The Lost Keaton?

I dressed up in a sort of goth, sort of emo chick getup for a Halloween party last night.

I just realized who I resembled.

Tina Yothers from Family Ties after she dyed her hair black.

Not quite the look I was going for.

I was *really* not that pasty white and did not resemble a rogue cast member of a Rocky Horror troupe.

Kristen's Bio

Thanks to my PR department (aka my friend Liz) for writing this fantastic bio for me!

The best image and wardrobe consultants are a blend of a creative spirit tempered with a dash of analytical ability and a whole lot of common sense and practicality. They can easily adapt to a client’s personality, thoroughly interpret their needs and make the best of every closet they meet and every shopping adventure they embark upon.

Kristen Kaleal is one such example.

Her goal is to help men and women create a unique personal style that celebrates who they are, what they do, and where they want to go in life.

Kristen’s image and style training began with a former Hollywood wardrobe consultant who had worked on the shows Designing Women and Murphy Brown. She then studied with one of the seven Certified Image Masters in the world at the London Image Institute, where she strengthened her skills as a personal image coach and teacher of impression management in a corporate environment.

She is a past president of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) OH/PA Chapter. AICI sets the standards for training and continuing education in the image industry.

She is regularly featured as a style expert in newspapers, magazines, and on television. A popular print and online columnist, Kristen has written regular columns for several magazines both with both local and international audiences. Her newsletter reaches over 16,000 people on seven continents.

Kristen is currently at work on her first book. She can be reached at kkaleal@aol.com or (440) 742-0385.

Follow Kristen on Twitter: http://twitter.com/kkaleal

In a decorating mood

I won't be moving for awhile, but I am looking for design inspiration.

And I can't find what I'm looking for.

In fact, I have no idea what I am looking for, so how can I find it?

My ideal place to live is a model home with none of my clutter or closet monkeys. In fact, when I lived in the kingdom of new construction (Las Vegas), on the weekends, I would tour model homes. The Street of Dreams was in my development a couple of times and I would sneak my camera in. This is how serious I was about finding design inspiration.

I love to decorate and my taste is definitely eclectic, but I don't like anything that looks cluttered. And I like a lot of color - just nothing that bothers my eyes, and nothing too deep.

I like round shapes and swirls, just like in my wardrobe.

I love texture and mixing patterns, but not too much.

I also like some elements of the early 60's mod style and the cocktail culture.

I have a subscription to getdecorating.com and peruse the designer gallery on HGTV, but have still not found what I really like. When I see objects, I know they're my taste, but I have never seen exactly what I like all in one place.

When I move, I want to know what I'm doing so that I don't mess around with a bunch of different styles and ideas like I did with my Vegas house. I made a number of mistakes that I don't want to repeat.

I get like this sometimes. The decorating bug lies dormant in me until something coaxes it out. I'm glad it's not there all the time, otherwise, I would have neverending decorating projects and would make myself crazy.

Sharing my gifts with the world!

When I spent my two weeks sick on the couch, I got super bored. So I went out and bought a kid's big drawing tablet and markers. I filled the WHOLE THING with my weird drawings. Forty pages.

This past weekend, I took said tablet to my parents to show them the fruits of my labor.

And to my surprise, both of my parents said I'm a really good artist! Can you believe it?! I'm not used to such validation! Naturally, my ego has swelled beyond comprehension.

And here I used to think that I have the artistic ability of a very talented 10 year old.

(I do have an Art History degree and have studied the masters, but instead I draw sea creatures, cocktails and gay pirate flags.)

My Headache Kit

When I get a headache, I usually end up hunting for my favorite meds, which seem to move around. They're never in the same place twice, depending on where I got the headache.

So I created a headache kit, which is working well so far. I had a bad one over the weekend and I grabbed it and kept it with me until I felt better.

Here's what's in it:

Excedrin Migraine (seems to be my wonder drug - it really works)

Sleep mask (I become sensitive to light if I have a migraine)

Generic "Headache Reliever"

Excedrin Tension Headache (this used to work for me, not so much anymore)

Eucalyptus & Spearmint spray - I spray it on my sleep mask

The Healing Garden Tangerinetherapy headache relief gel (I don't think it's around anymore, but it's available on ebay) - I rub it on my temples and it feels good.

And finally, not in the kit, but definitely a part of it:
My fabric beanbag compress that stays cold in the freezer for when I need it

Those are the items that have always helped me. Now they're in a convenient kit! I would love to hear if anyone else has suggestions.

My Favorite Places

Now that you know where I won't go, here are my favorite places.

1) Sea World - doesn't matter what city

2) Disney World

3) Vegas - much better to be a tourist than living there

4) Cleveland Museum of Art - inside & outside

5) Palm Springs - I may retire out there one day

6) Savannah, GA

7) Santa Monica

8) New York Public Library

9) Shedd Aquarium (Chicago)

10) Aladdin's

11) West Side Market

12) Barneys New York


Hmmm....I think my other list was much more interesting.......

I think I need to move to California.

Oh the places I won't go!

This may be my weirdest post ever, but I think it needs to be written.

For as far back as I can remember, I have had a mental list going of the places where I would never be caught dead. In other words, I've been sick for so long that I have nothing to write about.

Ok, here goes:

1) Chipotle - first experience was my last.

2) Steelers home game. Self-explanatory.

3) Cemeteries after dark.

4) Any beach on any Great Lake.

5) Detroit - one of my friends said it's a hole and should be blown up. I would have to agree.

6) Chinese buffets

7) Kinko's (or Fed Ex/Kinko's or whatever it's called)

8) Blossom- the last time I was there was 5 years ago, and even if two of the Beatles come back to life and they reunite I get free tickets, I'm not going to Blossom.

9) Abercrombie/Hollister

10) Racetrack/dog track

And a bonus:

11) New Mexico - after an unforgettable experience with a Native American at a gas station, I decided years ago to boycott the state forever.

I'm also going to add (for good reason)

12) The Elvis Presley Museum - Took my mom there when I was living in Las Vegas. Three hours later, I was ready to kill myself. My mom had the time of her life. Ugh.