Dressing for Comfort, Confidence & Style

Beauty & Wardrobe by Nancy Goldblatt, Color 1, Personal Image Consultant

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Nothing to Wear Panic When You Are Getting Ready to Go Out

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What happens when you get invited to a special event?

After you get all “dolled up,” do you look in the mirror and realize you look awful?

  • Does your outfit cling to your body revealing every bulge?

  • Do you look tired, old or washed out?

  • Maybe you don’t know what’s wrong.

But you feel, you look bad.

If you leave your home looking like this, everyone will think, 

              “That poor woman, is over the hill.”

Will they

        Feel sorry for you…

        Talk about you…

                  or

         Avoid you…

You say to yourself…

 “I must find something else to wear.”

  • You go to your closet and begin desperately searching.

  • Before you know it, you have pulled out more than half the clothes in your closet.

  • Clothes are piled everywhere and now you are running late.

  • Still you haven’t found the right outfit to wear.

Your heart starts beating faster and you are perspiring profusely as your panic builds.

  • If you have straight hair it’s hanging limp and wet.

  • If you have curly hair, it has frizzed up into a wild mass, from perspiration.

Your carefully made up face, is now red and blotchy and your makeup has melted away.

You are a wild woman, as you vainly pull more and more pieces of clothing out of your closet and drawers.

The friend waiting for you outside in the car has begun to impatiently honk the horn.

Or the phone is ringing and the hostess is asking,

   “What’s going on, why aren’t you here yet?”

You are in fight or flight mode and can’t talk.

You think to yourself,

   ”I  must find something to wear fast.”

Do you put on that original outfit again and force yourself to leave the house?

Will you hide in a corner, hoping others don’t notice that you are looking fat or frumpy?

Because this has happened before, you know you will be miserable, if you don’t find something to wear that makes you look and feel good.

Do you give up in disgust and call the hostess and say,

  “I’m too sick to attend.”

Now you really do feel sick, as your heart beats faster, panic is racing through your body and you can’t stop perspiring.

Maybe your problem isn’t a special event

Maybe it’s facing your closet everyday.

Do you dread trying to find something to wear to work?

Because

  • You have gained weight.

  • Your shape has changed.

  • Your “old faithfuls,” are threadbare.

  • Or you have a closet stuffed with separates but nothing matches.

Is there something you can do to avoid all of this?

You can call in sick, and hide out while you exercise like crazy, lose a few pounds and then spend lots of money on new clothes.

Even with exercise, weight loss, and new clothes, you will face the same problem, if you don’t learn what colors and styles really flatter you.

You can’t depend on the fashion industry for accurate information on how to choose flattering clothes and accessories.

They are not in the business of teaching you how to understand your unique style.

They want to sell you the latest clothes and accessories.

There is a solution

You can learn to be your own Personal Image Consultant.

Imagine…

  • Having a closet full of mix and match clothes that all look great on you.

Imagine… 

  • Going shopping and knowing what to buy and what to avoid.

This won’t take thousands of dollars or years to do.

You don’t even have to wait till you lose weight to start looking and feeling better.

And you don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes.

You can learn to shop your closet and use what you already have. 

Are you ready to learn to be your own “Image Consultant,” and say goodbye to the panic of “Nothing to Wear”?

_______________________________________________________

Contact Personal Image Consultant, Nancy Goldblatt, the “Wardrobe Wizard,” for a 20 minute, no obligation, telephone conversation to see if her reasonably priced services are right for you. 

During this conversation, besides a needs assessment, she will give you a brief guided imagery test to help you determine your “inner fashion personality.”  By learning about your “fashion personality,” you will be able to avoid purchasing styles you don’t feel comfortable in.  

This is the first step in becoming your own Personal Image Consultant. 

No need to live in Baltimore, Md.  Nancy can now do virtual consults online.  Set up an appointment for a complimentary telephone consult to find out how this works.  Of course, Nancy is still available in-person for women in Baltimore and surrounding areas.

