This one’s for you Kathleen.

Kathleen – one of my co-workers – recently wrote in the mother of all blogs about a misguided fellow who in thought it might actually be OK to guess a woman’s weight.

We all have our body issues. Everyone has had at least one fat day, one really bad hair cut or has worn that outfit that fits wrong in all the wrong places. I’m no exception – gaining 30 pounds in one summer looks flattering on no one (unless your Kate Moss) and the rat tail was never in style even at 6 years old.

The thing is we get over those days, and hopefully, we learn from those mistakes. If you know how to dress to highlight your assets and disguise your flaws, you have fewer of those days.

Here’s a few tips of looking slimmer using “the Lucky shopping manual,” which every girl should have a copy of, as a guide.

Do

• To instantly look taller and leaner, make sure to choose pants and jeans with a slightly longer cut. They should just about touch the floor if you are in flats (if you’re short like me, they may drag slightly or you can take them to a tailor to shorten them slightly). This creates a longer line, especially if you are in heels. Remember, a girl who’s 5’6” and 140 pounds is going to look thinner than a girl who’s 5’4” and 140 pounds even if that height is false.
• To minimize your butt size, avoid pants with small pockets on the back side, which will make your butt look bigger in comparison.
• To hide larger thighs, choose pants that fit in the waist and hips and flare out from that point.

Don’t

• If you’re short, avoid cuffs at the bottom of your pants.
• Avoid jeans that are too tight at the waist creating what is known as the muffin top. And don’t think just because you’re thin this can’t happen to you. It can.
• And lastly, whatever you do, DO NOT WEAR MOM JEANS! They are not flattering and will never be in style – unless by some fluke the flat butt, huge hip and thigh look suddenly comes into style.

Do

• To disguise a wider midsection in shirts, try a top that has a built in tapered waist. Think drop-waist type styles with a fitted part around the bottom of your waist and free flowing above the band. T-Shirts with a longer cut that scrunch around the hips are also flattering. Try one like this.
• To help conceal love handles choose shirts that are fitted in the shoulders and under arms but have a thicker fabric that flows slightly away from the body. You should choose the same style for sweaters and hoodies. Another option is a bat-wing top. Again make sure it’s fitted in the shoulders so you don’t get lost in all the fabric.
• Cap sleeves or longer sleeves that are flared at the wrist can help arms look slimmer.

Don’t

• Although empire waists seem like a good idea, you run the risk of looking pregnant and should probably avoid them.
• Shirts in tight fabrics that tend to bunch will only ride up and highlight the extra pounds.

Now that you have this shopping wisdom, hit the stores and make sure to try items on for the best fit. JC Penny is having a big sale this weekend with a two-day preview for preferred customers on Thursday and Friday. Happy hunting.

I stumbled across a story by the Associated Press about fashion avatars on Design-her gals. It sounded crazy enough that I had to try.

The site allows you to build a likeness right down to the clothes you want to wear. You can then choose to print up invitations, cards, T-shirts and many other items or just save your avatar for a special occasion. The site allows you to create up to six gals.

Most of the invitations are $45 for 25; business cards are $45 for 50 and holiday cards are $60 for 25. You can also design your own tote bag. I plan to make use of this one to help cut down on the plastic bags I use. (Mom, if you’re reading, this would make an awesome Christmas gift.)

As a bonus, you can also send out e-cards and create a man to go along with your fabulous online self.

And if you’d like to support a good cause, take a virtual walk with the gals to help improve the lives of those with Stage IV breast cancer.

Before high school, I would not be caught dead in pink, but I slowly became more girly and would now qualify as being pink obsessed.

I did some electronic-accessory shopping this weekend and was pleased to find that more companies are coming out with an array of colors for their items.

Almost all the cell phones I checked out by Sprint were available in a shade of pink. Some even offered up bright green, blue and red. What a change from the drab offerings of gray, black and silver. (Don’t get me wrong, black and silver can look very smart together, such as with kitchen appliances, but I want more personality out of my phone.)

