FALL INTO THIS SEASON WITH GRACE

Early autumn can be a tricky time. You are faced with the question,"what to wear"?  But with all these big bulky items coming out to play, the bigger question becomes, "what should go"?

Everyone gets separation anxiety.  It can be triggered by the loss of your favorite pair of  sandals or packing up your marvelous maxi dress...put the panic button on pause.  It's just time for these items to take their vacation.

WHAT TO PACK AWAY:  Shorts, Maxi dresses, sun dresses, sandals, flip flops, hot weather tanks/tube tops, summer skirts, and, floral or summer prints.

But your Summer wardrobe isn't always a waste in the winter!  Many items can be a fabulous foundation for your fall frocks.

WHAT TO KEEP:  Jeans, basic t-shirts that can be layered under fall garb, tanks that can be building blocks, scarves, hoodies, shrugs, cardigans, blouses and leggings.  Also remember 90% of accessories are year-round so make sure to maximize the use of your belts, bags and jewelry when possible!

So slip gracefully into fall so you can focus on sipping on a cup of hot apple cider and not sifting through your closet.                                                                                                                                        -KK

The Fundamentals of Fabric

HOW TO LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FABRIC IN A NOT SO FAB ECONOMY:

Just like you wouldn’t shop at Home Depot for organic produce you can’t go sifting through the deeply discounted aisle and be upset when you find low quality synthetic fibers.  Your wallet, your closet and YOU need to be in sync before you even step out the door.  To align your shopping senses start with three basic building blocks:

 

1.)  What is your budget?  Free websites like  are a great resources.

2.)  What do you need? (Remember, NEED VS. WANT -- there is a big difference)  We all want  a fabulous new wardrobe for fall, but when looking at your budget, you need to figure out what you need.

3.) How long do you expect this item to last?  For example, if you are planning to look fabulous at your ex-boyfriend’s wedding…and all you care about is being the Belle of the Ball for one night, then it is perfectly acceptable to buy what I call a "one wear/one wash” item.  BUT, if you need a new dress for fall that has to get you through two weddings, a company party, and a bar mitzvah, then you better make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

There are two types of fibers:  Natural and Synthetic

• Natural of course are things like silk,cotton and wool
• Synthetic fabrics include Polyester, acrylic and Lycra

Natural fibers are normally the most expensive and the best quality, but in an economy such as this, it’s tough to afford the quality that you want at the price that you need. So the most important thing is to shop smart!

YOU MUST BE A MASTER OF MATERIALS!

You don’t need to be a scientist to figure out that certain materials look and feel better on your shape.  So start by simply examining the garment.  Just paying attention to the “fit” can be the first clue to the quality of the material.

• Does it tug in areas like the armpit or waist? That can be a sign that even the stitch is cheaper.
• Is the material transparent? Hold the material up to the light.  Can you see your hand through the shirt?
• What is the quality of smoothness? Run you r hands over the material -- even scratch it a little, will it easily snag?

PAY ATTENTION TO THE LABEL!

Where is the location of the fiber label?  This can be a big quality clue!  Some of the cheaply made garments tend to hide the fiber content label in areas that are not easily seen.

 -Checking the Fiber Content -- 80% natural 20% synthetic -- is usually your best bet but checking out the ratios you will get a good idea of the quality of the fabric.  Learn what made fibers shrink versus what fibers may fade or bleach.

KNOW YOUR SHOPPING ENVIRONMENT!

The bottom line is...if your wallet is hurting, so are the stores.  Store buyers are desperate to find low-priced items with a high market value, just like the consumer is desperate for a deal.  Shopping smart will not only make you feel more satisfied, it will send a message to the stores that you demand quality.

 The influx of cheap cookie-cutter products from overseas being sold at 5 x their valued price is a huge trend right now.  It’s putting the independent designer out of business.  It is up to the individual to decide if that is OK or not!

