happy memorial day weekend...

wishing all of you a safe and happy memorial day weekend...

fabulous finds is officially on vacation weekend mode...
won't be back till tuesday...

men's corner: shine it on...

i've always been a little envious of seeing men getting their shoes shined at the airport (or hotel, or even on the streets of san francisco...) it just seems like such a nice treat...but one that i never consider doing myself...it seems like such a 'guy' thing...

well...looks like you don't have to wait for a trip to make sure your shoes look their absolute best...here are some tips (courtesy of gq) on how to get that lustrous look to your shoes:

* first...clean the shoes well...antonio (of jim's shoe repair in ny) recommends fiebing's spot remover...use an old toothbrush to clean the welts...

* next...condition with meltonian leather balm...or another high-quality brand of your choice...

* apply the wax (kiwi, what else?) in small, tight swirls, using your first two fingers wrapped in an old tee-shirt...by the time you've applied the wax to the second shoe...the first will be ready to buff with a horse-hair brush...


* the second coat of kiwi can either be applied with the cloth lightly watered...or applied to the shoe then lightly sprayed with water...and then buffed to a 'spit shine' with a clean cloth...

voila...nothing puts together an outfit better then a nicely shined pair of shoes...

how to incorporate color in your wardrobe...

just as color can be the distillation of complicated moral messages...virginal white...mournful black...sexual red...color can also camouflage...think of the sea of navy and grey on the floor of a stock exchange...

color in clothes can be regional...the beige and pastel tones of the south versus the blacks and subdued tones of the urban north...

it can denote seasons...we tend to wear darker colors in the winter and brighter ones in summer...

it can create optical illusions...light colors make us look larger...dark colors make us look smaller (although if the fit is wrong...doesn't matter...light or dark...the illusion will be wrong...just plain wrong...)

color can be powerful and confusing...especially when it comes to clothes...the bottom line? unless you feel comfortable in a rainbow of different hues and can mix them like an alchemist...your best bet is to build a wardrobe based on a neutral palette...back, white, grey, navy or beige...it will help you decode your wardrobe and create within it...and make it possible to add color in accent pieces without feeling overwhelmed...

so how do you incorporate color into your wardrobe?

8 simple closet tips...

i am sure there could be a lot more tips to add for the cleaning of a closet...but...i say...since for some this task can be quite overwhelming...the simpler the better...

consider shelf life: if you never wear it...apply the twelve-month rule...and recycle (or consign)...if you must...allow yourself a few exceptions...

discern: be ruthless...or bring in a ruthless friend...preferably one whose style you admire...

document: borrow a camera and document outfits you come up with...

fill gaps: list what you need...and buy accordingly...

organize: redesign your closet so you can see everything...and group things...whether by size...color...or use...in a way that makes sense to you...

restore order: make your closet a haven of order and function...there can be method to the madness....you just have to impose it...try on outfits in front of a full-length mirror...weed out what no longer fits...determine what you reach for daily and give it prime real estate...

recycle: keep a box on the floor for thrift-shop donations...

party: when the purge is finished...invite friends over for a give-away...it may help to know that someone you like is wearing a beloved item...

and if this truly is something that is overwhelming...and you find yourself avoiding it at all costs...it may be well worth the money spent to bring in a consultant to help you make sense of your closet again...i can assure you going forward...you will be happy your closet is in order...

say it isn't so...

my shoes tend to be opposite extremes...i am either wearing stilettos...or flats...no in between...although that probably wouldn't be a bad idea...it is just not what i gravitate towards...

so yesterday...i read an article in the wall street journal...letting me know that kitten heels are making a comeback...and well...stilettos - are so two years ago...

i don't know how i feel about that...i noticed first lady michelle obama wearing low heels this last week...looking quite fabulous i might add...and i didn't think much of it...since she tends to wear lower heels...but then i started thinking back on some of the runway shows...and yes...lower heels were shown...

here is the thing...i always say...wear what makes you feel good...don't wear something because it is in style for the moment...we all know...trends come and go...heels come and go...however...this stiletto wearing girl...will continue on...in her fabulous stilettos...

how about you? are you thrilled that heels are getting lower?