Contact: Nancy@WardrobeWiz.com, 410-513-9496, blog.wardrobewiz.com

__________________________________________________________

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” is a “Color 1,” Personal Image Consultant who specializes in working with “women baby-boomers.” whose size and shape has changed and who have too many clothes and “nothing to wear.” After a woman works with “The Wardrobe Wizard,” she will have a wallet of her best colors and styles, and a pared down closet.   She will have learned how to mix and match her best looks so she can get dressed “lickety split,” and look great everyday.

“The Wardrobe Wizard,” also works with younger women and is available to work with men.  She was trained by Joanna Nicholson, founder of Color 1 Associates an International Image & Style Company and has over 20 years of experience as a Personal Image Consultant.

Contact her at Nancy@wardrobewiz.com or 410-513-9496

 

– See more at: http://blog.wardrobewiz.com/nothing-to-wear-panic/#sthash.kr0bVDI3.dpuf

Comfortable Clothes that Breathe from Baltimore’s New Store, “The Joshua Tree”

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  Did you know most of the clothing you wear is made of fabric grown with lots of pesticides?

Trying to live a healthy life?
Trying to live a healthy life?

How much of these pesticides are being absorbed into your skin?

One of the few plants that does not need protection from pesticides is hemp.

It’s possible to purchase 100 % hemp clothing.

Because hemp clothing breathes, it’s extremely comfortable.

In Baltimore, Maryland, you can find hemp clothing and other clothing made with comfortable sustainable fabric at “The Joshua Tree.”

 

“The Joshua Tree has been in business 16 months.  It’s located in Baltimore’s Mt. Washington neighborhood near Whole Foods.

I discovered “The Joshua Tree,” one day after I finished shopping at Whole Foods on Smith Avenue.  I had previously seen a big sign that said, ” Eco Friendly Clothing””.

Joshua Tree Sign
Joshua Tree Sign

One day when I was not in a hurry, I decided to follow the sign.   I discovered a store full of  clothes and accessories grown sustainably.

This store carries hemp, soy and organic men’s and women’s casual clothes. The styles are forward-thinking, inexpensive to up-scale and also sewn “sweatshop-free.” You will also find locally made scrubs, soaps and aromatherapy oils.

I bought a pair of ecoSkin leggings that are so soft and comfortable, I can barely tell I am wearing pants

Joshua Tree Store layout
Joshua Tree Store layout

 

 

Joshua Tree Jewelry
Joshua Tree Jewelry

 

Joshua Tree turquoise dress
Dress at the Joshua Tree

 

 

Joshua Tree Wallet
Wallet from the Joshua Tree

 

The Joshua Tree also carries, jewelry, hats, wallets, and  socks, all made with sustainable products.   It’s a great place to find gifts for that special person as well as shop for yourself

The address is 1340 Smith Ave, Baltimore, Md. 21209, behind Whole Foods. Phone : 971-570- 0732. for hours.

 

Ask the Wardrobe Wizard to Work Her Magic

 Are you a woman whose size and shape has changed.  Do you have too many clothes but not much you can wear?

Nancy Goldblatt, Wardrobe Wizard can help you decide what clothes to keep and what to give away.  She is available to work with you in person if you live near Baltimore, Maryland or  on-line if you are not local.

Nancy is a Color 1 Associate and for over 20 years has helped women whose size and shape has changed to choose their best styles and colors.</strong> <strong>Contact her at: Nancy@wardrobewiz.com, or 410-235-5325

 

 

 

Naturally Curly, Secrets You Need to Know

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Do you have naturally curly hair?  Has it felt like a curse or a blessing?

Nancy age 5 with curly hair
Nancy age 5 with mass of curly wavy hair

 

If your curly hair has felt like a curse, keep reading to find out what you can do to turn it into a blessing.

In the picture above you can see my mass of wavy, curly hair at age five.

