KRISTENSHOPS.COM ~ Wardrobe Stylist Kristen Kaleal

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:20:00 +0000

Wardrobe Mixology Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Originally published July 2007; posted on blog Oct 2007.

Please keep in mind that I no longer own most of these clothes!! :)

One of the most frequent challenges facing my female clients, as well as one of the most popular questions I am asked, is how to make one's wardrobe more interesting.

For some women, clothes are simply utilitarian and serve a purely functional purpose. These may be the women who have way too many pairs of jeans or call black pants their most valuable fashion asset. Or they may simply be stuck in a style rut - never varying their standard look.

People always know what to expect from them - whether it's a twinset, T-shirt, or even fancy shoes. They may fear that they have become too boring and predictable.

If you're one of those women who routinely plays it safe, but feels uninteresting and knows she is missing out on something, it's time to add some fun to your wardrobe.

And if you're one of those who is routinely fabulous, there is a way to take your fabulosity to the next level.

I get a lot of comments about the way I dress. When women say, "I could never put that kind of an outfit together - how do you know it's all going to work together when you put it on?" My secrets? Start by only buying clothes you love. Dress in what expresses your mood.

And throw them a curve.

Color and pattern not only communicate our feelings to the world, but they can also have an immediate effect on our own mood!

For more of my secrets for wearing patterns, click here.

Here's how to use this little guide:

We have our BASICS - our base garments. The vodka of our wardrobe. The pieces that can be construed as a little boring if we aren't careful.

But if we don't have these pieces, then our wardrobe has no solid foundation and we may end up looking like we have no clue about how to put an outfit together.

Next, add a SHOT. This is if you're a typically uninteresting dresser, or if you feel like you're missing something. Go for a quick shot of something unanticipated. A bright teal blouse. Red pumps. Zebra print bag.

And if you're a little more daring, throw in a TWIST of the truly unexpected (maybe even over the top) to the outfit. Something that says "WOW". An item that truly sings. A piece that no one saw coming, but makes people stand up, take notice, and tells them that you know exactly what you're doing, stylishly speaking.

Here are a few examples from my own closet:

1)
BASICS - Gray jacket, black pants (boring!) SHOT - Bright red shirt
TWIST - Gold bag and leopard print shoes.

Cool colors and warm colors can go together beautifully.

2)
BASICS - White denim jacket
SHOT - Here, the base garment is the shot - an orange T-shirt and cotton skirt
TWIST - Accessories! Both the necklace and bag had the same colors in them, so I simply pulled out the teal from both and selected patent teal slingbacks.

Casually elegant!

3)
BASICS - Dark wash jeans
SHOT - Lemon yellow twinset
TWIST - Red ballet flats and red polka dot tote

Put this together in 2 minutes one day! Looked like I had actually put thought into it.

4)
BASICS - White pants with black pinstripe
SHOT - Black patterned top, gold shoes
TWIST - The straw bag adds another layer to this outfit.

Playing with texture can be fun.

Here are 3 rules for adding color and pattern into your own wardrobe!

1. Have a color palette you shop within. When you find pieces like purses, shoes or necklaces that incorporate a lot of the colors you wear, buy them!

2. Buy items together. If you pick up a pair of great looking royal patent slides, pick up a top that matches them as well as a bracelet or necklace, perhaps. It's not the idea that you will wear all of these items at one time - don't be "matchy-matchy" - the idea is that you have the option to wear a couple of them at a time to look put together.

It does an amazing job of curing "I have nothing to wear" syndrome. Trust me on this.

3. Use RESTRAINT.

I say this very seriously. There is a fine line between being enjoying color, pattern and accessories and being a fashion victim.

Use the rule of two. Wear a maximum of two patterns. Repeat an accent color only twice. Two colors in your outfit gives you a better basis to add interesting accessories.

Of course, rules are meant to be broken, but having the basic knowledge will take your wardrobe to that next level, help you be more daring, and truly enjoy getting dressed and have fun with your clothes.

Isn't that what it's all about?

CHEERS!

Save the Endangered European Tailor!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:22:00 +0000

I'm becoming an activist. I've identified a dying breed and I'm looking for ways to save it.

And by "I'm looking for ways" I don't mean me, per se, but I hope someone is doing something and I'll contribute money to the cause.

Sadly, I believe tailoring is a dying trade. I'm often asked for referrals to tailors for alterations and all my usual standbys are advancing in age and becoming increasingly cranky as a result - and as you can probably figure out, cranky in Russian, Czech or Italian is every bit as bad as cranky in American English, but with far less words you can understand.

If they want to be annoyed with me for asking for a rush, that's one thing, but they lose my business and all my referral business if they are anything less than pleasant to my clients.

This has been happening all too often lately. They are cranky! I can only assume this is what happened to the dinosaurs before they died out. But unlike the dino population, tailors' skills and expertise are still needed in the modern world. It's not time for them to become fossil fuel or be dug up by archaeologists and placed in museums.

I was warned years ago that Old World European tailors - ones for whom creating bespoke clothing was a noble and sometimes highly lucrative career choice back in their homeland - were a rapidly-dying breed and as far as I'm aware, no one has been trained in large enough quantities and with enough skill and knowledge to take their place.

If you've ever been fitted by a really good tailor, you will not only find out what's "wrong" with your body (most European tailors are not only very skilled, but they also don't mince words), but also how to visually camouflage it so it isn't quite so obvious.

In between telling me Vladamir Putin is the head of the Russian mob and that Putin's mob kept burning down his clothing factories "back in Дніпропетровськ" (which translated in my brain as: "Whatever"/"Oh wait, he's speaking Borat. Borat is funny. *nervous laugh*), my tailor told me that I have a "hollow shoulder." A what? That's what I said. It was also diagnosed by two other tailors, so I know he's not crazy. (No idea about the Putin commentary though.) I still don't know quite what it means and I can't see it myself, but a slightly different shoulder pad shape in a jacket is always the prescription.

