Letter to the Editor: Movie Premiere

Dear Nattily Natalie,

I'm going to a movie premiere in London! What should I wear?

Sincerely,

Your Devoted Reader, Dana 

Hey Dana!

What an exciting moment in your life! Especially when it is for an amazing cause! Movie premiers are so fun! You get a chance to dress up, see a great movie, and rub elbows with celebrities (and since you don't get to do that every day... who doesn't love a little sparkle in their lives?) 


Here's the plan for you, my lovely friend!! 

Dress: I suggest long. Truthfully. I know you dig the idea of a shorter dress, but if it's going to be cold. Thicker fabrics, maybe a silk crepe will wrinkle less and be more forgiving in any pictures. Here's my thought, if you want to go shorter cocktail length is fine - you want to look your best. But you also don't want to be that crazy girl who is trying to show up the celebrities on the red carpet (because that's what I would do). For you... I love the idea of a sweetheart neckline (classic glamor) straps are your choice. Nipped in a bit at the waist with a broad waist band to show off your curves. Colorwise, I would either stick with jewel tones (because they look incredible on you) or else a simple dark, bold color. Whatever you do... don't wear satin! It wrinkles and looks awful!! Another tip of advice: if you are taking a car to the premiere, take a towel from your hotel room and steam it while you finish getting ready. Take the towel and wrap it around your waist. The stream and dampness will actually cause your dress not wrinkle when you sit (or at least wrinkle less.)


Jewelry: Depending on the dress, my suggestion is go for a cocktail ring and great earrings. Bring the sparkle to your face and a little fun to your hand.


Make Up: For you, I'm seeing classic black, liquid eyeliner, perfect skin, and a bold lip. Maybe not red - but a deep berry! Something exciting and unexpected. Don't forget shimmer on your cheek bones, in the inside of your eyes, and right under your eye brows. Trust me - you'll like it.

Hair: What you want is an effortless half up, half down look with waves. Consider a 2 inch barrel to create waves (and don't forget your electrical converter!), pin your hair back with a few bobbies (but don't be afraid to let a few pieces fall out and not be perfect), and then spay the heck of our your hair!

In Your Bag: Consider a black clutch or a solid bag that "goes with" but doesn't match your dress. Make sure you have lipstick, mascara, pins, hair spray, and an elastic with you. Just in case you have any incidents. 


Good luck! Have fun! And don't forget your Spanx! I swear by them, anytime I get dressed up!!


xoxo,
Nattily Natalie

Change the World

They say the best etiquette is to make others feel comfortable. Selfless giving is something we can all do to help change the world.

Now, one of the best series I've read in years, the Hunger Games and the UN World Food Programme have joined forces. Check out this website and help change the world!!

Hunger Games & World Food Programme

Basically... be a badass like Katniss. 

Age Appropriate

Over the past few weeks, I've had multiple conversations with friends about women dressing their age. This seems to have become a bit of an issue for people. I for one, though in my late-ish 20s, have been known to wear cardigans and pearls, and I realize it can learn towards the dowdy side.

Alternatively, we live in a world where women of a certain age are rewarded for looking much younger than their actual age. Botox, augmentations, fillers, lypo. It can get extreme. If that's what you need to feel better about yourself, go for it. But really a healthy diet, some exercise, and really good moisturizer will make a HUGE difference.

As they say, 50 is the new 30. Wrong. 30 is still 30 and 50 is still 50. With that in mind, here are a few tips to think about, the next time you are shopping or getting dressed.

- If your clothes are in odd sizes (5,7,9) chances are the don't fit correctly. Why, you ask? Because clearly you purchased those in the junior's section. Juniors is for teenage girls - not adults. Sure the clothes may be cheaper, and we know how I love a good bargain. But really, the cut is completely wrong for any sort of curve and the quality is frightening. Seriously, you would have to purchase 3 pairs of pants in juniors to get the wear out of one pair of pants from an adult store. 

- Cover yourself. If you have lots of tattoos or lacy things, consider the environment you're in. I'm all for self expression - if you've got tattoos and love them, show them off. But obviously you're not going to show your whole sleeve while you're at work in your corporate office. Or say you've decided to wear your new lacy bra... I'm not entirely sure why you'd want to expose it - though I've seen it twice in the past month. Here's the best way to expose your lacy bra, and not look like trash. Wear a deep v sweater or cardigan and pants (please wear pants with this!) and let a tiny bit peak out. A little sexy, a little trashy. But if you're uncomfortable or if you're anything other than a 0, like the rest of us, you might want to consider buying a top with lace details and just giving a nod at the trend.

