Fashion Friday: Staying Cool, Looking Neat

The formality of business attire often diminishes as temperatures rise. Every workplace and organization is different and some are a lot more relaxed than others but don't be fooled into thinking that no one will judge your appearance. Be sure you're comfortable with the message your clothes are sending. Check with you boss or advisors to see what your summer dress code includes.

For women, the more skin you show, the less influence you have.  Do you really want to work harder to earn the respect of your associates and advisors?  Keep up a professional look by combining seasonal items with lighter weight classics.  Pair capris with a lightweight blazer, sandals with a wrap dress.

Michelle Obama has made tank sleeves work-chic, but beware of spaghetti straps if your neckline is to deep and over exposed, strapless day dresses need to be saved for weekend brunch.  Avoid mini skirts, short shorts, Spandex, and bare midriffs.  Just because it’s hot doesn’t mean you don’t have to be covered.

When in doubt, khakis and polo shirts are the way to go for both men and women. Professional and comfortable they have a neat appearance and keep focus on the business at hand.

Wrinkles can be harder to fight in the humid summer months, but neat and clean still counts. Wrinkled khakis and a stained or faded polo shirt are just as bad as showing up in gym shorts and a tee-shirt for your favorite band. The "I just got out of bed" look does nothing to enhance your credibility.

While it's always acceptable to dress "above" your company's requirements, keep it to one notch up to avoid being incongruous with the rest of your colleagues. If people focus on your clothes for the wrong reason, you're wearing the wrong clothes.

 Adapted from Reuters

Rules

Source: Uploaded by user via Iman on Pinterest

Manicure of the Week

I must admit to being a huge fan of glitter nails. There's such a huge variety of colors and sizes of glitter out there now, it can be a super fun way to perk up your manicure. This just popped up on our pinterest and I must go find it!

                                                  Source: pinterous.com via leann on Pinterest

Thank You Notes

Since we were little kids our Mom always harped on us to write a thank you note to grandma and grandpa when we got a gift.  As a young lady out in society it becomes even more important to say thank you for the opportunities and kindnesses that are presented to you. 

When respresenting an organization  (perhaps as an elected officer) it's even more important to send a note in order to maintain a good relationship with the community you are part of. 

It doesn't matter if we've received a personal kindness, or are responding on behalf of an organization a thank you note is a simple way to let others know that it has not been forgotten.

When to Write a Thank You Note:

• Any time you have reiceved a gift be it goods or monetary.
• Any time someone has hosted you in their "home"or at their Lodge/Bethel/Chapter/Assembly.
• Any time someone has done something special for you.

Do:

• Do send your note as quickly as possible, but remember it's never to late to let someone know they are appreciated. 
• Do write your note on nice stationary or pick up a simple card. 
• Do make sure that if you need to send a note on behalf of an organization, that the person assigned get all of the relevant information (name, address, why the card is being sent) to write the note and knows what time period it is expected to be sent in.

Don't:

• Don't even think about not sending a handwritten note, even if you have said thank you in person.
• Don't use "fill in the blank" thank you notes, they're tacky and don't express the correct sentiment of care and appreciation.
• Don't email, facebook, or tweet your thank you note. Take the time to write a thank-you note with pen and paper.  After all they took time for you.  An immediate e-mail can let the person know that a gift has been received, and saying thank you in person is always a good choice, but a thank-you note shows your appreciation and respect.

Are you need some help getting started writing your thank you note?  Check out Thank-You-Notes.com for ideas to craft lovely letters of thanks to all the people in your life that have helped along the way.

Manicure of the Week

Accent Nails are crazy popular right now. Keep your manicure simple, but pick a ring finger or pointer finger on your dominant hand and make it pop! Go ahead, express yourself!

                                                  Source: Uploaded by user via Maria on Pinterest

What Does RSVP mean?

"RSVP" is shorthand for the French “Répondez, s’il vous plaît.”

