Where to Find Pantone’s Color of the Year

I absolutely love purple!!!! It’s my favorite color. The color of royalty, tranquility, and my birthstone (Amethyst|February). With that said, I was super excited to see that this year’s Color of the Year was selected to be Ultra Violet! It’s a dream come true to be surrounded by so many variations of the hit color. I was drawn immediately to the electric tones during my last article. The color “lights the way to what is yet to come.” Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director for PANTONE, couldn’t be more right.

Jewelry and Makeup

Good accessories make an outfit! Good makeup completes a look! Here are some tiny touches in various purples to get you excited for spring!

Stone Solitaire Studs

These light purple studs are only $5.00 at Charming Charlie, an accessory retailer. Great for day or night. They are the perfect amount of sparkle without going overboard. To really tie the color and outfit together, pair with a printed skirt and plain top, or floral dress and light cardigan.

Vintage Allure Bracelet

Another great touch from Charming Charlie, the vintage cut of this fashionable tennis bracelet makes it regal and delicate. Also in light purple, a little more on the blue side, this bracelet would be amazing layered with simple silver chains or bangles. It can also be worn by itself. With simple rings and earrings the bracelet will definitely be a statement piece. Available online and in stores for only $16.00.

Violet Nail Polish by B’Livinn

B’Livinn nail polish is now exclusively sold through Rue 21. The junior retailer has various shades, but this violet is soothing and rich. For only $11.99, you can have a creamy and dreamy manicure in violet. If you crave, something more exciting try the Neon Purple (Pictured below).

Shoes

Shoes always fit! That’s why I love them sooo much! With the right shoe, you can take an outfit from business to casual or business to girls’ night out. The wrong shoes can shorten and widen you. Elongate that beautiful frame in some of these precious purple hues.

Fresh Pick Platforms

Chunky heels are making a comeback against the single soled trend that we’ve had in recent years. These satin open toed platforms take me back to the days of Clueless. Perfect for a spring wedding. With the thickness of the heel you’d never have to worry and sinking in the grass during the cocktail hour and reception. Order yours today for only $36.50 at Gojane.com.

Mesh Low Top Trainers

Athleisure has come back in resurgence in recent months. Tracksuits, light sneakers, and baggy hoodies are all the rage. These lavender trainers by Rue 21, give you that soft, girly charm while running errands on your day off. Ideal with black leggings and a large floral hoodie. The price is hard to beat, as well. These are a steal for only $19.99.

Stessy Pumps

You can never go wrong with a pointy toe pump! It’s truly the staple of any wardrobe. Want to look long and lean? A pointy toe pump is exactly what you need. This metallic lavender pump by Aldo, will electrify any outfit and give off serious 90’s vibes! Available in limited sizes, shop til you drop in the clearance section! You’ ll find these for only $40.

Handbags

Handbags are an important part of accessorizing, so I couldn’t leave them out. They come in all shapes and sizes. You can match them with your shoes or use them as a statement piece. Either way a great handbag says a lot about an outfit and a lot about you! There’s a perfect violet handbag for each of our styles.

Lilla Mini Ruffle Satchel

Back for an electrifying place on the list is this ruffle mini by Christian Siriano for Payless. Available in other colors, the Electric Lilac is the most unforgettable. The ruffles scream charm and femininity. It can be carried as a small satchel or crossbody on the weekends. The price for this provocative piece is only $29.99.

Mini Bow Crossbody

If the Lilla Ruffle Mini has too much going on, then the delicate features of this mini bow crossbody of just for you. The bright lavender is also toned down a bit making it more conservative. The bow detail is petite and endearing while not overdoing it. Target recently revamped their store and got rid of old brands. This bag by A New Day. Is forecasting the direction of the discount retailer. Another steal at just $19.99.

Karessa Crossbody

Another beautiful bag by Christian Siriano for Payless. Perfect for any minimalist. This piece can both stand out and compliment any outfit. Free of any clutter and overbearing detail, the tumbled lilac pops evening more. Casual and sweet for only $24.99. This bag will go many places with you this spring.

