How to Wear Pink This V-Day Without Looking Like Barbie

Festive but still chic

As someone who loves pink, I of course want to rock a rosey-hued outfit on Valentine’s Day. However, pink is one of those colors that can make you look like a life-size Barbie wannabe instead of a put-together, self-sufficient, independent woman (throw your hands up at me, ladies…). That's especially the case when you already have the blonde hair thing going on. And that's, well, not ideal.

Good thing, then, that you can totally wear pink without looking like you’re waiting for your little sister Skipper to meet you for cocktails. I'm here to show you how.


1. Pick One Pop of Pink
The easiest way to avoid the whole toy doll comparison is to limit the amount of pink in your outfit. Choose a pink skirt or jacket instead of a floor-length, ruffle-laden ensemble, and your pink will look tasteful instead of tacky. If you do find an all-pink dress that you just can’t live without, tone it down a bit with an edgier piece on top—a cute cropped moto jacket will do the trick.

2. Give Your Pink a Pattern
Another way to avoid a sickeningly sweet overdose of pink is to choose an item that has a pattern on top of the pink. That'll help to break up the color and gives the item a bit more of a modern feel.

3. Choose a Bright Lip
Okay, I did say to keep it to one pop of pink per outfit, but lips aren't a clothing item. If there’s anytime that calls for a bright pink lip, this is it, ladies! I love wearing all hues of pink lipsticks throughout the year, so this is an easy rule for me to follow. But if you haven’t tried a bright lip yet and have a hard time picking colors, talk to the makeup consultants at your local department or beauty store and they will get you set up (this color is my go-to for a bright lip). Oh, and if you don’t already have one, I totally suggest a clear wax lip liner pencil to keep your color from bleeding. Works like a charm!

4. Use Neutrals to Complete the Outfit
This is probably the most important part of not looking like Barbie’s twin sister: For the rest of your outfit, stick to neutral colors—like black, grey, white, or brown—and your pop of pink won't look too teenybopper. The neutrals do double duty by both toning down the overall look and drawing attention to your one fun pop of pink. They let the color be the star!

How to Dress up for a Party

Three Methods:Choosing an Outfit and Accessories Playing Around With Hair and Makeup Taking Care of Personal Hygiene

Do you love parties, but you're not really sure how to dress up for one? What if you are shy and just want to make a good first impression? Not to worry - this article will tell you everything you need to know about dressing and generally getting ready for a party. Just see Step 1 below to get started.
started.

Method 1 of 3: Choosing an Outfit and Accessories

    1
    Think about the time and location of the party. As all girls know, choosing the right outfit for a party is a very important task. The first thing you need to consider is the time and location of the party, as this will affect everything -- from your clothes and your shoes to your jewelry and makeup!
        If the party is during the day, at a bowling alley or theme park, you probably want to go with something comfortable yet cool, like jeans and a statement tee.
        If the party is at night, in a fancy restaurant or club, you will probably need to go a little dressier and wear something like a cute dress, a playsuit or a skirt and top combo.

    2
    Consider your own personal style. When you're attending a cool party, you want to stand out -- but in a good way.
        So if you want to be unique, you should come up with a cool alternative to the norm that suits your personality but still fits with the vibe of the party.
        For example, if you're not the type of girl who would normally wear high heels, but you still want to look glam, you could try wearing a pair of bejewelled sneakers instead!
       3
    Think about your budget. Can you afford to buy a new outfit, or do you need to work with what's already in your wardrobe?
        If it's the latter, consider combining your existing clothes in new and unusual ways, try layering a couple of tops on top of each other, clashing non-matching patterns or combining unusual fabric -- like a black biker jacket with a pretty silk dress.

