I think these shrubs are Golden Euonymus (free).

Pentas (free)

Aloe (free) and Lantana (flat of 18 plants for $3)

River rock for the back yard beds (free)

For more sources for free plants, try nurseries and big-box garden center clearance racks.

Most nurseries just have a few discarded plants at at time. On one special day, I arrived at Joshua’s Native Plants in Houston at just the right moment and happened to score a car load of too-tired-to-sell plants.

This entire flower bed was created using the plants from Joshua.

Buchanan’s Native Plants also had three Loropetalum shrubs and an Echinacea plant that were headed to the dumpster.

The plants from Buchanan’s anchored the “welcome” flower bed at the entrance to the yard.

Be sure to ask nursery staff politely whether they have any plants that are too tired or scorched to sell. If the answer is no, please be gracious. Check back regularly, plants are bound for the dumpster every week!

For more sources for free plants, try Craig’s List and big-box garden center clearance racks.

For more about transplanting grass…here’s a step-by-step guide

These begonias were perky and blooming in their original spot. Once they were transplanted, they laid down and looked like they were dead. I kept watering them….they looked worse and worse….and watering them…and let the plants die back naturally…and watering them…until suddenly, tiny new leaves appeared. Now the new plants have taken root and are growing strong!

Here’s the transplanting process used in the Reclaimed Garden.

1. Transplant plants as quickly as you can so they don’t dry out and  to minimize wilting.
2. Dig a hole bigger than the root ball and mix in some compost, decomposed leaves, good dirt into the hole.
3. Place the plant in the hole so the original dirt-line is about 1-inch below ground level.
4. Gently pack soil around the root ball so that it’s level with the plant’s dirt line…so you’ve created a a bowl around the plant.
5. Lay a hose in the bowl and let water trickle into the bowl for a couple hours so the souk is saturated. The slower the water runs, the better. It’s fine if you make a mud puddle.
6. Most people would probably apply root stimulator at this point…I bought it, but usually forgot to use it. When I did use it (following directions of the package), the shrubs usually died, for real.
7. Water this way  daily or every other day if the plant
8. Avoid cutting back any of the plant until it has recovered from the transplant and you see new leaves appear.
9. Once the new growth appears, that’s the time to trim off any parts of the plant that have died back.

Rogue grass in the flower beds was transplanted into the bald spots using the “hair club for men method.”

1. Use a trowel to harvest little plugs of “rogue” grass from areas where you don’t want grass.
2. In the bald spot where you do want grass, stab the soil with a shovel and pull back the on the shovel handle to make a little slit in the dirt.
3. Place a couple little plugs of grass in the slit so roots are in the dirt and the leaves are above the dirt.
4. Remove shovel so the soil “bounces back” and closes the slit.
5. Step on the soil to compact dirt around the grass plugs.
6. Place a hose or sprinkler on the transplants and let the water trickle for a couple hours so the dirt around the transplant is soft and saturated…it’s okay if you make a mud puddle. The slower the water trickles, the better this works.
7. Water daily and mow weekly.
8. At first, the transplants will be in shock and wilt. Keep watering and mowing even if they look like they are dying/dead. The roots may be growing and new grass may sprout once the roots have set.
9. Transplant a bunch of grass “plugs”
10. Over time, the grass will take root, spread and fill in the bare areas.

Set Design...

So, what is all the thanks about? Last night, the Silver Barn broke new ground by hosting a dinner by candlelight, a fashion presentation by good friend and author, Sarah Shah, and a night of shopping. We served a smoked mustard crusted pork tenderloin, corn casserole, fresh asparagus & for dessert, Peach Pecan Amaretto Cream Pie. Thanks also goes to our good friends at The Vintage Shop for helping select a great assortment of wines for the evening. I’ve never felt so wine intelligent before! Thanks also to Abigail Hornik and Westerware for donating the fabulous dinner dishes which will now be passed on the this same charity for them to auction off next year.

What fun. What a nice feeling to do something that benefits so many. What a night!

...to a great dinner

When these gadgets first appeared, they were only available in black. Now there are so many fashionable options, you can personalize your devices so they work with your personal style and become an integral part of your outfit. Your electronics can actually become fashion accessories that complete our look. There’s no need to be a fashionable women carrying a discordant and distracting collection of ugly items. Image Coach Sarah Shah shows you how you can be stylish from the tip of your ear buds to the tip of your toes.

This TV segment began airing on Mirror/Mirror on the LivewellHD network on March 22, 2010 in 11 cities (NY, LA, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Fresno, Raleigh/Durham, Flint, and Toledo. To watch the story, click on the video below or this link. The story begins at the 19 minute mark.

