Walk a Mile in Her Shoes!

By Bee Lindquist:

Photo courtesy of http://farm4.static.flickr.com/

We love our shoes and as such we want them to look fantastic forever. Years ago there was a saying if you want to know a man’s status look at the condition of his shoes. I believe that still holds true today. Your hair maybe perfectly coifed and your outfit may look like a million dollars but if your shoes are beat-up and dirty you will too.

Picture Courtesy of http://www.lifein2suitcases.com/

Here are some simple tips to keeping even that $9.99 flip flops looking fantastic

• Neaten up the frayed ends of shoelaces (and make it easier to lace them) by dipping them in clear nail polish.
• Store shoes that aren’t worn often by stuffing the toe box with tissue paper and place in a pillow case as a shoe cover.
• Remove scuff marks on shoes by rubbing with a baking-soda paste.
• Use petroleum jelly to shine leather shoes. Apply with a soft cloth, wipe off the excess, and buff with a clean cloth.
• You should keep waterproofing solution on hand for your new shoes, to be applied before exposing them to the elements.
• Use a light coating of spray starch or Scotch Guard on new fabric tennis shoes before wearing them -- dirt can't become embedded in the canvas, and the shoes will always be easy to clean.
• Clean the rubber on athletic shoes with baking soda sprinkled on a sponge or washcloth.
• Use lemon juice to clean and shine black or tan leathers. Apply with a soft cloth. 
• Clean the salt residue common on winter boots with a cloth dipped in a solution of 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon vinegar. This will work on leather and vinyl.
• Use a soft cloth dipped in vinegar to shine a pair of patent-leather shoes or any patent-leather item.
• Shoes that are starting to smell can be helped by sprinkling with a little salt. Let sit overnight. The salt will help control moisture, which contributes to odors.
• Put shoes in freezer to kill the odor causing bacteria.
• Keep odor at bay by sprinkling baking soda into shoes to control odor and moisture.
• Cobblers may strenghten the soles of more delicate dress shoes with a specially cut half-sole of leather or thin plastic. These extra layers for the bottom of the shoe provide extra traction and extend the life of the shoe. You can also have the Cobbler replace zippers, buttons, clasps and straps on pumps, along with replacing or shortening the heels and replacing the heel tips.

Remember­ Bill Connelly said “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that who cares?... He's a mile away and you've got his shoes.”

Spring into Summer!



Your beauty routine needs to refocus on one thing this spring: MOISTURE! After months of cold and windy weather, the time to switch gears is now.

First of all, skip the HOT shower in the morning or evening! You can cover your body in cream but if you have stripped your body of that protective barrier, it’s going to take a lot to get it back to that natural balance. Switch your soap to a creamier body wash that can add moisture while you cleanse. Dermalogica has a hydrating body wash and hydrating body lotion that are a great combination to hydrate while cleansing.



Nails can benefit from oils not lotions. Use this tip: rub some oil into your cuticles before pulling on your garden gloves. It works similar to wearing socks over your moisturizer at night to give your moisturizer time to heal.

Every line of hair products has developed a moisturizing and hydrating shampoo. Try one as your daily shampoo or as the alternate shampoo that you switch to when you feel sun and wind damage has changed the texture or look of your hair. Schwarzkopf makes a Sun Guardian Trio that has a shampoo, treatment and a spray leave in conditioner that has a sunscreen in it. This protects your hair from sun damage, color fading and if you apply this to your hair before going into chlorinated water, it will help prevent the ‘green’ tint that comes with swimming in chlorinated pools. Hydrating conditioners and treatments can be a great addition to your summer routine as well.

A second place that you may see dryness is in your lips. You may have heard that you can be addicted to lip balm. This really is not true, but if you feel that way, you may have an underlying issue. There is a barrier layer on your skin and when it’s very dry outside, that barrier gets disrupted, the layer gets tears and holes, so any moisture you put on your lips, seeps right back out. The solution is finding a hydrating balm with lipids that will give the barrier layer time to heal. Stay away from long-lasting lip color formulas and balms with menthol.

Products used under your makeup can help keep moisture in all day. Dermalogica’s Barrier Repair melts gently into your skin to help shield against environmental and internal triggers that cause skin stress. GloMinerals GloFace Primer creates the ideal canvas while filling in fine lines for a smooth base application. It contains antioxidants and extends the wearability of your foundation and ensures a flawless looking complexion. Dermalogica’s Boosters and Eminence Serums are meant to wear under your moisturizer to seal in moisture as well. They are in a liposome base to ensure the deepest possible penetration of concentrated ingredients to create beautiful glowing skin from within.

