Kimberly Schlegel Whitman

Pinecone Place Card Holders

Pinecones can be great place card holders. You may have to dab a tiny drop of glue on the pinecone in order for the place card to stay upright. Write an adjective on the place card that describes what you are thankful for about that person.

Here are a few trends to pull out of those dusty boxes in your closet and throw them on!

1. Neon Clothing- 80’s---You can walk into American Apparel and see the various cotton neon t-shirts or shirt dresses that grace the racks. But unlike the 1980’s, you’re more likely to see these neon pieces as accessories under blazers, or with skinny black jeans and understated heels. The key is making the outfit pop with an understated edge.
2. The MiniDress- 60-70’s---The minidress has a way of never leaving the fashion consciousness. This season, pair it with tights and flat shoes.
3. Plaid: 1970’s & 90’s ---Young and old can pull this off. It is in all variations: button up shirts, tunics, dresses.
4. Boyfriend Blazer: HELLO 80’S… looks great over a dress and gives a masculine feel. Roll the sleeves up if there is a lot of room and most of them have a cool lining to show off. Keep the blazer in a neutral...mostly seen in black and navy.
5. Fur- No animal lovers, not the real thing. Back in the 70’s fur coats and vest were everywhere and they are BACK. Seen on Rachel Zoe and Kate Moss fur is attacking the streets. So pull our the fur coat or vest from the moth balls and strut yourself on the sidewalk.

Here are some trends you may want to put back into those boxes and save for another rainy day.

Next summer is all about a 90s revival: sportswear and grunge mixed with a massive shot of sex and glamour.

1. Sports Wear/Cycling shorts- Set to be next summer's answer to leggings, the lycra knee-length short was seen on the most unlikely catwalks, Armani's showed them under a cocktail dress and Donna Karan had them worn under everything.
2. Fanny Packs- Seen at Marc Jacobs, the pioneer of the 90s grunge movement. Worn slung low around the hips, they achieved an overall mood of sporty utilitarianism. Seen at Louis Vuitton as well. For a cheaper and more immediate version, hit American Apparel where they come in nylon and denim.
3. Layers- With next season's sheer, floaty fabrics, we're being encouraged to layer up. Next season is said to be everything shear so most designers layerd T-shirts, vests, leggings and dresses.

Trends to throw away and never to be seen again.

1. Phrase Graphic Tees: a graphic tee on a grown woman is an automatic fail. Stock up on your solids girls!
2. Neon & Printed Stockings: You want to accentuate your legs not draw circus like attention to them.
3. Lace: Lace gloves, lace shirts, lace dresses, cross them all off the list of trends you might’ve been hoping didn’t get the axe, this trend is dead.
4. Uggs: Uggs are soft and warm in cold winters but, they aren’t waterproof in a snowstorm and definitely shouldn’t be worn in place of sandals with a miniskirt and tank top in the summer.

• Whether it is a party with friends or a relaxing evening at home, nothing sets the mood better than candles. So here is what I call Candle Care 101:
• A little trick to extend the life of your candle: wrap the wick in saran wrap and place your candle in the refrigerator of a couple of hours before burning. A cool candle will burn more slowly. This is really helpful during a long dinner party!
• Long wicks create black smoke that can mark your ceiling. To avoid this, trim wicks to a 1/2 inch before you light them.
• To remove wax that has collected at the bottom of your glass votive, stick your votive in the freezer and after it freezes, the wax will crumble easily.
• If wax drips onto your fine linens, simply warm up the wax with a hair dryer then cover it with a cloth that you don't mind throwing away. Run a warm iron over the cloth and wax will adhere to the cloth! If that doesn't work, check craft or fabric stores for wax removing products.

• Layers: Layer your cardigans cool fall nights or a cool movie theatre. Cotton cardigans are perfect for layering as they are breathable. Layer tanks, tees and long sleeved T-shirts underneath to create interesting color combinations.


• The Classic Sheath Dress: Choose a cotton dress that you can easily layer with a cardigan. Adding a belt and fall shoes can help with the transition. Stick with warmer tones and leave the brights for summer and spring.


