Last month I helped out at the wedding of the daughter of my longtime client Kathy. Normally I do make-up for the bride and bridal party, but this time my role was to support the mother-of-the-bride on the big day. Being a beauty fairy godmother helping out the jittery and emotional family members was an experience that filled me with pleasure. I loved being helpful; fluffing overly set hair, powdering noses, even basting an errant black bra strap to the lining of a dress.

I applied Kathy’s make-up before she stepped into her beautiful outfit. Special occasion make-up needs to be different from our daily routine. Looking great in photographs that will be around for decades is important. It doesn’t mean the application is difficult or complex, but you need to be prepared for what happens when the brilliant light of a flash goes off repeatedly in your face. If you try to look “natural” you will end up washed out and shiny. Here are the basics for photography or television make-up, as well as a few tips for the staying calm during a joyous but emotional occasion:

· Your face needs to be matte. We all love the glow, but in photographs that translates as shiny. Custom blend foundation that matches your skintone and tinted loose powder are the key to the matte finish. Apply much more powder than you think you need as it will dissipate.

· More isn’t better. A heavy hand or too much color looks harsh. Blend and soften eye and lip liner.

· A foundation primer gives the foundation “slip” and will keep the foundation and concealer from sinking into lines and creases.

· Fill in the entire lip with pencil before you apply lipstick. You’ll have color left after eating or kissing.

· Check your make-up in different light, especially if your occasion is outdoors. I did Kathy’s make-up in the cool shade, then had her step into the sun and noticed an area that wasn’t completely blended.

· Keep your tissue or hanky at the ready and dab carefully under the eyes. (Do you remember how perfect Demi Moore looked when she was crying in the movie Ghost, make-up unscathed, eyes not reddened? Trust me, it won’t work that way for you!)

· Sip a glass of water with a few drops of rescue remedy in it, it calms anxiety and nerves. I always carry it in my bridal kit. Don’t forget to give some to the groom.

· Carry powder blotting papers for touch ups during the reception. Hand one to a girlfriend that looks like she could use it!

As Kathy helped her daughter step into her gown and walked with her to the church, I’m sure all thoughts of smudgy mascara were forgotten. The joy she shared with her beautiful girl is what puts the “special” in special occasion.

The “Art For the Face” chapter in Growing More Beautiful has all my favorite tips and recommendations. For a big event it is a good idea to schedule a practice session (for details visit clotheyourspirit.com/services). If you have a specific question, ask it here. Someone else is probably wondering the same thing.

On my recent trip to Yosemite, the waterfalls pounded in the background and the grandeur struck me as if I were seeing it for the first time. I was fortunate enough to spend four days with my fellow painters. Early in the morning the sharp shadows define the valley walls, and by afternoon the warm light is gentle and forgiving. Looking at something so dramatic enables you experience the depth of your own spirit.

Cusp of Summer

I’m happy with the way “Cusp of Summer” captures the glow of late spring. Many of my paintings, despite a promising start, don’t live up to their early potential. It’s easy to get discouraged. A spate of disappointing work makes me want to temporarily quit, if only to move away from the discomfort. But if I give in to that temptation and stop, I know it will only be that much harder to get started again.

Creative growth isn’t always fun.

If you hear a voice within you saying, “You are not a painter,” then by all means paint … and that voice will be silenced, but only by working. (Vincent van Gogh).

There is a connection between creative discomfort and our distress about the recession. Many are cutting back on everything, including clothes. Some women are practicing abstinence — staying out of stores as the only safe way not to spend. I understand and can certainly relate. But I believe that Vincent was right, that the important thing is to keep working, to stay engaged. I’ve found over the course of my career that when women put aside caring for their fashion spirit for too long, it is hard to reconnect. I hate to see you miss out on the daily pleasure that dressing for self-expression provides.

Taking an artful approach to personal style doesn’t mean buying something new. Your imagination is always at the ready; open, available and responsive. Everyone who gets enjoyment from creative activities and pastimes needs to continue to pursue them, perhaps now more than ever. I’ve got a slew of inventive and resourceful ideas to help keep you engaged. I’ve been crafting my suggestions all spring based on my visits to the stores, the women I work with and my own reactions.

Are you feeling bored with the contents of your closet? Are you avoiding the stores altogether, or when you do venture out is there nothing to see that grabs you? Let me help you feel more inspired! It’s true that the fashion industry has been playing it safe with lots of neutral colors. The big “news” this spring was khaki paired with denim – hardly a zesty combination. Macy’s recent campaign was “Back to Basics” but who wants to go back, least of all to basics? Yet inventive fun is always available when you connect with your inner artist. Here are some of my latest suggestions:

Venture out of your safe zone when combining neutrals.
Another reason mixing khaki with denim didn’t light my fire is because khaki’s greenish hue is not in my colors, but the latest trend of mixing denim with denim got my attention. However, denim worn with color has long been a standard but jeans mixed with more denim sounded improbable. I decided to experiment: Faded boyfriend jeans with a white linen shirt and dark, cropped denim jacket was kind of interesting! The secret lies in varying the shades and textures. You probably own lots of denim pieces – pick up some inexpensive knit items like a chambray colored t-shirt or leggings and start mixing!

