Detox and Cleansing Questions Answered: My Opinion

My friend recently had surgery on her knee and was inquiring about my thoughts on detox diets while she was in recovery. We went back and forth about different options trying to narrow down a plan that is right for her. Now, I want you all to read this next line very carefully: I AM NOT A DOCTOR nor am I a nutritionist. I recommend that you consult your doctor or nutritionist before you do anything drastic. I am a health conscious girl living in an obese world and I am just trying to get by one health tip at a time.  This is purely my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.

I believe that eating raw fruits and vegetables daily will naturally "detox" your body. Drinking water naturally flushes your system of toxins as well. Making home-made meals from scratch are far better for you than restaurant food or pre-packaged junk. I believe that if you use the excuse of not having time, I want you to decide to make time because your life and your children's life may depend on it.  Lifestyle changes start small. Make one change every day, week, month, year whatever. Make changes today to change your life tomorrow.

My Opinions:

I don't believe in starving yourself.
I don't believe in powdered products.
I don't believe that drinking your lunch out of a tin can is a smart choice.
I don't believe that any "diet" works.
I don't believe in processed foods. 

I believe that you are in control of your body.
I believe that we all make conscious decisions as to what goes in our mouths.
I believe that marketing is killing us.
I believe that you can change your lifestyle.
I believe that health is a lifestyle.
I believe in you.

As you saw in my juice post, I have seen the results of fresh fruit and vegetables. I believe that a healthy lifestyle will keep you thinner, healthier, happier and more alert. You will probably sleep sounder, have more energy, and not feel groggy mid-day.

My opinion of a great way to kick off a healthy lifestyle:

• Throw out every boxed food product in your pantry and stop buying them.
• Read the ingredients: If you can read it, don't eat it.
• Shop locally and seek fresh fruits and veggies (organic if possible if not read this post for conventional options that are less toxic)
• Stay away from modified ingredients.
• Don't fall for low-fat or fat free marketing ploys. 
• Choose real fat over processed fat. Butter and bacon fat are far better for you than margarine. 
• Dairy isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Are you even tolerant of it? 

Books you may want to read:

Eat Right For Your Blood Type by Peter J. D'Adado
Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin WARNING: This is a crass, vulgar read with gory details but great education.
Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient, with Recipes by Jennifer McLagan

Websites that you may want to visit:
The Good Human http://www.thegoodhuman.com/
Jennifer's Blog http://jennifermclagan.blogspot.com/ 
Whole Foods http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

A movie that you may want to watch: Food Inc.

Shaken, Not Stirred: Kimberlee's Super Sexy Pick of the Week

Busily stocking my wardrobe with pieces of purpose for my day to day work life, weekends, and special events…it occurs to me that over time, my closet has been drastically stripped of anything resembling “date-night” apparel.  Yikes!  With birthdays and anniversaries approaching in the coming months, it is time to communicate with my inner bombshell and find something with a romantically sensual charm that screams “take me to a five star restaurant, movie of my choice, and martini’s until dawn, please and thank you.”

When I think date-night, I conjure up images of long and lean silhouettes with feminine sparkle.  I want to wear something that makes me walk, talk, and feel like I could be cast as the next Bond Girl.

Making a stop at one of my favorite places, I stand motionless for a moment.  And then, I am immediately drawn to the flirtatious romanticism of the “A New Moon Top” from Francesca’s, and am quite surprised by the $34 price tag.

The satiny drape of the neckline reveals just enough skin to raise an eyebrow, but leaves plenty to the imagination.  The cut of the wide racer-back straps, combined with the ring detail gracefully holding up the neckline accentuate the sensual curve of the collarbone and shoulder.  The drawstring waist is perfectly positioned to create an hourglass silhouette, and the blouson fit floats beautifully as you lean across the bar to order your vodka martini …shaken, not stirred.  I chose mine in silver, but this knock out piece is also available in black.

Wanting to add the long and lean line to this already perfect image, I can only see pairing this with a long and skinny black pant.   What I love about the skinny pant, is that the narrow ankle design outlines a woman’s heavenly natural shape and can provide enough weight to conceal and accentuate without unintentionally advertising in the daylight, when cut from a fantastic material.  The best of the best…from Victoria’s Secret, the Ponte Knit Legging currently on sale for $19.99.

