Storing Winter Clothing

To be honest with you, I can’t wait to start storing away my winter clothes. Not that I dislike them, it’s just that putting them away means that spring will be here for good. If you’re thinking about cleaning up space in your closet for your spring/summer clothes, here are some tips you'll find useful.

Don’t use cardboard boxes to store your garments, use plastic boxes instead. Cardboard has a smell that tends to linger in clothing, specially the ones with thicker fabric (wool, tweed, etc.). Even if you are going to wash everything before you wear them again next fall, remember that cardboard also lets in humidity and is much more prone to create mold, stain and allow nasty things in, such as moths (they aren’t much fun, trust me). Even with plastic containers, use products to keep insects away.

Wash everything before you store it. If a garment has any stains, perspiration, etc. on it, the longer it stays there, the greater the risks of it remaining permanent. For hard to remove stains, like fruit juice, or lipstick, try alcohol or ether (test on a small spot in the inside part of a hem or other not visible spot to make sure it doesn’t cause discoloration or further staining of the fabric), for grease try dishwashing soap, for blood try hydrogen peroxide, for coffee try very hot water and for wine try either alcohol or white vinegar (alcohol vinegar or rice vinegar). Never put a hot iron on top of a stain as heat can make it stain permanently. Sew buttons and new zippers where needed too.

Store garments as flat as you can. If you must hang something for a long time, pad the shoulders with some tissue paper to avoid deformation.

I hate the smell of most mothballs and sachets out there. They give me a very strong headache and I’m usually not that sensitive to smells. My solution to this is, I make my own sachets! I buy mint leafs, dry them outside but away from direct sunlight and then put them in little sheer cloth bags. You can cheat and hang mint tea bags on your closet but you’d have to hang more of them and change them every month or so. If you're using sachets on boxes and you are concerned that they might stain or damage your clothes in some way, try to attach the sachets to the lid of the box and make sure the clothes underneath don't touch the lid.

I also make my own sachets to keep humidity out of my clothes. Where I live, humidity is always very high so we have to pay attention to that. I use chalk pieces on my sheer cloth bags but feel free to use store bough silica baggies (much like the ones that come in purses and suitcases when you first buy them, except for closets you need bigger ones).

Store in dark, clean, cold, dry and ventilated places. Insects are attracted by light and dust and fungi love humidity and higher temperatures. If you need to, open your closet doors every now and then over night to make sure the air inside is renovated.

Remember that this might be the perfect time to choose what you want to keep for next year (whatever fits, is in good condition and you love), give away (what’s in good condition but doesn’t fit your body or your personality) or throw away (whatever is beyond repair).

I hope these tips were useful. Have fun with your spring-cleaning!

Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration
Micky

Contest: To Shave Or Not To Shave?

That is almost always the question when it comes to dealing with the bikini area. Shaving certainly is convenient. It's there when you need it, you don't have to make an appointment, you don't have to bare your unmentionables to a stranger and it's free (except for buying the razor, that is).

Of course, after even the best of shaves, that little unwelcome visitor, stubble, rears its ugly head and makes you remember why you hate shaving! The itching, the discomfortand that's AFTER the red, raised, bumps and irritation that happen right after shaving. When you put it all together, maybe shaving isn't the best way to clean up that bikini line. So, short of leaving the area untamed and unworthy of even a modest one-piece bathing suit, what's a girl to do?

Today, there are lots of alternatives to sending your hairs under the blade, if you will: Waxing, electrolysiseven laser hair removal. Understanding the benefits and not-so-great sides of each method will help you make the best decision for you.

And even if you're committed to keeping your razor, there are a host of products and techniques that you can use to minimize, or even eliminate, those notorious "bikini bumps."

If you appreciate the always-ready convenience of shaving, there are a few things you can do to minimize the "bikini bump" syndrome that often accompanies this home hair-removal method.

First, be sure to adequately wet the skin and the bikini hair. Since pubic hair is much more coarse than hair on other parts of the body, this saturating step is very important. Using a large amount of a moisturizing shaving cream, such as Aveeno Therapeutic Shaving Gel or Whish Shave Crave - Almond used with Whish Original Body Brush, helps soften the hair even more, making shaving easier.

