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)

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!

Is Your Poor Image Blocking Your Promotion?

When you were interviewing for the job, you dressed up and paid extra attention to your grooming. But after you had the job for a while, did your grooming regimen take a vacation? If so, the lack of attention to your appearance could be blocking your climb up the corporate ladder!

According to a survey by Careerbuilder.com, employers have identified the personal attributes that would make an employee less appealing for a promotion. Bad breath, unkempt clothes, piercings and visible tattoos topped the list.

CareerBuilder said bosses look at the whole package – not just strong performance and leadership skills – when it comes to promoting successful employees. Employers want to promote employees who have a professional image on the inside and the outside.

The top 10 personal attributes employers say would make them less likely to extend a promotion include:

1. Piercings (cited by 37 percent of employers)

2. Bad breath (34 percent)

3. (tie) Visible tattoo (31 percent)

3. (tie) Often wears wrinkled clothes (31 percent)

4. Messy hair (29 percent)

5. Dresses too casually (28 percent)

6. Too much perfume/cologne (26 percent)

7. Too much makeup (22 percent)

8. Messy office or cubicle (19 percent)

9. Chewed fingernails (10 percent)

10. Too suntanned (4 percent)


Your boss probably won't tell you, but now you know. So, check yourself before you wreck yourself… and your career!


The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive among 2,878 hiring managers (non-government) across industries.

Summer Trends 2011: What are You Wearing?

Although the weather has been sweltering for weeks, summer has just (officially) arrived. So, what are you wearing this season? Have you found clothes that help you feel cool while looking cool?

If you’re shopping for summer attire, here are a few 2011 trends for women and men. Not much middle ground here – you’ll either love or hate these!

Seven Trends for Women…

1. ‘70s inspired. Floppy hats, peasant blouses, macramé belts, beaded earrings, denim skirts, high-waist flared jeans, cork wedges and espadrilles. Lots of fun stuff here, but a little goes a long way. Do not – unless you’re going to a theme party – wear more than a couple of these ‘70s trends at once.

2. Crisp white. Summer and white clothes go together like fireworks and the Fourth of July. This year’s white dresses, skirts and blouses have clean lines with lots of structure and/or texture to keep them interesting. You can’t miss with this one, so go crazy!

3. Very bright colors. Eye-popping greens and blues ranging from emerald to aqua to turquoise, along with battery-powered shades of pink and orange. If you wore this trend in the ‘80s – when it was called neon – you might want to sit this one out. However, if you can’t resist, get a couple of pieces. But don’t fill your closet with these glow-in-the-dark garments because this trend should pass quickly.

4. Structured handbags. Oversized totes with metal accents take a backseat to smaller, more streamlined bags. Envelope bags, satchels and clutches in perforated leather, bright colors or two-toned leather force you to edit what you carry, while elevating your style. Get it.

5. Faux snakeskin. This print is everywhere and on everything. From the expected – handbags, heels and loafers, to the unexpected – dresses, blouses and trench coats. Think of it as the ‘new leopard’ print. If you’re on the fence about this one, start with the safest choice: a faux snakeskin bag. Could be fun!

6. Maxi dresses. This billowy look works for most body types, as long as the fit is good (i.e. not too tight or too long). That’s probably why it’s still around after a few seasons of immense popularity. But get one this year because its 15-minutes should be up soon. Tick. Tock.

7. Classic loafers and men’s-style oxfords. Not your father’s shoes, but an updated version for women. There’s something for everyone… bright colors, two-toned, even faux snakeskin. A good alternative to flats, so give them a try!

And Three Trends for Men…

1. “In between” shoes. Dressier than sneakers, but not as dressy as leather oxfords. Driving moccasins or linen bucks are a perfect summer companion to jeans or shorts.

2. Unlined blazer. Again, working the dressy-casual zone. An unlined blazer dresses up your jeans or khakis, but it’s more relaxed – and less bulky – than a lined blazer.

3. Cotton slacks in many colors. These are basically khakis… but in blue, green, pale yellow and even red. Step out of your comfort zone (at least a bit), and away from the usual khaki, tan, taupe, stone and olive slacks!

Remember, by their very nature trends are fleeting. So, carefully choose what works for you and ignore the rest. (I can’t say this enough: every trend is not for every body!) New trends, perhaps more to your liking, are just around the corner.