Peaceful Shopping Tips

Tuesday, December 8, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

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Moments & Memories

Leigh Anne and Sherra say…

We both know Karen Herrema through our homebased business. She is a Certified Personal Stylist and it is (pardon the pun) the perfect fit for her! Be sure to visit Karen at her blog, Style by Karen for more great fashion tips. We are delighted to introduce you to Karen…

I have been a Washingtonian all but 10 years of my life. I was raised in Lynden, WA in a small farming community in the NW corner, just a few miles from the Canadian border. After attending college in Michigan, I landed my first job in Denver, Co where I lived for 6 years and met my husband, Mike. His job in the lumber industry brought us back to the NW and in 1989 we settled in Vancouver WA, which is in the very SW corner of the state. Nestled in between Seattle and Portland OR, we love the small city feel which has been perfect for raising our two boys Ethan and Collin who are now 17 and 14. My previous career as a school teacher and home business owner has paved the way for beginning a new business in 2008. As a personal stylist I enjoy using my creativity in a whole new way. I love teaching women how to look, feel and dress their best.

Favorite color:

Certain shades of green, teal blue. I also love red.

Favorite food you associate with this holiday season:

I cannot resist a homemade frosted sugar cookie.

Pet Peeve?

Grammatical/punctuation/spelling errors in print or on signs.

What is something that no one knows about you? (that you want to tell the whole internet world)

I love to dance, even if these days that means in my kitchen with my iPod.

One word that describes you:

Enthusiastic

What’s your motto or mantra:

Laughter is the Best Medicine. I am thankful for a husband and kids who help me laugh every day even when things are not all rosy.

What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?

Spending time with my family/friends especially in fun places.
Being involved! Kids’ activities (school, sports). Church and Community.
Although I’m very social, I also enjoy time alone-reading, devotions, taking a walk, listening to music, scrapbooking or shopping!

Holiday Wardrobe Tips

I am not sure I could say my life is very peaceful in December. The calendar is full of events, and we often travel at Christmas. There’s decorating, baking, gifts, and families who need our help. It’s easy to feel pulled in a dozen different directions. As women, we try to do it all. We pull out all the stops to put together the perfect holiday. Add dressing for the holidays to the equation and it’s just one more thing to try and get right. For many women, it causes stress because there isn’t time to shop or it’s hard to make the right choice for the right occasion. Perhaps you’re trying to get by with something you wore last year (and now it doesn’t fit!)

In the dictionary definition of PEACE I found these words: Inner Contentment. It struck a chord with me. I meet women who have been catering to their families for years and suddenly realize: It’s time for ME. I’m amazed when together we do a few tweaks on the outside, sometimes the biggest change occurs on the inside.

Dressing for the holidays does not have to be an added stress. With a few tips, you can look and feel great. I’ve chosen some holiday looks that will cover a variety of events and flatter many body types. I’ve taken comfort and price into consideration (all pieces under $100).

For more details on most of the fashion and accessories shown below, visit Snapshot Emagazine where Karen has an article in the December issue.

Formal Office Party: We went to a big party for ten consecutive years. I miss those days as I loved finding my dresses at January sales. If you didn’t hit the jackpot then, you’re in luck now.

Nordstrom.com Purple dress Maggie London $98

Party with Family/Friends: We often gather for a formal dinner on Christmas Eve with a few other families. Everyone wears sweats/PJs. NOT me! Here are a few ideas that are perfect with jeans–comfortable and still dressy.

White House | Black Market Charmeuse Tiered Shell $88

Nordstrom.com Cardigan $58 Purple Tiered Top $48

White House | Black Market: Ruffled cardigan $98

New Year’s Party: If I had one to go to this year, this is what I’d wear.

Nordstrom.com Sequin cardigan $88 Ruffle tank $48

Last year it was just the 4 of us on Christmas Eve. I asked everyone to dress a little nicer for photos. Message to teenage boys: Wear something besides “ratty” T-shirt. My son came downstairs wearing MY old Christmas sweater I was planning to consign. He found it in the unused side of his closet (my overflow area). We laughed the rest of the night.

Just for the record, I’m not going to touch the topic of Christmas sweaters. Not a fashion faux pas–unless you are a guy–but I believe you can do better.

Karen’s Top Holiday Choice: The Cardigan. It works on any woman petite to plus size. Choose an embellished one to make it more formal, or add accessories to a holiday color of choice.

Kohl’s 29.99

FIT TIP: Wear with two buttons closed under the bust as shown in photo. This shows curves, yet still hides flaws.

Also, if you choose a solid color cardigan, add the bling. Embellished cardigan: 1-2 pieces of jewelry will be enough.

Kohl’s Accessories, $35 for all 3 pieces

There you have it – enough suggestions for every holiday occasion that I hope will help you dress your best while enjoying a peaceful holiday.

I wish for you a Holiday Season that is wonderful in every way and that you will look back and say–I did things for my family, others AND for me. It feels good. That is Inner Contentment.

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We have designated Tuesday as a day where we will have different women share “Moments & Memories” in their lives.

We plan to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. The column on Tuesday will be centered around our word of the month. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!