The Power of Women Friends

The Power of Women Friends

Taught at Stanford University

In an evening class at Stanford University the last lecture was on the mind-body connection - the relationship between stress and disease. The speaker (head of psychiatry at Stanford) said, among other things, that one of the best things that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman whereas for a woman, one of the best things she could do for her health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends. At first everyone laughed, but he was serious.

Women connect with each other differently and provide support systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life experiences. Physically this quality "girlfriend time" helps is to create more serotonin - a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of wellbeing. Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships around activities. We share from our souls with our sisters/mothers, and evidently that is very GOOD for our health.

He said that spending time with a friend is just as important to our general health as jogging or working out at a gym. There's a tendency to think that when we are "exercising" we are doing something good for our bodies, but when we are hanging out with friends, we are wasting our time and should be more productively engaged? Not true. In fact, he said that failure to create and maintain quality personal relationships with other humans is as dangerous to our physical health as smoking!

So every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing something good for your health! We are indeed very, very lucky.

Sooooo let's toast to our friendship with our girlfriends. Evidently it's very good for our health.

Thanks to all the women in my life who have helped me stay healthy, happy, and feeling very loved.

Tips to Beat the Heat

Helmut Newton

When faced with record breaking temperatures and sky high humidity “What to Wear” is always a dilemma. 

When wearing nothing isn’t an option, consider the following:

·         Skip dark colors and opt for white or light-colored neutrals, they'll absorb less heat.

·         Avoid solid silks and heavy linens when sweating is an issue, they'll both show stains.

·         Opt for natural fabrics like cotton. There are wonderful synthetic, high-tech materials on the market, but it's hard to improve on cotton, which works to wick away moisture from your skin.

·         Take advantage of open-weave fabrics like mesh or eyelet.  The looser weaves have built-in ventilation.

·         Choose relaxed silhouettes, too-tight anything is insufferable in the extreme heat.

  

·         Even heavy accessories like huge necklaces wrapped in layers around your neck are uncomfortable when it's hot and humid. Accessorize with earrings instead, which hang loose from the body and won't heat you up.

·         Lighten your load; trade your usual huge handbag for a smaller, lighter bag.

HOW TO WEAR BIG HATS?

HATS, HATS, HATS 

I’ve loved hats since I was a little girl.  One of my favorite people in the world was a very elegant friend of my grandmother’s, who created gorgeous hats; her trade name was Madame Chapeau. Her business funded a charity which supported the local hospital.

The Kentucky Derby is in a week and a half.  To those of us who love fashion, the essential thing which sets the Kentucky Derby apart from other sports and entertainment events is THE HATS!!  Large or small, contemporary or old-fashioned, big brimmed, feathered, flowery, furry or just plain fascinating, the women in attendance top off their Derby attire with a variety of ostentatious head wear.

Part Southern tradition, part spectacle, the Kentucky Derby hat parade is much of what makes “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” one of the greatest people-watching events in the world. From the fantastic to the sublime, there are no rules or limits when it comes to choosing your Derby hat.

Whether to make a statement or just keep the sun at bay, Kentucky Derby hats are part of the tradition.

                                         

Even if you won’t be going to the Derby, you might benefit from some great advice on wearing hats from fashion journalist Cynthia Nellis.

                                      

How to Wear A Big Hat?

Big hats may be the hottest look in fashion now but this doesn't mean that just any size will do, there is such a thing as having a hat that's just entirely too big.

Wear an Oversized Hat in Proportion to Your Body

Wear a hat that’s in balance with your body.  Keep the outfit neutral and close to the body to make the hat stand out. Consider your height and shoulder width to carry off a big hat without looking like the

hat is wearing you.

Wear a Big Hat to Ground a Print. 

 Use an oversized hat to ground a print outfit.  It will work if the base colors of everything are monochromatic so the effect is sleek.

Don't Overdo Your Outfit

Keep the outfit simple and sleek, to focus attention on the dramatic element of the hat.  Skip the statement jewelry, print shoes, large handbags, etc.  

Don't Be Too Matchy-Matchy with A Big Hat

While head-to-toe black can work with a big hat, almost every other color looks like too much of a good thing when you add a matching hat.  You certainly don’t want to appear as if you’re wearing a costume. If you like a tonal look, try mixing different hues of the same color toether, like different shades of brown (chocolate, taupe and cream)    
           
   
Wear a Casual Floppy Hat

Skinny jeans, casual tee or sweater and a floppy hat is a terrific look for hat wearers.

Go Ladylike with a Big Hat

A big floppy hat is a great casual look, but more structured styles can also look amazingly ladylike. Complete your ladylike big hat look by pairing it with something distinctly feminine.

