WARDROBE BASICS FOR WOMEN

Wardrobe Basics For Women
by
Monica Burns-Capers

Every Woman should have in her Wardrobe the following: Five (5) Professional/Business
Suits (2 Black Suits, 1 Navy, 1 Dark Brown, 1Grey), A Wonderful and Sexy Black Dress,
Nice & Flattering Fitting Jeans (at least three pairs), Three pairs of quality High-Heels with at least one pair being higher than three (3) inches, A pair of Platform Shoes, A pair of Wedged Heels, Four Handbags (Black, Brown, White, and Straw), An Assortment of Accessories that wears well with any outfit, and An Attitude to go with it all.

Most Women these days try to play it safe when dressing for work, play, and in between. And why? In the workplace, Executive Level Women want to be taken seriously by her colleagues and her subordinates, so she maintains a conservative way of dressing, which in turn eliminates all body flattering, attention grabbing suits from her Wardrobe. A Business Suit can be worn to flatter the body type by trying the following: Make sure the suit is of high quality material and is tailored to fit your particular body type well. To command attention when you are entering the Boardroom, try wearing a Black Suit with a nice White Shirt with Collars, leave at least the first button on your Suit Jacket open for appeal and top it off with Black High-Heels. The colors Black & White makes for a very strong presence when worn together. If you are wearing a Skirt Suit, it is too long if it touches your ankles and too short if it turns into underwear when you are sitting. Opt for a skirt that is mid-length, at least 23 inches from waist to hem. You will still look Professional and Authoritative, while also projecting Sensuality. For dates, showing a little skin doesn’t make you appear easy or desperate. You want to look sexy and you should. If you are in a daring mood, try wearing a nice form-fitting short dress and high leg elongating heels. If that’s too much for you, try wearing perfect
fitting jeans with a cute Blazer or Silky Embroidered Tank. The bottom line......”Wear What’s Comfortable For You!”

There are so many fun and sexy outfits out there to choose from, and there are many
stores that offer quality, inexpensive clothing for all occasions. Take a journey to the unfamiliar and see where it takes you. Try wearing an outfit that you wouldn’t never in a million years thought you could pull off. All eyes will be on you! Feel your Confidence soar. When you are Confident in your appearance and image, it shows.

Monica Burns-Capers
Copyright ©2007 Monica Burns-Capers. All Rights Reserved.

www.monicamburns.com

GRAY, GRAY, AND MORE GRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ladies.......As of Now, Gray Is My New Favorite Color For Fall!!! Check Out These Fabulous Michael Antonio Nicoley Pumps. They Can Be Worn With Just About Any Skirt, Top, Pants, Dressed Up or Casually Dressed. Gray Is All Over The Place and You Better Add Gray To Your Collection. It Is No Longer Considered Blah and Boring. Gray Is The Color To Have Now!

Reference: MichaelAntonio.Com

Monica Burns-Capers
http://monicamburns.com

GRAY FOR FALL LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gray is the color to try for Fall ladies! Gray Heels as high as you can stand them, Big Gray Handbags as big and bold as you can tote, Gray Boots, Gray Everything! There once was a time when we thought the color Gray was drab and boring. But now, it is the color to be seen in for Fall. I especially like the Big Bold Gray Handbags. It goes with everything while also standing out in the Uniqueness Department. Check out the Fabulous Chloe Bag in Gray. If you can't afford Chloe, there are others that are just as Fab for a lot less money...but you gotta admit, Chloe's is GORGEOUS!!!

Resource: Chloe Bag www.Instyle.com

Monica Burns-Capers
http://monicamburns.com

FABULOUS FALL ANKLE BOOTS!!!!

This is a great and fabulous ankle boot by Spiegel for Fall! This wonderful boot can be worn with a short fitting skirt, a long pencil skirt, it can be dressed down with jeans and also worn under trouser pants. You really can't go wrong with these updated anklets! For more information on these fabulous boots visit Speigel.com.

Monica Burns-Capers
www.monicamburns.com

WHERE IS CUSTOMER SERVICE?

WHERE IS CUSTOMER SERVICE?
by
Monica M. Burns

Can someone please find our friend “Customer Service” and hurry to bring it back? It seems lately that there is a “test my patience all week long” sign posted on my forehead or something. We know that people can’t (or they just choose not to), be happy and bubbly all of the time on their Customer Service Jobs. I mean after all, the “Customers” are only the little people who keep these “Customer Service Workers” employed......so why wouldn’t they want to be nice and respectable to their “Customers?” Should we as their Customers be subjected to such rudeness? Absolutely not...... There are other options!

