Fall for White

Posted in What I Wear by mlachey9

Although many people mark Labor Day weekend as the kickoff to Fall, the official start of Fall (according to the calendar) has just begun. Many of us have ditched the old-school fashion rule that outlaws white after Labor Day, but what about white after September 21st? We are anything but conventional here at Play In Heels. Some rules were meant to be broken, and no white in Fall is one of them.

I love white all year round. There is something spectacularly magical about wearing white in the winter while the snow falls around you. And wearing white in the fall adds a crisp feel to the otherwise deep-toned traditional fall colors.

Here I have three different Fall white looks. By pairing more traditional fall colors and attire with white, you can make the seasonal transition into cooler weather while still enjoying your favorite white pieces.

Pairing more traditional fall pieces and colors with shorts, or in this case a skort, is an excellent way to still show off your legs without looking like it’s July. When the weather won’t decide if it wants to be warm or cool, pick a cashmere sweater but pair it with shorts. You’ll be covered enough if it gets a little chilly, but not too hot if the sun comes out to play.

Adding burgundy and rich chocolate browns to your whites keeps the look in the autumnal mood.

Swap your white mini skirt for a white midi skirt (especially one with a little texture to it) for the cooler days ahead. To keep this midi skirt from looking too dressy, I paired it with a sweatshirt. Pick one with a cute phrase or graphic to avoid looking like you’re wearing your gym clothes. Adding a wool hat will keep your look weather appropriate.

Blazers are great for fall weather because they keep the chill off without making you too warm. They are effortlessly cool and chic and a must-have in every wardrobe. This look is a great transitional ensemble because it pairs classic fall colors with light weight fabrics perfect for layering.

I love a panama hat, but the traditional white and natural colored ones send a message that its 80 degrees and sunny. This panama hat (yes, not all panama hats are white!) is the perfect color for the season change, and won’t make your head sweat if it is too warm for wool hats.

Here I used the white blazer to break up this denim on denim look. Dark denim, burgundy shoes, and a light brown hat keep this blazer from looking too summery.

17Jul2014

5 Summer Makeup Essentials

Posted in Beauty by mlachey9

Designers and retail stores are already trying to get their fall and pre-fall styles ingrained in our brains. But let’s be real here; it is still very much summer. If you are like me and live somewhere with distinct seasons, you already know that summer and winter can require very different makeup techniques. The humid days of summer melt our attempts at a flawless looking face. Below are my tried and tested favorite products for humid summer days. These products will keep you looking fresh even on those 90 degree scorchers.

As a disclaimer, I am (if you haven’t already noticed) very fair skinned. So the colors I have chosen are the ones that look best on my skin tone. Please adjust shades for your tone. I also have oily, breakout prone skin. My favorite products deal with this issue, so if you are prone to dry skin, you might need products with a little more moisture.

1. Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen

2. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc

3. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink

4.Loreal Voluminous False Lashes Mascara in Waterproof Blackest Black

5. Tarte Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder

Sunscreen is non-negotiable. But a greasy sunscreen not only feels gross, it doesn’t mix well with makeup. Neutrogena Clear Face sunscreen feels like it’s not even there. And bonus: it won’t make your face breakout. No more excuses for not wearing sunscreen. This formula pairs perfectly with makeup.

I, like most people, want my skin tone to look even. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation offers a natural finish that won’t look makeup-y, but also covers minor to moderate flaws. I love NARS because there is a shade for almost every skin tone. This formula won’t break out your skin, and also helps to improve your natural skin tone over time.

I have a new obsession with Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge in Pale Pink. I have tried cream blushes before and they end up sliding off my face within a few hours. But powder blush can look, well, powdery. This formula, however, gives a fresh, natural looking flush and doesn’t get slimy throughout the day. Bonus: apply to your lips for a matching natural flush.

Loreal’s Voluminous False Lashes surrounds your lashes with fibers that make them significantly thicker and longer. A great alternative to wearing false lashes, and much more natural looking. I like a dramatic lash, but I am not going to wear false lashes everyday, and other mascaras end up clumping my lashes together when I try to apply more than a few coats. For summer I choose the waterproof version to avoid black rings under my eyes.

I cannot live without Tarte Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder. It doesn’t add additional color to my face and makes my makeup last all day long. It also blurs imperfections for an airbrushed look. But for very tan or darker skin tones, the white powder might create a dusty or ashy effect even though it is considered “invisible.” This formula is great for oily skin. It prevents that midday makeup meltdown. I like to reapply it during the afternoon as a freshen up for my very oily skin. I love that applying more does not make it thick looking.

11Jul2014

Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee

Posted in What I Wear by mlachey9

There is just something about black and white stripes. I can never get enough. For an edgy take on a classic, just add a pop of color. Here I chose two different black and white striped tops paired with a pop of neon yellow. A flared skirt will give you the femininity of a butterfly, while the neon adds the sting of a bee.

