I think back to the days when getting dressed in the morning use to be a horrible event.  I would lay in bed in the morning dreading the thought of walking into my boring closet and picking out something to wear.  Although I liked clothes I rarely shopped and when I did, I had no idea what to get.  I remember an afternoon shopping with Vi and just telling her that I had no idea what looked nice on me nor did I have any idea as to what the trends were.  I remember vividly her response...she picked up a classic sweater and said "why don't you just hold this while we walk around"  pretty soon I had two armfuls of clothes--something that has now become tradition when she and I shop together!!

I have come a long way since my tomboy days in high school!  Now that I'm older I can appreciate the effort that it takes to take pride in yourself.  The extra few seconds in the morning can make all the difference when you're strutting your stuff across the lobby to the elevators in the morning.  I am a firm believer that when you look good, you do in fact feel good about yourself.  Recognizing however that shopping for a new wardrobe can be quite expensive every season, I have decided to list my 5 fantastic was to make yourself fabulous...without having to finance your purchases where you're making payments on something that you bought 2 season ago....

1.  Get a haircut.  When you're in the need for something new, change the do!!  Even if it's something simple as adding bangs, (aka "fringe" as I learned those Europeans call it!) or getting layers.  If you're really feeling brave go for a sexy bob or add some texture to your hair.  Remember though- with a new haircut also comes work!  So stop tying your hair in ponytails ladies!!  Bust out the curling irons and the products!  I swear you'll feel like a new person!

2.  Get a new lipstick.  I have to tell you a story, and I'll change the girl's name to protect her innocence!!  Melissa is a girl that i've known for many many years.  One night when I was getting ready at her place I was digging through her makeup and I noticed that she had 10 lipsticks, all of them in a pale shimmery pink.  I've noticed her lipstick many many times and I always thought that she would look fantastic in a nice deep mauve or even a hot red.  Mellisa however has worn the same color since I met her about 6 years ago and feels very weary about changing it.  After an afternoon of walking around the mall I accidentally pushed her into MAC.  As we were trying on lipsticks (of course I couldn't stand to watch her have all the fun) she pulled out this bright pink/burgundy lipstick and sarcastically said "what do you want me to wear, this one?!" and held it in front of my face.  I looked at her and said, "that is limited edition REBEL and it's FABULOUS!!!"  She and I laughed about it and eventually I was able to convince her into a very modest mauve color which she still to this day thinks it's too much for daytime.  LADIES YOU NEED TO STEP OUT OF YOUR TINY LITTLE SQUARE BOX!!!  There are so many beautiful colors out there!!  Experiment!!  Women have the opportunity to change themselves everyday with a tiny little tube of lipstick!  Take advantage of it!

3.  Get a pedicure and manicure.  Taking care of yourself is very important.  Keeping your hands and feet pretty is both a part of grooming and being a girl.  No more painting over your old, grown out, chipped nail polish!  Take the time to exfoliate those feet that work so hard everyday in those 4" stilletos.  Even if you have to do it yourself.  It's something that doesn't take long, but it really makes a difference. 

4.  Find one article of clothing in your wardrobe that you love, but you never wear.  We all have those items ladies--I'm not talking about the one item that you can pair with anything, I'm talking about the one that you bought, and for some reason you haven't thought of a way to wear it.  Mostly because in the morning we usually go with the safe item that we already knows looks fabulous with something else.  Take the time to try on your item with a few contrasting things in order to get a good idea as to it's potential.  I have this problem too, mostly with shoes.  I think I have 10 pairs of shoes that i've never worn before but whenever I do this, I get the sensation of just bring home something new all over again!

5.  Lingerie, Lingerie, Lingerie!!  Now I know what you're thinking, "but no one is really going to see it!"  Getting a makeover isn't about how it makes others feel, it's about how it makes YOU feel.  Therefore lingerie is the perfect way to treat yourself without having to spend a fortune.  Take the time to go to a nice lingerie store and pick out something that you'll truely feel sexy in.  Don't just wait for special occasions to bust it out either!  Throw out your old granny panties-there isn't a woman on earth who feels sexy in those!  There is nothing more powerful about still feeling good about yourself even when you don't have all of those clothes to blanket you!