Category:

Beauty /

A Girls Guide to Getting Through the Summer Heat

Stay sweat-free and odor-free all day long with Ban Purely Gentle Roll-On Deodorant ($10, Amazon.com)

A non-irritating formula that’s tough on sweat but gentle on the skin. This deodorant incorporates 24-hour protection with a new, gentler formula, ensuring round the clock defense even for those with the most sensitive skin.

Keep your hair off your neck with the help of Hairdo Simply Straight Pony ($49, Ulta.com)

 

This strut-your-stuff pony delivers the style points straight-up by instantly adding length, verve, and volume to your ponytail. Wrap around easily and secure your pony high, low or to the side.

Keep your skin moisturized while achieving a non-oily, velvety finish with Erborian BB Crème ($39, Sephora.com)

 

Containing break-through high-tech formulas, this BB Crème evens out and mattifies the complexion, moisturizes and plumps the skin, refines skin’s texture and reduces the appearance of blemishes. Your skin will appear visibly softer, smoother and beautiful with a silky feel.

Fashion /

The First Fashion Business Association for Emerging Designers to Revolutionize Industry

Beth Sobol, with more than 30 years of experience in the fashion industry, founder of the original Miami Fashion Week, and Global Brand Ambassador for FASHION domains have launched the Fashion Business Association of America (FBAA).

The FBAA strategic partners are a group of top experts within the global fashion and business industries that have joined forces in providing information and resources on relevant, current and correct best business practices for today’s ever-changing American market.

“We are very excited with our new branding as it reflects exactly our association represents; we are THE fashion business association for the American market. Building a professional platform to provide designers of all levels access to true industry experts that will educate and guide them through today’s changing retail and business landscapes is essential in achieving commercial success in today’s American market” says Sobol.

The first of its kind for the fashion industry, the FBAA is a one-stop shop for designers seeking advice and guidance in positioning their businesses for growth in a complex domestic and international fashion market. Among the many benefits, FBAA members will have access to the industries top experts to help them navigate through the critical stages and challenges facing designers and to help them sustain in today’s digital and disruptive market.

“Entering the U.S. market is challenging and costly if you don’t get the dynamics right”, says Sonia Garcia, founder of Fashion Market Entry, a division of KREA Global and strategic partner of the FBAA.

Membership in the FBAA is open to apparel, accessories, textiles and home décor designers and brands around the world in women’s wear, men’s wear, lingerie, swimwear, athleisure, jewelry, shoes, and handbags, as well as textiles, and home accessories and décor, fashion retailers, international trade offices, empowerment foundations, fashion councils and related industry professionals.

Designers joining in June and July will receive a special summer discount of 10% off the annual membership fee to be part of this exciting platform. Further special consideration is given to groups of 20+ designers joining together. All memberships include a virtual showroom with our partners at Bamboo Rose and access to our team of unrivaled fashion business experts.

The FBAA, together with Bamboo Rose, a provider of the product innovation platform that connects retail communities, have collaborated to create the Bamboo Rose “House of Fashion” a virtual showroom providing FBAA members with access to global buyers and resources never before possible for an emerging brand.

“Designers and brands today are under more pressure to innovate and reach wider markets than ever before. The traditional approach to developing products and reaching buyers doesn’t cut it,” said Sue Welch, CEO of Bamboo Rose. “Designers, retailers, and brands need new ways to reach international buyers and quickly receive feedback on their product for their particular markets. The Bamboo Rose House of Fashion provides a unique online community that connects FBAA designers with international retail buyers to ultimately give consumers a more appealing, high-quality product.”

FBAA members will have access to a dream team of experts and resources in many phases of retail strategies, fashion law, factoring and finance, brand development & buyers outreach, digital marketing strategies and much more. “Beth has spent the last 2 ½ years working diligently to assemble her team of advisers for this much-needed service said Aaron Perry,” Beth’s former business partner with Miami Fashion Week and a shareholder in the FBAA.

“Today’s designers need to be smarter and more aware of the changing consumer shopping habits than ever before. These monumental changes have precipitated a need for different methods of financing businesses. E-commerce plays a greater and greater role in brand building and it thereby requires a different approach to capital needs and allocations. Wholesale channels of distribution are also morphing daily. The more informed small business owners are, the better prepared they will be to find a path to growth and profitability in this new environment. I look forward to providing insights and financing opportunities through the FBAA to its membership,” said Gary A. Wassner, CEO, Principal, Hilldun Corporation, and shareholder in the FBAA.

To learn more about the Fashion Business Association of America (FBAA) please visit www.FBAA.fashion

Accessories /

Dressing Yourself For Different Types Of Events: Summer Fashion

You never know when you’ll be faced with the challenge of picking out an outfit for a particular type of event. No matter what you’re up to, it’s important to have a few of the essential wardrobe staples in your closet. This way you’ll always be equipped to dress for any sort of occasion that might pop up.

