Summer almost seems to be gone from the Pacific Northwest today, and it puts me in the mood for some new winter kicks. I love boots and wear them year round, but it’s now the actual season for new styles and flavors of tall, chunky footwear. Yay! Find listed below a few of my favorite pairs of boots for both men and women. I am loving new boot styles from Ariat and Born – my experiences with both manufacturers have been very positive. Comfortable, well constructed and long wearing, light-weight and super cute.
Above all else in hot summer weather, we want to keep cool. Sticky, sweaty, humid heat is everyone’s worst nightmare, so you need to make sure that you wear comfortable clothing so that you can make the best of the summer sunshine. You can’t focus on relaxing and soaking up rays whilst you’re desperately trying to cool down all the time, so make sure that you choose clothes that will keep you as comfortable as possible whilst maintaining a cool summer style.
Women’s cami tops are extremely popular this year, as they are small pieces of clothing that allow your arms, shoulders and back to remain bare. This kind of top is a great choice for casual wear, worn with jeans or shorts, although it is an item that works just as well with a skirt. The straps are often very thin, and so these cami vests are also good for tanning in a public place as they will leave minimal tan lines.
When it comes to shorts, slightly baggy fits are preferable. In very warm weather, you will be sweating all over, and if you are walking around then the top of your legs in particular will be getting quite sticky and uncomfortable. Shorts which allow a bit of air up the leg will help you to keep cool and comfortable, so when trying on shorts try to choose those which leave a gap between the material and your skin.
Tight clothing can be a horror in summer, not only making you sweat more and keeping that sweat packed in close to your body, but also chafing and rubbing against your skin to make it sore. If you have already been sunburnt or bitten, for example if you’re on holiday somewhere abroad, tight clothes will only serve to rub the irritated skin, making it worse.
Loose, casual clothing is perfect summer wear, and the biggest clothing retailers have realised this. Be sure to choose clothes that are the perfect mix of comfort and style, to keep you looking and feeling great all summer long.
Aches and pains when you wake in the morning are inevitable, as your youth becomes a fond memory. But back pain is unbearable as well as inevitable, and no amount of aspirin, gel and calm thoughts will prevent it feeling like hell on earth every time you wake in the morning. But help is at hand.
Whoever invented the memory foam mattress is the back-aching individual’s idol! This amazing mattress scientifically reduces back pain by at least a half. Its clever foam moulds to your body, taking the tension away from your back which tends to support your weight as you sleep.
However many back problems stem from your mattress and you may find that simply buying a new mattress of any sort, or indeed flipping your mattress will solve any minor back complainants. Many of us have mattresses that are either too soft, or too hard. Our bodies need a happy medium, which is quite often provided by a new traditionally sprung mattress.
The memory foam mattress however, is in a league of its own. If you want a guaranteed good night’s sleep combined with a perfectly happy back, then the memory foam mattress is for you. To amplify its workability, preferably choose a bed base with wooden slatted support. This provides the mattress with a little give, and allows for it to fully mould to the shape of your body. If you try it on a divan bed you will find it still works, but it would have more positive results on a bed that allows a bit more freedom.
Once you have your memory foam mattress, experiment with positions that do not pull on your back. Quite often we tend to fall into deep sleep in a position that can be slightly jarring to your back. The memory foam will help eliminate this ‘jarring’ but you can help it on its way by consciously sticking to a few positions that you know do not play havoc with your back.
So give your back a break, and let it float on the wonder that is the memory foam mattress. Visit Bedstar to buy mattresses online.
Deep in the heart of a summer in the woods, I think I have found my next pair of colorful tennis shoes. Check out the retro fun look of Born’s Kai sneaker for women! My favorite color is Everglade (shown below), but you can also choose from Fiery Red (more pinkish or salmon looking than red), Panna Cotta (some kinda snazzy golden metallic), or Sunshine Yellow. Constructed of sueded leather and featuring Opanka hand-sewn construction which provides flexibility and long-lasting wear, these lightweight sneakers are real eye catchers with their rich, saturated color. I have some other Born sneakers from years ago, and I loved them for how thin and comfortable they were – easy like slipping on socks, but with traction and foot protection. My guess is the Kai shoes will be similar, so probably very little arch support and maybe better for a day on foot versus any heavy running or sports activities where you might be expecting more support from your shoes. They’ll be perfect for your next play date!
The summer is really heating up all around these United States, or so the news feeds say. One of my favorite finds today is the “compostable” swimsuit – bring the heat, enjoy this skimpy bathing suit, then discard into your compost heap. Next year it can help contribute to your delicious garden!
Dvice:
Saucy swimsuits that can enrich your garden after a season in the sun!
Great Green Goods:
Another great Etsy find – recycled stainless steel bicycle spokes find new life as jewelry.
Street Anatomy:
Colorful, macabre and lovely art installation called RGB.
Modern Cat:
Charming upcycled soda can pendants from Etsy seller Soda Can Shop.
Cool Hunting:
Kettle-cooked chips encased in designer chocolate and made by hand? Yum!
