Welcome Home!! - Ring Ring Please Come Home!

UPDATE Nov. 16, 2010: The ring came home today!!! Thank you everyone for your prayers and intentions to bring it back! It was found in a pawn shop on 11/4/2010. Thanks to the work of friends, the Houston Police Department and the District Attorney's office, it was confiscated and returned. The ring came back even cleaner and sparklier than when it left for it's "vacation."

This isn't the usual tips, cool stuff, and how-to post. Today I'm writing to ask for your help. My engagement ring was stolen from my home (in Houston) this weekend (Aug 14) and today I'm writing to ask if you would help me find it. Would you check your local pawn shops in Houston and surrounding areas and let me know if you find it?

It's unique and should be easy to identify if you spot it. Here's a picture. It's a gold ring with a 2.8 carat oval center ruby, surrounded by diamonds and ruby baguettes, size 7ish.

Wouldn't this be a great story if Twitter, facebook and social media helped find and get the ring back?!

Thank you so much for your help!

P.S. Of course there's a reward for the person who finds it and helps me get it back!

Could Wearing The Wrong Thing Cost You Your Vote?

If you vote, Election Day is one of the most important days to pay attention to what you wear. You can be denied access to polling places just for wearing the wrong thing.

Electioneering ordinances prohibit campaigning within a certain distance of the entrance to a polling place (distances vary by county). This means wearing buttons, stickers, jewelry, signs, clothing or other paraphernalia supporting or opposing any candidate, political party or measure is prohibited. The prohibition even extends to candidates and measures that are not involved in that particular election such as President Obama. Displaying slogans and symbols that can be related to political movements or parties on your person such as “don’t tread on me,” the Gadsden flag and tea bags are also bootable offenses.

So, what can you wear? Any clothing without slogans or symbols are safe. If you choose to express your political opinions on your person on Election Day, be sure to bring a jacket or coat that fully covers the campaign clothing/paraphernalia to wear while voting. Alternatively, you can also wear the American flag, red, white and blue or the color of your political party (i.e red or blue).

Fashion Houston 2010

This TV segment airs on Great Day Houston on October 8, 2010. Thank you Chloe Dao and Cesar Galindo for your graciousness and kind words. I so appreciate you being part of the segment with me!

Fashion runway events occur in the major fashion cities around the world – New York, Milan, Paris. Houston is the latest addition to that list. Next week, for the first time, Fashion runway shows are coming to Houston in Fashion Houston 2010! On the runway, you’ll see some of our hometown fashion superstars like Chloe Dao, Toni Whittaker and Caesar Galindo.

Until now, runway shows have been private and by invitation only. Fashion Houston 2010 is open to the public! Tickets are $35 for standing room - $250 for VIP seating. For more info about the designers, scheduling and tickets, go to www.FashionHouston.net.

So, if you’re going to the shows, what do you wear?? You may not have the top designer’s fashions in your closet, but you can take inspiration from your favorite designer and create a fantastic outfit from items right in your closet. When you use a look for inspiration, you don’t need to copy the outfit. Instead, incorporate similar elements to make your own look. Here are some example of inspiration looks the Imagine Team created with clothing and accessories from Dillard's for some of Chloe Dao and Cesar Galindo's designs.

Project Runway Season 2 Winner, Chloe Dao is known for her easy, feminine, timeless fashions with interesting details. These two Chloe Dao looks also have a whimsical element. T

Look 1: Chloe’s dress has the following components: asymmetrical neckline, an electric blue horizontal and vertical geometrical element and whimsical pink tulle ruffle. In the inspiration look, the Imagine Team chose an asymmetrical dress in a similar color pallet with a sleeve that mirrors the inspirations pink ruffle. We added a blue man’s tie worn as a belt for a whimsical blue geometric element.

Look 2: Chloe’s outfit has the following components: an easy printed boat-neck blouse and loose, pleated shorts with big pockets. In the inspiration look, we chose a chiffon boat-neck blouse in a similar color pallet. The print seems to flow across the blouse mimicking the feel of the flying birds in Chloe’s outfit. We added loose pleated shorts in a coordinating color.

Fashion Designer Cesar Galindo’s collections are crisp, clean and architectural. His pieces are usually created in solid colors.

