I can’t believe it’s already September 1st! Here comes Fall!  This week we continue our flashback to the 80’s – when everyone was getting their colors done. Last December, I featured the method of determining which colors work for you in an article, “The 1980?s Called and Asked: What Season Are You?“  All fun aside, Jackson’s style advice is a blessing for anyone out there who is color-challenged. You can wear the most expensive make up, the hottest clothing, and the best jewelry – but if you are wearing the wrong colors you will still look horrible (and sometimes, even ill). For more information straight from the source, you should visit her website at carolejackson.com – she provides samples of color swatches that you can refer to once you identify which season suits you.

Wondering if you are a Winter? Then please read our article called “Get Your Colors Done Part 1: Is Winter Cool For You?“

Wondering if you are a Spring? Then please read our article called “Get Your Colors Done Part 2: Is Spring A Fresh Idea?“

Wondering if you are a Summer? Then please read our article called “Get Your Colors Done Part 3: Cool Shades of Summer“

Are You A Fall?

I think it’s safe to say that Lieutenant Commander Data (far right) is not a Fall. Those colors completely wash him out and make him look quite pasty.

Here’s the Test

Hold a piece of white paper up to your face and look for a yellow or blue reflection on to the paper. If you cast a yellow tone, you have a warm skin tone. This means you are either a Spring or a Fall. Autumns usually have brown hair and brown eyes, but there are exceptions. If you look good in brown, you are probably a Fall.

Mork is a Fall.

Fall is the best time to turn over a new leaf

What a perfect time to clean those non-flattering colors out of your closet! Falls are the easiest people to pick colors for, and this is the perfect time of year. If you’re a fall, look around you: the colors of the falling leaves, the deep greens of wet moss, and the deep orange of a pumpkin all look great on you.

Another strategy: go into your kitchen and take a look at those exotic spices on your shelf – those colors look great on you, too!

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It’s hot outside, so it’s time to turn up the temperature and get your style sizzling!

Who Says You Can’t Wear Black in Summer?

Not Serena Williams who looks very cool in this black bikini.

Her bikini says, “It’s all about me” (literally).

Tips

If you are going to wear black during the hot days of summer just be aware of the fabric you select. Try natural fabrics like cotton, or my favorite – bamboo. A small percentage of synthetic fibre (rayon, spandex, etc) will help your clothes keep their shape and also prevent them from wrinkling.

When it comes to wearing black in the summer, think ‘less is more’. You don’t want to wear black clothing from head to toe, a black bikini or short summer slip dress will be more comfortable than a long sleeved shift or a full length skirt. Black and white are the ultimate high contrast combination for the intense light of a summer day and work well with most skin tones.

I love black straw sun hats with huge rims (think Audrey Hepburn) but they are not very practical for summer. You are not only wearing a hat to protect your hair and head from the sun, you are wearing it to keep cool and protect yourself from sun stroke as well – therefore black is not the best color choice. Wear a white hat or natural straw color instead.

Little Black (Summer) Dress

The LBD works year round -as seen by this pretty example from BCBG.

Black Diamonds

Accessorize with some black ice, like this diamond ring with black and white diamonds.

Wear this bracelet made out of glass beads at your next summer party – the perfect accessory for a fancy cocktail.

Hot to Trot

Keep your feet cool this summer with cute black sandals from Nine West.

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Just a few days to July 4th and time to look through your closet for all things red, white, and blue!

Indoor Fireworks

Did you click on the video? The perfect soundtrack for this section. What would be more romantic than presenting your soul mate with some diamonds during the fireworks? Make sure you are cuddled up on a deck or in a hotel room with a view of the display in the night sky. Guaranteed that you will create some of your own indoor fireworks.

Diamond earrings are always a good choice – they make a great commitment-free gift for a girlfriend and they are also are a special treat for your wife. Remember, jewelry shouldn’t always commemorate a special milestone or occasion – the best gifts come as a complete surprise. You can buy a very nice set of diamond earrings for less than $80 or you can go get some real celebrity-style icing and get earrings for several thousand dollars.

Happy Birthday

Gina Lollobrigida was born on July 4, 1927. She is actually Italian but was engaged to New York real estate heir George Kaufman for a brief period in 1969 and also was a Hollywood actress, starring in movies with Humphrey Bogart, Burt Lancaster, and Rock Hudson. At one point she was known as ‘the world’s most beautiful woman.’

She is wearing the perfect outfit for a July 4th picnic.

Add some celebrity icing to your style:

Check out this cute dress is from Tokyo Pink.

Accessorize with a vespa coin purse from etsy.com if you don’t drive the real thing. Also note, if you think a red, white, and blue color theme is too much you can try a light blue, pink, and white coordination like this one for your July 4th style instead.

And don’t forget the most important July 4th accessory of all, a picnic blanket!

American Sweetheart

Do you see fireworks when you kiss your American sweetheart? Propose on Independence Day and you will! Here is the perfect engagement ring for the day you give up your independence and start living the American dream – a house, a dog, some kids… okay, let’s just start with the ring, shall we?

The heart-shaped diamond and vintage-looking scroll pattern evoke old-fashioned romance. The cathedral style setting makes the most of the diamond and shows you are serious.

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What Season Are You?

