Cover Yourself

(from the October edition of The Family Magazine)

I have been giving a lot of thought recently to the reason behind things.  For example, why would someone complain about EVERYTHING on Facebook?  Or, why would someone yell at a cashier at Target for seemingly no reason at all? 

I will admit, there are days when my patience has worn thin from some incident in the morning with my daughter that will filter to an interaction with someone at the grocery store or in traffic.  

This got me to thinking about the ladies who attend my StyleU workshops. Over the past several months, I’ve had the pleasure to offer this workshop across the Midwest. I’ve met some ladies who I am sure have more style than I do, yet they attend my workshops. Why?  

Why do we dress the way we do?  Is it a costume?  A way to cover something up or distract attention? Do we want to be known as the one that always wears red lipstick?  Why? Or are we the ones who purposely don’t wear anything memorable in the hopes that we can kind of fade away and not be noticed?  Why?

I met a woman recently who shared the following story. I would like to share it with you and ask you to consider what are you doing to cover yourself?

For years I dressed to impressed.  You would never see me outside of my bedroom without full makeup, hair done and 3” heels. Never. Even on family vacations when ‘hiking’ was on the agenda, I would don my most precious jewels and do my best to not sweat off my lipstick and face powder.

It was my “thing”. I felt like that is what I became known for. I was the lady who was always ‘done’. Dressed to a ‘T’. It became how I defined myself. I loved the compliments I would get at luncheons on my shoes, my handbag or my outfits. I would get into lengthy conversations with people about where I shopped, how I pulled together various outfits. The conversations at the time seemed very meaningful and I referred to those I had these interactions with as my friends. But in truth, they knew nothing about me. They didn’t know where I went to school, the names of my children or really what I did for a living. All they knew was that I wore Chanel lipstick and had a great handbag I got at a thrift shop in Chicago.

Through a series of life detours, I was forced to change. The change in my life led me to be in a situation where I could no longer afford to shop. I could no longer afford to buy the best makeup, have my hair and nails done monthly or pay for the best skin care regimen. My new “normal” wasn’t comfortable at all to me. There were days when I would literally sit in my apartment and sob because I had to go to a business meeting wearing something that didn’t fit properly with hair that was about 4 weeks past needing to be “done”.

This annoyed me.  Why was I so hooked up on those things that I thought defined me? Was I really a red Chanel lipstick? A pair of pearls and 3” heels? And if THAT was me, who was I?  What did that mean?

I soon realized that in the photos taken of me in this new phase of life, I looked different, better. I was receiving compliments; complete strangers would stop me on the street and tell me how beautiful I was.  This was remarkable to me given it would be on days when I was wearing no makeup and my hair was in a ponytail.

How strange. People complimenting me on ME and not my things.

Could it be that for so many years I was hiding behind the clothes, makeup and accessories?  Trying to cover up and mask some kind of ugly truth I didn’t want anyone to see? Yes, that is exactly what I did. I was horribly unhappy for many years. Very sick, an illness no one knew about. I was covering the truth about myself with all the clothes, jewelry, shoes, handbags, makeup.  Looking back on it, I probably looked ridiculous. More like a Christmas tree than a business woman.

Although I was forced to rid myself of those ‘things’, I can say (now that I am on the other side of it), it was the best forced life-change that has ever happened to me. Now people see me. The real me.  Yes, I still love to get dressed up and appreciate great makeup. But people see me through all the decoration. They don’t get hung up on all my stuff and forget there is a women behind it all.

Avoid Mom Frump

A checkup on your style, bod and hair, makeup regime

(from the September edition of The Family Magazine)

It happened.  My daughter told me she was embarrassed by what I was wearing. 

My “little one” is 10 now.  And she is confident she can walk to the school bus stop in the mornings by herself.  Being the 007 type mom that I am, I allow her to THINK she is walking alone, when in reality I am stalking behind bushes and cars, watching her cross the street and wait for the bus.

The other day, as I was doing my morning sleuth detail, I noticed she was crossing the road alone.  A big NO-NO in our house.  I compromised my undercover antics and went to the bus stop to tell her it would be a good idea for her to wait and cross with other kids. The look on her face as I approached the bus stop was one of horror. Under her breath she says to me “please go away, your clothes are embarrassing”.

I look down to see what she could be embarrassed about. Gee, I have no idea what was so embarrassing…red workout pants with a red and black sweatshirt. OK, maybe my hair was a bit out of control, and maybe my glasses were half way down my nose. My darling daughter went on to inform me (and I quote) “you don’t wear sweatshirts like that, you look ridiculous.”

She was right. I did.

This exchange got me to thinking. Our kids DO pay attention to what we are wearing. Being a Mom who works from home, there are days it is hard to pull myself together and be presentable. I can COMPLETELY understand falling into the dreaded ‘mommy style rut’ (also known as the mom-frump).

