ElegantKB

KB thinks generosity is Rich! Here's an example, a free ebook by Suzanne Wells

I really respect Suzanne Wells, the ebay coach.  She is generous, kind, and shares her wealth of information on how to be successful on eBay.  Just check her blog for more information. Today she posted this message for a give away of her best selling book.   Check out this freebie offer!

Get a free copy of Suzanne's book, \"The Stay at Home Mom\'s Guide
to Successful eBay Selling.\"

Here is the book on Amazon:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://tinyurl.com%2F3ao579

Get the free updated eBook version here (be patient, it takes a minute to open):
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://tinyurl.com%2Fao46ox

See you on eBay!

Start the day looking in the mirror, KB reflects

I might have mentioned this before. That I enjoy looking at faces.  I like them in artwork, in the moon, and on animals. And I like to see peoples faces because they are all so different.  But I don't always look forward to seeing my own face in the mirror each morning.  Some days I would like to avoid the mirror altogether.  But I do follow my own self imposed principles.  Including this:  Put on make-up before going out in public.  This is the way I take care of my own face. And it requires a daily close up with my mirror.  When I was a young girl I was fascinated with my elegant Danish grandmother.  She wore her hair in a French twist and always put on make up before going anywhere.  I would sit on the floor and watch in detail as she went through her ritual in front of her mirror.  It usually ended with the intimidating eyelash curler.   This morning I will drive my daughter to high school and stop for a cup of coffee on the way back to my office.  My mirror is fancy now, it has touch activated light settings in 3 different modes and plenty of magnification. It's almost high def!  So when I smooth make up over my ruddy skin to even out the tone, and line the edges of my eyes.... I will reflect on how I carry on with a woman's daily ritual to put a face forward knowing that the real woman is inside.

Today's inauguration is historic, memorable, and KB feels optimistic about everything!

I am completely optimistic.  Optimism is my usual approach but add some excitement and things will happen!  I picked up my paper first thing this morning.  I missed picking up my souvenir copy after election day so I made sure I was at the newstand before daylight.  I also happened to pick up an Obama post card at the Atlanta airport last week when masses of people were traveling to D.C. to witness today's events.  I was on my way back from a conference in Cancun, Mexico.  Anyway I figure that everyone can clearly see how elegant our new president holds himself.  And his wife is lovely too.  I like the way they interact, it's so natural - even in public.  Happy Inauguration Day people! Here's what the SF Chronicle front page looks like today.  I might have a glass of champagne this morning!

KB found a great new cell phone accessory, perfect for travel

I lke this idea- it's a cell phone station for charging your phone. I found it at the stationary store near me- Ideal stationers.  I have a thing for office suppliers and stationary stores.  Anyway I picked this up for around $5.00 to take with me on my next trip.  It's made in Italy and it's called Driinn the phone holder.  You just set it up with your power cord and you can wind extra cord around the holder.  This helps when charging in public places where I know I've had to set my phone on the floor!  I used my brother p-touch labeler to put my name on it.  And I picked the loudest color so I will notice it and not leave it behind!  It came in about 5 other colors.  Cool!  Here's a photo of my phone hanging out on the Driinn!

KB's business travel checklist for clothing- tips to make it easier!

Business travel can be easier when you are prepared.  It's hard to be completely elegant while on the road- in my business this usually means in the air. I'm sharing my list of clothing preparations in case there is something that you haven' considered.  I also have a list of cosmetic/medicines and paperwork preparations that I can share later.  My idea of a smooth travel day is not having to break a sweat or a heel!  I also tend to do things myself so I don't have to pay someone for clothing repairs and laundry. I would rather spend my disposable income on magazines, books and that extra glass of wine that goes beyond the daily expense limit.

1. In the week before a trip I do an on line weather check usually from Yahoo Go on my mobile. I use the weather report for my destination to guide my clothing choices.  This might seem pretty obvious but I have found myself in short skirts and strappy sandals in Boston during a cold rainy down pour! 

2. If weather is cold I bring cashmere sweaters.  They pack the best.  But they are prone to get little moth holes if you are not careful storing them.  So check for holes and mend sweaters.  If weather is warm I bring woven button-down shirts which can be also be worn casually over nice camisoles.  I like cotton shirts with a little bit of stretch.  Watch for loose buttons, especially down the front.  If you find a loose button- don't wait for it to fall off.  Cut it off and re-attach it before your trip.

3. Once items are mended, make sure they are clean.  Although I do carry some basic liquid detergent and have been known to dry my clothes with the hair dryer, it's just so much easier to start out with no spots on your clothes.  I also like my clothes pressed and I pack with generous amounts of re-usable tissue paper- okay I know it sounds old fashioned but it works for me!

