Shoes are fabulous – even if they’re not always comfortable – Kimora

We all know I have an affinity for shoes. I love how they can transform an outfit, make a statement, and that they always fit. Kimora said it best. They are fabulous, but they aren’t always comfortable. Comfort knows no brand when it comes to shoes, and even the most expensive shoes can ache. Construction is key when it comes to determining if a shoe will be comfortable, and also in how long that comfort will last before you’re hoping. While you can’t change the construct of a shoe, you can supplement it.

The first step in making a shoe more comfortable, is to identify why their hurting. There’s little that can be done for a shoe that is the wrong size, but chaffing, sliding, and pressure can be relieved easily.

Expert Tip: Go shopping for shoes in the afternoon, your feet swell throughout the day and are their largest at the end of the day.

Instep Cushions, provide support for the balls of your feet, and also prevent them from sliding forward. There are both gel and foam variations. The gel ones tend to be thinner, allowing more room in tighter shoes; but don’t provide as much cushion as the foam ones.

Insoles are great for all over comfort and work well with shoes that have a hard bottom. One caveat, unless custom made, insoles may not be shaped appropriately for all your shoes, and may need to be trimmed.

Moleskin is a lifesaver to combat chaffing and rubbing and can be found in most drugstores. It can be cut to your needs, and some even have adhesive on the back. It is typically “flesh” colored, but since we all aren’t the same color, I would recommend coloring it with a marker, if you have to apply it in an area that may become visible such as inside a peep toe.

Other shoe-savers to keep in your arsenal might include chaffing gel (click here to see how this product can pull double duty); Antiperspirant, yes deodorant!  works well with synthetic material that can make your feet sweat, and shoe grips for smooth bottoms.

Do you have any sole saving techniques? Share them below

This past weekend, I had the worse pedicure/manicure I’ve ever experienced. First, the water was too hot (and I can take it pretty hot), the foot and leg massage felt like he was attempting to amputate my foot, and lastly the polish looked like my two year old niece applied it. As I reluctantly forked over my $40 for the service, I couldn’t help but be upset that I was paying for something that I could have (and have) done myself. At a premium at that! I usually pay around $30-$35 for a basic pedi/mani. I’ve gotten enough pedicures in my day, to know when something isn’t right, but I don’t feel comfortable telling a professional how to do their job, so I kept quiet and only made a few requests like an extra coat of polish, knowing that I would be breaking out the corrector pen once I walked out. Needless to say, I won’t be going back there ever again.

For a while, a few years ago while saving up for a big purchase, I completely abandoned my bi-monthly pedi/mani routine and went the DIY route with some salon quality tools I purchased from Sally’s beauty supply for around $20, only checking in at the salon every 6-8 weeks. Here’s what I did to get me between nail salon visits.

The pedicure and manicure steps are similar, so I highlighted in pink the additional steps for a pedi.

QUICK DIY MANICURE/ PEDICURE:

STEP 1: Remove any old polish with finger nail polish remover

STEP 2: Using a glass nail file, file your nails to their desired shaped. Glass files are best, as they are the least harsh, but can be expensive. If you are using an emory board, file only in one direction, to prevent splits and ridges.

STEP 3: Buff the top layer of your nails with a high grit count buffing block to smooth any ridges and even out the surface.

STEP 4: Soak hands/feet in warm water with antibacterial soap for about 5/10-15 minutes. At the end of the 5 minutes, clean out any dirt under your nails. Using a pumice stone, gently scrub away any roughness.

STEP 5: Apply a cuticle cream or remover and gently push back your cuticles using a cuticle pusher.

STEP 6: Wash, and completely dry hands.

STEP 7: Massage hand cream or lotion into your hands and feet.

STEP 8: Remove lotion from the nail only using a Q-tip dipped in acetone or polish remover.

STEP 9-11: Base coat, Polish, Top Coat. To help prevent tip wear, you can also extend your top coat to the tips and underside of your nail.

Hi Cynthia, I read your blog regularly and love the useful tips. I’m a college student and will be going back to school at the end of the month. I’ve been trying to find a stylish and affordable bag that i could fit my laptop, books and other essentials but had no luck. I was wondering if you could help me with some options I could use on a college student budget. Please & Thank you

Sammy

Sammy, Try these. They are all under $50 and large enough to carry all your school supplies.

