Canvas Q&A: What Layers to Invest in for Fall

On Tuesday we blogged about one of the biggest trends this season- the oversized wrap scarf. Not wanting to leave any of you out in the cold, today we are sharing our top layering picks of the season for men and women.  

Temperature Control

Let's be honest, we are all ready for a change in season. These easy layering pieces are a great way to change things up while remaining comfortable in the Bay Area's fluctuating temperatures (yes--it was 70 degrees on November 2nd--not quite sweater weather yet). Whether you run warm or cold, having a statement scarf or wrap is a staple that we recommend to all of our clients.

 

 

Choices, Choices--The TWO Layering Pieces To Invest In

We suggest having two key layering pieces in your wardrobe:

1. A scarf or wrap in a solid shade that looks great on you and can mix with 60% of your wardrobe. For most people this will be a neutral (black, white/cream, grey), but don't be afraid to choose a color that is striking on you (blue, green, red, purple).

2. A textured, two-tone print or multi color piece that has at least three core colors that can easy mix and match with your wardrobe (think pastels, jewel tones, or vibrant hues).

 

Our Favorite Layering Picks For Women: 

 

Our Favorite Layering Picks for Men:

 

Sale Scoop: GAP is Having Friends and Family now through Nov. 6, so take advantage of 40% savings online and 50% savings in store with "FFSALE"

Nordstrom's Fall Clearance Event is running now through Nov. 13, with up to 40% off items (get those fall boots and scarves now!).

Stay Stylish,

K&M

Fall Fashion: The Wrap Shawl

Wrap Up For Fall

If there's one accessory we recommend for this time of year, it's a good wrap or oversized scarf.

This year the wrap is a great statement maker and a lighter weight alternative to a cape.

Incredibly versatile, you can wear it with your favorite jacket for a daytime look or alone draped over your shoulders for the evening. Add a few pins or a broach to keep it closed while adding personalization.

Tips for Layering With a Scarf

There aren't many rules when it comes to layering with an oversized scarf, but our guidance is watch the volume. Keep the folds low (away from your face) and off center. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the weight of a wrap shawl, so be mindful of what you are wearing under--a sleek knit or silk top work best. Save your chunky sweaters for another look.

Finding the Best Wrap For You

While a plaid like the one pictured is always a timeless print, feel free to go bold by mixing in fun patterns or bright colors. For a more minimalistic look, go for a sharp black or crisp white. 

Stay Stylish,

M&K

Here's a breakdown of the pieces: 

• Plaid Wrap-- (similar)
• All Saints Orro Sweater Dress--currently on sale. (similar)
• All Saints Blue Suede Jacket--currently on sale. (We love this jacket, but recommend treating it with a protectant or embracing an aged look.)
• Frye mules-- (similar)

Photo credit: Kimberly Gant

Scaredy-cat! Our Favorite Frightful Halloween Movies

Kimberly sparkles as "The Cat Burglar" and Megan is in vogue as "Anna Wintour"

Last year, Megan and I shared our favorite spooky Halloween soundtrack with all of you. This year we are keeping it fresh and sharing our favorite (not so) scary movies.

Kimberly's Favorite Halloween Movies:

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown- OOOOoooohhhh, there is something about Lucy's voice that gives us the chills. This iconic cartoon is a favorite on my list and a reminder to find a good pumpkin patch in SF.

The Wizard of OZ - Not your typical "Halloween" movie but it's one of my favorites so I couldn't resist including it. I'll be honest, the Wicked Witch is scary but it's really those flying monkey's that (still) freak me out!

Ghostbuster's (the original) - Ghosts, Gotham and Slimer what's not to love?! Definitely a scary campy classic.

Behind the scenes: getting more silly than spooky... and yes, I made Megan dress up!

Megan's Favorite Halloween Movies:

Beetlejuice- Beetlejuice, beetlejuice, beetlejuice! Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder are so good in this movie. It's a favorite from 80s and perfect with a cup of spiced cider.

Stranger Things- Ok, so it's technically not a movie, but OMG this show sucked me in and may have caused me to turn on a light before bed. Coincidentally, it also stars Winona Ryder.

Heathers-  While I didn't intend my list to be dedicated to Winona, she really just knows how to do a good creepy movie. Throw in 80s Christian Slater and a vampy cast and you can't lose!

Stay Stylishly Spooky,

M&K

Fall Fashion: The Bomber Jacket

Outfit details: Painted Threads satin bomber (similar), Gap ribbed black tank, Topshop knit skirt (similar), Ked's sneakers

Fall's Standout Piece

The bomber jacket is definitely this Fall's standout piece, and also fits nicely into the athleisure trend that is everywhere. Kimberly and I tend to stick to classic pieces and mix trend in with our shoes or accessories, but we both found ourselves lusting after a bomber to layer on for cooler weather.

