30 Day Cleanse

Congratulations! You have finally decided you are tired of feeling negative about your closet!
This is an exciting time. I promise when you are done you will run to your closet in the morning instead of wince at the thought of trying to get dressed. And the best part is on this cleanse, you don’t have to guzzle cayenne pepper drinks or eat mud!
Whether you think your closet is overstuffed, lacking a budget, or just plain drab, this 30 Day Detox will start you on the right path.... it will help you release your Closet Demons of the past and welcome new opportunities for you to learn how to celebrate your INNER DIVA even in a recession! I promise ladies, your closet is the key to your future, so start treating it like the ROCK STAR you are inside!
There are 4 phases to the 30 Day Closet Cleanse.
		Phase #1 is the Prep Phase: This is the building block for your closet. During this phase you are not allowed to purchase anything new. You are supposed to focus on learning more about yourself through the closet YOU CHOSE in your life right now.
Phase #2 is the Detox Phase: During this phase you “cleanse” your closet of its’ demons. You learn to release the past and address all the things you may have been hiding in your closet.
	Phase #3 is the Rebuilding Phase: Now that you have learned so much about your past habits and choices you can take the time to build a closet that is healthy. In this phase you will use the new tools you learned to make your closet a positive reflection of who you are. And you will spend time meditating on the fact you need to glow from the inside out!
Phase #4 is Time to Play: In this phase you will learn how to plan for the future and turn your present closet into a playground. By learning how to mix and match basic pieces you can feel and look Red Carpet Ready EVERYDAY!!! Check back next Tuesday for Phase #1 of the Closet Cleanse! KK

Weekend Closet Cleanse

	Weekend Closet Cleanse! We all know that cleansing and detox diets are the latest fads :). Whether it is a cabbage, lemon, or cayenne pepper, the end goal is to rid your system of the toxins that are slowing you down. Well guess what? Your closet can be poisoned too! And when your closet is toxic, the end result is the same... you feel sluggish and unmotivated to get dressed in the morning. Sometimes you can’t even stand the sight of your own closet! This can bleed into everything from your personal life, to your work. How you feel about your closet is a reflection of how you feel about yourself!
This cleanse has 3 phases in 3 days! Phase #1 The Prep Phase: Uncloset Your Karma! You can discover more about yourself by just browsing your closet. 1.) What type of hanger are you? Wooden, wire, plastic, or mixed? To learn more read last weeks blog, “How Are You Hanging?”
2.) What type of closet do you have? Starving, Stuffed, Confused, Cluttered, or Dysfunctional?
Phase #2 The Detox Phase: Filtering the Phantoms of Your Closet 1.) Pull everything you own out of the closet. Yes, Everything!
2.) Anything that has not been worn in the last 3 years goes in a separate pile. 3.) You are only allowed to keep 1/3 of that pile. -When we hold onto sizes or styles of the past, we are only reinforcing negative thoughts. 4.) A healthy closet means you are able to wear 70% of your closet. Most importantly, you should WANT to wear your clothes.
			Phase #3 Rebuilding Phase: 1.) Refuel your closet. Stock your closet with things you like to wear. -If your budget is already busting - “phone a friend”. Clothing swap parties are a great way to do this. Throw a party with your gal pals where everyone brings items from their closet and you swap.
2.) Re-Sell! There are tons of ways to make money off your old clothes whether it is EBay, or consignment stores in your area. 3.) Resuscitate: Time to give some CPR to your closet. You need to find ways to recycle and reuse everything you decided to keep. 4.) Reorganize: Treat your closet like your own personal store. -Your closet should be a place where you can shop, and the merchandise makes you feel marvelous! Section your closet by how you feel, not what color your wear.
-I have an “I feel bloated section”. All of my wraps and shrugs live there so when I have a clothing emergency, I know exactly where to go to cheer me up.
		-I also have a “hot mama” section. This section is for the mornings I wake up and I think, “Hey supermodel, you can wear that sleeveless dress.” -And on the days when I don’t feel like Gisele, I have a section of clothes that makes me feel and look thinner.
		-Make Your Accessories Accessible. Accessories are the key to feeling fabulous no matter what your budget. -It’s a Jewelry Box, not a Litter Box! Don’t just throw things in there. -Don’t let you necklace get tangled, or things get lost. Believe me, the single earring look is not back in style.
-Whether it be a scarf, or a fabulous necklace, accessories are the key to recycling your wardrobe. KK