So maybe that explains Quasimodo.

Overcompensating "hollow shoulder" shoulder pad

Tailoring is an art form, but also about engineering. There's a big difference between that kind of expertise and what you get at someplace like an Alterations Express. Not to say there's anything bad about having a kwik-E-mart alternative when you need simple tailoring done fast, but there is a definite separation in skill level. In our ever-impatient society, there's room for both types. If a simple hem is needed, that's where I send people. If the darts on a blouse need to be taken in or if I need sleeves shortened (all too common for me), I'll only use a tailor.

I'm concerned about what will happen as these highly specialized tailors keep getting older and closing down their little shops. The youngest European tailors I know are in their mid-40's and work for big stores like Nordstrom and clothiers specializing in menswear.

Our clothes will not stop needing expert alterations. So where will we go?

A new (and hopefully less crabby) generation of tailors is needed. I really hope someone is working on that.

And I'll $upport your cause.

MENSWEAR FOR FALL? No freaking way!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:02:00 +0000

I haven't looked at any fall trend previews yet. It's most likely because I hang onto the last vestiges of summer with the death grip of someone about to fall over a cliff. I'm the last to leave summer and the first to greet spring, which usually happens the second week of February like clockwork. As soon as the brighter, lighter clothes hit the stores, my brain tries to go on vacation.

I have to follow what's on trend each season because it's my job. I'm not a big trend follower personally because I pretty much know who I am style-wise and will only pick up on a trend if it fits in with my fashion personality.(This example of fashion personality is from a few years ago, but if you're unfamiliar with the concept, it's a good starting point.)

A huge pet peeve of mine is buying an item because it just happens to be in the store or it's trendy for a season. Haphazard purchases lead to "so many clothes and nothing to wear" syndrome - the bane of women, the men they seem to complain to, and wardrobe organizers everywhere. (Though, ironically, it's what keeps the huge fashion industry machine churning. Grrrr.)

So we all have to be careful to make smart purchases.

Having said that, if I hear that menswear is "in" for Fall 2011, I swear I will punch someone. Menswear is ALWAYS in for fall, just like bright colors are always trendy for spring. It's a no-brainer, but the fashion magazines need something to write about, so they tend to recycle the same "DUH" advice every year.

So why IS menswear a fall staple?

- It is associated with heavier fabrics, like flannel and tropical wool.

- Its purpose is to be layered.

- It tends to be dark - brown, camel, navy, tan and charcoal. Colors that seem as natural for fall as bright colors are in the summertime.

- Wider legs on menswear-inspired trousers can conceal knee-high boots or booties, especially for professional wear. Boots over jeans are fine for dressing casually, but a high boot over business casual pants isn't recommended.

Menswear styles are a great investment, especially if you wear business casual clothing to work.

Menswear is usually introduced with a few new tweaks every year. You want to make sure what you're buying is as timeless as possible. Here's what to watch out for:

- One year, a lot of pants were double-and triple-pleated, which are okay on tall, reed-thin models, but don't work so great on real world bodies. The same goes for high-waisted pants. Not the most universally-flattering. If a woman is even slightly curvy, they seem to turn her into a balloon. No fair!

- There was a year when double-breasted jackets and vests were in. I would always suggest single-breasted. Double-breasted garments can be like a funhouse mirror - and not the good kind that makes you look long and super-thin. Buyer beware.

Illustrating the funhouse mirror effect, we have Fat Albert and Weird Harold from his gang. Because it makes no sense whatsoever.

- Remember when trouser legs were extremely wide? 2005, perhaps? I happened upon a pair today in my closet. I've been hanging onto them for years. I've kept them around because they fit my fashion personality. I tend to like a little drama. But you have to know what body types they fit and the tricks to dressing around them (i.e., they're better if you have broad shoulders and you can't wear a bulky top or jacket with them or they will add visual poundage. Plus very high heels are a must if your height is short to medium. I'm even pushing the limits with my height, but I like 'em, so tough cookies.)

***

If we start paying attention to what the fashion pundits and magazines are telling us is in vogue season after season and if we know who we are fashion-wise, we will probably be able to build a wardrobe of classic, yet updated pieces, not spend a lot of cash, keep our closets from bursting at the seams, and always look and feels our best.

And that's all we really want, right ladies?

And if menswear isn't your thing? Eh, no big deal! Wear what makes you happy, comfy and what makes sense for YOU.

Unless it's white hi-top sneakers with cuffed jeans.

But then again, Fat Albert really isn't a paragon of fashion.

Dude, get out of my blog and go back to your junkyard.

FREE LESSONS!!!! And a Lemur.

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:58:00 +0000

This is probably a huge "DUH" moment for most of the people who venture over to my little blog, but I'm surprised to know how many people don't know about this!

YouTube is NOT just for keyboard-playing cats! SERIOUSLY!!! (I know, right?!)

There are literally thousands and thousands of dollars in makeup and hair lessons on there. Totally free!

A lot of people I know only end up on the site when a video goes viral. But if you look deeper, there's actually valuable information on there. And a LOT of it.

I've been lucky to have the opportunity to take a lot of makeup classes over the years, but most of what I know about styling my hair, I learned from YouTube. And being me, I'm always trolling for new makeup ideas. Sometimes I have my laptop open right next to me and I follow along with a hair or makeup tutorial as if I were taking a class.

Just search for what you need, and a whole world you never even knew you wanted will open up to you.

Like Keyboard Cat being watched by OMG Cat and a some kind of a LEMUR.

Yeah, I never knew I wanted to see that either.

