Katherine Chloé Cahoon

Whenever someone says, “Elizabeth Taylor,” beautiful is one of the first adjectives that come to mind. Just the way she walked exuded feminine allure. So for this Beauty Trend Tuesday, I couldn’t think of a better person to focus on. And even though she’s no longer among us, her sentiments have stayed.

As Elizabeth once admitted, “I never face the day without perfume.” That’s a true beauty icon for you! And one of my other favorites from this legend is, “When people say, ‘She’s got everything’, I’ve got one answer – I haven’t had tomorrow.”

I love her attitude. We’re starting September and – as Elizabeth would see it – even if we felt that summer had been everything we wanted, we haven’t had fall yet. Let’s embrace it!

Last weekend, I celebrated this stunning woman’s marriage. And today, for Meeting Men Monday, I’m sharing her love advice.

Molly’s family and mine have been close friends since I was two-years-old. As you can see, she was like a big sister to me. She even taught me the importance of cookies as a pre-bed snack:)

Well, after more than twenty-five years, Molly is still the same fun-loving girl, but she’s met her perfect match. She and her husband have been friends for about six years, and didn’t start dating until the last two. For Molly, that was the right route to the alter.

As she explained, “Everyone falls in love differently. For me to trust a guy enough to become his wife, I needed to start with a solid friendship.”

Molly’s husband is quite a man. He had his eye on her for years and moved firmly into the friend zone before they fell in love. He seemed to know that she was a precious gem well worth the wait.

Then – when she did agree to be his wife – he didn’t just sit back and let her shoulder the wedding preparations. They are equals in this merger and he is a talented designer. He did up these gorgeous decorations. I’d say she has a keeper!

What happens when Nordstrom unites style with charity? Treasure&Bond! This trendy line, which just launched in 87 stores and online, shares its profits with organizations dedicated to empowering women. I attended the debut and found that one of the hottest spots in the TBD department was the dressing room—where I got to try on the designs. The hard part? Narrowing down my purchases!

The first piece that I fell in love with was this soft plaid shirt. It looks September stylish. I’m in Seattle right now, and apparently the weather hasn’t caught up with the fact that fall is approaching. Everyone is thrilled. So as the sun was setting, I just threw it on over a pair of shorts that I bought at Nordstom earlier this summer, and headed off to a bonfire party at the beach.

When the clouds gather, I’ll trade my shorts for T&B skinnies in washed denim. This medium blue color has been popular throughout the summer and a Nordstrom stylist told me that it will be a staple this fall.

Then when leaves begin to turn, I’ll keep cozy by layering-on a sweater.

Treasure&Bond mixes feminine pieces with styles borrowed from the boys. The price range – from $28 to $328 –– is budget-friendly, and when wearing this line while you’re looking great you’ll be giving back. Girls Inc., the first organization to benefit from T&B, “empowers girls in the U.S. and Canada to be strong, smart and bold.”

After making my T&B selections, I couldn’t help dancing in them. So I created this 30-second video showing how you can transition from summer to fall with this classic, cool brand. I bet you can guess what song I chose to dance to! Run the World (Girls)…of course!

Here are some other mixable Treasure&Bond fashions guaranteed to update your fall wardrobe.

Whenever I see celebs dressed in their red carpet best for awards ceremonies, I want to mimic them. But – flash to reality – I don’t have a stylist, a stash of designer gowns, and a calendar full of black tie events. So this time when I watched the stars pose for the paparazzi, I decided to take the hottest styles and apply them to the real world. I started by spotting the trends.

It looked like these bombshells exchanged mental emails before the Emmys. White gowns and flowing hair parted in the center won awards for some of the hottest looks. And I can see why. The ladies donning these styles were a beauty force.

The evening after the ceremony, I had a dinner party to attend. I didn’t let the fact that it wasn’t an ultra-fancy event stop me from trying to emulate these women. I wore a white dress, went for the center part, and enjoyed my night…channeling Sofia all the way! If I can ever pull off being ¼ as sexy as her, I’ll be happy:)

Last year, for the Academy Awards, I posted some of my favorite LA hot spots. They’re still just as hot. So if you’re planning a trip there and haven’t seen that post, it’s worth a look.

