Summer Swim Trends

Summer is here! And with that comes finding great swimwear for the pool or beach. Today on Bridge Street I got to meet the new co-host, Tenesha Murphy, for the first time and together with Sistina, we broke down this season’s swimwear trends for you. If you missed the segment, click here. I’ve heard that the two hardest things for women to shop for are jeans & swimsuits. Luckily there are a lot of great trends for summer that are both stylish and flattering. All the great looks featured on today’s show are from Lord & Taylor at Destiny USA.

HIGH RISE- If you like a two piece look but want to have more coverage then this look is for you. Bikinis are now coming with a high rise bottom which adds some coverage to your mid-section. Just be careful not to add too much material because it can sometimes make you look bigger on bottom than you want.

BAYWATCH ONE PIECE- Thankfully one piece bathing suits have been back in style for the past several years. The key is finding one that is sexy and not frumpy. I love that the leg holes have been getting higher- think Baywatch red suit or Cindy Crawford circa the 1990s. Also one pieces that have strategic cutouts or sheer cutouts add interest to a one piece suit.

SPORTY SUITS- Athleisurewear is here to stay. I love the color block bikini we featured today and the one piece with the rash guard top, both from Lord & Taylor. A rash guard adds coverage plus sun protection.

OFF THE SHOULDER- Take a cue from the latest fashion trend of off the shoulder tops and apply this to your bathing suit. I love that it gives that bohemian vibe that’s big in fashion right now.

COVER UPS are key, especially if you have to chase kids around at the pool, so I like to stay with the fashion trends like adding a wrap in a boho print with fringe. Pull on a pair of denim cutoff shorts over a one piece suit and you’ve got an outfit. Toss a cute easy sundress with lace over top you suit. One of my favorite tricks it to take one of my husbands white shirts, roll up the sleeves and use it as a cover up.

Whatever suit you choose remember the most important trick to looking great is having CONFIDENCE!

Thanks you my friends at Lord & Taylor for all these great styles. Missed today's show? You can watch it here.

Which suit featured today was your favorite? Where do you like to shop for swimwear and what styles are the most flattering on you? Personally I haven’t worn a two piece since I had my first baby- can you say “stretch marks” but thankfully there are tons of amazing styles out there to choose from. I’d love to hear from you so comment below or email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com.

Your Best Summer Accessory

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The summer is almost here. Nothing makes a sun dress or a pair of shorts look better than a golden bronze tan. But too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer and prematurely age our skin. Luckily there are several ways to get that bronzed look without damaging our skin with UV rays. Today on Bridge Street I shared with Sistina few of my favorite ways to do that.  Click on the photo above to watch the show.

Whatever you call it- spray tans, sunless tans, fake tans- the main ingredient in sunless tanning products is DHA which interacts with the amino acids in our skin to turn it a brown tan color. It’s approved by the FDA and approved by the AMA, American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation. Over the years the products have been perfected so good quality products will not turn your skin orange like they used to.

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Now on today’s show, I didn’t have time to get into details about the services we discussed, so I’ll do it here and I’ll talk about my experience too. I just want to say that I am NOT a dermatologist or a skin care professional. My clients and friends will ask for my opinion on products like these and so I am happy to share them here and on Bridge Street. I know there are tons of great products out there so share them in the comments below because I love to learn more about other options.

The best way to get a perfect spray tan is to go to a professional who an airbrush your tan on. These are two I like:

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Aubrey James at Lashes, Locks and Lips will apply the airbrush tan to you in a private room. I went to her to get my tan before the Boeheim Ball event and I felt like a million bucks. She’s extremely professional and it takes less than 5 minutes and then you are dry and ready to go out. The formula she uses is from South Seas which is natural and organic. (It’s the same product they use on dancing with the stars and the Kardashians.) You can visit her website lasheslockslips.com and text her to schedule an appointment at her Dewitt location. If you have a wedding party she can also travel to you.