I envied my friend Penny because she had very straight hair and long braids that went way past her shoulders.

I had a tangled head of  hair that grew wide instead of long.  I longed for straight hair so I could have long braids.  

Have you ever wished you had straight, smooth hair?

I can remember when I was 4 or 5 years old, going for rides with my family on Sunday afternoon by Lake Michigan and tugging on my pig tails, hoping they would grow long like my friend Penny’s.  My pig tails never got longer than 2 or 3 inches.

What kinds of things have you tried to straighten your hair?

Have you tried smelly perms that burned your scalp?  Have you ever tried ironing your hair?

In my twenties, I ironed my hair to straighten it and ended up burning the ends of my hair.

If you are over a certain age you may remember Dippity Doo, a gloppy lotion used to set hair.  I used Dippity Doo and set my hair every night, using larger and larger rollers.

I even used empty orange juice cans as rollers, in my effort to calm down my curly hair.  At night I would sleep on my nose, so I did not disturb the rollers in my hair.

Does any of this sound familiar to you?

 

Has all of your hard work to get smooth, sophisticated hair disappeared when the weather is wet or humid? 

I didn’t realize I was blessed to have naturally wavy, curly hair until my mid 20’s.

That’s when I got my “million dollar haircut.”  It didn’t cost a million, but it was the perfect hair cut for me.  It was very short and I could wash it, run my fingers through it and let it air dry and it looked fabulous.

I still have this same basic haircut.  As I have gotten older, my hair is more wavy than curly and because I keep it short, it looks straighter than it did when I was young.

Here is a recent picture, right after I washed my hair.  It’s still wet.  All I did was wash it with conditioner and run a wide toothed comb through it.

I use my fingers to comb it when I want a more relaxed, wavy look.  With the right haircut, your curly or wavy hair will actually look even better when its humid or wet outside.

 

hair still wet after washing, ran a wide toothed comb through it
hair right after washing with conditioner, still wet, only ran a wide toothed comb through it

 

There is a “million dollar haircut,” waiting for you.

You need to  find a hairdresser who knows how to cut curly hair.   Your hair dresser should also have some understanding of face shape or be open to learning about it.

Face shape is not just the outline of your face, it includes the shape of your eyes, eyebrows, nose, and mouth.  Face shape is the overall impression of your face.

Your face shape will be either more curved or more straight.

(My face shape is more curved.  Notice the natural shape of my lips, my eyebrows, even my nostrils are more curved than angular.)

There are various levels of curly hair from kinky curly to wavy curly.  Curly and wavy hair is dryer than straight hair and needs different care than straight hair.

A few years ago, Wendy Cooper, one of my image clients with beautiful, corkscrew, curly hair,  told me about the book “Curly Girl,” by Lorraine Massey.  Lorraine wrote this book in 2001 and since then she has written an updated version called The Curly Girl Handbook.

Lorraine has revolutionized the care and treatment of curly hair.

Ever since I read the book, I have been washing my hair with conditioner instead of shampoo and I have followed some of the other suggestions in her book and my hair has never looked better.

Another  suggestion for you naturally curly girls is only using a wide toothed comb and never comb when your hair is dry, only when hair is wet and well conditioned.  There are lots more suggestions in the book.  There are even web- based support groups for curly girls.

An industry has grown up around the Curly Girl book.  Here is a link to a great article from WikiHow, How to Follow The Curly Girl Method for Curly Hair, 15 steps.

So please don’t despair if you have naturally curly hair.  You are truly blessed.

The “Curly Girl method” will enable you to love the way your curly locks look.  

When you learn the “Curly Girl method,” you won’t have  to torture your locks into submission.

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How can you decide what your best hair styles are?

The first step is understanding your face shape.  Are you more angular or more curved?  When you get a face and body shape analysis from “The Wardrobe Wizard,” you will get the best styles of clothing for your body as well as suggestions for flattering hair styles.

Call or e-mail today for more information about an on-line virtual consultation.

