I want to quickly send a 'shout out' to my husband Andrew for his part in the title of this blog. Way back when, before we were married, and before we finally admitted our feelings for each other, Andrew and I would chat online. Somewhere around 5 years ago, I used to write a style question and answer column for a Trinidad Lifestyle Magazine. I would round up questions from some of my friends and submit my answers for the column. One day Andrew graciously helped me out with a 'style question' and like those columns with an 'anonymous caller' so to speak, he referred to himself as 'Scared of Stripes'. Forget his question, I was just giddy with the fact that he had offered to help with my column! Months later on a visit to Milwaukee with my parents, he messaged me the morning he thought he'd meet them and asked jokingly, "Would your mom mind if I introduced myself as 'Scared of Stripes'? *wink* I fell for him more and more, not only for his silly sense of humor, but for his ability to even remember things that deep down, kinda mattered to me!

That was just a corny peek into our 'pre-courtship' and why 'Scared of Stripes' immediately came to mind as I started this post :)

I've heard the age old 'style rule' uttered by many of my clients that they shouldn't wear stripes because it makes them look bigger. There is some logic to this of course, as the eyes do follow certain lines and shapes, so it is in fact an overall 'artistic' principle. Despite such, I do urge my clients not to be afraid of stripes, but rather to have fun with it! Since it doesn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon, you can truly style it to your heart's content. This was just my take on a simple black and white striped dress, which I plan to re-style for the warmer months, but works perfectly for layering season!

Dress: Walmart - $15.00 (You heard right!)
Navy Vest: Nordstrom Rack - $7.00
Beige Faux Leather Jacket: Nordstrom Rack - $23.00
Booties: TJMAXX - $28.00
Plaid Infinity Scarf: Five Below - $3.00
Fleece Lined Tights: Walgreens $8.00
Belt: Walmart - $5.00 (set of 3!)
Necklace: Wonderful World Trinidad ($$ too long ago to remember)

I am no slave to any brand, nor do I only shop in 'certain' stores. I'm an equal opportunity kinda gal when it comes to a good sale, quality or a bargain! I love mixing my brands, retailers and price points to stay in budget and get the most out of my very functional wardrobe. 

I love finding a bargain, and it is quite literally my job to get the best for my clients; both of the products I find, and my service. Finding your style need not break the bank, so schedule a quick consultation with me (i.e. skype or coffee date!), and let's find an ImaGen package that can work for you. You can call me "The Bargain Whisperer" ;)

I absolutely love personal shopping with my clients. The opportunity to purchase something 'shiny and new' and to see that 'Ugh!' to 'Ohhh!' face when trying on something they never would have batted an eye at. But there's something special about going into someone's home and helping them do one of the things that the average person dreads...cleaning out their closet! A session like this comes in two parts, because our aim is to create a closet and space of pieces that you actually use, wear and (to be a bit cliched) bring us joy. After we clear and purge what does not fit into this category, we get down to the fun part! Closet Capsuling is the art of creating many outfits out of seemingly limited pieces. It is an essential part of ImaGen Services before delving into spending on a whole new wardrobe. 

My aim is to be strategic in making use of what you have, creating multiple looks, but also making a concise list of what may be needed to complete perfectly relevant pieces you already own. This was indeed the experience and more with client Sarah Miller who called me in to make sense of her already existing wardrobe. Anyone may actually admit, it is a much easier process to cleaning out one's closet when you have another set of sensible eyes and a voice that says "Umm...no...let's say bye to this one!". It's a process to seeing the value and beauty in what you have, and discovering what can work together to create a piece of 'art', which at the end of the day....is YOU!

Here's a bit of feedback from Sarah's experience:

"Genelle did an amazing job helping me capsule and sort through all the clothes in my closet! I had a lot of clothes, but still struggled to find what to wear everyday! She helped put pieces together that I never thought could work. I was able to create new outfits with those pieces; without needing to go shopping! I also discovered new silhouettes that fit perfectly for my body shape. We even took pictures  of my potential outfits that I got to keep for reference in the future.
Since this experience, I now find myself excited to get dressed in the morning!! I would highly recommend having Genelle do this service for  anyone who feels they need a wardrobe update!"

