How DO I Choose a Sunscreen?

The weather is crazy. Is it sunny? Is it rainy? Who knows?

What I do know, is that it is vital to protect your skin from sun damage. As a personal stylist, I spend my time making sure you know how to look and feel like your authentic self. A delightful byproduct of this work is the opportunity to mix and mingle with other experts focused on skincare and lashes in addition to boutique owners and the like. This culminates into lots of useful information for Poplin clients and for you, Dear Reader. So, as we head into a sunnier time, I asked some of my favorite people from Cake Skincare to share tips on choosing the best sun protection for your body. After all, there's more to you than your pretty face.

How Do I Choose the Ideal Sunscreen for my Body?

SkincaremelliciaApril 30, 2015Body Sunscreen, SPF products, Sun protection Comments

My Favorite Things Right Now

Who knows why I own a gorgeous three piece suit? I don't. And, by three pieces I mean a skirt, trousers and jacket that all coordinate. After all, I'm a personal stylist. I don't have any conservative corporate events to attend. I'm not representing another entity. I'm representing myself. And, so began my extreme closet edit. That and a few more of my very favorite things right now. Off we go!

My Very Favorite Things Right Now

Summertime Solutions

Three things: 1. Below you'll find another blog post from Poplin contributor and plus size fashion guru, Jordan Richardson. Like what you read? Jordan's research on Sizeism was recently featured in an article in the Everett Herald? Check it out! 3. She wrote this prior to this beautiful weather. Love her and you will, too.

Hello my dear readers,

As spring settles into full swing with its hectic weather patterns, I cannot help but cherish and look forward to those sunnier warmer days ahead. Though with the sun and heat comes a potential deluge of new styling challenges that can be difficult to traverse. A lot of us are uncomfortable with certain areas of our bodies, and with the warmer months approaching that usually means less layers and clothes, which can at times be uncomfortable. I am hoping to offer some solutions on minimizing the areas you're not as hot on, and maximizing the ones you adore, while remaining comfortably cool in these months to come.

Do Hip Light Up Shoes for Kids Exist?

I often hear people discussing the highs and lows of parenting. One frequent topic is managing/ supporting/ understanding your child's style choices. Every parent has a different take on this topic and most have several anecdotes to support their point of view.

As a stylist for kids and the parent of a child with a very strong sense of his style identity, I can relate. So, when my son recently asked me for light up shoes, my heart sank. After all, it's important that he can express himself through his clothes if he chooses to. After all, that's what his father and I do. But, those light up shoes are just, well, ugh.

Obviously, this was a personal challenge and I was ready for it. I went on a mission to find super cool light up shoes. And, my Dear Reader, I succeeded! As your very own personal stylist (for kids and women) I had to share. Enjoy!

Light Up Sneakers for Cool (toddler, little and big) Kids

Seattle Sunday: Dermaspace — Because Sometimes Weird is Wonderful.

Happy Sunday, Dear Reader! If you follow Poplin on Instagram, you've likely seen photos documenting my visits to Dermaspace over the past couple of months. The experience has been unforgettable. Recently, I've become especially infatuated with the beauty rituals of previous generations and how they have resurfaced under new names. False eye lashes (hello Diana Ross, who incidentally also had falsies on the bottom), minimizing the number of times per week we wash our hair and let us not forget about blow outs.

So, when I discovered that a natural skin treatment created in the thirties had become all the rage in LA and New York, I had to learn more. Lucky for us, downtown Seattle's Dermaspace is the only location offering this treatment north of San Francisco. I jumped into three treatments over two months to understand this sci-fi meets holistic approach to skincare. As your very own personal stylist, I also fearlessly documented the steps. Who puts a photo of herself in a helmet reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter on the internet? I do, Dear Reader. Just for you. Because we're cool like that.

Dermaspace: Your Glamorous Grandmother Schools you on Skincare.

Hey, What Ever Happened at that Poplin Event at The Limited?

What ever happened? Let me tell you!

All Poplin Style Direction clients and individuals on the Poplin email list were invited to the recent Spring Forward event at The Limited SouthCenter. It was glorious.