Dress It Up Or Down

The great thing about a bomber is that it is versatile enough to dress up for evenings or wear casual during the day. I have recently become obsessed with wearing it with my calf-length knit skirt (similar),  and white Ked's sneakers for a high/low look that's comfortable and easy to wear. Bombers tend to be boxy in shape, so I like to pair it with a more fitted bottom and top.

Go Bold Or Go Home

I decided that if I was going for a trend piece, I was going to go all the way and choose a bold color. You may not believe me when I tell you, but I actually found this orange satin bomber (similar) online at Nordstrom Rack one night when I was scouting layering pieces for a client... on sale for $9.99! (Pro tip: Nordstrom Rack online is a haven for great pieces that are in the department store at a much discounted price. Just be prepared to spend some time clicking through their site.)

Tips for Finding a Bomber Jacket You LOVE:

Photos by Kelsey Johnson

1.) Find Your Fit: Designed with a slightly oversized aesthetic, these jackets can run big. If you prefer a slimmer fit, consider sizing down or go for a two-toned baseball look.

2.) Stick To Solids: Floral embroidered bombers are in vogue this season and beautiful. However, they make a statement and limit the look and frequency of wear. Opt for a solid color for a pop of fun that still carries wearability.

3.) Personalize It: Add pins or patches to your bomber to make it your own and put a fun creative spin on it.

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Fall Fashion: Luxe Velvet Outfitting

Incorporating Velvet Into Your Fall Wardrobe

Next up on our Fall Fashion trend tour, velvet! Megan and I decided to play off this rich texture with contrasting fabrics and distressed pieces. The result- a chic ensemble that speaks sophistication and approachability (did we mention its budget friendly velvet?!). 

How To Wear Velvet for Day and Night

Velvet naturally has an air of luxury and glamour that typically makes it a fabric appropriate for evening occasions. To soften the look for day time, we recommend wearing it with an understated casual piece. A jacket or top looks great with a pair of distressed jeans or a flowy skirt that is more playful than poised. For evening, hold nothing back. Reach for edgy coated denim, a silk pant or your favorite structured leather piece (more on leather in our blog here).

Choosing the Right Silhouette

We selected a velvet jacket because it has great versatility and is a classic piece that is trend resistant. This year the market is flooded many different velvet options. Our tip is to go with the piece that most speaks to you. If you want to show a little curve go with a skirt or dress--stretch velvet drapes beautifully but hides nothing. If you do better with structure opt for a jacket, thicker skirt or statement pumps. 

Stay Stylish,

K&M

Our Blue Velvet Look: Banana Republic blue velvet blazer, Aritzia cranberry satin cami, Aritzia mosaic scarf, Faded raw edge denim (similar here and here), Frye mules (similar here)

A special thanks to Megan's gorgeous cousin who modeled our look and freed us up to step behind the camera for this story.

Stay Stylish,
M&K

Canvas Q&A: What Fall Boots to Invest in This Year

Step Into Fall In The Perfect Boot

We often get the same question every year from clients and friends/family: What's big this fall and what shoes should I be buying? Megan and I decided to share some of our favorite fall boots with you to inspire your own collection with quality kicks.

Stay Stylish and Happy Shopping!

K&M

Things To Look For When Boot Shopping:

1. Invest in Classic Silhouettes 
2. Go for Quality Over Quantity 
3. Look for Last Year's Models On Sale

---

Our Fall Boot Picks:

Donald J Pilner Asphalt Sport Suede Tall Boot $199.97 ($348)

DVF Deblin Ankle Boots, $348

Paul Green Jada Water Resistant Bootie $389

Jack Rogers Midnight Parker Tall Boot, $298

Frye Dara Chelsea Boot $348

Alice + Olivia Paxton Studded Booties, $295

Sorel '1964 Premium Canvas' Waterproof Wedge Bootie $229.95

Timberland 'Wheelwright' Lace-Up Boot $259.95

Promo Alert!
This weekend get $100 off all Frye OTK styles using code OTKNOW.

Stay Stylish,
K&M

Fall Fashion: Taking on the Leather Trend

Leather - Fall's Must-Have Piece

From small accents to full pieces, leather is everywhere this fall. Where it once felt like a masculine style dedicated to moto jackets, it's taken a feminine twist with detailing on dresses, A-line skirts and trim on sweaters. We decided to take this trend and make it our own by each picking out our favorite leather piece of the season and showcasing how we would wear it.

