I often heard my clients said something like these: “I love this dress, but I just don’t have the body for it”, “If I lose 5 pounds, I’ll be able to wear it” or “She has a perfect body for it.”

What is a perfect body?

Scientifically speaking, there is no perfect body, because we are all unique individuals, we share different DNA, and we have different shapes and sizes. A shorter person can have longer legs than a tall person. A taller person can have shorter arms than a shorter person. On the other hand, we all can be perfect technically, regardless of shape or size. I believe that looking good is to create your personal best proportions –not comparing yourself with someone else. There is no gimmick, no flash … just bring your best self forward.

My secret of creating proportion, I called it styling ABC – It’s using clothing design details to create visual illusion that Accentuate, Balance and Camouflage your features.

Accentuate – It’s first to realize your body assets. Accentuate your most positive features. For example: If you have small waist, average shoulder and little bigger in the button. You can choose this dress (as the picture right) that accentuate your waist and balance your
shoulder and camouflage your button.

Balance – Examples, by using shirt collars to balance your face shape. A point collar shirt works well with rounded face person and a spread collar shirt complements a narrow face person well.

Camouflage – Example, if you have a long torso and shorter legs, choosing a belt of which color matches the pants, visually it’ll elongate your legs and shorten your torso.

I hope you all find my styling ABC is helpful. Remember bring your best features forward – Accentuate the positives, Balance the challenges, and Camouflage the negatives.

Happy dressing ….

1. Buy your best colors

Clothing colors can express your mood, as well as complement your skin tone. We all have a color palette that looks better on us than others. Wearing the right colors, will make us look younger, healthier and smoother in skin. The wrong colors will make us look older, tired and sallow.

2. Buy your personal styles

Consider: your life style, your profession, your position, personality and so forth.

Your clothes should make you feel attractive, confident and enhance your image and bring out your best qualities.

3. Buy your best “FIT”

Your clothes should look like it’s just made for you. When fit is on your side, you will be looking fabulous, regardless your age, shape or size.

4. Before you buy it, always ask yourself –

Do I really love it? When in doubt, leave it. Your closet space is precious.

I believe that everyone is entitled to a wardrobe that works 100% of the time. That means when you open your closet door, everything in there is ready, able and begging, “Wear me!  Wear me today!” You can put on anything which works absolutely. Now, have fun with dressing.

Thank you for reading,

With my best wishes until next time

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There are so many good reasons to get past your fear, get out there and experiment what’s new or what’s come back in a new way. This spring/summer fashion selections are full of positive ideas, which from the past as well as the future.

You might discover a silhouette that you once wore and now suddenly is “in” again and it totally fit your body shape. You may even find a color, texture or item that you have been looking for. Also don’t forget to look at your wardrobe and remember that new trends can offer fun and flare to what you already own.

Here are some trends which stand out this season you might want to know.

Pleats are back – wide, narrow, inverted, boxed pleats are used as details in jacket, dresses, pants, skirts of all lengths. This season try a mid-length pleated skirt with a pair of nude color wedge for a lunch with friends.

Peplums — creating curves for a touch of feminine. Pair a peplum jacket with a simple pencil skirt and be ready for compliments.

Wide legged trousers — This flowing look will elongate your legs especially if they nearly hit the floor and conceal the wedges or heels you’re wearing with them. If you have a long torso and can wear a high-waisted pant, you’ll look even taller! Wear a simple top or a printed silk blouse and belt the pant at the waist with an interesting belt for great attention to this new silhouette.

Dresses over dresses – Layer over colored or printed dresses in sheer fabrics for a variation on transparency. Crocheted and lace dresses have natural cutouts but layer them over a solid colored dress.  You will have depth and interest but at the same time you won’t be revealing too much.

It may take someone with a little more courage to help you see these or other trend possibilities for yourself. But that’s what we are here for! We’d love to help you delve into some trends this season and come out discovering what looks ideal on you. Email us for an appointment.

Thank you for reading,

With my best wishes until next time

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Step 1.  De-clutter

• Remove all dry cleaning plastic bags.
• Get rid of the mismatched hangers.
• Choose one hanger style that suits you and will look good in your pretty closet.
• Find a different place for anything doesn’t relate to getting dressed needs.

Your closet is not a place to store golf bag, old clothes, or other people’s belongings: out with the excess baggage!

Step 2.  Decorate

• Start with color. Give your closet a lift by taking everything out of it and repainting. (try a lighter or soft color)
• In the far left corner get proper lights or install light fixtures so that every item in your closet gets an equal spotlight.

Step 3.  Display

• Keep everything as displayed as possible. \
• Sweaters, jeans and T-shirts can be folded neatly on open shelves.
• Use a jewelry stand or add hooks to the wall to hold necklaces.
• Scarf and belt racks help you see what you have.

When you walk into your closest and see all possibilities, getting dressed is easier and fun.

