Plan the trip of a lifetime… and find your Style for Life

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM and Dani Slaugh, Conselle Affiliate

1. Experience an energizing self-discovery. 2. Gain information you’ll want to teach your family. 3. Never be a fashion victim again! 4. Save time, money, space, and simplify your life! 5. Have fun with fashion and make it work for you! Learn more about our Style for Life Retreat here:  http://conselle.com/image-enhancement-retreat.php or call 801.224.1207 Take an empowering journey that makes you stop and think seriously about your values, attitudes, interests, roles, and goals as they relate to the way you present yourself – the way you think, feel, act or behave, and the way others react or respond to you. The result? Old attitudes an inhibitors will give way to new attitudes and strategies for personal image management and family wardrobe management. The sooner you learn the valuable concepts, strategies, and skills, the more effective and efficient you will become.  When Monday, May 6, 2013 to Saturday, May 11, 2013 Where Little America Hotel 500 S Main Street Salt Lake City, UT 84101 RSVP by Friday, April 26, 2013 (Early Bird Discount before April 12, 2013) Book your Style For Life adventure by calling 801.224.1207 and learn enough about how to dress, care for, and carry yourself to last a lifetime & simplify your life in the process.

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Come to Conselle to Become an Image Consultant

At the Conselle Institute of Image Management, students come from all over the world to study to become image consultants.

At Conselle, our mission is to make accurate, practical, and valuable image information available in an affordable, enjoyable, and instructional format empowering people to simplify and manage their lives more effectively; empowering people and organizations to significantly increase their performance capability in order to achieve worthwhile purposes through understanding and applying proven strategies of image management.

While attending Conselle, you will learn from Judith Rasband, the first individual to be awarded the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) Certified Image Master title, the highest level of certification available in the industry.  By studying with Conselle, you will receive the best and most comprehensive image education available.

The next 15-Day Educational-Training will be held March 5 – 19, 2011 at the Conselle Institute of Image Management in Utah.

Here are photos from a recent Educational Training in 2009.

Sharri, Ann, Katherine, Sarah and Margaret at Robert Redford's Sundance for Lunch

Learning about proper table settings with Judith Rasband (in blue) at the Marriot Hotel in Provo, Utah

“I researched every training program. I called everyone. I chose yours. It gives me everything. Even [your competition] says you give more than they do. That’s exactly what I wanted.” — Dalia Berman, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

We invite you to join us for our next Educational Training on July 10 – 24, 2010!  For more information on attending an Education Training at Conselle, please email us at kathy [at] conselle [dot] com or read this recent post, Become an Image Consultant.

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to jumpstart your image consulting career!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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Five Ways to Get the Gift You Need

How to Get the Gift You Need! Photo c/o toptenreviews.com

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM 

To get the gift you need, you need to start early, to discover for yourself and then teach your family what you do like in clothes — what works for you, for your personal style, roles, and goals. 

• How to Get the Gift You Need #1: Learn to drop a few careful hints about your needs and preferences.  Don’t keep your desires to yourself.  “Daydream” out loud instead.  While watching television, it’s fine to hint to your family, “It would be wonderful to have a pretty nightgown like that,” — a nice durable shirt, a versatile….. whatever you need.
• How to Get the Gift You Need #2: Comment periodically on clothing worn by others — “I really like…..,” or “That doesn’t work for me because…..”  Always include that one-liner why, and gradually family members will gain a better understanding of your needs and preferences.
• How to Get the Gift You Need #3: Let them know if your tastes have changed.  How about, “I used to wear a lot of navy blue, but lately I prefer dark hunter green,” and state why. For those larger, more expensive presents, say it right out.  “I could really use a good leather bag,” or “I’ve always wanted a camel-hair jacket,” and again, say why it would work for you.
• How to Get the Gift You Need #4: As you browse through a magazine or catalog, show your family some pictures of the clothes you like.  Give that one-liner reason about why it’s so right for you, such as, “Look, here’s exactly what I need.  This flared skirt would fit my figure more easily and be easier to move in at work — better than a straight skirt.”  When window shopping, tell your sister or sweetheart, “I’d love a nice shirt like that, but you know, that’s the kind of thing I would never buy for myself.
• 

  Emily's Style File photo c/o emilysny.com

  How to Get the Gift You Need #5: Be right up front about your needs and goals.  Keep a wardrobe planning list and a “style file” of magazine and catalog clippings, illustrating desired items.  Go through your style file periodically, discarding pictures as you refine your personal style.  Then share the pictures with your family once in a while.  I predict the people who’ve been wondering what to get you will want to help you achieve your goals by giving you something on your list. 

