Sales On Blazer's At Lands' End

A blazer is one of those no-brainer traditional pieces that should be in every woman's (and man's) wardrobe. It elevates an outfit and acts as a light layering piece to take you from the late summer into the fall. Depending on the style, you could also wear it in winter under your coat to complete an outfit, as well as, for warmth once you get to the office.

You can't beat the classic style and quality for the price at Lands's End. The retailer offers so many choices, structured or not structured. Fabrics include 100% linen, 100% cotton, cotton-with-a-touch-of spandex, smooth, velveteen, or knit; and the devil that is always in the details such as pockets with or without flaps, one button, 2 buttons, or 4 buttons that are shiny to stand out or not shiny to blend in. Of course, the blazers also come in timeless patterns and an assortment of mostly neutral colors.

Now might be a great time to browse. When LE runs sales, they're very good and if missed, they'll roll around again. The white 100% linen jacket (above right👆) is on sale at 70% off for $40! My gosh, what a steal!  It's a smart and comfortable wardrobe piece you'll wear forever.

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Farmer's Defense Sun Protection

One of the best anti-aging practices for your skin is to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Although I have never been a sun worshipper and try to walk on the shady side of the street, I've only recently started wearing visors while out and about in New York City ... and honestly, I should bump it up to hats! 

I won't lie to you readers, I want to avoid looking ridiculous like an alarmist beekeeper running errands in Manhattan. Still, we all know how harmful the cumulative effects of exposing our skin to the sun are so I'm adapting and getting over my reticence. It helps when sun protective gear is also attractive!

Farmers Defense makes hats and protective sleeves for gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts that provide style, comfort, and superior sun protection for your skin. They cover what my visors do not -- every part of your head that needs protection -- the scalp, face, ears, and neck, plus your arms. 

The Farmers Defense Protective hats and sleeves offer a UPF 50+ rating, blocking 98% of anti-aging UVA rays and 99% of cancer-causing UVB rays. Made with sturdy REPREVE® polyester, they have sweat-wicking and cooling properties. The hats have a 4-inch brim that is perfect for working or playing in the blazing sun.

So cute that I don't mind wearing them while pounding Manhattan's pavements, and if you garden or are active outdoors in the suburbs, they are anti-cancer and anti-aging essentials. Very affordably too!

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Walmart's Cheap Thrill Dresses

I no longer buy high-end summer dresses. The pricey ones hang in my closet while I grab a swing dress from (1) Lands' End, (2) Uniqlo, or (3) Old Navy to go to the theater, ballet, or a restaurant. I call them my Cheap Thrill Dresses. No dry cleaning is needed!

A Cheap Thrill Dress is a dress that's cute, cozy, decent quality, and won't break the bank. Paired with ballet flats and some bling, the garment looks polished and suitable for a night out on the town. You can wear a Cheap Thrill Dress without fuss. If you sit on a park bench; in the open air on the fountain at Lincoln Center; or decide to ride the subway, you won't have to fret about ruining your dress. Cheap thrill dresses can be machine-washed and dried all summer long!

Let me introduce you to a 4th retailer carrying Cheap Thrill Dresses worth considering. Walmart has a reasonably good brand, PPYOUNG, which is getting tons of 5-star reviews from happy customers. The dresses feel as comfortable as wearing T-shirts, yet are much more stylish.

The knit fabric of 95% rayon with 5% spandex is a winning combination for a hot steamy summer to keep you cool and wrinkle-free. The adorable swing style is universally flattering on nearly every body type.

What a versatile dress ... going from a night out on the town, to a Saturday running errands frock, or an all-day beach coverup, to an easy-to-pack in-a-suitcase vacation dress.

If ordering clothing from Walmart (or Target known to collaborate with upscale designers), I recommend reading all the reviews. Customers usually mention when a dress runs large, true-to-size, or small, plus check the manufacturers' size chart. 

The PPYOUNG dresses from Walmart come in several styles, colors, and patterns, and the price points are a steal making owning a few a no-brainer! 

