Smart Dressing for women

Nothing to Wear Panic

January 2, 2014 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

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

· Making fun of you… or

· Avoid you

You say to yourself, “I have got to find something else to wear.”

So you go to your closet and begin desperately searching .

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

Clothes are piled everywhere and now you are running late.

And 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 person 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 feel like you are going crazy.

You must find something to wear.

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.

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

· You can stop accepting invitations to go out

· You can exercise and eat less and lose 20 pounds and then spend lots of money on new clothes

Even with 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 not depend on the fashion industry for this information.

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.

Is there is a solution?

You CAN learn to be your own Personal Image Consultant.

What would it be like to only buy clothes, makeup and accessories that look great on you?

Would you also like to learn …

· How to look in the mirror and see if your colors and proportions are right.

· How to make some simple changes, so you can always look visually (pleasing) balanced.·

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 say goodbye to the panic of “Nothing to Wear”?

Contact 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 your “fashion personality,” you will be able to avoid purchasing styles you don’t feel comfortable in.

Contact: Nancy@WardrobeWiz.com, 410-513-9496, WWW.WardrobeWizcom

__________________________________________________________

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.

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, WWW.WardrobeWiz.com

Super Sunglass Sale at Walmart

February 19, 2013 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

**Sunglasses on sale for $1 at Wal Mart**

I don’t like to spend much money on sunglasses because I seem to lose or break them so frequently.

This last weekend when I stopped at Wal Mart to pick up a few toiletries, I was delighted to discovered lots of sunglasses on sale.

There was no sunglass sale sign, but I noticed $1 stickers on many of the sunglasses.

The sunglasses I purchased on sale cost me $1 for sunglasses that were originally $5 and, $3 for Foster Grant, Iron-Man, shatter resistant, high performance, polycarbonate glasses that were originally $15.

Foster Grant, IronMan, High Performance Sunglasses, orig price $15, on sale at Wal Mart $3 — **Foster Grant,, High Performance Sunglasses, orig price $15, on sale $3**

I bought 4 pair of sunglasses and 1 super large sun-glass case for $3.97. Total cost, $9.97 not including tax.

Sunglasses in super sized case, case cost $3.97 — super sized case, case cost $3.97.

3 Tips for Choosing Comfortable & Flattering Sunglasses

When you try on the sunglasses, close your eyes and see how they feel on your face. If they pinch, feel too tight, are too loose or are uncomfortable in anyway, do not purchase them.
Sunglasses should feel so comfortable that you barely notice you are wearing them.
Sunglasses as well as eyeglasses should follow the line of your eyebrow.

Want to know more about choosing flattering sunglasses or eyeglasses for your face shape?

Click on the following links to read 2 of my previous blog post.

How to Pick the Perfect Eyeglass Frame Using Your Smartphone or Camera

How to Choose Flattering Sunglasses

———————————————————————————

“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. She specializes in working with mid-life women whose size or shape has changed and who have too many clothes and “not much 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 quickly 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 or call Nancy if you would like to set up a 20 minute FREE consult to find out if her services are right for you. Nancy@WardrobeWiz.com, 410-513-9496

Three Fashion Fads That Waste Your Money

August 22, 2012 by Nancy Goldblatt 2 Comments

Are you trying to look current by buying the latest fashion fads?

Here are three of the latest fads, I give a thumbs down to because their main purpose is to get you to spend money.

These fads will soon be gone.

Sometimes fads turn into trends that last a few seasons. Trends can become classics that last forever. An example of this is denim jeans. I predict the following fads will never become trends or classics.

Shoes that are a different color than your outfit. The fashionistas call this “wearing a pop of color.” Do you really want people focusing on your feet instead of your face?
Another large pop of color. A second fad which is trying to become a trend. How many of you have purchased a very large purse that is a different color than your outfit (usually in a green or orange color.)
The third fad is the color orange which is everywhere this season. Orange can work for everyone, but you must know which shades and brightnesses of orange flatter you otherwise you risk looking like a pumpkin if the orange is too bright.

Here is Judith, one of my image clients in a beautiful “toned down orange,” top. If Judith wore the bright orange being shown this season, it would overpower her gentle coloring.

judyorangetop — Judith, Wardrobe Wizard Client in a “toned down orange,” top

I would look tired and sick if I tried wearing the toned down orange that Judith looks so fabulous in.

The Halloween orange being shown this season doesn’t flatter many people. But when you understand the orange shades that flatter you, its easy to look current as well as visually balanced.