Bags for Back to School by The Style Aficionado featuring Forever21 bags

Forever21.com – New Arrivals – Accessories
$35 - forever21.com
More Forever21 clutches »

Shop Women’s Shoulder Bags & Totes at ALDOshoes.com
$30 - aldoshoes.com
More handbags »

ASOS Pastel Colour Block Tote
$37 - asos.com
More ASOS tote bags »

Jasmine Tote
$40 - delias.com
More tote bags »

Shop Shoulder Bags, Totes and other Handbags at the ALDO Shoes Online…
$25 - aldoshoes.com
More shoulder bags »

Shop Women’s Handbags, Shoulder Bags and more at ALDOshoes.com
$48 - aldoshoes.com
More shoulder bags »

Shop Women’s Handbags, Shoulder Bags and more at ALDOshoes.com
$40 - aldoshoes.com
More shoulder bags »

Shop Shoulder Bags, Totes and other Handbags at the ALDO Shoes Online…
$25 - aldoshoes.com
More shoulder bags »

Bueno Croc Embossed Briefcase with Front Organizer Pocket – Pewter :…
$25 - target.com

Kenneth Cole Reaction
$49 - macys.com

Shop Women’s Shoulder Bags & Totes at ALDOshoes.com
$25 - aldoshoes.com

Forever21.com – Accessories – Hats & Hair
$32 - forever21.com

Shop Women’s Shoulder Bags & Totes at ALDOshoes.com
$40 - aldoshoes.com

Since the resurrection of the skinny jean, long gone are the days when women cringed at the word tapered. We embraced tapered jeans, and now trousers. For Spring and Summer the pleated tapered trousers aka peg leg trousers [also, incorrectly known as chinos or tailored harem pants (I still cringe at the word harem)] is a trend worth trying.

Peg leg trousers are characterized by their cropped leg, that falls right above the ankle. The volume on these pants are at the top and enhanced this season with pleats.

Rectangles, Hourglass, and long waist body types can pull of this trend without much thought. The inverted triangles, apples, and short waist top heavy ladies will have the most difficulty. Don’t let your body type steer you away from this trend. With a few tips, you can pull this off successfully

For Top Heavy Girls (Inverted Triangle)- I’ve been trying to get back in the itty bitty committee since freshman year of high school. Since they won’t let me in, I have to get creative when it comes to sporting this look. The tapered legs enhance triangles, and can often create imbalance for busty girls. BUT! there are ways to wear this look and not look as if you’re going to topple over. The first tip is to chose a pair with a pleated or ballooned waist/ hip. The added volume near the hips will give an hour glass figure. The second tip is to pair the pants with a darker top and lift your boobs as much as possible with a good supportive or minimizer bra. Lastly, wear a chunkier heel. For inverted triangles, platforms work great with these pants.

Short waist- The second body feature that makes this look difficult to wear is the presence of a short waist. Many of the cropped pants on the racks, sport a high waist, with a ballooned hip; which works great on long torsos, but can make short waists vanish. Obviously, the key is to find a pair that does not have a high waist, and that balloons out a little lower than normal. Because your waist is short, wearing mid rise pants on your natural waist will automatically give you the high waist look. Be sure to leave space between the top of the pants and your breast (again, lift and support the girls as much as possible). Monochromatic color schemes without the break of a belt work best, but if you are busty and short waisted, a belt worn below the natural waist line that still allows a few inches of the pants to be seen above the belt, will also work (by wearing your belt lower, you’re creating the illusion of a longer torso). A faux high waist if you will

Apples: Your major obstacle to this trend, will be creating the illusion of a waist. Shape wear will help you get a uniform shape overall, after which, you can add volume where needed. Strong shoulders, with a lower ballooned hip will give an hourglass illusion. If you are a top heavy apple, focus on adding volume around the hip/waist area; and if you are a bottom heavy apple, strong shoulders can balance you out.

Still look for inspiration on how to peg leg? Check out this video from Elle UK

Most importantly, Have Fun and wear it with confidence!

First, pick your most flattering shade

Pinks look great on fair skin; corals and cinnamons work best on medium skin; and plums and merlots play up dark skin, says Jason Ascher, beauty guru at Barneys New York (yes, that’s his title). If he were stranded at his makeup counter with just one blush, he’d pick Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush No. 6, a classic rose ($42, giorgioarmanibeauty.com). “The texture is very buildable,” he says, so you can get to a more intense color without overkill. At the drugstore, go with blush that seems ever-so-slightly too dark; the pigments those brands use often aren’t as intense.

My Favorite drugstore blush at the moment is Maybelline’s Plushed Plum

Try a new texture

Attention, powder diehards: Cream blushes may require a little getting used to, but they’re worth it. “They can take five years off your face because they give that natural, youthful glow,” says NYC makeup pro Brigitte Reiss-Andersen, who did our models’ makeup. The application technique (for gels, too): Dab a bit on each cheek and gently blend the edges outward with your middle finger, moving in tiny circles.

