Shopping Bag Hags by CouponWinner.com

Whiten Up!

Although the color white is truly devoid of color, one that means innocence's and purity and is completely nonthreatning-the color white is the best choice this summer for a hot date, those many class reunions and also a night on the town. No longer the color known for simplicity, this hue is one that demands to be seen in a sea of red blues and blacks-and makes you look crisp, clean and unforgettable.

For many specials occasions that you want to stand out and look bold, white is the ultimate choice. However, this rule does not apply to a wedding in less you are the bride. The naturalness of the color makes you attract light, giving a sense of glowing when you have on an all white ensemble. Dance the night away in a club in a form fitting white dress and make all the men you dance with feel as if they have been touched by an angel.

Although wearing all white is beautiful, it is best paired with bold colors such as white, yellow, black or even hot pink. Opt for an all white dress or white top and bottom and end with one of the aforementioned shoes, purse and accessories. Make sure you pair this item with a chunky bracelet in the color of your choice for added spice. Another great option for adding a little bit of color to your perfect white ensemble is to use prints. This is the perfect time to pull out those paisley print, weird colored shoes that you have been dying to wear, but have never found anything to match with it. Or, take this time to go ahead and take the step to purchase the shoes, hat or even purse that you always wanted, but you didn't feel the color scheme was 'practical.' Glory be to the saintly color white-it matches everything, looks good on everybody and accentuates the beauty of every woman.

Because of the natural way that the color accentuates, white is a dream for a woman's figure. It naturally enhances curves and of course the bust line of a woman. This gives a natural look of a hour glass figure of the Selma Hayak, Halle Berry or Angelina Jolie, who all love to sport the feminine color. Even the thinnest woman will look great in white as it accentuate cures and brings attention. However, for the same reason, I am not a fan of the white show. Do not opt for a big, bulky shoe in white as it will make the feet look like boats. A great choice for white shoes are thin, strappy or sleek cut shoes that will make your feet look heavenly.

It is truly a staple for the wardrobe to have at least three white tops: one sophisticated and starched white blouse, one form fitting white tee and of course, one white tank. These items are necessities, just like the black skirt and dress. As a rule of thumb, when traveling taking all three pieces with you. The white blouse dresses up jeans and makes you look smart, sexy and chic on vacation A fitted white tee is a necessity for the careless days of summer and lounging on the beach-this look is cool, crisp and classic. And of course the white tank, preferably in a longer length that drops past the waist is a true benefit. This can be layered with any other tank or shirt because it matches every color for a more contemporary feel and plus it works as an excellent camisole when you just didn't know you needed one.

Some great white picks to whiten up your life are the long, lean matte jersey dress by Laundry which you can find online or in Parisians and Bloomindales for $200. If this is too steep for you don't sweat, because this look is also at the Limited for much less, and guess where else…Target. My favorite white ensemble is the stretch-twill tube collar long dress by Mimi Turner at MimiTurner.com. With its Asian inspired lines and figure fitting shape this is truly a dress that says you're more than just hot. White tube dresses accessorized by colorful big beads around the neck is hot right now and looks contemporary as well as sophisticated. Either way you wear it, just whiten up!

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

Yell in Yellow

We all know the seasons newest, freshest scent is grapefruit, but how about summers newest color? I'll give you a hint...it's bright and sunny and making a big appearance in every retail store this season. Did you get it yet? If you said the bright marigold yellow than give yourself five points, because you are correct. Making a big, screaming entrance this season, the bright daffodil colored yellow hue hits the jackpot as this season's hottest hue.

With a bright, crisp happy look, it doesn't take much of this show stopping color to go a long way. Therefore, you must be careful not to over do it. Basically, as the driving rule suggest, use caution when seeing yellow, do the same in fashion. We are not trying to look like a big overripe banana, just our very sexy, sophisticated jonquil that grabs your attention and makes you slow down and admire its beauty just for a second. So instead of a big yellow dress, opt for classic yellow accessories. Go for the new retro beads in canary and don't forget the matching bracelet and drop earrings on a nice classic blue suit. Or take a stab at a crisp linen white dress and jazz it up with a pair of electrifying yellow pumps and clutch purse.

The easiest thing about this is the shopping. Our newest, hippest hue is everywhere! However, here is a quick cheat sheet to find the season's best color at the best prices. So with no other limitations, I have scoured over all the way-too-many yellow pieces and found the absolute best for your shopping pleasure.

