Sparkles, Glitter, and Glam

New Year's Eve is upon us and what can be more exciting than having an excuse to cover yourself in shiny, fun, fab attire! I usually rock a pretty classic look but I'm definitely partial to sparkles. I can't help it. I love adding that touch of unexpected funkiness to an ensemble.

New Year's Eve is the PERFECT time to really step outside your comfort zone and kick it up a notch. There are so many options out there right now that are adorned with sequin, rhinestone, and metallic thread details. Sometimes the glare of said outfits can be daunting and scary, but don't be a wuss, try them on and give it a whirl....girl!

If you just can't bring yourself to wear a sequin dress or funky shirt, remember your options. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Silky smoothe. Use different materials like satin pants, a velvet jacket, or sequin vest to jazz up your outfit. The classic Tux look is SO in right now and it's flattering on most body types. A nice jacket can take and outfit from 'meh' to 'my word!' in an instant. Add a pop of color with your shoes or purse and you're set, my dear.
2. A touch of class with a dash of sass. There is nothing wrong with a plain dress or pant/top combo. Look for a cool statement piece necklace or a few necklaces that you can wear together to pump it up, just make sure they are different lengths if you are going with a combo look. P.S. it's okay to mix metals: gold, silver, bronze, rose gold. The more the merrier, especially on NYE!
3. Don't forget about those gams! Haven't had a chance to get that last minute spray tan (mine is scheduled for Friday;) and feel a bit pasty? No sweat. Find some great fish nets or even bring back that sexy Mad Men secretary look with some back-seamed hose or perhaps a row of rhinestones. Patterned hosiery/tights are huge right now. Just remember, if you have a thicker, athletic stem, go for a smaller pattern.
4. Fascinate the crowds with a Fascinator! Take a cue from the fancy English folk and don a fun topper. Weather permitting, a really great hat with some flair would be totally appropriate. Just make sure it's cohesive with the rest of your look. A hat with a full sequined dress is not cohesive:-)
5. About Face. You know that glittery palette you have in your makeup set that never really gets touched b/c I mean, how many fancy events does one have that requires a sparkly eye? Well, this is the night to pull out all the stops and pump up those peepers. You can either go with a dramatic eye and neutral lip or emulate Ms. Marilyn with her soft eye color and red hot lips. Take it one step further and try on some fake eyelashes. They have colors, feathers, and rhinestone selections that will make everyone say "turn around bright eyes". This is the night you have a legit excuse to walk on the wild side.

As of yet, I haven't assembled my entire look but I bought this dress a few weeks ago that will be the base. You might think "hmph, simple and black. how un-fun." Have no fear fashionistas, I'll sugar it up.  Don't you worry!

I know NYE can be a chore and it's hard to get excited every year but dig deep, get motivated, and arm yourself with sparkles and glam. After all, you never know who you might end up smooching. Cheers to you!

Love and shoes,

Kim

Failure in the Fitting Room

Well my darling fashionistas, I just returned from one of THE most miserable shopping trips of my life. My company dinner is coming up in a week and I thought I'd go out and pick up a new dress. Maybe something with some sparkle and flare, or perhaps something classy and timeless. I didn't have a look in mind, I just wanted something fun. Well, the shopping gods had another plan for me today and apparently it was to see how far they could push me before I had a full on adult temper tantrum in the middle of the Nordstrom dress section.

I mean when I telll you I tried on dress after dress, I'm not lying. It could have qualified as a shoppers workout. The lovely Nordstrom associate even brought some dresses in to try but nothing was workin' it...well, there was one but it was $250, of course, and I just wasn't looking to spend that on a Christmas party dress. Look, I'll be honest, I've put on a few, we'll call them 'holiday', pounds but it was unreal how bad these dresses looked. Many of the styles that are popular right now are a straight fit which if you know me, is not exactly tailored for my shape. Yeah, I have some tush and I'm not about to walk around in a dress that looks like sausage casing. Yikes!

However ladies, I have to say that in a dark, torturous time like this it's very important not to fall off the deep end and drown yourself in ice cream or whatever your treat of choice might be. Just go home, take a few days off, and give yourself some time to get ramped up for another shopping extravaganza. We all have these days where nothing fits or if it does, you look like death. It just happens and there is no freakin' explanation for it. You have to remember it shall pass and you'll have shopping luck again, usually when you least expect it. I usually have mine when I'm shopping for someone else or my bank account is a little light:-(

I'll be honest. I was upset, came home, and went straight to the sink to take out my frustration on the dishes. "Yeah, dirty dishes, take that!" My sister came home and asked how it went and I immediately responded with a curt "TERRIBLE! I'M FAT! NOTHING FITS!" Not the most rational of responses but those dresses and fitting room mirrors hurt my feelings. Hmph!

So, here I am blogging about my experience to get it off my chest and let it go. I just have to accept this tragic day and try again. That's all you can do. Shopping success is both unpredictable and precious. When you are on a streak you almost want to keep riding the wave because who knows when it's going to end! Just remember those times of success when you are about to have a meltdown from a self-esteem crushing trip. Find comfort in knowing you're not the only one and, it's just a shopping trip. Worse things can happen. Just think of people in the 80s when they had to sift through tiered skirts and puffy sleeves hoping to find something that offset their big hair and sky-high bangs. Eeesh. 

Ladies, I hope this helps in some small way. I love to shop and I love the hunt but even I have my craptastic days where I just want to throw in the towel and write off shopping forever, but then I take a nap and snap back to reality. Some advice for those cursed days, hit the shoe section. You'll always find a little 'happy' in that department;-)

Love and shoes,
Kim  

Scarf it up!

A friend of mine shared this video with me and I'm in love! Now that we are approaching windy weathers with brisk temps (hopefully soon!) we need to be fully armed with the most current of fall fashion trends!

Have you ever whipped out your scarf and thought to yourself "how many ways CAN you wrap a scarf?" Well, wonder no more. I have the answers, ladies, and it's 25!!!

Watch the video below and get ready to have your mind blown...when it comes to scarves:-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=d0Ugkc05l24

My faves are The Bunny Ear, The Magic Trick, and The Braid. What are yours?