“The Wardrobe Wizard,” is available to work with you, no matter where you live.

If you live in Baltimore, Maryland, or surrounding areas she can work with you in person.  If you live other places, she can work with you on-line using digital pictures.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” is a Color1,Personal Image Consultant who specializes in working with mid-life women whose size or shape has changed and who have too many clothes and “nothing to wear.”

After a woman works with “The Wardrobe Wizard,” she will have a wallet of her best colors and styles, and a pared down closet.   She will learn how to mix and match her best looks so she can get dressed “lickety split,” and look great everyday.

“The Wardrobe Wizard,” also works with younger women and is available to work with men.  She was trained by Joanna Nicholson, founder of Color 1 Associates, an International Image & Style Company.

e-mail Nancy for more information on how to get started with an on-line consult.  Nancy@WardrobeWiz.com,     410-513-9496

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Secrets Of Choosing A Flattering Purse, by Nancy Goldblatt, The Wardrobe Wizard, revised © 2012

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Here are four tips for choosing a purse that will flatter you.  You will need to consider color, scale, shape and where the purse sits on your body.

  COLOR

  1. Because our eyes automatically search for colors to be repeated, when you carry a purse that repeats one of your natural body colors (hair, skin or eyes) you will look visually pleasing and be able to wear this purse with everything you own.    (Best choice is hair color if your skin is light and skin color, if your skin is dark)                                                     

SIZE

  • 2. Here is a way to find a good size purse that will be in   proportion to your body.  Spread your fingers apart with your thumbs  touching and measure horizontally from little finger to little finger.  This measurement is the widest or tallest your purse should be to be in proportion to your body.  You can also measure your hand from your wrist crease to the end of your longest finger.  This could be the depth, height or width of your purse.  (If your hands are in proportion to your body these suggestions will work for you.)

STRAP LENGTH

  • 3. If you can adjust strap length, adjust your purse to end at a place on your body that is the narrowest.  For example if you carry your weight in the lower half of your body, and have a defined waistline, shorten the straps so your purse stops at your waist.  If you are top-heavy, lengthen straps so your purse stops at your lower hip or thigh.  (If your strap is not adjustable, take it to a shoe repair store, have the strap cut and resewn to the correct length)

SHAPE

  • 4. A purse that has some softness and some straightness is best for most bodies.  If you have a very angular (straight body) and angular face, you can choose a purse with sharp angles.  If you have a curvy body ( with very obvious waist definition and a more curved or round face then you can wear a purse that is more soft and curved.  See purse examples below :
                                                                                                 
straight, structured purse best for someone with undefined waist and angular face shape
purse has some straightness and some softness  
Curved purse best for someone with a curvy body and oval or round face

 

 

 

 

 

TRENDS

Recent purse trends include super sized handbags, clutch bags, vintage, brightly colored and metallic bags.  If you are petite, a very large handbag may dwarf you and if you are a plus size an over sized bag may emphasize parts you don’t want emphasized.

If you do choose a brightly colored purse, try to repeat the color in your outfit at least once or twice.  This repetition of color can  be done with a scarf, shoes, or belt.  As stated before our eyes unconsciously search for repetition of color and this will help you to look more pulled together.

 

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Nancy, Wardrobe Wizard

 

Nancy Goldblatt is available to work with you no matter where you live.  If you live in Baltimore, Md or surrounding areas she can work with you in person.  If you live other places, she can work with you on-line using digital pictures.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” is a “Color 1,” Personal Image Consultant who specializes in working with mid-life women whose size and shape has changed and who have too many clothes and “nothing to wear.”

After a woman works with “The Wardrobe Wizard,”she will have a wallet of her best colors and styles, and a pared down closet.   She will learn how to mix and match her best looks so she can get dressed “lickety split,” and look great everyday.

“The Wardrobe Wizard,” also works with younger women and is available to work with men.  She was trained by Joanna Nicholson, founder of Color 1 Associates, an International Image & Style Company.

