Do you only try on one size, and if it doesn’t fit you give up on that piece of clothing? Instead of passing on that item, why not try it on in another size, even if that means going a size up.

“I’m the first one to tell people, when they compliment me on how I look, that I have a secret weapon: Wardrobe Stylist Scarlett Debease. I’ve worked with Scarlett for years now and recommend her heartily to family, friends and colleagues. She not only shops with me for beautiful pieces to add to my wardrobe, but she also comes to my home and coordinates the new purchases with the rest of my wardrobe, then photographs the outfits to create my own personal look-book. I NEVER have to think, “What will I wear today?” I simply consult my look-book and get dressed. I know I’ve saved time and money using Scarlett’s invaluable service.”—Jane Pollak

Jane Pollak, Inc.

By Laura Smith, Chief Groovy Chick at The Breakup Lounge

Do you take time out of the day for you?

How do you get refreshed and renewed?

If the answers to the above questions are "Kinda" and "I don't know," then would you like to add some more into your life?  Let's do it!

You can get started RIGHT NOW! You could even do it EVERY DAY! It's easy and doesn't take much time and it feels awesome!

Here's how:

1.  Plan it.  Sometimes, life is so busy and chaotic that you really need to make an appointment with yourself FOR yourself. Whatever you use for your time management system, each morning, decide WHEN you're going to take some time out of your day for you. Notice I didn't use the word "if" there ~ it's nonnegotiable and it feels good to write it in and stick with it. Also, in my case, I know that I like to take an overnight trip alone about once every three months. I look forward to it. I plan for it and it's amazing.

2. Make a list of go-to activities for this special time.  What makes you feel good?  It's as easy as that.  Is it grabbing a frou-frou coffee drink or meditating or getting outdoors or journaling or doing a quick 15-minute yoga session? If you take a minute right now and jot down a few activities that aren't very time consuming but that you really enjoy, you've got options for your time. Now, no matter where you are in your day or what kind of day you've had, you know that you've got some "smile" time planned.

3.  Allow yourself to be truly present for your time.  We've all got busy lives. We're typically brilliant multi-taskers. However, this is about quieting yourself to focus on what you're doing and how it makes you feel. You may need to take a minute or two just to do some deep breathing exercises first to begin to relax and let yourself enjoy your time. You'll get the most out of it if you let yourself relish it and just "be" in that moment.

It's a true gift to you ~ taking time out of your day, week or month to refuel your soul. You deserve it.  Let yourself enjoy it.

Sometimes, we walk down the "I should be doing this or that" path. We feel guilty for taking time for ourselves. I'm telling you right now that when I take care of me ~ I'm a better me ~ first of all ~ but I'm also a happier wife, a more patient mom & stepmom and I feel lighter and more energetic all around. Taking care of you is truly a gift not only to yourself but to those around you too.

So why not try it? Make an appointment with yourself today or tomorrow for some extra you time! You won't regret it, Gorgeous!

Shine On!

By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna's Promo Talk

Many families during the month of June are now celebrating graduations, weddings and Father's Day, which is this Sunday. Many are also planning their summer vacation. One of our long-standing clients, Colonial Williamsburg, is  a popular destination spot on the east coast for family vacations. Last week they kicked off  this summer promotion that we assisted them with.

The “Colonial Williamsburg History Mystery” Contest offers a chance to win a family getaway hotel package while at the same time helping to solve a history mystery. The contest  invites participants to submit a creative interpretation taking inspiration from this stamp found on George Washington’s Revolutionary War tent, The First Oval Office.  Despite extensive research, no one has yet been able to discover its purpose. Colonial Williamsburg tailors are reconstructing an exact replica of the tent in their Revolutionary City's Secretary's Office that families can experience during the summer 2013 season.

The contest submissions should in some way tell a story or demonstrate an imaginative project using the stamp which  can be fictional or based on research. All entries are being  accepted in photo, video, and/or written form, and must be received through this promotion application on the Colonial Williamsburg Facebook Page.

Submissions will be accepted up until June 23. A panel of judges will then select 10 finalists based on the following criteria: Originality and Creativity (35%), Inspirational and Imaginative (35%), Quality and Relevance of Content (30%). These submissions will then be displayed in the Contest app and the public will be invited to vote for their favorite from June 26 - July 5. The Submission with the most votes will be the grand prize winner  who will receive a  4 day/3 night family stay at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel along with admission passes for Colonial Williamsburg's Revolutionary City and art museums and more.