PANTONE really knows how to set the bar for fashion and interior designers around the globe. Described as a ” dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade,” ultra violet is still rich. The intensity stretches along the many tints and shades of the upcoming spring season. Start off with small accessories. Experimenting with what works for you and your style and then grow big! Don’t be afraid of color, the right tone is bound to brighten your skin tone, wardrobe, and life.

Christian Siriano Spring Handbag Review

Looks like winter is for six more weeks. But that doesn’t stop the fresh influx of new spring merchandise to your favorite retailers. Bright colors are starting to make an appearance and outshine those dark, boring winter hues. On the scene with an eclectic range of spring handbags is Christian Siriano. The Project Runway Season 4 winner has been designing for Payless Shoesource for the past 10 years, bringing high fashion shoes and accessories to the everyday consumer.

Here are some of his Spring 2018 handbags:

1) Kaylee Bow Satchel $ 34.99

This Kaylee bow satchel is a perfect transition from the Red suede version available for winter. The ruby and fuchsia watercolor flowers pop against the ivory, brightening up any wardrobe.

Also available in Blush, Red Suede, and Smooth Black.

2) Lilla Mini Ruffle Satchel $29.99

Lilla Ruffle Satchel $49.99

Payless and Christian Siriano love to make minis of various handbags and styles. While this isn’t the only mini on the list, it is the most electrifying. Electric lilac is a popular color and is sure to make waves this year after Ultra Violet was named color of the year for 2018. If the Electric Lilac is too bright, opt for the black floral with hot pink flowers.

(Lilla Ruffle next to Lilla Mini for size comparison.)

(Black Floral Lilla Mini for size comparison.)

3) Lana Crossbody Small $34.99

Lana Large Satchel $39.99

I’m so in love with this powder blue. The Lana Crossbody made its debut in time for Christmas 2017. Shown here in White and Powder Blue below, it can be carried in multiple ways making it stylish and versatile for spring gatherings on the weekends. The Lana Large Satchel is new for spring. Perfect for any minimalist. It’s available in Nude, Black and a bright pink online for those more adventurous souls.

This pocket isn’t sewn to the bag. Be careful when sliding you cell phone or other belongings in the pouch, they’ll fall through.

Lana Crossbody in White.

Lana Crossbody (Red) next to a Lana Large Satchel (Nude)

Lana Large Satchel. (Nude)

Lana Large Satchel (Black) is also available in a hot pink at Payless.com.

Be on the look out for more spring handbags from Christian and Payless. These are just a few of what they have in store. Most colors are only available online so don’t forget to check there. Also take advantage of sales and coupons!!! If you like this reviews and would like to read others please leave a comment and let me know.

Sources:

Pantone.com

Christian Siriano Wikipedia

Payless.com

Nothing Can Stand in My Way Now

So I’m pretty frustrated at this point in time. I had an awesome blog written and WordPress decided to crash on me.

I haven’t written in a while but a lot has happened with my personal life and career wise. But my passion for designing has not stopped. I don’t have very many people following my story but I still feel obligated to document my successes, failures, challenges, and set backs in the hopes that one day my story will help inspire others to achieve their dreams no matter what they face. 

I’ve finished up my final selection of designs and have a few designs that need to be edited, but nothing major. I actually was going to start drafting my completed designs in November, but I found out that I’m completely out of dotted pattern paper. With the holidays rolling around, I wasn’t able to purchase the paper and additional for obvious reasons, so my designs have been put on hold, yet again. 

Some personal issues have caused me to make some very important decisions. I’ll be working a full-time job here soon, while also still working part time a few nights a week in my current position. I previously mention in a post that I needed the extra time to work on my designs, but with setback after setback and financial responsibilities, I realized that I would have to make some sacrifices. This doesn’t mean I’m not going to achieve my goal. It just means that I’m going to endure some early mornings and late nights.

Nothing is more important than achieve if my dreams of designing clothes and gowns for women of all sizes. A lot of people make think of all of this as discouraging, but that is not the case. It has ignited another part of me that I never knew I had. I’m more determined to than ever to get my designs on the runway. I know that all of this will pay off and be more rewarding than I could ever imagine because of what I’m willing to do to get there.

On top of designing, I have started a 365 sketch a day challenge in order to become more creative, and draw inspiration from something I experience or see everyday. This has been difficult, because some days I don’t feel inspired while others the ideas pop in my head one right after the other. Being a designer is so hard because you want to set yourself apart from the mold, but still appeal to your target market, their budget, style and needs. This challenge as well as my goal has taught be a lot about patience, and perseverance. 

