Fantastic Fall Essentials

We all have those go-to pieces we love to break out of storage for fall. This week our regular fashion contributor Allison Patrick from Denver clothing boutique Dragonfly explores some of her favorite fall essentials and must-have pieces for the season:

Every year I find myself more and more excited for the cool fall weather, pumpkin flavored lattes and cozy fall fashions. Here are my go-to fall classics that I can’t get through the season without. These pieces will take you easily from early fall transition right into the chilly winter months:

• A Great Wrap

A good basic wrap is a closet staple that every woman should own. My favorite is the versatile Fluxus Nomad Scarf that is made from a soft, lightweight jersey that is perfect for year round wear. Aside from fashioning it as a traditional scarf and wrap mine also doubles as a travel blanket and swimsuit cover-up.

The Nomad Scarf, $48.00, www.fluxusbrand.com

*The Fluxus Nomad Scarf was featured as one of Oprah Winfrey’s “favorite things!”

• A Cozy Sweater

An oversized, chunky knit sweater is one of the ultimate comforts during the cool fall evenings. The southwestern inspired Maya sweater from BB Dakota is a fun and trendy spin on a fall classic.

The Maya Sweater, $95.00, www.bbdakota.com

• A Great Pair of Jeans

This year I am giving up my super skinnies and opting for the incredibly flattering JBrand Janey trumpet flare. This slim fitting style has a perfectly petite bottom flare that is great for wearing with flats and is slim enough to tuck into tall boots. Bonus: the denim is so soft and comfy I won’t notice that I’m not wearing my PB workout pants!

The Janey in Enchanted, $209.00, www.jbrandjeans.com

• A Perfect Tee

A great fitting t-shirt is a must-have no matter what time of year. The “Always Layers” long sleeve tees from Splendid are the best I have found thus far. The material is thin enough to layer under heavy sweaters and jackets without being too hot and having a little extra length on bottom gives you the option to wear it as a tunic with leggings.

Splendid Always Layers Sheer Long Sleeve, $55.00, www.splendid.com

• A Leather Jacket

Despite living in Colorado my go-to fall outerwear is not a parka or fleece jacket – it is a cropped leather jacket that I have had for years and that is just as special to me as my favorite pair of jeans or a great vintage t-shirt. I get the warmth I need without sacrificing the style and as an added bonus leather breaks in and wears well over time giving it comfort, character and a unique style all its own.

Gap Shrunken Leather Bomber Jacket in Cognac, $298.00, www.gap.com

So Pure Barre fans – what are some of your fall essentials? Let me know what your fall favorites are in the comments below!

under cover

If you suffer from under eye circles or slight imperfections in your skin, the perfect concealer can hide these dark areas beautifully.  Concealers are a makeup artist’s secret weapon; this powerful tool can remove years of aging off a woman’s face. Makeup expert Gina Comminello, owner of The Look Salon in Denver, provides all the need-to-knows about concealer:

Features

Concealer is a makeup used primarily by women to cover blemishes, scars and any imperfections of the skin and body,  typically a few shades lighter than foundation.  A concealer is most effective when applied with a concealing brush and over a face primer.  In comparison to liquid, powder or cream foundations, most concealers are heavier in coverage and consistency.

Types

Concealers come in powder, past, stick, liquid and may be custom blended for your perfect match and lifestyle (at certain cosmetic counters like FLAUNT YOU! FlauntYou.com).  The concealer color palette ranges from yellow and peach to blue, green and purple. These colors are used in conjunction with foundations or a skin-toned concealer to hide blemishes and dark circles.

Consideration

To apply concealer, use a makeup concealer brush (usually made of nylon). If you prefer using your finger to brushes, apply the concealer with your ring finger – use of this finger will apply less pressure to the delicate skin around your eyes.  To reduce the aging effects of wrinkles, make sure the face primer is applied under your eyes before concealing dark circles or puffiness with concealer and set the concealer with a translucent powder, as this method will ensure the product will stay on for hours.

Benefits

Concealer creates a seamless canvas for perfect makeup application when applied by the hand of a makeup artist and a skilled makeup artist will teach you the “how to” for home use.  A concealer can successfully cover large pores, reduce eye luggage (bags) or hide acne and pimples.  To cover a mole or scar, use a shade that is close to your skin tone.

