Fashion Leaps Ahead This Fall With Clothes We Can Wear!

September 4th, 2010

Greetings,

Oh, I love fall and all that comes with it…like great new clothes!  It’s the beginning of a new season and new wardrobe and what fun it is this fall.  I am excited that the clothes this season are very “wearable” by the average women.  Must be the economy because I see a change! 

Here are a few fall items from Instyle and all are well under $100.   It almost makes me want cooler weather and that’s just wrong!

Uniqlo Faux Leather Jacket-I am speechless at $60!

H & M Dress-paired with a little black shrug…OMG!

H & M Cotton Jacket-Wear it everyday!

How To Look Fabulous And Not Spend Alot Of Money

September 1st, 2010
Favorite Casual Look
Greetings,
I just love this casual outfit…but then I put it together myself from Polyvore.  Check out the prices…cute things that don’t cost a lot.  Love it!

Perfect Nails After Removing OPI Gel Lacquer

August 31st, 2010

Greetings!

Well, I had my OPI Gel Lacquer removed a couple of days ago and see the results for yourself!!!

My natural nail with Lippmann "Hard Rock" clear topcoat

My natural nails are strong, long and looking good.  The removal process is a snap!  Soak in Acetone for a few minutes and the layers come off.  I was amazed at how nice my real nails looked.  Can’t wait to get it done again and by the way…it lasted over 3 weeks.   

Want a great topcoat…who doesn’t!  Lippmann Hard Rock is fabulous and hard to find.  If you do get your hands on it, buy multiples.  Try Nordstrom, of course.

Let me know if you have tried this great OPI product. 

Kathie

Skinny Cargo’s…Urban Trendy Meets Downtown Chic

August 30th, 2010
Google image/bluefly.com

Images from peoplestylewatch

Greetings!

Back from a self-imposed hiatus from blogging and social media, I’m feeling relaxed and ready to talk fashion for this fall.  One of my favorite trends is the Skinny Cargo pant.  I just love the “urban” look paired with skinny chic.  Sexy for sure and great with boots!  I bought Worn Jeans brand for $79.00 at Nordstrom of course, but I saw a really cute pair at Target for only $21.99!  You can also try bluefly.com (pictured above left) a great site for any fashionista.

The million dollar question…what do I wear with them…Pictures are worth a thousand words.  Which look would you wear? 

I give the skinny cargo look 5 stars!    * * * * *

 

 

 

OPI’s Axxium Soak Off Gel…Perfect After 9 Days!

August 15th, 2010

Previous Blog Post

Greetings All,

9 Days Later

Yikes! I couldn’t wait for 2 week to go by before updating you all on my OPI  Axxium soak-off gel lacquer.  As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words!!! Look at my nails after 9 days of living my life.  No top coat, no touch ups and nothing special in terms of how I treated my new nails. 

 I am crazy about this product and big thanks to OPI (and others) for giving women a chance to have beautiful, maintenance-free nails at a very reasonable price. 

Check back soon for my next blog…Fall Trends!

Kathie

M.A.C And What’s Hot For Fall…The Eyes Have It!

August 11th, 2010

Greetings!

Another great day at Nordstrom at the Mall of America!  I was with my friend (and client) who wanted another MAC  long-wear lip color, my recommendation, of course.  Their long wear lip color is one of my very favorite products.  Anyway, Gen-MAC Retail Manager, very patiently helped us and was really knowledgeable, so I had a short Q & A with her and found out some interesting things…read on.

WHAT SETS M.A.C APART FROM OTHERS?  Our philosophy that MAC is for All Ages, All Races, All Sexes.  Our product quality and variety and our great price point! Everyone must go through a very intense training, too.  The result…skilled artistry!  Now I know why every time I walk by a MAC counter I think art not makeup.  And actually, the acronym stands for Makeup Art Cosmetics.  I just love knowing that!  

WHAT’S HOT FOR FALL?  Eyeliner…non-traditional colors and applications.  When I asked Gen how I might wear this new trend (assuming I wasn’t going to wear hot pink) she suggested a more neutral color with the same application.  Okay, I can do that!    

BIGGEST MISTAKE WOMEN MAKE?  Not investing in good Skincare!  I agree whole-heartedly.

DON’T GO OUT OF THE HOUSE WITHOUT IT?  Mascara! Yes, for me too!  Thanks, Gen

PS-MAC at Nordstrom/MOA is having a great event this Friday and Saturday, the 13Th and 14Th.  It’s the launch of the latest in fall fashions straight from runway.  Nordstrom will be offering a Gift with Purchase while they last, so don’t wait to sign up!  Get professional help with your new fall look and have fun in the process.  Call 952-883-2121 (extension 1422) for details.   

Happy shopping,

Kathie

 

A Soak Off Gel Lacquer…Fabulous!

August 7th, 2010

Kathie's Nails

Happy Weekend,

I am so excited to share my new find with you!  I just had my nails painted with OPI’s Axxium Soak Off Gel Lacquer and I am crazy about how they turned out.  My friend had her’s done a month ago (with a different brand, there are several) and she loves her’s too.  She even had the soak off and said it worked well. 

