Zelaz has a video

Credit goes to our consultant, Paris Roussos. Thanks, Paris!

Weed, Then Shop!

Weeding a garden is one thing; weeding through closets is another! If the owner of the closet is a tween or teen girl, the collection can be especially daunting. Items that no longer fit. Items that were her favorites. Items that are no longer in fashion. Items that have spots, tears or missing buttons. Items that look good on a hanger but hang oddly on her. Items that fit but make her look too fat or too thin, too tall or too short, too old or too young. Items that she loves but you find too revealing or too childish. Plus, the items that she wears every day!

Before school resumes again, take time to weed. Invite your daughter to join you. Explain that money is tight everywhere right now and before you finance further clothes purchases, it would help you both to see what she has. It may even free up space for your daughter to store other treasures. Besides, making order from chaos is satisfying for its own sake. You can sweeten the deal by offering to help wash or iron your discoveries. Suggest that once she has finished, you will take her shopping.

First discuss destinations for the items you plan to sort.


* Items to keep: Acknowledge and validate your daughters taste. She has pretty, serviceable clothes. She also has sentiment, like all of us, and ought to be permitted to keep some useless (to adults!) items if she loves them.

* Items to share: Clothes in good condition that can be given to a sister, cousin, neighbor or friend.
* Items to repair/wash/iron: Clothes she likes and wishes to fix up.

* Items to donate: Clothes that are still wearable can be given to a second-hand store or advertised on craigslist (or similar site.)

* Items to throw away or put in the scrap basket: Even your daughter may admit that some things are beyond hope.

Second, weed! This can be a fun time to try things on, laugh about what used to look good, and discover how much she has grown. It is also an opportunity to muse with her about how much the clothes cost and how many resources--water, heat, energy-- were consumed to produce them.

Third, talk about what she still needs and what she wants. This tight economy makes us all aware of our budgets, and this process makes your daughter part of the family's planning. Having completed the weeding process, you both can see what she has and what she needs.

Finally, go shopping. The preceding steps inspire girls to make careful and deliberate purchases, behavior appropriate for our current economic climate-and a life skill.

For ideas, try zelaz.com

New Perspectives on a Pop Icon

I had the wonderful opportunity to take my daughter to the Beyonce concert when she was in town last week. It was truly a memorable, thought-provoking experience!

First, Beyonce is incredibly talented. She writes much of the music she sings, and has a voice that is truly stunning. She's also beautiful. But beautiful in an impressive way. While the lights and make-up artists can enhance anyone's beauty, she strikes an athletic, healthy frame on stage that clearly declares - I'm talented, successful and I have a positive message for girls and women! I wasn't familiar with her music, save for one or two hits, but I was wholly impressed at the content of her music: girls can stand on their own, you don't need a man to be whole, and beauty comes in many forms and figures.

While there was far too much crotch waving and "booty" shaking for my taste, and the back-up singers had cleavage like nobody's business, there was a lot to celebrate about this concert that was filled with teen and preteen fans.

We fall for the tabloids so easily these days, looking to exploit the flaws of the famous. I'm sure Beyonce has her own set of skeletons, like we all do, yet, on stage I saw an engaging, focused singer who is taking her fame seriously. Her concert tour gives a portion of its proceeds to hunger, and ticket holders were encouraged to donate canned food at the entrance.

Her outfits were stylish and indeed refreshing. How she successfully managed eight costume changes WHILE singing the entire time left me wondering. Yet, each outfit was tasteful, well-fitting, and not suggestive or sultry.

To top it off, her band was ALL women. Sure there was a fair share of men running the mixers and lighting on the floor, but on stage, save for four male dancers who appeared occasionally, she touted 13 female musicians, all accomplished and at the top of their game: a drummer and bongo player, two keyboard players, three back-up singers, a lead guitarist who could twang with the best of them, a bass player, and four instrumentalists who clearly loved the work they were lucky enough to do.

My personal favorite was when she donned a floor length sequined gown and sang "At Last" in front of 1960s video clips from the Montgomery bus boycott, Freedom Ride buses and black protesters being arrested for claiming their equal rights. I think much of the footage was lost on the audience, but when she showed a clip of our President dancing at the inauguration with his wife, Michelle, the entire Target Center erupted in cheers of joy and encouragement.

