HOW TO STAY COOL IN SUMMER’S HEAT

With Monday being the official first day of Summer, it’s time to start preparing for the hot weather ahead. No matter which region you live in, there are bound to be some hot times ahead. But don’t fret! We’ve gathered together our favorite “chill” Summer tips that’ll keep you refreshed and revived all Season long. From fashion to food to drinks to fragrances, take a look and start feeling cooler already.

HOST A POOL PARTY

On the hottest of Summer’s days, why not take the opportunity to host your own pool party. Not only will everyone cool off, but it’s a good time to catch up with your best friends and have a little fun as well. Be sure to include lots of floats for young and old alike, and stay cool and fresh in your favorite patterned print romper paired over your favorite Summer swimsuit.

Our favorite Summer Party wear to try:
 “Aliza” Printed Rayon Romper
“Iara” Handkerchief Shorts Set
“Cabana” Teal Bikini

STAY HYDRATED

Whether hosting a party, having a friend over, or indulging yourself, be sure to stay hydrated with cold, refreshing beverages throughout the Season’s hottest days. While we all know that nature’s chilled water is always best, dare to have a little fun now and again with some tasty alternatives. And why not dazzle in style as well in your favorite cool cotton tank sundress.

Additional  cool “hostess” Sundress options to try:
“Adelaide” Pink Jersey Dress
“Romantic” Ruffled Floral Sundress

Our favorite unique Summer “adult” beverage is Captain Morgan’s Guava Nectar drink:

Recipe: 1.5oz grapefruit rum
1.5oz Goya guava nectar
2oz club soda
0.5oz lime juice

Throwback to Summer fun as a kid at your favorite amusement park with homemade frozen lemonades or spice things up with a “Blue Hawaii” direct from the Hilton Hawaii Village. Click below to get the recipes:

Frozen Lemonade
Blue Hawaii

You are sure to be the “hostess with the mostess” in a cool, flowy maxi this Summer. Look for dresses made with sheer silk or soft cotton to stay cool thought the day as you entertain your guests.

Our other favorite Maxi Dress options to choose from:
“Brea” Yellow Silk Chiffon High Low Dress
“Billie” Coral Pink Satin Maxi
“Sonnie” Pastel Pink Strapless Twill Dress

GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN

On a hot summer day, the last thing you want to do is heat up the kitchen. We suggest making cold salads and dishes throughout the Season to keep the house cool. Start with personalized seven layer dip and chip cup appetizers, layering refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, and freshly diced tomatoes on top. Take advantage of Seasonal fruit at your local market, and fill ice cream waffle cones with freshly cut melons, berries, kiwi, apples, and whatever else appeals to you.

Next, serve a luscious cold Mexican chopped salad tossed in a light vinaigrette and packed with nutritious  iron, vitamin C, iron, and potassium. Not only will your taste buds have a party, but also you won’t have to work twice as hard for that perfect “bikini” ready body.

Click here for the full recipe
Summer Mexican Chopped Salad

CREATE SUMMER SCENTS

Make your living space fresh and cool with sunny scents of Summer paired with romantic floral arrangements. Fill a simple mason jar or vase with water and freshly cut lemons, adding your favorite Summer posies for fun yet easy DIY interior decor.

Not only can you keep your home smelling fresh, but you can also refresh yourself 0n the hottest of Summer’s days. Create your own cool mist spritzers, perfect for everyday or when you are hosting an outdoor Summer party. Simply fill a spray bottle with water and julienned cucumber or a few sprigs of mint and lavender. Bonus: cucumber is known for its hydrating properties, and lavender and mint are reputed insect repellents.

HEAD TO THE BEACH

When you feel like getting out of the house, pack up some sunscreen, a good read, a  floppy hat, sunglasses, and a cooler filled with plenty of cold beverages to stay hydrated against the Summer sun. Now is the perfect time to show a little skin and bring out that Summer body you’ve been working on in a chic ivory lace crochet swimsuit.

