My friend Robert Ballew is a fabulous wardrobe stylist.
He always seems to be boarding a flight to somewhere fabulous, to style someone cool for a magazine shoot.
And he blogs.
You have to check out his blog at www.robertballew.com

Anyway, in my Saturday series highlighting some of my favorite blogs, I wanted to share this one with you.
Robert blogged the10 Essentials For EVERY Woman’s closet

The Essentials for EVERY Woman’s Closet -PART 1

Filed Under: ASK Robert, LifeStyle, LifeStyle Frontpage, Style SAVVY by Robert

Jan.04, 2012

So you cleaned out your closet and it didn’t leave much behind. This is a perfect opportunity to rebuild your wardrobe with the necessary pieces to have a confident stylish look. Here are the 10 essentials for EVERY woman’s closet.

    1. Black or Charcoal Tailored Pantsuit
Black is a basic, but I like a dark gray or charcoal as well, maybe with a slight texture appearance. Choose a fabric that is “seasonless” or wearable all year round. This could be a gabardine or crepe or something with a polyester blend. The poly will be add durability and some stretch. Wearing these as separates adds to the versatility of your looks. If you are able to get a matching skirt DO, these core pieces are important to your wardrobe.

2. Flattering Denim- Dark Wash
I say “dark wash” because they tend to be clean and free of distracting, shredding, holes and “whiskering.” I also recommend a lower rise, sitting below the navel, but if you need a 1/2 inch higher to contain the muffin, do it!!! As you wear the darker wash, it will wear in the areas that are inherent to you and only you and not wear someone else places the fading. I prefer a straight leg, they are always in style and go nicely over a heal and tuck well in a high boot. These will eventually turn in to your vintage wash denim. Please give away your baggy, pleated, acid washed denim RIGHT NOW!

3. Flattering Denim- Vintage Wash
These jeans should be your everyday, going to the mall, grocery store, lunch with Mitsy & Bitsy denim. These may be straight or slightly flared, but still lower rise. By “vintage wash” I mean pre-faded, with a LITTLE whiskering on the front thy and maybe a special rivet detail. The flare will look great over a boot, heal or wedge.

4. Shell or Camisole Top
Individually, perfect for a evening out. Layered under the jacket of the tailored pantsuit very feminine but professional. One in your signature pop color for interest and at least one more in a perfect shade of nude or blush for your skin tone for elegance. A matte or shimmery silk is up to you. Scoop, v-neck, empire or wrap front are dependent on your body type. The wrap front will be more forgiving and flattering for most silhouettes.

5. Crisp Classic Button-Down
There is nothing like a tailored button down that exudes confidence in the work place or just out and about. A white and /or soft-blue pinpoint oxford will do the trick. Make sure it is a tailored or “active-fit” you don’t need any excess fabric tucked in or out. A french-cuff might be a fantastic canvas for some statement or vintage cuffs.

6. A Perfect Tee or Two
Not your significant others undershirt, but a nice 100% cotton tee. This woman’s tee should hit you mid-hip. Too low, shortens your legs, too high accents your hips. Mid-hip is the perfect balance, once it stretches out or shrinks up, toss it. That said, you don’t want to break the bank over a tee, but you get what you pay for. Also, a scoop or v-neck will be the most flattering for you, elongating your neck. Select a basic white and your signature color. Black is good too, but once it starts to fade, give it away. Same goes for the white tee, once it “dingies,” make it a dust cloth.

7. Slim V-neck Sweater
One in your signature color is ideal. Not sure what your “signature color” is? Take a look at your surroundings, the wallpaper on your computer or phone, guest towels or dog collar. That is the color you are drawn to, it makes you smile, inside and out. OK, got that color in mind? Good! Depending on your budget, select a merino, silk blend or cotton. If you treat the cotton knit like it is a silk knit it should hold it’s color and shape for a good while. Pair this over your classic oxford or singly under your tailored pantsuit.

8. A Trendy Blazer or Jacket
I say trendy with hesitance, if it is truly trendy, it will be out before you get it home. But maybe a better way is a tailored blazer or jacket with a funky detail. Classic in nature, but individualizing in detail. The hem again should hit you mid-hip with a one or two button or even tie belt. The fabric could be in a corduroy, tweed, wool, velvet, denim, leather or sequin. Have fun with it. Imagine how the fabric choice will look over your classic oxford, Camisole, tee and long-sleeve v-neck sweater to finalize your selection.

