The November 2009 issue of Real Simple features Pencil Skirts in the “Fit Lab.” I wear skirts or dresses all the time (even when I go camping).  Pencil skirts are a favorite of mine. They cut a confident, sexy silhouette that is easily worn by many different figure types.
Real Simpleaddressed the hourglass figure, the slim or straight figure, full thighs and hips, or a tummy.  Keep the folowing ideas in mind when shopping for a skirt:
*For an hourglass, chose a skirt that skims your figure, but is not tight. Pick a skirt that hits below the belly button. A higher …read more

Etsy weekend shopping… The Ella Phante shop features custom-made, to your measurement, clothing. The clothing is available in both organic and non-organic materials. For your reading enjoyment, Natural Beauty, let’s focus on the organic section…

Peasant-Sleeved Shrug
$70
Do you dread leaving your favorite Summer favorites behind? How about extending the life of those sleeveless tops with this shrug made in an organic cotton/bamboo lycra jersey.  It features a 4-way stretch that grows softer with each and every wash. It’s shown here in a charcoal-gray and black. It also comes in an ivory and lavender, but the ad says you can chose …read more

I picked up the November 2009 issue of InStyle magazine.  I found a lot of great styles and beauty tips. One section talked about 10 ways To Look 5 Years Younger.  Here are a few of the tips that I found especially useful:
*Don’t over-highlight blond hair. The golden tones are what you want. Jennifer Aniston is the perfect example. Only Gwen Stefani call truly pull off platinum.
*When choosing jeans, look for a pair with at least 2 percent Lycra. The stretch will help to support your figure and it makes your butt look better.
*See a fitting expert to help you …read more

Green With Glamouris a great source for eco-friendly, sustainable fashion. For an example of what they have to offer, here are a few chic pieces.

D’Arcy Tie Front Blouse
Kelly B Couture
$95
Dress this tie-front blouse up for work with a slim-fitting skirt or team it with jeans and heels for a night out. It’s made from 95% hemp jersey (very soft) and 5% spandex, so it’s comofortable, but holds a good fit. It’s available in a small or medium. Use the savings code KellyB20 at checkout to save 20% on both this time and the trench below.

Slim Leg Jean
Good Society
$109
Made from …read more

Charlize Theron, Oscar-winning actress and activist, can now add “designer” to her resume. She recently designed a line of tees that are being sold to benefit her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.

The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project is committed to creating and supporting programs in South Africa to address the immediate needs of under resourced children and communities, while still promoting self-sustainability, growth, and responsibility.
Look Within. Think Beyond. Reach Out.
The tees feature a graphic that brings to mind a bulls-eye – very much embodying the “Look within” idea.
They are available in heather grey, white, pink, dewberry (purple), and orange. They are …read more

I noticed some definite trends in the 2009 Emmy gowns. One was the use of red – it was all over the place. There were also a lot of asymetrical necklines and one-shoulder looks. I’m torn over the one shoulder looks. Sometimes it’s beautiful, but other times it looks like two completely dresses. It doesn’t always flow and it can be very distracting. Do you want to wear a dress or do you want your dress to wear you.
Here are a couple of examples of the red dresses…..
Ana Tov – This was my favorite of the red gowns. I love the neckline …read more

Did you know that in addition to being sustainable, bamboo is  grown without pesticides because it’s naturally resistant to bacteria and microbes.   I knew it was a lovely fabric, with a smooth, silky feel, but I like it even more knowing  that the cloth that is naturally anti-bacterial.
Here’s a cute chemise that is made with a blend of materials, including bamboo. It features black and red floral embroidery along to the top. It has an empire waist and a halter style top. It’s on sale, 50% off, at Cocos Shoppe.

Natori – Bonita Chemise
$44 on sale, regularly $88
Here’s another empire-waist, bamboo chemise …read more

After years of low-cut pants and skirts, a higher waistline is making a comeback. Sometimes the look can be awkward. For example, remember Jessica Simpson in the high-waisted pants?  So many comments were made about her weight, but I think her weight was fine. She was just wearing a very unflattering pair of pants.
A skirt is a much easier way to wear the high-waist look. There’s no awkward fit through the crotch and the skirt makes the body look longer and leaner than a pair of high-waisted pants.

Pretty Birdie’s Organic Cotton and Bamboo
High Waist Pencil Skirt
$80
I love this skirt. It’s …read more

I love jeans. I love the fit, the style, and the comfort. I love the versatility – dress them up, dress them down. If you love jeans like I do, then use the following tips to find your perfect pair…..
*If you’ve got a slim boyish figure, then go for the low-cut denims. Your figure type can most definitely pull them off.
*Ladies with an apple shape should look for jeans with a mid-rise, rather than a low-rise. I’m an hour glass who is currently apple-y and I hate having to constantly pull my pants up. The mid-rise fit is more comfortable …read more

Fall, you cannot get here fast enough for me. I am so looking forward to blue jean weather. I want to walk outside and be refreshed by the morning air, instead of getting blasted by heat first thing in the morning. There’s no hurrying Mother Nature, so I’m left with blue jean dreams…
j brand is having a sale on a few select styles of their blue jeans. Take a look at this pair of bell bottoms, “inspired by a feminine and curvy figure like Marilyn Monroe’s…,” it has a dark wash known as “Woodstock dark wash,” and it made from …read more