Ever wonder if you have style?

I still remember her.

African American woman, tall, about a size 8, fabulous hair cut into a short bob, lucious silvery gray sweater styled big and loose yet with flair worn over a black turtle neck. Skinny jeans tucked into the most eye catching riding boots I'd ever seen. They were black, went right to the knee and had no heel. Flat.

Her makeup was just right, flawless actually and she carried a bag that was big, fashionable and shiny.

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I couldn't stop staring.

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It reminded me of my days in Miami when I used to watch the women from South America who came to shop in the prestigious boutiques. Those women had such amazing style. Style that I didn't think I could ever have. I'm not kidding.

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Have you ever found yourself looking at someone and you just can't seem to pull your eyes away? Or is it just me?

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Seriously, I do this. Not on a regular basis, mind you, but I do it.

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There are just some people who have such amazing, striking style that I can't take my eyes off them. I want their clothes. I want to dress like them. I want to carry my purse that way. I want to wear black like that.

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It's called personal style, people. You might think one either has it or doesn't. It's not something you can purchase, or put on lay away. It's not something you can run out and get.

But it is something that you can acquire. I know, because I acquired it.

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You can too. When I saw that woman I got this sense that she didn't even know she knew she looked good. Seriously. It was so effortless. It's kind of like when I put something on that I get a ton of compliments on. I don't even realize I did it, but I did, and I think, YES, I've done it!

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I'm here to tell you that getting my personal style together didn't happen overnight. It tooks lots of staring, staring, staring, watching, watching, watching.

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Do you have individual personal style? Do you want to? Do you care?

Do this. Look at the outfit you have on. Is there anything about it that is really outstanding or would you just blend into any crowd? What could you add that would make it look better? How about some vintage jewelry pieces? Do you like bold prints? How about exchanging that boring sweater you have with one that is brightly colored? Is your bag in good shape or is it time for refurbishing? Maybe all it needs is a trip to the leather shop for some repair.

Maybe you need a new one.

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Do you have a great haircut you get tons of compliments on?

No?

You know what to do.

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When defining your personal style, you have to find some things you love and that love you back. I love leopard and leopard loves me. It has all the right warm colors a redhead could want. I love black and white patterns but black and white patterns throw up on redheads...so guess what? Well, you know what.

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How do you acquire personal style? Start at the top and work you way down.

Great haircut first.

Quality handbag and shoes, in a bold color perhaps? Or metallic?

Great pair of jeans that fit you well.

Build your wardrobe around 3-4 color faves, that's it.

Be known for always wearing those colors, it becomes your signature. If you choose to include black in that grouping, make sure it likes you back.

Quality, quality, quality. Don't skimp on quality. Buy the best you can for the least amount of money.

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Most of all, start staring. Watch women and see what you like. Copy them. And somewhere along the way, your personal style will evolve. It's a beautiful thing.

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And then one day you will look up and someone will be staring at you.

Smile and say thank you. And do share your personal style secrets here. Is there something you wear that has become your signature? Or when you put it on, you know it works?

We'd love to hear.

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Have a beautiful Thanksgiving and blessings abundantly to you.

Shari

http://www.sharibraendel.com/

The Little Brown Dress...Really?

For years you've been hearing about the little black dress so today I bring you a new version called the little brown dress.

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Tis the holidays and everywhere you go you will see bright lights and shiny stars and every version imaginable of the little black dress. How wonderful it is to reach into your closet, pull out this little number and know you look terrific in it. But what if you have been told you shouldn't wear black? I mean, who in the world would tell you that? Whoever it is definetly doesn't live in New York, where black abounds on every street corner, office building, elevator and department store. Okay, so it's me. I told you you shouldn't wear black. I know, I know, there are some of you out there who look terrific in black, so this post doesn't really refer to you, except in that maybe, just maybe, you want to try something a little different this season, too, besides the easy to reach for black. Just a warning to the Cools and the Clears out there: Cools, brown isn't for you so if you want to try something different, opt instead for charcoal, and Clears, if you go brown, it's got to be a very deep chocolate brown. But there are many of you reading this who know this post is JUST for you, don't you?

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See here's the thing. I know you can go out and find a black dress. But will you do me this favor and look for a brown one? I don't care if you go to the Goodwill, you might find one there, too. I think we have gotten so used to thinking we have to wear black or red for the holidays we have fallen into a rut of it. I'm only going to give you one example of a brown dress in here so you don't have to hop all around the web, but I want you to be on the lookout. If you find the perfect little brown dress, will you let me know? And tell us where you plan to wear it this season...we'd all love to hear! And what shoes are you going to wear with it?

Oooh, can't wait to hear!

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So here's your example: Lord and Taylor brings us this pretty dress from Jones of New York for about $119. I love the cascading hemline! She's wearing it with sandals that look to be on the white or cream side but I'd recommend going bronze, copper or gold instead. Wear with a sheer hose similar to your skin color or go without.

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So what about you? Will you be the standout in the crowd this holiday in your

little brown number?

