Kate's In, Jon's Out and the Show Does Go On

For those of us who have watched Jon and Kate Gosselin as they made their way through life with 8 kids, it came as no surprise when Jon and Kate announced their marital split. Well, it seems that's not the only split from Kate that Jon is facing. TLC announced that Jon and Kate Plus Eight will evolve under a new name, Kate Plus 8, with a deeper focus on Kate's role as a single mother carving out her own niche in life. Jon will still appear on the show but with less frequency. With his recent "bad boy" look (not to mention, attitude), I feel this move is a great segue into the next chapter of the Gosselin life.

While Jon seems to have had a makeover of sort, albeit the wrong kind, I think it's time Kate had one of her own. I know she's recently sported a new haircute (love it!) but my feeling is that with this big life change, Kate should have the opportunity to change her look and transition into the woman she is blossoming into. She's in a more quiet, reflective time in her life and can back off from being the "bad guy" in Jon's eyes and get back to the business of tending to her kids, as well as herself. Creating a new look for herself that reflects where she is on her journey through life would go a long way in helping Kate feel empowered and competent in her new role. I would love to assist her in creating that look.

As a personal image consultant, I work with women during different chapters in their lifes. One of the best ways to help define a new chapter in one's life is with a new look - one that taps into a person's authentic self and reflects who they are on the inside. I think now that Kate is a single mom with a forge ahead attitude, she aslo has softened a bit. Her once-right edgy look is almost too harsh for her new role and I think she deserves some time to hone her image to bring the inside out.

Gray: The New Black

This season black takes a backseat to its first cousin once removed – gray. More than just a watered down version of a perennial stand-by, gray comes in varying shades and has a personality all its own. Try it as a foil for a warm, earthy claret and it blends beautifully, highlighting the claret and pushing it to the forefront. Try it with a shade such as warm olive or crème brulee and this subtle shade doesn’t overpower but lets them shine. While black can be intense and draining, gray is much less harsh and can provide a more uplifting backdrop to a color, whether neutral or bright. Try a dark gray overcoat for an updated version that goes with everything, or light gray denim for a wardrobe update.

Gray has even made its way into beauty palettes everywhere – why not treat yourself to a charcoal nail polish with a hint of metallic? It’s an updated color that goes with everything and will make your wardrobe so very au courant.

Fresh-Faced for Fall

Fall is here - time to bid our sun-kissed summer glow goodbye and welcome a new look for the season. Colors, along with textures, play a big part in defining the look this season. Makeup artist, Christoper Drummond, creates a line of all natural beauty products and offers up his top picks to give you a fresh face and keep your look au courant:

Gold Eyeshadow – What better way to maintain the radiant look that the sun gives us than to apply a beautiful golden eye shadow? According to Christopher, gold eyeshadow looks great on everyone, whether you use a small amount just to perk up the eyes or a large amount to glam up the look. Christopher Drummond Oro Shadow ($17.50) can be applied in a small amount with the finger tips for a beautiful “worn in” look or it can be layered for more intensity.

Hydrated Skin – Wind, cold and sun all damage the skin. Maintaining sky hydration is good to protect the skin and to allow for you to have healthy-looking, glowing skin. The Christopher Drummond Saude Pele Radiance Booster ($85) is an antioxidant-packed skin saving and hydrating power that does for your skin what the harsh weather doesn’t. Plus, a product like this can be used in many ways: as an eyeshadow base, a highlighter on the cheek bones, mix it with clear gloss to boost up the look of your lips, mix it with your moisturizer, and even mix it with your hair gel to add extra oomph! This one product has over twenty beauty uses, giving you more bang for your beauty buck.

Deep Green Eye Liner – Perfect for the commitment-phobic, a shimmery deep green liner is a great addition to the eyes without going full-out. According to Christopher, it adds a dash of color without looking like you have too much color on. This fall, Christopher Drummond will be releasing a new liner called Peacock.

Minimal Makeup – Christopher, who recently worked on makeup for New York Fashion Week, says that the big trend for spring 2010 is nude makeup. So why not beat everyone to the punch and start the trend early? Products like Christopher Drummond Veludo Velvet Foundation ($65) even out skin tone, while still showing off the positive attributes about your skin. Plus, if you're short on concealer just mix a little water with this power foundation and you've created a consistency that covers dark circles, redness and blemishes.