Look Current Without Wasting Money

I am not discouraging you from trying new fads or trends. Just be selective about what you buy.

I urge you to get educated about what really is flattering for your unique coloring and shape so you don’t end up wasting your money.

Follow Your Inner Compass

Once you understand some simple rules about looking visually balanced, and you know what colors and silhouettes are flattering, you can begin to follow your inner compass in choosing what looks and feels right on you.

_________________________________________________________________________________

“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 “not much 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

————-

Why Do You Have So Many Unworn Clothes? part 2

January 6, 2012 by Nancy Goldblatt 1 Comment

57A30B542C5EDA6CAFAA6BC283410890.tomcat1 — Nancy, Wardrobe Wizard

Here are 7 reasons why you have so many unworn pieces of clothing cluttering your closet and some possible solutions from “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore.”

1. It doesn’t fit right. It may be the wrong size or it may be an unflattering style for your body shape. Even if its the right size and fits you in some places, in others places it pulls and is too tight or it bags because its too big. (Possible Solution- take it to a dressmaker who can do alterations.)

2. The color isn’t flattering. It drains all the color out of your face, makes you look sick or makes you look like you are having a perpetual hot flash. (Possible Solution- (You need a “color break.”) Get this by showing some skin or wearing a flattering scarf color near your face.

You have nothing to wear with it. I call these pieces “orphans.” (Possible solution: take your orphans shopping to find matching pieces.)

4. It doesn’t feel right on. Maybe the fabric is itchy or it does not breathe or maybe you feel too uncovered or too covered up. (Possible Solution-layer it over something else)

5. It requires too much upkeep, ironing and expensive dry cleaning. (If you are anything like me, you are very busy and don’t have time to iron and do not like the idea of wearing clothing that is cleaned in Perc, a Cancer causing chemical.) Possible Solution: You may be able to wash it even if it says dry clean. Do not wash it if it says “dry clean only.”

6 It was a gift that you never liked or someone talked you into buying it. (Possible Solution- Re-gift it or donate or consign it.)

7. Maybe it was marked down to such a bargain price that the “thrifty part of you” couldn’t resist it. Possible Solution- Donate it or consign it to make room for pieces that really flatter you.

Your closets and drawers are being fattened by these non–working pieces of clothing. A recent client of mine had so many orphans with the tags still on, crowding her closets and drawers that she had lost track of what she owned. She no longer remembered what she owned that she could actually wear.

I was just like some of you before I got trained 20 years ago. I had closets overstuffed with clothes I could not wear. If image consultants were around when I was younger, I would not only have saved a lot of time and money, but I would not have turned down lots of fun activities, because I had nothing to wear.

What’s the solution to those overstuffed closets and drawers? Get educated about your body and face shape and get a color analysis so you will have a wallet of your best colors to shop with. Where can you get accurate information.? There are lots of books out there, some with good information and some with not so good information

Two books I recommend with lots of accurate information are “Dressing Smart for Women,” and “Dressing Smart for Men.” These books were written by Joanna Nicholson, my mentor and teacher. You can purchase them from Leslie Stott, Color 1 CEO. Contact Leslie at : http://Leslie@thecolorlady.com/

You may also be able to find them on Amazon or at your local library.

If you do not get help from someone who has training in image, style and color you will probably continue making many of those seven mistakes.

I am now able to do color and face and body shape analysis on-line no matter where you are located, using digital photos.

—————————————————————————————–

Nancy Goldblatt, Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore, is a Color 1 Associate. For over twenty years, she has been helping women whose size and shape has changed, to shop their closets.

She specializes in color analysis , and face and body shape analysis. After a client works with “The Wardrobe Wizard”, she will have a pared down closet with “mix and match pieces,” and the ability to put her own best looks together.

Nancy works with clients in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area as well as long distance customers. She can now do online consults. To find out more: Contact the Wardrobe Wizard at nancy@wardrobewiz.com/ or call 410-513-9496 for a complimentary, no obligation 20 minute telephone consultation to discover your fashion personality and find out what “The Wardrobe Wizard,” can do for you.

What Did You Learn From Your Mother About Your Appearance?

September 2, 2011 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

I wonder how many of you were affected by the way your mother felt about her appearance.

Even if your mother did not talk about how she felt about her looks, she may have communicated her insecurities by the way she behaved.