You always want to be prepared for whatever activities you feel like doing or invitations that may come your way because it’ll make your life easier. Take the time to sort through and organize your closet now so you can effortlessly get dressed when the time comes.

Featured Photo Yara Shahidi MTV Movie Awards

First Date

Every woman needs a nice fitting pair of dark jeans in her closet because they’re so versatile. You can either dress them up or down depending on where you’re going, and no one will even know or care if you wear them twice in one weekend. Own a go-to pair that makes you feel confident no matter what the activity you’re participating in. Go shopping and take your time trying different pairs on until you find the perfect match for your body type. An additional wardrobe staple you should have in your closet is a mix of colorful blousy tops you can pair with your jeans. Don’t be afraid to purchase tops that have stylish patterns and designs in addition to bold solids.

Music Concert

Hop online at Ticket sales and attend a concert or show with your friends in your free time. What you’ll want in your closet is a little black dress you can throw on for this type of occasion. You can turn this one piece of clothing into many outfits by wearing it with a jean jacket, with a large pair of sparkly earrings or plain with a heel that adds a pop of color. A little black dress is one staple you definitely want to make sure you secure because you’ll be getting a lot of use out of in the future. This is also a chance for you to play with your makeup and use unique shades you normally wouldn’t wear from day-to-day.

Backyard BBQ

You never know when you’re going to be asked to join your friends or family for an outdoor BBQ, especially in the summertime when it’s nice and warm outside. Invest in a pair or two of solid colored or black shorts and wear them with your favorite tank top. You can also spruce up your outfit a bit by buying a pair of strappy sandals that add style to your feet. Bring a cardigan sweater along should the temperature drop and you want to cover up.

Wedding

The weekend is an opportunity for you to unwind and have fun celebrating the marriage between two people you adore. You’re going to have a more enjoyable time attending this type of event when you know you look good. Find a dress that’s classy and flattering and that you can easily move around in. Complete your outfit by accessorizing and layering to help spruce up dull or plainer garments and bring all that you’re wearing together nicely. For example, grab an attractive handbag on your way out the door or put on a statement necklace that catches people’s attention.

Conclusion

Your life is going to be that much more fun and pleasant when you’re prepared for any occasion. Start cleaning out your closet now and filling it with these pieces to help you always feel confident and stylish. You’ll thank yourself later for being prepared to get ready and not having to think too hard about what you’re doing.

Collaborative Post

Lifestyle Tips /

8 Steps to Get Your Mojo Back This Summer

New beginnings are the most exciting and energizing times in life. Summer is always a new beginning because it’s a new season. Now is a great time to get fired up, motivated, and start making changes to get to your next level of YOU. Mojo is that magical charisma you carry that makes you feel good and infectious to others.

Featured Photo from Stylecaster.com

Most of you are great starters but not all are great finishers. If you have lost your mojo and want to be a better you for summer, commit to a new beginning right now. Here are 7 ways to get your mojo back and keep it flourishing:

1. Change your environment: Change the environments in your life which are now grey and uninspiring.  Do some of your work out of the office, redecorate your house and add more color, spend time on your patio, leave your cubical and go out for lunch. If you are getting tired, get up and move to another room. Add music or white noise to create something soothing. Changing the appearance and location of your differing environments helps you to think in more different and innovative ways. The more innovative you are the more mojo you have.

2. Strive to be your best: Always envision yourself as being your ‘ideal self.’ Your ‘ideal self’ is that part of you which is in front of you encouraging you forward. This part of you is holding up the guideposts and possibilities for your growth, happiness, and expansion. What you think determines your outcome.
Strive towards meeting your ‘ideal self’ at the finish line. If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. Work backward from the ‘ideal self’ by setting small, incremental goals for each area of your life to keep your mind positive. Before you know it you will be thriving as a better you before you hit summer. You will feel your confidence growing as you begin to manifest all you have been working towards.

3. Change Your Patterns: When you break your routines you essentially create a new life. Habits are easy but there is no risk in the habit because ultimately habits are lazy. You cannot grow stuck inside the traps familiarity and comfort. To get your mojo back, be brave! Buy that Groupon for the new class around the corner and give it a go. Change your diet, change your work out, change your wardrobe, buy different make-up, and class-up your personal style. Eat at new restaurants, go to new bars. Go to the gym after work? Try raising your heart rate before you get to the office. If you eat at the same restaurant for lunch all the time, walk one block farther to check out a new spot. See what happens by simply sitting on the other side of your desk, giving you a new perspective by looking out at different wall or window.