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Which Length Of Shorts Are You?

All photos and shorts courtesy of Land's End - 5" shorts

The length of shorts reminds me of The Three Bears story. Different heights for different likes. Depending on stature, weight, age, and preferences, one length may be too long, another too short, and still another just right. 

3" shorts

Nowadays I favor 5" shorts as just right. 5" shorts are forgiving and versatile. If you show too much skin, leg, and flesh, you can't wear your shorts everywhere ... certainly not sightseeing in Rome if you expect to enter St. Peter's Basilica. 

8" shorts

I'm not sure I like 8" shorts, although at 5' 7'' I'm tall enough to wear them. Shorts should not look like grandma's bloomers and you want to keep cool in hot, humid August. A try-on would settle it.

9" shorts

Certainly, you don't want your shorts too tight or too loose either as they'll look like they don't fit. Too wide and they'll look frumpy, and if the rear doesn't fit, Fuhgeddaboudit!   

Which length of shorts are you?

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Stylin' In Lands' End Summer Dresses

Summer, my favorite season, is always on my mind. Lands' End is already selling its summerwear ... and look at all the super cute and practical dresses!

The dresses featured range from 100% cotton to nearly 100% cotton with a touch of spandex. All are machine washable and dryable. I also like the casual smart style of the dresses. Dress them up or down, with a change of shoes and accessories. They can go from afternoon errands to a night out on the town.

This last-bottom dress👇 is really a beach coverup but doubles as a lovely summer dress. The dresses come in multiple colors and patterns. 

My experience with Lands' End cotton dresses is the cotton fabric is substantial and durable. It takes decades to wear the dresses out making them good investments. Plus they go on promotion often!

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I Want to Love Matcha

Photo: New York Times Magazine

I drink a fair amount of coffee (about 24 ounces) in the morning, but then try to switch to water and other beverages throughout the day.

Yes, I like the cherry, raspberry, watermelon, or peach flavored carbonated drinks, however, stocking them isn't as convenient or cost-effective as I'd like. Drinking 2 cans of these carbonated drinks per day really adds up! In the summer I find stevia-sweetened black iced tea super refreshing as well as inexpensive; and in the fall and winter I'll sip hot teas (black, oolong, white, or tisane) with or without milk, but frankly, I don't relish tea as much as coffee.

I also bought a lot of Matcha tea right before the pandemic as it gets plenty of press for its health benefits.

I think of Matcha as the expresso of green tea -- but green tea is my least favorite tea to drink. Frankly both green and Matcha tea taste like downing dried ground-up grass to my palette.

Despite my dislike of Matcha tea, it has several known health benefits, such as containing polyphenol antioxidants. It has L-theanine which reduces anxiety, and it boosts energy without the crash of coffee.

So there are many good reasons to drink Matcha ... if only the tea was as delicious as coffee.

I continue to try to develop a taste for the expresso of green tea. I wonder if it is possible without adding a ton of unhealthy ingredients to it? Here's a recipe for a Matcha Latte, without an overload of bad ingredients, but I bet it isn't nearly as tasty as a Mocha Latte.😁

Hmm, once my supply of Matcha powder is depleted, will I rebuy it? Life is too short and there are plenty of other tasty beverages to drink. I suppose I'll just stick to my tried and true summer beverage of choice ... iced (black) tea.

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Lands' End Offers 50% Off On Swimsuits

 

I don't often write blogs to announce sales, but since I recently featured Land's End as the place this season to pick up a stylish swimsuit -- a suit that looks fabulous on and off the beach, I have a chance to feature 5 more suits and to tell you that the sales are on at the retailer!

Lands End offers you more than just style, it designs what it calls swim solutions. You'll find the coverage and support to flatter your body type including tummy control, bra support, adjustable suits for sporting events, or to slenderize your silhouette.

If you miss this sale, there'll be other promotions, so keep checking. By the 4th of July, you'll have your suit!

