I mean, you can’t wear pumps to the beach or flip-flops to a formal dinner, so you need different shoes for different occasions. 

Yesterday, my darling daughter pulled every pair of shoes from my closet, the utility room, under my dresser, beside my dresser, under the kitchen table, and wherever else she found them and organized them neatly in my bedroom floor.  I think she had to start from the far wall and work her way to the door in order to not paint herself into a corner, so to speak.

Grand total – 79 pairs.  I was surprised.  I thought it would be more.  

That includes footwear that isn’t worn often, such as my white go-go boots that I bought for my 60s themed 40th birthday, two pair of slippers, my leopard-print rain boots (too cute!!) and two pair of water shoes (which I bought for our trip to Antigua and forgot to pack).

There are the special occasion shoes, like my wedding shoes, two pair of blinged-out silver dress heels, gold sequined slingbacks, black sequined peep-toe pumps,  and a gorgeous pair of metallic pink slingbacks.

I have two pair of high-heeled black boots (one for pants and one for skirts) and one pair of low-heeled black boots, in case it’s icy outside.   And three pair of running shoes, because I have a separate pair to run, walk or do yard work.

I have open toed black and brown dress shoes for summer, and closed toe pumps for winter.  I have heels that I wear with skirts, lower heeled mary janes for pants and a pair of clogs I use as my running-out-the-door-can’t-stop-to-tie-my-shoes shoes.

And there are my favorite pink and orange plaid wedges that amazingly go with a lot more than you’d think, my new snakeskin print wedges, and my white wedges with the flowers across the toes.  Speaking of flowers, I adore my wood-soled mules with the pink suede flower across the instep. 

I can’t forget my orange satin slingbacks or my leopard-print peep toes that add a punch of color to an otherwise boring black pantsuit.

See my point?  Although I don’t wear every pair every day, I do wear them, and I do try to avoid buying shoes that go with just one outfit.  Well, except my wedding shoes. 

I ended up throwing out two pair, and packed up about 15 more pair destined for Goodwill (or a reader who wears a 9 or 9.5 who would be interested in black patent cork soled slingbacks, red patent cork soled slingbacks, brown d’orsay pumps, two different leopard-print pumps, and a cute pair of green d’orsay peep toe pumps with a floral motif).

Some people collect baseball cards, others collect figurines.  I collect shoes. 

Oh, wait, make that 80 pair.  I forgot about my golf shoes… nope, make it 81 – I have bowling shoes, too. 

What, is that bad?  How many do you have?

Photo credit – Yes, that’s my collection.

You may know that Botox® injections are a diluted form of botulism which can be injected into facial muscles to paralyze or weaken the muscles that form wrinkles. Many women, and even men, are turning to Botox injections to ease frown lines and unfurl their brow with no surgery or recovery time.

In fact, Botox is becoming so common that last year,  injections were performed in the United States more than 1.6 million times, a 46 percent increase since 2000 and a 2,356 percent increase since 1997.

But what you might not know is that doctors have also found Botox can be used in the neck area and even on scars. (As an aside, Botox is even being studied as a remedy for tennis elbow, wrist spasms and arthritis.)

“Botox can work for facial scars – both old and new. New, healing scars, if they’re oriented in the wrong direction (“against the grain”) of the face tend to heal into thicker, uglier scars in the end. Botox injections can minimize that tendency. For older scars, especially between the eyebrows or on the forehead, the skin tends to crease right at the old scar, making it look deeper. Botox can improve that, too, by relaxing the crease,” says Dr. Laxmeesh Mike Nayak, Director of Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery at
 Nayak Plastic Surgery.

But Botox can’t help every line and crinkle. Botox won’t work on wrinkles from sun damage. And you can’t treat the lines around your mouth because you need those muscles to talk and chew. (That’s what fillers are for! But that’s a whole other post.) Botox should only be used under a doctor’s care. A skilled doctor who is board certified in dermatology, otolaryngology (ears, nose and throat) or plastic surgery can determine direct dosage and which areas deliver the best results.

