Archive for July 2016
Summer Suiting for Women
Business women need to worry about their suits, too! However, in the summertime, women are expected to dress it up a little more and add pops of color and sparkle. Last month we talked all about men’s fashion, now it’s time for the ladies:
Colors
Navy: Show of your confidence with this bold and definite color. Accent with the traditional pearl necklace or show off your summer style with some yellow earrings.
Charcoal: This color is safe and muted to allow you to show off your true self without the help of clothing. Keep it sleek with white pumps.
Black: As a woman we all feel comfortable in our forgiving black clothing. Add your favorite color (hot pink, bright yellow, lime green or baby blue) to truly own your black suit this summer.
Underneath
Sleeves: Although it is summer, it never hurts to stick with the practical sleeve.
Short-Sleeved: Find your favorite short-sleeved silk shirt and put it on under the jacket. This way, later when you are having lunch at your favorite outdoor patio spot you can ditch the jacket and look professional and like a ray of summer sun.
Prints
Long story short, prints can be fun to play with but the safest way to go is with a solid color that flatters your skin tone. Should you decide to go with a print we highly recommend sticking to something classic like plaid, stripes or polka dots and save that fun pink flamingo print for your next backyard bbq.
Skirt or Pantsuit
As long as it is sunny and 70 degrees out, wear the skirt suit! Feel comfortable and as girly as you can in the office.
Accessories may be the one thing that turns your normal suit into the ultimate summer get up!
Purse/Bag: Maybe ditch the larger bag and consolidate your items to a cute clutch for your summer days and nights. This will save time when getting off work and heading to the lakeside for a refreshing drink.
Earrings: As mentioned before, use this as an opportunity to pop some bright summer color into your wardrobe without being too overwhelming and unprofessional.
Whatever you decide to wear, remember to enjoy the summer days with lunch on the patio at your favorite spot and drinks at the lake on your Friday after a long week!
Outdoor Living: Summer Cleaning
Summer is the time for entertaining. You’ve worked hard on designing your patio, now make sure that it is spotless for your guests. Here are some of the ways you can tidy up your patio space for the ultimate summer gathering:
Wood Furniture – Wood furniture is lovely to look at and creates a homey/rustic feel. Unfortunately, after hours of scrubbing on your hands and knees it seems the stains and wear and tear are still left. With just 2 tbsp. of powdered oxygen bleach and one gallon of water to scrub on the wood using a brush. Make sure to scrub only in the direction of the wood grain – especially when working on soft woods. Allow the wood to dry completely in the sun before using the furniture. If the wood seems rough you can use a medium-grit sandpaper either by hand or a palm sander. Again, make sure you sand in the direction of the grain. After sanding you will need to seal your furniture – using either resin-based pigmented sealer (to maintain the original wood color) or a clear sealer (to obtain a rustic grey faded color).
Patio Cushions – Most patio fabrics have been treated with special coating to protect from UV rays and water – please check tags before using any home cleaning techniques. Patio Cushions are far too valuable to take a chance of color loss, or setting the stain by a home remedy method. Bleach can be dangerous! Send your patio cushions to a professional dry cleaner. Even if they do not zip out, the dry cleaner has a seamstress who will remove the padding, send the fabric to be cleaned, and finally sew the cushion back into place.
Grill – The BBQ cannot happen without a good cleaning first! Here is a list of materials to use to get the grease and grit off before you put the chicken on the grill:
- Stiff-bristle Wire Brush
- Toothbrush
- Scour Pad (scratch pad)
- PROXI dish soap concentrate
- PROXI multi-purpose disinfectant cleaner
- Baking Soda
- Microfiber Cloth
- Spray Bottle of Water
Heat the grill up by closing the lid and turning the gas on for about 5 min. This will soften the build-up. Use the wire brush and scrape away as much as possible. Wait for the grill to cool down and move on to soaking your grates and flame guards in a sink full of PROXI dish soap, using the hottest water possible. Scrub the grates as they soak using the metal brush and scour pad. When it comes to the grease build up, make a paste with baking soda, water and a small amount of PROXI dish soap. Rub this on the inside of the grill lid and allow it to dry and then wipe it clean. Happy Grilling!
If you have no luck with your cushions or outdoor patio pillows and blankets make sure to Contact Us for the ultimate cleaning! Enjoy your summer days on the patio as much as possible.