By now you’ve seen all of the pundits dishing about Oscar fashion. Well, here’s the place for a few comments on Oscar jewelry. The Queen got it right. Her earrings are the perfect shape and size to complement her facial shape curves, scale and overall body scale. The color is perfect as well. She is exquisite from head-to-toe. All hail the Queen!

My next Oscar profile is Monique. I applaud her artistic courage and poignant acceptance speech. But, her accessories bother me. Her earrings are too small for her facial features and body scale. With her hair up, she could have worn something slightly bigger and longer. Since this is the Oscars, some sparkle would have been wonderful on her to match her spirit and the event’s prestige. The key is balancing her earrings and her gardenia. Decide between one strong accent and steal the show. Sorry Monique, this is not your best look on one of your best nights.

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Style. What is it? It’s like an enigma. Some people seem to be naturally stylish. And yet, it seems to elude others.

Personal style tends to refer to one’s external presentation of fashion choices, hair styles and personal grooming details like nails, facial hair, makeup, etc. Fashion choices tend to reflect one’s culture, status, individual taste, career and lifestyle. Personal style is the way in which individuals choose to combine external indicators along with fashion choices colors, textures, prints, patterns, silhouettes, accessories and other particulars.

So, how do you find yours? Try this fun DIY project to aid you in your journey:
• Find an unlined journal or a three ring binder with blank sheets of paper to serve as your personal style book.
• Section off your book with these categories; i.e. suits, pants, skirts, blouses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, swimwear, accessories, evening/cocktail attire, hair styles, makeup and a wish list. Include brands that you love and the local resources to help you implement your style choices.
• Find and paste images of items that fit in all sections. Choose images that you believe define you now or illustrate how you want to be defined.

Ideally, these images represent your personality, profession and the various roles you play in your life. The beauty about your personal style book is that you can dare to try new and different things. Plus, you can (and should over time) add and subtract from it as often as you feel. As you contribute to your book, you will see a pattern emerge. By identifying your pattern, you will gain confidence in creating and reinventing your definitive personal style. The real bonus will be the wise fashion and beauty investments that you will make in yourself, saving you time and money and assisting you in always looking your absolute best.

Examples of women with style:

image courtesy of daily.chiconline.com

image courtesy of biographyonline.com

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One bridal tradition that remains consistent is wearing pearls. The Greeks believed that pearls symbolize love, happiness and purity. They also believed that wearing pearls would take away the bride’s tears to ensure marital harmony.

Historically, every culture placed high value on pearls even during abundant supplies. Woman of modest and substantial means draped themselves in pearls, sometimes from head to toe. In 15th century Europe, women wore hairnets (called “frets”) of gold threads adorned with pearls. In southern Russia, Jewish women owned black velvet caps embroidered with pearls. In both instances, these pearl- adorned pieces were considered significant enough to serve as legacy bequeaths for daughters.

Pearl’s historical symbolism is their ability to stabilize negative thoughts and feelings like anger, depression and pessimism.

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Why is it that a few simple strands of these marine marvels always envelop a woman in a cloak of style, grace and class?

Historically, every culture placed high value on pearls even during abundant supplies.

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