el blog

Ca-Breezies Battle Mother Nature's Enblazoned June

By Meghan Dryzga

 

Did I sleep through spring? Because I could've sworn just a week or two ago... It's fine, Nature Mom. Clearly you're testing my versatility and ability to readily adjust to your erratic moods. That, OR Mother Nature is pregnant or experiencing menopause... Flank the nation with your hot flash, Nature Mom; I can take it. (Let's see, we'll need one umbrella for her unexpected downpours of emotion and a cardigan for her occasional cold shoulder. Put those in the car, honey.)

You know who else can take Mother Nature's unadulterated heat? My ankles. Why? Because it's capri season. Well, it's shorts season. But if you're a career woman, traipsing into the office in your fave pair of high-thigh khakis isn't going to win you any "office appropriate" awards. So we all find a spectacular pair (pairs?) of staple capris and pretend they're as airy as your Friday Night Patio Bar Skirt. (I capitalized that. It seemed important.)

So here's the trouble with capris. If you're short and shopping the standard-fit rack, capris can look a lot like a mistake. Like, too short to be slacks, too long to be shorts, kind of mistake. A peddle-pushers kind of mistake. A "crooked smile that says your intuitively trendy neighbor is confused about your fashion intentions" kind of mistake. A "Honey - I'm not mad, I just need to know if you put my work pants in the dryer. They seem to have shrunk. Otherwise, this is an exceptionally good day for me, as I may have just fit into our 'tweenager's girl-size pants..." kind of mistake.

The solution? It's not found with a seamstress and a 2-inch hem. Nope, any pin-stuck woman relegated to the back of the dry cleaning shop inhaling questionably quease-inducing levels of cleaning fumes and wearing an apple cushion as a bracelet will not be trusted with my hems. My short sticks leave a very small margin for hem error that only my mother can manage.

Believe it or not, it's easier than that, certainly far more fun and unquestionably more versatile (take that, menopausal Nature Mom). Enter, "cantaloupe conundrum," the summer-struck peep-toe heels that hoist up my height and air out my calves like a floor-level fan in a pedicure parlor. The perfect combination of girlishness smoldered in summer and professionally pruned; tall enough to tip the hip-scale but not quite tip me over (let not my low center of gravity fool you; when it comes to balance, I'm like a baby deer... a land-legged seafarer).

So go on, Nature Mom. Let summer's heat seep through the office walls. My feet are dipped in cool cantaloupe that push my calves under my ca-breezy capris for summer sun to finally see.

 

Delirium Descent

On July 30th, models will be strutting down the runway in custom designed Eidia Lush shoes at the Debonair Social Club in Wicker Park.  10 haute couture designs created by our lead shoe stylists will be featured at the event, titled Delirium Descent. 

Clothing will be designed by House of Frog, shoes by Eidia Lush, hair by BANG! Salon , and makeup by Meghan Sullivan

All proceeds will benefit NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Health).  There will be a $5 cover + $5 donation for the charity. 

Order your own Total Custom Designed shoes after the show to get 40% off.  This will be a full blown theatrical performance so come early and get a good seat.  Hope to see you all there!

Rockin the Trends from Late Summer into Early Fall

By Sarah Tolman

Alright ladies (and maybe a few ultra risque men?), don’t put those summer heels away just yet!  We still have a few weeks yet so keep strutting those brightly colored, look-at-me-in-my-sexy-heels heels.  There’s nothing better than stepping out in a flowy white skirt with bright yellow wedges attached to some pedicured toes (a must in the summer!), or getting all the attention when you pair a sexy black dress with bright pink stilettos at your favorite night club.

