Maker Monday: Lots To See At Seldom Seen

Meet the "New-ish" Kid on Block

Hayes Valley has quickly become a shopping destination for men and women craving niche brands and cool finds. This past week we paid a visit to Seldom Seen, the 9-month old boutique that specializes in connecting it's customers with established brands they love (such as Kitsune) and growing brands they believe in (if you haven't heard of Hope, you'll want to!).

Bringing Two Looks To One Platform

Seldom Seen beautifully combines both men's and women's urban pieces with more traditional styles. What was originally intended to be an online shopping destination, quickly became a brick and mortar store when Daniel Lee and Natasha Wong, the founders of Seldom Seen, saw opportunity to bring "the Urban Prep lifestyle" to one of San Francisco's hottest shopping neighborhoods. And we have to say, it's working for them!

A Little For Her. A Little For Him.

Next time you are in the neighborhood, stop by and pay Seldom Seen a visit at 522 Octavia Street. We fell in love with their fold over clutches, ultra-cool t-shirts and couldn't seem to pull ourselves away from their men's button-down flannels, which had a beyond-incredible soft hand feel. Tell them Kimberly and Megan sent you!

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Fall Fashion Trends: Taking on the Floral Maxi

This Fall Megan and I decided we wanted to do something fresh to cover Fall style. Instead of reposting the season's top trends, we thought we would make it a little more personal and share how we are making them our own (without breaking the bank).

This Fall We Are Getting Personal

Over the next few weeks we'll be sharing some of the Fall trends we are excited about. We'll be modeling them ourselves (not our favorite part of our job--we prefer dressing others, but we LOVE helping people) and sharing our learnings with you.

Explore Something New and Know Your Strengths

This weekend is SF's annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival--which usually lands during the heart of our Indian Summer. What do you wear for music in the park? Something cool and a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll? 

I personally wear a lot of tailored, classic silhouettes that work with my body type and stand the test of time.  I wanted to try something different and decided hit the stores to see what inspired me.  I found the below Kooples Boho Dress at Nordstrom Rack marked down to under $200 from Spring (originally $400).  Designers have carried this Summer staple into Fall and I like the idea of playing with florals in a different way. This dress is a fun escape outside my norm with its flowy, girlie shape. Why it works: there is enough structure to the eyelet lines and back ties to give the dress structure in the right areas.

Does It Work with What You Have?

Trying new trends can be fun, especially when they hit on a point of your personality not always expressed. However, make sure it works with what you already own. This dress was easy to pair with the green Corso Como booties (Similar) I already own.  Add a leather jacket or cropped blazer and suddenly the dress effortlessly transitions into Fall.  

Stay Stylish and see you at the Swan Stage!
K&M

Photos by Kelsey Johnson

Maker Monday: Adding a Little Sparkle with Shop No.3

Welcome To Shop No. 3

Last week Kimberly and I paid a visit to one of our favorite jewelry stores in the city, Shop No. 3 in Russian Hill. If you've spent any time in the neighborhood, there's a chance you have walked by the storefront before and not noticed it. The small store is unassuming from the outside, but once inside you are surrounded by a beautfuly curated selection of jewelry from local and national jewelry designers such as Jennie Kwon (one of my favorites), Carolyn Colby and Anna Sheffield. 

Rings, Bracelets, Earrings, Oh My!

What we love so much about the jewelry at No. 3 is that each piece is unique and has a personality of its own. When you shop there you feel like you've been let in on a secret that most people don't know. While most of the jewelry is on the more delicate side, they do carry several statement pieces (such as the amazing crystal cuff in the photos below). Prices can range from $72 for a necklace to $1500 for diamond ring. 

Jewelry Is Personal. Buy What Speaks To You.

The key to buying jewelry is to go for the pieces that speak to you. You want to invest in items that are timeless, reflect your style and most of all, make you happy!  

Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect piece:

1. Choose a Category- shopping for jewelry is easier when you narrow it down to a category (rings, necklaces, earrings) and start there. 
2. Know Your Metals-always ask about the content of the jewelry. Is it plated? Sensitive skin prefers 100% gold or silver. What metal looks best on your skin tone and with your wardrobe? Test a few to see what looks best.
3. Take Personal Style and Scale Into Account- it's important to take into consideration the personal style of the recipient. If your spouse has a minimalist style try a simple gold ring. If your sister loves oversized, fun, eclectic pieces, go for a statement necklace.
4. Do the Snag Test- run the jewelry over your sweater or shirt and make sure that the prongs and stones don't tear your clothing or skin.
5. Wear It!- jewelry, like clothing, is meant to be worn. Don't save your favorite item for a special occasion. Every day is special... so wear it often!

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Time to Get Personal: Guys, Does Your Underwear Make the Cut?

Before we get too deep into talking about 2016 Fall fashion trends, we thought we'd take a moment to stop and emphasize the importance of having the right foundation. So, gents, let's have a little heart to heart regarding your underoos.

**Warning: We are about to get a little personal here, but that's the name of the game in personal styling**

Have The Right Foundation From The Start

The start of a new season is a good time to make sure you have all of the proper elements of a great wardrobe. For guys, this means choosing the right undergarments that work for you and your wardrobe. Just "making do" with what you have is not the right approach.

Clear Out What Is Not Working

Let's consider this the "iceberg conversation" of fashion and style. You may only see an illusion of a poor choice, but what's hidden beneath is ever present danger. If your underwear is less than pristine (read: faded, losing elastic or contains any holes or wear spots) replace them immediately. They are doing you no favors.

Find A Fit That Is Right For You

The same rule applies to general fit. Comfort should always be a top priority, but don't let this derail you from trying something new. (Just remember that it may take a little time to get used to a new fit.) Thanks to some good marketing by Calvin Klein and slimmer modern pants, the most popular undergarment choice today is the universal boxer brief.  

Purchase A New Style, Test and Then Buy In Bulk

Men with more muscular thighs are well-suited (pun intended) for the boxer brief or trunk style. Briefs and boxers are better for slimmer guys, as they may risk interrupting the natural line of a pant or show through at the seat or thighs.  If boxers are your preferred choice, make sure the cut you wear is the right size and does not have too much fabric to gather at the hips or groin. We often recommend choosing a color that is neutral enough that it works under many pant options. Darker shades are naturally more flattering and grey or black are excellent choices.

Stay Stylish,

K&M

Here are a few recommendations and brands to explore:

Men's Superfine Cotton Trunks In Charcoal/ Navy $55

Calvin Klein Men's 3-Pack Cotton Classic Boxer Brief $35

Men's Airism Mesh Boxer Briefs $7.90

UA Original Series Cupron® 6" Boxerjock® $30

Fashion's Blue Fall: What 2016 Trend Colors Can Signal In Fashion

A shot from Prada.com's a/w 16 campaign

Is it the economy, the upcoming election, or world affairs that have this season's color palette looking a little serious?

What to Invest In Now

Believe it or not, we often notice the correlation between what is going on in stores with what is happening outside. Whether to speak to the buyer's mindset or find comfort in their own creations, designers have kept things simple in their chosen shades this season along with a hefty dose of nostalgic style. 

In the upcoming week we will be breaking down the major trends for Fall 2016, but today we're shedding a little light on what colors you'll see in stores and which ones you should be investing in.

The Most Popular Shades of Fall 2016

Bodacious (17-3240)

Potter’s Clay (18-1340)

Spicy Mustard (14-0952)

Lush Meadow (18-5845)

Dusty Cedar (18-1630)

Warm Taupe (16-318)

Aurora Red (18-1550)

Sharkskin (17-3914)

Airy Blue (14-4122)

Riverside (17-4028)

What are the top shades designers have included in their Fall 2016 collections? This article from WWD gives a good overview of what Pantone colors designers invested in most. 

