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We met last night to talk about our upcoming trip to Ireland, and I walked away totally overwhelmed.  I have done nothing to prepare for the 10 days away and I really mean nothing!   I have to find babysitters, and passports, and hotel rooms.  But, of course, what I’m most concerned about right now is my wardrobe.  Is anyone surprised?

Ireland in July is tricky.  The highs most days are in the upper 60’s and lows in the 50’s, and July is one of the wettest months there.  This really poses a dilemma for footwear.  My first thought was just take the Uggs, but it’s summer and, though not very hot to us, I have a feeling to them it is like living in the tropics.  I think I would look silly in sherling lined boots.  Then there is the rain issue….waterproof  Wellies?  And what about comfort?  No doubt, we will be walking a ton in the city.

I need your help!  Come on, world travelers, I’m counting on you.   What do I take with me?  In my head, I’m seeing a beige/tan pair of small wedged mary jane type shoes, but that are super comfy, too.  Anyone?  Anyone?  Taking suggestions.

Hi.  My name is Allison.  I am an overwhelmed, under-slept thirtysomething.  During any given day, I work as a wife, mother, counselor, short-order cook, secretary, veterinarian, maid, cab driver, doctor and, on a good day, a fashion stylist.  Given all these facts, let me start over.  Hi.  My name is Allison.  I am an (almost) everyday dress-wearer.

It was three summers ago when I first fell in love with dresses.  I’d never been much of a dress wearer before….the 90’s styles never really seemed to fit my J.Lo-esque (I say that loosely) body.  But, once the easy shapes and baby-doll dresses came in, I was in love.  I mean, really, does it get any easier?!  A top and bottom in one piece.  So many colors, so many fabrics, so many styles.  In the right fabric they can even be so many seasonal.  And the best part, they cover up under-exercised legs with such ease and comfort.   If you don’t already, you should get to know your new best friend…

{Anthropologie}

Seems like life is just more interesting when you have a “mission.”    Sometimes missions are deep and thoughtful like “My mission this week is to love people well.”  Sometimes missions are just plain “trivial” in the big picture of life like “I  will find the perfect shade of coral lipstick!”  My missions this week have been of the trivial kind.  I’m determined to find the perfect white bandeau bra and the perfect pair of bronze/natural wedges.

I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this before, but the white tube bra is the perfect solution to all those plunging summer necklines!  In the past I’ve layered on bras and tank tops to cover the a-bit-too-revealing “V”, but no more!  The bandeau bra is supportive and saves me the unnecessary, bulky, suffocating layer of a cotton tank.   ”Coobie”  brand bandeau’s are what I found to offer the widest variety of colors and styles.   You can find them several places, but eBay has them for the best price!

via Ebay

And for the shoes, it is always a source of tension every summer. The South is so hot and muggy and I’m chasing three kids through parks all day. How do I look stylish and at least like I’m trying to uphold my reputation as a fashion stylist AND be comfortable at the same time. In the past, my Havaiana’s and Reef flip flops have always won over the cute peep-toe wedges, but this year I think I have found a great new staple and a way to have it all. Enter Volatile sandals and wedges.  They’ve been around and popular for awhile and, stubbornly, I fought the urge to but them.  Everybody had them and I didn’t want to be everybody.  And now here I am giving in to the peer pressure.  I’m tired of fighting it, so I’m looking for a natural or bronze color so that I can wear it with everything…black, white, gray, brown, shorts, pants, dresses, you name it.   I still haven’t decided which one to go with, but here are the top three.

via Volatile

Seems like every spring, usually around late April, I start to notice it.   Something just seems off.  I’m following my usual makeup routine, concealer, foundation, blush and so on, but the end result is less than ideal.  This goes on for a few days and then it hits me.  It’s spring.  Gone are the dark days of winter.  Sun is actually shining down on me!   It’s time to put away the old foundation and bust out the new.

The right foundation color and texture really is the key to any look.  Whether your going for natural or glam, if your back drop for color is off, everything else will be too.   Here are my tips for getting rid of the winter “mask.”

1.  Choose a formula that works with your skin type  during these hot months:

Oily- Oil-Free Liquid foundation is great for summer.  It absorbs oil and provides moderate coverage.

Normal to Dry- Tinted moisturizers are great.  They are very hydrating and light weight.  Stick foundations also work well and give more coverage.

Dry to very Dry- Tinted face balm is awesome.  Gives intense hydration and a dewy finish.  Bobbi Brown makes a great face balm.

2.  Choose a color with yellow undertones.  I know this sounds weird, but very few people can wear a pink undertone foundation well.  It will end up making you “chalk-y.”

3.  Test several shades.  The right color will blend into your jawline.  You won’t have to work at making it work.

4.  If you are in between two shades, either buy both and mix or choose the one that is the closest match to your forehead.  Most women’s foreheads are a bit darker than the rest of the face, this is the best choice for all over.

5.   Remember the purpose of foundation is not to cover up, but to even out.  You may not have to apply all over your face.  If just your cheeks are ruddy, focus there.

In fact, these past few weeks have been all about me.  And I’m tired of hearing me talk about me.  Sooooo, for what it’s worth, here are the before the bottle brown and after the bottle brown pics.  And, I promise next week, it’s all about you.