Please continue to follow my story and sketch a day challenge on Instagram: Audacity_by_knm. More photos will be posted this evening. Your support, prayers, and feedback mean a lot to me. If I can just inspire one person not to give up and to keep pushing, I would accomplish so much more than I originally dreamed.

“You have to remember that the hard days are what make you stronger. The bad days make you realize what a good day is. If you never had any bad days, you would never have that sense of accomplishment!”
-Aly Raisman

Turning to the Positive

Sometimes life hits us with unexpected and less needed circumstances. Being someone of faith I try to turn the negative into something positive. Monday, I found out that by the end of October, I’ll be demoted to a regular associate to the closure of our sister store. I was hurt, but it’s completely out of anyone’s hands. The whole mall will be shut down and rebuilt into a new shopping center causing a huge amount of employees to lose their jobs. So while I have to be demoted due to the budget cuts and etc. I’m fortunate enough to still have a job of some sort.

The past couple of days caused me to reflect on what’s important and my true dream. Only a few hours after finding out about my demotion, I received a voicemail about another assistant manager position at another store. I immediately set up an interview, but by the next day, I regretted it. Did I want to be stuck in these positions? Something I vowed I never do. The whole reason for doing this collection is to pursue my dream and break out of this cycle. 

I canceled the interview and realized that I need this extra time to focus on what’s important. Funds and etc will be tight, but sometimes the struggle pays off in the end. I feel like this was a sign. This was something, I had to go through to know where I didn’t want to end up. I love my job, and I’m very good at it. But what’s the point of being good at it, if it doesn’t make you happy or is fulfilling. 

With that said, I spent my day off today, revising designs, and thinking of a color scheme for the spring formal collection. Slowly but surely everything is coming together. Pash Fash N Co. Jewelry is having an event this weekend, I’m also preparing for. The funds will go to my collection for materials, etc. I will also be making jewelry for each outfit exclusively from Pash Fash N Co. jewelry. I have a lot to put together and complete. While I still have a year’s time. I feel behind and really need to step up my game. I truly believe that this is just one more reassurance that I need to go out there and make my dream a reality. I’m turning to the positive and making it happen. 

DC Fashion Week: Putting Together Ideals and Concepts

It’s been a few weeks since my last post about my decision to participate in DC Fashion next September, and a lot has happened. I started sketching and gathering inspiration from idols in the movie industry. Women with strong values, ethics, and were strong despite of what they were depicted on the big screen. I can tell that a lot of the pieces are going to be troubling, but I’m excited to evolve as a designer. 

The only stressful thing I have experienced is making the collection cohesive. I have so many ideas, silhouettes, and details going on that late I’ve had to edit and save many ideas for a later collection. I want to collection to versatile for all women as well so I have to make sure that the details can spread on a wide range, and look just as good on a size 6 as it does a size 16. As I’ve gone through the editing process, I’ve decided to make the whole collection formal wear this time around. 

It’s very sleek and sexy, yet strong and delicate as well. All in all, so far, it consists of dresses, a jumpsuit, skirts, gowns, and jackets/vests. As I adapting and try new things, I’m pretty sure it will expand.

With the variety of pieces, I’ve already purchased, my first full roll of fabric. It’s a gold material, that really plays into the glitzy side of Hollywood and it’s amazing actresses that inspired this collection. Pairing with othe fabrics and predicting a color scheme that’s going to be popular in my two years time didn’t seem as impossible as it has been when making the initial decision to do this. But as a designer, we have the advantage of to start our own trends and ideas. With that in mind, I have to just focus on what fits the mood and the season.

The next couple of weeks will consist of final edits, picking fabric and pattern making. I’ll be drafting a lot in muslin and will share those images with you piece by piece to give you and over all view of what to expect. The past few weeks, I have shared my dream, decision, and inspration with so many people, and the love and supper I have received is beyond amazing. Thank you for participating in this journey with me and for all the love. Will keep you posted!!!
Kayla

Never Too Late

A lot has happened since I wrote my last blog. Life can be so crazy and distracting that we forget to do what we truly love. This doesn’t just go for my writing, it goes for my designing and working to pursue my dreams. At many points in our life we have to put things on the back burner for bills, work, etc.  and we lose sight of what we want in life. Often, we need to be pushed or have an eye opening experience to get us back on the right track. But, those detours are very important. They help us learn something about ourselves, future, and well-being. 