an unscientific survey of the precipitous rise, and sudden decline, in high-end designer heel heights...
photo credit wsj

what is behind your closet door?

you know it's time...opening the door...where to start...think of it as culling in fashion...

the bad news?

it's painful...even if you wouldn't be caught dead in it...can you bear to part with your ex-boyfriend's ratty college sweatshirt?

it's also time-consuming...you'll have to try on the contents of your closet and your bureau...maybe two or three times...yes...it's depressing if you've outgrown your lucky jeans...

the good news?

sometimes...a hard look at your wardrobe reveals whole new ensembles...and you won't have spent a penny...you may find a reason you're not wearing a particular dress is simply that you've neglected to buy stockings that go with it...purge your closet before embarking on a big shopping trip...you'll have a better idea of what you really need...

fashion funnies: the scale as your friend...

i finally figured out how to weight myself...i can't believe i was doing it wrong...

may your weekend be fabulous!

daily affirmation...

we sometimes spend so much time focusing on the "things" we wish we could change about ourselves...smaller hips, longer legs...thicker hair...that we forget to focus on the good "things" we have...

may this sweet sweet child continue to affirm herself this way...she is headed for a healthy self-esteemed life!

enjoy your weekends...and find something about yourself today...and look in the mirror...and say..."i love ____________...." care to share what that was?

men's corner: stylin' with shoes...

yes...i have a fascination and love for shoes...but...i also notice men's shoes...as well...for just as i say to women...i say the same to men...the shoes...can make or break an outfit...just sayin...

the quality of a man's shoes affect his well-being...not only do they provide the foundation for your skeletal support...but they also tell a great deal about your personal sense of style and self-esteem...

a quality shoe...

* will have a leather lining...which keeps the feet comfortable and dry...and will prevent the inner stitching from chafing the foot...

* contains an extra layer of material...known as the welt...which is sewn between the upper and the sole...and is customarily made of leather...the welt is sewn...not glued...so it can be easily taken apart and replaced when the soles develop holes...

* have a rich finish...even those that appear to be solid black...when the leather is burnished...a subtle undercoat of color shows through...

remember to take care of your leather shoes...

* water (i.e. perspiration) breaks down leather...so use cedar shoe trees between wearings to absorb moisture and help retain the shoe's shape...

* speaking of wearings...don't wear the same shoes two days in a row...try to rotate them so the leather gets a chance to breathe...

* polish with a clear polish on a regular basis...using color polish only when the finish has faded...

american woman...

as i type my title...the song by lenny kravitz is in my head...how appropriate...no? in fact...i think the song is in the video below...

so...this wonderful exhibit is being shown in new york at the metropolitan museum of art...the thing is...there is a big chance i am going to be in ny next month...but no time to see this fascinating exhibit...so i sit and think...if this trip works out...should i add an extra day? wouldn't it be worth it?

take a peak...doesn't it look fabulous? who is going?? it will be shown till august 15, 2010

how do i take care of it?

it's inevitable....you have to care for your clothes...how much time and money do you want to spend doing it? high-maintenance clothes are like high-maintenance friends...they need a lot of attention...that being said...i think i keep my neighberhood dry cleaners in business...

when i am shopping for clients...this is an area i have to consider...for their lifestyle...some like me...know their dry cleaners by name...others will only consider clothes that are wash and wear...the key to keep in mind...is that you can look fabulous in either category...

so...ask yourself some questions...and see what works for you...

how delicate is it?

how easily does it stain?

and...how careful are you willing to be while you're wearing it?

think about how often you'll be putting it on...and for what kind of event...

will it be subjected to baby drool...hot-weather perspiration...or salad dressing?

does it have to be dry-cleaned? hand-washed? ironed?

if it's an outfit you reserve for special occasions...then maybe you can handle the burden...if you're planning on wearing it daily...you might want to opt for something that's a little easier to love and care for...

iris apfel...a woman with style...

my girlfriend sent me this knowing what an "iris apfel" fan i am...thought i would share...

put together: hats off to unexpected pairing...

new addition to fabulous finds blog...we are adding "put together" which will be random posts either of outfits found in magazines, on the street, etc...of fabulous put together looks...