There are some that say you should never mix business with pleasure. Or that working with friends and family can cause some upset. I beg to disagree! I had the distinct pleasure of 'working' with one of my best friends this past Summer on a 'Mission: Makeover' of her wardrobe. Nailah and I have known each other 'only' 14 years. I say only because many best friendships are built from a very young age. Not so with Nailah and myself. We officially met at a mutual friend's birthday party (at least that's what I remember. She may correct me if I'm wrong!). But it was one of those moments when you truly click and everything makes sense in the world! Too much? Ok....moving on.

But Nailah is truly a treasure to me. And though we live in far and distant lands now, I couldn't have been more excited to have her come for a month long visit this July. We had talked many times about doing a wardrobe makeover and capsuling session, and it was finally going to happen. Now, though Nailah may fall in to 'bestie' status, I wanted to give her the exact same professional, personal and trustworthy service that I aim to offer all my ImaGen clients. I wanted her experience to be comfortable, productive and memorable. I wanted her to leave feeling 'loved' and absolutely beautiful...and...I think we accomplished that!

Our budget was limited, but that never limits me! I enjoy a good bargain hunting challenge, and this was an opportunity for us to build a wardrobe of work and weekend staples that she could feel gorgeous in, without breaking the bank. At the end of our shopping days, we did a general cost analysis, and found that none of our tops crossed $15.00, our pants stayed in a similar range, and our dresses and shoes even safely topped off at $30-$35. 

​​The end result were some perfectly polished business casual and weekend wear outfits that she can mix and match for months to come! Take a peek at just a few outfit creations in our photo shoot (thanks to former client and photographer, Amanda Leppke!)

Here are some of her words 'post' styling and shopping session:

"Everyone needs a Genelle in their life! Since we all can't have her, we should at least have the experience of engaging with Genelle of ImaGen Services. Apart from being extremely skilled and knowledgeable of the technical aspects of styling, Genelle is very passionate and has a gift of seeing the best, the beauty and the good in you. My experience with ImaGen was one that I didn’t know that I needed, but was absolutely necessary and fulfilling. Genelle creates a kind, warm and safe environment, that allows you to let your guard down, and be introspective, through a process that can be very daunting for some. I think that what separates her from others is that she wants to ensure that you leave feeling and knowing that you are awesome, and worth the time and effort.
What I also appreciated about the experience was that it opened up my perspective of what looks good on me, what works and made me open to try things that I would not have tried in the past. I would say that it was a 'moment' that I will not forget, and it has given me keys that I will carry with me for a long time.
Genelle, I am forever grateful for your time, patience and care towards, not just my 'look' but my whole being. Thank you!"

NJ

And yes Nailah....YOU ARE THE LIGHT!

I had the most wonderful opportunity to take one of my Mission: Style Possible participants a step further by taking her on a complete personal shopping and wardrobe makeover in just 3 days! This was a whirlwind final 'Mission' in bringing my friend and fellow entrepreneur to a whole new stylish level. After celebrating an important birthday last month ;) Celiwe is on the verge of starting her own Architectural firm. We focused on creating a fun, vibrant, comfortable wardrobe that we agreed should represent her lifestyle and even her design style. Throw in a couple more casual pieces for weekend wear, and dresses for formal events, Celiwe is well on her way to having a 'Healthy Closet' as we call it in "Mission: Style Possible"!

While all pieces aren't featured here, Celiwe was able to start off her brand new wardrobe with:

• 16 Tops
  
• 4 Cardigans
  
• 3 Jackets
  
• 3 Pairs of Jeans
  
• 6 Pairs of Casual and Dress Pants
  
• 3 Dresses
  
• 3 Sandals
  
• 2 Ballet Flats
  
• 1 Sneaks/ Kicks :)
  

Further Capsuling will be done as we discover many new ways to incorporate these signature colors and pieces. 

Shopping was easy and fun at LOFT, Dress Barn, Old Navy, Banana Republic, TJ MAXX, Target, Maurices, DSW, Famous Footwear for great Summer Sales!

Click on the following links for more information on Mission: Style Possible or separate Personal Shopping Services with ImaGen.

I never thought I would appreciate ‘heat’ so much as I am beginning to here in Wisconsin. I hail from the sunny shores of Trinidad, and there was never any shortage of sun! Having gone through my first full Fall, Winter and Spring seasons here, I was shouting from our rooftop, “BRING ON SUMMER!”. Never again will I complain...it’s too hot! I’ll admit...there are days when my heart feels it, but I never let it travel to my mouth! 

