Accessories that “Beat the Heat”: From Head to Toe

If your gym routine consists of running from an air conditioned office, to an air conditioned car, to an air conditioned home, then you are most certainly finding yourself in the dead of summer. Oh how we longed for these days in the chilly winter. But somehow are memory deceived us because we never remember it quite as hot, quite as sticky, and quite as annoying. Still, we are troopers, beating the sun and chugging on with our day-to-day tasks. In an attempt to make those days a little less stifling I’ve posted about outfits (here), beauty products (here), and hair-styles (here) to help keep you cool, calm, and collected.

Yet, I know what you're thinking, “Iris, but I don’t really want to change anything major. Isn’t there one or two quick fixes?” Of course there is, let’s talk about some essential accessories for beating the heat that well go perfectly with any of your ensembles. From head to toe:

Sofia Vergara Wedges: Proud and Sexy

“Hello, I’m Sofia Vergara, and I’m not afraid to work with what I’ve got. I say, if you got this, show this. You’re a woman, so dress like a woman. Be proud. Be sexy.”

Hair Tricks to “Beat the Heat”: Buns and Accessories

One of the trickiest parts of surviving the summer heat is getting your hair under control. When going out during the summer, I’d much rather remind people of an Aphrodite-like silky, shiny hair rather than a Medusa-like snake tangled hair. But humidity, heat, and wind make it difficult for any of us to display our Goddess tresses.So what do I do to keep it alluring but still in control? I revamp the bun.

I would love to say that I wear my hair long, down, and flowy, but that’s just not true. I spend most of my summers with my hair picked up to stay fresh and flawless. But summer is very long here in Florida (uh...most of the year) so wearing a bun can get old and unappealing very fast. Fortunately, I’ve picked up a few ways to make an otherwise plain hairstyle feel a little more divine. Use these tips to bring out your inner hair Goddess even in the fieriest of summers.

My “Beat the Heat” Products: Prime, Set, and Go!

Is your face melting by midday? Do you find that your makeup is basically gone by the time you get to work because the blazing summer sun has melted it off? If so, it sounds like you need the help of some serious summer beauty products. Luckily for you, I’ve gone through a lot of trial and error in trying to figure out how to “Beat the Heat’ and keep my makeup fresh. My process is all about prevention. What can I do to stop looking like a Salvador Dali painting? I prime and set. Below is my routine for going out on a hot day or evening.

Marie Claire: Women in Business Event

Orlando, The City Beautiful, just as we were growing to be the best of friends, the city threw some curve balls. These include torrential rainfalls on the only days I don’t have my umbrella, crowding of the malls with busloads of tourists on the only days I have time to shop, and closing every restaurant near me at 9:00pm on the days I need to grab food late.

But then, just as I was about to give up hope on the city, I got invited to The Women in Business Event hosted by Marie Claire and Ruth Chris Steakhouse. It’s almost as if the city wanted to cut me a break and take me out on a nice date. This time it pulled out all the stops.

"Beat the Heat" and Keep it Cool

Imagine this, if you will:

You open the door of your cool, even cold air conditioned home, cautiously step outside - and immediately feel like you’ve been engulfed in flames. As you rush to your car, your skin starts to boil, melt. You throw open your car door, crank the AC, and stand as the car crackles.You wait.

When the temperature inside the car registers a chilly 95 degrees, you’re ready to climb in, drive away, and start your day. Welcome to the Sunshine State.

Now, don’t let all this firey talk fool you, I love this state. I’ve lived in Florida for most of my life (and before that, the Caribbean) and I’ve resigned myself to the heat. In fact, after years of sweating, uh, misting lightly, I’ve found ways to make it look good. And I’m excited to share my tips and tricks with the Florida Fashion Blogger Link-Up.

Colors of My Youth

It’s no secret that I’m a Florida girl. I have spent most of my life living in some city in Florida, which I love. However, I can’t help that occasionally I have angst over the memories of my distant hometown. It’s as if the island whispers to me at night, “Come back…we miss you”. I find myself longing for the hot summer days that I spent lazily on a hammock by the water. How did I rush so quickly through life that those carefree tropical summers seem like memories from a former life?