Summer Wedding Breakdown

Editor's note: Below you'll find another blog post from Poplin contributor and plus size fashion guru, Jordan Richardson. This time, I've added in options from Rent the Runway so you can rent a dress to save you a little cash. We've included straight size and plus size examples. The strategies are the same. And, Rent the Runway now includes plus size options. Huzzah!

Did you know that Jordan's research on Sizeism was recently featured in an article in the Everett Herald? Check it out! Love her and you will, too. Enjoy!

Dear Reader,

As a warm summer approaches so does the up-swing in summer wedding invitations. It can be a bit of a struggle to find the right thing to wear for each type of wedding, so I have created a breakdown of different types of wedding attire requirements and my suggestions for each. As you know, it's important to be appropriately dressed for the occasion without becoming overheated in the warm weather. Don't worry! I'm on it.

My Love Affair with SoleStruck. Because Ugly Shoes ARE a Global Issue

Dear Reader,

I have a confession to make: I am unabashedly SoleStruck.

Months ago, the good people at DIGS Showroom in Ballard held an event featuring Portland brand SoleStruck. Not only did I have a lovely time, leave with an incredible swag bag that just keeps on giving (thank you, DIGS!); but I also bought a pair of edgy and functional heels. Thrilled, we went home. By the next day I was a proud winner of a free pair of shoes from SoleStruck. Woot!

And so it began.

My Love Affair with SoleStruck.

Can loungewear be chic? Yes!

Editor's note: Below you'll find another blog post from Poplin contributor and plus size fashion guru, Jordan Richardson. Jordan's research on Sizeism was just featured in an article in the Everett Herald. Check it out! Love her and you will, too. Enjoy!

Dear Reader,

Few things are more gratifying than shedding your work clothes after a long day and putting on something comfortable. While pulling on my trusty old college sweats and a tank I wondered what others wore to hang about...So I went on a quest. I questioned family, friends, and co-workers looking to find what people preferred. I found that most like loose fitting pants that stretched yet still held a shape, and a jersey tank or tee. One gal mentioned that she called this look "lounge-chic." She described it as the balance between comfortable shoes that are easy to move in while maintaining the ability to open the door or run to the grocery store without embarrassment.

So I wanted to see how I could elevate my own lounge wear to "lounge-chic" and naturally, I wanted to share my findings with you. Because Poplin Style Direction focuses on knowing what works best for your body shape (as well as your personal style) I wanted to utilize the body types to help pinpoint some great choices for various body shapes.

Lounge Chic

3 Experts Take You to the Beach Pt. 1

Part 1 of 2

As you may know, I spend a great deal of time near the water. In our city, it's so easy to do. With the Summer Solstice right around the corner, I thought I'd share some of my favorite tips for hitting the beach. Even better? How about I ask two other very knowledgeable women to do the same. Please enjoy some helpful tips directly from professional organizer, Annie Traurig and hair and make-up artist, Hanna Mazur.

Beach Essentials

Annie Traurig, Owner, Live Simply by Annie

COS. The Basics You've Been Searching For Come to America.

I remember fantasizing about the day H&M would finally come to Seattle. Then, it did- with three stores opening almost simultaneously. Suddenly, I didn't need to buy 10 pairs of tights every time I visited New York or Chicago. Life was good.

This month, life just got a whole lot better. Enter COS (Collection of Style). The H&M owned brand is all about effortless, paired back basics. Timeless minimalism for men, women and kids. While we don't have a brick and mortar COS in Seattle, we are FINALLY able to shop the brand here in the states thanks to the magic of the inter web.

5 Reasons you MUST Visit Cosstores.com Now

1. You get a discount.

I'd Hate for You to Miss Out.

The beauty of technology is that I can see that you, Dear Reader, come back to read the blog over and over again. Thank YOU. Sometimes you come from Facebook. Sometimes you come straight to the blog via your RSS Feed or a bookmark. Boy, do I appreciate it.

What I can also see is that a very small portion of you are receiving Poplin emails. Why? Don't want emails cluttering your inbox? Concerned that the email is simply a recap of blog posts gone by? Oh, no. Having just emailed a newsletter this morning, it seems evident that I should offer up support for the email list from your local personal stylist.

One more thing, in honor of Memorial Day, I'm including photos of some of my favorite red, white and blue pieces because, why not?

I digress. Here we go.

5 Reasons YOU Need Emails from Poplin

Looking for Hip Plus Size Swimwear? Look No Further.

Editor's note: Below you'll find another blog post from Poplin contributor and plus size fashion guru, Jordan Richardson. I requested her take on plus size swimwear and I couldn't be happier with her post. Love her and you will, too. Enjoy!

