Tennis Anyone? Style Tips for Racquet Play

 

Now that summer is here, you may want to accept those invitations to play tennis or pickleball with friends, colleagues and family.  It's great exercise and if you play at a private venue such as The Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club, you can even make a day of it with lunch afterwards and cocktails on the beach.  Yes, you'll need to pack a change of clothes but even that can be easy to do with the right fabric/style choice. Here are a few of my favorite tips for a fabulous day out on the courts and beyond.

http://helenficalora.com 

I'm giving a nod to The Hampton's with its beautiful coastline and beachfront with Helen Ficalora's Sterling Silver Scallop Shell necklace. This NYC based jeweler makes lovely pieces that work with almost any outfit or ensemble.  Just because you're dressed for "match-point" doesn't mean you can't wear jewelry.  Many of Helen's pieces are delicate and demur for understated elegance.

Here in The Hamptons, I play in them all the time and they never get in the way.  Visit her website to experience her entire collection at HelenFicalora.com

Court Girl Tennis Racquet Hat

This cool yet functional cap is a must for tennis or pickleball.  One of the features I really like is the tinted visor.  It allows you to see through the peak while shielding your eyes from the sun.  Very smart for those shots you'd normally miss due to that blind-spot found in most baseball-styled tennis caps and visors.

Perforated and ventilated, it helps to keep your head cool, and the cap itself is adjustable.  Topflight design from CourtGirl.com

Bridgehampton Tennis & Surf Club, Long Island, NY
Alyssa V-Back Dress in Navy by designer Nora Gardner, NYC

What to Pack for after Court Time

So, what do you bring to transition from the court to lunch or cocktails later?  Well, this lovely little navy dress was simply rolled up and packed in my sports duffle bag.  After steaming, I simply folded and rolled it up.  It came out just as you see it here after being in my bag all day.

So easy to wear and very flattering.  Here on the beach, I am wearing shells, but a string of pearls would also set this outfit off.  One of my favorite designs, this Alyssa V-Back dress is easy-care and always looks fabulous.  See it at NoraGardner.com 

Natural Summer Skincare and Makeup Trends

 

Glorious summer is here!  This is your time to glow but with high heat and humidity come new challenges, namely: sunburn, excessive oiliness, uneven skin, enlarged pores, etc.

What I've found is that by balancing the health of your skin, a lot of these issues will disappear.  A mineral based sunscreen will help prevent further damage, of course but the trick is not to let your skin get to that point in the first place.  So, what's trending this summer by way of natural skincare and makeup?  Here are a few of my new finds and why I believe they will work for you:

The Utama Spice Collection from Bali, Indonesia

Handmade in small batches, the Utama Spice Collection is what you could only dream about for natural skincare.  These products are rich in nutritious organics with no chemicals, dyes or fillers. My favorites are:

Pore Cleanser Face Wash with Clay is very gentle with the additional neem and tea tree oils. Both are antifungal and antimicrobial.  This could be helpful if you are prone to summer breakouts due to excess oil production.

Island Spice Coconut Lotion is SO rich and nourishing.  It contains tangerine oil which gives it citrusy appeal...so perfect for summer. I really like the way it absorbs completely with no oily residue. Very moisturizing, it's the ideal body lotion for all types of skin.

Lavender Dream Body Butter is a little lighter in texture than the coconut lotion BUT still very rich and moisturizing.  The added benefit is the lavender oil.  Lavender is a natural remedy for burns and will also repel insects while allowing a restful night's sleep.

Cocoa Love Body Butter is the richest product of all as the first ingredient is cocoa seed butter.  It's just so delicious to smell! However, it goes to work to quickly smooth out rough elbows and knees with just a touch.  A little goes a long way so this generous tin will probably last months.  See more from this lovely collection online for Utama which ships worldwide:  https://utamaspice.com

Kimtrue Skin Purifying Cleansing Balm

This cleansing balm has the consistency and texture of ice cream as it melts easily into the skin while taking makeup, sweat and oils with it.  A unique blend that includes Lactobacillus Ferment as well as powerful antioxidants, this cleanser is a cut above.  Try it before taking a bath or shower.  Your skin will thank you for it! Available on Amazon.com

Jone's Road Cosmetics by Bobbi Brown

On the left is her Miracle Balm in Magic Hour and on the right, What the Foundation Moisture Tint in Light.  Now hear me out. Usually, I would not recommend wearing something this rich and oily during the summer.  However, it is still important to maintain a healthy moisture balance during the warmer months.  That being said, there's a way to pull this all off.  Use very small amounts of both these products followed by a blurring, translucent loose setting powder such as these new ones from Laura Mercier and Jouer Cosmetics (Soft Focus and Hydrate + Set Powder).  These high-tech powders are non-drying and offer an ultra-blurring effect which hides fine lines and wrinkles.