Yes, indeed, Beyonce in concert was an amazing, lasting experience. She has found a way to subliminally connect with young and growing minds in a positive, uplifting way.

I left the concert with my daughter smiling ear to ear and with a new-found appreciation for this pop icon. She's taken her gifts seriously and graciously and is helping make the world a better place. Thanks!

Job-Hunt Advice from the Virtual World

Career Builder.com offers some terrific advise for Facebook/text immersed teens and young adults as they are looking for their first jobs.

Texting - Avoid it altogether - There is a time and place for text message lingo and emoticons, and potential employer correspondence is not one of them. Even if the communication is done via email, use your basic writing tools--grammar, punctuation, capital letters when appropriate--with any current or future work-related contacts.

Don't treat recruiters like friends - No matter how nice or encouraging they are, at the end of the day, recruiters are recruiters, not your friends. Save the "LOLs" and happy faces for someone who is.

Play it safe - You have no idea what hiring managers find charming and what they find annoying. In the job search, keep a constant eye on your home page/Facebook, making sure they represent you as a fun, but stable individual who can make good judgements.

If you have to ask yourself, 'Should I?'...then you probably shouldn't.

Actions speak louder -- and more professionally -- than emoticons - If you want to convey a happy and upbeat personality, use words and actions instead of font colors and symbols.

Layering with Style

Layers, layers. They've been around now for years. But how does one get just that right look?

Start with the basics. Tanks are must-haves for every teen and tween girl. They provide added warmth in the winter and important coverage in the front all year round. Find well made tanks in cottons or nylons that include at least 5% spandex to hold their shape!

Add color. Wear more than one tank and make sure they can both be seen at the neck or hem. Add a contrasting colored t-shirt or sweater. Be bold! The sky's the limit with the combinations you can create.


Add shape. Avoid clothing that fits snugly all over. Add a baby doll top that flows at the bottom or an unstructured sweater with full sleeves. Create interest while maintaining good taste.

Add a scarf. Scarves go with every outfit. Since too much layering can add bulk, not to mention warmth on these changeable spring days, scarves are a nice alternative. Accent your tops with colors from your scarf. Use scarves to express your personal style. Feel free to go wild. Have fun!

Have fun with layers. Experiment! Your friends will tell you if you've come up with something that does not work for you or for that day's occasion. Change out the combinations for a different look each outing.

Remember: buy well made clothing so it lasts over time. Not only is it economical and earth friendly, combining the clothing you have into new outfits brings out your own creativity.

Layers are your ticket to color, shape and personal style in every outfit you wear. Find layering options at Zelaz.

Grab some Color for Spring! Check out the 2009 spring palette

Spring is on its way. Rising hemlines, bare legs, and uncovered shoulders all usher in this season of renewal and excitement. My grandfather once said to me, “It would be a shame to die in the Spring… you made it through the doldrums of winter and then don’t get to enjoy the buds on the trees and the returning robins.” He was right; Spring is terrific. Maybe it’s the color: we move away from blacks, browns and neutrals, into greens, yellows and pinks.

We just returned from market and color is everywhere. Pantone, Inc., the fashion industry’s expert on color, annually defines the emerging color palette for Spring. This year it suggests shades that are lively and a bit quirky. A few favorites that will show up at Zelaz:

Bright Yellow (thank you Michelle Obama!) is hot and in terrific shades this season: yellow grass, lemon, sunlight, all evoking the earth and its exuberance.
Fuchsia Red has deep blue undertones. It exudes warmth and vibrancy. An easy color to overdue, use it to splash up one of last year’s favorites.
Dark Citron is citrus-inspired soft green that is heavy on the yellow. It is calm and earthy and works well on nearly everyone.
Lavender is back. It’s lighter and softer than last year’s purples, but is less violet than its friend periwinkle. Be careful with lavender; not everyone can wear it. If you are one of them, rather than using lavender as a primary color, accent with lavender or find it in a print.
Lucite Green hasn’t shown up in several years, and it’s back in full force this Spring. It represents renewal and vibrancy and compliments subdued neutral tones. Not quite turquoise and not quite aqua, it pairs well with Salmon Rose, another great color on Pantone’s list.

Not used to wearing color? Some of us dive into color in the spring, but that’s not for everyone. Try it in a scarf or add a jacket to offset your naturals. Have fun and enjoy what Spring offers.