Read more about Christoper Drummond and his line of cosmetics that are 100% natural, vegan and made with organic ingredients, ensuring they are not only good for your skin, but good for the environment. Infused with an exclusive blend of Brazilian Açai, botanical extracts, and trace minerals, his products are designed to help take your skin to the next level.

Experienced Writers Wanted

After a lovely three and a half years editing One Chic Mama, it's time to branch out. As we grow and expand we're looking for a handful of clever, witty and fashionable contributors. If you're a mom who currently blogs, and have expertise in the areas of beauty, style, time management, hair, food and life balance, we'd love to talk with you. If your expertise lies in another area and you feel it would be valuable to moms, go ahead and drop us a line. We're open to possibilities. If you're interested, please send me an email and include your experience, links to blogs you write for, and a little about yourself. All applicants should be mothers.

We look forward to talking with you and including you here on One Chic Mama.

Warmly,

Michele

Naturally Fresh and Odor Free

Looking for a natural deodorant that really works? Try Take a Whiff! from Pristine Beauty. With a scent reminiscent of creamsicles this all natural deodorant ($22) is free of aluminum, parabens and phthalates. Blair Kessler, breast cancer survivor and CEO of Pristine Beauty, offers up a tip to help make this deodorant almost as effective as its chemical counterpart: when natural deodorants are applied it must be on completely dry underarms. After the deodorant is applied, take a big powder brush and baking soda and lightly dust under the arms. This trick works to help keep you dry for hours, au naturel. A portion of proceeds from Pristine Beauty will benefit young breast cancer survivors and cancer prevention research.

Coco, Before Chanel

"Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." Coco Chanel

One of the most influential designers of all time, and one of my personal favorites, is Coco Chanel. A simple woman with big dreams, she grew to heights few women in her time only imagined, as well as a fashion icon long past her demise. Credited for many wonderful quotes, as well as the LBD (little black dress), Chanel brought elegant her style of menswear-inspired fashion to the forefront, and here in 2009, the look has never seemed so modern. Chanel had an eye for the classically elegant and timeless designs that will continue to look chic for years to come.

Get Chanel's iconic menswear-inspired look this season. It's stylish, easy to wear and very on trend this season. Add one piece or adopt the entire look. A few hallmarks of her version of the menswear-inspired look include oxford shoes, strands of pearls, full-legged trousers and cropped cardigans and jackets. Add a pretty flower pin, a soft beret and a pair of gloves to soften the look and you'd be fit for Coco's approval for sure!

Watch the trailer for the recently released Coco Before Chanel.

Chic Handbags from ELSPETH

A busy mom needs a handbag that serves all her needs - part diaper bag, part catch-all and all parts cool. Elizabeth Phillips, the designer behind the handbag line, ELSPETH, understands and says that “the complete bag should be stylish and practical; and it should fit the occasion.” Her handbags embrace these traits and include a touch of luxurious materials, vivacious colors and a quality that moms can appreciate. A few trends Elizabeth has seen emerge this season include:

Big, Bold Colors: Warm up any look this season with bright colored hobos, totes and clutches. Try a pop of red, magenta or indigo for a look that's on-trend, or go for an understated satchel in gray with a surprising touch of raspberry.

Take A Walk on the Wild Side: Skins are back! Bold textures such as ostrich or anaconda make a statement and are a season must-have. Try a roomy clutch for a fun alternative to a shoulder bag.

Too Cool for School: Totes and satchels are the perfect bag for the mom on the go. She needs a bag that can easily transition from day to night while hauling around all the essentials such as sippy cups, emergency snacks, wallet and make-up.