Sunscreen is a must at this time of year! Dermalogica’s Multivitamin BodyBlock has skin-smoothing Shea Butter but also has Oil of Evening Primrose. Without a greasy film, this spray can fight off environmental assaults that contribute to the visible signs of aging. Spf sprays, creams and lotions are needed EVERY day, not just when you are heading for the beach. Dermalogica’s entire Solar Defense system of products is hydrating while being protective!

Put A Little Prep in Your Wardrobe

by Bee Lindquist

It seems every season there is a new fashion “craze” and as we enter into the new school year and fall season there is a new “old” look looming on the horizon. There are those however who never lost this look and are happy to have it back.

Picutre courtesy of beautyhill.com

Yes, we are bringing Preppy back. The
It is about mixing the clean-cut boyish cuts with some hot colors and fashion forward styles.
 Glamour magazineis don't be afraid to add prepster extras like a short strand of pearls or a gold charm bracelet. Their retro appeal adds a hint of polish to these clothes. Where Marc Jacobs has a retro plastic and acrylic watch he adds to his look bringing the Swatch Watch look back to life.
Another tip from
How to pull it off?
Brooks Brother’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Top Sider wearing Preppies are happy to see the fashion trend back in their favorite boutique’s and stores. There is a twist to the Preppy fashion craze this time around and it’s not all about horned rimmed glasses and Hush Puppy shoes. In Style magazine suggest mixing one non-preppy element—say, chunky platform sandals—with a little white tennis dress. Or choose classics with surprise details, such as striped espadrilles with neon laces.

- A boy-girl mix is one way to go. Try wearing an oxford shirt over a pair of shorts with wedge sandals, or boyish brogues with a girlie print miniskirt.
- Another option: Mix in one none-preppy element, she suggest a chunky platform sandals with a little white tennis dress.
- Embrace collegiate fabrics and colors, but experiment with fit a seersucker jacket that looks shrunken or extra-big chinos for chic solutions.
-Add a Plaid Jacket to a solid pair of pants or skirt
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to create this look, so be smart when picking the right pieces for you and make sure you don’t break the bank while following this trend. This trend is nothing new and it was been around for decades. So get on out there with a prep in your step

Bobbles and Beads

by Bee Lindquist

Coco Chanel by http://www.xdcr.com/

We all have our favorite bobbles we like to wear over and over. Maybe it’s your grandmother’s cameo brooch or a chunky necklace you bought on your last trip to Greece, heck it may be the funky earrings you found at the swap meet. The only problem is the more you wear them the more they look worn. The gold or gold tone begins to look dull and the beads look bland.

The next thing you know you have retired the piece to the back of your jewelry box and you forget all about it.
Here are some suggestions to keep you from forsaking your bling.
Immediately after wearing wipe down with a soft cloth. This removes any dead skin, dust and grime from the days wear. Next put the beloved piece in a plastic sandwich bag and seal it shut. That way it will be fresh for the next wearing. If the piece is already banished to the Siberia of your drawer, pull it out and refresh it.
Mix a solution of 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 2 cups of water. Dip a soft cloth in the water and move all around the piece making sure to go over stones and metal pieces thoroughly. Take a wooden toothpick dipped in the solution and go into crevices to remove lodge grime. Once you have gone over the entire piece with the solution take a clean cool, avoid hot or warm water as it may dissolve older glues, and wipe the piece again then finish with a soft cloth. You will be amazed at how beautiful your bobble will be.
As you are cleaning check for loose stones and sprung prongs. These are simple fixes with a little jeweler’s glue and some needle nose pliers. Tighten any clasp and reattach chains using soft pressure to the metal. A cotton pad around the piece will protect it from denting.

When dealing with precious and semi-precious stones and settings always defer to your jeweler’s recommendations. When you can’t wait for your jeweler to clean your good pieces a quick soak in 1 part sudsy ammonia to 3 parts water will take the grime off, rinse in cool water and finish off with a quick polish from a soft cloth.

Silver will stay polished and non-tarnished by storing in a zip lock bag. Wrap silver in silk or rayon fabric and place in plastic zip-lock bag. Make sure to squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible. When you are ready to wear take out of the bag gently rub it with silk and wear.

The Beauty Studio has an array of gorgeous jewelry and fun and fashionable accessories that you can make your new favorite. By taking just a little bit of time you can add years of pleasure to your favorite pieces and keep you looking like a million bucks.

KEEPING YOUR BEST LOOKING ITS BEST

By Bee Lindquist
Laundress Fabric Fresh (Starting at $16 for eight ounces).