COLOR, COLOR & MORE COLOR

This season is all about COLOR! 

Wondering how to pull it off in real life?

Here are some suggestions and recent photos from Spring 2012 to consider.

Wear Bright Pants with Something Classic

Steal a page from Kate Middleton's style book; pair your brightly colored pants with  a classic like a navy blazer.  Orange and coral pants go beautifully with dark neutrals like navy, white, denim and other brights like yellow or cobalt.

Wear Red Pants with Pink

Match the intensity of red pants with another bright, like hot pink, the effect is a hip color-block effect that would also work well with another bright such as yellow or orange (or bring it in the form of bright shows or handbag).

 

  

Pair yellow pants with white

You can't go wrong wearing any brightly colored pants with white. Paired with a classic white shirt, yellow pants look high fashion and professional at the same time. Or add other white pieces like a white leather jacket to tone down bright jeans.

Wear Bright Pants with Black.

Not too long ago, brights with black was considered too '80s, but not anymore! Pair your brights with a black leather jacket, or a simple black cardigan to let the brightly colored pants take center stage. 

  

 Mix Bright Bottoms with Neutrals.

      Another way to let the brightly colored jeans or pants take center stage is to pair them with neutrals. Worn with neutrals, they look polished enough for the office; worn with white you look vacation ready.

 Pair Bright Pants with More Brights.

      Brightly colored pants pair nicely with more brights. Orange and pink, cobalt and yellow, coral and cobalt: you get the idea.  Adding a bright top in the same intensity (like hot pink and bright orange) is a more flattering look because it doesn’t chop up your silhouette as colorblocking would.

Wear Red Pants (and other brights) with Black and White.

     The perfect partner for bright pants is black and white, of course. The pairing of almost any bright -- lime, coral, cobalt, red, hot pink -- with black and white (including stripes, which take on bright pants well) is a classic.  (This is my personal favorite.)

Doncaster has infinite choices this season to freshen up your wardrobe with color: www.doncaster.com/mlvanderpoel



Pair Brightly Colored Pants with Prints

Try a bold print that contains the color so it holds it's own and really pops.

Wear Brights with Yellow

Yellow goes well with every bright, from hot pink to cobalt to red. Use it as a top for a colorblock effect or just as a pop of color (wear it in shoes or a bag).

How To Wear Animal Prints

Let’s face it, animal prints have become classics and are sizzling hot this season, but it can be tricky to pull off. If you wear too much, or don’t pair it with the right accessories, you risk going from hip to dip.  

Here are some suggestions on how to wear animal print correctly.

If you’re wearing an animal print dress, you're already walking on the wild side; you don’t need a short hemline or a plunging neckline. Pair the animal print piece with understated shoes and accessories in a coordinating color.  If you work in a conservative office wear a solid color understated jacket over the dress.

If you want to test the waters, so to speak, consider experimenting with animal prints in your workout attire; however, be cautious about workout pants that are solid tiger, leopard or zebra prints; that style might look more appropriate for a strip club rather than a health club.

If you want to flaunt your wild side in measured doses, outerwear is a terrific choice and a perfect addition to any wild woman’s wardrobe.

Bold animal print tops can be hard to pull off with elegance.  When wearing an animal print sweater or blouse, keep everything else simple and streamlined.   Solid neutral skirts, pants and shoes with simple accessories are the way to go.

Accessories are the perfect way to add hints of animal print to your wardrobe without going hog wild; clutches, belts, shoes, even a scarf tied on your favorite red handbag.

This is only part of what Doncaster is doing this season, for more, come take a look.

Winter Is On The Way

Woo hoo, today I got my first up close and hands on look at Doncaster's Winter Collection; IT'S FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!  YIKES - I love it all.  We hit the jackpot this season.  Can't wait to get it in my showroom, there are some 'must have' pieces that I'll order ASAP.  The collection is sophisticated, fun and hip; it defines fashion, passion & fun.

There are big and exciting things in Doncaster's immediate future, look forward to sharing the news with my clients at the upcoming show; Oct 1-19.

Fall Colors

This season designers are focused on texture, contrast and color; menswear with feminine twists, warm prints with cool metals and creating an interesting balance between colors.

Look for these colors; Bamboo (a standout yellow), Emberglow (a warm coral), Honeysuckle (reddish pink, the color of 2011), Phlox (a deep purple), Quarry (a blue close to Wedgewood), Orchid and Deep Teal.

For a classic look combine these colors with brown and light neutrals, for more drama combine them; just 2 at a time please.

Doncaster's Fall & Winter Collection highlights the colors of the season, so be sure to check it out: www.doncaster.com/mlvanderpoel