But today...today is another particularly lovely day. Not even my heart feels it’s too hot, so it must be just right (for me anyway). Sitting out on my porch, the skies are faded blue, the sun is high, and the breeze reminds me just ever so slightly of a caribbean breeze. I spent most of the morning indoors comforted by the a/c, but peeking through the window seeing the gentle movement of our maple trees made me want to explore outside for a bit. It dawned on me…”Better enjoy every ounce of this now, because it won’t be long...it won’t be long…”

I’ll admit to you now that most days I write for my blog, I am feeling particularly pensive. Certain thoughts are usually on my mind, and while my two favorite people (Andrew my husband, and Michelle my sister) to bounce these thoughts off of, are usually readily available, many times I wonder if I should pen them as well.

What’s on my mind today? My dad and my sister’s wedding speech delivered just over a year ago. Andrew and I celebrated one year of marriage this past Sunday 26th July, and in true anniversary fashion, decided to watch our wedding video. In watching it again, a flood of emotions took over my body. I was laughing...I was crying...I was laughing while crying! I couldn’t understand which to feel at any given point. Funny enough, my feelings that night, were exactly mirrored by the image of that girl walking up the aisle to Piano Guys’ ‘Simple Gifts’. Between you and me….I cried alllllll the way up the aisle, and alllll the way through the ceremony with some awkward laughs in between (especially that moment when Andrew admitted to me and everyone he was giving me and his LAST tissue). But I digress.

As we listened again to the speech segment of the wedding, the waterworks erupted again as I felt my family laid my heart open to Andrew and our guests. Do you ever get amazed by what people see in you...in those moments when you aren’t even deliberately showing it? I think that means that either your family and friends know you all too well, or how you look, act, feel, represent become all muddled into your outward image, thereby giving people a pretty accurate perception of who you are. I think this is a deep down, personal philosophy of mine from since I was young, and perhaps has led me to this career today.

My sister compared me to the guileless puppy, while my dad described me as unconventional and untraditional. I still chuckle to myself about Michelle’s reference to puppies, knowing full well that I am in fact in love with them. I may have even mentioned it in a previous post (which kinda proves my obsession now lol). But I thought more about why she did, I realise that all puppies probably care to let you know at any point is “You’re awesome!” They are excited at your presence, and want you to know it! Sounds silly, but that’s how I feel about ImaGen and my clients. The sheer joy I get when others see the light! “But you’re awesome!” Is what I want to scream. I’ll work hard to get your attention, and to even earn your trust, all in a very open attempt to get YOU to see how amazing you are. Now, I promise I won’t jump and slobber all over you on our first meeting, but I assure you, once you take that step to work with ImaGen, I’ll be your biggest cheerleader and friend. And if you’re anything like me, we know that sometimes that’s all we need in our corner as we take certain steps to wrestle with our challenges.

My dad throughout his speech called me his unconventional daughter. Apparently, I chose the road less traveled in my hobbies and interests growing up, and to this point as I pursue my career. What I was grateful for was my parents absolute support despite my failures, my over-excitement, my tumbles and yes...my victories. I couldn’t be more blessed when it came to the support of my parents as I stumbled my way through my awkward youth, uncertain teenage years, and exploration of my passions. They knew...this girl aint going to be a Doctor, a Politician, a Lawyer, an Accountant, a Banker….. And trust me, to each their (respectfully) own! I admire all such positions and thank God there are those who I can trust in other areas of my life. But me...they knew I had to be around people and in some way, make them happy...much like puppies :)

I mentioned to a friend today that I was considering getting more practice in makeup artistry, and I may apply for a Makeup Artist job in the area. She joked that I’d love the opportunity to get more products (which duh...I would!), but my honest response was that I find soooo much greater joy in giving my client the mirror after that final sweep of blush. The smiles, the tears, the laughter, the shock. My makeup artist ‘genre’ so to speak is Simple, Elegant, Natural Beauty. Teaching makeup application (just as with personal styling) as part of ImaGen gives the person a chance to see their own natural beauty. At that point, it isn’t about how well I, Genelle did her makeup, but how this person can see herself now. My aim is to make her feel beautiful, but also to make her feel herself.