Usually, most of the very, very rude Customer Service Workers I encounter are those who are cashiers (at a very large and dominant mass retailer), pharmacy clerks (at a very large national fine drugstore retailer), and maybe some fast-food workers. At first, before I started to place blame on any of the Customer Service Workers, I looked at myself to see if there was anything negative that I was projecting and was unaware of; however, after a thorough investigation of my own demeanor by others I took along to observe, such as my facial expressions and my body language, I found that it was not me at all. These Customer Service Workers are just mean and miserable. Note: I am not writing about “all” Customer Service Workers and the Industry itself, I am writing about “some or most” who are employed in the Customer Service Industry. So keep your negative comments to yourself. The only negativity that will come from this article, will be from those who fit the description of Rude, Miserable, Lazy, and Mean Customer Service Workers. You know who you are!

Memo To All Customer Service Workers: I’m quite certain that when you started your job as a Customer Service Person, you knew what your job description was, along with your most important job function: “Satisfying Your Customers.” Your job duty is placed conveniently in your job title so that you’ll never “forget” what it is that you do exactly. You are a Customer Service Worker and whether you like it or not, the Customers are keeping you employed. So...when you are nasty to your customers, why would they want to keep coming to the place in which you are employed, only to leave feeling angry and upset! You as the Customer Service Worker don’t care, you are just there collecting a paycheck. Allow me to let you rude Customer Service Workers in on a big secret: “Customer Service means to provide above and beyond service to your prospected Customers to gain and retain their business and, to ensure that your Repeat Customers remain Repeat Customers. It is quite easy to keep your Repeat Customers than to gain one-hundred prospected new Customers-but you can, if you perform your required job duties. If you are rude to the prospected customers, they’ll tell others of your rudeness and incompetence, which may result in a negative image for the company because of a few misguided Customer Service Workers. If you are rude to the Repeat Customers, they’ll just find another place to shop, it’s quite simple. Life doesn’t come to a halt because you are having a bad day and want everyone around you to experience it. You are just a mean, miserable, and rude Customer Service Worker whose only contributing to their own demise. Sorry Sweetie, unfortunately you don’t have the luxury of going into your office and closing the door. You are in the spotlight with people all day long and why are you there......because you are a “Customer Service Worker!” If you find that you just can’t be nice to your Customers in your Customer Service Position, then maybe it’s time you left your job as a Customer Service Worker and found one that suits your personality type. Do the job you were hired for or you’ll be looking for another Customer Service Job to only get fired from.

Memo To Customers: If you are regularly subjected to rudeness by Customer Service Workers, here are a few tips to get you through your day:

> We tend to run towards the shorter lines in the store, but that usually result in a meeting with the rude Cashier. I tend to sense the tension from the Cashier in the shorter line, so I will gladly move to a longer line where the Cashier’s face is friendly. I would rather wait in a longer line and receive friendly and professional Customer Service, rather than be subjected to awful treatment by the Cashier in the shorter line. Try it!

> Another way to ensure yourself a pleasant day during rude treatment from a Customer Service Worker, is to just politely advise and insist that you would rather speak with someone else who can assist you because you have no time in your life or schedule to deal with their rudeness.

> If you are in a grocery store and the cashier proceeds to scan and throw your items all over the place, get your purse or wallet, talk to the Manager if you like, leave the groceries right where she threw them, and leave the store. There are other stores who’ll be glad to provide you with great groceries without the poor Customer Service. You didn’t deserve the negative treatment and you want your groceries in the shape they were in before you walked into the check-out line anyway. Thank you very much!

So, if you are a rude Customer Service Worker and you are reading this, someone has told you something wrong about yourself and you don’t understand your job title. You are definitely not a “people person” and you should confront whomever told you that lie! You should look up the definition of “Customer” and find yourself a job that fits your True Personality Type with the word “Customer” non-existent in the job title. With rude Customer Service Workers gone and out of the Industry, it will allow for a fantastic shopping experience and the Customers will be eager to continue to make the Customer Service Industry successful. After all, Customers are the reason you have a job as a Customer Service Worker!

Monica Burns-Capers
Copyright ©2007 Monica M. Burns Communications. All Rights Reserved.

