I can’t count the number of times a season I see headlines proclaiming the “essential” pieces everyone needs to create a killer wardrobe.  Problem is, for me, everyone’s the essentials seem like nothing more than a day or two worth of really fantastic looks.  In an attempt to prove the validity of creating an “essentials” list for building looks for the season, May’s wardrobe will put my creativity to the test, require mad accessories, and a small handful of cheats.

Days 1 – 4 under my belt, follow the rest of my 30 days at www.kimberleesmith.com !

xoxo,

Kimberlee

Unless of course your day to day routine involves standing on your feet for up to 9 hours at a time all the while looking incredibly thrilled to be doing it and feeling massive creative energy and inspiration from beginning to end.

I don’t own sensible shoes.  Girls like me don’t care about comfort.  Or, I DIDN’T before I met Born.

Bringing forward my spring wardrobe and shoe collection as temperatures in the Midwest begin to rise, it hit me.  If I am going to survive spring/summer this year, I am probably going to need to be able to stand for more than a walk from the curb to the cab or I am in big trouble.  I’ve got some pretty incredible shoes in my collection, enviable really, but beyond a pair of studded Matiko loafers I purchased a month or so back none of what I currently own is going to support my tired tootsies for endless days on my feet with a smile on my face.  Sorry my beauties, but it’s time for this girl to hit the stores.

In search of SOMETHING that was not going to be incredibly painful, I must have tried well over a dozen pair of shoes.  Strappy little mini wedges, studded platforms, you name it I tried it.  Each were “ok” in their own way, but it wasn’t until I slid my foot into a pair of sandals by Born that I think I seriously melted.  The footbed is padded beyond all reason, the leather is softer than butter, the soles are light weight causing minimal “clomping”, and the overall construction is so sensible that they MUST be for a little old lady, right?  I mean little old ladies want 4 ½” stacked heel sandals too…they must.

The Maura by Born is going down in history as my first ever sensible shoe purchase.  Little old lady?  If the shoe fits!

Xo,

Kimberlee

Given my use of these channels may be more than the average person and is typically used for marketing purposes, I feel that everyone should be familiar with each platform. Here is a list of my top social media channels with an overview of what each does and what I use them for. All of the accounts are free and have apps for your iPhone, most smart phones or tablets. You also have the option to set your security settings so you control who sees your information and images. I highly suggest that you use these settings to protect yourself from danger and identity theft. Let’s get started:

Facebook: Everyone, and I mean over a billion users, are on Facebook. For those of you who aren’t yet on it, you may want to consider learning the platform to stay competitive in the job market. This channel allows you to share images, updates and connect with friends. It also has a chat feature similar to an instant message. I use this to connect with friends that I wouldn’t necessarily call to catch up with. I also like Facebook for viewing pictures of my friend’s kids as they grow. Even though they may live across the country, I feel more connected with them throughout the year.

LinkedIn: Think of this as one big networking event and a new way to share your job history, talents and skills quickly and easily online with industry professionals. It’s a professional networking channel for your professional circles. There is a limited public view where employers seeking new hires can view your profile and a more detailed view for those that you have invites into your network. Consider this “job security” in the event you lose your job. Your networks are already aligned and all you have to do is ask who knows who and you will be instantly connected.

Twitter: This is a unique program as it is limited to 140 characters or less. I think of this as a Hollywood program. It’s a great way to connect with a fan base or audience that you may influence. It isn’t just for celebs. For example, you are a professor or industry leader who reads articles about new trends everyday. This is a great way to quickly share a title with a link quickly to your students or those who choose to follow your updates or “tweets”. Twitter is fabulous source for real time news. Get up-to-the-second information on breaking stories. Twitter broke the news of Steve Jobs’ death 27 minutes before the media. Now that’s real time!

Pinterest: Remember your first bulletin board? You would use a push pin or tack to pin up inspirational pieces or photos of loved ones. This is the same concept except online. Pinterest is an online bulletin board that allows you to “pin” interesting images onto different boards. It’s totally addicting! I use it for inspiration, design and hair and make-up how-to’s.

