Greetings!
 

It has been a pleasure bringing my blogs to you throughout the year. I hope that you have enjoyed them, benefited by them, and shared them with others. I know I have many requests to add friends and family to the distribution list.
 

Nyda’s Blogs 2009 will continue and will be distributed the first Friday of each month. Each will focus on an aspect of image and brand in a new and challenging fashion. I hope that you will tune in and share your thoughts and ideas.
 

The Magnolia, my internet show, will continue “live” each Friday at 9am and will focus on topics of interest in the areas of image, brand and business culture. As many of you know, the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council now appear once a month to showcase all the great things they do for the young women of greater Central Florida. There are many exciting guests lined up for the first quarter. Additionally the show will air at special events, businesses and happenings somewhere around the globe. You can access The Magnolia at www.TheMagnolia.TV and click on “listen live”. You can view the live show, see when the next show will air and view any archived shows.
 

The North Carolina Blogs will continue until our mountain home is finished mid 2009. Updated pictures and progress reports appear with each trip or milestone. Click on www.HelloWorld.com/nydatnb  and select “blog”.
 

Happy Holidays and see you in the New Year!
 

Nyda

Greetings!
 

The professional image does not stop when the clock hits five. Frankly, the impression you make on others after work is just as important as the one you make between nine and five. Whether for a black tie affair, a company picnic, a movie with colleagues, or dinner with clients, dressing well is a must.
 

So now with the holidays upon us and parties and other events are lined up on the calendar, here are some tips for avoiding the embarrassment of showing up under or overdressed for the occasion.

• When the invitation says “casual” it is best to call your hosts and ask them what they mean. Sometimes casual means slacks and a top, sometimes a sport coat and tie or a cocktail dress. The type of affair, the region of the country, and the people present will have a lot to do with dress requirements. If the affair is an open house it probably calls for a suit or a sport coat and tie for men, a dress, two-piece dress, jacket and city shorts, or, depending on the time of the day, dinner suit or cocktail dress for women.
  
• For an evening function with cocktails at six or dinner at seven, consider these options. Women—A black or dark-colored dress or black or dark-colored evening suit, ultra sheer hosiery in dark tones, evening pumps or strapped sandals, dramatic jewelry, and a small handbag or clutch. Velvet is worn around the holiday season. Men—A dark suit in navy, black, or charcoal gray, tie, dress shirt in white or colored with contrasting white collar, and black shoes.
  
• For a black tie affair, consider the following: Women—Short, three quarter, or long evening dress in silk, chiffon, crepe, taffeta, organza, or velvet; dramatic jewelry, evening clutch, strapped evening sandals, and ultra-sheer hosiery. Men— Black-tie tuxedo, dress shirt, black hose, and black patent leather shoes. As an executive, you do not want to overdo it. Women should avoid overly bright, flamboyant colors and designs, and men should avoid fur lined cummerbunds and extravagant ties. Stick to the basic black.
  
• For those formal affairs such as a ball, consider these options. Women—A long gown (no pants), with or without sequins, in taffeta, silk, chiffon, or organza, with dramatic jewelry, clutch, strapped sandals, and ultra-sheer hosiery. Men—White tie and tailcoat. Black tuxedo is acceptable. Again, do not overdo it.