KRISTENSHOPS.COM ~ Wardrobe Stylist Kristen Kaleal

Wardrobe Mixology Revisited

2011-12-09T12:13:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-08-30T14:22:00.005-04:00

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!

2011-08-29T15:02:00.005-04:00

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.

2011-08-25T17:58:00.000-04:00

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

2011-08-17T15:57:00.007-04:00

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!

2011-08-08T18:51:00.003-04:00

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?

2011-07-27T10:39:00.001-04:00

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

2011-07-27T09:24:00.003-04:00

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

2011-06-18T11:39:00.004-04:00

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

2011-06-13T15:34:00.002-04:00

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.

2011-06-12T07:50:00.004-04:00

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:

2011-06-11T13:54:00.002-04:00

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

2011-06-09T11:44:00.002-04:00

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

2011-05-01T11:39:00.000-04:00

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.

2011-04-29T11:46:00.017-04:00

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

2011-04-03T10:41:00.000-04:00

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

2011-04-01T18:51:00.001-04:00

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"

2011-03-29T16:08:00.004-04:00

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

2011-03-27T19:49:00.001-04:00

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

2011-03-27T16:00:00.000-04:00

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

2011-03-27T11:48:00.001-04:00

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?

2011-03-25T09:33:00.011-04:00

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

2011-03-08T12:26:00.001-04:00

Musings from a Sole Diva

2011-03-07T18:59:00.003-04:00

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.

Phil Collins retires; my knee has never been happier!

2011-03-04T23:44:00.006-04:00

I could not be happier to hear the good news today. Phil Collins is retiring!!! This gives me a great reason to dance a jig a couple of weeks before St. Patty's Day. Maybe not just a regular jig - I will need to invent a

!!! SUPER JIG !!!

for this momentous occasion.

A lot of people have seen my Twitter profile (yo, follow me if you're not already) and wondered exactly what my problem is with a certain Mr. Phil Collins. No, my "unresolved issues" are not just a quirky little made up factoid to give prospective followers a glimpse of what my quirky little tweets will be like.

My problems with the defendant, Mr. Collins, run much deeper than that.

Without a doubt, the guy is the purveyor of some of the worst music of my generation - even though he's old enough to be my great-great grandfather. (And that was what you call a hyperbole, kids. In reality, he's only old enough to be my grandpa - and yet with less hair than my gramp had in his 90's.)

I really didn't like the reincarnated Genesis and was too young to understand the original with Peter Gabriel (I still sorta don't see how that evolved into conventional bullcrap music with the addition of a balding drummer, but maybe that is the source - aka "genesis" ha ha - of the problem.)

I truly hated the song Illegal Alien, even though at the time I didn't realize how extremely discriminatory it was. The video was racist and filled with stereotypes to the extreme.

NOT* RACIST

(*And by not, I mean TOTALLY, of course.)

And then there's the mid-80's video where he's a bum and wears fingerless gloves, which are a staple of my winter gear nowadays. Not only did he ruin an accessory which is mandatory for a writer who frequently suffers from cold hands and lives in a cold weather state, but he made me think of a bum every time I've seen him since then.

The worst "P.C." (Get it? And I don't mean "politically correct"!) infraction came when I was in 10th grade and had knee surgery, which was followed by a long stint in physical therapy. When my mom picked me up from school and took me to therapy twice a week, the only songs we seemed to hear in a six-week period were "Another Day in Paradise" (the irony of that song was completely lost on my teen mind) and "I Wish it Would Rain Down" or whatever it's called. It's not really worth the three seconds to Google it. (Which is actually ironic - I understand this concept now - because I'm taking precious time to write a post about the dude. Sorry, but it's not every day you receive life-altering news like this. And if you guessed that was another hyperbole, you are wrong. My existence will never be the same knowing there will be no more Phil Collins lite rock to fear for the rest of my life.)

Anyway, back to my knee...added to the fact that I was on crutches, in a brace and wearing ugly shoes all the time, it was also the yucky end of winter in Cleveland, which is exactly as wonderful as it sounds. The rain was frequently fallin' (in fact every day was kind of like today) and if anyone reading this has joint problems, you know I was hurting more because of the dampness.

And Phil just rubbed it in. "Let it rai-ai-ai-ai-ai-n down, let it rai-ai-ai-ai-ai-n down on Kristen and her crappy kneeeee...."

Can someone say D-E-P-R-E-S-S-I-O-N ?

I can. "DEPRESSION."

More insipid Genesis music came along in the 90's. More craptastic solo music too. The list of music related to that guy that I can't tolerate is a mile long. Perhaps the only songs I can stand are "Groovy Kind of Love" - first, it's a cover and second, pretty good memories are attached to it. And second, "Easy Lover" because Phillip Bailey, the signature voice from one of my very favorite bands, Earth, Wind & Fire, dominates it.

Phil Collins won an Academy Award for perhaps the most trite and awful song from a Disney movie ever (and this includes the Siamese cats song from The AristoCats). Does anyone remember how South Park skewered him and his Oscar? I know there were sour grapes involved, but Trey's Blame Canada SHOULD have won.

Anyway, I've grown very weary of the subject matter. I'm surprised I've actually lasted this long.

Allow me to conclude with a few lyrics he once sang (and I was forced to listen to in countless convenience stores, car washes, and bus depots). Ok, I don't think I've ever actually been in a bus depot, but it's the sort of music I would imagine they might play in one.

Jesus he knows me
and he knows I'm right
I've been talking to Jesus all my life
oh yes he knows me
and he knows I'm right
and he's been telling me
everything is alright

And yes, Jesus, everything IS alright.

Phil Collins is no longer making music. All is right with the world :-) :-) :-)

The Underwear Drawer Revitalization Project

2011-03-02T11:38:00.000-04:00

I have been through a lot of women's underwear drawers. I have also been in the dressing room with a lot of women. Needless to say, I have seen more than my fair share of ratty old panties and bras.

One of the hazards of my job, I guess.

In my estimation, almost all of the women I have been around keep their basic day-to-day undies around for far too long. At least 85% of them are wearing the wrong size bra. Many are also wearing the wrong size and/or style of panties as well.

One of my clients, I will call her "B." actually said, "I'm the only one who knows my bra is probably too small, and no one else cares about my underwear anyway."

Not quite, B. First of all, poorly-fitting underwear IS noticeable. And it's precisely what we don't want to see! People don't notice properly-fitting undergarments, but they can't help but take note when they're not quite right.

From pantylines cutting into your backside to "spillage" in front, underwear that fits properly is our greatest ally. Underwear can also be our worst enemy when we disregard its importance.

It is a sign of respect for yourself and your body when you choose to wear the right size and style of underwear that not only flatters your shape, but is also comfortable. And yes, it IS possible to have both!

Underwear is indeed a very important facet of a woman's wardrobe. It can make a distinct difference in the way your clothes fit, in your perceived body proportion, and even in the sizes you wear! It can also make you look 10, 15, even 20 pounds lighter! Imagine that!

Contrary to popular belief, undies don't have to be boring or binding. And you don't have to be built like a lingerie model to wear underwear that looks beautiful on you and that makes you feel good about yourself every single day.

I would like to cordially invite you to join me in the Underwear Drawer Revitalization Project!
Here's what to do:

STEP 1: Throw out your underwear!

If you spill out over the top or sides

If they have faded or turned gray from washing

If the elastic is loose

If the underwire is sticking out and poking you (owwie!)

If any of the straps or elastic cuts into your skin

If they are uncomfortable in any way

If they cause any unsightly bumps or rolls under your clothes

STEP 2: Buy new Stuff!

Bras!

Fit is everything, ladies. Go to a lingerie boutique for a professional fitting! (Nordstrom is a good bet – they have professional bra fitters on staff)

For a smaller bust - choose a padded bra (okay, this seems elementary, but it will help balance and create proportion and your clothes WILL FIT BETTER!)

For a larger bust - wearing a full-cup underwire or a minimizer will again create balance and make your clothes fit better. Also be aware that you will have to spend more on your bras. Having two bras that really fit well instead of ten mediocre ones is clearly the way to go.

My famous "path of least resistance"? Only buy black or nude-colored bras for day-to-day. White works too, but is more detectable under certain colors. Nude fades into your skintone, which creates the desired effect.