I am all for buying a $35.00 dress, and if it falls apart after one or two wears, so be it!  It was a great deal and I got my money’s worth!  BUT, if I purchase a $78.00 dress whose material and cost was probably the same as the $35.00 dress, and I chose to NOT read the label, then SHAME. ON. ME.  To me, it makes much more sense mathematically to wait and save up $150.00 to buy a higher quality garment down the road then to impulse buy the $78.00 .

 

Out with the Oldy Moldy

 I was sifting through my closet one Saturday morning, gabbing with my gal pal, we broached on the topic of “deadbeat” friends.  She was frustrated because a girl she had known for the past decade had “blown her off”… once again… for the new man in her life!  This was becoming a seasonal ritual, whether it was the Sunday BBQ, her baby’s first birthday, or the Bake Sale...Betty was always a no-show.  This made Lucy livid.

Yet for some reason Lucy was always trying to squeeze Betty into her life like the “one size too small” favorite pair of jeans from 1998”….even though it was time to find a better fit...She was going to keep on trying.

Like our closets, our life can become cluttered with people who don’t size up, fit our style, or belong.  And it is our job to keep the chaos to a minimum and clear the Karma.  It’s not the purple pair of Z Cavaricci’s fault they are still hanging there…it’s your fault for not removing them 5 years ago!!

As Lucy and I kept talking, I reminded her of the new colleague she had met at work last month.  Lucy was excited because they both shared a lot of the same hobbies.  They had even started a running club together.  So I suggested that maybe it was time to make “room” for some “new clothes” in her closet, instead of over stuffing her space with items that don’t belong there anymore.

Sometimes people are in our lives for just a reason or a season.  Seven years ago I had the most amazing peasant skirt….I bought it in San Francisco.  It was long and flowing and I wore it to my first shoot I ever directed.  For the next 6 months that skirt was my lucky charm.  I LOVED IT!!!  A few years later I was embarking on a new adventure and I decided to pull the skirt out and try it on for good luck.  It fit fine but it looked odd.  I sat there staring in my mirror wondering what had happened to the  skirt???  But nothing had happened to the skirt, I was the one who had changed.  I no longer had short red hair or a pixie cut...AND it wasn’t my first shoot  anymore.  It was just time to find a new lucky charm.

 

This week make sure there is room for you and who you are today in your closet.

KK

Some Vitamin C - WHEN YOUR CLOSET CATCHES A COLD

So here is the deal. I think your closet is a reflection of yourself. Therefore, I am continuously searching for ways to better my closet. I am human. And sometimes well, my closet catches a cold. I am not a huge “organize your closet” kind of gal, but I do believe an over stuffed closet can bring you down. Why? You can’t find anything. It’s over whelming and frankly it is plain ugly. So this past weekend I decided to test out Joy Mangano’s “Huggable Hanger”. In many ways Joy is my hero. Not for her organizational skills, but more so because she is a fierce female power that from the very beginning had a vision and went after it. Her story is amazing. I encourage you to look her up online and see how she started her multi million-dollar empire. While I admire her, I have to be honest; I have never tried any of her inventions out. So after work on Friday night I headed out to Target to buy a truckload of hangers. The box advertises 1/3 to 50% more closet space. Could this be true?

My closet is stuffed to the brim. I have been traveling so much that I, the Closet Karma Queen, have let my closet fall ill. My husband and I stared at the sickly closet wondering, “could Joy really bring my closet back to life?” First we started taking all the old hangers off. I had plastic hangers, wooden hangers, wire hangers, and hangers I swore I must have stolen from a department store.

Right away my husband and I noticed the “felt” like material the new hangers were made of kept my wraps and shirts securely on the hangers. I literally could shake the wrap around and it did not fall off. Next we spent four hours putting the clothes in one by one. 220 hangers later we were done! Not only did the closet look great, there was a gaping hole in the center! It gave me 1/3 more room in my closet than I had before. I immediately thought of how I could fill this gaping hole with new finds. When my husband interrupted my fantasy with a loud “NO!” he pointed out that the closet bar could not take any more weight. Defeated I knew he was right; my family and I have crashed a closet or two in our lives, and maxing it out would not be wise. But the good news is I have room to move all my clothes around and I can now find any outfit I like! I now wake up to a healthy closet and I cannot wait for the day when Joy invents an industrial strength closet bar! Until then, the best place to buy Joy's Huggable Hangers, is HSN.

