Britney Spears Shows The Power of the LBD

Britney is back and she is looking better than ever thanks to a gorgeous LBD. Congrats to her and her great recovery! I would like to point out a few fabulous features of her LBD that we could take to the streets and use to re-create the same wow-factor in our own night out.

1) Notice the playful V-neck halter top. It shows just enough cleavage without showing too much. It elegantly covers her girls, the halter adds support, and most importantly it is not pulling.

2) The dress is fitted right under the bust, through to the bottom of the dress, but isn’t too tight. It accentuates her waist and her curves.

3) The vertical seams along the front of the dress create the illusion of length and have a fantastic slimming effect.

4) The satin fabric takes a basic black dress and adds something special. It looks great on the red carpet, out to dinner, or with the right accessories- out to a club.

What are your favorite LBD tips?

Clean Out Your Closet!

Whenever seasons change we all know with a mix of dread and excitement that  closet cleaning season is also upon us. Dreading it because it’s a lot of work, but excited because we know after we clean out the old we have room for the new! With the recession and tight budgeting I haven’t been able to be as generous this year with the clothing donations, and have hung on to clothes that I would have normally dispensed of. Clothes that are in good repair that are not as well fitting as they were last year, I have in a pile to send to the tailors. Pants that have gotten a bit “rugged” on the bottom are being hemmed, and shirts with small holes are being repaired to wear longer.

Here are some tips I try to follow while cleaning out my closet, and staying within my budget:

Toss It:

- If you haven’t worn it in a year

- If you don’t like it, or don’t like the way it looks on you

- If it’s falling apart, or worn out

- If you don’t have anything to go with it, and can’t imagine what could possibly have matched it in the first place

Repair It:

- If it’s slightly faded and could be dyed back to it’s original color

- If it’s a minor repair job (small holes, a minor rip in the seam, etc.)

- If it could be tailored

Keep It:

- If it would look brand new with some different accessories

- If it’s a basic

- If you could put it with another outfit

- If it fits well

- If it makes you feel good wearing it

Here are some other sites with great tips for cleaning out your closet:

Cleaning Your Closet Tips

14 Great Ideas from Professional Organizers

Tips from Oprah

What are your favorite clean-out-your-closet tips that you can follow on a budget?

Dangers of a Rising Hemline

I have seen an increasing number of mini skirt and mini shorts this season. Some of which I find quite shocking. Call me old fashioned but, when I can see your cheeks, and I’m not talking about the ones on your face, your skirt may be just a bit too short.

I saw a woman walking to work this morning, and she had on a beautiful top, great heels, and the shortest pair of shorts I had seen yet. Honestly, it looked like she was walking around in a pair of boy-shorts and had forgotten her pants.

I don’t mind showing a bit of skin, and summer is absolutely the time to do it, but come on! Some things are just not appropriate. My rule of thumb, if you are afraid to sneeze or bend over, and the thought of a gust of wind suddenly sweeping by terrifies you, then your skirt is just TOO SHORT.

What do you think? Have you seen any major fashion faux-pas this season?