Tag Archives: personal image

Blog, Dining Etiquette, Etiquette, Men, Networking, Wardrobe, Women

Meet the In-Laws: How to Enhance Your Success

April 19, 2014 Kimberly Leave a comment

Happy Easter!

Let’s face it – meeting the in-laws for the first time can be a daunting experience. Whether you are hoping to be welcomed into the family, or your role is to welcome someone into the family, the first gathering can feel like going for a job interview. The knowledge that you will be judged, evaluated, and compared to or potentially competed with by everyone that came before you can leave even the most confident person feeling nervous about that first meeting.Even though I think most would agree that a couple’s happiness should be the most important consideration in a relationship, those of us who have gone through the process of meeting the in-laws or future in-laws would also agree that, as a couple, knowing you have won the family’s acceptance and respect can be essential for the future success of any relationship. Uncertainty of how the in-laws will respond over time, and possibly impact your relationship with your partner or family member can leave anyone feeling insecure.

Having been through this three times – first with parents-in-law; second with a parent of mine entering into a relationship; and most recently with adult children, his and mine; I can say I have seen all sides. I can also honestly say that experience has not made me an expert on winning over family members. However, eliminating additional barriers can increase your odds for success. When meeting your new or future family – prepare ahead of time, be on your best behaviour and dress appropriately.

The success of the gathering weighs heavily on the partner or spouse bringing the families together. If that’s you, take the lead. Help reduce unnerving surprises by providing a heads-up about what to expect. Prepare both sides by disclosing likes, dislikes and personality quirks before the gathering.

• Even though you may be a new family member or want to feel that way, making yourself at home in the home of your host can be perceived as offensive unless invited to do so. Some hosts want their guests to act at home right away and others find guests’ feet on the coffee table, helping ones-self to the fridge, or casually lighting up a cigarette in the house, among other things, enraging. Learn your host’s expectations ahead of time. Then follow their lead.

• If you are one of the in-laws, never bring up the past relationships of your affiliated family member. i.e. “Oh, by the way I saw _____, last week. She said to say, hello. She is such a nice girl.” Fondly bringing up old relationships can bring up new wounds in new relationships. Don’t say or do anything that might hurt or embarrass your new or future family member.

• Don’t leave your child or parent’s date sitting in the living room alone, while you and other family members are in the kitchen. Include your guest by treating everyone equally and with respect. Don’t let your guest feel like an outsider.

• Brush up on your dining skills. Some families dine formally and others are very casual. However, knowing how to navigate the table and what not to do will help you feel more confident and leave a good impression in any situation.

• Find out ahead of time what is considered appropriate dress. Some families dress up for family gatherings and others don’t. Either way leave faded jeans and t-shirts at home. Slacks and a collared shirt, blouse or a lightweight sweater would likely be a better option for casual dress. It will show respect to the host and it will show that you care.

The road to family acknowledgment, acceptance and support can be a long and bumpy one to travel. However, knowing ahead of time what will be appreciated and what will be considered appalling may help ease the tension and make the journey a little smoother.

©Kimberly Law, AICI CIP 2014

Business casual, Business Dress, Casual dress, Dress for Success, Professional business attire, Professional Business Image, Wardrobe, Women

3 Reasons to Wear Accessories – By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

April 1, 2014 Kimberly Leave a comment

When dressing for a classic look, the old saying ‘less is more’, is generally true. However, when it comes to accessories, ‘none’ is boring. Like the icing on the cake, accessories add personality, visual interest and pizzazz to any outfit.

A change of accessories can instantly change the mood of an outfit. The correct accessory can change your look from casual to dressy; daytime to evening; or serious to fun.
Adding a new accessory can update an old outfit, giving it a new life, giving your clothing longer wearability over time.
Accessories can create the illusion of a slimmer, taller, shorter or more balanced body shape. They act as a focal point and when strategically placed they can distract the eye away from any figure challenge.

Accessories are the finishing touch and come in many forms. Some examples of accessories include: shoes, handbags, jewellery, belts, scarves/ neckties, glasses, pocket squares, glasses and hosiery. Grooming such as make-up for women, stylish hair and well-groomed nails, accessorize and finish the look.

Choose your accessories carefully and make any outfit look fabulous.

How to Choose the Wrong Underwear for the Workplace – By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

March 25, 2014 Kimberly Leave a comment

Today I want to talk about something that has plagued the workforce for many years… the wrong underwear. It makes employers uncomfortable, co-workers uncomfortable, clients uncomfortable and if you fall victim to this, it can not only make you uncomfortable, but in the end it may be the cause of you being victimized and likely end up embarrassing you and those around you.