So if all this good advice doesn’t get you what you really need this Christmas, don’t give up.  Next year, simply resort to my favorite “no fail” gift giving strategy.  Make sure you do know your personal style, needs, and even wants — find the pictured item in a catalog, circle the size, turn down the corner of the page, then put it on the kitchen counter.  If you start early enough, you’ll likely forget all about it, not feel bad if you don’t get it, but be honestly surprised if someone follows through and gets you exactly what you want.  They’ll be delighted and so will you. 

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to help you identify your unique personal style!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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Discover You Own Personal Style

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM

Snoop shopping in our local malls, you can find classic clothes and sporty clothes, trendy clothes and snazzy clothes, leather jackets and sweat knit hoodies, tailored styles and cutesy styles.  We’ve got a lot to choose from, yet few are choosing.

Fashion books and experts continually advise us to discover, develop and stick to a personal style.  They point out that the most memorable, secure and successful people can be identified by a consistent style of dress and grooming.  This is generally true.  And next thing you know, they’re telling you what the latest “must have” is.

So how does one go about figuring out their own personal style?  Personal style is usually defined as the way we take an existing fashion or fad and make it uniquely personal.  It’s not just the clothes that count, it’s the way you wear them—your way.

Personal style is an acquired quality that develops from within.  As we observe, imitate, and learn from the styles of others, we edit those observations and ideas to fit our personal needs.  We, in essence, become a visual composite of many people and many styles, ultimately projecting a unique image of ourselves.

Discovering your personal style comes right down to the nitty-gritty of deciding what specific characteristics of dress and design you are most comfortable wearing most of the time–and feel you could wear for the rest of your life.  Personal style implies a consistency in the selection of lines, shapes, colors, patterns and textures.

The specific degrees of each of these details of dress communicate your personality traits and reflect your values, attitudes, interests and lifestyle as they project to self and others an image of the person within.  This is personal style.

Personal style may reflect a woman as daringly dramatic, daintily demure or a delightful blend in between;  as super sportive, radiantly romantic or a surprising and complementary combination of both;   as a traditionally classic conservative, a trendsetting free spirit, or a marvelous mix in between.

And again, if you think this applies to women only, think again.  A man’s personal style may project him as being macho or mellow, traditional or trendy, shabby or sharp.

For some, the discovery and decisions about dress come almost intuitively.  They seem to have an inherent sense of what feels and looks “right” for them.  For others, it takes conscious effort to become more aware, to study and to experiment.

Personal style is not something you are born with, can borrow or buy.  Regardless of how you acquire yours, it takes years of living, learning and experience to develop a style of your own.

And in the final analysis, I must admit that personal style is often more easily felt than explained.

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to help you discover your own personal style!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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‘People Watching’ Pays Big Dividends

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM

Remember those people you always watched in high school? You know, the girls and guys who looked just right, as well as the few who looked like a fright. Let’s face it, people are continually noticing one another, forming impressions and making judgments based on appearance. So why not do it with a purpose once in a while?

Purposeful ‘people watching’ can help you become more aware of specific dress and grooming practices. And as you become more aware of your own appearance and can then make a change for the better if it’s called for.

“People watching” may help you avoid altogether some of the most common mistakes. Anyplace where large numbers of people gather is a good place to ‘people watch.’ The people in the library, grocery store, cafeteria or movie theater are often more interesting than what is in the books, on the shelves, the menu or the movie screen.

A large metropolitan airport is an ideal spot for people watching. You’ll see people with total variety in lifestyle, cultural and geographical backgrounds, values, attitudes and interests, as well as the random assortment of sizes and shapes. Pick your place, clear your mind and just watch. Take a few moments out of your own shopping time and plant yourself on a bench where you have full view of the comings and goings. (And don’t panic if they notice you’re watching—just smile and turn your attention elsewhere.)