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All Business
If your look is all business, choose streamlined tech-sessories in subtle or bold solid colors. Flash drives come hidden inside accessories and jewelry so they are easy to carry. Colorful cases style-up laptops. Cell phone colors can match your outfit or company logo. Here are the items in the story:

- PNY Micro Swivel Attache flash drive necklace, $14.95, Microcenter (threaded on a silver chain)

- Incase Hardshell case, $49.95, www.incase.com

- iFrogz iPhone case, $29.95, www.iFrogz.com

- Atomic9 BT Wristband Speaker Phone, $99.99, www.atomic9.com

Fashionista
Fashion designers have finally entered the electronics market and are making a beautiful impact. If you are all about fashion and the latest trends, choose tech-sessories designed by fashion designers, in fun colors and patterns or even covered in crystals. Here are the items that are in the story:

– HP Vivienne Tam digital clutch, coming in spring 2010, www.hp.com/viviennetam
A companion PC was unveiled on the catwalk of designer Vivienne Tam’s Spring 2010 fashion show during New York’s Fashion Week at Bryant Park. The design inspired by the classic Chinese love story Butterfly Lovers. The design uses HP’s imprint technology, so the design is part of the cover and very durable.

- ChicBoom Keychain “pink tooth” Speaker, $24.95, www.chicbuds.com

- ChicBuds crystal iPod cover, $69.95, www.chicbuds.com

- Hello Kitty USB drive, $125, Zales Jewelry stores

Ecco Chic
You can even find eco chic tech-cessories – gadgets that combine cutting edge tech with a message of conservation and sustainability If you live green and want to express that throughout your look, choose tech-cessories that incorporate natural materials, reflect nature and a connection with outdoors. Phone accessories can be made of wood and protective covers for all your gadgets come with photographs of nature. Here are the items in the story:

- Uncommon iPhone cases, $39.95, www.getuncommon.com

- Ear Pollution Timbre ear buds with microphone, $49.99, www.iFrogz.com

- Designer Laptop Sleeves, $34.90, www.designersleeves.com

- Ativa Flash Drive, $17.99, Office Depot (hanging on leather cord)

Rocker Chic
Artists are also making an impact on the tech-cessory market. If rocker chic is more your style, you can find electronic gadgets that fit your aesthetic too. Tattoo art, leather and Anime are all options. Look for tech-sessories with a tough feel like a video camera with the look of black leather, tire tread iPod covers, ear buds decorated with skulls, and tattoo flash drives.

- Atomic9 Grunge Buds, $40, www.atomic9.com

- Ear Pollution Plugz, $19.95, www.ifrogz.com

- Treadz iPod Nano cover, $9.95, www.ifrogz.com

- DXG Luxe camcorder, $149, www.dxgusa.com

Sponsors: Thank you HP for sponsoring our segment!!

What’s Sarah Wearing? Tahari long sleeve sheath dress (Dillard’s) and Antonio Melani woven pumps (Dillard’s).

This segment aired on Great Day Houston on December 9 and will reair on December 15, 2009. I usually present fashion and beauty items on TV. This time, I shared some of my favorite things.

http://www.khou.com/v/?i=78886752

1. Need a vacation? JetBlue is such a fun airline. They fly out of Hobby airport and have DirectTV in each seat. And your first checked bag is FREE! You’ll see WiiFii on flights in 2010. www.JetBlue.com

2. Speaking of wiifii, HP Mini Netbook computers are the latest thing! They are perfect for staying connected when you’re away from home – check email, update facebook, watch YouTube videos, share pictures, or browse online. They weigh about 3 pounds and start at $299. There’s one to match your personality and style – a beautiful eco design by Tord Boontje (tort BONE-cheh), Sparkly Diva pink, or all biz black swirl. Check them out at www.HP.com.

3. The Flip digital video cameras – While you’re on vacation, here’s a great way to make the fun last. Make digital videos with The Flip in regular or HD. They hold up to 2 hours of video and come with their own editing software built right in. When you get home, just flip out the USB connector, down load your videos and software, edit it and upload it to facebook or YouTube to share with family and friends. From $149. Check them out at www.TheFlip.com.

4. IPEVO Kaliedo R7 Digital Frame – This is the most stylish digital frame! The IPEVO Kaliedo R7 switches from landscape to portrait and takes all kinds of input – flash drive, standard sizes of digital memory cards, USB connection from your computer. The coolest feature is that it’s also wireless, so you can stream images from your rss feeds, flickr, or your friends facebook pages wirelessly to your frame. $149 at www.IPEVO.com

5. ViewSonic Widescreen LCD HD TV – The Viewsonic VT2645 is ideal for fast action in movies, sports and games. It has multiple connectivity ports for all your multimedia connections and game consoles. $479. All viewers can save $130 on this tv and get it for $349! Go to www.ViewSonic.com/greatday for details.