But Dr. Nayak warns: If you’re using Botox to treat other conditions, like headaches and eye muscle problems, don’t expect your wrinkles to go away with your headaches. “When using Botox with the goal of treating wrinkles, we are relaxing overactive muscles that create the wrinkles. When treating headaches, we are aiming to treat spasming muscles that create the headache. When those two happen to be the same muscle, you might get two birds with one stone. More often than not, though, they are different muscles, or the doses required to achieve headache reduction may be too much for wrinkle reduction. In that case, you’d have to pick which results you are really after – headaches or wrinkles, and treat accordingly,” he says. 

Botox generally runs $10 to $14 per unit in St. Louis. Frown lines usually take 20 units or so to treat, or $200-$280 on average. But Dysport, a slightly less expensive alternative is now giving Botox a run for its money. “Dysport is a very similar product to Botox,” says Nayak. “In experienced hands, I feel it works just as well.”

Dr. Nayak is Clinical Assistant Professor of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Saint Louis University Medical School. He is an active member of the AAFPRS, and a board certified staff surgeon at St. John’s Hospital. Dr. Nayak also has extensive experience in rhinoplasty, cosmetic surgery of the aging face, facial volumetric surgery, minimally invasive endoscopic techniques, and skin rejuvenation with peels, lasers, and injectable fillers.

Lisa is a contributor for Girls Guide. She is a freelance writer and you can find her writing regularly at StLFamilyLife. You can email her at lisadetmerbertrand [at] hotmail [dot]com, and follow her on Twitter.

Image credit: www.motherjones.com

Another film franchise you may be breathless anticipating is the third installment of the Twilight Saga – Eclipse.  I will pause here briefly for the obligatory Team Jacob vs. Team Edward debate and/or swooning…ready?  Need a moment, perhaps some ice?

And as our own Carlie recently informed us, the new seasons of Jersey Shore and Mad Men start new seasons this summer.  Talk about polar opposite wardrobe requirements for those two shows.

As diversified as these films and shows may be, they do have one thing in common – they have all influenced recent fashion trends.   Here are a few ways you can snag the styles you see onscreen and still have some cash left over for popcorn:

This dress is strikingly similar to the white dress Carrie wears on the SATC2 poster, however it is only $44, and you don’t have to worry about spilling your cosmo on it while you strut through your fabulous life.  (asos.com)

 Perhaps Bella is more your style?  Then flash this sparkly reproduction of her !!SPOILER ALERT!! engagement ring.  $35, sparklevamp and wolf-boy sold separately.  (emitations.com)

French manicure?  Check.  Bump-it?  Check.  Sparkly heels?  With these, your How-To-Dress-Like-The-Jersey-Shore list is complete.  These shoes are actually called Snookie, so apparently Steve Madden is a fan.  I’m not sure how I feel about that factoid.  (stevemadden.com)

Looking for something with a vintage vibe?  Take a page from Mad Men and flaunt this Jessica McClintock classic frame bag at your next 3-martini lunch.(zappos.com)

Now you too can be just as glamorous as the onscreen ladies (but I think we already were, amiright?)

Image credits:  asos.com, emitations.com, stevemadden.com, zappos.com, and jewelleryreport.co.uk

Those jackets and tops that no longer hold a high priority in your style portfolio or assortment of sassy accessories and handbags are neatly compiled and carted off to a worthy organization in the hopes that those well-meaning garments can be repurposed for the greater good. Call it fashion karma or style feng shui, it sure feels good to give to others.

As good as it makes us feel to give, has anyone found a way to make those who shop at these resale stores feel pampered and luxe as they find a new outfit? I’m so glad you asked…

Enter Rung, a new resale shop opening on April 17^th at 9739 Manchester Road. Rung, whose motto is “Outfitting your corporate climb,” is a not-for-profit clothing resale shop. It aims to bolster the confidence of women between the ages of 25 and 55 by offering professional attire at affordable prices in a boutique atmosphere that provides a fun and uplifting experience. It is also a dynamic gathering place that celebrates the talent of women by displaying art produced by local female talent.  And this do-gooder retailer is doing good by donating profits to the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis.

Rung is the brain child of Ali Kindle. You may not know her name but you surely would recognize her grandfather, Enterprise Holdings founder Jack Taylor. Ali is applying the same spirit of entrepreneurship Jack exemplified to empower women to succeed by providing affordable professional attire in a fun, upscale and uplifting environment.