Instagram: I love this app. It makes any picture that you take on your phone look twice as good as the original (unless you are a professional iPhone photographer). There are different filters and looks that you can choose from and it saves the image as a new one preserving the original. This is really fun and allows you to adjust your images in anyway that you would like and publish them to a feed so your friends can view.

Google+: This is another social platform that is similar to Facebook in the sense of sharing images and updates. The difference is that you can have a “hang out” with your friends/ family by using your web cam. Similar to skype or Apple’s Facetime, you can see who you are talking to. The greatest attraction is that it’s powered by Google, the most powerful platform on earth. This is great for small businesses who need more exposure. Having a powerhouse like Google behind them, gives them more online exposure (in terms of search) than a business that isn’t on G+. There are quite a few skeptics out there who aren’t convinced that this platform will stick around and I haven’t made up my mind about it so you will have to be the judge of that.

I recently ordered the 2012 America’s Test Kitchen TV Companion Cookbook for my Dad and naturally, I opened it to make sure it was “unharmed”. We ended up reading half of the book in a single afternoon learning about everything from how to get pillow-like gnocchi to baking a juicy and flavorful chicken. This process is extremely easy and fool proof. We started with an organic air-chilled half chicken and made a homemade stock. The air-chilled chicken contains less moisture in the skin making it crispier as it bakes. If you don’t want to make stock, save time by buying pre-made vegetable or chicken stock from your local grocer.

Sugar Tip: You can bake any chicken with this recipe. We recommend an organic air-chilled chicken only because it has less moisture in the skin and isn’t loaded with antibiotics. Naturally, it will taste better and have a crispier skin.

The key to the mushroom sauce is building up the flavor beginning with the brown bits in the chicken pan along with about 1T. of chicken juices and fat. We made the stock from scratch and added the chicken neck (without skin), fresh oregano, fennel fronds and 2 garlic cloves. I chose meatier mushrooms like baby shitakes and black trumpet mushrooms.

What You Need
1/2 organic air-chilled chicken
6 Thyme sprigs
1 Lemon
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Wild mushroom variety (a hand full or more)
1/4 c. dry white wine
1T. Chicken fat and brown bits
2T. Shallots minced
1 1/2T. Butter
1 1/2c. Stock
1/2t. dijon mustard

What To Do

Preheat 450 degrees. Remove your air chilled chicken from the packaging and pat dry with a paper towel. You won’t need to rinse your bird if it is fresh. Season it from the inside out – cavity first then skin with kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper. Drizzle a large oven safe pan with olive oil. Place fresh thyme sprigs in the center of the pan and sliver four thick lemon wheels to place on top of the sprigs. Gently set the bird skin side up in the center of the pan directly over the thyme and lemon wheels.

KEY NOTE: According to America’s Test Kitchen, the key is the cook time and temp.

Place the pan in the center of the oven and allow to bake at 450 degrees for 30 minutes then turn off the oven and allow to cook the last 25 minutes in the oven undisturbed. I promise you that you will be beside yourself at the incredible amount of juice in this bird! After 55 minutes, remove the chicken from the pan and allow chicken to rest on a cutting board for an additional 15-20 minutes before cutting to serve. Discard all but 1 T. of the chicken fat and juices in the pan. Keep the browned bits on the bottom of the pan, they are your flavor base for the mushroom sauce.

For The Mushroom Sauce

Reserving approximately 1 T. of the chicken fat and juices in the pan, add 1T. of butter and minced shallots to the chicken pan over medium high heat. Scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate into the butter. Cook for 2 minutes or so then add the mushrooms. Continue to cook the mushrooms for approximately five minutes stirring occasionally. The add 1/4 c. dry white wine and dollop of mustard. Give that a quick stir and allow to cook down until the sauce has reduced to about a tablespoon of liquid. It will be really concentrated. Then add the stock and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes more then reduce heat to a simmer and add the final 1/2 T. butter.