Want a little color? Try these other swimsuit options:
“Flight of Fancy” Purple Ruffle Bikini
“Guilty Pleasures” Teal Crochet Swimsuit

Bring a touch of romance to your Summer beach look and pair your lace bikini with a cool off the shoulder romper or lace tunic.

Other favorite “lacy” cover up options:
“Prisca” Ivory White Lace Chiffon Dress
“Naomh” Strapless Maxi Dress
“Azaria” Lace Trimmed Kimono

COOL OFF AT THE LAKE

If your region doesn’t offer a sandy beach, another alternative  is a visit to your local lake. Whether you decide to bunk overnight in one of the lake houses, tootle around in your own canoe, or enjoy a good read while soaking your feet, you’ll bask in the beauty of nature while cooling off against Summer’s hot sun.

Stay cool while chillin’ in a casual “Cabana” drop waist dress or flowy blouse over your swimsuit, just in case you decide to go for a dip.

Other “lake view” Summer options? Try a chic shirtdress, cool, stylish, and free.
“Femi” Flutter Crepe Navy Dress
“Cabana” Silk Cotton Shirt Dress
“Eda” Lace Trimmed Tunic Dress

THERAPY SHOP

Finally, at the hottest part of the day when the heat becomes unbearable, head to your local indoor mall to cool off and do a little retail therapy. Give your air conditioning at home a break while you enjoy the cool open air at the mall. Grab an ice cold tea and take advantage of the Summer sales.

Don’t go at it alone. Don your favorite “boyfriend” jeans and take your best girlfriends with you.

Consider these other cool denim options as well:
Citizen’s of Humanity’s “Gibson” loose fit shorts
Joe’s Jeans’ Floral Denim
J Brand’s Cut Off Tangerine Shorts

On Summer’s hottest days, stay cool while shopping the sales in a pretty cotton floral sundress or breezy silky shorts.

Consider these fun options as well:
“Time to Turn Heads” Coral Cotton Sundress
“Denise” Sleeveless Printed Tank Dress
“Livia” Printed Crepe de Chine Shorts

Whatever you have planned as the temps rise, we hope you follow our easy breezy ways to stay cool this Summer. Don’t let the heat get you down. Kick back, stay cool, and be fashionable this Season, and let the good times role.

And remember we here at Posh at Play always want you remember that no matter what
Be You, Be Fabulous, and ALWAYS Be Feminine.

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE: FAVORITE FASHION FINDS FOR THE FOURTH

Let’s Celebrate Freedom! Independence Day celebrations are upon us and it’s time to think about our favorite fashion finds for the Fourth. No need to overdo with over the top flag related apparel. We’ve got the perfect fashion trends for any and every occasion for you to choose from. Take a look at our favorite Fourth related fashion finds available NOW and start shopping our favorite looks today.

PATRIOTIC LOOK FOR THE OFFICE

Carry your “independence” to the workplace with a chic striped A-line skirt and polka dot blazer. We love P.A.R.O.S.H.’s embellished A-line red striped skirt paired with Free People’s polka dot blazer. Complete your “July 4th” look with flattering nude colored pumps, cat eye sunglasses, and chunky gold jewelry. Though we love the model’s classic Christian Louboutin “So Kate” nude heels with red soles, get a similar affordable style with Diane Von Furstenberg’s “Bethany” nude pumps, perfect for working hours and easily adaptable to cocktail hour before seeing the fireworks. Don’t be afraid to express your freedom this Season, even at the office.

STRIPED TOP AND WHITE WIDE LEG PANTS

A great look for office, beach, cocktail hour, or BBQ is a simple blue striped top paired with flowing wide leg silk pants. We love Olive + Oak’s striped button down tank paired with Hale Bob’s studded white wide leg silk pants. Accessorize with sunglasses, Free People’s straw Boho hat, Liberty Garden’s lace Kimono, and flat sandals for daytime July 4th celebrations. Segue into the evening hours by pairing with Tori Burch nude wedges or dance the night away in Alice + Olivia white strappy heels.