I learned a little more history facts myself just working on this promotion. Visit the Colonial Williamsburg Facebook Page along with The First Oval Office Blog if you'd like to learn more as well.

This TED talk with Jackson Katz is so spot on, I had to share. Listen up, world, women are not the only gender in the world, and violence against women and children is not just about them. It's time for men to stand up and become part of the solution. 

By Laura Smith, Chief Groovy Chick, The Breakup Lounge

Have you ever had this happen before? You think it's bad enough that HE'S no longer in your life. Then you get the added slap in the face that his family suddenly doesn't want anything to do with you, either.

Forget all the holidays you've shared, all the laughs ~ even the big life moments like weddings, children being born, 1st birthday parties, etc.

What about those shopping trips with his sisters? Going out for lunch? Calling his mom for cooking advice?

Suddenly...and without notice...they appear meaningless.

How could this be happening? What did he tell them? Why are they all unfriending me on Facebook? What did I do?

Just when you think it couldn't get any worse, it goes and does.

Yes, it's painful. You don't understand it. I adds another layer of uncertainty and ick value to this whole breakup/divorce thing you've got going on already. Your mind can run wild with different reasons and possible scenarios that led to this outcome.  Enough already!

So what do you do in this situation?

The way I see it, you've got two choices, My Darling.

1) Take it personally. This choice is very popular. However, it usually leads straight to a pity party of epic proportions. Why me? Am I THAT bad of a person? In their mind, of course, their son, brother, nephew, etc. can do no wrong! It must be all my fault! How could they think that?

Also, this choice CANNOT lead to a higher self-esteem for you, Gorgeous! It only leads to more self-doubt and possibly some good old-fashioned self-loathing. Is this your idea of a fun Friday night? No way!

2) Let it go. This choice can be a bit tough. After all, your thoughts keep returning to the hurt that this causes and what it says about YOU. However, if you think about it, it says more about THEM...right?

Also, who knows why they're doing it? Not you. Maybe your ex specifically asked or even forbade them from communicating with you. Maybe they think what they're doing shows their family loyalty and therefore, it's the right thing to do.

Maybe they feel so bad about the situation that they don't know what to say.  Then it becomes easier for them to say nothing ~ especially if it's uncomfortable for them. Maybe they know that their son, brother, etc. was kind of a jerk and so that's embarrassing too. They can't deal.

Are any of the above situations really about YOU at all? Nope.

So why would you waste your precious energy worrying yourself about it, My Fabulous Angel?

Yes, it hurts. There's no getting around the fact that you'll need to grieve the loss of these relationships. It's gotta happen. If it makes you feel any better, lots of sassy ladies have done it before you and ended up ~ what ~ completely okay with it.

That's the thing about our lives ~ people move in and out.  Sometimes, they're with us for it all. Sometimes, just for a split second. As the saying goes, "When someone walks out of your life, let them. They are just making room for someone better to walk in."

Shine On!

By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna's Promo Talk

The With Art Pinterest Contest, sponsored by Visit Philly, invited fans to pin an artful weekend getaway in Philadelphia to be entered for a chance to win it. The actual Philly weekend getaway prize would be designed by the winner. Here's how it worked:

Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (aka Visit Philly) launched the contest on April 25 and started promoting it on their Facebook page.

Participants were asked to first follow Visit Philly on Pinterest then create a board titled “With Art Philadelphia”. The board needed to contain at least ten pins taken from the following:
• 3 pins from the Visit Philly With Art website
• 2 pins from the With Art Philadelphia Pinterest Page
• 2 pins from the Visit Philly Eat & Drink Pinterest Page or of restaurants from the Visit Philly website
• 2 pins from the  Visit Philly Stay In Philadelphia Pinterest Page
• 1 repin of Visit Philly’s official contest pin

Each board needed to have at least two restaurant pins and two hotel pins so that Visit Philly could compile the winner's prize from what they pinned on their board. Once the entrant’s board was completed they had go to the Visit Philly Facebook page and click on the link to the Contest application. If they were not a current fan of Visit Philly they had to first Like the page to become a fan in order to access the Contest entry form where they would enter the URL address of their “With Art Philadelphia” Pinterest board along with their name and email address.

