Gone are the days when travel was a glamorous affair. It is still wonderful when we arrive at our destinations, but getting there is not what it used to be. Since we live in an era when everything extra costs more, I decided it was time for a post sharing some stylish, yet simplified travel tips. Also, spring is around the corner and it will be time for those fabulous trips before we know it!

Staying fashionable while traveling is not too difficult, but you must plan ahead. Instead of looking at your schedule and packing a separate outfit for each day of travel, try to think of clothes in terms of capsules. This means creating groupings of items that work together and give you more bang for your buck, so to speak.

A great pair of jeans can go from day to night with the right top and accessories. A simple, but elegant dress (black or otherwise) can be at the center of several outfit combinations. Don’t be afraid to layer for added flair. In addition to layering for style, find out what the climate is like where you are going and make sure you will be warm or cool enough to be comfortable. Fabric doesn’t have to be thick to keep you warm, especially when you have a gorgeous silk scarf or wrap.

As you are planning your travel wardrobe, edit everything with a critical eye. Nobody wants to haul a heavy piece of luggage around and every unnecessary item of clothing that you bring along is added weight. Don’t forget jewelry when you are traveling, but leave those irreplaceable heirloom pieces at home. Bring a few elegant, but sensible items of jewelry that you can mix and match as well.

The bottom line is that we want to express our personal style no matter how far away from home we are. This is completely possible if we keep these things in mind. By planning ahead and packing versatile items, it is much more likely to have a wonderful and stylish travel adventure!

We’re smack dab in the heart of winter and that means chilly temperatures, blustery winds, in addition to shorter, darker days. This is a time when many people suffer from a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and it can cause feelings of depression, lack of interest in activities and just general moodiness. Scientists believe that it is caused, in part, by lower levels of Vitamin D, a necessary element that we get from the sun’s rays. Sticking to a vitamin regimen can help, but did you know that your clothes can also play a large part in how you are feeling?

While it might feel more natural to pile on layers of charcoal gray, somber browns and blacks, instead think about adding some color to your wardrobe and just see how much it boosts your mood. Wear the colors that make you happy. Your “happy colors” are good for your mood as well as the moods of others around you. In a sea of dark colors, you’ll definitely stand out.

 Color affects our moods in many different ways. Yellow is known to cheer people up, hence its use in hospitals. Blue is considered soothing while red sparks creativitiy. Greens are shown to energize and refresh. Purple, long associated with royalty, adds a regal quality to any outfit.

 Not sure about donning an entire outfit of color in the winter months? Start small by adding some touches of color using accessories. A bright necklace or tie can do wonders for your overall outlook. Throw on a vividly printed scarf to give new life to your dark winter coat. Or even still, choose a winter coat in a jewel tone such as emerald green or magenta. This way you can always have a little color even in the dead of winter.

 Be brave when it comes to color. Don’t just stick to the basic 3-color wheel (red, blue, yellow). Branch out with other shades and hues like tangerine orange, dandelion yellow, poppy red, Mediterranean blue or cotton-candy pink. Have wonderful memories of a relaxing trip to the beach? Choose colors that remind you of it and then you can mentally transport yourself there even when the cold winds are blowing.

 It all comes down to your choices and what makes you look and feel great. So if you are feeling those winter blahs, spice things up by adding some excitement with your wardrobe. Cheer up, spring will be here before we know it!

These days, everyone from middle school students to celebrities is taking part in the new wave that is social media. With programs like Facebook and Twitter growing rapidly in membership every day, it is clear that social media isn’t going to lose popularity anytime soon. Like with any other new trend, we are often so excited to jump on the bandwagon that we end up missing sight of the big picture, that is, how our social media usage can actually impact our lives. Don’t misunderstand, social media is a great tool! If you have a business or are a media personality yourself, Facebook and Twitter are two wonderful ways to stay in touch with your audiences and connect with potential clients and customers. Using these social media platforms to market your brand is definitely the way to go, but we have to be very careful to remember that even our personal Facebook pages are an extension of ourselves, therefore serve as an extension of our businesses as well.
 
