In Her Shoes: Christine Tang, Founder of Kira Kids

If you follow fashion for the onesie-wearing set, then you’ve certainly seen Kira Kids. Known for clothes that are at once playful and cool (think rompers with rollerskating unicorns), the line for little ones is often spotted on celebrity tots like Beau (of #theoandbeau fame), Jessica Alba’s youngest daughter, and the NBA’s smallest star, Riley Curry. It all began when Christine Tang took a screen-printing class to make a few t-shirts for her nephews. She loved designing tiny attire so much that she decided to make a business out of it and quickly found fans beyond her family. Christine recently opened a Bay Area storefront, and it’s just as fun and whimsical as the clothes she creates. Here, take a peek inside the store and learn more about the woman behind the brand.

What’s the story behind how you started Kira Kids?
After my nephews were born, I loved shopping for baby and kids’ clothes. I decided to take a screen-printing class and made a few t-shirts as gifts for them. It was a fun experience, so I made a small collection of t-shirts, onesies and beanies and sold them at local craft shows. I’ve always wanted to start a creative business, so I sort of became obsessed with it from there.

How did you go from craft shows to a successful business?
My first job was in product development for a manufacturing company. It allowed me to travel to factories and participate in the design process—from sketches all the way up to production. When I started Kira Kids, I didn’t have any apparel manufacturing experience, so I researched online, read books, took classes and asked a lot of questions. I love learning, so I would take classes every opportunity I could get, even while working at my previous job. The craft shows were an amazing opportunity to gain valuable feedback and experience without a huge investment.

Pretzels flashing the peace sign, bulldogs in berets—your designs are so fun and whimsical. Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere, really—traveling, my silly nephews, music, movies. The pretzels were inspired by my trips to New York and the food carts I saw on every corner. The New York-themed collection was filled with a lot of pretzels, hot dogs and donuts! The collection this past fall was inspired by Paris, so you see French bulldogs, French detectives and my favorite, macaron cookies.

Everything is made in LA, and you’re committed to eco-friendly practices, like using non-toxic inks. How did you decide to make sustainability a priority?
It’s important for me to try to keep everything local if possible. We have amazing garment factories and resources in California, so it made sense to me to manufacture everything within our community to help out our local economy and provide jobs for the people who live here.

What it’s like to see your designs on the celebrities of the toddler world?
It’s so awesome! I’m really lucky that they wear and like the clothes. It feels kind of unreal. It’s the best feeling, every time I see any kid wearing my clothes.

How would you describe your personal style?
Comfortable but fun!

What’s your best advice for a woman who’s interested in starting in her own business?
If you’re passionate about it, go for it! Stay organized and have a clear vision of what your goals are. Your path may change during your journey, but it’s helpful to have an overall direction and you can make adjustments along the way.

Last question: If you could only keep one pair of shoes from your closet, which ones would you choose and why?
The shoes I’m wearing right now—my sneakers! They’re Nike Flyknits. They’re so comfortable that I don’t want to wear anything else.

In Her Shoes: Andrea Whitmore, Accounting Consultant at Stitch Fix

Lately, it seems like every woman I know is talking about Stitch Fix, the San Francisco-based startup that hand-picks clothes and accessories to fit your style and budget and delivers them to your doorstep every month. To get your fix, all you have to do is create a profile about yourself, and unlike other subscription services, you can buy what you like and return the rest. It’s brilliant. So is Andrea Whitmore, an accountant (or CPA, to be exact) who’s consulting for the buzzed-about company. Mom to two-year-old Olivia, Andrea left her public accounting gig to stay at home with her daughter but began working part-time when Stitch Fix came calling. Now due any day with daughter number two, she shares what it’s like balancing life at home and the office, the best advice she’s received about motherhood, and the perks of bean counting.

Tell us about the work you do at Stitch Fix.
Stitch Fix is still a fairly new company that’s growing rapidly, so I’ve been helping their accounting manager—a girl friend of mine from college—develop accounting policies, procedures and controls to meet their demanding and expanding needs. The team has grown significantly since I started, and the accounting department is doing a great job meeting the tough demands of a start-up.

