Planning a wedding? Don't go to the mall, go to your livingroom!

No, I'm not talking about shopping on-line from your couch. I'm talking about shopping from your couch, with your own personal consultant at your side. Sounds expensive? Think again! Today there are thousands of direct sales companies covering just about everything you can imagine. From skin care & make up, jewelry, clothing, candles, home decor, food & cooking, wine ... The list goes on and on! There are even direct sales companies for pet products! I haven't found one for wedding gowns, but I bet if I searched enough, I would.

But back to how this helps you. Just imagine being able to contact an industry professional to help you with whatever you need. Want to coordinate your bridesmaids look? Call a skin care/make up and a jewelry consultant. Need ideas for what to serve at all the parties coming up? Call a wine and food consultant. Buying a new house with your groom and need decorating ideas, or having a home wedding and need to spruce it up a bit? Call a home decor consultant. Many consultants will offer private consultations, at no charge to you. They can "bring the store to your door!"

And they can help you even further. Say you need bridesmaids gifts - host a jewelry party, and you can earn them for a deep discount, or even for free! Want to do something special for your bridesmaids? Have a spa party, a skin and make up party, or a pleasure party. Come to think of it, wouldn't a pleasure party be a fun bachelorette party?! Tons of fun without the expense or drama of hiring a limo to go club hopping.

The possibilities are as endless as your own imagination. There are several resources available to help you find a local consultant. I've listed just a few below, or you can contact your local Direct Selling Women's Alliance (DSWA) chapter (link provided below).

So, don't get off your couch, call a direct sales consultant and let the store come to you!

By the way, even if you're not planning a wedding, you can still get some great products for amazing discounts, or for free, just by hosting a girls night in!

Resources:
DSWA Chapter Listing (just click on your state): http://www.dswa.org/chapter_listing.asp

Listings of Direct Sales Companies:
www.internetbasedmoms.com/direct-sales (a good list with companies listed by category)
http://www.npros.com/homebusinessdirectory.asp (tons of companies, listed alphabetically)
NOTE: I have only included these two listings because they are true lists of direct sales companies. Most lists have links directly to a specific consultant who has paid to be on their list.

How much jewelry is too much?

Ever since I started selling jewelry, my husband has begun to pay more attention to women's jewelry, and is becoming a self-proclaimed expert regarding women's jewelry fashions. As a woman who sells jewelry, I am already a self-proclaimed expert. ;) So we were both shocked while watching a local news program recently when we saw one of the news reporters wearing way too much jewelry. She had on a very large chunky necklace, oversized hoop earrings, big chunky bracelets on each wrist, and a huge ring on each hand. It was so distracting, I don't even remember what segment of the news she was covering! Each piece on it's own was attractive, but the combination was just a mess. Our eyes kept going from the large necklace to the big bracelets to the huge rings - there was no focal point.

And that is the point of jewelry - making a focal point. Jewelry is supposed to accessorize your outfit, not distract from it. It should become a part of a whole look. Wearing one bold statement piece is great and can really spice up an outfit, but the eye needs a focal point - one focal point. Something to draw the attention and make people think "wow, what a great outfit!" I find myself going back to the old rule of thumb - if you have to ask, it's too much. If you're looking at your outfit in the mirror and you have to ask yourself "is this too much," it is. Make sure you've created an whole image by choosing pieces that will complement each other, not fight with each other for attention. Take a step back and look at yourself as though you were looking at a stranger, then ask "what would I think about this outfit if I saw it on a stranger?" You want to look polished and "put together" - you don't want to look like you're playing dress-up.

If our news reporter had worn the necklace without the earrings, one smaller bracelet on one arm, and one of the rings on the opposite hand, she would have made a much more desirable impression. Or she could have worn just the earrings and the big bracelets. Wearing a large bracelet on each wrist can create a balanced look, and is a very popular trend. Remember, keep it simple, wear only one statement piece at a time, and make sure to evaluate your entire outfit before you walk out the door.

Now go knock 'em dead gorgeous!

Necklaces - To layer or not to layer?

There's so much conflicting information out there on how to wear necklaces. Some sites tell you layering is the hot trend, others say keep it minimal. So what's the answer? Well, it depends! Generally one necklace at a time is fine. For example, when you're at work, less really is more. Wearing too much jewelry at work can make a very professional outfit look trashy. Although it is still OK to wear one statement piece, it shouldn't make too much of a statement. But when it's time to trade your flats for heels and go hit the town after work, adding another necklace can take an outfit from office appropriate to nightclub ready. After all, isn't it easier to bring an extra necklace and a pair of shoes to work than to bring a whole new outfit?!

The video below shows 3 different styles, and how to take them from day to night by just adding one or two layers. Play around with the outfits and jewelry you have to see how many new looks you can create. You can easily bring new life to your wardrobe just by mixing up your accessories. And don't be afraid to mix colors ... but that's another blog! Stay tuned!