When you start custom designing your shoes at Eidia Lush this September, keep in mind your favorite dress or outfit.  Make sure your selections are as bold as you dare to go and complementing to your favs in the closest.  If you have a solid uniform dress make sure your heels have a little pizazz on them.  Flower and geometric patterns are in now so put them on your shoes!  Here’s a fun example:

   

Likewise, if you have a lot going on in one outfit keep the design simpler with a solid color (but still fabulous).  You could pair a skirt like The Painter Skirt, from Ananya with a bold solid color to match the red, black, or baby blue.

Be daring!  Go with your first instinct when designing your shoes, take a chance and pick out colors and prints that work with your outfits.  Try this helpful site on Etsy to find prints and patterns you like: http://morecloth.com/.  There are so many to choose from, it’s almost impossible to pick just one!  We at Eidia Lush are encouraging you to find some styles you like and send us a link or a picture so we can work on getting it added to the Eidia Lush selection.

Ladies, be the bold sexy creatures we are intended to be and prove it through your shoes!  Keep in touch.  When the leaves start turning I’ll keep you up-to-date with the changes in trends, patterns and colors of the season.  Until next time…strut in style Eidia Lush fans!

Hot or Not: Keeping Your Cool in Summer

By Kelly LaVaute

As we approach the dog days of summer, "keeping cool" takes on two meanings: looking stylish *and* avoiding the inevitable, uninvited, ever-icky back sweat. Yeah, I said it. Don't try and act all insulted and indignant ("who, ME?!") - you know exactly what I'm talking about.

While we can't sit poolside dabbing at your perspiration and feeding you grapes this summer, Eidia Lush has taken the time to compile some of the hottest (pun intended) tips, tricks and products to help you still look fresh even while standing on black asphalt at high noon in August.

 

1. Skin

It's common sense, but keep it simple! Make up drips, smears and cakes. And if you over-do it, you'll end up looking worse than if you just skipped it altogether. Start with sunscreen - tans are pretty, but leather is better on your belt. Good concealer to even things out and a light mineral powder will keep your shine down. And if you promise to keep your eye products waterproof, I won't mention back sweat again.

2. Textiles

Obviously, while less clothing may be cooler, we can't all go naked to work. Not everyday, anyway. But have fun - show off your gorgeous gams (and soon, your new Eidia Lush heels!) with fun skirts and summer dresses. Don't get too tight - loose fabric will let your skin breathe and let breeze in. Cotton and linen are not only appropriate in summer, they're the coolest of all fabrics. And for everybody's sake - skip the pantyhose. If you're a working girl, keep a lightweight, neutral-colored cardigan around to cover up your sleeveless shoulders when The Suits come around.

3. Hair

You trying to tell me you can keep it smooth and sleek on days with 90% humidity? Didn't think so. We all need some help in this department. There are tons of frizz fighting products on the shelves - they're not even that expensive - you can pick Suave's attempt at anti-frizz from any drugstore for under $4. Give your locks a good condition in the shower and rinse with cold water (locks the hair cuticle in place). Dry slowly and in pieces with a round brush to keep it tame. If all else fails, tuck it back in a low, sleek, side-swept bun. Resist the urge we all encounter before the leaves start to fall - chopping all your hair off isn't always the best idea, eh?

4. Accessories

This is your accessories' time to shine! Less clothing makes more room for flair. Cute sundress? Keep it simple with some romantic, dangle earrings. Night out? Pile it on! Chunky necklace and a flashy ring make your old little black dress brand new again. If you're feeling crazy, you could even get some ice jewelry, although we cannot guarantee the longevity outside of a walk-in freezer. Simple capris and a tank? Get a metallic belt to add some flair. Consider a colorful headband to keep your hair back. And let's be honest - what else is summer good for if you can't get some brand new sunglasses? If you lose them all the time, go for some inexpensive basics. If you keep good care of them, make a statement with this season's hottest shades.

And while it won't keep you cool, splurging on a pedicure is always one of summer's top priorities. Change things up and show off your piggies in a nail polish color you've never had before. And around here, we really must insist - if you don't have your Eidia Lush kicks on, your toes better be lookin' beautiful.