Using a guest volunteer in a recent presentation, I wanted to demonstrate what worked well in her professional attire. I had commented how she was able to wear a necklace and earrings that complemented each other but did not match because wearing matching earrings and necklaces has gone by the wayside. Now, it is smarter to wear complementary pieces.

Have said that, there are exceptions, one being gem and natural stone pieces. Also, when wearing matching pieces, the earrings must be smaller.

Recently, I was out with folks who like to have a cocktail and wine with their meals. Since for me, one glass of wine is more than enough for an evening, I usually order a club soda with a lime. I will order that glass of wine with my meal if everyone is having one.

It would be the same for a business event. For hosts, I recommend no more than two glasses of wine with one cocktail. Liquor can loosen one’s tongue which can lead to revealing things that would be better left unsaid.

It is important to tip the appropriate percentage of the full price of the service. With so many specials for massages, facials and food at discounted prices, the person providing the service still needs be paid a gratuity as if the item was full price. This also means that if you are treated by the owner of a restaurant, offer a proper token of your appreciation.

A 20% tip is a normal when I dine because I do not drink and am very light eater. Usually I have an appetizer, nonalcoholic drink and dessert. For a cab or car service, 20% is still standard for me. In New York, my friends recommend a dollar for every $6.00 charge which comes out to be 15%.

When traveling in Japan and China, tipping is considered rude so I do not tip. On a cruise, the tip is included and in some cases, we have tipped for special circumstances. In Europe, most restaurants have a service charge of 15% which is your tip. On bus tours, it is generally acceptable to provide a tip to the driver and the tour guide. The amount is up to you.

We hear and read all the time of how important it is to have a social media presence. Using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn will help give you more exposure. However, in the August 25th Chicago Tribune business section, columnist Rex Huppke of “I just Work Here”, writes about venting on anonymous websites. I agree and suggest taking it another step for Facebook which many folks, especially potential employers, read.

Below are what we might want to avoid doing on Facebook. Do not:

• Post too much personal stuff – it gives the impression you have a tremendous amount of free time – while at the office

• Post too revealing a personal picture, low cut tops or for men, hairy chests in skinny swim trunks (These belong on private sites or in People magazine.)

• Constantly brag about your business achievements

• Offer condescending advice

• Make fun of someone or something – leave that to Vanity Fair.com or People magazine

• Post negative comments in general

Keep your remarks positive and you will create engagement while providing a human touch which is what we want.

With everyone’s very busy schedule, I am often asked what are good sites to go on for on-line shopping. The best sites are the ones that offer free shipping and returns with no minimum purchases. Sites such as Nordstrom.com, Zappo.com and Amazon Prime (with membership) are a few of the sites that make purchases and returns hassle free.

You need to be cautious about discount sites because they have often have clauses about time limits for returns.

It is not recommended to purchase online for a designer or label where you are not familiar with the fit, color or style, especially the ones with limited return policies. Otherwise, online shopping is a blessing for those who work 24/7.

A great example is when I was at Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale on the first day. It was a madhouse in the shoe department. There was an hour wait to get help with a sales person. So, I took a look at boot I wanted. Then I went home, looked at the reviews and ordered. The boots came in within 2 days! The fit was perfect. On line shopping can take away your stress as it did mine in that instance.

A recent Facebook posting showed a woman having one foot up on the arm of the seat in front of her. Please! But maybe the women had a leg problem. I would have asked the flight attendant to move her to a row where there was an empty seat so she could put her foot up.

This brings me to men who take off their shoes and have a pronounced odor coming from their feet. I get it if is a long flight but ask for a pair of slippers or bring a pair with you.

Food smells are another problem. If you are going to bring food on the plane to eat choose items that do not have a strong odors. Be a good airline travel pal.

Cropped slacks are still much in the scene. I, myself, am not in favor of them for workplace. First of all, they can make you look shorter and cause your legs to appear stumpy. I understand the popularity of them, especially when you think about the nuisance of hemming pants. A nice alternative is the slim ankle length pant where you do not have to worry about the length. They can give the illusion of height and make you look at least five pounds thinner.

Summer is upon us and the capris are shown everywhere as an alternative to shorts and skirts. My opinion is that capris can be very unflattering. They cut your legs off and can make you appear short and stumpy. I think the slim ankle length pant is much more flattering and smarter looking than capris.

If you must wear the capris, then pick a length that ends at the smallest part of your leg width and one that is closer to your body as opposed to the looser fitting, wide leg ones.

Remember we always want to be comfortable while at the same time enhancing our body shape. We want to avoid making ourselves appear larger and/or wider.

Networking is critical for both personal and professional growth. Following these steps will help you build stable and strong connections:

• Begin with friends and family. Connect with those that have connections to what you need for work either for a new position or a skill you want to acquire.

• Be crystal clear on what you want and don’t want. Being vague will leave you empty handed. Also, it’s very important to have a succinct pitch on who you are and where your strengths lie.

• Be a valuable resource. In both giving and receiving, deliver what you commit to.

• Be a consistent networker face to face as well as on social media like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Have a strategy and apply it consistently. Face to face networking can be done at least once a week and make social media a daily habit.

You must have fun with it. Folks want to be with those who have a positive attitude and are sincere. Look the part so they want to be seen with you. Follow these guidelines to begin a strong network or refresh the one you currently have.