Step 4.  De-stress

• Add a wonderful scent that you enjoy. (Lavender satchels will help keep your closet and drawers smelling fresh, not stale.)

Now that life and energy has been brought into your closet.  Does your wardrobe need more additional attention? No problem! We are here to help you with these and even more ideas to create ease in your personal wardrobe.  We’ll help you make your closet looked fabulous in the season.

Thank you for reading,

With my best wishes until next time

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Contact us at: info@spimageconsulting.com

Spring keeps teasing us here in New York City with a few days of glorious warmth followed by a weekend in the 30s.  March has always been a schizophrenic month.

Warm-weather styles this year are also on the schizophrenic side: neon brights alongside pale pastels, floral prints, geometric patterns and lots of solids, 20s elegance and tribal touches, to name a few.

Gone are the days when there was just one look and everyone was wearing it.

And then there’s you. What are you going to wear to look terrific, stylish and current?  You probably don’t have to invest in a new wardrobe, but you want to make sure you have at least one outfit that makes you look and feel amazing.

I call it my “money look,” and I usually have two: a dressed-up and a dressed-down professional (the one I’m pictured in above is the  dressed-down version).

These make me feel chic and empowered whatever my work day and I can vary them with accessories.

When you’re shopping for your money look, keep in mind the following: the occasions for which you need to look a certain way. Searching for a job, pitching for new clients or chairing a committee, for example, all call for different types of outfit.

And don’t overlook your job or role. When you don’t look like you do what you do, people are confused and distracted. You want to put your effort and money into an outfit that says exactly who you are.

No matter what else is in your wardrobe, I suggest you invest in a money ensemble you can count on when making a memorial impression is called for. Here are some considerations:

•    Love how you look and feel in the outfit. You probably can’t tell by the photo, but my little jacket is paperweight leather with a Lurex back and sleeves. It adds elegance to the simple dress it tops. The necklace is one I made and I love its heft and luxuriousness.

•    Select silhouettes that flatter your figure. The lines of your ensemble should highlight your assets.

•    Choose colors that are strategic to your image. You may love a neon green jacket, but if you’re a financial advisor, a shock shade may not provide the trustworthiness you need your clothes to say. You would be better incorporating the neon as one of the colors in a scarf around your neck and wear it with a jacket in a neutral hue.

•    Don’t underestimate the power of fabric. Those that look and feel costly say you are a success.

•    Use accessories to personalize your outfit—and also vary them so your look doesn’t get stale. Try to avoid generic jewelry. Select pieces that reflect who you are, all in keeping with the image you want to convey.

I hope this advice is helpful. If so, I’d love to see your money looks. Email them to me atsusan@dresszing.com.

Yes, Valentine’s Day is associated with red roses and sweet hearts, but did you know that red is the warmest of all colors?

Red is also the color most chosen by extroverts and one of the top picks of males. On the negative side, red can mean temper or anger. Oops.

In China, red is the color of prosperity and joy. Brides wear red and front doors are often painted red.

Red roses symbolize passionate love. Ruby rings should be worn on the left hand. Red is the color of Mars and symbolizes the God of War.  Symbolism runs wide and deep:

• In Feng Shui the color of LOVE is Pink
• In Japan The color of LIFE is RED
• In India Red means Purity
• ORANGE In Japan is Courage while in Egypt it means mourning
• Light Pink is considered FEMINIE and RED ties send POWER Messages

Besides finding the right warm or cool colors for our clients coloring, we can also guide their choices to help them send out the right messsages.  Clients who invest in their colors will be able to send out messages that can ultimately bring them respect, relationships, prosperity, promotions and just look really great!

Are you using COLOR to increase your business profits? Be in a position to better drive your results.

In my opinion every man looks elegant in a well fitted suit and a gentleman’s wardrobe should begin with a classic tailored shirt and a perfect-fitted dark color suit.

The art of extraordinary dressing is about to create an overall unique look for the right occasion. Creating your unique look can easily be achieved by making a simple adjustment to ordinary looks.  Such as …

• Simply replace traditional white or blue shirts with patterned shirts.
• Add a sweater or vest to enhance a usual dress shirt and trousers ensemble to business casual.
• Replace your suit jacket with a sport coat to provide a dressy casual look.
• Add a packet square, cufflinks to accent what was once common.
• Mixing color, prints or patterns in different scale are great ways to create interest in your look – For example, combine a subdued small plaid check dress shirt with a bold stripe tie or a dark color shirt with a bright color tie,. Etc.
• Use an accent of contrast fabric to the interior of the collar and lining to express your individuality.
• Using a specialized thread color to the button and button holes creates a personal touch.
• Try a V-neck sweater over a classic tailored white shirt and pair them with a dark washed jeans and a tweed blazer to maintain your professional style.