They are made of a rayon/nylon blend, and are heavenly soft and comfortable.  They have a hook and bar closure at the waist, and are designed with 3 usable pockets detailed by VERY rock star “esque” exposed zippers.  But the greatest feature on this highly versatile wardrobe staple, is that the material is so generously rich without being the least bit heavy.  They cover, stretch, and accentuate perfectly.  These are a definite must-have, and the ponte knit blend seems to be coming forward in the new fall collection from VS so be on the look out for more great pieces like these!

Martini in hand, I am now feeling very well dressed for date night and completely 007 worthy.

Juice Bars the New Trend: Benefits of Fresh Juice

Don't call me a hippy! The results are unbelievable. My co-worker went on vacation for seven days in Southern California and came back looking absolutely amazing. My friend and I stood in awe as we carefully assessed her new glow. Her skin was plump, hydrated and clearly oxygenated. Her eyes were whiter and her complexion was even and smooth. I was convinced that she had spent the week in the spa but soon learned that her sister had introduced her to "smoothies".  You and I both know these couldn't have been just any "smoothie". So I asked and asked and asked until I finally figured out her secret.

In SOCAL, they have an amazing little market called Mothers Market & Kitchen. Sounds sweet doesn't it? Like Mom might be there whipping up a little dinner for you or something? They have a restaurant and juice bar in addition to the market and are sprinkled throughout the L.A. area. The juice bar is her secret!

Unbeknown to her, the juice had flushed to toxins from her body making her skin completely transform and gave it a healthy glow. They have numerous freshly juiced concoctions with clever little names like "Beauty Express", "Cleansing Cocktail", "Wake Up Call", and "Cold Comfort". All juice blends have fresh fruit and vegetables in them which may sound gross but it's not. Don't knock it until you try it. Check out their menu under the Kitchen Deli & Juice bar button on their website!

Please note: I don't support Jamba Juice. They have too many calories and are laden with sugar. seek out fresh juice bars with all fruit juice base not dairy base.

Got a Style Question? Post it on Maxxinista Corner and Lookville

Every girl has a moment where she questions whether or not her outfit works. You stand in front of multiple mirrors, check it it out in different lights and angles and even do a bend test to make sure all of your "assets" are covered. I have found two websites that may help you with that by offering their opinions and suggestions for your outfit. It has proven to be really helpful. Today, I found a new resource.

It just so happens that I am going on vacation in a matter of days and need an outfit for a summer BBQ. This morning I was frantically searching online hoping to find a sweet dress for a party with attendees that I haven't seen in 15-20 years and a guest of honor who is nothing short of the classiest woman I  know. Pressure? A little.

During my frantic search, I came across the TJ Maxx website and WOW! If you haven't been on there lately I suggest that you check it out. It has had a face lift. This is definitely admission of the dork in me but I love it! There is the "Maxxinista Corner" a blog with photo uploads of all of the fabulous finds and how they look on real people. Some include accessories and shoes etc. It is so fun! To top it off, you can follow them on Facebook and they have live Twitter feed so you can see who's buying what and when. Loves! What a great way to find an amazing deal and get feedback on your outfit, accessories or shoes plus it's a fabulous way to determine whether or not the outfit looks good on a similar body type to your own.

For outfits you didn't find at TJ Maxx, you can upload on Lookville. If you haven't heard of Lookville yet I am not surprised. I received an invite to log on and start uploading looks and review outfits and comment. I played around with it awhile and would read the comments of the other critics and finally got up the guts to upload a look (left). There are certain critics that I look to impress more than others. The experience was luckily quite positive. The responses were kind and the suggestions were constructive. I think about the suggestions when I am trying to improve a look and I found that it was really helpful. Check it out! If you need an invite to join, email me or Kimberlee and we can send you one.

Credit Is As Credit Does: What's Your Score?

Welcome to Finance 101. I am positive that you have seen the commercials for the company pushing for people to get a free credit report with the sucker taking his buds to a concert and his mom is driving because he failed to pay for a snowboard trip or something and couldn't buy his own car because his credit score sucked. Anyway, the point is, credit is as credit does. You ignore it, it will ignore you and not in a good way. You take care if it and mind it, it will take care of you.