From a young age, all I wanted to do was design clothes. I wanted to live in Los Angeles like Cher from Clueless. And, cruise the streets of NYC like Lindsry Lohan in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. Most importantly I wanted to dress women like me! As I got older, it was easier for me to pick up weight. Even though, I was active in cheering and gymnastics, I was never a small child. I hated going to dances in middle school and high school. I tried to be a social butterfly like the women I’d see in movies and TV, but shopping for a dress for my figure was often discouraging.

By high school, I made up my mind that I was going to design for women and teenagers like me. Dresses for people that wore bigger sizes covered everything but your arms. You really couldn’t  feel sexy nor confident in those. And although I was bigger than most, I still had a flat stomach, and wanted to show off my curves. Smiling just to fit in, I often wanted to leave the dance and rip everything to shreds.  I knew I had to make a change because no one deserved to feel the way I ended up feeling, and that was defeated. 

Embarking on my college career, I knew what I had to do. I was determined. I was ready. And, I was unlike any of the designers in my class because I had a purpose bigger than making pretty things. I had the purpose of making plus sized women and teenagers feel beautiful something that public stigma held against and still holds against us even now. But, in college, I faced so much adversity for my advisors about what I wanted to do and portray. They kept telling to design for the average model, and watered down my looks. I had to design for a size 6 woman versus a size 14 woman. My proportions were “never right” because we had to use pageant queens and contestants for our models. It was a mess, and I barely made it through. But the important thing is that I made it through. I fought and defended my designs, and while other students thought I was just plainly being a bitch, they didn’t know how much I actually had riding on this, nor who was depending on me. 

The past six years have slipped through my fingers. While there are more designers making way for “big gals,” thank god for Ashley Tipton, I still haven’t made my mark. While I started my business out of college and attempted to add more and promote beyond my means, I have literally nothing to show for it. I began to ask myself so many questions within the past few days. Feeling stuck, without any options, I started to reflect on my life, career, and where I wanted to be at this point. It was depressing to come to terms with the fact that I’m basically on a train to nowhere. No growth, no creativity, and no where near those dreams.

While it all brought me down for a few moments, I remember the one of the wisest things my mother ever told me. “Find a career that you enjoy and love.” While being an assistant manager at a retailer is a part of the fashion industry, it isn’t what I fully love and enjoy, and doesn’t make the huge impact that I always wanted to make on the industry. While the tools and lessons I’ve learned working retail will follow me my whole life, there’s no creativity, and no inspiration. So, I began researching. I began searching for a goal. I came across plenty of competitions and openings for fashion designers, but I wanted something even bigger than that. 

With that said, I plan on reaching a bigger audience and setting the stage for myself, and showcasing my aesthetic and style. I plan on being part of the 2017 DC Fashion Week come next September. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m ready. I’ve never been more ready and I know that I can do this, stand amongst other designers, and network with them. Starting within the next couple of weeks, I will be blogging about my experiences and trials. You will hear the good and the bad. But, I refuse to let this opportunity slip through my fingers. Big or small to most, this is literally my life. I can’t keep dreaming and tell people to pursue their dreams. Being as determined as I am, I want to be an inspiration to someone, young or old, so that they know it’s really never too late. It’s never too late to go out there, and reach for stars. The only thing holding us back is us. We are the only thing standing in our way, and I refuse to stand in my own way. The journey is going to be rough, bumpy, and frustrating, but the end result will be something magical. Have faith, and stay focused. You can do this.

With love,

Kayla Nicole

To the Lady I Waited on Friday Evening….

So Friday evening, I had the most unfortunate pleasure of waiting on you and your very bratty daughters. All of which had no manners what so ever, but then again you didn’t either so the apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree. I gave you exceptional customer service despite your horrible upbringing and lack of compassion since you let your tyrants, I mean children, destroy the store we were preparing for the next day. I made sure you had all last minute holiday gifts and ideas before leaving the wonderful establishment and even gave out stickers to your children after make sure every shoe fit and were comfortable to wear as they went to church this past Sunday. All which is laughable because as a Christian myself I found nothing about what happened next very godly at all.