HOW ARE YOU HANGING? Quiz Answers

1.) What type of hangers are most prevalent in your closet? A.) Wire B.) Wooden C.) Plastic D.) Joy Manganos Huggable E.) Mixed
If you answered Wire Hangers you have one of two things going on. You either borrowed those hangers, or you go to the dry cleaners too much! If the wire hangers have been begged, borrowed or stolen... I highly suggest investing in different hangers when you can. Wire hangers bend easily and they create a mess in the closet. Plus, they usually allow you to over stuff your closet which isn’t good either. You need to be able to look at your clothes like you would a sale at Barneys.... (with glee and joy).
Everything should look pretty, even if it only cost $5.99 :). If your friendly dry cleaners is how you got those hangers, you need to cut back on dry cleaning. You can save money to add some fun gadgets to your closet! Or better yet, some clothes! Dryel is only $10 - $15 for a starter kit and it can save you loads of dry cleaning cash in the long run!
		If you answered Wooden. Wooden hangers take up a lot of space. In another blog I will go into more depth about the personality analysis for your hangers, but for now we will
just say, if you are on a budget and are in need of space... wooden is not the way to go. However, if you have the space to fill and the $, they will do.
	If you answered Plastic. Well, whether you like it or not, plastic hangers are the
	most financially sound choice. They are cheap. You can easily buy matching colors and they take up less room than a wooden hanger. However, there are different grades of plastic hangers.... spend the extra 10 cents and buy the hangers that last longer. And I don’t recommend using MOST store given hangers.
	They tend to break and not hang well. Another problem with plastic is when you mix and match colors... it can look a little chaotic and make you frustrated. Plus, some of them are fairly thick and can take up too much room. So look for the sturdiest yet thin hangers you can find.
If you answered Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers. If you already have these, you either read my blog, or already have a highly efficient start to your closet. The great thing about these hangers is they create a lot of space. The clothes are easy to see! Basically, they just make everything pretty. But if you are not ready to make a financial overhaul at this time, don’t fret! There are tons of things you can do to help your closet.
			If you answered Mixed. If you mix and match your hangers too much... you are living dangerously. It is really hard to keep your closet healthy if everything looks really messy. I know... I am a reformed MIXER! Plus, mixing hangers usually means your sending “mixed signals” about how you feel about your wardrobe. I think it is ok to have a slight variety in your closet, especially if you are budget conscious. But if you are going to mix and match, make sure different hangers go with different sections.
For example, my closet is 80% Huggable Hangers and 20% plastic. All of my casual zippies or sweatshirts are on plastic. Plastic says casual to me... plus keeping the different hangers sectioned off really helps me maneuver my closet better. However, you should really try to narrow it down to one or two types of hangers if you can.
So this week simply just reorganize your closet by hangers. Try to get rid of any wire hangers, plastic bags, or tissue you may have looming around. If you run out of hangers and you don’t have any dough, phone a friend! Someone has a few plastic hangers laying around I guarantee! And check back next week for phase two... HOW TO BECOME FRIENDS WITH YOUR CLOSET! KK

BUSTING YOUR BUDGET

TAKE THIS QUIZ TO SEE IF YOU’RE BUSTING YOUR BUDGET! 1.) CAN YOU AFFORD THE MINIMUM PAYMENTS ON YOUR CREDIT CARD? Plain and simple if you haven’t paid off the Prada sweater from 2007, you can’t buy those Pucci pumps! Even if they are on deep discount darling

2.) HOW MUCH IS IN YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT? Ok if you are thinking ‘savings’ is a foreign word, you’re in BIG TROUBLE GIRL! Any budget expert will say you need to have 3-6 months emergency funds in the bank. I know in times like this that is really tough. But there is no better time than now to start saving. If you don’t have AT LEAST a month in the bank as savings, you need to STOP the extra spending now. That means only shop for the necessities and shop at your neighbors closet if you need a wardrobe update! Swap Sisters!

3.) HAVE YOU EVER HIDDEN AN ITEM AFTER BUYING IT? OR LIED ABOUT IT BEING NEW?

If you answered YES to this question.... wait for it..... “GIRL IF YOU HAVE TO HIDE IT...... YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY IT!!!” And you know it! This rule also applies to those of us who get embarrassed to admit we have something new. SHAME is the first RED FLAG in Busting Your Budget.

4.) DO YOU PURCHASE ITEMS AFTER CONTEMPLATING OVER 3 MINUTES IF YOU SHOULD BUY THEM? I have the 3-minute rule when shopping. In 3 minutes my brain usually says the following, “Hmmm would those green shoes I have match this sweater? Is this flattering? Is the material itchy?” Then the kiss of death comes.... “Do I need another sweater?” Once I hit the DO I NEED question, it usually means I DO NOT NEED. If you are thinking about something for over 3 minutes, it is your “survival instincts” trying to slow down the shopper in you. I’ll tell you what - put it down, go home and sleep on it... when you come to your senses in the morning you will realize the 3-minute rule is a great self defense against SALES!!!!

5.) DO YOU HAVE A BUDGET FOR SHOPPING?

#1 - #4 has lead to #5. If you want to survive in this economy you need to create a budget for yourself. Sign up for all those fabulous budget websites out there like mint.com. Learn what you can and can’t spend. Start creating a guilt free atmosphere for shopping. If you know what is coming in and out of your bankbook you can easily start to look forward to going to the stores again. The Internet has made us lazy. We don’t have to physically balance books anymore and that creates a huge problem with budgets.... THAT IS WHY YOU NEED TO GET YOURSELF A BUDGET PROGRAM.... so many of them are FREE and they are the ticket to FREEDOM

Cleaning Thy Closet: Week 2

So now that you've had more than a week to mull over steps 1-3, it's time to cleanse even deeper my friends. Bust out the sage and strike a match! Today is all about questions 4 and 5 (to refresh your memory, read "A Healthy Closet Means a Healthy You").

4.) Is there anything on the floor of your closet? Oh, how I wish "nothing" was my answer... but, alas, when I am stressed out, feeling lost or depressed, I notice a mound of anxiety start to build on the left side of my closet floor.

Mind you, I'm not sloppy, nor am I neat; therefore my pile is off to the side and hidden where no guest or husband can see it. Yet still, it's a pile. Usually it's a pile of "I'll wash / organize / dry clean these later". You get the idea; "later" is never good for the soul. "Later" turns into "too late" and eventually births a "never done" sort of feeling. I have been cursed with gift of procrastination my whole life. When I was a little I would wait til the very last minute to tell my poor mother I had a project due.

She would run around like a chicken with her head cut off helping me buy whatever supplies I needed. When I was in college, I would wait until the day before to write my 20 page story for class. And once into adulthood, I waited until about 4 months before the date to plan the wedding of the century- and it was themed, had 250 guests, costume changes, and a wedding party of 24!

The problem in my life is that I have never been punished for such behavior. In grammer school I always got A's. In college, I could crank out a 20 page story, no problem, and my wedding? Well, it was a huge hit. In fact I honed my skills so much that I became a television producer and director, where I received accolades for the fact I was an "on the spot" thinker. But the truth is, at home, when I looked in the mirror, all I saw was a frazzled girl looking back at me. I was always tired, I never felt like I had enough time to do anything and I have to be honest, sometimes I felt so overwhelmed, I wouldn't do anything. Which of course lead to having to do everything last minute.

