Damn Fabulous

Neutral khakis are a staple in any wardrobe, and their versatility explains why. Introducing just three of the many ways to jazz up your khakis:

The BBQ Outfit

The Night Out Outfit

The Office Outfit

Whether you spend your summers wading in a creek or trotting around downtown, khaki trousers are the perfect pants for warm days and cool nights.

We all hate to hear it, but we’re talking about it… the B word – Budget.

A budget is an essential element of financial planning. It’s a great tool for not only monitoring finances, but also for building better habits and getting your goals under control. The financial rewards of budgeting are great: growing your wealth, building financial confidence and gaining peace of mind.

Here are some basic steps for you to start your monthly budget.

1.Calculate your TOTAL monthly income

• List all income sources including salary, commissions, bonuses, business royalties.

• Use after tax amounts.

2.List Expenses

• Consult your banking statements and list ALL your expenses, both monthly and annual.

• Separate your ‘fixed’ and ‘variable’ expenses.

• Expenses vary so take an average over three to four months.

• Also include your monthly contributions to your RSP or savings.

3.Total and Subtract

• Total your income and expenses separately to see how much comes in each month and how much goes out.

• Subtract your expenses from your income to determine the amount left to save and invest. (This is an important number because it shows you how successful you are in managing your money. If the figure is small or a minus, you have to work on what ‘variable’ expenses you can reduce.)

Use your budget to find ways to increase your savings and investments. How? Consider the following:

4.Reduce Expenses

• Identify expenses that can be cut and assist in setting new spending objectives.

• Decide how much you can realistically cut, but don’t go overboard; try cutting back a little at a time. If your goals are overly strict, you’ll never stick to them.

5.Review your Debt

• How much can you pay down faster?

• Is there a way to reduce overall interest costs, such as consolidating existing debts or payment plans?

Think glamour is just for 40’s Hollywood starlets? Nonsense! Jazz up your wardrobe with these glam essentials.

Red Finishes

Red lips and matching nails are a style staple for fashion’s most fabulous.

Fur

Real, or really convincing, fur provides instant wow factor.

Full Length Dress

While full length and maxi dresses can be intimidating, with the right colour and neckline, they epitomize everything that is glamourous.

Cocktail Rings

Take it from Liz Taylor, a chunky rock is the perfect way to revamp the blandest of outfits.

The Trench Coat

You may not be starring along Gregory Peck, but sporting a classic trench like Audrey’s adds a touch of glamour a la Holly Golightly.

Dreaming of delicious chocolate? Give in with this guiltless fudge brownie recipe. If you can’t find sweet potato puree, make your own using either baked or canned whole sweet potatoes and puree in a processor until completely smooth.

You will need:

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup sweet-potato puree
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon instant coffee powder

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square pan; set aside. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Remove pan from heat, and stir in cocoa. Let cool slightly.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Stir in sugar and sweet-potato puree, then egg. In a small bowl, stir together vanilla and coffee until coffee is dissolved; add to cocoa mixture.
4. Add flour mixture to cocoa mixture and stir until no traces of flour remain. Spoon into prepared pan; smooth the top. Bake until surface of brownies looks barely dry and an inserted knife comes out with a few moist crumbs, about 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature before serving.

Mmmm….

Did you know that 2.7 billion plastic bags are used every day worldwide? Here is a fabulous way to conserve, and look great doing it.

You will need:

• an old t-shirt (the larger the shirt, the larger the bag)
• a pair of scissors
• a safety pin

Lay the t-shirt on a flat surface. Start by cutting off the sleeves, using the seams as a guide. And using a round plate as a guide, cut out a half circle into the neck of the t-shirt. To create the ties that will cinch the bottom of the bag, cut 2 one inch strips from each of the sleeve scraps. Cut each circular strip open and pull at the ends to stretch them out, creating 4 strings total. 

Snip 8 evenly spaced slits along the bottom hem of the t-shirt. We cut 3 in the front, 3 in the back, and one each side.

Attach a safety pin to the end of one of the strings. Starting at the left side of the shirt, thread the string through two sections so that both ends come out from the left hem of the shirt. Do the same to the right side of the shirt with the 2nd string. Starting at the middle slit, thread the 3rd string through the section closest to the left side, under and over the 1st string and through the opposing section. Repeat on the other side with the 4th string. Pull each section tightly, tying the strings into double knots.