According to Ali, “My objective in opening this store is to bring the women of St. Louis together and help each other through donating clothes and shopping and purchasing clothes. There is something for all women, and it is an easy way to show support and help give women the confidence they need to succeed in the workplace.”

A few years ago, the idea began casually brewing over dinners and informal gatherings with her sister and female cousins. It soon transformed into clothes-swapping parties for friends and other female family members. Soon thereafter, Ali was encouraged, and then empowered, by her family to take the idea into the public sphere. Her sister and female cousins are part of the board of directors now. Many of the “seed” donations were provided by family and friends.

As Rung’s marketing materials tout, “Looking good and doing good are not mutually exclusive.” I’d like to add “Shopping resale doesn’t have to be really boring.” The interior look and feel for Rung will be high-end without the designer prices. Nicely appointed furniture, cute dressing rooms and clothing that has been merchandised just like any other Ann Taylor or Banana Republic near you.

Rung has a defined list of objectives it wants you to take away from the shopping experience:

• To make shopping a celebration of success as well as style.
• To ensure that a woman’s wardrobe works as hard for the community as it does for her career.
• To do good while looking good.
• To support the working women of St. Louis at every step of their corporate climb.

For Ali, Rung is about confidence and spirit. “I think having a place to buy clothing that you may otherwise not be able to afford can give women that extra push to be confident and feel deserving of the job they want, not just the job they have,” she says.

If Rung sounds like an endeavor you would like to support, there are ways to get involved. You can donate clothing so that others may have the same access to style and fashion. The store accepts donations daily. They are currently in need of fashionable tops, dresses and accessories.

If you have the retail bug, Rung is now hiring for part-time sales associates. Put your style sense to good use by assisting women who could use your savvy. For the complete job description and instructions on how to apply, please go to http://www.thejobspider.com/ job/view-job- 2970440.html.

For more information on the April 17^th opening and how you can support Rung, visit their website at www.ShopRung.org.

Pamela is a Business and Networking contributor for Girls Guide. She is the owner of The Raymond Experience, an events and public relations company, and she moonlights as the Business Commentary eXaminer for St. Louis. You can email her at raymondcreative [at] yahoo [dot]com, and follow her on Twitter.

With the onset of warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours, more and more folks will be abandoning the gym and exercising outside.  Whether you walk, run, bike, or skate, here are some tips to help keep you safe: 

You may know them already but they bear repeating.

• Exercise with a partner – there is safety in numbers
• If you do go alone let someone know when you leave, where you are going, and when you plan to be back.
• Carry identification and a few dollars for emergencies.
• Carry your cell phone.
• Leave the iPod at home.  If you have to run to music use just one earbud, and keep the volume low enough that you can still hear over the music.
• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, and plan an “escape route” option
• Avoid dark, deserted, unlit areas, unpopular streets and trails. And stay clear of parked cars, bushes, and recessed building doorways
• Vary your route and running times to deter potential observers.
• If it’s safe to do so, go against the flow of traffic so you can see what’s approaching.
• Wear light colored reflective clothing at dawn, dusk and at night.
• Don’t assume cars will obey the traffic laws- yield the right of way at intersections.

Let’s be careful out there.

Image credit – www.proshieldsafetysigns.co.uk

Kim is the Fashion and Beauty Editor for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Parachuting Without A Net, where she talks about just about everything under the sun from being a Mom to whipping up quick dinners. You can contact Kim by Emailing her – kim [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @parachuting.

Perhaps I am showing my advanced age and my next post will be a rant against whippersnappers in my front yard, but I guarantee you when I open my front door to tell them to get off my lawn I’ll have on pants.  They will be neither fuzzy nor flannel, nor will they be emblazoned with monkeys, rainbows or sarcastic bunnies.

Just as leggings are not pants, neither are pajama bottoms.  They are meant to be worn to bed, or on lazy couch-dwelling days.  They aren’t meant for public exposure. Oh, and just a tip– pairing Uggs with your Hello Kitty pjs doesn’t improve the ensemble.  Just. Stop.