An Image Consultant isn’t the MOST unconventional job, but it surely isn’t what people expect to hear when they ask what I do. And many times, it takes a much longer explanation for eyes to be opened for sight on what it actually is. I’ll admit, a lot of times I simply reference ‘What Not To Wear’ and it all makes sense! I was so deeply touched by many an episode, that it truly inspired me to choose this road ‘stylishly’ ;) less travelled.

And so as I continue my own journey on this slightly rocky, unstable, joyous path, I remember to focus on the beauty of the faces I’ve worked with. Those who literally transformed before our very eyes, those who discovered ‘the real her or him/’, those who said “I can smile in the mirror now”, or those who discovered the art of dressing for the job they want, and who they want to be. If you’re reading this, and you ever experienced this with ImaGen, thank you for being my reward throughout this uncertain journey.

Mission: Style Possible, Round 1 ended a couple weeks ago, and I was so touched by what some of the participants had to say, I thought I’d share snippets of their journey as well:

1. Organisation  = Easy, breezy dressing!

From start to finish, and beyond, I am very grateful for the info, tips and all round support in upgrading and stabilising my wardrobe.  Each mission brought me closer to pretty much my ideal wardrobe, and the best part is that I didn't have to throw out my entire closet to achieve this.  After analysing my different styles, organising my current closet and just two shop till you drop days, oh and lots of capsuling, getting dressed is quick, fun and personally satisfying.  Yes, I like the comments and compliments I get for my outfits but there's just something as I said, personally satisfying, from successfully managing another aspect of my life.  It's just basic efficiency, with a flare of fabulous!  Thanks ImaGen! :)

2. I signed up for M:SP not really knowing what to expect.  Once we got started, I found myself eagerly looking forward to each mission. Genelle knows her stuff .  She gained my complete trust. What I appreciated most was her honesty . I ended the process more knowledgeable about me.  I  look forward to putting  into practice all that I have learnt.  Thank you,  ImaGen!

3. M:SP has been great! I got way more than I expected. In fact I've been both proud and impressed by ImaGen and all that she put into it and her ability to magically see what would work for both someone's frame AND personality. ​Maybe God will hear my prayers and I would be able to head up to Wisconsin for a Personal Shopping trip :) (You know what...she got her wish! She comes in tonight, and we have 4 fabulous shopping days ahead of us!)

Want to learn more about Mission: Style Possible? 

Want to know what else you can get with ImaGen Services?

Our 'unconventional' final shot of this magnificent day :)

Are you ready for your Personal Style Makeover? Register for Round 2 of Mission: Style Possible for August 2015! 

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, and I must say there are some positive reasons behind that. I’ve started Mission: Style Possible, Round 1 with a group of 5 amazing ladies. We’re at the halfway mark and from all responses, me thinks they are enjoying it! Little did I know how much time and energy would be put into running this program, but I am absolutely loving every minute of my experience with them.

I felt compelled to write on the topic “Size is Just a Number” (a play on a popular Trinidadian Calypso Song – “Age…is but/just a number”. No comment on what the artist was really singing about though!) But I will use the phrase freely in emphasizing to you…SIZE IS JUST A NUMBER! Excuse my slight frustration there, because I have heard so many ladies decline to answer questions that relate to weight or dress size and the like. Now I’m not saying this private information to you needs to be broadcasted, however in some cases where the information is needed, (and as an Image Consultant, I may need it), there is no need to be shy, coy or worst even, embarrassed by the answer. I have many times said to clients (and even myself), when you give me those figures, nothing about what stands in front of me, either in person or photo has dramatically or drastically changed in front of my eyes. You don’t magically go from being one human body, into a completely different size because that ‘horrid’ number is now revealed. You look…exactly…the…same…

Sometimes knowing these numbers do us an injustice, because we live by them, we become slaves to them, we abhor them. They are everywhere, on the scale, on our backs (literally), or tied around our curvaceous waists. This body is your temple on many levels, so learn to love it, take care of it, appreciate it, be kind to it. Being kind may not always be in speaking positively to yourself, but also in making healthy day to day choices. Other ways to be kind is by dressing it at its most beautiful. One take away I’ve observed from our virtual program is the tendency to see ourselves not as we actually are. We look at models and immediately think “I can never wear that!”. Or we compare ourselves to others and say “She can wear that because she’s….small, shapely, short, tall, skinny, busty, hippy, not hippy….” the list goes on. We don’t often times start with…”I’d like to try that. I think I’d look good in it”. Forget the size…just try it on!

