Happy New You

Yes, a new you, as you think about 2016 ending and 2017 beginning and what worked this past year and what didn't work. It's important to look back and see if you accomplished all the things you wanted to, but a good tip on making plans for the coming year is to not make resolutions. Nope, but how about starting a journal? Think about how you want your 2017 journal to read by the end of year. What will you write by December 2017?

For example, you can write in your journal that you were happy to finally make that cross country trip and how happy you were you set aside the time and funds to make that happen. How about how happy you were to finally fit into that pair of awesome jeans that were sitting almost new in that dresser drawer and you finally lost those pounds. How about how happy you were in 2017 to finally start eating a healthy diet and skip the fast food, fried food, desserts and sodas. Maybe draw pictures of styles you see in a storefront window that you might want to adapt. Drawings work as well as the written word.

Well, that is the idea of writing now how you want the end of 2017 to read. So no need to make resolutions, just plan on how you want 2017 to progress and you will suddenly see the changes in your life, in your appearance and in your personality. You can use your computer but I like writing in a book. If you look back on a bad page or something just didn't work out, it feels good to just tear it out and keep writing fresh ideas and plans. If you decide to use your computer instead of writing in an actual journal, be careful what you enter in that computer. It records everything and sometimes just taking pen to paper is more fulfilling and will never be permanent unless you want it to be.

Happy Journaling and Happy New Year

#2017 #newyears #style #journal

Save a Tree; Save a Turkey

This holiday season can be stress-free if you don't always think you have to follow the rules. Give a tree and a few turkeys a break this year. You don't have to drag them into your home but think about starting fresh with your holiday decorations and your holiday feasts.

Delicious vegetarian based food recipes are
freely available across the Internet as you start the
new year eating a healthier diet.

You don't have to do the same ol' thing year after year. Take a new look at the holidays and you might just enjoy them instead of engaging in a shopping frenzy and stalking and hunting down huge trees along with those turkeys who would rather not lose their heads this year. I know, poor turkey farmers. But they will survive on their own bounty and just might take a look at that vegan meat alternative industry for more prosperous years to come.

Tabletop decorations are easy to do and can inspire your imagination:

Happy hunting, for new ideas that is. Don't kill a tree or a turkey this year and skip the holiday hams [human and animal]. Eat well and be well as we head into a brand new year.

#christmas #thanksgiving #stylesheet
#holiday

The American Dream

Yes ladies, you too can have the American dream whatever that may mean for you personally. How about becoming the First Lady of our great nation? It could happen. Look at Melania Knauss Trump. She went from being a model to marrying a mogul to selling her own line of faux jewelry and caviar-infused anti-aging face cream on QVC to becoming the First Lady of America when her husband Donald Trump takes over as President beginning in 2017. That is some leap for a young lady from an industrial town called Sevnica in a city we need Dora the Explorer to find for us on a map.

The American and Slovenian flags carry
the same colors.

Melania met The Don during New York's Fashion Week in 1998 at the Kit Kat Klub while he was still married yet separated from his second wife Marla Maples. Donald Trump was captivated by her beauty and relentlessly pursued her until they finally wed in 2005 and now have a son together.

Well, what about Melania? What is next for this super lady? Rumor has it she is working on yet another heir to the Trump dynasty even though reports in the press are saying Trump is essentially going broke with many failed businesses, like his casinos, his clothing line that was manufactured in Mexico and his boxed beef line has ceased operations, so no more Trump beef for dinner and Melania's skin care cream is all but dead in the water and her jewelry on QVC, if still available, has been slashed to over 50 percent off its original sale price.

Oh well, it can happen to the best of us and we need not be sidetracked. Go for your dreams and make them a reality. Oh, and don't let fame and fortune go to your head. Stay simple and down to earth like Melania, and keep reading the Style Sheet.

#melaniatrump #donaldtrump

#thedon #trump #style #qvc

Ready for the Super Moon?

Oh, yeah, the moon will be closer to the Earth on Monday, November 14. It might support the theory the globe is not a round ball, but an ellipse or egg shaped. Some people actually think the circle of the earth means a circle or sphere suspended in space with all land mass on the top of the sphere, as if you were to draw a circle on a piece of paper. The outer edge is the polar ice cap which some say is melting and causing flooding and the destruction of natural wildlife thus changing our ecosystem to one that will eventually be continually warm and humid.

Hey guess what, the moon orbits around the Earth, not in a circle, but in an elliptical shape. So, depending on the time of year and the Earth's rotation, the moon is actually closer to the Earth at various points in time.

What will you do on Monday? The moon is a powerful force so think positive thoughts for yourself and the globe. Only raise to your highest vibration where you are surrounding yourself with positive people, positive thoughts, and recognize that there is good and bad in every situation. Weigh out your decisions and you will find your path. Have a happy moon day/night and don't bark too loud.

