I concur with the wrap dress advice..Very flattering.

28…psh!

Hugs & Kisses,
The (other) Deanna

I’m going to keep LCM’s fashion advice in mind for whatever reunion I manage to attend, which will probably be Justin’s, next summer. Not that I need to impress anyone, but it’ll make Justin look good if he has a hot wife.

By the way, what’s up with class reunions in October? My 10th was too. As if I needed any less incentive to attend. I was across the country and in school. Okay, technically I had a reading break that weekend, but I used the free time to visit my fiance.

Treat yourself to some nice new clothes, not just for the reunion but in general. I would totally love to go shopping with you, if only I were there.

Here’s a clothing tip about the reunion: If the sit-ups haven’t hit full potential, a fool-proof outfit is a black, knee-length, wrap (or mock-wrap) dress, I like the ones with a Johnny collar (a collar that goes partially down the length of the neckline) and 3/4 sleeves (but go with the sleeve-length you can find/are comfortable with). This style of dress hits all the right notes: black slims, the shirring at the waist makes you look more hourglass, the v-neckline looks deep doesn’t have to be (depending on cut), the right sleeve-length will cover what you want to hide, knee-length or just above is a perfect length (too short is revealing and juvenile, too long can make the legs look short, floor-length is too formal).

Pair with the dress, pretty heels (the taller the heel, the straighter you’ll stand and the slimmer your legs will look). You don’t even have to wear black heels, burgundy, red, or dark green would look good too, especially if you have a cute handbag that matches or coordinates with them. If a different colored shoe is too daring, just go with a different colored handbag, it will keep you from looking monochromatic and if you think it’s distracting you can set it down when you talk or make the Webmaster hold it (this night is for you, after all).

Go with a small handbag, such as a clutch, packing the essentials (ID, credit card, cash, pictures of kids to show off, lipstick/gloss, powder, eye drops – for us contact lens wearers) don’t bother with a wallet, just remember to put the ID and credit card back in later. A larger bag (the size of a breadbox or bigger) will weigh you down literally and visually (we’re going for lightness/easiness). Plus, this is one of the few nights you don’t have to carry the diaper bag, so go light just because you CAN!

If you only have black heels and/or a black clutch, then accessorize! Okay, accessorize even if you DO have the colored heels and bag. This is the time to wear your favorite and/or best stuff. Break out the diamonds! Go for sparkle. If you really like pearls better, then by all means wear them, feeling comfortable is important. Definitely wear a necklace that stays close to the neck, but I wouldn’t go as far as a choker (those are a bit “teenager-at-prom” right now). I wouldn’t wear a pendant (unless the chain is very short) because that drags the eyes down and it won’t frame the face as nicely at as necklace with stones all around the front. If you’re wearing your hair down – which I assume you are – wear small studs or small two-stone designed earrings (say a round-cut over a pear-cut). When you hair moves, a little sparkle will peak through. Dangly earrings in long hair just end up a tangled mess. If you like, you can put a simple/subtle hair comb or clip (it can have some stones if you want) in your hair to pull back one side so you don’t spend lots of time flipping or tucking your hair and also to show your face (and at least one earring.). Wear a sparkly bracelet on your right wrist (to offset the wedding rings on your left) and ditch the watch for the night. If you feel that your dress is too plain, here’s where you can dress it up: Pin a broach on your waist where the wrap ends (on the side), it will add sparkle to your middle and dress up your outfit.

I’m pretty sure you’ll do this anyway, but as a reminder: Make sure your hair is soft and flowing. This makes your look seem effortless. Nothing screams, “I spend hours and a lot of money preparing for this!” than a stiff up-do. Keep your makeup soft, too – no harsh lines! Your skin is pretty clear and lineless so if you need to cover anything, do that first. Make your eyes the emphasized feature. You can go a little bolder/darker on the eyes than usual if it’s an evening event, but remember to blend, blend, blend! Use a dark green shadow in the crease and above the lash line to make a sideways “V” on the outer half of the eye to accent the green in your eyes. Curl your lashes and swipe on black mascara, remembering to wiggle the brush side-to-side to distribute evenly. Use a lengthening formula, and if you make your lashes fuller, go ahead and do a coat of that first. Apply blush after the eyes (if you do it before the eyes you could find that you’ve done too much blush, after the eyes you’ll know just how much you need or don’t need). Go with a soft pinky mauve color, a good choice for your skin to give you a happy flush. Make lipstick the same shade or slightly darker, then put on shimmery, but not frosty, gloss on.

Take a picture and send it to me!