Update your brush

Look for soft, dome-shaped bristles that ripple when you blow on them. A brush that’s too stiff or very tapered won’t diffuse color well, and an overly fluffy one will make it look like a blush bomb went off (the ideal circumference is two and a half inches). “Natural-hair brushes let you blend color more evenly,” notes L.A. makeup artist Napoleon Perdis. Don’t be scared off by their price tags; a good one will last indefinitely. “I’ve used and washed the same Shu Uemura brush every day for a year, and it still looks the same and doesn’t shed,” Ascher says (it’s number 20H, $50, shuuemura-usa.com). For the rest of us, washing brushes monthly with soap and water will do. As for the mini brush that comes in the package? “It works in emergencies,” says celeb makeup pro Ashunta Sheriff, “but you won’t get the same polished look as you will using a well-made brush.”

For a great inexpensive option try Sonia Kashuk blush brushes found at Target.

Tweak your color at night

When you’re wearing bright shadow or lipstick, go easy on the blush to avoid a clashing, Ringling Bros. situation. If the rest of your makeup is shimmery, switch to blush with a similar texture.

Beware overload

Step away from the mirror after applying blush, finish dressing, then take a peek. It’ll instantly strike you if you’ve gone too Raggedy Ann. Fast fixes: Remove excess powder blush with a clean brush. If it’s stubborn, sweep on translucent powder. Blend down cream or gel blushes with a damp makeup sponge or cotton pad. Repeat offenders should consider switching to a formula that’s impossible to OD on, like NARS The Multiple ($37, narscosmetics.com), beloved by pros for its subtlety.

Prevent fade

The oilier skin is, the faster blush will disappear, says celeb makeup pro Maria Verel. Other culprits: cell phone rub-off (yet another reason to get a headset!), or touching your face a lot. “I have one client who often leans on her hand in conversation, leaving knuckle prints in her cream blush,” Verel says. But you’re not doomed to reapply 675 times a day. Prep your skin with a shine-control gel (try Mary Kay Oil Mattifier, $15, marykay.com). Or set your foundation with translucent powder, then put on blush. “If your skin really ‘eats’ blush,” says NYC makeup artist Susan Giordano, “try layering. Start with a sheer cream kind, then brush on a powder one in the same color.”

Don’t give up on a broken blush

No need to toss the crumbly pink stuff formerly known as your favorite blush. Dump it into an empty face-cream jar or travel jar and crush it up with a spoon—instant loose-powder blush! Or mush and mix with Vaseline for a sheer cheek or lip gloss

Source

How to Wear the Trend

The great news is that floral prints can be worn by all regardless of age, shape or skin tone. The key is to find a print and color scheme that is flattering and one that you are comfortable in. If you are like me and reluctant to wear an all over print, break up your florals by purchasing separates and pairing with a solid top, belting, and/or layering with cardigans and blazers.

if you are:

Petite:

You may get lost in bold prints and patterns, opt for soft colors and florals with a smaller or muted print. They key is to wear the dress, not have it appear to be wearing you. If you do decide to wear a bold print, ensure the colors are complementary to your skin tone or show more skin. Nude shoes work great for petite girls because they will elongate your legs. PLEASE remember that petite is a size, not a shape. You still should be cautious of where you place your prints, the size of the print, and what body parts you want to show off or tone down.

Plus Sized:

Plus sized divas can support a bolder print, but to prevent from looking like a walking flower shop, you may want to break it up with a jacket or belt. If you are heavier in one area moreso than another, opt for smaller prints as large one will create the illusion of added weight. As with the petite girls, plus sized is just that, a size. Be mindful of your body shape and use the prints to maximize your assets and minimize your less favorite body parts.

photos: shopbop/torrid

Having a signature look, item or color is a great tool to utilize when you are trying to project a certain image. So, how exactly do you determine what your signature should be?

• Ask, Who is my “Public”? Your public is anyone you need to project this image to.
• How do I want to be perceived by them, or what image do I want to portray. Do you want to exude authority, sex, confidence, maturity?
• What does a ___________ (characteristic from above) person look like?
• What colors, cuts and fabric have the same characteristics of the image you want to perceive.

Keep all those things in mind when shopping for clothes, choosing your hair style, and even your nail color.  Sometimes the image you need to portray isn’t aligned with your personality, and you have to make adjustments. Finding ways to inject your personality into your  image is what will help you create your signature. For example if you are a business woman who needs to exude authority, but you have a carefree personality, you might consider pairing your power suit with bright accessories. I look young, and unfortunately youth is associated with inexperience. To couter act that when I am dealing with older professionals I ensure that I am dressed in a way that says I know what I am talking about. I ensure I have on my wedding ring, and typically will stick with dark authoritative colors and cuts, and will wear my hair in a conservative structured style.