Help Teen Girls Dress Tastefully for Spring

Spring is nearly here! Even though it may be 10 degrees below zero today, spring is nearly here. The robins will soon return, the tulips will soon emerge, and clothing will soon cover less. Spring is wonderful, and at the same time can cause mothers everywhere to question their daughters’ judgment. Does that scooped neck top scoop too much? Do those shorts climb up the bum? Wouldn’t that skirt be just as fashionable if it were two inches longer? Are those jeans too tight?

While this seasonal change can be stressful, it can also be a time for girls to stretch their personal confidence and individual style. They can do this without stretching their clothes too far. A few tips to make the transition a breeze:

Love the layers. Layers don’t have to mean turtlenecks or heavy sweaters. Layers for Spring include multiple camisoles in more than one color. Find different cuts based on body curves to cover cleavage while still looking healthy and fit.

Go with 3-inch inseams. A 3-inch inseam is a reasonable standard for shorts. Measure the inside of the leg, and insist the inseam (from crotch seam to hem) is at least three inches in length. Anything less rides up the bum.

Add leggings. Leggings give versatility to a favorite shift. If a shift or top has become too short due to growth, add leggings for interest and modesty. Plus, leggings cover a portion of the upper leg that doesn’t always need to be seen, particularly as protected skin emerges from the long winter months.

Add a sweater or bolero. Summer styles in early spring can seem shocking. We just aren’t in the habit of seeing all that skin. Yes, we get comfortable with it as temperatures rise, so in the short-term, add a sweater or jacket to balance the look.

Add a scarf. Scarves continue to add interest and creativity to any outfit. When wrapped loosely around the neck, they fall across the front, covering cleavage that isn’t covered by a cami. Have fun! Go with color. Scarves even start great conversations.

As always, have a conversation with your daughter about what is suitable and what isn’t. Refrain from judging her style – you simply won’t agree on what is attractive and what is not! You can, however, agree on what parts of the body should be covered and with how much fabric. Spring is just around the corner, and the fun starts now.

For more spring styles, and styles for all year round, visit zelaz.com

Lighten Up This Year

We all have had those truly disgusting new year's resolutions: exercise more, meditate daily, lose 10 pounds. They so often fall by the wayside. Therefore, I suggest another way to lighten up this year. Get rid of the clutter!

What is it about the new year that causes us to clean? It seems especially appropriate this year after such an ICKY (yes, I said Icky!) 2008. Cleaning out and throwing away is a good way to make a deliberate act at starting anew. It feels good, somehow, a physical lightening up!

We've been cleaning out EVERYTHING at my house... closets, drawers, even the garage. We use the Three Year Rule: if it hasn't been touched in three years, out it goes. I think that comes from all the moving we did early in our marriage; it still works. I think, though, we violated the rule this year: we threw out a number of things that hadn't been used in two years or even less!

Most of the stuff then goes to another cause: homeless shelters, second hand stores. Its amazing how big the recycle pile became! So lighten up, do it deliberately, and then move on.

Check out where Janet Polach's fellow parents can shop for their choosy tween and teen daughters: zelaz.com

When to Let Go: Conflict between Teen Priorities and Parent Priorities

I hear it every day in the store: "My daughter used to wear anything I picked out for her. Now I can't begin to figure out what she'll like!" Yes, its true; as our children move into their tweens, they are more opinionated and much more preferential in their choices. That's what they are supposed to do.


Yet, it's hard for us. We've shepherded and guided, encouraged and hauled around. The trick now is to know when to let go and in what ways. My 18-year-old, soon-to-be college student, recently taught me the delicate balance. He is a very gifted musician and particularly talented on the piano. I had tapped rhythms, counted measures and hauled him to recitals and contests since he was five, always imagining that he would continue piano in college, not as a major, but as a lifelong passion.

I recently asked him about fitting in practicing while he was balancing his other commitments of school, sports, and a very special girl in his life. In a frustrated moment of being too short of time to do anything fun, he snapped, "Mom, this piano thing NEVER was my deal; it was always yours. I did it because you wanted me to...."

And so it went. We had a good conversation about his own priorities. I asked him a number of questions, supportive mother questions: Is the music too difficult? Do you want to consider other composers? Is the teacher too rough on you? No, we both concluded, it just wasn't as satisfying or rewarding as the other things he had going on. Sadly, I agreed.