I remember going to the grocery store with my mother when I was a young child. If she glimpsed a neighbor or friends she would grab my hand and duck down another aisle to avoid them. She told me this was because she did not have time to stand and chat. As I got older, she admitted to me that she didn’t want to chat because she did not feel she looked her best.

As a young child, I did not understand my mother’s behavior. When I became an adolescent I began to understand her behavior when I started having some of the same feelings.

My mother was a beautiful woman, but she did not feel beautiful. She felt her nose was too big and she hated her freckled skin. She envied her friends who could lay out in the sun until their skin turned leathery brown. Even though she had dark brown hair, she had the skin of a red head. When she tried to lay in the sun, thinking her freckles would blend together to give her a tan, she got sun poisoning. Ironically, because she had to stay out of the sun, as she got older, her skin stayed beautiful as her friends grew more wrinkled.

They say it’s not what our parents say but what they do that affects us.’

For me it was what my mother said and what she did. She was highly critical of her own appearance and my appearance. When I was about 6 years old, I was invited to my best friends ballet recital. I did not go because I got a stomach ache. That stomach ache felt real at the time, but I realize now, looking back, that underneath the stomach ache was anxiety because I felt I did not have anything to wear that I felt I looked good in. As I got older, I turned down many invitations, because I felt I did not have anything to wear.

When I became an adult, if I could not avoid going to a special event, I would look in my closet and feel panicked because my “old faithful’s,” were too raggedy to wear.

So I would go out and feel desperate as I shopped for something to wear for the special occasion. When I did go to the event, I felt self conscious and did not enjoy myself because I felt fat and frumpy. I would often find myself comparing the way I looked to the way the other women looked.

I wonder if any of you can relate to this?

I discovered after I got trained as an image consultant that I have the most challenging body shape to dress.

Even when I weighed 112 pounds, I felt I looked fat because I have narrow hips and a proportionally wide waistline and midsection. ( If you happen to have this body shape, you need to wear tops with undefined waistlines.) It was hard for me to find clothes that looked good on me because

I did not really understand my body shape or the colors that flattered me.

No matter how much I dieted, my waist stayed wide because of my bone structure. Because I did not understand which styles or colors were flattering, it would take me forever to find one thing that looked ok and fit me. Frequently if I found one piece that looked good, there would be nothing to match it and it would just hang in my closet unworn.

IMG_0705 (1) — Nancy at 112 pounds and still feeling fat

Something magical happened to me when I learned what silouettes worked best on my body shape and what my most flattering colors were.

Shopping got easier and putting myself together became a breeze. As I got more and more compliments about my appearance, some of those old feelings of self consciousness and “not looking good enough,” began to melt away.

When I have an important event to go to or I am invited out now, I still have a flash of panic, but it only lasts for a few seconds.

Then I remember that I have the knowledge to put myself together and look good. When I leave my house, I no longer feel self conscious because I am confident that I know what looks good on me no matter what my shape or weight.

Even if you did not have a self conscious, critical mother or body shape challenges, some of you may be experiencing body shape challenges as you have gotten older.

Do you understand your body shape and the styles of clothing that most flatter your body?

Do you know what shades of color really flatter you?

Do you understand your “Fashion Personality,” and how that affects what you feel comfortable wearing?

What are you doing as you get older to continue presenting the best version of yourself? I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to comment.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Are you ready to save lots of money and look great everyday? To far away to meet in person. Think you might be interested in an Online Wardrobe Makeover? Call or e-mail to set up a Complimentary 25 minute telephone consult. The telephone consult I am currently offering is FREE, with no obligation, but I only have a few of these slots available each week. The purpose of the telephone consult is to help you determine what your fashion personality is and to help me better understand what your needs are. Say goodbye to those, “Nothing to wear moments.”

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

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Baltimore Artscape 2009, Product Trends Observed

July 27, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

Artscape, known as America’s largest “free arts festival was held the weekend of July 17-19, 2009 . The weather was great and there were lots of people of all shapes, sizes and colors to watch. I have always loved “people watching,” and this weekend was no different, except I had my new camera with me and I wanted to take pictures to post to show some of the trends I spotted. Unfortunately some of the vendors had posted signs saying<“No photos, Please.”

I have just begun using a digital camera and I am still shy about asking people if I can take their picture and seeing the “no photos please,” posted with some of the vendors made me even more hesitant to ask to take photos . I did take a few pictures of things I found interesting and I actually asked one young woman if I could take her picture. In the future , I hope to post more pictures showing examples of flattering fashion as well as examples of what not to wear.

