Heads Up!

Growing up I was never able to find hats that looked good on my tiny head! I'm not sure if there wasn't as much variety as we have now, or that I simply didn't find the right styles but whatever the reason you won't find too many pictures of me with a hat on.  Thankfully times, styles and possibly my head size has changed.  :)  I have to say I do enjoy throwing on a hat every so often and I'm finally comfortable with the way they look on me.  :)                                                                        

Hats can be really fun and fashionable if worn right.  More importantly, they can be a life savor on those lazy days when you don't feel like making a big effort with your hair.  Keep in mind, depending on the style of hat your wearing, you may still want to do a little something to liven up the hair that is showing!  :) 

Here are a couple different fashionable hats to think about.

 Fedora :  This hat is best worn with a fashionable outfit.  Jeans, stylish shirt or jacket, it can be worn any season of the year.  You probably don't want to throw this on with a pair of sweats and sweatshirt....its just a little to stylish for a true "lazy day" outfit.  :)

 

Beret : Berets are really cute, and if you are someone who looks good in them I'm jealous!  I try them on all the time and have yet to find one that looks as cute on me as I would have hoped.  I might be generalizing here but I think they may be one of the harder hats to wear.  (It could just be me?)  I encourage you to try one on next time you see one in a store, maybe you'll look great and add it to your collection?



Knit Helmet



Hats for Winter:  Whether you ski, snowboard or like me, can only make snow angels, you know that the winter can be brutal on your hair.  But this doesn't mean you should settle for your dad's over sized beanie.  There are numerous hats for women that are super cute and perfect for your winter outings!  Check out this "Chunky Knit Helmet" I found at www.Zappos.com  it actually looks cute on the model in one of the pictures and  looks SUPER warm!

Headbands:  Ok, so they aren't exactly "hats" but this season they are an accessory to wear! There are some really cute crocheted ones that help keep your ears warm.  Make sure you try these on.  I have learned that depending on your head shape and size, headbands might need to be a certain width to look good.  Find what works for you and keep that in mind when you are shopping! 

Sun Hats:  I'm sure these might have a more formal name but I call them "sun" hats or "floppy" hats.  They are very sassy and should be worn with stylish clothing.  They are perfect for completing a bohemian look but can look great with other styles as well.  Try them out, they are really fun!   

Next time you are out shopping for a new look, don't forget to try some fun accessories for your head!  Hats, headbands, earmuffs, etc......you might just find something that works!

                                                                                                       

Hair!

HAIR.....you wear it EVERYDAY!   Sometimes we don't "style" it, but it's still there (like it or not).  Long, medium, short, curly, straight, wavy, curled, crimped, braided, shiny, dull, limp, fried, bleached, frizzy, greasy, the list goes on and on........ 

What does your particular hairstyle say about you?  All too often I think our hair speaks for itself, and I hate when it tells a story that I didn't intend.  Maybe you're hair is telling the world you're too busy to get a haircut or color?  Maybe it says you woke up late? Maybe your hair forgot to graduate high school (to another style) with you? Maybe it says your a risk taker or not a risk taker?......My point is, whether or not you want your hair to reveal something about yourself, it probably is.

 Hopefully you all cut your hair.  Seriously I can't stand when I see someone with nasty hair long enough to clean the toilet bowl with.....you've all seen it! Ladies, long hair doesn't necessarily mean pretty hair!  Yes, we see models and movie stars with outrageously beautiful luxurious hair, and we drool over it, then attempt to grow our hair out to look just like it.  Unfortunately about 10 months in (with no haircut) our hair begins to transform, and instead of looking like Blake Lively your hair begins too look more like the members of Guns and Roses (Axl or Slash depending on your hair type).  I'm not saying you can't have long hair, I'm just want you to keep in mind that you still need trims to keep your hair looking healthy and that depending on your hair type you might look better with shorter hair. 

When picking a good hairstyle you have to take into account your hair type (thick, thin, coarse, fine, straight, curly, wavy), your face shape and your lifestyle (are you going to take the time to do a high maintenance haircut? or do you need an easy on the go type)?  If you don't know your hair type, ask your stylist.  When choosing a cut, remember to keep in mind how much time you want to spend on your hair each morning.  Your own personal style (as far as clothes) should also be taken into consideration.  Do you follow the latest trends? Do you consider yourself more of a "classic" look? Your hairstyle should coincide with your wardrobe.  (Example: If you want a super short pixie cut, with purple highlights you might want to wear funky clothes along with it, not your Ann Taylor slacks). 

 

 Most women color their hair. Yes, we all have friends that won't let anything touch their glorious locks, but for the rest of us who are fighting the greys and natural dull color we are left to choose what color will look best on us.  I'm one of those "crazy" women who has tried almost every color of hair. I've been blond, dark blond, golden blond, red, brown, dark brown, reddish brown.....I think you get the idea.  It's amazing how much your hair color can change the way you look.  Your skin, your eyes, the color of clothes that compliment you, they all change when you alter your hair color.  It can also make you look younger (covering those greys) or make you look older (over-processed blonde's). 

