Did you know that average woman in America is 5’4” tall and a size 12? Now to add to that interesting fact, virtually 95% of all models for clothing manufacturers are 5’10” and over , and a size 2 ! So how does that all work? Well, for the average “petite” woman, it doesn’t work, and there in lies the rub.

Let me  fill you  in on every chic and petite woman’s tricks! Here are a few to follow to stand tall and proud, even if you are 5 feet tall!

1. Think tall and create an illusion on height! Focus on monochromatic colours below the belt and in your suiting.

2. Tone shoes and hose into pants or skirt. This keeps the eye flowing over the lower half of your body!

3. Focus on flattering colors near your face with accessories, scarves and makeup.

4. Wear a 2 or 3 inch heel to elongate the leg and hip area, giving you an instant height boost!

5. Manicure fingers and toes in a shade that is a light neutral, or matching nude tone to your own skin tone. This elongates the digits and creates a “mannequin effect” lengthening the limbs!

6. Create a layered cut that highlights the face, uplifting it, not pulling it down for an instant lift.

7. A good lingerie wardrobe is imperative to create a smooth, toned line under neath the clothing, eliminating line breaks and other distractions.

All clothing from Nordstrom in this segment from Nordstrom. Makeup from Smashbox Studios and Sephora.

Holiday travel is creeping up on us and who has time to worry or wait through long TSA lines at the airport?  Click here for a clip from my segment on ABC network this morning that will solve all and any packing problems you may encounter! I pulled a fantastic outfit from Nordstrom mixing Milly, Tory Burch, Vince and Stuart Weitzman fantastic boots! Pack it all up with “good to go” beauty and accessories from Sephora, of course! Their new ULTIMATE BLOCKBUSTER kit is the absolute must have for the season!

Here are a few quick tips…..

here are 7 easy tips on what to pack for your 3-5 day trip.

1. one simple ensemble in dark neutral of jacket and pants, preferably in wrinkle proof textile like knit or tropical wool.

2. one “day to evening” colorful blouse

3. two or three colorful / neutral tee shirts

4. one colorful cardigan that coordinates with all the tops/blouse

5. one pair high heeled shoes or boots, and a pair of low heeled shoes/ boots

6. underpinnings in beige and black

7. one bag that doubles as a carry on in the same dark neutral as shoes/ boots/ jacket/pants

Add to this list the Sephora cosmetic items that are in solid/ pencil/powder form such as special kits including eye/ lip/ cheek colors.

Bon Voyage! xx Jeane B.

Don’t worry if the economy took a big bite out of your Fall shopping budget!  Here are three great tips to creating a new look for Fall for just pennies!

What did you do this summer?  Well, over here in the World of Be, one of the most rewarding things I did was a fantastic makeover!  We had many applicants, but the lucky winner,Kathi Erps of Phoenix, AZ ,got the golden ticket!  What a ticket it was! This fabulous makeover was  worth over $7500.00 in services, prizes, and goodies galore!

Here is her BEFORE shot!

Kathi’s Story: ” I grew up in a lower income family, so I never really had a budget for clothes or jewelry. In my adult life, this has transitioned into not having much of a style and not knowing how to have style. I tend to wear jeans and t-shirts as often as I can. As I become more successful in my career as a Program Manager, I feel a need to dress and look better as I interact more with executives and customers – but I don’t know how to do that! My husband says that I am beautiful, but I just don’t know how to look great and still be comfortable. My hair is naturally curly and very hard to manage. I workout virtually every day before work and need to keep the time it takes to get ready to a bare minimum. My goal would be to find a comfortable, easy to manage style that flatters me and makes a statement about how good I really am at what I do.”

Kathi’s Style Challenges: Define her personal style, upgrade her work wardrobe, create a transition wardrobe between casual and work, find an easy, manageable and flattering hair style, gain makeup application, color and product tips and find jewelry that will be lightweight and appropriate for her now and later.

Style Answers: To begin with, I pulled groupings of fashion and accessory  items to revamp her current closet, and therefore her complete image!  Kathi  really needed a core work and play wardrobe to match her lifestyle and new career position. She had visions of a professional and personal style that was a combination of elegant, sensual, and yet approachable. I immediately channeled Kate Winslet and Rene Russo, and came up with several wardrobe plans to amplify the personality dying to come out in Kathi!  Yvette Craddock of ShopStyleFolioJewelry.com injected some fabulous jewelry that was attractive and appropriate for now and later. Our partners from  Toni and Guy Salons and Laura Geller cosmetics  equipped  her with the finishing touches of a new contemporary hair style and a beautiful, user friendly  makeup palette.

New Wardrobe Suggestions: As you can see in the pictures below, I centered the fashion and accessories around neutrals that flattered Kathi’s natural hair/skin/ and eye coloring first, and then applied high color in fuchsia, vibrant Aegean and turquoise blue, and smoldering metallic’s. I specifically pulled color that would span time and seasons, but chose these pinks and blues in particular because they are very on trend for this Fall/ Winter season. I also supplied ample shots of leopard, zebra, and graphic print accessories to sex it up a little, (but not so much that she could not wear it to work.)  Shoes are high, or very low, and again , simple, elegant, but very high style.

Metallic and Pearl Earrings

Metallic silver and pearl necklace

Kathi’s Toni & Guy Hair Update

Kathi’s Laura Geller Makeup Palette

Mighty Mascara and Fortifier

Wonder Wand Eye Brightener Powder

Baked Marble Eye Shadow and Sugared Baked Pearl shadow

Blush-N- Brighten Kit

Balance-N-Brighten Kit

Spackle Trio

Thanks again to the experts that have allowed  Kathi to amplify and define herself!
ShopStyleFolioJewelry for the most lovely custom jewelry around!
Toni & Guy Salons for Kathi’s new hair style.
Laura Geller Makeup for the generous makeup gift bag

THE SPECTACULAR AFTER!