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See you at the party!

Love, Shari

What to Wear: Foundation

I am re-posting a blog post I wrote about a year ago because I often get lots of questions about foundation. Instead of re-writing the article, I decided to dig it up and run it again!

So here ya go:

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I want to address one area of makeup today and that's foundation. I really think it is a must have item. Foundation comes in all different types from oil free, cream, light coverage, medium coverage, full coverage, mineral powders, and creme to powders. It really is personal preference as to which one to choose but for those of you who want a little advice, here goes.

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The purpose of foundation is to give you an even complexion. It covers blemishes, dark spots and imperfections. If you have oily skin, you will want to choose either a water based or oil-free type. All other skin types can pretty much use any of the formulas.

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One of the latest types of foundation is Mineral Powder. I have to tell you, I was a little skeptical to try it. I really didn't think it would cover they way I wanted it to. But boy was I surprised.
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I LOVE it! I have just started using the Mineral Powder from Mary Kay Cosmetics. Wow! It is only $18 and you can also get a brush for an additional $10. I know there are many other types out there, too, and if they are anything like this one, it will be good. It makes my skin look flawless (and will yours, too) and it also looks very healthy. Normally, powder tends to fall into the creases and crevices on my face, of which there are many (!) but this doesn't. Also, the way this one works is you put one layer on for a light coverage, two layers for a heavier coverage. It's really great!

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I still use concealer under my eyes and a little dab on any blemishes, and then put the Mineral Powder on.
For any of you looking for a smooth, healthy look, try out some Mineral Powder....I think you'll really love it!

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To find a Mary Kay consultant in your area, go to http://www.marykay.com/ and you can find a consultant by going to the consultant locater and all you do is put in your zip code and you'll be referred to one near you....call her and tell her you want to try the new Mineral Powder and get a free makeover at the same time! You deserve it! Love ya much, Shari

What to Wear Wednesday: Super Casual Wear

Okay. First of all a BIG apology.

In my hurry to post a blog for last week, in the middle of packing for Ecuador, and trying to spend some final moments with the family, I decided I would multi-task and write my blog post on scarf tying while I was watching TV with my hubby and son.

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So, multi-tasker that I was, I turned OFF the volume of my computer, searched the internet for some good scarf tying tips and voila, posted it to run on Wednesday, last week.

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No problem, right?

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Well, not until I returned home and found a very disturbing email from someone telling me she couldn't trust me with sending Christian girls to my site because of my music choices with the scarf tying videos.

What?

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I wrote her an apology, telling her I was sorry and then I figured I better listen to the music. I mean, how bad could SCARF TYING music be?

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Oh dear. It was bad. I mean, really bad.

So I ask for forgiveness and grace...please. I mean, really, even if I wasn't a Christian I wouldn't have posted that kind of music with those kinds of words. Sooo sorry.

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And now for this week!

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Every day I have to drive my 14 year old son to school and it is a minimum 30 minute drive on the way TO school and usually a 50-60 minute drive on the way home depending on traffic. And every day I grab my most comfy sweatshirt (sans bra), my hubby's sweatpants, some fluffy blue socks that feel like slippers, throw my tennis shoes in the backseat (just in case I need to get out on the side of the road!) and off we go.

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My daily outfit is what inspired this post today. What if I have to get out of the car for some reason? What if we get in bad traffic and we show up late for school and I have to walk Luke in to sign him in? What if a policeman stops me for speeding, (not that that would EVER happen!) and he had me get out of the car? What if I got in accident? What if, what if, what if.

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You have to understand. I look REALLY bad in these clothes. I'm really not kidding you.

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So I did a little research on some super cute casual wear. Because honestly, how hard would it be to throw on a nice jogging suit? Or socks that weren't blue and fluffy?

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So I'm challenging you today to take a look at what you wear when you're in a hurry. Or when you're driving your kids to school. Or when you are running errands and just going thru the bank drive thru. Or whatever it is that you do when you think no one is really looking

(like going to get the mail!)

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I think we could all do ourselves a favor to have a cute comfy outfit that we can put on for occasions like this. For me, it would be an EVERY day outfit, seriously, something I would put on every morning as I drive Luke to school. What about you? What do you wear when you think no one will see you? And what COULD you wear instead?

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Here's some examples you might like. Take a look!

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These are from Newport News...really good prices, too! This is a whole page full of them, so you can pick your favorite! (Don't forget to pick a color that looks good on you!)

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Here's a page from JCPenney! I especially like the deep purple colorblock one from Xersion and the SJB beautiful blue one.

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And finally, Macy's has some beautiful ones at some beautiful prices! I love, love, love the red one...isn't that special?

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Well, this should give you something to think about. What are YOU wearing, when you think no one will see you? And really, you might say, "who cares if they do?" Really now, don't you?

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Love ya much!

Beautiful Blessings,

Shari

www.ShariBraendel.com

Inspiring others to embrace their self-worth by connecting fashion and faith