Be sure to have an unseamed "t-shirt bra" for wearing under clingy knits.

Panties!

If you have a flabby midsection, the worst kind of panties you can wear are ones where the waistband cuts right across your stomach. The answer? Wear high-rise shaping panties that end around the ribcage. (Bridget Jones did get it right, but wore the unsexy undies at the worst possible time.)

Somewhere, a smarmy Hugh Grant is saying "Hello, Mummy!"

If you are wearing tight or light-colored pants, beware of the dreaded VPL (visible panty line). This is why thongs were invented. Seriously. Try a silk one for comfort.

Boy shorts accomplish the same as above.

Keep in mind, "the flatter, the better". Rouched and ruffly, even lace panties, can create strange ripples and patterns under your pants and skirts. Wear fabrics that are matte and unembellished. Save the fun stuff for other occasions.

If you find a style of underwear that is wonderfully comfy and flattering, don't be afraid to buy a lot of it. Maintaining a stash of safe pieces sure beats hit-or-miss underwear buying!

As with bras, life is easiest if you keep your everyday undies to a minimum of colors - again, try black and nude here as well. Easier to wash, easier to organize. Just easy. Gotta love that!

Spanx. Use them. Love them. (Also try Assets from Target, made by the Spanx people and costing just a fraction of the original product.)

***

Get inspired to create the lingerie drawer you deserve, ladies! It's magical when you can feel beautiful and comfortable with the knowledge that you look totally fabulous in your clothes.

Underneath it all, you know that you are dressing your unique body to look its best.

Now banish those rogue underwires and that stretched out elastic to the trash!!!

Kristen Kaleal is a wardrobe stylist, freelance writer and speaker. She considers Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason an even worse sequel than Teen Wolf Too.

KK's Lash Bash!

2011-03-01T13:20:00.002-04:00

I finally discovered how to use false lashes recently after about a fifteen year learning curve. Soon after, I learned what kind to buy and how not to make my eyelids a sticky gross mess of balled up latex goop and uncreatively smudged liquid liner. I mean, there's a difference between a big hot eye mess and a smoky eye -- right? Maybe??

So when my pantyhose pal @KimPossibleX (don't ask - but if you did ask, the answer would be really funny) wanted to know what kind of lash glue to use, I decided to put all my findings up to this point in a post. A video featuring my very own personal eyelids will be available soon!

Lashes
I swear I've been failing at the lash game in many ways for years. It was only when @Cat_Marnell, former beauty editor of Lucky mag recommended Target's Sonia Kashuk lashes that I finally started WINNING in the falsies department. (hey, I'm just like Chuck Sheen! Except these are fake LASHES...not fake, uh...porn star parts.)

I started buying the Sonia Kashuk demi-lashes with glue kit, which they must be discontinuing because they're on clearance. Waaaa. Hopefully an even better version of it is coming. (It's also the first brand where I didn't feel like a spiky caterpillars had taken up residence on my eyelids for an entire day.)

By far, I think the widest array of lashes I've found is at Sally Beauty Supply. My local store even beats out Sephora.

I prefer my false lashes to start off looking pretty natural for everyday wear because you then pump 'em up with mascara. Leave the big drama lashes for night. Or costumes. Or drag queens. The demi ones seem to work for me because you don't have to cut them awkwardly. That's one of the many places I've gone wrong over the years.

I also don't like paying a lot per set because they don't have a long shelf life and I use a new set after maybe three or four wears. I probably shouldn't re-wear, but I don't like tossing money in the trash. So I just make sure to remove the glue and mascara and run a Q-Tip dipped in alcohol over them after taking them off.

Speaking of glue
Lash glue is not a happy subject and is the reason why a lot of people try them once and give up.

As everyone says...use a thin line of glue. Wait till it's tacky. In my experience, that means 15 seconds. It's too dry by the 30 seconds I had heard for years.

Slide them directly (straight) in over your lash line. I used to do this at an angle and they would be uneven and fall off. BAD!

It takes two hands and a magnifier mirror for me. Once they're positioned correctly, I use both hands to push the band into my eyelid (yes, I probably put a little too much force on my eyeball here. Hopefully I won't go blind but if I do, it will be for Beauty, the most noblest of causes! Whatev...).

Before you ask, I have tried individual lashes and I think a pro is needed to apply those. Also, the glue they require is like Super Glue and I didn't feel like gluing my eyelids together. I heard that's how Roy Orbison went blind - in an individual fake eyelash glue mishap. (Of course, I could be totally wrong here.) While I could then write some cool tunes and sing in a falsetto, other parts of my career would probably fail miserably. So strip lashes it is.

Glue Brands
Sonia Kashuk glue is killin' it for me. I finally have my go-to product. It has survived stressful days of travel, altitude changes, and the BIG TEST - hot and sweaty Zumba! class.

And it dries perfectly clear. They all don't, even though they all promise transparency. Much like politicians. *sigh*

Professional false lash wearer Kim Kardashian uses Duo, a surgical adhesive which doubles as lash glue and is sold at Sephora. It also comes in black, which I'm eager to try.

Another question I fielded recently is what kind of glue to use if you have a latex allergy. I asked my Twitter commuity for an answer, which was given by LA-based makeup artist @makeupbyangie - try the non-latex glue by Darkness. It's available on ebay.

Even if you're not sure you're brave enough to wear them in public yet, it couldn't hurt to pick up a pair and play with them at home. Once you learn how to put them on and get brave enough to wear them in public, your lashes will feel naked without them!

Red Carpet Flashback - 2007 Academy Awards

2011-02-26T18:41:00.002-04:00

Originally posted 2/26/07

Okay, it’s the Monday afternoon after the Oscars and I have already been asked a dozen times what I thought of the last night's Oscar fashions.

It’s not as fun as it used to be to bash the stars on the red carpet thanks to Joan Rivers. But we can all still have our faves and least faves. There were a lot of beautiful dresses out there and very few horrible ones (thankfully!)

Onto the Oscar Night Fashions!

The Awful Dress Awards:

1) Penelope Cruz – just too much going on here. I also had a feeling, true or not, that this Versace dress would shed like a hairy dog.

2) Beyonce looked like she was attending a cotillion. I have never seen her use the “less is more” adage. Maybe she should.

3) Best Supporting Actress winner Jennifer Hudson in Oscar de la Renta. I think she was nervous and putting her hands in the pockets wasn’t the best way to show off the lines of the dress. The color didn’t pop on her and what was up with that wacky jacket? It looked like an afterthought because she didn’t want to show her shoulders.

4) I hated this Chanel dress Kirsten Dunst wore. I hated the bangs and the dark red vampy lipstick. A loser all around.

5) Anne Hathaway’s giant bow distracted from how beautiful she is, and the antique lace of the gown was really dated. Felt to me like an Oscar dress from the 70’s. Not something a bright young star should be wearing.

6) While the dress Jennifer Lopez wore was gorgeous, I’m not sure it was the best choice for her. Graciously curvy, the draping and flowing fabric made her seem larger than she is, and threatens to start more pregnancy rumors. It would have better flattered one of those stick-thin actresses.

7) Jada Pinkett-Smith – usually one of my red carpet favorites, this dress reminded me of an Oscar itself, and also of that golden torso shield choreographer Debbie Allen wore many years ago. Jada knows her body, knows what makes her look great, and this was a rare misstep. But, her son was super cute, so that (slightly) redeems her.

The Best of the Best:

1) Perennial favorite Nicole Kidman – Helen Mirren may be The Queen, but Nicole is the undisputed queen of the red carpet. Never a misstep, and this gown didn’t disappoint. Wow! (It also doesn’t hurt that she has the perfect body to show off her clothes to the maximum advantage.

2) Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actresses and is coming into her own as a style icon. She seems to have an innate sense of what looks good and more importantly, what looks good on her. She favors understated looks with a little bit of bling. This pewter dress was a bit of a risk, but looked spectacular.

3) The midnight blue of this gown beautifully balanced Maggie Gyllenhaal’s alabaster skin and dark hair. The lines were perfect. Can you believe she just had a baby?

4) Kate Winset’s mint green Grecian dress was a winner. After 5 nominations, she better know how to dress for the Oscars! One of the finest actresses today, I’m sure her award is coming!