I once met a women who told me the most important thing about your bedroom is what is under your bed. If you sleep above clutter it will seep into who you are and what you ultimately do and do not accomplish. Interesting huh?! Now I've taken that thought a step further... in saying that your closet represents you.

And if you have a pile of "I'll do it later" in your closet, guess what? You have just started your day with that thought. It's really important that the floor of your closet always be clean. I know this can be difficult, but keeping the closet floor clean is as important as flossing. You may not see the harm in keeping it cluttered, but over time, trust me, the after math is nasty and hard to correct.

For those of you who have the color-coded closets, we will deal with that later. But for this step you get a "get out of jail free" pass. And I commend you for your spotless closet floor! 5.) Do you wear 80% of the items in your closet? This is sort of a trick question because if you answered "Yes, I have a lot of empty hangers in my closet" to question 6, then you most likely answered yes to this question too, BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING IN YOUR CLOSET. An empty closet is not the solution and there are ways to fill it no matter what your budget. Next week we will focus on filling your empty closet, but for this week I want to talk to those of you who have full closets and are not wearing what is inside of them. If you wake up in the morning, look at your closet, and say "I have nothing to wear," you have started your day on the wrong foot again. You are basically saying, "I have nothing in my closet that makes me feel good," which in turn says to the world, "Hey watch out, I am about to have a crappy day because I look and feel crappy!" Listen ladies, we are never going to feel 100% all the time, but your closet is your foundation and support and you have to fill it with healthy reserves.

Just the other day I had to go to an event and all I wanted to was curl up on the couch and watch Lifetime. It was raining outside, I had worked all day, I was PMSing and I just did NOT feel like leaving the house. A friend of mine basically told me to suck it up and put on the outfit that makes me feel the hottest. Thank goodness my closet is stocked every season with at least 5 go-to 911 outfits. I went home, put on the 80's retro music station, which makes me feel like a super star, and started to put on my 5 most fabulous outfits.

In the end I went with a dress I bought at Forever 21 for $12 on sale. I threw on some fantastic jewelry, knee high boots and a hot pink Solas Darling Clutch.

I have to say I looked like a FOX. And because I FELT like a fox, no one noticed how I was REALLY feeling (like I was bloated with 10 pounds of water weight! Not to mention the huge zit growing on my chin). Instead, I got tons of compliments on how great I looked. I'm glad I fed my closet!

If this were two years ago I would have been tearing through my closet and crying. I would have skipped the event and therefore missed an opportunity to meet new people.

You have to wear what is in your closet. Please DO NOT hold on to old sizes or outfits that you swear you are going to wear "later". It is only holding you back. Who you are today is more than OK. You are fabulous. You have to dress for today if you want to plan tomorrow. It is ok to keep things IF YOU WEAR THEM, but you cannot hold on to the past. I have friends who have 3 or 4 different sizes in their closet. YIKES! HELLO! Do you know how depressing that is? Get rid of them! Post them on EBAY and when you lose the weight or whatever you are holding onto them for, you can buy yourself something new with the money. Listen ladies, my thyroid broke, so I know better than anyone the grave sadness of looking at a size 6 pair of jeans when your ass has become a ten. But guess what? I gave those 6's away, and now I am giving my size 10's away also, because I lost the weight.

If I had kept a closet full of 6's, my friend, I would have been riddled with depression and I would be buying a larger size right now instead of going down in size. Who you are is who you are supposed to be. Today: right now. And you need to show the world that you love yourself. The rest will come, I promise. This week, go through your closet and start getting rid of things you have not worn in over a year. I will allow you to keep 10% of those things you pull. You can call this your Wish List-- "I wish this would come back in style," "I wish I wore these $200 pants more often," and "I wish I was the same size I was when I was 14." But you can kiss the rest goodbye! Read March's blog "Resources to sell your old clothes" (click archives) to find places to sell these old items. Another fun way to get rid of old things is to have a Swap Party with your friends. Everyone brings items from their closets and tags them with a price, and you can swap and trade. What is bringing you down can brighten someone's day! For answers to 6-10, click "Archive" then click "March" and read "Closet Quiz Re-Cap". Make sure to read next Tuesday for tips that will make you look and feel great despite heat, humidity, summer food, and the dreaded bathing suit! kk

The Curse of the Closet....

There is nothing worse than having a cursed closet.  I swear, I clean out the bad spirits of my closet every spring, but come the following winter there are demons lurking in every nook and cranny.  So what is a cursed closet, you may ask?  Well, it is a closet that puts out negative energy - it literally is working against you and  your self-image.   It emits thoughts of failure and guilt and can easily trigger anxiety.  If you are following along with my exercises, you most likely discovered a few things about your closet from last week’s blog.  Today we are just going to tackle questions 1-3 and do a few simple exercises that will help our closet become healthier.

1.)  How many items in your closet still have the tags on them? If the answer was none, then you can move on to the next item on this list.  If the answer was 2 or more, listen up.  You have one of 3 going on.  You are either: A. A Compulsive Shopper (which we briefly touched on a few weeks back), B. An Impulser Buyer, or C. The Procrastinating Fashionista.

This is the young lady who buys things she will be able to wear “someday,” either when she loses weight, gets a new haircut, or finds the perfect event.  The Procrastinating Fashionista has a million excuses for why she is in denial of her closet.     Why are the 3 of these things a HUGE  problem?  Well, it’s simple.  They make you want to  hide from your closet, and when you ignore your closet, you are denying yourself a chance to express your inner beauty.  When we buy things and feel guilty, we tend to hide them in the back of the closet, or  in a place where we don’t have to look at our “mistake” everyday.

