Style

Need a fix? An emergency fashion fix, I mean. It happens to all of us at one time or another. You’re running to meeting and you snag your hose. Or you’re at a party when you notice your shirt button about to pop off. It seems like wardrobe malfunctions always occur at the most inconvenient times from fallen hems to stuck zippers. I’ve got tips for solving your own fashion emergencies and what you’ll need in you own at home kit or items to toss in your bag.

Makeup Stains
Quick - find a baby! Okay, so you can’t hold someone’s baby the whole night to cover up a makeup stain. But you can use baby wipes to remove or reduce makeup stains on clothing. They also come in handy for removing lint from clothing and dirt from shoes.

Deodorant Marks on Clothes
You pull on your favorite little black dress, slip on your stilettos, grab your clutch and head for the door. A last look in the mirror reveals white marks on your dress. No time to change. Instead grab a handy Gap-Pal sponge and wipe away the chalky stain. Find it on, Gal-Pal.com. What you don’t want to do is rub it with a paper towel or a wet cloth.

Fallen Hems
For a make-do hem in a hurry, use short pieces of masking tape or duct tape to fix a fallen hem. Lighting professionals and musicians usually use duct tape or gaffer’s tape for their equipment, so locating some at an event shouldn’t be tough to do. And you can always keep these products from Bristols6.com and Hemmingmyway.com for creating quick hems on your jeans and pants.

Panty Hose Runs
A small run in your panty hose can soon develop into a full-fledged tear. Use clear nail polish to stop a run in its tracks. Hair spray is another good short-term solution.

Falling Bra Straps or the Uncomfortable “headlights”
There’s nothing more annoying than having to keep pulling up your bra straps. Double-sided tape can fix that problem in a hurry. Get yourself a handy little box from Hollywoodfashiontape.com. Use a small safety pin to fix a broken bra strap.

From headlights when wearing a sheer bra or no bra turn to the silicone covers that companies like Fashion Forms.com and Bristols6.com make. They lightly stick on, are completely comfortable, can be worn multiple times and immediately a woman’s confidence rather than trying to hide.

Stuck Zipper
Stuck zippers can be a real nuisance. Try rubbing a bar of soap or a wax candle onto the problem area. With a little manipulation, the zipper should come unstuck.

Loose Buttons/Fraying Button Threads
A loose button can quickly turn into a missing button. Dab the top of the button with a little clear nail polish to prevent it from completely falling off.

Sweater Snags
Step away from the snag with your hands up. However tempting it may be, do not cut or pull the snag, for it will result in an unraveled mess. Instead, take the tip of a closed pen or even a safety pin (just don’t stick yourself), and push the snag back through the inside of the sweater. Knot the snag on the inside of the sweater and help secure it with a dab of clear nail polish.

Pilling Sweater
Don’t just stand there pulling lint of yourself like a monkey! Rub a piece of Velcro along the pilled fabric to remove those unattractive balls. No Velcro? Get a fabric shaver or sweater comb on TheFind.com.

Find a good tailor in your community. A tailor can change your wardrobe and the fit of your clothes for the better. Hem pants, add a cuff, reshape shoulders, shorten sleeves or cut a dress or jacket to fit your body like a second skin.

I don’t write often about men’s trends, but recently Men’s Daily Life asked me for the top picks for boots that will keep men’s feet warm and looking good.

What are some things guys should be on the lookout for when shopping for winter boots and shoes?
Men should purchase winter boots based on the activities they have in mind. Guys with naturally cold feet should look for heavy pac boots with thick insulation. I also suggest the same thick insulated boots for those who trudge often in deep snow or may spend a lot of time motionless in the cold. If you’ll be doing a lot of walking or outdoor work then consider lightly insulated boots with a more snug fit and full lacing.

Is fine leather waterproof?
Leather/skin is porous. When leather is treated it will resist liquid for a few minutes, this is called corrected leather. If it’s natural leather that has no treatment apart from natural tanning it won’t hold back liquid at all and when you dry it off you’ll be left with a dark stain.

