The Perfect Gift For The One You Love...

This holiday season, why not give the ones you love a gift that boosts confidence, hones in on their best style and will help them to create an image that is sure to impress?  Purchase a Chica Guapa Gift Certificate before December 23, 2011 and receive a special tote bag filled with some great goodies to compliment the gift! Contact Chica Guapa today to make your purchase or inquire further!

Holiday Shopping - Smart & Safe

So the craze of holiday shopping begins this weekend! Before you embark on a trip to the mall or your favorite downtown boutique, consider my tips below for ensuring that you shop SMART and SAFE!

SAFE -Keep your purse zippered/buttoned at all times. With the amount of crowds in the stores and in line, there will be more people standing closer to you than normal. If you are stressed, tired or distracted it makes for the perfect pick pocket opportunity!

SMART - With the current economy, be smart this holiday season and make a list of the people you need to buy for and what you are budgeting for each. Do some online browsing and check all the circulars to find the best gifts at the best prices. Go through your archives of old gift cards and call to check their balances. Why not try to use up those gift cards to purchase some great gifts and keep your cash in the bank!

SAFE - People are often stressed, distracted and in a big rush this time of year! Be alert on the roads. Put the phones down and focus on driving!

SMART - Have financial concerns for the holidays? Instead of purchasing gifts for all of your friends, get your group together for a Clothing Swap! Contact me for help to organize this great event!

SAFE - When you arrive to the parking garage or lot, try to park in an area that is well lit and has people around. Always make a note of where you parked, put a message into your phone or jot down the specific location so that you don't have to wonder around later with all your purchases! If you have kids in tow, be sure that you remind them not to run out of the car until you are out, as the cars around you may be backing out or pulling in. Avoid talking on the phone while walking into the mall or store. This will only cause distraction. You should remain alert of your surroundings and take notice if anyone may be following you. Bottom line- stay focused on what you are doing and where you are going so that you do not become a target!

SMART -  Do not leave valuables in your car, especially in visible places. Remove your GPS and don't leave any money, purses or wallets lying around.

SMART - Buy it used or recycled! Do your kids or parents want a computer? How about a refurbished or used one? Many small shops sell refurbished products and equipment that come with their own warranties or service plans. Not only will you save money, but you'll be helping our planet from additional waste!

SAFE - Try to avoid leaving your purse in your carriage at the store. All it takes is a few seconds for you to reach for your favorite peanut butter and then someone takes off with your bag, into the crowds.

SMART - When possible, make sure to consider your options for gifts that are "Made in America". There are several online sites that you can search by product type to get a listing of stores and suppliers.  This is the biggest shopping season of the year, so why not try to help boost our own economy!

SMART - Not sure what to get that special someone?  How about a Chica Guapa Gift Certificate!

From Sweats To Suits

Last month, I had the pleasure of meeting with a fabulous group of ladies from the Quinnipiac University chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma. In a mission to re-establish their unique "brand", they requested my presence at their annual Fall retreat to discuss image and branding.

Let me start by saying how impressed I was that a group of college students wanted to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon discussing the reasons NOT to wear sweatpants around their college campus! These women sure were serious about their commitment to their organization, and for that I give them major props!! The ladies of Phi Sigma Sigma are a united group the really care about their unique brand. Each of these ladies will certainly be going places and I know that they now have the additional confidence and tools to put forth their best image each time they walk out of their dorm!

After leaving campus, I thought back to my days in college and remembered the challenge of knowing what to wear to class and socials, never mind an interview! Oh how I wish the seminars that I now give were available to me then.  I wanted to share a few images of "comfortable" outfits that can replace the  go to pair of sweatpants in any college gal's wardrobe. You can still feel good  during your day of trekking around campus while also ensuring that you look put together and can properly represent your brand!

Love this layered look from Gap! Cozy and comfortable, yet
can easily transition from classroom to a dinner date!

Pair your most comfortable pants with a pretty blouse!

Instead of your fleece, throw on this great cotton
blazer from Lands End and you'll be
out the door in a jiff!

Don't forget to always have your career wardrobe
ready to go!

Contact me for help refining your wardrobe or to discuss image and branding with your own organization or team!

Get ready for cold weather skin care!

For those of us in the Northeast, our skin has already been tormented by one chilly, snowy weekend. Unfortunately, there are many more to come. So gear up now and start your cold weather skin care regime!

You may think the Summer sun demands more attention to our skin. However, in the summer months, we are more apt to keep our body hydrated and apply more sunscreen and moisturizers. Unfortunately, these important processes are often forgotten in the Fall and Winter months, when all we want to do is get under the warm covers as quickly as possible!

Take the time to pamper your skin and give it the nutrients it deserves. For some helpful tips, check out this guide from Elle magazine.

Not sure what products or services to start with? Contact one of my favorite Connecticut beauty experts who offer a wide range of skin care treatments and products.

Jennie Fresa Beauty Library - Clinton, CT

Fuzion Medical Aesthetic Boutique - Branford, CT

Integrated Aesthetics - Woodbridge, CT

Happy Moisturizing!

Supporting The Cause...