What’s Sarah Wearing – I.N.Studio sweater dress (style 0383D34, color Teal, $59, http://www.Dillards.com) and Frye Harness boots (color chocolate, $238, http://www.dillards.com)

To emphasize your eye color, choose a frame in a complimantary color. The color can be bold, subtle, or even accents to a neutral frame.
- Blue eyes – pick frames in pink, red, purple, or orange
- Green eyes – pick frames in purple or golden
- Golden eyes – pick frames in green or purple
- Brown etes – pick frames in any color except brown

For TV and staring at computer screens, choose polarized lenses to reduce glare and reflection. For driving transition lenses turn your driving glasses into sunglasses when you’re driving during the day. For sports, choose wrap-around styles for a secure fit, specialized tints to help you see uneven pavements, hazards and balls that can hide in the grass.

Flattering frames compliment the shape of your face. To determine your face shape, pull/slick back your hair, look straight into a mirror, draw an outline of your face on the mirror with an erasable marker or lipstick, and compare the shape of the outline to the faces below. If you have an angular face, choose rounded frames. If you have a rounded face, choose angular frames. Here are some more options for specific faces.

Oval – Face is broadest across the cheeks, longer than wide, and tapers toward the forehead and chin. Look for frames that are at least as wide as your temples with oval/walnut-shaped lenses.

Round – Face width and length are about the same, with full cheeks, and a rounded chin. Look for angular frames, wide/rectangular lenses, and a clear bridge.

Square – Face width and length are about the same, with equal distance across forehead, cheeks, and chin. Look for rounded frames with narrow lenses that are wider than they are tall.

Heart – Face is wider at temples and cheeks and narrows at jaw and chin. Look for frames in a color tone similar to skin tone (light colors for fair skin, medium colors for medium skin, dark colors for dark skin) and with rimless lenses.

Triangle – Face is narrow at temples and forehead and wider at cheeks and jaw-line. Look for attention-grabbing frames, cat eyes, or details along the top edge of the frames.

Rectangular – Face is longer than it is wide, with high cheek-bones, high/broad forehead, and broad jaw. Choose rounded frames with decorative details at the temples, a low bridge, and lenses that are taller than wide.

References: Looking Younger by Robert Jones, The Vision Council, http://www.style-makeover-hq.com, and Sarah’s experience with clients.

This TV segment begins airing on Mirror/Mirror on the LivewellHD network on September 14, 2009 in 10 cities (NY, LA, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Fresno, Raleigh/Durham, Flint, and Toledo. To watch the story, click on the video below or this link
http://livewellhd.com/video?id=7012180
.

Gaping Waist-Bands – It’s rare to find a pair of pants that fits our hips and waist at the same time. Buy pants to fit your hips and use the isABelt transparent invisible belt ($16.95 – $19.95,
http://www.isabelt.com/
) to make the waist of your pants fit perfectly. The belt is adjustable and invisible so you get the fit you need at your waist without adding bulk to your tummy. This belt is also great to keep your pants looking great when you’re loosing weight.

Heel- Wedgies – Do your pants get stuck under your heels when you wear sling-back shoes or mules? Attach Kix by Katie pant’s stays ($12.95,
http://www.kixbykatie.com/
) to the inside back seam of your pant’s leg. It works just like a “collar stay” to keep the pants straight and away from your heel.

Popping Buttons – Have you ever popped a button off your jeans? That’s a problem if you’re wearing tight jeans! Those specialized buttons are hard to find and replace. The Instant Button ($15,
http://www.instantbuttonforjeans.com/
) is a replacement button you can keep in your purse. You can also use the button to tighten/loosen the waistband of your jeans for a perfect fit.

Panty Lines – How do you avoid panty lines? Thongs and boy shorts are great for reducing panty lines. “Stick on” panties like Commando cotton patches ($10-$18, GoCommandos.com) are another option. It’s a cotton panel you can stick on to the inside of your jeans or pants so you have all the protection you need without any panty line at all.

Revealing Necklines – It’s difficult to keep underwear underwraps with all the unusual necklines this season. Many tops and dresses don’t come with a built-in bra, so it can be hard to keep your bra straps hidden. Lingerie or Body tape such as isAStrips invisible fashion tape ($6.95,
http://www.isabelt.com/
) will keep your necklines in place. You can also use it to repair torn hems or keep button-down tops from pulling across the bustline.

Visible Bra Straps – Ask your tailor add tiny straps to revealing tops to hold bra straps in place. Or use a tiny clips like Strap Tamers clips ($9,
http://www.straptamers.com/
) to keep bra straps hidden inside the shirt. Another way to keep bra straps covered is to wear a bra like the Infinite Options convertible bra ($30,
http://www.fashionforms.com/
) with straps that can be adjusted to accommodate a variety of necklines.