The last cell phone purchase I made was after I had dropped and broke my phone. I was not buying for looks on that trip but strictly for durability, which meant I ended up with a boxy Motorola that you could throw against a wall without worrying about it breaking.

This trip was all about looks.

I ended up with a pink Katana II phone that’s super cute and super slim (let’s hope I don’t drop this one) for $49.99 after store and mail-in rebates. (The phone’s cost is normally $249.99.)

I also bought a camera, but schematics won out over looks for this one. The Cannon elph I bought was offered only in silver. Many of the other cameras had a pink option with Casio leading the pack for several bright and fun color options.

It’s nice to know that customers no longer have to settle for a mute-colored technology world.

A few months ago, I had a nail break at work and went on a search to find clippers or a nail file – anything to keep it from catching on my clothes and creating a snag.

One of my co-workers had a great little file that fit in her purse, and it had four different buffing surfaces. I asked her where she got it and she told me Sally. Sally – for those not in the know – is Sally Beauty Supply. (There’s one on Daniel Webster Highway next to the Pheasant Lane Mall.)

This store is a great place for those hard-to-find hair and beauty products, and cosmetologists get a discount.

I forgot all about the nail file until the other day when I was passing the store and remembered I wanted one.

After some help from the saleswoman, I found the file, which only cost $1.49, and now I’m keeping it at work so next time I break a nail, I’m prepared.

I was in Tallulah Rose on Main Street in Nashua this week searching for a dress for a wedding. The clothes are high end, which means they’re pricier but they’re also better quality than what you would find at some chain stores.

The best part about boutiques like this is they are constantly getting new merchandise so there are always good finds on the sales rack.

Although I didn’t find a dress, there were many summer dresses to choose from on the sales rack at the back of the store. I know, you’re thinking summer is over, but don’t rule out buying more summer dresses yet.

You could pick up one of these dresses (There were some in the $40 range.) and convert it for fall wear.

Try pairing a summer dress with a turtle neck, opaque tights and flat boots or swap out the turtle neck and boots for a thin knit sweater or cape jacket and modern oxfords.

This will work for the dresses currently in your closet as well.

I stopped into Kohl's today while waiting for my tires to be repaired (How I got nails in two different tires is beyond me.) and discovered some great finds. Accesories are on super sale. Even if you're strapped for cash this sale is too good to miss. Kohl's always has some sort of sale going on, but they had necklaces, bracelets and earrings priced from $2 up. Styles ranged from funky - I bought a pair of plaid earrings - to simple chains with a minimalist look. There were also several cool looking lockets. I found a ton of good finds, and although I was at the Newington store, a sales clerk assured me that the same sales are taking place in Nashua. On a kickback to my shopping green entry: I have also been looking for a cute tote to shop with and carry my lunches in. The grocery store bags are fine for grocery shopping but I wouldn't be caught dead using one for another purpose. I found a decent selection at Kohl's for half price ($10.99) and bought one. The sales clerk told me I should have waited though because they will most likely drop to $5.99 in a few weeks.

The lifestyles section in today’s paper had a great feature on hoodies. Any shopaholic has plenty of this staple in their closet, but how do you keep them updated from year to year?

The hooded tunic dress was a great idea. One of my co-workers has a hoodie very similar to this dress that she bought at Old Navy. As the article states, it would have to be worn over a pair of pants or leggings.

The hoodie also has a baby doll dress look to it, with a swing bottom, and ¾-length sleeves – perfect for fall temps where you can go from sunny days to cooler nights.

She paid $29.50 a few weeks ago when it was on sale from $34.50. I’m sure it will be hitting the sales rack again considering how often Old Navy switches over its collections. The store is at 4 E. Spit Brook Road in Nashua.

And if you're looking for more great hoodie ideas, don't forget to check out the article online or in the paper.