Warning

The wrong color concealer will draw attention to the area that it is covering, rather than hide it.  Although concealers are typically two shades lighter than your skin tone, choose a color that is compatible with your current foundation color.  To determine the proper shade of concealer, do not apply it to the back of your hand, apply the concealer directly to the area you want to cover, and stand in direct sunlight to test the concealer’s ability to do its job and not enhance the problem.

boots of summer

We all enjoy the perks of summer – relaxing by the pool, riding bikes in the park, camping with our friends, the endless summer heat…well, the last one isn’t much of a perk, but we do love the summer rain to help cool off. But, how do we dress in the rain? To help navigate rainy day footwear, Elyse Burja-Pollock, owner of Strut  boutique in Denver, gives us her pick:

Wearing sandals will get our feet wet and it’s difficult and slippery flip-flopping around town, but we have the answer – the boots of summer! A cute pair of booties will keep you trendy, but also dry. Wear your booties with cutoffs, skinny jeans, a maxi skirt or a short summer dress. They really look good with everything! Since they are short and cut at the ankles, you can still show off your summer-tanned stems and keep your toes dry. Our favorite bootie pick this month is the Ndakinna by Coclico. And, the good news is once the summer’s heat starts dying down, you will be prepared for fall!

Shop the Ndakinna by Coclico here: http://bit.ly/QjhTpj.

 

 

must-shop trends this fall

It is hard to believe that it is already that time of year – retailers are starting to transition into fall, and soon enough, you will be on the hunt for a few new trendy pieces to add to your closet. The good news is there are a lot of things to be excited about this coming season – fun and modern new shapes, loads of print, color, texture and lots of little details. Our regular contributor and fashion guru Allison Patrick from Denver clothing boutique Dragonfly gives us her top trend picks to be on the lookout for this fall:

• New Pop Colors

Brighten up any fall outfit with a jewel-toned fuchsia, teal or cobalt blue blouse, or try mixing more muted pop colors like hunter green, aubergine, burnt orange and mustard yellow into your regular rotation of neutrals.

Ella Moss Marcelle Tank in Cobalt, www.ellamoss.com, $158.00

• Metallics

Sparkle and shine this fall in a gorgeous, sequined top, jacket, dress or skirt. From black and gold to rose and wine-colored sequins, you will look right on trend pairing an easy, sparkly top with your favorite skinny jeans and leather booties.

JCrew Sequined Zig-Zag Tee, www.jcrew.com, $138.00

• Faux Leather

From waxy-coated denim and leggings to faux leather jackets, vests and leather-trimmed tops, you will be seeing edgy faux leather details everywhere this fall. Try pairing a faux leather-trimmed blazer with a white t-shirt, your favorite denim and heels for a fun date night look.

BB Dakota Zane Vegan Leather Blazer, www.bbdakota.com, $115.00

• Faux Fur

Last year, we saw the start of the faux fur trend and it is still going strong this season. Avoid styles that are too bulky and opt for either faux fur accents or a slim-fitting faux fur vest to wear with your favorite denim.

Tart Collections Faux Fur Cecilia Vest, www.tartcollections.com, $176.00

• Peplums

This feminine detail is popping up on skirts, tops and dresses this season. I love the versatility of a great black pencil skirt with a peplum twist – easily dressed up or down and perfect for the office.

Eight Sixty Peplum Skirt, http://www.revolveclothing.com/brandpages/EightSixty.jsp, $62.00

• High-Low Hems

The high-low hem is a modern twist that instantly transforms any classic silhouette. Pair a high-low dress shirt with a slim black pant and metallic accessories for an easy day-to-night look.

Vince Half Placket Blouse in Citrine, www.piperlime.com, $275.00

get your hollywood glow on

Seeking a quick fix to add that fresh glow back to your skin, but want a painless non-invasive treatment? Microdermabrasion may be just what you’ve been looking for. Our regular contributor and makeup expert Gina Comminello owner of The Look Salon in Denver provides all the details about what to expect with this revitalizing treatment:

Microdermabrasion:

Microdermabrasion is a quick, painless, non-invasive treatment that accelerates the rate at which dead skin is exfoliated and jump-starts the proliferation of new skin cells. It is an exfoliation treatment, which combines vacuum suction with either tiny abrasive crystals or a diamond-tip disk to polish away the uppermost layer of skin. It elevates roughness, as well as fine lines and wrinkles, and allows treatment products to better penetrate the skin. This treatment is suitable for all but the most sensitive skins.