COBALT BLUE LACE DRESS

Nothing says “Patriotic” more than a bright cobalt blue lace dress with red clutch. As mentioned in our “Summer Sundress Style” blog last week, cobalt blue and bright jewel tones were trending on 2015 Spring and Summer Runways this season from Dion Lee to Daniel K to Alexander Wang. Grab Hale Bob’s newest cobalt blue lace trimmed dress paired with Diane Von Furstenberg’s red lizard clutch for perfect July 4th style. You’ll shine in this Season’s trendiest color while also celebrating the red, white, and BLUE.

STRIPED SHORTS

Perfect for a stroll down the beach or shopping along the Boardwalk before seeing fireworks. Look crisp and clean in a simple button down blouse paired with blue striped shorts and your favorite wedges. Beat the heat by accessorizing with a chic straw hat and cool aviators while waiting for the sun to go down. We love Cusp’s comfy boyfriend striped shorts with Tommy Hilfiger’s patriotic blue button down. Switch up your holiday colors by pairing your shorts with Hale Bob’s white silk button down or go bold and bright in Hale Bob’s bright red silk blouse for perfect July 4th style.

BOHO TIE DYE

Express your freedom and individuality with this Season’s trendiest “Boho” fashion style. From Etro to Emilio Pucci, designers this Season put a fresh twist on 70’s style Bohemian fashion, updating the look for 2015. Why not try the style this July 4th? Start with Hale Bob’s red, white, and blue tie dyed jersey knit maxi skirt paired with a simple white lace trimmed cami. Complete your “Boho” look with a BCBG white striped floppy hat and gladiator sandals from Steve Madden. If the night turns chilly, grab your ivory lace Kimono from Liberty Garden, and settle down on a cotton beach fringe blanket from Free People to watch the fireworks above.

RED SKINNY JEANS

Shine bright in one of this Season’s most popular colors- bright red. And what better way to try the latest color trend than with a pair of skinnies at your Fourth of July celebration this weekend. Take a tip from celebrities Solange Knowles and Caitriona Balfe and go red head to toe with DSquared2’s skinny cropped jeans paired with Cusp’s sleeveless red collared blouse or Hale Bob’s red silk long sleeve button down for chillier evenings. Complete your look with Steve Madden black ankle strap sandals and matching black floppy hat from Rag and Bone and you are ready to celebrate in style.

WHITE LACE

Another popular solid color style for Summer is pure white from head to toe. From Rachel Zoe to Vogue to Elle, fashion advisors across the board are picking up on this Season’s freshest yet romantic take on the all white look. Get your own feminine style with one of Liberty Garden’s newest arrivals and a blast from the fashion past- the white lace skort. First developed in the 1960’s, the “skort” is a pair of shorts with a panel across the front resembling a skirt. The style was revived in the 90’s and is back in a big way this Season. Pair your lace skort with a matching stretch lace floral tunic from Hale Bob or go breezy with Hale Bob’s silk drop waist blouse, accessorized with your favorite wedge sandals or sling back pumps for an elegant fashionable Fourth.

WHITE SHORTS AND BLUE BLOUSE

Finally, if all else fails and you need to throw together a quick “Fourth of July” look, simply grab a pair of white cut-offs and a flowy blue blouse. If you don’t have white shorts, make your own by cutting off a pair of your favorite white denim jeans. Add a few rips and tears for a “distressed” look. Or get to shopping the style with Citizen’s of Humanity’s white “Manic” cheeky shorts paired perfectly with Hale Bob’s navy silk cotton tunic. Complete your red, white, and blue look by adding red accessories you already have in your closet such as a red handbag, red earrings, a red bracelet, or chic red sandals. If you don’t have any red accessories at home, check out the unique selections at ModCloth.com and find your perfect pieces today.

This weekend is all about celebrating “the Land of the Free” and what better time to express your individuality than by putting together your own unique Fourth of July style. Whether you’re a “free love child” and prefer the Boho look or you’re a classic and enjoy tailored blouses, there’s a “July 4th” style waiting just for you. We’ve shown you our top fashion picks for the Fourth but we’d love to hear from you, our readers, on just what type of “Independence Day” girl are you? Comment below on what style you will be wearing this weekend. Let freedom ring!