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Reena Elizabeth Mobile Spray Tanning comes to you. She just needs an electrical outlet and a room to set up a tent where she does the spraying, so a living room, basement, garage or pretty much anywhere. She uses a natural formula that she personalizes for you. It’s free of parabens, gluten, sulfate, nut allergens and is 100% vegan. One application is $40 and the entire process takes about 15 minutes. Now I haven’t used Reena’s services yet but she has a good reputation and I love the convenience of her mobile service so I can work it into my busy schedule. Her website is reenaelizabeth.com and on Facebook.

Now if you want a fast spray tan without making an appointment you should try Zoom Tan. There are many locations in the Syracuse area and you can just walk in. The all natural solution takes about 2 1/2 minutes to apply and lasts 5-10 days according to their website. They have a new open air booth so it blows you dry and you don’t have to worry about  holding your breath like you used to years ago. The technology they use has changed a lot since I used it many years ago so I asked a friend of mine who has gone several times before special events what she thought. She says that as a working mom she loves the convenience and they often offer special deals and pricing. However she says that the color is not as reliable as when she gets it done by a professional with the airbrush service. Since you can drop in any time and they have so many locations, it’s definitely a convenient option that I would definitely try. Visit zoomtan.com for locations and information.

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Do it yourself- become a pro! The more you practice applying it yourself the easier it gets. It’s a real treat to go get it done professionally but for every day I do not have the time, or the budget, to go every week all summer long. So I like to do it myself and here are a few tips I have found work best for me:

Exfoliate your skin with a washcloth or similar

Your skin should be clean but I like to add a little moisturizer to areas that tend to be dry and get darker such as knees, feet, and elbows. Some people like to use Vaseline to protect their hairline and eyebrows.

Apply the product and make sure you don’t miss any spots- start from the face and work down the body.

WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY. The palms of our hands don’t tan, but they will if you don’t wash the product off.

Most products need 8-10 hours to really work so it’s best to sleep with it on and wash it off in the morning.

I’ll apply about once a week, but I like to use a self tanning moisturizer every few days to keep my color on my legs fresh. In the summer I am outside a lot with my kids and I run outdoors so my face and arms get some good color. My legs are usually neglected so it’s really easy to apply a product like Jergens Natural Glow moisturizer because it gradually darkens your skin and is colorless.

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And remember that self tanner does not protect your skin from harmful UV rays, so always use sunscreen when you are out. I am fair and have sensitive skin so I like to use Cerave Facial Lotion and Face Sunscreen because it uses a physical blocker, InvisibleZinc, to block UV rays. I wear a moisturizer with SPF year round but in the summer I like to use one with SPF 30 or higher on my face, neck and body. Don’t forget to apply to your ears and tops of your feet too. Your dermatologist can make some good recommendations too.

What sunless products and services do you love? Are you using sunscreen and if so, which is your favorite and why? I’d love to hear from you so comment below or email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com.

Virtually Styled Part 2

Last month on Bridge Street, I shared three really cool online stylist services and apps with Sistina and the viewers.  It was so popular- and there are so many great services out there- that I decided to review two more excellent services and how they work. Check out the segment here and then get the details below.

STICHFIX     Simply fill out the Stitch Fix Style Profile and their personal stylists will handpick a selection of five clothing items and accessories unique to your taste, budget and lifestyle. You can buy what you like and return the rest!

First, fill out your Style Profile- information such as height, weight, denim preferences, styles you like, want or want to avoid. Share a Pinterest board with items you like.

Pick the date you’d like to receive your shipment of five clothing items and accessories handpicked by personal stylists on the date you choose. At the time your stylist selects your items, you will be charged a $20 styling fee. That $20 will be applied as a credit toward anything you keep from your shipment.

Try everything on at home

Buy what you like and return the rest within 3 days. Log on to your account to checkout the items you want and if you keep all 5 you get 25% off your order.

My favorite parts:

• Pinterest is not a waste of time! Actual stylists use it to choose items for you.
• My experience: my first Fix everything was close but not perfect. After I sent it all back they reached out immediately to see if they could try again. Second time there were two pieces I loved, including the dark wash jeans I wore on today's show. They really listened to what I wanted.
• If you don’t have time to shop, it's like having your own personal stylist who will send you a few new pieces to freshen up your wardrobe.

Click the banner below to schedule a Fix for yourself!