#supermoon

#monday

#stylesheet

#earth #globe

You Win By A Nose

Here is a tip to save you some grief. How about the thought of not overdoing the nose job? Or, not getting a nose job at all? Surprisingly, many women get multiple nose jobs and sometimes it is for medical reasons, I get it. But for the most part either leave the nose you were born with or just get one nose job. Cher is a good case in point. She got one nose job and couldn't stop. The photo left, proves that she didn't need to touch her nose after the first one. Why? She has very strong features, large, half moon eyes, strong cheekbones, and a unique and exotic look. However, she saw herself on the big screen and didn't like it, so her nose now lacks definition and can look odd. 

Hopefully, you have gotten a few opinions and referrals before settling on that doctor who will do the work. Remember, it is your face, do not search for the cheapest price and it is worth it to look up their State medical license to see if any formal accusations and decisions have been filed against the doctor. Those are public documents. If the doctor stipulates to some lesser charge, it could mean there was a problem and you might want to look elsewhere. Sometimes, the high priced doctors are completely booked, like for the celebrities, but be careful anyway. Just because the doctor works on those famous faces, does not mean he can't have a bad day and botch it. It has happened, even to the famous ladies and they have to go back for more work on their faces, thus, the reason why they might disappear for a year or so only to emerge with a new nose and possible nip and tuck to go along with it.

Here are a few more examples: 

There was nothing wrong with Jennifer Lopez's nose, but she wanted a slimmed down nose for some reason and went too far. It does not fit the large bone structure of her face and looks odd.

Here is a good example of a good nose job on Scarlett Johansson. It still looks natural and fits the frame and structure of her face.

Here is another lady that should have kept the nose she was born with. Keira Knightley didn't need anything done but seemed to get the nose slimmed down between the eyes and along the bridge emphasizing her big square head and jaw even more and it looks very odd.

Some celebrities get subtle nose jobs and just don't admit it which shows a lack of character and devotion to their fans who might appreciate their favorite celebs being candid about certain personal decisions. 

So think twice about that nose you were born with and learn to develop your own style, character and grace under that knife, since you may not need to succumb to it in the first place.

#barbrastreisand

#keiraknightley

#jlo

#scarlettjohansson

#style

#fashion

#icon

Halloween

Yes, we get that question every year, are you ready for Halloween? Well sure I guess so, but it gets a bit tiresome dragging out the same ol' decorations year after year. So maybe it's time to rethink this holiday whether or not you have children who insist on grabbing all the candy leading to perhaps padding the wallets of your favorite dentist for the rest of the year with all those cavities that might be growing on those teeth.

Here are a few unique Halloween designs remembering that not everything has to be solely orange and black.

Remember to watch out for your furry friends on Halloween and keep them away from the candy and frenzy that can happen on All Hallows' Eve.

#halloween #decorating

Are You Blushing?

If you aren't, then you should be. But wait a minute, not all women actually need to wear blush and it is as individual as you are. We are now into Fall and might not have as much natural color on our faces as the sun fades and clouds move into our lives; oh, only good clouds as in the ones in the sky that protect our skin from the damaging rays of the sun. Yes, it's a fact, normally women who grew up in countries that rarely see bright, direct sunlight have the most beautiful skin. They don't age as quickly and their skin seems poreless. Don't be too overly concerned if you were born with freckles on your face. Normally, they look fine on your otherwise flawless skin, but if they bother you, a quick visit to a dermatologist can provide you with many options to diminish their appearance without using heavy cosmetics.

A very old old old friend of mine [much older than me], whose family originated from France, used to tell me stories about her great-aunt who worked in the Hollywood movie industry in the 1930's and 1940's. She literally never let her face be touched by natural sunlight. She always wore large hats when outdoors and she worked in costume, makeup and design at various movie studios. When she was in her 70's, she still had plump youthful looking skin, devoid of marks of old age, devoid of spots from years of being exposed to direct sunlight since she never tanned, never did all the stuff we do when we're young, or thinking a tanned face and body will make us look thin, which is an old fallacy. Yes, she had the natural relaxing of the skin that happens with age but she didn't bother with a plastic surgeon; her skin was still beautiful and she was satisfied with that.

Now, we have sunscreens built into our foundations we use on our face but even so, we must always wear sunscreen on our face and body no matter what our age. Most actresses and models use the temporary body makeup for the camera and the smart ones only use makeup, foregoing the dark tanning beds or only take short sunbaths on the balconies of their villas in Italy.

Okay, I will give you some examples of what I think are some good blushes for your face to give you some color and not feel depressed and washed-out. 

Never be too embarrassed to blush; it will heighten your spirits.

#style #blush #makeup

Statement Pieces

As we head into the Fall months and a new season begins, we need to think about our fashion choices for work, play, at home, or when we travel for business or pleasure. Don't waste your hard earned money on stuff that will go out of style within months, but buy a few good pieces that will last a lifetime and look good with whatever you choose to wear. You can mix and match styles but pay attention to patterns. Too much of any pattern is not a good thing. Stay in the same color schemes so your wardrobe will work together and you aren't left wondering what pants to wear with that weird pink top. Yes, splurge when you need to for sanity's sake, but don't get too carried away or you will walk into your closet and come out in tears. Here are a few examples of what I mean.