First stop Bakers, there is nothing cuter than their Frances ankle wrap yellow stilettos. Complete with a cute and ultra feminine bow at the foot, you will stop traffic. On sale for $59.99 is pretty good as well. Now this store had over 15 pairs of bright yellow shoes, but the ones to die for came with a clear Lucite wedge heel and would look great with any of their sunny yellow handbags. For a more casual ensemble, try the Natasha that has a canvas wedge heel that will look great with jeans and even better with their yellow and white Lucite bracelet.

Second store on our list is. ..drum roll please...Target. That's right, come on over to Target and take advantage of the seasons hottest hue not only for clothing, but household items as well. But the real reason Target teak tops this list is for their wonderful tank top sale. That's right, Target has mix and match tanks in all shades of yellow for five dollars each. Try layering a bright sunny yellow, with pale canary for a nice contrast. And don't forget this jazzy color as you entertain outside. Pick up bright yellow trays and lemonade pitchers and glasses at the Target home store to make a sunny fiesta.

These two should start you on your way, especially when you remember a little goes along way. From Bloomindales to Macys to Kmart, this season is hot and all about. And it will look good on you as long as you don't go crazy from head to toe and Yell I'm wearing Yellow.

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

Color Me Happy

Bad day? Well, we all know that to the avid shopper, a brisk walk through the mall on a melancholy day can truly rejuvenate a weary spirit. Shopping is therapeutic for most; therefore, a new pair of shoes can brighten the gloomiest of days or a much sought after blouse can be a quick pick-me-up. However, when using shopping as a mood enhancer, try not to focus as much on the sales as on color. That’s right, color! The right color can create the perfect balance or alter any feelings. Finding the perfect blend of colors can also affect how people perceive you as well.

Red. By just the mere mention of the word, this color grabs your attention and sends you into immediate panic mode. First you stop, and take a long look because this bold color demands all attention. It speaks of emergency and caution and you find your heart and mood racing. In theory we see this color as passion, red-hot flames of love, but be careful with your use of this color or else you will get burned. As the bright cautionary hues of this color sends us immediately to fight or flight, and our blood pressure raises and sends all of our senses to overload. Although this color demands attention, there is a such thing as too much. Try using red in your wardrobe as an accent color. Buying red shoes and purses, belts and ties are a great way to add this spicy color into your wardrobe to pump up the volume without sending someone into cardiac arrest.

If you are in a gloomy mood, look for colors that brighten the spirit. And believe it or not, that color is not yellow. Although bright sunny yellow gives us a happy sunshine look, it is just a façade. Take for instance the sun; we do not want to look directly at it, thus the same with yellow. The bright color of yellow is more like a power drink that picks you up quickly, but soon you will crash. After a short period of time, the color yellow becomes annoying and adds to the over-all upset feeling that you are trying to conquer as it is difficult on the eye. It is a known fact that yellow rooms cause people to loose their tempers as they become more and more agitated. So, when trying to conquer those gloomy day blues, opt for orange and greens. Both of these colors exist heavily in nature; therefore they give a natural calming affect.

So if you’re ready to combat a tiring day pick up something in orange that gives us a natural burst of energy, balance and warmth. After a long hard day at the office, but your friends are nagging you to still go out on the town try to purchase an orange blouse or even an orangey-rust colored dress. The warmth of the color will give your tired body a boost of enthusiasm, while the attraction of the color demands attention, which is perfect for a night out. Say goodbye to the drab colored wallflower, you are now the energetic lady in orange that catches everyone’s eye.

If you’re feeling a little ill and down, then opt for adding green to your wardrobe. A color that symbolized rejuvenation and birth, green is truly a color with healing powers. No stranger to this theory is hospitals as they adorn their surgeons and operating rooms in green. Signifying fertility and good luck, this color calms us down and makes us feel youthful and radiant.

It is true that colors can totally alter your entire state of mind as well as affect your physical and mental being. This is in accordance with the colors you wear and how what they say about you personally. Choosing the color black in your wardrobe says a lot. This color means power and beauty, signifying sexuality and elegance…control. The hue of black yells control and power. A person who wears black is perceived to be one who is in control of their love life and sexuality and has a powerful position, but can carry themselves in the utmost sophistication and elegance. On the other hand, purple has the opposite affect, or the peacock affect. True, purple is the color of royalty; however, it is perceived by others to be cocky and arrogant. The exotic and trendy look of the color represents a lack of professionalism and power as it is trying to grab attention in any other way.

