The scarf, the new statement accessory, just might make getting dressed a little easier.

Madeleine Albright, will be coming back to Denver on Tuesday, December 22.  The first woman to become United States Secretary of State spent her teen years in Denver and graduated from Kent Denver School in Cherry Hills Village, in 1955.  She founded the school’s international relations club and was its first president.  Years later, she was an intern at the Denver Post.

Madeleine Albright once criticized Saddam Hussein, only to be called “an unparalleled serpent” by one of his men. Soon after, she had a meeting with Iraqi officials and decided to wear a snake pin. It was a diplomatic declaration. And it became her signature. This is just one of many stories in Albright’s new book, Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box, an exploration of her life through the brooches she wore. I am excited to take my daughter Laina to see the former U.S. Secretary of State on Tuesday at the Tattered Cover Book Store in LoDo.    Hopefully, Albright will sign the copy of her book, “Read My Pins,” a Christmas gift I purchased for my lovely daughter.

Now, more than ever, we need to shake things up.

Now, more than ever, we need a different way of thinking, a useful way to focus and the energy to turn the game around. I hope a new ebook I’ve organized will get you started on that path. It took months, but I think you’ll find it worth it the effort.

Here are more than seventy big thinkers, each sharing an idea for you to think about as we head into the new year. We want to shake things up. More than seventy extraordinary authors and thinkers contributed to this ebook. It’s designed to make you sit up and think, to change your new year’s resolutions, to foster some difficult conversations with your team. From bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert to brilliant tech thinker Kevin Kelly, from publisher Tim O’Reilly to radio host Dave Ramsey, there are some important people riffing about important ideas here. The ebook includes Tom Peters, Jackie Huba and Jason Fried, along with Gina Trapani, Bill Taylor and Alan Webber.

Here’s the deal: it’s free. Download it (from this link: http://www.squidoo.com/Whatmattersnowfreeebook). Or from any of the many sites around the web that are posting it with insightful commentary. Tweet it, email it, post it on your own site. I think it might be fun to make up your own riff and post it on your blog or online profile as well. It’s a good exercise. Can we get this in the hands of 5 million people? You can find an easy to use version on Scribd as well. Please share.

Have fun. Here’s to a year with ideas even bigger than these.

“Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving as it is typically known, is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year.
Stores open in the wee hours of the mornings, offering great discounts to the consumers who often line up early to get bargains. CNN Money.com predicts the number of people shopping on Black Friday will pick up more than 16% this year, according to a survey released Tuesday.  A staggering 57 million people said they would “definitely” head to stores on the day after Thanksgiving, up from 49 million in 2008, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. On this day, shoppers can anticipate huge savings on electronics, apparel and toys.  Many retailers have already announced their deals to the public. Sights such as: www.Black-Friday.net lists many of the deals consumers can expect. Today, Forbes listed the ten best Black Friday bargains: http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/19/black-friday-sales-business-commerce-thanksgiving-day-discounts.html

To make Black Friday as stress-free as possible, iPhone has added an app for Black Friday. For $2.99, owners of Apple’s (AAPL, Fortune 500) popular smart phone and its iPod Touch player can download Mall Maps – You Are Here, a portable database of mall floor plans, store lists and other information intended to help shoppers avoid headaches this holiday season. Tech-savvy holiday shoppers are hoping the new iPhone application will help them beat the rush on Black Friday. This Mall Maps app (Trying saying this ten times fast), which is useful for those who want to get in and out as quickly as possible, offers information on more than 1,000 malls nationwide.

And if you miss the discounts offered on Black Friday, there is always Cyber Monday.  Cyber Monday, the Monday immediately after Black Friday, is the symbolic kick-off to the online holiday season.  Shop.org, a division of the National Retail Federation, officially named this shopping day “Cyber Monday” in 2005.  Cyber Monday is the day retailers use their online shopping hubs to offer special discounts to its consumers. The website www.cybermonday.com lists the many deals and coupons various online retailers offer.  Whether you shop on Black Friday, Cyber Monday or both, hopefully you will be able to enjoy tremendous savings this holiday season. Tis’ the Season!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I recently purchased Margaret Visser’s latest book, “The Gift of Thanks: The Roots and Rituals of Gratitude.”  Anticipating this would be a light and educational read about Thanksgiving and its traditions, I was pleasantly surprised. The book was filled with so much more. Visser explores virtually everything one could ever imagine in relation to gratitude and thanks.  Margaret’s book is an examination of what gratitude is and how it functions in our lives. “Gratitude is a moral emotion of sorts,” explains Visser, “one that is more complicated and more vital than we think.”

