A Kiwi In Kona

It's OK to buy new clothes & still care about the planet

aaron-burden-6csuZQ9oZcI-unsplash-1-bee


One of the exercises I do with my clients is to establish their values.

Many of my clients care about the environment, diversity, fair trade and the ethical creation of clothing.

For some, this means wearing previously worn clothing, which can include up-cycled, recycled, or second-hand, either from thrift stores, consignment stores, clothes swapping or as gifts from other friends’ wardrobes.

This is absolutely wonderful!

I help them choose, curate, source and create combinations.

However…

Read more…

Why self doubt got between me and my love of leopard skin.

gerardo-marrufo-wGVZdSZTHjg-unsplash-leopard-horizontal

Why self-doubt got between me and my love of leopard skin.

I have always loved leopard skin. I can’t exactly tell you why (though I could definitely tell you why you like certain things), but I’ve always been drawn to it.

The first time I bought anything made of leopard skin, I think I was about 13 and it was a one piece leopard skin bathing suit. I remember arguing with my mother about it because leopard skin is a polarizing subject.

I loved that bathing suit. In hindsight, it wasn’t the mos…

Read more…

Why I disappeared...and why I came back

pille-riin-priske-O5Fo4vUuIBM-unsplash

Kia Ora,

I haven't been able to blog for the last year.  Then the world changed and it woke me up. 

There were a few months last year when I didn't want to do anything at all.

Depression, malaise, a slump, marinating, pondering, avoiding  - there's a whole thesis in there. Ironically, in June 2020 in the USA, many, many people are traumatized, isolated, depression, anxious, scared - maybe I was just a year ahead.

I can't claim trauma (or anything really, apart from white privilege) but I "…

Read more…

I have wardrobe malfunctions, too

jamie-street-368704-unsplash
I have wardrobe malfunctions too


I was on my way to a co-working space to meet a group of women that I adore. I was planning on wearing a particular outfit and I forgot to take my own advice. I was running a bit behind, was meeting someone at a particular time and I don’t like being late. I’d been trying to walk the dog before I changed, so that she would go to the bathroom before I left for a few hours, but she was more interested in talking to the people who are fixing our road. We ende…

Read more…

Guide to alterations

fancycrave-254180-unsplash
I'm a big believer in alterations. Being short, I always have to take up hems and I've had pieces mended. I bought a retro 60's lime green and hot pink suit that was a size too big (thrift store) and had it altered to fit and I've had the lining replaced on expensive jackets. I've had fasteners added to tops and jackets that gaped a little and I've even had a dress made from scratch - a Regency dress ala Jane Austen, which I later sold to a costume shop. I always tell clients that if the clothin…

Read more…

I'm interviewed by the Ready Pause Go podcast!

RPG_Logo_Square_November_2018
I love listening to podcasts while wandering around the park with the dog, or driving to clients' homes and recently I had the honor and privilege of being interviewed by Erika Parker Price on the podcast Ready Pause Go. 

Here's what Erika says about her podcast:

"This podcast is for the millions of women who take a career pause to raise their family - whether you are contemplating a pause, in the trenches at home with your kids, or ready to relaunch the next phase of your life. …

Read more…

Tips for thrift store (and other shopping)

prudence-earl-599273-unsplash

"I wear your granddad's clothes
I look incredible
I'm in this big a** coat
From that thrift shop down the road."


Musician Macklemore (from Kent, WA, the state I live in) said it all - you can look incredible in thrift store clothes. Here's some tips to help:


Wear clothes you like a lot when you thrift shop.
Why? It's all too easy to find something and buy it simply because you like it better than the other items available. Compare it to what you're wearing and think about other clothes …

Read more…

Try a 10 day clothing diary to see what you REALLY wear!

becca-mchaffie-580884-unsplash

There's a common expression that we only wear 20% of our closet 80% of the time. The 80/20 rule was named after an Italian man called Vilfredo Pareto, who created it based on 1896 Italian landownership, but it can be applied to almost anything.

I have a client who uses it with her clothing - 80% is made up of clothing that has longevity, 20% is fun items that she'll wear a ton this season, then they are donated.

Back to your closet. Let's find your 80/20 shall we?

Take a photo for 10 days of …

Read more…

Set your wardrobe up for success.

austin-schmid-37423-unsplash

Set your wardrobe up for success.

What do I mean by this?

Curate a wardrobe of clothes that you love, that flatter you, fit you, make you feel great and are easy to mix and match.

Have enough that you can do laundry on your schedule, not in a rush because your only pair of decent jeans are dirty. Have the right clothes for the activities that make up your life…and have at least one inspirational outfit for when amazing opportunities come your way.

Easier said than done, right?

Here’s some t…

Read more…

Do you have a decent head shot? 

malvestida-magazine-295605-unsplash

Do you have a decent head shot?

I know I usually write about inner and outer style for the whole person, but this is one thing all women should have.

Whether a dating site, LinkedIn, your FB profile, Instagram, Pinterest or any other digital use, a simple but flattering head shot is a must.

What to wear?

Look for a top that draws attention to your face, not away from it.

No busy patterns that steal the show.  Wear colors that highlight your skin and eyes – if in doubt, take selfies and expe…

Read more…