So how do you decide on a color?  First you must take into consideration your natural hair color.  If you are a natural brunette, it will probably look best to stick within a couple shades of your natural.  By this I mean if you want to go blond, its ok, but you need to be aware that trying to go platinum blond will normally fade out your skin tone and will also damage your hair quite a bit trying to get to that super blond color.  Think of a scale from 1-10, 1 being black and 10 being blond.  If you start at a natural level 5 (brown), you have to lighten 5 shades to reach that 10, and in the process your hair is going to take a beating.  You will most likely achieve an orangish/yellow blond that many of you won't like.  Blonde's are best left to the naturally blond, this means people with a natural level 7 (dark blond) or lighter.  There isn't as much processing to reach the desired blond when you start with a lighter natural color.  Make sense?  The good news is we can achieve a lighter look by foiling (highlighting) or balayage.  This allows people with darker shades to achieve the look they want without completely damaging their beautiful locks. 

On the flip side we have many women that want to achieve the exotic dark hair.  This is when your natural dark hair comes in handy.  Coloring your hair a darker shade, is way easier on your hair follicle so it tends to leave your hair looking shiny and healthy. Keep in mind your eye color, skin color and eyebrows......yes your eyebrows will be a dead give away that your hair is way darker then normal.  I think it looks best if your eyebrows are a similar shade to your hair color, so you might need to darken them in with an eyebrow pencil if you go considerably darker then your natural.  If you have blue eyes, you will normally look better with cooler tones of browns, as opposed to brown eyes will tend to look better with warmer tones.  Again it's always good to consult with your colorist before choosing the right shade for you hair.

Let's not leave out the fabulous reds!  Red hair is probably the hardest of the colors to pull off.  When done right it just looks so beautiful, but when the shade is wrong...yikes watch out!  Red is also hard to maintain, it fades really fast so keep this in mind when you choose a red shade....you might be needing touch ups more often then with brunette or blond. 

Learn to work with your hair!  Your stylist isn't going to be at your beck and call each morning to help blow dry, flat iron or whatever else it is they normally do.  You need to be able to do your hair yourself!  I believe every women should have a flat iron, med barrel curling iron, hot rollers, ponytail holders, bobby pins, hairspray and de-frizzer.  I understand that you don't need ALL of these items especially if you have short hair but they are great to have tucked away in your closet for those special occasions when you want a change.  Obviously most of these won't be used everyday.  The best way to learn what hairstyles you like is to experiment!  Take a rainy day when your bored and try out that curling iron, maybe attempt a cute braid or messy ponytail.  You never know when something might look good, and then you've added another number to your mix of hairdo's.

• When choosing a stylist, look at their hair!! I always tell women, that if they don't think their stylist has good hair/style, then they should probably find another one.  (Think Jon and Kate Plus 8, the Mom's hair....sick, if your stylist looks like this....run...)
• Blonde's....don't get stuck thinking that this is the only color you can be.  Sometimes we think that because we were blond as a child we must be blond forever.  Not true!  The fact of the matter is, your hair gets darker with age so chances are by the time your twenty your hair is probably dark blond or brown.  A great way to achieve a beautiful blond color without over processing your hair is having balayage done.  Your hair will be darker at the roots, which makes for easier grow out, but then fades into a beautiful blond color towards the ends.  (FYI:  I love blond hair, I don't mean to pick on you ladies with it, just make sure you choose the right shade and you will look fabulous!) PS I'm super jealous of those of you that can pull off being platinum blond, when done right it looks amazing!
• If you color your hair try to find a color safe shampoo and conditioner, this will help maintain your color longer!
• Experiment! Experiment! Experiment!  Try different colors, styles, cuts.  Don't be afraid to try something new.  Ask your stylish friends for advice on what they would choose for you.  (remember you don't HAVE to do what they say)  If more then one of your friends thinks you would look good as a brunette, try it.....who knows maybe you will!  Or maybe you've always wanted to try red, or a dark brown......do it!  You only live once!

There seems to have been a baby boom among my friends this year.  I love watching the pregnant belly take shape as the pregnancy progresses, though I know when it's YOUR belly growing it can be a little frightening.  Will this extra weight be delivered along with the baby?  We wish! 

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I could write a whole blog on maternity clothes and some day I probably will, but what I've been asked to write about today is what to wear AFTER the baby is born. 

