Fab Find: Blue Lizard Mineral Sunscreen

I am allergic to most sunscreens. Unfortunately they give me dermatitis. Many, many, sunscreens for so called sensitive skin irritate my skin after consecutive daily use. Sunscreen is important, so my quest to find one suited to my skin continues. 

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen with SPF 50+ was next on my list to try. I’ve been using it almost daily for over a month and things are manageable. It causes a slight irritation but not too bad. Definitely the best sunscreen I’ve tried to date. No white residue, and doesn’t sting when applied. It’s waterproof, non-sticky, and fragrance-free. A little goes a long way, and I like the texture.

I apply it after my moisturizer. If you’re sensitive to sunscreen like I am, you might like this one.

Assorted Fab Finds

The dog days of Summer are here, and so are end of season sales. This week’s top picks roundup is about statement bottoms, dainty shoes, some jewellery, and simple tees. Browse the colour and size options, fill potential wardrobe holes, and enjoy the heck out of your Summer capsules. 

1. Anthropologie Bottoms

Anthropologie has a range of wonderful statement bottoms and here are some client winners. Some are offered in petite and tall sizes. The Rag ’n Bone “denim” sweatpants continue to be popular, and right on trend. The floral jeans are WOW in person and dramatically playful. So far the jorts are a success on everyone who tries them, and I wish there were more in the pipeline. I vote jorts as most successful fringe trend of the year. The red skirt is brighter in person, and awfully pretty. The striped pants are gorgeous, and you might need to size up. I have the Pistola red jeans, which are a gorgeously draped and dressy jeans silhouette. Bright red in person, size down, and not low-rise. And the floral harem pants are luscious, working beautifully on a curvy body type.

2. Rockport Taren Mary Jane Flat

These on-trend Mary Jane flats are supportive, very cushioning, and have a darling low heel. The soles are substantial so you don’t feel too close to the ground. They’re rubbery and grippy too. They come in regular and wide widths. The patent is a little less soft than the other options. The silver is particularly fab.

3. Silver Necklaces

Here’s a roundup of silver necklaces for Team Cool Metallics. Surprisingly, across the board there’s more gold jewellery and item hardware than I expected despite the strong revival of ‘90s fashion, (when everything was silver). I wonder whether gold sells better than silver, these days. Rose gold seems to have disappeared too. In my neck of the woods, I see a good assortment of all the metals on people on the street. I see many mix metal wearers too.

This statement star necklace is absolutely KILLER. It’s big, not too heavy, lovely quality, and comes in gold too.

Bracha Star Shine Necklace

4. Simple T-Shirts

If you’re after simple tees to wear with shorts, casual bottoms, skirts, and jeans, these were the winners of the season on clients. The Maeve Corey Tee comes in colours, and is one of the best boxy cropped tees of the year. You might need to size down. The Madewell Pleat Tee has a fabulous back pleat and is an exceptional cropped tee. Remarkably, it worked as well on petites and it did on tall clients. If you enjoy the ’90s baby tee, Frame and Rag ’n Bone make particularly great ones which might run a size small. I enjoy a baby tee from time to time, and have the two striped baby tees at the end of this collection. The Luca Stripe is dressier and fitted with cute back detailing. It comes in other colours. The Frame Stripe is a classic that feels awfully nice against the skin.

Trend: Sardine Summer

You may have noticed that fish, and often sardines in particular, are gracing clothing and accessories at the moment. Sardine Summer is a quirky and eccentric micro tend that’s cousin to Fruit and Veggie Chic, Mermaidcore, and the Fisherman aesthetic. It’s summery, beachy, very fringe, and quite the acquired taste. 

There are fish motifs on tees, sweatshirts, sweaters, dresses, shorts, skirts, blouses, and swimwear. Sardine designs are particularly popular as earrings, pendants, bag charms, and on handbags. The collection below showcases examples of the trend.

This whimsical and playful trend smacks of the Mediterranean Sea, sunshine, outdoor leisure time, and coastal living. It seems easiest to wear as an accessory like a necklace or earrings. Fish tees, sweatshirts, swimwear, shorts, tops and dresses worn as beach and beach-town-attire make a lot of sense too. That said, if you want to wear the trend inland, why not?! Have fun with it, your way.

Years ago, I had a fish ’n chips themed button through shirt with matching knitwear that I much enjoyed. I like the Sardine Summer trend too. My wardrobe refresh for hot weather is complete so no Sardine-Chic for now, although I’m open to the vibe in future.

Over to you. What do you think of Sardine Summer?

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Pause and Reset

Fashion is fun, but can also be exhausting. When you’re overwhelmed with your wardrobe, shopping, fashion and style in general, take the time to pause and reset. This might mean editing and reviewing your closet, and cutting back on wardrobe additions until you once again feel calm and in control. Taking a break from social media. Saving some money by not shopping for a while. Finding another creative outlet. Prioritizing other parts of your life. Taking a vacation. Return to fashion and style when you once again feel interested and inspired. The distance can spark fresh inspiration.

The best shopping day can be one spent in your closet. Sometimes you forget how fabulous your wardrobe items and outfits are when you go down the retail rabbit hole. Hit the reset button every once and while, and appreciate the fabness of your wardrobe and your style. Enjoy your wardrobe items and wear the heck out of them.

I’ve found that August and December are my months for a fashion and style pause and reset. July is normally a big month of shopping for myself and clients, and in August I like to think a lot less about all things fashion and style related. The pause in December allows me to focus on the social holiday season and energizes me for January.

How about you?

Outfit Formula: Bits of Summery Black

This post is for Team Subtle Black in Summer. That’s when you don’t wear large expanses of black in hot weather, like you might in cold weather. Instead you wear outfits with small black components and enjoy the looks just as much. Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Black Top

Combining a summery black top made of breezy fabric that showcases skin with non-black bottoms is an easy way to incorporate subtle black into your style. Here, a lightweight and on trend boho-lite ruffled top is paired with ecru wide cropped jeans. Flat black thong sandals match the top and the model’s hair. A straw bag adds an earthy and casual touch.

Black Top

More ways to wear summery black tops with and assortment of bottoms:

2. Patterned Dress

Wearing black in a pattern instead of a solid is a subtle way to go. Here, an earthy patterned dress with black components is the star of the show. Flat tan gladiator sandals pick up the tan in the pattern. A black bag with tan trim creates a perfectly matched finishing touch.

Patterned Dress

A few black and white dresses where the black in not the dominant colour:

3. Black Accents

Creating a summery outfit with black accents is the most subtle way to wear black. For example here, a pair of dark blue trendy denim jorts is combined with a breezy white boho-lite blouse. Black belt and clogs that match the model’s hair are the bits of black in the oufit. The silver earrings match the silver studs on the clogs. I see a black bag complete the look.

Black Accents

Two more outfits with bits of black:

4. Stripes

Black and white stripes, and gingham are more ways to wear bits of black in hot weather. Tops and dresses are an uncomplicated way to do that. The collection showcases ways to wear them with jeans, shorts, and white or tan bottoms. The dresses are an easy throw-on-and-go.

5. Black Dress

Last, an example of MORE than a bit of black. Summery black sleeveless dresses in lightweight fabrics can be easy and carefree to wear. Complete the look with metallic footwear, a bag to match, a bit of jewellery, and Bob’s your uncle. Here’s a dressier version with awesome gold boots. Add watch and eyewear as desired.

Black Dress

Feel free to substitute the black for navy or another dark if black is not for you.