I’d like to share my own experience just a couple days ago, when I had to give myself a quick slap for not following my own rules. I did a little shopping at a department store on Sunday, and was trying to find a pair of funky boyfriend jeans (love them!). I approached the rack, and as usual the sizes ran anywhere from 2 to 22. I’ve teetered between 10 and 12 for the past few years, and so I picked up a size 12. Measuring it against my body at first, I thought “Hmm nah, too big”. I then went with what I figured would obviously be my size…a 10. I have 10s or 12s in most my bottoms and thought ok that’s it, I’m taking it! A little voice in my head however said, “Go try it on”. I love shopping, but I think I had lost Andrew somewhere in store about 10 aisles back, so I thought I should really just take them and go look for him. But again…the teeny tiny voice “Try it on”. I gathered up my stash, and headed to the fitting room ready to see what this voice was harassing me for. I tried them on…and…they fit. Hmm yeah…they kinda fit. Well was perfectly ‘loose’ around my waist. Wait…why do I want them loose around my waist?? I stared, I adjusted, I tried on with different tops and the struggle continued. They’re a 10, they’re my size (based on 99% of my bottoms), so just take it and go. I left the room, jeans and other cute stuff in hand ready to find Andrew and finalize my purchases. But somehow I made a detour back to the rack. I pulled out the size 8! The little devil on my shoulder said “Are you crazy! You’re not an 8! You haven’t fit into single digits since University!” Ignoring it, I ran back quickly to try them on, and wouldn’t you know…they fit! They fit perfectly! Sure I was happy to fit into a size 8, and sure I thought, maybe all those fabulous Zumba classes were paying off, but more importantly, why was I bent on taking something that had a number on it, and letting it rule my choices.

The little tags on your clothing, measurements etc all are very helpful in choosing the right garments, but nothing is more telling than having it on your body and determining if it fits. It matters very little what that tag even says at that point, because frankly, no one is walking around grabbing you by the neck or butt to check your tags. I promise you, NOBODY CARES! I personally was not so excited that I was wearing a single digit pair of pants, but more so the fact that I found a pair that fit ME perfectly. And even if I was ready to show off to the world that I was in a size 8, there may be another store visited tomorrow, where I am a size 12. Would it matter? Nope! Because all that matters is how each piece of clothing fits, and not what I am ‘labeled’.  

My little tip for shopping for one and all is to go in with an open mind. Brands carry different fits, and can run in the smaller range or larger range. Sometimes it takes a while to find a brand that truly ‘gets you and your body’. Search them out, find them, and forget those that seem to be your size but don’t go past your shoulders or thighs. Instead of feeling bad about yourself, you can proudly say…”Well…YOU just lost a customer!” :)

Happy future shopping!

And here's the outfit with my awesome new jeans. Shameless plug for Avon Sandals for $14.99 at www.youravon.com/genellebeyer! ;)

Today is another beautiful day, and it reminded me to be thankful. Thankful for big things (you know, a roof over my head, food readily available, a husband, family and friends who care for me), thankful for little things (good weather! Google…) I watched the Red Nose Day USA telecast last night and was just reminded to be thankful. I am not thankful only for lack of negative things, but for also for trials, disappointments, and things that don’t always go my way. I know you know the feeling. When you are faced with those who don’t have much, you become thankful for even your little. You try to spend less and give more, you think more deeply, you consider in your heart, what are the important things in life.

I know we can give to charities, contribute finances, volunteer our time. How many times are we faced with opportunities to give, and yet we shrink back. I’ll be the first to raise my hand. My husband calls me a softie. In fact many people do. If I could I’d pick up every stray dog at the side of the road, I would. I’ve been REALLY tempted to in the past, but never know what I’d do after that point. I’d find the mangiest lookin mutt and with eyes welling up, squeal “he’s so cute!!” I know my friends can testify…in fact I dare them to comment “True!” J