The Better Bad than Boring Awards go to….

1) Reese! The dress is pretty enough, but YAWN!

2) Rachel Weisz – Yes, pretty, but completely expected on the red carpet.

3) Naomi Watts – a version of what we’ve seen her in a number of times. We get it, Naomi, you like feminine and flowy! Give us something a little different next time.

And now, the Just Yucky Awards!

1) What was Meryl wearing around her neck? Didn’t she learn anything by playing the editor of a fashion magazine?

2) Elisabeth Shue’s big hair was too much for that high, cluttered neckline.

3) Please be blonde again, Cameron!!!

And finally,

The two dresses I absolutely loved. They were contemporary and still appropriate for the Academy Awards. They weren’t in the traditional Oscar mold, but they were equally fabulous.

Jessica Biel (lt.) and Celine Dion

Cleveland Fashionista: An Oxymoron?

2011-02-24T09:16:00.003-04:00

From my blog archive. Originally published 2/11/07.

To people in my circle, I’m known as the fashionista or style maven. I’ve even been called such in a few articles. I think it’s hilarious. We should all remember that Cleveland is a very small world and to be a fashionista here does not equate to being one in the rest of the galaxy. If I had attended Fashion Week, I would have undoubtedly dressed in a trendier version of my own style, but I still would have looked small-time compared to the REAL fashionistas of the world.

So I started thinking - what does it mean to be a Cleveland Fashionista? Is there such a thing? And if there is, how do you define one? Here is my attempt!

1) She bases her wardrobe choices on common sense, more than anything else. She wishes to stand out NOT because she is dressed like she’s right off a runway at Bryant Park, but because she knows how to pull together a creative yet sensible outfit flawlessly. Other women can look to her for style inspiration.

2) She is aware that Cleveland is not New York, Paris or Milan. She stays up on what’s happening in the world of fashion, but doesn’t feel the need to emulate it directly, for fear of looking completely out of place. She picks and chooses the trends she wears, based on her own personal aesthetic. She knows what looks good on her. And she avoids the things that don’t.

3) She dresses for the weather. Sense wins out every time in a climate like Cleveland’s. She may buy a sexy little jacket, but it may be velvet or even fine-wale corduroy because those have a better chance of keeping her warm! She knows that while turtlenecks are going to be big for Fall ’07, they are always big in Cleveland. Brrrr!

(Still, winter after winter, this Cleveland Fashionista doesn’t learn and still wears high heel boots when the sidewalks are icy. She chalks it up to bravery. She risks life and limb because she WILL NOT be seen in a pair of Uggs. )

4) She knows that those who are consciously mega-trendy are the real fashion victims. They attempt to follow a pack they can’t compete with – the celebs and socialites of the world. A Cleveland Fashionista understands her place in the fashion universe. She knows that being stylish is of primary importance. She realizes that trends spice things up and make life fun – but she doesn’t base every purchase on what the New York glitterati or celebrities in Hollywood are wearing.

5) She has a blue-collar style ethic. She spends her clothing dollars wisely. She invests in the classics and cautiously follows trends. She doesn’t feel guilty for the occasional splurge on an item she absolutely loves. After all, fashion is a guilty pleasure. She is not shy about sometimes shopping at off-price retailers and even brags about the deals she gets.

Her style may be on the conservative side, but with a definite edge, whether it is sexy, artsy, or even a little over-the top. She is not into labels so much as what makes her look and feel her best.

***

While “Cleveland Fashionista” may be an oxymoron, there is no dichotomy in being a “Stylish Clevelander”. There is a lot of style in Cleveland! Get out there and be inspired!!

Kristen Kaleal is a professional wardrobe stylist who helps men and women create a unique personal style which inspires confidence and helps them achieve their goals. She also really like olives and Joey from Friends. Both remind her of pizza.

Winter ReBoot

2011-01-28T09:21:00.000-04:00

(I'm also rebooting this column, first published 12/10/09)

As I was grudgingly going through my boot collection in preparation for Jack Frost hitting the Midwest this week, I remembered a helpful tip I learned a few years ago.

We're all looking for ways to reuse, renew and recycle these days, so here's a way to recycle your old magazines and keep your tall boots in shape.

It's simple. Roll up a magazine (I like "meatier" mags like Vogue or O) and put one in each boot.

The boots will stand at attention ready for you, whether you wear them on a daily basis or need to store them during the warmer months.

This technique is a far more reasonable alternative to pricey boot trees:

If you look at this the way I do (and I really hope you don't), the money saved on buying boot trees will allow you to BUY MORE BOOTS!

Mmmm.....warmer months........

Stop taunting me, Atlantis commericals.

I may just have to take you up on a winter mini-vacay.

I'm ready for it after a day and a half.

What a whiner!

Dear A&E: Please don't make me go to chapstick rehab!!!!

2010-09-27T16:04:00.012-04:00

I am an amateur beauty junkie and will buy anything and everything if it's either a pretty color or if it gives the promise of being fabulous in one way or another. I have a constantly wandering eye when it comes to beauty products. I am fickle.

I've realized - FINALLY - that I only trust certain brands because of their higher quality and ability to meet my needs and desires. So why do I constantly buy a bunch of inferior quality drug store brand junk?

I need to focus on buying and using only what works.

I've made three Beauty Resolutions that I will work on BEFORE the end of the year. You guys need to hold me to these. I don't want to be on a special crossover episode of Intervention and Hoarders where my ginormous stash of lipgloss is shown to shame me into going into rehab where I will only be allowed one plain chapstick.

That would be my definition of hell.

And I don't want to go there. Yet. (heehee!)

These seem simple enough:

Needed: Monogamous relationship with MAC

1. Halt all random makeup buying. Start replacing (almost) everything with MAC. Must include admitting to self that the 'Kristen amuses herself by trying and reviewing makeup' blog is never gonna happen. Why should I propagate buying crap makeup just because it's MY crutch? The true drug store brand gems are too few and far between to make it worth anyone's while. (Side note: The post of my favorite cheapo products is forthcoming - and those have been the same for several years now.)

2. Get away from spending hundreds for prescription skin care every year (sorry, Dr. Hirsh!) and go back to using Arbonne. Arbonne always made my skin look and feel so healthy. Skin prescriptions make my skin feel horrible and dull. This may be a total pipe dream, but worth a shot. (I have painful cystic acne. I know it doesn't look like it. But trust me. Just trust me. I dread flare-ups.)

3. Stop thinking other shampoos will work as well and just use Frederic Fekkai. My hair never feels healthier. The pink Color Care line is what I use.

So how do I start? By stopping the buying cycle. No more buying makeup or hair care products. I need to use what I have right now in my stockpile and then start slowly replacing it with the quality products above.

It's up to YOU to keep me out of chapstick rehab. I'm counting on every single one of you.

Fall Classics

2010-09-25T08:46:00.006-04:00

Each fall and each spring, the fashion pundits come out with their lists of what the hot trends will be for the coming season. After being part of that game for so many years, I started rolling my eyes when the same clothing, accessories and colors made the list again and again and again. "Bright colors are big for spring? Oh reeaaalllllly?"

Obviously, certain clothes just go with certain seasons.

If you want to make a few smart wardrobe investments, instead of going with whatever flights of fancy the designers sent down the NY Fashion Week runways for Fall 2010, why not buy a few wardrobe staples that will be equally hot every year?

Structured military jackets ⁞⁞ Menswear-inspired pants, vests and blazers ⁞⁞ Leopard print accessories ⁞⁞ Deep shades of purple, plum and aubergine ⁞⁞ Long scarves

Summertime Dog Cocktail - stirred, not shaken

2010-07-10T18:46:00.004-04:00

Despite living the first year of her life in Las Vegas, my dog Bailey absolutely hates hot weather. In fact, she would not be happier than if there was snow falling every day of the year.

But this year, I discovered something that is making my thick-coated Schipperke really happy, even in the heat and extreme humidity.

Ice water.

Sounds really simple - throw a few ice cubes in your dog's water to cool it down. Only my persnickety dog will have none of that. She will stick her paw in the water bowl and try to scoop out the floating ice cubes, making a slippery mess on the floor (not to mention the dirty paw prints all over the place).