So labor is over, you've got a beautiful bundle of joy and numerous months (sometimes years) of sleep deprivation ahead.  Maybe the "pregnancy glow" is still lingering?  Or maybe, its just the sweat from your constant hot flashes.  You're hot, frustrated with nursing and feel like your body has been through a garbage disposal (ok, maybe that was just me).  Anyway you have way more important things to do then worry about how you look, but everyone wants to see your new baby and take pictures that you won't be able to escape. 

Let's keep in mind, there are going to be many days where you are not going to care, or make an effort and I will give you that.  So when you decide to venture out into the real world, or maybe invite people over to see the baby, this would be a good time to step it up a notch.  Hopefully you can nurse, or bottle feed that baby down and escape to your spa (bathroom) to do a little primping.

I learned quickly that you need to do what is most important to you first (you never know when the baby will wake and need your immediate attention).  For me, I need a little make-up before I face society.  So I would take 5 minutes to apply foundation, bronzer, blush, eye-liner, mascara and lip gloss.  Remember you are probably sleep deprived and your eyes might show it so do them a favor and help them out.   Take another 5-10 minutes to fix your hair, it doesn't HAVE to be anything fancy.  You can throw it into a cute ponytail, make a messy bun, straighten it, a cute hat, etc. It doesn't take long,  just do something!   Ok so now your "head" is done, let's move onto the rest of your body.  :)



Motherhood Maternity $59.98

Most of us won't have the option of throwing on our favorite pre-pregnancy jeans.  If you can ....you're lucky.  I remember hating maternity jeans but I have to say after having a baby, you might need to wear them a little bit longer.  :) This is why it's important to get good maternity clothes....but that's another issue that we will touch on another blog.  If you have a great pair of maternity jeans that fit, awesome, if not perhaps a stretchy skirt or jeggings. 

 $49 Nursing Shirt (A Pea in the Pod)

When it comes to shirts, you have many options, but the one that I seemed to use the most, is best described as "wearing a stretchy tanktop underneath EVERYTHING."  Let me tell you, my tanks were my best friends.  Whether you nurse your child or not, your "lady friends" (aka boobs) tend to be bigger then normal and its no surprise to any of us that your stomach might be a little "poochy".   This is where the tanks really helped me.  It gave me extra coverage in the mid section and also allowed me to nurse without flashing my tummy to the entire world.  No matter what I wore over the tank, I would just pull up the top shirt, leaving the tank to cover my stomach and would then whip my lady lumps right out to do their "duty".  (And yes, I covered myself with the nursing blanket thingy) Sorry for how graphic I just got, but sometimes there really isn't a polite way to explain it. :)  Since you will be pulling and maneuvering the shirts throughout the day, its important for them to be stretchy and durable. There are numerous styles of over-sized shirts available these days that are super cute. Spending a little extra on a couple great shirts that work for you is worth it.  Since you probably aren't going to "dress up" everyday, you don't need a wardrobe full of stylish nursing shirts, just a few to get you through the transition phase. 

My last tip would be to layer.  Wear tanks, with shirts or sweaters.  Remember that longer shirts tend to work better because you are constantly bending over to pick up the baby or change diapers.  This will hopefully eliminate showing those parts of the body that like to jump out and make themselves known when we least expect it.  (muffin tops, butt cracks)  Give yourself the comfort of knowing that even if you have to bend over, you won't be flashing everyone in the room.  :)

Last but not least, enjoy your new baby!  I'm super jealous of my friends that just gave birth, newborns are so precious and they grow up way too fast.  No matter what trauma your body goes through in pregnancy and birth, these babies are worth every bit of it!  So try to remember on the days that you are feeling sweaty, bloated and puffy that you have a sweet child who appreciates you EXACTLY the way you are with those extra pounds and all.  :)

Looks : Keeping it in Perspective

This morning I woke up to an exciting email telling us that we reached one step closer to adopting a baby girl from Uganda.  This has been a LONG process, and any progress we make is extremely exciting for our family.  So when I sat down to write for this blog, I couldn't help but ponder the idea of how spoiled we are here in the U.S.  Now before you stop reading, I promise I won't go off an a tangent on how horrible we are blah blah blah.  But I DO think its important to limit how big of a role we allow our looks to play in our lives. 

The way I look, IS important to me, no matter how many times I try to tell myself its not.....it just IS and I would go as far as to say if you are following this blog, it probably matters to you too.   But let me make very clear, the way I look does not define me as a person.  I don't think I'm a bad person for caring because at the end of the day, my looks aren't what define me.  My actions and reactions are what make me who I am.   