CAPSULES is a guide and tool to help you simplify your wardrobe and your life. My mom actually told me about this one. They help you hit the reset button on your wardrobe. This one really resonates with me and many of my clients.

They help you DISCOVER YOUR STYLE based on your colors, taste, and weekly activities. Then they BUILD YOUR CAPSULE, check off what you own, and we'll recommend the clothes you need to complete your capsule.  Last but not least to SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE they’ll provide inspiration on how to mix and match outfits for every season. Capsules is for women. Caldwell is for men.

My favorite parts:

• You can use all your own pieces without having to shop.
• They give you step by step instructions on how to do a closet clean out.
• Their philosophy of ethical, authentic and quality.  They  even have lists of places to shop that also practice sustainability.
• Build a pinterest board for inspiration.

If you missed today's segment, click here to watch it.  Do you think you'd try one of these services, and why? I'd love to hear back from you on your experience using them! Post below in the comments, email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com or post on my Facebook page!

Virtually Styled Part 1

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It used to be if you wanted to buy clothes you had to take a trip to the mall but with the internet there are many great fashion websites and apps out there to help you with your wardrobe. I did a little research in an effort to help you choose which of these is right for you, and I shared what I’d learned with Sistina Giordano on Bridge Street today.

Le Tote was described by one blogger as the Netflix of fashion. It’s a monthly subscription and they send you 3 articles of clothing and 2 accessories styled for you based on your Style Profile and My Closet selections. Wear. Return. Repeat all month. Membership includes unlimited clothing and accessories at a rate of $59/month. Free priority shipping both ways. To receive your next tote, return your WHOLE TOTE by placing the items in the return poly-bag with your return shipping label already attached. Any items kept are marked as purchased to you. I put items in my “Closet” and when the items arrived I found so many pieces I loved and could mix and match with  my own closet. Customer service is great and I love the idea that you have unlimited number of items and you don’t have to keep anything if you don’t want to. Great way to try on trends too. Highly recommend, especially for busy women who don’t have time to shop but want to mix up their wardrobe. Also comes in MATERNITY!!! All pieces featured in today’s segment were from LeTote. LeTote is available online and as an app.

Stylebook is a virtual closet for your real wardrobe: keep track of what you own, save outfit ideas, plan what to wear on the calendar, create packing lists, and get statistics on your clothes. The new Outfit Shuffle feature will mix up clothing categories into new combinations, which is especially great because it’s easy to get in fashion-rut. They give users tips on how to get their real closets just as organized as their virtual closets. It’s cool that you can shop and search sales, and then easily import your purchases into your “closet”. With the Stats feature you can see a list of the items you never wear - then donate them. And really I’ve wanted a virtual closet since I saw Cher’s closet in Clueless!! On the show today I mentioned there is a men's version too but it's actually not availble yet- but it's the works so stay tuned becasue it's coming soon! Stylebook is an app available for iPhone and iPad and Cost: $3.99

Snap+Style delivers personally styled outfits and advice directly to the user’s mobile device or desktop. Take a picture or ask a question. Give a budget or refer to your virtual closet. Submit a styling request directly through the app or desk top and it is sent to a real personal stylist. The stylist knows what your style is, what your body type is, what you want to enhance or hide because you input that into your profile. Once the stylist is finished putting together the outfit, you get a push notification showing your customized shoppable outfit with tips on how to wear it. If you need tweeks or don’t like what the stylist has put together, you and the stylist can continue the conversation until the outfit is just right. I like that this app is free to use. You can snap a picture of let’s say a pair of shoes you own and they will come back with an entire outfit around the shoes. Turnaround time to be style depends on where you are in the queue/line but for $1.99 in app purchase you can jump the line. You can also shop the look from the app, and you can create a virtual closet too of clothes you already have.

I’ll be back in a few weeks with an inside look into more of these stylist services available online and on the app store. Is there one you are curious about and would like me to look into for you? I’d love to hear from you so comment below or email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com.