9. The Little Black dress
This is not your most sexy dress but it is you most classically flattering dress. Again, if black is just too… well BLACK, then go for a charcoal or neutral gray. The dress should skim your curves, not pull while walking or sitting. Get a professionals help when selecting the perfect hem. Keep in mind a kick pleat in the back will add some WOW and make stairs and walking a bit more manageable. Pair your classic oxford underneath, most style, for that jumper affect great for the work place as well. Keep it understated with pearls or give it some pizzaz with your signature accessories.

10. Proper Fitting Foundations
Without the proper fitting undergarments, the above essentials will not do the job 100%. These are not the frilly romantic sets, but everyday supporting pieces.The RIGHT fitting bra will keep you together and give you a great bustline. The RIGHT underwear can offer a seamless look. Select skin-tones for more variations of use such as trouser, denim or skirts. Quality is important, they should last, but NOT FOREVER. When the elastic starts to give way or frey, toss them. Read more>>> Time to Mention Your Unmentionables
These are the ESSENTIALS, we have not even touched on accessories, footwear, handbags or outerwear, we will save that for NEXT time.

Make sure you follow Robert’s blog, via his website at RobertBallew.com
He’s on Twitter and Facebook too, the links are on his site.

Isn’t he fab??

Another Saturday morning blog re-post for you to enjoy!

This week its from Escapade (www.escapadeblog.com)

Isn’t this fun??

Its how I feel this morning.

Sometimes you just want to jump for joy

ESCAPADE BLOG

Inspiration for the new week 2.1.12

Brigitte Bardot

Janet Leigh

Audrey Hepburn

{All Photos: Philippe Halsman’s ‘Jump’ series via Laurence Miller Gallery}

see more here

Follow Escapade here

I love love love entertaining, but sometimes it can be hard to come up with interesting ideas.
Other times you have to throw together something on the fly as an impromtu party is apparently about to happen at your house. So you need to have some cool tricks up your sleeve.

Lulu Powers From Food To Flowers is my entertaining bible.
The book is filled with great recipes, party ideas, drinks…
Everything a girl needs to pull off a fabulous event.

Lulu also has a blog, Living A La Lulu which constantly updates cool finds, party ideas, pictures from parties she has catered etc.

In a word, fabulous.

So with Superbowl right around the corner I thought it might be fun to share her Superbowl Party blog with you.
This was when Green Bay was at the Superbowl with the Steelers, but you can modify for whichever teams make it this year.
Give a girl a few ideas…

Super Bowl Tips And Tricks 

Throwing an easy Super bowl bash

Step 1: Serve Theme Cocktails
No, this is not in lieu of beer, it’s in addition to. Beer is football’s best friend. Theme cocktails are simply the fastest way to get your buzz on. Besides, they’re cute. And serving one for each team gets the rivalry going.

Green Bay Margarita
1 bottle Corona
1 can (12 oz.) limeade
Tequila
1 drop of green food coloring
In a pitcher, dump the Corona and the limeade. Take the limeade can and fill it to the brim with tequila. Add that to pitcher along with the food coloring. Mix it up and add ice. Voila!
Fun tip: Rim glasses with green tinted salt or green sugar and serve over ice or shaken well in a martini glass.
Hint: Juice glasses are also great for serving these. If you’re feeling splashy, try these
7-ouncers from crate and barrel, http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dining-and-entertaining/bar-and-drinking-glasses/rings-7-oz.-juice-glass/s213748. They’re great to serve wine in, too, and harder to break than regular wine glasses.

Steelers: Dark and Stormy cocktail
1 1/2 ounce Gosling’s Black seal rum or any other dark rum
About 1/2 cup ginger beer
1/2 lime
Splash of bitters optional
Fill a highball glass with ice,add rum,a slash of bitters,if desired and top with ginger beer. Squeeze the lime into the glass,stir and add lime to drink.

Step 2: Get Crafty. The Brilliant, Under-$20 Decorating Idea
Set the table (and create the mood) by serving food on your own football field.
• Get a big piece of green felt from your local craft store, or a piece of green Astroturf from your hardware store. Make sure it’s the right size to cover your table. (Hint: measure before you ask the guy to cut off a swath.)
• Once you get the felt or Astroturf home, use white chalk or painters’ tape to draw the field lines.
• You can also use white paint. Your hardware store will have professional paint pens that dry fast.
• Use the “field” as your tablecloth. It’s totally festive and easy. And if someone spills beer on it, so what?
Hint: If you want to go all out, you can paint the end zones with green paint for the packers and yellow for the steelers. Mark out the space with the painter’s tape and get letter stencils to paint the team names.