Many of autumn's dusty shades have carried over from spring, so you will have more cross-over than usual and can readily repurpose key pieces for fall. The majority of the season's colors are grounded earth tones and neutrals--so think of these pieces as your non-black basics.

How Colors Are Chosen

Curious how fashion shades come to be? You may have heard of Pantone before, but this quick and informative video from NY Mag explains how colors are forecasted.

There is a lot more that goes into selecting trend colors than you may think.  Each chosen color influences the design field as a whole. For example, Riverside blue, the top shade of the season may show up in your favorite t-shirt and tea cup this year.

Stay Stylish,

K&M

What to Wear For Fall In SF- And How To Bring Summer With You

September Issues are out--and for those of you not in fashion that means retailers will be gearing up strong with racks full of the latest trends.  

Megan and I decided that although we are ready for a new season, we wanted to ease into it slowly--knowing that our notorious "SF Indian Summer" is weeks away.

So, how do you start to embrace Fall without committing to heavy sweaters and tall boots? We set out to strike a balance and merge what we have with a few new fall statement pieces.  

Stay Stylish,

K&M

Megan's Picks:

I wear my favorite denim all year long... yes, even my white jeans! Navy is one of my favorite colors and I always like to pair it with lighter shades. For this Fall, I am channeling softer fabrics and more feminine silhouettes complemented by masculine jackets.

Megan is wearing:

• GAP flare jeans - carry-over from my summer wardrobe (similar)
• Franco Sarto booties (similar)
• The Kooples lace trim botanic blouse (similar)
• Bagatelle faux suede moto jacket

Megan is wearing:

• White Levi's jeans - carry-over from my summer wardrobe (similar)
• Franco Sarto booties (similar)
• Soft Joie peasant blouse (similar)
• Bagatelle faux suede moto jacket

My favorite vintage ring from my Nana.

Kimberly's picks:

Fall is my favorite season for color, because I can wear the majority of the shades. Cashmere, velvet, tweed all speak to a crisp and cozy season.  To prepare for the shift into fall, I chose a few new key pieces to add to my existing wardrobe that layer well.

Kimberly is wearing:

• Bloomingdale's Cold Shoulder Cashmere Turtleneck - Playing with trend and color this sweater is a wear now enjoy later staple. Perfect for the office with a blazer or casual with jeans.
• GAP Girlfriend Jeans carry-over from summer (similar)
• Leopard Print Flats (similar) -Reintroducing a staple, leopard print is back this fall
• Kate Spade Watch carry-over from summer (similar)
• Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote carry-over from summer (similar)

Kimberly is wearing:

• Atelier Prelude Cashmere Poncho in Camel -Layers are the champion of SF weather.  This poncho is an easy way to add a layer of light warmth and soft texture.
• Vero Moda Fringed Lace Top carry-over from summer 
• Joes Honey Bootcut Jeans carry-over from summer 
• Dolce Vita Olive Green Booties (similar) carry-over from summer 
• Goyard St. Louis PM Bag (similar)

More of our Fall favorites:

A special thanks to Kelsey Johnson, our photographer on site for capturing our story beautifully and keeping things fun between the snaps.

SF Summer Picnic: Fresh, Easy and Irresistible Recipes

This past June, Megan and I hosted some of our favorite boss ladies for an al fresco lunch. Planning anything outside during a "San Francisco Summer" can be a bit of a gamble, but we knew our gals were tough enough and planned a set up and menu that would be warming. 

Here are a few tips and easy summer recipes that will make your next picnic a success sunshine or fog!

Stay Stylish,

K&M

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GEAR NOTES

• The key to making an event a success is keeping it simple. We've partnered with Paperless Post to make hosting a snap. Personalize your own beautiful invites (it may be hard to pick just one design).
• Choose a thicker table cloth to add another layer of warmth to the table. We used Megan's Pendleton wool blanket over the table which kept everyone just a little more comfortable.
• Provide a few extra blankets or quilts for guests if Karl rolls in unexpectedly.
• Invest in a good waterproof backed picnic blanket if you'll be setting up on the lawn.
• Keep It Real: We served everything on salad plates and used silverware and cloth napkins. It may require more packing and clean up, but it's better for the environment, easier to eat with, and it adds a little lux to the meal.

