Wednesday Wishlist: So Bright

On loving that thing you hate...

If you were to stop me on the street to ask my opinion about neon colors (because, why wouldn't you?), my answer would always be the same: Ugh. No way. The worst. And I've been amazingly consistent about this feeling. I hated them as a child in the late 80s/early 90s, when they were literally everywhere; I hated them as an adult as they popped up in the 00s in wacky Harujuku looks. It's just one of those trends that I could immediately say "pass". But still...

Sometimes there is just something appealing about that thing you hate. Is it just me? I don't know, I've been looking for ways to freshen up some of the summer clothes that I've been wearing for months, and a little pop of neon is feeling really interesting right now. I'm talking a splash. Just a hint of eye-searing brightness. Accessories are perfect -- punchy shoes, a bright bag, or bit of bold jewelry can be just the thing to perk up your warm weather clothes as we make the long, sweaty march towards Labor Day.

I really love all of these pieces, and I'm seriously considering adding a few to my wardrobe. But what's crazy is that if you asked me how I feel about neon today I'd still say, "Ugh, hate it." Except when I love it.

from l to r:

Maisy Handbag ($133) -- I love this traditional satchel shape in an unexpected color. I think it's perfect for work in all but the most conservative of offices.

Neon Knot Bib Necklace ($22) -- inherently cool simply because it comes from Furbish, the little jewel-box of a design/decor shop run by the fabulous Jamie Meares. The mix of bright pink, blue, and yellow is almost too much, but somehow it works here.

Loren Hope Triangle Cuff in Neon Pink ($78) -- perfect if you just want to dip a toe in the neon pool. And possibly share your alle Illuminati.

Rebecca Minkoff Ginny Mesh Espadrilles ($49) -- these are on super sale and you should snatch them up. Throw them on with your bathing suit to hit the beach; just as good with white jeans and a simple top for late-night dinner and drinks.

Nada Sawaya Python Zip Top Pouch ($390) --  the perfect summer clutch. Me likey so, so much.

BaubleBar Festival Tassel Drops ($32) -- these come in a rainbow of bright colors, but the sunny yellow are my favorite.

Hello Holiday George Sandals ($15) -- easy chic sandals in the perfect Creamsicle shade of orange. 

Amrita Singh POP! Necklace ($10) -- I have this in pink and I adore it. Simple and sexy, perfect with a little tank, or perhaps peeking out of a collared shirt.

DROPS Neon Orange Square Unisex Watch ($130) -- I love a good boyfriend watch, and this bright rubber version is just fun. I'm pale all year long, but this would look amazing on with your summer tan.

Wednesday Wishlist: Swim on Sale

As the final weeks of summer slip away, this is a great time to stock up on some summer clothing essentials at super reduced prices (gotta make room for the wool!). Since I still have a warm weather vacation coming up (and I live in a year-round summer climate), I'm going to grab a few of these cute suits for a steal.

clockwise from l to r:

Old Navy Halter Swimsuit ($12) -- pretty damn sexy for Old Navy, and you can't beat the price.

J. Crew Metallic Gold French Bikini ($75) -- does your dude have a Star Wars thing? Surprise him with this (which also happens to be a perfect for a day by the pool)

Boden Knot Front Taniki ($43) -- you may find some odd separates left over in the sale section. A striped top like this would work well with just about all of solid and print bottoms you already have.

ModCloth Anchor Values Swimsuit ($27) -- a perfect mix-and-match option for the striped tankini top, and lots of other fun tops in your closet.

Kate Spade Georgica Beach Striped Bandeau ($121) -- simple and stylish.

Beth Richards Taylor One Piece ($182) -- I prefer one-piece suits, and I love how sleek and sporty this one is. Perfect for when I want to run around the beach reenacting Mariah Carey's "Honey" video.

J. Crew Ikat Print Bikini ($75)-- a great classic print that you won't soon tire of.

J. Crew Hibiscus Ruched Bandeau One Piece ($100) -- punchy print, flattering style.

Kate Spade Georgica Beach Jewels Bandeau Maillot ($121) -- a little skin, a little sparkle.

Pack this: 3-day trip

I mentioned taking a few quick business trips over the past few months -- I'm no road warrior, but I do a fair amount of business travel. I've been in my current job for about 7 years, and I have to laugh a bit now thinking about those first trips. I pretty much put my whole wardrobe in a giant 30" suitcase and dragged it through unfamiliar airports and cities, only to return home with an aching back and a ton of laundry.