When you begin to shave, pull the skin tight with your non-shaving hand. Then shave in upward strokes. Make sure there is adequate shaving cream on the hair and skin before each stroke. Without this protection, you're likely to get red and bumpy after you shave.

Some experts recommend rubbing an ice cube over the shaved bikini area to reduce redness and discomfort. A nice application of a soothing after-shave product, such as California North After Shave Care can help make you more comfortable. And if those nasty bikini bumps do appear, try MD Formulations Glycare Acne Gel, which is great for sending them packing.

Rubbing alcohol-based shaving bump products have made a name for themselves but be careful. Alcohol can actually worsen the inflammation. And the active ingredient in most of these products is nothing more than aspirin. So consider taking a Tylenol or Advil before you shave to reduce the amount of inflammation that may arise. You'll be able to skip the alcohol and still reap the benefits.

Another option to reduce skin inflammation: look to GHK Copper Peptides. Best known for their use in skin rejuvenation, these handy little molecules first made their presence known in the wound healing world. Try a dab of Neova After Shave Therapyafter shaving and see if you don't get some well deserved relief.

Are you acne prone after shaving? Then fall back upon a standard, benzoyl peroxide to be precise. No longer relegated to prescription status, using a bpo based product such as B. Kamins Medicated Acne Gel with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide or MD Formulations Benzoyl Peroxide 10 can make a world of difference. Follow this up with one of your favorite options above and wear your bikini with flare!

And finally, to decrease the discomfort of the soon-to-return stubble, make sure to keep the area well moisturized between shaves.

Fashionwithfifi.com is giving you a chance to win SCHICK's Intuition Plus Sensitive Care kit (in Aloe & Vitamin E). The kit contains 1 razor and cartridge and 1 x 0.35 oz (10g) skin conditioning solid.

Official Rules:

1) First you must be a member of the free to join "Fashion Circle" and be subscribed to Fashionwithfifi.com. Click Here: If you aren't already a free subscriber.

2) Next you'll need to leave a comment on this post telling us whether or not you should shave and why (by wording it "to shave because... " or "not to shave because...").

3) Shipping is Free for all participants in the U.S. Winner from a country outside of the U.S. would have to pay for shipping.

4) Contest runs from now - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 through Monday, October 26, 2009. Winner will be announced on here on Fashionwithfifi.com on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.

5) You must be 18 years or older to enter. Under 18 will need a parent's consent.

6) Shipping to P.O. Box is fine.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna

Beauty Solutions: How to Buy Teeth Whiteners

Want a healthy, bright smile? Thanks to a bounty of at-home whiteners, you can get whiter teeth in the comfort of your bathroom. For significant stains and yellowing, a dentist consult is best, but consider an OTC option when your pearly whites need a little lightening. Herewith, the nitty-gritty on going the great white way:

TYPE: At home tooth whiteners generally fall into three categories: bleaching with a tray system; applying strips loaded with whitening ingredients directly to teeth; or coating stained teeth directly with a "pen" that dispenses active ingredients through a brush or foam tip applicator. Some bleaching systems incorporate a battery-operated light that gives faster results.

EFFICIENCY: The best brightening and stain-erasing systems are ones with a high concentration of peroxide. You'll get the whitest smile from a tray system, since it protects saliva from seeping onto your teeth and keeps the bleach from losing potency. Strips are a close second, because the dose of peroxide is very high, but be wary of the strips slipping and sliding off teeth. Finally, paint on brushes has the least amount of peroxide, but gives lightening quick whitening, good for rubbing out red wine or coffee stains.

CONVENIENCE: Deciding which whitening system works for you depends on your lifestyle. Always on-the-go? Pick a pen. Have an hour? Strips are a good choice, because they're used for half-hour intervals twice a day, over a week, and can be worn easily while watching TV or taking a shower. A tray system requires the most time, such as a few hours a day, sometimes overnight, during a two week period.