Love and shoes,
Kim

Two is better than one

Sad news day in the shoe world for me. I think ('think' only because it's too hard for me to fully commit to tossing them in the trash) I have come to the end of the road with my favorite pair of black pumps. I know! You're saying "what? why? I can't believe this news. How are you going to cope!" 

I actually went through two pairs of this shoe, one in black patent and one in black leather. I had to part with the black patent ones about two years ago and now, the time has come for the leather pair. *TEAR* I have had them resoled and reheeled in order to squeeze as much life out of these kicks. I LOVE this shoe and everything about it. It is simple, comfortable, and went with everything. I've been on the hunt for a replacement pair for a while know b/c I could foresee what was on the horizon, but I haven't had any luck finding a pair that can compare. 

This goes to show, ladies, if/when you find the perfect black pump, buy two pair (or possibly three!). I wish I had snagged another pair but alas, they don't make the style anymore...and believe me, I've checked on amazon, ebay, nextag, etc. I even did one more search this morning. It was a total bust.

Hear me now, a great pair of black pumps is a crucial 'must-have' and I am just devestated that mine are kaput! But have no fear. I'll go on. After I get through the mourning stage of these stems, I'll regain the strength and focus to get out there again and look for my next fab black pump. However, none of them will be able to replace the Nine West Luceros. UNLESS, someone wants to donate to the Christian Louboutin dream shoe fund;-)

Ah well, a girl can dream. *sigh*

I thank you for humoring me on this melodramatic post. I realize it's not late, breaking, national news, but if there was ever a place to rant and rave about your favorite pair of shoes, this is the spot, and I welcome it!

Love and (the perfect pair of black) shoes,
Kim

Hats off to those with flair...and my best friend, Meg

Well, we are at the foyer of fall and it's time to get your wardrobes ramped up for the 2 months of cold weather we will experience here in HTX.

I've never really been a fan of fall/winter clothing. I'm much more of a sundress/sandals kind of gal, but I'm starting to form a better appreciation for this season and it's fashion as well. Aside from the typical sweaters, coats, and jeans we all arm ourselves with, my faves, of course, are the accessories. I love me a scarf/hat combo with some cute gloves to top it all off, now I just need the weather for them!

Other than fall, the Royal Wedding kicked off a hat/fascinator frenzie, and my best friend, Meg, turned to me for advice on etiquette regarding these toppers.

First things is first, if you are wearing a fascinator, it stays on. You don't need to remove it when indoors or even inside a Church. Just think of it as an extension of your hairstyle!

Now hats are another story. Women don't necessarily follow the same rules as men, however, being the sophisticated ladies we are, there are a few standards we need to uphold. Lucky for us, the rules have relaxed a bit since the 20th century!

In general, you should remove your hat if you are going to work, if your hat is blocking someone's view, or if you are in a place of worship. If you are shopping, catching some lunch with friends, or going out to a bar, these are more casual events thus it being acceptable to leave the hat on.

My advice to anyone is if you feel inappropriate, chances are, you should remove your topper. Just be considerate to your surroundings, the event, and to other people.

This blog post is dedicated to and inspired by my beautiful friend and birthday girl, Meagan, who took a step in the fashion forward direction recently and not only bought herself a hat, but donned it to work one day. She snapped a photo of her new fabulous accessory. Doesn't she look radiant and Parisian?!

Happy Birthday, Best Friend! I hope you have a fabulous birthday filled with style, love, and plenty of delicious cake.

My hats off to you today and forever!

Love and shoes,

Kim

Mixin' and Matchin'

I've been at the malls quite a bit recently and I feel the need to comment on the new trend of mixing patterns. One word: LOVE. If done correctly, you will be embarking on a whole new edgy, creative, and unique look.

The whole trick to mixing is to have a color in both patterns that serves as an anchor and ties the whole look together. Polka dots and stripes, stripes with a floral, leopard with polka dots, leopard with floral, and the list goes on. It opens your wardrobe and offers more options without even taking a step into the mall. For instance, you have a flowy tank top that is black with white rosettes and some red piping. Take a black and white striped blazer with some jeans or a cute skirt and you've got yourself a winning mix and match outfit. Or you want a new take on your work clothes. If you have pants with a small plaid pattern you can mix it with a floral top or even a bold stripe. Adorable!

Some people think this trend is ridiculous, but I think they just don't know how to execute the look. Let me break it down in a different light. Think about your home furnishings. When you pick out patterns for couches and chairs, you don't normally have everything in the entire room the same color and pattern. If you do, you are probably the same person that doesn't understand this trend and most likely won't try it.

My advice, as with any trend, is to start small, slow, and get advice from a trusted friend. You don't want to end up like the sales associate at Langford Market who styled herself within an inch of her life with every pattern she could find in her closet. This is the extreme and shouldn't be mimicked. If you have a patterned shirt in your closet, possibly a gingham button up, look at your scarves and see if you have anything that will blend like a paisly or floral print. Remember, the key is to look for a color that flows in both pieces. You can do this, ladies! I have fashion faith in you!

As a side note, this trend reminds me of every little girl between the ages of I-can-dress-myself and junior high. They just get up and put on any shirt with any bottom because they love it and now as adults, we're doing the same thing. Who knew we had cutting edge fashion ideas at the age of 5?

Be creative. Be unique. Be you with a patterned flare....if you dare;-)

Love and shoes,
Kim

Shop till you drop!

This past weekend I took my good friend (and first official client!), Amanda, on a shopping extravaganza. I'm not kidding. It was a 5.5 hour shopping event. I get on a tangent and can't be stopped until you pump the breaks for me.

This trip came on the heels of our Great Closet Purge of 2011. You see, Amanda is married to this lovely man, Andrew, who hired me for her birthday to do a closet audit and personal shopping trip. I think it's only fair since she was the one who gave birth to their adorable son, Jack.

Amanda found herself in a position a lot of mommies find themselves in: Post-Baby Mystery Body. I've never had a baby, much to my mother's chagrin, but I've had a lot of friends who have and they've basically described it as waking up one day in someone else's body. You don't necessarily know how to dress it nor do you want to. Change is hard for anybody, especially after having a baby. You want your pre-baby body back but the unfair tragedy is that it doesn't come back over night and the fact is you need clothes in the meantime that fit and make you feel good about yourself, no matter what size. Unless, of course, you are Gisele Bunchen. She should be tarred, feathered, and nibbled to death by ducks. But let's not get sidetracked.

