Read Surveys (By Author)
Kimberly S
1. When do you feel at your most attractive?
When I'm comfortable, dressed in jeans, a semi-fitted t-shirt and a cardigan. I love to wear hoop earrings as they make me feel just a bit sassy. I like when I have my blond eyebrows filled in just a bit to match my hair (copper red) and have mascara on.
2. Do you notice women on the street? If so, what sort of women do you tend to notice or admire?
Yes! I notice women who are up to date in styles without going over the top. I notice when they are confidant in their clothes. Women who walk comfortably in the shoes they are wearing are always on my radar.
3. What are some things you admire about how other women present themselves?
Confidence is the biggest. I also admire a woman who knows how to do hair and makeup with a skilled hand ie: flattering to her natural looks without being to bold or crazy.
4. Was there a moment in your life when something “clicked” for you about fashion or dressing or make-up or hair? What? Why did it happen then, do you think?
When I was 13 I read an article in Teen Magazine that said red heads should never wear reds, oranges, yellows, or pinks. I have lived by that rule 90% of the time for the last 20 years. The other 20%? I say advice be damned I feel great in the right shade of red! It taught me that while there may be certain guidelines in fashion, how a woman feels is far more important than the rules.
5. What are some shopping rules you wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others but which you follow?
Stick with what works. A little change can make all the difference.
6. What are some rules about dressing you follow, but you wouldn't necessarily recommend to others?
None
7. What is the most transformative conversation you have ever had on the subject of fashion or style?
Someone told me about the Dressing Your Truth book by Carol Tuttle. In this conversation my friend said "it's not about right or wrong colors, but it's about what vibrates with you. What makes you feel balanced and comfortable in the clothes you choose." I think of that comment at least once a week while I'm trying to figure out what to wear.
8. Do you have a unified way of approaching your life, work, relationships, finances, chores, etc.? Please explain.
I am an introvert and researcher. I approach all of life from those two stand points. I research nearly all decisions so that I can understand the subject fully before making a decision.
9. Are there any clothing (or related) items that you have in multiple? Why do you think you keep buying this thing?
Jeans, flip flops, and cardigans. It comes down to a matter of comfortablity. I like to be comfortable all the time and these items achieve that. I am not brand loyal to any company so I have a variety of styles so I don't appear to wear the exact same things all the time.
10. Have you ever successfully given someone a present of jewelry or clothing that you continue to feel good about?
I've never given jewelry or clothing as a gift.
11. Is there any fashion trend you’ve refused to participate in and why?
Leggings so far. I would feel naked in them, as if all my flaws were visible to everyone.
12. Can you say a bit about how your mother’s body and style has been passed down to you, or not?
As harsh as it may sound, my mother shaped my views of what "trashy" looks like. My mother was overweight most of my life and a strong triangle shape. She had a tendency toward loud obnoxious clothing meant to get the attention of men she met at work (the bar). I struggled with bad body image for years because of my mothers comments and my fear of having a body similar to hers. I resemble my mother little in body shape other than my tendency to gain weight at my middle during stressful times.
13. Have you stolen, borrowed or adapted any dressing ideas or actual items from friends or family?
No, not that I can think of.
14. Was there a point in your life when your style changed dramatically? What happened?
No, my clothing has always been a practical extension of myself.
15. Is there anything political about the way you dress?
No
16. Please describe your body.
5'3, on the high end of "normal" weight range for my height. Strong legs, weak arms with a leaning to bingo arms even though they are skinny. Small boned. Muffin top. good butt as long as pants are hiding the cellulite. Fairly perky boobs considering I breastfed 4 kids for 6 years. Horrible stomach after 4 c-sections and hernia repair. Great collar bones that look good in v-neck shirts. Freckles, pale sensitive skin prone to reactions to soaps, lotions, make-up etc.
17. Please describe your mind.
Clear, strong, intelligent, funny, thoughtful, logical. Prone to depression and negative self talk at times, especially when I go shopping and nothing fits right. I like myself just fine as long as I'm not stripping down in a dressing room.
18. Please describe your emotions.
Stable. Honest to a fault.
19. What are you wearing on your body and face, and how is your hair done, right at this moment?
Skinny jeans, layering T under a chevron tank and dark blue cardigan. No socks, blue hoop earrings, and squareish blue glasses. Long hair in loose curls. Mascara, chapstick, and eyebrow powder.
24. Do you remember the biggest waste of money you ever made on an item of clothing?
My wedding dress. It was purchased to appease my husbands overly religious family. It was boring, uncomfortable and nothing like "me".
25. Are there any dressing tricks you’ve invented or learned that make you feel like you’re getting away with something?
By layering with a cardigan I feel like I can hide my muffin top, like I don't look as fat as I actually am.
28. Would you say you “know what you like” in the area of fashion and clothing? If so, do you also know what you like in other areas of life, that is, are you generally good at discernment? Can you say where your discernment comes from, if you have it? Or if you don’t have it, why or why not?
I absolutely know what I like in all areas of my life. I have always known my own mind and there is little anyone can do to sway me. That's not to say I am rigid, because I am not, I can and do change when the mood strikes or I see the advantages of doing so.
33. What is really beautiful, for you, in general?
Happiness is the most beautiful person honestly, without it the rest of a person seems blah and drab regardless of how well their physical structure is. I do find myself drawn to dark haired people, long on women, facial hair on men. Slim but not skinny. Happy eyes. Long legs and arms.
57. If you were totally comfortable with your body, or your body was a bit closer to what you wish it was like, what would you wear?
I'd wear skirts, dresses, shorts and tank tops. Even a swim suit.
61. What are some things you need to do to your body or clothes in order to feel presentable?
Put mascara on every day. Smooth the frizz from my curly hair.
62. How does makeup fit into all this for you?
I wear mascara and eyebrow powder daily. The rest I can take or leave and use it when the mood strikes.
64. Can you describe in a basic way what you own, clothing and jewelry-wise?
Jeans, maxi dresses, tshirts, and cardigans/jackets. Jewlery is all costume peices that can be easily mixed and matched to suit my mood. Mostly bracelets and earrings, some necklaces as long as they aren't heavy. Both clothing and jewelry are jewel toned and gold based. Lots of blue, brown and purples.
70. Building up your wardrobe from nothing, what would you do differently this time?
Be more daring, try styles that I like on other but feel to uncomfortable to even try one. Buy less brown.
What kind of work do you do?
I am a small business owner
Are you single, married, do you have kids, etc.?
Married for 16 years. 4 kids