What’s the best part of the job?
It’s nice getting out of the house for a few hours a week to make a little bit of money, drink warm coffee, pee with the door shut, and carry on conversations with people who respond timely and appropriately. I love my time with my daughter and don’t regret my decision to stay home, but it’s a nice balance. Also, I love helping companies I believe in succeed. I like the team at Stitch Fix, am a loyal customer, and really enjoy that it’s a San Francisco-based company doing new and exciting things.

How would you describe your style? Or in Stitch Fix terms, what’s in your style profile?
My current style is stay-at-home-mom chic—aka human napkin! I set my Stitch Fix profile budget to the cheapest level, and it’s just nice to get one or two things monthly for not that much money. It’s often stuff I wouldn’t pick out or think would look good on me, but I’ve never had a “fix” where I didn’t keep at least one item. Plus receiving the package with its mystery contents feels like Christmas!

You’re pregnant with your second daughter. Do you have any go-to maternity items?
I’m really only comfortable in maxi dresses right now. At 36 weeks, my belly is just so big that pants often get uncomfortable. Earlier on, my go-tos were a great pair of maternity jeans, comfortable and cute flats, stretchy tees (GAP ones are very comfortable), and open-sweater cardigans. I carry my babies from head to toe, so I like to stay as covered as possible! I love that SF weather pretty much allows for this uniform everyday with its fairly consistent climate. Also, Stitch Fix just launched a maternity line. It’s amazing!

What about baby and toddler style? Do you have any tips for shopping for little ones?
I love shopping for my daughters! I’ve learned that kids are really hard on clothes, so I don’t buy too many expensive or fancy things—it’s usually a fight to get those on anyway! Old Navy always has cute clothes on-sale, and we rarely make it through a Target trip without something from the Carters line. But you better believe that holidays or special occasions involve head-to-toe new outfits and accessories, especially since we’ll have another little beauty to wear them soon, too. In general, I’ve been surprised how kids’ personalities come out so early. I try to let my daughter pick what she likes while also dressing her in things I like before she knows any better and really fights it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about motherhood?
I’d say it’s just do your best. You’re going to be great at some things and not others. Be nice to yourself. A happy mom is a good mom. Not that you have to be happy all the time, but look for what makes you happy and try to focus on that. For some people, that is honestly doing things with Pinterest-worthy finesse and that’s great, but remember even those moms have days in their PJs giving into their child’s tantrum with Cheetos—or at least I hope they do! You’ve got to find the balance that works for you, and it takes time and constant adjustment.

You’ve definitely got a glow. Can you share some of your favorite beauty products?
You’re too kind. I’ve never felt like I had a glow in either pregnancy. It’s the opposite—my girls took any of the beauty I had in me, but so far it’s all been worth it. That said, pregnancy hormones are rough. Just recently I splurged on a facial. I bought a few products, like this vitamin C complex, to make me feel good when I’m covered in newborn spit-up and poop and my face breaks out from flushing the pregnancy hormones out of my body. My skin gets really dry in pregnancy, so a great exfoliator helps. I love the papaya and pineapple scrub from Kiehl’s. I try to use a good moisturizer and drink lots of water. I also go through bottles and bottles of anti-stretch mark cream. I’m not even sure it works, but it makes me feel better to know I’m trying!

Do you have any advice for women who are interested in a career in finance?
I’ve really enjoyed working in finance so far. My first five years were spent in public accounting at KPMG, where I had plenty of great female role models. My CPA license has allowed me to find flexible work for this time when my kids are young. Bean counting has its perks!

Last question: If you could only keep one pair of shoes from your closet, which would you choose and why?
I pretty much live in flip flops and slip-on shoes, but I love these shoes I got for my very first Mother’s Day from my daughter (i.e., my husband). They have a heel but are super comfortable—great mom shoes!