A funny thing happened a few weeks later. I was having an especially challenging day and dinner had been tense. After dinner was cleaned up and his homework finished, he sat down at the piano and played lovely music for nearly half an hour. It calmed the entire house.

Since then, he's practiced many times, dragging out old pieces, and tackling new ones. I asked if he was back on for a senior recital. "No," he replied, "I'm enjoying it this way."

It was a great lesson that he could never have verbalized to me. And so, I won't get the opportunity to sit as the proudest of parents while he plays a number of spectacular pieces on the grand piano in our church. He's playing the piano, and loving it - on his own time, in his own way.

Check out where Janet Polach's fellow parents can shop for their choosy tween and teen daughters: zelaz.com

Minnesota Parent This Week: November 26, 2008

Store Opening
Zelaz
Walk into Zelaz (pronounced ZEE-lahz), a new tween/teen-centric girl's clothing store at Ridgedale Mall, and you'll be struck more by what you don't see than what you do: no pounding hip-hop music, no dim lighting, no overwhelming stench of cologne, and, as owner Janet Polach says, "No logos on the backside!" Polach opened Zelaz last August after being frustrated by the lack of stylish but appropriate clothing options for her tween-age daughter Alex (Zelaz is Alex's name backwards... minus an 'x' and plus some 'z's). Zelaz is a comfortable, open store that offers funky purses, jewelry, dress clothes, and everyday basics that girls from middle to high school are fans of (I heard more than one "OMG" while flipping through the racks). From Billabong thermals and Peruvian knit hats to dresses for winter formals, Zelaz has a range of affordable clothes for all occasions. And Polach is happy to weigh in what's stylish this season - "Anything with a peace symbol" - for those looking for tween gift ideas. And parents can feel good about every purchase not just because the clothes are classy: 5 percent of revenue goes to girlsBEST, a charity that supports girl-specific programs that promote self esteem, leadership, and activism. -Monica Wright
Ridgedale Mall,
12401 Wayzata Blvd, Minnetonka
Hours this weekend: Friday 6 a.m.-10 p.m.,
Saturday 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Zelaz.com

Tie One On...Scarves!

Scarves couldn't be hotter. Tying them can be a challenge. Here are a couple easy ways to wear this year's hottest fashion trend.

1. Double over rectangle scarf. Lay scarf over the back of the neck. Bring two ends through the loop. Tighten gently.

2. Wrap single length of scarf around neck. Hang each end evenly in front. Loop one end through scarf AND the other end that is around neck. Bring through and adjust.

3. Hang scarf over neck letting both ends hang evenly. Simple tie in a very loose knot, let hang gently.

4. For a square scarf, fold diagonally, making a triangle. Wrap both ends around neck, leaving triangle point hanging in the front, like a bib. Wrap ends around back of neck and then bring to the front, tie ends in a square knot over "bib" that is hanging down. Adjust.

Still having troubles? Check out this great video: Scarf Video

Check out more at http://zelaz.com/shortsleeve.aspx

Talk with Kids about Tough Times

Gas prices have dropped, the election is over, and yet we are all feeling the strain of this recession. Times are uncertain, particularly if you listen to the media and their dire coverage. However, challenging times can create a unique opportunity to talk to our kids about the economy. Here are a few tips.

Take stock of your own situation. Many people work in stable industries and have stable economic situations. For those of us who are not retiring in the next 18 months, our savings have time to rebound. Assess your current situation and understand where you stand.

Discuss the economic situation with your family. While the levers of this recession are complex, it can provide excellent family discussion. Remind kids that they are safe and loved. Share with kids the reality of your family situation.

Talk about trimming expenses. Even if you are financially stable, such economic times require us all to be careful. Discuss ways to trim spending: take on household tasks that are often outsourced; eat out less and cook meals at home; watch a movie as a family rather than going out.

Remember that there are others who have it truly bad. Economic times like this hit the poorest first and hit much harder than on those who are more secure. Please don't trim on your giving to charities during these tough times; these organizations need our dollars more than ever.

Have fun. While times are tough, there is still joy everywhere we look. People continue to fall in love, kids are accepted to college, promotions occur, businesses open. Take stock in the many blessings of your family and this country. We can each take responsibility for getting this economy going again.

http://zelaz.com/tweens-longsleeve.aspx

Teen Fall Fashion--Stylish and Inexpensive

Stretch Your Current Wardrobe

Worried about the economy? Your wardrobe doesn't have to add more stress. Here are five great ways to get more looks out of what you already have.

