EVERY woman needs a professional bra fitting at least once a year, preferably twice. Each of my female clients knows the first thing I recommend is a professional fitting and a good bra. Here are a few reasons why:

·    80% of all women are wearing the wrong size bra. 

·    The average woman will wear six different bra sizes in her lifetime.  (Pregnancy, weight changes, and gravity all have an impact on size)

·    If a woman hasn't been fitted for a bra recently, or ever, she will tend to buy bras in the size she WANTS to be, not the size she is.

·    Most women wear the same bra for 2 or 3 days before laundering. 

When was the last time you were fitted for a bra? I happen to love JC Penney’s lingerie department, or you can try your local bra shop.  The little “Secret” in the mall is NOT my favorite place for a woman with a real body to be fitted. If you live in Utah, join me for my BRA EVENT.

May the SPARKLE be with you,

                     BEFORE                                                                                                                                        AFTER

                            BEFORE                                                                                                                  AFTER

It has been a cold and rainy Spring.  But here in Utah,  the next few days will be delightfully warm and sunny. The renewed sense of freedom that sunshine brings always spurs me to pull out thoughts of warm weather clothes,new hair styles and lighter shades. Yesterday was my “every 10 weeks” appointment with my hair stylist. (Yes, I go 10 weeks between my cut & color. I may be high maintenance but not enough to go every 4 – 6 weeks. Every girl has her limits.) 

There is always a sense of energy and excitement that runs through you when you sit in the chair and your stylists asks, “So what are we doing today?” These words strike fear into the hearts of many people. Answers vary from cut by cut instructions to “do whatever you want.” And that last one is the answer that scares me. If you don’t go in knowing exactly what what you want, let me share some tips for how to work successfully with your hair care professional.

1. Be HONEST

This is not the time to pretend you spend more time on your hair than you really do. A good stylist with ask questions about your lifestyle, budget and desires. These will be used create a look and style that is realistic for you.

2. ASK for suggestions

Your hair care professional is just that a PROFESSIONAL. (Or at least they should be.) A good stylist will be able to look at your hair type and texture, your facial shape, neck length and overall body to suggest styles that will be flattering to you.  You don’t have to agree with them but at least think about it.  This is what they do… make people look fabulous. When you walk around receiving compliments, you are likely to return and give them referrals. So of course a professional is going to want what is best for you.

3. TRUST your stylist

Any stylist that I bring my clients to will refuse to do things that are not in my clients best interest. They will not do things know it will severely damage a clients hair or cause it to fall out by patches. (No matter how much the client insists it is what they want.) They will also recommend products to use. I will admit I used to be one of those that thought the stylist were just trying to sell me more.  But I have learned, when I use what my stylist tells me: I have a lot more happy hair days.

4. HOW to use tools and products

If you are not sure what product they are putting in your hair, ask. Ask what it does and how exactly to apply it. A good professional will be happy to show you and explain in detail so that you can do it yourself. (Again, you are a walking advertisement for their fabulous-ness.)  Have your stylist put the flat iron, dryer, curling iron or whatever other tool in your hand and show you how to angle it or position it and use it.

Yeah, ya ya, I know some of you are thinking, “But my time in the chair is just that MY time. I get to relax and be pampered.” Well that is all good and well once you know what you are doing. And if you don’t learn, you haven’t earned the right to complain about not having a good hair day or not being able to recreate the look your stylist gave you. Oh and by the way, your hair looks fabulous today!

May the SPARKLE with be with you,

Tressa Branin

www.totalstylesolutions.com

Who are you today?

Do your clothes reflect the person you are today? Sometimes we unconsciously let our past govern our present.  Maybe you still dress dowdily, although you feel confident and don't mind being noticed; or you still dress like you did when you were in your twenties, although you're now forty and your life is filled with responsibilities at work and home.  When your clothes no longer reflect your life, you will feel uncomfortable with your appearance.  If this is the case, there a few simple things you can do to change your wardrobe style.

1. What does NOT fit your lifestyle?

Used to clubbing 5 times a week but you haven’t danced in 15 years?  Used to wear suits to work everyday but no longer go into an office? What used to be typical but is no longer needed is just that: no longer needed!

2.What DOES fit?