This week we continue our flashback to the 80’s – when everyone was getting their colors done. Last December I featured the method of determining which colors work for you in an article, “The 1980′s Called and Asked: What Season Are You?“  This concept originates from a book called “Color Me Beautiful” by Carole Jackson - which spent 4 years on the NY Times bestseller list. All fun aside, Jackson’s style advice is a blessing for anyone out there who is color-challenged. You can wear the most expensive make up, the hottest clothing, and the best jewelry – but if you are wearing the wrong colors you will still look horrible (and sometimes, even ill). For more information straight from the source, you should visit her website at carolejackson.com – she provides samples of color swatches that you can refer to once you identify which season suits you.

Wondering if you are a Winter? Then please read our article called “Get Your Colors Done Part 1: Is Winter Cool For You?“

Wondering if you are a Spring? Then please read our article called “Get Your Colors Done Part 2: Is Spring A Fresh Idea?“

Are You A Summer?

Photo: Olivia-NewtonJohn.com

In the last article featuring this topic, we explained that “Spring” people look better in warm tones like peach and coral, and yellow gold jewelry flatters their complexion. It makes sense that Summers also look great in warm colors – it is the warmest season after all. However, Summers actually fall into the “cool” category. Examples of cool colors are: green, blue, and violet. Imagine pinks and greens with a blue undertone, and you are on the right track.

Take the Test

Summers are the least common color – it seems like all Summers have naturally blond hair color, which is also rare. To be even more specific, we’re talking cool blonds, not yellow blonds… If you’re a summer your face will reflect a blue tone rather than a yellow tone onto a white piece of paper.

You will look best in subtle color combinations and should avoid contrasts. Summers can still be bold, but it is best to stick to one bright color – like the red Christina is wearing below (note that this red has a blue undertone, making it work for a Summer).

Summer Ice

White gold and diamonds are perfect for the girls (and boys) of Summer.

The simple elegant design of this white gold solitaire engagement ring would be perfect.

This highly polished sterling silver collar necklace is also a great way to frame that beautiful summer complexion and blond hair!

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It’s classier (and more convienient) when your jewelry is kept in one of these boxes. I have a few different spots for my jewelry, but it always tends to spread around the house eventually. I’ve found that it’s easy to hang on to my valuables when I have a spot for them in almost every room in my house. I tried just getting into the habit of always putting my jewelry in one spot, but I had to give up. Instead, I now have several places to look when I’m wondering where my wedding ring disappeared to. At least I know it’s in a safe place and not just resting on a kitchen windowsill or the fireplace mantle, where it could easily be dusted away into oblivion.

It’s easier to accessorize with star style when you stay organized!

Jewelry boxes are great for your every day accessories, but I’d continue to keep your special occasion jewelry, heirlooms, and diamonds locked up for safe-keeping (or at least tucked into an old sock at the back of one of your drawers).If you’re lucky enough to only own solid gold and sterling silver jewelry, then you can keep your hair accessories inside instead!

Ornate

A smaller, silver jewelry box on your nightstand is a great place to keep your earrings safe if you’re in the habit of removing them right before you sleep. If you’re in the habit of sleeping with your cell phone nearby, but don’t want the visual reminder of your work responsibilities, you can also tuck your phone inside as well.

Romance on a Budget

You can glam up your bedroom for less than you think. This silver mirrored jewelry box is only $4.99.

Time Travel

You can transport almost any North American girl back to her bobby socks days, by giving her one of these.

Treasure Chest

This antique carved wooden jewelry box is the perfect stash for your treasures.

Here are some ideas for new additions to your accessory collection!

White gold earrings with diamonds.

Yellow gold bracelet with diamonds.

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One of my all time favorite actors Audrey Hepburn, is probably more famous for her style than her actual acting talent (although she had both).

Here are some classic Hepburn looks to inspire your shopping.

Breakfast At Tiffanys

This is probably one of the most famous looks for Hepburn, from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. While main character Holly Golightly would tell you that today smoking is “tres boring”, the rest of the look stands up very well to time. Calvin Klein makes a similar dress, which is available at Macy’s.

A vintage, or retro-inspired, beaded necklace like the one below from foxfirevintagejewelry.com would make your Hepburn look.

Some fancy looking earrings that are actually cubic zirconia (because when you are Holly Golightly, you cash in the expensive gifts for rent and then wear something that just looks good).

And here is a tutorial on how to get your hair to do an updo like Audrey.

Charade

Here is Hepburn in one of my favorites, the movie Charade (she starred with Cary Grant). This is the classic movie character disguise used, not something that would work in real life, so only wear this if you want to get noticed, not if you want to hide out.

Vonzipper glasses to hide behind, from streetfusion.co.uk.

A plain white scarf is tres boring, so how about this Longchamp scarf instead? A New York themed scarf as a nod to Breakfast at Tiffany’s or a Paris-themed scarf in honor of the setting of the movie Charade.

I believe this is a candid shot of Audrey Hepburn on the studio lot (see how her bicycle has her name on it?). Hepburn on a casual day.

Ignore the horrible heels, here are some white cigarette pants (I couldn’t find any blue checkered ones) from bluefly.com.

Pair the shoes with the pants and add any simple short sleeved shirt and a cool bicycle and you’ve got a fresh look for Spring (dog not included).

Another favorite photo. Look closely – she’s basically wearing a yoga sweatshirt, but she makes it look so classy. Almost makes you want to NOT like her, but it’s impossible because she’s so cute.

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