Posts Tagged: summer

2 quick ways to get your skin ready for spring (and summer, too)

By IN Less Frantic Mondays

18'' Detachable Long Handle Natural Boar Bristle Brush

Warmer weather–whether it reaches you in spring or the start of summer–means more bare skin. And more bare skin means more lotion and sunscreen.

Less Frantic Mondays: Tips and tricks for getting dressed and creating working mom outfits with less hassle and more fun.Even though the air isn’t as dry as it was in winter, exfoliating first can help lotions and creams sink in better.

These 2 quick tips will get your skin ready for spring (and summer, too)

  • Dry brush your body. Have you heard of this yet? It first came across my radar from Smart, Pretty and Awkward. You use a body brush to exfoliate before you get in the shower. It’s quick, it’s easy and devotees say it clears up skin problems, too.
  • Use a washcloth on your lips. Sounds weird, I know. But if you have rough or chapped lips, just give them a rub with a dry washcloth or even a damp one and voila, your kisser is much smoother.

I’ve used the second method, but not the first so I’m curious to hear what your experiences are with either of them.

  • Fab mamas: How do you get your skin ready for warm weather? Have you tried either of these ways?

Get fabulous. Be fabulous. Declare your right to discover and manifest your personal style with the Fab Mama Style Manifesto.

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How to wear your summer clothes in winter

By IN How-To Tuesdays

How to wear summer clothes in winter
Modcloth sundress / Romwe cardigan / J.Crew tissue turtleneck / A|X Armani Exchange opaque tight / Avenue riding boots / J.Crew patent leather belt

This week we’re talking about re-use in your wardrobe and how to get more wear out of what you already own.

One way to do that is to extend the season in which you wear an item. Now you might not be able to wear that down coat in July, but if you do it right, you can wear your warm weather clothes nearly year ‘round.

How to winterize your summer clothes

Since the goal is to add warmth to otherwise not-so-warm garments, most of these tips involve a variation on layering. The more you pile on, the warmer you get!

  • Switch your footwear. If you’re easing from summer into fall, the temperature difference isn’t as great. Sometimes all you need to do is add tights and boots to an otherwise summery cotton dress to make it weather (and season) appropriate.
  • Layer on top. Wear your lightweight garment as the top layer over several warmer pieces. Think of a sundress over a turtleneck on the top half of your outfit–and maybe even skinny jeans or leggings on the bottom half. A cotton top you used to wear with shorts can be paired with warm cords and a long-sleeve T-shirt or even a thermal tee.
  • Layer underneath. Take the opposite approach; put the summer wear under the winter. Your dress becomes a skirt with a jacket or sweater over the top of it. Worn as a layering piece, a hot weather tank top becomes an innerwear item.

Here’s a bonus tip: All of these ways of layering are also really useful when you’re traveling; the more you can create outfits by layering, the fewer individual items you have to pack.

  • Fab mamas: Do you have any favorite warm weather items you wear into the winter? What are your winterizing tips?

Want to learn more about how to build outfits–and how to find the garments for them that flatter your body and personal style? I’ve created a new self-guided course that teaches you just that–and more. Sign up for my email list to be the first to find out when it’s available (and get a special insiders’ launch offer).

[Guest post] What to wear to an outdoor music festival

By IN Advice

Music Festival Outfit #1

Today’s post is a guest post by the fabulous Allie of the style advice blog Wardrobe Oxygen. (If you don’t already know and read Wardrobe Oxygen, here’s a little bit more about Allie in last year’s Site Spotlight.)

Heidi asked if I could write about what to wear for a music festival and I jumped at the chance.  I went to my first multi-day music festival in 2007 and haven’t looked back.  These are events that are full of music, art, and friends but the experience can be drastically affected by what you wear.

Unlike a concert, a music festival is for an extended period of time so you are going without typical creature comforts.  Don’t expect modern plumbing, access to shade or air-conditioned spaces.

Here are some tried-and-true outfits that will work for any music festival on your summer schedule!

What to wear to an outdoor music festival: Outfit option #1

Denim shorts are a great choice for music festivals because they are durable and look great even when dirty.  Choose a pair long enough to not ride up when walking and loose enough to easily slip on and off in a hot porta-john.  Pair with a cotton camisole so you can catch any breeze and dry quickly if caught in an unexpected afternoon rain shower.

A lightweight crossbody bag can hold your water, festival map, phone and sunscreen while still leaving your hands free for your camera, a beer, or to dance.  A canvas shoe like TOMS are perfect because they will stay on your feet even if it’s muddy and wet and aren’t too heavy.  Finally, no matter how much of a sun worshipper you may be you should protect yourself from the rays with a hat.

What to wear to an outdoor music festival: Outfit option #2

Music Festival Fashion 2

My favorite thing to wear to a music festival is a cotton sundress – it’s breezy, festive, and convenient.  Choose one no longer than midi length so it doesn’t drag in the mud or get in the way in the porta-john.  I like to wear bike shorts under sundresses at festivals – it helps prevent chub rub and provides modesty when sitting on the ground.

