Casey's blog

Since how you dress speaks volumes about you it is important to make sure that you’re sending the right message. Your clothes play a big role in how your personal style is perceived; sloppy or sharp. So, how do you dress well? The answer is simple regardless of gender; always dress to impress and educate yourself.

For starters, classic style will always outweigh trendy looks. Classic means that it has already stood the test of time, and still looks chic and en vogue. On the other hand, trends come and go, quickly. So, it can be very costly to keep up with the trends, while a classic wardrobe will save you money and consistently keep you in style.

There are also some basic rules to follow. The kind of rules that really should not be broken; bent a little maybe, but not forgotten about. For instance, shoes. Shoes are one of the first things that people notice about you. So, that is where your investment dollars should go. A few good pairs of shoes are like having a really nice car; your status goes up.

Now lets make sure that you compliment those stunning shoes well. It is amazing how drastically your choice in foot coverings can effect an outfit of any kind. Socks, hose, and tights should be matched, or at least coordinated with, your trousers or ensemble. Not the shoes. And when it comes to white, it is pretty much for the athletic look with very few exceptions.

Your belt should compliment your shoes, period. The color, size, and adornment of the belt should always be proportional to the design of your shoes. If your shoes are classic leather, then likewise. And if your shoes are crystal and color the same applies. Or exotic and unique. These two pieces should be matched like a set.

Now, to protect your clothes from wear and tear from perspiration, always wear an undershirt or camisole. For women it is an extra layer to keep you fresh and dry; for men it will help produce a clean look even if you are hairy chested. This is an easily eliminated garment that we should all reintroduce into our wardrobes; for the sake of your clothes.

You could just walk into the store and buy the first thing that smells good on a small paper strip, or something you saw in a magazine ad. But that is not likely going to pair you with the right scent for your personality or your body. It is a lot more complicated than that.

When sampling scents don't expect the perfume to smell the same on you as it does on anyone or anything else. You will have one variation in the bottle, one on the test strip, and one on your skin. Understanding how the fragrance works and what make it up are key to choosing the right scent.

What you smell first is the top note. This is the strongest part of the perfume and it fades the quickest. Then the mid note, which fades yet again into the base note. The base note appears around thirty minutes after application and stays with you the longest. Some base notes can last up to 24 hours.

Body chemistry plays a huge role in how the scent smells, on you. If your perfume seems to fade quickly or have a weird phase, it might not be the right scent for your body. A scent that works well should smell nice the entire time you are wearing it and without re-application.

Most perfumes also come with a matching body wash or lotion. These help make the scent last without that overpowering effect. They can help you keep your scent, too; mixing with conflicting washes can cause you to get a new smell altogether.

Once you find perfect perfume for you, apply sparingly. Simply spray a small amount onto your wrists and rub them together. Maybe a dab behind the ears for good measure. And that is all you should need. These warm spots on your body help diffuse the scene and allow it to mix with your body's natural oils.

So, when shopping for a new scent keep what you now know in mind... the top note is on the test strip or what would be smelled first, the mid note appears after about fifteen minutes of being on your wrist, and is followed by the base note which is what you should base your purchase on.

Summer is about bare skin, beautiful color, and looking your best showing them both off. But in order to do that, you need to take some time to nourish your skin and try to reverse any signs of neglect. If you do nothing more for your skin than follow these 5 simple steps, you will have glowing results in what seems like no time at all. 

1. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. This may be one of the most important things you can do to keep your skin stunningly healthy. Your body sheds skin cells at an amazing rate. So, if you don't get rid of the excess cells they'll make your skin look dull and dry. When this happens no amount of lotion is going to help. Just grab a body scrub and hit the shower. Gently rub your exfoliator in circular movements on your entire body from the shoulders down and rinse clean. You'll want a facial exfoliator for your face and neck. Repeat 2-3 times a week year around to keep your skin radiant.
    
2. Shave the right way every time. I won't ask you to identify yourselves; you know who you are. But this one is for all of us that just let the maintence go when the temps are low. I know, what is the point of keeping your legs baby smooth when you know they will never see the light of day? But those lazy days of winter are long since over. Find a good razor; that means one that won't cause razor burn. I'm prefer the Gilette's Mach 3 for its performance and price. Choose a shaving lotion, not a store brand cream; it will hydrate while warding off nicks and cuts. And a tip for emergencies; use your conditioner.
    
3. Hydrate all over with a summer-scented lotion. Find a lightly scented lotion that you won't forget to put on. The best way to remember? Choose a scent that you absolutely love! Think of scents like coconut and mango; everyday could be a little tropical. For the best results apply right after you towel off from your shower. This will help you seal in the moisture your body just soaked in. Gels and Purees are preferred because they are quickly absorbed into the skin. Just stay away from body butters; fresh and summery is the way to go. This one self indulgent action will help you skin to stay more healthy and youthful... How could you say no?
    
4. Treat your feat nicely. Winter boots have long since been packed and stored; sandal season is well under way and hopefully you are prepared. If not, listen up. Either go and get a pedicure (try a beauty school if cost is a factor), or give yourself one at-home. You basically scrub off the dead dry skin to reveal the beautiful sandal ready feet underneath. No one wants to see dull dry feet inside cute sandals. For a big difference in softness, keep a foot scrub and file in your shower. Scrub your feet a few times a week and wear all the sandals you want.
    