Because I’ve been called a ‘softie’, I do wonder why I am the way I am, why do I get emotional or become so easily sensitive to matters of life, not to mention the heart. I chuckle to myself when I think of the first time I saw that GE commercial with the weird looking creature. Do you know it? The one with the fuzzy creature born in the hospital and laughed at and rejected through life. And one day, someone takes a chance on him (someone clearly from GE), and he blossoms into something beautiful. Oh…my…goodness…! Tears, sobs complete with shaking shoulders the first time I saw that. Andrew (my husband) laughs at me. Not to be mean, I know, but because he knows my heart. I somehow identified with this creature. Remember the gawky, buck toothed, skinny teenager I introduced in yesterday’s post? Yeah somehow I saw a connection, knowing also that in the end…I blossomed. If you watch the commercial, you’d also see that in the end, he was giving a presentation of some sort in front of a whole group of people, sharing his ideas, giving back to a community. That’s been deep in my heart. I am thankful for my journey, but I’ve always wanted to give back, because my journey taught me something that I’d want to share.

I was chatting with my Avon District Manager (she’s a peach!), and I joked with her that I know I have great ideas, but taking them from in my head to execution and fulfillment has always been a struggle. If you know what I’m talking about…holla! Now in my thirties, and embarking upon a career that I believe in, I can no longer depend on dreaming up ideas. Time to make dreams a reality. I am hereby making myself accountable to do something to give back. Feel free to question or ‘follow’ me if you wish. In fact I ask that you do!

I’ve been subscribing to the ‘Dress for Success’ Organisation for almost 5 years. It was ever since I left my sunny shores of Trinidad to my Image Consulting program in New York that I found out about them. I read their newsletters, follow their events and activities, get inspired by what they offer. When I moved here to Wisconsin, I looked them up and they have a Chapter in Milwaukee, but their operations centre is in another area that’s a little far away. In case you didn’t know, Dress for Success is a Non-Profit Organization who (I love their tag line) “Brighten the lives of Women Across the World!”. They also "promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing a professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help them thrive in work and life”. This has long been my desire…to help women take that next step in confidence, and enhancing their inner and outer beauty and (my tag line) “Express the Best of Themselves”.

So within the next week, I am going to reach out to this Organisation and find some way to give back. I hope my desire and baby steps inspire you to find something that resonates in your heart, and you find a way to support. Feel free to share on my blog, or facebook page, and we can do this together!

It just dawned on me…the Whole GE commercial was about IDEAS. About them being scary and intimidating, against the norm and unimportant. I’ve had ideas, and sometimes through tries, they didn’t amount to much. But that doesn’t mean we give up, or think our think they aren’t useful. As I sit here just on the bank of Fox River, and Frame Park, I choose to be thankful. I choose to give back, and I choose to pursue my dream and I choose to take a step!

You can read more on Dress for Success at www.DressforSuccess.org. Or even Red Nose Day at www.RedNoseDay.org. 

And you can also enjoy the view I enjoyed today that inspired me to write this :)

If you’ve been following the blog posts on Foundational Issues, I hope you took a peek into your closet and checked for some of the areas I highlighted. If you haven’t…try it tonight, or just be sure to do a quick check before you leave the house next time. Better yet, go shopping, try on some of the suggested items and observe the difference. It might even be helpful to carry a couple clothing pieces along.

We’ve talked about the two basics, so today I thought I’d focus on a third. When I count them all up, I may have 5 posts on this topic J But I digress. Today is all about the Cami, short for Camisole. Do you remember ‘back in the day’ when a ladies’ under-garments also included the cute silk or satin camisole and slip. Goodness…remember slips?! They sometimes came in cute matching sets, usually white, black or beige. They sometimes were a little sexy, with a little lace trimming here and there. Sometimes they were just basic. They may seem old-school and we may laugh at our grandmothers’ ‘slips’ and ‘petticoats’, but there was certainly some value to wearing almost entire outfit under another. I think the whole idea behind them being those slinky materials was so they could feel and look barely there. You weren’t supposed to notice them, but they did their job. You could stand in the sun without being exposed. You could wear your expensive blouses and suits without them getting too much skin contact. Your clothes would have longer wear.

If there’s such value there, why pray tell have we abandoned the ‘petticoat’ movement? I kid…I definitely do not expect you to go back in time, but many stores that focus on ‘Intimates’ have quite an extensive line on camisoles and ‘slips’ yet we ignore them. Even if we don’t give in to the expensive stuff, by all means ladies…let’s invest in some camisoles. In neutrals of black, white and YOUR nude. In fun colours of red, green, pink and turquoise. Take your pick because you might just need them every day!

What are the benefits or reasons for Camisoles anyway?