Make The Trend Your Own

Megan has been coveting Jigsaw's leather wrap mini and couldn't wait to pair it with a deep blue turtleneck sweater by Joie. Once considered a fashion no-no, black and blue make great color companions and add an easy look of sophistication to your outfit. To add a bit of East Coast sass, acessorized with Banana Republic gold-tipped heels (similar)and a Halston cross body chain bag (similar).

Don't Be Afraid to Push the Limits

It's no secret that Kimberly loves a good sheath dress. There is nothing like the ease of slipping into a dress and feeling complete. This leather patch dress by T Alexander Wang is a fun step away from from the classic sheath and packs one powerful punch.  Kimberly paired it with a black oxford from Banana Republic to keep it appropriate for crisp autumn days. You can coordinate it with animal print flats and denim jacket for a softer day time look or sleek pumps (similar)  for a fierce office to evening look.

Go Faux or Keep It Real

Faux leather has come a long way over the years (the term pleather has been replaced with vegan leather). So, if you are vegan or don't want to splurge on a real leather item, look for similar faux options.

When buying any new leather pieces, always take into consideration that leather stretches quite a bit. If you try something on and it fits perfectly, try the size down because it will stretch.

A special thanks to Kelsey Johnson for capturing our story so beautifully!

How to Clean, Store & Organize Your Jewelry

Keep Your Jewelry Looking New

We recently featured No.3, one of our favorite shops in the city, as part of our Maker Monday series. Now that you know where to find beautiful jewelry, we are sharing how to care for it. Real Simple has a very comprehensive article on cleaning, storing and organizing your jewelry. We like how gives specific instructions for diamonds, sterling silver, costume jewelry and pearls.

How To Store Your Jewelry

Did you know that diamonds are supposed to be stored separately since they can easily scratch metals? Other tips from the article include never hanging pearls because it stretches their string over time and storing like metals together to prevent tarnishing

Our Favorite Jewelry Organizers

If you are looking for something to organize your jewelry, here are a few or our favorites:

Tresora Jewelry Stand, $48

Selma White Jewelry Box, $149

Umbra "Prisma" Jewelry Stand, $25

Gold Tree Jewelry Stand, $25

Autumn Pastels Meet Athleisure

Last week we shared that we would be taking on this year's fall trends, reinterpreting them and sharing the stories with you.

Athleisure is trend that has gone mainstream and we are getting a little bored with the repetitive black and white color palette. We took a cue from the pastels that have oddly popped up this fall and reinterpreted athleisure with a softer look.

Megan and I love this outfit and its feminine take on sporty. There is no forcing it, it just flows. What is even better is that the pieces work as strongly together or apart.  We hope you like the look and are inspired to make it your own.

Here is a breakdown of the pieces: 

• Artizia Geometric Blush Top (similar)--we love the cut and it pairs well with Boy Friend Jeans or half tucked in a skirt. 
• Paige Grey waxed denim--take your outfit from day to night with these edgy pants
• All Saints Blue Suede Jacket--Currently on Sale. We love this jacket, but recommend treating it with a protectant or embracing an aged look
• Converse white sneakers--invest now, these will be around for a while 

A special thanks to our model du jour, who happens to be Megan's cousin. She put up with our costume and location changes like a pro.

Stay Stylish,

K&M

Photos and styling by Canvas.

Bright White: The Key to Keeping Your Kicks Clean

White Sneakers Are Everywhere This Fall

White sneakers are a huge part of this Fall' athleisure trend. Megan likes her white leather Keds so much that she just invested in a second pair. Why two pairs? Because keeping white shoes looking new is hard. But fear not, there are a few tricks of the trade that will help you keep your favorite whites clean.

Five Tips to Keep Your White Sneakers Clean

While it's inevitable that your new sneakers will eventually get dirty, if you follow these five tips you will be able to keep them looking like new longer.

1. Cleanse with a gentle shampoo- get rid of any oil stains that may have made their way onto your shoes by gently scrubbing with a gentle shampoo, toothbrush and warm water.
2. Use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser- Mr. Clean erasers and wipes are a quick and easy way to get stains and spots off your shoes.
3. Always store indoors- UV exposure from the sun can lead to fading and staining, so make sure to always store your shoes in a cool, dark place when you aren't wearing them.
4. Keep your laces clean- avoid tossing your laces in the washing machine. Instead, hand wash them in warm water with gentle soap and let them air dry.
5. Use nail polish to cover scratches- if you see a small scratch or mark on your white sneakers, just apply a small amount of white nail polish to cover it up. Yes it really works!

Stay Tuned...

This Friday we will be sharing our favorite athleisure looks (white sneakers includes) on the blog! 

Stay Stylish,
K&M