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Skillet Bruschetta

Photo: Pinterest

Are you ready for a late summer tomato dish that's perfect for the time of year when fresh tomatoes are plentiful? What are you going to do with all those tomatoes? I found this recipe in a newsletter and, of course, tweaked it. The original recipe called for marinating the chicken overnight, which I never do as I believe it does nothing for the meat, such as tenderizing or flavoring it. The benefit of marinating meat is a myth! All I think it does is add more work. Flavoring the dish while it cooks and after it's cooked works. I do think making the bruschetta topping hours ahead of time adds flavor, so let's start with that! BTW I also like the crunch and taste of onions and celery in the dish, so have added both vegetables (omit if you prefer).

Skillet Bruschella (with or without pasta)

Ingredients:

1 cup Italian dressing, divided (or use homemade vinaigrette dressing. You can then toss in Italian seasonings from your spice rack.)
2 cups (16 ounces) tomatoes, chopped

1 tiny onion, diced

1 celery stalk with leaves, diced

3 tablespoons basil leaves, chopped
2 whole garlic cloves, minced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

4 skinless boneless chicken breasts

2 large zucchini - cut into thin strips 

Optional: Al dente cooked angel hair pasta; #8; or #9 spaghetti -- they all work.

Directions for the Bruschetta Topping:

1) Into a bowl or Tupperware combine chopped tomatoes, onions, celery, basil, minced garlic, 1 cup of Italian dressing, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate from 2 hours - overnight.

Directions For the Chicken:

2) In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat, then add and cook the raw chicken for 15 minutes, turning it once. After the chicken is brown on the outside and white on the inside, remove it from the pan.

3) Add more olive oil if needed to the same skillet to grill the zucchini. The zucchini will tenderize in 6 -10 minutes. It will also cook down with the liquid evaporating. I scoop up some of the bruschetta topping (include some of the chopped onion, celery, and garlic) and toss it into the skillet to cook with the zucchini. Turn the heat off when everything is tender.

4) Plate your dish. Place cooked pasta on the bottom if eating it, chicken in the middle, and finish with the bruschetta topping. 

Adding al dente pasta to the dish gives you a one-pan meal ... protein, vegetables, and starch. Dinner is served. Tasty with fewer steps is THE SAVVY SHOPPER way! Enjoy.

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Discover The Joy Of A Pareo: A What?

Photo: Facebook via Pinterest

The following blog on style is a quick and dirty blog meaning one I decided to write on the spot. 

Next week I'll publish the blog already written on a sentimental unisex (containing 5% essential oils) cologne. Try to guess its name?😀

Meanwhile back to today's fashion topic: Until I saw it advertised, I didn't know its proper name, a pareo also spelled pāreu -- a wraparound skirt, worn on Tahiti or other Pacific islands. At one time the term only applied to women's clothing, but today it extends to any cloth worn wrapped around the body by either men or women. (Ohh, I learn constantly as a writer!)

Style is very subjective depending on personal tastes and body types. With fashion nowadays, there are fewer rights and wrongs and thankfully less conformity with more flexibility, as well as, individuality. Your personal style is whatever elevates you, making you feel like a million bucks while wearing it.

I'll confess to never wearing pareos. The only way I'd feel comfortable in a pareo is by styling one as a full dress (the last of the trio of images above↗, and this was true of the 18-year-old -- slender with no belly fat -- me.)

Moreover, as I've mentioned before in blogs ... with few exceptions, (personally) I'm not a big fan of asymmetrical or unbalanced attire. If the temperature is boiling (or cool) wouldn't my legs be as hot (or cool) as my midriff? Why would my legs be covered to the ankles while my top half only has on a bikini top? Universally, wouldn't I want to be covered or uncovered to fit the heat or cold? Stylewise, the look -- skimpy on top while completely covered below? Anyway I consider it ... visually, comfort-wise, sunburn-prevention-wise, a pareo just isn't me. 