DIY Holiday Hot Cocoa Bar

’Tis the season for hot cocoa! I love whipping up this drink every winter. It’s warm, comforting and open to all sorts of interpretations. For our second annual Christmas Eve party with our families, I decided to stir things up by putting this drink on full display with a hot cocoa bar. The premise? Guests can customize their cocoa with a variety of toppings—ranging from traditional (caramel sauce, whipped cream) to unexpected (peanut butter, graham crackers)—to create the perfect cup of cheer.

To help our guests navigate the bar, we provided some instructions: “Fill a mug with hot cocoa, then find your favorite fixings...” followed by hot ideas for creative cocoa combinations. Preparation included taste-tasting new recipes every night for most of December—somebody had to do it! For the custom cocoa concept to work, we needed variations that could start with the same base, a simple but decadent mix of Guittard Grand Cocoa Drinking Chocolate and whole milk, and easily take on new flavors (S’mores! Peanut Butter Fluff! Salted Caramel!) with a few key additions. Check out our list of recipes below...

To create a cozy, rustic vibe for the bar, I started with an antique buffet table and added an eclectic mix of serving pieces and chalkboard-inspired signs and labels. Here’s how it came together, plus a few tips:

• For the chalkboard-style signs and labels, I downloaded a free Baby It’s Cold Outside sign and labels for the mugs and toppings. To make the list of cocoa combos, I downloaded a chalkboard background and holiday-ready chalkboard fonts. I then printed everything at OfficeMax for less than $2. Tip: Print signs to fit frames you already have and temporarily swap out your wedding photos come cocoa time.
• To show off the toppings, I used a mix of glass jars and white serving pieces (I loved putting this little set to use). Tip: Don’t be afraid to repurpose what you’ve got in your cabinets. A cake stand made for the perfect way to elevate some of the toppings, and a tea cup held a handful of stirrers.
• To complete the rustic look, I used twine to tie on the labels and put out wooden scooping spoons.
• I made use of the buffet’s drawers by filling them with extra tea cups to have nearby.

The custom hot cocoa bar made for a fun, creative addition to our Christmas Eve festivities. My dad called it the best hot cocoa he’d ever had in his life, and my brothers invented their own recipes by adding almost every topping to their drinks. This DIY bar would also be perfect for a New Year’s Eve party (just add some 21-and-up fixings, like Bailey’s Irish Cream and Peppermint Schnapps), a winter wedding or shower, or just to have out as decor—and easy cocoa access—all season.

P.S. See what happened last year when we hosted Christmas Eve.

In Her Shoes: Megan O’Connor, Visual Designer

Have you ever passed an Anthropologie storefront and stopped to think, how on earth did they turn those wine corks (or paper clips, spoons, pieces of reclaimed wood) into such works of art? Megan O’Connor, a visual designer whose resume includes creating window displays at Anthropologie, shares some of the answers. Spoiler: There’s a lot of creativity—and glue—involved. Married to a Google chef and mom to one-year-old Esmé, the confessed lover of all things French—from food to furniture—is now launching her own visual design company. I chatted with the Francophile to find out how motherhood has influenced her work and to get the scoop on how those famous Anthropologie windows come together.

Tell us about the work you do as a designer.
I do a mix of installation, fabrication—which is making things from scratch—and event space design. People often hire me to refinish furniture or create spaces. Right now I’m focusing on children’s spaces, like nurseries and playrooms.

How did you get your start?
I went to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco and studied visual communications. I was obsessed with Anthropologie and used to walk by the windows and be like, that’s what I want to do! I got an internship at Anthropologie as a visual intern, working alongside the display coordinator. In the beginning, it was a lot of grunt work, like hot glueing the same thing for hours on end. We made a deer out of wire that was 10-feet tall by 30-feet wide. Then we knit a sweater for the deer. It was hours and hours of hand-knitting. It was very tedious, but I learned how to fabricate and build something from the ground up. I loved it!

