Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Basic Fashion Tips
Basic Fashion Tips - Dressing for a Successful Book Tour-
Running out of the hotel with my cell clutched to my ear, trying not to get caught in the swinging door at the hotel entrance, the last thing on my mind is if what I am wearing will be perfect for today's book signing. As a Publicist, I have to be aware not only of the image I am projecting out to the world, but more importantly what image my client is sending out for the masses to see.
To that end I have come up with 'Basic Fashion Tips' Dressing for a Successful Book Tour, these are some tricks and tips I use myself and have developed with clients during book tours to help them dress their best.
The Prep Work- One of the easiest ways to cut down the stress attached to looking your best for a crowd is a simple one. The night before any event if you take the time to set out the complete outfit you know you will be wearing to the event, it will cut down the prep time you need to use before the event and give you more breathing room. An added bonus to this method is that it gives you time to play with your outfit, to really see if it is the one you want to wear, tests if it suits your mood for the event.
Layer, Layer, and oh yes Layer- I can't stress enough the importance of Layering, having been caught in enough different bookstores from small independent ones to the large local Borders during a book signing where I had no control over the temperature. Layer is perfect for environments with crowds, because if it starts out freezing you can be comfortable with your jacket, then when it warms up you can quietly slip off your jacket and so on. If it appears that the crowd at an event is uncomfortable with the temperature, you as the center of attention appearing comfortable in it helps them be comfortable in turn.
Know What to Wear- Knowing what to wear is half the battle as they say. Part of knowing what to wear is wearing clothing that fits you right! If it is snug don't go bigger especially if you a fuller figured individual, it will not hide it, it will just make you look bigger. The other half of this is know not to go to 'tight'. You really don't want to have that classic problem of the 'barely squeezed in' look, which not only makes you look bigger, but ridiculous as well.
The Color Rule- Colors in clothing make one look their best is complex issue, with a variety of opinions. But here are some simple key facts that can help one look hes or hers best at any event. Remember Dark and Neutral Colors are generally our best friends. Dark Colors have a natural slimming effect as they absorb light rays and give you a slim, thinner appearance. The same colors (Dark and Neutral) when worn from head to toe will tend to elongate and smooth out ones figure.
Remember these tips when you are going through the pre-event madness that everyone goes through, and say good-bye to the frustration that comes from not knowing what to wear!
Sincerely,
The Smart Blonde - Publicist
Running out of the hotel with my cell clutched to my ear, trying not to get caught in the swinging door at the hotel entrance, the last thing on my mind is if what I am wearing will be perfect for today's book signing. As a Publicist, I have to be aware not only of the image I am projecting out to the world, but more importantly what image my client is sending out for the masses to see.
To that end I have come up with 'Basic Fashion Tips' Dressing for a Successful Book Tour, these are some tricks and tips I use myself and have developed with clients during book tours to help them dress their best.
The Prep Work- One of the easiest ways to cut down the stress attached to looking your best for a crowd is a simple one. The night before any event if you take the time to set out the complete outfit you know you will be wearing to the event, it will cut down the prep time you need to use before the event and give you more breathing room. An added bonus to this method is that it gives you time to play with your outfit, to really see if it is the one you want to wear, tests if it suits your mood for the event.
Layer, Layer, and oh yes Layer- I can't stress enough the importance of Layering, having been caught in enough different bookstores from small independent ones to the large local Borders during a book signing where I had no control over the temperature. Layer is perfect for environments with crowds, because if it starts out freezing you can be comfortable with your jacket, then when it warms up you can quietly slip off your jacket and so on. If it appears that the crowd at an event is uncomfortable with the temperature, you as the center of attention appearing comfortable in it helps them be comfortable in turn.
Know What to Wear- Knowing what to wear is half the battle as they say. Part of knowing what to wear is wearing clothing that fits you right! If it is snug don't go bigger especially if you a fuller figured individual, it will not hide it, it will just make you look bigger. The other half of this is know not to go to 'tight'. You really don't want to have that classic problem of the 'barely squeezed in' look, which not only makes you look bigger, but ridiculous as well.
The Color Rule- Colors in clothing make one look their best is complex issue, with a variety of opinions. But here are some simple key facts that can help one look hes or hers best at any event. Remember Dark and Neutral Colors are generally our best friends. Dark Colors have a natural slimming effect as they absorb light rays and give you a slim, thinner appearance. The same colors (Dark and Neutral) when worn from head to toe will tend to elongate and smooth out ones figure.
Remember these tips when you are going through the pre-event madness that everyone goes through, and say good-bye to the frustration that comes from not knowing what to wear!
Sincerely,
The Smart Blonde - Publicist
Eileithyian Cave Narrative -
Visions / Reflections-
It is amazing what a sore bottom will bring to mind and what inspiration it can provide. In this case I am talking about the sore bottom I got from the long drive over unpaved roads in Crete from Heraklion to the Eileithyian Cave.
