I went to Target recently and the following items jumped out at me as pretty good buys. The quality is comparable to H&M, and the prices are very keen.

• Gray Chambray Shirtdress: It’s also available in blue and the length wasn’t terribly short. Swap out the belt and wear it with boots for Autumn.
• Calypso Printed Turquoise Dress: This makes a festive beach cover up. It’s lightweight, covered and will dry fairly fast.
• Calypso Plus Size Fresh White Elbow Sleeve Fashion Shirt: Prettier in real life and 100% cotton. Cool, but covered and also available in regular sizes.
• Draped Elastic Waist dress Seaweed Wrap: The fabric is thin and creases quite a bit. But the drapey Grecian integrity of the style makes up for that, which makes it look much better on the body than it does on the hanger. Add a cognac belt! This will absolutely keep you cool on a sweltering summer’s day.
• Tank Dress with Front Twist: Another good beach cover up idea, or something to wear when it’s just too hot for anything else.
• Collection Women’s Raelin Dress: I was impressed with this dress. It’s made of a stretch denim type fabric and the top stitching was tidy too. Good length.
• Juniors Cropped Jeans: A casual item to kick around in. It’s mid-rise and you might need to alter the waistband if it gapes at the back.
• Military Tunic Top: 100% polyester, but nice! The pebble texture of the fabric is a win. It’s also available in stone and black.
• Plus Size Cayenne Full Length Trench Jacket: Good length and fit. Lightweight and good for a cool Spring day.
• Natural Straw Tote: A hardy item that’s versatile and shouts vacation.

Also be sure to have a look at their sun hats and belts while you’re in the store. I can’t find the products online, but the assortment is sweet.

Note that this post contains affiliate links.

Some homes are strict shoe-free zones, which means that you’re asked to remove your shoes upon entering. And while it’s all very well to kick off your shoes in your own home, how do you feel about doing that somewhere else? Are you comfortable walking around in socks, hosiery or bare feet?

My late Mum’s asian heritage was probably the reason that we wore slippers or house shoes, or walked bare foot at home when I was growing up. In Greg’s house, on the other hand, there was never an expectation to remove shoes indoors. But he has adapted to my family’s custom and these days we always remove our shoes as soon as we arrive home. So I completely understand strict shoe-free homes and I’m happy to remove my shoes at the door if that is the wish of our host.

That being said, I actually prefer to keep my shoes on in someone else’s home. The main reason is that unless I’m on a beach, I am not comfortable walking around bare feet. Wooden floors hurt my fussy feet, I worry about stubbing my toes, I’m often cold, and I don’t like the feeling of particles under my feet. A carpeted floor is a little better and wearing socks does take off the edge. But still, I’d rather not expose my feet at all.

Ideally, I need to bring along house slippers when I visit shoe-free houses. Sometimes I forget. I must, must, must make a greater effort to remember my slippers because it would make all parties happy. My brother has a shoe-free house and actually keeps Japanese slippers in several sizes by the door for his guests. This is a great solution.

A secondary reason that I’m sometimes reluctant to remove my shoes is that without them, my outfit feels incomplete. At an occasion where people are a little dressed up it feels strange to take off ones’ shoes.

Although we always wear slippers at home, we do not ask our guests to remove their shoes unless they prefer to do so. It helps that the entertaining area of our house has wooden floors, and guests seldom need to go upstairs where there is wall to wall carpet. When guests stay with us though, we do suggest that they bring along a pair of slippers or house shoes to wear upstairs if they are not comfortable in their socks or bare feet.

What’s your view on indoor shoe etiquette? Do you ask people to remove their shoes in your house? Do you mind removing your footwear when you visit other homes?

You are on Team Bath if you prefer to run water into a tub and have a good soak. You are on Team Shower if you prefer the drizzle of a relaxing shower. In some instances you may prefer a shower but only have a bathing facility, or vice versa. No worries. Bat for the Team that is your bathing preference no matter what.

I am on Team Shower by a million percent. I do not enjoy soaking in a tub at all. Ironically I do not find it relaxing. I love feeling the constant drizzle of hot water over my skin while I shower — and find that relaxing.

Over to you. Are you on Team Bath or on Team Shower? And just because it’s sunny outside (which has been a rarity this year in our neck of the woods), you can bat for both Teams if you wish.

It’s hardly a new look, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen front slits and vents on skirts and dresses in stores as a daytime trend (they are always popular for evening wear). I’m talking front slits and vents on minis, knee-length, midis and maxis skirts and dresses.

I vividly remember this as a big mid to late 90’s trend. I also remember trying on my first front slitted pencil skirt, with slightly off centre medium length front slit, and loving the way it looked in the mirror when I was stationary. But when I put it through it’s paces for the first time during a work day, things were decidedly different.

As a fashion buyer, I was often working with manufacturers at their offices. It was not a desk job. I found out the hard way that front slits don’t work that well when you’re active and often bending down to pick up production samples. I constantly tugged at my skirt and tried to cover my bare leg. For me, it was too much leg exposure – when moving around.

So I retired that skirt to sitting occasions only, but that didn’t work too well either. When sitting down, the slits crept up even higher.

That being said, I do like the look of front slits and vents on a well designed garment. It adds an unexpected alluring touch. On a hot day, it’s perfectly ventilating and less restrictive. It’s also a subtle way to showcase skin when wearing a longer skirt. So I vote yay for others, but  for the reasons I mentioned, it’s still a nay for me. What’s your verdict?