Dramatic Holiday Stroll at 50th and France Edina.

Camba Collection Kristin Krull Three weeks before Thanksgiving, my evergreens were already accessorized.  Their tiny lights were ready to twinkle, but I made them wait until late November to shine.  (It was hard to resist!) Now that the trees are all decked out, it’s time to accessorize ourselves for the holidays.Come get your glam on at Drama, a Boutique 11am-4pm on Saturday December 10th. Drama is known for its selection of beautiful, handmade, local jewelry is hosting a Holiday Jewelry Bazaar.  Five of the boutique’s hottest local designers will be on site showing extensive collections while boutique owners, Courtney & Brynn, offer complimentary gift wrapping, cider and sweet treats.  The event coincides with 50th & France’s Holiday Stroll event, so the area will feature traditional carollers and of course, the best Christmas accessory ever…lots and lots of little lights!  (confession: my backyard lights were lit EARLY November.) Featured designers include: ROX by Robin Robinson:  http://www.roxmpls.com/ CAMBA by Kristin Krull:  http://cambajewelry.com/ Engels by Design: http://www.engelsbydesign.com/ Feather Mamas: https://www.facebook.com/hotmamasfireandfeathers m.bridgetdesigns:https://www.facebook.com/pages/mbridget-designs/140112580389 Dramas does so much more than accesories. Peruse my Patch Article and then browse the boutique in person for beautiful baubles, blazers, bags and more.  DRAMA as featured in Patch.

Buying Up Bling with Billy! Win a Shopping Spree with Melrose Place Star, Andrew Shue.

Andrew Shue, star of the 1990’s hit Melrose Place, will be at Edina’s version of the West Hollywood shopping hot spot tomorrow: 50th & France.

The House Amore and Fede will host the star Tuesday, November 15 at 12N.  Stop by the boutique before Noon (Monday)  to register to win a $100 shopping spree. (Shopping to be assisted by Shue and shot by Twin Cities Live.)

Shue is in town for the Twin Cities’ launch of Mom.com.  The father of three co-founded the super successful site,  CafeMom.com, in 1999. The site, which boasts more than seven million visitors each month, is a resource for moms to talk, share advice and make new friends. 

Mom.com is an extension of the brand and will offer fabulous deals for families every day. The site caters to moms and the things that their families like to buy, eat, and do- at greatly discounted prices.

Shue to appear:
Tuesday, November 15  Noon  @ The House of Amore and Fede   3940 West 50th  Edina, MN

Tuesday, November 15 3pm on TWIN CITIES LIVE  Kstp Channel 5. and on Lori and Julie MY TALK 107.1 FM immediately after.   

 Wednesday, November 16  7:30pm-9:30pm @  Pinstripes  3849 Gallagher Drive Edina MN

        

Lush Ocean Salt Review

If your computer screen had a scratch and sniff feature, you’d be very happy right now.  Breathe in and at least pretend.

Ahhhh….It smells like beach.

The Ocean Salt Facial Scrub from LUSH was a luxurious little gift from Macy’s.  The retailer recently hosted a bloggers event at their Southdale store.

Ocean Salt was my favorite thing in the swag bag, not only because of the scent, but because it feels sensational.  The little salty scrubbers make your skin say, “HELLO? What  was THAT?”  Then you dig in and scoop out MORE!

The Lush line is all about fresh.  Ocean Salt’s ingredients read like a juice bar menu; lemon, lime, coconut, grapefruit, to name a few.   Next time you notice the LUSH logo beaming brightly in Macy’s cosmetics department, bop by and buy up some beach for your bathroom.  Love It.

Photo credit: Lush 

Capes; a Fresh Fall Trend.

Last night I saw a lot of capes.   Darth Vader, Superman and Batman all stopped by for a Butterfinger.

Tomorrow  I’ll see, yet more capes.   I’m meeting a client at the 1/2 Yearly Sale,  where I’m guessing this fall trend will be flying off the racks.

While I don’t own one (YET), I’m a fan of capes.  They’re fresh, fashionable and even functional.

Perfect example- I have a Free People sweater which, ironically, makes me feel like a prisoner.  I can’t wear it out of the house in the winter because the mid-length, big bell sleeves refuse to go in the little armholes of a coat or jacket.

A casual cape solves the problem.

Conundrum number two: What to wear with that sensational, strapless, holiday number when a cardigan seems a little ho ho ho-hum?    A cashmere capelet, or leather trimmed cape are both options to add excitement to your ensemble.

Capes are capable of almost anything!

ALMOST…  While all of the Darths at the door looked dapper last night,  it was a capeLESS little cutie-pie that stole the “Halloween Fashion Show” in my head.   The teeny, tiny, twinkle of a tot rocked a ”Unicorn, “ and unwittingly modeled an even bigger fall trend – Faux Fur.   Fabulous!  

I should have WISHED for one in adult sizes, while I had the chance.

CAPE SHOWN: Caslon® Merino Wool Toggle Cape /Camel Combo.  On Sale at Nordstrom.

Penguins Wearing Sweaters.

I’m pretty sure my grandfather worked for Munsingwear back in the day.   I vaguely remember him talking about Pete the Penguin, the dapper little icon on the Munsingwear golf shirts.  I bet he never dreamed that if he Googled “penguin clothes” he’d see real PENGUINS wearing clothes. (and I’m not talking tuxedos)

These little penguins are sporting sweaters hand-knit by animal lovers.  If you think dog clothes are dumb… and these are even worse, think again.