4. Shift Your Priorities: Your daily schedule is a reflection of your deepest priorities. If you have zero fun, free time or time for family and friends actually on your calendar, and instead your calendar is booked up with meetings and other task-oriented responsibilities, then you are missing out on the juiciest parts of life. Robots do not have mojo. To re-ignite your mojo schedule time for yourself first. On a plane, they always tell you to put on your oxygen mask before helping someone else. Once you have given yourself time to refuel, block times to enjoy with family, friends, children to add joy and vitality to your life.
On your deathbed, you are not going to look back and wish you had worked more hours.

5. Invest in personal growth: The best of the best have the best of the best of the best as mentors, friends, family, and colleagues. Learn as much as you possibly can from other successful, happy people who want to share their wisdom with you. The ball is in your court: Make the effort to keep yourself in a place of personal expansion, whether that means going to seminars, meeting weekly with a coach or therapist, reading books each night and writing goals, but strive to be your very best at all time. This always gives you something to talk about and it makes you interesting to other people.

6. Change your friends: The people with whom you surround yourself heavily influence you. If you’re lacking motivation and feeling down about everything, it might be time to upgrade your circle of influence. Negativity is contagious, as is positivity. Those closest to you should be those who bring out your best qualities, including your mojo for life’s adventures. If more time with family is important to you then start planning some vacations and staycations for all you to get away and enjoy being a family without other distractions. Take time out to have dinner with the girls or watch the game with the boys or go play a round of golf. Your net worth emotionally is the average of that of your five closest friends. When you hang out with successful people, happy, fulfilled people you elevate your own mojo, so choose wisely.

7. Change Your Thoughts: You are what you think. You cannot think negative and have powerful mojo. If you think you are fat then that will be your experience whether you are or aren’t. Thinking negatively doesn’t accomplish anything, it takes zero effort and is a lazy mojo-stealing habit. Discipline your mind towards the goals of what you want to look like and be like and start putting the effort in now to get there. By summer you will feel fabulous. In any situation suffering over your own suffering doesn’t work. Know the areas of your life you want to change and be deliberate in changing them.

8. Be Authentic: There is nothing sexier than to be beautiful inside and out. When you are committed to your loving and respecting yourself you exude a quiet confidence. Your focus is on being genuine, kind, strong, courageous, intelligent, successful, elegant, steadfast and fulfilled. You possess enough composure that if you cannot say something kind you have the wisdom to remain quiet. You make sure the kindness of your character speaks more deliberately to who you are than what designer you are wearing.

True mojo is not a loud energy, rather it is an understated energy. Loud is repulsive ego-stuff. Your mojo is that more subtle energy your personal essence leaves in the wake of your presence. This is something to admire. There is nothing more mojo promoting than authenticity and having a strong sense of who you are.

Not all of these changes are easy. They all require a deliberate change of habit, which can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Getting your mojo back is critical for your quality of life so it certainly causes for some radical changes and the outright shattering of your own tired habits. Face it – feeling passionate and motivated every day for your work, family, and self is a win for yourself and those that depend on you.

Dr. Sherrie Campbell is an author of the new book, Success Equations: A Path to Living an Emotionally Wealthy Life. She is a veteran psychologist, inspirational speaker, and radio host. For more information, please visit, www.sherriecampbellphd.com and connect with her on Facebook, @sherriecampbellphd.

 

Accessories /

Tips For Helping Your Teen Get Ready For Prom

Prom is a very important moment in every teen’s life. It concludes a great chapter that you will remember forever, especially if it’s a successful experience. All mothers know that their girls are excited about their prom and counting down to the exciting night. As a mother, you want your teen to have the best night, and you have a few responsibilities to take care of. Teenagers are hard work because they think they know how to take the best decision when it comes to their prom. This can generate arguments and worries in the household. Fortunately, there are a few tips which you can keep in mind to reduce the amount of stress and anxiety that both you and your daughter are going through.

Featured Photo from Hollywood Life.com

Set a Budget

Money is often the main factor that generates stress. However, if you manage to put a budget in place and discuss it up front with your child, you are very likely to eliminate unnecessary arguments caused by this factor. Teens imagine expensive proms that they see in movies or on social media, and the problem is that your child expects you to work very hard so that they can achieve or recreate the same looks. To secure your bank account, put a budget in place and discuss it with your teen so that she knows exactly what to expect from her prom.

Help Her Find the Best Outfit

A lot of teens are stressed when it comes to picking the right dress. Whether you are shopping online or in physical stores, the options are unlimited. Therefore, you can facilitate this task by giving your daughter a hand. For example, you can look at this site to find a variety of plus size prom dresses in a range of colors and styles, from long to mid-length. There are a few elements that need considering before making a decision, some of them include the style, the color, the event and obviously, the budget. Last but not least, you cannot forget about shoes and accessories.

