Katherine Chloé Cahoon

No matter where I travel, nature is one of my favorite attractions. I always love to watch people rushing down a busy street who pause to admire plants in bloom. Yet, when they take a closer look they must realize that each one is imperfect. No two blossoms are exactly the same size, some have been dusted with dirt, and others have torn or fading petals. Like people, each is unique, or as a friend once said, “perfectly imperfect.”

I couldn’t think of a better place as a backdrop for this post than the conservatory. So here are my ten reasons why demanding perfection does not lead to happiness:

1. No one is perfect. Requiring perfection in yourself only sets up a pattern of discouragement. On the other hand, striving every day to be the best you can without demeaning self-judgment is uplifting and helps you improve.

2. Happy people are fun, kind, and genuine. Would you rather be with someone who has those qualities, or a person who always has to be #1, is consumed with looking perfect, and spends so much time and energy on herself that she cannot focus on others? Personally, I’d pick the first one, and I’ve found that trying to be that person makes life far more satisfying.

3. Happy people spend quality time with family and friends. We live in a society focused on numbers. We count our Instagram followers, Facebook friends, and Snapchat views. The totals supposedly measure our appeal. Conventional wisdom says that the higher they go, the closer we come to a perfect social life. I don’t agree. If you had to choose, would you rather spend quality time with a close circle of family and friends, or trying to get an impressive number of “likes” on a post?

4. Imperfection can be perfectly endearing. Whenever I’ve been with a man who was so smooth his lines sounded rehearsed, I longed for someone who spoke from the heart even though each sentence wasn’t perfect.

5. Seeking the perfect mate is a recipe for disappointment. No mortal can maintain that standard. Search instead for someone who is “practically perfect” in the ways that matter most to you.

6. Living in a world of perfect clones would be perfectly boring. If every year, every male looked like the man named the world’s sexiest, they would all be identical. I don’t know about you, but I would rather be with an original.

7. Some of the most appealing people are downright quirky. Maybe they have a slightly off sense of humor, or a funny laugh. Those seemingly imperfect qualities can make them lovable.

8. Having a balanced life brings rewards. I meet so many people who are wearing themselves out trying to succeed. Yet, I’ve found that I’m most productive when I make relaxation and fun part of my schedule.

9. Freeing ourselves from immediate, unrealistic expectations can help us reach our ultimate goals faster. Reaching for perfection and being dissatisfied when it is beyond our grasp causes stress. Research shows that we perform best when our stress is manageable.

10. Happy people know whose life they are living. Often in our quest to become perfect, we focus more on what others want us to be than on what we want for ourselves. This creates conflict, whereas being true to our own values creates harmony.

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” H. Jackson Brown, Junior

And I’d like to add that our best will always be enough. Each person has unique talents. We should not compare ourselves to others and use them as the measure of our worth.

Dress by St. John Knits from Nordstrom.

If you have a dating dilemma where your love-interest assumes one persona with you and another behind your back, then you have a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde on your hands. So does the girl whose email is featured in this video. We’re chatting about how to handle this sort of a situation.

To read more about the cons involved in playing relationship games… https://katherinechloecahoon.com/dont-play-gamesplay-dress-up/

Instead of “old,” I should say, “very loved.” If you’re a mom, aunt or cousin of little ones, you know exactly what I mean. They just can’t part with those favorite dolls no matter how matted their hair gets from gigantic hugs and being drug around…sometimes by the feet as their heads bounce off the floor.

I’ve had this “Katherine” doll since I was a baby, and even now I’d never be able to part with her. My childhood clone has a permanent place in my home for posterity.

I was chatting about this with Julie, my amazing manicurist. Many of you know her because I’ve featured her nail trends here on my blog.

She has an adorable granddaughter named Kylie who has an impressive collection of American Girl dolls. This is due in part to Julie, who is an expert at styling used dolls. Here is Kylie with Emily (left) and Felicity (right). Felicity was a Goodwill find for only $5.99! She was in really rough shape until Julie gave her a makeover.

