How to be Fashionista Fabulous
Do you ever start to pull out your fall clothes and feel a little let down? Do things always seem a little older and scruffier than you rememeber them? Are you always wondering where the salt stains on your boots came from? You were sure you put them away clean. And do your heavier cashmere sweaters sometimes have little mystery imperfections? Where did that stain, pull, or hole come from?
Alterations can make all the difference!
Learning how to shop and what looks good on you is half the battle to looking fabulous. And as every grownup girl - and hopefully every DolceDolce reader knows - it can be done without cashing in your retirement funds. The other half of looking really chic and fabulous comes from how you take care of what you buy.
Alterations can make a huge difference in how your clothes look. Something that fits you really well can make you thinner, taller, and richer. Don’t try to alter really cheap stuff, unless - smart girl - you can sew. But if the sleeves on your jackets and coats are too long or too short, a quarter to a half an inch alteration can make the difference between chic and sloppy. Don’t know where it is supposed to hit? Even though their models are tall and thin, check out the ads for top brands of prêt-a-porter; they are great guides to how clothes should fit. Most really good tailors and dressmakers know, too, but don’t trust your dry cleaners to have a clue about anything more complicated than a hem.
Fabric shops and design schools can be great places to find someone who knows their way around a sewing machine and has a sense of style. A recommendation from a well-dressed friend is the best.
None of this advice is new, but many smart women still settle for “almost” when it comes to fit. It’s so silly when going up a size in to fit your hips and thighs and doing an alteration to show off a tiny waist makes such a difference. The same goes for fitting the shoulders and bust in a jacket, and then tapering the waist for a sleek fit.
Altering clothes to flatter your body, instead of making do is one of the biggest secrets of fabulous-looking celebrities. They highlight their best points and the rest recedes. There are few truly flawless individuals.
Taking care of what you have is also high up on this list of top fashionistas. Clothes have to look fresh and pristine to be really stunning. If you want your cashmere to last and be fabulous, learn to wash and block it. Or, have someone who works for you learn to do it. Cleaning kills it. Storing it dirty - even a little dirty - attracts moths, holes, and heartbreak, in that order. I actually have found hand-washing all sweaters, lingerie, and hose makes them last, look, and smell pristine. I have never ruined anything this way, which is more than I can say for the best cleaners. Martha Stewart happens to agree with this; her website has excellent directions for washing just about anything. Hand-washing is also a great opportunity to check your things for tiny tears and signs of wear that can be mended easily and quickly. If you can’t mend them, you can find specialty European re-weavers in most cities.
Re-weavers can work miracles with knits and can sometimes salvage torn or burned tweeds and lace. Usually they can't do anything with very flat fabrics, such as gabardine or twill. The same goes for specialty suede and leather cleaners. If you need to clean costly leather or suede, don’t even bother with the cheap stuff. Try to drive directly to a cleaning plant. There, you can talk to the people who do the work. They can tell you risks and probable outcome. I have always gotten a good result this way, even with a terrible stain on pink suede.


As for your gorgeous shoes and bags, get a great cobbler. Do not rely on any old shoe repair kiosk, unless your shoes cost less than a hundred dollars - in which case repairs should be minimal. But if you buy designer shoes, find someone who knows shoes, loves shoes, and can fix them - a shoe guy who will fix leather soles, rewrap nicked heels, and keep that pricey footwear looking great. He’ll clean them for you or tell you how to do it. He will also recondition your boots once a year and remove the mystery salt stains. He will save you a fortune and buckets of tears. Hunt him down, make him your friend. Darlings, I have been lucky enough to have several of these lovely men in my life and they have been worth their weight in gold.
If your pricey bags come from designers such as Louis V. and Gucci ask at the shop how to care for them and return them, if there is a problem. All other bags should go to your shoe man for TLC at the first sign of wear.
Many women do not get their necessary helpers in order, and that is a mistake. So darlings, now you have the plan. If you are missing any members of your wardrobe force, go out and marshal your troops before fall. With a little professional help you’ll be as chic and sleek as full-time fashionista. Now how fabulous will that be?
 