Look 1: Cesar’s dress has the following components: a simple silhouette, an architectural skirt, knee-length hem and sparkly neckline. We chose a white cotton dress that has a similar crispness and silhouette. We added a couple crystal necklaces for a sparkly v-neckline.

Look 2: Cesar’s gown has: a strapless neckline, simple silhouette, beautiful flowing fabric, and a full-length hem. We chose a silk strapless gown in a similar color. The inspiration dress is a full-length gown with a similar neckline and flowing fabric. We used a flower hair piece to mimic the tiny hat in Cesar’s look.

Thank you Imagine Interns Bonita Harden and Kiana McFarland for assisting with the inspiration looks.

Audience give-away

4 pairs of VIP tickets to Houston Fashion Week, courtesy of Audi's Fashion Houston 2010.

What's Sarah Wearing?

Eva Varro print dress ($155, Dillard's Post Oak) and Coach platform peep-toe pumps.

Behind The Scenes - Runway To Reality

Models Anicea, Amy, Molly and Stephanie made the Runway To Reality segment on Great Day Houston so much fun!! Here are some behind the scenes pics from the styling session, model practice and after the show.

On set after the Show (from back left to right Stephanie, Amy, Anicea, Molly, Sarah, Great Day Houston Host Deborah Duncan, Talbots Regional Manager Courtney Troupe)

Ruffles two ways! Final outfits at the styling session at the Talbots at Houston's Galleria.

Setting up the mannequins in the Great Day Houston studio.

The view behind the cameras.

No event is complete without the Charlies Angels shot!!

Click here to see the segment.

What Is Ines Sainz Asking For?

Over the last few days, there has been a lot of discussion about Mexico’s TV Azteca sports reporter Ines Sainz treatment by the New York Jets and her on-camera wardrobe. It’s never okay to harass anyone, ever. The slippery slope and controversy here is around the message Sainz is sending with her attire.

Everybody judges everybody based on image. Your image tells people who you are, what you do, and what you want. The resulting judgment and interpretation depends on the viewers’ perspective and image definitions. In the US, professional attire is always modest, has a simple silhouette, and fits loosely. Outfits can also be fun, feminine, fashionable and casual. However, anyone who compromises the first three golden rules of modesty, simplicity and fit will never be seen as professional in this culture.

In Mexico and many Central and South American countries, women are expected to dress in a sexy way, even for business situations. Cleavage exposure, skin-tight clothing, and frilly and feminine styles are common for women in all professions, classes and ages. Examples of these cultural norms can be seen everyday on news programs on the Telemundo and Univision TV networks.

As for many women from Central and South America working in the US, Sainz’s image troubles lie in the clash of cultural definitions of professional wardrobe for women. What is Ines asking for? Her TV Azteca audience knows she’s asking to be respected as a professional sports reporter. However, the American audience interprets her outfits as flirtatious and soliciting social interaction instead of professional relations.

“She was asking for it” is never justification for inappropriate and disrespectful behavior. And, if you want to be respected as a professional, your image is a critical factor in getting what you want.

Got Oily Hair? Here's The Solution!

Hair powders and hair refreshing sprays are supposed to absorb oil and stretch your hairstyle through a dirty hair day.

I’ve tried many brands. Until now, they’ve all turned my hair into a pasty, dull, smelly mess. The problem could have been with the products I tried ... or operator error.

Cake Satin Sugar Hair Refreshing Powder is a whole different story. It actually delivered as promised and extended my hairstyle through an extra dirty hair day without looking the least bit funky. The superfine, LIGHTLY vanilla-chocolate scented, powder really did absorb the excess oil and brought my fine hair back to life. WOW! How refreshing! Hair powder that really works!!

Here’s how to use it:

Step 1, Choose The Right Color: If your hair is blond or light/medium brown, go for the creamy-colored “light” powder. If your hair is red, black or dark brown, then the cocoa-colored “dark” powder is for you.

Step 2, Get Into Position: Sprinkle a little powder onto your fingers, bend at your waist, flip your head over and let your hair hang down.

Step 3, Application: Work the powder into your scalp with your fingers like you’re shampooing your hair. You might to sprinkle powder on your fingers 2 or 3 times.

Step 4, Style: Stand up straight and style your hair as usual.

Step 5, Get A Life: Enjoy the extra hour in your day that you didn't have to spend washing and styling your hair!

Thank you LeeAnn Silver for your application instructions! That made all the difference!