You: “So you read lips??”

Me: “Excuse me”

You: “Do you read lips??”

Me: “Yes I can, but I can hear you just fine.”

You: “Really??”

Me: “Yes.”

Now anyone who knows me knows that I have been struggling with losing my hearing for the past 9 years or so. And if you ever wondered because I brushed it off, well now is your confirmation. I have never been comfortable with this and as I get older it becomes easier to digest, but you ma’am have NO IDEA who I am or my story or even my struggle. So how dare you question me about my disability.

Would you walk up to blind person and ask if they used Braille? Or would you walk up to someone in a wheel chair and ask them to walk? Would you walk up to a homeless person and ask if they were hungry? I hope to God you wouldn’t, but given the fact that you asked me what you did doesn’t give me much hope.

You are a very ignorant person for what you did and said. You have no class and are the type of customer I loathe to wait on. With your sense of entitlement and “the customer is always right”/she has to be nice to me attitude, you crossed many boundaries. I was always taught to thread lightly and ask questions only when the issue was brought up, but I see we all weren’t raised the right way.

What if I did get defensive and explained how wrong and ignorant and distasteful your questions were? Surely, you’d get offended and ask for a manager, because how dare the black disabled girl defend and stand up for herself while educating me on what’s right and wrong because again ” you’re always right.”

But only if you paid attention to your children as much as you did my hearing aid,they’d  have manners and actually listen to you instead of walking all over you and telling you to “shut up.” I wouldn’t be embarrassed FOR you and wouldn’t doubt whether or not they’d be productive members of society. If your were as Christian as you were trying to lead me to believe, you’d have compassion and would KNOW that everyone has a struggle, to just let me be because you don’t know mine and asking me in the rude and abrupt way you did would cause me to feel some type of way. You basically attacked me, but because I have the love of God in my heart (it literally took him and ALL his angels to hold me back behind that counter) I still waited on you and told you to have a Merry Christmas despite meaning it or not.

But I will pray for you, because I don’t know your struggle. I don’t know why you felt the need to dim my light. I don’t know why the devil won in that moment. I do know that I forgive you, and that you will never get the kindness you got from me that day ever again.

My Hair Doesn’t Define Me

With the Rachel Dolezal conspiracy hitting mainstream and social media, a lot of people have reared their ugly heads again. I totally believe in forgiveness for her lying and transgressions. And on the other hand, a lot of other horrific incidents have happened that has since changed the conversation about race relations, racisms as a whole, and even getting rid of racist symbols throughout the community, so I know why many of you are wondering why I’m bringing this woman up again.

It’s not so much bringing up Rachel like she’s the main issue because she is not. The main issue is that as a black culture and especially black women we have to stay in our own lane. If we dress a certain way, it better be urban or else you’re viewed as trying to be white. If we are trying to progress in our education, we are trying to be white. This is not just white people labeling us this way. Our own race puts us down for striving for the best instead of just dealing with the cards we are dealt.

I was told on Instagram, by an individual that doesn’t personally know me, that he’d never date me because I relaxed my hair. That I’m putting myself at risk of developing all kinds of different cancers and that it was all part of the termination of African Americans and our culture. While my views completely differ, I was completely shocked that he wouldn’t date me for something I found so insignificant my whole life. I don’t put a lot of thought or maintenance into my hair, and the fact that that’s a deciding factor for this young man only confirmed that some individuals aren’t willing to see that it’s inside that truly matters.

So when the Rachel situation happened some time later, I never thought to compare her pretending to being a completely different race to something I found so minute. The thing that bothered me the most was the whole backlash against black women and how we choose to wear our hair. According to several people because black women wear weave or relax our hair we are now trying to be like white women. I did get into a heated debate about my hair that got nowhere. But it has caused me a lot of thought. Does how we wear our hair really important to how we identify as a race?