A dress also looks fantastic with a big floppy sun hat, which will protect your shoulders as well as face.  A pair of flat sandals with ankle straps are a sound footwear choice – just be sure they aren’t your favorite shoes for they may be destroyed come the end of the festival.

While you may see celebrities wear maxi dresses, wedge heels, tight jeans, and designer bags to Coachella, I do not recommend any of these for regular folks.  There will be mud and dust, beers will be spilled, porta-johns will not be emptied quickly enough, and you will be doing quite a lot of walking during the hottest points of the day.  While it is important to dress for comfort, as you can see from the above examples, it is possible to be comfortable as well as stylish.

(And what to bring)

Now, what to put in that crossbody bag?  As I mentioned, one should bring a bottle of sunscreen – I like the spray bottles so I can put it on without having to rub it in.  Also bring a reusable water bottle – festivals always have filtered water stations and it’s cheaper and easier (and more eco-friendly!) to bring your own bottle.

I also recommend bringing a cotton bandana or scarf – you can use this to protect your scalp if you wish to take off your hat, can tie it around your neck to protect from the sun, dip in a bucket of ice water and place on the skin to cool off.  I have also used mine as a dust mask for festivals during droughts.

I also bring a baggie with some toilet paper in case the porta-john I get is out.  Have your cell phone, cash (ATMs are usually few and far between and often run out), insurance information, a couple of business cards and a pen to connect with new friends, and a Sharpie in case you bump into an artist and want their autograph.

I also like having a tinted lip balm with sunscreen and fruity gum to refresh the mouth after a long hot day.  If you plan on staying through the evening, pack a hoodie; if there’s chance of rain consider a packable poncho.  If you want details on what to pack for such a festival, check out my article on packing for a music festival.

Now you’re ready for any festival – comfortable and still chic.  So get off the computer and get to dancing!

Thanks again to Allie for writing this guest post! Although I’ve been to a few myself over the years, I’ve never been this well prepared, so I definitely learned a lot. I hope you did, too. (Now when can I get tickets for next year’s Sweetlife Festival?)

What to buy

Lace shirt
aeropostale.com

Toms shoes
toms.com

Straw fedora
modcloth.com

FAIR true print dress
$38 - fashion-conscience.com

Ilse Jacobsen flat shoes
$155 - jades24.com

Fat Face wide brim hat
$44 - fatface.com

 

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The best deals to scoop up at the summer clearance sales

By IN Advice

Best bets on steals to pick up at summer sales

Don’t seasonal clearance sales always feel like they happen way too early, just as the season is getting underway?

Even though you might feel like summer is only about halfway done, the clearance sales are starting up, and you can expect them to continue through Labor Day as stores look to make room for the next fall and back-to-school merchandise.

But savvy shoppers know this is prime time to plan ahead and scoop up deals for next summer.

Here are the best items to save on with summer clearance sales. (Maybe I should call them the 5 S’s?)

  • Swimwear. I’m always amazed by how much a good suit costs, so I wait for the seasonal sales to build up my wardrobe of swimwear options. Look for colors and patterns you can mix and match with what you already own. I tend to stick to black, white and brights for this reason, but you could do the same thing with navy blue and red, for example.
  • Sandals. I’m a bit of a sandal junkie, I admit, so I indulge my habit with markdowns. Now I’ve got colors, styles and heel heights for just about any occasion. But even if you’re strictly a limited-pair person, your favorite sandals will eventually wear out; now’s the time to replace them.
  • Shorts. Take a look at your current shorts wardrobe. Are they all still in good condition? In colors that work with the tops you own? Do they fit properly? If any of your answers are “no,” swap out the not-so-good pairs for new ones–on sale! (Not a shorts wearer? Do the same thing with your capris, or linen skirts, or the like.)
  • Sundresses. Whether you wear them every day, or just use them for swimwear coverups, sundresses are a practical bit of summer wear. They’re typically not that expensive to begin with, so imagine the kind of bargains you should be able to get on clearance.
  • Sunglasses. The designer brands (like your Ray-Bans) probably won’t be marked down, but the cheaper versions that you can leave behind at the beach and not cry about? Now’s a good time to stock up on replacements.

Watch out for anything that was too trendy this summer. We might be wearing neon again in 2013–and we might not. Stick to basic colors and styles so you won’t regret that purchase next year, no matter how much it was marked down.

Your turn

What are your favorite summer steals at the clearance sales?

What to buy

 

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How to choose the right shorts length

By IN Advice

How to choose the right shorts length: Examples of 4", 6" and 10" inseams

With so many shorts length options, how do you know which ones to choose? (Here I’m wearing shorts with 4″, 6″ and 10″ inseams.)

Ah summer, season of shorts and all manner of leg baring, from just above the knee to seemingly just below the pantyline.

But how short do you–and should you–go with your shorts?

Here are some considerations when choosing the right shorts length.