The Dos and Don'ts of Wedding Attire

It’s getting into wedding season! No doubt you’ll be receiving your invitations to spring and summer weddings, but knowing how to dress for all the different styles of events can be tricky. Even if the hosts mention the appropriate dress code in the invitation, many people aren’t sure how to interpret that. Today on Bridge Street on Channel 9 WSYR, Sistina Giordano and I broke it down for you so choosing your outfit can be fun and easy. This is a fun topic and we ran out of time during the show, so here's everything we talked about PLUS MUCH MORE so you can be prepared and chic for any time of wedding:

• Consider the time of day of the event. A daytime wedding is usually more casual than an evening event.
• Consider the venue- or call them to ask about the event.
• When in doubt ask the wedding party. They know what they are wearing months before and can give you some insight into the dressiness of the event.
• Follow the Golden Rule: don’t wear white, if for no other reason than you don’t want to offend the bride.

Deciphering Dress Code Designations:

White Tie- The Most Formal

Men- tux with tails

Women- gown or cocktail dress in neutral color

Black Tie- more common, also formal, usually an evening affair

Men- tuxedo

Women-gown or cocktail dress. Colors & prints can be bolder.

Formal or Black Tie Optional- speaks for itself

Men- tux or dark suit

Women- long dress or cocktail dress. More options available here.

Beach Formal-usual outdoor but dressy

Men- Linen or light colored suit, pants or khakis

Women- dressy sundress

Semi Formal or Dressy Casual- somewhere between formal and casual

Men- Suit or shirt and tie with dress pants or khakis

Women- Evening: cocktail dress or tea length dress in dark colors  Daytime: sundress or similar

Informal or Casual- Anything goes but that can make things tricky too because so many options

Casual doesn’t mean sloppy. ABSOLUTELY NO jeans, shorts, tank tops or sneakers.

When in doubt I’d rather be too dressy than too casual.

Thanks to Lord and Taylor at Destiny USA for all the great looks featured on today's show! There is a special Prom Fashion Show on March 5th from 2-4pm so be sure to visit their website for more details and information on the special guest.

Missed today's segment? Click here to watch now. What do you think is the biggest mistake people make when dressing for a wedding or dressy affair?  I’d love to hear from you so comment below or email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com.

What’s Trending for 2016

I don’t know about you but I’m getting tired of wearing the same winter items from my closet. But we’ve got several months left before spring arrives. It’s a good time to add a few pieces to your closet now to mix in with your current wardrobe- change things up a little. Today I talked with Sistina Giordano on Bridge Street about some of the top trends for 2016 to incorporate into your wardrobe NOW! Click here to watch the segment.  

SHEARLING   We are still in the middle of winter and so shearling is both stylish AND functional. It will keep you warm and cozy. Also many local retailers have outerwear and winter styles on sale which makes it a good time to buy. I like the aviator inspired bomber jacket with shearling color by Tommy Hilfiger- it’s two trends in one piece.

SLIPS & LINGERIE FOR DAYTIME    Think lingerie-inspired tops and dresses. Think lace & satin. The designers are showing slip dress but I’d try a simple camisole top to start. This trend will take you from winter into spring. Layer now under a cozy cardigan and wool coat. In the spring wear with a lightweight jacket or cardigan. I remember this trend from the late 90’s- I liked it then and I like it now.

FLORALS   Liberty print flowy tops and floral dresses but I like to wear them in an interesting way by pairing with motorcycle boots or a leather jacket. This is another style that will take you into spring. And it’s another style that is reminiscent of 90’s grunge which I love.

FLARE DENIM JEANS    Thankfully we are moving away from skinny jeans and are getting back into universally flattering bootcut jeans. This trend was one I reported on last spring but it’s been slow to arrive in Central New York. Trust me- you want to get yourself a pair of flare leg denim. Last week’s post Denim Dilemma tells the story of my frustration in finding (or rather NOT finding) this style  locally. Do me and yourself a favor and if your favorite store doesn’t carry them be sure to tell the manager you want it!  You can’t go wrong with a dark wash, But maybe try a light whiskered wash to reflect another big trend which is Bohemian/70s style.

Did you miss the segment? Click here to watch it now. All items featured were from Lord and Taylor at Destiny USA. What are the trends you are going to work into your wardrobe now to give it a mid-season refresh? I’d love to hear from you so comment below or email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com.

*Images from @harpersbazaar & @nytimesfashion on Instagram*