Tips when shopping for new items for your wardrobe:

Before you go shopping, shop your closet. Use your camera phone or a digital camera to take pictures of the clothing you wear most often.  If you do not have another person to photograph you in your clothing, lay the pieces on your bed and take a picture of the different ways you mix and match your separates.

Load these picture on your computer, save them and print them out. Take these pictures with you when you go shopping.  The process of shopping your closet and photographing what you wear should help you be more aware of the gaps in your wardrobe. Every time you buy something new photograph it and add it to your saved file.  Eliminate photos of any clothing you eliminate from your wardrobe.

1.  When you actually go shopping ask the sales person to take pictures of you ( with your camera phone or digital camera) wearing pieces you are considering purchasing.

This is especially helpful if you are unsure about purchasing the items.    A picture will let you know if the clothing is really flattering.

2.  Bring items from your closet that are “orphans.”  ” A closet orphan,” is anything you are unable to wear because you have nothing to wear it with.

3. Bring some straight pins shopping so you can see how the clothing you like will look when it is hemmed or altered in strategic places.

4. Bring the shoes that look good with pants if you are shopping for pants or shoes that look good with skirts if you are looking for skirts or dresses.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a Personal Image Consultant trained by Color 1 Associates.  She specializes in working with midlife women whose shape or size has changed.  She is available to work with individuals and groups in Baltimore, Md and surrounding areas. Her website is WWW.WardrobeWiz.com/

She hopes to soon be able to do “virtual image consulting.”  This will mean she can work with individuals anywhere in the world.   Watch this blog for more information to follow soon!

I put that dress on many times, but was never able to wear it out of the house because instead of looking like a princess, I looked like a stuffed sausage.   The dress was my size but even when I exercised and toned up and lost a few pounds, I never looked good in it.   It hung in my closet for several years unworn.  Finally, I gave it to a friend of mine who had similar coloring to me and was the same height, and weight as me.   The minute she pulled it over her head she look like a princess.

Why did she look so wonderful in the dress and why did I look so awful in the dress? The answer is  body shape.  I have a  wide waist and narrow hips and she had a  narrow waist and wider hips.  The dress narrowed where I widened and widened where I narrowed.    My narrow parts were hidden and my wider parts were emphasized by the style of the dress.  My friend look fantastic because the dress shape dress was an extension of her  body shape.

Body shapes have both curved and straight lines but there will be a predominance of more curves or more straight lines. If your body shape is  more curved, clothing with waist definition will be more flattering.  If your body is straighter, like mine, clothing without waist definition will be more flattering..  Choosing clothing that widens where your body widens and narrows where your body narrows will  help you to feel comfortable and look your bestl everyday.

What do you have in your closet that you haven’t been able to wear?  Do you know why you haven’t worn it?

Nancy Goldblatt, “Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained personal image consultant.  She works with individuals and groups in Baltimore and surrounding areas.  Contact her at nrgoldblatt@gmail.com or 410-235-5325. www.WardrobeWiz.com/

Here are 9 secrets of smart clothes shopping  from personal image consultant, Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore.”

1. Look at care tags, if it says “DRY CLEAN ONLY,” the item will be more costly to maintain.  If item says dry clean without the word ONLY you can probably hand wash it or even machine wash on gentle cycle.

2. Squeeze fabric in your hand for 10 seconds to see how likely it is to wrinkle. If it bounces back with few or no wrinkles you probably will not have to spend time ironing it.

3.  Can you wear it with 2 or 3 items you already own or can you wear it 2 or 3 different ways?

4.  Try it on and sit down in it, raise your arms above you head, raise your arms to your chest with your fists together and elbows out. Then bend over and touch your toes. Does the clothing  item move with you or restrict your movement?

5.  Don’t expect items to fit perfectly.  They will probably need to be altered.  So bring some straight pins with you.    The pins will enable you to see how the item will look after alterations.

6.  If you have had “your colors done,” keep your color chart in your purse so you won’t be wasting your time trying on unflattering colors.