Truly Magical

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:57:00 +0000

Ok, here's a super quick review of my new FAVORITE FOUNDATION!

I usually have a few cheaper drug store foundations around that I use for "everyday" as my grandma would say. The gym, running to the store, etc.

And then I save my pricier MAC Studio Fix Fluid and Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundations for business and special occasions.

I picked this up because I was at Target and had no lower price makeup in my current shade of faux tan. But I think I might have found my new favorite foundation. Period. It feels like a luxury brand and was only $13.99! Pricey for L'Oreal, but it definitely feels like their top of the line foundation product.

If I were to create my own foundation, this would be it. It feels like fluffy velvet. It is wonderfully matte and provides heavy-but-sheer coverage. I know that makes no sense, but it needs to be experienced to be believed.

I broke out in hundreds of tiny bumps last week from an allergy to a moisturizer. This product kept my skin smooth and even through that ordeal and did not cause further irritation. Yay!

(Note to self: Do not pick something up that says "Eucerin moisturizer" and slather it all over your sensitive face. It might just be a body moisturizer in a tiny tube. Dork.)

So Long, Scarf Barf Bin!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:51:00 +0000

Admittedly, I rarely wear scarves nowadays and I've only kept my favorites from the days when I used to wear them regularly. For the longest time, I have had scarves galore piled in a plastic bin because I've been looking for a solution which did not involve hanging them on hooks in my closet. I feel like the real estate on my closet walls is too precious for items I don't use often.

My "scarf barf bin" drove me nuts because I would just toss scarves in there haphazardly regardless of quality of materials, each individual scarf's tendency to wrinkle or warp, or the opportunity for them to actually be damaged. It was a mishmash of colors, lengths and seasons (summery light gauze, tangled with orange and black skulls-and-crossbones, for example), plus several of my dog's bandannas thrown in for good measure.

I've been so frustrated but have had no solution.

I found these metal rings at the craft store. They're exactly like binder rings from the office supply store, only larger. I bought the three inch variety to store my scarves. They are $0.77 for a pack of two. Not too shabby.

I decided to hang them from a skirt hanger for two reasons: 1) I want them to hang in my closet with the rest of my clothes so they are close by and will be seen and (hopefully) used, but won't take up valuable wall space on hooks or pegs; and 2) the clips on the crystal hanger will help keep the rings balanced.


Orange skulls & crossbones, second from right. See, I wasn't lying!

I also bought 2.5" rings for my necklaces, but that will be a work in progress for some time. I'm looking forward to showing them off one of these days! (And to being able to find the ones I want when I want them. It has been bead bedlam and choker chaos for too long!!!)

What wardrobe organization dilemmas have been bugging you?

Strawberry Blonde Firework?

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:39:00 +0000

What do you think of the newly blonde Katy Perry?

She's a natural blonde. Can you tell?

I have a feeling that the makeup colors are exactly right for her natural coloring.

But in the real world, this shade of blonde is far too warm (golden/reddish)
for someone with her coloring.

I think she can get away with it for two reasons -
first, she has the best professionals doing her color (this would NOT be a
home coloring project!!) and second, her personality is whimsical and fun and she doesn't
adhere to convention. Ash blonde would be far less fun on her
and she wouldn't 'pop' on the red carpet.

I would have *literally* killed for this dress when I was 8.

(I think Katy is always adorable. She can't do much wrong in my book.)

A Quick & Cheap Fave

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:24:00 +0000

If I buy something over and over again, you know I love it. Otherwise, I will buy every product in that category until I find the one I love. Expensive? Yes, sometimes. Worth it? To me, oh yesss.

I have been buying the following product for over five years now. It just works. It removes my toughest waterproof mascara without irritating my sensitive little eyes.

Neutrogena Oil-Free

Eye Makeup Remover

This comes in two layers, much like oily salad dressing. But unlike oily salad dressing, it is not delicious. So don't put it on your salad. But like salad dressing, be sure to shake it well and use a cotton ball or cotton pad to gently remove your mascara. Pretty simple. And usually under $6! I keep one upstairs and downstairs by the TV as well as in my travel makeup bag.

It works just as well, if not better, than more pricey products on the market and it's available pretty much anywhere. It doesn't require a special trip to Sephora or to the department store cosmetics counter. And this product works quickly. That's important because sometimes I'm in a race to remove my makeup before I fall asleep. Sometimes sleep wins :(

Keeping an extra bottle of this by the TV has definitely helped me remove my eye makeup before Zzzzzzz time.

Beware:

Sometimes we branch out and buy products related to the ones we love because, hey, if this worked, its relatives should work too, right? Not always...

Neutrogena also makes an eye makeup remover lotion in a teal tube, which didn't work well at all and irritated my eyes quite badly. They also have a "one step" gentle cleanser in a pump bottle which matches the look of the oil-free eye makeup remover packaging. It was uncomfortably drying to my normally very oily skin and turned my mascara into a big nasty clump. One step? I think not. It was awful.

Using Tumblr as an Inspiration Board

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 15:39:00 +0000

I had been feeling left out because I was seeing more and more people using the microblogging platform Tumblr, but I seemed to have no use for it. I mean, I blog semi-regularly and I tweet, of course. Why would I also need a microblog?

What I didn't realize is that Tumblr isn't really a blog. It seems to be the intersection of a blog (because it looks like a blog), Twitter (it's all about brevity) and a social bookmarking site like Delicious. I found a purpose for it and maybe you can too.

Since I'm very visual, saving a bookmark or a link doesn't mean much to me. Chances are great that I will never return to it. I keep a lot of pictures on my computers, and instantly being able to see what I saved jogs my memory and reminds me why I saved them. So it's like inspiration x 2! Which is exactly why Tumblr is becoming useful for me.