How to Dress Fashionably

Three Methods:Lay the Ground work Find Your Fashion Make It Happen

Sometimes it seems like beauty isn't in the eye of the beholder, doesn't it? Fashion can seem very elusive and only for the privileged. But it's easier to start taking strides in the right direction than you think, towards confidence and a fashionable wardrobe.
Method 1 of 3: Lay the Groundwork

     1
    Organize your wardrobe. Get out all your clothes and decide which ones you want and don't want. Donate, sell, and a top tip you could host your own boot sale, with anything that you haven't worn in a year, doesn't fit or isn't your style.
        If you haven't worn it in a year, you won't miss it. Thinking, "I could need this one day!" will leave you thinking you have nothing to wear for most. Clean it out. Someone else could second-love your things.
        If you have loads of items that don't fit anymore, don't keep them all to be hopeful. Keep a few of your favorites, but pitch the rest. A closet full of clothes that don't fit can be very de-motivating.
      2
    Know your body type. And dress for it. The most fashionable items in the world right now won't look good on you if you don't have the right body type for it. It does not mean you're too fat, too thin, too tall, or too short. You just don't have the optimal shape for that cut.
        Dispose of everything that doesn't fit you right. And you'll know. If your silhouette isn't quite what it could be, odds are you don't wear it.
        When you go shopping, keep your body type in mind. For most women, it's ideal to draw in at the waist and elongate the leg. If you get stuck, you can always ask a sales professional; it's their job to help you look good.
      3
    Take a good look in the mirror. Try to look at yourself as objectively as possible. Pick things about your physical appearance that you like and dislike. What do you want to disguise? What do you want to emphasize? What's your coloring?
        It's important to figure out the answers to these questions before you go shopping so you know what to buy! If you haven't a clue, shopping for a new wardrobe can be very intimidating.

How to Make Boring Button Downs Look Crazy Stylish

How to Make Boring Button Downs Look Crazy Stylish
You style maven, you

Okay, Okay, we’ve all done it before. You go to your closet, grab a button down shirt to wear, finish getting ready, and when you look in the mirror you think, “Wow—this looks so boring.” A button down shirt can be such a mark of cool sophistication (think Audrey Hepburn on a day off) or carry an easy-breezy “I just threw this together, but it still looks great” vibe (think Lauren Conrad). But if you don’t style it right, these shirts can also look pretty dull. To avoid an uninspired result, I have three ways that I like to style mine:

The basic button down: The basic solid button down is the style most in danger of becoming boring or frumpy. First, make sure that your shirt is a good cut for your body—tailoring goes a long way with wardrobe basics. Roll up the sleeves a few times for a more relaxed look since a plain button down can sometimes appear a little stiff-looking. The other key to a basic shirt like this is in the accessories. A cropped skinny jean with heels and a casual clutch take this look from basic to polished in a few seconds flat.

The loose flannel button down: This shirt is something of a staple for the younger half of Hollywood on their days off. While this look can sometimes swing a bit too casual and look a little truck stop, a few key details can bring the look to a more stylish place. Go for an oversized loose fit on the shirt, but don’t go so big that the shirt is wearing you (this is a great choice). Add some classic details like a streamlined heeled boot, classic sunnies, and a modern clutch or purse. For an extra nod to the ’90s grunge era, opt for a skinny jean with a bit of wear and tear to complete the look. Your shirt and jeans say “cool and casual,” but your other pieces say, “I totally have a real job and contribute to my 401k.” A balance of both worlds is key.

Tips to Make Running Easier

No one heads out on a run thinking, “I want this to feel as hard as possible.” Nuh-uh. We want it to feel good. We want it to feel less difficult than before. And it will if you try out these 11 simple-to-follow running tips:

1. Shorten Your Stride
It’s counterintuitive, sure, but shortening your stride and aiming to take more steps per minute (180 is ideal) can help you run more efficiently. It saves you energy you would have spent trying to cover more ground with each step.

2. Look Ahead
Keeping your eyes focused on a target in front of you can actually make your runs seem shorter and easier, according to research from New York University. You'll likely perceive your target as closer in distance than you would have if you were taking in everything else around you.

3. Lean Forward
Let gravity help you out. Leaning forward from your ankles (not your hips!) will help you “fall forward” with every step, which takes some of the work away from your legs.