An interview with a stylist: How and why to look your best every day!

I recently had the absolute pleasure of meeting personal stylist Debbie Kahn of Deco to discuss style and her business.  I love fashion and was so excited for this interview, but I didn't expect to have such an inspirational meeting...fun and informative, yes, but inspirational...not necessarily.   If you think that style and fashion are somewhat superficial, talk to Debbie Kahn and you'll realize that how you dress really does impact your confidence, self-image and overall well-being.  And who doesn't want a little boost in those departments!

How did you get started doing personal styling?  What’s your background?

I was in retail for many years ever since getting my degree in fashion merchandising.  Most recently I was working as a regional visual manager for BCBG doing store layouts, windows, mannequins etc. and loved it, but it was a lot of travel and once I had my daughter it got hard.  I'm a perfectionist who would get stressed out because I wanted to do both things 100% (be a mother and a professional) but I just felt I wasn't able to give all to both.  I have Cystic Fibrosis and was getting sick a lot too so I knew it was time to focus on my health, and my daughter helped put it all into perspective.   I had a hard time the first month after quitting work getting used to the transition.  But now, I'm so happy that I left and started my own business; I know I made the right decision.  I've had so much support for starting Deco.  

Tell me a little about what you and your partner Emily Simon do for Deco and how you're unique.  What should a typical client expect? 

What sets us apart is that we really focus on helping clients gain confidence in their body and style.  When it comes to working with moms, we get them out of their yoga pants (when not doing yoga) and help them take pride in who they are.  You're more than just a mom and I find women sometimes forget that.  We also take you outside of your comfort zone which can really take your look to the next level.  

So the typical process goes like this:  

Step 1: fill out a style profile re: sizes, personal info, preferences, choices of styles (bohemian, classic, modern, do you like to accessorize, etc.) What's your least favorite body part etc. etc.

Step 2:  We do a closet consultation and go through every piece of clothing and ask: do you still wear it? what do you have to wear it with? is it just sentimental? does it need repair? does it fit properly? etc.  We help you figure out if the piece should still be in your closet, what you can wear it with, match up outfits for you and reorganize your closet to make it more user-friendly so you can find and see what you really have and can get dressed confidently.  We can also take photos and create a look book for you to help.  Finally, we identify the holes in your wardrobe which takes us to step 3.

Step 3: Shopping! We shop with you starting with the established wardrobe "holes".  We choose stores and brands based on your style and budget and we get you to try some things outside of your comfort zone.  We're going to tell you if something really looks good or doesn't which you don't always get from a friend or the person working at the store.   If you have specific events you need help with, we do that too.

So what are the main 'holes' you find in a woman's wardrobe:

Great jackets!  Casual blazers, jean jackets, leather or faux leather jackets....something in black, brown, white, burgundy, grey etc and inexpensive or not.  Zara, H&M etc. have great options. These pieces go so easily with jeans and really finish your outfit.  I also love metallic accessories.  Every woman should have a little pop they can add to an outfit to dress it up.  

What’s the most impactful change one can make to look (and feel) better?

Take off the yoga pants when you're not working out!  And no running shoes if you're not in workout clothes.  Finally, so many women wear clothes that are not flattering for their shape- either too big, maybe because they're self-conscious, or too small.  As stylists, we really want to help women find confidence.  It's our job to help you look amazing and feel great.  A positive body image and self confidence really can come from realizing what a big piece clothing is to your overall self confidence!

What can I wear when I'm "on-duty mom" to be comfortable and ready for anything but still look stylish on a day-to-day basis.  

Everyone needs a couple pairs of go-to day jeans that you can wear to lunch with friends or climb around the park in.  I love the skinny jeans from H&M for this and they're just as comfortable and washable as yoga pants (and H&M sells online now).  Throw those on with a tank, oversized sweater and flat ankle boots or cute slip ons and you're set. In the warmer months I like maxi dresses but you have to find the right style and shape as some are more forgiving than others.  Empire waist is great.  Be carful of knit as it can cling and show everything.  I like putting a basic fitted white tank underneath maxis, especially one that’s longer.  And every mom needs a good, stylish medium sized cross-body bag that can hold diapers, snacks etc. Backpacks are making a come-back too and there are a lot of great options.

And how do you feel about leggings? 

They can be fine, just don't use them as a crutch because they're easy and comfortable.   And cover your tush and crotch!  Finally, try to make it a different legging than the one you're working out in...something with a zipper or a little leather (real or faux) or nicer fabric etc. 

Is there such a thing as a stylish workout outfit bc let’s be honest, there will be days when I'm wearing workout clothes all day?

I think women should buy nice workout clothes.  They don't have to cost a fortune, but find something you feel cute in that isn't an oversized old t-shirt or ratty old sweatshirt.  Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Target all have great options.   

What’s the biggest thing we're doing wrong?  

Not taking pride in ourselves.  Put on a little makeup: mascara, bronzer (I love Nars powder bronzer in Laguna and Benefit has great options).  Take care of yourself as much as you take care of others and you'll be amazed how much better you'll feel!