- If you're going to make a terrible fashion decision, like overalls (terribly unflattering to ALL body shapes), don't try to sexy it up.  Embrace your decision and wear some camo with it. Or better yet, burn, sell, or give away your overalls.

- A really good rule of thumb to work by, when getting dressed to go out, if you're going short on the bottom (and I implore you to consider what length of short is appropriate) cover up on top. If you are being a little revealing on top, cover more on the bottom, say... with pants. Novel, yes. It will also get you the type of attention you desire, rather than attention from bikers and creeper that wear Ed Hardy.

- What it comes to accessories, your mother was right, less is more. A few classy accessories will make any outfit, while piles of cheap mall accessories will make you look just that - cheap.

- If your dress is a tube dress, gold, skin tight, with cut outs - You look like a whore. I don't care if you are 15 or 50. This dress is entirely too over the top and has too many trashy elements going on. Even if it's a planned party where everyone is dressing like complete hookers - you don't HAVE to win this round, dignity will be better to have in the end.

The key to dressing your age is to embrace your body, no matter the size, accessorize with pieces you love, be proud to be you, and most importantly, when in doubt, cover up. Dressing age appropriately will make people take you more seriously and will ultimately help you out in life. Why not try it?

Advice of sorts...

My soon-to-be infamous romantic client said to me the other day...

"Anytime your partner asks for something and you say no, it doesn't make them stop wanting it. It just means they'll get it from somewhere else."

I've never looked at it that way. But there's a note of truth... and something to consider.

Roses < Every Other Flower

Did you know that not all girls like roses? Yes, there are tons that do, because roses are beautiful and come in the most stunning, saturated colors. Though, I'm willing to bet - if you ask someone what their favorite flower is, 9 times out of 10 they won't say roses. And if they do say roses, they'll have a specific color and type.

So, since it's the small things that matter, give someone flowers when you think of them. But understand that sometimes roses say "I don't care enough about you to learn what type of flower you like." Pay attention to the message you're sending - and take the time to ask what is someone's favorite! It will mean so much more to them.

Did you know...

Did you know Coco Chanel is the reason we have handbags that have straps that can go on your shoulders? She was sick of having her hands full and was inspired by soldiers' bags. Thus the shoulder strap was born. 

After the revival of her fashion house (headed by her, naturally) the quilted bag we all know and love (and drool over), the 2.55 was born. Why is it called the 2.55? Because it was created in February of 1955, of course.

What, you didn't know handbags have names? They do! As well as shoes. They are created with great respect and should be treated as such!

Hangover Cures

Whether it's from a long night with one too many drinks, cheap liquor, or just one glass of wine - hangovers happen.

Here are a few things to keep on hand to make your mornings easier (because if you're like me, you won't be indulging in hair of the dog.)

- Advil or aspirin. Pounding headaches are no ones friends.

- Lots of water. I'm sure you're dehydrated. So drink up!

- Protein. I've been told it helps give your body the nourishment it needs, after the abuse it just took. I'm not a big protein person (no red meat, no nuts, thanks!) so I can't attest to this. But if it works, it works!

- Comfort Carbs. A bagel, some French bread, maybe a croissant or two. Yum. Settle your stomach (and soak up alcohol) with delicious carbs.

- Garlic Based Supplements. Before or after... Don't ask me why, but they help.

- Caffeine. Gives your body a bit of a jolt and the energy to get up off the couch and get your day going.

Funny enough, when I googled hangover cures to see if there was a weird blend to try (2 eggs, hot sauce, a newts eye, and butterscotch syrup - I just made that up. Please don't try it!!!

My Earrings Are in the Fridge and Other Glorious Late Night Activites

Sometimes you go out, head home, and go to bed. Then, there is that night where you get a little wild. You have some cocktails, you're the life of the party, and the night ends with someone shoving you in a cab.

But what happens when you get home? Definitely not bed.

Magic. That's what happens, magic, my friends.

You eat everything you can get your hands on, you watch TV a little too loud, you dance like a buffoon, your clothes land in odd smoky piles around your house, and if you're like me, you take excessively long showers and then go to bed with super wet hair - then wake up in the morning with a soggy pillow and a very odd hairstyle.

That's all fine and dandy... Of you're 22. But you get to a certain age, and people, it's time to get it together.

No, I don't mean that you should stop going out and coming home to eat and dance. Never! But you can always hold it together to make the next morning slightly easier.

We're going to take a quick look at actions and remedies:

-You become a human vacuum, inhaling anything and everything that is in your fridge and cupboard. Have you noticed you eat things are already made? Leftovers, cold pizza, chips, cookies - there is not a lot of prep when it comes to late night eating. So, make yourself some healthier options and make them readily available. Cut up broccoli, have mixed nuts out (if you eat them), whole grain crackers, and fruit. You'll find, if it's there to eat, and you want something - you'll go for it. 