Instead, to appease my pooch, I keep a pitcher on the counter with a strainer lid. I fill it halfway with ice cubes and almost all the way to the top with water, swirl it around and filter out the ice cubes and the dog gets her ice water. Much like a bartender stirring a martini.

This past week was especially hot here and my precocious dog started taste testing her water whenever she saw me go into the freezer and heard the ice bin rattling around.

"Let's see... (lick) Wait, my water isn't cold yet? I'll look up at mom and make sure she's getting it ready."

And then she drinks contentedly for a minute straight....ahhhhh!

Happy dog time.

(If you want to make a special ice cold cocktail treat for your hot doggy, here's what I do - dissolve one beef or chicken bouillon cube in 1 cup of boiling water, swirl with ice, strain and serve.)

What's New for Spring

2010-03-25T05:26:00.003-04:00

Little White Dress (zappos.com)

Bright Floral Blouse (Arden B.)

Bangle Bracelets (maxandchloe.com)

Beige Basics (True Kiss Clothing) - Be sure to pair them with bright colors like turquoise, pink or coral

Teal Accessories (shopstyle.com) - It's the in color for spring!

Statement Necklace (Banana Republic) - They're back for yet another season

Bright, colorful bags (Nordstrom)

Basic Trench (Net-a-Porter.com) - Again, pair a basic like gray with any bright color. I'm partial to wearing it with yellow!

The Rules of Appearance for Men

2010-03-22T16:30:00.007-04:00

In the working world, understanding the subtle art of a properly put together appearance can help you get hired, fit in, and move ahead. Everyone knows that one fashion faux pas is all it takes to take you out of the running for that job or promotion.

That’s why there are rules. Understanding and implementing the rules of grooming, clothing, and accessories will increase your chances of making a great first impression and will make you known for your high standard of personal excellence.

Your professional appearance is your most powerful business tool. It signals to the world your character, success level, income, and level of sophistication.

Here is a list of what every well-dressed professional should know:

- There is no such thing as a short-sleeve dress shirt. Never, ever wear one with a tie. Unless you are Dwight Schrute.

- On a single-breasted suit or sport coat, always leave the bottom button unbuttoned, though it’s becoming more common to button only the middle button on a 3-button coat.

- The tip of your tie should reach the middle of your belt buckle.

- Collar stays are those little pieces of plastic (or they can be gold or brass-plated) that keep your shirt collar pointy. They get lost easily, so keep a stash of them around.

- Don’t wear a button-down collar shirt with a suit. They clash with the formality of a suit – save them for sport coats or days where you don’t wear a coat.

- Most men choose to steer clear of pocket squares - they’re those little pieces of linen or satin peeking out of the chest pocket of a suit or sport coat. They may be seen as a little pretentious, but if you’re comfortable with them, by all means go for it!

- Always match your shoes and belt.

- Your sock color should tie your pant leg and shoe together. For dark pants, typically match the pant leg. For lighter pants, match your shoe color.

- Your work clothes should only be for work, your evening and weekend clothes should only be used outside the office.

- Your whole appearance will fail without impeccable grooming. Fingernails. Hair. No scruff on your face. Watch the cologne usage.

10 Real Life Fashion Lessons from the Oscars

2010-03-08T10:57:00.017-04:00

1. Sometimes one strong statement is all you need.

Simply. Gorgeous.

2. Don’t look for the wrong kind of attention.

Did Charlize and her stylists really think this kind of weird risk would work for the Oscars? Check out its, er, "inspiration."

3. Throw them a curve.

We are used to edgy red carpet fashion from Cameron Diaz. Last night, it was elegant classic Hollywood style, from head to toe.

4. You can look beautiful at any size.

So stop hiding.

5. Color can make all the difference.

(I never did care for that pale pink dress)

6. You can look sexy and age-appropriate at the same time.

Meryl finally hit the fashion bulls eye!

7. Horizontal lines are not our friend.

Especially if they look like they are strangling us, SJP.

8. If it works for you, stick with it

Maggie Gyllenhaal (lt) in the color palette (black & blue) of a past Oscar gown (rt).

9. Darker skin looks gorgeous in pastel shades.

I swear the Queen has never looked better.

10. When in doubt, go all out.

Vera Farmiga in a bright and wildly ruffled gown. She has the coloring and the stature to carry off such a dramatic dress. Plus she's a nominee! This may be the only chance she has to make a splash!

Stay tuned for my official Oscar gown recap!
Muppets will be involved. That's a promise!

All photos used courtesy of Wire Image.

I think I found the inspiration for Charlize Theron's Oscar gown

2010-03-07T23:32:00.004-04:00

Let's take a trip back to the week of September 16, 1993.

Join me, won't you?

Just call her Ms. Theron. If you're nasty, that is.

Yeah, that dress is pretty nasty.

The Underwear Drawer Revitalization Project

2010-03-06T19:11:00.014-04:00

STEP 2: Buy new Stuff!

Bras!

Panties!

Somewhere, a smarmy Hugh Grant is saying "Hello, Mummy!"

***

Clothe Your Personality

2010-03-04T10:38:00.010-04:00

Have you ever been in a dressing room trying something on that looked great on the hanger, but when you put it on your body, you literally felt like literally leaping out of your skin?

Maybe it was a frilly dress you wanted to wear to a wedding, when you’re really a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl. Or you may have tried on a classic suit - because everyone is "supposed" to have one, even though you are naturally more of a fun and trendy dresser.

Perhaps it felt so wrong on you that your body was completely rejecting it!

Now think about your closet for a second. Is every article of clothing, every accessory, every single item in there a true reflection of YOU - not only does it flatter the way you look - your coloring and body shape - but does it also honor who you are on the inside?

Does it feel right when you put it on, or do you feel like you are wearing someone else's clothes? Is your style consistent every day? And does it reflect who you truly are?

Make no mistake about it, discovering your own personal style is empowering. It will save you time and money and will make every day a pleasure to get dressed. It turns simply wearing clothes into a true expression of who you are now and the person you want to be.

Fashion personality is what separates the style icons like Jackie O., Princess Di, and Audrey Hepburn and even fictional characters Annie Hall and Carrie Bradshaw - from the wannabes.

These are people and characters who understood themselves and found their true style. It became a manifestation of who they were. Whether through simplicity or creativity, they knew themselves and how to express their personality traits on the outside. In other words, they were comfortable in their own skin.

I know, for instance, that when I go into a department store, there may be ten clothing items in the entire place that will truly clothe both my body and my personality. When I'm not wearing what I feel my best in, I don't feel quite as "me."

That's what the concept of fashion personality is all about. Once you figure out the colors that harmonize with your unique coloring and after you learn to respect your body - the good, the not-so-good and the stuff you cannot change without a major investment in cosmetic surgery, the next logical step is to understand how to buy what expresses you.

Think about it this way - rebellious teenagers do this naturally."I'm gonna wear what I want, and if you don't like it, tough!"

So why is it that as we get older, we become more afraid to be unique? We are all individuals, so why not celebrate those differences in the way we dress? There isn’t anyone telling you that you cannot wear a colorful or funky pair of shoes that you love or a fun top or earrings. If it feels right, doesn’t offend anyone and maintains your dignity, who says you can't go for it?

So what is YOUR unique fashion personality? Most of us are a combination of at least two of them.

Alluring - Love to wear body-conscious shapes, low necklines, sexy shoes, etc.

Classic – Gravitate toward tailored lines, are conservative and polished

Dramatic - Like bold clothing, like to draw attention to themselves!

Romantic - Soft and feminine, they love how fabrics feel!

Natural - Minimal in approach, they tend like functionality and tend to gravitate toward texture

Creative - Anything goes, mix and match – they value creative expression

How do you determine your own personality? Well, you probably know yourself pretty well already! But ask yourself these questions:

1. How would you describe your current fashion style?

2. Who is your style icon?

3. If you could have only two things in your closet, what would they be

4. How would someone describe you in terms of your clothes?

5. What would you never be caught wearing?

6. If you had unlimited store credit, where would you shop?

7. What do you wish you could wear, but can't seem to pull it off?

Perhaps the easiest way to figure out your own fashion personality is to take a look at your accessories.