Amanda is a beautiful, young, new mommy who is working on getting back to her pre-baby size but needed some clothing that fit her NOW and is stylish to boot. Her main request was jeans, pants, and casual attire for a quick trip to the grocery or a few drinks with friends. Mission Accepted!

We hit the mall and we hit it hard. We were taking no prisoners and the sales associates saw us coming a mile away when we had stacks of clothing that needed to be brought to the dressing rooms. I got a little attitude from the fitting room attendant at Express but HE can get over himself. Let the record show I'm a very polite dressing room attendee. I hang up all clothing items and fold what needs to be folded. So there! (insert face with tongue sticking out).  

We started at LOFT. I know it might seem a little square but I was strictly thinking about pants. I've had luck there a few times before but I have to admit it's hit or miss. Saturday was a miss. I don't know what the deal is but apparently they think women like to wear their pants up around their boobs? I don't think so. After we were done there we went to Express where they apparently think women, or tweens, like to wear their pants right above their lady parts. Again, I don't think so. We did find some great deals in the Sale section. She ended up getting some cute casual navy rolled crops, white straight leg pants, and two tops. Our next stop was Gap where we hit the motherload for jeans. I have to hand it to Gap. They seem to have a wide selection of styles and appreciate the curves of a woman. Thank you! She ended up getting two pairs of jeans, one pair of black casual pants, and some tailored shorts that can be carried into fall with the addition of some tights! Score!

Our last stop of the day was at Macy's. At this point Amanda had tried on about 2,000 pairs of jeans and was nearing the end of her rope. We managed to squeeze in one more fitting room session and found a great skirt and two tops. She mentioned the golden word 'shoes' but once we made our way over to the shoe section, it was time to call it a day. Like I said, I get on a roll and must be told when to stop!

The main highlights of this shopping session were to find great looking clothes that made Amanda feel sassy again and to also retrain her brain into trying on new styles, colors, brands, etc. If you want to beef up your wardrobe you have to be willing to swim in the deep end and take some chances. You have to pack your patience and try things on! There are very few of us, if any if we're being totally honest, that can just buy off the rack. I always stress that you shouldn't purchase something if it doesn't make you feel good, or better yet, fabulous! However, don't turn your nose up at something if it just needs a little tailoring. A quick hem or taking in the waist is not the end of the world. Also, don't get stuck on 'styles'. People say "oh that's not me" or "I would look silly in that!" and it's just not true. Don't pigeon hole yourself into a certain style. Be willing to explore. Amanda was a great sport, had an open mind, and in the end, purchased some great items. I must admit, I still have a few ideas in mind
for her;-)

Remember, building your wardrobe is an ongoing process. Think of it as a revolving door. You must purge and reload. Keep it fresh but also stocked with go-to items that you can throw on and dress up in a pinch.

For those of you that are visual, photos of her treasures will be coming soon. Stay tuned, fashionistas!

Love and shoes,
Kim

When the Sales Align

Sometimes in the world of shopping, the Fashion Gods smile down on you when you least expect it. You won't know of the reason, so just put on your most comfortable shoes and run with it!

Yesterday I woke to a note from my sister saying she wanted to do some light shopping. I, of course, was on board 100%. She didn't want to spend a lot of money but wanted to get some cute items that she could wear out and about, whether it be a trendy bar or just a fun dinner with friends. We decided to go to Express and Forever 21. Forever 21 you say? Yep. When it comes to fashion, you can't always put your nose up to low-priced clothing. Sure they probably won't last as long as say a Calvin Klein or Michael Kors top, but they are great for getting something trendy without breaking the bank.

After finding a parking spot on the very top floor of the garage, or the surface of the sun as I like to call it, we got our mindset in order. The mall can be very intimidating and annoying on a weekend, but for some reason, it's more bearable with a funny buddy to get you through the crowds. We walked into Express and started to case the joint. There were sale signs everywhere so it was just a matter of getting a dressing room so we could start the fitting room fashion show. You know, where you are in side-by-side dressing rooms giving each other a play by play on what's going on with your current item then opening the door and looking at each other to give your opinions. Usually, it's either "oh that's cute!" or "I mean, it's not bad" If you get the latter of the two, put it back and move on.

Katie, my sister, was set on some white jeans but the cut of the waist was just a little ridiculous. I'm not sure why ultra low is even an option. They fit like a glove but she wasn't sold on having her waistband sitting just above her lady parts. She decided on a charcoal shirt with a silk front and some dark skinny jeans while I settled on some great pants for work and a sparkly top (can't wait to rock it someday soon!) We saw the signs for tops that read "Buy one get one 50% off" so I added her shirt to my pile to save a few bucks. We make our way to the register and my items, two tops and a pair of pants, came to $110. I see the sales associate whip out a coupon from underneath the counter, which I later referred to as 'the magic card from Heaven', and voila! My total dropped to $68!! Katie and I looked at each other with eyes as big as saucers but didn't say a word in fear we'd jinx it. Katie was up to bat and she also got 'the magic card from Heaven'. When we were walking out of the store we were like "what just happened?!?! should we look for more stuff!?!" But we didn't, we pressed on to the next store.

Katie was bummed about her white jeans and still wanted a pair so I suggested Gap. I new they had a wide selection of fits and colors. When we arrived, the white jeans were all sectioned off at the front of the store as if they knew we were coming. They were all on sale, but more importantly, on sale for $11! Yeah, eleven freaking AMERICAN dollars. She tried them on and loved them. She got the LAST pair in her size and length. We were at the register on a high from finding not only a pair of WHITE jeans that looked great but also for a price that you can't beat with a stick. The sales associate scanned the tag and the total came out to...wait for it....$6.67! WHAT! I was so shocked my knees buckled and I jokingly asked "are we in India?" Katie just stood there with her mouth open and laughed in disbelief. I mean, it's like they were paying her to take the jeans off their hands!