Randomly, this topic came up during a conversation at work today while googling ourselves. How do companies get our information? How are we scored? Who determines our scores etc. What does your score mean? Why do I care about my score? How do I check my credit score?  The list goes on so I decided to blog about it. Obviously this is a very broad topic so I will start with the basics and expand later.


What is a credit score and how does it affect me? 
Your credit score helps lenders determine whether or not you are a risk. If they lend you money are you going to pay it back on time or will you default? History always repeats itself so they tend to err on the side of caution. Your score tells them whether or not you are good for it. Scores range from 300-850. 300 being poor and 850 being perfect.

Who determines my credit score? 
There are three major credit bureaus. TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Equifax is the only site that
will sell you a FICO score. Your score is updated every 30 days. Your score helps lenders determine your interest rate as well.

What does FICO mean? 
For all you Bay Area babes, I am not referring to Pheeko the DJ, I am talking FICO (fy-ko) the score. FICO stands for Fair Issac Corporation. It is a scoring model used to determine whether or not you are a risk to lenders.

How do I access my credit score / credit report?
You can go online to AnnualCreditReport.com and request your credit scores from all three bureaus or from any of the above credit bureaus for free once a year. There are other independent companies that offer this service as well. Many offer packages for a fee to gain access to your credit information year round.

Why should I review my credit report?
You want to manage your credit information as if it were your report card. Clean it up before the parents see it or in this case a lender. Look for inaccuracies such as misspellings, wrong addresses, inaccurate accounts. With credit fraud and identity theft scams increasing, it is a wise choice to monitor your report regularly for suspicious activity. You can dispute inaccurate information online by clicking the following links to TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.

Thank you for joining me today class. As always, should you have any questions, please feel free to email me at sugarlipslifestyletips@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you!
Cyn

Sunday Supper: Jumbo Prawns Over Grilled Eggplant and Avocado Salad With Basil Infused White Peach Sangria

Please don't be scared of the "E" word above. Eggplant can be really good if properly prepared and I don't want you to turn up your nose at this one like I did. I poo-pooed it until I tried it and now I love it! Did you know that eggplant is really a fruit? Technically, it's a berry. There are numerous varieties of eggplant ranging in shapes and colors of black, purple and white. Many can be found at your local market. My favorite variety to date is the Japanese eggplant which is what I prefer to substitute below.

Now that we are past the "E" word let's move onto the good stuff. This will be one of the easier Sunday Suppers for you to make. As the sun continues to blaze and the temperatures rise, the last thing anyone wants to do is cook over a hot stove so this recipe will keep you cool while keeping you sane. I used one of Bobby Flay's recipes from food network.com for part of this dish. After all, he is the grill master. I suggest that you make the sangria 2 hours ahead of time for best flavor.

What you will need for supper:

Mixed salad greens and baby spinach
jumbo prawns shells on (3 per person or according to taste)
Japanese or Italian eggplant
red onion
canola oil
avocado
1 T. red wine vinegar
1 t. Dijon mustard
1 T. fresh oregano leaves coarsely chopped (if you don't have access the fresh oregano, you can use dried but use a very small amount at a time as it can be stronger in flavor)
honey
salt & pepper
lemon

What you will need for the sangria:

1 bottle of viognier (keep in mind: crappy wine=crappy sangria; choose accordingly)
1/4 c. Cointreau
Equal parts white sugar and water for simple syrup (you will only use 1/4 c. of this in the sangria)
fresh basil leaves
Fresh fruit: Mango, white peaches, pink lady apples

What to do for Sangria:

There are two tricks to making a great sangria. Make sure that it is cold when serving and the fruit has had time to soak up the alcohol. Let's get to it!

Make your simple syrup first as it will need time to cool. I would probably use a cup of water and a cup of sugar. You can always use simple syrup! Just remember to set the remainder aside before infusing with the basil. Bring water to a boil on the stove. Turn off heat and add equal part white sugar and stir to dissolve. Add basil leaves and let rest off of the heat. Cut fruit into slices, chunks or what ever shape your heart desires just make sure that they will fit in the wine glass and not be difficult to eat. Place in a pitcher. I recommend a glass pitcher; it will show off all of your hard work and present the bright fruit best. Add the bottle of viognier and the Cointreau to the pitcher. Stir in simple syrup and refrigerate until ready to serve. 