The windows at Anthropologie are always so creative. Can you tell us more about what goes into the process?
You have free reign to an extent. For the windows, we’d get a packet from corporate with an idea and a materials list. A lot of times they’d give us a story: “This is for the girl who wants to go on a safari but still look cute.” And the materials might be palette wood, spoons, and paper clips. And then it’s like, how do I create an elephant out of spoons? One time we got a whole story based on an imaginary Russian girl named Kalinka. To inspire us, they even went so far as to tell us the kind of music she listens to. There’s so much to the store. It’s not just clothing—it’s a lifestyle.

What’s one of the most memorable window displays you created?
One time we created huge geometric shapes to hang in the windows. The guidelines were warm colors, wine corks, and succulents. We collected wine corks and spent hours dip-dying them and glue-gunning them onto the shapes.

How did you decide to start your own business?
I always knew I wanted to get my own side thing going. When I got pregnant, I decided I wanted to be able to stay home with my daughter. Now that she’s a year old, I feel like I can actually branch out more and run with my business venture. The first year of motherhood felt like I was holding my breath, but now I’m feeling really good about having an entire day of meetings.

How has your daughter influenced your design aesthetic?
There’s more of a sense of whimsy. Things have taken a lighter tone, even in adult design, since I see my life through my daughter’s eyes now. Other things have become a little more feminine, too. I never anticipated this–I’ve always been an on-and-off tomboy–but when I found out I was having a girl, I just went feminine. I decorated her nursery with ruffled pink curtains and vintage French furniture that I refinished in soft whites and greys. Lately I’ve been designing dream catchers for nurseries and playrooms using woven vintage doilies.

There’s a clear French theme going on in your life, from your daughter’s name to her nursery. Why French?
I get this question a lot! People are always like, “Are you French? Why is her name French?” My husband is a classically trained French chef, and I love French vintage design. I’m really into the shabby chic look. The theme of our wedding was “La Vie en Rose.” It’s a very classic French love song. That was the theme for our love, so it was fun to continue that in our daughter’s room. I hand-painted the song onto a side table.

What it’s like being married to a chef?
Awesome! Like any job, it has its positives and negatives. His schedule is all over the map, but I love it. It’s so fun to have people over and host dinners, especially with having a baby. You can’t just up and go places to meet friends for dinner, so we have people come over and make dinner here.

How would you describe your personal style?
Almost everything I own is from Anthropologie—the discount helped. It’s sort of its own style, right? I’d say eclectic. I really like accessories, like big statement necklaces, and pieces with fun touches, like lace or doilies.

How has your style changed since becoming a mom?
I pretty much live in yoga pants because I’m usually covered in avocado by noon. A lot of my Anthro stuff is dry-clean only, so I can’t wear that as much on the day-to-day.

Do you have any advice for women who are interested in a career in visual design?
It’s a very physical job. Expect your days to be less about sitting at a desk and more about using power tools, being covered in paint, wearing a tool belt, lifting heavy objects, and being on very tall ladders. Though a lot of my inspiration is parallel to and inspired by fashion trends, it’s not a glamorous job. My most successful projects were inspired by everyday things and nature. Find your inspiration in simple things and work from there.

Last question: If you could only keep one pair of shoes from your closet, which ones would you choose and why?
A pair of brown booties that I got at—surprise—Anthro. They’re by Seychelles and have cute little clips on the side. I should have bought ten pairs because I wear them all the time.

P.S. You can see more of Esmé’s beautiful nursery on 100 Layer Cake-let.

Welcome to the Costume Party: Axl Rose & Slash

The other weekend, Nick’s team at Google had a costume party, and the instructions were to dress as the best and worst people through history. I was thrilled because there’s been a serious lack of theme parties in my life ever since I graduated from college. But then, we were stumped. Finding something “historical” that would be fun as a couple was trickier than we’d expected. Most couples costumes that came to mind—and to our computers during hours of Google searches—were fictional. I strongly petitioned for Justin and Britney circa 2001, or more specifically, Justin and Britney in their all-denim glory at the 2001 American Music Awards. Nick thought no one would get it. What?! Who wouldn’t recognize the most epic of matching pop star ensembles? “We’ll look like farmers,” Nick countered. We agreed to disagree.