Cookie Jars Bare, What Are We to Wear???!!!

So here is the deal ladies, last week I had the worst week of my fashionista life. I found out last minute I was headed to NYC to help produce a live show for the TV show I supervise, going to Atlanta to do press for Solas, AND to Tampa for HSN. Not to mention my husband and I were already attending a wedding in St. Petersburg at the end of the trip!

Now I am not sure if you see the dilemma here... yes I know I have too many jobs, but besides that... 3 different climates, 4 different looks, a sinking economy and a single suitcase! What is a girl to do? Certainly not pull out the plastic or tap into the reserves. So after much thought, I did what any Dramatic Diva would do... I curled up into a ball and I cried. And of course I listed all the reasons I was cursed and nothing in my closet would do.

Then my friend Steve started speaking to me, “Dear KK, I need your help. I have a major event next week and all my dresses have been worn or torn. With the economy the way it is I certainly don’t want to run up my credit cards for this event; what should I do? Love, Not Dressed Up, But Somewhere to Go.” (I am not joking, my friend Steve is this clever.) Suddenly I was re-energized and I knew exactly what I was going to do. It might not be what Carrie Bradshaw would do, but it is certainly what KK would!

1.) I dug through my closet. What could I re-accessorize? I found a cute black turtleneck dress from last winter that with my bright red heels, huge red earrings, and red coat, looked very sheik. 2.) I scrolled through my Rolodex of people I had loaned clothes to the past year and I started dialing. “Hey ladies, I have a wedding in Florida, got anything fabulous I could borrow?” My friend Carol had a fabulous gown she had worn to my wedding that hardly anyone at this wedding would have seen! Score!

3.) I headed for Nordstom rack where I spent the next 2 hours digging for Franco Sarto shoes. (If you did not know this gals, these are the most comfortable and affordable shoes I believe). I found a pair of neutral heels marked down to $22.00! And a pair of black patent heels marked down to $38.00! On my way out I found a rocking rust colored coat marked down to $21.00! But i still needed a few things... where should I go?

4.) ROSS.. I luvs me the Ross if you’re up for digging, there is always a diamond in the ruff. The key is to stick to the Blazer, Sweater, and Shirt Sections. I find the most designers and on trend items there. There may be some slight flaw, but it is good stuff. I found a fabulous Michael Kors sweater originally $110.00 for $35.00!

I trucked my goodies home and showed my husband the receipt. The whole sha-bang was under $150.00. He was so elated with me he packed half my closet into one tiny bag!

Keep your Wallet Woes out of the Closet....

With the fear of the economy crashing looming over us, and the news reminding us everyday how dismal the outlook is... it can be very difficult to look at our closets with hope or inspiration. So what do you do when your heart screams, “I need a new wardrobe update!” and your wallet says... “THE HELL YOU DO!”. Well it is time to re-assess what you have. Trust me there are hidden gems collecting dust bunnies in your closet as we speak. The pink tank you swear is too tight? Layer it baby. Layering is back in... so let that pink strap show under your go to oversized basic black tee. What about old t-shirts?? I know you have tons of them stuffed in that drawer... scissors baby... scissors. Try cutting out the neck or the bottom seam of a shirt. It can give a new look and help it fall sexily off the shoulder (perfect for that too tight pink tank!). Look in your closet. Start to mix and match. A dress that’s too short? It can be super sexy with jeans and pumps. Just the other day I took a blazer from an old suit from my early 20’s and basically wore it as an accessory with a tank and jeans. It’s times like these we have to get creative ladies and we need to work hard to keep a healthy closet!!!