The product trend I spotted at Artscape this year was recycled or re purposed items made into costume jewelry, including earrings, over sized rings, cuffed bracelets , and totes.

Some of the recycled items included vintage soda bottle caps made into earrings and other jewelry. Debby Caplan-Ziman stated she has been making bottle cap earrings for the past 3 years as part of her therapy in recovering from Colon Cancer. poptopearrings@yahoo.com

Clever Cat Bags are totes and bags made from recycled woven coffee bean containers imported from Brazil. Another vendor of recycled fabrics is Jen Athanas. Her company is Jenafusion. Jen makes totes, change purses, and makeup cases out of recycled fabric. She says she got started recycling fabrics when she was a child making clothing for her dolls. Her contact info is : Jenafusion.etsy.com/

Another vendor at Artscape was , “I Wanna Be Made Over.” (I love the name). This company makes wrist cuffs and ties out of used inner tubes.

During the fashion shows ( I only saw 5 of the 15 shows) there seemed to be a trend toward more feminine, girly and romantic styles. Teronce Styyles, Baltimore fashion producer extraordinaire kept audiences entertained in between the fashion shows.

This year I bought a cosmetic case from Jenafusion, a guatemalian shawl from Corpus Cristy Church which I plan to make into two pillow covers and a wall hanging and a piece of silk that used to be a sari from “A People United.” I’m not sure how I will use the silk yet. I might make it into a wall hanging or a scarf.

Have you recently been inspired to re purpose or remodel something you already own or something you just bought.? I would love to hear from you, you can share in comments section of this blog.

Nancy Goldblatt, Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore is a professionally trained personal image consultant. She specializes in working with women whose size or shape has changed and or who have lots of clothes and nothing to wear. Reach her at nrgoldblatt at gmail. com/ her website is www.Wardrobewiz.com

Does The Color Black Really Flatter You? If Not, How Can You Wear All Those Black Clothes

July 26, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt 1 Comment

When you look in your closet how much black clothing do you see?

Is black really that flattering for your unique body colors?

Keep reading to find out what to do about all that black clothing you own.

Here’s my black clothing story.

My mother wore a lot of black and she told me it was slenderizing, so for many years I wore mostly black clothes.

In my sophomore year of college, my roommate Leslie , who was a good friend, told me if I bought one more piece of black clothing, she was going to strangle me.

She was sick of looking at me in black. At that time I didn’t know what colors looked good on me and black clothes were so easy to find and mix & match.

I bought a few items with color, so Leslie wouldn’t be upset but I continued to wear lots of black.

In 1990, when I had my “color chart done,” by a ” Color 1 Associate” and got a wallet containing 40-50 of my best shades, magic happened for me and I was able to begin adding lots more color into my wardrobe.

I have said in previous blogs that by repeating body colors you can create visual harmony because our eyes automatically search for colors that are repeated. My hair is very dark brown but gives the illusion of looking almost black. Because the color black repeats my hair color it creates visual balance. Now I combine black with my best shades of other colors.

Is black one of your body colors ?

If not, then black is not a dark neutral for you. You may still be able to wear black in small amounts but in large amounts it may drain the color from your face, and it can emphasize your lines and shadows.

What to do with all those black clothes, if black is not your best dark neutral

For my image clients that don’t look their best in black, but aren’t ready to part with their black clothing , I tell them to shows some skin when they wear black. This means v neck lines or scoop neck lines. Or wear a scarf near your face that is a flattering color.

Wondering what your best dark or light neutrals are?

I recommend getting JoAnna Nicholson’s books, “Dressing Smart for Women,” and “Dressing Smart for Men.” These paperback books explain the Color 1 approach to color, which I believe is the most accurate system of color analysis around.

If you are interested in having your colors done and you are located in Baltimore or surrounding areas including Washington, D.C., I am available to work with you in-person. I can do a color analysis on-line if you live in other parts of the country or the world.

I offer a free 30 minute telephone consultation to help you determine if my services are right for you. Contact me at Nancy@wardrobewiz.com

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a Color 1, professionally trained personal image consultant.

How To Instantly Lose Credibility

July 16, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

Nancy2-Original 4 — Nancy Goldblatt, "The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,"

Earlier this year I went to a women’s networking event. I joined a conversation of two other women and ended up talking to a “20 something woman,”who was a graphic artist. The only thing I can remember about this young graphic artist besides her profession was the blouse she was wearing. She apparently had gained some weight and her blouse was too tight. Horizontal creases had formed where her blouse was especially tight over her bust area and the buttons down the front of her blouse were so strained they looked like they were about to pop open.