More plainly in English, it asks that you “Please reply” to the invitation you have received.

It's been our recent experience that even when a response is asked for, hosts often don't receive them even when they've gone to the trouble of including a response card.  This trend means either a growing rudeness amongst our culture, or people have simple forgotten what their social responsibility is as an invitee.  We would like to think that people simple no longer understand what it means.

This little code "RSVP" has been used on formal invitations for long time and it lets you know that your hosts want to know if you will be attending the event. 

It's important for your host to know if they can expect you at the event because it gives them an idea on how many people to plan for when it comes to seating, food, beverages, and favors.  

When one receives an invitation, whether as an single guest or as part of a group, it is the responsibility of those invited to let their host know if they will attend.   A prompt Reply, within a day or two of receiving an invitation is the most courteous action that you can take.  The Emily Post Institute offers us ideas for several ways that you can send your RSVP:

• If an RSVP is requested and no response card has been sent: a handwritten response to the host at the return address on the envelope is appropriate.
• If a Response Card is provided: fill in and reply by the date indicated and return in the enclosed envelope.
• RSVP with phone number: Place a telephone call and make sure to speak in person with your host.  Answering machines can be unreliable, do not simply leave a message.
• RSVP with email: you may accept or decline electronically.
• Regrets only: this means that you need only reply if you cannot attend. If your host doesn’t hear from you they are expecting you to be there.
• No reply requested?  It is always the polite choice to let someone know your intentions.  A phone call to let your host know you are looking forward to coming is sufficient.

So next time you, or your group is invited somewhere, be sure to look for that little "RSVP" on the invitation and give the favor of a reply to your host.  

Manicure of the Week

My very southern grandmother always kept her nails done, she said that it's the sign of a lady.  I do my best, but being on a budget sometimes curtails my fabulous nail dreams.  However with a little time and effort every week, as well as some practice, keeping your hands neat at home can be accomplished.  Invest in some good tools, if you don't feel you can do it on your own, set up a manicure date with a friends and do each others nails!

Here's a simple "How To" we found on pinterest.

Source: thebeautydepartment.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Hosiery: Rock It Like a Duchess

Though sometimes inconvenient for girls on the run, there's a quality of modesty that young ladies of quality should maintain in social situations.  This modesty offers a respect not only to the other members of the social scene,  but for ourselves as well.  It says that we care about our appearance and have put effort into having a public face.

One of our favorite proper finishing touches (which annoys most girls who don't think that they should have to bother) is wearing beautiful hosiery.  Lucky for us, the newest royal across the pond is making waves and showing that it's stylish to shimmer again.

 

ABC News reports that “like everything else she touches that turns to gold, [Kate] Middleton’s embrace of sheer pantyhose has them flying off the shelves in her native U.K.”  Rumor has it that her favorite tights are Philippe Matignon's ‘Jade Sheer 20 Denier’ which boast no-slip cool summer style. Sheer pantyhose add a lovely finished look to any outfit and can hide little flaws that we're not happy with anyway.

"Egg-crate color is out, and clear, almost fairy-dusted iridescence is in. But the song remains the same: she's got Leggs and she knows how to use them" says Yahoo Shine!  "It's an unwritten rule that royal ambassadors and guests attend events dressed to make the queen proud: closed-toed shoes, mid-length skirts and pantyhose."

 

What better way to dress like a young lady than to wear what a true royal Lady wears?  From a super-sheer nude hose to show off your legs in the summer to a strong opaque tight in the winter, hosiery can dress up your overall look or add whimsy to an otherwise plain outfit.  It's up to you to rock it like the Duchess.

We at the Sweetheart Social are pro-hosiery!  Honestly, we have been for a very long time.  

Manicure of the Week

Smashing Ombre French Manicure, simple and classic.

                                                             Source: 275parkavenue.com via Kelly on Pinterest

The Death of Manners?

Source: houseoffiftyblog.blogspot.com via Sweetheart on Pinterest