BTW: I can't pull the pareo-look off like those gorgeous, skinny, tanned Polynesians. Perhaps with a perfect body on a picturesque island  ... you just have to show yourself off.😎

Since not everybody is me, here are some fun, colorful pareos to pursue from Echo. Hey, I might return, too, if ever I look in the mirror to see a body worth showing off. :)

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Old Navy's Summer Activewear

Sleeveless PowerSoft 2-in-1 Performance Mini Skort Dress for Women

Old Navy is working overtime with another affordable launch of cute summer activewear. You can't beat the quality at this price point for pieces offered as low as $15 on special promotion days! The activewear has 4-way super stretch fabric that is soft and made with go-dry moisture-wicking technology that not only keeps you dry, but comfortable during all your summer activities.

Most of the selections are available in at least 5 colors, and some of the dresses offer the support of a built-in bra. The colors are soothing and I think subdued enough so you can wash and wear the same garments over and over without other people noticing it as the same attire. This launch is sporty compared to Old Navy's other dress-up-or-down summer dresses, yet is ultra-stylish to play tennis, golf, bike, or jog in around the neighborhood. 

Sorry, Ralph Lauren (whom otherwise I adore!), Tommy Hilfiger, and Atheta, but summer-and-activewear clothing is not what I'm going to drop a ton of money on, and thanks to Old Navy (and Uniqlo) I never do!

Uniqlo's Hana Tajima summer dress ($19.90 - a little more than Old Navy) is a soft jersey fabric of mainly cotton with modal, rayon and spandex. Also machine washable for walks.

At $15 bucks, or less for an outfit, I can look polished, as well as, mindlessly machine wash and dry my casual clothing many times over all summer long. What's more, I can add something new to my wardrobe without breaking the bank! Win-win-win!

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The Best Mosquito Repellents

Yes to fans!

Summer is approaching and unofficial summer is already here. Unfortunately so are bugs. The most hated bugs of all are arguably mosquitos. Researching how to keep them away and specifically how to stop mosquitos from biting us leads to good news and bad news.

citronella bracelets

First the bad news. Nearly all the natural mosquito repellents on the market are worthless. When tested in scientific labs they either don't work, or don't work well enough to be considered effective. Natural mosquito repellents come in the form of citronella candles, slow-burning citronella sticks, and citronella bracelets. Research shows people still get bitten despite wearing or burning citronella repellents. Perhaps a mosquito will avoid your wrist where the bracelet is, but you'll still get eaten alive because the blood-sucking pest will move up to your shoulder or down to your leg for a meal.

Likewise, essential oils such as lemongrass, rosemary, eucalyptus, and peppermint do not work. Moreover, electronic bug zappers do not work as mosquitos largely ignore the violet light. Ultrasonic mosquito repellent devices do not work either. Studies show they fail to irritate or scare mosquitos away. And lastly, newer portable devices that lure mosquitos away from people with carbon dioxide, then entrap them do not show much evidence of reducing bites to people nearby.

So what does work ... are you ready for the good news?

1) A good old fashion fan. Sitting in the wind of a fan works because mosquitos are not strong fliers. 

2) DEET - Chemical name, N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (or diethyltoluamide) was developed by the US Army in 1946 and sold on the market beginning in 1957 as an ingredient in lotions and sprays. This potent mosquito, chigger, and other bug repellent has been widely studied over the years. Despite peoples' fears, DEET has an excellent public safety record and lasts for hours.

3) Another effective way to reduce the number of mosquitos in your backyard is to eliminate water sources like puddles, ponds, or birdbaths. Water is where mosquitos like to lay their eggs so don't invite them into your space with basins of standing water.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a mosquito "is the most deadly creature on earth killing hundreds of thousands of people and making millions more sick each year." Therefore, it might be gratifying to consider some of the critters who eat mosquitos or their larvae. Our friends include fish, birds🦜, bats, dragonflies, frogs, spiders, and the red-eared slider turtle (a common pet in the USA).🐢 

As much as we hate to acknowledge it, mosquitos are important to the food chain in our ecosystem, which is not to say, we want to be an important food source for mosquitos. You're not a bad person if your motto is: Stay away or die today! Nothing should bite you with impunity. Squash the living daylights out of it!!👾 

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