My eyes kept being drawn back to those “about to pop buttons.” She had unknowingly created a focal point with the strained buttons and the horizontal creases of her shirt. I was looking for a graphics artist at the time but this young woman’s appearance kept me from trusting her. I never told her I was looking for a graphics person.

My automatic thought was “If she isn’t willing to take the time to put on clothing that fits her, she is not going to take the time to do good art work.” She had managed to “instantly discredit herself,” by wearing clothing that was was too tight.

Wondering what will give you instant credibility? Here are four suggestions.

Create visual harmony by repeating hair, eye and shades of your skin color in your clothing
Wear three layers. This means a jacket or vest over a shirt or blouse. (This will make you look more authoritative and if the jacket or vest follows your body line it can hide figure challenges.) If you have a defined waistline choose a jacket or vest with vertical darts. If you do not have a defined waistline choose a jacket without darts that is not fitted. For a more “relaxed,” jacket look, use a cardigan or an unbuttoned blouse over a shell top.
Before you leave the house look in a full length mirror and make sure your face and eyes are the focus point.
Wear clothing that fits you, not too tight and not too loose.

Do you have any tips to share on how you create ” visual credibility?”

Nancy Goldblatt, the “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,”was professionally trained by Color 1 Associates as a “Personal Image Consultant.” She specializes in teaching people how to shop in their own closets first before they purchase new clothing. She uses color analysis, as well as face and body shape analysis to teach her clients how to create “their own best looks.” She can be reached at Nancy@WardrobeWiz.com/ 410-513-9496, Her website is www.WardrobeWiz.com/ She works with both individuals and groups. She is now offering “Online Makeovers.”

Beauty or Beast? What Is Real Beauty?

June 5, 2009 by Nancy Goldblatt Leave a Comment

What is real beauty? The media would like us to believe that beauty is being forever young, tall, perfectly proportioned with flawless skin and a great head of hair. If this is true, we are all doomed to accepting we can’t be beautiful.

When we look at “air brushed photos” in magazine of models, who look like they have no flaws it hard not to compare ourselves. We forget that the models have been airbrushed and photo-shopped to look perfect. I don’t look at those magazines anymore, but when I did, I felt flawed and frumpy. Have any of you had that experience? When you feel more like beast than a beauty what do you do?

Do you overeat, exercise or go shopping?

When you feel bad about how you look, you are more likely to buy beauty products, clothes, jewelry and shoes you do not need

The real truth is that “beauty” is what’s pleasing to our eyes. You can check this out by looking at a painting you like. Why do you like looking at it?

The answer is that its visually pleasing to your eyes. It gets your attention with its repetition of color, line and proportion.

What can you do to become visually more pleasing? Think of yourself as an “unfinished masterpiece,” waiting for the right frame.

Do you remember the last time you had to choose a frame for a painting or print? When you went to the framing store there were hundreds of choices of frames and mats. The store clerk quickly and easily picked out a few frames and mats and you were able to choose the one you liked. Before I tell you how the store clerk was able to pick out the right frame, I want to know how well you do picking out a frame for a painting or print.

Visualize a 11 x 14 painting of a water scene with boats tied up at the dock. The sky is greyish blue and a storm is brewing. What color mat and frame would you put on it? Would you choose a wide, shiny gold frame and a pure white mat. Or would a soft white mat with a non-shiny mat silver frame be better? Now think about an abstract painting the same size but with large, bold,splotches of primary colors. Would you choose the same frame for both paintings?

Of course not, the frame needs to be an extension of the painting. Your clothes, jewelry and makeup are your frame. Your frame needs to be an extension of you so that it can compliment, not detract from your natural beauty.

So how did the clerk do this so easily? He or she did this by looking at the painting and picking out one or two predominate colors and looking at the scale of the painting.

So how can your frame look like a natural extension of you and put the finishing touches on the “master piece,” thats uniquely you? (See part 2 of this blog for important tips on how to use color to do this)

By reading Dressing Smart for Women and or Dressing Smart for Men, you will learn more about choosing flattering shades of color and how to look great everyday no matter what your age, shape or size. These books are available at Amazon.com and as well as your local library or Contact Leslie Stott, Color 1 CEO to buy the book, Leslie@thecolorlady.com

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained “Color 1, personal image consultant.” Her website is: www.WardrobeWiz.com/ She can work with you online using digital photos to create a wallet of your best colors.