Step 3: Let Them Eat Bacon
There’s nothing easier than roasted-bacon almonds, and they’re a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Did we mention they involve bacon?
Roasted-Bacon Almonds:
2 cups roasted almonds (16-oz. bag)
2 strips bacon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
A pinch of pepper
Substitutions:
You can use 1 tsp. honey or agave nectar instead of the sugar.
Instructions:
• Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Cook your two strips of bacon in a frying pan until they seem crispy. Take out of pan and drain on paper towel.
• Put your almonds into a bowl and mix with the bacon grease. Give them a good stir and then spread on to a cookie sheet.
• Bake for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Mix sugar, salt and pepper together in a separate bowl.
• Take the almonds out of the oven and place in a brown paper bag (shopping or lunch bag works great).
• Grip the top of the bag closed and shake, shake, shake. The grocery bag will absorb any extra grease.
• Take the coated almonds out of the bag and place in a mixing bowl. Crumble your bacon into bits and add to nuts. Then, add the mixture of sugar, salt and pepper.
• Ta da! Put the nuts in to a serving bowl and watch them disappear.
Hint: To make the day-of preparations easy, you can make the Roasted-Bacon Almonds a few days before and store them in a Tupperware container.

Step 4: Serve a Finger Food Smorgasbord
This trio will ensure that no guest goes hungry — and you’ll be sane enough to sit back and enjoy the game.

Pizza Gets a Makeover
Whether it’s frozen or delivered, use clean kitchen scissors to cut the pizza into strips and pile on a cutting board. You can even sprinkle with fresh herbs…looks homemade, baby!

Mini–Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Who doesn’t love these? Use truffle oil and fancy cheeses to make them seem gourmet.
1/2 lb. (2 sticks) salted butter, melted
20 slices potato bread (or other bread if you don’t have potato bread)
One 12-oz. package 4-cheese blend or grated Asiago, Parmesan, Fontina and Provolone
3 cups fresh baby spinach or arugula leaves
Truffle oil or chili oil (optional)
Instructions:
• Add a few drops of truffle oil or chili oil to the melted butter if you want to be fancy.
• Place a piece of wax paper on each of 2 baking sheets. Spread out 10 pieces of bread on each baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, brush each piece with butter and turn it over, or if you don’t have a pastry brush, just drizzle with butter.
• Sprinkle two tablespoons cheese on each bread slice and cover with spinach or arugula.
• Place the other piece of bread on top and butter the top of the bread completely.
• You can cook the sandwiches in a large frying pan or on a griddle. Spray a frying pan with olive oil spray and bring to medium-high heat. Place four five sandwiches in the pan and let them brown for two to three minutes. Flip them over and cook for two to three minutes, or until brown. (I press a weight on the top of the sandwiches to get them crispy, but you can use a spatula to hold each one down.)
• To serve, cut off the crusts, then cut each sandwich into 6 bite-size pieces. Serve warm.
Hint: You can make these before Super Bowl Sunday and store. After you cut off the crusts, place the pieces in a freezer bag, separating the layers with wax paper. To reheat frozen sandwiches, place them on a baking sheet and bake them in a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes. They will keep for up to one month in the freezer.

Peanut Butter & Bacon Bonanza
Cut out white bread with a football-shaped cookie cutter or just make the shape with a knife. Toast the bread, spread with peanut butter and adorn with crumbled bacon — different and totally divine.
Step 5: Chow Down on Theme Cupcakes
Top your favorite flavor cupcake with dyed coconut in the teams’ colors. Because what’s not to love about coconut and cupcakes?

How to Dye Coconut:
Just use the liquid food coloring you can find at any grocery store.
• Place one bag of shredded coconut in a large bowl.
• Sprinkle a few drops of food coloring (green for the packers,Black for the steelers), being careful not to add too much as you can always add more.
• Wearing rubber gloves, toss the mixture with your hands until all of the coconut is uniform in color. If you don’t have gloves, put the coconut in a plastic Ziploc bag, sprinkle with the food coloring, zip and seal the bag, and shake, shake, shake!
• Adorn your frosted cupcakes with the colored coconut and watch guests fight for one in their team’s color.

COPYRIGHT 2010 LULU POWERS INC.

Check out Lulu’s website here LuluPowers.com
Follow Lulu’s blog Living A La Lulu
She’s on twitter @lulupowers
And you can find her on facebook here
and while you’re there make sure you like my facebook page, Corinna B