Style Lush

Swim Shirts

Editor's note: For our last week at Style Lush, I've asked the writers to share both a favorite post by another writer, from over the last three years, and a favorite post of their own. You'll see these posts linked to at the top of their new post for the week. Enjoy a stroll down Lush memory lane!

By Megan

I'm horribly sorry to be saying goodbye to Style Lush. It's been a daily source of inspiration for me, and choosing favorites is hard to do. I really loved Rebecca's post Style Memories From My Mom. From my own archives, I had a lot of fun with these finger knit scarves, and I recently saw a tutorial online for arm knitting, which uses the same concept, but creates these beautiful chunky infinity scarves. I've let my craft side lay dormant for far too long.

***

Now, onward. For the last time. (WEEP.)

One of my favorite things about Style Lush has been the feedback from the community. So today I come to you with yet another style question. Today, I'm talking swim shirts. I'm very fair skinned. I know you think you're fair skinned, but I win the white legs contest every day of the week. It's not a very fun contest to win, I promise you. That said, we spend a lot of time at the pool and the beach during the summer. I'm usually the girl in the shade with a large hat and long-sleeved cover up. However, there comes a point when it's 99 degrees outside and there's no comfortable place except for the middle of the pool.

Which brings me to my question. My son always wears a swim shirt, and I prefer two piece suits with a rash guard top for my daughter also. So why not one for me? With a UPF of 50 in the fabric, doesn't it make sense for me to throw one of these on over my swim suit?

Swim Tee Cover-up from Lands' End $39

Look at those stripes! It's like someone made my favorite wardrobe staple into swimwear. Now if only I can find a swim maxi dress. (I kid, I kid.)

So tell me dear readers, is this something I should embrace in the name of sun-protection? Or, does this scream, "I'M A MOM. FUNCTION OVER FASHION 'TIL THE END."

{Photo credit: landsend.com}

Crayola Washable Whiteboard Markers

by Megan

I promise that this will be the last time that I speak of accessories for our easel. One side of our easel has a white board, and if you have any experience with white board markers, you know that they leave much to be desired. They're messy, they leave an odd marker dust behind when they've been erased, and they're far from washable.

So, when I saw Crayola Washable Whiteboard markers at Target, I knew that we needed to replace the markers we had on hand.

In their favor, they do seem to wash from clothes and hands quite easily. They are tougher to erase than traditional white board markers, but that's a small price to pay for the ability to keep your clothes clean, and avoid that awful dust. For the record, I absolutely do NOT recommend the dry erase crayons. They're about as well thought out as colored bubbles.

{Photo credits: amazon.com}

Melissa and Doug Easel Accessory Set

by Megan    

My parents bought my daughter an easel for Christmas. It was easily the biggest hit of all the gifts given or received this year, and she happily drew on the chalkboard all evening. My mom added this easel accessory set from Melissa and Doug, and I would highly recommend it.

It included everything that we needed for our easel, including a roll of paper, paint, brushes, chalk, an eraser, a white board marker, and paint cups, which are my favorite part of the set.

In fact, I would recommend purchasing the paint cups on their own, and you certainly don't have to use them on an easel. They're labeled spill-proof, but a child intent on spilling could probably make a mess if they tried hard enough. They have two lids, one with a small opening for a paint brush and one that will cover the entire cup so that you can save the paint for later.

If I'm going to allow my kids to paint in the house, this is the way to do it.

{Photo credits: amazon.com}

 

Shade Clothing: Yea or Nay?

by Megan

Every so often I hear people talk about Shade clothing as a great place to buy basics, but I've never bought anything there myself. I tend to shy away from online only stores, since I don't at least have a baseline for the sizing and quality, but Shade offers free shipping and returns, so I really don't have much to lose.

I've spent a little time browsing the website, and I'm not blown away by the cuteness, but I have put one thing into my cart, because heaven knows I need another striped shirt in my life.

Stripe Boatneck Tee $9.99

They're having a winter sale right now, but January is the time of year when I tend to stop buying winter clothes. I do, however, think this is the sort of sweater I could wear all winter long.

Cable Sweater Poncho $29.99

Rumor has it that their leggings are good and supportive, so I'm throwing those in my cart, and I'll report back. Tell me, have you ordered from Shade? Would you order again?

{Photo credits: shade.com}

Gap Body for Loungewear Lovers

by Megan

I come from a long line of loungewear ladies. In fact, my mother is so notorious for her matching sweat suits that they're known simply as "Kathys" in our house. Recently I stepped into the Gap Body side of the store, where I've never really paid any attention. I have been making a mistake.

In the winter I want to come home and put on my snuggly, comfortable clothes. I don't know what that says about my personal sense of style, but pants with buttons have no place in my life at home.