- You are suddenly deaf but ready to continue the party. Truth, I'm not sure there is a cure for this, but I have a few ideas, of course. Hide the remote, leave the speakers on a loudish setting (so they seem loud enough), or my personal favorite from a friend's place in college, a "shhhh!" sticker (made from a mail label) stuck to the remote. 

- The next morning, all of your stuff has mysteriously disappeared. Place a laundry basket in a conspicuous place before you leave to go out. That way, when you get home, you'll consider putting everything in it. Leave your purse in one area... it's normal spot (if you're the type to train yourself to do so). Try to have charges in a few rooms, so you consider sticking your phone on one of them, rather than in your shoe or under a table.

- Your smoky clothes are making everything upholstered stink! You know what I'm talking about, ugh! You sit on your couch and it smells like smoke for a week, no matter how much Febreze you use. This would be a good time to consider the conspicuous laundry basket as well, after a very sudsy shower. Wash that stuff off!!!

- You are really enjoying the warm weather and you singing sounds awesome! Post going out showers are a thing of beauty. Wash off the smoke, sweat, and stench of humanity. Okay. Maybe not that intense, but you know what I mean. Either way, a great thing to do if you are taking too long of showers is to set a timer. Keep an egg timer in your medicine cabinet and have it available for easy setting when you hop in to rinse off. The timer dings, you're done, everyone is happy. 

- Your pillow looks like a MAC employee. We don't always remember to wash our faces... though we should. Set your facewash and a towel out, before you go. That way, when you walk by it, you'll see it and wash your face!

- Your face looks like a prune when you wake, because you went to sleep with super wet hair. Let your hair sit for a few minutes in the towel... then use a different dry towel and put it over your pillow. Your towel will absorb a majority of the moisture and your face won't be cold and pruney. 

Next time you have a wild and crazy night, keep these ideas in mind for an easier morning... and don't forget to call me!

Did you know...

Did you know, in the Victorian Era and prior, men actually carries handbags? It wasn't until the 1900's, when women weren't forced to have an escort when out and about that they began to carry handbags. Men's purses were leather with few adornments and styles. Once women got ahold of them, they started to get interesting. Funny how that works... from utilitarian to fabulous. (Sorry boys, we ladies are evolutionarily predispositioned to detail.)

Did You Know...?

Did you know that women's shirts which have buttons, have the right side over the left, while men's are left over right. 

The reason being: When men began wearing button down shirts, butlers and maids would help you get dressed. With left over right, it is made for someone who is right handed to more easily manipulate the buttons. When button down shirt came into fashion for women, the were part of the work place, and long were the days of butlers and maids. Right over left makes it much easiter for someone to dress themselves.

So, next time you get on that guy about buttoning his shirt wrong - it's actually harder for him than you. A polite whisper "Hey, you might want to pop into the restroom to fix your shirt" should do the trick.

Valentine's Day: Single Edition

It seems only fair to dedicate a little attention to those who are single during Valentine's Day. What's great about this year, since Valentine's Day is on a Tuesday, you won't actually have to be inundated with date nights and those who are coupled, romping around.

Fun activities to consider:

- Friends dinner. As trite as it may be, get your loved ones together, coupled or not (everyone is invited!) and make dinner together. You never know if someone might want some company that night; if they are single, don't want to hang out with their roommate, or even their partner isn't able to celebrate with them - a group will be easy to come by.

- Go out. Local restaurants, pubs, and bars always have "singles" events around Valentine's Day. They are always fun and exciting.

- Go on a date with your best friend. Who better to spend the day with? Carrie and Miranda did it... even if theirs didn't end well. But you aren't keeping giant secrets from each other, so that's a moot point.

- Spend some time with you. Rent your favorite movie, treat yourself to your favorite take out, light some candles, and relax. Phone off and out of sight, with you computer tucked in an office or a different room. Spend the evening indulging and doing exactly what you want to do. 

- Say yes to that person who has asked you out, over and over again. You weren't really considering them... but maybe it's worth it. Really, what do you have to lose?

Also consider, dating websites (the good ones you have to pay for) generaly tend to give discounts around this time of year. You never know, it could be a great time to cherry pick your next partner. 

A New Door

I realize it's been nearly a week since I've written. I apologize. I've had a bit of an upheaval in my life - but from here on out, things are sure to get interesting. And I promise to write about anything that falls under my far reaching subjects.

Words I'll leave you with today, which were said to me last week: "there's a plan for you. Sometimes you've got to be pushed out a window to realize there is another door that is opening. The right door."