What is your life’s dress code? How often do you “go out” or get dressed up? What do you wear most often?  What percentage of your time is spend in work wear vs. leisure wear? Your wardrobe should reflect your life’s dress code.  I wear business wear 3 times a week, business casual 2 times a week, workout clothing 3 times a week and dressy casual wear up to 5 times a week. (Oh, add in a pair of PJs since I lounge around all day Sunday in them.)

3.Clean it out!

Go ahead and get rid of what no longer works for the current you. For tips on how to clean out your wardrobe click here.

4.Make a list.

Once you’ve cleaned out your wardrobe don’t freak out thinking you need to go buy a whole closet full of new clothes.  Create your List of 5. This is your wardrobe and shopping plan, the next 5 things you need to add to your wardrobe.

5.Update with trends.

More than likely what you have will feel a little outdated.  Use the trends to keep those basics feeling current. Not sure what the trends are?  Come to one of my workshops, check the calendar for the next workshop or contact me for more information.

May the SPARKLE be with you,

Tressa Branin

The number one thing I get from clients is, “Just tell me what looks good on ME!” Well, now you can KNOW for yourself without the expense of hiring me to come tell you.  And yes guys, THERE IS ALSO A MEN’S VERSION! It just came out this week! Yahoo!! (I know I cam easily excited.) 

eStyle Solutions

This program is BRILLIANT! (no, I didn’t create it!) This program takes into account all of YOUR features: face shape, bone structure, body type, height, age, etc.  Then it jumbles it all up and creates a program just for YOU! This really is incredible!  You can then “study” the full color pictures and recommendations for your body. It’s like having me in your closet saying, “Yes, that style looks great on you!” or “Oh, no, please don’t ever wear that again!”

Discover the joy and confidence that comes with knowing you look great!

• Stop wasting money on clothes you rarely wear
• Eliminate guesswork when shopping
• Shop quicker with less stress and more FUN
• Increase your self-esteem and confidence
• Shop with the skill of a fashion stylist
• eStyle Solutions contains over 660 full color fashion photos

Don't waste any more money on unflattering or uninspiring clothes that sit unworn in your closet. If you’re unsure about exactly what styles best flatter your body shape, how to coordinate your clothes or how to shop with complete confidence, then this program is for you. Each 'eStyle Solutions' program is created just for YOU.

Looking fabulous – and knowing that you do – will literally change your world

The 'eStyle Solutions' program will transform your wardrobe, self-confidence and life forever. You'll look and feel fantastic, and your confidence and energy levels will soar. You'll find yourself thinking far more positively than usual and you'll act in a much more upbeat manner too. As a result of all of this, the world will reward you with all manner of incredible opportunities, both socially and in business. With your newfound style just around the corner, who knows what could be coming your way?

With the 'eStyle Solutions' program you'll be shown exactly what suits your body shape, age and lifestyle. It will open up hundreds of exciting new style possibilities for you, with every program having over 660 full color fashion photos that instantly bring your style recommendations to life and will have you shopping with the skill of a fashion stylist in no time.

Create an Inspiring Wardrobe that's a dream to wear …

This is a personal style program that answers all of your style questions. This innovative and accurate program will teach you about every item you place on your body; from necklines to hemlines, skirts to dresses, pants to shorts, swimwear to lingerie (I learned a g-string is NOT flattering to my body shape – too bad my husband disagrees!) accessories and much more. It will even teach you how to coordinate your clothes and how to skillfully work with pattern and color. In a short time your wardrobe will go from a place of Frustration to Inspiration!

And all this for less than an 'average' haircut! Just think, in only a few minutes from now you could be reading your very own, custom made 'eStyle Solutions' portfolio. 

Create your own eStyle program by March 25th and get a

FREE phone consultation

Review your results and walk through using the program

Click here for the Men's and here for the Women's version

Get your own program and let me know how you are using it! I suggest printing it and taking it SHOPPING. But then again, I never need an excuse to shop!

May the SPARKLE be with you,

Tressa Branin

Get some fabulous tip on stylish dress with Total Style Solutions Tressa Branin now on eHow. She is pulling out all the stop and giving you the tips to look hot hot hot! Check her latest video and follow the link to see more great looks.

Click here to see the entire fashion series. This series has over 31,000 views so far. WOW! That's a lot women that are going to be looking FABULOUS! 