When you sign up for Tumblr, you get your first microblog. That first one is always public and functions as a social network. You can then create additional private microblogs, which is what I'm using as my online inspiration board.

I have a private Tumblr for those purposes and here is an example of the kinds of things I put on it. I save other things like Zumba videos, decorating ideas, interesting color combinations, and even recipes there too. A good tagging system keeps everything organized.

I also have an inspiration binder with ideas cut from magazines, but this keeps all the pictures, links and videos I find online in one place as well as outfit ideas from my own closet and inspiration pics I take in stores. I have the Tumblr iPhone app (which is fine, but there are others I plan to try) and just upload them directly to the app and tag them. So simple.

So if you look at a lot of visual things like fashion blogs and fashion magazines online and want to save what inspires you and have easy access to it (without taking up a lot of space on your computer), Tumblr is great!

An open letter to "dressy" capris

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:34:00 +0000

Dear Summertime Bastard Cousin of Dress Pants,

I kind of hate you and why are you still in my closet? Please leave.

Yours in confusion,
KK

I'm putting my summer wardrobe together and found some pants I've purchased over the last few years. I've never worn them. They have just hung around from season to season, perhaps waiting to find a purpose. Or perhaps waiting for Godot. I really don't know and pants don't talk. And if I did have talking pants, you should be worried about me. But sometimes shoes talk to me. I assume shoes yelling "buy me" to women is fairly normal, right?

Let's get this straight right out of the gate: I generally like capris and certain cropped pants as a casual alternative to shorts. Some are really flattering and comfy. I remember the fury capris caused when they first came into vogue. The fashion people of the world had a fit because they were somewhere in between shorts and pants and nobody knew what to do with them, except for the fact that they had the potential to be really, really unattractive and unflattering on women, sometimes making even the skinny, long-legged chicas of the world look short and stubby.

Well, women decided they liked wearing them (hey, they cover cellulite, unlike most shorts) and capris gradually changed from a one season fad into a classic summer staple for many. The fashion world listened to what shoppers wanted for once. Yay us.

The conundrum laying on my closet floor right now is what to do with "dress pants" which are actually capris, cropped pants or anything in between. They look, fit and feel like dress pants, except they end awkwardly at my calf, ankle or some strange no man's land in the middle.

Flattering. Hmmm...

I've never worn a pair of these out - whether casually or for work. I feel weird just trying them on and attempting to make something look right with them. They certainly throw the body's proportions off. A jacket which looks great with a pair of pants will be off balance when those pants are capri or cropped-length.

Do we really need to wear these as career wear? Most folks work in air conditioned environments in the hot weather and I know a lot of people whose offices are so cold that they're grabbing for the sweaters they need to keep around.

Shoes never look quite right with them either. I've seen sandals, slides, wedges, pumps and yikes...flats. Because every woman is different, you have to 1) know your body type and how to enhance it; 2) wear them at exactly the right length (much like a skirt); and 3) wear the right height and style of shoe or they can change your leg and body shape in all different ways. Of course, none of them are good.

Dressy capris kind of look like they're trying to be pants, but haven't tried hard enough. Or like they're pants, jr. All the complaints the fashion pundits had when capris first came on the scene are especially true of the dress pants version of them: awkward length, unclear purpose, unflattering, making women look short, squat and heavy instead of the usual goals of appearing leaner and taller.

For work or for dressy occasions, why not just wear lightweight dress pants which fit and flatter without much effort instead? Save the capris for the grocery store or a picnic.

Shorts. Tank Top. Fake Tan. Check, check, check.

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 11:50:00 +0000

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have read that I have been lamenting recently about my inability to use self-tanners because of severe breakouts. I still don't know why every one I've ever tried makes me break out on only my face, neck, upper chest and back, but it's the ugliest and most painful version of the cystic acne I've struggled with for years. And it scars - so I have to be extremely careful.

I am so bright white and I crave color. While I used to be able to tan as a child - my school pictures from grade school, which were taken in early September always showed me with a golden tan from spending nearly every day at the pool - I seem to have lost the ability to tan naturally. I don't even tan when using tanning beds, which I won't use nowadays anyway (and I honestly miss the "ultraviolet coffin"). I don't burn either, which is just bizarre. I just get warm-colored freckles over the bridge of my nose. That's how you know I've been out in the sun. I start morphing into the Wendy's girl. (Good thing my hair isn't red!)

A medium tan on me looks like most other people's pale winter skin tone. So all I can do is use self-tanners to get some color.

Spray tans are great too, and I will get them for special occasions or vacations. But they fade quickly and I just find them to be a pain. I like to control when and where I put on my tan. Here's how I do it.

PREP:

I make my own sugar scrub. Just use about half a cup of table sugar and a tablespoon or so of olive oil, mix it into a paste and take it into the shower. Just try not to get it wet until you scrub your skin with it. You want it to stay thick and paste-like. A harsher version of this is to use coarse kosher salt in lieu of sugar. They both work - it just depends on the amount of exfoliating you want to do.

ARMS & LEGS:

Since my appendages don't break out, I'm using L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze Pro Perfect Airbrush self-tanner in Medium.


No, it's not an air horn.

You can layer this product several times over a few hours to get a nice base tan. I had been using the Sublime Bronze towelettes, but this is the same price and I feel like you receive about four times more product. Also - and this is IMPORTANT - you don't have to rub it in, it evenly covers the tops of my hands and feet (which streak like crazy!!!) and doesn't settle into dry skin. We all have that skin (ankles, elbows and knees) which collects self-tanner and stains for a long time, regardless of how well it's exfoliated. I've made some wild and unattractive streak patterns in the past while trying to avoid those areas.

Also, it claims a "fresh citrus scent." I've never encountered any type of citrus that smell this this, but it's a better scent than any other self-tanner I've ever used.