I confessed that although my Katherine doll was still in good condition, her hair resembled a rat’s nest. I was so excited when she offered to work her magic for me.

Julie agreed to let me share these secrets to breathing life into a beloved doll:

Brush. Comb out the hair. If the doll is made of plastic, like those from American Girl, you can also wash their hair. Since my Katherine doll is all cloth, that wasn’t a possibility.

Heat Rack. Lay plastic doll’s hair over a heat rack to soften it.

Product. Slightly mist the hair. Add smoothing cream and a little gel.

Culers. Set it with rollers.

My doll looks like she is completely new! Thank you so much Julie!!

 

If there were one:) Well, you can pretend there is by learning the steps the girls dance to their new hit song, Work From Home. Here’s a choreography breakdown.

To see the songbirds performing it… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9FIjVn9mQg (2:00-2:23)

And to dance the steps with me to their music on Instagram…
Part 1: https://www.instagram.com/p/BCeoKyoCfCM/
Part 2: https://www.instagram.com/p/BCey2BuCfNZ/

 

Most people list a special restaurant or a cute little café. Though there are many of those that I adore, I think my favorite lunch place is in a natural setting. Since I’m a freelance writer, my job is often solitary. It’s mostly just me and my computer. And my computer doesn’t care if I work in my sweats or even my PJ’s:) So I love it when I have meetings and get to dress up.

 

But regardless of where the workday takes me, if I have the chance, I pack a lunch, enjoy it at a park or by a waterfront dock, and end it with a short walk. Then I feel like I’m starting the day fresh even though I’m partway through it. I’d love to hear what helps you get through a long workday.

In this video, you’ll get to see what St. John is featuring for spring and pre-fall, have the feel of sitting in the front row of an exclusive designer fashion show, and learn tips from pros on how to find the most flattering outfit.

I’ve admired St. John Knits ever since I was little and met the creator, Marie Gray. She made such a big impression on me that I have always loved her fashions. This year’s spring line is no exception. Here is one of her evening pieces.

Marie’s story is an inspiration to anyone with a seemingly impossible dream. If you’d like to read it and learn why I will always look up to her, here’s that article… https://katherinechloecahoon.com/from-nothing-to-luxury-knits/

When I met Marie, she was accompanied by Lela Briggs, who was the face of St. John for years. That baton has been passed to Kate Winslet, and Lela is now the National Stylist. We are welcoming her to the Bellevue, Washington Nordstrom this Thursday, March 3rd, to present St. John’s spring collection, preview the pre-fall collection, and provide 1-to-1 styling. If you want Lela’s help choosing just the right outfit to flatter your features, call the store for a private consultation.

Appointments are being made now by Nordstrom’s designer sales-associates. Charlotte Hegeberg is my favorite and undoubtedly the most St. John-savvy. She was also there when I met Marie. Charlotte is the go-to for celebrities, businesswomen, soccer moms, and anyone who needs a fabulous look. If you cannot obtain a private fitting with Lela, don’t miss the opportunity to let Charlotte show you the line and work her magic anytime.

Another no-miss is Lela’s St. John fashion presentation from 4-7pm on March 3rd. There you will see models wearing the pieces while enjoying champagne and light bites.

If you can’t be there, you can be sure that I’ll keep you in the loop by snapchatting (katherinechloe). I’m also creating a video of the beautiful fashions and fun! It will be posted here on my blog. In the meantime, Charlotte is letting me give you a sneak peek of what you will be seeing Thursday.

Thank you to Nordstrom for giving me this St. John preview. And to the talented Kylee Alyssa for taking the pictures of me in the gown.

Tucked into a park hidden amid the urban bustle of Seattle is a small conservatory overflowing with foliage. Time seems to stand still inside this century-old sanctuary built with a $5 kit imitating London’s Crystal Palace.

Despite its size and phantom presence, over 150,000 plant aficionados make this pilgrimage each year. On any day, you can find couples sliding onto benches to steal kisses, toddlers with wide eyes taking their first steps to admire leaves as large as they are, and nature-lovers seeking solitude. Regardless of what brings you in, you’re sure to leave knowing this world is full of beauty.

