GUESS Jeans NEW Dare Fragrance & Vanesa Farfan 5 Stone Necklace

Newly released - Guess Jeans Dare Perfume

September Issue:
I've had this fragrance for a little while now and really have enjoyed it from the first spritz. Guess Dare is aimed at millennials, women aged 18-30 and will be launched in over 23,000 department stores and retailers nationwide this September. Retailing for about $62.00 it is definitely being marketed with major price appeal to younger women.
I'm liking it even as we are moving into the cooler temperatures of fall. Dare is light yet just provocative enough for you to be noticed. I can see this traveling with me during the resort season for it's tropical top and middle notes of kumquat, pear blossom and lime, jasmine,wild rose, cactus flower and coconut palm. The base or bottom notes are derived from blonde woods and living Key West coconut palm.

Guess Dare outer package

What I'm holding is the Guess Dare Eau de Toiliette which comes in a beautifully decorated glass 3.4 oz bottle. It has a gold nameplate chain necklace to match the cap and an exquisite faceted glass bottle.

Lovely packaging and faceted Guess Dare bottle.

Speaking of faceted things, the long necklace I am wearing is by jewelry designer Vanesa Farfan of Miami Beach, FL.

Long gold gem necklace by Vanesa Farfan

Necklace Description from VanesaFarfan.com:

This long amazing necklace features 5 Gorgeous round faceted natural gemstones including Purple Amethyst, Aqua Chalcedony, Green Chalcedony, White Chalcedony and Pink Chalcedony set in Vermeil Gold bezel drops on a gold plated necklace. The necklace length is 18" from top to bottom. The total length is 36".

I really like the length of the gold chain which easily slips over my hair without having to fool with a clasp. The gems are beautifully cut and slightly translucent. Fabulous! Perfect highlight to my Ten Thousand Villages Silk Scarf from Laos.

Guess Dare, Ten Thousand Villages Silk Scarf, Modify Watch and Vanesa Farfan's 5 Stone Necklace

On the Go? Summer Travel Essentials

A trip to the beach or even abroad. Here are some carry on essentials for easy summer travel. Pewter Sand Dollar Woven Handbag by NewportStyle.net, the Newport Mansions Stores.

July is National Parks and Recreation Month - A DAY AT THE BEACH: I really enjoy packing up and taking off for a impromptu trip to the beach, park or anywhere fun during the hot summer. Since July is National Parks and Recreation Month, visiting local spots first is always a good idea. One thing I've learned is to keep a bag packed with a few essentials for each destination.  My beach tote contains Mission Sun Defeated Continuous Spray Sunblock SPF 50 & their Moisturizing Lip Treatment, (SPF 20) as well as Jergens Natural Glow-Protect for a little color + sun block. My sunhat is made of woven raffia and is by Helen Kaminski . It is a tough hat, made in Australia and does an amazing job of blocking the sun.

Transitional Outfit: Horny Toad Dizzie Dress & Earthies Shoes. Knit topper by Cotton On goes from the AC'd office to an early evening picnic date in the park.

Taking a Trip?
If you are doing more than just a day trip, consider keeping a Carry-On bag of your favorite comfort items. These will vary depending on if you are traveling by car, train or plane but they all should be kept close at hand. Here's a few things that I take along that take up less space and do double duty.

All of these items fit easily inside my GLC Guilden Carry All with room for clothes & a pair of shoes.

Packing for a trip should include essentials like these, especially if you are going on a long distance tour. I keep a little bottle of Visine-A for allergy flare ups that can occur when you change climates. Also to stay extra fresh when you might not be able to get to your hotel, take along some baby wipes or Fresh Bath moist towelettes. You can refresh your whole body in the rest room. Speaking of keeping fresh, Secret Clinical Strength is amazing. It will keep you dry and fresh smelling for more than 24 hours even in hot, sticky climates. A clear zippered pouch like this allows you to quickly find what you need while protecting your luggage from product spills.

Embryolisse Hydra Masque and Eye & Lip Contour Cream do double duty.

On the Plane
If you fly, you'll know how important it is to pack your handbag with everything you'll need so as not to have to access your on board luggage in the bin above your head. Here's a situation where you might want to go bigger with your handbag as it can also carry extra clothing and other needed items.

I've found this system to work very well and having essentials like hand cream can work wonders in combating dry cabin air.  

In the Hotel
Likewise Embryolisse Hydro-Masque is a wonderful treat for dried out skin. Pop it on in your hotel room for 15 minutes and you'll be ready for dinner looking plumped and refreshed. I also like their Eye & Lip Contour Cream as it comes in a pump bottle and is both an eye and lip cream. Double duty out of one pump saves space and time switching between products!

Smart Travel First Aid kit has medicines and supplies especially helpful for traveling.

First Aid for Travelers
I keep a Smart Travel from Adventure Medical Kits with me as it is small enough to fit my carry all yet holds A LOT of supplies. Everything from aspirin and anti-nausea medicine to bandages, ointments and other first aid products. I keep a little tube of Topricin Pain Cream in my kit because it can be used for a lot of things like insect bites, bruises and aches. The kit itself is complete though and sectioned into areas depending on the emergency. It also has a little graphic card with pictures to convey your needs in a different language if you are traveling abroad. Everything is well thought out and can help put your traveling mind at ease!


Smart Travel c/o Adventure Medical Kits

Skorting the Issue-Vesper Skort in Lapis by Horny Toad

Ready to ride, walk or run. Vesper Skort in Lapis by Horny Toad.

Summertime means getting out there and having fun...where ever you can find it. That may mean a hike through the woods with lunch afterwards at a little open air cafe.  It could also mean bicycling to a local spot for a picnic or day at the beach.  Where ever you go, I say, look cool and chic!

That's why I was so impressed with this super comfy, stretchy Tencel blend Vesper Skort by Horny Toad.  Here's the garment description from the HT website:

Vesper Skort
For those whose love of a good mini skirt equals their love of travel, play and movement, the Vesper Skort is like an answer to a prayer. Perfect for a game of Frisbee or tennis, a bike ride across town, a round of golf or even a heated Scrabble match, it can also be dressed up and taken out to dinner. Made of our favorite year-round knit blend of silky Tencel®, soft cotton, durable poly and supple spandex, the covered elastic waistband has an internal drawcord and internal shorts have a 3" inseam.

Secrets Under the Skort
I like that the shorts underneath are well constructed and have their own secret pocket in the front for cash, a credit card or energy gel. The fabric is SO soft and I like the way the waistband stays flat without rolling. The fabric does not wrinkle. We did not iron the skort, it was just taken from the bag and put on and as you can see, BOOM!  Easy care, ready to wear after you unpack it.

Bicycling, walking, running, the Vesper Skort's got you covered.

Run Don't Walk
Why limit yourself to spandex shorts on or off the trail or bicycle? There have been times (long in the past mind you), where I've gotten on my bicycle for a training ride but wanted to stop at the coffee shop or market along the way. Walking into a public space with skin tight shorts simply draws WAY too much attention.  With the Vesper Skort You can have all the freedom and comfort of shorts but look very stylish once you finish your workout.  Hey, you never know WHO you'll meet!

Taking along a helmet? GLC's Guilden Carry All can handle it!

So the next time you plan to head out for the usual run or bike ride around town, think about putting on an easy to wear skort like this. You'll definitely turn heads and in a GOOD way!

Vesper Skort in Lapis by Horny Toad. Bicycle Bags by Basil

 Vesper Skort C/O Horny Toad