Monica Burns-Capers is President-CEO of Monica M. Burns Communications. She is a Self-Development and Fashion Writer & Consultant. www.monicamburnscommunications.mfbiz.com

"HATING ON OTHERS"

When you hate others for what they have and all that they have accomplished in their lives....you do realize that "it is your issue and yours alone." You can say all the negative things you like about them and continue to wish that negative things will happen to them, you are only hurting yourself. The universe just doesn't grant such negative wishes for anyone about anyone. Hating others for what they have and have accomplished is just a waste of time. You can't take it from them anyway, so why even waste your time. Turn your negative energy into positive energy by engaging in activities and self-development to improve your own life. Take a look at yourself and find out what is it that you can do differently, so that you can feel better about yourself. After all, your reasons for hating on other people, are your own insecure and confidence issues. The people that you are hating, can very well assist you with a much needed life change. All you need to do is ask.

Copyright (c)2007 Monica M. Burns

DRESS THE PART

Dress The Part
by
Monica M. Burns

People often immediately form an impression of who they think we are just by observing our outer appearances.

You are not supposed to care about what others think about your particular style, if you are truly confident in the way that you look and the image that you are projecting; however, if you are going to a Job Interview, you should care about how the hiring manager will perceive you, and the first impression that you are making, for the type of job in which you are interviewing. In certain situations, you should care about how others perceive you, That would include: Job Interviews, Apartment Hunting, Public Appearances, Professional Events, and so on and so forth.

Never interact in an environment where your usual attire will clash with others. If you are not going to dress the part for the event that you are attending...do not attend. Never apply for a job that will require you to dress-up, if you are not willing to dress the part. That will save you time and hurt feelings. All of us would like to think and say that we really could care less, what anyone thought about the way that we looked. But that’s not entirely true. It’s not that we care about others judging us, we would just like to be perceived as the people and professionals that we really are. So we must dress the part!

If dressing the part becomes a problem for you, maybe you should evaluate your position in life and switch roads, because the road that you have been traveling down has led you the wrong way and you are truly lost!

Your Image and First Impressions are important. Sometimes you never get a second chance to impress those who initially formed their impression of you based on the image you projected when you first met them. Be who you are or who you are striving to be by Dressing The Part!

Monica M. Burns
Copyright (c)2007Monica M. Burns. All Rights Reserved.

You Must Have Permission From The Author Prior To Reprinting of These Article.

BITCH IN THE BOARDROOM

BITCH IN THE BOARDROOM
by
MONICA M. BURNS

Women are leading larger companies now more than ever, making their ways into boardrooms everywhere. While this is an ambitious attitude to possess and certainly admire; one that can very-well motivate other women to soar to higher heights in their careers...there is no need to be a bitch about it!

Now....being a bitch in Corporate America doesn’t apply to all....only to those women who are: (just to name a few)

❏ Afraid to lend a helping hand to the next woman for fear that she might take something from them.
❏ Constantly shooting down all ideas suggested by colleagues or subordinates for fear of looking incompetent, and taking the credit.
❏ Surrounding themselves with those who are less-qualified in their job skills and experience..... just so they can appear superior.
❏ Deceitfully threatening job security when they can’t get exactly what they want.
❏ Causing disruption amongst employees by gossiping.
❏ Exaggerating and Manipulating the job skills and experience of their employees, for the purposes of getting a project completed that no one else wants.

The above atrocities along with many others, really happens and is alive and kicking in Corporate America with some women. In a previous job I held many years ago, my immediate manager stated the following “I don’t get high-blood pressure....I give it!” This is one of the most inhumane statements I’ve ever heard spoken from anyone’s mouth, especially from a woman who held the highest position in the company and was considered “everyone’s boss.” She was regularly thrilled and thrived in her excitement, when she actually caused physical sickness and harm such as: Stress, Hypertension, and High-Blood Pressure within the Senior Management Staff. If she walked the halls and an employee was smiling and appeared happy, she automatically assumed that they weren’t working as hard as they could have been; so she immediately assigned more tasks to their already three-week stacked workload.


