summer dress Archives - Not Just a Penguin

Walk in the soft warmth of the sun

There is a time of the day when the sun isn’t as active and I can go out to enjoy its golden glow. Forty-five minutes before the sun sinks and the evening begins, UV ratings are at their lowest, and the light is friendlier to the skin. During this time, I grab the opportunity for a walk outside and bask in the soft warmth of the sun.

This walk along the beach with my family is one such time. Here, I wore a casual tank top with a long, flowy maxi wrap for extra cover. Darker fabrics actually let in less UV, and so this one is just fitting. I accessorized minimally to keep it easy. One is this gold cuff, which adds a touch of edge, and another is a fedora hat with a black bow detail, which lends a bit of drama to the outfit. Hats are another stylish accessory that helps protect from the sun, and these days, they can be worn in places other than the beach. I could talk about that some time.

Spending time at the beach, however, also means having to run the risk of getting sunburns. While the rest of my family isn’t as strict as I am about sun protection, they still like to take extra precautions and stick to general rules that make them avoid UV rays as much as possible. Some of those that we swear by are these:

Create an agenda to avoid the midday sun—which is when it’s most harmful—by doing activities indoors. In such cases where outdoor activities are inevitable, try to prevent sunburn by seeking shade under a tree, a pop-up tent, or simply by using an umbrella.

Covering up the arms and legs—perhaps with a long-sleeved t-shirt, or pants, or maxi skirts—also help. This way, your clothes absorb UV rays and less of them penetrate your skin. Accessories like hats are great for shading the area of the face, as I mentioned earlier. There are, in fact, a variety of styles available that can cover everything from the scalp to the neck.

Putting on sunscreen, of course, is a general sun-protection tip that I do believe everyone must go by, including children. Anything with at least SPF 15, plus UVA and UVB protection are most recommended.

nded.

July 4th Celebration

Have A Sunny, Carefree July 4th Celebration

No doubt you will agree that the July 4^th is a phenomenal day in the calendar and one that I look forward to every year. It’s a genuine privilege to be able to celebrate American Independence and I feel honored to be able to do so with my family and friends in the Hamptons, one of my favorite places! The USA is one of the greatest countries of the world and to live freely is a blessing.

Did You Know?

While we all know what the July 4^th is about sometimes we forget the real history behind it.

As it so happens, July 4^thisn’t the day Americans received independence from England. It is actually the date when the Declaration of Independence (completed by John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R Livingston and Roger Sherman) was backed by all the 13 colonies. The declaration was sent to the second Continental Congress. The original first Congress had been formed to try and persuade the British government to recognise the American colonies’ rights but it failed. The Second Congress formed during the American Revolution.

When the American Revolution ended on September 4^th 1784, the date July 4^thwas heralded a holiday because it commemorated day the declaration document was approved by the congress. It is believed to be the most important patriotic day in the US calendar.

How I Celebrate

This year I will join my family and friends at a relaxed, informal BBQ in the Hamptons. It promises to be so much fun, with love and laughter. You’ll agree it’s just what everyone wants on this special date, especially when we live in turbulent times. The food will be abundant and there will be plenty of celebratory drinks to enjoy and no doubt, as is usually the case in the Hamptons – the sun will be shining. Later on there’ll be a magnificent fireworks display – in red, white and blue of course! All of the above makes for a perfect day in a poolside setting and while everyone will be having a super party; it’s still wise to take safety measures in the heat.

The weather in the area in July is usually hot, up to 80°F and while it can be humid, it’s mainly clear. This is why it’s such a fantastic and much sought after destination for New Yorkers and other Americans who travel to the beach for some R&R, escaping the hot, dusty city. It’s all too easy to get caught up in conversation during these exciting celebrations but everyone should be cautious to keep in mind how strong that Hamptons’ sun is. This means taking the necessary precautions to make sure all the family are well protected throughout the day.

Here are my five top tips to help you stay cool – and safe in the sun!

Wear Factor 50 sunscreen. Put it on all exposed areas before going out in the sunshine. Some people think that just by putting on sunscreen they are protected all day but that sun is exceptionally strong so top up every half an hour, paying particular attention to children who have delicate skin. The UVA and UVB rays penetrate even through cloud so if by chance there’s a cloudy day in store don’t skimp on sunscreen. While the sun is good for everyone in moderation (it increases Vitamin D stores and feels good), it is dangerous and sun damage could lead to cancerous melanoma, sunburn, age spots and premature aging.
Take a pretty parasol. I am a big fan of parasols especially the Persolé collection as they are bright colourful and sassy – perfect for an outdoor BBQ and always make a great conversation piece. You should also stay out of the sun as much as possible, escaping every half hour or so indoors to give your skin the chance to recover from the heat.
Wear a protective hat which stops the top of your head from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays and keeps your hair color from lifting. Hats are never boring – WOW your friends and family with a large brim straw hat perhaps with a colorful sash or a wild print. Hats are always in fashion and look stylish especially when you put a large pair of UV protective sunglasses on too (another must-do). This is a look favored by many of our famous film-stars, old and new – it’s such a gorgeous way of adding some Hollywood glamor to the suburbs of New York!
Drink plenty of water. The sun is very dehydrating and as well as damaging skin it can lead to headaches, nausea, muscle cramping and confusion if you become dehydrated. July 4^th celebrations normally last all day and into the night so keep an eye on your water intake and be sure to drink at least 3.5 pints. If you do drink alcohol, alternate it with a glass of ice-cold water to counter the effects as alcohol acts as a diuretic which increases the chances of dehydration.
Wear sun-sensible clothing. There are plenty of beautifully made, high quality protective clothes which repel the sun’s harmful rays, keeping skin well-protected while looking stunning. In breathable and soft fabrics, they are cool to the skin and even on the hottest days skin is well-protected. Natural fibres are best to prevent perspiration, cool cotton, soft silk and lightweight linen for example.