Again, we walked out happy like we just won another medal at the shopping Olympics. Gold, of course. So if you're keeping tabs, that makes a cute new top and awesome white jeans for Katie. But what's an outfit without accessories? Forever 21 was a few doors down so we ran in there to see if they had any cheap, cute options to offer. I love this place for accessories b/c by the time they've fallen apart or lost their luster, I'm usually over the piece and I'm only out $7-$10 bucks at the most. We found a multi-colored, multi-strand necklace with knot detail. It was perfect and only $7. Sold! We figured that her yellow or green wedges would be the perfect pop of color to top off this outfit. All in all, she got an entire outfit for $35 and it all started with a $17 charcoal shirt from Express. She felt great, looked amazing, and got compliments to boot!

The only thing more satisfying about new clothes and accessories is new, low-priced clothes and accessories. The sales aligned and we reaped the benefits.

The malls might be intmidating, but if you never give them a chance, you'll never be blessed by the Fashion Gods either. So buck up and give it a try every once in a while. You never know what treasures await you.

Love and shoes,
Kim

Let's Play Dress Up

Remember when you were younger and would spend hours playing dress up in your mom's closet, or if you were lucky enough, pretty hand-me-downs or store-bought princess dresses? I personally enjoyed pairing my mom's high heels with her night gowns. Sure they were a little risque, but they still looked fabulous!

What made me hit the blog board on this topic was just a relaxing saturday afternoon thinking about the rest of my day and what I'm going to wear. I have a baby shower and a birthday party and I'm equally excited about picking out an outfit for both! Strange? Weird? Obsessive? NO! Passionate is the word you're looking for.

Some people love a good Sunday morning crossword puzzle to challenge themselves whereas I prefer solving a fashion emergency or a dinner-date dilemma. And it's not about buying new outfits either. I'm not rushing out to buy a new dress or top for either of these events. Well, okay, that's a lie. I did buy a cute yellow gingham button up from Old Navy that I'm thinking of wearing with my white cuffed shorts and tan slingbacks, but it's not like I've thought about it that much;-)

Like I was saying, it's not always about spending more money on new clothes but looking at your closet and mixing and matching your current wardrobe to create a whole new ensemble! This is playing dress up as adults! Put the fun back into getting dressed. If you have an idea about a new look, go try it on. If it doesn't work, that's okay! The fact that you got your creative juices flowing is a total step in the fashion forward direction. People get so stuck in the 'these-shorts-go-with-this-shirt-mode' and that's just not so. Get your closet organized so you can SEE what you actually have in stock (i can personally help you with this if need be) and then get reacquainted with your clothes.

Wake up the little girl inside and dress yourself up. When we were little we never looked in the mirror and picked apart all of our imperfections. We piled on the clothes, pearls, hats, and shoes and enjoyed every rhinestone-filled minute of it. Putting effort and pride in the way you look is an extension of self respect. Show the world that you love yourself AND your wardrobe just as you did when you were younger.

We may not always be nice, but I still believe we're made of sugar and spice. Get those fashion temps rising with your new clothing concoctions and work the runway of life!

Love and shoes,
Kim

Just Do You!

Some people use CNN to get their daily news fix. I prefer People.com. I am fully aware that I need to stay abreast of what is happening in the world around me but People speaks MY language! One of their top stories today was Evan Rachel Wood's, 23, new hairdo. If you aren't familiar with this actress, let me refresh your memory. She was the (young) lady who unfortunately dated Marilyn Manson, 42, the seemingly dark, tortured musician who was born Brian Hugh Warren. His act is totally obnoxious and her decision to date him was clearly a momentary lapse in judgment. However, I think it's interesting, and a little sad, that while she was dating Mr. Warren/Manson, she morphed into his world of pale skin and dark clothing. Because he had previously dated Dita Von Teese, who also dresses with a dark burlesque flair, I suppose that's why Evan tried to take a more glam vampire vixen approach to her wardrobe. See the similarity?

Dita Von Teese

Evan Rachel Wood

Thankfully Evan ditched her cocoon of confusion and darkness and has taken a fresh, young look that completely becomes her. It's clean, simple, and beautiful, which is what a 23 year old should look like. I mean, I find it hard to believe that dressing like the princess of darkness is fun, easy, and comfortable! How depressing when you have so much natural beauty to shine onto the world! Here's the picture they featured on People.com:

She is refreshing with a little spunk. I love this look and I hope she continues to blossom down the path of light! This brings me to my point for this blog post: finding who YOU are and just doing YOU.

So many times I see girls/women start taking on the likeness of their boyfriend. What the hell is that about? When did women start taking fashion cues from men!?! We all know what I'm talking about. You've seen couples start to look alike after a few months of dating and it bewilders me when it's the woman transforming to fit the style of the guy. Listen ladies, there is nothing wrong with mixing up your look or trying out a new style, but completely changing how you dress for a man is totally bizarre. They obviously fell for you in the clothes you picked out so why would you abandon that? It also makes me think that a woman who does this isn't confident in herself. Tisk tisk!

When it comes to fashion, you should ALWAYS pick items and outfits that make you feel fabulous and bring out your true personality. Going too far outside the box is so transparent and contrived. It's obvious when you are trying too hard to be something you're not, and that's no way to live. You've all heard that our style is an extension of who we are, and it's actually true. Some people live an edgy lifestyle and their clothes reflect that, while others prefer a more casual, laid back style. There is room for everyone in the world of fashion. If you spend all your time trying to dress like something you're not, you're missing out on your potential and what makes you unique. It's perfectly acceptable to experiment and have fun with fashion, but make sure you have a home base. We can't all be Lady Gagas. Who has the time?!

My message to you is this: when you get dressed and look in the mirror, ask yourself "what does my wardrobe say about me?" If it's not the answer you want, start by looking inside yourself and let the transformation begin from within.

Don't be anybody else. Just do YOU!

Love and shoes,

Kim  

Kudos of the Week!

Poor Serena Williams has had a rough go at fashion. She has an amazing body but doesn't ever seem to know how to dress. It's always as if she is the Hulk busting out of her clothing.

However, today, she has really redeemed herself. I love her hair in this no-fuss-wavy 'do and her pink lipstick is perfect with her skin tone. We should all be green with envy!

My favorite color is green, and she makes me love it even more!