9Jul2014

Jump to It

Posted in What I Wear by mlachey9

If the last time you wore a onesie you were also wearing diapers, it is time to rediscover the one-piece in jumper form. And I’m not talking about the cozy cashmere we Americans refer to as a “sweater.” The one-piece has blasted its way out of the 70s vault and into today’s couture in the form of jumpsuits and rompers.

Jumpsuits range from casual to formal and are an easy piece to slip on and look effortlessly chic without the hassle of matching or tucking in your shirt. The right jumpsuit can be worn in lieu of a dress to formal affairs (see here and here), or as a chic summer alternative to the maxi dress.

With a variety of styles to choose from (wide leg to stove pipe, strapless to kimono sleeves) there is a perfect look just waiting for you to jump in to.

Here I chose a cut with a narrow leg and spaghetti straps. To avoid looking and feeling like I was wearing a sack, I used a tan belt to cinch my waist and break up the all black look. Paired with tribal print heels and a panama hat, my jumpsuit is casually chic, yet appropriate for an evening stroll downtown with a stop for cocktails.

2Jul2014

Backpacking

Posted in What I Wear by mlachey9

I’ve been having mixed feelings about the upscale backpack trend: designer bags that are made like handbags but are designed to be backpacks. Designer packs are by no means a new trend, but with summer and festival season in full bloom, these bags have been popping up more and more.

I like the look of these bags; classier than your typical school backpack, but a little more rugged and youthful than a handbag. But can a twenty-something who is years removed from her college days, but also years from needing both hands free to deal with kids, pull off this look? Backpacks (especially chic ones) are a great alternative to handbags when you are toting books to class or the kids to an amusement park. Being stuck in between these two life stages, could I wear one just because? When it comes to style and what I like, I pretty much do what I want regardless of convention, so the answer is decidedly yes.

I went with a pack that could be held by hand as well as on the back, and one that had the chic details of a handbag, the only difference being the back straps. Although I love the look of the packs that are with out a doubt backpacks, I didn’t think I would get as much use out of it as I would a more subdued “crossover” between handbag and backpack.

Whether you are in school, have kids, or are in the middle like me, there is a backpack out there for you. So go forth and give backpacking a try.

Other great packs here, here, and here.

23Jun2014

3 Beauty Routines You’re Not Spending Enough Time on Today That Will Save You Time and Money Tomorrow

Posted in Beauty by mlachey9

I know, it’s late and you’ve had a long day at work, in school, or out with friends, and the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time taking off your makeup and washing your face. You might be debating just going to bed with your makeup on and worrying about it tomorrow. It’s so tempting, right? Raise your hand if this has never happened to you. I’m guessing there aren’t very many hands shooting up right now. The truth is, spending a little extra TLC on your face right now will not only make you prettier tomorrow, it will help your skin stay healthy and radiant for years to come.

How many products have you seen (and probably purchased) that promised you a more radiant complexion? Less tired eyes? A healthy looking glow? I’m not trying to knock any of these products. In fact, a have several, and I love how they work. But these products, especially the really good ones, come with a price tag; sometimes a pretty hefty one. The solution: have naturally radiant, glowing skin. “But I don’t have that kind of skin!” you say. True, not every one is blessed with the radiance of Jennifer Lopez, and those “healthy glow” products do help. But the secret to healthy looking skin is simple: have healthy skin.

You don’t need any scientific studies to prove to you that when you don’t wash your face at night, your skin looks a little dull and not very vibrant the next morning. If you have not experienced this, you are probably sixteen (and trust me it is coming!) or you are genetically blessed. For the rest of us, a good washing before bed will slough off dead skin cells and the rest of the ick the day has put on our skin. You have been washing your face for years so you don’t need a tutorial, right? Well, that may not be true. Do you know long you typically spend washing your face? I’ll give you a hint, it’s probably not long enough.

After receiving a facial at a local skin care salon, I asked my technician, Kathy, how I could keep my face looking facial fresh longer. Kathy worked with a plastic surgeon before opening up her own business. She offers chemical peels, microdermabrasions, facials, and other skin treatments. I thought she was going to try to sell me some special product, or tell me to get weekly facials. Instead she said something that surprised me. “Really make sure you are washing your face correctly,” she said. Correctly? I thought. How can you do it incorrectly? It seems pretty straight forward.

