Kay Hunter - Imagine . . . The Possibilities

Emergency Kits: Being prepared without taking up a lot of space.

There are a few items that would be handy to have at home for "dash out the door" emergencies, last minute meetings, or social events. I recommend keeping them all in one bag or drawer so you are not frantically searching for them, causing you to break into a sweat, rip something more – making you start all over! Some of these items should be kept in your glove compartment and women - have them in your evening bag, if you can without making it look chunky and bulky.

Double-stick (Hollywood fashion tape) is good for those well-endowed at the chest, or a little reinforcement for those places the holiday pounds might settle. It is also good for hems that needs to be stitched but you didn't notice till you were out the door.  The clear tape doesn’t t cover up the skin’s natural color and is more discreet and fabric-friendly than safety pins. Safety pins are also handy for these purposes - but the Hollywood Fashion Tape is more discreet.
 

Image: hollywoodfashionsecrets.com

Tide-To-Go eraser pen is great for getting little spills out fast, such as the wine spill that inevitably happens when you are wearing light colors!

Image: Tide.com
 

Lint roller for the pet hair that has migrated into the front seat of your car and stick to your rear end, or the white napkin lint from the restaurant napkin or tissue fuzz.

image: Target.com

Handkerchief is handier for quick touch up wipes than tissue - no fuzz left on your face or clothes.

 

Cuticle oil or cream for the dry cuticles that the cooler weather causes.  Another alternative is the anti-aging and eye creams that are given as gifts with most cosmetic purchases. Clinique even gives it with the men's shaving gift packs - VERY handy for winter hands and cuticles. 

Image: Clinique.com

 
Ballet slippers for those aching feet from your high heels.  Dr. Scholls is selling portable shoes, but you can get a thin pair of ballet slippers anywhere. This option is far better than walking around a party with your shoes off! You can choose from a few well-known shoe sites: ShoeBuy, Zappos, Nordstrom, Capezio.

Image: Zappos.com

Tweezers - men this includes you as well. Sometimes you catch a glimpse of yourself in the rearview mirror or feel that tickle. Having a pair of tweezers in the glove compartment helps you get that stray Yoda hair from your ears or nose or the one eyebrow hair getting tangled in your eyelashes. Women, you know what I'm talking about with the stray chin or upper lip hair that eluded waxing or plucking earlier in the day. Keep them tucked in the car or home. This is not a "do in public" type of thing. No need to stash the tweezers in your purse.

Breath mints, breathstrips especially after a long stressful day. A glass of water can get rid of the dry mouth and the breath mints and breath strips can freshen up your mouth - assuming you are brushing and using mouthwash before you ever leave your house. This is just for "touch up."

Image: wikipedia

Spare pair of hose for evening events. Sometimes you can't stop by to pick them up if you arrive at an event and then there it is - a run from here until Tuesday. Clear nail polish still can stop it, but if it's too late and you need to replace them, have a pair handy in your most common colors - nude and black. No need to ruin the entire look of your outfit because of a snaggy mishap.

Image: wikipedia

	Home	Car	Purse	Office
Double Stick Hollywood Fashion Tape	x	x
Safety Pins	x	x	x	x
Tide-To-Go	x	x	x	x
Lint Roller	x
Hankerchief			x	x
Cuticle Cream	x	x		x
Ballet Slippers	x	x		x
Tweezers	x	x		x
Breath mints, Breath strips		x	x	x
Spare pantyhose	x	x		x

 

 

For Men Only - A Fun Fashion Sock Trend

Men, a fashion trend has developed that is fun, stylish, and easy - colorful and somewhat loud socks! Recently The New York Times described the sock trend this way: "It signals that you are part of the in crowd. It's like a secret handshake for those who have arrived, and for those who want to."

Eric Jennings, the men's fashion director at Saks Fifth Avenue said "Men have really been embracing socks lately. The more novelty, the brighter or bolder the pattern or color, that's what men are buying."

The thinking seems simple enough. Distinctive socks are a clever and easy way to add a little personality to your look without going overboard.

Most of us don't have this luxury.

Since my friends understand my profession and how important helping people with their image means to me, they send me those crazy emails filled with photos of people in Wal-Mart and other venues strutting their personal fashion sense.  I have to admit they do make me wince.  Although, when I really thought about it, these folks have made a choice and are able to go through life without having to worry about what anyone thinks of them.  Their first impressions can be that of defiance, poor taste, unflattering, but it seems to make them happy since they have chosen these looks.  For that, I applaud their independence.  I don't have that luxury, nor do my clients.  We are constantly wondering how we will come across to our next potential employer, client, manager, colleague, or blind date.

I'm posting these for you to decide what type of personal brand you prefer to share with the world. Do you want one like these fashion statements that shows you don’t think much of yourself. Or, would you choose to give yourself more dignity and respect by selecting to create a personal brand that is flattering, professional, and respectful of yourself.  The choice is yours . . .???

I'd prefer to not have my look passed around and lumped with this grouping. I think more of myself and desire a brighter future for myself. I hope you do too. 

Men's Fashion Questions Answered

Guys, there are a few simple rules that will really make a difference in how you are perceived by clients, colleagues, and that someone special you want to impress!  These rules, are never really taught to men, yet you are somehow expected to know each one. For instance, most men have asked themselves, “Are my socks supposed to match my trousers or my shoes?” Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions I receive, and they are important fashion rules to live by:


Always Match Your Belt With Your Shoes. This rule is simple and it will make getting dressed easy. It is best to select traditional colors such a black, dark brown or a rich tan. Other colors will be difficult to match, and should be avoided. If you wear jeans with sneakers, I suggest wearing a leather belt that has a casual styling (i.e., distressed appearance, thicker buckle, slightly wider width).  Please do not wear your dress belts with jeans and sneakers!

5 Tips For A $uccessful Summer “Business Casual” Wardrobe

While a majority of companies practice business casual year-round at least one day per week, offices tend to get a bit more casual between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  This is primarily brought about by the warmer weather, which can push people to be more relaxed about their appearance.

Here are five tips to help you have a more successful image that won’t cost you your reputation (or your job) this summer:

How to be "cool" this summer.

One of the most disturbing things I’ve seen in my corporate world:  I arrive at our office picnic and—BAM!  There is my boss sprawled out on a chaise lounge, with his knobby knees pointing out like joints on a broken chicken leg!  He wasn’t injured mind you.  He was wearing shorts, and I don’t mean Bermuda shorts.  That’s right, short-shorts!  I then proceed to the barbecue area, and there stands the newest management trainee wearing hot pants (short-shorts) and a tube top!  Yes, she did catch my eye, as well as every male co-worker in the office.  But, it will be hard to take her seriously on Monday!

Let’s focus on these short-shorts examples, as a way of illustrating the importance of always dressing for the occasion, and your figure’s pros and cons.  Whether you are attending a company picnic, on a retreat, or summer barbecue, you are interacting with adults and must dress accordingly.  Follow these tips to make you “cool” this summer:

Flip Flops and T-shirts great for the weekend, but not weekdays

The heat of summer is fast approaching, and the desire to be cool during the day can make dressing appropriately for the office a challenge.