Are you looking in your closet wondering how you can stretch those summer fashions into the fall?  Are you thinking to yourself, “I just cannot spend a lot of money right now to buy a fall wardrobe?”  Well, the answer may be easier than you think.  My goal is to give you some suggestions of how to stretch that summer wardrobe a few more months through the fine art of ENSEMBLE.

First I want you thoroughly review your closet for these five basic pieces:

1.      Classic trouser in black, brown, navy or gray

2.      White blouse

3.      Khaki skirt

4.      T-Shirt (crew neck) in black, white or cream

5.      Sleeveless summer dress

Next I want you to look for the following items:

1.      A suit, preferably in black, brown, navy or gray

2.      Cashmere pullover v-neck sweater

3.      Little black dress

4.      Trouser jean –boot cut, dark wash

5.      Cardigan

Now you are ready to mix and match to extend those summer pieces into the fall.  Here is a short list of what could reveal infinite possibilities:

1.      Pair the trouser pant with the white blouse and cardigan sweater; add a skinny belt at the waist for definition and detail.

2.      Pair the khaki skirt with the white t-shirt and put on the suit jacket; accessorize with a scarf around the neck.

3.      Pair the summer dress and/or little black dress with the cardigan (look for complimentary colors) and button the cardigan only at the waist.

4.      Pair the suit bottom (skirt or pant) with the cream t-shirt and the pullover  v-neck sweater; accessorize with long necklaces.

5.      Pair the trouser jean with the suit jacket and black t-shirt; add a brooch.

Clearly, I haven’t touched every possible combination, that’s where your work comes in.  Use your imagination by combining pieces and accessorizing with scarves and necklaces.  A fun purchase for the fall would be bangle bracelets, metallic or colored.   And last but not least, drag out those boots.  They are back in a big way this fall, both ankle booties and up to the knee.

The good news is that you may have a majority of the pieces already in your closet.  The best news is that you can extend your wardrobe into the next season without spending a week’s salary and still look fresh and stylish.

Jaci Shiendling                                                            www.beautywithin-llc.com

Personal Image Consultant                                         This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PRINTING TIPS & TECHNIQUES from Allegra Print & Imaging

Submitted By Pat Zovickian Sales Manager

Below are ten top guidelines to consider when developing your next communications project:

1. Market Regularly – It takes 7-12 impressions to turn a prospect into a customer. Build your business and customer base with regular mailings or communications that keep you top of mind.
2. Use Color – The addition of color increases reader retention by 90%, and outsells black and white documents by an impressive 80%. How can you afford not to add color to your print materials?
3. Color at Less Cost – Alternatives to full-color process include 1- or 2-color. You can also mix two spot-color inks to create a third color for free, when those two are laid over one another.
4. Paper Stock and Font – Use the right elements to complement your print materials. Paper stock in cool colors with sans serif type will suit formal business-related materials. Paper stock and ink in warm colors with italic type suggests a more personal tone, ideal for your invitations or note cards.
5. Print Management – As much as 35% of company literature is thrown out as obsolete. We can save you time, money, and energy with print management services customized to your needs.
6. Personalization – Customizing a piece can increase your response rate from less than 1% to 50% or more. Consider personalizing your next newsletter or direct mail campaign for extra effectiveness.
7. Image Resolution - Use the appropriate resolution for all of your images, from Internet graphics at 72 dpi to printed images of at least 300 dpi. Original image size can be reduced, but not increased.
8. Proofreading – 78% of small businesses use printed materials most often for their marketing. Be sure to proofread your documents, and partner with Allegra to create flawless print communications.
9. Avoid Distractions – Overuse of capitalization, bolding, and reverse type can slow your readers down by as much as 10 percent. Utilize effective design and layout to help optimize your message.
10. Ask Allegra! – We have years of expertise, here to help you get your message out the right way, to the right audience – from quick copies, to direct mail, to a total marketing communications solution.

Get ready for the latest and greatest in ABWA spring conference programming, designed to help you to get the most out of your membership in the Association. And if you either currently serve in a leadership position within your Express Network or would like to do so at some point in the future, the ABWA Extreme Makeover workshops will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to be the best leader that you can possibly be.

The following courses will be offered at various ABWA conference locations throughout the country this spring. Please see individual conference agendas for locations and times, available in the January/February issue of Women in Business® magazine as well as online at www.abwa.org - just click on “Conferences and Events.”

Servant Leader

While the phrase “servant leader” was coined by Robert Greenleaf more than 40 years ago, servant leadership is emerging as the primary approach to leadership in the 21st century. It has been adopted by corporate giants such as Southwest Airlines, Toro Industries and Starbucks. In this workshop, gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the 10 basic principles and practices of servant leadership. You also will learn some practical approaches to becoming as servant leader so you can support the growth of individuals in your chapters and Express Networks, business and community.

What is ABWA? How Does It All Fit Together?

Get to the heart of what ABWA is all about and why! This interactive workshop also gives you the opportunity to apply what you learn to your role within your ABWA group.

Impact Programming for Award-Winning ABWA Groups

Effective ABWA leaders know that the best practices associated with strong and vital ABWA groups parallel the criteria for honors like the Star and Diamond Awards. Gain the knowledge you need to ensure that your group is healthy and on track with ABWA’s standards of excellence. This interactive workshop utilizes case studies and table team participation.

Programming on Purpose

While your ABWA group may present programs that are business and market relevant, are they specifically tailored to your membership? It is crucial that your programs increase the business efficacy of your members, or else you run the risk of isolating those whose needs are neither addressed nor met. Through this workshop, you’ll receive the tools for collecting, compiling and analyzing a comprehensive membership profile. The end result? You’ll be able to develop an ABWA calendar of programming and/or activities that will both increase your group’s retention rates and improve your members’ professional effectiveness, providing them with the leverage they need to advance their status in the workplace.

Ethics and ABWA Groups

It happens. Sometimes someone in your chapter/network or your workplace exhibits “unethical conduct.” But what is unethical conduct? It’s not as easy to spot or describe as you might think. In this workshop, gain an understanding of the factors that create an unethical climate both in business and ABWA, and utilize “real world” ABWA case studies to identify practical solutions. The ABWA conferences this spring also offer a terrific lineup of professional development programming, including:

• “Expanding Your Sphere of Creativity” presented by Lightspeed Learning
• FranklinCovey: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”
• FranklinCovey: “Championing Diversity”
• ABWA-KU Mgmt Certificate Series: “Steps to Becoming an Entrepreneur”
• ABWA-KU Mgmt Certificate Series: “The Lean Thinking Revolution ”
• ABWA-KU Mgmt Certificate Series: “Six Sigma”

Each of these six professional development seminars is accredited for .5 CEU.

There are plenty of extras at the six spring conferences, too, such as networking events, all-conference recognition luncheons, and in Kansas City only, a Girl’s Night Out at the American Heartland Theater, which features a hors d’oeuvre reception (sponsored by Shughart Thomson and Kilroy) and tickets to see “A Dog's Life,” a roll-over, play-dead, feel-good musical comedy about a man's best friend. The show is included only with a complete registration to the Kansas City conference made on or before the early registration deadline of Feb. 7, 2008, so register early - you don't want to miss it!

For professional development seminar descriptions as well as more on the workshops detailed here, plus conference agendas, hotel information,conference registration and more, please visit www.abwa.org and click on “Conferences and Events” or refer to the January/February issue of Women in Business magazine.