Make Sensitive Teeth Sparkle Too!
Dr. David Alexander shares expert tips on dealing with sensitive teeth in this exclusive DolceDolce interview.
Learn how to make even sensitive look and feel fabulous!
Dr. David Alexander is the Director of Global Dental Professional Relations at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.
DD: Lately, there is more information linking dental health to more serious health problems. Can better dental health help preserve overall heath?
Dr. A: Many people, even in their twenties, seem to suffer from sensitive teeth and the problem only seems to get worse with age - what causes it and what is the best way to deal with it? Sensitive teeth is a common problem that seems to be increasing especially among younger adults. Teeth are not meant to be sensitive - it is not normal - and the first thing that should be considered is a visit to the dentist. Some causes of sensitive teeth may be serious and possibly lead to a dental abscess or even extraction, so it is important to have the cause checked without undue delay. Fortunately, most causes of sensitive teeth are not very serious; the most common condition is referred to by dentists and hygienists as 'Dentine Hypersensitivity'. The most common cause of Dentine Hypersensitivity is exposure of the dentine - the body of the tooth that surrounds the tooth nerve. Exposed dentine is due to recession of the gums, often brought about through improper oral hygiene and gum disease; or due to loss of the outer coating of the crown of the tooth known as enamel which can be softened and dissolved away by acids most commonly from soft drinks and some fruits. The exposed dentine is very sensitive to cold foods and drinks, or even cold air in winter time, or when the tooth is touched, such as during tooth-brushing. Dentine Hypersensitivity is easily relieved by simply changing the toothpaste you use to a de-sensitizing toothpaste, such as Sensodyne. Sensodyne not only has been awarded the Seal of Acceptance of the Canadian Dental Association but is available in many different flavors. There is even one formulation especially for people at risk through acids in their diets. If a de-sensitizing toothpaste does not provide relief after four weeks use, it is important to consult a dentist for a thorough assessment of the problem.
DD: Do whitening tooth pastes and bleaching cause sensitivity, or is it possible to deal with this problem and still have a white smile?
Dr. A: Tooth-whitening procedures (those that actually change the color of the tooth) conducted in the dental office or at-home with over-the-counter products commonly cause tooth sensitivity. Often this is sufficiently painful, that people interrupt or do not complete the full regimen, and thus do not get the whiter smile they had hoped for. A recent study performed in patients undergoing tooth whitening in 14 dental offices in Florida showed that brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste for two weeks before the start of the tooth whitening procedures, and continued during the treatment, caused less sensitivity than using a regular toothpaste. There is some evidence that suggests whitening toothpastes may help cause sensitive teeth, so a change in toothpaste may help alleviate this problem. However, discolored teeth may also indicate something more serious with your dental health, so it is important to discuss the color of the teeth with your dentist, and to follow their advice.
DD: Discoloration is an issue for many people no matter how careful they are with their teeth. What makes some people more prone to staining?
Dr. A: Staining of teeth has many causes, the most common and least serious of which are stains from foods and drinks, such as red wine, coffee, soda pop - and even tobacco from smoking or chewing (though this is serious for your general health). More serious causes may be dental decay and even dental abscesses, or wearing away and thinning of the white enamel that is the outer coating of the tooth that exposes the yellow-colored dentine underneath. Staining can be reduced by reducing the number of times a day that the drinks that lead to stain are enjoyed, and the use of a whitening toothpaste. Anyone who is concerned about the appearance and color of their teeth should consult their dentist for advice. Dentists can give teeth a deep clean and if appropriate recommend a tooth whitening treatment that can be conducted in the dental office or at home. Your dentist will also make sure that there is nothing more seriously wrong with the teeth.
DD: As our smile “ages” it can really detract from a person’s whole appearance. What are the best ways to maintain an attractive and youthful smile?
Dr. A: Indeed, many changes happen to our facial appearance as we get older, especially our teeth and our smile. Good everyday care of your teeth throughout all ages of life is very important especially to make sure you have healthy teeth and a great smile in later life. This means you should visit your dentist and dental hygienist regularly and follow their advice. Do not accept that minor symptoms like sensitive teeth are normal. No one has to suffer tooth sensitivity, which can often by controlled by something as simple as a change of toothpaste. If symptoms continue, make an appointment to see your dentist. Your dental health and an attractive and youthful smile are up to you. Take care and see your dentist regularly
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Beauty

Beauty and the Beech
New L’Oréal Paris Skin Genesis is formulated with ingredients to strengthen skin from within and help activate collagen production. It is the result of trendy new “green technology,” using a patented molecule extracted from the beech tree that is also found naturally in skin. The line also contains the powerful hydrator hyaluronic acid. This new line of products feels light going on. It hydrates and smoothes the skin’s surface, minimizing the appearance of small lines and making skin more light reflective. When your skin reflects light you look younger and less tired. How fabulous is that? The new anti-aging line consisting of a concentrated serum and choice of several moisturizers is available this August.

Fashion

Out Damned Spot, Out I Say
Getting a stain on your favourite shirt or suit isn’t a Shakespearian tragedy, but it can ruin your day. Oops is a new stain remover that’s DolceDolce reader-recommended. It gets out blood, ink, and all sorts of nasty stuff. Carry Oops with you; it has a little brush to help lift stains. But remember, always test on an inconspicuous spot and follow directions, and be careful with silks.

DolceDolce Tip: Some fine restaurants in Italy attend to stains and splatters in a very special way. They first carefully scrape or blot the offending stain. Then, they dust it with talc, which absorbs the oily reside. The talc is then brushed away. This often banishes many oily stains. I find it works very well on small grease spots on silk ties or blouses. Apply talc to spots overnight, brush, and hope. The upside is that this method never harms fine fabric.

A quick cure for wrinkles

 

Wrinkle Cure
Do you hate to iron? Do you dryclean way too much, leaving your clothes looking limp and battered? Darlings, get a steam brush or a full-sized steamer.
The Rowenta steam brush is the perfect economical solution and it will handle wrinkles form wear or packing. A full-sized steamer is pricier, at about $200, but they last forever and will steam your clothes from top to bottom.

Shop for steamers at www.stacksandstacks.com or any sewing machine store.

 

Food

Summers: the perfect time to eat ripe berries, peaches, and plums. Even though we can now get fabulous fruit - fresh and frozen – year round, there is nothing quite as lush and sexy as really ripe summer fruit. Enjoy the bounty by drizzling aged or reduced balsamic vinegar over tart berries and ripe peaches or plums. Serve over rich cheese. This simple dessert always reminds me of Europe.

Photograph by Natalie Chiu

Fresh Summer Fruit over Sweet Cheese with Balsamic For Four

For the cheese molds:
Mix: 1 cup of cream cheese, 1 ½ cup of mascarpone, ½ cup of sour cream, ½ cup of icing/powdered sugar. Mix well and pour into the lined cups. Fold plastic over the tops and chill well. You can add ½ cup chopped pistachios to the cheese if you like.
Clean and mix 2 cups of summer fruit as you like, mixing berries and/or peaches and plums. Sweeten with a little sugar to taste. Chill.
If you don’t have aged balsamic which is syrupy and rich, you can reduce regular balsamic by half over heat. You will want about ½ cup.
Chill cheese for at least four hours. Overnight is best. Use plastic to unmold cheese into individual shallow dessert dishes. Peel off plastic carefully. Pour chilled fruit over cheese and drizzle lightly with balsamic.
If you want the dessert to be a little light, feel free to use low-fat sour cream and cream cheese. Be sure to know the brand; some are delicious and creamy, others are not.
The contrast of flavours is exquisite. The balsamic brings out all the flavours. It is so simple and perfect. Another little touch of Europe.
I hate to say it, but I feel the end of summer creeping up on me, with all the back to school ads and temping fall clothes in the shops. It may just be the romantic in me, but I find the end of summer fruit is the sweetest, the last of the tomatoes the most savory. And I know there is always a soft sweet Indian summer to linger in. I hope my little bag of tricks was helpful. I hope that if you don’t have a good band of “style-savers,” you’ll be inspired to hunt some down.
Until next week, please sign-up if you haven’t already - DolceDolce is free - and forward t us to your friends.
 
 
Gracey Hitchcock
Editor
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