Sorry guys for being MIA! Been a little hectic with launching the book, which is now available in stores! Check it out on Barnes & Noble!

Back with a new post next week:)

One of the latest trends in shopping seems to be not shopping at all.  In her newsletter, Gwyneth writes about shopping in her closet; in cities nationwide, trading duds is the latest girls’ night out; and across the pond,  swishing (read, clothes swapping) events are all the rage.

Of course, clothing exchanges are nothing new, but let’s face it– the economy has made even the most fashion conscious of ladies open to second-hand goods of the *non-officially-vintage* variety. And why not? We all know we’ve got things in the closet that really don’t fit, are the wrong color or silhouette– or are just plain wrong in general.  Now is just the right time to share the wealth. Plus, it’s the “green” thing to do

Here are some GGG tips I’ve come across for a fun, successful event:

1. Do make it festive. Serve champagne and cupcakes. Send out an evite. Have a theme (Date-Night-Tops Redux?). Think “party” more than closet-clean-out.
2. Do bring nice stuff! It goes without saying that you want to bring freshly-cleaned, minimally-worn items, that are in excellent condition. But also, be willing to part with something that you still like, but maybe your friend from yoga class will like that much better. It gets the good karma flowing.
3. Do get organized. Turn your living room into a boutique with rolling clothing racks and a couple full-length mirrors. Also, consider handing out numbers if you’re expecting a big turnout.
4. Don’t forget the accessories. So maybe you’re not so into Kate Spade anymore, but your neighbor might be!

These days everyone has networking on the brain, whether it’s to find a new job, or stay on top of your game at your current one. Written by Keith Ferrazzi, the founder and CEO of marketing/sales company Ferrazzi Greenlight, Never Eat Alone offers insights on how to build and maintain your network that will be useful to any GGG.

The tips may seem a bit calculated and overly-contrived at times; for example, Ferrrazzi tracks and ranks his contacts on a scale of 1-3 according to how actively he needs to keep in touch with them, and often calls contacts with the goal of not getting through, essentially just to stay on their radar.  “Calling their office really early or late usually does the trick,” Ferrazzi writes. But among the biggest take-aways of his message is to avoid invisibility at all costs (hence the title, Never Eat Alone).  That means, keep getting out there! In particular Ferrazzi writes that you should always be reaching out to others, and not worry about a meeting being a “failure.” That way, “if one meeting happens to go sour, you have six other engagements lined up just like it the rest of the week.”  

In short, a compelling read for anyone who needs a little extra motivation particularly in this doldrums economy to get out there and expand the circle, as all GGGs know is a key component of success. Three of my favorite tips:

1. Be “audacious” when it comes to making new contacts and asking for help/advice.
2. Reach out to– or “ping,” as Ferrazzi calls it– your contacts on a regular basis.
3. Host dinner parties, even if you think your house or apartment isn’t ‘perfect’ enough.

Since age twelve, my makeup “routine” consisted mainly of lip gloss (I’d advanced from Clinique to Stila) and mascara (Great Lash, until the changed the formula a couple years ago), with the occassional smattering of blush, or concealer to cover up a blemish. Not that I even went this far everyday; for the last three years, I rolled into the office most days with a “fresh” face– completely free of all makeup, and I preferred that look. Getting a full face of “makeup”– from the cake foundation to the smokey eyes– was reserved being on stage, literally, when I did dance or musical theater performances, or as an adult, for television appearances.

This summer, something about working for a law firm– where suits, pumps, and conference rooms abound– and also spending more time with my best friend who is the kind of girl who goes to the gym with a “light” makeup application– compelled me to want to feel more “done” on a daily basis. I also happened to read a stat in Marie Claire mag that women who wear makeup are perceived as having a higher income and higher earning potential.

Now, I’ve fully embraced the daily 5 minute makeup application: concealer, powder, blush, mascara, and lip gloss. My two new favorite makeup tips I learned this summer are 1) the wonders of Lash Exact mascara by Cover Girl. It’s simply fantastic. As I mentioned, I used to be a slave to Great Lash, but something about it just hasn’t seemed right the past few years. It’s gloopy and doesn’t separate like it used to. I’m convinced they changed the formula. 2) How to contour one’s nose. Another tip from the best friend, who learned it by watching Tyra on the Tyra banks show. Here’s how:

Start with a concealer that matches your skin or is one shade lighter. Squeeze out a dab on your finger and begin tracing a line down the bridge of your nose– the straightest part. Keeping with the same vertical line, put a dab on the front of your chin, and also on your forehead. Blend in– the idea being that you are trying to create one continuous (but imperceptible) line from forehead to chin. You’ll also want to make sure to apply concealer under the eyes and blend well. Set with a dusting of translucent powder (MAC and Bobbie Brown are faves).