Here's what they got:

How Can I Get Beautiful Lashes?

Ah, Dear Reader, the burning question. Lashes are big, bold and beautiful right now. Long lashes are associated with youth (just take a look at a kid sometime). The longer they are, the more youthful you look. Although, of course, there's a limit.

But, how is it happening? Is everyone wearing falsies? Are they extensions? Is it a treatment? The answers vary and as your very own personal stylist, my job is to give you the tools you need to find the route to your perfect lash. Off we go!

The Lashes of Your Youth Right Now.

Do You See that Woman Changing the World? She's a Poplin Client!

What woman? Where? Where?

Well, I dare say they are everywhere.

As part of my commitment to the styling sessions at YouthCare, I quickly realized that we'd need to bring in an incredible amount of new and used clothing to adequately supply styling sessions for the Barista Training Program graduates. After all, it is vital that each grad (young men and women ages 12-24 who are homeless or formerly homeless) have the chance to choose from pieces that fit and reflect his or her personal style.

The idea is to give them confidence at job interviews and at work. Few of us have a high level of confidence when we are sporting clothes we really don't like. I digress.

Pick Me UpsmelliciaApril 1, 2015Giving Back, Helping homeless youth, Seattle Personal Stylist, YouthCareComment

My Five Favorite (Almost) Waterproof Shoes for Summer. Go!

It's a wonderful thing, living on the coast. Whether you are prone to wandering along the beach for some alone time, digging in the sand with the kids, or something in between, you must have functional shoes to supplement the experience. After all, celebrating the moment is really what it's all about, right? Fiddling with challenging shoes or choosing to stay on beach blanket to avoid walking is, in a word, unacceptable.

To many clients, this means a super functional hiking or walking shoe, fashion be damned.

Naturally, as your very own personal stylist, I'd argue that you can still look incredible and live an active lifestyle. With that, I'm offering up my five favorite waterproof shoes for summer. You'll never think of rubber the same way again.

Affordable and Ideal in the Elements. Yes, please!

Seattle Sunday: Combat Flip Flops, Bad for Running, Worse for Fighting

Something I love about being a personal stylist is the opportunity to learn from others. Every client is different. She has different preferences, different aspirations and always teaches me something new. Sure, my goal is to teach her how to ensure that her clothes project her authentic personal style. But, that's only the beginning. The process should be transformative, enlightening and above all, enjoyable.

Something I especially love about being a personal stylist in Seattle is the commitment to community and giving back that I see again and again with each new client. Whether it is a preference to purchase clothing made in America, or with companies who take corporate social responsibility seriously, or quality over quantity, it's not uncommon for new clients to inform me that their clothes are much more than adornment. It is true. Our clothes have the power to communicate our values.

Which brings us to Combat Flip Flops.

Giving Back, Seattle Sunday, Women's fashionmelliciaMarch 26, 2015Combat Flip Flops, Nonprofit, Personal stylist, ShoesComment

Seattle Sunday: F-Factor Brings Fashion & Self Confidence to Foster Youth

I love Seattle Sundays. My initial idea was to focus a blog post on a different maker, boutique or fashionable person in Seattle every Sunday. It's been a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about all the incredible people and places in Seattle. After more than a decade here, it turns out there is still much, much more to discover.

At the moment, I'm finding that the sheer volume of awesomeness is just too great. I hate to keep all this information to myself as I wait for the next Sunday to share another find. So, you'll be seeing Seattle "Sundays" nearly every day for a few posts. I just can't wait. The stuff is THAT good.

Let us begin.

F-Factor: Changing Lives One Child at a Time.

UncategorizedmelliciaMarch 22, 2015Comment

Your Bra Can Change a Life. Free the Girls!

I originally wrote this post over a year ago. During this week's Styling Session for homeless and formerly homeless youth at YouthCare, we had a wave of young women asking questions about bras. We measured a few of them, helped several find bras and discussed fit throughout the process. These are things your mom or another significant woman in your life usually helps you with. It was really an honor to have these young women feel open to having us help with such a sensitive topic. I wish I could show you, Dear Reader, the look on one of the women's faces when she realized that SHE would be leaving with three NEW bras. I liken it to Christmas morning.

