ElegantKB

Beautiful Blooms KB found at Flora Farms Nursery in HMB

I loved this garden and nursery shop in HMB, that is - Half Moon Bay, California. I think it's called Flora Farms Nursery as the sign on the barn. You can visit on Purissima Street, behind the San Benito House, off Main St.  Be sure to browse through the my new Photo Album for more inspiration and garden pictures. 

Wear a sun hat and be stylish, KB issues a reminder to self!

Ouch!  I felt a sting on top of my head in the shower today.  After only a couple hours at the beach, the top of my head got a burn right where the part is in my hair.  I always wear a hat in the outdoors but this time it was the wrong hat!  It was a visor with a wide brim -- but no head coverage.  So I am writing this reminder to myself and suggest to all my readers -- wear the proper hat for the occasion. Here are some ideas for hats and activities:

• A windy day- wear a tight fitting hat, usually it has some type of elastic or a chin strap to stay put.
• A beach sunny day- wear a big brim hat with coverage all around.
• Morning cafe run, only to be seen in a quick swirl- a beanie cap, I love my Cal Bears beanie.
• Hiking- Western cowgirl hat is light weight, shady, and keeps the bugs off my head.
• Gardening - A washable canvas hat, I like a bucket hat with a wide brim. I like fun floral prints that look good smudged with dirt.
• Street fair - I like my straw hat tied with a scarf to match my outfit.  It keeps me shady, cool, and safe from sun rays that damage my fair skin.  

So here's a picture of me at the Italian Street Painting Festival in one of my favorite hats. 

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!

Serenity on New Years Day, a great way to start!

Here's the view from Marin Headlands looking West over the Pacific Ocean. This view is just what I needed to rejuvenate my senses. We come from the North so we drove Bridgeway through Sausalito and then went through the 5 minute tunnel. It was cold even at our sunny picnic table next to the pond. I'm glad we brought a warm lunch of burritos and quesadillas. Then we headed up Bunker Road to explore the paths. Up at the top of the hill looking down to the left is Point Bonita lighthouse, a little more to the left is the Golden Gate and to the right is the beach at Fort Cronkite. I feel a sense of calm when I look to the West and I can even hear Walt Whitman's words if I want to. Ahh what a feeling!