I have always straightened or relaxed my hair. As my mom would say, “I have a bad grain.” Truly there is no bad grain of hair, but my hair curls are tighter and kinkier than most. Relaxing my hair is a relief for me. It may cause damage, but lately a lot of companies have created organic relaxers that cause less damage and supply your air with essential vitamins to ensure shine and silkiness.  You can also reverse the damage by deep conditioning treatments. On top of the occasional treatment, I only relax my hair 3-4 times a year to help cut back on the damage that occurs during the chemical process.

Because relaxing my hair is second nature to me, I never felt that relaxing my hair would be such a big deal. Since more and more of African American women are choosing to wear their hair naturally, I have felt a lot of animosity for still relaxing my hair. Like I said before, relaxing my hair is a relief for me. I’m very low maintenance when it comes to my hair. I wear it down about 50 days out of the year, depending on my mood and the occasion. So, relaxing my hair makes it easier to throw it up in a ponytail or bun and go about my day. I just don’t have the patience for the maintenance that natural hair requires.

I  do commend all women who wear their hair naturally, and have tons of friends that have gone that route. However, that route just isn’t for me right now. I never know what the future may bring, and I have been told by several people that I would look cute with natural hair or even dreads. So the future possibilities are endless, but until then I’m going to take care and style my hair the way that it conveniences me.

Another issue about our hair that I found arbitrary was the fact that African American women wear weave to be perceived as white. First thing is first, we weren’t the first ones to wear other people’s hair. It dates back all the way to the time of the Egyptians. Pharaohs and Queens would wear the hair of slaves. This transcends through time to the early 17^th and 18^th century Baroque periods and powdered wigs. Wearing wigs and others’ hair has been a sign of privilege and social status throughout history. My only question about this is: “Why?”

Why can’t we have long silky hair? Why shouldn’t we relish in this privilege? Caucasian men and women have been doing it for centuries, but when it trickles to other cultures we are trying to be like them. We have every right to wear weave, whether it’s for thickness, length, add color, just to try something completely new without being labeled. Because last time I checked women from all nationalities have worn  weave.

Overall, Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair” can only convey how I really feel about the subject. It’s just hair. I feel like sometimes if people who are so worried about how and why black women do whatever to their hair were more worried about other issues that are way more important then maybe the world would be a better place. The fact that I relax my hair doesn’t make me less black than a woman with natural hair. That’s not what matters anyways.  What matters most is our brain and how we use it to improve the world around us not how we decide to style our hair.

Sometimes Your Fashion Life isn’t What it Used to Be

I’m on my way home from my Mom’s Honors Ceremony, and a 5-hr drive each way would cause you to think. As I scroll on Facebook and Instagram, I tend to stalk a few people from time to time. (People I have actually met too, not just celebrities.) As I take in their fashion sense and other things, I look at myself and feel drab and not my old fashionista self.

When I think of my wardrobe and how it has evolved as I evolved, it’s a sad reflection of the depression I suffered with for almost a year and a half. I have some very cute clothes, but most are black. I went from preppy and sophisticated in high school to going to college and realizing “I’m not going to make it a week wearing heels like I used to.” And I loved that! So all my heels were used for clubbing and going out. 

During the day I was in sweats, pajama pants, or leggings with big shirts and hoodies. At night weekend or not, guess you can say I was a party animal, I would dress up and look fabulous! Skin tight dress, heels/wedges, you name it I was rocking it. That’s typical of a college student, though! I never dressed up in class unless for a presentation. 

Also, during college, I gained a lot of my confidence. Basically all my confidence at that time. I was always insecure about my weigh, my body, and looks from a very young age. I was teased by peers and family alike. I felt that college was my place to really reinvent myself into something I always wanted to be but was too scared to even attempt, but away at school I had nothing to lose. I dropped the weigh, and with that confidence, I dressed in sexier clothes when my friends and I did go out.

After college, I had a hard time really finding my identity, and continued to party and have a great time because I was young and just wanted to have fun. From there, my style plateaued.  I dressed okay, as long as it adhered to my work dress code, but I didn’t go all out like I would have in high school. That left me sort of conflicted. Here I was a former “Miss Best Dressed,” and I wasn’t standing out like I wanted. I wasn’t dressing how I wanted. I didn’t feel confident as I did and going out wasn’t as fun either. 

