Tribune senior correspondent - chicagotribune.com

One wonderful thing

Ellen Warren — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

A single statement necklace can rev up your warm-weather wardrobe

It's people-watching season. Now that we're no longer swaddled in sweaters, jackets, coats and such, it's easy to spot the fashion items that make a big impression.

Make like Middleton -- embrace nude hosiery

Ellen Warren — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Ellen Warren answers reader questions about nude hosiery, trouser socks and black in the summer

Need a leg up? Answer Angel is here to help.

Seeing red: We nail down the best polish

Ellen Warren — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Was your mother right? Do you really get what you pay for? Is spending the extra money worth it?

Real moms tell us their Mother's Day wishes

Ellen Warren — Sat, 05 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Most moms want a healthy, happy family first, "things" second

The question: What do women want? Specifically, what do they want for Mother's Day?

Not cool with hot pants

Ellen Warren — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Five reasons you should never wear short shorts

Even the name is offensive: Hot Pants. Really?

Good night's sleep contributes to healthy eating

Ellen Warren — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:13:00 GMT

A bit of fit: One step in the right direction

Here's a new spin on the saying, "If you snooze you lose."

Tortured soles: The price of fashionable feet

Ellen Warren — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Graduation gifts? Reading glasses? These questions answered and more.

We're all about comfort, right? But do you have to look bad to feel good? Most certainly not. Answer Angel to the rescue — again.

Splurge vs. steal: Can you spot the deal?

Ellen Warren — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

From sunglasses to belts and purses, high and low-price versions to freshen your wardrobe

There's nothing like flowers in bloom, birds chirping and trees budding to put us in the mood to … shop!

Spring styles have sprung

Ellen Warren — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

A day of bountiful good weather brings out the best in (almost) all of us. Check out these cheery people in spring colors, jaunty hats and pretty flower print dresses — some acquired in sunshine-induced shopping sprees over the past few days.

Exercise is hard, but it's worth it — so get going

Ellen Warren — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:32:00 GMT

The conversation started this way: "Working out does suck. And it's hard work."

Guys, don't be a fashion disaster

Ellen Warren — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Great men's style is the sum of many basic parts — our expert advice can help keep it all straight

When it comes to looking good, little things can make a big difference. If only we knew what those little things were.

Are you too cool for etiquette rules?

Ellen Warren — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Dear Answer Angel: I'm having a heated debate with a friend: Is it rude to keep your sunglasses on indoors? I say unless you have an eye condition that requires them, yes it is — especially in restaurants, at a friend's house, work, etc. She says who cares, and besides, if Vogue editor Anna Wintour can wear hers all the time, why can't we? I say why would you want to?

Black, white and striped all over

Ellen Warren — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Be a prisoner of fashion. In a good way. Traditional felon fare — black and white stripes — is huge for spring.

Made over: From college to career path

Ellen Warren — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 06:00:00 GMT

In today's rotten economy, college kids in their sweatshirts and yoga pants need all the help they can get to nail a job or an internship. For suggestions on going from slob to sleek, I talked to stylists and job experts, then collected firsthand tips by tracking three young people through their transformations. Here's how you can achieve a near-miraculous makeover.

Your ideas to get on the road to well-being

Ellen Warren — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:38:00 GMT

For months, I've been asking at the bottom of this column for your bite-size tips on diet, exercise and well-being. Often, the most practical suggestions come not from trainers and diet gurus but from regular people who've been there — who've overcome their passion for fried, fattening delights or conquered their fear of breaking a sweat.

Beauty potion breakdown: No hocus-pocus

Ellen Warren — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

My mailbox is brimming with your questions about beauty potions! Answer Angel is here for you with makeup, hair, scent solutions and more.

Start with what you can manage

Ellen Warren — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

You know you should exercise — but you don't do it. Well, here's some advice that's easy to take: "Don't be so hard on yourself."

Winter boot showdown

Ellen Warren — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

We tested contenders to pick best bets to beat ice, slush and freezing temps

This all started with a couple of women griping about getting cold feet.

Benefits abound at clothes swap parties

Ellen Warren — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Shop your friends' used clothes and accessories, then donate what's left

It was a Friday night and the party was just getting under way. Women were streaming in every few minutes loaded down with clothes, shoes, jewelry and purses that they'd tired of and wanted to swap for new stuff.

In search of the perfect black pants

Ellen Warren — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT

From fabric to pockets, an expert tells us what to look for when on the hunt

They're the BFF of our wardrobe. The first thing we grab when we need to look presentable but don't want to think hard about it: our go-to pants.

Gradual hair change requires patience, cash

Ellen Warren — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Ellen Warren answers reader questions: Alternatives to kitten heels, how to start dyeing your gray hair ... again, and more.

You've got questions, but fear not. Answer Angel's got you covered from head to toe!

You'll buy less junk food if you pay in cash

Ellen Warren — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:45:00 GMT

Who doesn't know that junk food is bad for you? It's empty calories, puts on the pounds and is awfully, terribly, almost impossibly hard to resist.

Start small to build nutrition habits that stick

Ellen Warren — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:38:00 GMT

Where do you start?

Bargain hunters share tips

Ellen Warren — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Tips to save money on just about anything you need or want

There aren't that many universal truths, but here's one:

Cheap tricks and tips to freshen your style

Ellen Warren — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:26:48 GMT

New season, no budget … new wardrobe? Here's help

Dear Answer Angel: I need to update my fall-winter wardrobe but have almost no money to spend. So, no big purchases for me this year. I thought maybe a new hat and scarf to dress up my winter coat, but I can't figure out what would freshen a pullover sweater or wool skirt or pants. Any ideas?