FACE, NECK, CHEST & BACK:

For my sensitive, acne-prone areas, Clarins Self-Tanning Milk is gentle and hasn't caused breakouts. (Thanks, @reinhoren!)

The color blends nicely with my arms and legs, is able to be layered to obtain a lovely, golden shade, and also smells better than other self-tanners (yay!).

So that's how I'm spending my summer in shorts, tanks, sundresses and faking a tan. I feel like I can finally participate in summer again!

The New Neutrals:

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 17:54:00 +0000

ARMY GREEN

I remember showing a friend a new apricot-colored top I bought and she asked what I was planning to wear it with. Then she started naming the colors that came to her mind: navy, brown, and .....? That was it. That was as far as her imagination could go in creating interesting outfits. I told her my plan was to put it under a burgundy jacket and she was shocked. She thought you could only pair "colors" with "the basics."

When most people think of those "neutral" or "basic" colors to build their wardrobe around, most people will name the same ones - black, gray, navy, brown or beige. To that I say: YAWN.

Let's start expanding our wardrobe horizons. It's perfectly OK to take a few safe steps out of our familiar fashion comfort zone.

This is the first installment of a series about colors I've found are more basic than you might realize. Adding a few well-chosen "new neutrals" could dramatically expand your wardrobe possibilities!

I never thought about wearing army green until I bought a faux-camouflage skirt from Ann Taylor a couple of years ago. Even though it was patterned, I was genuinely surprised at the amount of colors that looked great with it. I don't just mean the colors you would normally mix and match with dark green, such as shades of brown and beige. I discovered that it looked fabulous with yellows, all sorts of pink and aqua, coral, orange and even baby blue and lavender! How versatile is that?!

As I tell my clients, it's the confident use of color and little surprise flourishes that make it look like you know what you're doing. And that's how to have real style. Or fake it - which is just as good!

Expanding on my army green collection, I bought twill shorts which I paired with a pink satin top.

Can you imagine all the possibilities of adding an army green skirt, pants or jacket to your casual or professional wardrobe?

Be on the lookout for some of these new basics to add new life to your closet! You can thank me later :)

Nail Polish Thinner to the Rescue

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:44:00 +0000

Admittedly, 99% of my nail polishes never get to the point of being old and goopy because I am constantly buying new shades and the old ones are left out in the cold. Or given to my little niece - but only if they're pink or purple, which are the only colors she will wear.

A great nude shade is my standby and I really like the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri line because it covers well with one coat, which is sometimes all I have time for. And I love how rapidly it dries. They're not joking. The down side is that what's left in the bottle thickens up pretty fast, which leads many nail polishes to the dreaded nail polish graveyard.

Quick Sand - nude with a hint of sparkle for summer!

I was ready to toss this old goopy favorite shade when I remembered I have nail polish thinner! Nail polish saved! I can't believe I forgot I had this little money saver hiding in the cupboard.

Do you have any nail polishes that can be resurrected

with just a few drops of thinner?

Love This! John Frieda Precision Foam Colour

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Sun, 01 May 2011 15:39:00 +0000

I stepped out of my L'Oreal home hair color comfort zone yesterday and tried John Frieda's new foam color. I had heard not so great things about L'Oreal's new color foam (mostly comments about what a mess it made), so I intentionally stayed away from it.

I'm someone who is never, ever satisfied with salon color results. And I like to do everything myself. Such is the control freak I am.

My box base color is the foundation of the "frosting" I put on top of it.

But as those of us who color ourselves know - not all brands are created equal. In terms of color tone, pretty much any shade of medium "natural" blonde will do for me. (Other factors such as quality and fading vary, of course, by brand.) Natural is in the middle of cool (ash) and warm (golden). My ideal base is the color I was as a child - a medium beigey, champagne blonde. Before it turned dishwater blonde - which is the curse of almost all childhood blondes :-(

The color I selected is 8N - medium natural blonde. (Check below for coupon queen Kim's tip for getting it for $1.99 this week!)


			Eek! No makeup! Ok, maybe a little.

After I apply my base color, I usually wait until I have a nice block of time available and then lowlight with medium golden brown (it's not as dramatic as it sounds - really) and this time I will also be experimenting with a little red as well. And then I add light, bright highlights. The Frieda color actually covered the aforementioned lowlights I had - a definite bonus! Now I have an even canvas on which to work.

HOW TO GET IT FOR $1.99

I bought it for regular price ($11.99 at Target)

From my friend, COUPON QUEEN KIM:

http://riteportal.com/offers/johnfrieda/john_frieda_couponADA.pdf

"PLUS the $5/1 coupon in the paper tomorrow,
PLUS the sale at Rite Aid will make it $1.99 tomorrow."

If you want additional info on coloring your hair at home, this book can help. While it's not the best thing ever (I agree with the three star consensus on Amazon), if you're an experienced home colorer, you can pick and choose the info you need. It's a little confusing if you're trying to use the recipes exactly as they are presented, but it's a good book to buy used, at least.

Royalty, Fashion, Snark, Gossip. And Mr. Bean.

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:46:00 +0000

I was up for the Royal Wedding, but wasn't really "up" for it, if ya know what I mean. The media's over-reporting and telling us every last bit of minutiae and all the speculation of the so-called experts just ruin things like this for me - way ahead of the actual event.

I expected to tweet and post many more observations on Twitter and Facebook today.

What ended up coming from my stream of consciousness was quite amusing. To me, at least.

I wanted to save my tweets and Facebook updates for posterity. (Wonder what my tweets would have said during Charles & Diana's wedding...and yes, I very much remember it. Even though I wasn't born yet. Bwahahahahahahaha.)