This trend is going global, but other countries are taking a stand.  A British grocery chain, Tesco, has instituted a no-pyjamas (that’s how the Queen spells it) policy in its stores.  Shanghai, China has also banned pajamas in public.

I am guilty of running to Walgreens at 2am with no makeup, sweatpants and flip-flops because I have a sick kid at home.  I am guilty of going to Home Depot with paint-splattered shorts in the middle of a DIY project. I am guilty of running to the grocery store for milk after going to the gym.  I may have looked a wreck, but at no point did I have on clothing that even resembled nightwear.

Pajama pants just shouldn’t be an acceptable fashion statement… or am I just old and out of touch?

Kim is the Fashion and Beauty Editor for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Parachuting Without A Net, where she talks about just about everything under the sun from being a Mom to whipping up quick dinners. You can contact Kim by Emailing her at kim [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @parachuting.

Valentine’s Day is all fine and good if you’re in a great relationship. But what if you’re in a relationship and you’re not happy? Well, you’re in luck because this week is also Dump Your Significant Jerk Week. (Is it saying something that love gets one day but dumping someone gets an entire week…)

Now, I am not here to be a Dr. Phil but I will say that if you are in a relationship and your gut is telling you there’s something wrong, I advocate listening to it. Life is too short to be with someone who doesn’t respect and love you. You and you alone know what kind of person you want to spend your life with. Love at first sight is possible, but it’s more likely you’re going to have to endure some bad relationships before you find ‘True Love’.

Let’s imagine that one day you meet a man, and he’s witty, charming, and attractive, plus he digs you, too. You’ve gone on a few dates, and it’s all going along swimmingly until he casually mentions he does yoga/belongs to the NRA/hates vegetarians/voted for the other candidate.

Would that be a dealbreaker?

Obviously, behaviors such as dishonesty or infidelity are huge dealbreakers, and others might be smoking or drinking too much. But I’m talking about the quirks and habits that some people might be able to ignore but others can’t live with. Is he shorter than you, does he wear brown shoes, did he not call you back soon enough? Yes, those are actual reasons I have personally heard for breaking up with a man.

What’s your dealbreaker?

Kim is the Fashion and Beauty Editor for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Parachuting Without A Net, where she talks about just about everything under the sun from being a Mom to whipping up quick dinners. You can contact Kim by Emailing her – kim [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @parachuting.

The phrase “serious as a heart attack” certainly applies…

What can you do about it?  First, stay healthy by eating right, getting regular exercise, and getting your numbers checked.  Ask a woman her shoe size and her cholesterol level – which one do you think she is most likely to know?

Limiting stress is important as well.  Easier said than done, right?  Learn to take some time for you – get a massage, go for a walk, or just spend time with a friend or loved one.  Lowering your stress levels is just as important as diet and exercise.

Or, you can go shopping.  Yes, that’s right, shopping can be good for your heart.  Visit shopheart.org, and click the Go Red For Women tab.  Browse through jewelry, accessories, exercise equipment, cookbooks – they’ve got almost everything.  A portion of your purchase price is donated to the American Heart Association directly.

Starting today, February 3, and going through Sunday, February 6, thinking red can also save you some green. Wear red while you shop and you will save 20% on your purchase at Macy’s.

For more information on Go Red for Women and for more heart health information, visit goredforwomen.org, or americanheart.org.

*Stats courtesy of CDC

Kim is the Fashion and Beauty Editor for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Parachuting Without A Net, where she talks about just about everything under the sun from being a Mom to whipping up quick dinners. You can contact Kim by Emailing her – kim [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @parachuting.

A couple of weeks ago I was having a bad day, and just needed to get away. I went to the Subway up the street, first stopping in at the 7-11 next door to buy a magazine. I ordered my sandwich, settled into a booth at the back, and flipped through the glossy pages, pausing to take a bite here and there. After immersing myself in carbs and fashion for about 45 minutes, I felt re-energized and clear-headed, and realized I hadn’t thought about my pressing issues for a while. Maybe that was the key– to take a mindless mental break that you don’t get by noshing at your desk while playing Mah-jong or checking Facebook. I was truly unplugged for a time.