My weigh would fluctuate and something’s just go out of style. So after a bad break-up (the beginning of my depression period), I wanted to reinvent myself again. I slid back into party hard Kayla! And eventually moved to Rochester, my day style was still plateauing and then I got a job where I had to dress up everyday. 

I was very limited in my corporate dress clothes, especially winter clothes. I pretty much eliminated all my dressy clothes during my fashion plateau. Let’s just say my three dress pants I did have went into rotation, a lot! Even in my corporate clothes, however I didn’t feel cute, sophisticated, or good about myself. I couldn’t merge my sense of style with the dress code. Items often meshed versuses match. 

After losing that job, and moving back home, the depression I suffered took an all time high. Sometimes you really have to hit rock bottom in orders to see things clearly. I cleaned out my going out clothes only keeping a bare minimum. I had to face the fact that partying wasn’t  a big part of my life anymore and that it has to take a seat to what’s important.

I learned that being a respectable adult is what’s important and being a respected woman is even more important. During that whole period and even still to this day I’m still battling between professional and regular Kayla. I still dress all the way down when I’m off work. I just want to be comfy.

The struggle now lies with my weight gain, finding cute clothes that fit (especially jeans since I only have one regular pair), and still being sexy and sassy for my new boyfriend. I feel so bad because other than picking me up for work and going to church with me the few times he did, he’s seen the depressed me, and that’s not fair to him. I can honestly say for the most part I’m happier now than I’ve been and I’m working hard to make sure my wardrobe starts reflecting that. It’s time my wardrobe started reflecting that.

Nothing says a fresh start like trying everything on and donating old clothes to the needy. I feel like getting rid of things that reminded me of how I used to be is a huge step to discovering who I am now. My fashionista is slowly but surely pushing her way through and is tired of being burdened with all that other nonsense. I feel confident, comfortable, loved and amazing! It’s about time I show that! Brace yourselves!!!!

Working Retail: Being a Better Customer

I have worked retail my whole life. Starting at a grocery store at the tender age of 16,I worked at Martin’s, and hopped around to CVS/Pharmacy and then finally settled in with Kohl’s Department Store. I was with Kohl’s from 2007-2011. I opened the store and helped set it up, as well as completed an internship, with a neighboring store before I graduated and moved. Since then I have worked at various different retailers and customer service jobs, and currently work at Payless Shoe Source. Working in the fashion industry has always been something I wanted to do. Retail, jewelry making, blogging are only the some of the small steps that I am taking after receiving my degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising.

 For the most part, working retail is easy, I get to shop while I work in some cases, and I get to meet and work with great people. But there are a lot of struggles that come with the job as well. Customers don’t often make it easier either. However, working in retail comes naturally to me. I love making suggestive sales, getting to know the customer, stocking the new hottest trends and seeing how much of my paycheck I can splurge with my employee discount. It all excites me. It helps build me as a designer, merchandiser, and writer. But, every upside has a few down sides.

Even though, people see retailers and their employees as only the small part of the fashion business; however, it’s really the most important part. We gain information about the customers, what they like, who and what they shop for and other important psychographic and demographic information. In some cases people become regular customers, and that’s when you really find out amazing things about them. All the research and beginnings of the fashion industry start with the person or market the designer is trying to reach, their income, lifestyle, and so much more. It all begins with the retailer.

I remember some of my friends posting a link to all the things that retail workers go through at one point in time. It was hilarious but at the same time, I felt myself saying “Yup, that’s true!” Or “Ugggh I hate when that happens!” I never got to write about this earlier because of the busy holiday season, but that is finally winding down. There are some things that I feel we should be doing better as customers. Just because we work retail, does not mean we are servants. I just want to kindly clarify some things that we all can do as better customers, and it’s all from a retailer point of view:

1) Handing money to the associate: I always hand my money to the associate, and as an associate we are required to hand the money to the customer. However, some peoples’ parents must have skipped this lesson in manners! I hate having to pick up change off of the counter. I’m not a beggar or someone of low class. I’m a human being like you and I deserve respect.

2) Stop Returning Things from LAST YEAR: I have never done this. But when I worked for Kohl’s it happened all the time! Since Kohl’s doesn’t have a set policy, anything and everything can be returned or exchanged at the current value. I’ve had people return stinky shoes, worn lingerie, stuff that could have just been donated, and other recklessness. Please stop doing this. Just because the policy is there doesn’t mean you have to use it to that extent. Be wise and just donate the clothes.

