this graphic floral print from Diane von Furstenberg.

3- Sheer Layers

Soft sheer layers bring out the romantic side of Spring. At J.Crew we found a silk pintuck blouse crafted out of crinkled chiffon. It embodies this trend perfectly.

4- Pastel Shoes with Ankle Straps

This trend can be two parts or one, as both of these things are trending. Pastel shoes are tying in with the more romantic looks while ankle straps and cuffs are coming in all shapes and sizes. We just love this pastel suede shoe by See by Chloe. The bolder blue ankle strap makes the look. Word of caution: if you have short legs, the ankle strap can make them appear shorter–so you will definitely want to rock this look with a high heel for optimal elongation!

5- Orange

Of course we’ve mentioned this before, but Orange is huge for Spring! It’s a must-try color! The shade of orange is on the red side, much more flattering. We found this ruffled shell at Loft to help you get into the color.

Try out one or all of these trends to wake up your wardrobe for Spring! Don’t forget you can always contact us to explore the best way you can incorporate these trends to suit your figure and style.

Natalie’s bestselling book, Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It. Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style, is available in Paperback, Kindle and Abridged Ebook Format.

Winter Blast of Cash $700 Giveaway!

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Elan

$700 Winter Blast of Cash Giveaway Event

Welcome to the $700 Winter Blast of Cash Giveaway hosted by Giveaway Promote.

A fantastic group of bloggers, including Flaunting It With The Image Diva, have gotten together to gift one lucky winner $700 in Cash! This year, we promised we would not only give our blog readers and subscribers great information on fashion and style but also participate in amazing giveaways just like this one to help them fill their wardrobes with clothing they absolutely love! Maybe you can be the lucky winner of this fantastic prize!

Check out the list of all the amazing bloggers who have participated in this giveaway at the end of this post.

Let’s get this party started! All you have to do is complete as many of the tasks below as you choose, to enter (you can choose just a few tasks or all–the more entries the more your chances to win!). One winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries. This giveaway is open worldwide. But you must have a valid Paypal account to be eligible to win. Note the giveaway will end at 11:59pm EST on March 4th, 2012.

Have fun!

Continue reading →

Strong & Clear: A Program To Help you Elevate your Game by Tackling your Wellness

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Elan

Women in Wellness based in Towson Maryland, has launched a one-of-a-kind program called Strong and Clear: The Wellness of Leadership. This comprehensive four-month program designed by the Women in Wellness founder Cara Michele Nether, is a joint effort with the Baltimore area’s leading practitioners. The goal: to address the needs of the busy professional woman and support her in taking her health, wellness and life to the next level.

Created to do more than help you “drop a few pounds,” Strong and Clear is for women who are ready to live their life’s purpose but desire to strengthen and embolden their own health and wellness so they can realize their dreams fully and completely.

If you live in the Baltimore area and you are a woman on a mission, ready to leave your indelible footprint on the earth using your unique gifts, then this program may be perfect for you. The program kicks off with a 21-day purification program and then offers everything from lessons in culinary nutritional and cooking with a professional chef, to purpose and passion coaching and creating a personal space to honor “who you are and where you are going.”

If you’re tired of postponing the life you were meant to live and are ready to claim it today, click here to learn more about Strong and Clear: The Wellness Of Leadership. Élan Image Management is honored to be a facilitator in this dynamic program. We are confident that this unique program will be life transformative for all participants.

Be sure to watch this very cool slideshow highlighting the program’s vision and benefits. Visit the Strong & Clear website to learn more. Note: this first wave of the program is available to women who live in or near the Baltimore/Towson metro area.

The Strong and Clear officially kicks off March 17th, 2012. There are twelve remaining spots available. Perhaps one of those spots is yours? For more information and to register contact Cara Michele Nether at cm@womeninwellnessmd.com.

Spring Fashionista Event Lookbook Launch Event is Here

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Elan

The Spring Fashionista Giveaway Event is almost here and Flaunting It with The Image Diva is thrilled to be part of this Fashion Bonanza! To kick it off, this LookBook preview event showcases some of the exciting giveaways that will be part of the event. Check out the virtual book above (see my giveaways on page 49 and 54!). The bonus? In this Lookbook pre-giveaway event, you can enter to win a pair of simply fabulous earrings. More on that in a bit. But first, What is the Spring Fashionista Giveaway?