What I Plan To Wear

For the July 4^th celebration I’m attending I’m going to be wearing my favorite Piamita “Edith” floral dress, which is made of silk, a completely natural and breathable fibre so will keep me nice and cool. I’ll also have my useful Marc Jacobs ¾ sleeve embellished denim jacket close to hand for when it cools down in the evening, I wouldn’t want to miss out on the array of colorful fireworks by standing inside! Additionally, always close by, I’ll wear my sunglasses and a hat and carry my brightly patterned Persolé parasol. What will you be wearing to celebrate American Independence Day?

Striped Maxidress

It’s no secret that the French have got it down when it comes to timeless fashion. Back in 1917, Chanel took inspiration from seafarers and introduced the Breton stripes to the rest of the world. Flash forward to 2016, the craze for stripes still hasn’t died down, and it has even flourished into so many new styles for the Spring/Summer 2016 collections.

Dolce and Gabbana, for one, rolled out striped dresses in a spectrum of playful, candy colors. Jonathan Saunders smashed together stripes of different shapes and orientations for an interesting, bold look. Prada made a statement by showing off a combination stripes in different sizes and contrasting hues on coats and suits, resulting in outfits that are funky and sleek at the same time.

Why stripes are an effortless print that has rocked the runways over and over is no wonder. The pattern exists on that level of versatility where you can wear it from casual errands under the sunny weather to dressier, cruise holidays during the summer. It’s always fresh and crisp. So for a spring outfit, I wore a classic striped maxi dress from J. Crew. The combination of cotton and jersey fabrics made the dress soft and lent it just the right flow so that it created a flattering silhouette. I especially loved the back split of the dress: it made it easier to walk and move around in.

I wore this dress with T-strap shoes from Chanel. Usually, T-strap shoes give off a vintage appeal, but I love how it made my ensemble look so much more chic and put-together. These shoes are actually an old pair; I’ve had it for around 5 years now, but it still works with so many outfits. I’m honestly in love with the way Chanel imbues that quintessential charm in their pieces.

Right off of Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2016 collection is the tweed tote backpack I carried with me. The burgundy and navy colors are a royal pairing, and it really stood out against the navy-and-white stripes of my dress. The crest and pin embellishments gave the bag that robust character, too. The best part? It’s not just about the bag being stylish. True to the traveler theme of the collection, this bag can pack all the necessities. I can fit in more things than I initially thought I could—everything from cardigans, to umbrellas, to my sons’ snacks. It’s practical and fashionable at the same time!

Pom Poms and SPF

Saint Barth, Summer Hats, Pom Poms…OH MY! You heard right, cheerleaders aren’t the only ones that can rock the pom poms! My recent vacation to Saint Barth was completely magical: the warm sand in my toes, the fascinating views, spending quality time with my family, and enjoying nature in style.

The only struggle with packing for an exotic vacation is you always want to pack your absolute favorites! For this trip- that’s exactly what I did. I could not leave home without my favorite summer item. I made this navy dress that I am wearing in the photo. It is so light and flattering on my figure, and it is made out of breathable UPF 50+ fabric! This dress became an easy solution for when I am in a hurry – I just put it on for an instant sun protection. It also looks summer friendly while hiding me from those unfriendly rays. I must have worn it a thousand times since I put a last stitch in it! I really want to make more of these dresses before summer comes:)

I paired my dress with color-friendly shoes by Elina Linardak. These Pom Pom sandals were so playful, I thought I was a kid on the playground again. I completed the look with spirit-filled summer hat with the matching pom poms! I love how this hat brought my outfit together, from the details in the texture, to the added pom poms placed in the center of the hat. Not to mention, this hat was chic and provided great coverage from my outtings in the sun.

No summer outfit is complete with out a pair of polarized sunnies. These sunshades set the entire mood for my outfit. With the rounded cat eye shape of the frame, it embodies some edgy characteristics- but also keeps the outfit looking sleek and summer friendly. This style of sunglasses can really transform an outfit.

If you are planning a family vacation, or just a simple park stroll with your family, you can always look trendy, and stay safe from the sun beat downs. I have learned that the sun will not get the best of me, and I can always find fashionable alternatives to create a fabulous outfit. What are your favorite summer outfits, or what do you like pairing your favorite summer dress with?

Long Sleeve Dress by Zimmerman

I dream all winter of our summers in the Hamptons- and it is finally here! Vacations that solely revolve around my family and friends are my favorite, and the Hamptons is my go-to place to achieve just that! With the great shopping, fascinating food, and breath taking views- it is almost impossible not to want to move here forever.

During our recent visit to the Hamptons my dear friend, who happens to be an amazing food blogger, hosted a casual outdoor dinner to celebrate the start of summer, and of course, enjoy this new weather. By the way, if you like to cook and entertain, you absolutely must check her blog at www.artdefete.com. It provides full dinner menus, recipes & tips for hosting a perfect soiree at home!

I decided to wear this long sleeve dress by Zimmerman, and paired it with my favorite tan wedges. Since it is the summertime, the heat is not the only thing that I am worried about. I made sure to splash on tons of sunblock under my dress for additional coverage. This dress covered most of my body, but it was also light and airy- just perfect for the summertime outdoor festivities.

Nothing says summer without some crazy sunglasses to pair with this maxi dress, and I chose to go with my favorite shades from Tom Ford. These large sunglasses not only added a zest to my outfit, but also provided critical protection from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.

What are your plans for the summer, and how are you planning to keep your skin protected, while looking amazing?

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