• They protect your outer layer of clothing from the body’s natural sweat.

• They create a somewhat seamless, softer layer that materials drape over.

• Depending on the fit, they can cinch in the little lumps and rolls that our bodies so naturally develop (think the dreaded ‘back-fat’, ‘muffin top’ and ‘side boob’. Yeah we don’t like them, but they’re there, doesn't make us any less beautiful, so let’s just deal with it ! :)

• They act as a protective piece against excess cleavage or exposure of your lower back (in the most inopportune times!).

• There are fun complement or matching piece to shirts, blouses, jackets, blazers and even dresses. 
  
• They add a little visual interest to shirts, dresses or layered looks. Try those with a little lace or satin embellishment.

Some of these reasons are just to ‘play with’ but really most are a necessity. Looking polished and put together really does start one piece at a time, and we don’t start getting dressed with our shoes do we? So consider piece by piece, layer by layer, what is needed for your entire finished product of your image to look polished and presentable.

Camisoles can be plain cotton or a mix of spandex, polyester or even rayon. They feel good on your skin, and keep you cool. Depending on the material of your outer layer, you may want to consider even plain spandex or nylon. That’s the material that’s stretchy with a sheen.
(who am I kidding…just check the label). It’s softer to the touch, which means the softer your outer layer, the softer your inner piece should be so that it falls neatly over the contours of your gorgeous body. Look for V-neck or deeper round neck camisoles if you don’t wish them to be seen. Low enough not to be seen, but maybe high enough to not expose inappropriate cleavage.



Consider even camisoles that cut away under the bra-front. These are amazing. They contour and cinch the mid-section, but if you’re wearing a well fitting bra, leave that area for the bra to do the good work in keeping the natural shape of the bust. These are also a good idea, because some camis depening again on the fit, may unflatter you with the uni-boob and this…we do not want. There are also camis that are shaped and cut in a way that it contours the curvature of the bust and bra itself. You’d find that that area is a bit loose, as if something is supposed to go in there. Don’t be alarmed by the odd shape…that’s a good thing!

So fear not the camisole ladies. It is only meant to protect us, our bodies and sometimes our dignity! I know we complain about the heat sometimes, and the last thing we’d want to do is add another layer to our clothing. But though we desire comfort…always, always keep in mind the final product. When we step out that door, WE are the final product. If we could care so much about the labeling of products and the ingredients in food, shouldn’t we care just the same about our own product?

Check out these great camisole options from Avon.

More tomorrow!

I intended to continue my Foundational Issues blog today, but for some reason I've been mulling on this statement all day. I know that Great Things Start Small, but I've been feeling lately that great things also start quietly. If you're anything like me, the silent entrepreneur or 'quiet go-getter' you'd probably understand. I've read countless business magazine articles that are against this whole notion that a business savvy person is 'quiet'. You should be loud and 'in your face!' because that's how your sell right? That's how you get customers, that's how you make money. I've been living with a dream for a long time. A dream to build a business around making women (and men) happy, confident, beautiful/ handsome ;) Maybe it's because I know the feeling of being transformed, of taking tiny steps into looking and feeling better about myself. Going from that gawky, buck toothed teenager who felt invisible, to a 30-something year old beauty. That's right...a beauty. I've learned to call myself beautiful. To look deeply inside, and to take care of my outside. This is beauty, flaws and all, and there is a point in life when it just clicks..."I...AM...BEAUTIFUL!"

Don't get me wrong, I didn't go through a makeover. I didn't take off my glasses (I didn't wear), I didn't let my 'long' hair down or spit out my retainer (I have one you know, I still wear my retainer at night! Ok....most nights...some nights...Ok I have a retainer!) I could remember the day someone just noticed me. It was a friend and Teacher back in Secondary School (High School). I wish I could remember her exact words, but I was probably just 17 and sitting behind her at a school concert. There was probably a break in the proceedings and we started to chat. I wish I could remember her exact words, but she looked at me, cocked her head to the side and said "You're really blossoming!" I didn't understand what she meant. I remember laughing and responding "Huh??". She laughed with me and said something like "No really, I can tell. You're just transforming and growing beautifully". It was funny because I certainly did NOT feel that way. This was pre-braces days, and quite frankly if I could get through a day without opening my mouth I probably would have tried. I was thin and lanky and I think the only thing I liked about myself was my hair. At the time it was relaxed or straightened, and grew quite long. I'd take the time to pull it into the most chic ponytail or bun, which some joked didn't even look real. I'd take that as a weird compliment, because it was all mine...All...chemically...mine!

