The Little Black Box You can break free from your “black and white box”. Working for many years, I realize clients often feel more comfortable in black. While black is slimming, it is often the wrong color to have around your face. It may wash out your natural color; drawing attention to those pesky dark circles under the eyes, or completely draw attention away from your face.
While black is a wonderful basic piece to use in a ..... Read More...
The 3rd annual Behold Conference
Behold Conference is a Catholic Conference on the Dignity and Vocation of Women. “How to look elegant and beautiful everyday.”
See www.BeholdConference.com for more information on the event.
Ginny will be sharing main stage with Erik Kand, National Celebrity Hypnotist, at the Working Women Survival Show!
Appearing for the 5th year, she will be sharing “Looking Good Feeling Better” aimed at women who have been through health issues or if you just don’t feel like you look great every day. There are tricks of the trade to make you “pop” and appearlike a high energy woman.
Ginny volunteers for the American Cancer Society “Look Good Feel Better Program”.
American Cancer Society, Look Good Feel Better Program for cancer patients.
Ginny will present to image consultants from 7 state area the best practices for an excellent image seminar. Participants will gain continuing education units as they attend the Chicago Chapter AICI Education Day in downtown Chicago.
Our whole life we have been getting dressed every day, and most people take getting dressed for granted. I hope after reading this article that you never will again. The savvy professional gives attention to her wardrobe, manages and maintains it, and thereby enjoys all the benefits of being prepared to look great and feel appropriately dressed.
Let Go of The Poor Producers
In business if you were the boss, after a while you would have to let go of staff that was taking up space but not producing. The same goes for your wardrobe. If you have not worn something for a year, it is taking up too much space and it is time to get rid of it and make space for a garment that contributes to producing great outfits.
Audit Your Wardrobe Annually
Each year you want to retire what is not working and take inventory of where the needs in your wardrobe might be. For example if your favorite dark blazer is starting to look ragged, you had better retire it and that means you need to go shopping for a new one.
Also make sure everything fits – all the buttons are there and firmly attached, and nothing needs repair or cleaning. There is nothing worse than thinking you have the perfect outfit for an important occasion and finding it is not ready to wear when you pull it out of your closet to get dressed.
Invest in Quality
You want to invest in quality for your executive wardrobe. You can’t look like a million bucks if your sweater is pilling, your blouse is pulling and your jacket is starting to fray. Wool blend blazers are always a good investment. Fewer garments of a greater quality should be the rule you follow.
Focus on Fit
One thing any image professional will tell you is that there is no such thing as ready-to-wear. Everyone’s body is different and you want to get each jacket, skirt, and pair of pants properly fitted to your body. Half an inch makes all the difference in the right places to make sure you always look your best.
Consult your image professional for the best skirt, trouser and jacket cut length for you. Also, pay attention to your jacket shoulder width and waistline position.
The Power of Color
Color is a powerful business tool that you do not want to overlook as you build your executive image. Your core colors are colors that can be identified by an image consultant. They are the colors that make you look healthier, thinner, younger, and more vibrant when you wear them. Core neutral colors for your business wardrobe include black, grey, navy or brown. You will find that when you wear the colors that are best for you, you will get more attention, be taken more seriously and perhaps best of all, you will feel more confident.
Protect Your Investment
Your executive wardrobe will cost you more than your casual outfits, and you want your garments to last a long time. Take steps to protect your wardrobe. One common mistake is dry-cleaning too often. Unless you have a spot that needs attention, your garments rarely need to be dry-cleaned. If you were in a smoke-filled room last night, steam your clothes by hanging them outside your shower, then air dry them outside for an afternoon. Also make sure your closet is not overstuffed, and has good air flow to keep your clothing fresh and prevent the garment shapes from being lost.
After you wear something, take a good look at it in the morning light. Does it need repairs or are there spots on it? Always give garments immediate care before placing them in the closet. You never want to be getting dressed for the day, and find that your chosen outfit is not ready to wear.
Managing your wardrobe will initially take some attention. Apply these ideas to maximize the investment you make in your pieces, insuring that they last a long time. The result will be that you will always have the right outfit ready to go, you will feel confident in your appearance, and that will allow you to get the best possible results on the job.
Contact me today to set up an appointment!
Our whole life we have been getting dressed every day, and most people take getting dressed for granted. I hope after reading this article that you never will again. The savvy professional gives attention to her wardrobe, manages and maintains it, and thereby enjoys all the benefits of being prepared to look great and feel appropriately dressed.
Color is a powerful business tool that you do not want to overlook as you build your executive image. Your core colors are colors that can be identified by an image consultant. They are the colors that make you look healthier, thinner, younger, and more vibrant when you wear them. Core neutral colors for your business wardrobe include black, grey, navy or brown. You will find that when you wear the colors that are best for you, you will get more attention, be taken more seriously and perhaps best of all, you will feel more confident.