Love and shoes,
Kim:-)

These feet were made for walking...in heels!

This morning as I woke up I thought "today, I think I'll wear flats." This is pretty extraordinary considering I own only 3 pairs of flats (not including flip flops) that have seen the light of day maybe a handful of times. I don't have anything against flats. I think they are adorable with the right outfit; but I can never find a pair that work for my feet. I'm convinced God designed my feet for heels because he already knew about my love affair with beautifully designed footwear. Shoes make me appreciate being a girl. I mean, can you imagine being a boy and only having 3-5 pairs of shoes?!?! What a travesty.

So, like I said, I thought why not use Hump day to give the old treads a rest and walk around fancy free in my pewter flats. Now that I had decided on a pair of shoes, I had to design my outfit around them. I picked out a black sundress with ruffle accent and paired it with a conservative bolero sweater as to adhere to the office dress code. I grabbed some fun, dangle earrings and threw on a delicate silver necklace. The change was definitely an adjustment even as I stood in the kitchen making my breakfast. I felt like I was viewing the world in a whole different way. I thought to myself "so this is what the world looks like from an actual 5' 5" height." I'm so use to starting my day at least three inches taller!

I get to work and am enjoying the fact I can maneuver a bit quicker.  I seem to be shaving off a few seconds of travel time to all my destinations.  How efficient! Right off the bat I noticed my right pinky toe was starting to form a blister. This is normal considering I hadn't worn these shoes in over a year. I put on a Band-Aid and went about my day.  After about an hour of walking back and forth to the printer I had accumulated FIVE Band-Aids on my feet. Five! Let me state, for the record, I have NEVER had to put that many bandages on my feet and this includes when I had to wear pointe shoes in ballet class!

Here is the aftermath when I wear flats:

 

One more for good measure

After today I succumb to the fact that my feet are simply intended for heels. Whether I have trained them to be this way or they were actually designed for height, I can't say. What I can say is that I learned my lesson. I learned it covered in Band-Aids.

This is my solemn vow to all the lovely stems that call my shoe room 'home': I will never stray again. I fell victim to thinking the grass was greener but I was proven wrong. You and me are a match made in Heaven. A heaven where Angels strut their stuff in Louboutins and Jimmy Choos. Hallelujah!

Love and (HIGH) shoes,
Kim

Baubles, Beads, and Beauty

I love jewelry. I love how there are so many different choices, looks, and colors. I love how it can totally transform an outfit from drab to fab. I love how anyone can afford it. Basically, I love everything about it!

Thanks to my cousin, Jenny, I have become obsessed with Elva Fields jewelry, specifically, their necklaces.  I recieved one for Christmas from my mom and will treasure it forever.

Here is a close-up so you can see the vintage brooches.

Emily, owner of Elva Fields, visits local and far-flung markets for unusual vintage and antique pieces. The unique finds are then reconfigured and incorporated in unexpected, timeless designs. Each  piece is handmade and are beautifully crafted which makes them all one-of-a-kind. You will never walk into a room and see someone else wearing the same jewels!

Now that I've had a taste of her beautiful artistry, I find myself checking the website almost once a week. They are always offering fabulous sales or free shipping if you are on the mailing list, which is a must! A week ago I got bit by the Elva Fields bug again. This purple and green beaded necklace with an antique gold brooch caught my eye and there was no turnng back. Being the indecisive woman I am, I had to enlist the help of two of my friends, Kate and Meagan, to make sure I wasn't crazy for wanting this piece. They, of course, didn't skip a beat and convinced me I needed it. I deserved it. The necklace. was. mine!

After two emails of convincing, I quickly went online, made my purchase, and anxiously awaited the arrival of my new addition. The fact that it was on sale was a total bonus! I started checking my mail two days after the transaction was completed and finally, on the fourth day, it arrived! I felt I needed to document the unwrapping ceremony so I could share it with all of you.

Upon opening the box, you'll find your purchase safely enveloped in chartruese paper and monogrammed sticker. Its cheery color adds to the excitement!

Next, you'll see a thoughtfully and tastefully wrapped package:

The anticipatioin grows with each layer.

They take these packages seriously! It's refreshing and lovely.

The one I chose is appropriately named People Person. It took me about 20 seconds to get it around my neck.

Notice the one-of-a-kind brooch adding flare and fabulousness:

This is my "tell me this isn't beautiful" face:

As you can see, I think statement pieces are a great addition to every woman's collection but you don't have to go to a fancy boutique or website to find them. Just keep your peepers peeled for pieces that are unique yet beautiful, timeless yet tasteful, and represent you! However, if you want something special, visit elvafields.com, pick the one that speaks to you, and make a statement...around your neck!

Love and shoes,
Kim

How to take a look from Chic to Eeek!

We spend so much time putting together the perfect outfit for the pefect event.  We devote hours of our lives shopping for even the most simplest of items. We run out to buy the perfect pair of shoes for a dress that makes us feel beautiful. Why would we waste all our hardwork on some of the most common fashion faux pas? It beats the hell outta me!

You may think '"how can one thing ruin a whole outfit?" Well, it can and I see it on a daily basis. It's just a shame. I feel bad for the outfit really.  

If you or any of your friends have an issue with the following, please contact me immediately:

1. Muffin Top: We are all familiar with this terrible monster but yet, I see the streets crawling with people not knowing their waist size.  How are they comfortable? Don't they feel the waistband cutting into their midsection and the overflow bounce when they walk? Perhaps these people have mirrors that only go to their chest, or perhaps they have full-length mirrors and have just given up in life. I imagine they see the muffin top, sigh, and say to themselves "well, I guess this is good as it's going to get." To those people I say two things: "NO IT'S NOT" and "PLEASE GET A BIGGER SIZE!" If you button your pants and there is an overhang (even after you do the obligatory right-out-of-the-dryer squat), take them off and get a bigger size. There is no shame in going up a size, well I guess there is a little bit, I mean who are we kidding? No one wants to go up a size. However, there is more shame walking around with a spare tire flopping around your waist. We can't see what size your pants are but we can sure see that MUFFIN TOP. Either size up or stay in.

 

This can also happen with your underwear. See list item 3 (VBL).