Watch what people are wearing and how they’re wearing it. Is the clothing appropriate for the occasion, the weather and the person’s age, personality, figure and personal coloring?

Try to become aware of your own reactions to those you see. Catch your first impressions. If you don’t like the way someone looks, try to figure out why. Maybe her skirt pulls tight over her fanny and the hem hikes three inches shorter in back than front. Or maybe his plaid pants fight with his striped shirt and polka dot tie.

If your first thoughts were “sharp,” “looks terrific,” or “I’d like to look like that,” try to figure out how the various parts fo the outfit have been put together and how the grooming details contribute to the harmony of the total look. You’re sure to pick up some pointers.

“People watching” can be a fun, fascinating and informative pastime. It’s a never-ending adventure in expanding your awareness, sensitivity and objectivity. Use it to your advantage.

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to work with you!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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The Lost Art Of Dining

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM

“The family that prays together stays together,” was a popular slogan in years past.  Now it’s “The family that eats together” that’s more likely to stay together.  In recent surveys, I confirmed that many Utah Valley families no longer eat family dinner together and it’s been coming on for years.

Our fast pace of life leaves no time to fully embrace the dining experience.  We rush from home to school or work, to music lessons and sports practice, to some form of entertainment—or we get bogged down surfing the internet and playing video games.

Feeling pushed for time, we often grab food and eat it in the car on the way to the next activity.  We excuse ourselves saying there simply isn’t time to prepare, sit down, and enjoy an attractive and nutritious meal together.  Our dining rooms sit empty and our best dishes never get used.  We have lost the art and enjoyment of dining as a family.  We’ve been programmed to believe that a good meal consists of large portions that are often full of sugar, fat, and salt, and how we consume it really doesn’t matter anymore.

In my dining tutorials and classes, I like to teach that a meal should include fuel for both our body and our spirit.  A dining experience should enrich all of our senses—what we see, smell, touch, taste—and hear in the way of conversation.

Dining together is not about the food.  It’s about the people and building relationships.  The people around the table get first priority.  While we make sure the food is good, it takes second place.  The main purpose of a meal is to nurture friendships and build rapport among the people.

Dining together is not about looking or being pretentious in our manner.  It’s all about helping people relax, feel comfortable and confident, able to enjoy the meal, the people, the place, and the purpose of the occasion.  Lifetime memories are made as we dine together.

A rich and fulfilling meal does not require a multi-course gourmet spread with a perfectly appointed table of the finest china, crystal, and linens.  All it requires is good food that fuels the body, a setting that feeds the soul, and relationships to be nourished.  Research studies show that when families eat dinner together their health is improved, parents do better at work, children do better in school, and they all have fewer social challenges.

When dining together, your manner and dining etiquette are on display and will be observed.  Knowing the general guidelines of dining etiquette will put you at ease, increase your confidence, and contribute to a positive outcome.  Develop your dining skills so you can better represent yourself and your family.

Let’s again make time to practice the art of dining and experience the joy of breaking bread with those we love!

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to guide you through a dining tutorial!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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Foundation Isn’t Pre-requisite for a Beautiful Face

Foundation isn't requisite for a beautiful face.

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM 

“I want to be attractive,” writes a reader, “but I don’t want to wear all that stuff— the foundation and stuff. Do I have to wear foundation to be attractive?” 

The answer is a resounding, “NO!” You don’t have to wear “all that stuff” or foundation to be more attractive. 

Many women are surprised to learn that foundation base is not essential. It’s an option. Some exclaim, “Oh, what a relief. I never did like the way it feels on me.” You can choose to wear foundation once in a while, on weekdays, on weekends only or not at all. 

Many men tell us that foundation-free, natural looking skin is infinitely more attractive and desirable than an artificial film of makeup coating the face. They openly resent it getting on their clothes or on their face! 

 

Makeup artist, George Masters, admits he advises few women to wear foundation makeup. Save it for those in the public eye or under the critical eye of the camera. Even then, models are cautious about using foundation after work hours and use it sparingly or not at all. 