How insulated is too insulated?
If the insulation is so thick (i.e sheepskin) that the boot is a tight fit on your foot, I’d suggest that you go up half a size/full size to give your foot room. If the boot is too tight, your foot will become cold easily since they’ll be no space for your toes or foot to shift/move. Depending on the weather, boots with 800 grams-1600 grams of thinsulate will keep your feet warm. Lower levels of thinsulate just means you should wear a thick sock with the boot to ensure your foot stays warm. A wool or cashmere sock is a great choice to keep feet warm because wool does not hold moisture, this keeping your foot warm when it sweats.

Here are some suggestions for top warm, comfortable and stylish boots for men this winter:

Croccasin Boot
Crocs.com
The Crocs™ Croccasin Boot features:
* Everyday boot with Crocs’ legendary comfort.
* Premium suede upper.
* Ample flurry fleece lining for the winter months.
* Rubber outsole for traction and durability.
* Croslite™ material midsole for lightweight cushioning.
$89.99

Crocs Linden Boot
Crocs.com
The Crocs™ Linden Boot features:
* Full-grain leather upper for durability.
* TecTuf™ treated heel overlay.
* Croslite™ material midsole provides ergonomic fit and support.
* Molded TPU heel strap.
$89.99

Sorel Caribou Boot
Rei.com
These winter classics provide legendary warmth and protection in cold, snowy conditions.
* Four-layer 9mm ThermoPlus™ felt liners insulate to -40 ° F and are removable for easy drying
* Waterproofed Nubuck leather uppers are triple-stitched to handcrafted waterproof rubber bottoms for long-lasting wear
* Warm acrylic fleece pile collars help keep snow and debris out of boots
* Aerotrac™ rubber lug outsoles help you negotiate snow and slush with confidence
$110

Born Nash boot
Shoes.com
These handsome Nash boots from Born will give you a boost of confidence on your first date.
* Full grain leather upper in a dress ankle boot style with a round toe
* Wide elastic gore panels ensure a great fit
* Leather lining, cushioning insole
* Traction outsole, 1 1/4 inch heel
$130

Merrell Bergenz Waterproof boot
Rei.com
Use the highly functional, warm and waterproof Merrell Bergenz winter boots for winter hiking, sledding, snowshoeing and clearing the driveway.
* Rich, full-grain leather uppers feature protective rubber toe bumpers
* Waterproof membranes supply protection from the elements and disperse moisture quickly
* 200g PrimaLoft® polyester fiber insulation maximizes warmth; boots are comfort rated to -40°F
* Polyester fleece linings feature AEGIS Microbe Shield® antibacterial treatment to deter odor development
* Insoles have reflective silver film sandwiched between insulating polyester layers to prevent conductive heat loss to the ground
* Washable OrthoLite® foam insoles enhance comfort
* EVA midsoles supply cushioning and support for all-day wear; Air Cushion heel pockets provide extra shock absorption under heels, helping stabilize your footstrike
* Injection-molded nylon arch shanks stabilize and support feet on uneven terrain
$150

Frye Chukka Boot
Endless.com
This Manny chukka from Frye is a refined look that can be dressed up or down. It’s totally vintage-inspired with its classic silhouette, distressed suede upper, and wooden stacked sole. The insole is fully padded for long-wearing comfort, while the leather outsole is durable and sturdy and ready to strongly carry you from day to day.
$198

Jeffrey Campbell Chelsea boot
Nordstrom.com
A classic paddock boot is crafted from rich antiqued leather and outfitted with stretchy side goring for easy on/off.
$180

In a one week period I shopped at two different TJ Maxx stores. The new South Beach location in Miami and then a few days later in Atlanta. I fell instantly in love with these new purchases.

This Vince super soft and supple leather jacket is selling for $995 in store right now and I scooped it up for $399 at TJ Maxx. The handbag by Italian brand Popcorn would have cost $400, but I got it for $150. And with these purchases have come a multitude of compliments.

For cocktail affairs, I bought this dress and an of-the-moment must have, the sequin pencil skirt. This one is from Nanette Lepore. Together it cost me under $175.

It pays to have a sharp and savvy approach to shopping. I do comparison price shopping on TheFind.com , shop off-price at TJ Maxx stores with Runway sections and always TRY IT ON before I purchase.

Can’t decide on what color jeans to buy, or should I say “how dark the dye?” Then buy the dark pair, you’ll end up wearing them more often and they easily become a stylish evening look when paired with heels.

Always stick to flat front pants whether you are a man or a woman. Ladies, tell your men! Pleats are extra fabric that either make you look bigger or you end up filling with extra body weight. At least a flat front will try to work as a minimizer.

