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Your 2013 New Year Resolutions: Change Your Habits

Stop saying things like “I have nothing to wear,” “I’m starting a fitness program,” “I’m going to learn a new language” or - like me – “I’m going to start tango lessons.”  Don’t say it… just do it!

January is the month for new beginnings!  So, let's be honest… how long do we stick to our resolutions, a few days, or at the very most, a few weeks?
 
Think on this: How many resolutions did you make? Many people make the mistake of making too many resolutions.  The best way to accomplish your goals is to keep your resolutions to a minimum.  Remember, just one goal is difficult enough.

Here’s another question, is your resolution an achievable goal rather than just a resolution?  It is important to be honest with yourself and set a goal that is realistic, measurable and attainable.  It should excite you so that you are motivated enough to follow through and have fun at the same time!

How would it make you feel if you succeeded in improving your image? What if you learned to enhance your best features and disguise your flaws? What if you learned to shop more efficiently? What if you learned how to maintain your ideal posture?   If you improve your image all the people around you will be happy to see that you are taking good care of yourself. 

As your personal image coach, I have put together a list of attainable resolutions you might consider:

#1 - Pledge to keep your pounds as close as possible to your ideal weight, and to always eat healthy.

#2 – Pledge to wear only clothes that fit your body perfectly. Not to look at the size number, nor the designer’s name. Fit first.  If necessary, have them professionally altered.

#3 - Pledge not to buy on impulse, but to shop with focus, and within your budget.

#4 - Pledge to regularly clean out your wardrobe and remove all the toxic elements from your closet.

#5 -Pledge to honor your clothes and accessories by keeping them clean, in good repair, and stored properly.

#6 - Pledge to buy only the best quality items you can afford.

#7 - Pledge to take excellent care of your skin using a cleanser, a toner and a moisturizer twice a day… religiously.

#8 - Pledge to be consistent in your appearance, to look your best every day, for yourself and for others as well.
 
#9 – Pledge to be proud of who you are.

#10 - Pledge to improve your posture, walk tall, and engage your abs.

#11 - Pledge to call me the minute you start to let go of your resolutions.

The best way to stay on course is to monitor yourself frequently.  If necessary print your goals and tape them to your bathroom mirror.

Remember, you honor yourself and those you love by feeling good and always looking your best.  A good appearance is not a magical gift, or pure luck, everyone has the ability to look great.  It just needs to be cultivated by you and with a little help from me!

Happy 2013!

A Bientôt,

Michèle

Image courtesy of Idea Go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Celebrate the Holiday Season With a Little Bling!

What better way to celebrate the Holiday season than by spoiling yourself with a lovely piece of jewelry?

Jewelry can be made out of any material on earth and can adorn any part of your body. While the focus has been on jewelry that is made from gems and precious metals, there is also a growing demand for jewelry that focuses on design and creativity.

This ‘art jewelry’ is more highly prized for its form than for it’s material value. In addition, there’s plenty of less-costly costume jewelry made with less valuable material, yet makes a fine addition to anyone’s wardrobe. Fortunately, no matter the depth of your pocket, there is jewelry to suit every budget.

Choosing jewelry that enhances your looks is fun and exciting, but it can also be confusing and overwhelming. So keep the following in mind to make the right selections that compliment your unique style: 

If warm colors go well with your skin tone, choose jewelry in shades of yellow, rose gold, or bronze. If you find that cooler colors suit you better, then choose white metals, such as silver, platinum or white gold.

Another element to consider when selecting jewelry is your personality.

Are you a romantic gal, or is elegance more your style? Are you drawn more to the natural, bohemian look, or more to western dramatic designs?

Most of us are multifaceted, so our wardrobe - and thus our jewelry - should reflect this aspect of ourselves. If you have lovely, well-manicured hands, wear only one beautiful ring (in addition to a wedding ring, if you wear one). If your neck is your best asset, wear a necklace as the focus of your image, but make sure to wear tiny earrings.

Do not wear yellow earrings with a white metal necklace unless the necklace includes both yellow and white metals (my personal preference!). Remember to make a statement not a showcase. Focus on one piece of jewelry. More is definitely not better!

 Also, it’s important that you to take care of your jewelry. Polish your silver pieces and make sure to check clasps and mountings regularly on all your jewelry. Be gentle, or you might lose important pieces from your favorite earrings or necklace. In French, there is a saying, "Dis-moi quels bijoux tu portes et je te dirai qui tu es." Or in English: "Tell me what type of jewelry you wear and I will tell you who you are." Thus, it is important to remember that the jewelry you wear is an integral part of your image. Choose pieces that improve your image and are appropriate for you. Remember that your image is your first form of communication as well as your first business card. So choose your jewelry well, and enjoy wearing it!

Happy Holiday Season!
Michéle

Look Great Face-to-Face in Cyberspace!

It is wonderful to be able to speak with people face-to-face on Skype, Face Time et al. For me personally, it has been a boon as I am able to consult with clients all over the world. Clients love it as it is much more personal than communicating via phone or email. However, it does have a downside: the camera is not kind to everyone.
 
I’m sure you too have noticed that webcams have no pity on wrinkles, pale complexions and sagging jaws. In fact, it seems to me they highlight these aspects! How cruel is that! Webcams certainly did me no favors. I was horrified how unflattering they could be! This led me to test drive different places in my office to find out which spot would create an optimum background. Then I tried different kinds of lighting and camera angles that would be the most flattering to my skin. I am an image consultant after all, so clearly I would like to give my viewer the very best first impression possible.   
 
Remember, you must look good to yourself if you want to look good to others! So, a little effort beforehand is really necessary. Put on a bit of makeup and make it a little brighter than usual. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the difference it makes when on camera. Also, pay attention to your clothes. Choose clothing with solid colors. Reds and oranges are best. Wear earrings as they make you appear dressed up and ready to go. Be sure to sit up straight and smile! Think cadid camera! 

Test the lighting. The last thing you want is to look like a Shar Pei dog or Frankenstein. Stay clear of lighting from below your face. And forget back lighting. What we all need is gentle lighting. Natural light is best if at all possible. Face a window or use a simple desk lamp to light up your face. This enhances your appearance and gives shape to your face. If you’re using a desk lamp, turn off the other lights in the room and close the shades.
 
Now that lighting has been dealt with, look for the best camera angle for your face. If you use a laptop, raise it to the level of your hairline. Center yourself in the middle of the screen and angle it slightly forward. Computer cameras have wide-angled lenses which exaggerate things that are close up like the nose!  So put a little distance between you and the screen.
 
Be aware of the background. You want the viewer to focus on you, not what’s happening behind you.
 
Finally, we all make the same mistake. We look at ourselves when we should be looking at the camera. Remember we are talking to another person and not to ourselves! LOOK AT THAT LITTLE LIGHT ABOVE YOUR SCREEN.
 
As you can tell, I’ve given this matter a lot of serious thought and had to do quite a lot of experimenting before coming up with what works best. I encourage you to do a dry run with a friend on the other end of the camera before your next video call. Again, if you are an Apple owner, you can also use photo booth for a test.
 
Oh! One more thing, you do not have to face the camera. Try positioning yourself slightly sideways as it can make quite a difference.
 
Now let the cameras ROLL…

 

 

Appearance on CBS Radio

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