Tell us what you think? Write a comment below.

I’m not a super Christmas lover, decorating every room in my house. I don’t get excited when I see Christmas decorations up before Halloween. I don’t wish we could sing carols all through the year.  I don’t enjoy the shopping obsessed grumpy people who fight while shopping.  (Is that toy or latest gadget really worth boxing over?!?  I mean karma has a way of biting you in the bum doesn’t it? Better safe than sorry in my book.) 

So why do I enjoy BFS? I do enjoy the holiday cheer and spirit of giving. I love this as it is, the beginning of the cheer.  In my observations, people are generally cheerful on this day of shopping.  Not so much the closer to December 25th it gets.  I love the thrill of getting a fabulous deal.  I enjoy an excuse to get out and people watch. And I like getting my shopping done early so I can ship to out of town family members on time, avoid shopping with those earlier mentioned cranky people and being “done” with gift finding so I can just relax and enjoy all of the holiday events. (Cuz’ we all know there are a LOT of them to attend!)

So what do I do to be able to enjoy this day that others avoid like the plague?

Preparation

(no wonder I love Boy Scouts – Be Prepared!)

Search

I’m blessed to live near my mother-in-law who hosts Thanksgiving.  I go and enjoy the company, the kids play with cousins and those of us who shop…. we go through ads.  We all bring our copies of the paper with the ads.  Then we literally take over the front room. Pass the ads all around, discuss with spouses ideas for gifts and make lists then narrow them down. (I have the “nothing in there I want” ad pile, the “I’m considering” and then the “HOLY COW! We so have to go there” pile.) I love this tradition. 

I have gotten to know relatives much faster by seeing what they consider purchasing and their decision making process.  (So much more fun than the typical family holiday “how have you been” kind of small talk.) And I realize how much all my little nieces and nephews have grown up when I  see what they now want as gifts. Plus, what better bonding is there than being a part of a team?  And our kids see us planning, budgeting and working together.  (See, there are so many virtues to shopping!)

Narrow

Once I’ve narrowed down the list I write it out.  Which store opens at what time.  Which items do I want at what store? This makes it simple to make a plan based on priorities.  Do I want to stand in line for the $100 off a technology item or the cute PJs where I’ll save $3?  (Guess that depends on cute those PJs are.)

Divide and Conquer

Now that we each have our lists we can team up.  Half the fun of BFS is who you are with.  Some I have loved, others will never be invited back – this is not a day for the timid shoppers. (Or cranky ones in my book!) Once we know who is going to what store we can share lists and cut down on the number of stores we need to be at all at once.  If my cousin knows I want the red PJs in size 6 from Store X and she is getting the green ones, she can grab mine.  Meanwhile, I am grabbing her Barbie house while I grab my Barbie car. 

You can divide stores or just within the store.  If you are really lucky you have an extra person to stand in the check out line so you grab your items and then magically are at the front of the line.  Oh, and really really lucky if someone is waiting in the car at the store exit.  I know, it’s rather elaborate but oh so fun for the planner in me.

And everyone has a job whether they have a ton to purchase or not. Everyone can join the fun!  (There have been years where I am excited to get the one item I can afford, and others where I go a little crazy. It’s not the amount you spend or the size of the pile.  It really is fun, bonding and the start of the holiday for me.) And when you get in and out fast with the items you want it is FUN and cause to be silly (in a rather absurd 3 am out in-the-cold environment) and laugh rather than cry because the person in front of you grabbed the last one.

Time to Shop 

You’ve planned what you want, take a minute to think about the physical side of BFS. Here is my list of what to take, things to consider when getting dressed and some other basics.

Cell phone

with everyone who is shopping’s phone #s programmed in. I keep mine in close to my body on vibrate, because I sure won’t hear it ring.  This may be the one time you can get away with wearing your bluetooth headset all the time.  (I’ll still giggle and wonder if you are talking to yourself.)

Your list

believe me, you forget what you wanted after looking at a million ads over and over again!

The ads

for the stores you are going to. I keep the other ads in the carjust in case. You never know, one of my teammates may be down for the count and not be able to get to their store for some reason.  It’s happened many times where I am done in one store and right next to the store they need and they are held up at another store in a long line.