Now that the kids are back to school and you have a little time to yourself (and even if you don’t…make time!) I would like to challenge you to take a pulse on your style, your bod and your hair and skin care regime. 

STEP 1 - Determine your Style Personality:

As you consider who you are, each day remember “I am a ___________ (fill in the blank)”.  Each day remember ‘who you are’ and don’t waiver.  This will make shopping (from your closet and the store) much easier.

SUPER MOM – this mom loves trends. She has no trouble mixing new trends in with her jeans from years ago. She loves big bold jewelry and seems to stand out in a crowd because she knows what to wear and how to wear it. 

GLAM MOM – this mom gets noticed for her sense of style. She wears colors, textures and patterns that you would never think to put together…but for some reason, they look great on her. She might love shopping at thrift stores or consignment shops because of the one-of-a-kind finds. 

SASSY MOM – this mom lives in natural fabrics like cotton.  She will always wear a t-shirt and jeans, and might get a hive if you ask her to wear a dress and heels. Comfort is the key for a Sassy Mom! 

CLASSIC MOM – this mom loves tradition. She loves brands like Kate Spade, and feels most comfortable in jeans and a sweater set.

STEP 2 – Determine Your Bod

Take a real look at yourself in the mirror.  Get a tape measure out if need be. Determine what your real figure challenges are and disguise them with clothing.

THICK MIDDLE: Remember, extra-long necklaces create a leaner line on your entire top half, resulting in a slimmer look. Why not buy one long chain and lots of pendants for variety?

When jacket shopping, you can create the illusion of a waist with a curved shape or a belted back. Also look for seaming on jackets to give a soft silhouette. 

HIPS and THIGHS: Brave enough to bare more? Try a swimsuit with a high-cut brief or bottom will give the illusion of longer (and therefore slimmer) legs.

A boat neck tee creates a horizontal line and broadens your shoulders, making yours hips look more narrow.

BUSTLINE: Scoop neck tees with their deep, wide neckline work to “break up” an ample chest area.

STEP 3 – Let Your Hair and Skin Care Check

As a Mom, I know that hair and makeup are 2 of those ‘maintenance’ things that get pushed to the wayside.  One mom said to me “heck, be happy I used soap today”…ok, I got it.  We have no time.  But, why not?  MAKE TIME!

Making a few small changes can add up to big visual changes (i.e. compliment…maybe even from your kids!). 

HAIR – make sure your hairstyle compliments the shape of your face. Determine the shape of your face by measuring  across the top of your cheekbones (corner of your eye to the other corner of your eye). Then measure across the bridge of your nose. Then your forehead at the widest point. And finally your jawline. These numbers will tell you what shape your face is:

               Oval – any hairstyle looks great on you. Be sure to keep the color close to your natural hue

Square – the best for you is one with movement.  A soft cut is best, drawing attention to your cheekbones.

Round – Straight styles work best for you. An off-center part is also best.

Heart – Bob haircuts were made for your features! Make sure your hair is no longer then your chin. This will

help to create balance.

MAKEUP – be sure to use products that are for your kind of skin.  Your skin care regime (face wash, toner, moisturizer) should be the same brand. They were made to work together…so let them! The way to tell if you are using the right kind of skin products is simple.  Wash your face, rinse and pat dry.  Wait about an hour and see how your skin feels. Don’t put on any toner, moisturizer or makeup during this time. Does your face feel tight? You probably need more moisture in your skin care regime.  Get out a tissue, it press on your cheeks and forehead. Do you see oil on the tissue?  Then you need something to help counterbalance the oil in your skin. If after the hour your skin doesn’t feel tight and there is no oil on the tissue, chances are you have normal skin.

Model Hair

Trends and Tips for Fabulous Hair This Summer

Andrea Goulet

(from the June edition of Sassy Magazine)


The night before meeting with Gail Getz – owner of Salon Rouge – I thought I should prepare my hair for our meeting. I pulled a “Gisele Bundchen” where I put my damp hair in a bun and went to sleep. Gisele claims this is how she gets soft waves and more body to her hair, and I was hoping to achieve similar results. However, I woke up disappointed to see flat, straight, dull hair. At this point, I no longer wished for a great hair day. I just hoped I could salvage my hair to look respectable for Gail who has been in the hair business for over 30 years. It was ironic that I was interviewing her on hair trends, tips and advice when clearly I needed some myself.

The next day, I watched as Gail walked in looking beautiful, stylish and sassy. After exchanging some effortless pleasantries with one another, I was ready to ask some hard-hitting questions – questions sure to impress even the most serious of journalists and hair aficionados. After all, SASSY ladies, like myself, don’t play games when it comes to getting the 411 on the latest trends and styles. And I knew that this was my opportunity to channel my inner investigative reporter and lay bare the secrets to getting fantastic, on-trend summer locks this season.

Q: What are the hairstyle trends leading into summer?