What to Expect:

Microdermabrasion takes less than an hour to perform. This procedure lightly “buffs” the skin, gently lifting away dead skin cells that contribute to a lackluster appearance.  It can be coupled with just about any other type of skin treatment and is usually recommended to be done every few weeks to every two to three months.  Your dermatologist or esthetician may recommend a series of microdermabrasion treatments. Directly after your treatment, your skin may look flushed or even pink, and over the next few days, you may experience minor flaking and dryness, but once the discolored skin has flaked off, new evenly-pigmented skin will surface.

 

Benefits:

• virtually no side effects
• gives the skin an overall fresh, healthy-looking glow
• non-surgical, safe, effective “lunch hour” procedure
• effective on all skin colors and types
• excellent for skins sensitive to chemical procedures
• normal activities can be resumed immediately

Who Is It For:

Microdermabrasion works best for anyone looking to revitalize their skin.  If you have any of these conditions, you are a candidate for microdermabrasion.

• fine lines and wrinkles
• “crow’s feet”
• hyper-pigmentation or sun spots
• dry skin
• minor acne scars
• blemishes or large pores

Areas:

• face
• orbital
• neck
• decollete
• hands
• back of arms
• elbows
• scars
• back

Also, most places offer a discount on microdermabrasion on multiple areas, so go get your glow on!

spend summer relaxing with toms

Now that summer is officially here, it’s time to head to the park or pool to relax in the sun, while enjoying it with some fresh new fashion! Summer is the time for bright colors and exotic patterns. To help us navigate the latest trends, Elyse Burja-Pollock and our friends at Strut boutique in Denver give us their recommendations on the summer’s hottest footwear:

Aside from all of the patterned knits and colored denim, you can also add color to any outfit through your shoes! From ballet flats to strappy wedges, TOMS has variety of styles and colorful patterns that will make your feet the new summer “heat” everyone is talking about! Our favorite summer style is the Cenna Strappy Wedge by TOMS, featuring an exotic multi-colored Ikat pattern and unbelievable comfort! These shoes are perfect for summer relaxation, because they really are that comfortable! Besides, your feet could use a little “R & R” from all of that hard work you’ve been doing, which is why we recommend going with TOMS… no more hard work, just hard play – it’s summertime!

View the TOMS Summer Collection available at www.strutdenver.com.

the dos and don’ts of white denim

White denim has become a year round closet staple, not just for summer. Add some versatile white denim to your wardrobe! Before you shop, check out some helpful tips from our regular contributor Allison Patrick from Denver clothing boutique Dragonfly on the dos and don’ts of white denim:

Do:

• Look for a false pocket. A lined pocket on a pair of crisp white denim more often than not stands out and not in a good way. Opt for false front pockets and functional back pockets.
• Wear the appropriate under garments. Avoid a major fashion faux pas and opt for nude colored, seamless under garments.
• Take the time for an alteration. Hem your white denim to the appropriate length. Extra fabric at the bottom not only looks sloppy, but will also ensure that your gorgeous white pants will be damaged quickly.

Don’t:

• Go too thin. White denim should have a little bit of substance and weight and a minimal amount of stretch (stay in that 2% or less range). Paper-thin white denim will show every little bump and bulge (yikes!) and has a tendency to stretch out more than heavier offerings.
• Try the jegging trend. A few people can pull off super skinny white jeans. (I’m talking Gisele, Heidi and Naomi.) For all of us normal, non-supermodels, I recommend a classic slim boot cut style with a mid-rise. This style has lasting power and is flattering on every body type. *Try the DL1961 Cindy Slim Boot in Milk, $168.00, www.dl1961.com.
• Disregard the care instructions. White denim requires a little TLC, so take extra care to wash on the white cycle or using a special “brightest whites” detergent. Also, invest in a spot treatment pen, so that you can treat stains while on-the-go. *Try Tide Pen To-Go, $3.95, www.tide.com.
• Save your whites just for the hot summer months. White denim has now become a year round closet staple. Throw the “No White after Labor Day” rules out the window and pair your white denim with a basic tee, chunky knit sweater and boots come fall.

a firm foundation

Have you ever had a difficult time matching your foundation to your skin tone? If you are like the many women who have, you are in luck! Our regular contributor and makeup expert Gina Comminello from Denver makeup salon The Look (TheLookSalonDenver.com) shares a customer testimonial and gives us her recommendations on how to achieve the perfect foundation match:

“I wasn’t sure I needed help with my makeup; I certainly didn’t think I needed custom blended makeup.  I understood where shadowing should go and the makeup colors that worked with my skin.  But with a job interview coming up, I wanted to pull my look together and feel confident in my appearance.  When I met Gina Comminello at her salon, The Look located in Cherry Creek, I was completely surprised to find that her FLAUNT YOU! custom blended foundation changed my look entirely. I was getting by with a “best match” for years.  Gina asked me many questions, even about my lifestyle, and away she blended.  Soon, I held a bottle of foundation custom blended just for me with added bells and whistles, including sunscreen and the color is a perfect match”  – Kay G.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had a difficult time matching your foundation to your skin tone, skin type or lifestyle. Often, the color is too warm or too cool (i.e. too pink or too yellow) and the consistency doesn’t offer enough coverage or too much.  And isn’t it Murphy’s Law that when and if you do find your perfect match, the company discontinues it or the store is sold out? Finding the right foundation doesn’t have to be a chore! FLAUNT YOU! Custom Blended Foundation is matched perfectly to your skin and formulated to complement skin tones flawlessly, imparting the ultimate finish by employing a radical combination of bases, toners, enhancers and modifiers that veil any feature for a truly signature appearance.  The best part is that we’re never sold out and we can whip you up a bottle whenever you need it.

Every client relationship I have is special and most of them start as referrals with a brief conversation about a woman’s custom cosmetic needs.  I welcome you to come into my salon for a 15 minute discussion and an introduction to FLAUNT YOU! cosmetics. I’ll mix together a sample of my custom blended foundation and show you the difference it can make for your skin.

the perfect handbag for summer

To go along with your go-to summer dress, don’t forget about a great summer handbag! To help you find the hottest handbag for this season, Elyse Burja-Pollock, owner of Strut  boutique in Denver and accessory guru, offers her winning selection:

The 49 Square Miles Starlet Top Zip is the perfect handbag for summer. Featuring a detachable cross-body strap and a beautifully detailed hobo strap with hand-hammered hardware link, this bag will add a new kind of flexibility to your style! Let loose and wear it “cross-body” to your next Pure Barre class, then get the “hobo” style for going out on the town. Available in three great colors: charcoal, sulfur (summer favorite) and indigo! Pure Barre gals save 15% on your favorite 49 Square Miles item! Just use the code “purebarre49” at checkout on your your purchase at www.strutdenver.com. Happy shopping!

go-to summer dress trends

Summer is officially here and that means it is time to get out and start shopping for your go-to summer dress. There are a lot of fantastic options this year, so to help you navigate the racks, our regular contributor and fashion guru Allison Patrick from Denver clothing boutique Dragonfly gives us her top picks for this summer’s biggest dress trends:

• The Tie Dye Dress

I love the Glenda Tie Dye Maxi dress by Tart Collections for a few reasons: it has adjustable bra straps, a double-lined bodice and smocked back (in other words, you don’t need to wear a strapless bra) and the eye-catching print is fantastic for summer. Plan on packing this dress for your next vacation or a weekend at the lake or wearing it to a backyard BBQ.

Glenda Maxi in Bamboo Tie Dye, $176.00, www.tartcollections.com

• The Tribal Print Dress

Tribal prints are having a major moment! The Yadva Dress by Trina Turk is great because it does tribal in a classy, modern way with a timeless silhouette and subtle, but fun, color combination. This dress is perfect for the office, special events and everyday wear.

Yadva Dress in Kashmir Turquoise, $228.00, www.trinaturk.com

• The Polka Dot Dress

Polka dots are the new stripe – expect to see them EVERYWHERE especially come fall and winter. Get a head start on the trend with this easy breezy cotton dress from Splendid. Pair it with a cool canvas wedge, flat sandal or your favorite pair of Toms for a cute, casual day look.

Polka Dot Dress in Denim, $128.00, www.splendid.com

• The Floral Print Dress

This silky, abstract floral print dress by Charlie Jade is a perfectly pretty option for all of your summer events. The color combination feels modern and chic and is a welcome breath of fresh air in a sea of stuffy retro floral prints.

Natalia Dress, $141.00, www.charliejadebrand.com

• The Coral Dress

Coral is the “it” color of 2012, but avoid wearing this bright from head-to-toe. Instead, opt for just the right amount of summer’s must-have color with the Amy Dress from Harper Clothing.

Amy Dress in Orange Carnival, $150.00, www.harperclothing.com