Tell me, do you have a signature color, accessory or style? Or do you prefer to exercise all your fashion options? Also, did you catch Lisa’s Closet? All the white!!!! I hate to see her dry cleaning bill.

Here are some other things I learned from watching the first two episodes.

Al Sharpton is use to fighting, but he’s not a lawyer so he needs to call in for back up.

Lisa is not use to fighting

She and Sheree might need to call up pookie an’nem, but either way she is going to get whats owed to her, because she is MAD!

Apparently you can be the Prime Minister of a country and be broke

She is serious about her food, and even more serious about knowing about her daughters BF. Momma LisaSugar-Raye don’t play!

1. Proper Maintenance
2. Quality over Quantity
3. Organization

Whether you are just starting out, or already have a closet full of items, the maintenance of those items are key. Be sure to wash your clothes according to the instructions found on the tag. Proper maintenance of your staple items will not only save you money in the long run, it ensures your favorite items stay looking their best wash after wash.

Quality is important when buying the building blocks of your wardrobe. Staple items are those pieces that you find yourself going to again, and again. One thing to keep in mind while looking for quality clothes, is that price does not equal quality. Pay attention to the material, cut, and embellishments.

Finally, Organization. Keeping your closet organized will keep you sane. To get the maximum benefit of all your items, you must know where to find them. I organize my closet by color ,item, length and occasion. I separate casual from business and place transitional items in the middle.

This is NO help for me! I am 5’5 and my torso is 3 inch longer than my legs, but I am very short waisted! My hips are so high that my waist hits right below my breasts (which are proportionally big too, making my waist even shorter).

I can’t find ANY advice for my body shape:
 - short legs(31′)
 - long torso(34′)
 - short waist
 - measurements: 35-25.5-36

Any help?

====================================================================

Hi Odie, Thanks for you question.

I think what you are saying is that your natural waistline is high (less distance between your ribs and hips), coupled with proportionally large breast. Please correct me if I am wrong.

You will find your most flattering fit with the following:

• Vertical lines and darker colors on your upper body.
• Bypass your waist with longer jackets
• V-neck tops. This will help to separate and define your bust.
• Avoid cropped tops or anything shorter than you hip bone.
• Consider wearing a minimizing bra.
• Avoid tucking in your shirts, and if you must ,choose a top and bottom that are similar in color. 
• Match your belt to your bottom, contrasting the belt will create a horizontal line, which you don’t want.
• A pair of heels (especially a nude or color matching your pant) will be your best friend when needing to elongate your legs.
• Ensure your pants are tailored and avoid wide leg and cuffed pants. 

I really hope this helps.

Do YOU have a Fashion, fit, or style question? Send me an email or comment! Photos help, but are not necessary and will not be published without your permission.

Why should I spend my hard earned money on a masterpiece, only to have it shunned in society as a fake? When I spend some serious money on a purse I want to feel like I have purchased something special. Luxury brands survive on exclusivity. It’s special because not everyone has it, not everyone has it because not everyone can afford it. I know LV isn’t going to go bankrupt because I refuse to buy anything with a logo from them, but imagine my sentiment multiplied.

I know there are some people who are saying “well, everyone can’t afford to spend $500 + for a purse, a pair of shoes, etc. and style should be available to all” That is true, and rightfully so. Not everyone can afford a Bentley, so do you suppose that they buy a Chrysler 300 and swap out the emblems and call it a Bentley? I don’t, I suppose you do one of three things, 1. forget about owning a Bentley 2. Save up for one or 3. Drive the Chrysler proudly, knowing that although it is not a Bentley it took inspiration from one, and it is an authentic brand.

Owning a designer bag, isn’t as hard or as costly as some people think. I love nice things, but I love nice things on sale even more. Below I have a few tips on how to score designer goods for less.

So, I am going to give you my best tip first. Shop at discount and outlet stores. So what if the items they stock are from last season? Fashion fades but style remains. If the bag you’re looking at is an investment piece it is going to look good season after season. Good shops to try are TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Loehmann’s and the Prime Factory Outlets. The outlet stores frequently have an OFF SAKS, Nordstroms rack, Coach, Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole, and there is one in St. Augustine FL that has Gucci, that I am dying to get to.

If you have a favorite brand, sign up for their newsletter. Coach frequently sends me discount cards in the mail, and bluefly.com, an online retailer of designer brands, frequently have items marked down.

Join a shopping club. Here’s an invitation for  GILT, and  ideeli

If you can’t buy it, rent from BBOS

My last tips is EBAY. I caution adding this because I know there are a lot of scammers and people who represent their bags to be authentic when they are not. I had a bad experience purchasing a Juicy Couture charm from an ebay seller, luckily they refunded me, but I had to pay to ship it back to them.

Hope that helps, do you have any tips on how to save money on designer name brands?