P.S.  The blonde me was taken by a professional photgrapher…the brunette me was taken by my four year old.  Don’t let the picture quality sway your vote!

If you know me at all, I’m all about honesty.  Just get it out there, say what you’re thinking, let me know what I’m dealing with.  It does no one any good to say the “right” thing.  So, in keeping with my mantra, I must be completely honest with you all.

I went to a friends house to color my hair back to brunette on Monday.  I thought it would be good to have support if my world came tumbling down as my hair turned to dark.  Michele,  my friend, must know me really well because before I could act out the classic slow motion “NOOOOOOOO” my hair was saturated in bottle brown.  We waited the directed 20 minutes, and I then I sadly walked to the shower.  I knew what was coming….

I dried my hair, rounded the corner to Michele’s kitchen and all I heard her say was “Well, okay, it’s not that bad.”  I was devastated.  I felt like an alien.  It didn’t come out this beautiful, rich brown, instead,  it was sort of ashy blondish, brown; think dirty pond water.  I guess my years of bleach had taken a toll.  I got in the car and drove home feeling like someone, okay maybe not someone, maybe like my cat Tico had died.  I was in mourning.

I got home and made myself a Cape Cod with a little more vodka than usual.  (For the record, not a good way to deal with pain.)  My husband asked what in the world was wrong with me.  I never drink more than about 1/3 of my cocktail.  I had to be honest, and said “I hate my hair.”  Now he was looking at me like I really was an alien…do women really care that much about their hair to take to the bottle?!   In the most sympathetic way possible he said “Why don’t you make an appointment and go tomorrow back to blonde.”   The possiblity of a depressed, brunette wife was worth the expensive of going back.  I went to bed and had nightmares about Loreal Paris Preference boxes.

Waking up Tuesday morning was a harsh reality.  Walking bleary-eyed into the bathroom all I saw was this brown mop on my washed out face.  I continued with my usual routine and a funny thing happened when I started putting my make up on….I actually kind of liked the look.  Was I really being that dramatic yesterday?  Was it really that bad?  Either way, the brunette in me was getting a little more comfortable.  I felt sexier, more mysterious, like I needed to work in a library by day and a bar by night.   Think Angelina Jolie…that’s a stretch, but just humor me.

I have an appointment with my hair stylist Thursday at 9:45.  I told her that it was going to be a surprise…I was either going richer, darker or back to good ‘ol bubble gum, simple, fun blonde.  She just laughed.  I’m kind of thinking though that while I’m here, why not enjoy it a bit.  Taking votes, what do you all think?

That’s what color my hair will be by the end of the week.  It’s a sad day in our house today, or at least in my corner of it.  I’ve been in denial about this for weeks, but it’s really happening.  Gone are the days of fabulous, salon blonde-bombshell locks; I’m now ushering in the new me in “Recession Brown” out of a box.  Pains me to even type these words.

Naturally, I’m a brunette, but for the past few years I have convinced my husband that “everybody does  it.”  Everybody pays $150 to get their hair bleached in aluminum foil every 4-6 week,  and it’s perfectly normal.  I’ve loved being a blonde; I feel like it’s just “me.”   But, a recent opportunity to go to Ireland for 10 days this summer (without kids) has prompted me to think about ways I can save for the trip.  Obviously, I’m willing to do just about anything to get to the land of U2 and Guinness.

So, all this turmoil in the depths of my soul over hair color prompted me to think deeper into why this is so hard for me.  Does the color of my hair REALLY have any impact on how I view myself or how others view me?  Of course, we all know the answer to the latter is yes.  Whether we want to admit it or not, we all have preconceived notions of people based on very superficial things, one being hair color.  I have an engineering degree (yes, it’s true) but people have been much less inclined to believe me the first time I tell them since I have been blonde.  From a personal view, I’ve never had to go back to brunette, so I can’t answer yet how I will feel about me.

But, I think this will be fun to report back on.  I’ll let you know how the coloring goes and how the new Recession Brown Allison changes…or not.  In the mean time,  here are a few tips for you just in case you find yourself in a “taking a trip to Ireland” situation and need to save some money.

NEVER go more than 2 shades lighter.  Trust me, it doesn’t work.  You’ll end up a pinkish, brassish color.

ALWAYS color hair that is free from product and has not been washed within the past 24 hours.

ALWAYS follow the directions closely.  There is a reason why you should start at the roots or at the base of your neck.  Just trust the colorist in a lab 4,000 miles away.

NEVER wash your hair within the first 24 hours after coloring if you like the color.  If the color is terrible, wash often with baby shampoo to try to strip the color.  If all else fails, visit your stylist and go back blonde….or whatever color is you.

If I had to sum up the key to high fashion in one word it would be proportion.  The right proportions in an outfit can make it or break it.    Think about two extreme examples (both of which yield terrible results.)  In one case,  you have  the classic oversized, sloppy wardrobe where  XL sweaters and baggy jeans add 20 pounds to a frame.   In the other case,  tight skinny jeans with  XS tanks can make you look…..well, maybe a way you aren’t intending too.  When pulling together an outfit think BALANCE in size and shape.  There are tons of ways you can apply this principle, but for now I am just going to talk about one.