Nancy@WardrobeWiz.com, 410-513-9496,  WWW.WardrobeWiz.com

 

Unhappy About Your Appearance? Go to the Magic Wish Store

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When I was twenty something, many years before I became an Image Consultant,  I was complaining to my cousin Roz about my freckle mustache.

It was summer and I had just come home from a vacation in Mexico.  The sun is very intense in Mexico and my freckles which usually are only sprinkled over the bridge of my nose, had appeared in droves above my upper lip.

I was disturbed about this because it made me look like I had a mustache.

My cousin Roz who is a social worker, and from the South asked in her slow southern way. ” How much do you want to get rid of your freckle mustache?”

I immediately answered,“Very much, what do I have to do?”

Roz said she would  take me to the Magic Wish Store.

She explained, “The Magic Wish Store is a place where you can magically change things, but there is always a price to pay.  Close your eyes and imagine all of the qualities you value about yourself both inside and outside.  You can get rid of your freckle mustache but you must pay to get rid of it.  The payment must be in the form of a quality you really like about yourself.”

I thought about what I really liked about myself both inside and outside.

I thought about those qualities I valued on the outside first.   I liked my beautiful clear complexion, my naturally wavy dark brown hair, my full lips, my almond shaped, hazel eyes.

On the inside, the qualities I valued were my quick, curious mind, my ability to understand other peoples problems, and my ability to laugh at myself.

Roz asked me again. “What are you willing to give up to get rid of your freckle mustache?”

I was stumped.  I really wanted to get rid of that freckle mustache, but I wasn’t willing to pay for it by giving up any of the qualities I valued in myself.

I told Roz and myself, “I guess I’ll have to keep my freckle mustache.”

I stopped complaining  about my freckle mustache, when I realized I wasn’t willing to give up anything I valued about myself to get rid of it.

Luckily, the freckle mustache faded as Fall came. Since then, I have learned to use sunscreen to keep my freckle mustache from reappearing.

So what would you like to change about your looks?  What are the qualities you value about yourself both outside and inside?  Is there any quality you really value about yourself that you are willing to give up in exchange for something you don’t like about your appearance?

Fortunately, you don’t have to give up any of your valued qualities when you work with the Wardrobe Wizard.

I have easy to learn”‘magic,” that can transform your appearance  using color, proportion, line and design.

And now it doesn’t matter where you live because I am now doing online consultations!

I am still available to work with you in-person, if you live in Baltimore or surrounding areas.

Contact me to set up a 20 minute telephone discussion about your fashion challenges.  I will give you the fashion personality quiz and you will learn how your fashion personality affects your choice of clothes and how you can learn to be true to your fashion personality, without losing your credibility. This telephone conversation will get you started on the path to a wardrobe of clothes and makeup that makes it easy to shop and get dressed quickly and look your best everyday.  This 20 minute telephone conversation is complimentary,  email: Nancy@wardrobewiz.com

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Blog Nominated for Mobbie, Vote for My Blog by Nov 10

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Nancy, Wardrobe Wizard
Click here to vote for my blog ... early and often

My Baltimore blog has been nominated for a Mobbie in the LifeStyle category. Please vote for my blog before November 10, 2011 if you like my blog. The contest is sponsored by the Baltimore Sunpapers.

To vote click on Sunpapers Mobbies picture in this blog,
click vote here,
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Put a dot in the vote category.

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Lipstick, How To Choose A Flattering Color

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Bright red lipstick from Bobbi Brown

I recently ran into a longtime client of mine.  I noticed she looked tired. She was wearing her best clothing colors and I wondered if she had been sick.  I looked at her more carefully and  realized why she  did not look so good.

It was her lipstick color. She told me she could not get her favorite colored lip pencil  anymore and settled for something that was similar.  She thought it was similar, but it was much too brown and much too dark.