In “The Gift of Thanks,” Visser acknowledges that simple politeness is the grease that keeps society running.  She also believes being grateful is not natural but, rather a learned behavior.  Visser writes about the humility required to be genuinely grateful and carefully details the kind of gratitude that is not compulsory or self-interested.

“Gratitude is always a matter of paying attention,” Margaret writes, “it’s deliberately beholding and appreciating the other.”  She admits that gratitude is fundamentally, about not taking things for granted. “Gratitude arises from a specific circumstance – being given a gift or done a favor – but, depends less upon that, than on the receiver’s whole life, her character, upbringing, maturity, experience, relationships with others, and also on her ideals, including her idea of the sort of person she is or would like to be,” exclaims Visser.

This was a timely and influential book and I am “grateful” to have read it.

The way you dress sends messages and affects how others view you. Women are often judged by the way they dress and present themselves at work.  Many professional women are guilty of several fashion mistakes when it comes to getting dressed for the office.  Often their lack of judgment can lead to being passed over for a job or promotion.

7 Mistakes to Avoid:

1.  Too Much Cleavage

Revealing too much cleavage at work is one of the biggest mistakes women make. This can be inappropriate, distracting, and often sends the wrong message.

“Dressing too sexy can also have psychological effects on your peers,” according to Peter Glick, a professor of psychology at Lawrence University in Wisconsin.  A study by Glick  published in Psychology of Women Quarterly, indicates that women in high-level positions who dress in what is seen as sexy attire are viewed as less competent–regardless of their skill sets. These women are passed over for promotions more often than their more modestly dressed female colleagues.

2.  Dressing in Fashion Trends

Another faux pas working women make is modeling the latest fashion trends in the office.  Even if the short skirt with leggings is the “in look” for the season, it is not appropriate for the executive woman to display at work.  As Coco Chanel stated, “Fashion fads, only style remains forever.”

3.  Ill-Fitting Clothing

The classiest outfit can be an eye-sore if it is too baggy or if a shirt button is pulling. Ensure your clothes have fluidity –no snug pants or too-narrow skirts.  Find a great tailor to adjust clothing as needed.  Many department stores have on-site tailors.  Just a few tweaks to an ill-fitted suit can make you look more authoritative.

4.  Undergarments Showing

With the abundance of specialized undergarments available to consumers (Spanx’s seamless power panties, for example), there is no need for bulging panty lines, unsightly bra straps, or thong tops. Many department and specialty stores have trained staff to assist with proper fittings.

5.  See-Though Clothing

Sheer materials such as organza, chiffon, or liquid jersey may look and feel cool and comfortable, but in the light of an office they can be too revealing.  Before leaving for the office, check your ensemble in a bright, naturally lit room and in front of a full length mirror.  Always wear conservative camisoles under transparent blouses or jackets.  Wear a slip or Spanx under sheer dresses and skirts.  Pants and skirts with linings are always safe bets.

6.  Over-accessorizing

A rule of thumb when it comes to accessories in the workplace: Less is more.  Costume jewelry, when worn in bulk, tends to look tacky.  Wearing too many diamonds may be interpreted as pretentious. For the boardroom, consider one statement piece plus subtle accessories.  For example, if  you wear a chunky beaded necklace stick to understated earrings.

7.   Casualty Fridays

Nothing says “unprofessional” more than wearing beach attire to work on “Casual Fridays.”  Sundresses, hot pants, terry clothed sweatsuits, spaghetti straps, and flip-flops all convey that you are dressed for the beach rather than business. Wearing a “third piece” like a jacket, neutral blazer or cardigan will help make your casual outfit look more professional.  Trade the tube top for a silk shell and the Crocs for great ballerina flats.