1. Add a scarf. SCARVES are HOT! They add color, keep you warm, and an interesting one can be purchased for about $20. Better then jewelry, they are functional and get you noticed.

2. Raid a friend's jewelry box. Your trash may be a friend's treasure. Buy a new basic and then ask a friend to borrow accessories she no longer wears.

3. Match new combinations. Today's style is all about layering. Pick up inexpensive short or long sleeve t-shirts and put them under your summer favorites, add bright legging with sweaters for something new and top it off with a scarf, or layer t-shirts and show a rainbow of colors at your neckline.

4. Go for quality not quantity. Opt for wool or cotton sweaters on the racks that will last three or four seasons, rather than acrylic that will lose its shape before the season is out. Stick with basic colors like black, navy or brown and then change out the accessories over the seasons.

5. Opt for a new sweater over another pair of jeans. While the manufacturers entice shoppers with new cuts and washes, jeans are jeans after all. With limited dollars, update your wardrobe with a new and distinctive top, rather than more denim.

Five Fashions For Fall

Scarves. Stripes, prints, rich colors. Wrap them around your neck for color and style.

Wide-legged jeans. Comfy and a change from bootcut. Don't go overboard on these. One pair is plenty.

Leggings. They're back and fun! Raspberry, turquoise, bright yellow. Go wild for less than $20 a pair.

New Shapes. Black sweaters are here to stay, but this year's models offer new twists: longer, double breasted, belled sleeves.

Layering. T-shirt under t-shirt, longsleeves with shortsleeves. Be daring, and comfortable, and use color to make your personal statements.

Shopping with Teens and Tweens--How to Have Fun and Find Common Ground

“No, it’s too short.”

“You like that???”

“You’re not wearing that.”

“Mom!!!”

Such conversations are heard in malls across America. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of great shopping choices. The big box stores offer redundant fare: grunge, revealing tops, dozens of the same old thing, and an environment that makes it hard to even think. Shopping then becomes selecting from bad options.

However, shopping together does not have to be drudgery. It can be a fun experience, for daughters and their moms. My fourteen year old daughter, Alex, and I are becoming local experts on dressing teens and tweens in style and fashions that they will love, and their mothers will not hate.

Here are a few suggestions for moms and daughters to improve your shopping experience.

Allow time to shop. Kids are already rushed. Making special purchases the day before they are needed increases stress for both moms and daughters. Rushing creates stress, especially if you are looking for something in particular. Think ahead of those special events and shop early. Even if you do not purchase the item early, you get a sense of style and the options that are available.

Try something different. The old adage applies: if you do what you always did, you will get what you always got. Look in a new store or check out a new department. Try something on you would not have considered in the past. Go to a different mall. You will be surprised what happens when you shop in different surroundings.

Watch their eyes. Regardless of what they eventually say, I have learned to tell instantly whether a teen likes something or not. They know instantly if it excites them. Keep your eyes open and you can learn to tell too. Remember: our style is not our daughter’s style, and that is just fine. After all, you would not like everything in your best friend’s closet. So do not expect your daughter and you to always agree on what’s cute.

Speak concretely, not emotionally. You can, however, agree on whether it’s appropriate. Shopping can be a test of wills, but it does not have to be. If you feel a garment is too revealing or too bold, say so and describe why. Describe why a garment is inappropriate in concrete terms, rather than from an emotional reaction. Our girls wear what the market offers them. If we don’t stand up for our daughters and declare what is appropriate and what is not, the market will not change, and we will continue to be stuck with same limiting options we’ve always had.

Whether you enjoy shopping or not, shopping together offers time together. It can be a time of give and take, of gaining insight, of simply laughing in each other’s company. Enjoy!


Zelaz is an on-line teen and tween clothing store. It specializes in “Clothes you love and your mother won't hate.” Basically, clothes that are fun, appropriate and not geared toward sexual suggestiveness. Zelaz serves fashion conscious and yet real human sized adolescents. For instance, those who are small on the bottom and developed on the top can find outfits. Zelaz serves all girls. 5% of all sales are donated to girl empowerment non-profit organizations. Check out

http://zelaz.com