Well it’s only the Internet’s largest and only ALL FASHION, ONLY FASHION related giveaway blog giveaway EVENT. Taking place March 2-7, every giveaway in the event will have a prize valued at $100 – or more! It gets better. Since are more than 110 bloggers participating that means there will be more than $20,000 worth of prizes to win–many giveaways are over $300! Unbelievable, right?

The LookBook gives you a sneak peak at some of the giveaways that will be offered during the Spring Fashionista event. Whether it’s a gift card to your favorite store, a beautiful piece of jewelry to adorn your ears, wrists, neck and more, a new pair of heels, a fab handbag, a new pair of jeans, a custom gown or other treasured item of clothing, you can find it in spades in this event. Are you excited yet? View the Lookbook above to feast your eyes on the possibilities. Continue reading →

Flattering Silhouettes for Plus Size and Busty Silhouettes

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Jennifer & Natalie

Our mission is all about helping you find styles that fit and flatter no matter your size. Rarely do our bodies fall into one fit category. We have to take every part of our beautifully unique shapes into consideration when selecting our wardrobes. If you are plus size and busty you want styles that skim the body to give your waist definition without revealing too much up top. We have a few tips to help you do that.

Our first stop is at Carissa Rose, where her woven silhouettes are designed to flatter a larger bust line. With three fits to choose from, she helps take the guessing out of finding your perfect blouse. Styles cut with extra bust room prevent gaping along blouse buttons. The Urban Fit is the narrowest to really accentuate an hourglass, shown above in the Hannah Short Sleeve Shirt. The Vanessa Banker Blouse shows off the Semi-fitted Silhouette nicely. You can really see the attention to detail and flattering seam lines sewn into this fit. The Tailored fit, seen above in the Quintana Tuxedo Shirt, is relaxed while still showing off your feminine curves.

When shopping for knits when you are busty, concentrate on styles with a slight scoop or v-neckline. These will be the most flattering. They should also be a trimmer fit. Anything too boxy will look bulky. Drapey watercolor tee makes for a pretty, casual top with scoop neckline. For everyday layering, this Ruched-V Tee from Talbot’s is an excellent addition to your closet. They also have high quality sweaters that will hold their shape. Flower Garden Cardi would make a nice transition from winter to spring and the print helps camouflage tummy issues.

These same necklines will also look fantastic when selecting dresses. Remember that good bra support is key. Select dress and tops that allow you to wear a thicker bra strap so you get the foundation you need for your girls. Check out this printed dress we found at Macy’s. It has a faux wrap design, so no adjusting throughout the day. The modest V neck is perfect so you show enough skin at the chest without revealing too much cleavage. Plus the border print on the side is a great slenderizer.

From woven to knit, these silhouettes will give you a flattering fit. Stay tuned while we look at jackets and layering tips to give you that sleek and professional edge.

Create a Sexy Look this Valentine’s Day!

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Jennifer & Natalie

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. You’ve probably already selected a gift for that special someone. Have you thought about what you will wear for your romantic evening out? It’s a day where you have full license to Flaunt It! So have a little fun creating a sexy (or alluring!) look.

Valentine’s Day Style by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring sequin handbags

A body skimming knit dress is a fantastic way to show off your body. Whether you prefer to cover your arms or go bold and sleeveless, this fitted, sexy look can be achieved. We added a bold red statement necklace and matching bracelet. Since these two pieces are attention grabbers, we stuck to simple gold hoops. A gold pump would really take this look to new heights. If this is over the top for you, your sexiest black pumps and gold bag will be equally stunning.

Valentine’s Date Outfit by fortheloveofblueshoes featuring slim jeans
If it’s a little too cold for you to be comfortable with your legs bare, jeans or skinny trousers can be equally sexy. After all, you have to be comfortable and confident to truly feel sexy. That’s hard when you’re freezing! So, put on your most flattering denim and update it with a new silk blouse for the evening. We added a short fitted red blazer over these sleeveless numbers. On this look we accented with bold chandelier earrings and a ruby red cocktail ring.