The sweaters are preventing them from preening their feathers, which are covered with poisonous petroleum from an unfortunate oil spill off the coast of New Zealand.  Apparently, rescuers slip the dirty birds into cozy little crewnecks until they can carefully clean each one.

It’s hard not to be touched by the outpouring of T.L.C. demonstated by all involved to save the innocent penguins.  It’s also hard NOT to smile when you see them waddling around wearing tiny tunics.  Hats off to the volunteers. And whoever knit that little Lilly Pulitzer-like pink stripe around the neck– you made my day!

The Trench Coat; a Classic Piece for Women’s Wardrobes.

We’ve all asked the age-old question, “Does this make my butt look big?” I suspect many of us have also asked ”Does this trench coat make me look like McGruff the Crime Dog?

Ninety percent of the time the answer is “No,” but that “McGruff look” can happen.

To prevent, look for trench coats with a nice feminine silhouette, cinched waist and slightly A-line lower half.

If you’ve tried on some styles and felt more “detective” than “designer,” look for delicate details.  Beautiful buttons, fancy fabrics or a pretty ruffle can amp up the style factor.

Piperlime offers the Ruffle Trim Trench pictured left at only $79.  Love the versatile charcoal shade.

My client and I fell in LOVE with the Armani Collezioni Fan Collar Jacket we found at Nordstrom. (lower left)  The metallic thread and swirling pattern are stunning up close. She looks like a million bucks, no matter WHAT she’s wearing under it.   Trench coats are a beautiful thing.

A trench coat is a key piece in any wardrobe.   This is a classic garment  it’s okay to splurge a little.   There’s certainly no crime in, at least,  trying one on… 

Edina Events… and Luscious Lotion!

As long as too many worms don’t suprise me, I  really like digging in my flower gardens.  My hands, however, don’t .  We’re getting along better now (my hand and I) since I’ve stumbled upon Aveda Hand Relief.  It feels amazing.

This luscious lotion was part of a gift bag I recevied from JUUT at their Fall Make Up Event.  There’s another one coming up September 22nd.  Check out my experience and Patch article at this link: Fall Fashion Events.

Short post!   Heading off to Fashion’s Night Out at Galleria!  Maybe I’ll see you  there! (BTW… also in the Patch link)

Neck Ties to Tie Dyes, Moms offer Back-to-School Shopping Tips.

My friend Meg let her little boy pack his own bag for their weekend road trip to Nebraska.  He packed a tie.  Adorable.

Also excited about neck ties is this future first grader, Shepard.  The dashing 6-year-old is trying on his new back-to-school uniform for mom, Kimberly, who couldn’t be happier about the required navy blue blazer and khaki pants. “No drama in the morning,” she explained.  The uniform “makes the routine quick and easy.”

Available at Land’s End, elements of this ensemble are brilliant for back-to-school, whether your child wears a school uniform or not.  According to Kimberly, the knees on the Land’s End pants are reinforced “for all the wear and tear little boys subject their pants to.”   Gotta love Land’s End. They offer easy-care clothing options that are ready-to-wear from the dryer and a Lost Mitten Club to boot.

Making back-to-school shopping EASIER is the essence of an article I recently wrote for Patch.  Meg, back from Nebraska, is among  the many moms that offer advice.  For tips, tricks, ideas and more here’s the link: Back- to-School Shopping Beckons  But before you click,  please note I’ve added a Facebook icon to page for you to share the story with others.  You may also subscribe to this blog at RIGHT.   Style posts come via email twice a month:)

Shepard shows mom, Kimberly, his back-to-school uniform as brother Jackson looks on. Kimberly comments, "The neutral combination of navy blue and khaki allows for a neck tie with pops of color and pattern...something Shepard is excited about. The boys can customize their look by choosing their own shirts and ties."

Flexibilty and Family First for Busy Moms that Want to Work. Social Selling Offers Opportunities.

Yesterday I worked really hard delegating, decorating, downloading and making quick decisions.  Today, the only decision I want to make is “Pedicure?” Or “Deluxe Pedicure?”   To me, flexibity is the best part of owning a small business like Angel Toes Inc. or being self-employed as wardrobe stylist and Patch writer.      This week, meet two busy moms that feel fortunate to have that sort of flexibility. Both in the bobble biz, Kris Paul and Nikki Weber share their insights with me.  PATCH ARTICLE LINK

BTW, I did the “Deluxe,”  (had a coupon)  The second decision of the day was an easy one;   OPI’s pinky-orange color named,  “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”  Tuffy inspected and approved.

I’d like to write a Patch Article on BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING and would love some input and feedback from those of you who do it.   Please email me if you’d be willing to be included. beputtogether@comcast.net

Great, very timely article! I am an Edina mom, home with 2 small boys, and have been a rep for Stella & Dot for the last 2 years. They are reinventing the idea of ‘home parties’ and are confident that the combination of e-commerce  and social selling will change how we shop in the future. Liz Couchman- Edina.    www.stelladot.com/lizcouchman

Freshen Up Your Swimsuit Cover Ups. Easy Ideas for the Beach and Pool.

Santoori Dress Available at Hot Mama. Throw on over a bathing suit and you’re ready to run from Byerly’s to the beach! On sale through July 17.

Horrified by the “back to school sections” popping up in stores everywhere, I wrote this article to PROTEST loose leaf PAPER and PROMOTE  the POOL!  Raise a glass of ice tea to the second half of summer!  The glass is still HALF FULL.

Knowing you may have already logged plenty of pool time this season,  you might be a little bored with your beachwear.  If that describes you, here are some ideas to freshen up your cover up.

I wrote this article for Patch:

SPICE UP YOUR SUMMER SWIM ENSEMBLES