2011 Winter Fashion TrendsStyles for the Over-40 CrowdEvery year, the powers that be rain down fashion ideas that are fine for the leggy, adolescent waifs that march down the runways, but often look this side of ridiculous on the rest of us.Well, good news for 2011: one of the hottest trends is… wait for it… Androgyny! So, while women everywhere will be cursing their inability to pull off this look, we are in the catbird’s seat for a change!What should be remembered is that women look androgynous by putting on clothes with a masculine aspect to them; we, on the other hand, come by

our androgyny quite naturally, and must be very careful not to end up

looking simply male.Of course, one idea does not a trend

make - and the other big idea for this year is Femininity. Something for everyone, I guess. But the key is always to wear what suits you.

Over-the-knee boots are still hot, but be careful of too high a heel unless you’re wanting to attract a certain kind of attention. Unlike women, though, who can get away with a flat boot, most of us have relatively shorter legs that will benefit enormously from a heel. Pair these boots with a conservative look, like a Russian-style military jacket (right), though you can spice it up with the choice of color.

Other trends include Quilting (center) and Patchwork (left). Patchwork is a fun, but challenging idea, and it gives you a chance to express your personality. And, the leggings on that model are to die for too, don’t you think? ...continued on next page

On the cover:

Nikki Belange, co-founder of Wildside and its website, she is most likely toiling away at this very moment, to bring Wildside its best Las Vegas trip ever!

Fringes are back, though somewhat more restrained, and gloves are in, which is great news for anyone with less than perfectly feminine hands, and also for those who want more flexibility in accessorizing their looks.Fur is in, especially faux fur, and not just for clothes - fur is in for boots too.

On the shoe front, laces and buckles are impracticalities we are going to have to get used to. Also, multi-colored footwear is making noise.At least on the heel front, you can pretty much choose what you want: chunky, spike, even wedges are acceptable.

MascaraWhich is best for you?

The product at left, Lancome Definicils, costs a bit - about $20, but has been voted by InStyle Magazine as the best mascara more than once. It

is an everyday mascara that lengthens lashes but wonʼt clump. Weʼve all heard that before, but people swear by this stuff…

If youʼre on a budget, the best drugstore brand could be Maybellineʼs Great Lash - the best-selling waterproof mascara

on the market.Do you care what the celebs use? Well, if you do, and

you love huge volume and length, you may want to try Maybelline XXXL Volume + Length, or Bobbi Brown

Everything (a Serena Williamʼs fave).And then thereʼs Lancome Hypnose (right) that

one reviewer said made her eyes look as large as if sheʼd been wearing false lashes.

One more thing… the latest trend has been to advertise formulations that

help you grow longer lashes, but the reviews out there are

decidedly mixed, some loving it, some saying they make their eyelashes fall out.

There is no shortage of advice on how to live long and healthy, but it all comes down to a few simple things.

Exercise. You donʼt have to be a marathon runner or body-builder, just stay active. Every day. Use the stairs instead of the elevator, walk or bike instead of driving. And donʼt sit for too long in one place.

Eat Well. Eating a wide variety of foods, heavy on fresh fruits and vegetables, low on deep-fried, salty ones is pretty much all you have to remember. Youʼre probably doing fine if your plate of food is full of bright colors. Oh, and concentrate on your food when youʼre eating, not work or television. Youʼll eat less that way, and enjoy it more.

Donʼt smoke. Itʼs expensive, unhealthy and not good for your

skin.

And, smile. Itʼll make you feel better. And, when you take that easy-going attitude with you, youʼll lessen the stress in your life.

Live Long, Live Well, Live Simple Health tips for anyone

January is the 3rd annual National Drag History Month. SocialiteLife.com reports that LOGO TV and

LogoTV.com will have special programming for this event. The site will have drag queen music videos and short films, and there are contests too.

There will be more RuPaul than you can shake a stick at - as in daily interviews, RuPaulʼs Drag

Race Season 3, premiering January 24 and re-runs of the past two

seasons.