For ways to create balance and an all-around good natured feeling in your ambiance and wardrobe steer towards pink, white, and blues. These colors represent balance and have a way of taking down or pulling up moods as necessary. The color blue is known to slow your pulse rate and reduce a high body temperature to give a cooling effect. Blue is great to be worn on days when you have a stressful presentation or when you are waiting on information because it is calming. And to others, the color blue in dress appears reliable. A nice blue suit signifies that you are trustworthy. Like blue, white also is for balance. It matches every color and can be used to balance out bright caution colors like yellow and red. The hue it self stands for simplicity and in shopping it keeps your wardrobe simple to keep you from having an all-too trendy or peacockish wardrobe. The last color in our calming series with the powers to reduce headaches and make you feel loved is pink. This good natured color gives a warm feeling, not hot and excited and a sense of balance and self-worth. The color of pink itself is tranquilizing, a true way of making yourself calm and happy. Light on the eye, this color is good to use in meetings as it seems to make those look at you smile and have a tranquil spirit.

With so many millions of things that go wrong in our day, it is a great option to use color therapy to either keep us energized or calm, tranquil or in the spotlight. By learning how to blend colors to create moods and to alter our perceptions of ourselves we can truly color ourselves happy.

by Tiffany J. Prewitt

The Hottest Colors for the New Year

Maybe it is because of the winter weather, or maybe it is simply because it is a new year, but I always get the urge to do some redecorating when Christmas is over and I am finding myself staring at a new year with tons of new opportunities and new experiences waiting to be had.

But what are the colors that decorators are using the most right now? The top colors for decorating are blue, green, purple, red, brown and beige. These are the colors that are cropping up everywhere, from home décor to fashion. Each of these colors says something different, and each imparts a completely different feel to a room. So what does each of these colors say about you?

Blue has always been a popular color. It is a perennial favorite, and you can find it in nearly every home Maybe because it reminds us of water, or maybe because it is simply such a clean, relaxing color. The choices with blue are endless. You can go with a light cornflower blue to accent the white in your kitchen décor, or you can choose a deep periwinkle blue for the walls or linens in your daughter's room. With blue, it is very hard to go wrong, and most people find that there is a shade of blue that they really, really like.

Brown is a color that some people think is too dark. For me, however, it brings to mind sinful chocolate, a delicious hot cup of coffee, and all things rich and decadent. The best thing about brown is that it can be traditional or modern, depending on what you do with it. You can choose dark woods for floors or furniture, or paint a wall or two a deep, chocolate brown. Brown adds warmth, substance and a welcoming feel that invites you to come in and enjoy yourself.

Red is for the bold! I painted my dining room a deep red and love it! It is warm, it is daring, and it gives my dining room just the feel I was looking for. Red symbolizes many things, luck, passion, ambition, love, heat and lots of other good things. Red is great for small accent pieces to make a room more interesting, or you can go for it and use some shade of red on one or more walls. Go for it!

Green is another one of those colors I love. A lot of people use a shade of green to decorate their bedroom or a bathroom. Green is soothing, and reminds us of nature. Especially when it is winter, the green of a room can bring to mind those summer days filled with green grass, green trees and all things green that make us happy. Green is one of those colors that you can use on large surfaces without worrying too much. Green goes with just about everything.

Purple is another color that I love. It denotes mystery, royalty, and is considered the color of confidence. All of that aside, I love every shade of purple there is, from the lightest lavender to the "royalest" deep purple. Purple is about drama, about making a background for your personality to run free in a room. It is also about luxury. Lovers of purple often like those fabrics that are luxurious to the eye and to the touch.

Beige is one of those colors that people are divided about. Some say that beige is the perfect color because it is an earth tone and you can accent it with whatever color you want. Others say it is simply too boring for words. Yes, beige is neutral, but for many people, that very factor makes beige the perfect color for them. They love the easy, comfortable feeling that beige imparts. Rooms that are done in shades of beige can give the impression of elegance, or the color beige can be a backdrop for other things, such as an art collection.

All of these colors have things to recommend them. Still, if none of them fit into your decorating ideas that you have in your mind, or you simply want to do something else, in a color you absolutely love, there is nothing wrong with that. Going with what you like and what you are comfortable with is always a good thing. But if you do want to step out of your comfort zone a little, and add some fresh and exciting colors to your décor, try out some purple, red, blue, brown, beige or green . You might just be really happy that you did.

by Christena Palmer