Saturday, May 11, 2013
Do you vehemently refuse to wear that winter coat even one more time? Has this crazy spring weather got you all distressed over getting dressed?
My clever brother tells me spring in the mid-west suffers from bi-polar disorder. One day it's 75 and sunny, the next it's 40 something and rainy. So how in the world are we supposed to know what to wear? That pretty floral print scarf I just bought . . . should I wear it with my winter jacket? That doesn't sound right. Or how about jeans, boots and a turtle-neck sweater in May? That sounds ridiculous, but hey, that's exactly what I had on just a few days ago. As a seasoned wardrobe advisor, this is what I do and this is my best advice. Keep the calendar in mind, but dress for the weather. It's the smart and stylish thing to do. I also recommend some classic closet items that come in very handy this time of year: Layer, layer, and then …
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Figuring out what new fashion trends are worth our time and attention can be tough going these days. Here's a rather tricky trend that you can make work, but only if are willing to give it a try!
If you've seen any fashion magazines or store catalogs lately, you have likely noticed the proliferation of wild and crazy color/print combos out there this spring. And I must admit, it's quite refreshing after such a long steady diet of winter black and grey! But the craziest combos of all are not red, green, blue and orange all together now. Rather, it's the mixing of various prints and patterns along with the red green blue and orange. Even stores with traditionally more conservative fashion layouts like Talbots and J.Crew are showing the most outrageous combinations of colorful florals, stripes and animal prints I've ever seen! For young women who are having fun with fashion and still experimenting with their own sense of personal …
Friday, March 15, 2013
The La Grange shop carries eco-friendly, recycled and organic merchandise. It focuses on early childhood toys and books but also offers a lot for the rest of the family.
By a family, and for your family. EcoManiacs in La Grange is a true family business—owned by a mother, managed by her daughter, made more fun by the grandchildren—and they want to look out for other families who shop there. The store, which opened on La Grange Road in December 2012, carries organic, recycled merchandise, or things that are sustainable and fair trade or socially concious. The focus is on early childhood toys and books, but there's a lot for adults to, including clothing and candles. "We've taken a lot of time and care researching the products," manager Becca Klinger said. So what does that mean? Children's plates are made from recycled plastic. The Wonderworld line of wooden toys are sustainable in that the company plants …
Monday, February 18, 2013
Everything is on sale and NOW is the time to shop, right? Not so fast, Kimosabe!
In my Style Central column last month, I suggested that now would be a great time to clean out our closets and our dresser drawers and I totally stand by that decree. However, when it comes to replenishing our staple pieces, now may or may not be the best time to shop. I know this because I just completed a thorough closet edit with a client and then went on line to help her shop for some winter staples and guess what? Not good. Great prices on quality items? Absolutely. Great selection and a complete stock of sizes? Forget it. Very frustrating, to say the least! But I don't know why I was surprised. It makes total sense that in mid-February retailer stock is pretty much the dregs and the leftovers. Example: I saw a great pair of women's …
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 …
Monday, June 6, 2011
New La Grange boutique, Glamour, opens downtown in an explosion of glitter and glam.
Looking to glamorize your life? A new shop in downtown La Grange is there to help. While dear old mom might be a little old for most of the store's wares, your younger Justin Bieber and Glee fans will surely rejoice. Brightly colored purses, jewelry, glitter makeup and pink feather boas line the walls of La Grange's newest downtown boutique, Glamour, 20 E. Burlington Ave., which opened on June 4 to a packed store, thanks to a little help from the La Grange Pet Parade. "It was pretty swamped, but now it's settled down," said owner Maritza Thompson. Thompson and her business partner, Kefah Suhail, said they decided to open their store in downtown La Grange because of a love for the area. After taking a look around downtown, they didn't seem…
Thursday, May 5, 2011
From dime stores to department stores, LaGrange had it all when it came to shopping for the whole family! Did we leave out any of your favorites?
On Easter Sunday my family gathered for brunch, and true to form, we shared some lively conversation. As usual, we talked mostly about food. Our family is known for discussions that can go on for hours simply about such things as, “The lemon squares have an unusual taste today. Did you use a new spice or something in the recipe? What is that weird flavor?” Then, after each of the 12 people at the table gave their individual opinions, the flavor was ultimately identified. It was onion. Crazy but true. Thankfully, my brother finally changed the subject, and we began talking about fond memories of shopping in “Old La Grange.” Dime stores like Kresge’s and clothing stores like Dad and Lad came to mind, and of course, debate involving …
Friday, November 26, 2010
Now that Black Friday is almost over, it’s time to shop in La Grange for the holidays.
I admit I have never participated in the Black Friday shopping experience. Honestly, I don't feel like I've missed out on anything. In recent years I have gotten up early and shopped online while wearing my pajamas and drinking my coffee. I just don't like the crowds and how crazy people get while standing in line waiting. I have adjusted my shopping recently and will continue to do so from now on. I am trying to shop in La Grange for as much as I can—especially on "Small Business Saturday" tomorrow. I realize I can't buy everything but for a lot of my gift giving La Grange has me covered. The best part is what a wonderful, friendly, and stress free experience it is compared to mall shopping. I can walk to town, shop, socialize, and head …
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
The time is here, the holidays are near, time to buy with cheer!
How often have you heard the repetitious refrain that our retailers start selling their holiday inventories earlier and earlier every year? Is that reasonable? Personally, I am amazed that they sell the majority of their inventory in just eight to ten weeks. That selling period seems way too short to me, but it seems to get the job done. True, you have seen a few end-caps in your local retailers with ceramic figures and ceramic towns. There might have been an errant plastic Douglas fir on a top shelf, limited display of LED lights near registers, and even a few greeting cards that wish you this or that. All of those items were specifically placed to get you to thinking that you had better start buying gifts soon. Has it worked for you? (It…
Nancy Pipal
3:19 pm on Monday, May 13, 2013
And Thank you too, Carol. I know that it's been wicked downtown the past few weeks. You are so smart to have a coat that has a good lining but isn't a winter coat per se. Mine is worth it's weight in gold! more ›