I was feeling like a little end-of-summer change. Last weekend, I went dancing and one of the girls at the club had an adorable short haircut with a luxurious cascade of layers. So I decided to take the snip.

But once I was in the chair, I wasn’t daring enough to whack off length everywhere. So I shortened my first layer by about five inches and tapered it down to blend with my longer strands.

This gave me a lighter, breezy feel for the remaining hot days of summer, and a variety of looks.

I can swoop the new layers across my forehead. Or push them to the side, creating extra volume.

I can also brush them into my hair, spray everything in place, and erase all traces of what the scissors have been up to. We’re on the brink of September. If you feel the urge for a change, this just might just be the right time for you too!

Mollie, my trusty hairstylist, says that Kérastase Volume in Powder is essential for making sure that shorter layers stay looking good, void of a rebellious streak.

A question that I’ve heard a lot is how to rekindle love when life’s challenges have dampened passion. One girl wrote me saying, “I just want my boyfriend to look at me the way he did when we started dating.” Another admitted, “My husband has ceased to be impressed by me.” And a man revealed, “Why couldn’t the honeymoon phase have lasted longer?”

Dr. Helen Fisher, a Rutgers University research scientist in anthropology explained, “After romantic love comes the long-term love of attachment, which is both a deeper bond and less all-consuming. But if you have picked the right mate, romantic love never totally subsides. And it can be reactivated.”

But how? I have a friend who just went through a divorce. He said that I could share with you an insight he wished someone had told him the day he got married. “Don’t assume you can read your partner’s mind. Have conversations about what excites and turns each other on. If you don’t, one or both of you can become bored with the relationship.”

To add to that, I think that couples should always maintain an attitude of love for each other. The word foreplay is really missing the letters v, e and r right in the middle. Metaphorically speaking, for a committed relationship, foreplay should be FOREVERplay instead of only a prelude to sex. If couples make their romance a constant state of mind, as responsibilities mount they’re more likely to continue treating each other with affection.

Also, research shows that trying new adventures as a couple ups the dopamine levels in their brains. That is what happens when you fall in love. A little extra dopamine can never hurt when it comes to steaming up a romance!

Fashion designers are taking their cues from the baseball field this season…and they’re racking up couture home runs. Girls, baseball pants aren’t just for the boys. Rag & Bone has flattering track pants inspired by the game that are perfect for anything from attending an event, to cruising the street, or meeting a friend for dinner. They’re what I call “Sporty Casual Chic.” And when paired with Milly’s baseball-inspired top, they have major league appeal!

Here’s a funny Baseball Boot Camp video that I just edited. My friend Chandler took the role of Drill Instructor. But as you can see, I’m the opposite of a natural. It was so hopeless that at one point I aborted my sprints to do ballet jumps. Well, I did train with the Boston Ballet…thus my love of the Red Sox:)

If you haven’t yet read about Chandler’s dating scoreboard, check out my last Meeting Men Monday. Girls have been loving it! Here are two messages that I’ve received from his admiring fans…we’ll keep their names anonymous:)

“Please tell Chandler I’m wearing yoga pants!” [He divulged what yoga pants really do to men. Ladies, apparently they aren’t just for yoga.]

“Chandler is hotttt.” [Not just three ts, but four!]

Okay, Mr. Hotttt, next time you run me through my baseball paces, I’ll try to be better on my game.

If you’re ever able to stay at the historic Hotel Imperial, you will have a dream come true. A reader told me of her passion for this jewel set in a centuries-old city that feels like a living museum. So I just had to spotlight it on Travel Thursday.

Entering the lobby, you feel like a princess. It’s no wonder. This landmark was originally the private palace for the prince of Württemberg. The ornate décor, impeccable service, and access to the exclusive readings and concerts held there all add up to a royal visit.

But – reality check – how many of us could actually afford to live in such luxury, even if it were only for a week? Probably not many. Don’t let this stop you from enjoying such hot spots. I travel a lot for work, and have learned that a girl doesn’t have to stay at a lavish retreat to drop by for a drink and soak up the ambiance. And how could you pass up Hotel Imperial’s café? It’s famous for serving some of the best pastries in Vienna. If you do indulge, you may be in for a more personal look at the place.