But there was another iconic musical duo that we agreed could work: Axl Rose and Slash from Guns N’ Roses. (Nick is mad at this transition since it suggests Britney and Justin are in the same class of musical renown as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Again, we agree to disagree). Axl and Slash each have such a look—Axl with his bandana and tank tops, Slash with his top hat and cigarette, and both with their aviators and signature ’dos—that it was pretty easy (and so fun!) to pull off. We decided that I’d be Axl since with the help of a flat iron, we pretty much have the same hair, making it one less wig to buy. Here’s how it all turned out. Welcome to the jungle!

To complete Axl’s look, I also got some (temporary) ink. Yes, those are replicas of his actual tattoos, which I got from a professional Axl Rose impersonator via Etsy—proof that you can find anything on Etsy.

 

For Slash, it helped that Nick plays guitar and was able to break into “Sweet Child O’ Mine” on command throughout the night.

We had such an awesome time as Axl and Slash. We’ll definitely be rocking these costumes again come Halloween!

Here are the details on our costumes:

Axl:
Tattoos
Guns N' Roses tank (similar here)
Red bandana (here's one with hair in case you need it!)
Distressed denim shorts (made from an old pair of jeans, but similar here and here)
Plaid shirt (tied around waist, similar here)
Aviators
Black ankle boots

Slash:
Black skinny jeans
Black t-shirt
Hat & wig
Additional wig
Aviators
Guitar
Cigarette (fake!)

In Her Shoes: Heather Zissler, Director of Programming & Training, Peace Corps

Mexico, Fiji and Brazil sound like dream vacation destinations for many of us. For Heather Zissler—a director of programming and training for the Peace Corps—living and traveling abroad is all a part of a day’s work. The California native got her start as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay, then later returned to work at the organization’s D.C. headquarters. Along the way, she spent time in eight different countries, picked up a masters degree, and became a mom to her son, Alejandro. Now overseeing Peace Corp programs in Mexico, she shares what it’s like to work abroad, her favorite international beauty finds, and how she got her start (hint: it involves bees).

Tell us about the work you do for the Peace Corps.
I work with a talented and dedicated multicultural staff to oversee all aspects of programming and training for more than 70 Peace Corps volunteers in Mexico. I love getting to work with our volunteers on a daily basis. Their creativity and commitment to service inspires me every day.

How did you get your start?
I was a Peace Corps volunteer myself in Paraguay from 2000 to 2004. I started as a beekeeper for an agriculture project. It seemed crazy at the time because I knew nothing about beekeeping. I hadn’t even been stung by a bee when I accepted my invitation! I ended up loving working with bees. They are the ultimate feminist, socialist society and so organized. I did end up getting stung, probably over a thousand times over the course of my service. I enjoyed being a volunteer so much that I extended for a third year—and maybe, just maybe, the fact that I was also seeing my future husband may have influenced that decision a bit as well. I later went back to school for a masters in international environmental policy, which opened up new opportunities for me in the international development field.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Being located in Querétaro, Mexico, is fabulous. It’s a beautiful city with a historic center in central Mexico. I don’t like the cold, so living in D.C. for four years was a little less than ideal for me. My previous job with Peace Corps as the programming and training specialist gave me the opportunity to travel to countries I’d never been before, like Tonga, Fiji and Belize. But my favorite part of my job is working with inspiring volunteers and a great multicultural staff.

You’ve lived in Paraguay, Brazil, Washington, D.C., and now Mexico. What it’s like adjusting to life in different countries?

Every time I’ve moved, it takes time to adjust, make new friends and establish a new community. What helps me is establishing a routine and finding things I’m interested in outside of work, whether it be a dance class, yoga or hiking. I enjoy exploring new places and honestly get bored and restless if I have been in a place for too long. I love living in Latin America, especially now that I’m a parent, because of the inclusion of children in everything. For example, most restaurants in Mexico have a play area for kids so that parents can enjoy their meals while the kids enjoy playing. It’s genius!