What to Wear

Hands free purse- a small hangs across the body bag is my choice, or just put your card in your pocket. (I lose stuff out of pockets easily though.) At each store I put the new ad in the purse and drop the used ad in the pile with all the others in my car.

Big pockets - to hold your gloves, it gets cold standing in line. I take cash for the Girl Scouts who sell hot chocolate to us crazy people braving the cold and long lines.

Shoes – comfy, warm and non-slip. It could rain, snow or be sunny.  Falling on the ice or on a wet store floor would ruin all the fun.

Layers- as the sun comes up it may get warmer, you can leave discarded layers in the car. I prefer a jacket that is windproof and water resistant. (I live in Utah after all.) But mine is also small enough that I won’t die of heat inside the store as long as I remove my gloves and hat and shove them in those big pockets.  I can also squish my jacket into a small bag or tie it around my waist if the store is really warm. But when waiting outside I need to stay warm so I never ever ever skip the jacket.

Parking

If you aren’t blessed with a large team of fellow BFS shoppers, keep in mind your exit strategy.  Parking close to the entrance may seem fast, but once you get through the check out line it may be your biggest hold up. It’s usually worth the walk to the edge of the lot where you have parked facing the exit and won’t have to fight those just getting to the store looking for a parking place to just back out, yet alone fight the pedestrian traffic coming in and out of the front of the store.

Things to note

Return policy- pay with cash or credit not checks to ease returns if needed.  Do returns as soon as you can, some stores change their return policy during the holidays.

Deals - it’s only a good deal if you’ll actually use it.

Stock up- Barbie on sale? That’s a gift you can use for all of the birthday parties your daughter is invited to through the year. Don’t forget last minute neighbor, hostess and “oh you brought a gift” gifts.

Smile – remember this is the beginning of the holiday cheer and is supposed to be FUN!

What are your Black Friday Shopping strategies?

May the SPARKLE be with you,

Tressa Branin

Ready to learn how to do your own make-up? Are you in a rut and need some fresh ideas? Do you like trendy styles and want to incorporate them into your make-up? Have a daughter who is beginning to wear make-up? (Prefer she do it tastefully?) This is the class! Join our professional makeup trainers for a FUN workshop of color, tips, techniques and make-overs. We teach different “tricks”

The foundation of your wardrobe has been called many things. I call it a Core Wardrobe. These are the first items you need to build a workable wardrobe, and all the rest just work into this core.

Select Your Colors
Select two colors. These should be your most flattering colors since you will wear them often. Then chose a flattering accent color to coordinate with these 2 colors.

5 over 4
Five refers to number of tops and four is the number of bottoms. For example two 2 pant suits and 3 dress shirts. You will have a total of 5 tops and 4 bottoms. These items need to be able to blend well in an outfit and the fabrics and colors should match as well. (Solids and basic prints only.) These items need to be your best fit, match your style personality and be the best quality you can afford. (Shop on sale, ask for a discount, use coupons, whatever – just get the most for your money.)

Mix & Match
Now you take a suit jacket, pants and shirt. (Outfit #1) Then just change the shirt. (Outfit #2) Switch the pants and you have Outfit #3. Switch the jacket and you have Outfit #4. Just keep mixing and matching. You will end up with pretty much a month of outfits from these 9 items of clothing. You will wear the same pieces often and this is why quality is important.

1/3 Clothing 2/3 Accessories
Now, your thinking this works BUT it is really boring. I know this is what you are thinking because I think the same thing. This is why accessorizing is so very important. Your wardrobe should be 1/3 clothing (core wardrobe) and 2/3 accessories. Accessories do not just mean jewelry, shoes and ties. Belts, scarves, hats, bags, glasses and even trendy items of clothing are also considered accessories. Trendy clothing because it will only be worn while it is “in” so this is where you buy quantity rather than quality. Accessories keep your core pieces looking up to date and fresh without breaking the bank. Accessories pull the 3 different core pieces together to create a “look.” They take the you from looking like you have on separates to sporting a complete outfit.

The items you chose to put in your core do not need to be suits but they do need to match your lifestyle. If you wear mostly casual clothing your core will be casual. You may have a casual core and a business core. Do what works for you. And as always, I am here to help, just ask!

May the SPARKLE be with you,

Tressa Branin