Don’t let the stress poison your closet! We have worked too hard to chase those demons out! Also, remember we are not the only ones feeling the economic blow. Major department stores and labels are feeling it too. When you do feel the shopping itch, check out places like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and your local outlet stores. You will be surprised how many major labels you will see currently on the racks. Also, look for sample sales! Due to the crunch on the American publics’ wallet, you will find many designers are offering much more then samples at those sales!!! Do whatever it takes to feel fabulous! You are gorgeous ladies!!! Every morning wake up and see your closet as a new adventure. Plan a clothing swap party! I’ve done this before and it is a blast. You can put a new spin on your friends old outfit. Here is to the INNOVATIVE WOMEN of the 21st Century! Hear us ROAR!!! xoxox KK Check out this list for some major sample sales all across the country! metromix.com topbutton.com dailycandy.com sheckys.com

Bust Your Bosom

So girly girls, I had a bit of a Bust-o-lation last weekend. I know Oprah has touched on the topic several times, but I always thought I was immune to the “wrong bra size” epidemic. I mean I am a fashionista... how could I have been denying the “girls” their proper housing? But to my astonishment, during the hunt for the perfect outfit for my E! Daily News interview, I blindly grabbed a bra to try on with my dress.

What was an honest mistake turned out to be a BUST on MY BUST! I accidentally grabbed a bra that was a size too small for me...... or so I thought. It turns out my friends looked PERKIER than ever! And I was able to go a size smaller in the dress I was trying on! My husband was elated with joy in my new discovery. Not to mention I ran home and whipped out a bunch of old outfits I thought I could never fit into again! Wow, it was like going on a shopping spree!!! So it got me thinking... why do women wear the wrong bra size....???

Well, I think that some of it is self body image. 80% of the time we look in the mirror and we are too hard on ourselves. I had gained weight in the past and it had never occurred to me that I had lost enough weight to be a size smaller. I have lots of friends that after having babies made the same mistake. They were so down on their girls they succumbed to what they thought was the eternal curse of the “saggy bust”.

Instead of investigating all the fabulous options out there, they gave up.

Listen ladies, whether you are over or under endowed, you can not deny that the “girls help make up the Diva in you. I know we are all too busy to stop when the pretty lady says, ”Would you like to measured?” But you need to STOP and make the time to get measured. And you need to take the time to understand that what goes on under your clothes, are just as important as your clothes if not more. A healthy closet most definitely coincides with a healthy panty drawer. So this week go out and get measured! And whatever you loathe about your “ladies” look for a solution. It’s 2008 and the “miracle” bra has been given new meaning, trust me.

I prefer Wacoal Bras. They are classy and have a great shape. If you’re looking for a little “tuck” Spanx has a great line as well. You can also check out Zafu.com which is designed to help you find the correct fit. A series of questions will help you better understand what bra is best for you! Remember.... every problem

Time to Step into Your Armour

A traditional Knight usually has two main components to his body gear. One is called the ARM DEFENSE and the other, the LEG DEFENSE. Each defense is made up of several smaller components that vary depending on the battle field or conditions the Knight is entering. This week we will focus on building your closet’s ARM Defense. I have an arm obsession. For years I have been convinced that my arms are disproportional to my body; therefore, my closet is ARMED WITH MAJOR ARM DEFENSE. Like I could probably take on the entire continent of Asia with my arm defense alone. I have a whole section just dedicated to wraps. Cover-Ups - Jackets - Shrugs - Boleros - Capulets - Cardigans - Capes - if it will cover me up in a pit or wings crisis, I have it.

I don’t know how it happens, but I’ll wake up one morning and put on a tank that I have worn 100 times and all of a sudden there is a skin rolly polly thing that was never there before. Instead of freaking out and running for cover, I walk to my closet like the Soldier I am and stand proud as I sift through my ARM ARMOUR section.

If you know your arms are your “acheles heel” so to speak, you need to be prepared for the worst of battles. No one feels 100% all the time. Life’s reality is you will have mornings where you wake up to an Alien staring at you in the mirror. So you have to be prepared. Here are some suggestions on how to ARM yourself against the bloodiest of battles:

Need a little extra upper arm coverage? Capulets, shrugs, and boleros provide fashion and function! Chilly AND want full arm coverage? Long capes, cardigans and wraps will save the day in a stylish way! KK

Think Like a Soldier

So if you listened to me last week you have placed some items in the core of your closet that make you feel fabulous on those less than fabu days. So what do you do when the “breast plate” of your knight gear is not enough to protect you? And you swear your mirror has turned into a fun house because those “sausage arms” and “stubby legs” staring back at you can’t be yours! Well, you first start by waging war on your mind! Yes, that’s right, part of turning yourself into a fashion diva is convincing your stubborn mind you are a DIVA!