4. But I am getting ahead of myself- not ready for packing yet!  I try on my outfits first.  I count the number of working days = number of outfits. I usually wear the same outfit for travel day there and back.   I decide on a color theme for accessories based on the length of the trip- if it's a short trip then I plan all black shoes and accessories - super easy.  If the trip is longer then I will mix in a neutral or brown shoe and different accessories.  This is also a good time to decide on earrings/necklaces.  Keep this simple- hoops or gem stone studs work great on the ears.  Do your try-on at least 3 days out.

5. I usually have a needs list based on the try-on.  And I may need to run a few errands to make my outfits complete. For example for my next trip I want an updated cinch belt for my pencil skirt and I want to carry a little black clutch purse. Hopefully I can find these things before I leave.  My advice is to avoid looking for them in the airport terminal shops as they will be too expensive.  Another item on my needs list is to get a watch battery for my chunky travel Swiss Army watch that I love.

6. Make your travel day outfit comfortable but no baggy butts please!  People are getting so casual these days it's simply unattractive!  Here's my idea of a travel outfit- dark jeans that will work with my running shoes.  A camisole, t-shirt and a long wrap sweater that can fit under a coat if you need to bring a coat.  The running shoes idea is great because the shoes will be used in the fitness center at the hotel and on the travel days.   And you don't have to worry about breaking a heel or looking uncoordinated while sprinting to the gate to make your connection!

7. Always pack work-out clothes so you can stay healthy when you travel.  I pack one pair of work-out pants, 2 work-out t-shirts, and a sports bra.  Even if you don't use them you will be glad you brought them because it shows your intention is there.   I enjoy my free time on the treadmill or bike with my ipod to take a break from the customers demands or projects that need to be ready next day.  After that I'm rejuvenated and really glad I packed my work-out stuff!

I would love to hear any clothing ideas you have for business travel, your comments are welcome.  Happy trails from KB!

KB tries a new sunless tanning product from Zia, nice results!

I decided to try a natural product for my sunless tan.  I have a trip to Cancun coming up soon and I want to show my legs!  Rather than drive over to Sephora for my usual Estee Lauder self tan products I went to my local Pharmaca.  This Zia sunless tanner had just arrived so the sales people had no experience with it yet.  Although they have confidence in Zia cosmetics in general.  And I have tried Zia products before too.  They don't seem to be spa quality but they are nice interim products that I will continue to buy.  So I decided to give this lotion a chance.  I actually like the whole age-defying marketing theme on the label.  Well I have slightly ruddy Irish skin and this worked!  I applied the first coat on my legs and didn't see results until almost 24 hours.  It seems to take a while to get the color- or maybe it's just the lighting in my house.  But I am pleased, the color change seems gradual and looks pretty natural.  I plan a second coat for tomorrow. The only thing I miss from the products I used before was the tinted lotion for easier application.  But the Zia is more pleasant consistency and scent.  So that's my review!  Here's what it looks like:

Our new door is stained brilliant crimson- KB likes it that way!

We decided to stain our new front door red.  The day the solid Douglas fir door was delivered we thought the wood grain was so outstanding that we didn't want to paint over it.  My husband did some research on stains because I have always wanted a red door no matter if black is the new red or not.  We figured if the stain didn't work out we could paint over it.  Here is the awesome product we used from the W.D. Lockwood company.  The next photo is the stain in process.  The blue tape went away and now it's red and white exterior and soon to be gray trim.  It looks great!  I'm so glad it was done in time for the holiday open house that we had.  The red poinsettias that I placed in pots on either side didn't survive the puppy.  She pounced on one and killed the other with her tail.  So I gave up on that image! Anyway if you like the stain.  It's user friendly. Just mix with boiling water.

 

Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a favorite of KB's

After a quiet NY eve and visits with friends and family we got around to making the cake we planned to make on Christmas.  There were a few things this year that just didn't happen.  So much for getting sick in the middle of the season.  KB's plan is to get ahead of things next year.  Well that's the plan anyway. But everyone had a great time and KB's new attitude is a reflection from her wise friend Jenny- If it's not happening in the next 48 hours don't bother about it.

Here's a photo of the lovely sweet pineapple upside down cake.  When my oldest daughter turned 9 she asked for this cake for her party because it's her favorite.  We took it to the party place at a pottery painting studio with the other girls she invited.  When we brought out the cake and sang the other children looked so disappointed.  They actually turned down servings of this cake!  I think they've all been raised on yucky frosted bakery cake and the sight of fresh fruit freaked them out or something.  Anyway if you have ever tasted this cake you will understand how silly that is. We used about 1/2 package C&H brown sugar from Hawaii and a cube of butter to top off the pineapples.