Over the years, many companies have invited me to speak to their employees about the importance of professional attire. And as strange as it may seem, in almost every situation the employer brings up the topic of underwear as a big concern. Behind closed doors they tell me of their horror stories about those embarrassing days when an employee comes into work, with the bra straps showing; the thong panty straps showing; or a bra or panties worn too tight, non-supportive or even worse – obviously non-existent. Appropriate underwear is part of your professional attire. So let’s talk about underwear openly.

Lingerie has a very long history and over the years has been designed for many different functions – from hygiene & modesty to changing the shape of female figure & enhancing sexuality.

However, even though historically, lingerie may have served many purposes, (on the scene and behind the scene) in the board room underwear should never get top billing. At work, the purpose of underwear is to provide structure and comfort to your professional attire. As a foundation piece in a professional setting, it should always stay behind the scene in a supporting role rather than standing out as the main attraction.

What is a Dessert Service? By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP, Certified Etiquette Expert

February 15, 2013 Kimberly 17 Comments

In Canada dessert is generally served and brought in from the kitchen, or served at the table by the host. However at a very formal meal, served traditionally you may be presented with a dessert service.

A dessert service consists of a dessert plate. On the plate, there will be a finger bowl placed on a doily in the centre of the plate, with a dessert fork to the left and a dessert spoon placed to the right of the finger bowl.

The guest sets the fork on the table to the left of the plate and the spoon to the right of the plate. Then picks up the doily and the fingerbowl, and places them on the table at the upper left of the dessert plate. The server then places the dessert on the plate.

When dessert has been served onto your plate, the spoon is held in the right hand. The fork is held in the left hand. Cut the dessert using the spoon. The dessert is pushed onto the spoon with the fork and eaten with the spoon. This is the traditional way in England and many other European Countries. However, in some European regions, the spoon is used for cutting and pushing the dessert onto the fork. The dessert is then eaten from the fork. Because there are many customs for the use of these dining utensils, it is best to familiarize yourself with regional customs before you arrive.

When in doubt, always follow the lead of your host.

For more on this topic buy the eBook ‘Formal Dining for Informal People’

Perfume, Eau de Toilette, Cologne What’s the Difference?

February 7, 2013 Kimberly 1 Comment

Many of my clients ask me what the difference is between the many forms of fragrance we see in the stores today.

Fragrance terminology can be confusing. The main difference is the amount of essential oils in the product. The more essential oils – the less fragrance you will need to apply; the longer the scent will linger on your skin; and the more expensive the product generally is. The following charts clarify fragrance terminology.

Women

Form	Concentration	Reapply	Quality
Perfume	Most concentrated Apply pulse-points	4 – 5 hours	20 – 25% essential oils
Eau de Perfume	Concentrated Apply pulse-points	3 – 4 hours	Up to 15% essential oils
Eau de Toilette	Medium concentration Apply throat or pulse-points	2 – 3 hours	Up to 12% essential oils
Cologne	Weaker concentration Apply throat or pulse-points	1 – 2 hours	Up to 8% essential oils
Splash or Soft Cologne	Weak concentration Apply throat or pulse-points	Often	Less than 5% essential oils
Body lotion / cream	Weak concentration Apply on body	As needed	Varies
Shower gel	Weak concentration Use like soap	When bathing	Varies

Men

Form	Use	Reapply
Eau de Toilette	Most concentrated Apply throat and pulse-points	3 – 4 hours
Cologne	Concentrated Apply throat or pulse-points	2 – 3 hours
Aftershave	Acts as astringent and antiseptic after shaving	After shaving as needed
Aftershave Balm	Protects and sooths sensitive & dry skin after shaving	After shaving as needed
Shower gel	Weak concentration Use like soap	When bathing

When applying Perfumes, Eau de Toilettes and Colognes use them sparingly and remember… a little goes a long way.

Find out more about fragrance and other grooming how-to`s in my eBook Personal Care from Feet to Hair.

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Blog, Business casual, Business Dress, Casual dress, Etiquette, Men, Professional business attire, Professional Business Image, travel, Women

How to Get the Most from Your Fragrance

January 31, 2013 Kimberly 1 Comment

This past summer I had the opportunity to vacation in Italy. Upon our arrival, one of the first things my friend said to me was, “smell the flowers.” I remember, at that moment breathing in the wonderful scent of Jasmine. Those of you who have been to southern Italy know what I am talking about.

It has been suggested that the sense of smell is the most powerful of all five human senses. It affects every aspect of our lives. Fragrance has been used throughout history as a way to influence the mind and the body. Although the use of fragrance is considered more acceptable in some countries and regions than others, over time it has become an important ingredient in our grooming products and many other consumer products that we use every day.

However, is it too much of a good thing? Wearing perfume, fragranced body lotion, fragranced hair styling products and fragranced deodorant, all at the same time, compete with each other and can be overwhelming to others. In in an effort to combat allergies and the overwhelming effect of too much fragrance, many public places in Canada, US and other countries of the world are becoming ‘Scent Free’.