Before you get dress each day think… what impression do I want to  make on my boss, clients and  co-workers?

When Ivanka Trump married Jared Kushner one week ago,  her dress was the talk of the town. Instead of wearing a trendy strapless, very Hollywood wedding gown, Ivanka chose a tasteful, elegant and modest dress created by Vera Wang. The beautiful lace sleeves were the highlight of the dress. Ivanka’s dress resembled the dress Grace Kelly wore when she married Prince Rainer of Monaco in 1956.  Helen Rose, the MGM costume designer, made Grace’s iconic wedding dress. According to Ms. Wang, it was the lace and the royal factor of this dress that impressed Ivanka.

Ivanka’s dress consists of three layers of different kinds of lace, including Lyon and Chantilly. The bottom layer was embroidered and each layer was pieced together by hand to create a different pattern in the lace. “You could see the layers underneath when she moved,” said Ms. Wang, who had about a month to make the gown.

Will Ivanka be a trendsetter with her “sleeves?” Ms. Wang hopes this is the case. She stated, “Nothing would make me happier. I’ve been doing strapless dresses for 15 years. It’s tiring.”

Hopefully, Vera’s prediction is correct; this would be refreshing.  

Velardi’s show will showcase  his  flavorful style which  features high-end clothing created with  luxurious fabrics and elegant designs. Gino has created a niche by providing custom order designs for his clients.  Most requested are his  gorgeous evening gowns, flirty cocktail dresses, stylish suits, coats, and one-of-a-kind wedding gowns. Velardi  has the invaluable gift of being able to focus on a woman’s body, interpret her unique style and create  individualized  masterpieces.

Gino is the winner of the Fashion Group International 2007 Rising Star Award.  His  much anticipated fashion show will feature 100 designs – cocktail dresses, gowns, suits and coats,  152’ Runway, 25 models, and  8 photographers.  Ticket includes reception, fashion show and after party. Tickets may be  purchased at: www.ginovelardi.com

Fashion Group International (FGI)  is a non-profit association of professional executives worldwide, promoting the advancement of careers in the fashion and related lifestyle industries. Denver’s own fashion stars will will be promoted on October 23, 2009, from 6:30 – 10 p.m., at Mercedes-Benz of Westminster, when FGI Denver  hosts  its biannual Rising Star event celebrating Denver’s newest designers. Ten innovative and creative designers will be recognized. The Rising Star Awards Celebration will include a reception and a silent auction, followed by an awards program and fashion show. Tickets start at $50 for general admission. Proceeds will be used for student scholarships and educational outreach programs. Reservations are being accepted at: blacktie-colorado.com/rsvp or call 720-341-9896. I am honored to be a part of the Rising Star committee and excited to see who will be chosen as the “2009 Rising Star.”

The Twelve to Watch

Designs from the following individuals and companies will be shown on the runway at      the Rising Star Awards, and one company will be chosen as the 2009 Rising Star:

Art wearable: Susan Kiely, SK Designs, Women With a Cause; womenwithacause.com

Jewelry: Andrea Li, andreali.com

Dresses: Stephanie Ohnmacht, Smooch; smoochstyle.com

Women’s sportswear: Lisa Welch and Julie Hill, BornFit; livebornfit.com

Custom design: Maureen de Haan, Denver Couture; denvercouture.com

Outdoor/activewear: Phoebe Stapleton, Sierra Designs; sierradesigns.com

Urban/streetwear: Rustin Coburn and Noah Price, DVLP Clothing;developclothing.com

Children’s wear: Hollli Gibson, LamanBlu; lamanblu.com

Accessories: Eulanda Sanders, Yo-San Studio; yosanstudio.com

Men’s Wear: Josh Holleb and Jesse Sapir, Totem Industries; totemindustries.com

Retail Winner: Mona Lucero, monalucero.com

Interior Design Winner: Jeanne Connolly, Vintage Renewal; vintagerenewal.com