Scarlet Fever

One of the hot colors for the fall and winter is RED! If you haven't noticed, celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Ashley Green have been rocking this color on the red carpets. And, it was the go to color this year at the Oscars with leading ladies like Anne Hathaway and Sandra Bullock.

But, to most of us red either reads flashy or Christmas. Well, don't let your mind hold you back from this color this year. Embrace the scarlet fever running through the fashion world.

If you are really bold, try wearing a complete red dress. You are sure to steal the show. Just be careful with accessorizing - stay neutral - you want everyone to look at your dress and think classy, not trashy. Or, if you want just a splash of red try wearing a great red top or even red pants. Red tops look great with black pants and jeans. And, be sure to scale back the red pants with blues or blacks on top. If you have a red top but are just not sure you want to be that flashy, try scaling it back with a scarf - that way you still get some red.

If you are thinking there is no way you are wearing that much red outside of Christmas Day, there are other options. Try investing in a great red coat. If you stay with a classic style, it will always be in style. Or, add a red scarf to a neutral outfit. Scarves are the easiest way to update your look. Or, you can add a pop of red with a handbag or great shoe. Remember the old rule that shoes and bags have to match no longer exists. It's totally okay to wear a red bag and black shoes or vice versa!

Why not make yourself the legendary lady in red this season!

Closets, Closets, Closets

Since I work in a lot of different styles and sizes of closets, I'm always looking for space saving solutions. My go-to store is The Container Store. I'm convinced they have a solution for every organizing detail in closets, bathrooms, drawers and laundry rooms.

If you look at their website and are inspired but don't know where to start, check out Redress by Laura. You may need to treat yourself to an early Christmas gift with one of our packages. Get your closet straight before the new year begins.

Or, if you are looking for a gift for someone who just has everything, one of the Redress packages could be a perfect solution.

Life runs smoother when your world around you is organized!

Belt It!

Belts have been all the rage this spring and summer and will continue on through the fall and winter. Belts can be an easy addition to any wardrobe and can really change up an outfit.

Brad Goreski, stylist to the stars, was quoted as saying that a belt is a stylist's best friend. He always brings a bag of them to every photo shoot and every appointment when dressing a client because if anything doesn't fit just right, he'll belt it and it all falls into place.

So, how do you wear them? Well, the most flattering ones are waist belts - ones that hit at your natural waist - not your hips. Hip belts are making a come back but just remember, where ever you wear the belt is where the eye will naturally look to first. So, do you want people staring at your waist or at your hips?

Belts can help cinch in chunky knit sweaters, which are very trendy again this winter. Or, belts can add interest to a plain dress. Belts can also make a cardigan look trendy by layering pieces and cinching in at the waist.

Just remember that the belt will stop the eye at wherever it is placed and draw attention to that area. Sadly, not everyone looks good in belts. Remember not every trend is for everybody. It's actually a trend that I don't love very much. I wear them sparingly because I'm very high waisted. If you don't feel comfortable in a belt, remember there are plenty of other trends that you can embrace. Figuring out what looks best on you is part of the fun of fashion!

Summer Glow in Winter

Now that it's cold out, there is no more laying out in the sun and getting the great summer glow. However, with today's selection of self-tanning products, we ladies can still pull-off the look. But, with so many choices, who is to know which one will work and which one will make us look orange?

Well, unashamedly, I've tried many of these products. Some are good and other awful. But, most recently I've tried Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning cream and it's now my new favorite product, like a little magic in a jar!

Clarins isn't oily or greasy. It's actually more of a creamy lotion. It's slightly tinted so you know where you've spread it or not spread it. So, you can get a perfectly even coat. And, you can layer however much you want so you can get as little or as much of a tan as you want. The product is actually made for your face and neck, which means no breakouts, but I've also used it on my arms.

And, most impressive.......it doesn't SMELL. I mean not even a little bit! So many other products have a smell to them that it instantly gives away you are using a self-tanner. Well, now with this product you can fool everyone.

So, get the beach like glow in the middle of the winter. I'm almost out of mine and I know this will definitely be on my Christmas wish list!