Cosmetic foundation does serve a variety of purposes: 

•     Foundation base makeup is intended to create the illusion of flawlessly beautiful skin. 

•     Foundation can be used to camouflage blemishes, birthmarks and other highly colored areas. 

•     Foundation is now sold as a shield or guard to protect skin from the environment. 

•     Foundation augments the use of moisturizer in helping prevent dryness over long periods of time. 

•     Several foundation formulas now contain sunscreen to protect against ultraviolet rays of the sun. 

•     Foundation provides a velvety smooth base allowing additional makeup colors to glide smoothly and evenly over it. Since the skin, by itself, has no adhesive properties, foundation gives color eye shadows and blush something to hold on to, to adhere for a reasonable length of time. Keep in mind, however, that moisturizer and powder will accomplish the same job, and perhaps more attractively. 

If you have clear skin, you can get away without wearing foundation.

Poorly selected or applied, foundation can make you look absolutely awful, like a mask, and ruin your whole facial appearance. For many women, it may not even improve skin color or texture. 

If you have clear, lovely skin that does not need smoothing, evening out, etc., you certainly do not need to wear a foundation. If you prefer no foundation, you can protect your skin by keeping it clean and wearing a light moisturizer. If you choose to wear foundation, develop a sensible approach to the products. Select it to match your skin and apply it gently, blending it at the hairline and jaw line.  Set the foundation with a light dusting of loose, translucent powder. 

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to give you a makeover!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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Gestures Can Help Improve Your Image

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM

Your hand and arm gestures can be valuable aids in helping you improve the visual image you present to others.  Learn to use gestures to express yourself with energy and animation.  Use them to reflect your interest and enthusiasm, to rivet the listener’s attention, to create mental pictures in the minds of your audience –be it an audience of one or 100.  Use gestures to support what you’re saying, to intensify the impact of your words and to drive home important points.

Never force your gestures just for the sake of gesturing.  Because thoughts precede any natural body language, gestures must flow naturally from the ideas that you are communicating.  As the words come, so should the appropriate gesture.  Any gesture out of sync with what you’re saying make the message less believable.  Attempts to learn a particular set of gestures are usually doomed to failure because the results appear robotic, stilted and insincere.  Gestures must be clear, never confusing or meaningless.  The more honestly you let your gestures flow, the more believable you become.

Every verb is an excellent opportunity to make a supportive gesture.  For example:  “Let’s pull together.”  Adjectives or descriptive words and phrases provide other opportunities for gesturing.  For example: “There is a huge new development in…”

James Bond Actor Daniel Craig with his hands in his pockets. Photo c/o SplashNewsOnline

If you need somewhere to put your hands, put them in your side pockets.  This is a gesture that relaxes your stance and quickly creates an air of jaunty self-confidence.  It’s particularly good for informal occasions and presentations.  Just don’t twiddle with anything inside your pockets or you’ll ruin the effect.

If you are in a position that requires you to speak before a group, experiment with different gestures and decide which ones best convey your message.

After working with several simple phrases, advance to a full paragraph taken from written material you can relate to or use in your work.  Make your practice more fun and play charades with family and friends.

With time you can expand your gestural vocabulary to enhance your verbal message along with your visual image.

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to work with you!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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Here’s Proof That You Are What You Wear

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM

“You can’t prove it! You have no evidence that what I wear to school affects my grades or the way I act!” hissed an angry woman into the television camera.

The scene was Chicago and repeated in St. George, UT.  The subject was minimal school dress and grooming codes.  Students fairly spat into the microphone, their anger was so intense.

My immediate thought was “Oh, have they got a lot to learn.”  And if they don’t learn, chances are their appearance will work against them the rest of their lives.

Research abounds, done by home economists, psychologists and sociologists, providing evidence that what you wear effects not only the way you feel, but also the way you act and the way other react to you—all with potential for lasting effects on your life.

Not everyone is likely to believe this unless they see it, feel it and experience it.  Therefore, let me suggest a little experiment—an experiment not just for teens, but for anyone skeptical about the influence of appearance in their lives.

This experiment requires you to dress yourself inappropriately — inappropriate for your age, your fashion values, your personality, your figure, your lifestyle or the occasion.