If you are a Compulsive Buyer you probably know the dreadful feeling of seeing all those shirts lined up in different colors, with most of them still tagged.  You are probably embarrassed and a little shameful.  When I went through my compulsive stage, I h id my closeet from people, which directly affected my self-esteem, how I viewed money and the world around me.  The Procrastinating Fashionista does a huge number on her self worth, every morning she is looking at a pair of pants  or a dress that stares back at her and says, “Haha, you can’t fit into me!”

Rarely do I find that this type of closet actually inspires my friends to lose weight or change their lives.  It is just a constant reminder of what you are NOT, instead of what you ARE.... which is AMAZING no matter what shape you are in physically, financially, or emotionally.  This is no different than when you buy an outfit for a special day.  If that day is an event in 3 weeks, it makes sense.  But if you have a fantastic pair of pants hanging in your closet just waiting for a “special” day, you are basically tellilng the universe, “I am not special enough to wear this today, but someday maybe I will be.”  Every time you open that closet you are staring at a negative message:  “Haha!  You nerd!  You aren’t cool enough to wear me yet!” There is a lot to be done, but for this week, all I want you to do is take everything with tags on it OUT of your closet, unless you will wear it in the immediate future. 2.) Is your closet color-coded?

If you answered, NO move on.  If you answered YES, let’s chat. Listen, I am all for the idea of neat and orderly.  I believe that organization brings success, reduces anxiety and gives a sense of clarity.  However, you have to decide if the motivation behind your closet is healthy.  Like I said, our closet represents what is going on with us inside.  Again there are several reasons you may have an EXTREMELY organized closet.

The most common is control.  If you are the type of person who freaks out when a picture frame has been moved slightly left on the mantle, I am guessing your highly organized closet gives you a false sense of serenity.  I am not here to judge you.  In fact, I  could care less if for the rest of your life your living room remains spotless with every knickknack in place - that’s between you and your roomie.  But your closet needs to be liberated.  Why?  Because you are most likely spending way too much time analyzing if your maroon pants should sit with the purple family or the red.  Instead you should be focusing on how hot maroon makes your green eyes look!  You need to start thinking of yourself as a canvas, and every morning when you open your closet there lie your paints and brushes.  You can’t look at your closet as something you need to “control.”  Especially for type A people, a closet needs to be an expressive outlet.  Eventually we will talk about how to organize our closet in a way that positively reflects who we are as Fashoinistas.  But for now I am asking you to not organize you closet for 7 days because I want you to see what you wear the most and what colors you gravitate towards.  Hang all the clothes you wear most ofter in the middle, and next Tuesday we will revisit this.

Another symptom of the organized closet is money guilty.  Believe it or not, the reason the Compulsive Buyer over-buys is the the same reason you don’t buy as much.  Money is a tough subject, but I believe, from the bottom of my heart, when we focus on the fear of failure, we are limiting our ability to achieve happiness and wealth.  Trust me, there are ways to be fashionable and frugal. Once you know your style and you get excited about it, you won’t have to dislike shopping anymore.

I want you to get an empty shoebox this week and start cutting out magazine photos of styles you admire and like.  Just collect them, don’t look at the price and don’t feel like you have to pick things in the same category.  Everyday put at least one image in the box and next Tuesday we will discuss them.

; 3.)  Is your closet outfit-coded? Do you plan your outfits and hang them together?  Be sure to read the answer from #2 if you are organized, because doing this allows you to utilize your closet better. Organizing your closet by outfit can be EXTREMLY healthy, as long as your closet doesn’t look like a department store warehouse with clothes that are unworn.   Check back next week to see steps 4-10.  I know this is a slow process, but trust me, it will make you think about your closet and how it reflects back on you - and it will all be worth it in the long run!         kk

Your 7-day prep for the 90-day Fashion Detox... Pt 3

Welcome back!  Now you should be starting to feel great about your fashion, so now it’s time to tackle that closet.  Now, repeat after me: “A healthy closet is a healthy me.”

Our closet is like a multi-vitamin we are supposed to start taking in our 20s. We walk past the bottle everyday, sometimes we take it, sometimes we forget to take it, and sometimes we are just too tired and lazy to open the lid.  But we need the nutrients that are inside of that capsule to help us live a strong and healthy life.   In a way, that vitamin is the foundation of our health.Well guess what? Our closet is the foundation to our fashion-- so stop ignoring what it is telling you.  If it’s color-coded, it doesn’t mean it’s healthy; it might just be a way of controlling one aspect of your life because you feel you can’t control something else.  If it’s messy and chaotic, I bet it’s because you’re busy lately.

No time for yourself, huh?  We all  have ailing closets.  The symptoms are all different.  No one is born with a  healthy closet; you build it with time and a little TLC.

So now that we have identified our shopping habits, let’s start with our closet habits.  I want you to look at your closet and take a tally.  Below you will find a list of 10 things to look for.

There are no right or wrong answers.  We are just going to use our closet as a guide; sort of like puzzle pieces that will help us make a map to ourselves and who we are right now and where we can be in the future.  So for one week, I want you to analyze your closet nightly.  Don’t change anything - just observe.

1.)  How many items in your closet still have tags on them? 2.)  Is you closet color-coded? 3.)  Is your closet outfit-coded?  For example: you plan your outfits and hang them together?

4.)  What is on the floor of your closet? 5.)  Do you wear at least 80% of the items in your closet? 6.)  Do you have empty hangers in your closet? 7.)  Is your closet over-stuffed?  Is it hard to see what’s inside? 8.)  Are your shoes and handbags in the same closet as your clothes? 9.)  Is your closet EXTREMELY messy?

10.)  Do you have any trouble deciphering between clean and dirty clothes in your closet? Next Tuesday we will analyze your observations and make simple changes that I guarantee will start to brighten your day.  See you then!