  • Your leg shape. Duh, right? If you don’t have particularly shapely legs, a shorty short probably isn’t your best bet. But let’s be clear here–shapely doesn’t mean skinny. You can be a curvy girl with killer gams, or a skinny one without. It’s a bit subjective, of course, but most of us know ‘em when we see ‘em, right? (Think: Beyonce, J Lo, the agelessly fabulous Tina Turner.)
  • Your leg length. I’ve talked before about knowing your body silhouette, but there’s another aspect of your shape, and that has to do with the ratio of your torso to your legs–aka whether you’re short-waisted or long-waisted. If you’re long-waisted, one of the most common tricks to balance you out is to make your legs look longer. And the shorter your shorts are, the longer your legs will look. See the photo above? I have the same shirt on in each one, but I’m wearing shorts in 3 different lengths: 4” rise, 6” rise and bermuda/city short (about a 10” rise). Which shorts make my legs look longer?
  • Your comfort level. Bottom line, if you don’t feel right walking out the door with anything cut higher than your knees, then don’t. Rock a bermuda short, or go for a cotton skirt or a sundress. You can’t look fabulous if you don’t feel fabulous.

One more thing to think about is what kind (or Level) of outfit you’re trying to create. The shorter you go, the more casual the outfit. And personally, the looser the top I’m wearing, the more I prefer a shorter or slimmer fitting piece on bottom.

As with all things, the best way to know what’s working in the end is to try it on. Try longer, try shorter, try this fabric, that color. Do you look great? Do you feel fabulous? Then that’s the length for you!

By the way, you’ll see that I haven’t mentioned age here at all. It comes back to item #1: if you have killa legs, then flaunt them. Age has nothing to do with it. (Again: Tina Turner.)

P.S. I’ve been talking about shorts here–anything cropped at the knee or higher. If you want to learn about the various lengths of cropped pants, including a great visual depiction of which lengths are flattering and which pretty much aren’t, check out this great post from Ain’t No Mom Jeans: “Crops, Capris, Pedal Pushers (And the Scary Stuff In Between).”

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My favorite summer outfits

By IN Personal Style, Style

If you’re in the U.S. like I am, I hope you’re having a fun and relaxing Fourth of July. (As you read this, I am most likely on my way to the pool!)

Going to a barbecue tonight? Here are some ideas for what to wear.

And speaking of summer outfits, here are some of my favorites from the past. I find it helpful to review photos of what I’ve worn before; not only do I rediscover outfit ideas, it’s a good time to re-evaluate and see if what I thought worked previously still does.

Maybe they’ll give you some ideas and inspiration, too.

(What I learned looking at these: Those orange Kate Spade sandals were a great investment!)

Have you ever looked at photos of yourself and said, “I forgot about that outfit”?

See you next week!

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What to wear to a summer barbecue

By IN Advice, Personal Style

What to wear to a summer BBQ

It’s summer, the Fourth of July is already here, and that means backyard barbecue invitations have started to arrive.

What can you wear that will look great while keeping you cool?

Here are outfit ideas for what to wear to a summer barbecue. (If you followed my advice for what to wear for Memorial Day, you’ll be able to wear many of those same pieces again here.)

  • Tank top. If there’s ever a time to wear the littlest of tops, now is it. But please, please make sure you have an appropriate bra; that means racerback straps if your tank top is, too. Don’t want to bare that much upper arm? Look for a cotton top or tee with short sleeves–a flutter style is fun and casual.
  • Shorts. You’re not going to wear a tank top with jeans, are you? Again, if you want to bare less skin, think bermuda shorts or pedal pushers. (I give a rundown of summer shorts trends here.) If you absolutely don’t wear shorts, a flowy cotton skirt is a cool option that suits most body types.
  • Wedges. Sure, you could wear leather sandals, but here’s your chance to add a little bit of polish to your otherwise mostly casual ensemble. You don’t have to go super high, but what about a low wedge espadrille? Footwear doesn’t get more summery chic.
  • Straw hat. I know we hat-wearers can be a lonely bunch, but I’ll continue to sing the praises of a cute chapeau. It protects your face from the sun, eliminates bad hair day concerns, and the right shaped hat is super flattering and an extra touch of je ne sais quoi for anything you wear.

The pieces you choose will determine how casual, or not, your overall look will be. And if you want to take your summer barbecue outfit from stylish to fashion-forward, inject a 2012 trend like white or neon brights.

What to wear

Smock tank top
$20 - oldnavy.com

Hollister Co striped tank top
$40 - hollisterco.com

AllSaints racerback tank top
$50 - allsaints.com

River Island black shorts
£20 - riverisland.com

Denim jean shorts
$20 - kohls.com

Dorothy Perkins shorts
$44 - dorothyperkins.com

Dune wedge high heels
£52 - johnlewis.com

VANELi cork wedge
$80 - hsn.com

 

Get more shopping tips and fun insider stuff? Join The Style List. It’s like a secret club in your email inbox! And when you join, you’ll get my free email series, 7 Days to Better Shopping. It’s my gift to you!