Bellies & Babies this Weekend in Indy

For all you Indiana moms (or surrounding areas) you simply must make it to the Bellies and Babies Expo in Indianapolis this coming Saturday, September 25th. There are so many things on the agenda I can't mention them all but will give you a few highlights. First of all, I will be on hand signing my new book, Mama's Little Helpers: bite-sized beauty and style tips for busy moms (will be available on the site soon, I promise). Beginning at 10am you can stroll the aisles of vendors while sipping delicious non-alcoholic Preggatinis mixed by the Liquid Muse herself, Natalie Bovis-Nelson. There will be the World's Biggest Baby Shower, with 1500 lucky moms going home with wonderful gifts. Shopping, educational seminars, freebies from Fisher-Price (among others) and a wonderful experience for any new mom or expecting mom are all on the agenda for the Bellies and Babies Expo, making it an event not to miss!

At 4pm you'll want to be there for the Mom to Mom: Real Moms Get Real Discussion Panel featuring several experts (including myself) discussing a range of topics. It's a day full of fun so grab your mommy pals and head on over to the Indiana Convention Center. The entry fee is $10 and the event will be well worth it. See you there!

Head Over Heels

Ladies, if you love to wear heels then you’re gonna love this fall’s lineup of shoes that are reminiscent of skyscrapers! But if heels just don’t suit your lifestyle, don’t despair. There are plenty of stylish options for you, too. Why not try these Coby distressed leather ballet flats ($69) from Nine West’s Vintage America collection? They’re comfy enough for the playground yet stylish enough to satisfy your inner fashionista. Find them at Nine West stores and at NineWest.com.

What to Wear This Fall

Now that the seasons are shifting do you know what to wear to give your wardrobe an updated look? If you've paid attention to all the latest fashion rags then you may have an idea. But how does that work for you?

Many women have no idea what the trends are each season, much less how those trends translate to work for a real woman with a real body, who is over the age of 24 and doesn't have a disposable income to rival that of Paris Hilton or Angelina Jolie. If you need a little direction in this area, I'm here to help. I've worked in the fashion industry for more than 20 years and keep close tabs on what's in style. But more than that, I show women how to work trends into their own closets to keep them looking fresh and modern. But why should you care what the trends are? If you skip a few seasons, you risk looking dated and frumpy as well as older than you are. Yet embracing the wrong trends for your body type, lifestyle of age can also work against you, making you look like you're trying too hard. Knowing just what the trends are each season can give you the confidence to make selections for your closet that look current. Looking current is NOT synonomous with looking trendy, but looking "on trend" shows your attention to detail and that you value yourself.

I've worked hard to put together a new ebook, What to Wear: Autumn/Winter 2009-10 to clue women of all ages in on the most wearable trends of the season, and give them tips for embracing a few trends as well as when to know when to skip a trend altogether.

Cultivating your own style, and adding in a few seasonal trends that speak to you, can go a long way to improving the image you present to the world. So make your image the best it can be and see how it is reflected in your attitude, your confidence and your life! When you dress your authentic self, something magical happens. Let's go make some magic!

The Power of Moms

Moms do some pretty amazing things. Just surviving pregnancy and giving birth is a feat in and of itself. Yet we daily face challenges that would rival those faced by non-moms in a heartbeat. Which is why it does not surprise me that moms make superior athletes who are on top of their game.

Yesterday the mom of an 18-month old, Kim Clijsters won the US Open by a grand slam after taking a couple of years off to have her baby. She may be the first mom to win the Open since 1980, but I sincerely doubt she'll be the last. She is leading the way for more moms and showing that yes, we too can rock at our game!

Being over 40 and becoming a mom has only helped swimmer, Dara Torres to excel in her sport and take home three silver medals in the 2008 summer Olympics. Michael Phelps jokingly refers to her as "mom", but it's no joke when she's a better athlete today than she was in her younger years.

Becoming a mother causes a shift in most of us and we are able to gain a new clarity on what really matters to us. We take ourselves more seriously and we are able to see our true potential. Becoming a mother is empowering. We suddenly realize that we are responsible for a being other than ourselves and our true nature is revealed. When we live to our full potential, which is often stretched beyond our wildest dreams after becoming a mother, anything is possible. So go forward, moms, and live your dreams! Whether your dream is to own your own business, become a pro athlete or write a book, you can make it happen. The power moms have is a force to be reckoned with and once we set our minds to something, nothing is going to stop us - not even a dirty diaper or a temper tantrum!