I told her that the brown lip color did not flatter her.  It made her teeth look yellow and her lips looked more wrinkled.

I asked her to try an experiment and put on a  lipstick I had sold her previously. This lipstick was a more of a” toned down red”.  When she put this flattering lip color on, she immediately got her sparkle back.

"toned down red lipstick"
toned down red lipstick

Brown lipstick will not look good on your unless your lips are naturally brown and your teeth are very white. Cindy Crawford, a Victoria’s Secret Model from the 1990’s, is an example of someone who does look good in brown lipstick.

The makeup industry has been promoting fire engine red lipstick and most recently I have seen ads showing nude color lipstick.

If you look good in “fire engine red lipstick,” you will probably not look good in nude or brown lipstick and visa versa.

With so many choices of lipstick colors, how do you choose a flattering color?

Look at the inside color of your bottom lip. How bright or dull a red or pink is it?  You can use this color as a guide when you choose a lipstick.  You can go one or two shades darker than this color.  Do not go lighter than this color, or more brown or brighter or duller than your inner lip color.

When you choose a color that is an extension of your natural lip color, this color will always be flattering. This will make you look “visually balanced.”   When you look “visually balanced,” you appear more attractive.   Research has shown that more attractive people are automatically  assumed to be  intelligent, and  honest.   When we feel attractive its easier to  feel and act confident.

Still unsure which lipstick colors flatter you? With a  color analysis you can get a wallet with 40-50 of your most flattering colors from Nancy Goldblatt, Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore.  This wallet includes several shades of your best lipstick and blush colors.

No matter what your age, size or shape you can create an attractive,” visually pleasing appearance.” by wearing flattering colors and flattering styles of clothing.

Nancy Goldblatt, Personal Image Consultant & The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore, Maryland is a Color 1 Associate with over 20 years of experience. She is available to do your colors if you live in the Baltimore, Washington corridor.  Contact her at 410-235-5325 or nrgoldblatt@gmail.com  (Learn to shop your closet and eliminate what doesn’t work, learn to mix and match in new ways and find out what you need to  fill in your wardrobe gaps).

Looking Good In Cold Weather

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Its the middle of December and its below zero and there is snow on the ground in Baltimore.   I have seen lots of people so bundled up that only their eyes are showing.

If you care about your appearance but still want to stay warm when you venture out on very cold days, here are some guidelines that will enable you to still look visually pleasing.

1. Wear shoes or boots that repeats the color on your head. If you are wearing a hat, repeat your hat color or if you have lots of hair that shows, choose shoes or boots that are hair color.   This will visually help you to look “pulled together.”   Our eyes automatically search for repeated colors.  When you wear a hat and shoes that are the same color the eye travels up and down to the repeated colors and this is relaxing to the eyes.

Here are a few examples: With  a hat or hair that is dark brown wear boots or shoes that are dark brown.  If you have a moss green hat, that you love, try to find moss green boots.  If your hair is black and lots of hair shows even with your hat on, consider black boots or shoes.

2. Choose a coat color that is flattering to your skin. (Note : not everyone looks good in black).  But if you already have a black coat choose a neck scarf that repeats your eye, or skin color.  This will give you a “color break,”and the black coat will not look so harsh against your skin.

3.  Unsure which colors are flattering to you? Get Joanna Nicholson’s books Dressing Smart for Women and Dressing Smart for Men at Amazon.

4.  Consider getting a “Color Analysis,” from a Color 1 Associate.   This is a very accurate “non-seasonal approach,” that allows you to wear every color in the right shade.   To find a Color 1 Associate in your local area contact Joyce Harris at Color Style.  Her e-mail is Joyce5001@aol.com.  She  also can sell you copies of Joanna Nicholson’s books.