Dear Reader,

It’s finally getting to that point in the year here in the Pacific Northwest where we can begin to find swimming a feasible past time. Whether you are jet setting off on vacation to a truly warm beach climate, or staying at home and enjoying a pool or lake, getting outfitted can be intimidating. For those of us looking for cute yet supportive swimwear shopping can be a daunting task, especially since most places do not sell plus size swimwear in store.

Let's begin with a note of encouragement.

The Summer Essential Plus Size Edition: Shorts

Editor's Note: Below you'll find another blog post from Poplin contributor and plus size fashion guru, Jordan Richardson. Love her and you will, too. Enjoy!

When it comes time for bare legs there can be a lot of anxiety involved. I myself have long struggled with finding the right short for the spring and summer months. I want them to be attractive and youthful, but still be practical and hit the top of my knee for comfort. It’s a daunting task, and yet one that becomes necessary as the days grow warmer, or if you’re lucky you escape somewhere tropical for a slice of paradise.

There are a plethora of options available, but trying to sift through to find the perfect one for each of us takes some effort.

I’ve compiled some of hottest hits of this year’s styles to make summer shopping a little easier.

Did YOU Win the $50 Gift Card to Bluemercury?

If you follow Poplin on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, you know how excited I am about the new Bluemercury store opening at U Village. Tomorrow is the public event with giveaways, makeovers and so much more. Wouldn't it be fun to go with a $50 gift card in your hot little hands?

After all, they carry a wide array of quality skin care lines including all your favorite natural options and perhaps some new lines for you to discover. They have make-up, a line for new moms, skincare for men and let's not forget the on-site aesthetician. Oh my.

The Winning Closet Edit Revealed.

As you may know, Dear Reader, every person who is on the Poplin Style Direction email list is entered into every drawing for Poplin prizes. That's right. Every time. So far, partners have given away a wide variety of items including handbags, children's clothing, and so much more. Naturally, I, too, joined the fun and offered up one complimentary Closet Edit.

The winner was Ritee Sponsler. As a brand new mom of an exceptionally adorable little girl, Ritee opted to share her winnings with another friend, Kim Rooney. Kim is also a mom who was transitioning into a new position for a different company. Kim enthusiastically accepted and opted to upgrade to the Style Update Package. Lucky for us, Ritee offered to document the entire Closet Edit so that you, Dear Reader, would have a better picture of what a Closet Edit really means.

Going Back to Work Post-Baby? Here's What to Wear.

My last three clients are all mothers with kids under 3. In fact, I've spent a great deal of time with new moms discussing the transition from yoga pants and t-shirts to work appropriate clothes that function on less than 5 hours of sleep. After spending the afternoon helping a new mom edit her closet, it seems clear that other women in the same position can benefit from some tricks to get you through this unusual time. Dads- I'm all about equal opportunity. But, I think you are good on this one.

Here are a few tips that helped me after the birth of my son along with others I've learned through my work as a personal stylist.

What to Wear When You Return to Work After Having a Baby

Body Types, Pick Me Ups, Style Tips, Women's fashionmelliciaApril 8, 2014 Comment

Pregnant and Beautiful. There's More to Your Style Than Target.

Pregnancy. Every woman who has ever been pregnant shares one common experience: the constant hunt for clothes. Personally, I LOVED being pregnant. I felt happy, relaxed and excited. In the early months, before I could tell anyone in the office that I was actually pregnant, I found myself struggling to find clothes to wear. A lover of dresses, I was relegated to one pair of pants that I found at Anthroplogie for $150. They were cute. They were stretchy. They were black. And, they were $150 for a pair of pants that I knew would only be useful for a few months. That's a true sign of desperation.

As I grew, I actually found it easier to find clothes than in the early months when you just feel bigger. And for women who struggle with morning sickness, bloating, weight gain and some of the other less stellar aspects of pregnancy, feeling awful about looking at your clothing is not the path to a happy 9 months. Now, as a personal stylist, I've found a number or fun options for pregnant clients. My goal is to offer some assistance to anyone in this situation. Yes, Dear Reader, I know you may not be pregnant. If not, please share with someone you love who will find this helpful.

Retailers for the hip and pregnant.

Everybody Loves a Winner: Ritzy & the Faux Fur Circle Scarf

Thanks to our good friends at Foxglove Bridal, Poplin Style Direction email subscribers were entered to win a handmade faux fur circle scarf from Foxglove. Happily, a Poplin client and contributor won.

Congrats to Ritzy Ryacik and her dog, Gillie, also pictured.