MAINTENANCE: Once you get a whiter, brighter smile, you'll want to keep it that way. Look for daily mouthwashes, toothpastes, flosses and touch-up whiteners with mild bleaching agents and abrasives that help rinse away stains from food, coffee, tea, wine or cola and prevent yellowing.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"
Lisa Cohen Lee

Turning Daytime Makeup Into Nighttime Makeup

In this video learn how to apply makeup step by step for a daytime soft, natural look. And then how to turn it into a nighttime dramatic look.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna

Homemade Beauty Recipes For Shiny Hair

Here are some homemade beauty recipes using avocado, banana, eggs, olive oil, vinegar and water that’ll make your hair look naturally beautiful.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna

Beauty Solutions: DIY Waxing Kit

To shave or not to shave? That is almost always the question when it comes to dealing with the bikini area. Shaving certainly is convenient. It's there when you need it, you don't have to make an appointment, you don't have to bare your unmentionables to a stranger and it's free (once you buy the razor, that is). Of course, after even the best shaves, stubble, can rear its ugly head and make you remember why you hate shaving! The itching, the discomfort and that's AFTER the red, raised, bumps and irritation that happen right after shaving. When you put it all together, maybe shaving isn't the best way to clean up that bikini line.

One of the most popular methods for removing hair from the bikini area is waxing. Though waxing is not a permanent method for hair removal, when done properly, waxing can keep the bikini area smooth for as long as six weeks, says Lynn McGalliard, a certified esthetician at Parks Salon in Valencia, California (a Los-Angeles suburb). McGalliard stresses that in order to achieve the best results, you should wait until the hair has grown to at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch before scheduling an appointment. If the hair is longer, the esthetician will trim the hair with scissors before using the wax.

With that said - for the DIY (Do It Yourself) woman, I recommend using the Spa Wax Hair Removal Kit. Only $9.99, it will leave your skin smooth and hair-free for up to 8 weeks. When the hair does regrow, it is much thinner and finer. With the Spa Wax Hair Removal Kit, you don't experience that itchiness and stubble that comes with the hair growing back. The Wax Hair Removal also minimizes your risks of getting bikini bumps because the entire hair is removed; not just the surface part of the hair, as in shaving. I'd be lying if I said waxing didn’t hurt, but the process is so fast that any pain or discomfort is transient. The Spa Wax Hair Removal Kit is formulated with lavender, making this kit good for those with sensitive skin. And to top it off, it comes with a Soothing Azulene Finishing Oil.

Here are some important facts to keep in mind before you wax: First, do not to exercise prior to waxing. This can make the skin more sensitive because the perspiration just under the skin's surface can make it more difficult for the wax to adhere properly to the skin and hair. When attempting to remove the wax strip, it can pull the skin, which is very painful and can even cause bruising. Be sure not to wax after a tanning session. Also, menstruation can make your skin more sensitive, thereby increasing the discomfort associated with the procedure. And finally, if you use Accutane, or apply Retin-A and Retin-A-containing products such as Renova to the bikini area: stay away from waxing! Vitamin A meds and creams have the theoretical potential of increasing skin fragility which can result in tearing when the wax is removed. Now that you know the ins and outs of waxing - you are now free to remove your unwanted hair safely.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna

To Shave Or Not To Shave?

That is almost always the question when it comes to dealing with the bikini area. Shaving certainly is convenient. It's there when you need it, you don't have to make an appointment, you don't have to bare your unmentionables to a stranger and it's free (except for buying the razor, that is).

Of course, after even the best of shaves, that little unwelcome visitor, stubble, rears its ugly head and makes you remember why you hate shaving! The itching, the discomfortand that's AFTER the red, raised, bumps and irritation that happen right after shaving. When you put it all together, maybe shaving isn't the best way to clean up that bikini line. So, short of leaving the area untamed and unworthy of even a modest one-piece bathing suit, what's a girl to do?

Today, there are lots of alternatives to sending your hairs under the blade, if you will: Waxing, electrolysiseven laser hair removal. Understanding the benefits and not-so-great sides of each method will help you make the best decision for you.

And even if you're committed to keeping your razor, there are a host of products and techniques that you can use to minimize, or even eliminate, those notorious "bikini bumps."