October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Millions of people are affected by breast cancer, and during this month, millions of people world-wide take the time to find their own unique way to support this important cause. Please join in the fight against breast cancer! Whether it is supporting someone in need, volunteering or contributing to a charity, every little bit helps the fight for a cure. There are some great things happening in Connecticut this month so check out the information and links below and feel free to pass on to your friends!

Don't miss out on the Greenwich 2011 Food & Wine Festival presented by Serendipity Magazine to benefit Breast Cancer Alliance. There will be amazing food to sample at the festival or at a Grand Tasting Gala. There will also be live performances by Rusted Root, Sister Hazel and Natasha Bedengfield. View their website for more details!

Get your tickets in advance for this great event happening at Foxwoods Casino in CT. It will be an evening of hope and inspiration featuring breast cancer survivors as fashion models and role models. 100% of the funds raised by this show will be directed to the Breast Cancer Survivors Fund at The William W. Backus Hospital and will be used for the benefit of patients in the local community.

Mammogram Reminder

The link above is a free service to remind you to schedule your mammogram! Please take advantage and forward on to a friend!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of New Haven

2011 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of New Haven, CT

Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011

1pm at Lighthouse Point Park

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, The White Dress by the shore in Clinton is donating a percentage of October's gown sales to the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation.

Complimentary Massage for Breast Cancer Patients & Survivors

Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Time: 9:00 AM · Other dates and times

Venue: Sabita Holistic Center, Southport, CT

If you can't make it to these events, then create your very own personal donation page!

Fashion, Food and Fiats! Inspiration from Italy...

I recently had the great fortune to travel to Italy - a country rich in history,

steeped in tradition and filled with people who appreciate the same things I do: Food, Wine and Fashion! I must say, I had sensory overload enjoying all three things during my two week stay. For this I say, Grazie Italia!

During my trip to the Amalfi Coast, up north to Venice, and back down to Rome, I wished I could bottle up all of my experiences, so that I could enjoy them again back home, in small savory doses.My vivid memories and many photographs will serve well, and I now share with you my favorite finds!

FASHION

This season, it's clear in Italy that the Fall Fashion trends are heavily focused on shoes and accessories, which is great for our shopping budgets! Clothes are bold in color- whether jewel tone, primary or citrus! Orange, red, teal and purple are HOT!

Scarves- once again, a must have for the season. Whether silky with a vintage print, or a textured cotton blend, be sure to accessorize your fall wardrobe with

a great scarf.

Leather Wrap Around and Obi

Tie Belts- I'm in LOVE with all the colors available for these perfect accessories! I picked one up in Venice, in a deep aquamarine, and it looks amazing with my little black dress or to contrast with other brights. Find a stock of these belts and pick one up in your best color. You can never go wrong with the neutral tones to accessories your skirt or jeans with a crisp white blouse. If you can't make it to Italy in the next couple of weeks, there are many great options online. Just seek and you will find.

Bold Colors- Bold hues of green, purple and orange. Red pants, red scarves, red shoes- anything red. Colorful silk blouses and skirts paired up with your new obi belt and your ready to strut your stuff on the streets of Rome and Milan!

FOOD

La Dolce Vita - Certainly not a new trend, but simply the Italian way of life. A panini for lunch. An afternoon siesta. A delicious pasta or risotto with fresh seafood. And don't forget the

Gelato for dessert! So how do they keep off the pounds? To start, they walk everywhere! The hundreds of steps in all the small towns of the coast and the sloping cobble streets and walkways of Rome and Venice. Standing at their local coffee bar instead of sitting. Also, the meals consist of all fresh ingredients. Fish caught that same day, home-made pasta and fresh sauces with zero preservatives and additives. Fresh fruit and greens along with plenty of water! The plentiful fountains in Italy make keeping hydrated very easy.

Our inspiration to kick off this season: Start up the Italian workout and mangia as healthy as you can! Replace processed foods with those that are all natural. Instead of using your bottled, heavy dressings simply use a drizzling of olive oil and a shaving of fresh pecorino cheese. Now as for the dolci...don't over indulge. But certainly don't deprive yourself of a cup of your favorite gelato as a special treat. In addition to your regular workout routine, WALK every chance you have. Park farther away at your trips to the store or at your office parking lot. Take the stairs instead of the elevator and an extra lap around the grocery store. Take the long way around the office back to your desk. Walking helps to clear your mind and will reduce over all stress. Carry on with the Italian way of life...and to everything just say "Va Bene"!

FIATS

Who could not help but love this little car, which is now available in the U.S! (Oh, and the guy...well, I can't help but love him too- my amazing husband. Thanks for a great trip to Italy!)

Think Spring!

Don't let the winter blues get you! Start thinking ahead to sunny days of Spring, when all the snow and ice will melt away and your closet will be filled with soft blush colors, floral prints and sailor stripes!

Featured pictures are some of my favorites from Victoria's Secret, JCrew, Banana Republic, Forever 21, Ann Taylor and BCBG. Start shopping the sales now so you can get lucky with the perfect outfit for your special Valentines Dinner!

Need help shopping for the Spring Season or sorting through your closet? Contact Chica Guapa for a consultation!