Need a Free Pick Me Up?

Sometimes, we are fortunate enough to have some disposable cash to buy something pretty. This is especially gratifying when we've had a challenging day or are not loving our options when we get dressed each morning.

Unfortunately, extra cash is not always on hand. What to do?

Here are a few tips for FREE solutions to style-related questions.

Lessons from Canada: Fabulous Footwear That You Can Walk In

I recently spent a week in Victoria B.C. As you can imagine, it was incredible. Our room had a spectacular view and a jacuzzi on the the deck. Between these luxurious amenities and the on again off again rain, I'll admit it took me a couple of days to venture into the heart of the city.

On my first excursion away from pizza delivery and wrapping up the Good Wife on Netflix, I wore my Hunter rain boots. It was only a 15 minute walk to nearby restaurants and pubs over flat ground. Hours later I discovered how uncomfortable a shoe can be, even when it is flat. It was a nice excuse for an additional glass of wine before the walk back, but I became fixated on the perfect walking shoe for such an occasion.

After scanning the city for the elusive shoe store of dreams, I found it:

Confessions of a business-person

My name is Mellicia Marx and I'm an affiliate.

I recently spent the morning with a good friend of mine. When I stepped into her car, a glorious dark green Kate Spade handbag was sitting on her seat. I commented on how incredible it was and hours later she informed me that I had suggested it on the Poplin blog. Well, that explains why I liked it so much.

I get so excited to share new and exciting finds with you, Dear Reader. I quickly move to the next thing and often have little insight into whether or not these finds are working for you. In contrast to the face to face interaction I have with clients, blog posts don't result in the immediate feedback that a dressing room exchange provides. Although, writing these posts is one of my favorite activities, nonetheless.

Women's fashionmelliciaFebruary 20, 2014Affiliate, Clients, Personal stylist, SeattleComment

Seattle Sunday: Make-up & Hair By Hanna Mazur

Fancy February continues. When the weather is cold and dark, the most appealing thing to do is crawl up in a ball, covered in fleece, holding a cup of coffee and wait it out. Sadly, we aren't actually able to do that. So, if you can't avoid leaving the house, why not embrace it?

Commemorate the Holiday With Your Very Own Valentino.

For those of you who've been following Poplin on Facebook, you've certainly noticed my recent obsession with Citizen Rosebud, reseller of vintage and pre-loved clothing. I have her to thank for three coats in the last month. So, you can imagine my excitement when she told me that she had two, not one, but TWO Valentino dresses that she had yet to list for sale.

Zara Seattle: The Flagship that Exceeds your Expectations

Every once in a while, I like to try to see things as if I'm seeing them for the first time. It's fun to remember the wonder and excitement that accompanied my first meal in Seattle, for instance. We ate at the Triangle in Fremont. Built to Spill was playing and I had just seen the sign in Fremont claiming the neighborhood as the "Center of the Universe". Built to Spill on the speakers, reference to one of their songs on the sign, it was meant to be. So every once in a while when I drive through Fremont, I try to imagine that this is my very first time seeing the sign and the bridge once again. I can almost hear the music.

Where am I going with this? Zara, Dear Reader. I am going to Zara. Tomorrow, you'll be able to go on your own. But today, I'll do my best to take you with me and we can both experience Seattle's very first Zara — a flagship store, in fact — for the first time.

Seattle Sunday: Olive & Boone

I'm going to try something a little different for Seattle Sundays this February. I call it Fancy February. Oh, yeah, Valentine's Day, right? Date night. Love, etc. Right?

Nope. Actually, I've been thinking more about how we give ourselves permission to indulge on special occasions, like our wedding day, for instance. I'd like to challenge you to think of the last time you totally indulged in something that made you feel unquestionably beautiful. Please tell me it wasn't your wedding day. If it was, that's a good indication that Fancy February is for you. (Apologies, I started calling it that and couldn't bring myself to choose something wittier.)

The goal of Fancy February is to highlight local sources that will enable YOU to indulge today, because you can.

Dear Reader,

I have a confession to make: I am unabashedly SoleStruck.

My Love Affair with SoleStruck.

Lounge Chic

Beach Essentials

Annie Traurig, Owner, Live Simply by Annie

5 Reasons you MUST Visit Cosstores.com Now

1. You get a discount.

5 Reasons YOU Need Emails from Poplin

I’ve compiled some of hottest hits of this year’s styles to make summer shopping a little easier.

What to Wear When You Return to Work After Having a Baby

Retailers for the hip and pregnant.

My name is Mellicia Marx and I'm an affiliate.

Let's start with hats from Olive & Boone.