What to do for supper: 

Get the grill nice and hot. Slice the eggplant into one inch thick slices and the red onion into large rounds. Brush with the canola oil and place on the grill. Cook them until the onions has a slight char and the eggplant is soft. Remove from grill and let rest on a cutting board. Meanwhile, dice up the avocado into large chunks disposing of the skin and pit and place in a medium sized bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Dijon, oregano, a dab of honey, red wine vinegar, salt & pepper and olive oil. If you like a sweeter dressing, add more honey and vice versa.Your dressing can be made ahead of time to intensify flavors.

Prepare your jumbo prawns for the grill by brushing with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside while you prepare the salad. The prawns only take four minutes to grill. Your grilled vegetables will probably be slightly cooled at this point. Roughly chop and add to the avocado bowl. Mix in dressing. In a large bowl, add salad greens and baby spinach. Pour in the eggplant avocado mix and toss. Plate the salad mix into individual bowls or into a presentation bowl if serving family style. The grill will be very hot at this point which is perfect for grilling the prawns. Cook for two minutes on each side or until just cooked through. Place prawns on top of the salads and serve.

Enjoy!
Cyn

Miss Kimberlee's Pick of the Week: Maxi for the Minis

What I truly adore about the maxi dress, is it’s ability to cover a woman’s body in one effortlessly graceful swoop of fabric. I can’t get enough of the tiers of color, and the elements of ease that abound from this summery style showing off a woman’s two greatest assets…her shoulders and her pedicure. And let’s not forget, that this fabulous piece of genius fashion can be worn with a dressy sandal or a $2 flip flop and have the same killer impact.

Now, for the downside.

I, myself, am 5’ 2” and this floor grazing ethereal piece does not seem to flatter the vertically challenged in the same graceful way that it does my high shelf reaching sisters. It is definitely meant for women with the height to carry such lengths. What it does for me, is remove all definition from my figure and creates a short stocky footless

appearance adding non-existent volume to my body in all the wrong places. Oh, the tragedy! (at right)

While reaching for a tissue to wipe my tears away in the fitting room, my fingers lay upon something that sincerely pacified me. I am calling this the Maxi for the Mini’s Dress. The length is knee grazing versus floor grazing on my shorter than average frame, but all of the impact of the elements I love about the maxi dress are fully present. Made of a dreamy soft 100% cotton, the Tie Waist Tiered Dress with Button Detail from Arizona is tiered in layers of blues and greens (also available in solid black), with a cotton self tie belt that is positioned best tied directly under the delicate button placket detail at the bust. Brilliantly feminine and luxuriously comfortable, an unstoppable combination for less

than $10!

Try pairing with a shrug or cropped cardi and heels for the office, and then trade them for a pair of flat sandals or metallic flip flops for a gloriously stylish summer evening. Maximum impact, minimal effort!

Photos: Beso.com and Google

Who Loves Heather? Sugar Lips Does! Intro to Ruche

Thanks to Heather I have a new found love...RUCHE! Could this be any cuter?? The other day Heather had posted a new profile pic on FB with these AMAZING boots. Of course I had to ask and she told. Check out their website below. Everything is so sweet, so cute and complete vintage love. Here are a few of my favorite looks! Enjoy!

A Spoon Full Of Sugar? Stop it! I love sugar!!!! $12.99 I am buying this gem TOMORROW!

could this website get any cuter? Yes...look what's next!


RUCHE


I missed this one by just a moment...it's sold out but sexy! Emerald one shoulder sheer is perfect for a night out on the town! $39.99 (right)

I love this polka dot dress. Made of pure cream colored chiffon. Sexy but subtle v neck with a belted waist. Perfect for a lunch date! $47.99 (left)


Pair this ruffle number with a short black mini and some rock star pumps or over a pair of skinny jeans. $52.99

Again...sold out but so worth the post. It's called Venneford Ranch elastic belt $10.99

Progress Report Week 7: Age Spots on 12 Week Trial

It has been seven weeks since I have started using Clinique's even better clinical age spot reducer and I have seen some dramatic improvements. I have used it consistently twice a day; once in the morning and once before I go to bed. The larger patches that were on my upper cheek bones have lightened but the spots directly below my eyes have not changed much. I did skip a few days while I was on vacation so my consistency I speak of is not THAT consistent. I also use sunscreen regularly but not everyday which is the key to the best results. You be the judge! I would love to hear from you.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Jewelry, Bling and Other Things

For those of you who know me, know that I work for a world renowned jeweler and wearing jewelry, among other things, is my job. I monitor trends, see what people are wearing and how. When I am not working, I typically wear very few accessories and seek out other designs that are not associated with the brand I work for.