Slipping Spaghetti Straps – Spaghetti straps on evening gowns and camis can slip and drive you nuts. Use a or hair barrette pretty clip like the Bra Barette (from $3.99,
http://www.brabarrette.com/
) to keep straps up.

Visible Tags – Tags can be annoying, itchy and pop-up unexpectedly.You don’t want to cut tags out of clothing because they they have care instructions or designer labels. Use tag covers such as Tag Tamers adhesive tag covers ($8.99,
http://www.hollywoodfashiontape.com/
) to keep tags in place and protect your skin from itchy seams.

Underarm Stains – Arm-pit stains are never flattering! If you sweat excessively, you can use hyperhydrosis control wipessuch as Med-E-Tate hyperhydrosis control wipes ($48,
http://www.dermadoctor.com/
) on your underarm area or attach protective adhesive sheets such as Behind The Seams Apparel Sheilds ($10.99,
http://www.hollywoodfashiontape.com/
) the underarms of your clothing.

Slipping Mules – Mules are comfy and easy to wear. And it’s easy to loose them when walking on uneven surfaces or up stairs. Use an invisible clear strap like HeelStraps clear strap ($11.99,
http://www.heelstraps.com/
) to keep them in place.

Sponsors

How To Choose Flattering Fitness Fashion

The Don’ts
Skip garments that add bulk to your body or turn you into a “diamond” (wide at the waist and hips)
- Oversized T-shirts
- Drawstring pants/shorts
- Coach shorts
- Leggings/bike shorts

The Do’s

For a flattering look, choose
Skirts/dresses – flattering for hips, thighs, and thick torsos
V-neck/scoop neck– gives a leaner look
Show The Good Stuff – show off your assets and show a little skin on your best parts (legs, arms, chest). This distracts attention away from the flaws.
Tiny Parts – Show off the tiniest part of your body (rib cage or waist)
Smooth Imperfections – look for garments made from compression fabrics to smooth the waist, caboose and thighs.
Boot-Cut Pants – This style makes your curves look great and counter-acts the “diamond.” Look for yoga pants, capris with flare, or loose shorts.
Flat Waist Bands – Smooth waist bands flatten the waist and tumm.
Prints – Camouflage lumps and bumps. Prints keep the eye moving so they never settle on a flaw. Wear prints on the flawed areas.

Sources
Here are some sources for flattering fitness wear:

http://www.target.com/

C9 Workout Skorts

http://www.lululemon.com/

http://www.nike.com/

Be Strong Pants

http://www.skirtsports.com/
(misses/women plus sz)
Gym Girl Skirt
Happy Hour Skirt
Sweetest Thing Skirt (with leggings)
Wonder Girl Tank
Wonder Girl Running Dress

http://www.womanwithin.com/
(women plus sz)
Ribbed women’s plus size tank top by All American Comfort
All American Comfort® Stretch knit boot-cut yoga pants with side stripes

http://www.jms.com/
(women plus sz)
Champion® Plus Texture Tee

http://www.alwaysforme.com/
(women plus sz)
Champion® Plus Texture Tee
Women’s Plus Size Work Out Clothing – Danskin Wide Leg Pant – Style #3093 -
Womens Plus Size Activewear – Supplex – 3687 Danskin Boot Leg Plus Size Pant
Women’s Plus Size Activewear – Danskin Skort W/White Piping – Style#3109
Women’s Plus Size Work Out Clothing – Danskin Straight Leg Crop Pant – Style#3100

Thanks for reading! Love hearing what you tried and what worked for you!

These pieces will look great at each size you travel through on your journey to your goal and flatter your new body as it appears.

http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=&station=ktrk&section=&mediaId=6937264&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&site=

This TV segment aired in two parts on KTRK, Channel 13 News at 4:00 & 6:00 on July 28, 2009. Here are links to watch Part 1 and Part 2.

1. Wrap Dress – The wrap dress is versatile and can work for work, evening, or casual occasions depending on how you accessorize it. Buy the dress slightly on the small side and wear it with a cami underneath. As you shrink, the dress will adjust to accommodate your body. The reversible wrap dress shown in the story is super practical because it’s 2 dresses in one.
Cibeline reversible wrap dress (
http://www.cibeline.com/
$488)

2. Camisole – A camisole will stretch your wardrobe by giving you coverage under tops, jackets, and sweaters. It’s an inexpensive versatile layering piece. Camis come in lots of different colors and styles, so choose your favorite colors in a style that flatters your figure.

3. “Shrinky Dink” Blouse – Blouses with pleats, rouching, or ruffles can stretch to fit your figure and shrink as you do. Because it expands and contracts, it will look good at your largest state and shrink with you so it never looks too big and is always flattering. Most Shrinky Dink blouses should be dry-cleaned to retain the “bounce.” The examples used in the story were made by Alberto Makali (stye #266218), Peter Nygard, and IQ Paris and can be found at Dillard’s department stores (
http://www.dillards.com/
).