Part of being a Blonde in my book means at key moments I 'Forget to plan ahead'. In this case it involves the planning on how to get to Eileithyian Cave with my Aunt, whom I was traveling with. Happening to speak a little Greek, she arranged a day-of car rental (as this trip beings a spur of the moment kind) in largest Cretan port-city of Heraklion to get there, but trying to find a place that had a car available to rent last minute was turning into its own adventure.
Involving us attempting to find a rental place that had an automatic available to rent, which in Heraklion can get one sent from rental place to rental place. We did in the end land at a rental place in which Greek chanting filled the air as incense wafted lazily about on its slow moving notes.With a bit of luck and lots of hand waving my Aunt managed to secure us a car for the trip.
The Road There...
My poor blessed Aunt was trying to figure out how to drive a tiny stick-shift car around on a barely paved two lane roads that would have the size of a large alley in the US. Meanwhile I was hanging onto the door handle for dear life, telling her urgently "Left foot on the clutch, right foot on the gas" almost like an Eastern Mantra with my eyes closed hoping we would not be hit by some crazed Greek driver.
I ended bouncing up and down in the passenger sit due to the lovely condition of the road, trying to read a road map of Crete the size of a twin bed, in English translated Greek, having none of the English words match the English road signs.
"Is Heraklion spelled I-r-a-k-l-i-o-n or how is sounds?!?"
As I read the map it became clear that there were no major freeways on a island twice the size of Rhode Island going in the direct we were headed. We were stuck taking what I lovely call 'Back Country Roads' which on Crete means lightly or not paved at all.
1 1/2 hour of 'being lost' driving, I thought map indicted there was a nice paved path out the cliff face, which held the Cave. Ohh No, the modern Greeks don't hold to the California ideals on roads. Doing a bit of off-roading got us to where we could park at the base of the Cliff.
Standing for a moment staring up a rocky cliff face that looked like it would give the local goats a run for their money, when my Aunt declaring to world at large that only sure fire way up to the Cave happened to be straight up!
Filled with the need to docuement this expandision for future use, I set the camera on a rock and took a photo of myself. The priceless expression my face seems to say many things, but mainly a tired impishness.
Ancient Women Walk Here-
The thoughts coursing through my min were of a wonderment and curiosity at how women in the last stages of pregnancy six thousand years ago in ancient Minoan times could have made it up that rocky hillside to give birth in this sacred spot, when it was giving me, a youth in his early 20's trouble lead to a bit of soul searching.
Trying to have a Zen moment in which to commune with those ancient amazing women. I decided to just sit for a while and enjoy the view it offered of the local area.
"Afraid of the Dark, are we?"
After having given the local shrubs an in-depth inspection, I was wondering why my Aunt was just standing out in front of the Cave Entrance.
Scampering off my rocky perch to stand beside Aunty, there appeared to be a huge iron grill blocking the way into the cave itself. Diving into my messanger bag for my ever-handy guidebook, which after a consult revieled we had to go to locate village and find the caretaker and beg the key to open and see the Cave, itself.
All we could do was stand at the entrance and stare into the cave, and wonder what lies within its depths. Pondering at the course this little adventure taken; at things like how a Blonde American could do all the things that I done that day. Being able to conquer a language barrier in regards to a map that would have stumped most travelers. Walking the course of a most ancient pilgrimage, one inwhich the women of ancient times had taken up a steep path to give birth in a place of sacredness, in a place that was close to Earth Mother.
Replaying this Memory brings together thoughts of persistence, stubborn determination, and personally reminds me when things get rough and one gets a sore bottom, one can overcome with help from family and a little forethought, not to mention a wee bit of luck.
Here Come The Goats!
To end on a humorous note, right as my Aunt and I were about to leave the hollow, we heard a very strange barking. Perched about the rim of the hallow were 10 black and white goat heads staring curiously down at us. Appearing dazed myself, they turned as a unit acting and left like we were nothing of interesting.
Being curious about how they got there, I climbed up over the hallow's rim for a better look.
As my head cleared the rocky rim, the Blonde light went on! Not a mere dozen feet from where we had parked the rental, was a broad goat trail of a level nature and apparently smooth too. Being a Blonde all my life I quickly admitted my past mistake to the world at large with an extremely loud sigh (earning me many a glare from the passing goats at having disturbed their grassy meal).
Helping my Aunt up and over the rocky rim, we went and did the smart thing of taking the goat path back to the rental, trying deseparatly to avoid the tiny pelts of goat poo that littered the path.
Driving back we discovered also the 'correct' route back which lead to a large paved road which took us all the way back into the city. Not alot of talking took place on the ride back as we were both lost to our own thoughts..
**I have been back to Crete since this little outing, and love every minute I have the pleasure to be on that Island, Birth Place of Zeus**
It is amazing what a sore bottom will bring to mind and what inspiration it can provide. In this case I am talking about the sore bottom I got from the long drive over unpaved roads in Crete from Heraklion to the Eileithyian Cave.