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MENU

• Roasted Veggie Couscous and Tumeric Chicken
• Arugula Fruit Salad with Apricot Stilton Cheese
• Rosè
• Sparkling Water
• Baguette
  • Meat & Cheese Board
    • Almonds
    • Cheese-two distinct varieties (we chose a cab soaked cheese and Manchego)
    • Quince Paste
    • Apricot Jam
    • Grapes
    • Spanish Meats

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Roasted Veggie Couscous (derived from budget bytes)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large yellow squash 

• 1 large zucchini 

• 1 medium red onion 

• 1/2 Eggplant

• 1 bag of small bell peppers from Trader Joes 

• 1 bag of San Marzano tomatoes from Trader Joes

• 5 cloves fresh garlic 

• 2 Tbsp olive oil 

• to taste salt & pepper 

• ⅓ bunch fresh parsley 

• 2 cups couscous 

• 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth 

• 1/4 lb marinated chicken cooked (I marinated mine in tumeric, honey, and olive oil)

• 1 lemon wedge

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Wash and slice the vegetables into medium chunks ((bell peppers (I sliced mine in rings), squash, eggplant, onion). 

2. Toss the chopped vegetables with 2 Tbsp of olive oil. Spread them out on a baking sheet (or two) so that they are in a single layer. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.

3. Slice San Marzano Tomatoes in half (length wise) and place on a foil lined tray. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh thyme, sea salt and pepper.

4. Place 5 garlic cloves in a bundle of tin foil and drizzle with olive oil, twisting the top to seal. Add to baking sheet for roasting.

5. Place the vegetables in the oven and roast at 400 degrees for 45 minutes (tomatoes and whole garlic will only need 20-30 minutes to keep juicy but caramelized). If you have two baking sheets on two different racks in the oven, you’ll need to switch them half way through to ensure even cooking.

6. While the vegetables are roasting, cook the couscous. Bring 3 cups of broth up to a boil (or 3 cups of water + 1 Tbsp bouillon). Once it reaches a rolling boil, pour in 2 cups of couscous, turn off the heat, and cover the pot with a lid. Let sit, undisturbed, for at least five minutes.

7. After the vegetables are finished roasting, transfer them to a cutting board and roughly chop. Collect the five garlic cloves and chop in thirds. They are probably so soft that they’ll just smoosh, but that’s okay. You just want them to be able to distribute throughout the salad.

8. Roughly chop about ⅓ bunch of parsley. Fluff the couscous with a fork. Combine the couscous, roasted vegetables, and parsley in a bowl and stir to combine. Season with more lemon juice, salt and pepper if desired. Serve warm or cold! (excellent the second day)

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Arugula Fruit Salad with Stilton Cheese 

INGREDIENTS

• Two Nectarines

• 4oz. Blue Berries

• 2oz. Rainier Cherries

• 1-2 Handfulls of Raw Almonds

• Wild Arugula

• Apricot Stilton Cheese

Citrus Vinaigrette

• 5T Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar
• 2T Citrus Infused Olive Oil
• 1/4-1/2tsp. Dijon Mustard
• 1/8 tsp Sea Salt
• 1/8 tsp Pepper
• 1/2 tsp. Brown Sugar
• (Tip make the night ahead for ingredients to mellow)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Slice Cherries in quarters and reserve in lemon water to keep from browning.