I can only speak for myself here, but when I make an effort to look good, I feel good, and therefor treat other people better.  Those PMS days where I'm bloated, zitty, sweaty, crabby, etc. I try to dress as if I feel 100% and you know what sometimes it works.  :)  I guess my point is, that we should spend the majority of our day focusing on the important things in life (our kids, how we treat others, being a hard worker, a caring wife) not worrying about who we will end up seeing at the store since we forgot to comb our hair.  Take 15 minutes to spend a little time on yourself in the morning, so that the rest of the day isn't spent worrying about your looks.  You are more helpful to us ALL if you are giving your best, but more often then  not, you aren't doing that unless you feel good about yourself.  Keeping that in mind, I have to be honest and say there are days that I feel good about myself in a hoodie and pair of sweats.  I may not look like a supermodel but sometimes those comfy days are just what the doctor ordered.  (Lets just make it clear....the "doctor" shouldn't be ordering this EVERY day!) 

So when you wake up in the morning, make your decision to be the best you can be THAT day.  Maybe you will try a new look, maybe you will put on your favorite jeans and tee, or maybe it will be your sweats day, whatever you choose, quickly move on to the important things, focus on what REALLY matters and hopefully at the end of the day you will feel productive, happy and a better version of YOU!

You're how OLD?

 In today's world, women of all ages are experimenting with style.  Teenage girls are trying to look "older, " while those of us over thirty are striving to hold on to our "youth."  In many cases I would have a hard time guessing anyones' true age.  Is it just me, or are high school girls developing way faster then I remember?  When I was in high school a sport bra was my best friend and heels were reserved only for prom.  So in a society filled with girls/women creating the illusion that we are ALL in our twenties, where does our own personal style fit in?





Teens - For those of you who are still raging with hormones, this is a great time to experiment with style.  I'm going to cut you some slack because you will, no doubt, look back at yourself in 10 years and laugh.  (And you should!)  I went through many "fads" in high school.  I would wear pajama bottoms with a huge t-shirt during the grunge days.....man was I cool.  :)  Maybe you're shy but want to express yourself through style?  Just keep in mind before walking out the door in a mini-skirt, tube top and platform heels that the choices you make now CAN effect you the rest of your life.  Be a TEEN, don't try to be a 20 year old!  Wear skinny jeans, funky nail color, try out make-up, cute flats, bright jackets, even an occasional crazy hairstyle,  just make sure whatever you wear or do is something that you WILL be able to laugh at in 10 years and not cry over.  :)




In your 20's - Hopefully by now you've eliminated certain items from your wardrobe.  Your experimenting in the teen years helped you figure out that wearing pajama bottoms and an over sized t-shirt isn't exactly "making the grade."  Maybe your in college, a trade school, interning or starting a career, take this opportunity to look your best.  It's still ok to be "trendy" in your twenties.  Spend a little extra on those perfect jeans, try different style hats and funky jewelry.  I would even go as far to say try the latest trends you see celebrities wearing (or a version of them).  You are young and free so dress like it!





In your 30's -  At the ripe age of thirty, some say there is no looking back.  But I say....you had better look back and learn what you liked and disliked about your style in your twenties.  Some of you may say, "my style has remained the same throughout all the years"  and I would be lying if I told you I think that's good thing.  Don't tell me.....you wear neutral colored shirts daily, your jeans are Kirkland brand from Costco and doc martins are the only thing worn on your feet, with the exception of Birkenstocks in the summer.  I can tell you right now, without looking at you I might think you're 75 years old.  And just to make sure I offend us all equally, I can honestly say I might fall into the opposing group.  I change my style too often, try trends I'm surely to old for and can look back at pics from last year and laugh at some of my outfits. An example, my husband grew up on the beach and loves the surfer girl look, so I find myself buying Roxy, Hurley, Volcom, Billabong.....do you see a pattern here?  All these brands are meant for girls in their teens or early twenties. So whether your stuck in your high school grunge or quickly changing with each and every trend, we are all searching to find the perfect balance!  My best advice would be keep your wardrobe classy.  You should have jeans that fit well, white tee's without stains, black tee's, neutral tanks for underneath sweaters, black dress pants, a black skirt, black dress, flats of any color, a neutral heel, a pea coat, scarves, boots (brown and black), sweaters or cardigans.  You may think I just named off a bunch of clothes fit for a librarian but the point is to take a nice neutral and pop it with you own personal style. 



In your 40's & over -   You are established, your kids tend to be a little older or at least in grade school.  Maybe you have a bit more money to spend on yourself!  Hooray!  This is truly when the classics's really set you aside as a beauty icon.  People look up to you, and hopefully you aren't trying to look 22 anymore.  You know that with age comes wisdom and let's hope that if I checked your closet I would figure out your sense of style.  I think the rules apply the same way they would to a 30 year old.  Use your classic staples from your wardrobe and work from there to make your own personal style to come out.  Don't be afraid to let yourself standout!  My beautiful Mom (I won't say her age) has always held a special place in her heart for leopard print.  If you know her at all, this might make you laugh because she really doesn't strike you as someone who would love such a wild concept.  Over the years we've bought her numerous leopard print items ranging from pj's, shirts, purses, socks....you name it.  Though I probably won't tell anyone to go out and spend all your money on full leopard print outfits, I think a little wild print here or there is perfect.  My Mom is an example of how you can still bring your fun personality out, no matter your age.  (And no she's not that old).  :) 


No matter which category you fit in, be true to yourself.  Own your style, maybe you don't want to give up your Kirkland brand jeans and doc martin's....ok then at least go out and buy a new pair! :)  Fill your closet with what makes you, YOU and if you can walk out the door everyday feeling like the best version of yourself , then no one (not even a lame blogger with the nickname MomJeans) can stand in your way! Go get um "tiger".....(or should I say "leopard"...that was for you Mom)!