Spoon the mushroom sauce over the chicken and serve with any vegetable of your choice. We paired this with a Pinot Noir from Burgundy.

Brazilian born artist, photographer and most recently designer, Daniela Cunha Lay is new to the runway scene. Although her three-months in the clothing design industry may be limited, she is no stranger to the arts. She has produced dozens of album covers and has been featured in numerous galleries for her stimulating artwork. This line is a natural evolution of her art transforming her work into wearable designs that are fluid statements evoking immediate emotion.

Last week Thursday, I was a guest at the Laly Designs Decades Runway Show in San Francisco where Daniela’s designs were one of five lines that walked the runway. Labeled as DCL Street Wear, she combines her love for art and fashion into casual, one-size-fits all pieces. Like her Studio DCL paintings, her work is designed for open interpretation and to be worn as desired.

Laly Designs hosted various artists to perform throughout the show including one of my favorite musicians, Dave Kim – a show stopping, MEAN electric violin player. Without realizing who Daniela was, we had the opportunity to watch her paint the image above just before the show began. Daniela’s work is seductive, racy and completely captivating, arousing a sense of uncertainty. As an artist at heart, I was immediately drawn to her images and use of bold emotional colors against a black and white canvas. I connected with her philosophies and the inspirations behind her paintings.

Daniela and our gracious host, Hedieh (below), both wore her designs the night of the show. Each piece is hand signed by Daniela and features one of three paintings. Here is a look at her line up close; all of which are available for purchase online at Laly Designs.

Laly Designs, a San Francisco based online retail platform that brings women cutting-edge, forward thinking, and sustainable creations from locally sourced, independent designers. Their mission is to enable small, local designers to connect with their current consumers and discover new ones through their platform.

P.S. This piece below is my absolute FAVORITE! The slit in the back was extremely sexy and moved ever so slightly in a perfect motion as the model strutted by.

Photos #1, 4 and 7 are courtesy of Lexi Kee Photography, Photos #2,3,5 and 6 are courtesy of Laly Designs

A structured jacket is one of those wardrobe essentials that you should definitely INVEST in (i.e. save up for a fantastic one), so classic colors and prints are crucial as you’ll want this to be something you can depend on as a best friend five days from now or five years from now…though I do challenge you to step out of the black jacket zone if possible.

I adore everything about this structured linen Piped One Button Jacket by Smythe.  The colors are basic, yet the striped pattern in the linen fabric through the body and piped trim add just a kiss of visual interest.  The rockstar oversized button and of course…that unique rear vent…are details that make it sit at number one on my favorite structured jackets of all time list.  And don’t let the shoulder pads scare you, they are back.  Not in the buy them by the truckload and add 2 or 3 to every t-shirt you own kind of 1993 way, but in an only in my good suit jacket if it fits me well through the body kind of way.  Trust me, it’s different.  And better.

Structured jackets for Spring are topping everything.  Jeans and a t-shirt, a knee length sleeveless dress, boyfriend style linen pants…I’d even venture to guess you will see them paired with some well loved broken in denim shorts.  Fantastic footwear required, of course.

XoXo,

Kimberlee

Lip Service:

Tinley Road Striped Blazer

1) Apply your eye make-up before your foundation. You would be amazed how much of your eyeshadow doesn’t get on your eyes! As you apply your shadow, the access falls on your upper cheeks and below your eyes making your eyes look even darker and more tired. By applying your eye make-up before your foundation, you can easily wipe away the access with a cotton square. Trust me, you will be surprised!

2) Brighten up your cheeks with a highlighter. Matte blush can make skin look dry and dull especially in the late winter months. Add a touch of highlighter to your cheek bones near the outer eye area. This will catch the light and make skin appear dewy and fresh.

A word of caution: Wear extra SPF (like 70) when wearing this product. The shimmer attracts the suns rays and penetrates the skin and can darken your skin.

