In This Issue: Message from Diana Feature Article: Swimsuit Buying Tips Glossary: Maillot Resources: Swim Suits MESSAGE FROM DIANA For Father's Day, my husband Robert got plants, cards, candy - and several 1st and 2nd Place ribbons for horseback riding in the Annual Father's Day Show at Fair Winds Farm. He and our daughter Peyton started riding in 2006, when Miss P. BEGGED us for riding lesson for her 7th birthday. Since it was something Robert had always wanted to do himself, they took lessons together (eight 7-year old girls and Robert in a class. It was adorable!). They've progressed at different levels, with my jock/scientist husband throwing himself into it and my chatty/still-learning-to-take-directions daughter lagging a bit behind. Still, they had fun, as did those of us watching. Robert & Peyton at the Father's Day Horse Show When my father-in-law saw pictures of his "baby boy" jumping fences on horseback, he said, "You gotta admire anyone who takes up a new sport in his 40's. Remember when 40 used to be old?" Yes, I do - like when I was 15 and thought 40 was ancient! These days, not so much. I've seen 20-somethings who act like 80 year olds and know 80 year olds I can't keep up with. Age really is just a number. In fact, do you know the #1 factor most people use to assess someone else's age? Is it wrinkles? Hair color? Hair style? No, no, and nope. It's AGILITY - how well you move. All the other stuff can be faked, but your physical condition really can't. If you're limber and move gracefully, you'll shave years off your perceived age. But if you shuffle or lumber about, you'll appear older than you are. Yet ANOTHER reason to exercise regularly. . . So, what's on tap for today's article? A much-requested perennial favorite: how to buy a swim suit. Enjoy! Diana Pemberton-Sikes FashionForRealWomen.com How to Stop Having Panic Attacks Racing heart, dizzy spells, unwanted thoughts, obsessive worries - if you suffer from panic attacks, you know these symptoms all too well. They can come from anywhere at any time, making you almost afraid to lead a full, active life. So. . .are you ready to get rid of them? Are you ready to re-engage with the world, to stop worrying about traffic or social situations or upcoming holidays? If so, there's an effective, all-natural, non-medicinal solution that's worked for more than 30,000 people, and can work for you too. Say goodbye to panic attacks and hello to a "normal" life again, http://www.dianaprefers.com/panicaway.htm FEATURE ARTICLE Swimsuit Buying Tips Swimsuit. Perhaps no other single word conjures up more emotion than this summer staple. Because women are SO critical of their bodies, shopping for a swimsuit ranks right up there with root canals and moving as one of life's least-favorite activities. It's not uncommon to try on two dozen swimsuits and not buy one. But fear not. Whether you're in great shape or just wish you were, there's a swimsuit out there just for you. Here's how you can find it: If you have a noticeable tummy bulge (tummy extends further out than your breasts), look for a suit with a tummy control panel and diagonal features (like dark stripes or a sarong style wrap) that help disguise the fact. The most slimming styles for any shape have darker colors, moderately cut legs, and vertical or diagonal lines or prints. Choose tummy control panels to slenderize. AlwaysForMe.com Always opt for the next size up in swimwear. This will give you added length, not added width. Avoid halter strap styles if you have sloping shoulders. Two-tone suits can be very flattering if the high color contrast is from the bust line upward. This draws the eye to the face. Beware of high contrast at the waist or hip line if you are thick waisted or large hipped. To make breasts look bigger, choose a top that's a bright color or that has embellishments like ruffles or beading. MetroStyle.com To make large breasts look smaller, opt for surplice (diagonal) wrap styles in a dark color. If you are a C-cup or larger, look for swimsuits with underwires for a flattering lift. Don't try to hide wide hips or a round bottom under a flowing skirt or with a ruffle attached at the hip. Both will make the area look larger. Opt for high-cut legs and eye-catching details at the neckline instead to draw attention up and away from your hips. If you feel the need to cover up your legs when you're lounging by the pool or strolling through the hotel lobby, do so with a matching sarong that reaches to your knees or calves. Do not go longer than knee length if you are petite. For a perfect fit, consider having a suit altered or even custom made. This is standard fair on the beauty pageant circuit, where a flattering fit is crucial. Contact reputable dressmakers or seamstresses in your area.   Overstock.com PROPER SWIMSUIT CARE AND STORAGE To keep your swimsuit looking its best and enjoy the maximum wear, take the time to care for it properly. Hand wash in cold water with mild soap as soon as possible after wearing to get rid of suntan oil, chlorine, and salt water. Neglect destroys the spandex fibers, resulting in broken white threads on the fabric's surface. Hang to dry - but not in direct sun. Do not machine wash your swimsuit unless the label says to do so. Never dry your suit in the dryer because the heat will damage the elastic. Check the label before wearing. Some manufacturers recommend that you NOT wear the suit in hot tubs or whirlpools. If you'll be swimming a lot, get two suits so you'll always have a dry one ready and waiting for you. Don't stress over finding "the perfect" swimsuit. There are plenty out there that can do you justice. Just play up your assets, conceal your trouble spots, and walk with confidence, whatever your shape or size. Need a little help in determining your body shape and discovering the clothing elements that work best on your body type? Then download a copy of WARDROBE MAGIC, http://www.wardrobemagic.com to see how easy looking good can be. Glossary: Maillot (Mah yoh) A close-fitting, simply styled one-piece bathing suit for women, usually having a scooped neck and shoulder straps. The term was frequently used from 1900 until about 1970 to describe this style, until the colloquial "one piece" became more popular. Chadwicks.com Resources: Swim Suits Swimsuits are tricky to fit so be sure to measure carefully before ordering online. If you're undecided between two sizes, order both, try them on, and keep the one that fits best. That said, here are a couple of places to look: Always For Me Dedicated to the plus size woman, Always for Me offers a nice variety of fashionable swimwear, cover-ups, and lingerie for women sizes 14+. They even have workout gear and sports bras. If you've ever struggled to find a great swimsuit for your plus-size frame, check out Always For Me. Just My Size Looking for cute, comfy swimwear that doesn't cost a lot? Check out Just My Size. They're a division of Hanes that caters to women sizes 14+, with clothing, swimwear, active wear, and undergarments, and they're all about comfort and value. See for yourself. Overstock.com With their ever-changing inventory of designer brand apparel, Overstock has lots of cool things to choose from, including swim wear - for a fraction of the price you'd pay at a department store. If you like brand names at bargain-basement prices, check out Overstock.com. Shipping on all orders is just $2.95. ***************** Until next time, Diana Pemberton-Sikes diana@fashionforrealwomen.com FashionForRealWomen.com AccessoryMagic.com BusinessWearMagic.com OccasionMagic.com WardrobeMagic.com TheClothingChronicles.com ------------------------ Published by: Top Drawer Publications, LLC 256 S. College Ave. Newark, DE 19711 USA Copyright © 2009 by Diana Pemberton-Sikes All rights reserved. Want to get your wardrobe together in a flash? Try our best-selling ebook,  Wardrobe Magic Archives index   Terms of Use | Privacy Policy © 2009 Top Drawer Publications, LLC All rights reserved. 256 S. College Avenue • Newark, DE 19711 Phone/Fax 302-266-0156 • Email: sales@topdrawerpublications.com