Do you have a favorite beauty discovery from your travels?
I fell in love with a sheer, sparkly lip gloss with SPF from Boticário while I was living in Brazil. Another brand that I adore from Brazil is Natura. They have a great line of shampoos, creams and soaps made from Brazilian fruits that are all-natural.

Are there any favorites from home that you always take with you?
I love bareMinerals! I have everything from them, from powder foundation to eyeliner and mascara.

 

Can you share any advice for women who are interested in a career abroad?

I used to think that I wanted a job that allowed me to travel internationally, but actually what I wanted was to live abroad. Once I figured out the difference, I set my sights on moving overseas. I think living abroad is great, although of course it has its challenges, too. I think the first step is to find the job that you’re most interested in because even if you’re overseas, most of your time will be spent working, so make sure you’re passionate about what you do. From there, it helps to know a foreign language or two. When volunteers ask me about international development work, I typically encourage them to get a graduate degree, if they don’t already have one. It is very competitive these days in international development and if you don’t have 20 years of experience or a business or technical degree, I recommend considering graduate school.

Last question: If you could only keep one pair of shoes from your closet, which ones would you choose and why?
Only one? I think I’d have to go with my brown boots. I’d been looking for a pair of brown boots for awhile and then finally, with my best friend’s bachelorette party planned for Austin, Texas, I couldn’t wait any longer. I found the perfect pair on the clearance rack at DSW a week before the event. I wore them every day and night in Austin!

In Her Shoes: Ashley DeGree, Freelance Writer & Editor

Back when Miley Cyrus was still Hannah Montana and the Olsen twins had a clothing line for eight-year-old fashionistas, I worked at a magazine for tween girls. That’s where I met Ashley DeGree, a Kansas City, Missouri native who became the magazine’s beauty columnist/photo shoot stylist/editor extraordinaire. She also became my BWF (that’s best work friend). The whip-smart midwestern gal recently left her gig at the glossy to go freelance, which perfectly suits her on-the-move lifestyle—her husband’s job as a Navy pilot has taken them from California to Virginia and back, with extended layovers in Mississippi and Florida. The couple recently came to town for a Navy football game (fun fact: our husbands went to Annapolis together), and Ashley was kind enough to let me peek into her travel bag. Here, she shares what she loves about freelancing, her best beauty advice, and how she makes it through her husband’s deployments (hint: There’s a lot of wine involved).

You landed a job at a magazine straight out of college. What did you do to prepare for that?
I always knew (starting way back in middle school!) that I wanted to work for a magazine, so I had a pretty clear goal in mind. I attended the University of Missouri, where I was lucky enough to get hands-on experience working for the Journalism School’s in-house magazine and newspaper. This field is all about experience, so I took every opportunity I could to build my resume. Months before graduation, I started sending out portfolios of my work to pretty much every magazine I could think of...and let fate take it from there.

You recently made the switch to freelance writing and editing. What does a typical day look like?
The best part about being freelance is that there isn’t really a “typical day” anymore! It’s great being on my own schedule. I’m not exactly a morning person, so I’ll usually sleep in a bit, head to the gym, and take my dog Hugo for a walk before getting started. When you work from home, it’s easy to lose the work/life balance so I always try to sign off as soon as Matt, my husband, gets home from work. But as a jet pilot for the Navy, his schedule is always up in the air (pun intended), so on days when he has a night flight, I’ll hang out with him during the day and work at night instead. Having that flexibility is wonderful beyond words. As long as I get it all done, it doesn’t really matter what time it is...or if I’m still in pajamas on certain days!