I was one of the members of the Senior Management Staff, whom she inflicted physical stress upon. This ultimately resulted in me taking a break from that position, to reevaluate and access the entire situation for my life and my career. Before I decided to leave for good......I implemented these tolerance methods into my workday, which made it a little more bearable.....until my last day at that company:

❏ This may sound redundant, but it helps. Incorporate an Affirmation, Quote or Prayer into your day before arriving to work. If allowed, also keep a written Affirmation, Prayer or Quote on your desk or computer.
❏ If you are faced in a confrontation with “HER,” always state your facts and speak your mind, but remain respectful. If you hold it all in, it will certainly eat away at you until the time comes when you are pushed to your edge.
❏ Never receive and own the negative energy that she’s attempting to attach to you. This is what she wants.
❏ If at all possible......play low volume soothing music in your office/cubicle to keep your spirits up and energized.
❏ Avoid “HER” as much as you can. Only see “HER” for assignments and other work-related circumstances. If you are completing your work tasks, there will not be a need to see her at all!
❏ When she calls...allow your voice-mail to pick-up. When she starts complaining (because she will), then take a call or two....but keep them very short. Try to communicate via Email if possible.
❏ Never allow “HER” the satisfaction to see that she is causing you stress. Allow “HER” to say whatever it is she has to say...and kindly excuse yourself from the environment. Yell when you get home or vent to a trusted friend for relief. When she finally gets it that her words can’t touch you anymore, she’ll leave you alone for the moment. Any temporary relief will suffice!
❏ Never allow “HER” to con you into taking on an assignment. If it’s not required of you, simply say no. What is she gonna do...fire you? She needs you, despite the negative energy she’s projecting.
❏ Finally....When her voice makes you cringe, when you feel nauseous waking-up the morning before work, and when your frustrations are being taken out on your family.....it is finally time to leave.

The above are methods I utilized to get through unbearable days, but I eventually had to take charge of that situation which was wrecking havoc in my life. “Did I love that job enough to continue to work under such stressful situations” or “Did I call it a day and leave her to eventually plummet to her own demise.” I chose the latter and currently have a less-stressed life doing work that I love and in my own business. When my work gets stressful, it is caused by me putting too much on myself....but I continue to enjoy it. I can take a break from my work, as opposed to having someone see me taking a break and assigning me more tasks.

What happened to “HER”....well let’s just say this: “She created her own destiny, the company car was taken from her on the property and she had to find another job and her own way home!”

“What You Put Out Into The Universe, You Get Back...Good or Bad!”

Monica M. Burns
Copyright (c)2007 Monica M. Burns. All Rights Reserved.

SOLE COMFORT

Sole Comfort
by
Monica M. Burns

Okay ladies................the first thing some of us do when we are shopping for Stilettos is to see how cute that particular shoe would look on our feet, while others seek out the comfortableness of the shoe. We know that it won’t be totally comfortable, I mean after all, it is a 4-Inch Heel or Higher. But they are fabulous and we wear them anyway....right? At least that’s the height I wear! I do not own any shoes that are less than 4-Inches Tall and I am not particularly interested in doing so. But for those who are skeptical because of comfort, there are options.

Stilettos, when worn appropriately, shows a sign of confidence in the woman who’s wearing them. You are the envy of those who wish that they could walk comfortably in a pair of 4-Inch Stilettos. Men also like to observe women walking in high-heels, as it is a turn-on for most of them. Stilettos are wonderful shoes that should be in every woman’s wardrobe (at least one pair). If you are concerned with comfort, there are Dr. Scholl’s For Her Insoles with Massaging Gel and they are great for Sandals, Slides, and Pumps; they also stay in place inside the shoe. Try applying these in your heels. Your feet will be comfortable while also looking fabulous!

If your comfort issue has nothing to do with pain being inflicted on your feet, but you are concerned because you haven’t had much experience walking in them, you should practice! Purchase a heel that you would like to wear to a special event, a date, or a night out on the town with the girls. Wear the shoe at home on both hard and soft surfaces first, to get a true feel of the shoe, before you even attempt to wear them out in public. When you are confident that you can walk in your shoes comfortably without wobbling around clumsily, then you are ready to wear them out. I tell women this all the time..”There Is Nothing More Unattractive and Unconfident Than A Woman Wobbling Around Clumsily In A Wonderful Pair of Stilettos!”

When you wear your Stilettos, own your walk! Strut and Be Confident! If you are new to wearing high-heels, you may want to start with a wide chunky heel for balance and then gradually implement the skinnier heels into your wardrobe. If you choose to wear Stilettos, choose a quality pair with a sturdy heel. This means that you may have to splurge just a little.

Whatever style you choose, make sure you can walk comfortably in your Stilettos, and if you are new to wearing them, practice first!

Monica M. Burns
Copyright (c)2007 Monica M. Burns. All Rights Reserved.

DOES YOUR BOSS ENVY YOU?

Does Your Boss Envy You?
by
Monica M. Burns

Does she shoot down every idea or suggestion that you have in every meeting? Does she constantly bury you in work or does she give you any work to do at all? Does she make sly remarks on your wardrobe, and you know that you look good? If so, your boss is an insecure train wreck waiting to crash...and she’s envious of you!

