I haven’t done a Works for Me Wednesday post in a long time, but this tip is too good to keep to myself. And too simple.
Pour leftover coffee into ice cube trays. Use the coffee ice cubes for summer iced coffee beverages or even just a glass of milk. Yum! 
And you know how some recipes call for a small amount of coffee? Now I always have some on hand.
I’m re-posting this, one of the very first posts I ever wrote, after dr wende’s request for more info on matching shoes to hair color. More new stuff added at the end.
If you could only have one pair of shoes, what color should they be? Whatever color your hair is. Of course, I don’t want to become some sort of shoe nazi. The principle I’m suggesting is balance. Simply put, your hair is always part of your ensemble, the very top part. Your shoes can repeat the color, like bookends, without necessarily becoming part of what’s in between.
So, has anybody noticed that I don’t follow my own rule? Well, I always say, “when you understand the rules, THEN you may consider breaking them.” I wear brown. Brown is my former hair color and my eye color and a more practical shoe color than ecru metallic, or whatever color my hair is considered to be now. he hee.
A run-down on common hair colors and what shoes to wear with:
When I first learned about the whole length-balancing thing, I was pretty confused. For one, I tried to measure everything to the inch, which is not at all necessary. Later I learned that there are a finite number of classic formulas, like a knee-length skirt or dress, and within an inch or two is close enough. If I happen to have more creative energy, I can do something more complicated.
My other error was thinking that all this color combining stuff meant that monochromatic outfits were not good. Not so! Monochromatic outfits are still a great way to look slim and put together. And with a dress or a suit, an all one color look, length-balancing isn’t really an issue. (Just for fun, I’m going to try illustrating this post with maternity clothes. Anybody want to announce they are expecting?)
Do:
Thanks, eternalvoyageur, for suggesting the topic. And since I’m not so much an embellishment person, do any of you readers have favorite “accessorizing the monochromatic outfit” tips?
Gone are the Color Me Beautiful days, when color temperature was queen and color swatches were prime minister. Want a color philosophy that is timelessly flattering to you? Learn to mimic the way your personal coloring combines colors.
What hues are present in your coloring? How do they relate to each other on the color wheel? You may want to wear color schemes that use the same color harmonies.
Is your coloring dark, medium, or light, or a combination? Basic color value combining repeats the darkness of the hair and skin in the garments, and accents with the color value of the eyes.
Finally, which elements of your coloring are clear and which are muted? Is your skin or hair visually textured or patterned? Wearing heathered colors is very attractive with muted skin tones, and vertical stripes enhance streaked hair. Again, repetition is the concept.
Does this seem elementary to you? More sophisticated color combining takes the concept of repetition and adds drama with contrast. Just add black or white.
In Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45
Consider, for example, the fact that the Type A figure is the most common figure type. Consider also the ubiquity of the black top worn with khakis. Precisely the “don’t” illustrated in the book. With that lovely contrast line right around the hips.
This suit would be a do for anyone wishing to minimize hips or tummy and maximize the upper body, where, incidentally, the face is generally located. 
A reader asks:
So… what are your personal colors? Do you narrow it down to 3 or 4? Do you add a funky trendy piece in a new color every once in a while?
A good question. I’ve talked around it, mentioning my signature color and the fact that I build my color scheme on my own personal coloring and lots of other color stuff, but I don’t know that I’ve ever just come right out and told you what colors I wear. So here it is:
That’s pretty much it. And jeans, of course, three quarters of the year. These colors form the back-bone of my wardrobe and are the ones I would systematically plan and shop for.
Sure, I venture into other colors from time to time, especially when thrifting. A funky, trendy piece in a new color? Hmmm, maybe not the best. How about a funky, trendy piece in a basic color? Or a funky, trendy color in a tee-shirt?
Homeschooling mom Robin Lucas came up with the idea for Chic Peeks after losing her mother-in-law to cancer last year. She wore her favorite black dress to the funeral which happened to be very low cut. She used the good ‘ole “safety pin method” to close the decolletage so it wouldn’t show too much of “the girls”. When she got home after a long day, she had pin holes in the fabric and it was absolutely ruined!
Chic Peeks are adhesive blouse fronts used to conceal cleavage peek-a-boos when wearing low cut tops and dresses. My only caveat would be to choose the cotton or micro-fiber over the lace; I suppose there could be an instance where the lace would look appropriate, but generally speaking, IMO, it looks like underwear.
Here’s how Chic Peeks work:
1. Peel- Peel open the Chic Adhesive strips
2. Press- Firmly Press the Chic Adhesive strips into your favorite Chic Peek
3. Position- Carefully Position your favorite Chic Peek into the decolletage at the desired height
4. Place- Place your Chic Peek by firmly pressing your garment decolletage onto your Chic Peek and smile
Congratulations to Robin and her sisters for launching a creative solution to a common problem!
Lulus.com has generously offered us a coupon code: betweenmypeers (code is case sensitive). This will give 15% off of a purchase at checkout (no minimum purchase required) from today until August 1rst of this year. Affordably priced, Lulus sells unique stuff, and they have a TON of dresses which would make super darling tops!
So, we had our first annual family reunion (on my side of the family) last month and I came home with treasures. One, a gorgeous pair of long, black, leather gloves, and two, a dress which reminds me very much of these:
Should I wear it?
I’ll be 45 this upcoming holiday season or I’ll die trying. (ha ha)
Did anyone else notice that particular age in our Trinny and Susannah caricature book conversation? (The other age that was mentioned was 67. Believe me, we are coming back to that one!) The authors brought it up, and now The Makeover Guy, Christopher Hopkins, is talking about 45 too, in his book Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45
Watch this youtube. IMO, this guy does the best job of all the “what to wear” celebrities of preserving the uniqueness of the person’s style idiom.
(Surprisingly enough, he’s even using shoulder pads on one of the models. It’s refreshing that he’s not simply trying to make everyone over to be “in style”.)
This lady pictured, for example, looks so much better that I’m thinking:
