Saturday, April 7, 2012

Check out Nina Chanel Boutique!

Victorious Inc Tip: quickly get to Nina Chanel, a cool boutique at 2308 Cascade Road in southwest Atlanta, offering high-end dresses, skirts, blouses and accessories.

At first glance the store, named for singer Nina Simone and designer Coco Chanel, may appear to be just another snooty boutique. Upon closer inspection you will find friendly and attentive salespersons, quick to offer fruit or a chilled beverage.

Surprisingly, the store’s prices are quite reasonable. The most expensive clothes are around $75, and right now (and at least through next week) select items are on sale for just $10. Yes, 10 bucks!

I quickly snagged several items for a couple of clients and a few things for my kid sister. (Sigh… Sometimes I really wish someone would shop for me!)

Oh, well. No rest for the weary.

Onward!



(photo courtesy: Top Atlanta Luxury)

Monday, April 2, 2012

Five Easy Steps to a Victorious Spring

Spring is here, and a quarter of the new year is already gone! Where did the time go? More importantly, what happened to the lofty resolutions we made only a few weeks ago? Sigh…

If your resolutions are on schedule, kudos to you! For the rest of us, here are five smart and easy ‘wins’ to pull it together and get back on track before summer.

For Women:
1. Schedule a professional bra-fitting. According to some estimates, 80 percent of women are wearing the wrong bra size. Of course, this statistic could be a ploy by bra manufacturers to get you to purchase new bras! However, if you haven’t had a fitting in the last year, you should consider it. Your body changes over time, even if your weight remains the same. Make an appointment at Intimacy, Soma, or another store that specializes in bra-fittings.

2. Evaluate your hairstyle and color. How long have you had your current style? Is it time for an update? Make an appointment with your stylist (or a different stylist), and ask for their honest opinion about your look. Brace yourself. You may be overdue for a new style, a color change, or both.

3. Have a professional makeup artist look at your makeup. Like hairstyles, make-up also changes and you need to stay current. Call a make-up artist or go to your favorite store for an evaluation and recommendations. Tell them about your daily routine, including your likes/dislikes and any time constraints. You may be surprised at what can be accomplished in just a few minutes with only a handful of products.

For Men:
1. Take stock of your underwear and socks. Good grooming starts with a good foundation. Toss items with stretched elastic, rips or holes. Also ditch any tee-shirts with pit stains that cannot be bleached. Purchase new socks and underwear; do not wait until it becomes an embarrassment.

2. Examine your shoes. Everyone notices the shoes. They may not say a word, but they notice! Do your shoes need to be polished and/or re-soled? Have they seen better times? Or are they in good condition, but outdated? Make sure your shoes are clean and well-maintained.

3. Take care of your skin. Good skin is your best ‘accessory.’ You should exfoliate (to remove dead skin), moisturize (to combat wrinkles), and use sunblock (to decrease chances of skin cancer). I know… what will your macho friends say when they find out? Forget about it. Twenty years from now you’ll have the last laugh because you will look great and they will look like the California Raisins.

The last two suggestions are for both women and men:

4. Drink plenty of water. Exactly how much water is needed depends on the individual. Some doctors recommend drinking “at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.” In general, if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or light yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate. Water helps ward off dehydration, so be sure to drink water before, during and after exercise.

5. Whiten your teeth. A bright smile helps make a great impression! Over time, coffee, tea, and wine can stain your teeth. Your dentist can whiten your smile, or you can save some cash and do it yourself with over-the-counter whitening strips. Use whitening toothpaste and mouthwash to help maintain your winning smile.

Now you have your orders, so get going!

Here’s to a Victorious Spring!