Posted at 06:38 AM in Quiz | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) May 27, 2008 Quiz Answers How did you do on the Fashionista Quiz? Did you take the Fashionista Quiz from last weeks blog? See what your answers mean here! Read them all for further insight, or just scroll down to A, B, C, D, or E to find your answer. For Question #1: If you identified with A, YOU ARE THE LOYAL SHOPPER: You are the type of gal who falls in love with a product and is utterly convinced nothing else out there will ever make your butt, boobs or your skin look so good. There is an underlying reason for this psychologically, but for today’s purposes, lets stick to the surface issues. Listen, we all hate trying on a pair of jeans that just won’t fit over our hips, or a shirt that makes us have a third boob, but at the end of the day I promise you there is more to life than that one pair of size 30 jeans that you bought back in 2002. Take a deep breath, relinquish control and give me a little trust. I know I am a complete stranger but I promise, I too have your disease - and I am in total remission. It just takes knowing where to shop, understanding your budget, your body, and your time. WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER SISTER! If you identified with B, YOU ARE THE BARGAIN SHOPPER: This is my favorite type of shopper, because I swear all of my friends from the midwest fall into this category. We love to say, “Look at my $40 shoes, they look just like the Manolos Sarah Jessica Parker wore except they don’t cost as much as my rent!" Unfortunately, we leave out the bloody blister staining the back of our heels. Last month I went through my closet and found four pairs of shoes that were worn once. WHY? Because they killed my bloody feet! I totaled up the cost of each pair of shoes (that were under 50 bucks mind you), and discovered the four pairs cost as much as my Stuart Wiseman gold heels that I have worn down to the ground because they are so comfy. Now, I am not saying we all have to run out there and buy Prada shoes, plenty of designer shoes are just as painful. What we have to become is smart shoppers. I have some great affordable designers that I will turn onto in the next few weeks, but again, we are going to change the way you think about shopping. Bargains are great but you need to throw out the “NO PAIN, NO GAIN” slogan when it comes to fashion. If you identified with C, YOU ARE A COMPULSIVE SHOPPER: This is a Bargain Shopper on crack. Addicted to the sale and the high of feeling she has found a bargain, she overflows her closet, her husband’s closet, and most likely even the trunk of her car, with things she will never wear or share. (Yes we like to tell ourselves it would make a fantastic gift and that is why we are buying it.) I can say this without guilt because at one point in my life I too have fallen ill to this shoppers addiction. In fact, my family can identify this type of ailment as being hereditary, for sure. The solution is simple; a bargain is not a bargain if it breaks the bank. A bargain is not a bargain if you never wear every single one of those precious white tees over and over again. And most importantly, a bargain is not a bargain if it creates clutter. Clutter creates chaos, which affects how you feel about yourself and those around you. I believe the origin of this type of shopper came from the great depression. The “stocking syndrome” was necessary for those who survived that era. However, we cannot justify hording a life supply of turtleneck sweaters like our parents and grandparents justified stock piling canned beans. If you identified with D, YOU ARE THE TRENDY SHOPPER: The trendy shopper has so many layers to her. She believes it must be fantastic because they sell it at Bloomingdales! She looks forward to her gossip magazines not just to find out who is sleeping with who but who is wearing what. When I got into fashion I think they greatest disappointment I encountered was the discovery that celebrities are human. They buy crap and wear crap just like we do. Listen, I would love to believe Cameron Diaz is amazed with our bags and legitimately wore them over and over because she couldn’t believe how great the quality, idea and prices of our clutches were! The truth is, I will never know. And here at Solas we have been around long enough to get feedback that, yes, the majority of our clientes wear our bags because they love our designs and our ingenuity. But sometimes celebrities wear something because they love it, sometimes they were it because someone gave it to them for free, sometimes it happens to match their shoes, and sometimes they wear it because someone told them to, like a stylist. Whatever the reason, we don’t buy things just because they are in a magazine or on a TV show. You use the media as a tool. You need to become an investigative shopper. I have found that if I see a product consistently in the press, 9 times out of 10 it is a quality product. But if it is a quick trend that I saw once in a magazine, I am greatly disappointed - like when the chain breaks on my new $100 necklace. If you see something that you like in Neiman’s or In Style magazine, it doesn’t mean it won’t fall apart in the wash. What we are going to work on together is learning more about quality shopping. There is nothing wrong with shopping at Neiman’s or buying what Jessica Simpson wears, just make sure you know the product is right for you, in your budget, and makes you feel fabulous. If you identified with E, YOU ARE THE IMPULSE BUYER: The impulse buyer is a combination of The Trendy Shopper and the Compulsive Shopper, on 8 cups of coffee. Why? Because she is delirious when it comes to her pocket book. No one needs to buy anything they must put on a pedestal. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. I have a gorgeous pair of Prada shoes that are orange, brown, and wood. The shoes, worn by J.LO in a magazine, broke the bank AND my feet. My family has a fantastic story they love telling, about the one time I wore the shoes in Miami. I was mad at my sisters so I stormed off in my heels and told everyone I would meet them at the restaurant two blocks away. Well, two blistered feet later, I was wobbling down Ocean Drive with my Dad driving 3 miles an hour next to me, giggling out the window, “I think you should get in the car for your own self preservation.” Damn did those shoes look hot on the shelf and in that magazine, but I have flat feet and I rarely wear ornage, so it was a very expensive lesson. Listen, if you try on a $1000 bag and you love it and you must have it and you know you will wear it, then save for it. And in the meantime, there are little tips and tricks you can learn that will allow you to satiate your addiction. But buying it when you are not ready, or when it’s not right for you will only leave you feeling like you have just had a bad one night stand. KK Posted at 12:15 PM in Quiz | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) May 20, 2008 What Kind of Shopper Am I? Retail therapy is like going to any other type of counseling. First, we must figure out who we are in respect to the world of shopping. Second, what is our roll in the retail universe? The first thing you need to do is take inventory of your closet. What do you have, want to keep, and what do you wear the most often? I want you to scan and see what you have more of: shoes, pants, sweaters, hats, jewelry or dresses? What kind of shape are they in? For example: Do you have a lot of shoes but you avoid wearing most of them because they tired out quickly and look worn? Do you have a lot of fancy jeans that you wear all the time that are still in great shape? Or do you have purses that look pristine only because you never take them out to see the light of day? Once you have spent time getting re-aquainted with your closet, answer the following questions: 1.) I CRY HARDEST WHEN.... A.) My favorite jeans have fallen apart in the wash for the LAST time and the designer has discontinued the line. B.) My brand new 40 dollar shoes from the Shoe Depot are making my toes blister. C.) My white juicy tee shirt was just died pink by my new love interest (although I have four just like it sitting in my closet because they were on sale). D.) My fabulously over-priced necklace from Neiman’s is unwearable because the clasp has broken off. E.) My Chloe bag (the one I took a second mortage out on the house for) spends more time on my shelf than on my shoulder. 2.) WHEN IT COMES TO CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME IS..... 1.) Comfort 2.) Quality 3.) Price 4.) Being Trendy 5.) Looking sexy CHECK BACK NEXT TUESDAY TO SEE WHERE YOU FIT IN THE FASHION SPECTRUM AND HOW TO GET A NEW LEASE ON YOUR SHOPPING LIFE! kk Posted at 05:52 AM in Quiz | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) March 28, 2008 Closet Quiz Recap Posted at 10:02 AM in Quiz | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) » It is the feeling like you can look like a million bucks everyday no matter what your budget. It is the miracle that happens when you’re feeling fugly and you put on your faux fendi sunglasses…suddenly... YOU ARE A ROCK STAR. You just have to court your Closet Karma.. and my mission in life is to teach everyone how. -     -KK Closet Karma protege Teresa and Creator of Closet Karma, Kara Kurcz are ready to kick the demons' butts in your closet! A dog may be "MAN'S" best friend but even my yorkie Cassie will tell you …a closet is "WOMEN'S" best friend. EVERY DOG HAS HER DAY… WHEN CASSIE WANTS TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT HERSELF SHE KNOW S TO ACCESSORIZE! HANGER IN THE NEWS Blog Roll Because I’m Addicted HelloLoverr.blogspot.com What I Wore Style Sophisticate Cupcakes and Cashmere SheFinds PiperLime A Beautiful Mess Fashion Toast michelle sigona hungry Girl Amanda Moran Categories Ask KK Closet Detox Events Kara's Catch of the Day KK's blogs KK's Catch of the Day Press Quiz Recessionista Shecky's Girls Night Out Solas Travels Style Guru Submit New Ask KK Thirsty Thursdays What color mood are you in today? Who Is KK? Subscribe to this blog's feed

