Good Morning Dear Reader:

I think I have figured out how this country will eventually be conquered by either a foreign government or aliens.  It will not be necessary for them to fire a single shot. They will simply turn off the Internet. This entire week I have been battling two powerful adversaries, a brand new computer and intermittent Internet service. I have pretty much snatched out all the remaining hairs on my head (there weren’t that many to begin with) trying to successfully post to this blog. I only hope that my frustration has not rubbed off on you, because if it has, I will be seeing you soon at Sally’s House of Wigs where we will both be getting fitted.

After years of complaininig about my old laptop computer, which by the way, weighed 64 pounds (I’m pretty sure) my sweet husband bought me a beautiful new one that weighs about the same as my makeup bag, 4 pounds. It is sleek. It is shiny. It is mean. Nothing works the same way as “Old Reliable”. It is also fast, whereas, I am poking along trying to figure out how in the heck to do all the things I want to do with a brand new system.

Don’t get me started on disappearing and reappearing Internet service. If you want to feel my pain, shut off your phone and e-mail for one day. That’s when the shakes start. Pretty soon you are imagining you won the lottery and no one can find you to tell you that you must claim your prize by midnight. As far as I know, Walgreen’s does not have an aisle for Technology Pain, I know I have looked.

So that is where I’m at for now.

What is a brand?

We all have one. It is what comes into other people’s mind when they think of us. Think of “Godiva”. For me, it conjures up images of dark, rich, yummy chocolate. What about Ferrari? Fast, expensive sports car. Crest? Fights cavities, dentist approved.

Godiva--one of my favorite brands!

If you don’t know what your brand is, ask your family and friends. They all know. Are you confident, flighty, dependable, conservative, indecisive, bohemian, inventive, creative, or a trendsetter?

Here’s the big question:  Is that the brand you want to project? And why does it matter? Our brand is a reflection of not just how we look or how we dress, but also how we act. And the most successful people in both their personal and professional lives are consistent in their brand.

No matter how intelligent and efficient a person is, if their physical appearance is sloppy, that message supersedes what lies beneath the surface, at least for first impressions. And many times all we have is one opportunity to create a positive impression.

Estee Lauder is a great brand

A woman who dresses like her teenage daughter will have great difficulty being taken seriously in any situation. A business man who has a nice suit, but wears scuffed up shoes that need to be polished or replaced is sending a message that details don’t matter.  If your wardrobe says “stuck in the 80’s” how up to date can you be in other areas?

Knowing your own brand and tweaking it to project exactly how you want to be known can lead to greater success in both your personal and professional life. Which is why fashion, good grooming, and caring for your body both inside and outside matter .

Have a great day!

Diane