Beauty/Fashion

A long time ago - twenty years or so - I realized that the best way to look your best and keep them guessing how old you really are is to focus more on making healthful decisions than on beauty tricks and getaway-with-anything glamour. The fact is, simple things like drinking good water, not consuming or smoking harmful things, and eating more raw foods promotes glowing, youthful skin faster than the best face cream in the world.

It seems that Valerie Bertinelli has started a Hollywood trend of posing in a bikini on a national magazine cover after losing weight. This morning, there she was on the net, Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch) with a full body photo of her newly sculpted figure on the cover of People magazine. Though others have bared their famous bods for the press, (remember Demi Moore?) I don't remember the impact being quite the same in their celebrity world or on our ordinary woman and mom planet.

1. Do own one timeless dress. 2. Don't think layering is just for winter; this fashion key is hip all year long. 3. Don't ever wear anything that could pass for country curtains or a bedspread. 4. Do find the impressive array of colorful, textured, and classy bags at Dillard's. Pictured at upper left, Antonio Melani "Louise" Shopper, $219.

Truth be told, no two women are exactly alike. We don't look alike, sound alike, act alike, or share the same fashion sense. Because of this wonderful fact, I decided to do a search for some unique fashions that can be categorized for different style and body types. Just remember, it's okay to cross over into someone else's category. You just might find you are more versatile than you thought you were.

1. Do add a little glitz to your usual work clothes; beaded skirt or cardigan, sequined scarf, or a rhinestone belt will do the trick. (Photo of Embellished Cardigan; available at Spiegel.com, $119). 2. Do buy an orange or hot pink purse to add a punch of color to any outfit.

1. Do pay attention to where you walk; I once caught my heel in a drainage grate. If only everyone could be rescued by a handsome doctor when they step in a hole. (Photo from Columbia Pictures, The Wedding Planner). 2. Do be honest with a friend if she needs to change something about her outfit. You wouldn't want her to let you go out in a too-tight dress or a shade of lipstick that makes your teeth look yellow. It's just good Karma.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to make skin care and sun protection a top priority while counting down the days to warmer weather. With over one million people diagnosed with skin cancer each year, every woman needs to pay close attention to how they are caring for their skin. Though an effective skin management routine doesn't guarantee you won't get skin cancer, it does reduce your chances significantly.

1. Do create a new trend amongst your peers. Just be confident and own it whatever "it" is! 2. Don't over dress for your child's baseball game. There are plenty ways to look good without heels and jewelry.

Every year around this time, I think about what condition my body is in for the summer season; the dreaded call of the pool, the beach, and any other activity for which you normally wear shorts whispers ever so softly but loudly taunts my self-esteem. If you are a mother, you know what I'm talking about.

1. Do get measured for a custom fit. Some department stores have a free alteration service. 2. Do look for this season's "Boyfriend" jacket. Longer and boxier, this trend gives a nice contrast to a frilly blouse.

Do you recall the worst outfit you ever wore? Hopefully, it was many moons ago and not yesterday. I would have to say that my worst was while I was in my "pioneer woman" days. Yes, believe it or not, I had a bad era of fashion.

1. Don't ever, ever wear a flannel, granny nightgown to bed. Don't do it even if you are a granny. 2. Do let your significan't other see you in lingerie that flatters your body.

1. Do make sure you know the difference between business, casual, and evening attire. The book, Style Clinic: How to Look Fabulous All the Time, at Any Age, for Any Occasion, by Paula Reed is a great resource.

Whether you work, stay at home, work at home, or none of the above, you need to take care of yourself. There are certain simple things you can do that will make a HUGE difference in your daily appearance. We will focus on those first.

1. Do use hair gel or a product like Aquage's Transforming Paste to get a sexy, piecey look (available at salons $16) .