How did you do on the Fashionista Quiz? Did you take the Fashionista Quiz from last weeks blog? See what your answers mean here! Read them all for further insight, or just scroll down to A, B, C, D, or E to find your answer.

For Question #1: If you identified with A, YOU ARE THE LOYAL SHOPPER: You are the type of gal who falls in love with a product and is utterly convinced nothing else out there will ever make your butt, boobs or your skin look so good. There is an underlying reason for this psychologically, but for today’s purposes, lets stick to the surface issues. Listen, we all hate trying on a pair of jeans that just won’t fit over our hips, or a shirt that makes us have a third boob, but at the end of the day I promise you there is more to life than that one pair of size 30 jeans that you bought back in 2002. Take a deep breath, relinquish control and give me a little trust. I know I am a complete stranger but I promise, I too have your disease - and I am in total remission. It just takes knowing where to shop, understanding your budget, your body, and your time. WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER SISTER!

If you identified with B, YOU ARE THE BARGAIN SHOPPER: This is my favorite type of shopper, because I swear all of my friends from the midwest fall into this category. We love to say, “Look at my $40 shoes, they look just like the Manolos Sarah Jessica Parker wore except they don’t cost as much as my rent!"

Unfortunately, we leave out the bloody blister staining the back of our heels. Last month I went through my closet and found four pairs of shoes that were worn once. WHY? Because they killed my bloody feet! I totaled up the cost of each pair of shoes (that were under 50 bucks mind you), and discovered the four pairs cost as much as my Stuart Wiseman gold heels that I have worn down to the ground because they are so comfy. Now, I am not saying we all have to run out there and buy Prada shoes, plenty of designer shoes are just as painful. What we have to become is smart shoppers. I have some great affordable designers that I will turn onto in the next few weeks, but again, we are going to change the way you think about shopping. Bargains are great but you need to throw out the “NO PAIN, NO GAIN” slogan when it comes to fashion.

If you identified with C, YOU ARE A COMPULSIVE SHOPPER: This is a Bargain Shopper on crack. Addicted to the sale and the high of feeling she has found a bargain, she overflows her closet, her husband’s closet, and most likely even the trunk of her car, with things she will never wear or share. (Yes we like to tell ourselves it would make a fantastic gift and that is why we are buying it.)

I can say this without guilt because at one point in my life I too have fallen ill to this shoppers addiction. In fact, my family can identify this type of ailment as being hereditary, for sure. The solution is simple; a bargain is not a bargain if it breaks the bank. A bargain is not a bargain if you never wear every single one of those precious white tees over and over again. And most importantly, a bargain is not a bargain if it creates clutter. Clutter creates chaos, which affects how you feel about yourself and those around you.

I believe the origin of this type of shopper came from the great depression. The “stocking syndrome” was necessary for those who survived that era. However, we cannot justify hording a life supply of turtleneck sweaters like our parents and grandparents justified stock piling canned beans.