 

A Reformed Tanorexic (written by my talented sister Desiree Stordahl)

I will be the first to admit it- I used to be a tanorexic. I look back at pictures and realize I was borderline Jersey Shore status! Now days I’d more likely be mistaken for a pale-skinned extra in Twilight.

My days of sun-worshipping began as a child when my summers were spent playing in the pool for hours and coming out with some very distinct tan lines. The idea of applying sunscreen was a foreign concept to me. That stuff was just for pale red heads right?

Then during my teen years I became obsessed with tan skin, thinking that if I got dark enough my blemishes would be camouflaged, and I would look prettier. So the vicious cycle began- tanning beds, laying out and lathering on baby oil, hours of softball practice with no sunscreen. I even had so-called “tan offs” with my friends to see who could get the darkest by summer’s end. By this point I knew the dangers of skin cancer, but I had the mentality that it wouldn’t happen to me, and if it did, oh well we are all going to die of cancer somehow if we live long enough. (I know, some of you want to kick me right now! I would kick me if I could go back in time.) All of this carried on through my college years and well…even up until a couple years ago.

You see, I had a job interview with a world-renowned beauty author and skin care expert, Paula Begoun. Near the end of our interview she stopped and asked “How do you feel about losing your tan?” At first, I thought she was making a reference about how hard I would be working, being clammed up in my office and not seeing the light of day. Instead, Paula handed me her book, The Original Beauty Bible, 3rd Edition, and told me to read the chapter sun damage. Despite her disparaging comments about my sun-induced skin color, she hired me anyway.

Turning the pages of that book began a life-changing chapter in my relationship with the sun. It may seem like I’m being a bit melodramatic but the truth is, I had been in denial and had never taken the time to truly consider the extent of damage I was doing to my body. Not only did I find out that skin cancer is much more common than I originally thought, but that I was also setting myself up for melasma (brown sun spots), wrinkling, and severe skin aging. At 25-years-old I was already experiencing my first set of fine lines and other signs of premature aging! I finally realized I wasn’t invincible.

My biggest eye-opener was that the sun’s rays are harmful rain or shine, winter or summer. When I realized that UVA rays can penetrate through a window, I was even more shocked! It may not seem like a big deal in the moment, but think about that over a lifespan and imagine the toll it can take on your physical appearance and health.

Now, I don’t want all this to be doom and gloom. I wrote this in the hopes that I could catch the attention of others who have been in denial about their tanning habits and help them to come to the same realization that I did- it’s just not worth it! Let’s face it, most of us like to get a tan for vanity reasons, but you won’t be looking so hot down the road with wrinkly, discolored skin or scars from skin cancer removal.

It’s true, there is a certain extent of sun damage that is irreversible, but the good news is the sooner you start the change, the more you can prevent further damage. Decrease the odds of developing skin cancer and lessen the potential signs of aging with these easy steps:
First line of defense: wear broad spectrum sun protection of at least SPF 15 EVERYDAY!
Use a chemical exfoliant such as salicylic acid (BHA)
or alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). These types of exfoliants deliver impressive results by shedding the layers of sun damaged skin, unclogging pores and revealing more radiant skin.

Make your skin-care routine is loaded with antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients and skin-repairing ingredients to counteract sun damage and give skin what it needs to look young again.

A Girl's Best Friend is her Winter Coat?



As I stood outside in the cold Ellensburg wind waiting to pick up my son from preschool, I was reminded of how important it is to have a nice coat or jacket in your wardrobe for the Fall/Winter months.  One of the mom's waiting along side me, commented on my yellow jacket and how she thought it was so cute.  As we chatted, I shivered due to the fact that this particular jacket has only three quarter length sleeves.  Sure the jacket is cute, but I mentioned that she may not see me in it again until spring!  :) How often do we, as women, find ourselves shivering the winter months away in hopes that someone will notice the adorable jacket that was meant for less harsh weather?  Or the opposite, we bundle up in as many sweatshirts and over sized winter coats as possible looking like the kid in  "The Christmas Story."