If the thought of eating alone makes you self-conscious, you aren’t alone. I used to feel that way also, but the more I did it, the easier it became. Now I try to have a solo meal once or twice a month. I’m still self-conscious at the gym, but that’s another story…

Here are a few tips to get you started on the art of solo dining:

Start small– Instead of getting your latte to go, take a few extra minutes to sit down and enjoy it. Next time, be bold and get a muffin, too.

Entertain yourself– Reading is my escape, so I always have a book in my purse. If you don’t like to read, use a small notebook to write down random thoughts, or draw doodles of your surroundings. Bonus– the wait staff won’t know if you’re a critic, so you might get better service.

Scope out your surroundings– A lot of neighborhood chain restaurant walls are literally covered in memorabilia; now is your chance to really look it over. Or pick a place that has outdoor seating when the weather is nice – people watching is a great way to pass the time.

Enjoy your food– Order something new and exciting. Smell, see, taste and experience your food. Too often we eat on the run and don’t take the time to really savor it.

Don’t feel like a second-class citizen– Don’t feel like you have to sit at the bar or at a noisy table by the kitchen. Just because there’s only one diner doesn’t make your patronage any less important. Ask for a better table, and if it’s in the middle of the dining room and people stare, so what? They’re probably envious of your poise, or wishing they could eat alone so their dining companion would stop eating off their plate.

Taking time for you is never time misspent.

Kim is the Fashion and Beauty Editor for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Parachuting Without A Net, where she talks about just about everything under the sun from being a Mom to whipping up quick dinners. You can contact Kim by Emailing her – kim [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @parachuting.

Honey, I’m right there with you. But let’s take a moment and consider just where we’re going to put all this stuff. My closet seems to have exploded overnight. Maybe it’s because I’ve got out my bulky winter clothes, like wool coats and sweaters – they take up a lot more space than shorts and t-shirts, right? Possibly, but I’m leaning more toward the fact that I have Too Much Stuff. There, I said it…

I will admit, I am guilty of buying a pair of shoes just to match a specific outfit.  It also stands to reason that if I get rid of said specific outfit, the shoes should go as well. But I also must admit that I am guilty of thinking I will find something else to wear them with…  The truth is if you paid me $50 to list all my shoes (and even if you give me a 10 pair margin of error) you’d keep your $50. I guarantee it.

Every year when I switch over my closet from summer to winter, I find at least three items of clothing that I forgot I had.

I also have a shelf that holds jeans that don’t fit, and not in a good way. I also know that those jeans alternately motivate and depress me – but mostly they depress me. So I run… to the pantry to eat the cookies. (But that’s another post).

Now, what to do about it?

1. Go through your closet, piece by piece, and sort everything into three piles- ‘Keep,’ ‘Toss,’ and ‘Donate.’ You must be strong when deciding the fate of your wardrobe. It’s not a bad idea to enlist a friend you trust to help you with this part.
2. Follow the “buy one, get rid of one” rule- if you buy a new shirt, get rid of an old one. A similar suggestion is to buy items that match something you already own- I get around this by having four pairs of black pants.
3. If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it. Exceptions to this rule are things like your wedding dress, Little Black Dress, and an interview suit.
4. Finally, get that piece back into shape. If it needs a little TLC, like replacing a missing button, needing the hem tacked back up, or it must ironed before you wear it, take 5 minutes and do that before you put it back in your closet.

So now that we know what to do, what’s our motivation to executing this battle plan?

It could be the space you free up to store all those new sweaters and jeans that fit.

It could be the time you save in the morning by being able to find the shirt that matches those pants, and not having to worry about a missing button or ironing them.

It could be the ability to go in your closet and see everything you own at a glance instead of feverishly hunting for your black sweater (which is now wrinkled after being shoved at the bottom of a pile).

It could be the good feeling you get by helping a worthy cause such as Goodwill, your church, or a women’s shelter (not to mention that tax deduction).

It could be the sense of accomplishment you get when you’re finished, and when you can reward yourself by heading to the mall and to buy yourself a treat.

Whatever the reason, make like Nike and “just do it.”

Now, get out there and get organized!

Kim is the Fashion and Beauty Editor for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Parachuting Without A Net, where she talks about just about everything under the sun from being a Mom to whipping up quick dinners. You can contact Kim by Emailing her – kim [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @parachuting.