Get Dressed With Me: Royal Ascot, Weddings, Garden Parties and Teas

 

Summer Vibes include invitations to weddings, anniversaries, garden parties, high teas, picnics and more.  This week kicks off Royal Ascot for British horse racing fans.  Why not take a cue from the beautiful hats and dresses worn to this elegant event?  Used as inspiration, you will elevate your entire outfit to regal status.  Here are some style tips to pull off this fabulous look.

Hat Styling (Think Philip Treacy-London)

Perhaps your most important accessory will be a hat or fascinator.  Ladies never remove our hats indoors so no worries about keeping it on for church, luncheons or teas. If you are not used to wearing one, simply observe these essential tips for a pulled together presentation.

1.) Try to match your hat to a dominant color in your outfit and clutch. They need not be the exact same shade but as close as possible.

2.) Adjust the hat or fascinator so that the brim dips down towards the right eye.  This adds drama and mystery!  Secure your hat in place with a hat pin, alligator clip or hair pin.

3.) Choose natural fibers like straw or sinamay with added accents such as ribbons and feathers.  You can even attach a favorite brooch or pin depending on the material.

Viscata.com 

Shoe Selection

This can be tricky as some event venues will be held outdoors such as the annual Garden Party, Royal Ascot and wedding receptions underneath tents.  You'll be navigating on grassy or sandy uneven surfaces, so I've found wearing espadrilles over stilettos to be the better option.  Very easy to pack for vacation and destination weddings, I'm wearing Viscata's handmade Vernada Canvas Sahara Spanish Espadrilles. So comfortable to wear and better than basic flats or sandals.  This lovely nude color also elongates the legs.  Visit Viscata.com online for more styles and colors.

In A Clutch

It's important when attending these events to bring a small purse or clutch.  You'll want to leave that "Never Full" tote at home!  A smaller bag can easily be slipped behind your back in your chair while dining.  My favorites are Chanel quilted crossbodies and python exotic leather top handled mini satchels.

The Country Club, Late Afternoon into Evening

Just a few more ideas....  If the event is indoors and going into the evening hours, you can bring out the stilettos while leaving the hat behind.  Why?  Well, if the event is after 6 pm, a hat is not an essential item. These Calvin Klein Gayle leather pumps are the perfect height and known for comfort. The DeMellier styled bag is like the Nano Montreal in smooth leather, deep toffee color. Just the right size to go from afternoon to evening.

My Ralph Lauren Navy Blue and white floral cocktail dress is accented with Chanel style pearls, as costume jewelry. Also, when the stars come out so do your diamonds! The new Les Infinis De No. 5 Collection by Chanel is delicate with a chic iconic design.

Stay up to date with even more style tips as the season progresses and you won't put a foot wrong at all.

Father's Day Gifts Dad REALLY Wants

Super Father's Day Gifts Dad REALLY wants!

A group of fathers were polled with the question of what their ideal Father's Day gift would be.  The answer?  Nothing fancy. Top of the list was a pan of homemade brownies or other baked goods. See, men are simple, and Dads are no exception.  So here are some top picks for your Father's Day Gift giving that he'll appreciate on his special day and beyond.

 A Comfortable Pair of Sandals...Protalus Comfort in Every Step

Summer is here and no better way to help Dad step into comfort than with The Cascade Sandal.  These super supportive sandals come with a built-in insole, so they help with stability and alignment.  These require no break-in period and relieve pain while adding stability throughout the whole body.

Visit Protalus.com

Good Brews for Dad.....Ninja Dualbrew Pro Specialty Coffee System

Get Dad on trend by skipping the barista and making his own delicious, brewed drinks at home.  Comes with everything shown here including a 60oz carafe and frother whisk.  Can be programmed for a delayed brewing time to wake up to.

Visit Ninjakitchen.com

It's Meat on the Table (or grill)...Butcherbox Subscription

Here's top quality meat, poultry and seafood delivered to his door and according to his specifications.  This is such a welcome gift and can be sent from anywhere to make his time at the grill a delicious one.

Visit Butcherbox.com

ButcherBox: Meat Delivery Subscription Get $50 off your first box by using this link! 

Turn Dad's Grill into a Pizza Oven....The Pizza Stone by Jamie Oliver

No need to buy a dedicated pizza oven when you can just pop the ceramic Pizza Stone on the grill or smoker.  Toasts pizza crust to perfection and comes with a metal serving rack.  Available at Williams-Sonoma and online at Amazon.com

Bake Him Some Brownies.....Mightylicious Vegan, Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownie Mix and Cookies

Warm, fudgy and right from the oven.  What could be better for Father's Day?  It's easy to whip up a pan of brownies with this delightful mix.  Also consider Mightylicious Complete Flavor Pack including all 7 Varieties of their signature Vegan, Gluten-Free Cookies.  These easily pass for homemade!

Visit Mightylicious.com

Take Dad for Dinner and a Show.....Authentic Japanese Hibachi Grill

Taking Dad out for dinner?  Try something different by booking a seat at an authentic Japanese Hibachi Grill.  Your personal chef will entertain while cooking your order to perfection.  This is such an outside the box dining experience!

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