Dramatics like accessories that make a big statement. Classics love traditional pieces like simple pumps and a pearl necklace. Naturals like to keep it simple – maybe a pair of hoops and a functional shoe. Romantics love soft textures, feminine swirls and sparkle. Creative personalities tend to wear whatever they feel like wearing, and Alluring women wear accessories with sex appeal – whether showing off sexy red toenails or a Y-shaped necklace worn with a plunging neckline.

Can you figure out what fashion personality would wear each of these shoes?

Remember, your fashion life is an adventure. Celebrate it! Nothing is right or wrong if it expresses your personality and makes you feel amazing!

Answers

a) Classic d) Romantic b) Alluring e) Creative c) Natural f) Dramatic

5 Fail-Proof Colors to Add to Your Wardrobe

2010-03-02T08:50:00.010-04:00

I have found repeatedly that both men and women are prone to color ruts. I see it in nearly every closet I enter. The most common color offender is the ubiquitous black, of course, but I also see gray and the beige/oatmeal family catching up these days. And do you know what people tell me? "Well, at least I'm not wearing black all the time." True. And what do I tell them? "You're color choice is probably even less flattering than basic black!"

People in my industry aren't going to love this post. Where I was trained, in the image consulting world, there is only one way to wear the right colors - and that is by having your undertone, hair color and eye color analyzed and obtaining a palette of your own personal best colors to choose from.

While I still believe this is the right remedy because of the results I have seen over the years, the truth is that not everyone is going to invest in color analysis. Sometimes they invite me into their closet and out to shop with them and that is the extent of our work together.

I felt like unless I was the one hand-picking colors for them in the store and choosing from colors they already owned, they would go right back to their 'safe' choices.

Regardless of people's coloring, I have found myself recommending the same five colors to them year after year. I picked these colors because wearing a pop of color is better than dreary black, gray or beige. At least three of them can be found in the stores regardless of the season's trends.

These colors are better for the workplace and interpersonal interactions as well as better for the spirit. Wearing color is an immediate shot of energy for you and makes you visually more attractive to others.

These colors work on brunettes, blondes and redheads for different reasons. But they work.

So if you are stuck in a color rut, the first way to climb out is by adding some new "safe" colors to your closet. If you already own some of these colors but aren't wearing them, you will get extra points if you dig them out and add them to your clothing rotation. You will feel a difference!

Stock Up Sale!

2010-02-22T18:37:00.006-04:00

Spring is almost here. I can feel it in the air. I can also feel that a lot of good stuff is on sale right now. My spidey sense is tingling!*

(*Admission: The fact that I've been out perusing the sale racks is far closer to the truth. My only super power is sensing when happy hour is ending.)

Is it the right time to stock up on necessities for next winter? Yes, kids. Everyone likes a bargain.

But don't trends change, KK? Why yes they do.

So what should you buy NOW that will put you in
good shape for the cold and chill next fall and winter?

1. Coats

If you need a new coat, now is the time. Make sure it has classic lines and will be able to be worn for the next 2-5 years. If you have a decent coat rotation, they last much longer, of course. If you don't have the basics like black, navy, brown or winter white, focus on those colors first. Then go for a fun accent color or pattern.

2. Cashmere Sweaters

This needs no explanation. Invest in cashmere. It feels wonderfullllllll!!!!!!!

3. Jammies & Slippers

Nothing feels quite like a brand new pair of pajamas on a cold night. In most stores, they are now half-off or more. Why not buy a new pair or two and put them aside for when the furnace kicks on next year? Also, keep those feet warm with some comfy new slippers. Extra points if they are pink, fluffy and have a face.

4. Tights & Trouser socks

....and warm regular socks. Imagine my shock when I realized that I had more monkey socks in my drawer than the black socks I desperately needed. I too have to be reminded to stock up sometimes!

We don't know what the trends will be for tights next year. They were pretty wild this year! Don't stock up on crazy colors or prints unless you really, really love them. Instead, buy black and brown and any basic color you know you tend to wear in the cold weather. Textures and soft, muted patterns are fine too.

5. Scarves, Gloves, Hats

I'm not big on matching accessories, unless they are your outerwear accessories. I like when two of them match and they other is a wild card. For instance, today, I was wearing a charcoal wool coat, pink gloves, pink scarf and a lime, pink and gold hat. (Prettier than it sounds!) I was carrying my dark pink bag. I felt very put together.

Now is the time to buy in sets. Go ahead - be matchy-matchy for once. I'm telling you it is okay. It's so you have all the matching pieces and can mix and match them at will.

I am also a fan of buying elegant leather and suede gloves at this time of year. I try to have a pair that goes with each of my basic coat colors - and I also have red ones that get a lot of use too. They bring a spark to my black coats.

Stash it!

I love taking my fall and winter clothes out for the first time each year because there are always happy surprises. I love the Christmas morning feeling I get when I find things I didn't realize I bought at end of season sales. It *almost* makes the crummy weather more bearable.

Almost.

How to Cut Ties with your Hair Stylist

2010-02-20T17:52:00.004-04:00

Girl finds hair stylist. Girl gets her hair done by hair stylist for years. Girl breaks up with hair stylist.

As many of us can attest, breakups with our hair stylist can sometimes be as dramatic as a Lifetime movie.

We're great buddies with our stylist when we're in their chair. Hairdressing by nature is a very social science. They know all about us. They know our likes, our dislikes, our hair color formula, what irritates our scalp, why we hate our sister-in-law, and where our cowlick is.

When the relationship is good, it is very good. But when it starts going south, many times it is from a service perspective. And because we feel that our hairdresser knows us so well, it is sometimes a challenge to break up with them and move on to a new hair-based relationship.

We can break up with our stylist for a variety of reasons: the quality of their work, pricing changes, salon service and environment, or if you ask them to change your style and they keep giving you the same cut year after year, a complaint I hear quite often.

I recently noticed that Allstate is now offering to tell your insurance company that you will no longer be with them and are switching to Allstate instead. I wondered if that is just a selling point or if it is really necessary. Do people really go that out of the way to avoid being the bearer of bad news - even to these huge insurance conglomerates who can go on just fine without our monthly premium dollars.

Those commercials always make me think of my grandma. Gram is one of those ladies who has gone to have her hair done every Friday for years. There have been a couple of times when she has felt the need to switch hair stylists.

Gram does not like confrontation, so she didn't feel like calling the stylists and telling them that she was leaving them and dealing with the questions she might have to face. But she did want them to know that she wasn't just disappearing into oblivion.

Her stylist breakups were both fraught with anxiety. Breakup drama is likely to happen if we have been going to that stylist for any length of time. We become accustomed to them and usually look forward to their company. They are an old friend to us, even though we don't usually see them socially, we feel like there is a friendship there nonetheless. The pragmatic side of me says it's not a real friendship because it's based on a business transaction. But the sentimental side knows that the personal connection that goes along with the hair stylist/client relationship is very difficult to break.

I have only had one chance to deal with a hair stylist breakup personally, and I am unhappy to report that I failed miserably at doing it with dignity. I simply found a new salon without saying a word. Yes, I was a big chicken.

If you need to break up with your stylist and find another, make the switch as painless as possible for both parties involved. Do it officially. Don't use avoidance tactics like yours truly.

Send a him or her a nice note. Not an email. There is no need to go into the salon and disrupt their day or make a scene. Chances are they don't have a stack of your CD's or a drawer full of your stuff like an ex boyfriend that you need to go there to recover. Thankfully!

Write on the envelope "Personal and Confidential" in case the receptionist or salon owner opens all the mail. Tell them what you enjoyed about having your hair done by them. There must have been something that kept you going back for whatever amount of time you saw them.

Also include the reason why you decided to stop going to them. Include positive, constructive comments if you feel inclined. If you were in their shoes, would you want to know why you lost a client? I would. Going forward, if they are cognizant that there is an issue they need to address, it can help them keep other clients in the future.

Breaking up with your hairstylist does not have to be traumatic if it is done properly. You can even leave the relationship with your dignity intact!

Part 2: How to Find a New Hair Stylist coming this week.

A Twitter Story

2010-01-11T17:08:00.006-04:00

L-R Me, Tammy and Emily

(And no, we didn't plan our outfits!)

If you know me, you know that I always sing the praises of Twitter. Here is a living, breathing experience of why I adore it so much.