5. Out with the old, in with the new sunscreen. Throw away last year's unused sunscreen and splurge on a new bottle. Sunscreens aren't meant to last forever; being safe is most important. With all the ways there are to protect and moisturize your skin, why let the sun leave you dry and burnt? Anytime you are going to be exposed to the sun you should be using a shot glass full of sunscreen for your body, and teaspoon for your face. If in doubt, use more. For the best protection reapply every 1-2 hours that you are out. And don't forget to share the most important sunscreen advice with everyone you know: USE IT!

The dog days of summer are here and so is the need to stay cool. But we can't sacrifice looking and feeling fashionable; so, what are you going to do? Easy. Just take some simple steps to keep your look fresh!

I know, it is almost too hot to care, but I have found that the best way to spruce up your wardrobe is with fabulous shoes. Whether you prefer flats or heels a great pair of shoes adds flair to your outfit without adding unneeded, bulky layers.

Some trends we are seeing everywhere are platforms and wedges of all heights, neutral colors, and comfort first. Even low heel sandals and flip flops are hot because they are easy on your feet. Just dress them up a little for styles' sake.

If fun and fancy shoes are not your thing then try a splash of color. There are so many ways to go! A fashion hair clip, necklace, or pair of earrings could absolutely do the job. And sometimes adding a new piece to your already extensive collection is just the right kind of fun.

Just in case you do not have a clue as where to start adding something new, hot for summer are yellow, coral, and anything multicolored. Also, yellow gold is making a comeback and flowers are in full bloom from top to bottom. The key here is to stay light and mix things up a bit.

And to help make you quest for the best find even easier, after all it is already fun, we have been busy updating the Stile Haus store with must haves of all types. From your hair to your feet we have you fashionably covered with new items added regularly. So, visit often and dress well.

Taking care of your nails should be a relaxing and pleasing experience. And there are a few tricks that will make you next manicure just that, enjoyable. To get started, take a good look at your nails. Are they dry? Do they have lines or ridges? Or do they peel in layers? Are they soft or brittle? What about your cuticles? Are you a nail bitter with hangnails?

This may seem like a lot of questions, but they are necessary in deciding how much or how little you are going to do in your at home manicure. After all, you want all supplies on hand. So, before you begin collect everything you will need (this is very helpful in the long run). Polish remover, a good nail file and orange stick, and your favorite polish are a must!

You might also collect some cotton balls, a bowl of warm water, towels, a soft bristled brush, and a base and top coat to help that fabulous polish last even longer. The more prepared you are the less stressful your pampering will be. Once you have everything collected the steps are oh so easy to follow, just start at step one and end with a beautiful set of nails.

First remove any old polish. Especially when you are in a rush (and we have all been there) no polish is better that chipped. Try to avoid submerging your nail in the polish remover; it just is not good for them. Too much of those chemicals and your nails loose their luster and become brittle. Use as little as you can to get the job done and your nails will be healthier for it.

Then you will want to rinse your nails in warm water immediately after using polish remover. Then scrub them gently, preferably with a soft-bristle nail brush. A toothbrush can make a good substitute. If you can do this the day before you have a great opportunity to treat yourself to a homemade hotoil treatment.

All you need is 1/4 cup olive oil and oil from one vitamin E capsule. Just heat the oil in a saucepan and let cool until warm. Add the vitamin E to the oil then rub it into your cuticles and nails, massaging any extra oils into your hands. Now put on your gloves and your hands and nails will just be soft and refreshed the next day.

Next, filing may be necessary to shape and buff away any imperfections. But only file when your nails are dry and free of any creams. Soft nails with may peel, tear, chip, or even split. Make sure your nails are dry and only move the file in one direction at a time (no sawing). Preferably go in the direction of your natural nail growth to avoid splitting. Oval vs. square tips is totally up to you.

Now you need to gently push back your cuticles. They are what protects the root of the nail; so, best to take care of them. To gently push back the cuticle, use a soft moist towel or orange stick. The dead skin you can trim off, but leave living skin alone. Then clean under your nails so we can paint! But do be cautious, clean too deep and you create space for bacteria to grow, no good.

Now the art begins. It's best to have a base coat for that will fill in any ridges your nails may have and make your polish pop. Wait about three minutes after applying the base cote before adding the polish; you want it to dry all the way. This little step also helps to keep your nails from staining or yellowing from the polish.

The best way to apply polish is to start at up the center, then up both sides from the base to the tip. You should really only need to use three strokes. A warning to the wise, quick-dry polishes mostly contain acetone which is not good for the health of your nails. Try a thicker, slower drying polish that will hold moisture plus give your nails more flexibility. Bottom line; two coats, three minutes apart.

Finally brush on your top coat to seal the polish and help protect it from chipping. And you are done. You just gave yourself a manicure, hopefully enjoyed yourself, and saved money. Talk about a win, win, win! So, the next time you are looking at your hands making excuses about why you can't go get them done, just pull up this page and treat yourself.