But that day, was honestly the beginning of me wanting to take care of myself, wanting to feel bold and attractive. I didn't think it was shallow. I knew who I was on the inside (as much as any 17 old could), and I wanted my outside to represent that. So I started experimenting with makeup and hairstyles. Funny that even though I loved my long hair, once starting University, the first thing I did was chop it into a bob! Still loved it though :) With what little allowance I got, I'd buy a couple nice outfits or shoes. Somehow shoes always came last though. I think I spent the entire first year of Uni with one pair of sandals. And one day, while walking across the courtyard, SNAP went the straps. Not only did I not have an extra pair with me, but I had none at home. I believe I sent my sister and her friends into a shopping area nearby to get me a new pair! And there I was...back to one pair of sandals. I'm not complaining though. There's a point in childrens' lives when they are fully and maturely aware of their family and parents' sacrifices, and you have no desire to harass your parents for 'things'. I had what they could give me, and I saved, and I spent when I could with the best deals I could find. 

Yup, I've been a bargain shopper since childhood. I had my own motto "Why pay full price!" (Shh, I kinda still have that motto today). Through my 20s I had jobs, which meant salary, which also meant a reason to dress up for work. Again, it was in this context that my 'dream' was forming. Working during University or just after University usually means you're still scraping up the funds to live the life you want. After all, now I was paying bills, contributing to the household...just paying my own way, and that 'huge pay cheque' at the end of the month dwindled down to not much for clothing and cute accessories. This is where I had to get smart about my shopping and about my wardrobe. I'm quite good at budgeting. In fact, I'd been creating little budget spreadsheets every month since I was receiving an allowance, to working for my own money. Every month I'd create my columns - INCOME, EXPENSES, PROFIT/LOSS, C/F (carry forward). If I was lucky, there was a carry forward, which I added to my Income for the next month. I'd make sure I paid everything I needed to pay, and maybe...just maybe buy a little something extra for myself. But, my other realization was..."Hey...I can go a month without buying clothes!" And it's true, I could. If I wasn't seeing a 'CF' in my budget, there went my shopping allocation. But, in the months I could, I made sure to purchase a wardrobe item I absolutely needed. 

The summer after graduating, we visited family in Miami and it was there I discovered....ROSS. Oh my! Aisles and aisles of clothing, shoes...everything a girl could want. Side note...this may be normal to those in the States, but our stores in Trinidad are generally not that big. This was a magnificent playground! Despite my excitement, I did a check. What do I need for this new job I'm starting in September? Somehow, after drowning myself in piles of blouses and dresses, I whittled my purchases down to 2 suits (one beige, one black), a cute chartreuse colored A-line skirt, light khaki blazer and a couple blouses. Yes...I actually remember this from 11 years ago. I didn't have money to blow, and while I wanted an awesome summer, fun, weekend wardrobe, I also knew the priority was a work wardrobe. With just these maybe 8-10 pieces, I would strategically map out my outfit schedule each week. I didn't want to LOOK like I was wearing the same thing every day...when I kinda really was :) So I'd get super creative with jewelry (pays to have an older sister and mother with better pieces than you). I may have been wearing the same 8 pieces over and over, but I was hardly ever wearing the same 'outfit'. I think I managed to get 4-6 weeks out of my closet until restarting the 'cylcle'. I believe with my first pay cheque that month, I bought two pairs (black and brown) of real leather pumps. Yup, I spent the money on the good stuff, because I wanted them to last me a long time, which they certainly did. 

This is a long piece, and I think I'll stop here. Only because I'd like to share more with you tomorrow, and the day after that...and the day after that. Thank you for reading/ listening. It's funny when you re-live the moments of your life a little, you find all the tiny sparks that made you into the person you are today. While my dream for running a successful Image Consulting business can be...taxing and sometimes even discouraging, I remember the girl I was, and why I wanted to do this in the first place. 

Great things start small, and quietly and painfully (yes also childbirth!), but because I am so passionate about what I do, I keep going...in hope that others can see the light I did, and take the steps to smartly becoming an even better version of themselves. 

Hope we can 'chat' again tomorrow!