I have a problem

Yes, I'm a Cleveland Browns fan.

And I have the clothing and accessories to prove it.

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

How to invest in shoe booties

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are some to think about.

Nordstrom - Enzo Angiolini 'Kaleb'

Macys - Meyer Ankle Boot (Max Studio)

Zappos.com - Joan & David / Hartman

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

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

Agh! To die for.....

Happy 90th Birthday to My Gram!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other random Gram facts:

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

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

Gram's Yard, Summer 2009

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

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

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

Women: The best way to carry business cards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just a sweet transvestite...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fall 2009's Wearable Trends

1) Colorful Statement Bag

B. Makowsky Kiev Hobo – Macy’s

One of the best ways to inject some color into your cold weather drabs is to have a hot bag to grab when you’re leaving the house. Extra credit if you can find a lightweight scarf containing a similar shade of purple. It will look like you put a lot of thought into your outfit. Don't worry - I won’t tell!

2) Menswear Details & Cutouts

Lace-Cut Oxfords - Anthropologie

Accessories influenced by menswear are an autumn fashion staple. Here, a men’s oxford-style shoe is made more ladylike with cutout details, a peeptoe, and a nice high heel. This shoe will look fabulous with brown tights or trouser socks peeking out for contrast.

3) Boyfriend Jacket

Sashimi Blazer (Juniors) - Nordstrom

Everyone seems to be turning up their sleeves this season. While the long version of the boyfriend blazer will never be a flattering look for curvy women, there are lengths out there to suit everyone. And if you don’t feel like investing in a jacket that may not be in style for too long, an alternative is taking a longer jacket you already have, buying small shoulder pads at JoAnn Fabrics and rolling up the sleeves. Instant boyfriend jacket!

4) Ruffles

Elaborate Ruffle Halter – The Limited

We have seen ruffles every season for years now. Do you think ruffles are a good

investment? You bet. They are one of those details that you either love or loathe.

If you have a romantic side to your clothing personality, then ruffles feel fabulous and look great on you. If they’re not your thing, then it’s okay to pass them by.

5) Statement Necklace

Braided Stones and Chains – Forever 21

Necklaces are my favorite accessory. And you thought I would say shoes! Nothing but a necklace can make a drab outfit more exciting both quickly and inexpensively. They are also the recessionista’s best friend because they can transform something you’ve worn dozens of times into whole new look.

With necklaces right now, the bigger the better. Statement necklaces are usually worn close to the face – at 16” or 18" lengths.

6) Cute Hat

Roxy/Sasha Fedora – Zappos.com

In my book, cute hats are always “in” - especially if you live in a chilly environment like I do. Try that scarf trick you used with the bag above with a colorful hat. You can thank me later :}

7) Long Cardigan

Gianni Bini "Forest" Duster - Dillards

Another 80’s trend to go along with the boyfriend jacket, long cardigans are everywhere. Be sure to try on a bunch of them before choosing one. There are many, many styles out there and it is a very tricky piece to pull off successfully if you are short or curvy.

The “duster” style shown above is very flattering to most body types and can be worn to work and with jeans for years to come. A great investment piece.

8) Pink

Michael Kors double-breasted short trench coat – overstock.com

Pink is not necessarily the color you most associate with fall, and that’s what makes it unexpected and exciting. Fall’s pink is a little on the dusty side to go with all the gray shades we’re seeing in the stores. A jacket like the one pictured above can be worn now with a lightweight scarf or it can be a spring jacket as well.

9) Neon

Pretty Ballerinas Neon – revolveclothing.com

If we’re talking about what’s in for fall, we have to touch on the neon trend. All I can do is say a sarcastic thank you to the 1980’s for neon. For those of us who already lived through the wild fluorescents, we will probably skip this one every time it cycles back in fashion. But it’s new to others, so the best advice I can give is to use it sparingly. A simple shoe or bracelet will do – and I won’t have to avert my eyes when you’re walking toward me.

10) Patterned Tights

Worthington® Chevron Tights – JC Penney

Yawn! Patterned tights. Again. They’re not even a trend anymore. They’re an essential wardrobe staple. Hint: When the tights sales start at the end of winter, stock up on plain black and black patterned ones. The darker they are, the more flattering they will always be. I love the large herringbone-type pattern above.

Now that you’ll be looking stylish and feeling hot, the cold weather isn’t so bad, right?

CSI: Creative Style Inspiration

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

Perhaps it was a frilly dress you could see yourself wearing to a wedding, when you normally live in jeans. Or you may try out a classic suit - because everyone is "supposed" to have one, even though you are naturally more of a creative dresser.

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

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

Does it feel right when you put it on, or do you feel like you are wearing someone else's clothes? Are you consistent every day in your style?

Do your casual clothes, your work clothes and your social clothes tell a consistent story? And does that story reflect who you truly are?

Make no mistake about it, learning who you are when it comes to your personal style is EMPOWERING. It turns simply wearing clothes into a true expression of who you are.

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

These are people and characters who understood themselves and found their style and it became a true manifestation of their inner selves. Whether through simplicity or creativity, they know who they are and how to express their inner style on the outside.

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

It is a great benefit (and a time saver) to know myself well enough that I can quickly find what I love and what will be make me feel my most authentic.

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

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

So why is it that as we get older, we become more afraid to be unique? We are all individuals, so why not celebrate those differences in the way we dress? You may say, "Well, I am a professional and need to dress in a certain way."

Naturally, maintain the respect you have for your job, but is there anyone telling you that you cannot wear a colorful and funky top under your conservative suit? If it feels right (and is inoffensive), who says you can't go for it?

There are six main fashion personalities. You are most likely a combination of at least two. The more I understood this concept and the more I started to evolve and understand myself, the more I found myself making things up as I went along!

Remember, your fashion life is an adventure. Celebrate it as such! Nothing is right or wrong if it feels good and expresses your personality and mood!

Here are a few examples of the six fashion personalities:

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

Classic - Tailored lines, conservative and professional polish

Dramatic - Likes bold clothing, like to draw attention

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

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

Artistic/Creative - Anything goes, mix and match - value creative expression

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

1. How would you describe your current fashion style?

2. Who is your style icon?

3. If you could have only two things in fashion, what would they be?

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

5. What would you never be caught wearing?

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

7. What do you wish you could wear, but can't?

And then rank yourself on a scale of 1-6, with 1 being the most like you:

Alluring _____

Classic _____

Dramatic _____

Romantic _____

Natural _____

Artistic/Creative _____

Next time you are out in a clothing store, pull a few pieces of clothing off the rack and try to identify what fashion personality each piece is.

When you know what items attract you - and also which ones to avoid - you can better focus your attention when you shop. That way, only clothing you love, that feels authentic - and most importantly, clothing you will wear will find its way into your closet!