This week I'm headed out on a fairly typical trip -- three days of professional meetings and events and downtime with friends in the evenings. And getting ready is so easy now (I don't know if professional packer is a thing, but I'm adding it to my resume). I was able to pack everything I needed, with plenty of options, in a small carry-on and a tote (ok, a pretty generous tote).

Here are a few of the things I've learned in my transition over-packer to savvy traveler:

Let's talk toiletries...

1. Pouches are a girl's best friend -- I use a ton of them when I travel, and I love a good roomy one for my non-liquid toiletries.

2. Find non-liquid alternatives to as many products as possible -- I have a few special products that I always travel with. My favorite is a good makeup removing balm like Clinique's Take the Day Off. At home I use a facial cleanser and liquid eye makeup remover, but this one (solid) product takes care of both without taking up valuable room in my 1-gallon ziplock. A pack of cleansing wipes will take care of a million needs -- freshening up hands or face when you're trapped in your airplane seat, cleaning your grimy hotel remote control, etc. In my regular life I often use liquid eyeliner, blush, and lip gloss, but I only bring my gel eyeliner, cream blush, and solid lip products when I travel. Throw in a few single-use wipes, too -- stain remover and nail polish remover will always come in handy.

3. Streamline your routine -- When I travel, I stick to the basics. I don't need my serums, eye cream, and retinols, just a good moisturizer will do. I limit myself to one must-have hair product (this amazing Redken gloss, which makes my hair so silky). One good eyeshadow is better than a bulky palette full of shades. It won't kill you to use the hotel's shampoo and soap for a few days; if I need a guaranteed good hair day, sometimes I'll add a tiny bottle of my favorite conditioner...or I'll treat myself to a blowout on the road.

3. Hoard product samples -- I keep a big box of all kinds of product samples in my bathroom -- gifts with purchase, VIB rewards, gift bag swag -- and crack into it when I'm heading out of town.

4. Save your almost-empties -- I usually repurchase favorite products before they're completely empty for fear of running out at the worst time. I hold on to my almost-empty tubes of foundation, moisturizer, etc., and throw them in my bag when I travel because they take up much less space than full products. I'll finish them off on my trip and toss them before heading home (leaving my suitcase lighter, or with room for a few souvenirs).

Be smart about your travel day outfit....

My only rule of thumb here is: wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane.

This is key to getting all of your clothes in a tiny suitcase -- don't let shoes take up valuable space. For this trip, my bulkiest footwear was my running shoes. I knew I'd have time to change in the airport before jumping into any professional festivities, so this meant I could keep things SUPER casual and comfy for my trip. I went with a good pair of leggings and my favorite drapey tee (I usually like to avoid lounge-y clothes for traveling, but sometimes an exception needs to be made).

Packing your carry on...

Most airlines allow you to bring a small suitcase and a "small personal item" like a handbag, computer bag, or briefcase. This tote might be pushing the boundaries of a small personal item, but it easily fits under the seat so I think I'm safe.

1. Tuck a pair of shoes in your tote -- shoes take up a lot of space, so be smart about what you bring and how you pack them. I had 4 pair on my trip, which was perfect, but only 2 pair taking up space in my actual suitcase.

2. Grab a scarf -- I knew I'd be wearing this one during my trip, but I always pack at least one scarf in my carry on in case I need a blanket or a pillow, a makeshift eye mask, or even an air filter in case my seat mate forgot to bathe that day week.

3. More pouches -- to avoid losing important things in a cavernous bag, I keep another pouch right on top. I stash my passport, my boarding pass, my earbuds, and any other small thing I might need for easy access.

4. Snacks -- earlier this year I broke one of my cardinal travel rules and got on a flight without any snacks. We were stuck on the tarmac for hours and I thought I'd pass out from hunger -- never again. I also like having healthy snacks in my hotel room so I'm not tempted by the minibar. Apples, nuts, and granola bars are perfect.

Packing your bag...

1. Find the right suitcase -- I found this slim little rollerbag at TJ Maxx for $40 (I've seen it in quite a few stores in a variety of colors). It is tiny but holds SO much. I easily fit 6 tops, 3 bottoms, 1 dress, 1 jacket, 2 pair of shoes, jewelry, a hair dryer and other odds and ends (I rolled most of my clothes -- I think it maximizes space and minimizes wrinkles).