Regardless of the outfit you choose, I believe in wearing the color that makes me feel sassiest on this special day. For me, that would be red or fuchsia. Whatever color makes you feel confident and strut-worthy, wear that! Trust me your guy will see that special sparkle and inner radiance on the outside.

Ladies, don’t forget to freshen and enhance your make up. Give yourself a smoky eye and a bolder lip to bring your inner tigress out this Valentine’s Day.

Here’s to love!

Harper’s Bazaar and Estée Lauder: Looking For A Few Fabulous Women

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Elan

As the author of the bestselling book Frumpy to Fabulous: Flaunting It, I think I know a thing or two about what it takes to be fabulous. It’s about having style, fashion sense and beauty, yes, but it is also about poise, confidence, charm, a comfort in your skin and a whole lot more. So do you think you’re Fabulous? Then enter the 3rd annual Fabulous at Every Age contest sponsored by Harper’s Bazaar and Estee Lauder.

Harper’s Bazaar celebrates decades of chic women in each issue, spotlighting icons from Emma Stone to Gwyneth Paltrow to Jane Fonda, with the best fashion, beauty and inspiring street style to help women embrace the latest trends in a flattering, age-appropriate way.

“We celebrate women at every age because great style is eternal,” said Harper’s Bazaar editor in chief Glenda Bailey. “We are thrilled to spotlight our fashionable readers.”

To enter the contest, readers can nominate themselves or other fabulous women by uploading a photo at www.harpersbazaar.com/fabulouscontest. To get camera-ready, women can stop by Estée Lauder counters at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide for Fabulous at Every Age events, to receive a beauty makeover and personalized advice from a Beauty Advisor, and then pose for a photograph that may be used to enter the contest.

Here’s the cool part: Five finalists, each representing a decade between 20 and 60+, will receive a $5,000 cash prize and be honored at a VIP party in New York City. One grand prize winner selected from the finalists will receive an additional cash prize of $5,000.

For complete rules, visit http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fabulousrules.

The 2011 Fabulous at Every Age grand prize winner, Brandyn Barbara Artis, 67, from West Hollywood, CA, was spotlighted for her effortlessly chic personal style and inspiring accomplishments. For more on her story and the 2011 finalists, go to http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fabfinalists.

If you think you’re fabulous, go for it! I know I’m entering. Good luck fabulous ladies!

Natalie

Coming Soon: Step Into Your Style E-Course. It’s Free!

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Elan

I am pleased to announce the upcoming launch of my FREE 30-day Step Into Your Style E-course! This e-course will provide you with simple but effective ways to refine your style and polish your look right away. Subscribers will receive a total of 12 lessons over the course of 4 weeks in their inbox. In other words, in this complimentary e-course, you will be receiving one new style lesson every three days for 30 days.

I developed this E-course as a way to provide women with a resource that is informative in a format that keeps them accountable. It’s so easy to get off track from the goals we set for ourselves, image or otherwise. So I wanted to offer subscribers to the course information in that is easily accessible and in digestible bits, so that over a month, they can get closer to their image goals, regardless of their starting point.

I have made this as effortless and easy as possible. Once you sign up (and again it is FREE), all you have to do is sit back and wait for your new lesson to arrive in your inbox every few days. Your “work” will be to take the information, tips and homework from the lesson and implement them step by step. If you do this, I guarantee you will start to notice a change in how you think about your image, and the way you approach getting dressed each day.

Within the lessons, I share various resources and links to help keep you motivated, inspired and informed. My intention is that you will have time to absorb the information from the lessons and take the necessary action. THIS is the catalyst for change.

Lastly, if you stay with me throughout your month long journey, I will reveal a very special offer that will only be available to subscribers of this e-course. It is a Fabulous offer and I don’t want you to miss out on it!

Once my Step Into Your Style E-course is live next week, I will be announcing the link where you can access it.

Stay tuned my Fabulous Friend!