It was just like getting a manicure except when I was done I didn’t have to worry about smudging because each layer of gel is “cured” with UV light.  I like natural looking nails so I opted for a French manicure with a clear coat of gel rather than a color.  What you see is my real nail with a white tip and clear gel.  I have been waiting for a product like this for a long time…no harsh buffing, no scary smelling stuff to inhale and a reasonably priced product.  I paid $30 at my local nail salon, Twin City Nail’s 11 (thanks Emily and Alicia) and according to OPI’s website www.opi.com I can expect to have up to 2 weeks and beyond of flawless wear and color! Yikes, what a relief.  I am a fan for sure!

I will be back in a couple of weeks with PART TWO.  I’ll report on how they held up and whether I needed a fill or a complete soak-off.  Be sure to add a bookmark and check back for the results.  I am anxious to find out myself!!! 

Kathie

Carrot Pants and Jeggings…What?

August 6th, 2010

Carrot pant/Google image

Happy Friday!

Yikes. Carrot pants are in fashion and I am just not sure the average Fashionista will embrace them…why?  Because they are shaped like a carrot!!! Wide at the top and skinny at the bottom.  Oh, help those of us who are shaped like a women!  I have seen these pants in the stores (looking fun and funky on hangers and mannequins) but truthfully, I didn’t know they had a name until I read my local paper, www.startribune.com which printed a Q & A from the Orlando Sentinel and here’s how they explained Carrot pants: My comments are italicized

* Wide at the top and tapered at the bottom (think harem pants but not as baggy)-I can’t, it’s too painful!

* They rely on pleats to help create volume through the hips-OMG! 

* Sometimes a sewn-down pleat at the hem to narrow the pant toward the ankle-Huh?

As the Sentinel www.orlandosentinel.com so aptly said…because they add volume where most women want to look slimmer, Carrot pants tend to look best on women who are tall and slim.  YUP!

Target Jeggings/$12.99

Now for Jeggings…I love them and have a pair from Target (pictured) which were very inexpensive and they are darling on! 

There is a fun but lengthy explanation/history of jeggings at www.wikipedia.com so if you want whole “skinny” click on the link.   Otherwise, the first few sentences might suffice.  Enjoy!

Jeggings are leggings which are styled to look like tight denim jeans.[1]

The ‘j’ not only refers to the appearance of denim, but also to the fact that they were first worn for jogging in early 2009.  Apart from the ‘jean’ adaptation, some jeggings are made with a new type of nylon named nylon PV1. 

Have a happy and relaxing weekend,

Kathie

 

A Beautiful Red Nail Color…Yes Indeed!

August 4th, 2010

 

Fabulous!

Greetings!

Okay…I have found the most beautiful RED nail polish, finally!  Lippmann Supermodel Red is a crisp, sheer color with lots of shine.  My friend (just recently) told me about Lippmann Hard Rock and she said it was a great base/top coat so, of course, I ran out to buy some.  I went online to find out who carried it and landed at Nordstrom.  EEECK…they were sold out.  But never fear, in the normal we give fabulous service, they found 2 (at other stores) and sent them to me at no charge! I have used it for 3 days(a coat each day) and so far so good.  No chips and still a nice glossy look.  I will talk more about this in another couple of weeks so stay tuned. 

Back to the Red…while waiting for my order to get processed, I was looking at the colors in the collection and that’s when I saw Supermodel, my new favorite red.  Especially for my toes! 

Check out the great colors  www.lippmanncollection.com or www.nordstrom.com

To Wear Or Not To Wear (leggings)That Is The Question?

August 3rd, 2010

Greetings Fellow Fashion-loving  Friends,

In my 20+ years as a Personal Shopper/Stylist, the most common phrase that rings in my ear is this…Oh, I can’t wear that!  It has always grieved me to hear this because  most of the time, it wasn’t true.  Take  leggings for example…they are super comfortable, flattering if worn with the right top and they are NOT just for young skinny women.  Leggings are great because they are tight and  form-fitted yet the top that’s worn with them, covers the “flaws” that come with age.  The key to wearing this look is in the top!  Let me say it again.  The key to looking good in leggings is choosing the right top!  Make sure it is oversized and long enough to cover the largest part of the thigh area! Add a cute pair of flats and you will be in a fabulously comfortable outfit and you will look up-to-the-minute.  You don’t need to spend a lot of money, either.  The outfit (tee, Cami and leggings) I have on is from target and the total cost was under 40$.  How great is that?  If the trends lasts just through this season I will have gotten my money’s worth.

Kathie at 55 yrs old in legging and long, oversized top. All for under $40 at Target

Kathie

PS-I realize not everyone can wear this look.  I understand that body type plays are role in whether it’s appropriate or not.  Mostly, I find that attitude (too old, too heavy, too something) holds people back more than body type.  Try to stretch your comfort zone a bit.  You’ll be happy you did.  If this look is too much of stretch…never fear, there’s a new trend right around the corner, I’m sure.