My style is classic consisting of diamonds and pearls however, I love to layer and stack combining various metals and ceramics giving my look a little sparkle with a touch of color.I am especially fond of longer pendants and the revival of gold.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting two women who's lives are also surrounded by beautiful jewelry. One is a stylist and the other is a designer. Both lines are equally as beautiful and really affordable.

This spring, I was introduced to the Stella & Dot line when I attended a  trunk show in Lafayette, Ca. I immediately fell in love with the femininity of the pieces from this collection. They were bright and playful with ceramic accents. Some were delicate while others were statement providing variety for your jewelry box and style. They have stackable bracelets and rings and layerable necklaces and pendants. This is definitely a Hollywood hit and many celebs are wearing this line. The best part about it is that it is completely affordable and utterly gorgeous.

Our fashionista, Kimberlee, introduced me to a line called Zahava Designs. She had written about them a while ago and sent me sent me a pair of the "Rock Me" earrings. I love them! They are bright silver with a gorgeously cut blue clear stone on the end. The length is longer demanding attention and barely brushes my shoulders. For those of you who are familiar with the English model and muse, Twiggy, it reminds me of her statement style of the late '60's and early '70's. She uses all sterling silver and 14k gold with freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals. Each piece is hand-crafted and They are absolutely gorgeous, dahling! 

Pictured  on left are Jhanay's Jazz and I am wearing the Rock Me Earrings on the right.

Sunday Suppers: Garlic, Basil and Heirloom Tomato Flatbread

The weather in the East Bay has been hard to predict this summer. We have really warm days in the upper 80's and then we will have cooler days in the mid 60's. Luckily for me, I can still use my oven without making my house too warm to stand. Today's recipe can be made on the grill or in the oven and can be a main dish or an appetizer for a party. It is easy to eat and packed with great flavors.

What is an heirloom tomato?
Heirlooms are passed down in families from generation to generation and these seeds are passed on the same way; from gardener to gardener. The difference between an regular tomato and heirlooms is color, texture, taste, and touch. Heirlooms have a rougher, thicker skin than most commercially grown tomatoes. You can see in the close up below that some varieties are smooth while others are rippled. The taste varies and the texture is usually meatier. You will want to try different varieties to determine which ones that you like best. They also make an AMAZING basil, burrata cheese and tomato salad.

Click here to read more about heirloom tomatoes.

Today's dinner is quick, easy and uber delicious. I buy the dough at Trader Joe's for $1.29 a pack and it makes two flatbreads. Feel free to make it from scratch as well. You can make your flatbread with any ingredients that you choose and modify it to your tastes. Another suggestion to consider is buying mozzarella and shredding it yourself. You will avoid extra preservatives that are used in the cheese to keep it from caking together.

What you will need
dough (I suggest whole wheat)
three garlic cloves
mozzarella cheese
pepperoni
yellow onion
heirloom tomatoes
one bunch fresh basil
1/2 c. good olive oil
1 Tbsp. non-grainy dijon mustard
kosher salt
freshly cracked black pepper
cornmeal (optional)

What to do
If you bought pre-made dough, let it rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes on a lightly floured surface.  Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees.

In the meantime, combine the olive oil, dijon mustard, garlic cloves, a handful of fresh basil leaves, a touch of kosher salt and a couple of cracks of black peppercorns in a food processor, blender or with a hand-held. Blend until combined. Set aside.

Slice your tomatoes, onion and pepperoni to desired thickness, shred your mozzarella.  Prepare your pan by spraying with Pam (olive oil or butter may be used instead) and sprinkling with cornmeal.

