How To Series: How to Waterproof Your Shoes

One of the greatest lessons I've learned since being a personal shopper and stylist is to take care of the shoes you wear. I am constantly on my feet, moving from the city streets to the store floor so my shoes- and for that matter my feet- can take a real beating. It helps to make sure that my footwear is well taken care of. One trick is to prevent them from taking on unnecessary damage from the elements, such as water.

fashion.elle.com

I should probably mention first that water doesn't actually "damage" leather, per say. Mostly it just stains it. The damage comes when your leather item, like shoes, has been submerged in water and allowed to dry by an open heat source. The stresses from the shoe-making process are weakened and the leather tries to return to its natural shape. Thus, warping becomes another issue to keep in mind when stepping out for a rainy day. Saving your shoes from staining and warping takes a little extra TLC.

a creative way to dry your shoes

Calling on my trusty leather expert, I found out that the best you can hope for with any waterproofing product is to make your items water resistant. Unless your shoes are made from vinyl, they'll need some kind of treatment to keep the water out. The spray stuff sits on top of the leather and helps water bead up and run/fall off your shoes when there's enough water to do so.

$6.99

Mink oil is actually a better product to consider. You rub it into the top layers of the leather to provide a deeper protection. It causes the water to bead and roll off but more reliably than the sprays. Plus, the oil also acts a conditioner for your leather, keeping it soft and crack free.

$4.99

These types of products usually only work on leather that is flat, not napped like nubuck or suede. For those types of items, you can use specific spray products. This way most of the product is captured in the rough surface of the leather and creates a better seal.

$5.99

All in all, these products are more than affordable and will save you tons on repairing and purchasing shoes in the long-run. If you just take the time to treat your shoes, they'll carry you farther.

Here are a few last tips to improve your footwear: as a general rule you should look into rotating your shoes out every day to give them a break, again increasing their longevity. Also, invest in some shoe trees. They'll maintain the shape of your shoes (preventing warping) and if they're cedar, keep the moths away. Plus, some are adjustable, allowing you to stretch your own shoes in your own time instead of taking them to a cobbler.


Hopefully all these tricks have you singing in the rain with some happy feet!

Image(s) courtesy of shoecaresupplies.com, greenmeatballs.com, and fashion.elle.com
 

How To Series: How to Fold a T-Shirt in Two Seconds!

Because everyone can use a little help in their lives, here's an excellent video* to show you how to quickly and perfectly fold all your T-shirts. The method doesn't require a folding board and it's rather counter-intuitive; which is the fun thing about it. It gives your brain a break; some fun in a clothing riddle.
As someone whose tested it, it's an awesome way to fold your shirts but it's a skill you'll lose if you don't practice.

Even if you think you'll never really use this way, it's still just cool, right?!

*(If you weren't aware,  "Japanese" way to fold T-shirts is the original video that went viral, which was then remade several times into videos like the one above.) 

Image(s) courtesy of youtube.com

How To Series: How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

And thus begins my "How To" series to kick us all off in the right direction as the new year continues!
The goal is to tackle as many enigmatic issues in our sartorial lives as I can. From folding T-shirts to weather proofing your shoes, there are certain answers that seem to elude us. To throw another bone in the mix, why is it sales people can't agree on the right method either? Instead all you hear is that old saying: "I don't know. I just work here".

urbanblah.com

One of the greatest mysteries in life- at least to me- has been how to properly fold a fitted sheet. I always think, HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO FOLD THESE THINGS?! Perpetual laziness and no enthusiasm for laundry has me dumping my sheets in a crumpled mess in the closet. What drove me to answer this question today is because my wonderful but geriatric cat has vomited on my bed for the fourth time this week. I am getting more and more acquainted with fitted sheets than I ever thought possible.

The best thing about technology, particularly the internet, is that any question you might have has already been answered and usually comes with a handy video to give you the blow by blow. After watching this, I felt ready to properly fold any fitted bed sheet. Any size, any fabric, bring it on! I got so excited I even asked my BF if he'd like to practice. (He looked at me like I was crazy...rightfully so I think) Good thing I have some sheets washing right now to get my folding on. This of course also means that my cat has a fresh place to puke. Not that it matters much to him, I'm sure.

Image(s) courtesy of youtube.com & urbanblah.com

*Update* Stores That Shop For You, Final

So it's official: I am not impressed with the shoe selection from justfab.com. I tried, I really did! But they just didn't nail it for me. Pumps that bordered on "hooker" heels, cheap looking boots, and otherwise boring stilettos didn't do much to tickle my fashion fancy. However, all is not lost...there was a tab I didn't notice at first...
Under BagFabulous an entire array of satchel-shaped goodies were waiting for me! Anyone that knows me knows I have a huge weakness for accessories, including bags. It I had a dime for every new purse I bought, I'd have enough bags to carry all that change.