These tips create an outstanding and updated ensemble appropriate for any professional or social setting. Want to know more about men’s image or tailored clothing please check www.spimageconsulting.com or contact us at: info@spimageconsulting.com

                                                                     —-~ Madame Benoit

I know there is no time for you to experiment a new recipe for your holiday party. Since TIRAMISU (an Italian Dessert literally translated as “pick me up”) has become so popular in my dinner party and so many friends of mine have asked the recipe. I thought why not just post it on my blog to share instead of sending it to everyone.

Step 1

Ingredients: 6 large egg yolks, 1/3 cup sugar, and ¼ cup cognac

Put the egg yolks and sugar in a big bowl and beat them in the bowl with hand-held electric mixer in medium speed over the slowly simmering water until the mixture thick and color turns pale yellow. Whisk in the cognac until the mixture doubles in volume. Set the bowl over ice water to cool down.

Step 2

Ingredients: 1 pound mascarpone (a sweet, soft Italian cheese; never replace it with whipped cream) 

Fold the mascarpone into the mixture from step 1 and beat the mixture at the low speed until blended.

Step 3

Ingredients: 4 egg whites, 2 tablespoons sugar

Beat the egg whites with a clean beater on medium-high speed in a large bowl until foamy. Add in sugar and beat until stiff peaks formed. Fold the egg white into the mascarpone mixture.

Step 4

Ingredients: ¼ cup cognac, 2 cups espresso café (long), 36 pieces of Italian Ladyfingers, and ¼ cocoa powder (unsweetened)

Combine the espresso and cognac in a small bowl. Dip the ladyfingers into the espresso mixture one at a time. Lay them side by side close together into the bottom of a glass baking dish (9” x 9”). Spread 1/3 of the mascarpone mixture evenly over the ladyfingers. Sprinkle 1/3 of cocoa powder on the top.  Dip the remaining ladyfingers in the espresso mixture and repeat the process to make the 2^nd and 3^rd layers. Sprinkle with the remaining cocoa powder on each layer. Cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 5 hours before serve.

Plan ahead and think with your heart, then make a list that includes:

• Who to give – Family members, Co-workers, Boss, Clients, Babysitter, Mail carrier, Doormen etc.
• How much you want to spend – Always stick to your budget, for the co-worker, boss or clients.  You also have to consider the company policy/guide line.
• What to give – Don’t try to find something “Unusual” or “different”, think what they really want. (Take their personal test, life style, hobbies/interests in consideration)

It’s OK to ask people for hints or a wish list. You can even take photos and gather ideas during the year and save them in your smart phone. When it comes to shopping, smart phones are really a time saver.

• Where to get the gifts – Use the list, schedule a time to shop in person or go online.
• When to give – Send the gifts by mail: consider the delivery time; give them in-person: make sure the recipient will be in.

Remember not everyone celebrates the holidays the way you do.  So if you send a holiday card, you shall be mindful about the message. A hand writing note with simple “Season’s Greeting” “Happy Holidays” is always appropriate.

I hope you find these tips helpful and have fun with your holiday shopping. “Happy Holidays” everyone.

Thank you for reading,

With my best wishes until next time

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1. RSVP first (Verbal or written invitation) – once you accept an invitation, keep your commitment and be on-time.
2. Never arrive with empty hands – something special for your host, i.e. chocolate, flowers, wine, etc.
3. Dress for the occasion – Check with your host or hostess for the dress code (It’s a formal, a casual, or a theme party) if it hasn’t been specified in the invitation.
4. Be prepared for both hot and cold indoor temperatures – If your jacket is the show piece of your outfit, be sure you can take it off and still look appropriate in the layer that’s underneath the jacket. Prepare for a chilly room or the outdoors by bringing a festive shawl or a nice-looking cardigan.
5. Don’t dunk yourself in scents. When preparing for an intimate gathering, go light on perfume or avoid the perfume altogether. Many people are allergic to scents or turned off by heavy scents.
6. Be prepared for party in a house that has a no-shoes rule. Check your pedicure, be sure you feel comfortable in your outfit without shoes, and/or wear clean socks with no holes in them.
7. If you have food allergies, don’t make it a problem for the already overworked host or hostess. Eat before the party or offer to bring a dish to share. If you have pet allergies, bring your allergy medicine with you. Look for a chair that’s wooden or leather and avoid sitting on the upholstered chair.
8. Keep your cell phone off with only rare exceptions. If you need to check in with the babysitter, step outside to make the call. Or put your phone on vibrate and keep it in your pocket for emergencies only.
9. Watch the host or hostess for signs of fatigue. If either of them starts yawning, gets up to clean up, or stops pouring wine, take the hint and wrap up the evening by giving your thanks and offering one last time to help clean up.

10.  Send a note within 24 hours, thanking your host or hostess for the wonderful time you had.

Now, it’s time to get together and give thanks to each other. Have a wonderful and enjoyable party!