I connected with this cool chick, Tammy (@floridagirlindc) on Twitter last spring. In fact, it was on the day of the Kentucky Derby. We were talking about drinking mint juleps and bourbon. She lives in Washington D.C. and quickly became one of my favorite "tweeps" on Twitter.

My lovely friend Emily (@ejhonsa) lives in Cleveland (which is where I am based). I have known her for years*. She was in her last year of law school and was going to be interning in D.C. at NCIS (I'm sure she's sick of Mark Harmon jokes by now).

I told her to make sure she connected with Tammy when she was there. So they connected on Twitter and then on Facebook.

I had no idea that they would become good buddies and I was so delighted to see the two of them together in pictures showing up on Facebook over the summer. Tammy introduced Emily to all kinds of cool people in D.C. and Emily quickly fit into her summer home's social scene.

I was thinking: "I made that happen!" And yes, I patted myself on the back a couple of times.

This past weekend, I got great news - Tammy had a reason to make her first trip to Cleveland - wow, that was so unexpected! - and of course we needed to get together.

So I knew Emily for years, Emily knew Tammy from her summer in D.C., and we all knew each other from Twitter.

I love when different threads of my life mesh like this. Few things are as personally satisfying.

*Four years counts as "years", right?

Warm Up & Look Hot

2010-01-08T15:06:00.010-04:00

Winter has hit the Midwest with a vengeance. While some of us are lucky enough to live in warmer climates, frosty temps and gray skies are a bleak reality for a lot of us.

I live in a cold climate. Cleveland, Ohio, to be exact. I hate winter and all that comes along with it. Snow, ice, dirty slush, biting cold, frozen hands, runny nose, chapped lips, chapped face, melting icicles impaling me when I enter a building (am I the only one terrified of this?).

Hey, I could probably write a song based on all the things I don’t enjoy about winter. It just know it would become an instant classic!

But there is a little good news at least! Having the essentials to look great during the cold weather will undoubtedly make you feel more confident, uplifted, and ready to take on the world, even if you would rather stay toasty warm at home in your comfy sweats.

Grab Your Coat

If you are only going to have one coat, the most versatile is knee-length, single-breasted, and made from a natural fiber like wool or cashmere. This basic style can work for the most casual of outfits like jeans and boots, but you can also wear it on more dressy occasions.

Make sure it is a color that you commonly wear so it fits in with the rest of your wardrobe. Black is what most women would usually select, but beware - black coats attract copious amounts of lint and animal hair. It’s never attractive to be seen picking stray fibers off yourself like a monkey (although I still find that I do it to myself and others – eek!).

I recommend in lieu of black, going with a dark, heathered charcoal. It will be much less forgiving with lint.

Let it skim your body. Extra points if it tapers at the waist or has a belt. This will help to define your waist and make you look slimmer.

When selecting a coat, make sure it’s large enough to fit a bulky sweater or a jacket underneath in case you need to stay extra warm!

Tahari Asymmetrical Ruffle Trench

Top it Off

This is my favorite part of winter style! Accessorize your outerwear just as you would the rest of your wardrobe.

Do you have a favorite color or a color you receive a lot of compliments in? (Ladies, I do not mean black.) Buy five accessories in that color – a turtleneck, long-sleeve T-shirt, gloves, a scarf, and a purse or boots. Wear three matching pieces – maximum – at one time. The idea is that having pieces that match and work together makes you look like you put a lot of thought into what you’re wearing - even though you really didn’t!

At the minimum, when I buy a turtleneck, I am in the habit of buying a pair of gloves to match it.

My fabulous friend Dee, modeling for a Fox 8 shoot with me

If you wear a few key colors a lot of the time, look for winter scarves that incorporate those colors. I love bright colors, and my favorite scarf this year is teal, rust, lime and orange. It looks great with my brown coat and many of my brightly-colored turtlenecks. Plus, if I take my coat off, I can leave the scarf on as an accessory!

Add a cute pair of boots and trust me - you will find that trudging through winter is not quite such a chore!

New Year's Cures for a Style Slump

2010-01-01T15:18:00.005-04:00

Hi Friends!

It's time for New Year's Resolutions!

Did you know that a change on the outside can serve as a catalyst for changing what we want to change on the inside? It can be tough to alter certain aspects of our lives when the proof that we are changing (what is on the outside) remains the same.

It doesn't have to be a dramatic before and after makeover, but a visible change can put you in a positive frame of mind to reach your goals in 2010.

It is never good to become complacent. Far too many of us get stuck with a style that we are comfortable with and it becomes an all too-familiar rut. Whether we’ve had the same hairstyle for 5 years, wear a daily “uniform”, or put our makeup on exactly the same way every single day.

Don’t get me wrong – there isn’t anything wrong with comfort. Many of us like our comfort zones and they work well for us. But sometimes we can become too attached to a routine, style or method and before we realize it, we have become quite resistant to change. One rut can lead to another, which can snowball into our whole lives becoming one big forgettable routine. Even those who bask in their blandness (I know several of you – and I know you are eagerly reading this!) can benefit from mixing it up once in awhile.

Many of my clients tell me they are stuck in a style and don’t know why. Their goal is to look “more interesting” but they don’t know exactly what that means to them – or how to get there.

Here are four ways I recommend to my clients to help pull them out of their fashion ruts. The best part is that you can apply them TODAY!

Get ready to make your New Year more stylish – one step at a time.

1. Expand your reading material

If you’re stuck in a Redbook, Good Housekeeping or Real Simple frame of mind, pick up a few magazines you normally wouldn't read. The aforementioned magazines generally recycle the same style advice month after month and it will do nothing to make your clothing selection more exciting.

Think more along the lines of my personal fave, InStyle – but also look at Elle, Vogue, Lucky, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, or even – gasp – Cosmo! Yes, some of the fashion can be "out there", but don’t lose heart - it's more important to see what’s happening in the fashion world and get ideas.

New Year's Challenge: Start a “look book” of pictures of what you feel fits your style and what you would be comfortable wearing, plus some accessorizing ideas you can use in your own wardrobe.

2. Try a few new stores

Go to the mall and look around at Express, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Arden B., H&M, or other retailers you normally wouldn't frequent if you're stuck in a “department store” mentality. Or try a smaller step - venture out of your favorite section of the department store and explore the more trendy parts of the store.

Try clothes on! Even if you always gravitate toward the same styles, you are missing out on a lot if you just look and don't try anything on.

Find a couple of hours this month to go out by yourself or with a friend (not a hubby or boyfriend) and explore the mall in a way you've never done before or haven't done in years. Report back to me. What did you discover about what's out there? What were you attracted to? What did you try on? How did it make you feel?

New Year's Challenge: Buy something totally unexpected that you love but would never buy “in a million years” – AND WEAR IT!

3. Explore Color

What colors are you attracted to? For most people, their color preferences change based on their mood and the time of year.

Most of us have the basics we need – navy, black, gray and brown. But they need to be punched up with accent colors to be more exciting.

By wearing colors you love, you will not only look updated but you will feel a definite lift in your spirits! Wearing color has been proven time and again to be extremely powerful mood enhancer.

New Year's Challenge: Find an accent color or two that you like and buy a few pieces in the same shade (i.e., berry red, fuchsia, forest green, etc). Try a turtle neck, a winter scarf, gloves, hat, long-sleeve tee, purse, or even a camisole in your shade.

(Please only wear a couple pieces at the same time or the matchy-matchy police will arrest you.)

4. Update your Accessories, Shoes, and Hair

The easiest and most budget-friendly way to update your wardrobe is with accessories. Try a funky necklace or bracelet. Or look for a hot new handbag (ask the sales associate what's in and they will point you in the right direction).

I tend to buy a lot of my fun accessories at Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe.

Or buy a colorful pair of boots!

Another place many people get stuck is with their eyeglasses – only changing when their prescription changes. Don’t do this! Invest in new eyeglasses (stores always have deals!) even if your prescription still works for you. Or change your hair a little - get highlights or lowlights if you've never tried them before. Or change your hairstyle – if only slightly.

New Year's Challenge: Buy one new accessory or make one makeup or hair tweak every week. Write these down in a small notebook. Over the year, you will see how you’ve evolved. It’s really rewarding and will set the stage for further change and style (and life) victories!