I think I need that gold sequin one...

I have a feeling this BagFabulous tab may get me into some trouble :)

Image(s) courtesy of my boutique at justfab.com

*Update* Stores That Shop For You, Part 2

I'm sure you're all anxiously waiting to hear what the Just Fabulous store picked out for me the second time around. As you'll remember from my previous post that the first options shown to me weren't thrilling under any circumstances. After all the questions I answered, and images I saw, I thought for sure they'd find some items that fit my idea of my own style. Well, the new options have come in and I'm feeling underwhelmed...again. Check it out:

The boots from the new selection

It's not that I'm against these boots. In fact, they have some characteristics that I do actually like. The one on the left has an interesting design detail around the top of the shoe but the low heel and cheap looking leather give the shoe a juvenile appearance. The one on the right has a nice flat sole and I like the wrap-around buckles at the top. But the color is drab and I'm not a fan of shoes that have a "suede" finish, unless of course they're real suede. Sorry to say, these boots were nixed. Next up:

Pretty pumps for sale

What I like about these shoes are the lower heels and simple shape. Ever the minimalist, I enjoy the less cumbersome side of design. However, the left shoe is so boring I'm practically asleep looking at it and the right shoe is darn near perfect except for that awful peep toe. And though they both have that suede finish, it works here because not as much material is used. As you might have guessed, these shoes were also nixed. Last but not least, a winner!

I know, this shoe (almost) goes against what I've said like

This was listed under the options that have sold out in my size (an issue that comes with having an average sized foot I suppose). If I was in the market for a cool pump, this would be it! I love the shape, I love the texture, and I love the juxtaposition of the studs in the platform against an otherwise simple silhouette. Now, the heel height still gives me some anxiety but having the platform there is a blessing.

All in all, I'm not totally sold but I'm not ready to walk away just yet. How about one more chance? Let's see what I get in another 3 to 5 days...

Image(s) courtesy of justfab.com

*Follow-up* "Stores That Shop For You"

As some of you dear readers know, I wrote an honest yet mildly defensive blog on an interesting new trend in online shopping: stores that shop for you. Well what I neglected to tell you was that I signed up and I did indeed create my own boutique. As a personal shopper, I'm a bit ashamed. But in my defense: I prefer my own retail therapy to be a "relaxing" hunt. Plus, I wanted to give them a chance to see if they could really do what I do best... the verdict is still out.

Here's my reaction to this: meh. It's not all bad though! I like the middle, patent nude pump a LOT but the other two, really?! The far left is just not my kind of shoe and the far right has a heel with an eating disorder. I'm 5' 9" honey, I need a little more stability than that.

So, they got 1 out of 3...I think they've got a ways to go. However, a glance down the side panel showed me I could request a new set of options! All I had to do was rate each shoe- which was fun because this is their rating system:

 

- and they would be happy to send me a new list of items more catered to my tastes. Truthfully, I can't wait to see what comes next. The fact I could be brutally honest and select "You're Joking?" as a means of communicating my dislike for a shoe was liberating. It also gave me a little more respect for the company.

 

We'll see what arrives in 3 to 5 days...

Image(s) courtesy of my boutique at justfab.com

SNL and the Dreaded "Mom Jeans"

 Bad jeans happen to good people, don't let that be you :)  Happy New Year!

New Online Trend: Stores That Shop For You

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: being a personal shopper/stylist in the Bay Area is awesome. There's so much style everywhere it's inspiring! Plus I'm a confessed shopaholic, whether it's online or out on the street, so my eye never settles as I'm constantly on the hunt for the next best thing. Imagine my surprise when I started coming across websites designed to do what I do; shop for you! I feel a little like Captain Picard on the USS Enterprise facing the final frontier. Except this time, the ship can steer itself.

I can sense your apprehension, Captain

The concept is relatively simple: you go to said site, set up an account- which is just like adding yourself to a mailing list- answer a few questions as to whether or not you find some items and people in different images "more my style" or "not my style", and sit back and let the website do the shopping for you. You'll receive email updates when your "boutique" has new items in it to entice you to shop and viola! you've just established your own virtual personal shopper and boutique all rolled into one. It's all a little weird, isn't it?

So many options, so little time

Sites like the much hyped boutiques.com (owned and operated by Google) and justfab.com boast that they've cut out the middle man (ahem!) to make our shopping lives easier. The "tastemakers" used at boutiques direct the recognition software used within the site to add various items to your store while justfab relies on their style experts, Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr (aka founders of whowhatwear.com), to choose the best pieces for you. With both sites backed by huge internet power players, you can expect to see more websites following suit. At least, that's my prediction.
(You can read more about a boutiques.com here. It's a fantastic article.)