3) Catch an Attitude over Inventory: We all have been upset about something not being in our size, but that doesn’t mean catch an attitude with the associate. We DO NOT control the inventory or our shipment. We do control the presentation, but that’s it. We can’t help that we are out of snow boots! Where we are from it snows every year! So, you should have them by now! The popularity or need of an item is also out of our control. And our shipments are based on a number of things including but not limited to upcoming season, sales, demand, and variety. Most stores are happy to order things online and have it shipped to the store, or check other stores. But if we don’t have it, don’t cop an attitude, especially if we helped as much as we could.

4) Don’t get mad when we don’t laugh at your jokes: I have heard some of the corniest jokes working retail. “Oh, it doesn’t scan it must be free right??!!” I hate that joke. Wrong, we can just type in numbers or find another one and make a new ticket. Everyone has a different sensue of humor and you should respect that. Be a judge of character. We are paid to be polite to you and help you not to forcefully laugh at something we just don’t get.

5) Control your kids, pretty please: Now, I don’t have kids, but vividly remember my childhood. I didn’t act up in the store. My mother would discipline me otherwise and I didn’t want that. We were lectured all the way to the store. And did what my mother told us to do once there. Parents nowadays let their children run rampant throughout the store destroying clothes and maybe even fixtures. This is not cool for a number of reasons. Other customers don’t want to deal with your kids. Associates are not babysitters. Injuries could happen to you, your kids, other customers, and even associates. Finally, damaged goods results in a lost in our sales and mismates can take up to hours to find.

6) Don’t bring personal issues to the workplace: Associates are often taught to leave their personal issues in the parking lot and that should be the same for customers, too. If you know someone you don’t care for or like is working a specific day at a specific time then don’t go at that time. If you don’t know and happen to walk in and see them leave the issue at the door or be assisted by another associate. Don’t stalk associates! Often associates build a bond, so they will always be watching each others back. Don’t bring issues up that happened outside the store to the store manager. That’s just dumb. If it isn’t about the individuals work ethic then leave it out of a place of business.

7) End your phone call before you’re being waited on: Time after time I have run into Mr./Mrs. Super Important. Our main job as retail associates is to make sure that you get exactly what you came here for and that by doing so you continue to shop with us. I can’t and won’t compete with the person on the other end of the phone. I won’t even talk to customers until they are done their conversation. Partly out of respect from them and also out of respect for myself.

8) Try to put things back as neatly as you found them: I get seriously irritated with “picker droppers.” They pick folded clothing up, check it out and drop it in a cloth blob on the table. Yes, it is our job to fold and straighten the store; however, we have limited time in doing so. By at least trying to fold the clothes down or putting them in the correct rack you are helping us keep the store to your standards and it makes it easier for us to help you find what you need.

9) Help the needy: Every time the holidays roll around, charities partner up with retailers for donation through this happy time. Don’t be stingy. A dollar is a dollar people. Even throwing in some spare change in a Salvation Army bucket is something. Associates often donate through their HR, SO we aren’t asking you to do something that we haven’t already done ourselves. Like I said, it’s just a dollar. And someone may need it more than you think you do.

10) DON’T assume we aren’t educated. I have my bachelors degree. I went to college and graduated in four years. The economy is bad and it affects everyone so some people get the jobs they can get. That doesn’t mean I’m dumb, have no drive in life, on SNAP, have 3 kids at home, or any other stereotypical bull crap people comprise when they think of retail workers. Oh, and some of us just like it.

Customers aren’t always right, but we like you think that way. Sadly, even though we as customers want what we want when we want and how we want it. Even though, we have all done this, it’s a very selfish way of thinking. You as a customer have to realize the store polices. Some of these policies are put forth because people abuse the privileges that a lot of retailers offer. Not only do these policies prevent shoplifting, theft, shrink, and keep prices affordable, they make a neutral and pleasant atmosphere for everyone. I just feel like we can all look back and realize that we have done, seen, or experience these instances. Sometimes the associate isn’t the problem, sometimes we as consumers are overly demanding because we know we are always going to be “right.”