2. Mini-muffins: Mini-muffins you say? What are mini-muffins? Well my friends, I coined this description when I was in junior high and the counselor apparently didn't know her bra size and would insist on wearing fitted turtlenecks. So, mini-muffins are the boob bubbles that pop over the top of your bra cups.  When you walk into a room dressed to the nines, you don't want people wondering if you are a freak of nature with four tatas. Word to the wise: don't let your cups runneth over!

3. Visible panty lines (VPL): Under no circumstances should the general public know what type of undergarments you choose to wear on any given day. They have so many slimmers, shapers, and sucker uppers that there is no excuse for a g-string outline or a whale tail coming out of the back of your pants. Now what I'm about to say is risky because there are a lot of classless people out there, however, I'm trusting YOU won't let me down. Should you find yourself in a quandry with no options at your disposal, I think it's better to go commando than showcase your undie lines.  Please use common sense on this one. If you can see lumps and bumps, either pick out another outfit or haul ass to the nearest department store and get yourself some Spanx (or slaps as my good friend, Cindy calls them). Just be sure to avoid any Britney Spears moments and keep your legs closed when exiting vehicles! 

4. Sausage-casing clothing: The Kardashians, specifically Kim and Khloe, are good examples of this tragedy. There is a fine line between fitted and sausage casing. Yes, you want to wear fitted over baggy, especially if you have curves, but don't take it to extremes and wear things that look like a straight jacket with arm holes. This will also help the abovementioned VPL. Give your body some breathing room, ladies!

5. Toes overboard: If you've read previous posts or know me at all, you know how much I LOVE shoes. One sure fire way to piss me off and ruin a good pair is to shove your feet into some shoes that don't quite fit leaving your toes hanging over the front. Not only does it gross me out, it makes you look like some sort of spider monkey clinging to dear life. If you have this problem, you probably have the muffin top issue as well because you are not aware of your size.

  
6. Open-toed shoes WITH panty hose. I find this normally occurs in the older women demographic. What's even better is when they wear the reinforced toe! Yes, because that dark brown patch covering your toes is totally natural looking. Perhaps they don't think it's appropriate to show their legs without panty hose because that's how they were raised? Who knows. Times have changed, ladies. Where it was once risque to show your bare legs it's now accepted and a must in our Texas weather! A nice sandal is supposed to be a nce sandal. Its essence shouldn't be compromised by putting nylons in the mix. If you have the need to wear hose, do everyone a favor and just wear a closed toe shoe, please.

7. Bad makeup. When I talk about outfits I'm invisioning the whole picture, from top to bottom, and this means makeup. Always take into account the event you are attending. If it's formal or over the top, then go for that darker eyeshadow and extra coat of mascara (within reason), but if it's to a children's birthday party, there is no excuse for giving the hired clown a run for his money. Dial it down! There are always times where we want to go lavish with the makeup and have fun, but for the most part, makeup exists to accentuate our natural beauty. Make sure your look is cohesive and it flows from head to toe.

I wanted to stop at lucky number seven, but I have to inlclude one more to grow on, and it's probably the most important.

8. Bad posture. How many times have we heard mothers around the world say "stand up straight!"? You may think this has nothing to do with an outfit, but you are dead wrong. You might as well wear a burlap sack if you are going to slouch because no one is going to be looking at what you are wearing. They will be wondering what is wrong with the sad looking girl in the corner. A slouchy posture gives off a vibe that you lack self confidence and pride. Not only does it suck the beauty right out of a woman, it also does an injustice to a perfectly good ensemble. It causes wrinkles and puckers where there should never be wrinkles and puckers. I don't care if you are 6' or 5' tall. You deserve to feel beautiful, walk with confidence, and look like you own the room. Anytime you feel yourself start to slump, turn up the volume on your inner mother and STAND UP STRAIGHT!

These are definitely not the only ways to take a chic outfit to eeek! but they are the most common and the easiest to avoid. So if you have to print out this list and pin it up near your FULL LENGTH mirror, do your outfits a favor and get to pinning . There really is no point in dressing up or even dressing for the day if you are going to crap it away on something stupid like ill-fitting shoes. Stay chic, my fashion divas!

Love and shoes,
Kim

WTF of the day

Riddle me this: How can hairspray, a comb, hot rollers, and an idiot hairdresser make you look 10 years older? See photo below!

I love you, SJP, but fire whoever did this to you...immediately!

Buffalo Exchange: two hours I'll never get back.

So recently my sister had a small case of clothes hoarding or just spring cleaning overdue.  Either way, we had an insane amount of clothing that needed to find another home.  She had bagged up the discards.  My cousin, Kat, even came by to dig through the rubble to take any treasures. We were still left with 5 bags plus approximately 20 pairs of shoes.  Should we be embarassed that we had this much clothing that we considered unwearable? Yes. However, I didn't have the time to worry about that.  My mission was to get these sacks of clothing out of our house for once and for all.  Note: they had been sitting in our "shoe room" (i'll explain in another blog) for at least a month.

Most Sundays, when the mood strikes, you will find me on a cleaning/organizing tangent and this past Sunday was no exception.  Katie was out of town, the dogs had been walked and fed, and Momma had her breakfast and two cups of coffee.  Basically, it was the perfect storm for Mission Take Back The Shoe Room.

So being the domestic goddess that I am, I separated the clothes out into pants, shorts, dresses, tops, and jeans.  I put any subpar articles or winter attire into a Goodwill bag because I knew they didn't stand a chance at Buffalo Exchange.  Now being the OCD freak that I am, I even buttoned up, tied up, and zipped up all the clothes as if I was getting them ready for a store floor. I had hoped presentation might have earned me some brownie points.  Later I would find out they didn't give a rat's ass if it was buttoned, tied, or zipped.  I then went to scope out the shoes that we had set aside for donation/resale as well.  I'd like to add that I gave myself bonus points for a major 'Green' effort to recycle. Here is a shot of the broken down shoe boxes that have since been put into the recycle world:

Now here are shots of the clothes I took to Buffalo Exchange:

The Goodwill bags (this is additional to the Buffalo Exchange pile):

So I load up the car and head out to take a chance at putting some cute fashion back into circulation.  I go in the store with the shoe bag first.  By the time I had gone out to my car to gather another pile, she had already picked through my kicks and had only decided 2 pair made the cut.  I have to admit, in my head, I was screaming "Whaaaaat?!?!"  Needless to say, I was a little nervous at how this was going to go after that poor selection process, but nonetheless I powered through.  I continued to bring in the clothes one pile at a time, each time returning to find she is handing back the stack only keeping one or two items.  I started to get a little defensive.  You start questioning why they don't want to buy your stuff.  My inner monologue was full of "What's wrong with that top? Those pants are adorable! How can anyone say 'no' to that dress?!?! Do you even read the fashion magazines? What makes you qualified to make these decisions!"  I felt like it was a personal attack on my taste and style and they weren't even my clohtes! I should have armed myself with a PowerPoint presentation on how these clothes can be worn and how to get the most out of each piece. I wanted to 'sell' my piles as if I was the shamwow guy, bluetooth headset and all!

