Saturday, February 11, 2012
Some red carpet moments are just too good to be true, while others make us cringe. What will it be like this year?
Going to the movies with friends is always fun, but most of us see movies in our living rooms these days. Call me old fashioned, but I still love seeing a good film in a real theater where the screen is huge and the lights are low. I'm not what one would call a movie buff—you could fill a thimble with my knowledge of the industry. However, I am a huge fan of watching the Oscars. This year Billy Chrystal will be back at the helm, and it's anybody's guess as to which flick will get best pick. Although my favorite, Midnight in Paris, is an unlikely winner, overall it was a wonderful year for movies. There was literally something for everybody. And it should be a very good year for fashion as well. If the Golden Globes were any indication, …
Sunday, January 8, 2012
You can rid yourself of closet clutter now and forever by following these simple steps .
This month is the perfect time to tackle that closet cleaning project you've been meaning to start. It can be a daunting task, to say the least. Why? Because the truth is, most of us have way too many clothes to deal with. We tend to add new things and not get rid of anything. You'd also agree that organizing and cleaning are not exactly at the top of a list of fun ways to spend our time. So, what happens? We procrastinate and ultimately end up giving in to the clutter—lots and lots of clutter. It's not fun and it's not helping us in our efforts to always look and feel our best. Enough! Turn up the volume on some favorite tunes (preferably music that makes you want to dance), turn on all the lights, throw open the curtains and just do it…
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Will one-hit wonders never cease? Probably not, but boots will always endure.
When Nancy Sinatra became popular with her 1966 hit song, These Boots Are Made For Walkin', I wondered, who told her she could sing? Then it dawned on me. Her father, of course! Looking through the old blue eyes of love, no doubt. But, here’s something for which I give Nancy Sinatra all the credit in the world. She single-handedly made boots the fashion statement of the decade. It’s true. When go-go boots hit the style scene, girls of all ages across the globe went wild for them, especially in London, New York and California. As a matter of fact, they even became prolific in my little college town of Winona, MN for heaven sakes. We all bought them and we all wore them every chance we got. Who knew? The extraordinary thing about the '60s …
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Shopping for jeans or pants these days is much like searching for the Holy Grail. Find out how to shop less and still come up with a perfect fit.
I wish I had a nickel for every time I see someone trying on one pair of pants after another, repeatedly rejecting a close, but not perfect fit! I want to scream STOP! But, I simply smile and say, "An easy fix would be to have a tailor take in the waist just a bit, don't you think?" Truth be told, odds are about a million to one that you will find a pair of pants or jeans that fit you perfectly right off the rack. Your chances of winning the lottery are probably better! Along with good teachers and nurses, good tailors are among heaven’s greatest gifts. And, if you need a local referral, just ask around town. Like cream, the good ones always rise to the top and are well known throughout the area. So, why not try this approach next time …
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Some clothes we see may not be show stoppers, but they may very well be ones that really love you!
How do you know if someone loves you? I am reminded of the wise words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning: “I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out." Think about it. A lover worth his salt will make you feel so good about yourself that you will have a smile on your face and know that you are completely and totally beautiful. He will place your needs above his own. He will not be jealous of your accomplishments. Rather, he will celebrate them. He will be proud to be with you,and that fact will make you stand tall and feel ever so self-assured. If that fabulous jacket …
Thursday, August 25, 2011
It's a jungle out there when it comes to shopping, but just the right mind set can make all the difference!
I hear it all the time: "Shopping is just too hard. All I see in the stores are things that are too matronly or too young. I'm sick of it. I’m frustrated. I give up!” Oh no! Please don't give up! I agree that it's a jungle out there and shopping today is not for the faint of heart, but with some smart, solid strategies firmly entrenched, you can and will be a successful shopper. I guarantee it. Ok, maybe not absolutely every single time and with absolutely every single item, but pretty darn close. After all, the goal is not perfection; the goal is progress. There was a great article about shopping in a recent issue of Real Simple magazine. I don't subscribe, so fortunately for me, a friend cut it out and sent it to me. It was four pages …
Thursday, August 18, 2011
When it comes to discount shopping, it's best to make like a boy scout and always be prepared!
I grew up enjoying window-shopping at our local Oak Brook Shopping Center. How I loved the whole outdoor experience, especially in the fall. Bonwit Teller, Marshall Field and Saks Fifth Avenue were at the top of my wish list. Outlet stores? Not a chance. Not beautiful. Not fun. No thanks. As an adult, however, I learned to appreciate the concept of discount shopping. So, a couple of years ago, I decided to research the outlet store/mall phenomenon. Wow, what an eye-opener! Once upon a time, outlet stores carried exactly what one would expect: items from past seasons that didn't sell. Then came the explosion of outlets and the overnight creation of the Outlet Mall. Seeing a new opportunity, companies such as Brooks Brothers, Banana …
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The place where parents talk.
Last week, La Grange Patch ran a column on teen fashion by our style columnist Nancy Pipal. In response to the column, one of our readers commented that her advice was, "a bit totalitarian." His advice was that kids will grow out of those t-shirts that parents hate, and will generally grow out of their typically teenage fashions. In my reading of the column, I thought Pipal was advocating for less pajamas and dirty clothes—not so much for punk teens to hang up their black t-shirts and leather wristbands. After all, style is both diverse and highly individualised. So, where do our moms and dads in the community stand on what your kids can wear to school? For teenage girls in particular, this is a highly controversial issue. Younger girls …
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Reminiscent of desert sands and tropical islands, summer colors can help keep us cool, comfortable and stylish too!
I had a golf tournament on TV recently, and not being a golf enthusiast, I must admit, it can be pretty boring stuff. But, it’s good company when I write. The scenery is always beautiful (as in Pebble Beach) and the announcers’ voices are soft and soothing. As I paused to watch the action for a minute, I noticed one player in particular. Of course, I have no idea who he was, but I was struck by how great he looked. It was his unique outfit: he wore well-fitted, white jeans with a navy blue shirt. Not a typical golf shirt, mind you, but rather, a crisp button front with the sleeves rolled up. Clean, simple, and very cool looking. Now that’s what I call exciting golf! I don't know how this player fared in the tournament, but in terms of …
Friday, July 22, 2011
They say that of the five primary senses, smell is the most powerful when it comes to memory. I second that emotion!
I was relaxing with a cup of iced coffee on my balcony the other night, when I caught a whiff of something wonderful. I wasn't exactly sure what was cooking on my neighbors grill, so I just closed my eyes and inhaled that sublime aroma. It brought back childhood memories of family barbecues and my dad's famous Whiskey Steak. Best darn grilled meat I ever did eat, I must say. I wonder if I still have that old recipe around here somewhere. Never mind. I don't have a grill. Bummer. Enjoying the aroma of that grilled meat, however, reminded me that our unique midwestern scents are a big part of why we all love summer, don't you think? No matter the weather, it seems something always smells good. Freshly cut grass, freshly cut lemons for …
Claudia's Closet
7:23 am on Friday, January 13, 2012
Claudia's Closet in Saint Charles works with Many charities locally, you can consign your items and make money as well as look into our donation program. Unique Boutique, highend, formal wear, wedding dresses, prom, home coming, vintage and much much more! Claudiasboutiquecloset.com more ›