Just wanted to share an interview from my other “home” town, Pennsylvania. Thanks Julia for such a lovely write up!

From http://blog.pennlive.com

By JULIA HATMAKER, The Patriot-News

Fashion expert Jeannie Mai is a woman on a mission.

“I want to encourage women to stand out and be different,” she said.

Her modus operandi? Changing the way women feel, one outfit at a time.

The makeup artist, stylist and host of Style Network’s “How Do I Look?” is a West Coast gal with family in central Pennsylvania, courtesy of her husband, Freddy Harteis, who grew up in Linglestown and is a Central Dauphin High School graduate.

Mai spent Thanksgiving in Harrisburg with Harteis’ family, which gave her a chance to size up the area’s fashionistas.

The results of her research are in – just in time for New Year’s Eve. Here are her four tips for the perfect party outfit and some ways to make sure you’re sending the right signals when you ring in 2012.

Mix-and-match patterns

The runways have been preaching the beauty of mixing and matching patterns. Make that trend festive by glitzing it up. “You can clish, clash, mish, mash the glitter and the glitz,” Mai said, so pair a shimmery shirt with a sequined skirt and shimmery tights and prepare to dazzle.

Glam up the everyday

Going to a casual New Year’s Eve event? Stay festive by adding flair to your day outfit with jewelry.

Mai recommends rhinestones with sweatshirts and gold bangles with turtlenecks. “You just glitzed up in a street way that’s really cool,” she said.

Ditch the skirt

Dressing up doesn’t have to mean dresses and skirts. “Personally, I’m bored of always wearing skirts and dresses,” Mai said. She recommends donning trousers, a glitzy top and a boyfriend blazer for a chic, hip look.

Focus on lips

One thing Mai noticed during her time in Harrisburg is a love of eye makeup.

“I noticed people here don’t like to wear bold lip colors,” she said. “But I think this is the time when people get to give their eye makeup a break and definitely focus on those lips.” She recommends using a matte color and then a bit of petroleum jelly for a little gloss. Also, only put the gloss on the center of the lips.

“What I also love to do is what I call glitz – putting glitter on the lipstick,” Mai said. So take that bold color and glam it up to get the perfect, ruby-jeweled lips look.

Something tells us Taylor Swift would approve.

Be a “wearapist”

Mai calls herself a “wearapist,” a person who believes that clothing affects people’s moods.

“I believe colors and textures can really enhance your mood,” she said.

Her outfits are based on two questions: “What do I want to say?” and “What do I want to feel?” So start the new year off by sending the right message at a New Year’s Eve party. Find the statement that fits you best.

I want to be…

Welcoming: Friendliness is all in the texture. “Anything that’s furry and soft will really invite a welcoming atmosphere,” Mai said. “Soft textures create a welcoming ambience about you.”

A blank slate: If you want to start the new year off fresh, wear white. “White says ‘I am a whole new person,’ “Mai said. And don’t feel like you have to be head to toe in the shade. Just a white blazer or top can send that “I’ve hit the refresh button” vibe and make you feel like you’re starting over.

Mysterious: Purple is the shade for those wanting to be enigmatic. “It’s a very romantic, mysterious color that always leaves people guessing,” Mai said. “It’s very royal, very rich.” Bold: Think royal blue if you want to be bold. “It’s a beautiful color to say I’m here, I’m fun, I’m grounded, I’m confident,” Mai said. Shrug off a childish past by embracing this more mature, serious shade in your outfit.

Funky: Nothing says life of the party quite like orange. “If you want to be lively, jubilant and joyful, orange is an amazing color to wear,” Mai said. In her closet is an orange top, which she wears with black pants or red skirts.

Can’t get enough of Mai’s fashion tips? Be sure to tune in 10 p.m. every Monday to see the fashionista in action on Style Network’s “How Do I Look?”

http://blog.pennlive.com/life/2011/12/ring_in_the_new_year_with_thes.html