• Platform Ankle Booties: Wear these trendy short booties with skirt and dresses while the temperatures are warm and add opaque tights as it gets cooler. Platforms are easier to wear than stilettos, even if you are not one for heels, so you should give them a try!


• Cropped Pants: While it is hot, cropped pants look great with flats and a simple shirt. As the weather gets cooler, tuck them into your knee high boots!


• Scarves: A light silk scarf is a great piece to layer. Lay it and loosely around your neck. Wear them in great fall colors with your lighter clothing.

2.) Accessorize: Use your more daring accessories to liven up your wardrobe basics. These can include bold scarves, colorful handbags, costume jewelry, brooches, and more. These are also easier to store than sweaters! An entire new outfit could be just a silk scarf away!

3.) Use it or Lose it: If you have it in your closet, find a way to incorporate it, or remove it from the racks to freshen up your storage space and make room for new and wearable pieces. Also, one persons toss is another persons treasure, please be sure to donate unwanted clothing and accessories to charity before you place anything in the trash!

4.) Throw out multiples: If you have multiple pieces of the same look, pick your favorite and get rid of some of the other garments to help yourself make room for new things. You never know where your new look may take you (and do you truly need 4 green t-shirts?).

5.) Repair what you have: If you want to make the most of what you have, make sure it is all in it’s best shape. Get rid of scuffs on old pairs of shoes & leather handbags, repair and reinforce old high heels, mend any holes and tears in clothing garments, and freshen up your sterling silver jewelry (* the best way is to scrub with a soft toothbrush dipped in warm water that's been spiked with a few drops of dishwashing liquid).

6.) Edit & Organize your closet: Sometimes shopping your closet is as easy as making the items that you have accessible. Get rid of the articles you no longer wear, or store them in a place that isn’t mixed in with your day-to-day outfits. Also, color coordinating helps. Organize your clothing dark to light, then, when you are looking for that light blue silk ruffled top you bought last year, you have somewhat of an idea of where it could be in the color line!

7.) Change the look of things: Don’t be afraid to take chances and substitute the original purposes of garments with a fresh new perspective. Wear a dress as a tunic by shortening it with a statement-making belt. Take a fun summer dress and wear it into fall with a cute pair of colorful tights. Pair a suit jacket with a pair of jeans and a tank for a chic weekend look and be sure to mix and match different prints in the same type of color palettes.

2.) The Double Breasted Suit/Jacket: The double breasted long overcoat seemed the favored cut of the menswear suit collections this fall. Menswear went modern this fall and suits are favoring a slimmer look. It seems men are ready to show off their athletic shapes in cuts with longer lapels, slim waists, side vents, and broad shoulders. The heavy, larger suit coats seem to be replaced with the slimmer fitting double-breasted cuts, but as style.com put it best, "while the offsprings' offerings sport a trimmer, more youthful fit, they've got enough old-school detailing to ensure they'll age as well as the guy wearing them."

3.) Colors: Dark colors were favored again in menswear to suit the melancholy of autumn. Blacks, midnight blues, and greens, were broken up with dashes of deep purples and dark reds throughout the collections. Many designers experimented with monochrome outfits in black and shades of grays, layering using different fabrics and textures but following the same monochromatic guideline.

4.) Versatility- Day to Night dressing: The versatility of fabric and texture was a big emphasis this season in menswear (clothes that can take you from work to out on the town). Patterns were mixed and matched: distressed leather was paired with classic tailored tweed and strong structured jackets done in softer fabrics like cashmere, flannel, and velvet. Louis Vuitton had a leather jacket that was reversible with cashmere on the inside, exemplifying this changeability in menswear. Thus, classic menswear cuts were matched with and softer fabrics, to make comfort and practicality priorities as well this season. (Dries Van Noten)

5.) Plaids: Plaid is also back in a big way, from gingham to buffalo patterns. This season, the classic print is more prevalent in prints of black, white, red, and blue. Dress up a basic plaid button down by layering the piece with a gray cashmere sweater, or purchase a classic plaid blazer or long coat to pair with denim jeans. This look of high-and low is what makes menswear anything but over-plaid this fall. (Bottega Veneta)

