Articles

Oct 01 2014

Cowgirl Up!

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

Cowgirl Up!

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When this California beach bunny met my Canadian Cowboy, it was like “John Wayne meets California Bling queen” two different worlds collided.  My idea of a rancher’s wife was somewhere between “Dolly Parton” and the television show “Dallas.”  In my world if you were dressed for the occasion you could do any the job.

My new husband sent me out to get some cowboy boots and jeans. I guess he didn’t think the go-go boots and hot pants would work! Lol  

I was excited to go shopping, after all I liked the boots “Dolly” wore with beautiful design’s, colors and sparkles.  Now to find the perfect boot, which in my mind I thought should be both fashionable and practical.  I couldn’t wait to see Lyle’s face when I brought them home.

Modeling my new 3-inch-heeled cowgirl boots and seeing the look on Lyle’s face, I knew he wasn’t as appreciative of the boots as I was.  I think it was somewhere between bursting out into gales of laughter and I can’t believe it!

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Sep 10 2014

Through The Looking Glass

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

                                            Through the Looking Glass     

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Early one fall I took a day trip to Calgary, Alberta, to buy spring and summer fashions for my retail business. I brought my teenage daughters along and planned to do some afternoon shopping after my appointment. I wore my navy business suit to make a good impression and for added flair, I wore my three-inch heels.  It was important to me to look pulled together so the sales representatives would assume I knew what I was doing.

My teenagers dressed for comfort in jeans and tennis shoes.  However, I decided to keep the suit and heels on for shopping, because I did not want to bring an extra set of clothes.  The day had been fun but exhausting, and by 5 pm I had burned-out.  I had a headache, my feet hurt, and I was hobbling. I was ready to go home, take a hot bath, and go to bed.

 I made one last stop at the drugstore on the way out of the mall, and my daughters decided to wait outside for me.  I paid for my purchases, and hurried out to meet them. Suddenly and abruptly, I crashed into a sparkling clean glass wall with such force it caused people to stop in their tracks and check out all the commotion near the eighth aisle.

 After my perfect face-plant into the glass, I slid to the floor in an ungraceful heap.  My shopping bags were in complete disarray, one three-inch heel came off, a button flew off to the great unknown, and my skirt was a little higher than I felt comfortable with.

As I tried to gather my wits and composure, I noticed my two daughters bent over in laughter and I could tell they were pretending not to know me.  When they began to walk away from me, I was sure they did not want anyone to know the dressed-up blonde in a heap on the floor was their mother. 

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Jul 23 2014

The Big Purse Principle

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

The Big Purse Principle  

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          Years ago I remember how intimated I was stepping into the business world. I would always wear a business suit and three-inch heels, hoping to make a good impression. It was important to me to look pulled together so the people I dealt with would assume I knew what I was doing.

Then I attended a Women’s Conference and heard a speaker talk about how others could tell a lot about our personality our purse size. (Which totally blew my whole dress for success theory). This was a little horrifying to me, because I always carried a purse about the size of Texas. As she proceeded with her talk, I learned women who carried small purses are perceived as decisive, powerful, organized, and goal orientated. All the things I wanted to be, and felt I was not.

In that conference I learned big purse people were thought of as fun, artistic, easy-going and their purses were usually mess. (I knew that, my purse carried papers, wrappers, candy, Swiss army knife and a telephone at the bottom I could never find. In fact once something went into that purse, it could be lost forever. I thought my purse was my secret, I wonder if she had peeked.

At that moment I decided to become small purse woman, so people would think I had all the attributes of a responsible businesswoman.

I laugh when I think back to those days when I put so much emphasis on a purse. Even funnier, I bought that small purse.
When I couldn’t get everything into it, I ended up carrying two Safeway bags around

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Jul 10 2014

How To Shop And Save On A Budget

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

How To Shop And Save On A Budget

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Best Sales Time for Buying Clothing 

 December:   Before Christmas– Men’s suits, Men’s coats                                                                                                                               After Christmas – Wonderful Buys in Designer clothes in high-fashion stores – in all departments

 January:       Winter clothing, Leather boots, Shoes, Winter coats, Jewelry, Handbags,                                                                           After-five dresses, Furs, Fabric

 February:     Men’s clothing, Winter shoes, Furs

 March:          Winter clothing, Furs

 April:             Spring clothes, Children’s clothes, Dresses, Men’s suits, Spring coats, Fabric

 May:              Spring sportswear, Handbags

 June:             Men’s socks, Underwear, Shoes

 July:              Handbags, Shoes, Sandals, Swimsuits, Summer clothing

 August:         Summer clothing, Handbags, Furs

 September:    Not a good month to buy back –to-school clothing

 October:       Coats, Lingerie, Hosiery, Autumn Clothing, Wools & Wool blends

 November:    Winter coats, Winter suits

  • January and February are the best times for bargains.
  • June and December are the worst
  • Try to buy items slightly off-season, that is the time the retailer needs to clear the floor for new merchandise.
  • When these items are on sale, look for value pieces that will last and give you items to build a wardrobe around.©

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Next week on Fashion Thursday I will be answering questions that you have sent in, I will be fun. I hope you will join me and invite your friends too. If you have some questions, or ideas you are interested in discussing please leave a comment. Have you enjoyed this series, would you like it to continue?

Have a great week,

Lovingly, Karan Gleddie

 

Jun 19 2014

Loving our Shape, Nobody is Perfect # 7

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

Called the Lean Column, Ruler or the Sporty Physique Shape:

This shape is enviable by many especially in the fashion industry, magazine print media and runways. As well as super models many beautiful celebrities are blessed with this shape. 

Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, Keira Knightly, Meg Ryan, Jada Pinkett, Taylor Swiftlean Column

Characteristics of an this Lean Shape.

  • A small bust or flat chest
  • Narrow shoulders
  • Flat bottom
  • Long, lean arms and legs
  • Small narrow hips
  • Small and undefined waist

 


Your main style aims are…is .to create roundness, shape and layers to shorten the length of your long lean body.

What to wear

  • A-line, bias cut, warp and pencil skirts look great. your shape allows you to wear your skirts a little shorter to show of your beautiful long legs. 
  • Coats and jackets with detailed shoulders, belted styles help to accentuate your waist giving it definition and roundness.
  • Use horizontal line, floral and dot patterns, breast pockets, and layer to add volume for your tops, blouses and sweaters.
  • Dresses with princess lines, darts and details. Wraps also work well
  • Look for pants that are shaped, with side pockets. pleats and decorations to add curves.  Tapered legs look fabulous too. 

 

 Don’t wear…