2. Maximize your options -- I'm not someone who can plan out 3 days' worth of outfits in advance. I like to have options so I can adjust for changes in weather, plans, or just mood. I know I'll need a few options for work activities and a few options for casual evening plans, so I made sure almost everything I brought could be dressed up or down as needed. I think I'll wear the green top with black pants and heels for client meetings, but I may decide to throw it on with jeans and flats for dinner with my college roommate. With a streamlined color palette (black, white, blue, and green), I can easily put together lots of different outfits. A couple of bold accessories that work with just about any look will make it super easy to get dressed for every event.

A few pieces, lots of options...

3. Don't forget to work on your fitness -- traveling can be rough on your body and spirit. Your sleep schedule gets out of whack, you don't always eat the right things, you're cramming too much into your day. The remedy for all of this is exercise. I always make sure my hotel has a gym, but if possible I head out for a walk or run (preferably in the morning, so I can get a lay of the land and check out the city) and then do some squats and lunges back in my room. So make room for some gym clothes -- it's worth it.

4. Packing cubes are genius. I used to think these were just a frivolous "extra" for people who like to throw money away, but they make a difference. If used the right way, they'll let you pack smarter by filling in every last inch of valuable space. I used this one for socks and undies on this trip, but for a longer trip I'll use a few to cram in extra tops, pants, pjs, etc.

All packed and ready to fly -- see you on the road!

Florida Girl Problems

Since moving to Florida I've had to make some adjustments to my beauty routine to combat some of the less than pleasant effects of a, let's say, "challenging" climate. Central Florida is well known for abundant sun, plenty of heat, and ungodly amounts of humidity. These extreme conditions definitely take a toll -- I'm not going to lie, in the first few months of my life as a Floridian I had some days that were just incredibly un-cute. 

After some good advice from new friends and a bit of trial and error, I've found some miracle products that help me look and feel good under the most extreme conditions...so I'd thought I do a quick roundup. Even if you don't live in the Sunshine State you might be headed out on a tropical vacation or just gearing up for summer to come to your corner of the world, and having a few of these products tucked away in your medicine cabinet will help keep you looking and feeling fresh as a daisy:

Neutrogena UltraSheer Sunscreen Stick ($11) -- This Snow White definitely fears the sun and it's incredibly damaging rays. I learned early on that I have to be really diligent about slathering on the sunblock before spending time outside, but on some of the hotter and sweatier days, I needed more. I wasn't keen on the idea of reapplying that thick pasty liquid sunblock on top of makeup, sweat, etc., but then I found this genius little stick. You can keep it tucked in your purse or car and apply the solid sunblock directly to the areas that are feeling exposed -- no goopy mess, plenty of protection.

Lush Vanilla Dusting Powder ($7) -- this is genius. A finely milled talcum powder with a light vanilla scent. Just dab it in any places that you normally get a bit sweaty (I like a couple of puffs in my bra to keep the girls nice and fresh) and you're good to go. 

Monistat Chaffing Relief Powder-Gel ($11) -- OK, stick with me on this one. I first heard about it on a running forum where talk had turned to some of the uncomfortable side effects of skin-on-skin contact while sweating, but chaffing can happen to anyone under the right circumstances. This miracle product is just the thing you want if you have some raw, tender spots -- you apply the gel, which has a powdery finish, and the healing begins almost instantly. Ahhhh....

Phytodefrisant ($28) -- this old favorite has become my hair's new best friend. Apply a bit to wet hair before drying to prevent moisture from ruining your blow out. Listen, this isn't going to save you if you get caught in a downpour, but it really helps prevent your hair from turning to cotton candy on those withering humid days.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzer ($4) Confession: until fairly recently, I was a bronzer virgin. Never used the stuff, never thought I needed to (did I mention I'm pale, pale, pale?). But after moving here, I found myself feeling a bit dull. A bit pasty. I wanted a pick me up, and I came across a beauty product discussion in the comment section of good old Jezebel. This super cheap product came up again and again so I decided to give it a shot. I loved it immediately -- I chose the lightest shade and it just adds a hint of color and glow in all the right places. I'm thinking about experimenting with some fancier brands, but for now I'm happy with this little bargain.

Essie Clambake ($9) -- Now that my toes are almost always on display, pedicures have gone from a fun luxury to must-have maintenance. I'm too lazy/cheap to go to the salon every month, so I've had to learn a bit of DIY action -- a little buffing, a little clipping, and a nice thick cream do the trick. When it comes to the polish I am a loyal Essie girl -- they have the most vibrant colors and the polish stays chip-free and glossy for days. One of my all-time favorites is Clambake, a saucy little orange-red shade -- amazingly flattering on so many skin tones and packs a good punch of summer fun.

Do you have any special products in your summer beauty routine? Let me know -- I still have room on my shelf for a few more goodies!