Her tips for an expert face wash: dampen your face with warm (not too hot) water to open up the pores. Apply your face wash to your face using clean fingers. Using a product with salicylic acid or fruit acid in it will help remove dead skin cells. Here comes the part we tend to rush. Really spend time massaging the face wash into your skin, creating a nice lather in a circular motion. Spend a good three minutes making sure your get into your hairline and all the way to your ears. Rinse off and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

When you are walking in the door at 2 am and see your fluffy pillow calling you, the last thing you want to do is spend time washing your face. But time spent now means healthier looking skin tomorrow, and possibly using less product to fake a healthy glow in the morning.

Another routine that seems pretty straight forward? Brushing your teeth. We probably all know to brush at least two times a day, not to press too hard, and to spend at least one to two minutes on each of our brushing sessions to maintain pearly whites. Teeth whitening fanatics will tell you to stay away from dark colored sodas and other teeth staining substances like coffee and red wine. But we all know that isn’t happening! According to DentalHealthMed.com, Americans spend over 1.3 billion dollars a year on teeth whitening products. Although a white smile looks like a healthy smile, that may not always be the case. The surest way to make sure your mouth is healthy is to visit your dentist regularly. At-home whitening strips or in office treatments are not only costly, they don’t do anything to help fight cavities, or keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy. I’m not suggesting you over brush, but adding an extra brush after drinking red wine or coffee could help prevent stains in the first place while preventing cavities and plaque. Spending a few extra minutes a day brushing after consuming teeth staining substances can save you a lot of money on those whitening products.

Sunscreen. It feels kinda thick on our skin, takes forever to put on, and wears off too quickly. But it is the one beauty ritual you can put extra time into that could save your life, in addition to preventing wrinkles, age spots, and premature aging. Most of us do not use sunscreen properly. Buying SPF 70 does not mean that you can apply it at 10 am and stay out until 5 pm without reapplying. And buying SPF 8 so you can “get a tan” is not protecting your skin from aging or from skin cancer. And you lovely, dark skinned beauties who don’t burn? Yes, you too need sunscreen. Just because you don’t burn doesn’t mean you are not receiving the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. So if you want your skin to stay beautiful well into your 60s and beyond, and you want to avoid having to burn off cancerous skin cells, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying one ounce (about a shot glass full) of sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming or toweling off. In addition, you must apply sunscreen about thirty minutes prior to sun exposure, according to the Foundation. That means do not bring your sunscreen with you and apply it on the beach (unless of course you are reapplying it). Reapplying is just as important as applying in the first place.

UVB rays are the culprit behind getting a sunburn, whereas UVA rays, because they penetrate deeper, are associated with the skin damage that causes aging. This is why you must use a sunscreen that protects against both kinds of rays. Getting a sunburn is only the skin’s reaction to UVB rays and tells you nothing about the UVA damage you may be receiving. This is why people who don’t burn still need to apply sunscreen. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, anything under SPF15 is not protecting you enough from the damaging effects of UVA rays, even if it protects you from getting burnt. Spending a little extra time slathering on before you spend time outside (even if you are only going to be out for an hour and it’s cloudy) can save you money on all of those anti-aging products you won’t need because you took care of your skin from the start. And hey, it could even save your life.

23Jun2014

When Opposites Attract

Posted in What I Wear by mlachey9

There is a time and a place for matchy-matchy. This is not it. Sometimes there is nothing wrong with a little tulle with your leather, a little converse with your dress, or a little high heel with your deconstructed denim.

15Jun2014

In Mint Condition

Posted in What I Wear by mlachey9

I have always loved the taste of mint. It tingles on the tongue and invigorates the senses, creating a fresh feeling all over. Whether you are wearing it or eating it, mint’s cool, crisp vibes are like a fresh breeze on a hot summer day. Perhaps this is why I have fallen in love with adding mints and light blues to my wardrobe when the heat starts to rise. Use mint as a pick-me-up on days when you crave that fresh, cool feeling. Here are some ways to incorporate the color into your wardrobe.

Pair mint accessories with an all neutral palette. Here I chose whites and creams as my base with mint and light blue accents.

If your summer uniform consists of cutoff denim shorts and a white shirt, liven up your look by opting for mint colored denim.

Add orange accessories for a little more pop. Here I chose an orange lip and necklace which contrast nicely with the cool mint tones.

If you describe your style as flirty and girly, or sweet and feminine, opt for a full skirt paired with a mint top.

Want to ditch your black and white work wear but not sure how to incorporate color and still look professional? Mint is bright enough to spice up your black and white, but won’t seem too bold for the office.

Elongate your lines by pairing mint heels with a mint pencil skirt. By keeping the color going all the way down to your feet, you will avoid cutting up your leg line.

Play In Heels

Life Well Dressed

Tag Archives: Lucky

Fall for White

5 Summer Makeup Essentials

Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee

Jump to It

Backpacking

3 Beauty Routines You’re Not Spending Enough Time on Today That Will Save You Time and Money Tomorrow

When Opposites Attract

In Mint Condition