On one of my travels, while enjoying appetizers at a legendary hotel, I made friends with some ladies who were staying there. They had come many times before, and showed me around town. Then they invited me to a party in their suite. Word to the wise… I’m a stickler on safety. I often travel alone for work, have learned how to avoid dangerous situations, and definitely want all you travelers to return home safe. I will not accept a private social invitation until I’ve spent sufficient time with my new friends in public settings to trust them… And I hope you won’t either.

Over the weekend, I saw this Woody Allen movie that has audiences literally spellbound…by its alluring 1920s fashions. Emma Stone, the leading lady, pulled it all off as though she had been born for the era.

A few days after enjoying this fashion parade, I was invited to an alfresco black-and-white dinner party. So I went exploring in my closet, and found a dress with a trademark 20s wide waist gathered at the sides, and a long pearl necklace. I originally put this ensemble together for a Great Gatsby date event, but now the vintage look is in.

For current fashions with this feel, hunt no further than Donna Morgan. When it comes to those trademark long pearls, you can choose from a full spectrum of quality and price points. Splurge on something from Tiffany’s, scrimp on a similar look from Ross-Simons, or stay in the center with Stella & Dot.

Throw on a jacket with a romantic ruffle (similar) and you’re ready for any type of weather. Now you just need to find some moonlight and channel Emma Stone’s charm!

Tom Ford! When I attended one of his cosmetic trend shows, the audience chanted at the top of their lungs, “Numbers don’t lie, check the scoreboard… Tom Ford, Tom Ford, Tom Ford…” There was so much spontaneous hype from loyal customers that it was hard for the host to settle everyone down!

Who else besides Tom Ford has a top line and Jay-Z rapping about him? Todd Davidson, the TF beauty expert, was just as popular with the crowd. When he walked out, ladies hollered, “We love you, Todd.” And, “Bring us some Tom Ford.”

After the event, I was excited to have Todd work his makeup magic on me. He demonstrated bronzing tricks and explained, “Tom Ford went to school to be an architect, so he really knows the structure of a face and what looks best.”

TF provides quantity with his quality. When Todd pulled out the famed TF bronzer, I was surprised at how generous it was. Todd explained, “Size matters for Mr. Ford. We have both the biggest and best bronzer around!” Todd applied it with the soft and fluffy TF bronzer brush. With it, your glow will be evenly distributed.

For my blush, Todd picked Flush to give my cheeks a sun-kissed pop of color.

And the cosmetics gifts he gave me are guaranteed to make a girl happy! Thanks Todd and Tom Ford.

Today, for Meeting Men Monday, I asked my friend Chandler some of the dating questions that I’ve received from you girls. Get ready, because he was 100% candid. That’s why I love him. This guy will never give you a sugarcoated answer.

Chandler plays baseball for Saint Martin’s University and I can testify that he’s a campus hottie. Girlfriends of mine who are still in college are crazy about him.

Before answering my questions, Chandler helped me sneak onto a baseball field.

After he lifted me over the fence, he gave me his dating 411 as he tried to whip me into baseball shape.

Later this week, I’ll post a funny video of our Baseball Boot Camp, but now it’s time to chat about what Chandler says turns men on starting with…

The Power of Yoga Pants. Chandler’s a fan of whoever invented them. In his words, “A guy responds to a girl wearing yoga pants the same way that girls say they respond to a guy wearing baseball pants. HOT!” In Chandler’s mind, any girl’s body instantly looks more toned and appealing the second she throws them on. And he firmly believes, “Girls know exactly what they’re doing to guys when they wear them.”

Fitness First. I’ve featured men on my site who are attracted to women of all shapes and sizes, but Chandler is more into athletic girls. He says that he likes slender ones, “preferably with about a 20 body mass index or lower.” Whew, it’s a good thing that Chandler and I are just friends. I have no idea what my BMI is, but given my extreme love for ice cream, I’d say I’m out of bounds:)

Not Just Looks. Even though Chandler loves a girl who is fit, not being personable is a date-breaker. Having charisma and a good laugh are important items on this baseball player’s relationship list.

Over-Texting is a Turnoff. To Chandler, a girl who is a prime carpal tunnel candidate due to over-texting a guy is a turnoff. He wants a woman who shows she likes him without being overbearing.