This week, I was cleaning up my computer files and ran across a video that I made when teaming-up with a philanthropy devoted to helping teens overcome serious struggles with self-esteem. I was asked to answer the question, “What is beautiful?” Out of concern for those who struggle with identity issues, and those who love them, I’ve decided to post the video.

Gotta love a grandma with so much attitude that she’s been kicked out of several rest homes. How many partially-paralyzed 91-year-olds would figure out how to sneak past her motion detector?! She reasons that life is too short to be hindered by a little thing like that. This picture was taken before her stoke.

Well, Grandma was recently forced to switch homes again, so I overhauled her makeup products to help her get ready for her many guests. It’s been awhile since I’ve given her a makeover and her makeup regimen seriously needed one. There were empty lipsticks tubes, products with lost tops, and outdated items.

I really don’t want my grandma to get an eye infection, so I got rid of the old, brought in the new, and organized everything.

All of this got me thinking about product pitfalls. Here are three tips to stay healthy while enjoying your makeup.

Never Scrimp on Mascara. There are some beauty products that you can safely squeeze every last bit of life out of, but not mascara. It should be replaced every three months. This is critical because it can breed bacteria. A close friend of mine recently had a sty in her eye that became so badly infected she now has a lump that can only be surgically removed. According to her doctor, the prime suspect is her old mascara. I rest my case.

Keep Your Skin Happy. For those of you who are prone to allergic reactions or Rosacea, the right foundation is imperative. I’ve had Rosacea since I was a kid and NARS is currently the only one that doesn’t give me red splotches. The ingredients are known for being natural. I used to shy away from the brand because it’s expensive, but if you have sensitive skin, this splurge is worth the sacrifice.

Let Go of Germy Lipsticks. Years ago, a trusted markup artist told me that if a lipstick smells like a crayon, it’s filled with bacteria and belongs in the trash.

I’ve been admiring the big-time bloggers and have to admit a bit of photo envy seeing their gorgeous sets, fashions, and stunningness. There seems to be a trend of bloggers posing in front of windows with curtains. Well, I don’t have a crew and all those other assets, but I do have a window and a curtain, so I threw my camera on a tripod and ran in front of it. My pics aren’t as glamorous as those of the pros, but someone has to represent the average girl;)

 

You can transport yourself back to this live performance and join Julianne Hough, Vanessa Hudgens, Carly Rae Jepsen, and the rest of the cast with this step-by-step tutorial to some of the choreography.

Here’s the dance clip from the live movie that goes with it: https://www.instagram.com/p/BBk3VjKCfMp/ And if you’d like to practice with me to the music on Instagram, here is that link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BBlTmiOifHc/

The countdown has begun! It’s officially six days until Valentine’s Day! And if you’re like me, this holiday should be called, “Valentine’s Weekend.” Why limit such a wonderful celebration to just one day?

You college students planning for Valentine’s balls might relate to this SOS that I just received: “My boyfriend invited me to his Cupid Ball. Most college events are semi-formal, but this one is formal. I’m super-psyched, but I’m not a formal girl. I don’t like to wear accessories. Help please!”

If you’re in a similar situation, I’d advise choosing a lightweight, comfortable gown with an accessory already on it, like this Lauren Ralph Lauren. It’s formal, yet the breathable material is no-fuss. And with the side embellishment, no jewelry is needed to complete your look.

Here I’m teaching steps from the 1978 movie GREASE!

To see Olivia Newton-John dancing the choreography… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vO1_mrGcEo I’m combining two sections: 1:56-2:11 And 2:37-2:41. The music in them goes together seamlessly, and I’m dancing the moves to the compilation on Instagram…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBS0dcBifDs/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBT_dr7ifPL/

If you’d like me to teach choreography to GREASE: LIVE, starring Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens, which aired Sunday (1/31), just leave me a comment or send me an email at Katherine@KCC.LA It would be fun to add an update to the classic original!