2. Slice Nectarines in 1/4" wedges

3. Combine and lightly fold in all ingredients (except stilton cheese) 

4. Top with crumbled Stilton cheese (I used a fork to easily crumble the cold cheese on site)

5. Combine vinaigrette ingredients in a glass bottle and shake until thoroughly blended. Refrigerate until needed.

6. Drizzle with vinaigrette.

7. Add pepper to taste

Finding Your Wedding Style, Before Saying "I Do"

One segment of our business Megan and I love is helping brides and grooms navigate a style that speaks to their special day.

Recently, we were interviewed by Brides Magazine about how we coach clients to ensure no detail is missed and finding that perfect look is as low stress as possible.

Here is a link to the full article.

Over the years we've developed a roster of great sources and vendors in the SF Bridal Industry, so we thought we would share a few of our favorites below with you!

Stay Stylish,

K&M

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Women's Wedding Dresses

San Francisco has many wonderful Bridal Boutiques to choose from. We love starting at Novella Bridal in Jackson Square. Their inventory always has a great range of styles and price points. It is the perfect place to begin exploring the look that is the best for you. 

Custom Menswear

If you are a guy and want to look sharp on your special day, going the custom made route is a great option. Ryan and his team at Tailor's Keep near the FIDI are on top of the latest trends and classic cuts. We also love that they work with US manufacturers with a long craftmanship hertiage.

Tailored To You

Megan and I swear by having an excellent tailor on call to make sure you always have the best fit. Because wedding dresses are more involved than ready to wear, a more technical knowledge is necessary.  Marissa at Tailor Made will make sure your dress is a perfect fit to get you through your day and hold up for a night of dancing.

The White Wedding: Destination Wear for Gents

How To Follow A Dress Code and Still Feel Like You

Decoding wedding attire can be tricky. Add in a humid climate, a beach setting and the request to wear all white, and let the panic set in. Ok, so maybe that's a little dramatic. But you get my point.

My recent destination wedding in Jamaica was one rare case where being a woman made figuring out what to wear much more easy. A simple white dress was all I needed. But for the men attending, it was a little more complicated.

Each gent attending really took advantage of the occasion to weave in his own personal style. From cuffed cotton pants and flip flops to a tailored linen blazer and suede loafers, I saw very different looks. 

K&M's Top Picks for Resort Menswear

• Nordstrom Classic Fit Linen Blazer $197.65 (sale)
• Zanerobe Rugger Button Down $66.75
• Singer+Sargent Seersucker Blazer $195
• Bensol Trim Fit Blazer $245
• J.Crew Ludlow Suit Pant $188

Focus on FIT and TEXTURE that matches the occassion

When helping a client select a resort wear look, the three things we consider are fabric, fit and texture. All white ensembles can quickly overwhelm anyone, and classic linen cuts do not work on everyone. Plus, linen wrinkles easily which can take a sleek look to a messy look quickly. Right now stores are carrying more trim and slim options, so choose something in-line with your body type. Play with a little texture too to keep you from looking like medical staff. And don't focus too much attention on the whites matching perfectly. It's ok for there to be color differentiation.

And Don't Forget To Have Fun With It!

Most importantly, stay true to your own style while respecting the wishes of the bride and groom. Have fun and feel free to add in a pop of color with a pair of Happy Socks, a bright tie or even a shoe with colored laces. 

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Bond Never Wears Cargo Shorts

Cargo shorts always seem to be a hot topic 

Men love to wear them, women loathe to see their men wearing them and Abercrombie & Fitch gained notoriety selling them. 

I recently received an email from a mail client outlining what he wanted to focus on during out next shopping trip. One line read, "Shorts (but not cargo shorts, I'm not in college anymore!!). A few weeks later, he sent me an article from the Wall Street Journal titled "Nice Cargo Shorts. You're Sleeping on the Sofa!"

"Men want to be like James Bond. Bond never wears cargo shorts."

The article gives an entertaining look at the statement cargo shorts have made over the years, as well as their fashion history (they are said to have originated in the 1940s for military use). Our vote, perhaps give the style some time to recover and reserve the silhouette as outdoor wear, which is exactly what it was designed for.

Stay Stylish,
K&M