The charm of Facebook is that it helps folks express themselves and engage those with like minds. It can also provide some self-insight:

Dos

• Talk about only positive experiences

• Select profile photos that have a professional, casual, friendly look

• Post pictures that involve others only if you have permission to use them

Don’ts

• Never write anything off-color

• Never post any pictures that are risqué

• Never say anything negative about a product or person

You always want to present positive vibes because what you post has a long internet life. Following these few simple guidelines will help ensure that your Facebook posts will only enhance your image.

One of my favorite voice exercises to improve diction is to use the diction pencil. Take a clean pencil, hold it between your teeth — not biting on it, but keeping it at the very edge of the top and bottom front teeth. Read a paragraph twice. Then take the pencil out and read it again. This will help with the s, v, f, and th sounds.

Also, with and without the diction pencil, try these classic tongue twisters:

– Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

– Sally sells seashells by the seashore.

– I slit the sheet, the sheet I slit, and on the slitted sheet I sit.

– The sixth sheep’s sixth sheep’s sick.

– Round and round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran.

– Betty Botter bought a bit of bitter butter.

Practice these exercises once a day for a month and you will hear the difference in the clarity of your diction.

Last weeks’ Time magazine’s has Facebook’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg, on the cover. She is wearing a burgundy dress. The dress indicates femininity and burgundy is color of royalty and power (from the Power of Color by Dr. Morton.) Sheryl’s pose is one of low key strength.

The look is a critical element in a leader. It encompasses clothing, body language, eye contact and how people perceive you. Is it perfect all the time? No, but it must be consistent and people around you must get it. A signature visual is what will help you stand out among the crowd. It supports your body of work and constantly replenishes your confidence capital.

Often, when I am working with clients on their interviewing skills – it is their body language that negates their professional presence. The On-Line University staff writers have written a blog on this topic. It emphasizes how critical body language is in communications. It points out how perceptions are created: 82% with the eyes, 11%, ears, 7%, smell, taste and touch.

Go to http://www.onlineuniversities.com/body-language to view a graph and article that will give you tips on how to insure that those around you see you as a confident person and to comfirm that you mean what you say with your voice and body language.

Retailers are beginning to realize how important it is to offer alterations for women. Major stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks understand this. Now, Talbots, Macy’s and Lord & Taylor have made it easier for women to get their sleeves and hems taken up or down. There is also a National Association of Tailors that can help you find a tailor in your area: http://www.ctda.com/find_a_tailor.htm.

I am always asked how much should be spent on alterations for items that need updating. The recommendation is that for one item, a maximum alterations amount is $50.00. Also, it should be an item you could not replace for 4 times the cost, in this case $200.00.

Recently, I took an older Dana Buchman jacket crafted in a beautiful blueberry color and fine wool material to my master tailor. She is going to take the cut down the shoulder. Typically, the shoulder is the last item I would encourage altering unless the price is right and you have a master tailor doing the work. Fit is so critical because it speaks loudly about your presence.

Jewelry styles change rapidly. This can cause classic pieces to appear a bit dated and matronly looking at times. However, fashion, business social and lifestyle trends are also so fast moving that I don’t recommend throwing anything out. Temporarily retiring the jewelry might make the most sense.

Balance and shape, referring to hair and clothing, dramatically impact accessory choices also. We have moved from the Dynasty look (big statement pieces) to the understated where people cannot tell you are even wearing any earrings.

Necklaces have moved from, big, shiny, even gaudy pieces to natural stones and delicate gold chains. My recommendation is to be very aware of the statement you want to make and enhance it with a contemporary look.

A great example of a traditional piece of clothing for men has been the pleated dress slacks with cuffs. However, the current fashion trend has shifted toward a very modern look with a slimmer leg and no pleats or cuffs.

The challenge for men today is that not everyone can wear these pants and not everyone should. A man will always look elegant if he wears what looks good on him. Wearing the right cut and fit will always appear elegant. Cary Grant always looked good because he shunned current fads and stayed with classic lines that flattered his body.

Heels have been reinvented these last few years shifting from the classic look to many different toe shapes and heel heights. In addition, we are seeing women wearing different color heels. Colors are moving away from blacks/reds to greens and other interesting hues and tones.

What are the colors we can wear that will compliment an outfit with an elegant look while avoiding a cheap appearance? A quick tip is to ask: Does the shoe add to the outfit and look rich while doing so?

Choose the shoes closest to the impact you want with the overall look which might mean different heels for a serious versus a casual appearance.

The power suit for women has changed dramatically from two to three button blazers to various lapel shapes and different styles, especially when it comes to how the jacket wraps around the body.

Color has shifted from traditional blacks to shades of gray, brown and taupe. Patterns are on the rise – mirroring men’s suit designs.

Kerry Washington talks about style and the suits she dons in her starring role in ABC’s hit TV show, Scandal. (See this at: You Tube Bluefly Closet confessions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsFhfFB7ipo&feature=player_embedded.)

The reality is that most of us do not have an unlimited budget for Armani, Valentino and Escada (a brand which I absolutely love.). Instead, look for these critical jacket elements that tend to emanate a stylish power look.

• Statement collars (Mandarin or modified standup)

• Close fitting body

• Pattern on the jacket similar to men’s suits

• Textured fabric

• Shorter jacket length

Look at these critical points for your next jacket purchase and you will exude power with a feminine touch.

The first lady, Michelle Obama, wore purple gloves instead of the traditional black ones in the Inaugural parade. Why did the purple work? First, it was a quiet touch while being just enough to notice and for folks to spot her as she waved to them. It was also in the same color family and tone of the navy blue coat.

Purple ended up being perfect as an accent color and worked well for the gloves. They definitively replaced the black and were elegant at the same time. Would it have been the same had she worn purple pumps or boots? No.