***

Remember that just as you change and evolve as a person, your style should grow and change right along with you. Don't use this as a one-time fix. Make time for yourself at least once every season and give yourself time to explore what the stores are offering and decide what the next version of YOU should look like.

Gentle steps out of your comfort zone will not only help you break free from your style rut, but will set the stage for success in other facets of your life as well!

Wishing you a happy and stylish 2010!!!

Tomato Veggie Soup (vegan)

2009-12-14T18:20:00.003-04:00

I've been a vegetarian since I was 8 years old, with varying levels of success. I don't really cook much, but I threw together this soup a few months ago and now I make a pot of it every week and it's totally yummy. The breakthrough came from watching the Food Network, when I saw Giada De Laurentiis put a soup in the blender. What a novel idea! It was just what I needed to know to create this soup.

Ingredients

2 cartons low sodium veggie stock (I like Full Circle)

1 large red bell pepper

1 bunch of celery

Carrots (I use all different sizes and shapes, so judge for yourself)

1/4 sweet onion

3 cloves of garlic (pressed)

2 tbsp olive oil

1 can tomato paste

1 can Great Northern beans

(put in strainer and run water over them to remove excess sodium)

1 tsp sea salt
Fresh pepper

Dried Spices:

cumin, thyme, basil, parsley, Spike All-Purpose Seasoning

Optional: Tabasco sauce, crushed red pepper & cayenne pepper (I am crazy for hot stuff), 1tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce, 1 veggie bouillon cube (I like Maggi - if you add this, add 2 extra cups of water)

Starting with a big soup pot, on medium heat, put olive oil in the bottom and add chopped onion and pressed garlic. Sautee for a few minutes, stirring and coating the bottom of the pot with oil.

Next, add chopped celery, chopped red pepper, chopped carrots and sea salt. Allow to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add one carton of veggie stock and turn heat up to med-high. Let cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Keep on med-high heat, add the other container of vegetable stock. Add Great Northern beans. Season to taste. Cook for about an hour.

Turn off heat and let soup sit, uncovered, for about 45 minutes.

Take out blender and a large storage bowl with lid. Fill blender halfway with soup, blend to a smooth consistency (can be more chunky if you choose). Pour soup into storage bowl. Continue doing this until finished and store the soup in the fridge.

I have also prepared the following separately and added to soup when I felt like it: white rice, quinoa, extra firm tofu

Try it and let me know what you think!

Stand Up & ReBoot

2009-12-10T22:09:00.009-04:00

As I was grudgingly going through my boot collection in preparation for Jack Frost hitting the Midwest this week, I remembered a helpful tip I learned a few years ago.

We're all looking for ways to reuse, renew and recycle these days, so here's a way to recycle your old magazines and keep your tall boots in shape.

It's simple. Roll up a magazine (I like "meatier" mags like Vogue or O) and put one in each boot.

The boots will stand at attention ready for you, whether you wear them on a daily basis or need to store them during the warmer months.

This technique is a far more reasonable alternative to pricey boot trees:

If you look at this the way I do (and I really hope you don't), the money saved on buying boot trees will allow you to BUY MORE BOOTS!

Mmmm.....warmer months........

Stop taunting me, Atlantis commericals.

I may just have to take you up on a winter mini-vacay.

I'm ready for it after a day and a half.

What a whiner!

2009-11-30T11:34:00.039-04:00

For me, two things are guaranteed every holiday season:

One, I will buy a ton of pretty wrapping paper and ribbons, even though I already have enough in the basement to wrap Christmas gifts from now until I am 80.

And two, I will gain a sleighful of new clients who call or email me in the midst of a major party-related wardrobe meltdown.

Inexplicably, average women who otherwise have their closets in order, who know how to shop and put outfits together, seem to be the ones most prone to this seasonal phenomenon.

Holiday fashion freakouts can reveal themselves in many forms. Time and again, I see women panicking from a year’s worth of weight gain and the discovery that their standard go-to party clothes no longer fit. Others feel puzzled about unusual (and sometimes downright bizarre) dress code recommendations for holiday parties. And some need an overwhelming number of different outfits to attend a variety of events, from their kids’ Christmas pageants to their own and their spouse’s work parties, plus casual clothing for home parties and a glitzy New Years Eve out.

Indeed, holiday parties can be the gift that keeps on giving, and sometimes not in a good way.

Anytime a client of mine has a wardrobe meltdown – whether related to the holidays or not - it is my goal to make sure it never happens again. As Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (Although I wonder if old Ben could have imagined his advice would one day relate to a battery-powered light-up cowboy Santa lassoing a cactus sweater.)

And you thought I was joking

As we’re getting ready for the year’s biggest party season, here are a few ways that we can all avoid celebration-induced trauma in our own closets.

1. Know what you have

There is no time like the present (ooh, presents! ok, I need to focus here) to take stock of what you already own. Try on each piece of your holiday wardrobe. A few questions to ask yourself:

Does each piece fit?

Is the outfit appropriate for the event?

And most importantly, is it consistent with my current style?

If you answered “no” to any of the above, you may want to re-evaluate that item of clothing or the outfit as a whole.

Additional questions include:

Who is going to see me in it?

Who has already seen me in it?

Some women are highly sensitive to being seen in the same outfit twice or more. Others are not. You will have to answer that question for yourself. While some women focus on having a lot of different clothing options, others prefer to have a few quality pieces. It’s a matter of preference.

2. Resist the temptation to take the easy way out

I have been to many Christmas parties that are filled with women wearing a festive red sweater and black pants. Sometimes the path of least resistance ends in Boringtown, ladies. Even if the sweater is sparkly and embellished, it can still be considered a “uniform.” Change it up a little – even if you pair that same sweater with a black skirt and patterned tights.

3. Be like Santa – Make a List

If you are very social or have a lot of activities happening around the holidays, make a list of all the events you will be attending. Next to each event, make a general note about what you plan to wear. This can mean anything from a sweater and jeans for a party at a friend’s house to an evening gown for New Years. And then put a check next to any event that you are entirely prepared to attend. As you prepare outfits, hang them together in your closet. You may even want to hang your accessories in a freezer bag over the hanger, so all the elements of your outfit are in one spot when you need them.

4. Learn to decipher the dress code

I get an unbelievable number of calls, emails and even tweets from people all year long asking what various dress codes mean. I will give you my secret for knowing what to tell everyone: If the dress code is new to me, I google it. At least it gives me an idea of what is intended. And if that doesn’t work (I am still wondering what “warehouse chic” is), simply call the party’s host or hostess and ask. That way, you will never feel uncomfortable at an event because you are over- or underdressed.

5. Don’t run out and buy something new!

This is the ultimate fashion freakout, and trust me, we’ve all been there. If you know what you have and what you need early enough, you won’t have any reason to panic. Some of the basics I keep on hand are a black cocktail dress, a navy cocktail dress, long black tiered skirt and a new skirt (top left) I bought the other day at Target, of all places!

I was imagining all the different ways I can wear it:

With a red cardigan or a black tuxedo jacket, or a ruffled white shirt or a blazer if I am attending a business function. I know it’s a piece I will be able to wear for years and I can’t wait to have fun with it!

If you have a number of basic pieces, sometimes all you need are chandelier earrings or a fabulous necklace or brooch to look both festive AND fashionable! And isn’t that more sensible and far less expensive than buying a whole new ensemble?

And finally, I know all of you know this, but please leave the tacky Santa, reindeer and snowman sweaters to people attending kitschy ugly sweater parties. We all have far too much self-respect to wear them in the real world!

Unless, of course, your name is Mark Darcy. In that case, you have my permission to wear them all you want.

*swoon*

I have a problem

2009-11-16T13:36:00.009-04:00

Yes, I'm a Cleveland Browns fan.

And I have the clothing and accessories to prove it.

Clearly, this is an abusive relationship, but at least it allows me to shop.

How to invest in shoe booties

2009-11-12T12:22:00.011-04:00

Hi Kristen! I have a seasonal fashion question for you (I know you can help): I want a pair of shoe booties but I don't know what to buy. I want to get the most for my money and wear them with skinny jeans AND casual dresses/skirts... Any suggestions?