What's your suggestion for a good investment piece? 

A bag!  Not necessarily trendy, but something you really love.  That and a great leather jacket- but not with too many bells and whistles because you don’t want it to be too trendy.  Both of these things will stand the test of time.

What about pregnancy fashion?  

Take the time to make yourself look cute and feel put together because there's a good chance you already don't feel your best.  Invest in a few things that make you feel pretty.  You need to feel good about yourself right now! And I love seeing a pregnant woman in heels!

In addition to styling women, you've started offering styling for men and children.  What's the best and easiest style update for men?  

Shoes are a big thing and it's an easy way to update a man's look without looking too trendy or trying too hard.  Every man needs a good shoe wardrobe: brown, black and a weekend pair or two.  Flip-flops are okay but I'm not a fan of the man scandal.  And men should take care of their feet too! 

When it comes to clothing, don't try too hard and end up looking metro, but try hard enough that you don't look like you're still in the frat.  Find some good denim options: a slimmer fit and something that works on your body and is still comfortable.  Denim doesn't have to cost a lot, but you should take a little time to try it on (and know that it will soften up if you're worried about comfort).  For shirts, I love button downs.  Find a brand that's comfortable and fits your body.  I like the look of a sweater over a button down too.  And every man needs a stylish casual blazer and should avoid pleats!  

If you're trying to update your guy's style, keep in mind that many guys get stuck in their ways, but keep trying...it's about baby steps.  

When it comes to styling children we find that families need help with family photo shoots, parties, and as girls especially get older (ages 7-14), they hate shopping with their moms who have opinions that don't match their own.  We're a neutral party with both the mom's and child's best interest in mind.  And we find that the young girls will listen to an outside party where they won't listen to their mothers.   

So what are your favorite brands for kids?  

I love Zara, H&M, Target and Red Ballon on Damen has a good mix of pieces.  There really are so many options and you don't have to spend a lot of money!

Deco also offers packing services to help you pack the right things, streamline it, and make dressing on your vacation or business trip easier.  They do seminars for businesses and Style Parties featuring a mini fashion show and trend review that makes for a great way to get friends together.  Attendees can bring pieces in their closet that they never wear, don't know how to wear, or can't part with.  Deco will help you style the piece, reinvent it or tell you to ditch it...or maybe swap it with a friend.

Thanks so much, Debbie!  Since our interview I've been stepping outside of my yoga pants comfort zone and truly do feel more productive and better about myself and my day!  

For more inspiration and expertise, follow Deco on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter  and of course their website www.stylebydeco.com

Are you dehydrated? And everything you need to know about water: how much, the right temperature & the cleanest source

Do you ever forget to drink water?  You would think that with our easy access to it no one would ever get dehydrated but it happens...a lot!

What are the symptoms of dehydration?
Thirst (obviously)
Fatigue
Headaches
Dry itchy skin
Muscle cramping (specifically leg cramps)
Yellow urine (hydrated urine should be close to clear)
Confusion/dizziness
Confusing hunger for thirst (this can begin to lead to weight gain)
Bad breath
Constipation

Since our bodies are made of nearly 60% water, it's important to stay hydrated to help us move nutrients to our cells, flush out toxins, help our organs work properly, maintain proper digestion and excretion, regulate our body temperature and of course prevent and treat the above symptoms of dehydration.

An easy and delicious broccoli recipe

I've talked about the benefits of broccoli a lot on this blog (here, here and here) and I think it's because I'm trying to convince myself to love it...but I rarely do LOVE it...especially when pregnant.  However, I came up with this super simple recipe that actually left me craving more so I thought I would share:

2 pieces of nitrate free bacon
1 large head broccoli chopped into small pieces
1 handful of greens (I had some kale and swiss chard leftover so I threw it in but this is optional)
2-4 cloves of garlic: diced (I used 4 but if you're not so into garlic, go with less)
1 pad of butter* (preferably grass-fed)
2-3 tbsp real maple syrup
salt and pepper
crushed red pepper (optional)

• Brown the bacon in a sauté pan and add the garlic just before the bacon is ready.  
• Remove the bacon once it's browned and set aside (full disclosure- I ate one of the pieces that I 'set aside'...oops)
• Add the butter* and broccoli and sauté until bright green.  
• Add the maple syrup and cooked bacon (chopped into small pieces) and salt, pepper and crushed red pepper to taste and stir. 
• When the broccoli browns/caramelizes on the tips just a bit it's ready.

So you may think that the bacon, butter and maple syrup take away from the "healthy" benefits of the broccoli, but my take is that if you're otherwise not eating/serving broccoli (or any other veg) because you don't love the way it tastes, do what it takes to make it taste good-within reason of course.  And besides, you need the fat to help absorb the fat soluble vitamins in the broccoli!

Enjoy!

*If your bacon is very fatty, you may not need the butter.