Nancy Goldblatt, Personal Image Consultant & The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore is a Color 1 Associate with over 20 years of experience.  She is available to do your colors if you live in the Baltimore, Washington corridor.  Contact her at 410-235-5325 or nrgoldblatt@gmail.com  (She can teach you how to shop your closet and eliminate what doesn’t work, mix and match in new ways and she’ll suggest what you need to fill in the gaps)

Flattering Clothing for YOUR Body Shape:How to Choose

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When I was in my twenties  I bought a dress that I called “my princess dress.” One of my favorite childhood stories was “The Princess & The Pea.”     I secretly believed I must be a princess because I was so sensitive.   If you think about how Fiona from the movie Shreck looked  before she turned into an ogre, this was my image of a princess.   My princess dress looked like the dress Fiona wore.   It was dark blue velvet with a deep v neckline and princess darts.  It narrowed at the waist and had a soft flowing  A line skirt and it was long.   This was many years ago before Shreck had been made and my idea of what a princess wore came from my viewing Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty.

I put that dress on many times, but was never able to wear it out of the house because instead of looking like a princess, I looked like a stuffed sausage.   The dress was my size but even when I exercised and toned up and lost a few pounds, I never looked good in it.   It hung in my closet for several years unworn.  Finally, I gave it to a friend of mine who had similar coloring to me and was the same height, and weight as me.   The minute she pulled it over her head she look like a princess.

Why did she look so wonderful in the dress and why did I look so awful in the dress? The answer is  body shape.  I have a  wide waist and narrow hips and she had a  narrow waist and wider hips.  The dress narrowed where I widened and widened where I narrowed.    My narrow parts were hidden and my wider parts were emphasized by the style of the dress.  My friend look fantastic because the dress shape dress was an extension of her  body shape.

Body shapes have both curved and straight lines but there will be a predominance of more curves or more straight lines. If your body shape is  more curved, clothing with waist definition will be more flattering.  If your body is straighter, like mine, clothing without waist definition will be more flattering..  Choosing clothing that widens where your body widens and narrows where your body narrows will  help you to feel comfortable and look your bestl everyday.

What do you have in your closet that you haven’t been able to wear?  Do you know why you haven’t worn it?

Nancy Goldblatt, “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant.  She works with individuals and groups in Baltimore and surrounding areas.  Contact her at nrgoldblatt@gmail.com or 410-235-5325. www.WardrobeWiz.com/

New Year, New Goals:give 2010 a name

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If you could put your new year resolutions into words what would you call 2010?

I have named this year  “My year for a better Body, and a better Blog .” I got the idea after listening to a free webinar by Brenda Kinsel ,   Image Consultant.  She has an excellent free e-newsletter and she has written a number of books.  40 over 40 was her first book.  www.brendakinsel.com/

It’s been about four weeks since I started my new exercise program. Unfortunately I injured my back last week and missed several sessions but I returned this last Friday and plan to continue.  The research study I am in involves nutrition and exercise.   Its called “The Shape Up,” study.   I am writing down everything I eat and counting calories.  It helps to write down what I eat, but its a chore.   I am exercising 3 days a week, with 45 minutes of cardio and about 15 minutes of weight training.  I believe Johns Hopkins Hospital Bayview, Baltimore, Md., is is still looking for participants for this 6 month study.  You have to be pre-diabetic or diabetic and no older than 65 and in fairly good health.   I got into the study because I am considered pre-diabetic.  If you are in Baltimore or surrounding areas you can call Meredith at 410-550-6997 to find out if you are eligible for the 6 month study.

The Hopkins Nutritionist, Sarah told me  in order to lose weight I can only eat 1,000 calories on non-exercise days and 1,300 on the days I exercise. When I heard this I asked myself,  “How will I be able to do this beyond this 6 month study”?   I felt discouraged at the thought.  Then it occured to me that once I have built more muscle that perhaps I will be able to eat a few more calories, because muscle burns more calories than fat.

I gained about 3 pounds the 2nd week of the program. According to my scale I have now lost 4 pounds based on my starting weight which I am currently not willing to reveal.

Please feel free to comment and share.  What will you call 2010?