Because of all of this, I'm opting to share this info again. After all, every woman deserves a bra that fits. And, if you have some lying around at home that are ready to be donated, you'll be glad to know where to send them. Enjoy!

Plus Size Pulse: Retailer Update

Hello Dear Reader,

While looking back at some of my older posts and chatting with Mellicia, she and I realized that there has been a lot going on in the plus size design world in the past six months. While discussing some of the new plus size lines launching, I realized that the former list of plus size retailers I had pulled together for my first post with Poplin could use a bit of updating!

So I bring to you a selection of some of my ideal reiterations, as well as new openings and some of my favorite up and comers!

Rum+Coke

plus size fashionmelliciaMarch 9, 2015edgy designers, new designers, new plus size designers, Plus sizeComment

For Those About to Shop.

Happy Friday, Dear Reader. If the sunshine makes you want to get out and shop, this is your lucky day. As your very own personal stylist, I had to offer up a quick breakdown of some special shopping opportunities you won't want to miss. Enjoy!

Poplin at Large.

Man, there is a whole lot going on right now, Dear Reader. And, it's all good. So good I feel compelled to share.

Here we go!

Seattle Sunday: Because of Chantelle Riley, my Hair Will NEVER be the Same.

Okay, okay. Seattle Sunday on a Tuesday? Well, this was a jam packed weekend volunteering with the F-Factor Fashion and Fitness workshop for foster girls at Ryther Child Center on Saturday. Then, one of my lovely clients co-hosted a Clothing Swap to benefit Youthcare on Sunday. Needless to say, Seattle Sunday was put on hold.

However, if I could shout Chantelle Riley's name from the rooftop every morning, I would. So, I couldn't bear to wait another week to tell you all about Chantelle and my hair.

From Brittle to Beautiful:

Chantelle Changed my World (via my hair)

Hair care, Seattle SundaymelliciaMarch 3, 2015Belltown Hair Salon, Chantelle Riley, Seattle Hair Salon, Stylus SeattleComment

Care to Join me for After Hours Shopping at the Limited?

Ah, Dear Reader, if this weather does anything, it's inspire us to shop for pieces for spring. And, lucky for you, I have the ideal outing in mind.

You, me & the Limited

Here's the deal, we have a special Poplin Style Direction event planned in the coming weeks. What's so special about it? Oh, I'm glad you asked.

Must Know Now: Spring Trends that are Right for You Right Now.

While I am well aware that this uncharacteristically warm weather is not good for the world, it has been magical for the wardrobe. On my visit to the the Finerie Colab last week (I hope you've been- apparel including lots of local designers, housewares, design, oh my!), team member Jeannie said to me, "you look like the perfect balance of spring and winter."

Thank you very much, Jeannie.

Upon reflection, I realize that's not an easy tightrope to walk. As your very own personal stylist, I thought I'd share some of spring's trends with you, Dear Reader. And, of course, how to rock them right now. Enjoy!

Spring Fashion Trends You Can Wear Today.

Let's do this.

Seattle Sunday: SCHAI Offers Up Art in the Form of Fashion

Have you ever been truly mesmerized by a piece of clothing?

I have. The feeling is well beyond my normal shopping euphoria. When I discover a piece like this, the quality of the fabric and the workmanship sucks me in. Now, imagine this feeling and add in innovative designs that are at the same time minimal and intricate. That is SCHAI.

The Patriotic Shopper (as in crazy deals for President's Day Weekend)

Oh my! There's nothing like a little retail therapy to make up for not having President's Day off. Wait? You have it off? Well, live the dream, sister. Whether or not you'll be clocking in on Monday, you can start shopping now with CRAZY discounts.

If you'd be so kind, please remember to click through from the list below as Poplin may receive a commission on your order with absolutely no extra cost to you. Thanks very much for reading the blog and happy shopping!