7. If you have had a face and body shape analysis and have line drawings of your best styles bring your line drawings with you.

8. If there is a two or three piece matching outfit get all of the pieces, if they are flattering.

9. If you are on a tight budget, get items that are solids and do not have decorative designs or embellishments.  These will be easier to mix and match with your existing wardrobe.

Before I became an image consultant in 1990, I did not know what colors or styles looked good on me and I would spend many hours shopping and trying on things that looked awful on me.  The more things I tried on that looked bad, the worse I felt about myself.

Now that I know my best colors and styles, when I go shopping, I can quickly skim over the aisles.   I usually  only have to try on items to see if they fit.  This saves me lots of time and my self esteem remains intact.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” of Baltimore is a professionally trained, personal image consultant.   She specializes in working with women who have lots of clothes and “nothing to wear.”  (After you get a wallet of your best colors, and line drawings of your best styles, “The Wardrobe Wizard,” will teach you how to  shop your own closet.)   Nancy is available to work with groups as well as individuals.  Contact her at www.WardrobeWiz.com

COLOR

1. Because our eyes automatically search for colors to be repeated, when you carry a purse that repeats one of your natural body colors (hair, skin or eyes) you will look visually pleasing and be able to wear this purse with everything you own.

SCALE

• 2. Here is a way to determine a good size purse that will be in   proportion to your body.  Spread your fingers apart with your thumbs  touching and measure horizontally from little finger to little finger.  This measurement is the widest or tallest your purse should be to be in proportion to your body.  Measure your hand from your wrist crease to the end of your longest finger.  This could be the depth, height or width of your purse.  (If you hands are in proportion to your body this suggestion will work for you.)

STRAP LENGTH

• 3. If you can adjust strap length, adjust your purse to end at a place on your body that is the narrowest.  For example if you carry your weight in the lower half of your body, and have a defined waistline, shorten the straps so your purse stops at your waist.  If you are top heavy, lengthen straps so your purse stops at your lower hip or thigh.

SHAPE

• 4. A purse that has some softness and some straightness is best for most bodies.  If you have a very angular (straight body) and angular face, you can choose a purse with sharp angles.

TRENDS

• .  Recent purse trends include super sized handbags, clutch bags, vintage, brightly colored and metallic bags.  If you are petite, a very large handbag may dwarf you and if you are a plus size an over sized bag may emphasize parts you don’t want emphasized.

If you do choose a brightly colored purse, try to repeat the color in your outfit at least once or twice.  This repetition of color can  be done with a scarf, shoes, or belt.  As stated previously our eyes unconsciously search for repetition of color and this will help you to look more pulled together.

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Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained Personal Image Consultant.  She came to image consulting as part of her own journey to look and feel good in her own short, plump body.  Since 1990 she has been dispelling “The Barbie Doll Myth,” that the media promotes.  This myth tells us that to be considered beautiful, a woman must be tall, thin, perfectly proportioned and forever young.    Nancy counters this myth by teaching women of all sizes, shapes and ages that “real beauty,” is about looking visually balanced.  She is available to work with individuals and groups in the Baltimore-Washington area.  She plans to soon begin working virtually with clients in other geographic areas.

www.WardrobeWiz.com

Shape:  Make an outline of the shape of your foot on a piece of paper.  Cut out the shape and take it with you when you shop for shoes.  Hold the shape up to shoes you like.  If the shoe widens where your foot shape widens and narrows and curves where your foot shape narrows and curves its worth trying on.  Be sure to try both shoes on and walk around to see how the shoes feel.  If they feel tight, or pinch  do not purchase them.  They will never feel comfortable.  Also, its a good idea to try shoes on at the end of the day, because our feet tend to swell at the end of the day.

Style: If you have a short or broad foot and are wearing a skirt or dress  a low vamp will be more flattering than a high vamp.  If you have a long narrow foot a higher vamp can shorten the look of your foot.

