OCTOBER 2011 (Three Years Blogging!)

October brings fond memories of going to the Pumpkin Patch Farm in Kansas where my grandparents took me and my bother every year. We would be let loose in this huge field of green vines with hints of pumpkin peeking through. I loved skipping from pumpkin to pumpkin and comparing the pumpkins with my brother so we each could find the best pumpkin. Like choosing the perfect pumpkin, I have made my October Style selections. I generally wear neutrals, black or white, but this year my fall palette is spiced with color, resembling the effect of a ripe October pumpkin peeking through it's mass of vines. The great thing about color is that there are so many to choose from. It's so close I can smell it now, pumpkin spice lattes, genuine leather, ask my husband I even smelled Halloween candy the other day too.

Photograph compliments of whatisfashions.com

* White jeans
Old rules about 'not wearing white after Labor Day' are... well, OLD!
Wear these ankle skinnies fireside with a sweater and boots, add a feminine touch of soft curls to your hair.
Or Black turtleneck with black boots and your favorite faux fur vest or collar and diamond stud earrings.
Keep them in swing next spring as a blank canvas against some colorful wellies.
Fetchy heels with a breezy blouse for evening.
East coast style with driving shoes and a bright sweater.

Prada Fall 2011 Runway

* Python Accessories are haute
Check out this shoe-steal by Kathy Van Zeeland
If you already have your investment purse and heels - not in python - then opt for a sheer blouse in the print, a great layering piece this fall. (See photo below.)
Take it a step further wear a printed dress with confidence, but please subtle shoes, and a blazer for the office.

Photograph compliments of fashionfuss.com

* Sapphire, Emerald, Turquoise, and Magenta the haute colors that showered Spring 2012 Runways at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Now that you are in the 'know', start introducing these colors into your wardrobe now: A nice sapphire dress, the perfect spice this season.
Mix color with neutrals: Try camel boots with a bright-solid colored dress or pant and sweater.

OR wear all solid neutral and add a peep of color. Example, all black (or khaki, brown, or gray) - shirt, skirt, tights, shoes - paired with an emerald necklace (or any other single jewel tone you wish). Other idea: Switch your skirt to the color piece or maybe your blouse if it compliments your complexion. Experiment with any single piece of your ensemble - your shoes, handbag, scarf, jacket, etc.

* Faux Fur Coat
Haven't found the perfect faux yet? Keep looking! The countdown has officially begun for this debut...
My motto: "don't wear fur before the first snow". If you don't get snow... well... there's your answer.
Winter wear-all: with 1. dresses 2. skinny pants/leggings, a casual top and boots or heels 3. jeans, frilly blouse and boots.

* Spanx Uptown Tight-End Tights, Love Leg Pattern
Keep the stems warm and interesting, smooth lines top to bottom.

* L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

The eyes have it: length AND fullness, now just practice the "foxy" stare.

* “Chai Carumba” Vanilla Chai Lip Gloss
 A latte on your lips and sweeter kisses - as if that's possible!
 

Liplicious Café Collection Lip Gloss

  

* Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Lotion & Cream

Slip a travel size tube into your purse for "handy" extra moisturizer this winter and also for those dehydrating flights.

* Facial Towelettes YES to Blueberries Brightening (p.m.) and
YES to Cucumbers Natural Glow (a.m.)

It's a tie, so I use them both!

Both great ideas and both delightful results!

* "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

Break away from the Reality TV this is a traditional fall must-see. Look for it on TV later this month!

My challenge is for you to experiment, use color this season to reinvent and bring out the fabulous in you!Find what color(s) enhance the natural glow of your skin tone (TIP: To find this moisturize your face like crazy, throughout the entire day and at night if you happen to wake up, with your makeup off for about a day or two if you can - a weekend is good. You will notice a dewy glow from your happy skin, saying "thank you". Then apply your perfect matching and eye color enhancing shade of everyday makeup. Invite an honest friend over, go through your active wardrobe first, assess your basic color scheme and accent pieces. Rediscover clothing or accessories that you already posses that are perfect and also unfortunately not so perfect for YOU. Please, please, please make sense of your wardrobe and rid yourself of the negative, it's all about "Simplificationization" - (That is a topic I will re-debut in an upcoming blog post. I am passionate about simplifying and not materializing your wardrobe into a confusing, overwhelming, pile. Who does that?!).

Enjoy October, if it goes by as fast as September we'll be talking Thanksgiving and holidays soon. Next month, motivators to reflect on your inner French girl: Dress host-chic, stay healthy-motivated while spittling indulgences and not over doing it, engaging in conversations, donating time not money this year and making blissful memories... awww yes, that's what holidays are for, the memories!

Smell the roasting of fall, be happy and share your glow!

Kyndol Castrilli