It’s in the Kiss. Chandler says that the way a girl kisses him tells a lot about the chemistry they have. He confided that he uses “moderate to high amounts of tongue.” I told you this interview was candid:) And he likes a girl who is an active participant in the kissing department. Ladies, Chandler said that the worst is when he “sticks” his “tongue into a girl’s mouth and it’s an empty abyss.”

Thanks, Chandler, for giving us your dating insights and showing me some baseball moves!

Well, Lauren Bacall seems to have us all under her spell. Though she passed away on Tuesday, her shining presence on the silver screen during Hollywood’s golden age and on Broadway afterward will never pass from view.

During her life, many thought of Lauren as the essence of beauty and confidence, but she had fears like everyone else. Instead of letting them conquer her, she used them to her advantage.

As this sultry star explained about her break-through performance opposite Humphrey Bogart, “I used to tremble from nerves so badly that the only way I could hold my head steady was to lower my chin practically to my chest and look up at Bogie. That was the beginning of ‘The Look.’” And everyone loved “The Look.”

Adhering to the old adage, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” I wore an off-the-shoulder dress similar to Lauren’s, and snapped the above pic with Ginger, my little furry friend. Since this is Fashion Friday, you should know that Lauren was the queen of off-the-shoulder gowns.

Lauren made this look so classic that it is still being sold today. I can’t work it like the goddess…really who can? But you can get an off-the-shoulder gown and make the style your own. Right now, Free People has several such designs. And ShopStyle has a variety by Herve Leger, Adrianna Papell, Escada, and more.

Lauren, we will always love you.

When a girl gets a tip from these dazzlers – who, by the way, danced for the winning Super Bowl team – she has to follow it!

Three of them told me that their favorite tennies for getting their moves on are by Nike Free 3.0 Studio Dance.

They’re fashion-forward and have circles on the soles that make them easy to turn and pivot in.

As you can see from the next pic, mine were road-tested and met the challenge.

To add to what the Sea Gals said, I found that this style also makes going up on you toes easy. The structure is designed to place minimal weight on them in that position.

I wanted this Nike style and couldn’t find it at any of the stores near me, so I just ordered online. They’re carried by a variety of vendors. And, since this is Travel Thursday, I want to tell you about NikeTown London…the flagship store. If you’re able to stop in, you can expect some sporty pampering with an avalanche of selections and the ability to create your own personalized footwear.

Here’s a fun dance that anyone can learn to this hit song. It’s choreographed by the Northwest fitness stars, Cory (right) and Melain (center).

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These two hotties created Rizzmic, an emerging dance-fitness program. In their classes, you work out by doing popular dances throughout the ages that are perfect for the hits that made them great.

In the Northwest, Rizzmic has become so well-liked that “get Rizzy” is a common verb phrase. When I receive texts from friends asking if I’m going to “get Rizzy” I know exactly what they mean… Am I heading off to Cory and Melain’s dance party?

Rizzmic welcomes all ages and fitness levels and develops avid fans. When one of my classmates was recovering from a foot injury, she still attended. She had to do the moves sitting on a medicine ball, but that didn’t stop her from shaking her hips big-time!

When dancing to All About That Bass, I thought it fitting to wear this top. Our video features three of my favorites…shopping, dancing, and good music.

Today’s beauty breakdown is all about nails, plus high-quality colors that shout “Summer,” and are known for covering with just one coat!

I figure that summer only comes around once a year, so now is the time to bring out the bright colors with gusto.

Whether you’re an emerging artist, a college girl, or a businesswoman, FingerPaints Up and Coming Artist (aka a hot pink shade) is the perfect tip for a colorful French nail.

I chose to pair it with an apricot base…FingerPaints Impressionist Rose. If the shades I’m wearing aren’t being sold at a beauty supply store near you, check-out the array of other super-shine hues the company has to offer.

When going for the colorful French, I try to pick compatible tones that complement the base and aren’t so different that the tips steal all the attention. I’m also a little leery of online nail-color perusing because shades can look different in person. No woman wants to be left with buyer’s remorse, which is why I never settle for a nail color before seeing it up close.