the first of this new series was taken from the january 2010 issue of town & country...i remember when i turned the page and saw this outfit...i ripped out the page immediately for my inspiration folder...for those of you that have been reading my blog for a while...you know that i am a big fan of mixing patterns...this outfit took my breath away...she looks chic, fun & comfortable...

what do you think? is this a look you would incorporate into your wardrobe?


derek lam striped top & floral-print silk pants
anne moore straw hat
janis by janis savitt gold multichain necklace

photo credit: scanned by me from jan 2010 town & country

fashion funnies: the once over...

i have always said that women check out women...more then men do =) in saying that...women can be so critical...not only of themselves but others...in the same token...women can be your biggest cheerleaders...

have a fabulous weekend...and be kind to your fellow human kind...and furry kind =)

white...

...as a statement...as a wardrobe necessity...

the power of white...the absence of color is white...the very lightness of white's purity has made it the color of heavenly joy and chastity...angels wear white...as do babies...modern western brides...and virtuous romance-novel heroines headed for tragic fates...

it is clean...where would hospital hygiene be without it? its impracticality has made it a mark of social status through the ages...

white commands attention in the form of an evening gown...monochrome power at its most dazzling...

dressed down...white is the most basic of tones...the color of canvas sails and bleached muslin...it is versatile...crisp...and cool...a backdrop that can handle anything...

personally...i love white in the summer time...there is something about it that personifies beautiful sunny days...how about you? will you be wearing white this summer?

here is one of my favorites:
j.crew confetti mia dress (2008 collection) still love it...two years later...

men's corner: double denim...

when it comes to wearing denim...it's usually best to wear only one piece at a time...unless you are a true cowboy...but if you just LOVE to wear your denim jacket with your jeans...here is a simple guideline to keep in mind...

make sure the denims don't match...

either the jacket should be a dark wash and the jeans a light wash with a well-worn look...or vice versa...the jeans a dark wash and the jacket a light wash...

of course...this is one piece of advice that's not for men only...us ladies should take heed as well if we're ever tempted to go overboard on denim...

now...all that being said...the runways have been showing head to toe denim...is it for everyone? i think not...just like any "trend"...just because it is "in" doesn't mean it is right for you...

hop on over to wendy brandes blog (affectionately known as wendyb)...to see a great post on double denim...titled...fall into a texas tuxedo at the gap...actually if you do a search on her blog for double denim...she was kind enough to do several posts with pics from fabulous bloggers and their interpretation of double denim...

you had me at hello: embellished espadrille...

my love for espadrilles goes way back...they are fun, casual, comfy & stylish...and...look fabulous with sundresses, capri's, jeans, shorts...they scream summer...

then...i spotted this pair...be still my beating heart...espadrille with chain? oh yes...they are speaking to me...aren't they lovely?

christian louboutin chain-embellished espadrille

be delicious...

your fragrance...it lies closer to your skin than the tightest possible dress...who are you, really? other mammals would know you by your smell...although their scenting methods aren't necessarily advisable for humans...

maybe you have chosen a signature perfume...one that permeates your clothes and surroundings...and becomes familiar to those who know you...or perhaps you treat perfumes like clothes and have built a wardrobe of them to suit your every mood...the occasion...or the season...

my go-to every day scent is "be delicious" by dkny...of course i love the name...but the scent works for me as it is not over-powering and has a "fresh" scent...although i have others...this is my basic...

how about you? do you have a favorite go-to scent?

coming and going...

you are sure to make an impression with this black ponte knit zippered jacket and black bling top...even if you take the jacket off...the top alone makes a serious statement - no jewelry required...

black ponte knit cupro wash zipper jacket, black knit bling top

black knit bling top

but then...when it's time to leave...you will still turn heads thanks to the detail that is one of jana's trademarks - that is - something special on the back of almost all her jackets...and sometimes, skirts...

black ponte cupro wash zipper jacket (love how the back zipper unzips from the bottom!)

take a look at the detailing on these beauties...

texture weave saffron jacket

stretch faille cactus jacket (featured in previous post); truly looks like leather, doesn't it?!

frosted linen grape jacket

and the detailing doesn't stop there - look at the beautiful lining and trim...