If you identified with D, YOU ARE THE TRENDY SHOPPER: The trendy shopper has so many layers to her. She believes it must be fantastic because they sell it at Bloomingdales! She looks forward to her gossip magazines not just to find out who is sleeping with who but who is wearing what. When I got into fashion I think they greatest disappointment I encountered was the discovery that celebrities are human.

They buy crap and wear crap just like we do. Listen, I would love to believe Cameron Diaz is amazed with our bags and legitimately wore them over and over because she couldn’t believe how great the quality, idea and prices of our clutches were! The truth is, I will never know. And here at Solas we have been around long enough to get feedback that, yes, the majority of our clientes wear our bags because they love our designs and our ingenuity.

But sometimes celebrities wear something because they love it, sometimes they were it because someone gave it to them for free, sometimes it happens to match their shoes, and sometimes they wear it because someone told them to, like a stylist. Whatever the reason, we don’t buy things just because they are in a magazine or on a TV show. You use the media as a tool. You need to become an investigative shopper. I have found that if I see a product consistently in the press, 9 times out of 10 it is a quality product. But if it is a quick trend that I saw once in a magazine, I am greatly disappointed - like when the chain breaks on my new $100 necklace. If you see something that you like in Neiman’s or In Style magazine, it doesn’t mean it won’t fall apart in the wash. What we are going to work on together is learning more about quality shopping. There is nothing wrong with shopping at Neiman’s or buying what Jessica Simpson wears, just make sure you know the product is right for you, in your budget, and makes you feel fabulous.

If you identified with E, YOU ARE THE IMPULSE BUYER: The impulse buyer is a combination of The Trendy Shopper and the Compulsive Shopper, on 8 cups of coffee. Why? Because she is delirious when it comes to her pocket book.

No one needs to buy anything they must put on a pedestal. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. I have a gorgeous pair of Prada shoes that are orange, brown, and wood. The shoes, worn by J.LO in a magazine, broke the bank AND my feet. My family has a fantastic story they love telling, about the one time I wore the shoes in Miami. I was mad at my sisters so I stormed off in my heels and told everyone I would meet them at the restaurant two blocks away. Well, two blistered feet later, I was wobbling down Ocean Drive with my Dad driving 3 miles an hour next to me, giggling out the window, “I think you should get in the car for your own self preservation.” Damn did those shoes look hot on the shelf and in that magazine, but I have flat feet and I rarely wear ornage, so it was a very expensive lesson.

Listen, if you try on a $1000 bag and you love it and you must have it and you know you will wear it, then save for it. And in the meantime, there are little tips and tricks you can learn that will allow you to satiate your addiction. But buying it when you are not ready, or when it’s not right for you will only leave you feeling like you have just had a bad one night stand. KK

Retail therapy is like going to any other type of counseling. First, we must figure out who we are in respect to the world of shopping. Second, what is our roll in the retail universe? The first thing you need to do is take inventory of your closet. What do you have, want to keep, and what do you wear the most often?

I want you to scan and see what you have more of: shoes, pants, sweaters, hats, jewelry or dresses? What kind of shape are they in? For example: Do you have a lot of shoes but you avoid wearing most of them because they tired out quickly and look worn?

Do you have a lot of fancy jeans that you wear all the time that are still in great shape? Or do you have purses that look pristine only because you never take them out to see the light of day? Once you have spent time getting re-aquainted with your closet, answer the following questions:

1.) I CRY HARDEST WHEN.... A.) My favorite jeans have fallen apart in the wash for the LAST time and the designer has discontinued the line. B.) My brand new 40 dollar shoes from the Shoe Depot are making my toes blister. C.) My white juicy tee shirt was just died pink by my new love interest (although I have four just like it sitting in my closet because they were on sale). D.) My fabulously over-priced necklace from Neiman’s is unwearable because the clasp has broken off. E.) My Chloe bag (the one I took a second mortage out on the house for) spends more time on my shelf than on my shoulder. 2.) WHEN IT COMES TO CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME IS..... 1.) Comfort 2.) Quality 3.) Price 4.) Being Trendy 5.) Looking sexy CHECK BACK NEXT TUESDAY TO SEE WHERE YOU FIT IN THE FASHION SPECTRUM AND HOW TO GET A NEW LEASE ON YOUR SHOPPING LIFE! kk

Quiz Answers

How did you do on the Fashionista Quiz? Did you take the Fashionista Quiz from last weeks blog? See what your answers mean here! Read them all for further insight, or just scroll down to A, B, C, D, or E to find your answer.

For Question #1: If you identified with A, YOU ARE THE LOYAL SHOPPER: You are the type of gal who falls in love with a product and is utterly convinced nothing else out there will ever make your butt, boobs or your skin look so good. There is an underlying reason for this psychologically, but for today’s purposes, lets stick to the surface issues. Listen, we all hate trying on a pair of jeans that just won’t fit over our hips, or a shirt that makes us have a third boob, but at the end of the day I promise you there is more to life than that one pair of size 30 jeans that you bought back in 2002. Take a deep breath, relinquish control and give me a little trust. I know I am a complete stranger but I promise, I too have your disease - and I am in total remission. It just takes knowing where to shop, understanding your budget, your body, and your time. WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER SISTER!

If you identified with B, YOU ARE THE BARGAIN SHOPPER: This is my favorite type of shopper, because I swear all of my friends from the midwest fall into this category. We love to say, “Look at my $40 shoes, they look just like the Manolos Sarah Jessica Parker wore except they don’t cost as much as my rent!"