4. Wrap Sweater – This cardigan can be wrapped to flatter your figure, no matter what size you are. You can weap it more than 20 different ways, so it can be worn all week and never look the same. The sweater works for day, evening, casual, and formal ocassions. Wear it as a top over the wrap dress to make the dress look like a skirt, as a sweater over the skrinky dink blouse, or over the cami for day or a sexy look for evening.

For even more ways to wrap it, check out
http://www.dkny.com/womens/cozy_video.html
. The cashmere wrap sweaters used in the story are from Victoria’s Secret (
http://www.victoriassecret.com/
, $50).

5. Trousers – This style of pants gives you lots of room in the hips and thighs so the pants always look stylish no matter your size. The waiste of these pants is really easy to tailor, so you can make them fit as you shrink. You can also use the isABelt transparent belt to discretely cinch in the waist as your waist gets smaller. The trousers in the TV story can be found at Dillard’s department stores (
http://www.dillards.com/
). The isABelt is available at
http://www.isabelt.com/
($16 – $20)

6. Smocked Strapless Dress – The smocked dress can be worn as a strapless dress or as a maxi skirt. It has elastic stitching in the top so it will adjust to fit your figure. If you are uncomfortable wearing a strapless dress, wear it over a cami or t-shirt to give you more coverage and security. The dresses in the TV story can be found at Dillard’s department stores (
http://www.dillards.com/
).

You can wear these pieces transitionally as you change your size, or you could even create your entire wardrobe from just these six pieces – 1 wrap dress (actually two dresses in one), 4 camis in different colors, 3 shrinky dink blouses, 2 draped cardigan, 3 pairs of trousers, and 1 smocked dress. Add a couple pairs of shoes, a belt, and a few pieces of jewelry and you’ve got the perfect mix and match wardrobe!

What’s Sarah Wearing?

Alberto Makali embellished top style #141580 (
http://www.albertomakali.com/
) from Dillard’s, Isabel trouser jeans from Dillard’s, Coach platform peep-toes from Macy’s.

Who says a Diva can’t travel light? You don’t have to take a ton of luggage to look great on your next vacation. Everything you need can fit in ONE carry-on bag! This segment shows you how to make a week’s worth of outfits with just 8 pieces of clothing, 2 pairs of shoes, and 6 accessories.

Here is the segment. It begins airing on Mirror/Mirror on the LivewellHD network on May 19, 2009 in 10 cities (NY, LA, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Fresno, Raleigh/Durham, Flint, and Toledo). Check the website for local listings (
http://www.livewellhd.com/
).

You can have just the right outfit for a 7-day vacation and fit EVERYTHING in a carry on bag. The key to traveling light is choosing versatile pieces that can mix and match and do “double duty.” There are two ways to do it: either choose neutral clothing and colorful accessories, or colorful clothing and neutral accessories.

The Clothing
In this segment, I chose colorful tops, neutral bottoms, and neutral accessories so everything goes together no matter how you combine them. Every top works with every bottom on our list.

Tiered Skirt/Dress – This tiered skirt can also be worn as a strapless dress. It’s perfect on its own as a beach coverup, paired with the wrap cardigan as a comfy air travel outfit, or dressed up with the halter top for an evening out ($88, Michael Stars).

Wrap Cardigan – This coverup can be worn loose as a sweater, tied “cross-over” style in the front as a top, or tied at the back to make an open-back party top ($69, David Cline).

Ruffle Shirt Jacket – This pink shirt can be worn buttoned up as a pretty blouse or unbottoned as a jacket ($44, Ya).

Halter Top – The green top can be dressed up with a skirt for dinner or worn casually with shorts to the beach or with pants for shopping ($66, Michael Stars).

Tank – The turquoise tank can be worn on it’s own with shorts or a skirt, or layered under the shirt/jacket ($41, Michael Stars).

Pants – Khakis (or dressy jeans) can be dressed up or down and work with every top on our list ($159 Billy Blues).

Walking Shorts – These animal print walking shorts can be worn casually or dressed up with a jacket or blouse ($119, Randy Kemper).

Print Dress With Embellished Neckline – This dress doesn’t need any jewelry because the embellishment at the neckline is jewelry. Wear it on its own to a dressy dinner or party. Turn the dress into a skirt by wearing it with a coordinating blouse and its perfect for lunch or shopping ($349, Laundry).

Accessories
All the accessories are neutral (gold, pewter, silver, white, brown), so they go with any and every piece of clothing on our list.

Shoes – These sandals are comfortable so they can be worn all day. They are very versitale because they are made from dressy material in casual styles, so they can be dressed up or down. Gold strappy sandals ($85, Michael Stars) and metallic stone sandals ($132, Steve Madden).

Hat – This hat has a wide brim for sun protection, is crushable so it can be packed and then popped back into shape, and stylish so it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. San Diego Packable Hat ($45,
http://www.sandiegohat.com/
)

Bracelet – The bracelet adds a little texture and interest to outfits created from solid colors ($24, ethnic bracelet)

Modern Pearl Drop Earrings and Squiggle Gold Earrings – These earrings are the perfect balance between casual and dressy – the pearls/gold dress them up and the styling keeps them fun. These earrings will dress up a casual outfit without making the look too formal. ($163, Alexis Bitar; $139, Bobby Boase)

Gold Squiggle Link Necklace – This necklace also balances between casual and dressy. The gold material makes it dressy, while the asymetrical styling keeps it fresh ($286, Bobby Boase).

Convertible White Bag – The bag can be big or small. Unbutton the clasps and the bag becomes a full size totabag, perfect for shopping of the beach. Button-up the clasps and the bag becomes a handbag that’s small enough for dinner or a party ($399, Kooba).

Personal Items

Carry-On Bag – When choosing your bag, look for one that’s roomy, with wheels, pockets for organization, and is within the FAA size requirements. Siamod Wheeled Duffle Bag ($290,
http://www.careerbags.com/
) and Zuca Pro ($285,
http://www.zuca.com/
).

To save space, look for travel-size versions of the items you use every day.

Chi Mini Travel Iron & Dryer and haircare ($150,
http://www.farouk.com/
)
Goddess Clutch from POP beauty ($32,
http://www.drugstore.com/
)
Michael Marcus Sable Travel Brush Kit ($98,
http://www.MichaelMarcus.com/
)
Ole Hendriksen Travel skincare kit ($70,
http://www.sephora.com/
)
Hanky Panky stretch lace thongs and boy shorts ($18 – $38
http://www.hankypanky.com/
)

Thank you Dimensions (
http://www.dimensions6100.com/
) for providing the clothing and accessories for the segment!

What’s Sarah Wearing? Alberto Makali purple print dress (
http://www.dillards.com/
$178), Enzo brown suede platform boots ($150), gold tone necklace (JS Collections, Harwin St. Houston, $5)

This TV segment will appear on San Anonio Living (WOAI, Channel 4) on February 27, 2009. To watch it, click on the link at the bottom of this post.

No matter how attractive a woman is, more often than not, she doesn’t like what she sees in the mirror. We spend lots of energy trying fad diets, starting exercise programs, or just beating ourselves up about the way our bodies look. There is another way! You can make yourself look thinner just by changing your clothing.

Many women just choose the wrong clothing. Either we wear clothes that are too loose to cover up imperfections. Or we insist on wearing a certain size and look like we’re bursting out of our too tight clothes. We think we’re hiding our flaws but we are really making ourselves look 10 to 30 pounds heavier than we really are.

Today I brought along 3 women who would like to change their bodies. We’re going to make them look thinner just by changing their clothing. We aren’t even going to use Spanks!

Model 1 – Hips & Thighs

Michelle just had a baby. She used to be a size 2 and is now a size 8. She’d like to reduce her hips and thighs. Here’s what we did to create the illusion of smaller hips and thighs:
- Shrank her hips with wider leg pants and by expanding her shoulders (puffy sleeves)
- Showed off her small waist by emphasizing her ribcage (tailored vest)
- Divert attention away from her hips by bringing the focus to her upper body and feet (bright color and detail)
- Made her thinner over all by making her look taller – upper body lengthened with V-neckline and vertical lines, legs lengthened with really long pants and platform heels

Melissa’s outfit is from Macy’s: INC knit shirt ($24), XOXO Vest ($44), Kenneth Cole Jeans ($99), Rocket Dog Platforms ($59)

Model 2 – Tummy

Beverly is the business manager for sculptor Pablo Solomon. She is a size 8 and would like to minimize her tummy. Here’s what we did to create the illusion of a smaller tummy:
- Camouflaged the tummy (with flat pleats, or rouching)
- Showed off her small waist by emphasizing her ribcage
- Divert attention away from tummy by bringing the focus to her upper body (jewelry) & legs
- Made her thinner over all by making her look taller (Upper body lengthened by V-neckline and pendant necklace. Legs lengthened with high heels)

Beverly’s outfit is from Macy’s: Adrianna Pappel dress ($160) and Kenneth Cole shoes ($99)