Once you see how much my life revolves around British comedy, you might not be too surprised to find out that this blog was originally called "Keeping Up Appearances." No, the BBC did not threaten me with a lawsuit. The title just evolved. Because I shop. A lot.

So without further rambling, here's what came out of my brain during the wedding and its aftermath...

I know this royal wedding hymn because it was in a Monty Python sketch.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGEeLtqtNvU)

Time to stand in the tea chest.

Now that video is available, here's the wedding version...

Camilla is wearing a pair of Jimmy Choos today. I suddenly like her a little more.
http://t.co/XHDZcP7 #rw2011 #royalwedding

Camilla + Jimmy = Not so bad
Camilla + Hat the size of the Titanic = Kind of ridiculous + Watch out for icebergs

Heard Rowan Atkinson was at the #royalwedding. Wonder if it was actually Edmund Blackadder or Mr. Bean? #rw2011

When someone responded that Mr. Bean should definitely be there, I suggested it would be more fun if Blackadder traveled through time to overthrow the queen. Live on TV.

Chelsy Davy

Prince Harry's on-again/off-again/whatev Chelsy Davy = British Tara Reid (ok, I know she's not British but she looks a little, uh, rough)

And one thing I didn't post because one of my FB & Twitter friends used to work for Sarah, Duchess of York:

Princess Eugenie's and Beatrice's fashion tastes reflect their mother's. Zing!

Yes, I know that was mean. But I can't help but think of all of Fergie's terrible outfits before and after she married into the royal family. I don't think she ever could have imagined that Medusa bow hat on Prince Andrew in drag - oh wait, that's Beatrice? I don't care if their outfits are couture - Eugenie (lt) in Vivienne Westwood and Beatrice in Valentino - I bet there are vastly more flattering choices out there for them. Very few women can rock a square neckline! I want Bea's shoes though. Gimme.

I especially liked Tori Spelling's remark on E!'s Fashion Police: "They look like the wicked step-sisters."

"Have you seen Snuffleupagus?" "No. Have you?"

Q: Tacky or Status Symbol? A: Tacky

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:41:00 +0000

My friend Heidi posted this question on my FB page and I thought it was worth an answer in my blog. Some people may not know this unless they are specifically told. Thanks, Heidi!

Question: saw a woman the other night who had a Calvin Klein tag sewn onto the sleeve of her coat at the wrist; shouldn't one remove such tags after purchase?

Yes, you're right. It absolutely it should have been removed. Either she did not realize this or she thinks it's a status symbol, much like someone who buys a new car and leaves the sticker price in the window for much longer than they should. (Hey look, I spent X dollars on my sweet new ride! Aren't you impressed?" Um, no.)

The only time I have seen anyone unclear about leaving the tag on a jacket was when I was working in men's apparel and a lot of young men - who had never owned a suit before - were confused about what that label was for and whether or not it stayed on the jacket cuff. (The tailor always removed it for them.)

Beauty Secret from the Nursing Home

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:51:00 +0000

One of the best parts of growing older? You can flirt all you like since you've become harmless. ~Liz Smith

Something I read a few years ago that has stuck with me...

Nurses in a nursing facility noticed that certain elderly women's skin was exponentially younger looking and far less wrinkled than the skin of other women of the approximate same age.

So they started polling the families of the women with great skin. The result? By far, those who were longtime Pond's moisturizer users had the youngest looking skin and fewest wrinkles.

Something to think about next time we're tempted to shell out big bucks for anti-aging skin care products...

Gluten-Free Egg Beaters® "Pizza"

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:08:00 +0000

I know this is a style blog, but I was diagnosed with a wheat allergy a few months ago and it has been a pretty transformational time for me. I'm sharing this because I know a LOT of people who have Celiac or issues with gluten - or choose to be wheat-free for other reasons.

When I knew I had to give up the wheat, I most worried about craving pizza. my favoritest food. The nearest gluten-free pizza joint is about 20 minutes away and I just don't feel like driving there whenever the mood strikes me - because the craving is usually gone by then.

I don't normally cook, so if I make something edible, it's like WOW. And these are actually better than edible!

Gluten-Free Egg Beaters® Pizza

Preheat oven to 385 degrees.

Lightly coat a small skillet with butter.

Shake Egg Beaters® well and pour a thin layer into the skillet on medium heat.

As if making an omelet, lift the sides of the egg as they are cooking and allow the uncooked egg to run underneath. Do this until the top is fairly well cooked. (Do NOT fold.)

Pour a second thin layer on top and do the same. The idea is to have a substantive "crust" for your pizza.

When the top layer of egg is almost completely cooked, turn off burner and slide egg crust onto greased aluminum foil. Top with pizza sauce, cheese and whatever you like. I'm all about peppers and olives, obviously. (One trick I've been doing is raiding the grocery store's salad bar for my toppings. It's good for making several of these because I can get exactly how much I need.)

Bake on 385 until cheese gets brown and bubbly (about 15 minutes).

Remove and eat or cool, wrap in wax paper and store in fridge.

It does need to be eaten with a fork and knife since the egg "crust" isn't stiff like a real crust. It could also probably be eaten folded or rolled up too. And if I get really ambitious, maybe I'll try making it into a calzone sometime.

Zumba Party on April 16th

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:49:00 +0000

Have you ever wanted to try Zumba but haven't had an opportunity? Or maybe you don't dance but think it looks fun?

It IS fun - so, so, so fun !!!! And you don't even need a hint of dancing ability! (As evidenced by yours truly and I don't mean the restaurant.)

Join me for a fabulous, super-size Zumba class on Saturday, April 16th, 11:30am-1:00pm at Mentor (Ohio) Fitworks.