Heel height: The shorter you are the lower your heel should be.  You didn’t read that last sentence wrong.  Its about proportion.  In my twenties I tried to wear very high heels.  Unfortunately, I am short and I looked like “Minnie Mouse,” in those heels.   Also, the higher your heel height the more it throws you off balance.  A two inch heel should look good and not throw your balance off too much.

Color:   Choose shoes that are a shade of your hair color. You will be able to wear these shoes everyday and with everything you own.  By choosing shoes that are a shade of your hair color you will automatically be pulling yourself together visually because our eye automatically searches for repeated colors.  Many shoes now come in metallic colors.  These are especially nice looking in sandals.

Do you have a favorite tip about choosing shoes?  Feel free to comment and share your tips about shoes.

Nancy Goldblatt, “The Wardrobe Wizard of Baltimore,” is a professionally trained Color 1, personal image consultant.  She specializes in helping women whose size or shape has changed and who  have lots of clothes and nothing to wear go from “Sad to Fab.”  She teaches how to go shopping in your own closet first.  After a client works with the Wardrobe Wizard she will have line drawings of her best styles, a wallet of her best colors, and the ability to mix and match and shop with ease.  Say goodbye to the panic of “nothing to wear.”

I have named this year  “My year for a better Body, and a better Blog .” I got the idea after listening to a free webinar by Brenda Kinsel ,   Image Consultant.  She has an excellent free e-newsletter and she has written a number of books.  40 over 40 was her first book.  www.brendakinsel.com/

It’s been about four weeks since I started my new exercise program. Unfortunately I injured my back last week and missed several sessions but I returned this last Friday and plan to continue.  The research study I am in involves nutrition and exercise.   Its called “The Shape Up,” study.   I am writing down everything I eat and counting calories.  It helps to write down what I eat, but its a chore.   I am exercising 3 days a week, with 45 minutes of cardio and about 15 minutes of weight training.  I believe Johns Hopkins Hospital Bayview, Baltimore, Md., is is still looking for participants for this 6 month study.  You have to be pre-diabetic or diabetic and no older than 65 and in fairly good health.   I got into the study because I am considered pre-diabetic.  If you are in Baltimore or surrounding areas you can call Meredith at 410-550-6997 to find out if you are eligible for the 6 month study.

The Hopkins Nutritionist, Sarah told me  in order to lose weight I can only eat 1,000 calories on non-exercise days and 1,300 on the days I exercise. When I heard this I asked myself,  “How will I be able to do this beyond this 6 month study”?   I felt discouraged at the thought.  Then it occured to me that once I have built more muscle that perhaps I will be able to eat a few more calories, because muscle burns more calories than fat.

I gained about 3 pounds the 2nd week of the program. According to my scale I have now lost 4 pounds based on my starting weight which I am currently not willing to reveal.

Please feel free to comment and share.  What will you call 2010?

1. Life Extension Foundation: www.lef.org/ publishes a magazine with great articles on vitamins and supplements and they sell supplements and have an extensive online website with articles and a discussion forum.  It costs $75 to become a member and qualify for member only discounts on blood tests and supplements.  You don’t have to be a member to subscribe to their informative magazine (cost is $12 a year) that has easy to understand articles.   Latest magazine has articles on “How To Combat Influenza Infection,” ”How Vitamin C Protects The Skin,”  “Tea Promotes Weight Loss in Over Weight Individuals,”  and more.  Their excellent website and discussion forum are free.

2. Your Prescription For Health is a business based in Owings Mills, Md run by holistic pharmacists Brian Sanderoff and Raymond Hinish.  They have a radio program on  680 am every Sunday morning from 10-12 noon, eastern standard time.  If you do not live in the area you can listen on the web and or they podcast their show.  Brian and Ray work with Dr. William Pawluk, a conventionally trained Dr. who now works as a complementary Dr.  They frequently have guest experts on the show and you can also call in with questions. Your prescription for health discounts their supplements and vitamins and shipping is free if you spend $100 or more.  Their website is www.IllnessIsoptional.com/ The website has articles and protocols for various problems.  I believe Dr. Hinish also sends out a free e-newsletter to subscribers.