Good news, there IS a way to stay warm and look cute.  Lets face it, sometimes during the winter, your coat is the ONLY thing people will see you in (ok, hopefully pants too).  Those cute clothes underneath may never get a chance to show themselves for fear of freezing to death.  So take the time to find a coat that you LOVE this winter.  It may even cost you more then the 45 dollars you planned to spend, but this may be your best friend for the next 5 months and if you choose wisely your probably won't need another winter coat for a couple years! 

So what are my options for cute warm coats?

Pea coats - The classic pea coat is just that.....classic.  It's a timeless piece that is almost guaranteed to never go out of style.  Pick a classic color (black, grey, tan) or get funky and try something like yellow, green, purple or orange!  Either way I'm sure you will find yourself feeling a bit more put together on the outside, even if its your stained white tee underneath.  :)  Matched  with a fun pop of color in a scarf and no one will ever notice you were late running out the door to pick up the kids. 

Parkas -  The parka is another great option for a cute winter coat.  There are a variety of colors, rimmed with furs (hopefully fake) to choose from.  Be careful with parkas on choosing one the fits you in a flattering way.  Check the length and where or if its fitted.  I found that certain parkas, though cute on the model, just hit me at a weird length on my body.  Normally the reason was they were too long, which made my body look out of proportion.  If you are short, you will most likely look better in a shorter length, whereas if your tall you can probably get away with a longer version. 







Puffer Jackets - Puffer jackets are much like parkas and when choosing the right style, the same rules apply.  Length and fit are the two most important things to think about.  You may find the most adorable red puffer jacket, but if its too long or boxy it won't give you the results your looking for. 




Trench Coats - These are another classic style that work for many body types.  Because of the belt that cinches in the waist it creates an hour glass figure that we all strive for.  Again look for a length that fits you best. 

Rain Jackets - This is a must if you live in Seattle or anywhere that receives much rain during the year.  There are numerous colors and styles just remember to get one with a hood! 

Cape Coats - Cape coats are a current trend that I have yet to try.  They are loose fitting and seem to create a beautiful look.  I would definitely add these to your list of "try-on" styles, who knows, maybe they will strike your fancy.



My last tip.....maybe you've been wanting to try a trendy style or funky color of coat, but aren't sure if it will last through the years.  Stores with trendy, dare I say "cheap" clothes might be a great way to try something new without spending a fortune.  Though a coat is something you should normally spend a little more on, being a sucker for trends, I too find myself fighting the urge to buy the funky stuff.  Forever21, Charlotte Russe, Papaya or Wet Seal can be great places to "try" out a trend.  I hope I don't alarm anyone by saying the clothes may not live up to our normal standards as far as quality is concerned but maybe they will last as long as the trend.  Sometimes I joke that if the shirt only costs $10 I can wear it twice and get its money's worth. :)  Just keep in mind, if you find that your whole wardrobe comes from one of these stores, you might need to re-direct your efforts into finding a store that will provide a little more quality to your wardrobe.  :) 

REMEMBER .....When trying on coats, make sure you factor in what you will most likely be wearing underneath!  If you normally wear thick long sleeved shirts, you need to give yourself a little room to move.  I hate buying a jacket only to find that it's a tad too small when I have my long sleeves underneath!

Great places to shop for coats!

Nordstrom    Gap   Macy's   The Limited   Express   Banana Republic   Ross   TJ Maxx  

Target   Old Navy   Consignment Stores  

Online Shopping ! 

Shopstyle.com   Zappos.com   Victoriassecret.com   Modcloth.com  

Words of wisdom for online shopping, you really need to be able to try things on.  If your heart is set on a certain coat that you can only find online, make SURE you can return it.  It’s a pain, I know, but it’s better than wasting your time on something that doesn't look right.  You could also try to find something with a similar fit at a store (even if its not the color you want) and try it on to eliminate the coats that were adorable on the rack but didn't work right on your body.  This prevents you from wasting your time with certain styles. 

Email me at stylehelperdee@gmail.com for more ideas!



Live and Learn

I will be the first to admit, I've had my share of fashion "don'ts" in my lifetime.  If you were given the opportunity to look through one of my parents old photo albums, you would see numerous outfits that just didn't make the cut no matter the era.  I'm reminded of a certain bright pink and orange polka dot number I had in middle school.  Imagine leggings (hot pink/orange dots) and a matching shirt which was nothing short of a triangle shape....extremely wide at the bottom.  Luckily I was about 100 lbs (maybe less) at the time but it didn't make this outfit any less hideous.  Yet.....I wore it with pride! 

