Hi Ladies,

Here is a brief summary of what’s in style for Summer 2009…

The HOT colors are brights, follow the umbrella in the animoto. There is also a tendency towards some neutrals, such as salmon rose, dark citron, lucite green, or if easier, pale green.

FOCUS ON ACCESSORIES!!! All accessories are oversized: hoops, balls, circle necks, add a touch of the 1960’s and 70’s. Look for big, oversized rings and pendants. Straw hat with ribbons. Rediscover a youthful freshness and invent a modern techno romanticism.

In the animito above, I am featuring some top designers and most are hurting, as well, from these challenging times. Therefore, their focus is on big, bold accessories!

What can do to still look glamorous, professional, and “in style?” Let’s GET CREATIVE!

Floral is in… Okay, all of us (well maybe not me.. lol)… MOST of us have a basic dress. Just purchase some floral pins. Wear two on your top, right-hand shoulder, or on a lapin jacket. Even on a T-shirt! Purchase a flower motif necklace, too. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET A BIG STATEMENT ring! You can find some bold ones in cubic zirconia on my site, www.BlingQueenFashions.com. Straw hats are in.. as bows.. You can purchase a straw hat in any store! Yes, I did say store not boutique! Place a ribbon around the rim, tie it in a bow in the back leaving some flowing satin. PCs flirty loose. Oh, there is so much we can do with a modest investment. Wow! Maybe I can finally use some of my clothing still hanging there with the price tag! Yes, we must all be price conscience.

What really makes it very easy to achieve this is that fashion is simple for 2009, almost basic I would dare to say… making it conducive to look great, feel great and recession proof.

As a side note, I think we’re finally over this….

try this instead.

PEACE LOVE& FASHION
Bling Queen;)

Order from Bling Queen Fashionz and receive 20% off! Offer only available for Heal Yourself Magazine readers.

http://www.blingqueenfashionz.com/

As I was dressing this morning, I was debating on what to wear. Common thought for the majority of us women right?

Dress or jeans? I opted for a Jean hip look, despite my age I read an article the other day about what’s appropriate in your 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. I guess the 50 and up don’t dress lol because they left that age group out. I think one should wear whatever they feel good in, of course keep in mind the colors of the season and body type. I am not in my 20’s! Age is a state of mind. Anyhow, I opted for a jean shabby chic look. True Religion jean pants (LOVE THAT BRAND! It fits so nice!), a purple silk shirt, and black leather boots.

To top the outfit, a black leather men’s cut jacket. Simple, no?

What made the outfit was the accessories I used.

Leather belt with a maltese cross crystal buckle (Yes, it’s on the site), clear crystal hoops (yes, I am a hoop lady all the time any time), and a lariat crystal necklace. Sexy! Gives ton of “light,” and nonchalantly falls in the right place.

Of course I cant live without tons of bracelets, so my choice was a big cuff stretch bracelet. SOO comfortable, so bold, and so sexy. I like to feel sexy and feminine for myself, foremost. Of course the big ring is a must. I chose the big geometric cubic zirconia ring.

My point here is that it takes very little to look like a million dollars. I would like to share a quote from a woman that I admire greatly, Coco Chanel.

“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.“
Coco Chanel

All Photos of jewelry displayed can be found at BlingQueenFashionz.com

Kiss Kiss,
Anna De Chiricco-The Bling Queen

http://www.blingqueenfashions.com

Are you like me have natural curly hair that just frizzes up horribly when it rains or even a bit of moisture is in the air?

Videos to the rescue

Styling Your Hair:How To Prevent Frizzy Curls In Humidity

by Rebbekah White

Like it or not, your character is plainly written on your face.  Your actual facial expressions are affected by the thoughts you think every moment of every day.  Indeed, the fountain of youth has already been discovered by those with a commitment to developing a kind and wise heart.  It’s accurate to say that beauty starts from the inside out!

What you think has a whole lot to do with how you look. Your physical body is an external expression of your heart. Since your thoughts and your motives mold your physical appearance, it’s important to think quality thoughts!