The importance of the right sized handbag often gets overlooked, but the wrong bag can ruin even the best planned outfit.   Choose a handbag that is in proportion to the size of your body.  If you are tall or plus-sized, you can carry a larger bag than someone that is petite.   And if you are petite, you should carry a smaller bag than someone who is tall.

My friend Michele is almost 40 and didn’t carry a handbag until about 2 years ago.   She said she didn’t want to end up like her mother whose purse held everything from receipts to last nights dinner in it.  So, when Michele started looking for handbags, she gravitated toward these really tiny almost wallet on a string type purses.  I guess she thought the smaller the bag the less temptation to pack the kitchen sink in there.  But, what she needed was a larger satchel type bag to help balance out her figure and wardrobe.  Likewise, there are some people that would look like they were playing dress up in their mom’s clothes if they carried a large, oversized tote.

Here are my picks for tall and plus-sized, petite, and best overall handbags….

Handbag Proportion Control by ThirtyOne featuring Versace shoulder bags

Skirts are huge this Spring.  Floral skirts, denim skirts, bubble skirts, tiered skirts they’re  all in.   You’re shorts can take some time off  this Spring while you wear this fun and flirty new look.  Skirts are ultra comfortable and super chic, but, not all are created equally.  Depending on your body type, there are a few rules to know before you head to the register.    Check out the looks below and then read on….

Spring Skirts by ThirtyOne featuring Zac Posen blouses

If you are tall and thin or just plain thin, go with Rachel Bilson.  The fullness of the skirt will add shape to your body and the shorter length will show off your long legs.  Wear with flip flops for a casual look or gladiator heels for a night out.

If you have fuller hips, go with Kristen Davis.  The A-line cut of the skirt will create nice lines over your hips and I love the v-neck ruffle shirt with it.  The tie will give your waist definition and a balance your figure.  Pair with some nude pumps to elongate your legs.

If you are an hourglass shape, the Eva Mendes is perfect for you.  The high waisted skirt will show off your small waist and the halter tank will broaden your shoulders a bit to balance out your hips.  Add some fun strappy heels to this ensemble.

So, maybe it’s that shedding the winter layers always feels so liberating.  My wardrobe gets lighter in the Spring and, apparently,  so do my unspoken “rules” of  fashion.   Then again, maybe it’s because everywhere I turn I see glowing neon accessories that take me back to the carefree days of my 80’s youth.  I guess it doesn’t really matter why, but, it’s official, I’m feeling feisty these days…a little daring…a little rebellious.

The conversation in the Old Allison’s head would go something like this.  “You can’t buy those hot pink, patent pumps.  They’re fabulous, but, really, you can’t.”  And in the past, that’s where the conversation would end.  Flash forward to New “Rebellious” Allison and the “can’t” is quickly followed by “Why not?!  They’re awesome, and they’re only $16.99.  Who cares if you’re a mother of three.  Where does it say that you can’t wear pink, patent pumps after you have three kids.”  And off I go to the closest register.

I’ve decided for myself that there are three rules that I will follow when making fashion decisions from now on:  if someone will 1.) lose a job, 2.)kick me out, or 3.)face certain death then I will not buy/wear (fill in the blank.)   That’s it.  Otherwise, watch out because you may see me in jeans at your baby shower.  Gasp!  (Really happened.  Everyone at the shower told me they were jealous though.)  So, in honor of my new freedom in fashion, I’ve made my ”Top 5 Ways for you to Rebel this Spring.”   Take one “Why not?!”  and try it.  See what happens.   I dare you.

Here we go:

1.)  Why not wear short shorts with heels?  Okay, go for a wedge instead of a pump (unless you are really daring.)  Pair with a silky, flowy top.  The look is sexy and modern, but still classy.  Think Jennifer Aniston.

2.)  Why not wear a long Maxi dress to the grocery store or just to run errands during the day?   Maxi dresses are effortlessly fashionable and super comfy.  Add some over-sized sunglasses and you are  instant Hollywood.  The paparazzi may stalk you through the grocery aisles though.

3.)  Why not wear the entire rainbow at once?  Well, almost the entire rainbow.  Pair some navy shorts with a kelly green cami and a bright orange cardigan.   Never again in our lifetime will this look be acceptable, so take advantage while you can!

4.)  Why not wear red lipstick during the day?  It instantly brightens even the most sleep deprived skin.  ***Be prepared to get noticed!***

5.)  Why not try blue eyeshadow, or green, or yellow?  Wearing that same ol’ little black dress (LBD) from 2002 again?  Add a pop of color on your eyes and some updated accessories and that LBD is new again.

So, for those of you that are hyperventilating  just thinking about candy colored shorts or blue eyeliner, take a deep breath and relax.  Fashion should be fun, not a burden!  Just choose the least intimidating ”Why not?!” and make it happen.  If you don’t take risks in fashion, or in life for that matter, you get stuck.  And, who knows, that red lipstick may give you the guts to say “Why not?!” to something else in your life.

P.S.  Let me know how it goes!