OMG!!! Sherri Shepard in a Bathing Suit...You Go Girl!

Sherri Shephard has done something that most women are afraid to do...appear in public in a bathing suit! Sherri Shephard, co-host of "The View", appear on her popular talk show on August 7, 2009 to reveal her slim new body in a swimming suit. The show has been Chronicling Sherri's weight loss diaries and entertaining their audience with hilarious video montages thus gearing their national audience up for the big reveal! This reveal was as anticipated as Kristie Alley and Valerie Bertinelli's landmark "better body Unveiling's" on television. When Sherri walked with her swimming suit on and her new attitude the audience responded with an applauding uproar that would have pleased any rock star or music mogul.
Why, do you ask, is society so obsessed with "The swimming suit quandary?" I think it is because women all over America can definitely relate to and understand the anxiety that is usually associated with choosing a bathing suit for the summer. It is an experience that most women dread and an experience that usually requires 5 girlfriends and a couple of margaritas to get through!! Here in the Midwest most women pack on a few pounds during the winter season and spend the spring months trying to work off those pounds. Then, when it is finally time to go to the department store and try on the bathing suit we need a ton of support to work up the nerve to even look in the fitting room mirror at ourselves let alone stand in front of a live studio audience and display all of our imperfections for the world to see. So to Sherri Shephard I want to say Thank You!!! Thank you for the courage you displayed and the message that you sent to all the little girls, skinny women, over-sized women and just generally all women in America when you took this brave step. To me, this event made women feel as though they should love themselves and not be ashamed of who they are. Mary J. Blidge put it best in her lyrics for the song "Work That" She said, "I just wanna be myself, Don't sweat girl be yourself Follow me, follow me, follow me Girl be yourself Guess what I'll be myself...And I grew to love it, Work your thing out..." I couldn't have said it better myself! I just wanna be myself...

She's Doing it, She's Doing it, She's Doing it Well!

No matter how you may feel about Elizabeth Hasselbeck's strong right winged political views and her conservative and somewhat naive outlook on life, you can't deny The View'a co-host's acute fashion sagacity! She has a pulse for all things fashion. Even while she is pregnant, Mrs. Hassalbeck is challenging the aged old adage that pregnant women don't care about their wardrobe and proving that although pregnancy does alter the contours of a pregnant woman's body, that there is simply no excuse for the elimination of style!
The fashion industry has thankfully evolved and has embraced the need for stylish maternity wear for women. Many designers such as Michael Kors and Valentino have dedicated their designer expertise to the growing population of women who want to be fashionable while pregnant. Historically, women were not as concerned with purchasing designer clothes while pregnant because after this 10 month segment in their lives, they wouldn't be able to wear the clothes again. However, designers have created affordable and fashionable rags for expecting mothers. Mrs. Hasselbeck has joined these famous designers and has teamed up with Reebook to create a new line of NFL jerseys for expecting women. The shirts will feature sayings like “#1 Draft pick” and “Kicker” across the belly. Reebok’s NFL women’s product manager was quoted as saying that this population of women were being ignore after they became pregnant.
Before aagreeing to join Reebook however, Elisabeth Hasselbeck had recently decided to create her own clothing line in conjunction with style brand, “Dialogue”. Elisabeth’s collection is said to consist of “pretty and polished separates”. Elizabeth is really becoming a pioneer in the fashion industry and she is definately leaving her mark.

It's All About Accessories Baby!

Because of the economy today, it is very difficult and almost impossible to rationalize spending alot of money on clothing. Many of us are obsessed with looking like fashionistas...I know that I am, so I always try to keep my ear to the pavement regarding the latest trends and classic fashion innovations. I always shop for bargins and I try to locate stores that cater to my inexpensive, fashionable needs. Accessories are a high equality and inexpensive way to minimize your clothing cost, by utilizing what is already in your wardrobe , and maximizing your style portfolio which keeps you looking like you just stepped off the runway. If you invest in these key staples this Fall, you will save a plethora of money while keeping your style Integrity undamaged! Here are some of my accessories selections for this Fall. If you invest in these staples, you will be a fashionista before you know it!

1. Belts: I don't think that belts will ever go out of style. This is an affordable staple that you will get alot of mileage out of. You can wear a belt over a sweater, your coat, or even just over a long shirt. This is an affordable fashion accessory that keeps on giving!

2. Jewelery: Jewerly is also another staple that will be a long lasting trend. The style of the jewelry is the only thing that will evolve. This season vintage jewerly is in style...1920's and 30's. This jewerly dresses up any outfit and makes something ordinary look extraordinary.

3. Scarfs: Scarfs have been in style for a while because they are not expensive and enhances any ensemble. Plaids are the need trend so if you want to be a little trendy, dont spend alot of money because you won't be able to wear it next season so invest in a $16plaid scarf!

4. Purses: Purses can get very expensive but I look at purses as an investment. However, there are affordable alternative to the expensive designer purses. Discount stores such as Filene's Basement and Lohnmans offers at least 50% off of designer prices and there is always New York City!!! Canal Street offers, legal, designer look alikes from street vendors. So have some fun shopping for the uncoming season and don't be afraid to take some chances.