With a floured rolling pin, roll out your dough to desired shape and place on the baking sheet. The fun part about flatbread is that you can make it any shape that you desire. 
Spoon olive oil basil blend onto the dough and spread around evenly. Top with tomatoes, onions, pepperoni and mozzarella.  Bake at 425-450 depending on your oven for 8-12 minutes. Top with freshly chopped basil and finishing salt and serve.
Wine Pairing Suggestion: Chianti, Barbera d'Asti, Montepulciano d'Abbruzzo or Rioja

Kimberlee's Pick: Return of The Romper

Nostalgia consumes me as I see this season's rompers blaze the summer fashion scene evoking memories of my first blister inducing sunburn. It was late July. The air was hot, stagnant, looming; it felt like the devil himself was breathing on me. I sat perched on the lawn of an outdoor Alabama concert wearing my fave white cotton romper. It was light, easy to put on and covered in a very random 80’s ice cream cone pattern in an array of pastel “flavors.” Ahh, good times! Never the less, I can only seem to avert my attention from trends that grace the pages of Cosmo for so long before I simply must have a go at it.

From what I can tell, the vision behind these little frocks, re-designed for grown-ups, involves a certain element of ease and comfort…mixed with a dash of creativity to make the romper work for your body. After a bit of trial and error, I have discovered one key point:
                                  say it with me ladies
                 not every romper works for every body type.

My STRONG recommendation is to try on at least five before making a purchase. And then after you’ve completed the marathon try it on again when you get home, in front of someone that loves you enough to tell you the truth even if it could potentially end in tears.

Romper Obstacles

• Many are cut too long or too short in the torso creating an ill fitting waist or rise (see photo on the right)

• Some have elastic waistbands which are placed too high or too low, or even worse, are so uncomfortably snug that they create a very unflattering silhouette.

• Others have a blouson fit, shown on the left, which can work well if the shoulder straps are the right length for your body. However if they are not it will add extra length creating much more volume than anyone should ever try to get away with in the tummy area.This style can completely dissolve a waistline and make you appear 10 lbs. heavier.
  

• The inseam of the short can be an issue as well. If the short is a tailored fit, the length of the inseam can really be a balancing act to avoid looking trashy. Refer to the photo on the right. The inseam must cover all when sitting, standing, bending etc.

After my painful trial and error session, I chose a lighter than air piece from Kouture by Kimora. What I love the most about the Sleeveless Scoop Printed Racerback Romper is the level of effortlessly beautiful detail infused into one garment.

The abstract print contains an element of animal, and an array of summery rich color, with white accents. The over-sized button at the neckline and the braided racerback offer complementary visual interest that balances the look. The inseam is cut at 3” conquering the “trashy” potential, and the loosely elasticized waist band includes a drawstring allowing you to control the level of cinch in the waist. 

The hem of the shorts is constructed in the same fashion as the waist, with both elastic and bow detail (not drawstring), which I am a huge fan of for this style.  I thought the elastic at the hem of the leg would make it feel like an old fashioned bloomer, but when I put it on I found that it is quite flattering and adds to the unique element of this piece. 

Insider’s tip:  Because the Kouture by Kimora line is sized in the Juniors sizing structure, it is cut to fit closer to the body. I chose a size larger, as I frequently do with Juniors clothing. This is a matter of taste, but worth a try…tag sizes are typically just a guideline, not an exact science. The slightly larger size offers enough extra room to make it perfectly tasteful enough to add a large belt and heels, with a breezy fit.  The smaller size would have been more of a glove like fit; so again, this is a matter of taste.

Certainly a far cry from my 80’s ice cream cone patterned disaster, and has recreated my vision of the romper.  With an updated style, wedge sandals, and some SPF30 for my shoulders…I have been reformed.  Bring on the heat!

Photos: Macys, Shopstyle.com

First Impressions: Dress For Success When Interviewing

A very close friend called me today to share in her celebration of securing her first interview with a really exciting company and had posed the question "What do I wear to an informal interview?" Great question.

What does it mean to be informal? Who draws the line between formal and informal? The boss does. And every boss is different. Anytime you have an interview, you are there to impress. You want to send the message that you are professional, savvy, refined and classy. Dress for success and I am not talking about Roxette.

It may sound cliche but it will make or break your interview. Image is everything and we all know it because the first thing we do is size people up by determining whether or not they have great personal care and of course that includes their outfit.