After it was all said and done, I had the chance to either take $90 worth of store credit or $60 in cold hard cash.  After feeling defeated, spending money in the store just didn't feel right. 

Word to the wise: they are Lable Whores!  She looked at EVERY label.  I wasn't aware before I went in, but the key is to cut out all your tags before you try and sell.  At least the no-name items.  They seem to like so-called unique stores like Anthropolgie and the like.  I spoke to two of my friends who were denied at one location, went home and cut the tags out, tried another location and low and behold, they took their items. Save yourself the headache and just cut out any questionable labels.  Also, don't try to sell any winter clothing in summer but I figured that was common sense. However, a dude that was in there at the same time as me was trying to sell some sweater vests.  I chalked it up to him being a young, clueless pup.  Also, don't wait till you have 50lbs of clothes to sell or donate.  It will only frustrate you.  Take baby steps and baby piles!  You might want to even go in the store before hand and browse the styles they are selling.  This way you can go back to see if any of your clothes stand a chance.  Lastly, there is nothing wrong with asking the sales associates what they need.  This will cut out a lot of the work and frustration of having your entire load denied. 

Even though I didn't make much money on the whole deal, it was $60 more than I had to start with so I had to consider it a success.  Where did the rest of the clothing go you ask? I found the first donation box and unloaded in about 2 minutes flat.  At least now I have satisfaction in knowing there will be some well-dressed homeless people roaming the streets of Houston.  Good deed: Done!

Love and shoes,
Kim

WTF of the day

I think this shoe is the offspring of Ke$ha and a peacock.

Hopefully this shoe will grow out of her ugly stage before she hits high school.

Love and shoes,
Kim

Exercising My Sense of Humor

It's never an easy job to find pants, shorts, jeans, or any other bottoms for me and that's okay.  I've accepted the fact that I have to try on literally EVERY pair of pants before buying them, even if it's the same size, color, and cut.  It's just the cross I bear. haha!

I went to Gap last week to look for yet another pair of black pants, because apprarently the closet full I currently have isn't enough.  I pulled about five pairs and didn't really love any of them so I made my way to the register to pay for my $15 white shirt with sleeve embellishments (I felt I needed a little somethin somethin to make up for the defeat that just occurred in the dressing room).  When I arrived at the register I was questioned by the sales associate who said: "You mean you didn't find a single pair in that stack?!?!"

<<Inner Monologue to Sales Associate: "You know, you seem like a sweet lady and I know it's your job to sell pants but when someone brings a STACK of pants into the dressing room and ends up with just a white tee, chances are they didn't have much luck and don't need to be reminded of that fact.  And for the record, some were too big!">>

However, she did redeem herself.  I just responded by saying "Yeah, sometimes I have a hard time finding a good fit" and she said "How? You are so small. What are you a size 6?"  I could have jumped across that counter and made out with her right there, but I opted to just say "I love you for that" and smiled.  

Appreciating the kind words I just received, even if she was blowing smoke up my skirt, I made my way to the doors. Just as I was enjoying the pep in my step, I walked by this girl who was looking through a stack of pants and excitedly said "Oh Look! They have double zeros now!!" Really?! Really?! That's not even a size. It's a double nothing! 

All I could do was look up to the man upstairs, laugh a little, and say to myself "thank you for that."  I mean, it really couldn't have been a more perfect setup in the comedic world, which is where I constantly find myself living.  Instead of beating myself up about not finding pants and then walking next to a girl who is excited about a technically non-existent size, I decided to find the humor, laugh, and add yet another good story to the vault.  I had to look on the bright side. At least I will never be mistaken for a 10 year old boy.  Ooops, did I say that? ;-)

Love and shoes,
Kim

 

Color Me Happy!

So again, I have to start with an apology.  It's been weeks since I've updated! Things have just been so crazy. If it helps matters, I do have a good excuse. I've been basking in the summer fashion with all the bright, popping colors! This is my favorite time of year!

Give me sundresses, wedges, and sunkissed skin over a bulky sweater and jeans any day! I mean, the statistics on depression in the northern, frigid states is proof enough summer, and summer fashion, is just better. Everyone looks and feels better with a little Vitamin D coarsing through their body.  Not to mention the multitude of sins a tan can hide;-)

The biggest aspect for this season is COLOR! Forget your comfort-zone black or drab gray. Get acquainted with your aquas, oranges, pinks, yellow, and every other happy color under the rainbow.  Don't be afraid to branch out of your norm, this includes the colors you usually wear.  I've been guilty of looking at a shirt or dress and going "eh, that color sucks on me" but then I hear my mom's voice in my head saying "oh Kimberly, you don't know until you try it on" and to this day, those words still ring true 8 times out of 10.  I'm old enough now to pretty much call it on the hanger, but there are still times I'm pleasantly surprised in the dressing room. So, take the plunge and lug that questionable color into the fitting room. It just might be the ray of sunshine you need to spring you into the summer season.