Dove Helps Us Empower Our Daughters

Hey moms, how was your self-confidence when you were growing up? Did you feel proud of who you were, or did you feel that you never lived up to the (unrealistic) standards set by the beauty industry? I know I personally struggled with self-confidence and low self-esteem, leading to weight gain and feeling like I was "not good enough" during my teen years. Fast forward almost three decades later and I've overcome most of those issues, but occasionally the self-esteem issue that was planted inside me at an early age rears its ugly head and fills me with self-doubt.

As the mother of a daughter, I want to see her filled with the self-confidence to go after her dreams. I want her to feel empowered as a girl so that she can grow into an empowered woman, capable and confident in her body and her self.

Dove has created their Campaign for Real Beauty and Self Esteem Fund to help girls grow into the women they are meant to be, without being influenced by negative stereotypes and images that lead them to unrealistic ideals. I love seeing their commercials and ads that feature 'real' women with 'real' bodies who feel good about who they are and know that there's much more to them than the size of their bodies. These ads are fabulously inspiring!

If you have a teen girl at home, or have a friend who does, take a peek at Dove's Tip Sheet: How to Avoid a Back to School Breakdown. With alarming statistics (more than 70% of girls ages 15 - 17 avoid attending school when they feel bad about their looks) as well as some wonderful (and easy) ways we moms can help to empower them to feel great about who they are, it's clear that Dove really does want to make a difference. Spread the word and you can help make a difference, too!

No More "Mom" Jeans

As busy moms jeans are one of the most versatile and useful items of clothing we can possess. Providing not only comfort and durability, jeans are great for both daytime and evening looks. Simply change your top, shoes and accessories and you have a whole new look! Take the time to choose your fit wisely and you’ll be blessed with a fabulous pair of jeans. Here are our tips for finding the perfect pair:

Be prepared to spend an afternoon trying on jeans. Take along a friend who will be honest, or find a knowledgeable salesperson you can trust.

Have jeans hemmed properly. A skilled tailor can cut off the hem and reattach it to keep the original look of the jeans. A bad hem can ruin a great pair of jeans.

The hem of your jeans should almost reach the floor. Decide on heels or flats before you have them hemmed, then stick with your choice of heel height or the length will be all wrong. If you really love the jeans consider buying two identical pairs and hem one for flats and one for heels.

Make sure your jeans have well-proportioned back pockets. Oversized pockets that hang too low look sloppy and pockets that are too small will make your rear end appear larger. Welt pockets on trouser jeans are especially flattering but steer clear of jeans with no back pockets at all.

Select a pair of jeans that fits you at the waistband. If a muffin top forms around your waist, go up a size. If the jeans fit through hips and thighs but gap at the waist, your trusty tailor can take them in and give you the perfect fit.

Go for darker denim. It elongates your figure, gives a chic, contemporary look and is more slimming and flattering than lighter colored denim.

So toss away your old and unflattering jeans and invest in a pair that makes you look and feel fantastic – because you’re worth it!

* Perfect Boot Cut Jeans $69.50 from Gap.com.

Get Caught Redhanded

With a modern take on traditional styles, Redhanded handbags are making an eco-friendly splash in the marketplace. Created by a hip NC mom, these bags are made from non-PVC and VOC-free vinyl and are lined with lovely organic cotton, bamboo and hemp fabrics. Redhanded bags are long on form and function while leaving behind only a small carbon footprint. Try the tote or messenger styles for carrying the mother lode, a shoulder bag for tooling around town, or a clutch for just the essentials. Being eco-friendly never looked so good! Priced from $30 - $167.

Head Over Heels

Ladies, if you love to wear heels then you’re gonna love this fall’s lineup of shoes that are reminiscent of skyscrapers! But if heels just don’t suit your lifestyle, don’t despair. There are plenty of stylish options for you, too. Why not try these Coby distressed leather ballet flats ($69) from Nine West’s Vintage America collection? They’re comfy enough for the playground yet stylish enough to satisfy your inner fashionista. Find them at Nine West stores and at NineWest.com.

