11 minute read
THE BEST FASHION ADVICE OF ALL TIME
from RS - July 2015
FASHION ADVICE “DEVELOP A
SIGNATURE STYLE.”
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HOW TO ACTUALLY DO IT: “Figure out your go-to, foolproof looks,” says designer Nanette Lepore, then seek out variations on that theme. Stumped? Picture the outfits that you feel most comfortable in. Or ask people close to you what you look best in. Once you’ve zeroed in on what works, find different takes. “I gravitate toward jackets, so I’ll do a bomber style, then a silk version, or a denim jacket with leather sleeves,” says Minkoff. Maybe you’re at your best in sharp menswear trousers, or you favor floaty tunics and boho maxis. Regardless, this isn’t about concocting some alter ego; it’s about honoring your core aesthetic, sort of like the way a designer comes up with a collection every season.
“Whenever you feel the need to talk yourself into things, that’s a red flag that you shouldn’t buy them,” says Minkoff. Homing in on your personal style should come naturally if you take the time to stop and look. If you have doubts in the dressing room, it may help to take a photo of yourself in the item, suggests Aerin Lauder, the founder and creative director of the lifestyle brand Aerin. “It’s much more accurate than looking in the mirror.”
Long earrings make your face look skinnier…
…and other gems of wisdom from jewelry designer Lizzie Fortunato.
•On the other hand, if you have an oblong face, short, chunky earrings, like oversize studs, will draw focus outward, and your face won’t read quite as narrow. •If you have a large bust, a necklace should hit an inch above the cleavage or higher. Longer strands or pendants will rest awkwardly on the body and call attention to every contour. •The worst thing you can do is store jewelry, particularly costume pieces, in the bathroom. The moisture will wear off plating quickly. Stash baubles in your bedroom in a dust bag or a zippered plastic bag along with a small piece of cloth. •Choose earrings in lighter colors, such as pearls or white stone, to make your face look radiant. •To make costume jewelry appear more expensive than it is, have the piece rest against clothing—say, fastened over the collar of a shirt—rather than on bare skin. This will create a more refined look.
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Work & Money
THE VIEW FROM HERE
Phyllis Newhouse was a single mom who had logged 22 years in the military when she decided to start her own business. In 2002 she launched Xtreme Solutions, a tech company that helps prevent cyber attacks. Within two years, the business had broken $1million in revenue. This year, it’s on track to gross about $60million. Newhouse, 53, spoke with RealSimple about the (not always steady) march to entrepreneurship.
PHYLLIS NEWHOUSE •CEO and founder of Xtreme
Solutions, Inc. •Atlanta
Written by Jane Porter
What was your childhood like? I’m number 10 in a family of 11 children. My mother was the biggest influence in my life and still is today. She came up through the civil rights movement and some tough times, working several jobs. She saw something in all of us. When she needed someone to round up all the kids for dinner, she’d send me. She’s said, “When you were young, I knew you were born to lead.”
Did you have a dream job as a kid? I had a really good friend whose father owned a huge electronics store in Charlotte. I was about 10 years old when I was exposed to that, and it somehow stuck in my head that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. You were 18 when you joined the army. Until then, I had never left North Carolina in my life. At the time, women were just beginning to get the chance to go into different career fields [besides administrative] in the military. That motivated me.
You stayed for more than two decades. Initially I thought I would do four years, get some army collegefund money, and get out. But I realized I was four or five years ahead of my peers [at home] in terms of life experience. I had traveled the world. I was always working toward the next leadership position. I went back to school and finished while I was still in the military.
A lot of people picture the military as marching and fighting. People think it’s an all-combat job. I was responsible for the process of attracting and appointing candidates. That’s marketing, research, and security.
Military recruiting is very complex. There are more than 25,000 soldiers worldwide who work in recruiting. It’s like having regional offices, then having one major corporate headquarters. I worked at the corporate level, at the Pentagon.
How did motherhood affect your job? Having personal responsibility outside of myself made me realize that you don’t always have to compete at the highest level. I’d been in the military 18 years when I had my son. When he was six months old, I was supposed to attend a seven-month leadership academy, and you could not take your children. For the first time in my career, I made a decision to decline.
Soon you became a single mom. If you ever want to go through hell, do it all at one time. When my son was two [he’s now 19], I went through a divorce. I transitioned out of the military. I started a business. That’s a lot of hell.
How did you manage? I thought, What do I want to be in three years? and wrote that plan out. I knew that I was going to be an entrepreneur, so I
started to prep, taking courses and researching businesses.
What came next? I remember getting a blank bulletin board. On that board, I put a picture of a building; I put a check I wrote to myself for $1 million; I put the names of organizations I wanted to work with. Then I started putting people’s names on there— the ideal team. I looked at that board every day, and there was my company—I could see it.
A lot of those details came to pass. Within a year, three of the people on that board were working for me. Within two years, I was in that actual building in downtown Atlanta. When I wrote the $1 million check, I said that within three years, this was what I wanted to see in our bank account. In two years, it was in there. Every year, I go back to that vision board and put new things on it. How much sleep do you get? Oh, God. The truth? On average, about four hours. In the military, you get up at 4:30 and you’re out running at 5. I’ve never been able to turn that clock off. I still get up early and run two or three miles every day.