Hair and Makeup

Both the hairdo and the makeup should mix well with the dress and the rest of the accessories. For professional help, you could book an appointment in advance. However, you could save some money by having a look at online tutorials and trying to recreate them. Take some time to consider the right makeup that complements and accentuates the dress. Save a few pictures on your phone for inspiration.

Photographs

Everyone remembers their prom night for the rest of their life thanks to the prom pictures that will be proudly displayed by their parents. That is why it is important to be prepared to immortalize the most important events with a camera. Think of different poses and locations. Outdoor shots are a perfect way of remembering prom night for a long time. Make sure to include the rest of the family too. Take as many pictures as you can because it’s always easier to pick the best ones and delete the rest instead of not having enough to choose from.

Prom is definitely a stressful time for parents and teens alike. Make sure to get involved in the whole process, but let your teen make the last decisions to ensure they enjoy their prom night their way.

Collaborative Post

Accessories /

Ann Taylor Ruffle Denim Jacket: Must – Have Item

Ann Taylor is known for being a transitional store; meaning their clothing can be interchanged between every season.  The retailer carries classic suits and separates that will enhance anyone’s wardrobe.

Who doesn’t love a white denim jacket?  This piece of outwear can be dressed up or down.  In the Southern region, we vary between extremely hot and brisk cooler temperatures.  Having an item like the Ruffle Denim Jacket is a must-have piece to help combat this weather change.

There are so many style options for this particular jacket!   It can be worn with a pair of jeans, midi dress or pencil skirt.  The details of this piece are visible with a fringed neckline and ruffle waist.

Ann Taylor has so many items that are perfect for the everyday woman ranging from Sunday brunch to the boardroom.  The store is having a 50% off sale.  What better time than now to shop for new clothes during the new season.

Thank you, Ann Taylor, for this collaborative post!

Jacket:  Ann Taylor | Slacks:  New York & Company | Belt:  New York & Company | Bracelet:  PANDORA Jewelry

Beauty /

Somaluxe Line Filler and Collagen Eye Gel: Reduce Fine Lines & Wrinkles

It’s summer and the sunshine is harsh on my skin.  I love having a bronzed look but detest the dryness.  It’s vital during this season to have a good skincare regimen.

This prevents harsh lines and premature wrinkles.  Somaluxe has a wonderful product line that’s infused with vitamin C and Collagen.  The benefits of both vitamins include intense moisture and fighting against free radicals.

I had the opportunity to review the products and First, the texture is amazing.  This is generally a deal breaker for me.  Second, my face felt softer than normal. I have naturally dry skin and Somaluxe softened my texture.

The last tidbit is that this product did indeed reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  At this stage of my life, I am preserving my face for years to come!

Check it out for yourself!  To purchase Lady Soma, Somaluxe products visit: Somaluxe.com

Accessories /

Mastering The Mix from House of Terrance

There are likely a few different reasons for the rise in popularity of mixing prints.  Designers like Alessandro Michele of Gucci, Stuart Vevers of Coach, and Stella Jean, have made an impact on this type of fashion.

There’s a search for a more expressive individualistic way of dressing and access to sophisticated styling due to social media.

1. Color and silhouette are important considerations when mixing prints.
Keep your mix easy and classic in shape. Stay with 2 or 3 colors at the most to simplify things. More than that and you risk looking clownish.

2. Scale too is all-important.
Make sure and use a range of sizes in your patterns to make your mix more interesting and sophisticated. The easiest mix to try is 2 black and white prints in different sizes.

3. Try adding a solid basic to the mix,
like a jean jacket, leather jacket, or blazer to create some visual tranquility in your ensemble. And for a shortcut to pattern mixing look for pre-mixed pieces that incorporate 2 or more patterns already.

4. Be fearless!
Try mixing a floral with stripes, plaid or animal prints (often considered neutrals these days). Or you can go with the same pattern in a different color or size. It all can work, especially if you keep 1 and 2 above in mind.

Take style quiz here:  House of Terrances

Beauty /

Purifying Face Mask For Summer – Tightens and Tone The Skin

Strong summer sun exhausting your skin? The NEW Dear by Renee Purifying Kaolin Mask is formulated with natural ingredients including Pineapple & Papaya Enzymes to leave skin clear and bright! The Purifying Kaolin Mask is an ideal seasonal treatment for normal to combination skins that overproduce oil in humid climates. Sit back and relax as organic clay reduces inflammation, increases circulation and tightens and tones your skin.

Dear by Renée Purifying Kaolin Mask ($49.95, dearbyrenee.com)

This naturally purifying volcanic Kaolin clay detoxifies, filters, and lifts impurities from deep within pores.

The antiseptic formula provides light exfoliation and purifying benefits to calm and heal the skin.