If you can burn 600-1000 calories during an hour-long Zumba class, imagine how many you'll burn in 90 minutes!! Those are pre-Easter calories, yo. So we can all eat more candy :-}

My instructor Erica will be teaching it and she is a blast!!!
Lunch will be provided and the cost is $15 per person.

Eat us. You know you want to.

Spice Up Your Wardrobe with Prints

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:00:00 +0000

A couple of years ago, I realized how boring my wardrobe had become. I had precious few patterns in my closet, but those that I had, I wore quite often.
Several patterns I didn't feel were "right" and they quickly wrote their own ticket out of my closet. I looked at the patterns I wore the most to see what they all had in common and tried to figure out why I felt great and looked good in them.
I realized all the patterns shared one trait - they all contained beige or yellow. They worked with my coloring because I am a champagne blonde. It's all about harmony - my hair color was repeated in the patterns I wore.

I started using this new tactic, and you know what? I started buying (and more importantly, wearing) interesting patterns! My closet isn't boring anymore!!
Most of us appreciate a rule of thumb so we are assured that what we buy will look great on us. Fortunately, this concept works for everyone - whether male or female, and regardless of hair color - brown, red, black, gray, or blonde.
A pattern will generally work on you if your hair color is repeated in it. I think that's why leopard print is perpetually 'in'. It contains so many of our hair colors - blonde, light and dark brown, white, and black. And redheads can wear it because it's in their color palette!

A few more tricks for wearing prints:

The 80/20 Rule This is for anyone who has attended one of my color events. For best results, when you buy prints, make sure 80% of the colors in the print are from your own palette. The other 20% can be any color in the spectrum. Remember, it's all about creating harmony!

Filling Your Closet
The easiest way to incorporate prints is to use the following list in descending order:
1. Stripes 2. Plaids 3. Checks
4. Dots 5. Abstracts
6. Florals

Mimic your face and body shape
If your facial features are on the angular side with dramatic high cheekbones, a square jawline, or thin lips, and you are tall and/or slender, opt for bold, geometric patterns.

If you have softer features and are more curvy, choose soft or rounded prints, like paisley, swirls, and abstract florals.

A mishmash of prints from my very own closet: clothes, bags, shoes, scarves

I'm on the softer, curvier side, so I select patterns that are more rounded, leafy, or swirly - nothing too angular or with hard edges.

Mixing Patterns
Guys do it all the time - a pinstripe suit, striped shirt, polka dot tie. Women, on the other hand, are generally afraid to mix patterns for fear of looking silly, I suppose. I do it quite a bit and I can assure you I don't look silly. I will pair striped or plaid pants with abstract print shirts or jackets.

How to make this look work:

1. Don't combine more than 2 patterns - unless you are going for a very fashion forward look

2. Items must have at least 2 colors in common

3. Make sure the prints are different proportions - for instance, herringbone (a very tight pattern) and a large print brocade jacket can work well together if you follow all the other rules

4. Mixing patterns mandates toned-down accessories

Corduroy Conundrum

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:48:00 +0000

The fashion helper needs fashion help.

I'm not one who lets items fester in my closet. If I'm not going to wear it now or in the future, it's usually outta there pretty quickly - either given to a friend, consigned or donated to a charity.

These corduroy jackets are the exception to the rule. I have these and a few more, which are at least four years old. I don't usually wear corduroy - it's a little too rough-textured and heavy for me. Plus these jackets are pretty boxy and I lose any sense of body shape in them.

I've stopped wearing them as part of an outfit, which I used to do with jeans and a top.

But I'm debating about keeping them around to use as outerwear. Unless it's bitterly cold, I rarely wear a heavy coat since I generally hop right from the car to indoors, so I tend to opt for either a voluminous sweater or lightweight jacket and accessorize with hat, scarf and gloves. I keep a big coat and comfy shoes in the car just in case ;-)

So do I dump the boxy corduroy? I don't have a huge connection to it, except for the leopard (which has more of a shape than the others) and dark turquoise ones. But they are warm and practical and I find myself grabbing them a few times a season. I just know there are better choices out there.

Do I keep them around for next fall and winter or give them away so the temptation to wear something so meh on me is gone for good? But I also feel like I will kick myself if I need one and it's not there.

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Stripe Trend?

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:33:00 +0000

I can't go into a store this season without seeing black and white horizontal stripes everywhere. Because of all the image, style and body line analysis classes I've taken and the books I've read over the years, I've discovered just how conditioned I am - B.F. Skinner-style - to avoid them in the same way I avoid mosquitoes and bears.

What I didn't realize is that most of my clients, no matter how un-fashion-savvy they claim to be, at the very least know to avoid the evils of the horizontal stripe.

Recently, a few clients have thought I was absolutely nuts when I slipped a couple of such pieces onto their racks of clothing to try on. Scary! This was one response from a 49 year old:

"Oh my gosh, my mother 

would kill me if she knew 

 I was buying this!"

Seriously, folks.

(If you want to read more about mothers, ex-boyfriends,

catty friends and how they never leave our closets,

check out my article Fashion Exorcism.)

Trends come into our lives to present us with opportunities to get out of our fashion comfort zones. Some are only for crazy fashion daredevils (did anyone buy into triple-pleated pants that were here and gone in about two weeks?) and other trends can be molded to fit any style, coloring and body shape.

Horizontal stripes can work for pretty much anybody in one way or another - just follow a few simple tips.

1) Dresses and tops should be close to the body, but not clingy.

Beware! This full skirt with wide stripes may not be your best buddy.

2) A narrow stripe is typically - but not always - more flattering than a wide one.

3) Don't wear the most obvious thick stripes across the widest parts of your body. (The above is not a good choice if you have a thicker torso.)

4) Confuse the eye - not all stripes have to be horizontal.

5) Even a small amount of stripey-ness goes a long way.