Protect Your Investment
Your executive wardrobe will cost you more than your casual outfits, and you want your garments to last a long time. Take steps to protect your wardrobe. One common mistake is dry-cleaning too often. Unless you have a spot that needs attention, your garments rarely need to be dry-cleaned. If you were in a smoke-filled room last night, steam your clothes by hanging them outside your shower, then air dry them outside for an afternoon. Also make sure your closet is not overstuffed, and has good air flow to keep your clothing fresh and prevent the garment shapes from being lost.
After you wear something, take a good look at it in the morning light. Does it need repairs or are there spots on it? Always give garments immediate care before placing them in the closet. You never want to be getting dressed for the day, and find that your chosen outfit is not ready to wear.
Managing your wardrobe will initially take some attention. Apply these ideas to maximize the investment you make in your pieces, insuring that they last a long time. The result will be that you will always have the right outfit ready to go, you will feel confident in your appearance, and that will allow you to get the best possible results on the job.
Contact me today to set up an appointment!
Once of the biggest signs of disrespect is not being on time. Sure we have all heard the term “fashionably late” yet this has no place in your vocabulary when it comes to your professional life. When you are not on time it sets off many red flags that you certainly do not want to bring to the attention of your coworkers or supervisors. It screams out you are not organized, you are not efficient, and worse of all it says you are not respectful of someone else’s time. This is certainly not the kind of message you want to send.
Let’s face it in today’s world we are all very busy and multitasking is the norm not the exception. I have a checklist of 10 key things you can do to ensure you are on time.
1. Lay out your clothes the night before- this is a great way to save time in the morning and it will give you the opportunity to make last minute adjustments if you needed.
2. Prepare your coffee maker or breakfast the night before.
3. If you take a lunch to work prepare it the night before.
4. Have your briefcase or other work related items organized and close to the door so you can grab them quickly on your way out the door.
5. Always make sure you have gas in your car the night before- nothing is more time pressing than having to fill your tank on your way to work.
6. If you commute to work make it a practice to leave at least 15 minutes earlier than the time it will take you to drive to work, if you hit traffic or an unexpected delay you have given yourself a cushion of time.
7. Check the local traffic reports- in this day of advanced technology there are many local television and radio stations that have apps available for your smart phone or text alerts you can sign up for that will alert you to traffic delays.
8. Be prepared if there is a traffic delay have a secondary route you are familiar with in the event there is a problem.
9. Make it a practice not to return phone calls or read texts while you are driving. First of all it is dangerous and your focus should be on the road. Secondly, it actually slows you down; in a study published in US News 2011, they found that people who were talking on their phone and texting while driving were arriving later at a destination than someone who was not.
10. Listen to your favorite music or radio station on your way to work. This will relax you and when you get out of your car and head into the office you will be refreshed, on time and ready to go.
This will help you stay on time and give that wonderful impression that you are; diligent, responsible, and most of all respectful.
Ginny’s Gem: Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it. M. Scott Peck
1. Attendance is obligatory. Skipping out on the annual party displays disrespect for your company, your supervisors and your colleagues. Unless you have a justifiable conflict, showing up is compulsory. More importantly, remaining at the event for at least an hour eliminates the risk of giving the impression that your appearance was merely obligatory.
2. Dress appropriately for the occasion. While dressing appropriately is critical at every level within a business, it is most important for midlevel professionals who desire to move up or at least retain their position. For women, the rule of thumb “more skin, less power”, still applies. Refrain from wearing ultra-tight fitting dresses, revealing necklines, mini-skirts or super snug leggings. Men should avoid unbuttoning more than two buttons on their shirts and wearing overly fitted shirts or sweaters.
3. Leave first dates for another occasion. Assuming dates are welcome; bring someone who will make a good impression with co-workers and superiors. The office party is not the time to learn that your date uses profanities or has over-indulgent drinking habits.
4. Conduct yourself professionally. What you say and do will resonate in the minds of your colleagues and managers. Inappropriate behavior can cause your career to be shorter than everyone else’s memory. In all of your interactions, be positive and conduct yourself with charm and savvy. This is not the time to express employee grumbles or become too chummy with a co-worker.
5. Be a good conversationalist. Avoid talking about yourself or your accomplishments. Instead, make others your focal point. Show that you are genuinely interested in each person within a group by asking open-ended questions and including everyone in the conversation with both questions and eye contact. Take the time to network with those individuals who can influence your career or who you may not see regularly. Keep your glass in your left hand so when you shake hands with someone, your hand isn’t wet or cold. Holiday parties are great for building or strengthening business relationships.