Unfortunately, we leave out the bloody blister staining the back of our heels. Last month I went through my closet and found four pairs of shoes that were worn once. WHY? Because they killed my bloody feet! I totaled up the cost of each pair of shoes (that were under 50 bucks mind you), and discovered the four pairs cost as much as my Stuart Wiseman gold heels that I have worn down to the ground because they are so comfy. Now, I am not saying we all have to run out there and buy Prada shoes, plenty of designer shoes are just as painful. What we have to become is smart shoppers. I have some great affordable designers that I will turn onto in the next few weeks, but again, we are going to change the way you think about shopping. Bargains are great but you need to throw out the “NO PAIN, NO GAIN” slogan when it comes to fashion.

If you identified with C, YOU ARE A COMPULSIVE SHOPPER: This is a Bargain Shopper on crack. Addicted to the sale and the high of feeling she has found a bargain, she overflows her closet, her husband’s closet, and most likely even the trunk of her car, with things she will never wear or share. (Yes we like to tell ourselves it would make a fantastic gift and that is why we are buying it.)

I can say this without guilt because at one point in my life I too have fallen ill to this shoppers addiction. In fact, my family can identify this type of ailment as being hereditary, for sure. The solution is simple; a bargain is not a bargain if it breaks the bank. A bargain is not a bargain if you never wear every single one of those precious white tees over and over again. And most importantly, a bargain is not a bargain if it creates clutter. Clutter creates chaos, which affects how you feel about yourself and those around you.

I believe the origin of this type of shopper came from the great depression. The “stocking syndrome” was necessary for those who survived that era. However, we cannot justify hording a life supply of turtleneck sweaters like our parents and grandparents justified stock piling canned beans.

If you identified with D, YOU ARE THE TRENDY SHOPPER: The trendy shopper has so many layers to her. She believes it must be fantastic because they sell it at Bloomingdales! She looks forward to her gossip magazines not just to find out who is sleeping with who but who is wearing what. When I got into fashion I think they greatest disappointment I encountered was the discovery that celebrities are human.

They buy crap and wear crap just like we do. Listen, I would love to believe Cameron Diaz is amazed with our bags and legitimately wore them over and over because she couldn’t believe how great the quality, idea and prices of our clutches were! The truth is, I will never know. And here at Solas we have been around long enough to get feedback that, yes, the majority of our clientes wear our bags because they love our designs and our ingenuity.

But sometimes celebrities wear something because they love it, sometimes they were it because someone gave it to them for free, sometimes it happens to match their shoes, and sometimes they wear it because someone told them to, like a stylist. Whatever the reason, we don’t buy things just because they are in a magazine or on a TV show. You use the media as a tool. You need to become an investigative shopper. I have found that if I see a product consistently in the press, 9 times out of 10 it is a quality product. But if it is a quick trend that I saw once in a magazine, I am greatly disappointed - like when the chain breaks on my new $100 necklace. If you see something that you like in Neiman’s or In Style magazine, it doesn’t mean it won’t fall apart in the wash. What we are going to work on together is learning more about quality shopping. There is nothing wrong with shopping at Neiman’s or buying what Jessica Simpson wears, just make sure you know the product is right for you, in your budget, and makes you feel fabulous.

If you identified with E, YOU ARE THE IMPULSE BUYER: The impulse buyer is a combination of The Trendy Shopper and the Compulsive Shopper, on 8 cups of coffee. Why? Because she is delirious when it comes to her pocket book.

No one needs to buy anything they must put on a pedestal. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. I have a gorgeous pair of Prada shoes that are orange, brown, and wood. The shoes, worn by J.LO in a magazine, broke the bank AND my feet. My family has a fantastic story they love telling, about the one time I wore the shoes in Miami. I was mad at my sisters so I stormed off in my heels and told everyone I would meet them at the restaurant two blocks away. Well, two blistered feet later, I was wobbling down Ocean Drive with my Dad driving 3 miles an hour next to me, giggling out the window, “I think you should get in the car for your own self preservation.” Damn did those shoes look hot on the shelf and in that magazine, but I have flat feet and I rarely wear ornage, so it was a very expensive lesson.

Listen, if you try on a $1000 bag and you love it and you must have it and you know you will wear it, then save for it. And in the meantime, there are little tips and tricks you can learn that will allow you to satiate your addiction. But buying it when you are not ready, or when it’s not right for you will only leave you feeling like you have just had a bad one night stand. KK

What Kind of Shopper Am I?

Retail therapy is like going to any other type of counseling. First, we must figure out who we are in respect to the world of shopping. Second, what is our roll in the retail universe? The first thing you need to do is take inventory of your closet. What do you have, want to keep, and what do you wear the most often?

I want you to scan and see what you have more of: shoes, pants, sweaters, hats, jewelry or dresses? What kind of shape are they in? For example: Do you have a lot of shoes but you avoid wearing most of them because they tired out quickly and look worn?

Do you have a lot of fancy jeans that you wear all the time that are still in great shape? Or do you have purses that look pristine only because you never take them out to see the light of day? Once you have spent time getting re-aquainted with your closet, answer the following questions:

1.) I CRY HARDEST WHEN.... A.) My favorite jeans have fallen apart in the wash for the LAST time and the designer has discontinued the line. B.) My brand new 40 dollar shoes from the Shoe Depot are making my toes blister. C.) My white juicy tee shirt was just died pink by my new love interest (although I have four just like it sitting in my closet because they were on sale). D.) My fabulously over-priced necklace from Neiman’s is unwearable because the clasp has broken off. E.) My Chloe bag (the one I took a second mortage out on the house for) spends more time on my shelf than on my shoulder. 2.) WHEN IT COMES TO CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME IS..... 1.) Comfort 2.) Quality 3.) Price 4.) Being Trendy 5.) Looking sexy CHECK BACK NEXT TUESDAY TO SEE WHERE YOU FIT IN THE FASHION SPECTRUM AND HOW TO GET A NEW LEASE ON YOUR SHOPPING LIFE! kk

Closet Quiz Recap