This could be me and you, finding fabulousness together

But speaking as a personal shopper, I'd like to offer a rebuttal to this seemingly amazing new break through. I read recently in InStyle magazine that based on a poll of readers, over 94% had never used a personal shopper. I was shocked but not blown away. I know that the prices revolving around these types of services can be steep. It is after all considered a "luxury" service and we are in a recession. However, the pay off and benefits are more than worth the money. The one thing we do that no online site ever will is make a personal connection to our clients. We are physically there with you, working through the emotions your closet has held onto, and we're there holding your hand as we help you find that new you in the dressing room. That sort of process can be life changing. What website can claim to do that? Without us, these websites are nothing more than cold, flat images on a screen assuming they're your taste. With us, you have a sounding board and hopefully, a friend. 

Image(s) courtesy of callcenterguy.wordpress.com,  fashionweektampabayblog.com, thsstyling.com.au

Honeysuckle, Pantone's Super Sweet Prediction for 2011

Believe it or not, the colors you're wearing now were actually brainstormed years before they ever made an appearance on your body. Currently, there's a planner you can purchase which gives you the palette for the Spring/Summer 2012 home and fashion industries. But that kind of clandestine information doesn't come cheap. Be prepared to fork over $750 for a guarantee to be "on trend" that season. The reason some designers are known for their "forward thinking" is because they purchase said secrets.

Color forecasting company Pantone has a pretty lineup in store for us this Spring. 2011 is officially looking like a cool sorbet on a warm night. And it sounds delicious too: Honeysuckle, Peapod, Coral Rose, Beeswax, Lavender, Blue Curacao, Silver Cloud, Silver Peony, Regatta, and Russet. (if you're wondering what Curacao and Regatta are, the former is a popular island resort in the Netherlands Antilles with tropical-colored water and the latter is a meeting place for boat races, typically in richer blue water.)

Honeysuckle, in a pink lemonade hue and not the usual white, is the dominate color. It's not a coral and it's not a fuschia, it's somewhere in the middle. You might know it by its lesser name, pink. As Pantone states on it's home page honeysuckle is: "Energizing...lifts spirits and imparts confidence to meet life's ongoing challenges". I'd say we could all use a little lift in our spirits, especially with the new year just dawning. Thank goodness Nordstrom has some items you can use now to refresh your emotions. Why not try a few of these accessories before braving an entire outfit? You'll be ahead of the curve now and on trend later.

YSL, $750

They may be a little Barbie inspired but these YSL platforms are cute and quintessentially girly. How can you resist?

Nordstrom, $48

No San Francisco girl worth her sartorial salt leaves home without a scarf. The key to this weather is layering so tie one on in this lovely sorbet shade.

Longchamp, $98

A large bag is every girls best friend. Carry all your essentials/junk in a colorful bag instead of the usual black or brown. Plus, keeping your wallet in a place that evokes happy feelings helps maintain that new year exuberance.

Hopefully you find some way to incorporate this energizing color into your wardrobe. I think I'm beginning to feel the effects just from writing about it! 2011 already seems to be coming up roses...or, I mean, honeysuckles.

Image(s) courtesy of dedicated.typepad.com, Google Image Search and Nordstrom.com

Keeping Your New Year's Resolution

Happy New Year!! It feels so good to be back. There's just something so refreshing about saying goodbye to a previous year. It's like the same feeling I used to get when the school year was starting up again. You're practically bursting at the seams to go back-to-school shopping and you convince yourself that this year you'll be a stellar student and get straight A's. I think we all do the same thing as December 31st gets closer and closer. We get more and more excited to kiss away the previous year for a (hopefully) better start to a new one. The tricky part of course becomes how do you keep those new years resolutions?

The number one resolution for most people: lose weight

There are a lot of people who simply refuse to make resolutions because they see it as an inevitable place for failure. They know themselves and know that eventually they'll succumb to temptation, so why make one at all? Thank goodness I'm on Twitter and I happened upon an AMAZING Wall Street Journal article by writer Sue Shellenbarger. She talks us through the means to make and keep a resolution. She even backs up her statements with scientific evidence! What I discovered- relying on your willpower is setting yourself up for failure. The only thing that truly and scientifically works: retraining your brain. Don't worry, it's not impossible. There's even a rewards system! Just stick to your guns, train your brain, and watch that resolution come true. Let's make 2011 the best it can be!!

Image(s) courtesy of 59seconds.wordpress.com