The Life of A Ladybug

Wear More Cashmere: For me?

Most women love receiving a bouquet of beautiful flowers (I know I do).  So, why are you sitting around waiting for the man in your life to send them to you?  (Or waiting for a man to come into your life?)  You're a big girl, now - send flowers to yourself!  Heck, even the local grocery stores have flower sections - if you're not a rose girl or can't afford a big bouquet of roses, you can buy a fresh bouquet of gerbera daisies to brighten up your space.  You deserve it!

Wear More Cashmere: Drive, She said; Don your robes; A little classy, a little trashy ...

Sorry that I've missed the last three weeks!

Drive, she said

The next time you're going on vacation, save some extra money and rent a luxury car!  Places like Hertz and Avis have quite frou-frou cards you can floss in.  Don't just go for a limo - which can verge on the tacky, particularly if you get those ridiculous stretch Hummers - drive yourself around in style!

Don your robes

Buy yourself a very luxurious caftan or robe.  Rather than switching into a ratty old terry cloth robe and slippers when you're in the house, wouldn't something silky or ornate make you feel so much more glamorous??  I am fortunate to be a bellydancer - all the coverups I wear over my costumes also double as perfectly wonderful lounge wear.  Yes, my husband may look at me like I'm crazy when I'm flitting around the house in an embroidered caftan, but it's not my fault that he doesn't get how awesome it is to feel like a screen goddess in one's own home.

A little classy, a little trashy ...

Why not add a touch of the "tramp" to your regular outfits?  Anything that makes you feel saucy is fair game (as long as you don't get an actual reputation for being a tramp!).  For me, this could manifest as winged out black liner and bombshell red lips with my sedate church dress or sky-high black patent leather heels at work.  How would this work for you?

Wear More Cashmere: Start Drinking Stars

You want to stand out from the pack, right?  Next time you go out with the girls, instead of ordering your typical fruity cocktail, order a glass of champagne.  If you want to be totally frou-frou, order a fancy schmancy one, like Cristal or Dom Perignon.  You don't have to wait for New Year's Eve - you deserve a glass of bubbly right now!  Cheers!

Wear More Cashmere: Feet First

This weeks' tip is to put your feet first!  Now that we have moved into the warm weather months, you'll be ready to pull out your open-toed shoes (if you haven't already).  I join you in your quest to wear flip-flops and open-toed sandals all spring/summer long, but before you put your foot into the nearest thong sandal, look at it carefully.  Is there husk on your heels?  Are your toenails uneven or (gasp!) bare???  No, indeed, Mama!  Run to the nearest nail salon and get yourself a pedicure and a lengthy massage with some heavily moisturizing cream!  If you can't afford the nail service, give yourself a pedicure.  All you need is some warm, soapy water, a pumice stone, nail file and nail polish.  Do us all a favor - don't come outside looking raggedy about the toes.  That is not cute.

Wear More Cashmere: Pearls of Wisdom, Tie One On

I forgot to post the last couple of WMC tips, so this week you get two!

Every woman deserves to have at least one piece of real jewelry.  Costume jewelry is fun and affordable and I have lots of it, but there's nothing like knowing you're wearing the real deal to make you feel fabulous.   As a June-born woman, I can attest to the gloriousness of good pearls (they're my birthstone).  There is nothing more elegant than a woman in a cocktail dress with a string of pearls and pearl studs in her ears.  It's always chic, never flashy.  You feel regal.  Even if you're on a budget, you can afford a pair of real pearl earrings or a pearl necklace.  Next time you splurge, skip the new Coach bag and treat yourself to pearls.  You'll be glad you did.

Try wearing scarves, if you don't already.  Gin says that women are divided into two categories: those who know how to wear scarves and those who don't.  Make yourself one of those who do!  I love scarves and have lots.  I usually wear them as a headband or tied around my afro puff, to add a touch of color and sass.  But you can also wear a scarf tied to your purse, like Babe Paley.  Or tie it like a kerchief over your head and add a pair of oversized glasses (can anyone say, Jackie O?).

So, what will you do this week to make yourself look and feel fabulous?