The contest ended on May 24 and a panel of judges reviewed all the submissions and chose a winner that was based on creativity and originality. That grand prize winner,  Lyn Benonis, was just contacted and she is so excited to plan her Visit to Philly! You can view Lyn's Pinterest board here.

There were also five runners-up chosen by the judges that will each receive a membership to one of Philadelphia’s art museums.

We worked with Visit Philly's agency, Sparkloft Media, on this promotion. They specialize in assisting tourism and convention and visitor bureau (CVB's) organizations with their marketing needs. They have been keeping track on blog of where CVB's stand on Pinterest and, as of May 30, Visit Philly had 4,062 followers and was ranked #12. We have done several promotions with Sparklfot Media  for some of  their other clients such as the Beaches of Ft. Myers and Sanibel Florida. Some of these have also included Pinterest, however, this was the first one where a prize was designed by the entrant themselves which I thought was highly innovative.

Congratulations to Lyn. Hope she and her guest enjoy their weekend getaway in Philly.

Does your professional wardrobe reflect your business, image and personality in a positive manner?

When you meet a prospective client, employer, conduct a seminar, lead a meeting or give a presentation, are you confident about your professional wardrobe’s appearance? Feeling good about what you are wearing, and not self-conscious?

I have a client who told me that before she worked with me, she vowed to NEVER again attend a meeting without dressing in a way that not only made her look, but also feel, confident and in charge. She recalled a time, when she was directing a meeting with a client, but instantly felt weaker when the client showed up dressed perfectly and seemingly took over the meeting! How could her client appear in charge? The answer is easy; if you are not secure in how you look and feel in your clothes, you will then lose your focus and control of the meeting.

Your priority should be on impressing upon your audience your expertise as to how you can solve their problems. The last thing you should be thinking about is how you look or feel in your outfit. When you feel like your clothes are too tight, loose, frumpy, out of style or just plain boring, then you are missing out on the opportunity to focus solely on your end goal, which always is to get the positive outcome you’ve worked so hard on achieving.

You want to, and must be taken seriously in order to get the respect and consideration you need and deserve.

Do you ever:

1. Tug at your clothes to get them in place as the fit is not right?

2. Worried about how much more you can eat that day before a button, seam or zipper might pop?

3. Feeling self-conscious about your appearance?

4. Worry that your clothes are out of style or dated looking?

5. Concerned that your clothes make you look older than you are or feel?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then you risk losing the chance to get the outcome you’ve worked so hard on achieving from your meetings or presentations. Getting the result you want, and have earned, happens far more easily when your professional wardrobe reflects your abilities and objectives. Choosing a professional wardrobe, whether a business casual or professional wardrobe that allows you to feel and look professional, attractive, comfortable and competent is absolutely obtainable and essential to a women’s business success.

If you want to know what your professional wardrobe should be, then as a professional image consultant and wardrobe stylist I can show you exactly which colors, style and fit are perfect just for you.

Schedule your FREE Get Acquainted Call to find out how I can show you how to always know what to wear.

‎”Scarlett De Bease is amazing! I had 3 major speaking gigs in the past week, a closet that was a complete mess with nearly nothing in it of use, and almost no jewelry! My only saving grace was my shoe collection! Scarlett saved the day! I had 3 different perfect outfits, one for each event ready to go after just 2 hours with her and my mess of a closet. We haven’t even been shopping yet. I can’t sing her praises enough. Plus, my room feels so clean and organized now. It’s so simple to get dressed every morning. If you need any wardrobe help, Scarlett is the best!” Jessica Drummond, health coach and functional nutritionist for women and girls.  

If you like this post, be sure to go here and get your free copy pf my Style Tips guide.

Copyright ©, Scarlett Image™., All Rights Reserved.

By Laura Smith, Chief Groovy Chick, The Breakup Lounge

I know what you're thinking already ~ How could I POSSIBLY forgive him for what he's done? For all the pain he's caused me? For abandoning me and our future? NOT gonna happen!

Now, don't get me wrong. Most people feel like forgiving someone means that you're somehow suggesting what they did was okay. That IS part of it. However, the reason I'm bringing this up is to help YOU. As John Green says, "The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive."

You see, forgiving someone actually helps you in a multitude of different ways. First, it alleviates some stress. You feel lighter. You feel happier. You feel empowered.