Layer a striped cardigan or jacket over something plain or a plain jacket or cardigan over a striped top or dress.

Kristen Kaleal is a wardrobe stylist, speaker and fashion writer. The black and white stripe trend reminds her of one of her favorite fashion icons, The Hamburglar. Ironically, she is a vegetarian. *rubble rubble*

Wearable Spring Jewelry Trends

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:26:00 +0000

Musings from a Sole Diva

noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Kaleal) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:59:00 +0000

Give a girl the correct footwear and she can conquer the world.

- Bette Midler

What is it with women and shoes, anyway? Have you ever wondered why we are attracted to and feel compelled to purchase so many of them? Is it our womanly right to have as many shoes as we desire (or can afford)? Why are the words "women" and "shoes" forever linked in infamy? And why do men need 3 only pairs of shoes when the correct number for women is infinity? Am I the only person who thinks of such things? Probably, but indulge me anyway! Let’s take a peek at why, intentionally or unintentionally, every woman channels her own inner Imelda Marcos.

If the Shoe Fits…

Unlike men’s clothing, women’s clothing sizes are inconsistent and all over the place. What may be a size 6 in one designer may be a size 8 in another. There is no consistent method used for creating women’s clothing, and we all are shaped differently. What happens when you think you are a size 10 but instead a 12 fits because of the designer you selected? It doesn’t make you feel good, does it? If you’re like the rest of us, you probably feel disappointed, your self image is shaken, and you may want to rush into a crash diet, right?

For whatever reason, we internalize our clothing size, beating ourselves up if we aren’t the size we think we should be. Feeling rejected, we may find ourselves in the shoe department. Here, if we try on a pair that is a little snug, chances are we won’t have a full-on identity crisis like we did in the fitting room, right ladies? We just go up a half-size. We think of this as the manufacturer’s problem, not our issue. Problem solved - and another pair finds its way into in our closet.

Therapy for the Sole?

I happen to think that there are two things that never reject women – food and shoes. We use both for comfort and as positive reinforcement. Not that either is particularly healthy for us. I would rather have a smokin’ pair of strappy stilettos over a piece of cheesecake any day, but different women use different diversions to get through tough times. A relationship gone bad, issues with friends, and strife at work all seem to be lessened with a little momentary splurge.

But when you come down from the high from your funky new Marc Jacobs stilettos or when the sugar rush wears off, you’re still left with a problem that isn’t remedied. So the diversion of buying new shoes or indulging in some serious caloric intake won’t make the challenges of the real world go away. It just lessens the impact for an hour or two. Problem not solved – but somehow we still end up with more shoes.

The Shoe Hoarder

Psychological factors aside, there happen to be legitimate reasons why we seem to require a lot of shoes. We have a vast array of clothing needs that are very different from men. While traditionally, guys have the option of wearing pants most of the time, or shorts sometimes, women need different shoes for pants, capris, short skirts, long skirts, casual styles, dressy styles, and the list can go on and on. We need specific shoes and heel heights for our diverse wardrobe. Not to mention basic colors and accent colors, and different shoes for the cold and warm seasons! What does this turn into?

A wardrobe full of shoes, of course! Problem solved?? Fortunately, we are limited by budget and space, and eventually one or the other will run out! Hopefully this will happen before the A&E camera crews make their way to your house.

MY TRUE SHOE CONFESSIONS

Here’s some stuff I’m not too proud of, but feel I feel the need to get it off my feet….

1. I buy knockoff shoes (sometimes)

Yes, this is the same person who said don’t, under any circumstances, buy a fake bag! A knockoff shoe merely means that a style a famous maker created is produced with a slight variation in style and typically, with less expensive materials. You would be surprised how many high-end and low-end shoes are made in the very same factory, but the label makes all the difference in the price point! On frivolous shoe purchases, such as the 4” faux pony hair leopard peeptoe Steve Madden knockoffs I bought, I spend as little as possible. Shoes like this will spend most of their shelf life in your closet, so I would advise skimping on fun accent shoes such as these.

2. I don’t care what my shoes are made of

I’m a vegetarian - almost a vegan. Have been since I was a kid. But I will buy almost any kind of animal skin or fur to wear on my feet without thinking twice! They just have to be cute. (Next thing I know, PETA will be aiming buckets of paint at my feet!) I don’t care to own a leather coat, I would never wear real fur, but basically I would wear endangered snow leopard cub fur-lined boots if they looked cute enough.

(I am joking, of course. I would never wear endangered snow leopard cub fur! But I do have a couple of non-endangered skins and hairs that I’m not too proud of as a bona fide veg – sorry! I assure you they are really cute though!!)

3. I buy quantity over quality

There are 5 Basic Shoe Styles that every woman should have in her closet. This is where to be sure to buy quality since these are your workhorses and should last for several seasons.

1) Tall black or brown boots 2) Basic sneakers 3) Flats or loafers 4) Basic black stiletto pumps and 5) Strappy metallic sandals.

Once the basics are taken care of, I’m all about quantity, quantity, quantity!! The more shoes, the merrier!!! (Yes, I have a problem – but at least my feet always look good!!)

***

It’s funny that almost every guy I meet thinks his woman is the only one with a truckload of shoes. I assure them that while yes, we all love shoes (some of us more than others), the clothing that we wear necessitates at least seven pairs of black heels (I am such an enabler!) as well as various combinations of boots, sandals, flats, wedges, platforms, mules, etc, etc.

I tell them that we need our shoes because they complete our outfits. What I don’t mention is that in some bizarre cosmic way they may also complete us.

Kristen Kaleal is a wardrobe stylist who knows that the day she can no longer pull off five inch heels is the day that she will have to admit she is short. And that will not be a happy day. But until then, she's walkin' tall and writing quirky things about herself in the third person.