Wear More Cashmere: Tailor Made

Celebrities and celebutantes aren't the only ones who should be able to wear tailor made clothes.  Once in every woman's life, she should have a piece of clothing that is made only for her.  I remember how awesome it was, every prom season, to go to the fabric store, peruse the pattern books, pick out the perfect gown and fabric and then have a seamstress construct my vision.  I felt like a princess.  You should have that feeling, too - you deserve it!

The next time you have some free minutes, think of a piece you really want - something nobody else has ... and then go find out how you can get it made!  Have it made by a local seamstress.  Heck, make it yourself if you're so inclined.  I have gowns, bellydance costumes, jewelry, purses, even perfumes and make-up that's been made especially for me and every time I wear any of them I feel special.  Make today the day you decide that you're special enough, too.

Wear More Cashmere: Light Your Own Fire

This week, let's think about how romantic a night beside the fire is (or how romantic you think it could be, if you've never experienced one).  Rather than depending on your significant other to light the fire for you, learn how to start the fire yourself (if you have a fireplace).  If not, consider renting a room for the night or the weekend in a cozy place that does have access to a fireplace.  You and your loved one could toast marshmallows or just snuggle up together in front of the flickering flames.  And if you're a single gal, who says you have to have a boo to snuggle up with?  Indulge yourself, honey!  Make your own smores, cuddle up under a fur (or faux fur) throw and feel all warm and snuggly.  Once, when I was a teenager, my Girl Scout troop actually had a sleepover in front of a fireplace - so much fun!

Learn to light your own fire, you fabulous thing, you!

Stand tall

This week's tip is to stand tall.  Women who can really command a room are usually the women with the best posture and carriage.  It sounds old-fashioned to say you should work on your posture, but you should!  If you can, try a ballet class - no, I'm not saying you should become a ballerina, just that taking even the most basic ballet class will teach you about posture (so will trying to balance a prop, like a cane or a sword, on your head - maybe you should take bellydance).  And if taking a dance class isn't your thing, do the most basic posture test - walk around with a book on your head.  It will force you to walk with grace and perfectly straight.  Then, try walking up and down stairs while balancing the book.  After you've gotten the hang of walking properly, try sitting properly - with your back straight.  Then, getting in and out of the car - can you do it without showing your treasures to the whole world?  We know Britney can't but that doesn't mean that you have show your goodies.

Come on, girls - we want to be poetry in motion.  What's more sexy than a woman who knows how to glide across a room?

Wear More Cashmere: Hitting a High Note, Reading Beyond Your Means

Since I've been pretty busy these past couple of weeks, I neglected to post the Wear More Cashmere tip for last week.  So, this week, you get two!

Hitting a High Note

In this day of high technology, when's the last time you sent or received a handwritten note?  When I look in my mailbox, it's always a delight to receive an envelope addressed to me that contains a lovely sentiment from friend or family.  Why don't you be the one to add such a highlight to a loved one's day?  Indulge yourself by purchasing a box of high-quality personalized stationery or note cards.  Make sure that they contain something that's very "you" (e.g., my personal notecards are embossed with a pink ladybug).  When you get it, please send me a note - I'd love to read your handwritten regards on your pretty paper!

Reading Beyond Your Means

We all know what "living beyond your means" signifies - being broke.  No, I'm not advocating trying to keep up with the Joneses (or the Trumps, for that matter - all that foolishness is excessive).  But it can't hurt to indulge your imagination every now and then.  Why not buy a copy of a magazine like Gourmet, Town & Country, etc.?  All you have to do is pay attention to how the wealthy do things - and then learn how to replicate those special touches in a way that works for your budget.  You can decorate in similar colors, find clothes that look expensive but aren't or treat yourself to a night out at a swank restaurant, once in a while.

Post in the comments and let me know how you plan to fulfill this week's WMC tips!

Wear More Cashmere: Candlelight Oasis

This week, allow yourself the luxury of turning your bedroom or bathroom into a "candlelight palace."  It's not a romance thing - this is just allowing yourself to be surrounded by candlelight, with all the relaxing, cozy feelings that brings up.  You can group scented candles (for aromatherapy) or just unscented pillar candles all around the room.  If done in the bathroom, I like to turn the lights off, place candles along the sink and edge of the tub, roll up a towel behind my head and drift away for a while.  If in the bedroom, it'll turn your room into a lovely place to enjoy a book and a glass of wine.  If at all possible, make sure you have at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time in which to indulge (which, for me, means that this only happens after the child is asleep).