If you appreciate the always-ready convenience of shaving, there are a few things you can do to minimize the "bikini bump" syndrome that often accompanies this home hair-removal method.

First, be sure to adequately wet the skin and the bikini hair. Since pubic hair is much more coarse than hair on other parts of the body, this saturating step is very important. Using a large amount of a moisturizing shaving cream, such as Aveeno Therapeutic Shaving Gel or Whish Shave Crave - Almond used with Whish Original Body Brush, helps soften the hair even more, making shaving easier.

When you begin to shave, pull the skin tight with your non-shaving hand. Then shave in upward strokes. Make sure there is adequate shaving cream on the hair and skin before each stroke. Without this protection, you're likely to get red and bumpy after you shave.

Some experts recommend rubbing an ice cube over the shaved bikini area to reduce redness and discomfort. A nice application of a soothing after-shave product, such as California North After Shave Care can help make you more comfortable. And if those nasty bikini bumps do appear, try MD Formulations Glycare Acne Gel, which is great for sending them packing.

Rubbing alcohol-based shaving bump products have made a name for themselves but be careful. Alcohol can actually worsen the inflammation. And the active ingredient in most of these products is nothing more than aspirin. So consider taking a Tylenol or Advil before you shave to reduce the amount of inflammation that may arise. You'll be able to skip the alcohol and still reap the benefits.

Another option to reduce skin inflammation: look to GHK Copper Peptides. Best known for their use in skin rejuvenation, these handy little molecules first made their presence known in the wound healing world. Try a dab of Neova After Shave Therapyafter shaving and see if you don't get some well deserved relief.

Are you acne prone after shaving? Then fall back upon a standard, benzoyl peroxide to be precise. No longer relegated to prescription status, using a bpo based product such as B. Kamins Medicated Acne Gel with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide or MD Formulations Benzoyl Peroxide 10 can make a world of difference. Follow this up with one of your favorite options above and wear your bikini with flare!

And finally, to decrease the discomfort of the soon-to-return stubble, make sure to keep the area well moisturized between shaves.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna

Bra Measurements: Finding Your Perfect Fit

(Pictured Above: Bra Set on sale for $9.95 at Henry & June Lingerie)

Wearing the wrong bra size is a huge fashion faux pas that can result in extreme back and shoulder pain. If you are a woman who has never been fitted, you are not alone. Most women don't know their true bra size and suffer as a result. However your suffering ends today! I'll show you how to find your true bra size in 3 easy steps.



Step 1: Measure Your Band Size

For best results you'll need to wear a non-padded bra and use a soft measuring tape. Hold the tape measure around your back at band level and bring it forward, just above your bust. Make sure that the measuring tape is snugged around your band without it being too tight. The resulting number is your band size (If the number is odd, round down to the closest even number). Remember this number.

Step 2: Find Your Bust Measurement

Next, you'll need to measure completely around the fullest part of your bust (at the nipple level). Again - make sure that the measuring tape is snugged around your bust without it being too tight. The result will be your bust measurement. You'll need to remember this number as well. If this measurement falls on the 1/2 inch, round up to the nearest whole number.

Step 3: Finding Your Cup Size

Now it's time to put the numbers I asked you to remember to use. Subtract the band size (step 1) from the bust measurement (step 2). This number will equate to the letter of your cup size.

Bust Measurement - Band Size = Cup Size

For example, if your bust measurement is 34" and your band size is 32, you wear a B Cup. Alwaysforme.com provides bras for those with bigger cup sizes

Here are some things that you should be aware of:

The center panel of your bra should always sit directly against your skin between your chest. Your breasts should fill your bra without spillage. Also your bra shouldn't lift as a result of movement. It should fit and feel comfortable whenever worn - which means no band imprint on your shoulders. If your index finger cannot move between your body and bra straps freely, you should adjust the straps immediately for both safety and comfort. Its important that women get a bra fitting twice annually due to weight gain and loss which can effect both your bust and band size. For more bra fitting tips and best bra deals visit Henry & June Lingerie. Remember: Don't let your bra wear you - Wear your bra and do so comfortably!

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"
- Suzanna