All Aglow from Avon

When I was growing up and first became interested in makeup, my BFF's mom was an Avon lady. That meant we were privy to all the great lipstick samples (weren't those just the best?) and got to try new products as they came out. I just thought that was the coolest job ever and loved the products even way back when.

Fast forward more than twenty years (ahem) and a Avon is still going strong. With an eye towards creating quality products with a drugstore price, Avon makes beauty accessible to all women. One of Avon's newest additions is a line of mineral makeup called Smooth Minerals. I had the pleasure of sampling several of these products and am quite pleased with the outcome. Smooth Minerals products are made from naturally derived minerals with added nutrients and vitamins, creating a formula that is gentle and nourishing to skin while allowing it to breathe. All formulas are talc and oil-free, making them ideal for sensitive skin.

Smooth Minerals is easy to apply and allows you to build color to the depth that you like, leaving a polished, radiant glow that is flattering on women of all ages. It's quite easy to achieve a light, natural finish without looking heavy or overdone. Just make sure you add a Kabuki brush to your order ($4.99) to ensure an even application. Take a peek at these tips to help you create the perfect look for you.

But wait, there's more! Aside from create a beautiful, natural and flawless complexion, Smooth Minerals comes with a very affordable pricetag. With all items regularly priced under $11 each, they are currently on sale! Snatch up a Smooth Minerals Foundation for just $7.99 (reg. $11), or a Blush for just $5.99 (reg. $10), prices that are well below what you'd normally pay for mineral makeup. Beauty doesn't come with a price tag, but sometimes it can be expensive to look good. With Smooth Minerals you can enhance your natural beauty and stick to your budget too.

Great Style Doesn't Have a Price Tag

With school back in session and a chill in the air that can only mean one thing - fall is on its way. Time to pack up our shorts and sundresses and get ready for denim and sweaters. While you may have plenty of staple items from last year that you can bring back into frequent rotation (unless you're expecting!), half the fun is bringing in a few key pieces that will whisk your wardrobe into Fall 2009 and give you a fresh and modern look. So time for a little back-to-school shopping for mom, as well as the kids!

One of my favorite places to shop for chic items to update my wardrobe is TJ Maxx. An off-price retailer, TJ's is like a treasure hunt and I usually leave with something fabulous! If you're not familiar with TJ Maxx, here are a few little tidbits that will make you want to find the closest one, stat:

1/ Price: TJ Maxx is an off-price retailer. What this means is that they carry in-season, first-quality goods at prices that are 20 - 60 percent off retail, translating to a huge savings on the most current trends for men, women and children. So you can stock up on clothes for the kids, and update your own wardrobe at the same time!

2/ Selection: While many department stores receive new merchandise only seasonally, TJ Maxx gets in more than 10,000 new items per week. This means that frequent shopping trips are the best way to score some fab finds.

3/ Quality: More than 95% of merchandise at TJ Maxx is first quality, meaning you're almost never getting seconds. Their items come from top designers and manufacturers all over the world. In some TJ Maxx stores there is a Runway section featuring more upscale designer lines such as Donna Karan, Vince, even Prada. These items are denoted by a purple price tag. You'll occasionally find items with a purple tag in non-runway stores, and if you do you'll know you're scoring a real find. On a recent shopping trip I snatched up a pair of Seven jeans for $59, a Calvin Klein wool trench for $79 (this was past season, but alas - a classic!) and a Vince skirt for $99, together more than $300 off retail.

4/ Value: Most items found at TJ Maxx are current season, which means you can rest assured that you'll find the latest trends mixed in with classic items that never go out of style. Items found at TJ's are designer or brand names that you most likely already know and trust.

5/ Budget: These days everyone wants to get the most bang for their buck. Dressing well does not mean spending a lot of money, but it does mean paying attention to detail. Why pay full price for something when you can have the exact same item for less than half off? Sock away the money you save in your IRA or your kids' college fund and put it to work. No one will guess how much (or how little) you paid for your clothing when you're well dressed and years later, when your wardrobe has moved on, you'll never regret the growing nest egg you've created.

There you have it - one of my biggest shopping secrets. Because great style does not come with a price tag!