Model 3 – Thick Torso (no waist)
Sarah (me) is a size 12-14 and would like to create a waist to make torso look thinner.
Here’s what we did to create the illusion of a smaller waist
- Broaden shoulders (reveal skin at shoulders)
- Boaden hips (A-line skirt)
- Emphasize ribcage (this is the smallest part of a woman’s body)
- Camouflaged the tummy (with flat gathers)
- Divert attention away from torso by bringing the focus to her upper body (jewelry) and legs
- Made her thinner over all by making her look taller (upper body lengthened by V-neckline and legs lengthened with shoes with heels)

Sarah’s dress is by Alberto Makali (Dillard’s, $178)

The tricks to Dressing Yourself Skinny (TM):
- Avoid horizontal lines (makes us look wider) & create lots of V’s (makes us look taller)
- Divert attention to your assets so you don’t look at your flaws
- Make yourself taller with long pants and heels (even ½” heel makes a difference)
- Balance your proportions so your hips and shoulders appear to be the same width and waist looks smaller

Click on the link to watch the segment

You are not your wardrobe! But like it or not, people judge you based on your appearance. With the pace of life, putting others first, and changing bodies, it’s easy to get into ruts and habits that camouflage your beauty. Elements that are often missing are style, foundation, authenticity, flattery, accessories, and makeup that really works.

The Be-YOU-tiful Series is designed to assist women entrepreneurs and leaders in adding these pieces to what is already working.

Attend all six sessions or just choose a few that are interesting to you.

Discover & Exress Your Style – Friday, January 9th 1:00-4:00 pm
Get clear about your authentic style, discover what feels right and create a look that works for your life. Good-bye buyers remorse!

Foundations Of A Flawless Look – Friday, Jan 23rd 1:00-4:00 pm
Wearing the right bra and foundation garments is the single most powerful thing you can do to repair your wardrobe and body image. Who knew changing your underwear could make all the difference? Personal advice, fitting, and shopping all rolled into one!

Clothes That Speak Your Mind – Friday, February 6th 1:00-4:00 pm
Like it or not, you are judged based on your appearance. Your image can misrepresent you or tell people who you really are. Learn to dress in a way that reflects your talents and character traits, is fun and inspiring for you, works for your lifestyle, and is appropriate for your passion and profession. No more mixed signals!

Dress Yourself Skinny – Friday, March 13th 1:00-4:00 pm
Maybe it’s not you…just your clothes? Discover the mistakes that cause you to look bigger than you really are, transform your body, get expert fitting and advice just for you, and drop 15 pounds just by changing your clothes!

Accessory Rescue – Friday, April 3rd 1:00-4:00 pm
Accessories are the finishing touch and can make or break your look. Get expert advice about where to put them, how to coordinate them, which ones work for you, and solutions for all your accessory dilemmas. Plus guided shopping in the best kept secret of Houston’s Harwin St.

Makeup For Real Women – Friday, May 1st 1:00-4:00 pm
The right makeup can make people notice the real you. Learn the secrets for picking the right colors, application tips to look younger and more vibrant, and clean-out or restock your makeup bag so it works for YOU!

Be-YOU-Tiful Graduation Party – Thursday June 4th, 6:30-8:00 pm
Now you’re one of the Be-YOU-tiful people! You’re invited to celebrate and show off your new look when you participate in at least one workshop! Graduates of the full series are invited to be models and stars of the party!

Attend single sessions for just $149
Register for all six sessions for $745 and save $149 (that’s one full workshop free!)

To register, call (713) 686-8587 or email sarah@sarahshah.com or click on the links below.

Be-You-Tiful Series – All 6 Sessions register

Session 1 – Discover & Exress Your Style register
Friday, January 9th 1:00-4:00 pm

Session 2 – Foundations Of A Flawless Look register
Friday, Jan 23rd 1:00-4:00 pm

Session 3 – Clothes That Speak Your Mind register
Friday, February 6th 1:00-4:00 pm

Session 4 – Dress Yourself Skinny register
Friday, March 13th 1:00-4:00 pm

Session 5 – Accessory Rescue register
Friday, April 3rd 1:00-4:00 pm

Session 6 – Makeup For Real Women register
Friday, May 1st 1:00-4:00 pm

Click screen to watch Sarah’s recent TV appearances

Dress Yourself Skinny!
No more crash dieting! You can change your body just by changing your clothes and accessories. Sarah shows you how to drop 15 pounds in 5 minutes. Really! (it’s a great instant self-esteem boost, or motivation to stay on a healthy diet and loose the rest of the weight)

7 Deadly Underwear Sins
The 7 ways our underwear makes us look fatter than we really are. Who knew changing your underwear could change your life?!

Fashion First Aid
The secrets to a flawless look! 10 secrets that will transform you from Frumpy to Fabulous!

Pack Light, Look Right
Fit 14 great outfits into one piece of carry-on luggage. No matter where you’re going – a business trip, relaxing on beach, or a holiday vacation – you can look impeccable for more than a week with just 10 pieces of clothing, 2 pairs of shoes, and a few pieces of jewelry.