Another thing I love about summer is options! The cold weather pretty much limits you to pants and long sleeves, at least for me.  The wind blows more than 5 mph and I've got goosebumps! But summer brings a multitude of styles, cuts, colors, and accessories that span a large spectrum of tastes.  I'm not a huge fan of shorts. I don't know if there is some Shorts Committee of America that meets every year in an effort to piss me off but it's like they took a vote and agree on two lengths: 1) Hoochie Up Your Butt and 2) Back In Junior High Walking Shorts. I know that's a little dramatic but it really is hard for me to find a pair that fits my waist and doesn't make my legs look squatty.  This is why I always turn to sundresses:-)  They can be casual enough to supplement for shorts or you can throw on a wedge or jeweled sandal and head out for a nice evening.  Express has a great sale going on right now that offers 30% off all sundresses.  I got some good finds the other day and can't wait to rock 'em on a patio or summer party! I took a quick gander online and wanted to share a few Sugar Faves. 

Paired with pumps for the office or some fashion-forward flops for happy hour, this dress is versatile and will flatter most body types. Maggy London, $128.00

If you prefer a more edgier feel, try this purple/violet, rolled sleeve frock. Throw on some gladiator sandals and switch out the belt to fit  your fancy and you've got a rockin' look. Bonus feature: pockets!  Gianni Bini, $118

Warning: The following photos are not Kim Kardashian.  This is just a girl who looks exactly like her.  Believe me.  I researched it b/c, as my previous posts have stated, the fact that her ass pops up everywhere (literally) makes me want to rip someone else's hair out.  I mean, I won't let Kim K. make me destroy my own locks.  I digress...

This next pick is modern yet sophisticated.  Make sure you have a little color to your skin though.  This color combo can work against you and wash you out if you don't have the right skin tone.  Collective Concepts, $79.00

Too boring for you? No problem. I love a brave girl who isn't afraid of a fun pattern! I LOVE this ruffled neckline, shirt dress.  The colors just enduce happiness and the tie belt will add definition for a great waistline. Throw on a gold sandal with a mojito in hand and you, my friend, have style and taste! Mac and Jac, $69.00

Now that we're on the pattern train, this locomotive isn't slowing down.  I'm partial to this next one b/c it has a tasteful butterfly print, and I love butterflies (tasteful being the operative word!).  Cute for any pool party or wedding shower, because as we know, that season is upon us already! Eight Sixty, $85.00

Don't want to say goodbye to the fall seson but can't wear your favorite sweater?? Here is an asymmetrical dress that offers a fall leaf print.  You can embrace your love of fall without passing out in the Houston heat! The changing of fall colors has never looked so chic! Hazel, $77.40.

Into the nautical look? This next option is so quirky and cute I can't even stand it! Bonus: you get a feel for the water without the sea sickness! Top Shop, $70.00

For those of you who are just now entering the pattern world, take baby steps.  Polka dots are always a good option for beginners.  Just make sure the polka dots aren't too clowny.  Keep them understated for a more slimming, sleek look.  Pair this with some red pumps or sandals for a throw back to the pinup days! Eigh Sixty, $75.00.

Then we have the rompers. I made the mistake of buying one last year.  I saw myself in a friend's online photo album, immediately put the laptop down, made a B line for my closet, ripped it from the hanger, and tosses it in the trash. This story was not embellished or dramatized. It was just that bad.  We all make bad judgment calls every once in a while.  However, I love a good romper on the right body style.  They tend to look best on girls with a straighter figure.  They aren't really ideal if you sport a plump rear and thicker thighs  Although, if you are on the curvier side, try to look for a more tailored, structured romper.  I found this option at Dillards.  It's BCBGeneration and would be a good option for the curvier ladies. 

The flimsier material can just add emphasis on your hips and butt in an unflattering way.  Again, try them on.  If you don't feel 100% satisfied, put it back on the rack and keep looking.  

If the department stores are too pricey or intimidating for you, don't forget about TJ Maxx and Marshall's!! My sister found some adorable sundresses that will get a lot of mileage this summer.  I also had a great shopping trip with my cousin who gives Katherine Heigel a run for her money in 27 Dresses.  She has been in so many weddings there should be an award given to her for all her plane tickets purchased, shower gifts carefully picked, and bachelorette parties attended! She was, again, on the search for dresses for upcoming wedding festivities.  Not to mention she has recently lost weight and looks FABULOUS! She found two dresses that were under $50 and looked just as good, if not better, than what any high-priced boutique could offer.  I might add, one of the dresses I suggested she turned down at first because it looked pretty drab on the hanger.  So we moved along but something told her to grab the dress to give it a shot.  Low and behold, it flattered her shape and the color looked spectacular! Needless to say, it found a home in her closet that day.  The other dress was a no brainer.  We both agreed it was reminiscent of Julia Robert's brown and white polka dot dress from Pretty Woman, which initially grabbed our attention.  The cut was perfect and the pattern fit her personality to a tee: bubbly, happy, and carefree! So don't think you are too good for Marshall's or TJ Maxx.  It can be hit or miss but give it a shot.  It can turn out to be one successful stop!

Target also has some great bargain buys.  The only downside is everyone else in town knows this tidbit.  However, you can always personalize it with a belt, jewelry, jacket, etc.  Resale shops, like Buffalo Exchange, have also started beefing up their summer collection.  I recently found a sundress that is regularly $198 for $32! As Charlie Sheen so famously says: "Winner!" 

For the record, I haven't banned shorts from my repetoire.  I know I've gone on and on about dresses but I do love shorts, especially tailored, cuffed ones.  I think they are crisp and casual all at the same time.  I just don't like how people think because they button, they should buy them.  The muffin top can rear it's ugly head with shorts and people also need to be honest about how their legs look as well.  If you have a sturdy thigh, short shorts aren't the best option. If you hate shorts, and I know some people that will avoid them at all costs, the straight leg, rolled crop pant is a great option.  You can wear them with wedges for a dressier look or pair them with converse or flops for a more laid back feel.  They are just as comfortable as shorts but offer the coverage for your legs that some ladies prefer.  Ann Taylor Loft is a good place to look for these types of bottoms. 

Whether it's shorts, crops, or a sundress, I hope I've convinced you to take a dip into the color pond this summer.  It's just another way to express your personal flair and cheer up your wardrobe.  If you want to keep it solid and simple, don't forget to use those accessories and stems to pump up the pizzaz.  Look beyond the hanger and visualize the entire, finished look.  Summer is a time to show some skin and be flirty and fun so take advantage of it and dance down the rainbow of colors! 

Love and shoes,
Kim