I've recently begun to embrace leggings - never for leaving the house! - and picked up this tunic for appropriate bum coverage.

I'm keeping my eye on this cocoon cardigan. As soon as it's on sale, it will be mine.

 

Do not be turned off by the prices. Everything was very much on sale while I was there, and I wouldn't ever pay full price for anything at Gap given their ubiquitous coupon codes.

Tell me friends, are you on the same quest to be as comfortable as possible at all times?

{Photos credits: gap.com}

 

Currently Coveting: Simple Black Boots

by Megan

Every once in a while I find a hole in my wardrobe. There's one piece that feels missing. When I'm getting dressed in the morning, I keep thinking about how that one item would be so useful for so many outfits. Recently that was a pair of gold flats and when I found a pair on sale at Old Navy for $9, it seemed serendipitous. I have worn those shoes to death and it was because I knew that I had many uses for them before buying them.

Currently the hole in my wardrobe is in the shape of a pair of simple, flat black boots. Unfortunately I won't be doing anything to remedy this problem until after the holidays because I just can't justify something for me right now. However, when Nordstrom sent me an email full of boots under $100, I couldn't resist sharing my top picks with you. Someone ought to have this wardrobe staple, even if it can't be me.

DV by Dolce Vita Marko Boot $66.96

Enzo Angiolini Zarynn Riding Boot $79.90

BP Runway Boot $87.06

Corso Como Doyle Boot $99.96

If you're in the market for a pair of boots now seems to be the time to snag some on sale, and still get quite a bit of use out of them this season.

{Photo credits: nordstrom.com}

 

 

Holiday Party Traditions

by Megan

We've had a holiday party every year since we got married, except for the years where my kids were tiny infants, and this year is no different. However, this year things we're hosting our party off site so we can view a boat parade. I'm excited about the change and our access to this waterfront house this year.

At our party we do a gift exchange, which is nothing new, but is usually a fun part of the party. It's a nice way for us to get everyone in the same space, even people who don't know each other, for a little friendly competition.

This year, the boat parade won't pass in front of the house for hours after the party starts, so I'm looking for new activities to keep everyone busy. I'm thinking we'll play LCR, as I every time I play this the decibel level in the room goes through the roof.

There's nothing like the chance to win a little cash to get everyone talking.

What are your holiday party traditions? Do you do a gift or ornament exchange or do you prefer to just drink yourself silly?

{Photo credit: amazon.com}

Portable iPhone Charger

by Megan

Most days I spend plenty of time at home or in my car, meaning that I'm never far from my phone charger. But I've noticed when I travel that I can easily drain the battery on my phone before the day is through. Maybe the issue is more about my excessive iPhone usage than about the phone's battery, but no matter! There's a solution for that.

Enter the Uncommon Goods portable iPhone Charger.

Simply charge it before you leave and plug it into your iPhone (or iPad or iPod) for an additional three hours of use time when your battery is running low. At $35 these are just outside of the realm of stocking stuffers, but they're so cute that they would make great gifts. It seems like the kind of thing you might hem and haw about buying for yourself, but that you would be so happy to have.

{Photo credits: uncommongoods.com}

Crochet Slippers

by Megan

Every year my mother-in-law knits slippers for everyone in the family, and every year they're one of my most coveted gifts. They're comfortable, and warm, and kind of ridiculous looking, and I love them. People always want their own pair, but my mother-in-law can only knit so fast. So, imagine my surprise when I found these chrochet slippers on Etsy.

Buttercream Crochet Slippers $19

I think this buttercream color is perfect for winter, but she has several other fun colors. She even has these loafer-like slippers, which are available in a his and hers matching set. Lest you think your husband wouldn't be caught dead in these, let me tell you that my husband LOVES his slippers and needs several pairs because he wears straight through the soles.

Her Crochet Slippers $26

The one complaint my mother-in-law gets is that her slippers are, well, slippery on hard floors. For $6, you can have a latex coating added to the bottom of your shoes that will make them non-slip AND make them last longer.

If I didn't have a pair headed my way this year, these would definitely be on my wish list.

{Photo credits: etsy.com/shop/WhiteNoiseMaker}

La Mer Watches at Target

By Megan

In yet another winning collaboration with Target, you can now find LaMer watches for a fraction of the price. The watches retail for over $100 at places like Nordstrom or Saks Fifth Avenue, but can now be found in a variety of styles at Target for under $50.

I can think of a few women on my Christmas list who would love to receive these.

My personal favorite is the La Mer Wrap Watch in gold, which is available both online and in stores for $39.99.

I also love the brown and I kind of want to buy one for everyone.

You can view the entire collection and choose your favorite color. (I also really like the leopard, coral, and navy. This is becoming a problem.)

(photos from: target.com)