Cute Shoes That Are Comfortable Too
Sarah has been on the prowl for comfortable shoes for women who don’t want to look like they wear comfortable shoes. You’ll never believe these beautiful, cute, fun shoes don’t kill your feet!

Sun Protection With Style
Protecting our skin is one of the most important and least expensive ways to preserve the youth, beauty, and the health of our skin. Sarah has found fashionable hats, sun glasses, and clothing that protect you from the sun’s rays. And the coolest sunless tanner ever! Yes, you can protect your skin and be cute today, so you’re still beautiful tomorrow!

What To Wear On Election Day?
Feeling the urge to express yourself during election season? Here are some ways to express your political opinion without loosing it (your job or friends, that is)!

They’re here! The spring fashion magazines are on newsstands now. And they’re filled with spring trend reports and photographs from the hottest runway shows. But the pictures and styles tend to be extreme “Fashionista” versions, perfect for impact on the runway but not so practical for real life. To confuse the issue further, each magazine editor (and designer) has her own opinion about which trends are THE ones to wear this year.

Here’s some help sorting through all that information so you can figure out what’s wearable and works for you. Here are the practical colors and trends and advice for making them work.

The Color Palette

The Spring 2008 palette is straight out of the garden. The brights of spring bulbs – daffodil yellows, tulip reds and oranges, crocus purples, hyacinth blue, and crisp spring greens are tempered by the earthy shades of sweet cantaloupe, dogwood pink, fresh wheat, lichen green, and heather gray.
The earthy undertones of all the shades make wearing and matching them a snap. Pick any 2 or 3 colors, mix them with your favorite neutrals – and voilá, you’re instantly modern and chic. The look can be classic or eclectic depending on how you put them together.

The Trends

This season is all about mixing strength with femininity. The femininity of ruffles, florals, and sheer fabrics are tempered by updated menswear detailing and tailored silhouettes. The trends are bold, Bold, BOLD!!

The easiest way to incorporate this season’s bold trends – pick a couple key pieces (a dress, jacket, skirt, blouse, or shoe) and mix them with neutral clothes from your closet, simple accessories, and fresh makeup.

Soft & Tailored – Express your femininity with soft ruffles, sheer panels, eyelet details, flowy skirts, and gauzy layers. Look for styles with tailored silhouettes and delicate fabrics to keep the frills from overwhelming your body and adding bulk. A few accessories with a little sparkle or metallic shimmer are all you need to make the look oh so sophisticated. This trend works for the girly girl or for the tomboy who wants to soften the edges a little.

Off The Shoulder – After so many seasons of baring everything from mid-drifts to butt-cleavage, this season’s off the shoulder styles allow us to show a little skin and still leave a lot to the imagination. Asymmetrical dresses and tops with one sleeve or shoulder strap work for almost every age and body. They are perfect for weekends and evenings, and can work for day if you’re in a creative field.

Florals –This season, florals come in every possible color and print. They are soft or bright, bold or delicate, earthy or graphic. Choose the print that’s right for you. If you work in an office setting, add a floral blouse under a suit or with a tailored skirt. If you’re on the run with the kids, pair a floral skirt or shorts with a t-shirt and flats. Metallic, clear lucite or crystal accessories are the perfect compliment.

Brights – If you like classic tailored pieces, this is a great trend for you. Spring’s rich bright colors awaken even the simplest basic garments. Add a few bright pieces in a simple style to your classic wardrobe and you’ll be on trend without being trendy.

Skirts & Dresses – Skirts and dresses abound in every possible shape and length. Choose the ones that fit your style, body, dress-code or mood. Shorter dresses can also be worn over pants if your legs aren’t ready for that much sunlight!

Safari – The new safari is slimmer and more flattering than ever before. It’s comfortable and tailored – great for business casual or a casual party. Earthy accessories made of natural materials are perfect compliments (espadrilles, sandals, and metallic and leather jewelry).

Ethnic & Tribal – African, Middle Eastern, and Asian fabrics and details influence fashion this season. Too many of these elements worn together can turn you into a National Geographic cover. Keep the hippie look at bay by wearing one global piece at a time. Pair it with comfortable classic pieces in natural fabrics like linen, cotton, or silk. Finish your outfit with one dramatic piece of jewelry made from natural materials.

Let me know what you tried and what worked for you! If you want to see these trends in action, tune into Great Day Houston on April 1 and I’ll show you how “in person.” If you missed it, here’s a link to the video
http://www.khou.com/greatday/fashion/?nvid=231994&shu;=1
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Sarah Shah is an Image Artist, Media Coach, & Speaker. Contact her at (713) 686-8587 or sarah@sarahshah.com.

© Sarah Shah, Imagine Unlimited 2008, All Rights Reserved