3. X-Clear saline nasal spray  contains xylitol. In addition to keeping your mucous membranes moist,  it prevents nasal congestion and extensive research says the xylitol in the product prevents bacteria and germs from making you sick.  Find more about it at: www.Xclear.com/

4.  I am now taking 5000 mg of vitamin d3 for my immune system.  (Get it at your local vitamin store, its not expensive)   I learned about the importance of D3 first from listening to “Your Prescription for Health.”  Since I learned about it about a year ago,I have encountered many articles about the importance of vitamin D3.

5..  I originally began taking Magnesium Citrate for muscle tension.   I have discovered its also good  to prevent constipation and since its a natural muscle relaxant it helps decrease anxiety.   I take a powder product called MagnaCalm that I get from Your Prescription for Health.   There are lots of different Magnesium products available.

6.  My newest favorite television show is “The Dr. Oz Show.” Dr. Oz is a heart surgeon who was discovered by Oprah. He makes learning about health fun.   I have recently learned how high blood pressure can cause kidney disease and I now  know what “healthy poop looks like.”    He has the “No embarrassment Zone,” where audience members can ask any medical question.  He also has a “Truth Tube,” where people can discover their “real age,” based on their body measurements, weight and life style.   Watching his show has inspired me to begin a regular exercise program.

7. Dr. Daniel Amen is another Dr. who makes learning fun. He is a neuropsychiatrist who has been studying the brain and taking pictures of the brain for over 20 years.  He has written about 6 or 7 books and his newest book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Body,’ will be out in February 2010.  I originally discovered Dr. Amen on PBS.   ”Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” “Your Miraculous Brain,” and “The Brain In Love,” periodically get re shown on PBS.  They are also now on DVD.  He now sells his many books, dvd’s and cd’s on his website.  His website also has lots of free articles and tests.  The latest free tests are ADD and subtypes of ADD. (In addition to being “The Wardrobe Wizard,” I am a psychotherapist)    In my psychotherapy practice I have been using his materials to help me better diagnose and treat my clients.  His main website is www.amenclinics.com/ You can also go to www.brainspace.com to see before and after treatment  pictures of brains with different problems.  Subscribe to his free newsletter, you will learn lots of great information about taking care of your brain. What is good for the brain, is good for the rest of you.

My wish for each of you is a  “healthy and happy,” 2010.

What are some of your favorite things that help you to be your most beautiful inside and out?  Please share with others your favorite things in the comments section of this blog.

Paula came to promote  version eight of her book  “Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me.”   I have been a fan of hers since she wrote “Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Made Illegal.” in 1986.   I currently subscribe to her  on-line  “Beautypedia.”  It costs  $24.95 a  year to subscribe  and new products are reviewed every two weeks.

I find it saves me money because it prevents me from impulsively buying new products.  Paula said her goal has always been to help women save money. She has saved me a lot of money over the years.

Before  I buy a new product I go  online to “Beautypedia,” to check  “the Cosmetic Cops” review.  Cosmetic & skin care reviews include both drugsstore, department store and other retail brands. I am still unsure about the product and  it’s a drugstore cosmetic, I buy it at CVS or Rite Aid because even if it has been opened  or used it can be returned or exchanged.  Paula emphasizes in her reviews that expensive products are not necessarily better than less expensive products.

Paula now wears two hats. She is still “The Cosmetics Cop.”  She and her staff evaluate thousands of brands of makeup, and skin care products.  She gives a smiley face with a check mark for outstanding products and a frowning face for products that aren’t well formulated and do not do what they promise.   She also has her own line of makeup and skin care products called “Paula’s Choice.”