You can trim the strings but we like leaving the fringe as is. And … your new recycled market bag is finished!

Trendy, and envionmentally friendly!

For some of us, the thought of maternity style automatically equals muumuu dresses and elastic waist bands. Fear not! Here are some easy tips to keep you, and your bun in the oven, looking chic.

Stick With What You Like

So you feel like your expanding at an exponential rate, take a tip from Gisele and stick with what you love. She wore her normal clothing— jeans, a motorcycle jacket and boots. Keeping with your normal style will keep you feeling like your fabulous self.  Check out Isabella and Oliver for some trendy momma-to-be wear.

Embrace Lycra

Take advantage of that beautiful belly! Stretchy lycra dresses show off your shape in a good way, like Christina Applegate in this form-fitting style.

Build on Your Denim

A good piece of denim just might be the best maternity wardrobe investment you can make. Dress it up with a classic blazer a la Ali Larter , or dress down with your comfiest t-shirt. Visit shopbop.com for a great selection of belly friendly jeans.

Wrap It Up

Ahh the wrap dress, a friend to all women who are looking for a flattering shape to accentuate those curves. Diane von Furstenberg does a beautiful version of this closet staple.

Step into spring with these season appropriate beauties.

Intimidated? Calm your pre-interview nerves and score your dream job with these simple tips:

Tell Good Stories.

When faced with the inevitable question “Tell me about yourself”, don’t rattle off a list of what you’ve done or what you’ve accomplished. Try working your fabulous feats into a good story, they are what make you stick in your interviewer’s mind.

Understand the Behavioral Interview.

When someone asks you a question that begins with, “Tell me about a time when…” it’s a cue that you’re in a behavioral interview. The interviewer is trying to see how you acted in the past, which is a good predictor of how you’ll act in the future. You need to tell the interviewer about a situation you encountered, the action you took to solve the problem, and quantify the results. This is called the STAR response — Situation or Task, Action, Results.

Ask Questions at the Beginning, Not the End.

 Ask your questions at the beginning, and then use the answers to better position yourself for the job during the interview. At the end, when the interviewer says, “Do you have any questions?” you can say, “No, I think I asked everything I needed to ask at the beginning of the interview. But thank you” instead of thinking of a pile of pseudo-questions. 

Practice Makes Perfect!

An interview probably isn’t the best time to practice your improvisation skills. Check out a list of the most common interview questions and prepare you answers. Practice with a friend, or video tape yourself to help you figure out your quirks and prepare for them.

Not only are they delicious, but bananas also help to restore your tarnished silver. First, blend a few banana peels with some water to make a paste. Then, rub the banana polish on the silver with a soft cloth. Finally wash off polish, and admire your reflection in your spotless silver.

Girly and cute, this trend is both figure flattering and classic.

Play up this season’s colour blocking trend with these eye-catchers.

Ahhhh the LBD, a closet staple and wardrobe essential. Just like the women that wear them, little black dresses come in a variety of shapes, shades and styles. Find out which suits you best!

Classic

A wise person once said, if you’ve got it, flaunt it! Play up your bod in a knit dress, the short skirt and draped neckline revealed just the right amount of skin.

Scandalous

 Peek-a-boo cut outs flaunt your form and give a little hint of your sexy skin underneath.

Sophisticated

Over-sized patterns, lace and texture give your LBD an elegant touch whilst making a statement.

Retro

Show off your lady-like side in a mid-calf-length dress. The wide v-neck and gathers at the waist are reminiscent of silhouettes from past decades.

Edgy

Balance a rocker-chic leather mini-dress with minimal accessories and a loose updo.

Increase your footwear IQ with this introduction to shoe anatomy. Knowing what to look for in a shoe makes it all the more easier to identify a future pain-inducer and pick your perfect pair. 

THE BODY: If a stiff shoe causes blisters, spritz this area with water and use your fingers to mold the softened leather to the shape of your foot. Or try special inserts to reduce friction.

THE BREAST: The inner arch of the heel, which affects stability. The farther forward the arch, the less you will feel off-balance.

THE SOLE: Slipping on slick floors? Pick up a pair of sole protectors or score the soles of your heels with a key to create extra traction.

THE TOE BOX: If your toes feel pinched, have this area stretched out at your local shoe repair shop.

THE INTERIOR: If you suffer from low arches, slip in supports to relieve pressure on the balls of your feet.