“As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.”   This Scripture is repeated in numerous texts throughout the world.  The person who thinks pure thoughts, thoughts not dirtied by complaining or jealousy, will be the most attractive.  You want to develop the habit of thinking the best about others, looking for the positive even in the most difficult of situations.

If necessary, seek counseling to unravel some of the deep issues that have you chained to anger, shame, rejection, etc.  This healing will allow you to think more clearly and positively.

It’s really not always the handsomest person who’s the loveliest. A lady can have plain and regular facial features, but by thinking beautiful thoughts she may become very good looking. On the other hand, a person with a crabby attitude will have a mouth that droops down at the corners and more wrinkles!

It’s pretty amazing when you think of it – you actually have the power to become more attractive by developing a beautiful character.  And positive character development involves a skill set that anyone can master.  Your fountain of youth rests in your own hands – and heart!

Rebbekah White is the host for Heal Yourself Talk Radio.  HYTR was started to help teach others to learn how to heal their mind, body and soul.  Be sure to sign up for the newsletter for weekly inspirations, podcast releases and more.  Visit HYTR today at http://www.healyourselftalk.com

Rebbekah is also the owner of Heal Yourself Magazine and The Health Podcasting Directory.

Have you ever wondered why you were made the way you are? It wasn’t by some accident that you have a cute button nose, or that your feet are huge, or that you have naturally curly hair that is frizzy all the time. God made you just the way you are because he wanted you to be that “one” in a million.

Every woman should feel like a Goddesses, a Goddess is someone who everyone looks up to; a Goddess is someone who everyone thinks is beautiful; a Goddess is a woman who loves herself for who she is.

I want you to love yourself as you are. It’s time to stand up for you. Change the way you treat your body! How can you raise your daughters, your nieces and teach them to love themselves? Isn’t it hard to be a good friend or mom or lover if you are not taking care of yourself and feeling good about yourself? I don’t mean you have to look like a runway model everyday, but there are 5 minute easy things you can do daily to make yourself feel better. You deserve to feel beautiful inside and out!

Our children learn by our example, not by what we say but by what we do. If they listen to your complaints about yourself daily they too will pick up the poor attitude! Your child may start worrying about their features especially if they look like you and begin to worry and complain about the same attributes.

We need to stop this train of thought now! Below is a little exercise that will help you get in the right frame of mind and help you refocus your thoughts and start acting like a goddess.

1. I want you to take one good look at your body, your entire body and love it!
2. Start with the best feature that you love and work all the way to your toes. Say aloud “I love my body!”
3. Push aside all thoughts of what society tells you what you are suppose to look like.
4. Walk over to the closest mirror and take a long look at yourself several times a day and remind yourself how great your life is!
5. Look at the mirror and say aloud everything you have inside to offer to you, your family and the world. “I am a good friend.”, “I am loyal.”. Say positive phrases aloud!

As you are standing there looking in the mirror are you having a hard time finding something you love? STOP right there! Think…what have you heard others say about you? It doesn’t matter who said it, my husband likes my naturally curly, frizzy hair and my eyes, and it took me a long time to accept that fact. I always thought he was just saying that to be nice. I had to learn to take a compliment and love it! When someone compliments you, accept what they say and believe it!

Take a look at some of the most outstanding celebrities in our midst….Bette Midler for instance. The only reason I am using her as an example is because while watching TV the other night I took a good long look at her. According to society rules she should be thin, have a smaller nose, and not be so out spoken; but guess what how she perceives herself is how she outputs to others. Bette loves her life, Bette loves her body and you cannot help thinking what a beautiful woman she is. She is happy with who she is. It emanates from every inch of her body coming out in everything she does.