frosted linen grape jacket lining and trim (sometimes, i just want to display the INSIDE of my jacket - it's SO beautiful!)


i think we're all ready for the "actual" change of the seasons! what is it with 'one day it's hot' and 'the next it's cold'? the good news, in our area, is that it's a perfect time to come in now and stock up for our "summer season" (i.e. september and october, when the temps are perfect!) because sooner than you would think, the stores are going to be stocking in the fall selections - at a time when we haven't even begun to enjoy our 'special summer season'...don't let this showing pass you by...

and one more note - you can't truly know the depth of this collection until you take a moment, come in, and touch & try-on these pieces...jana always picks the best fabrics and this is something you have to experience first-hand!

jana kos summer 2010 collection
trunk show (in redwood shores, ca)
by personal appointment
may 5 thru 16
415.577.6133

happy mother's day...

fabulous finds...

would like to wish all the beautiful mom's...

a fabulous mother's day...

the hardest job on earth...

may you all feel cherished today...and every day...

fashion funnies: tight-fit jeans...

leave it to maxine...to tell it like it is... =) enjoy your saturday!

three days, two nights, and one carry-on...

have you ever been frustrated when packing for an upcoming trip, because there are lots of great activities planned, but you're on the way to packing your whole closet and it's only a three-day trip? jana's collection is all about creating wardrobe "capsules", where the pieces work so beautifully together it takes all the stress out of organizing yourself for a trip...

let's take one example so you can see how it works...(Now bear in mind that if the outfits we feature are not your particular color group, don't worry...the concept works throughout the color groups in each collection.)

our example..."paula professional" (portrayed by adena, as a stand-in model), is making a three-day trip to the napa valley for a business conference...the trip starts with the conference, then she's planning to meet a girlfriend for a couple of days of shopping and wine-tasting...

day one
the conference...paula looks put together in her stretch faille pantsuit with jungle print silk blouse...

stretch faille cactus jacket & pant, silk-blend jungle print blouse

evening ends with a business casual hospitality hour and dinner...paula removes her jacket and adds the perforated belt with studded brass buckle for an accent...

stretch faille cactus pant, silk-blend jungle print blouse, perforated belt with studded brass buckle

day two
one-half day of conference left...paula makes good use of the stretch faille pants from the day before, only today she wears the pleats cactus top with the studded belt...

stretch faille cactus pant, pleats cactus top, perforated belt with studded brass buckle

now for an afternoon of shopping with girlfriends...paula switches out the pants for the skin print pants, and adds the jungle print silk blouse from the day before...

cotton blend skin print pant, silk blend jungle print blouse (a great example of mixing prints!)

take a closer look at these pants (what fun!)...



tonight, dinner at one of napa valley's great restaurants...paula can quickly get ready for dinner by switching the skin print pant for the jungle print silk-blend skirt...

jungle print silk-blend blouse & skirt

day three
winery day...paula and her friend visit several of the wineries in the area...she's cool and comfortable in the jungle print silk-blend skirt, with her white t-shirt and flip flops...

jungle print silk-blend skirt, cotton t-shirt

oops! plans have changed...
they decide to stay for one more dinner...paula changes into the skin print pant, pleats top and studded belt, looking once again, put together as on day one...

cotton-blend skin print pant and pleats top, studded belt

while sometimes it is difficult for some of us to wear items more then once in a trip...when you need to pack light - this is an ideal space saver...

let me show you how this can work for you...

Jana Kos Summer 2010 Collection
SUMMER TRUNK SHOW
may 5-16

now accepting appointments.
415.577.6133 (cell)
650.345.4511 (office)

click here to see additional color groups & trunk show information...

men's corner: the right suit...

one of the biggest investments that a man will make in his wardrobe...is the luscious business suit...(can you tell i am a bit proponent of them?) it seems that the workplace has changed over the years...and fewer "corporate" men are wearing them as often as they used to...but to those that still do...i salute you...

being that this is a big investment...size is everything...you can choose to look "eh" in it...and the reason is usually...that the suit is too big...what ends up happening is that all that extra material ends up boxing (in the shoulders), sagging (in the waist), and flopping (at the ankles)...such as this "eh" vision seen below...


a quick rule of thumb is the same method as stated in purchasing a leather jacket...keep going down a size until it gets uncomfortable...and then go one size up and buy that...

look how nicely fit the one below is...fabulous!