When you wear fragrance, one way to be considerate of others is to appreciate that a little goes a long way. One way to tell if you have applied too much is by how much you notice it on yourself over time. Because you become immune to its odour, if you can smell it on yourself 30 minutes after application, you’ve applied too much. For more sparing application, try the following:

Apply on pulse points only
Spray fragrance into the air, then walk through it
Use body splashes or lotions that are less concentrated
Apply less – more often

Using less fragrance will save you money by making the bottle last longer. Another way to get the most out of your expensive eau de toilette is by exchanging some of your fragranced grooming products for fragrance-free grooming products.

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Blog, Email Etiquette, Etiquette, Men, Women

When Email Isn’t Enough by Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

January 25, 2013 Kimberly Leave a comment

For centuries, handwritten letters delivered by messengers or post were the only form of written correspondence. Over time typewriters became the norm, but the delivery system remained the same. Now with the explosion of email we are able to correspond at lightning speed. Even though it is fast and easy, there are times when electronics just won’t do.

Thank You

If you are given a gift, are the recipient of a favour, have received excellent service or have been interviewed for a job, send a thank you as soon as possible. Even though email is a fast and easy way to say thank you, a hand written thank you note, letter, or card shows you have taken the time to put it in writing and will come across more sincere.

Sympathy

Sympathy is not the right time for email. If you are close to someone whose family member has died, send a handwritten sympathy letter or card as soon as you hear the news. If you learn about the death of someone who is connected to you in some way, the card or letter is sent to the person you know the best.

Apology

When you have hurt someone’s feelings, pick up the phone or apologise face-to-face. For an extra nice gesture follow up with a handwritten note.

Email definitely has its place. It is fast; it is easy; but in some situations a call or handwritten note is more effective. Before going to your computer, take the time to consider the purpose and consider the person you are corresponding to.

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How to Make Your Feet Look Slimmer or Wider by Kimberly Law, Certified Image Consultant

January 10, 2013 Kimberly Leave a comment

The shoes you wear can have a major effect on how slim or wide your feet look. The trick is the simpler the shoe and the more front to back details like a long opening or (vamp), the slimmer your feet will look. To widen your feet add extra colours, details, texture and horizontal lines like a square toe.

Kimberly sig pic

Blog, Business Relation, Etiquette, Men, Networking, Women

Gift Giving at Work by Kimberly Law, Certified Image Consultant

December 6, 2012 Kimberly Leave a comment

During the Christmas season although it may be customary to give gifts to friends and family it can be a little confusing at work. Especially when you don’t know the etiquette for gift giving and there is no written company policy.

Here are three tips to make office gift giving less awkward:

If you are new to the job, check the company policy for gift giving. Some company’s allow it and others don’t. If office policy permits or promotes gift giving to co-workers or you are expected to play the role of secret Santa at your holiday party, stick to the limits and guidelines that have been suggested.
If you have developed a friendship with a co-worker and want to give a gift that is beyond the expected, it should be given outside the work environment.
Gifts for the boss are not generally expected and may be considered brown-nosing when undertaken alone. If you wish to buy your boss a gift, ask staff members to chip in for a group gift instead.

Happy Holidays!

Dress for Success, Etiquette, Men, Professional business attire, Professional Business Image, travel, Wardrobe, Women

How To Make Airplane Odors More Bearable

October 15, 2012 Kimberly 1 Comment

Unless you are traveling first class, the term personal space unfortunately does not apply on an airplane. Being in close contact with others over a long period of time can be unbearable, especially when unsatisfactory odors accompany them. Here are three odors to consider before boarding an airplane:

With many airlines opting out of providing a meal for their passengers many of us bring food onto the plane to eat during our flight. When deciding what to bring consider your neighbours. While strong smelling foods may be appealing to you, they may not be appealing to the person sitting next to you. Whenever possible, choose food items with more subtle odors or odors that don’t linger.
Body odor is not only social killer; it can make the person sitting next to you on the airplane feel ill. Although it can be caused by lack of hygiene or dental care it is often as result of diet, health issues, smoking, or just too many hours cooped up on an airplane. Before leaving for the airport, take the time to take a shower. Brush your teeth before boarding the airplane and don’t forget to floss and gargle.
It may be your favourite fragrance, but it doesn’t mean those around you will appreciate it like you do. Many people are allergic to fragrance; many people are sensitive to fragrance; and many people just don’t like the smell of additional fragrance. Before you leave for the airport consider those who will be near you and apply your fragrance subtly or not at all. Check out my blog post on Travel Packing Made Easy for more tips.

Tag Archives: personal image

3 Reasons to Wear Accessories – By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

How to Choose the Wrong Underwear for the Workplace – By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP

How to Make Your Feet Look Slimmer or Wider by Kimberly Law, Certified Image Consultant

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