Be the “Goddess” you were meant to be! Be the example to your family and friends. If you THINK, SEE and BELIEVE the Goddess in you, everyone else will see it too!
Rebbekah White is a mother to 3 boys and has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years.  Rebbekah started a Talk Radio show Heal Yourself Talk Radio that has weekly speakers helping you learn how to heal your mind, body and spirit.  Rebbekah is also the owner of  The Heal Yourself Magazine and The Health Podcasting Directory.

by Deborah Rebolloso

Age-related hype abounds, raking in $billion$ for the cosmetic surgery industry.  The scare tactics themselves are enough to accelerate aging.  “The Wrinkled Weebis and Other Dead Giveaways,” is a farcical romp into this wacky world, along with some clever, and less costly, alternatives.

“She walks in beauty, like the night,” gushed Lord Byron. Enter the loveliest of women:  svelte and youthful, adroit evader of, to the envy of all her friends, underarm dingle-dangle. Ahhh.

Now exit said glamour puss. Uh-oh. Get a loada that cubitus.

A largely forgotten body part betrays the passing of one’s young buckette stage:  the cubitus, known in polite circles as the elbow, and its surrounding skin, the weebis. For most women, however, elbow ennui ranks right up there with fear of pleated palms.

According to an Internet write-up on brachioplasty (upper arm tightening, taking elbow skin along for the ride), “the resulting scar is not always satisfactory.” I’d love to see one of those “satisfactory scars.”

So, before enriching yet another cosmetic surgeon by scheduling a weebisectomy, consider some whimsical, and less costly, options.

Elbow Gloves

Gloves cover a multitude of sins, from armpit to nail tip. Gloves are in, and elbow gloves shout retro glamour. Prom night. When the deep purple falls. Twilight time. You get the picture.

As of the date of this writing, an eBay search landed a whopping 317 pairs, many of them Buy It Now bargains. Pair them with a sleeveless dress if you’re underarm dingle-dangle-free. If not, a below-the-elbow dress and above-the-elbow glove combination has you covered.

Wristbands

Wristbands

Terrycloth wristbands are soft, stretchable and widely available. Instead of encircling the wrist, move them up to the crook of the arm, thus covering unsightly elbows while making a quirky fashion statement. Here are some colorful choices to accessorize your favorite outfits, at only $3.00 per pair:

Stool Pigeon Hands

Let’s say we keep problem elbows covered. Or alternatively, we never let anyone get behind us (a strategy learned early on by big city dwellers). We’re still not out of the age detection woods.

Think you can outwit an eagle-eyed cosmetician in the Guess My Age Game? Guess again. While you’re mentally botoxing your face into ten years younger submission, she’s shooting stink eyes at your hands.

Upper arms and elbows may be taut and toned and forearms a vision, but the hands dangling therefrom are dead giveaways if they resemble an East Coast road map.

Once again, it’s gloves to the rescue. Fingerless gloves highlight exquisite nails, while simultaneously camouflaging the path thereto. Armpit gloves, although difficult to explain unless you’re a debutante or a bride, are nevertheless a clever disguise. Wear them with head held high and inspire awe with your impeccable taste.

Hand hype aside, the neck may in actuality be the first observable area to crumple. Short of maintaining a perpetual under-bite jaw jut for neck-stretching purposes, what hope is there for an elephant knee look-alike neck?

Scarves

Scarves

Unlike French women, who would rather give up food and wine than scarves, American women often underestimate their value.

Here’s an ascot tie, guaranteed to camouflage the most blatant poultry neck with grace and style:

Turtlenecks

On days when you just can’t spare the time to tie, circumvent the problem with an all-encompassing turtleneck. A turtleneck will obscure everything from chin to waist. A long-sleeved turtleneck will conceal multiple problem areas:  turkey neck, flab arms and a wrinkled weebis. Don gloves and you’ll dazzle ’em.

Hats with Veils

Bee Keeper's Hat

If you happen to be a beekeeper, a good bee hat and veil will shield your tender neck from sun, wind, and pesky bee bites. Even if beekeeping doesn’t interest you, beekeeping accessories are available for sale to the general public.

Here’s a lovely model worn by a male, but you get the idea. No way will any jealous female get her prying, guess-your-age eyes past this baby.

If these solutions to your dead giveaways are just too daunting, perhaps you’d be wise to heed Oscar’s advice in The Odd Couple. When Felix was exhibiting self-absorbed, obnoxious, and debilitating behavior, Oscar snapped, “Leave yourself alone!”