6.) Accessories for Men: (big!!) Accessories for men were extremely popular in the fall collections. Classic accessories like the gentleman’s umbrella, structured briefcases, and scarves populated the runways. Up in sales are statement-making designer sneakers as well as hats, gloves, and long scarves in various fabrics and color combinations. Scarves were deemed the “must-have” accessory for men this fall and they “aren’t just to keep your neck warm anymore!” (J.Crew)

Accessories are an easy way to freshen up your daily look with an item you can wear each and every day, a true investment! They are also a quick and easy way to separate you from the rest. Throw on an eye-catching belt or a pair of vintage sunglasses and you have your own new and individual pieces paired with your fall basics. Hats: narrow-brimmed fedoras, boleros, knit caps Scarves: Add a bold pattern or pop of color to dark colored clothing attire (ex. Cashmere Scarf worn draped open around the neck)

7.) Military Look: With jackets and strong shoulders, this “resilient” look surfaced in nearly every fall collection. With leather motorcycle jackets, “bomber” jackets, and apparel accents like epaulets and zippers, the military look was prevalent across the boards. Tweedy jackets, checked shirts for that 1950's, early 60's “University” look. Or make them snap to attention when you sport a military style jacket with your jeans.

Here are some great tips straight from Kimberly Schlegel Whitman's Blog:

2.) Statement Jewelry: Freshen up your wardrobe basics with an eye-catching necklace with oversize stone beading or an intricate geometric design. Costume jewelry is a definite fall staple. So find that interesting piece that glams up your basic little black dress and certainly don't be afraid to make a statement this season.

3.) Feminine Chic: Fall was very feminine in both cuts and patterns. Vivid floral fabrics made quite the declaration in fall collections and were often paired with traditional menswear fabrics like plaid and wool. Or, pick your favorite tweed fabric in the highly favored feminine suit cuts for fall which included slim-tailored and figure-flattering cropped jackets and high-waist pencil skirts.

4.) Mix & Match: Be your own canvas this autumn! Mix different fabrics this season for a look that doesn’t try too hard. Whether it be wool with silks, tweeds with satin, patent and suede, or sequins by day, liven up any outfit with bold accessories and a touch of the extraordinary. This fall, it’s all in the details; whether they are a pair of feathered pumps by Alexander McQueen, an intricate jeweled neckline on a basic sweater, or a new clutch in an exotic print, add an eye-catching pop to your basics that begs for that second glance!

5.) The Jacket: Make sure you have some great jacket staples this fall. Whether they are the chic blazer style, a short coat, the trendy military cut, or a confident shouldered jacket, these styles are versatile and essential to your autumn wardrobe. Purchase smart and find one that looks just as great with jeans as it does over your little black cocktail dress. Fall’s flirtation with jackets makes day to night a breeze this season!

6.) Tights: An easy way to freshen up your fall look is with a pair of colored or detailed tights. They can easily dress up or dress down an outfit and can be a great way to add color to your wardrobe without going overboard. Also, an affordable trend, they aren’t a big investment item and if you aren’t into color next season, you won't feel too guilty storing these away in a drawer!

7.) Sweater Dressing: Find a longer sweater that looks just as great with tights as it does over jeans. You can accessorize the sweater with a fantastic belt, or wear it over a pair of skinny black pants. Amongst other 80’s trends like sequins and strong shoulders, this look was all over the fall runways.

8.) Texture Tells All: Gathered fabric and accordion pleating were prevalent in the fall collections. It’s all in the details this autumn and the understated elegance that the fabric’s finishing touches can bring. Lead designers like Donna Karan were fans of the origami pleating which offers a big statement without revealing too much.

9.) The Belt: Don’t miss out on a belt this season! They can change the entire look of any outfit in a beat and are quite the commodity this fall. Go fun with a large patent leather belt in a bold color, or venture understated with a thinner belt with vintage-inspired buckling or detailed hardware.

10.) The FUR-ishing Touch: Add a touch of fur to glam up any fall look! Whether it be a fur collar or faux fur stole, it’s a great way to add glamour in one simple step. Faux furs for fall went fun and are available in a broad array of colors!