Photo courtesy of 3.bp.blogspot.com

Do you have that favorite blouse or those pants that fit just right? You wonder how to keep them looking good and fresh for a long time. There are several tips to keep your clothing looking good and smelling fresh.

Let’s talk about dry cleaning. What did they do back in the days of yore before dry cleaning? In order to keep their Sunday best, looking the best they would sponge the outfit.



Photo courtesy of rlv.zcache.com

 What does this mean? First with a fine brush they would brush the loose dirt from the garment with the nap of the fabric. This works well with wools, cottons and other natural fibers. After removing the loose dirt and lint, they would then take a natural sponge dipped in cool water with a bit of lemon juice or white vinegar then wrung until just damp and sponge any stains and the sweat points of the garment. They would then lay the clothing flat to dry and touch up with a flat iron. You can still do this between dry cleaning or in case of sensitivities to dry cleaning.

There are however some alternative dry cleaners who do not use the harsh chemicals that have been popular for years. One of the biggest culprits is PERC or perchloroethylene. If you can’t find a good organic cleaner, and that term is used very loosely in the industry, the best thing to do is before taking them in the house hang them in a cool dry place and remove the plastic wrapping. This allows the toxic fumes from the cleaning process to be expressed before you bring them into your home and closet.

General care and maintenance on your fabrics can save you time, money and wardrobe malfunctions. Here are several tips to consider on caring for your clothes:
General Clothing Care

When you buy a new garment, dab the center of each button with clear nail polish to seal the threads.

Wrap tape around your finger with the sticky side out to remove lint from a small area quickly.

 

For a do-it-yourself lint remover, roll up a magazine and wrap wide adhesive tape around it with the sticky side out.

 

When brushing clothes to remove dust and lint, you'll get better results if you brush with the nap rather than against it.

 

Rub zipper teeth occasionally with wax to keep the zipper working smoothly. The stub of a candle works well for this procedure.

 

You can de-wrinkle clothing in a hurry by running hot water into the bathtub and hanging the garment on the shower rod. The steam will remove the wrinkles.

Never spray cologne or perfume directly onto clothing.

Check buttons, hems and seams after laundering and mend any loose items. This will circumvent a possibly embarrassing and frustrating uh-oh.

Here are some simple rules according to Style Magazine for laundering your favorite pieces to keep them looking great for years.Jeans:
What to know:
Exception to the rule:

Dress Pants:

What to know:
Exception to the rule:

Jackets and Blazers: After 5 to 6 wears
What to know:
Exception to the rule:

Skirts:
What to know:
Exception to the rule:
Remember this rule the closer to the body the clothing and the lighter the color usually requires more frequent laundering. The looser or darker can go a few extra wearings.

Make sure to use good sturdy hangers like Huggable Hangers and stay away from those wire hangers that Joan Crawford loved to hate.


Keep on top of repairs and enjoy them for years.

You can be more lenient with circle and A-line styles, which hardly skim the body. But “whites and silks are prone to discoloration and should be cleaned after every wear,” says Brian Sansoni, vice president of the Soap and Detergent Association, in Washington, D.C. Chances are you’re not doing anything strenuous in skirts, so you can wear them multiple times. Just refresh nonsilk fabrics with a 10-minute spin in the dryer with a dryer sheet4 to 5 wearsPeriodically check the high-friction areas—collar, cuffs, and placket—for signs of dirt. But you can roll up the sleeves (or even pop the collar) temporarily to conceal stains on an otherwise-clean jacket. Typically layered over a blouse, a tee, or a camisole, these don’t require much upkeep. However, a jacket can retain odors (say, from last night’s fajitas), so before you stuff it in a closet, air it out near a window or spritz it with the Your nice trousers will last longer between washings if you change into your “play clothes” as soon as you leave work (as opposed to wearing them to your daughter’s soccer game). You’re probably wearing these in an (overly) air-conditioned office, so feel free to revisit them multiple times, particularly those made of stain-repelling synthetic blends. Part of a suit? Dry-clean both pieces together so one doesn’t fade faster than the other. after 4-5 wearings Take them for a spin cycle sooner if they stretch out. Or just toss them in the dryer for 10 minutes (but no more than that). Spandex-heavy jeggings (jean leggings) should be washed after every wear so the knees don’t bag. Durable denim is excellent at masking dirt—which is a good thing, since over-washing can cause jeans to fade and fray. To keep yours looking like new (or “weathered” just the way you want them): Throw them in the washer inside out and use cold water. Avoiding the dryer will help retain color, too. after 4-5 wearing