I think its safe to say, today I wouldn't attempt such a outrageous number but I'm definitely not afraid to try something new.  Just this week I had my weekly womens bible study.  Since I don't have too many opportunities to branch out and wear something "less momish," I took the chance and pieced together an outfit, that I have to admit, I wasn't too sure about when I walked out the door.  It consisted of jeggings, gray boots (to the knee), gray socks with hearts peeking above the boots, a short brown skirt (I bought from Goodwill for $3), a hurley striped shirt, yellow leather jacket, and a scarf.  Yes this does sound a bit extreme!   As I walked into Bible study, I imagined the women thinking to themselves....woah...thats a lot going on there (not in a good way).  But to my surprise, throughout the two hour study I had four women comment on my outfit and how much they loved it.  Then at preschool pick-up, even more moms mentioning my style.  Now before you think I'm getting a BIG head....believe me, this doesn't always happen.  I took a chance and it gave me a whole new outfit to add to my list of things to wear.  My point is, don't be afraid to wear something out of the ordinary.  Yes, you might get extra attention, but maybe that attention is something you need.  Whether you try a new type of jeans, or throw on a cute leather jacket instead of a sweatshirt, sometimes you need to break out of your daily sweat pants and sweatshirt to remind yourself of who you really are, or more importantly who you want to be.  :)

Side note for Moms or if you ever want to be a Mom!  Our children watch EVERYTHING we do and are in tune to EVERYTHING we say.  No matter their age, they are paying attention to the way we treat ourselves.  I, by nature, am very critical of myself.  I'm sarcastic and make fun of my shortcomings as a way of dealing with my imperfections.  One day a couple years ago, as I was making fun of myself for being "gross" looking.  My husband stopped me dead in my tracks and told me that I really needed to watch what I say about myself around the kids.  At first, I thought, who cares, they are young and boys.....they don't care or understand what I'm saying.  But then reality hit me.  My kids need to know that I have confidence in who I am, how I look and who I want to be.  I want to be a Mom that loves herself enough to show my kids that I think I'm pretty and they should think of themselves as good looking to.  What is your little girl or boy hearing/learning when you put yourself down?  Be confident (at least around your kids) about the way you look.  If your happy with yourself, don't change a thing!  If you want a little help, go get it!  Your children deserve a confident Mom, so you owe it to them to find a way to achieve that confidence!

Jeans! Are they ALL created Equal?

A nickname given to me by some of my close friends is "MomJeans." For anyone who watches SNL, you know what we are referencing here. For those who may not be familiar, there was a skit on SNL that made fun of the jeans that "Mom's" wear after having kids. The joke is that they have a 9-inch zipper and extremely long booty. You've probably all seen someone wearing them. Lets hope it wasn't yourself looking in the mirror. So my hope is that my nickname of "MomJeans" came out of sarcasm and hopefully not reality, otherwise I definitely shouldn't be giving advice on style.

This leads me to the topic of today. Are ALL jeans created Equal? If you paid any attention to my first paragraph, you know the answer is "NO." We all have different body types, short, tall, no butt, big butt, big thighs, big calves, the list continues. Its important to find a type of jean that looks good on YOU! Who cares if a supermodel looks good in Skinny Jeans.....that doesn't mean you will. I may sound harsh here, but let me explain myself. I'll use the example of skinny jeans. And for those who aren't familiar with what "skinny jeans" are, by definition on wikipedia, Slim-fit pants or skinny jeans have a snug fit through the legs and end in a small leg opening. So ladies, this means they are tight and tapered all the way down to the ankle. Who do skinny jeans look good on? The answer might surprise you....if worn with the right combination of clothes and shoes, skinny jeans can, in fact, be worn by any body type. If you are tall and skinny, you have an advantage with skinny jeans. Most likely you will be able to wear skinny jeans with flats, boots, heels, tight shirts, tanks, loose shirts, you name it....you are part of the few "model" figures that get away with anything. So what about the rest of us? I can tell you with my body type, which is considered athletic, I have to be careful when choosing what combination will work with such an extreme concept of the tapered leg. One of my favorite ways to wear skinny jeans is with a boot that goes over the top of them. This gives the illusion that my lower part of the leg is balancing out the thighs. This is why skinny jeans are so hard for women to wear, or dare I say, wear right. We have thighs, and they are usually bigger then our calves. When your jeans taper down to the ankle it creates a triangle with the point at the bottom which makes the focus on the biggest part of our bodies (thighs, booty, waste). This doesn't mean you can't get away with skinny jeans and flats. Actually a lot of women, of all body types, look great in skinny jeans, a cute top, with a sweater or cardigan and small flats. You may notice, I said small flats.....what I mean is, you don't want to wear skinny jeans and a huge clunky shoe on bottom. This will date you! With the exception to boots, your shoe on bottom should be a cute flat, a heel, a sandal, or even a pair of converse. Another idea would be to try skinny jeans that aren't completely tapered at the ankle. I learned that its cute to roll a skinny jean to just above the ankle (the length of your jean will depend on your height and body type). I would also say, in general, skinny jeans should be paired with a loose fitting shirt up top, or at least a loose sweater or cardigan. Again, yes, there are body types that can wear tight tops with SKJ's (skinny jeans) but for most of us, we don't want the entire world knowing the exact measurement of our waste and booty. Wearing a longer cardigan (which covers your booty) with a tank or shirt underneath looks great!