Second, it helps with the energy drain that we typically suffer from while coping with a divorce/breakup. As we begin to forgive, the negative thoughts of him and the relationship start to fall away. We bring that energy back to ourselves and our lives and it helps us focus on the future and what really matters.  Yay!  Bonus!

Third, your confidence and strength is boosted through forgiveness. Have you heard the saying, "It takes a big person to forgive"? I think it's our innate desire to forgive those that have wronged us. It does take some gumption and your self-esteem gets the benefit. You feel good!

Forgiveness truly is giving up the wish that things could be different.  Yes, do you perhaps wish you had married someone else? Do you wish you would have left two years ago instead of letting it drag on? Sure.

However, no one can change the past.  What happened ~ happened.

The question then becomes, My Sassy Darling: What are you going to do with it? Will you let it affect your precious present moment? Will you let it affect your future? Are you going to hang on to the past with both hands? OR release it with a gentle smile?

I know it can be tough and it IS a process. It's simple to think, "Oh, I forgave so-and-so." However, when it comes right down to it, you still feel ugly feelings and harbor a grudge. That's natural. That's why this is a process. It chips away at the hurt and negativity. You feel better each time you do it.

And GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK, Dear One. Realize that complete forgiveness may not come for a while ~ a long while and that's okay. Give yourself as much time as you need.

Here are a few tips on starting the forgiveness process:

1. Find a peaceful spot where you won't be interrupted.

2. You can either write it out or say it out loud. It's important to either write it OR verbalize it rather than just thinking it.

3. So you start out with, "I understand that ____________." Go on and on until you get it all out.

For example: I understand he wasn't faithful to me.  I understand it wasn't my fault. I understand he left his dirty underwear all over the bedroom floor. (*Smile*) I understand that he is selfish.  I understand that he hurt me. I understand that he did this and this.  Just lay it all out there.

4. When you get to the end of the list, then say or write, "_________ (insert name), I understand all of these things and I forgive you."

5. Slowly exhale and feel the release.

At first, it may be difficult to wrap your head around this exercise. It seems like you're giving him a free pass for breaking your heart. 

Actually, you're giving yourself a gift. Remember that, Sweet Pea.

This is also helpful if you want to forgive yourself for something or for anyone in your life you'd like to forgive such as parents, friends, the guy that cut you off in traffic, etc.

So just remember: There's no right or wrong way to forgive. There's no time limit and no rules. It's simply a great way for you to move on with your fabulous amazing future!

Shine On!

By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna's Promo Talk

I recently attended the 2013 BlogPaws Conference which was held back in Tyson Corners, VA, May 16 – 18. This was my fifth BlogPaws Conference and I am proud to say that I have made it to them all. BlogPaws 2013 is a Pet Social Media Conference made up of attendees who are pet bloggers, pet brands, pet educators, pet rescue organizations, social media professionals and of course, PETS.

I have two dogs, Shadow, a Golden Retriever, and Izzie, a cross between a King Charles and a Cocker Spaniel, along with two cats, Jack and Rose. I have not brought any of them to any of the conferences mostly because they do not like to travel. They are all more then happy to hold down the fort and keep each other company when we travel. I did however bring my daughter, Alex, with me this year, who just was accepted to Ross University's School of Veterinary Medicine and will be attending this fall semester. Alex also has a pet, Echo, a beautiful black cat. As a typical college student, she was thrilled to get lots of free samples for Echo as well as her friend's new puppy.

It was great to reunite with some old friends and see other attendees who, like me, have been there since the start. BlogPaws was co-founded back in 2010 by Yvonne DiVita and her partner, Tom Collins, both good friends of mine and who helped me launch this blog. So I have been helping them with some of the marketing for BlogPaws and have run a promotion for them each year to help create awareness of the conference. This year the 2013 BlogPaws or Bust promotion was a photo caption contest that I wrote about previously here on this blog. Vicki Boatright, artist/owner of BZTAT Studios, was the grand prize winner who got an all expense trip to attend this year's conference.

The sessions and speakers were all great. This year the conference actually sold out! There was a total of 540 people there along with over 90 pets, mostly dogs, in attendance as well. So I tried to photograph as many of them as I could. Here are some of my photos that I'd like to share with you. Enjoy! Hope to see some of you next May in Lake Las Vegas!