I especially like her exfoliating AHA  and her BHA  products. I have  very dry skin  but in the summer time I get oily around the T zone.  I break out with pimples under the skin and even have had a few blackheads.  Nothing helped me until I used her 2% BHA product.  It cleared up my pimples without overly drying my skin out.   “Yeah, Paula’s Choice.”

If you like Internet research and want to get reviews of new products coming out, its worthwhile subscribing to Beautypedia’s online reviews or  if you prefer buying a book, get her latest version of  “Don’t Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me,” available in paperback from Amazon for $19.77.

]]> http://blog.wardrobewiz.com/?feed=rss2&p=672 2 http://blog.wardrobewiz.com/?p=662 http://blog.wardrobewiz.com/?p=662#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:22:16 +0000 Nancy Goldblatt http://h36491wp.safesecureblog.com/?p=662 Have you whitened your teeth or are you thinking about whitening your teeth? Do you wonder how white your teeth should be?     As we get older our teeth darken or yellow  from the foods we eat and the things we drink and smoke. Whiter teeth can help us to look more youthful.  However, if you overdo the teeth bleaching, your teeth may end up looking like they are false.

An easy way to determine how white your teeth should be is to look at the whites of your eyes. Do this when you aren’t tired or sick.  If you bleach your teeth a whiter color than the whites of your eyes, this color will cause your teeth to become your focal point (the place people eyes go to first and keep being drawn back to).   If the color of your teeth is a brighter white than the whites of your eye this  will not only cause your teeth to look fake, but it may make your skin look dull or washed out next to the very bright white of your teeth.  By repeating the same or simialr shade of the whites of your eyes in your teeth you can create visual harmony.

Our eyes find visual harmony relaxing and pleasing.   When you look visually harmonious you will look your most attractive and you will communicate instant confidence and intelligence.

I must confess, that for some time now I have been looking at myself in the mirror only from the chin up. Yes, I use my full length mirror before I leave the house but  recently I only quickly glance at my self from head to toe.   The other day I had to get a pictures taken of my silhouette in fitted non-camouflaging clothing  for a sewing project I am doing. I am still in shock.

I have always had an apple shaped body with narrow hips, flat bottom and muscular legs. When I gain weight its usually in my stomach and waist area.  My previously flat derriere is no longer flat.   Because I know how to dress for my body shape I had even fooled myself, until I saw those pictures of me without camouflaging clothes.    I know I must take action for my health and of course I am concerned about how I look and finding clothes that fit me.  The areas I need to work on are my eating habits, exercise and sleep.

My eating habits are better than most of the other people I know, but they aren’t perfect.  I consider myself a flexitarian.  I eat mostly steamed vegetables plus small amounts of chicken and fish and dairy such as non-fat yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, almonds and walnuts.  My weakness is rice tortillas and gluten free cookies.   Also, because I am a night owl and stay up late at night, I tend to eat a snack before I go to bed.   I have read that this is not good because those calories are not burned off and eating right before bedtime disrupts sleep because the body is busy digesting food and can not completely relax.

I have been watching the Dr. Oz show lately.   Dr. Oz says  to be healthy a woman should not have a waist over 32.5 inches. If your waist is larger than this, it means your belly fat is beginning to crush your other organs, especially your kidney function.  One way to determine a good waist size is to take your height in inches and divide it in half.  According to Dr. Oz your waist size should be half your height or less than half your height.

What is your waist size in relation to your height? How do you make time for exercise?  What do you eat that isn’t good for you?  When was the last time you looked at yourself in a full length mirror with only your under ware on?

Because I needed a “jump start,” to start exercising again, I applied to be in a research study at Johns Hopkins Hospital Bayview in Baltimore, Md.  Its called “Shape Up.” There are two components to this study a nurtrition component and an exercise component.  I am hoping to be assigned to both the nutrition and exercise parts.  The exercise would be at the Hopkins facility. As I write this, I am realizing that besides getting more sleep,and not eating before bedtime what I really need is, help with “building in” exercise to my daily life for a long term change in my habits.

How have you built exercise into your busy daily life?

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