Your company helps protect organizations from cyber attacks. How did that idea come to you? In the recruiting command, you have data like Social Security numbers and birthdays. I saw how critical it was to protect networks. I also saw that a lot of organizations were afraid of an attack.
You have more than 300 employees. What’s it like to work with you? We have an accountability meeting every month. You have to get up and tell me three things: how you plan to be impactful as a leader over the next 90 days, what you’ve done in the last 90 days that was impactful, and what value you hope to bring to the organization over 90 days. I also have to stand up and say these three things. I would never ask someone to tell me something I’m not willing to tell them.
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MONEYWISE
Travel-cost smackdown: myth vs. fact
With the average summer vacation running $1,246 a head (according to 2014 research from American Express), getting away isn’t cheap. Real Simple investigated classic money-saving travel advice to uncover the tips that truly make a difference.
MYTH: The best airfare deals are available on Tuesdays. FACT: Actually, you’re generally going to find the lowest prices if you buy coach seats on a Sunday. A 2014 study conducted by the Airlines Reporting Corporation, a tickettransaction organization, found that domestic tickets purchased on Sundays 50 to 100 days prior to travel cost an average of $110 less than the overall average ticket price. If you want to book a trip to a U.S. destination, like Orlando (hello, Mickey!), do it exactly 57 days in advance—to save an average of 19 percent off the typical fare.
MYTH: The free upgrade is always worth taking. FACT: Checking into a suite for the price of a single room is a steal. But that freebie at the Hertz counter? Maybe not. Tooling around in, say, a roomy SUV instead of the compact that you reserved is going to cost you in fuel, says Seth Kugel, a frugaltraveler columnist for the New York Times. If you want to make sure you avoid the old unsolicited switcheroo, Kugel recommends calling the rental office where you’ll be picking up the vehicle to verify that it will save the exact car you reserved.
MYTH: All-inclusive vacations are a scam. FACT: Not always. If you book a getaway to an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean or Mexico, chances are there won’t be extra charges for things like alcohol, paddleboard equipment, or specialty dinners. The time to watch out, though, is on a cruise. That’s when “all-inclusive” might have a fuzzy definition. “Cruise lines know that you’re a captive audience. So while booking the trip may not cost a lot, you can rack up lots of additional charges for things like shore excursions and meals,” says Pauline Frommer, the editorial director of the Frommer’s guidebooks. Investigate details carefully.
MYTH: Hostels are only for backpacking college students. FACT: Maybe due to competition from options like Airbnb, some hostels have recently enjoyed a surprising upgrade—even as they maintain their budget pricing. “A lot of hostels are downright chic in looks and amenities,” says Frommer. Many now feature private family rooms with two bunk beds. Some hostels offer waterfront views, Wi-Fi, and free breakfast. Book a private room at one and you could pay 50 percent less than what you would for a hotel room. Go to rough guides.com or hostel world.com for reviews.
Written by
Ashley Tate
Illustration by
Eight Hour Day
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Getting unstuck at work
Is the highlight of your day a trip to the vending machine? Career expert Anne Kreamer, the author of Risk/Reward, offers tips for climbing out of a rut.
1
Go toward the anxiety. “When you’re underutilized, you’re bored,” says Kreamer, who calls for ongoing risk taking. “We can become paralyzed by the fear of royally screwing up, but inertia is its own kind of misery. Dip into a place that feels a little bit uncomfortable so you’re prompted to bring your A game.” Jump on challenging assignments, even if it causes you stress, she says: “Careers don’t operate best on cruise control.”
2
Be a morning person. Numerous academic studies confirm the magic of morning. “The more decisions people make throughout the day, the more exhausted and resistant they can become,” says Kreamer. “If you want to pitch a new project or ask for more responsibility, do so in the morning. Sunshine helps, too.” A bright sky “might put your boss in a better mood,” she says, “increasing the odds that she’ll give you the go-ahead.”
3
See the forest, not just the trees. Kreamer talks about using “soft eyes” to take in peripheral surroundings, so you’re relaxed but alert. In the workplace, this means leaning back from the grind once a day to notice excitement on the horizon. “The point is to see what might be coming at your company in a month or a year, so you don’t miss out,” she says. “Staying aware means you’re ready to act when you need to.” —Nicole Sforza
ASK BUCKY
TIME INC.’S* ALL-KNOWING, STRAIGHT-SHOOTING VICE PRESIDENT OF STAFFING, BUCKY KEADY, TACKLES YOUR WORKPLACE CONUNDRUMS.
What’s appropriate summer attire in a less formal office? And what do you say to an underling who crosses the line?
In a loose, creative environment, you can get away with more casual clothing and showing some skin. But dressing provocatively is, well, provocative, and it’s never OK. All the essentials should be covered up. (Do the bendforward test before leaving home: If there’s a reveal at the neckline or in back, you need to change.) There are certain trends to think about—like allowing bra straps to show. If you’re in that kind of industry, go for it. But be sure it’s a fashion statement, not just bad under-
* TIME INC. IS THE PARENT COMPANY OF REAL SIMPLE.
garments. As for confronting an underling, I would be gentle but offer a concrete directive: “I feel your outfit might be a little too beachy. Maybe you want to borrow a sweater from a friend.”
GOT A QUESTION? SEND IT TO ASKBUCKY@ REALSIMPLE.COM.
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07. 2015
TRENT PARKE, ADELAIDE (AUSTRALIA, 2006)
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