You mentioned that your husband is a Navy pilot. How do you deal with deployments?
Having your husband deploy for up to eight months is tough, but having Hugo to snuggle with helped so much. And keeping busy. I made sure I had something to look forward to each month, whether it was a trip to see family, a girls weekend getaway, a theme party, or even a port call visit to meet Matt in Dubai (a super long flight for just two and a half days...but so worth it!). I was always counting down to something. We had also just bought an adorably outdated house at the beach that needed a lot of work, so renovating bathrooms, installing wainscoting, and tearing out kitchen cabinets helped keep me busy, too! But the real thing that got me through two back-to-back deployments was my amazing group of friends. Whether I needed a shoulder to cry on, a froyo-for-dinner partner, a drinking buddy, or just someone to come over because I heard a scary noise at night, they were always there for me no matter what. We went through so much together, and they will forever be like family to me. Oh, and wine. I drank a shit ton of wine.

You wrote a regular beauty column for a magazine. What’s some of your best advice?
Wear sunscreen! Every. Day. Even on days you don’t think you need it. It’s one of the easiest things you can do to take care of your skin, and not just in the I-don’t-want-wrinkles kind of way (but it does dramatically help with premature wrinkles, too!). One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime, and that’s not a pretty statistic. I’ve already had five pre-cancerous moles removed, and I have the scars to prove it. One of those scars is right on my nose, so it’s a pretty blatant reminder for me each morning. I’m always harping on friends, family and my poor husband to put on sunscreen, keep an eye on all freckles and moles for any changes, and to schedule a yearly check-up with a dermatologist. And for women, wearing sunscreen daily is easy! Just switch to a foundation with a built-in SPF 30 if wearing a separate sunscreen seems like too much work. Anything is better than nothing!

Do you have any can’t-live-without products?
Absolutely! I wear SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen on my face every day. It’s paraben and chemical free, and protects my freckly face. I also love St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion. I mean, everyone wants a little color and this is my way of achieving a sun-kissed look, even after all that SPF. I actually found this gem back in college while studying abroad in London (where self-tanner is totally needed!) and was so happy when it made its way to the US! Another British beauty buy is my mascara...I love Rimmel London’s Extra Super Lash. Mascara is definitely my “you’re on a deserted island and can only take one beauty item” pick. (Well, after sunscreen, of course!) I don’t leave the house without at least a little on. I’ve tried tons of different tubes over the years, but I swear by this one. And the best part? It’s less than $5!

You have Victoria’s Secret-model hair. Please spill your secrets.
Have you been drinking? But seriously thanks, you’re way too nice. I love having long hair but it doesn’t happen overnight...and it can be a lot of upkeep! While I was growing my hair out, I had it trimmed every 6-8 weeks! It seems counterintuitive to keep cutting it off when you’re trying to grow it out, but it’s so needed. Nobody wants long hair that looks dead and dry, and if you don’t take care of it during the growing-out phase, that’s exactly what you’ll get. Long hair can go from gorgeous to gross in a snap, so even now I have it trimmed a lot to keep the dead-ends away. I also don’t wash and style it every day as I’ve learned that’s way too harsh on my hair. To style it, I blow it out with an ionic blowdryer and then use a one-inch curling iron to add in loose waves or a slight curl, depending on how much time I have, then finish it off hair spray. The best tip I have for beachy waves is to always point the barrel of the curling iron down, never up. It makes a world of difference! And since you don’t want waves that are too “perfect,” straighten out the very bottom inch or so of each strand. I can’t take credit for that one, though...I learned that from my super-stylish sister.

How would you describe your style?
I’d say I’m classically trendy with a nautical twist. I love stripes. And I mean it, I love them. My closet is so full of blue and white stripes that my sister actually forbid me from buying anymore, but I just can’t help myself! (I broke out of my box for these pics...my sister will be proud!) I also love button-ups, navy blue and white, gingham, anchors, monograms, flats, oversized sweaters, a simple watch, bangles, stud earrings. I’m a total planner and I love when things match perfectly, from my outfits to my home decor. My love for blues and stripes extends well past my wardrobe, just stop by my house sometime and you’ll see!

Last question: If you could only keep one pair of shoes in your closet, which ones would you chose and why?
This is a hard one...I love them all! But if I had to pick just one, I’d go with a pair of my Tory Burch flats. A great pair of flats is a must-have in every girl’s closet. This pair is totally classic so I can wear them with just about anything. Well, except for pajamas!