Here are some key tips when choosing what to wear for your big day.

1) Consider who you are interviewing with: Who is your audience? Is it the HR department, a mid-level manager, the head of the department or the CEO? Determine what is appropriate for them and the person above them. You never want to over dress or under dress so considering who it is that you are dressing for is key. Which leads me to my next point.

2) Do your research: I interviewed with Barneys and made a critical mistake. I did not do my research. Had I done that, I would have known that a conservative suit and conservative shoes did not have enough creative juices for the hiring manager. C'mon! It is such a basic concept and I failed to complete. When you interview with artists or creative people, get creative. When you interview with conservatives, be conservative. Find out who your audience is.

3) Suit it up! I always recommend wearing a suit to any interview. Chances are if you are on here reading these tips, it's because you have an interview that isn't a casual meeting. Find a well tailored, conservatively colored suit made from a nice material. Nothing screams cheap like polyester so make it a blend. I prefer black but any neutral is fine. Make sure that it is in your color pallet to best accentuate your skin and hair.

4) Choose the perfect shoe. Shoes speak volumes about a person. It has been recommended that you choose a mid-level heel to show that you are more interested in the job than being trendy. I disagree. But then again, I am not some mid-level manager in a cheap suit who would judge you on that. I think a shoe is a peek to your inner personality. I happen to admire a great pair of shoes but your research should give you your answer. I recommend closed toe shoes. Also consider where you may be going. Will you walk three city blocks to a coffee shop? Will you walk to various offices? You better be able to keep up and not have blisters popping. When in doubt, don't do it. If you think that it may be inappropriate, it probably is.

5) Wear classic accessories. This is the time to choose diamond studs or a strand of pearls and a great watch. Keep it clean, crisp and classy. Trends are great but classic always wins.

6) Get a Manicure. Have clean, well trimmed nails with a neutral color polish. This will give you a polished look and conceal any last minute chips.

7) Go easy on the perfume. What smells good to you may be offensive or non-tolerable by the one interviewing you.

8) Wear nylons. It is a professional statement and will polish off your look should you choose a skirt suit.

9) Wear a smile! I wish you luck on your interview and would love to hear your success stories. Email me at sugarlipslifestyletips@gmail.com

Photos: Banana Republic

Teens and Botox®: Your responses

After reading an article on MSNBC.com, I had posed a question on Facebook and Twitter regarding teens getting Botox® injections and asked what my readers thought of the idea. The results were overwhelmingly against it and many stood strongly next to their opinions. Others fared towards the middle and said that they wouldn't be opposed to it but do not think that it is necessary. I would like to hear from parents who take their child with them to have Botox® injections or why they support the idea. If there are any parents out there who have taken or take their teen to receive Botox® injections, please send me an email at sugarlipslifesyletips@gmail.com or comment on my Facebook page (www.sugarlipslifestyletips.com). I would love to hear form my readers regarding their opinions on the subject.

What Is Botox®? Botox® is a trade name. The product that this name represents is a substance known as OnabotulinumtoxinA injection pronounced o na bott' you lye num tox in eh. (1) It is a botulinium toxin (BoNT). BoNT is broken into seven neurotoxins one of which is type A as noted above. Types A, B, E and rarely F, causes human botulism. (3) 

 
What Is Botox® Used For?
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, OnabotulinumtoxinA injection is also used to for uncontrollable tightening of the muscles and excessive sweating. (1) As most of you know, it is also used for treating fine lines and wrinkles in the face.

Side Effects Of Botox®
According to the FDA, "symptoms such as unexpected loss of strength or muscle weakness, hoarseness or trouble talking (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids may occur."(2)

Resources:
(1) National Center for Biotechnology Information. OnabotulinumtoxinA. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000440
(2) Food and Drug Administration. Information for Healthcare Professionals: OnabotulinumtoxinA (marketed as Botox/Botox Cosmetic), AbobotulinumtoxinA (marketed as Dysport) and RimabotulinumtoxinB (marketed as Myobloc). http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/DrugSafetyInformationforHeathcareProfessionals/ucm174949.htm
(3) Divakara Kedlaya. Botulinium Toxin, Overview. June 4, 2008. COhttp://emedicine.medscape.com/article/325451-overview