Part of being a Blonde in my book means at key moments I 'Forget to plan ahead'. In this case it involves the planning on how to get to Eileithyian Cave with my Aunt, whom I was traveling with. Happening to speak a little Greek, she arranged a day-of car rental (as this trip beings a spur of the moment kind) in largest Cretan port-city of Heraklion to get there, but trying to find a place that had a car available to rent last minute was turning into its own adventure.
Involving us attempting to find a rental place that had an automatic available to rent, which in Heraklion can get one sent from rental place to rental place. We did in the end land at a rental place in which Greek chanting filled the air as incense wafted lazily about on its slow moving notes.With a bit of luck and lots of hand waving my Aunt managed to secure us a car for the trip.
The Road There...
My poor blessed Aunt was trying to figure out how to drive a tiny stick-shift car around on a barely paved two lane roads that would have the size of a large alley in the US. Meanwhile I was hanging onto the door handle for dear life, telling her urgently "Left foot on the clutch, right foot on the gas" almost like an Eastern Mantra with my eyes closed hoping we would not be hit by some crazed Greek driver.
I ended bouncing up and down in the passenger sit due to the lovely condition of the road, trying to read a road map of Crete the size of a twin bed, in English translated Greek, having none of the English words match the English road signs.
"Is Heraklion spelled I-r-a-k-l-i-o-n or how is sounds?!?"
As I read the map it became clear that there were no major freeways on a island twice the size of Rhode Island going in the direct we were headed. We were stuck taking what I lovely call 'Back Country Roads' which on Crete means lightly or not paved at all.
1 1/2 hour of 'being lost' driving, I thought map indicted there was a nice paved path out the cliff face, which held the Cave. Ohh No, the modern Greeks don't hold to the California ideals on roads. Doing a bit of off-roading got us to where we could park at the base of the Cliff.
Standing for a moment staring up a rocky cliff face that looked like it would give the local goats a run for their money, when my Aunt declaring to world at large that only sure fire way up to the Cave happened to be straight up!
Filled with the need to docuement this expandision for future use, I set the camera on a rock and took a photo of myself. The priceless expression my face seems to say many things, but mainly a tired impishness.
Ancient Women Walk Here-
The thoughts coursing through my min were of a wonderment and curiosity at how women in the last stages of pregnancy six thousand years ago in ancient Minoan times could have made it up that rocky hillside to give birth in this sacred spot, when it was giving me, a youth in his early 20's trouble lead to a bit of soul searching.
Trying to have a Zen moment in which to commune with those ancient amazing women. I decided to just sit for a while and enjoy the view it offered of the local area.
"Afraid of the Dark, are we?"
After having given the local shrubs an in-depth inspection, I was wondering why my Aunt was just standing out in front of the Cave Entrance.
Scampering off my rocky perch to stand beside Aunty, there appeared to be a huge iron grill blocking the way into the cave itself. Diving into my messanger bag for my ever-handy guidebook, which after a consult revieled we had to go to locate village and find the caretaker and beg the key to open and see the Cave, itself.
All we could do was stand at the entrance and stare into the cave, and wonder what lies within its depths. Pondering at the course this little adventure taken; at things like how a Blonde American could do all the things that I done that day. Being able to conquer a language barrier in regards to a map that would have stumped most travelers. Walking the course of a most ancient pilgrimage, one inwhich the women of ancient times had taken up a steep path to give birth in a place of sacredness, in a place that was close to Earth Mother.
Replaying this Memory brings together thoughts of persistence, stubborn determination, and personally reminds me when things get rough and one gets a sore bottom, one can overcome with help from family and a little forethought, not to mention a wee bit of luck.
Here Come The Goats!
To end on a humorous note, right as my Aunt and I were about to leave the hollow, we heard a very strange barking. Perched about the rim of the hallow were 10 black and white goat heads staring curiously down at us. Appearing dazed myself, they turned as a unit acting and left like we were nothing of interesting.
Being curious about how they got there, I climbed up over the hallow's rim for a better look.
As my head cleared the rocky rim, the Blonde light went on! Not a mere dozen feet from where we had parked the rental, was a broad goat trail of a level nature and apparently smooth too. Being a Blonde all my life I quickly admitted my past mistake to the world at large with an extremely loud sigh (earning me many a glare from the passing goats at having disturbed their grassy meal).
Helping my Aunt up and over the rocky rim, we went and did the smart thing of taking the goat path back to the rental, trying deseparatly to avoid the tiny pelts of goat poo that littered the path.
Driving back we discovered also the 'correct' route back which lead to a large paved road which took us all the way back into the city. Not alot of talking took place on the ride back as we were both lost to our own thoughts..
**I have been back to Crete since this little outing, and love every minute I have the pleasure to be on that Island, Birth Place of Zeus**
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Smart Blonde - Reporting In for Duty!
So you have found yourself in the Corner of Smart Blonde.
Surprised yet? You will be some day soon...
Watch out there is more to come :D
Ciao Ciao Pace
Smart Blonde
Surprised yet? You will be some day soon...
Watch out there is more to come :D
Ciao Ciao Pace
Smart Blonde
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