A lot of times we hold on to negative images or thoughts because they make us feel safe. It is “safer” to tell yourself that your butt is too big than it is to tell your boss, “No, I won’t work for less money.” It is “safer” to look in the mirror and see an Oaf looking back at you than to tell your best-friend, “I really have too much on my plate right now; I can’t help you throw your boyfriend’s party.” It is safer to feel bad about yourself than to tell your children or your husband, “I need me time.” We spend most of our lives taking in other people’s emotions and problems. We live day-to-day suppressing all the things we would love to say to people like, “NO!” The other day, I was feeling overwhelmed with work and life in general and my home phone rang. It was a friend i had not spoken to in almost 2 months. She started talking and all of a sudden she stopped and said, “You sound sad?” I said, “I am, I don’t know why.”

Then she reminded me of something I did for her 3 years ago when she felt hopeless. She was being subpoenaed in court for her old job. She was going to have to face her old boss who was a horrible person and she was so ill over it. She was so worried about saying the wrong thing she had fogotten she was in control.

A week before the trial I started taking her on hikes. We would hike to the top of a hill where you could see the freeway and when we got there I would just have her scream. Yes, screaming at the top of her lungs.

She needed to get everyone else’s garbage out so she could allow herself to poor back in. By the time her court date came she was calm and in control. I thought it was such a gift that my old friend had called and reminded me of this. So after we hung up, I screamed at the top of my lungs and laughed uncontrollably; then I looked in the mirror and said, “You are one sexy lady!” And I felt like a million bucks.

This week I want you to ignore your closet issues for 7 days and focus on you. Every day pick a different mantra to say to yourself in the mirror. I like to start with, “Good morning Gorgeous,” and “Goodnight Goddess.” Then move onto more specific things like, “Good morning your butt looks awesome today,” and “Goodnight you deserve a promotion you’re so smart.” KK

START TO ARM YOURSELF!!!

I woke up one summer morning to the gentle cackle of the PMS monster. I swear I saw Roger Rabbit jumping up and down laughing as a neon arrow flashed and pointed at the mound growing on my chin. Roger giggled, “hahaha you have a press meeting today you fatty!”

Devastated and desperate I ran to my husband’s closet and whipped out the scale. Warning ladies, this is a big mistake. Why would I step on a scale when I knew I was floating on 5 pounds of bloat? Would a warrior run out into a battle field and say, “hey look I’m here! Woo hoo!”Not unless they had a death wish! So I stepped on the scale. And just like every month, I had gained about 6 pounds. Horrified I threw myself on my bed crying. I was pretending this was something new and I was shocked. As I lay sobbing, an ominous voice came over me and said, “You must fight the battle. Arm yourself, you will prevail.”

As I wiped the tears away I looked at my closet. I knew what I needed, COTTON. Cotton is like the breastplate of my armor. It flows and moves with me. I have flowy cotton shirts, halter dresses, cocktail dresses, long gowns.... you name it I have it. It is the material that makes me feel the best.

You need to know what material fits you the best and you need to keep your eyes peeled at all times for that material when shopping. That day i ended up wearing an electric blue cotton and blend dress. For a horrifying morning I got so many compliments and I was able to talk myself off the ledge because I had the “break in case of emergencies” section in my closet.

This weekend I want you to take a tally. What kind of gal are you? Cotton? Rayon? Silk? Polyester? Wool? Maybe you’re a combo kind of gal. I personally love the Cotton/Rayon combo. Your second task is once you discover the material you love the best on your body, I want you to take 4 items in that material and place them in the center of your closet. I recommend a few dresses or skirts and a shirts; but it is up to you. Just place these items in the center as your “breast plate” and over the next few weeks we will work to build your armor. KK