Deborah Rebolloso is a native Chicagoan, currently residing in Southern California with LUV, Snuggle Lee Butts, and Kali Ko (husband, cat, and cat, respectively).  A.k.a. Deb Reb, ever resourceful, she shrewdly decided to cash in on her “sassitude” and write humor and satire.  She can be reached at debreb@cox.net

Or you can visit her site at http://www.DebRebollosoHumorMe.com

by Leslie Freude

Despite the drop in the stock market, one thing is sure on the rise- lip color sales. In fact, increase of lipstick purchases in chaotic financial times has been a proven indicator that personal indulgences offer instant-gratification and happiness. The ‘Lipstick Index ‘- the market barometer that says cosmetic sales rise in direct relation to a drain in consumers’ wallet- has risen.

Mary Kay Lipsticks

A market study has reported that sales in the last few months are up 40%. With the economic state, this percent should rise well into next year. You could say lipstick is an inexpensive treat meant to substitute for that big ticket item

Get your long-wearing stay-true color that glides on with a lightweight, creamy texture for maximum color impact that lasts. Plus, it won’t feather or bleed. It’s even enhanced with vitamin E and a vitamin C derivative to help ward off wrinkle-causing free radicals. And it’s fragrance-free with a hint of vanilla flavor.

Leslie Freude, the Skin Care Girl, is a Skin Care and Color Consultant.  Her goals are to education and inspire women to feel good on the inside out.   For consultations, product information or questions you can write Leslie at skincare-girl@ca.rr.com or visit her website.

As busy moms sometimes we don’t always feel we have enough time in the day to look our best!  This may be true, but you can look GREAT in just a few minutes each day.   Just like wearing your favorite outfit, you’ll feel good when you take a little time just for YOU!
First, to keep your skin healthy, make sure you’re using a good skin care system.  Most soap isn’t formulated for our face and can strip the natural oils and cause more harm than good.  Make sure to find the right system for your skin type; are you dry, oily, combination, acne prone?  A skin care system should include at least a facial cleanser and moisturizer.  In just a few minutes each morning and evening you can cleanse and moisturizer your face in seconds.
Tips: Remember a little goes a long way. A good rule of thumb after applying moisturizer is to wait a few minutes and if you feel you need more moisture apply another lay.  Be careful not to over moisturizer or you may tend to get shine later in the day.  You can over moisture!
The three essential MUST HAVES:  foundation, mascara and lipstick or gloss.

Foundation: After cleansing and moisturizing apply a foundation that matches your skin tone as well as your neck.  Blend well with a damp sponge or a foundation brush.  If you find your foundation doesn’t blend well you may need more moisture.

Tips: More is not always better.  It’s best to apply a little and then add more if needed.

Mascara: Find mascara that fits your needs.  You may want to add length or thickness.  There are many formulates to choose from to give you the look you want.

Tips: To open up your eyes, curl your lashes first before applying mascara.  When it comes to one coat mascara, that’s what it means.  If you apply more than one coat your lashes may look clumpy and unnatural.  Be sure to clean off the mascara wand before applying if you want to apply more than one coat.  And remember, bacteria can grow on your mascara wand, so it’s important to replace your mascara every 3 months.

Lipstick/Gloss: You’ll want to find a lipstick that matches your skin tone; ivory, beige, bronze.  If you’re not sure a lighter shade lipstick is always best.

Tips: Pamper your lips like you do your face.  You’ll want to exfoliate your lips a few times a week and keep them kissable with a good lip balm.  You can exfoliate your lips with a tooth brush to remove dead skin cells.   Then apply lip balm to lips in morning and evening after you have cleansed and moisturized your face to keep your lips baby soft.

Leslie Freude, the Skin Care Girl, is a Skin Care and Color Consultant.  Her goals are to education and inspire women to feel good on the inside out.   For consultations, product information or questions you can write Leslie at skincare-girl@ca.rr.com or visit her website.