Gail on hairstyle trends: Romantic, natural looking hair is a big trend right now. Long hair with soft waves is also popular. We are moving away from slick and sleek long hair to long hair with movement and dimension. Blow drying hair with a round brush will give more volume in a natural way. Crunchy hair like we all had in the 80s is out; keeping the hair softer, more conditioned and healthier is trending. There are ways to change the style of long hair to get a dramatic new look and that is by adding bangs and/or adding layers to frame around a woman’s face.
Braiding is also very big right now. Loose, soft, messy braids are in. They are fun, fresh and feminine. There are many variations and styles to model, from ponytail braids, fishtail, waterfall and crowning braids, etc.
Gail on color trends: The Ombre hair coloring technique continues to be trending and is currently matching with the natural, soft look of hairstyles and fashion. This is a popular way of adding color to your hair without the high maintenance coloring typically requires. Ombre hair is an intentional graduation of color where the lightest color is placed on your ends and the darkest is at your roots. This way, as the hair grows, you don’t have to worry about touching up the roots.
Another way to color your hair that is popular right now is with Hair Flairs Color Rubs. This is a non-permanent, inexpensive, fun alternative to coloring hair. It looks and feels similar to a highly pigmented eye shadow and can be used on any hair color and texture. Color Rubs are good for adding color to the tips of your hair or adding pieces of color throughout your hair. Lighter hair shows the color more vividly than darker hair. There are lots of fun colors to choose from. Some of the most popular colors have been ultra violet, which is a pink-purple color, and I have seen green used in red hair and it looks amazing. It is also a great way to show support for a cause, sports team or organization. Just make sure when applying the Color Rub to wear gloves and wear an old shirt in case of stains. The Color Rubs are $20 and should come out after you wash your hair.

Q: How are hairstyle trends determined? By celebrities?

Gail: Hairstyles follow fashion. Fashion guides the hair industry and then celebrities showcase those styles. Ultimately, celebrities are governed by fashion. After all, hair is part of a woman’s fashion statement. Right now, fabrics are lightweight, romantic in style and have lots of movement. This is why we are seeing braided hair making a debut and hair that is soft, romantic and natural.

Q: What is a classic mistake most women make with their hair?

Gail: Women tend to be afraid to add warmth to their hair. Most women think going lighter is the answer, but there is a limit on how light a woman can go. Overdone highlighting can wash out a woman’s face. Ash ends up being the color of the hair if they avoid adding warmth, which pulls color out of their face. Adding color should ultimately help accentuate a woman’s natural features – not take away.
Another mistake is not taking care of the hair. Shampoo and conditioner do matter. A lot of women have treated or colored hair and then use a shampoo that strips the color or makes the color fade. You don’t want to invest money in hair color and then use a shampoo high in detergent and sulfates that fade the color.

Q: What is the most commonly asked question you and your stylists receive?

Gail: Women sit down in our styling chair and say, “What would you do with my hair?” This question is tricky for stylists. While we want to give advice, we also need to be mindful of what you do in your everyday life. For instance, we need to know who you are, what type of profession you hold, your lifestyle, what you are wearing – down to the purse you are carrying and shoes you are wearing. The most important thing you can do for your hair and yourself is to establish an open relationship with your stylist and explain your lifestyle. It is important we know what wants and needs you are looking for in a hairstyle. This will help ensure your appointment is a success and your hair fits your lifestyle, rather than trying to fit the lifestyle of your hair that has just been created.

Spring Style Trends

(from the April edition of The Family Magazine)

Spring Style Trends

From Fashion to Décor

Kathy Friend and Andrew Skipper

We’ve said it before – trends transcend more than just the world of fashion. We see “trendy” things in home décor, entertaining and, of course, fashion. The FAMILY Magazine asked two local trend experts – Andrew Skipper, a lifestyle expert, and our fashion editor, Kathy Friend – how things we’re seeing grace the pages of magazines translate into our homes and closets.

FAMILY: We are seeing stripes everywhere. Is this a big trend this season, and what would you call it? How do you do it?

ANDREW SAYS: The nautical look, in my opinion, cannot be categorized as a trend, but rather a timeless look which returns year after year. There are a few different interpretations of nautical style including shabby beach chic and preppy yacht style. Achieve the casual look by incorporating white washed furniture, rope details and the familiar blue and white stripe into your rooms. Take nautical to a glamorous level by using framed sailing maps and natural history prints of fish. Regardless of how you interpret the maritime style, be careful not to let your space become overly themed.

KATHY SAYS: Nautical influence has been around for a long time and is here to stay! All of the stripes you are seeing in magazines come from the nautical influence. To bring a little of this nautical feel into your wardrobe, add a striped tee. A black and white one is timeless and easy to pair with other prints or pop with fun spring colors.

If stripes aren’t really your thing, then add some nautical touches with accessories or details. Chunky chain-link belts, rope details on shoes, even a striped bow in a handbag are all ways to bring that nautical look into your wardrobe.

TO READ THE REST OF THE SPRING TREND STORY...CLICK HERE