Many Names Of Rayon: Soy, Bamboo, Viscose, Modal, Tencel

Rayon first came on the fashion scene in the early 1900s. Rayon is a semi-synthetic material made from plant materials that are synthesized with a chemical-intensive process to convert plant pulp to silky fibers. Rayon was first made from cellulose from cotton and trees. More recently, bamboo and soy are used as the feedstock for rayon production.

Labeling

Rayon made from cellulose or cotton pulp is often labeled “Rayon” “Modal” or “Tencel TM.” However, rayon made from bamboo or soy is often labeled with the feedstock material “Bamboo” or “Soy.” This labeling is somewhat ambiguous. Although the feedstock is natural, the various processes for creating the soft, silky fibers are industrial and chemical-intensive. Soy fabrics and any soft, draping bamboo fabrics are rayons. Bamboo with a texture similar to linen is far less processed.

Sustainability

Rayon is made from plants, which are a renewable resource. The more sustainable forestry, cultivation and harvesting practices that are employed in the production of the feedstock plant material, the “greener” the end product.

- Trees and cotton can be cultivated with conventional or sustainable and organic methods.

- Bamboo is the world’s fastest growing plant so the cultivation cycle of harvesting and replanting is quick. This plant thrives without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides herbicides.

- Soy cultivation has low impact on the soil and plants are grown without pesticides. Soy yarn is made from the material left behind after soybean oil pressing and tofu production so production of fibers turns trash into treasure.

- Some rayon production, such as Tencel, employs closed-loop systems that reclaim and reuse chemical and wastewater components of the manufacturing process.

You get to decide what "green" means to you. The sustainability and impact puzzle is complex. When choosing natural fabrics for their eco-friendly properties, you can consider the source of the material: whether the material is made from natural materials or man-made chemicals. Or you can consider all or part of the life-cycle: cultivation and harvest of the raw material, fiber processing and dying, energy used for manufacture and transportation to market, cleaning and care for the garments and use-life and final disposition of the material.

Click here for more about natural fibers and fabrics.

Thank you Kiana McFarland for your help with the research for this post.

What Does Your Picture Say About You And Your Business?

The adage says “a picture is worth a thousand words.” So, what does your picture say about you and your business? Does it say what you think it says?

Many people use photographs of themselves in their marketing and sales materials, websites, business cards and social media sites. Potential customers and business associates use your photographs to judge you, your character, personality, business style, level of success and your professionalism.

The thought is that potential customers will understand and connect with you when they see the face behind the business. If your picture reflects an accurate representation of you, then the photograph can be an asset. If it doesn't, it can be a liability.

Let's do an experiment to see this process in action. Here’s a picture from an advertising flier. Based on this photograph, what is the business about? What do they sell? Check back tomorrow to find out what they really do.

The Answer

This picture is from a marketing flier for a computer company. The photograph creates confusion because the business is high-tech, yet everything in and about the photograph is old-fashioned – the composition, background, photo style and wardrobe.

Every detail of a photograph contributes to the impression that the viewer takes away - the look in your eyes, posture, attire, hair style, makeup, setting, photo style, etc.

Pictures work best when they accurately reflect who you are and the business you conduct. Are you creative, analytical, stable, approachable? Is your business modern, traditional, high-tech, artistic, revolutionary, safe, eco-friendly? Your picture should say so.

Note: this exercise is not a comment or speculation about the actual character, personalities, capabilities or competencies of the people in the photograph.

The Scoop on Bamboo Fabric

Bamboo fabrics were developed at the beginning of this century and are new to the fashion scene. Here's a snapshot of it's properties, care and green (and not so green) aspects.

Properties: Bamboo fabric is soft, strong and lightweight. It feels beautiful on your skin and has natural anti-static properties. It has excellent moisture management properties, so clothing made from bamboo absorbs perspiration and dries quickly. Bamboo fabric contains a natural antibacterial agent, so it resists odors, mold and mildew.

Applications: Bamboo fabric works well for intimate garments that need to breath. It is ideal for work-out wear, underwear, socks, t-shirts, pajamas, bath robes, towels and bed linens.

Disadvantages: Bamboo shrinks during the first washing and has a tendency to pill.

Care: Wash in the delicate cycle or by hand in cold water and line dry. Skip the dryer, dryer sheets and fabric softeners to reduce pilling. Use a sweater shaver to remove pills from areas prone to abrasion.