Women are already judged for being too emotional in the work place and it doesn’t help if your boss is both emotional and envious. She feels threatened by your looks, your job knowledge, and your confidence. She does not possess any of those qualities, so she tries to incorporate intimidation into her management style, which in turn, attempts to put fear in your heart of her. She feels that the intimidation she is trying to push off on you, makes up for her shortcomings in confidence...none of which she has. It only makes her look foolish and unstable. These types of Women Managers can only function around those who are incompetent and less knowledgeable, because it’s what makes her feel powerful and smart.

These type of women thrive on stress-filled environments and feel that if they have made someone physically sick through stress-inducing endeavors, they have reached their quotas for the day. It is a sense of accomplishment for them , as sick and twisted as this may sound. These women also contribute to the deaths of their own careers. The higher-ups are taking notice and waiting on her to hang herself. She takes the bait and eventually she’s out-of-there. Sometimes it takes a minute, and most times it takes years....but eventually she’s gone, unless she’s the owner of the company! Then she’ll just put herself out of business!

We’ve all worked with someone who has tried to make our work days unbearable. Some of us have probably gotten sick from it also. You have choices! You can either leave that type of work environment for your health’s sake altogether, or you can stay and work to change the situation by talking with your boss or talking with her boss. Make your career life tolerable...because it is possible!

Monica Burns-Capers
Copyright (c)2007 Monica Burns-Capers. All Rights Reserved.

INSECURITY OR CONFIDENCE?

INSECURITY OR CONFIDENCE?
by
Monica M. Burns


Confidence in one’s self is an attractive character trait. It is a trait that sets us apart from the Insecure bunch and carries us through times that we initially thought we would never get through. Confidence assures our minds that we are able and capable to complete tasks and situations that are of great difficulty, and allows us to choose how we are going to handle the next obstacle. Confidence shows in us once we enter a room, once we speak to one another, and in our display of body language. When you are faking your Confidence.........others take notice!

Insecure people mirror the images that are presented before them and they often confuse their Insecure behavior with that of Confidence. Insecurities floats to the surface in people when they feel threatened by others, afraid, and incompetent. They can’t make decisions for themselves; instead, they attempt to duplicate the lives of those who they “claim to not like.” Insecure people tend to bully those around them and wish that they could be half of what others are. If you find yourself never having anything good to say about someone that has never done anything to you......you are Insecure. You secretly want what they have. You may secretly even want to be that person. If you find that you only want to be in the company of those who are less intelligent than you are.....you are Insecure. If you are in a relationship and you’re always belittling your better half because they are doing okay for themselves and you’re not doing so well at the moment......you are Insecure.

We are not born with Confidence, it is obtained from life’s experiences. For every obstacle we endure, and trial & tribulation we encounter, it builds.......Character. That Character develops into a Strong Armor which shields us from the stones thrown at us from others in the form of Negative Words, Negative Treatment, and Defamation. When Insecure people plan their attack, Confident people counter that attack, by not meriting their behavior with the same negative response.

Most Insecure people are content with their lives, but for those of you who want to escape from your own prison of negativity, there is hope for you. You must find out who you really are and what you strive to be. If you interact with people who you “really admire” and they have accomplished a goal similar to the goal that you’ve set for yourself; instead of speaking negatively about these people, why not pick their brains and ask for assistance on reaching your own goal. Insecure people really are “admirers” of those they wish to become. They camouflage their true feelings with hatred and negative behavior.

Confident people command attention without uttering one word. Upon entering any room, their presence is strong and they are self-assured and know exactly what they want out of life, and where they wish for life to take them. Confident people do not require the approval of others to feel important or validated. This assurance within them already exists. They don’t need the love of a spouse to feel whole, they already feel whole because of the love that presently resides within them. Confident people are competent and capable of all that life throws at them. There is no need for them to surround themselves with less than intelligent people to feel powerful. Instead, Confident people feel powerful because of their thirst for knowledge, and they surround themselves with the company of such people who possess a world of knowledge, life-experiences, and overwhelmingly intelligence. Confident people are life-long learners and they know that “Knowledge is the Real Power and True Key to unlocking and maintaining that Confidence.”

So for those of you who are Insecure and continuing to get in your own way, move and allow the presence of a Confident person to enter your life. You never know where it might lead you!



Copyright ©2007 Monica Burns-Capers. All Rights Reserved.