My best advice is to treat buying a fun but basic item like booties just like buying a basic pair of pumps.

First, choose a color that will match tights and the majority of your skirts and pants - preferably black or brown - whatever you tend to wear more. Either color goes with denim.

Do you like suede or leather? I prefer the look of suede over leather, but it has to be treated very carefully, so that is a consideration. You will also want to purchase a bootie without a lot of decoration. The less embellishment on them, the more versatile they will be and the more outfits you can wear them with. Sounds like you want to make them an investment piece, so we want to make sure you get a good return on that investment.

I suggest buying booties without a cuff or ruching, both of which can make your ankle and calf look thicker. The sleeker the transition from leg to boot, the slimmer your leg will look.

Open-toe booties or ones with cutouts are trendy, but not practical for the cold, of course. Even with tights on, who wants soggy toes?!

Here are some to think about.

Nordstrom - Enzo Angiolini 'Kaleb'

Macys - Meyer Ankle Boot (Max Studio)

Zappos.com - Joan & David / Hartman

The cuff on this one does the opposite of a thick horizontal ankle cuff. It will actually make your leg look longer and slimmer!

Or you can throw caution to the wind and go for some serious shoe candy!

Agh! To die for.....

Happy 90th Birthday to My Gram!

2009-11-10T11:35:00.022-04:00

My grandma, Helen Jasin, affectionately called "Gram" for most of my life, was born in a tiny town in southwestern PA called Fairchance. What started out as a rather conventional childhood took a detour when her dad passed away from a ruptured appendix when she was only seven years old. She then watched her mother waste away for a couple more years after until she died “from a broken heart.”

Gram and her younger sister Ann went to live with their maternal grandparents - Polish immigrants who already had a houseful of kids.

When she was ten years old, the stock market crashed. She often says what kept her grandparents’ large family from being destitute was the fact they owned a small store attached to their house.

Her Aunt Blanche was nine years her senior (and still alive at age 99) and took Gram under her wing. As Gram often reminisces, Blanche is the one who bought her graduation dress for her and then took her to live in South Florida for three years after she graduated.

Gram & Me (age 3) - I wanted her in the picture too!

While Blanche stayed in Florida, Gram moved to Cleveland. She was at a wedding one night with friends when she met a shy young man, who later turned out to be my Gramp.

They were married and then my mom was born. Aunt Carol followed a few years later. Early in their marriage, they resided in East Cleveland, but later moved to Wickliffe in Lake County, and Gram still lives in the same house they shared for 50 years.

It amazes me that despite having a very rough life growing up, Gram is the most well-adjusted person I have ever met. In this age of everyone seemingly being on antidepressant medication, life coaches around every corner, and so many people in therapy, it IS possible to have a long, happy and uncomplicated life without any of that.

My Gram has always been my biggest supporter and confidante, the greatest listener one could ever imagine, as well as the kindest and most humble soul in the world. I love when she laughs – because she sounds like Barney Rubble and that makes me laugh too.

Gram and Gramp were married for 62 years and Gramp passed away earlier this year, leaving a huge hole in all of our lives.

Because they were so important to each other for so many years, we were worried about how Gram would handle losing Gramp. Either she was going to crumble - or she would make it without him. It has been a difficult road for sure, but she has handled it surprisingly well. Perhaps it is because she learned to deal with unspeakable loss so early in life. She may seem meek and gentle, but underneath is the spirit of a survivor – further evidence can be found in the fact that she lived through breast cancer and has had diabetes for many years now.

Other random Gram facts:

She never learned to drive, she has a blue parakeet named Chippy, she loves the Home Shopping Network and QVC (and has a big jewelry box full of rings to prove it – that was a passing phase though). She enjoys pina coladas and Mounds bars (as you guessed, not great for the diabetes!), baseball, Petti’s Restaurant and Papa Joe's subs down the street.

She especially loves gardening. She has the greenest thumb I have ever seen. She is a nurturing personality, which can best be seen when her yard is in full bloom in mid-Summer.

Gram's Yard, Summer 2009

Her favorite exclamations are “man alive” and “geezooey” (spelled phonetically since I have no idea if that is even a word other people say). I think where other people might swear, Gram says man alive or geezooey.

Today, on her 90^th birthday, Gram slept in, is getting her toenails clipped at the podiatrist (what everyone should do on such a momentous occasion!) and will be going to “some Bones place” for dinner with the family. I assume she meant Smokey Bones :)

Oh, and she doesn’t want to think about her birthday!

Women: The best way to carry business cards

2009-11-08T18:08:00.014-04:00

A wise image consultant once gave me a great bit of advice: Instead of using one of those tiny little metal business card holders, carry your cards in a decorative cigarette case.

But the question is: Since the glamorous heyday of smoking is long gone, where can you find them?

Cigar stores are few and far between nowadays. Sometimes you can find them in vintage or antique stores if you enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I ordered my antique silver case on ebay for about $10.

What made me think of this today is that I actually saw stylish cigarette cases at a store that is accessible to most of the U.S. - teenybopperish mall accessories store, ICING.

The difference between a cigarette case and a traditional metal business card case is the depth. When I used the monogrammed business card case I was given when I started my business, I was constantly replenishing my cards. If I was going to a big networking event, I had to find another place to stash extra cards where they wouldn't bend or warp. What an inconvenience.

There is also room in a cigarette case for your cards on one side and the cards you collect from others on the opposite side. So you won't ever have to worry about how you carry around business cards again.

For business women, it also adds to your professional image to have an attractive and easily accessible place for your cards. The other benefit is that you aren't just throwing the cards you collect into your bag (which is what I often did - VERY BAD - and disrespectful!).

My one question that remains after seeing cigarette cases in a mainstream store...

Is the ICING store trying to make smoking cool again? Or encourage more women to go into business? Hmmmm....

Fishnets: Not just for Dr. Frank-N-Furter

2009-10-19T10:06:00.009-04:00

When it's chilly outside, I tend to wear skirts with tall boots quite a bit. I'm not a huge fan of tights. If it were up to me, I would just run around with bare legs all fall and winter (and flip-flops too!). But that would be silly and I would get sick.

Over the last few years, the unexpected solution to this dilemma has been fishnet stockings.

In the past, if I couldn't find a pair of tights that matched a skirt or boots perfectly, I wouldn't wear the outfit. For instance, I have a plum corduroy skirt that I love and wanted desperately to wear. Good luck finding a matching shade of tights though. I hunted all over the U.S. and part of Canada and found none. The other usual go-to shades, black or brown, also weren't quite right. Neither were 'just a little off' colors like purple or burgundy. The only answer that made sense was nude-colored fishnets and tan boots.

They worked so perfectly that I had an epiphany: When nothing else works, fishnets are sometimes the answer. They increase one's cold weather dressing options immensely.

I know that they have a questionable past. Most people think of ladies of the evening. To me, they have always brought to mind misfits from midnight showings of Rocky Horror.

Just a sweet transvestite...

But that has all changed as they've become so readily available in so many shapes, colors, styles and sizes. Fishnet stockings don’t have to match your skirt or boot precisely, but they should work to blend the two together so that your legs are covered and they don’t attract unwanted attention. Think of them more as a finishing point (working in unison with the other pieces you’re wearing to complete your outfit) than as focal point to draw the eye down to your legs. Unless you want that, of course ;)

Here are a few pointers:
1. They work best with a skirt that ends just at or right above the knee. They are also fine with long skirts. Wear fishnets with a miniskirt at your own risk.

2. I prefer to wear them with knee-high boots - pairing with pumps is okay too. I'm not a big fan of wearing fishnets with sandals for dressy occasions, but with peeptoes, they are fine.

3. If your outfit is “busy”, go for plain tights. If you want to wear fishnets, the more basic the outfit, the better. If you want to wear them with a print, see #4.

4. The tighter the fishnet weave , the more they look like a solid from far away. Smaller patterns are also dressier.

5. Try to match either your hemline color or boot as well as possible for a seamless transition

And a few words of warning:
* Make sure they don’t have a seam up the back for obvious reasons.
* Medium or small sized patterns work best.
* If they get a hole in them, they must be discarded. No holey fishnets.
* Don’t opt for thigh-highs.
* And NEVER buy your fishnets in a Halloween store!