3) Conceal it with concealer to brighten up the eyes. The area underneath the eye is very tender and requires extra care to keep you looking younger longer. It is very important to conciously care for this area by applying all eye products carefully. PAT DON’T PULL. Apply a very small amount of concealer to your brush, like the one below, lightly pat from inner corner out to upper cheekbone and blend well. Wha-la! Instant eye lift!

4) Use brow highlighter. Kim Kardashian is famous for her eye makeup. What’s her trick? A highlighting shade such as is used directly underneath the brow arch. Blend with a blending brush then reapply as necessary.

5) Exfoliate your skin. Skin cells are constantly turning over and the old cells need to be eliminated so that the new cells can shine through. Think of it as layers of cornflakes, raisins and grapes. The dried up, dead cornflakes need to be exfoliated so that the new skin cells, the grapes, can show through. See my article on How To Exfoliate the Skin for more details.

Free People – Lace Cropped Shirt

Gap – Broken In Khakis

Urban Outfitters – Sailor Shorts

Victoria’s Secret – Wedge

J.Crew – Printed iPhone 4 Case

I recently switched career paths from an active role to a job in which I sit in front of the computer ALL DAY. It’s like taking a four hour plane ride to transfer to your connecting flight for another four hours. That’s a long time for anyone to sit on their tush. Needless to say, I gained six pounds in three months. And at the end of the day, I was hungry, mentally exhausted and ready to go home, not to the gym. The tricky part is that the pounds accumulate slowly so it isn’t as noticeable until you go to put on a dress that you haven’t worn in a few months and suddenly, you can hardly breath it’s so tight. Here are some quick tips to keep you active and avoid the dreaded “Freshman 15″ as a career woman.

Take a Walk During Your Lunch Hour
If you have an hour, reserve 30 minutes for a walk outside. If you only have a half an hour, try to eat something on your break or walk to a near by park and have lunch there. If you can’t sacrifice your lunch time, get outside on each of your 10 minute breaks and walk then. I will have you know, this only works if you avoid buying treats along the way. The first couple of times I tried this one, I bought baked goods and milk shakes. Hmmmm. Not so much.

Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle – Move Your Legs
It is really important to keep your blood flowing properly to avoid health problems like blood clots down the road. I’m not suggesting that you become a River Dancer in your seat or anything like that but maybe just a stretch or two to activate your muscles.

Choose the restroom furthest away from your desk
This will add some extra laps/leg stretching to your daily routine.

Always take the stairs and skip the elevator
You would be amazed how many calories are burned by this choice!

Bring healthy snacks to work with you to avoid a mid-day binge.
Snacks such as fresh fruit, a small handful of raw almonds, edemame, etc. Keep these an hand at all times to help you make better choices throughout the day. Avoid all processed snacks no matter what they say. It’s all marketing and they are making you fatter. Stick to the good stuff.

Last but not least make a healthy, fresh salad made of organic spinach, mixed greens, crunchy vegetables-and lots of them. Top with a homemade dressing made of 2 parts olive oil, 1 splash vinegar (balsamic, sherry, champagne etc.) a small scoop of Dijon mustard and a drip of honey. Season with a touch of salt & freshly cracked pepper and shake it up. Store the dressing at room temperature until your lunch hour. Pour over your salad and shake it up right in your Tupperware container to ensure equal coverage (that way you will use less). Eat different varieties of fresh salads with healthy, homemade dressing and you will notice a difference in your waistline.

Sunday Supper: Spicy Cioppino with Fresh Sour Dough Bread

Sunday Supper: Southern Fare Sweet Cornbread and Buttermilk Chicken

Sunday Supper: Grilled Lamb Shanks with Mint Mojo and Pappardelle Pasta with Kale and Mushrooms

Sunday Supper: Citrus Snapper and Chorizo Potato Hash with Wine Pairing Tips

Not Your Typical Pork and Beans: Black Bean Stew With Southern Cornbread