Jazz up your neutrals with signature touches.
I had all kinds of fun with my denim combinations, but when I started to look too much like a Gap ad I wanted to inject some of my own personality. Denim is endlessly mixable so it welcomed my chunky red earrings and sandals, my black and white cowboy hat and studded turquoise belt. A long yellow folkloric necklace (Lucia Antonelli) is a great way to add color and whimsy to a neutral outfit.

Combine neutral colors in new ways:
If we can mix denim with denim, then how about black with black, white with white or navy with navy? Think of layering textures using sheer or woven fabric, airy scarves, or ropes of beads. Add a touch of luster with long chains, a cluster of pins on a sun hat, or a summer tote with shimmery threads. Pick up the metallic tone in your sandals.

Use your rolling rack to create color vignettes.
Start with your neutrals, and move on to other color stories. Set aside a small section of your wardrobe by color only, and see how you can mix it up. We’re used to wearing the same pieces together. You may have some outdated notions about colors that don’t harmonize, but these days anything goes. Black worn with brown or navy was once a taboo, but now it is considered chic. Or give yourself permission to let your colors clash. If it pleases you, go for it. For wonderful examples of how colors can work together I recommend Kyeela Meadow’s book Fearless Color Gardens.

Get rid of stuff.
Having less has proved to inspire inventiveness. Go on a removal rampage.

Get more stuff.
If adding something new is what inspires you, go get it! I recently participated in a clothing swap that was a fundraiser for a local organization, and women had a blast finding different things to take home. Clothes new and used are amazingly inexpensive right now. There will always be gorgeous stuff with a high sticker price, but you can still stay in the game even if your resources are limited.

Don’t say no to yourself.
Say maybe. If you see something you like in a magazine or catalog, cut it out and save it. Breathe in. Trust that things have a way of working out, and what is important will appear in your life. Sometimes it is appropriate to check it out, to look at the item online or in a store. Sometimes not. You might find that when you breathe out, the longing has floated away.

Getting a great deal does not fuel your imagination.
The media reports that women are obsessed with on-line bargain shopping. If you know what you want it pays to shop around for the best price, but getting caught up in the hunt for great deals is not the path to fulfillment.

Wall in Greece,
photo credit Jerie Jerne

Keep your design sense in shape.
Think about perusing style magazines in a voyeuristic sort of way, like going to a museum to see art you don’t really get. It still stimulates your eye and your awareness of where design is going. Maintain creative muscle mass so you are ready to spring back into action. Don’t get left behind or you’ll start thinking that current fashion is for your granddaughter. Not so! Or think of staying aware of fashion trends as a way to keep in touch with your essence.

Connect with a friend.
She’s probably in a fashion rut too. Support each other by making a date to work on a collage together or play in each other’s closet. If you need a bigger boost or more focused attention, give me a call. I can find the spark in your seemingly lifeless closet, and direct you to a couple of specific items that will complete the story.

Stay Engaged! Keep your artful spirit alive and continue to express yourself!

The blooming mustard fields announce that spring will soon be here. The carpet of bright yellow flowers seems to shout “wake up” from your winter hibernation. Soon the blossoming trees follow, whispering in their beguiling way to hurry outdoors because their appearance is fleeting. Easel in hand, I heed their call. On a good day the air is soft and moist, the view across the rolling pasture a hazy gold. But a great day brings brewing storm clouds and the accompanying chill wind. The dark leaden clouds create a contrasting backdrop, the dramatic meeting of seasons that marks one of my favorite times of year.

My fashion senses are on alert as well. This is the time of year when it is warm one day and bitingly cold the next. Dressed in fabric as light and beguiling as the blossoms, the wind cuts right through you. But who can resist all the bright, fresh color? It’s time to reevaluate my closet contents, but also open myself up to all the longing and beauty that this tender moment in time offers. No matter what my financial circumstances, I find it helpful to approach each season with a sense of abundance instead of deprivation, assured of the pleasure that lies ahead. Perhaps a gift is on the way, or one special purchase will magically tie many of my loose ends together.

It won’t be long before our emerald green hillsides begin to fade into the golden glow of summer and the glistening grass, billowing clouds and delicate frilly pink trees are gone until they return next year. And isn’t it the awareness of this moment what unites us no matter what our circumstances?

I was recently interviewed about my experiences as an author and independent publisher on the website thebookdesigner.com. Answering questions about the lengthy process of getting Growing More Beautiful into print got me thinking about how we measure success. Usually the laudatory stories we read are about winners — people that come out on top and are recognized either on the Olympic podium or best seller list. But what about the athlete who comes in fourth and doesn’t win a medal? Is their experience any less valuable?

We need to hold onto the vision of being a smashing success when we are engaged in the daily process of making it happen. But if the reality falls short of our expectations, what can we take away with us? Here’s how I answered the question in the interview:

To read the complete interview and learn more about independent publishing go to Jennifer Robin Interview.