Many recent college grads are experiencing the backlash of social media when they are passed over for jobs because of some poor behavior choices that were documented on Facebook. Potential employers now make it a practice to explore a job candidate’s web presence, i.e. how that person has represented himself on the web. You might be thinking that this isn’t fair, that your personal Facebook page is just for your friends and should be off-limits for your business colleagues to view, but the truth is your image is your brand. Some employers are even adding what is known as a “moral turpitude clause” to their employment agreements. How you present yourself via social media represents who you are, your values, and what you stand for and when you represent a company or organization, its image is also in question.
 
There are other pitfalls from using social media, particularly in the area of “over-sharing.” Never post information that pertains to when you might be leaving town. Someone that you have friended might actually decide to help himself to your home and valuables during your absence. Over-sharing in general can also make you an easy target for stalkers so be aware of the potential dangers and don’t share any personal information that could compromise your security.

A great rule of thumb when it comes to social media is this: If you wouldn’t put something on a billboard overlooking Times Square, you shouldn’t be putting it on the web. When you communicate with others via social media, use proper grammar and spelling. It’s fine to use widely acceptable abbreviations, but don’t be Lol’ing and Omg’ing all over the place. This makes you (and the organizations you represent) look juvenile. Always be positive and don’t use social media to cut others down or take shots at people for the sake of your pride. One adage to remember is “living well is the best revenge”….in other words, let your fabulous self shine and you’ll never have to belittle others to feel good about yourself.

If you already have profiles on social media platforms, take some time to evaluate them. Look at everything you have posted as well as things that others have posted about you (including pictures). If any of the information doesn’t cast you in the best light, remove it. Then try to move forward using some of these principles to shape your web presence. We might only get one chance to make a first impression, but it’s never too late to make strides to reshape our images. If you’ve made some poor choices using social media, address them directly and apologize. And show others a bit of grace when they do the same. Social media might be the wave of the future, but it is up to us as users to help shape that future, instead of just following along.

Since those holiday gift cards are probably burning a hole in your pocket, why not take advantage of the January sales going on and indulge in a little retail therapy. As we talked about here, taking inventory of our closets is very important as is purging them of things we don’t wear anymore. Before you hit the mall, take a minute to brush up on these tips to become a savvy shopper.

The first rule of good clothes shopping is to only choose items that reflect your personal image and style. You can always incorporate current trends into your wardrobe without losing sight of your own unique style, just be careful not to follow fads that are often short-lived. Know what items you are looking for before you start a shopping excursion in order to stay focused.

When shopping, wear shoes with the correct heel height for trying on pants and skirts and take along some pins in case an item needs instant hemming to get an idea of its fit. A good tailor can always easily make alterations for you on those articles of clothing that need them. Also wear (or bring) hose, tights or Spanx if you plan on wearing them under the clothes you are shopping for. If you are trying to complete outfits with items of clothing you already own, bring those items too so you can match them up with new things.

Think about the climate where you live and shop accordingly, taking materials and fabrics into consideration. Classic cotton, wools, silks, and linen are always a good choice. Always shop for items in colors that flatter your skin tone, hair and eyes. Many people think there are colors they just cannot wear, but there are variations of every color that are universally flattering. Red, for example, can have blue or yellow undertones and you can determine which one looks best on you. 

Each season, www.pantone.com presents the latest color trends. Spring Fashion 2011 colors include:

While shopping can be a fun pastime, it’s important to be aware of your budget and stick to it. Don’t ever buy something just because it is a good deal. Think about whether or not you’d pay full-price for a sale item. If the answer is no, you might not need to buy the item. Make sure that everything you buy looks great on you and that it will mesh with your existing wardrobe to create fabulous new outfits and don’t forget to look for accessories that can instantly update your looks.

Finally, remember to shop for the folks in your life. Keep an updated list of people that you might need to buy gifts for during the year. This way, you can always be on the lookout for things instead of having to search last-minute when selection might not be as great.