Ok so now that we've covered, arguably, the hardest type of jeans to wear let chat about what most of us love to wear. JEANS! All types! Bootcut, straight let, wide leg, boyfriend jeans to name a few. I think its safe to say jeans are probably the most popular item of clothing for men, women and children to own. You can dress them up or down depending on your occasion. One of my favorite looks is a great pair of jeans, a simple shirt, scarf and colorful flats. Bootcut jeans are still a staple in my closet. I believe, they are the easiest of all jean to wear on any body type. Most of you probably own a pair, maybe you don't even know it. These are the type that you try on, can't leave the store without and spend many a day wearing. They go great with boots :), flats, sandals, tennis, heels, etc. You also have a wide variety of shirts that will go with these type of jeans because they are flattering to every body type. Another type of jeans is the "straight leg" these are similar to bootcut but as opposed to being wider at the ankle then the thigh, they are the same width at the thigh as at the ankle. These are also a GREAT style of jeans to own and wear. Again they are easy to piece other items of clothing with. "Wide leg" jeans (also referred to as "sailor jeans") are fitted at the top booty area, then widen immediately. These jeans are super cute and great for women with curves! This reminds me of another factor when choosing jeans......length! We've all seen women, men, kids, grandparents, uncles etc. with jeans that are too SHORT or LONG! This can absolutely make or break the look you are trying to achieve! Lets start with too short! Its just a tragedy when you have a great fitting jean that doesn't "fit" all the way down to your ankle or passed it for that matter. :) Jeans should skim the ground when you are standing straight! Of course, there are exceptions if you have them rolled up, or skinny jeans at the ankle, but for arguments sake we are just talking about normal jeans here. :) Anything shorter then this and you are risking me calling you a "momjeans" wannabe. I have a pair of silvertab jeans which I love! They are a good dark color and comfy, but they are border line too short. Luckily I developed my love for flats quickly with these jeans because they fit perfectly when I wear flats, however if I try to wear tennis shoes or heels......its just not lookin' good. My point is, sometimes a jean will work with one shoe, where it won't with another. Keep this in mind for all types of pants! So now lets talk about too long! The first thing that comes to mind when I think of jean too long, is the stereotypical image of our "gangster pants" you know what I'm talking about. The jeans that are WAY too big, held up by merely a belt (which is located under the booty, I might add) completely dragging on the ground. Now I know most of us haven't been sporting these lately, but if you end up with jeans too long, no matter what type, you might look a lot more like this then you intended. I have to admit, I STILL battle the length issue. I used to wear heels a lot, but since having kids they don't really fit in my day to day lifestyle. That being said, I still sometimes buy pants that are too long with flats, thinking that I will wear them with heels. Awe to have the need to wear those uncomfortable shoes that do wonders for our legs again. :) When trying on jeans, really look at the length....if they are too long, have them hemmed and go somewhere that will hem them with the original hem.

So I'm going to sum it up with this. ALL jeans AREN'T created Equal! Beware of the acid washed tapered jeans with a zipper, unless you are going to an 80's house party. I've only scratched the surface when it comes to jean types and styles. But if you ever want any advice on your own personal jean style feel free to email me at Stylehelperdee@gmail.com

(FYI: Let me just say that I don't intend to offend anyone with my blog. I understand that everyone has their own style and if you love "momjeans" then more power to ya! This is merely my opinion and intended for women who want help or a quick tip on style. I want to keep this a lighthearted blog and will end up poking more fun at myself then anyone I might accidentally offend. Also, please excuse my spelling and grammar errors, I know there are many......I'm no English major!)

About Me

So why have I decided to start a style blog? Or maybe the better question is why would I feel like I have the knowledge to do it? The answer is.....I probably don't. THERE I SAID IT! But over the years I've had numerous women comment on my style, always claiming "they could never get away with wearing that," or "how they can never find the right clothes for the right price".....etc. Let me start by saying, I'm a VERY cheap shopper! I come from a big family, I have two sisters and one brother. Growing up we didn't have loads of money to spend on shopping. So my sisters and I became very good at finding deals, or as we like call them "bargains!" I can't tell you how exciting it was for us to shop the "bargain basement at Mervyns".....and no I don't think Mervyns is still in business. (Probably because they stopped having their bargain basement sales) :) I guess I should also add that I'm a licensed cosmetologist, just to give you an idea that I've always been into hair, makeup, style, you know...."girl stuff." The last thing you should know about me before reading my unsolicited advice is I've been happily married for 7 years and have two beautiful sons Finn (5) and Huxley (3). So YES I'm a Mom and I know that we get spilled on, spit on, pooped on, cried on, wiped on, the list goes on....and on....