Interview with a nutritionist about raising healthy kids

So I was recently very honored to be interviewed by Shannon of Graytmama (a blog with a wealth of knowledge about all things baby) re Green & Plenty, being a nutritionist mom and raising a healthy family.  I thought I would share with my readers too as it gives a little insight into my food philosophy and (hopefully) a few helpful tips.  

Ok, so I must say your blog is so beautiful! Tell my amazing mommy readers what they can find over at green and plenty?

Green & Plenty is a lifestyle and wellness blog about raising a healthy family including recipes, research on health and nutrition and how-to tips on a variety of informative topics including surviving the first trimester of pregnancy, natural remedies for clear skin, building a better playroom and being a happier mom.  I’m a registered dietitian/nutritionist so I try to blog about topics that clients and friends ask about often and things I know and discover that I think are worth sharing.  I also love fashion anddesign so I like to throw a few posts in on those topics to keep it from getting too food/health intense and keep it fun.  Recently I started a feature on inspirational women where I interview moms who are doing a variety of cool things and get their tips and expertise.  One of the biggest things I, and I think most moms struggle with is finding balance.  Whether it be a balanced diet for your family (which yes, does include occasional french fries and cupcakes in my book) or balancing your personal, professional, social and romantic life, I think it’s really important to try to find your own version of balance and happiness.  Green & Plenty is my attempt to help us all do that.

Earth Day for Kids

So it's Earth Day today.  What exactly does that mean?  Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. 

As a mother, I think it's a great opportunity to teach our children about the importance of taking care of and respecting the environment.  Whether it be a discussion about how and where our food comes from, what we can do to keep our cities clean or simple ways to conserve in our own homes, I think this holiday is one with a very valid potential lesson and an extremely worthy celebrity.

The Lemond Dot Tree by DA Schwartz is a book that can help bring that lesson home in a sweet and simple way that even our little ones will understand.

The book is available through the Lemon Dots website, on Amazon and on Kindle (with an Earth Day special) and at Whole Foods in Lincoln Park in Chicago and in Town and Country in St. Louis.

The author also produces adorable art available on the website (it's hard to tell but the "play" and "sail" are printed in gold...nice touch)!

You can find more inspiration from The Lemon Dot's on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Happy Earth Day!

probiotics: how to tell if you or your child has a healthy gut?

Illness, infection, allergies and GI issues in kids are common topics among moms.  Occasional illness and stomach upset is normal, but when it seems like it's more than occasional, one wonders if there's a reason her child seems to get sick so often.  Whether you're dealing with another ear infection, constipation or the common cold, we all want to do something to help make our kids healthier and happier.  Many researchers and health practitioners believe there is a way to make us healthier and happier and it starts in our gut!  Here's a breakdown of how to tell if your child has a healthy gut and what you can do to get it or keep it healthy!

how to make bone broth & the many benefits

My 4 year old has been a super picky eater lately so I'm racking my brain for creative ways to get more nutrients in his diet.  Soup is one of his favorite foods and bone broth is a great natural, easy and affordable way to up the nutritional value of those soups.  And it's not just for 4 year olds...

The simplicity and health benefits of bone broth can't be beat and it's incredibly affordable and versatile.  Plus, it helps reduce waste...ever buy a rotisserie chicken and end up throwing what seems like half of it away?  Here's how you can use that chicken to make bone broth and some of the benefits of said broth:

Inspirational Women: Shannon of Graytmama Blog

Raising kids is a challenge, no doubt about that.  And there's also no doubt that there's plenty of advice out there: books, older sisters, in-laws, doctors...everyone's full of it and they almost all say something different.  Graytmama is a blog about one mom's quest to find the answers to all things baby and make them available to us in a concise way that makes visiting her site like a good chat with your most knowledgable and trusted confidant. Whether your dealing with teething, sleep training or wondering how and when to start discipling your little one, Graytmama is an amazing resource written by a real mom.  Below is an interview with Shannon, the inspirational mama behind Gray T.  Thanks for helping make this whole raising kids thing a little easier for all of us, Shannon and for your support no matter what choices we're making for our families!

How did you get inspired to start the blog?  Was there an 'aha' moment?  And where do you find inspiration for new posts?

I don't know if it was so much inspiration, but more like frustration! Frustration at the lack of websites out there with good information on raising babies.  Sites like babycenter can be very frustrating, because you get WAY too many answers and opinions. Truthfully, most moms don't have the time to sit down and read a 300 page book to learn about sleep training, naps, foods, etc.  I took what I read, researched, and experienced and put it all down for moms to have and use. A lot of my readers tell me they use my site as a reference, which is exactly why I started it. I know when I have baby number 2, I will be using it as a guide as well.

My inspiration comes from my experience, if I'm going through it, then I usually write about it!

Maternity Style: Best Dressed Bumps II

It's not always easy to find your style when pregnant.  I did a post about maternity style the last time I was expecting and it gave me lots of great ideas.  Here's a second round for even more inspiration.  These 12 lovely ladies have it figured out!

I love the idea of the maxi skirt turned dress from Quality Rivets, especially with the jacket.  She has lots of great maternity style on her blog!

A very pretty look from Let It Be.