- the sleeves should fit as well as the rest of the suit...if need be...you can even have a tailor take them in a smidgen...

- the length of the jacket should not be hitting the middle of your thigh...you should be able to cup your fingers beneath it...

and remember - the tailor is your best friend!

client corner: at the derby...

in my monthly newsletter...one of the favorite go-to articles is the "client corner"...my customers love seeing "real" people showcasing their jana kos purchases...

pictured below is lovely couple kathy and bob allen at the millionaires row at derby 2010...kathy is wearing jana kos "spring" 2010 collection...doesn't she look fabulous?

my vintage coats...

by popular demand...and shy readers =) who emailed me asking me to post pics of my vintage coats...here they are...i just finished packing them away till next winter...

this first one is one of my very first vintage finds...it was found during a girl's weekend in lovely santa barbara...for a steal...and i continue to wear it year after year after year...love the mustard color...(although the pic doesn't show that too well)



awww...love this one...in one of my favorite colors...hmmm...seems i gravitate to fur collars...


i wear my long leather gloves with this coat...the 3/4 sleeve is so jackie o...


oh look...the fur collar is back =)


for someone who loves wearing color...i'm thinking i need to step out a little more in my coat purchases...no? everything is brown...


my purchase at the rose bowl flea market...


nothing better then a little winter white...


after this post...i realize that my wardrobe is slightly skewed in that most of my winter coats are for the dead of winter...where as vintage coats that i posted in "i confess...i am a vintage coat addict"...are more lighter...i'm thinking i need a few more of those...just sayin...

coverups...

the farther away you get from the water...the more your bathing suit feels like underwear...you need a coverup...it is...by definition...the simplest of things...

an oversize button-down shirt...a large cotton shirt...a thin cotton dress...a pareo (sarong) jauntily knotted at the hip...but it will get you home...or to the store...or to a pool party...wherever you need to be when it comes time to pack up your sand toys and go...

a big cotton shirt...perfect for sleeping in...working in...or throwing on over a bathing suit...it's comfortable...familiar...modest...and it protects you from the sun...


a cotton dress...long-sleeved or short...it doesn't matter...it should be cool...comfortable and easy to throw in the washing machine...perfect for getting you from beach to barbeque...
maje pagny striped cotton dress

when dorothy lamour appeared in the 1940 film "road to singapore"...she inspired millions of western women to wear this fabric wrap (also known as pareo) from the pacific islands...five to seven yards of material...tied at the waist or chest...that's all it is...use it as a beach towel...as a picnic blanket...or (with the right shoe) as a cocktail dress...

jana kos summer 2010 trunk show...

sneak peak at some of the collection...

opposites attract - color group 1 (black...white...coral...)
jungle beat - color group 2 (cactus...sand...lemon...)
tranquil voyage - color group 3 (pool...blue...white...)
exotic escape - color group 4 (grape...saffron...almond...)

fashion funnies: holy crap, you're hot...

i received this lovely "fashion funnies" from my aunt this week...the message read: today is national "holy crap, you're hot" day...send this to someone gorgeous, but don't send it back to me, i've been getting this message all freakin' day!!!

well...after a very stressful week...this immediately put a smile on my face...i'm really loving the bunny slippers...but i can't say i've ever worked in my bikini while at home...

i confess...i am a vintage coat addict...

the lovely cherie over at shrimpton couture wrote a lovely post about me...i just had to share...it's all about the vintage coat...

on a side note...if you are an avid vintage lover...keep checking her website as she adds new items daily...i am in awe of the pieces that she has...

in cherie's post...she says about me "she is a bit of a vintage coat addict"...that made me laugh...how right she is!

here is the other vintage coat i purchased from shrimpton couture

i guess i need to confess...that yes...i am a vintage coat addict...if you would like to see more of my collection...that i have gotten over the years...let me know...i can always do a vintage coat post =)

so...what vintage pieces do you gravitate to?