Daytime

Yes, genuine gems go with everything. Don't wear any huge chandelier pieces for daytime, but you get what I mean. Don't think you have to wear only fakes during the daytime if they are larger pieces. Bring out the real diamonds and precious stones and don't be ashamed or think you don't deserve to wear it. If anyone is rude and crass and asks you if it's real, say yes, and ask if that face they're wearing is real or if it's just a crude joke?

Leave the giant chandelier diamond jewelry for those special evenings or when you have an appointment on a red carpet. Otherwise, go for it. Wear the real gems day or night with any outfit. You can wear them with a boxy sweater top and jeans or a strand of pearls for the office. Don't hide those diamond solitaires, they will last a lifetime and are an investment well worth the price.

Evening

Yes, go for that Gucci and reach for Ralph Lauren. They are designs that are timeless classics whether you purchase the clothes, the handbags, luggage, etc. Hermes might be a bit out of most people's price range but hey, if you want a Birkin then get a Birkin. Life is to enjoy. If you end this life with any money left over, you didn't live right. No regrets, right?

Jane Birkin

The original Birkin bag was a simple woven basket that the famous model and actress carried everywhere. 

Remember to experiment with what works for you as you have fun developing your own unique style.

#stylesheet #birkinbag #fallfashion

Swimsuit Season

Ready to hit the beach? There are a lot of different styles of swimsuits to choose from and I am here to help. Let's not discuss that 10 pounds we need to lose by tomorrow, but let's look at different styles that anyone can wear right now and remember, it does matter what you look like when you hit the beaches this summer. You don't want to see your photo printed in that style magazine with a black bar over your face to hide your identity and labeled as a "don't" this summer. So, here we go. 

If you have the best body in the world [and I know you do] then pack lots of different styles for your trip and let the natives go wild.

What if you are like the rest of us, dare I say, average? Normally a one-piece bathing suit or a suit with extra material are the best choices for most body types.

Various styles of cover-ups are always a stylish way to enjoy the beaches on your vacation. So don't stress if you don't want to show it all to a bunch of strangers, and feel shy about wearing a bathing suit. 

Remember, style never takes a vacation. So take the time to plan your wardrobe and you will never be sorry when you show off those photos and make everyone jealous of your awesome days at the shore.

#style #bathingsuit #swim

Travel Destinations

Now that we are heading into the summer months, it might be time to plan that getaway, that escape from the daily grind and book a room somewhere far away. Following are just a few suggestions and details are available with a few clicks of your mouse using your favorite search engine or your favorite travel agent.

Giraffe Manor, East Africa. No, this isn't an optical illusion, this is real, and you can stay here too. Yes, it's called Giraffe Manor, the home of the rare Rothschild giraffe with surrounding countryside of a habitat for the giraffes which includes a breeding program to introduce the rare species back into the wild. The manor was originally built in 1932 and is now open to the public where you can book rooms and stay awhile and enjoy living with giraffes. Rooms start at about $550 per person. 

Sherlock Holmes Tour of London. Walk with Sherlock in London, visit his apartment, explore actual places featured in the books about the famed fictional sleuth created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  The tour starts at the place where Sherlock and Watson first meet, then takes in literary sites from the gentlemen's clubs to the grand hotels featured in the novels. Many people on the tours dress as the master sleuth himself, yes, it's allowed, you can wear the costumes of the day with stories from the novels that span three eras, however, the books were written from the viewpoint and time of the late Victorian era. Tours can cost from about $17 dollars for an adult and about $14 dollars for kids.

Horseback Ride in Texas Hill Country. Horse lovers will love a relaxing vacation on a sprawling Texas ranch exploring the countryside and brush up on their trail riding skills. The getaway offers plenty to do for those non-horse people [do they exist?] such as golfing, hiking, biking and more. Expert riding instructors offer guided trail rides and provide lessons for any level of riding with either English or Western tack. Prices start at about $1,510 per person. 

Now it's up to you to think about exploring and expanding your knowledge of far away places or places just outside your door. Just plan on having fun, that's the secret to any successful adventure.

Is it in the stars?

Love, money, fortune, luck, your job or the future? How about your own personal style in your home? It's something to think about if things aren't quite working in your home life, if things seem a bit out of sorts and you are having problems getting out of the house or feeling comfortable when you get back home. Below is a list of the dominant qualities of each sign of the zodiac that might help you feel more at one with yourself as you develop your own style, remembering, you can change things anytime you want. You don't have to stick to one thing constantly, but explore and widen your perspective and it will enhance every aspect of your life.

Don't forget that you are unique and need to not be afraid to explore every aspect of your life as you move towards developing your own style.