6. Eat, drink and be merry in moderation. The stories of people who have overindulged at company parties are legendary, and there’s always a price to be paid. Some believe if alcohol is “free”, then they must take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts. Eat a bite before you drink. Limit your alcohol consumption and drink plenty of water or seltzer between drinks. Also, keep in mind that the hor dourves table is not intended to your meal.
7. Exit gracefully. While sometimes inconvenient to track down the host, make a point to say thank you and goodbye to the person or persons responsible for the planning and coordinating of the party. Sending a thank-you note to top management for hosting the party is sure to help you gain notice and be appreciated.
Feel free to contact me today for an appointment!
How often have you thought you had found a great deal on a blouse or a dress and bought it on a whim, only to get home and discover that it practically disintegrated with the first washing? All too often, we are taken in by these so-called deals that are really just low prices for low quality clothing. It is a waste of money and time as well. Spending $200 a month on these poorly constructed clothes means you are wasting $2,400 a year!
Investment dressing requires you to pay more money per item of clothing, but you are going to be getting high quality items that will look and feel great and last a long time. The trick is to spot these smart buys that will help you build up an investment wardrobe that you can use for years to come.
Know Your Colors
Getting your colors done does not seem to be as much the rave as it has been in years past. This is a mistake. One of the smartest investments you can make to always look great and to not waste money when you shop is to get your colors professionally done so you feel confident a color will look good on you before you make a purchase.
Look for Timeless Pieces
There is something to be said for the little black dress that is appropriate for all occasions. If you look for clothing that has lines that are not trendy, but always look good, no matter the latest style, you have a winner. This includes pencil skirts, sheath dresses and simple blouses. These are items of clothing that could hold their own in any decade, not for being at the height of fashion, but for their simplicity and quiet class.
Go for Quality Fabrics
Paying more for clothing that is made of better fabric is a smart decision. In fact, the type of fabric used in your clothes can make all the difference in how good you look. A cheap polyester dress will look far worse than the exact same design in a classy linen blend. Choose the better fabric and you will not regret it. Real silk, linen and wool are all fabrics that look terrific and will help build your investment wardrobe. Blends are fine too. Wool blends will be less itchy, linen blends will wrinkle less and silk blends will usually breathe more.
Remember That More is Not Better
Having a few expensive, classic pieces of clothing in your wardrobe is worth far more than having two or three closets full of cheap clothing that will never pass as good quality. Make sure you remember this when sticker shock hits!
If you have traveled to Europe, you have probably noticed how great the men and women look. They do not have as many clothes in their wardrobe yet everything they have is made of the highest quality.
Make It All Work Together
The best way to build your investment wardrobe is to plan your entire wardrobe for versatility. Having two or three pairs of pants, three to five blouses, a couple of skirts and a nice jacket and suit can actually work for you if you plan it. Choose just two or three classic colors that all complement each other and you will be able to mix and match your entire wardrobe, creating dozens of different outfits. Throw in a scarf or two and a couple of different belts and accessories and you can have even more looks, all with just a few select items. Opt for mostly solid colors rather than prints and you will have more combinations available to you.
Remember the Shoes
Choosing the best shoes available will also enhance your look. Invest in a few pairs of good quality, sensible shoes and you will be able to wear them with every outfit. A couple different high heels, a pair of flat shoes and perhaps some boots or sandals, depending on where you live, will serve you well and when chosen in classic colors that suit your wardrobe, you will never have any problems putting together a great outfit.
Investment dressing is becoming a trend these days and it is one that is well worth jumping on. Take a few minutes to plan out your basic wardrobe and choose a couple of colors to base it on. Then it is time to go shopping. Stick to the plan, choose high quality items and at the end of your day, you will have a wardrobe that will last you a long time and suit any occasion.
Normally $275
Special $179
You can Save Money, Time, Frustration and Convery Confidence Everyday!
ONLY 15 PARTICIPANTS ACCEPTED
Invest In Yourself -You Deserve It!
“Totally Chic” Image Clinic Includes
Make Over and Skin Care
Writing Your Wardrobe Plan
Individual Color Analysis
Which Style Flatters Your Body Shape
Demonstrated Wardrobe-8 pieces
How to Choose the Perfect Accessories
Understanding Your Personal Style
TO REGISTER VISIT:
Choose gift certificate and add $179 or mail check by January 14th to Ginny Baldridge, 10586 Sunset Pines Court, St. Louis, MO 63128
Executive Image Power is the key ingredient to building professional confidence, making a great impression and advancing your career with every meeting.With this book, you can quickly rev up your executive image power, because as top experts in each of our respective specialties, we’ve joined together to give you the most powerful image strategies we know.
Inspired Style is the key ingredient to helping you understand and define your personal style. The authors provide practical and applicable ideas that women can use immediately to look better, feel better, be more effective and enjoy all the benefits an enhanced image can bring.