How It’s Made: Natural bamboo yarn is similar to linen in appearance and feel. It is made from the fine, fibrous material inside the bamboo stalk. The woody outer stalk is crushed and the interior fibers are separated using natural enzymes. The fibers are washed, fluffed and spun into yarn.

Bamboo viscose (also called bamboo rayon) is luxuriously soft and drapes gently. It is made by turning the raw bamboo material into pulp. The pulp is treated with a chemical-intensive process and formed into threads that are spun into yarn.

Sustainability: The bamboo plant is a renewable material and grows without chemical pesticides or herbicides. It is the world’s fastest growing plant with a quick cultivation cycle. Natural bamboo fabrics are biodegradable and recyclable.

Note, bamboo viscose fabric is not the same as natural bamboo fabric. Bamboo viscose is made from the same raw material; however, chemical-intensive processing methods are used to make the fabric. Both types of bamboo products can be labeled "bamboo." If you want to know which type of bamboo was used to make a garment, check the feel of the fabric (bamboo viscose is soft and drapy while natural bamboo is similar to linen).

The sustainability and impact puzzle is complex. When choosing natural fabrics for their eco-friendly properties, you can consider the source of the material: whether the material is made from natural materials or man-made chemicals. Or you can consider all or part of the life-cycle: cultivation and harvest of the raw material, fiber processing and dying, energy used for manufacture and transportation to market, cleaning and care for the garments and use-life and final disposition of the material.

You get to decide what "green" means to you. Choose the fabrics you love and the green elements that resonate with you.

Thank you Kiana McFarland for your help with the research for this post.

Minx Without The Jinx

Looking for something new and fun for your nails? Minx takes nail art to a new level and turns your nails into chrome, animal print, plaid, flames or camouflage. They have appeared in music videos, fashion runways and they are becoming available in major cities.

Minx were developed using car-wrap technology. The designs are printed on a polymer sheet and “shrink wrapped” to your natural nails.

Minx has gotten mixed reviews. The secret to Minx is great application from an experienced technician and careful maintenance. Here are tips for getting the most from your Minx from Athena Elliot, Houston’s (and Hollywood’s) premier Minx artist. Her clients are the whose-who of the entertainment industry ...LeToya Luckett, Keri Hilson, Mya, Kim Zolciak and the list goes on.

Application & Removal

Minx application takes about an hour. The polymer “stickers” are applied to your real nails after the adhesive backing is activated with heat. Minx shrink as they cool and are trimmed for a final fit.

To remove, warm the Minx with a hairdryer to release the adhesive and peal them off your nails. You may damage your nails if you try to peel them off without heating them first.

Maintenance

Maintenance is key to making the Minx last. After a couple days, the edges will probably begin to lift. Use a hairdryer to heat up each “sticker” and press it down on the nail until it cools. This will re-adhere the edges to your natural nails. Also, file the tips of your nails in a downward motion to manage the edges. This daily maintenance will make the Minx last up to 2 weeks.

We tested these tips on our model. With Athena's skilled application and our model's careful maintenance, her nails were beautiful for 2 weeks. Thank you to Athena for all your great advice and thank you Lisa for testing and modeling!

When Image Gets In The Way

WOW! Six days later, and people are still buzzing about Jennifer Lopez's New Year's Eve catsuit outfit. That might be a good thing. All publicity is good publicity because the public is talking about you, right?

From an image perspective, her outfit didn't work. It distracted from her performance instead of enhancing it. As a viewer, you spend the whole performance wondering...is she naked?... is she wearing underwear?... is she wearing some concealing garment under the suit to cover all her private affairs? ...or is something going to pop out unexpectedly? You don't remember anything about the performance. What she said? What she sang? The dance steps? The other dancers? Her connection with the audience? Nothing.

Here's a video, if you want to watch it for yourself.

Your image can support you or get in your way. You might not be J-Lo, but what you wear effects other people's experience of you. No matter how fantastic you are, if your outfit is distracting in any way, people can't pay attention to you, what you say or what you contribute. Watch out for loud jewelry, loose threads, stains, lot's of busy patterns, revealing clothing, etc. Of course you shouldn't remove your personality from your image, just be sure that YOU shine through (figuratively, that is!).

Want more info about what works and what doesn't? Here's another example. Thanks for stopping by!