A subtle approach—something that could really happen—often achieves the best result.  Try wearing a shirt with a rip in the underarm seam or with a noticeable food spot on the front.

Wear a business suit or dressy dress to a bowling party or football.   Wear casual or grubby clothes to a ‘best-dress’ party or restaurant.  Wear mismatched clothing or shoes.  Dress in a style associated with a well-known personality but not suited to you. 

Put on clothing associated with someone older or younger than you.  Try wearing clothes that do not fit.  Borrow from a neighbor if need be.  If you’re conservative, wear something extremely plain or outdated.  The key is to wear something inappropriate.  Your options are endless.

As with any experiment there are rules to follow.  First, don’t tell anyone what you are doing.  Even one person knowing that “this is not really you” will spoil the result of the experiment.

Second, keep accurate mental or written notes through the experimental period of time.  How do you feel?  How do you act or behave?  How do others react or respond to you?

Do you feel confident or self-conscious, comfortable or insecure?  Do you act like your usual self and on your best behavior or is your behavior somehow different?  Do others seem to react to you in any way out of the ordinary?  Do they treat you the way you want to be treated?  Remain aware throughout the entire experimental period of time. Later, after you’ve ended the experiment, try to decide what effect your appearance had on you and others.

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to work with you!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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Bags and Briefcases For Women: Part I of II

By Judith Rasband, AICI CIM

 

Business women face the dilemma of what to carry–purse or briefcase.  The question is how to keep business folders and documents neat, clean and organized or your lunch in tact;  how to have keys, charge cards, pens, wallet and makeup close at hand; how to travel across town, present a paper, promote a product, or shake hands with ease and without looking like a bag lady.

A purse is often too feminine, a briefcase too masculine, a purse and a briefcase too cumbersome and pockets are absent or impractical.  There seems to be no one perfect solution for all women, but instead a variety of solutions based on how much you have to carry and where you work.

If you carry a lot–legal briefs, professional journals, binders, books or boots–a large tote bag or briefcase is required.  If desired, they double as overnight bags for business travel.  If a few papers are the norm, a slim envelope bag or portfolio is sufficient.  If it’s keys and a wallet, with a minimum of makeup, a small bag will do.  No sense to carry something larger than you need–unless you’re after the more assertive professional image associated with a briefcase, even an empty one.

If you work in a traditionally conservative or formal business office, stick with a classic leather handbag or briefcase, one devoid of decoration or designer initials.  Plain and simple is the rule.  If you work in a creative or casual business office, your options expand to include the variety of leather or fabric totes and even canvas or polished-looking leather back packs.

PROFESSIONAL LOOKING PURSES:  If a smaller handbag meets your needs, choose from the professional looking clutch, envelope or satchel styles available–often with a detachable shoulder strap.  Conservative business bags should be made of fine leather or an excellent imitation leather.  Suede is less durable than leather.  Fabric or straw bags are appropriate for after-hours and creative or those in casual business positions.

Choose from the variety of classic colors–black, brown, burgundy, gray, navy, luggage, cinnamon or chestnut-brown.  Light or bright colors are acceptable for creative or casual business bags, although lighter colors show the soil and scratch marks more readily than darker colors.  Handbag colors should coordinate well with mainstay clothes and shoes in your business wardrobe.

PRACTICAL TOTEBAGS:  Women in creative or casual business positions find totebags a practical alternative to a briefcase.  Not as formal, totebags offer more flexibility for bulky items along with a variety of fashion options.  Available in a wide range of sizes, leathers and fabrics, you might want to consider leather for fall/winter and straw, canvas or linen for spring/summer.

Totebags are softly constructed.  Papers are easily crushed and wrinkled under the weight of books and personal items.  A thin notebook or portfolio that slips easily inside the tote will protect papers.  Open-at-the-top totes invite pickpockets.  Make sure yours is closed at the top.

Briefcase or tote, select a size in proportion with your size.  A huge case or bag easily overpowers a petite figure.  Too large a tote and you look more like a packhorse.

Next:  Briefcases and combination solutions.

Copyright Judith Rasband and Conselle L.C. 2009

Judith Rasband is the Image Expert and would love to work with you!  Visit www.conselle.com or call 801-224-1207 to learn more.

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