It’s an homage to the movies for Halloween this season and families are dressing in the themes together.

Unsure of where to still find that fun costume or where to get the best price? I found all these fab costumes through a simple search on TheFind.com

Our family friends were featured on KTLA in Los Angeles today, www.ktla.com

The Loughran Family as Alice in Wonderland (simply cute, cute, cute and in perfect poses)

Red Queen , $79.50
Mad Hatter, $39.50
Alice, $39.50
Found these character costumes from Disneystore.com.

The Basco Family as characters from Aladdin (swashbuckling and adorable)

Princess Jasmine, $66
Aladdin, $94
Our adorable monkey, playing Abu, $35
I did an advance search on TheFind.com to find the best price comparisons of the same costume and shop easily without driving to multiple stores. I scooped up these costumes from Target.com, Disney.com and Kohls.com.

And a simple sew costume for our magic carpet. I took two dish towels and four tassels that I purchased at Target and did a quick hand sew leaving room for arms and head. It’s soft, comfy and such a simple costume to keep a baby warm and snuggly while carrying or in a stroller.

The Alvarez Family is ready to save Gotham City (they’re so sassy as a crime fighting family)

Dark Knight, $55
Bat girl, $35
Baby as Robin, $20
And Curtis, the dog with a perpetual smile as The Joker, $15
All available at CostumeExpress.com and Walmart.com

Friends, Lauren and Natalie (best friends ready for the party)

Hocus Pocus Witch, $40
Sassy Sailor, $35
Both costumes available from Kohl’s and Kohls.com.

A few more tips for the festive day:
1. Halloween Costumes:
“Costume shopping can sometimes seem endless, crowded and messy when your kids either don’t know what they want to be, or they have a definitive idea and the shops you visited don’t have the costume. The best way to save time and money is to shop online. I personally use TheFind.com because it allows you access to all retailers at once, while being able to narrow down your search to a specific costume, gender and size range. After finding the perfect costume, you can view all available coupons, sales and shipping offers at a glance to make sure you’re selecting the store with the best possible price.”

2. Decorating Indoors:
“I like to make pumpkin bats to add a little DIY Halloween-themed home décor. All you need are mini pumpkins, black and white paint, and black craft foam. First, paint the mini pumpkins black, adding in eyes with the white paint and black dots. Next, cut the craft foam into the shapes of wings and ears and insert into small slits that you cut into the sides and top of the pumpkins.”

3. Decorating Outdoors:
“For outdoor decorating, I like to stick to one streamlined theme – such as spiders. I start by staging small and medium plastic spiders around the front door, along the outdoor stair railings and around columns or beams. For an added touch, have the path of creepy crawlers lead to one large inflatable spider and stretch gauzy ‘spiderwebs’ from a craft store over bushes.”

4. Keeping Kids Engaged:
“To keep the excited little ones happily occupied while counting down the minutes to trick-or-treat time, keep them engaged with a craft project. Set up a table where they can bejewel and decorate their own masks – all you need are simple black masks with an elastic strap, glue, glitter, feathers, stickers, and fake crystals. If you have photo print paper at home, take a group picture of all the kids in the masks then send everyone home with a printed photo from the party.”

That is, tie on this versatile fun and flirty Belleview Scarf from Lindsay Phillips.

This striking dip-dyed polka dot scarf ($25 at www.lindsay-phillips.com) features a vibrant pink and orange color combination, providing an instant pick-me-up!

And here’s a few suggestions on how to tie it in style.

Always committed to style with substance, Lindsay Phillips holds Breast Cancer Awareness very dear to her heart. “I want to be part of the movement that leads to the cure,” says Lindsay. To show support for the cause, 25% of the purchase price of the Pink/Orange Belleview Scarf will be donated to Young Survival Coalition and The Mammography Voucher Program at Morton Plant Mease Hospital.

Accessories can turn a plain-Jane outfit into a stunning success. A beaded necklace or a silky scarf in your favorite color can change your work wardrobe into a sexy date look. Accessories are the most important experiment when developing your own style.

I dressed actress Emily Bergl for the red carpet event of the Broadway show, “Bloody, Bloody, Andrew Jackson” in balck shimmering cocktail dress by Lloyd Klein.