WHIMSY

After a long day on the beach, I want to slip into something that’s comfortable, but I refuse to sacrifice style. And a treasured evening with my hubby in a gorgeous tropical location is not time to pull a rumpled cotton sundress from the suitcase!

The perfect solution? This fabulous Faviana dress (pictured). The dress is ruched and cleverly made of stretch mesh. You can literally crunch it into a 3” ball and it never wrinkles! This is the perfect piece for your first evening away. Hop off the plane and in a quick-change you’re ready to head out for margaritas and some dancing!

This little dress is also an extremely flattering cut. And stretch, on vacation? Come on girls, is there anything better?!

Lucky for me, the Faviana cocktail dress comes in red and royal blue – two of my favorite picks for an eye catching ensemble. It is available in sizes extra small through large.

You can see the full range of gorgeous cocktail dresses, full length evening gowns, and more at Faviana . To purchase the stretch mess dress, visit Affinity, Claire’s , Shop the Vu, Simply Dresses or other fine retailers in your area. Retail $198.

Of course, even the most beautiful dress needs a little accessorizing. And what better way than some great slides? I found the Rampage Montauk 2 polka dot slides pictured at Shoe Mall.

These adorable slides are dressy enough to pair with a cocktail dress, but cute enough to work with capris, minis or even dressy shorts.

The slides are also so comfortable– an absolute must during your vacation for sightseeing, dancing, or shopping. Cleverly hidden under the fabric is a footbed made of cork, so you can spend the day or night on your feet, look glam, and be ready to start all over again the next day! They are also very lightweight, great for light-packing for vacation travel. Retail $39.95

ShoeMall is one of the best online shoe stores ever. They have an incredibleselection of women’s shoes from all of the best designers. From Anne Klein to Diesel, Doc Marten, Kenneth Cole and dozens more – no matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it at ShoeMall.

Best of all, today, you get 20% off of your order! The ShoeMall coupon code is SHAMROCK, plus get free shipping everyday. And, don’t forget to bookmark the ShoeMall Coupon Codes and stay up-to-date on the latest promotions!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

At the very heart of every one of my tropical vacations is the ocean. Whether it’s frolicking in the surf, treasure hunting for unusual shells, or enjoying a bit of Jet Skiing, one place you’re sure to find me is in the water!

Of course, sexy bikinis always look great, but if you plan on doing anything more strenuous that sipping a pina colada poolside, they can be a bit inconvenient. Kooey swimsuits to the rescue! Kooey has an amazing collection of super-sexy, one-piece swimsuits. Oxymoron, you say? Au contraire … these are definitely not your grandma’s one-piece suits!

The Center Cut One Piece (pictured) is a perfect example. Flirty and fun, but still comfortable, this suit retails for $170.00. And, in addition to the vibrant blue pictured, this suit is also available in a stunning rose and white pattern.

Kooey swimsuits were once the sole province of fashionable Aussies. But, lucky for us, this company has become an internationally recognized brand, showcasing their spectacular designs at numerous international events – from SwimShow in Miami to New York Fashion Week. See some of their great suits – from clever wraps, to sleek one-shouldered styles, to funky cutouts at Kooey.

Of course, no day at the beach would be complete without a great pair of shades. For me, sunglasses add an air of mystery and instant glamour to every ensemble.

But what if you wear glasses or contacts? ClearVision Optical is one of the world’s leading designers of prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. No matter what style you favor – from oversized Paris-Hilton inspired glasses to classic aviators, ClearVision has them all!

One brand that I turn to again and again is BCBG. Stylish and sophisticated, I think that the Savvy (pictured) is the ultimate accessory — whether jogging on the beach, at an island barbeque, or sipping a glass of Chardonnay as the tropical sun sets – these shades are hot!

For other great styles from Ellen Tracy, Cole Haan, IZOD, IZOD PerformX, Op, and Jessica McClintock visit ClearVision Optical.

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

You saved your pennies and planned the trip of a lifetime. You dieted all winter and can now fit into the sexiest wardrobe ever. You forgot your sun block and spend 6 of your 7 days in paradise with ice packs on your eyes in an oatmeal bath!

Vacation fiascos…sadly, we’ve all had them. And sun block is just the beginning. So this vacation, pack like a Girl Scout. One easy way is to visit 3floz.com This new online store carries all TSA-friendly beauty and grooming items from some of the best brands in beauty — all 3 fluid ounces or less (no more confiscated items at the gate – hooray!).

To make sure you don’t return from St. Thomas looking like a lobster, try their Ahava All-Day Sunshield Kit . The All-Day Sunshield Travel Kit includes Sun Protection Anti-Aging Moisturizer with an SPF 30, plus Aftersun Rehydrating Balm for Body & Face – both for only $25.

In addition to fabulous Ahava kits – like their Best of Beauty Kit  and the Frequent Flyer (Ready. Set. Jet) – 3floz.com also boasts best-selling brands like Archipelago Botanicals, Baxter of California, Pangea Organics, SpaRitual, and more. Plus, they offer free shipping on all orders of $100 or more!

So, now that you’ve packed the sun block, you might be tempted to stay in the sun a little too long… and that could spell trouble. A sun-induced cold sore will absolutely kill your vacation, so be prepared! Throw a tiny bottle of Cold Sores Begone™  in your luggage, just in case. At the first warning symptom (and I mean the first tingle!), dab on a couple of drops. Infection aborted. No cold sore. None. Nada.

Cold Sores Begone is only $11.00 and is available both online and at health food stores like Whole Food Markets and Sprouts, plus fine retailers nationwide.

Feeling pretty organized and ready for anything now? Wait just a minute! One last disaster-proofing item must be stowed in that bag. Because even a well-planned getaway can quickly turn into disaster for anyone who has ever suffered from motion sickness. 

I personally do not like to take drugs if I don’t have to. And the common side effects caused by many nausea medications — blurred vision, dry mouth and drowsiness — are really not how I envision spending my dream vacation. But now, there are Psi Bands to the rescue! A Psi Band is basically an acupressure wrist band that relieves nausea or motion sickness, naturally with no side effects.

Psi Bands come in five different fun designs, are adjustable at two areas (around the wrist like a watch and at the acupressure point for personalized comfort) and are waterproof. Best of all, Psi bands are FDA-cleared, reusable, and affordable. 

Psi Bands come two per set and sell for $14.99-$19.99.  They are available nationwide at Rite Aid, plus numerous regional chains, and of course online .

Now, get out that suitcase and start packing!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!

I have a confession… I am seriously addicted to jewelry. Sparkly and shiny, rustic and ethnic, precious and costume – I love it all! Much to my husband’s dismay, my hoard frequently overflows the jewelry chest and ends up all over the bedroom as I search for just the right accent for an outfit. Each piece is unique, I explain to him (yet again). How can I possibly cull my collection?

My little obsession isn’t usually a real issue (and hubby truly is a patient man). But it can be problematic when I am ready to pack for vacation. How to choose just the perfect pieces? Jewelry can make or break an outfit I rationalize. And even with limited baggage space, I usually end up over-packing.

Lucky for me, just this week I discovered the perfect necklace for vacation. It’s ccalled Caracas and is a funky combination of vibrant glass beads, a delicate chain, and some retro pewter thrown in! I loved the burst of bright colors – this necklace would work with everything in my summer closet. With a 20” silver chain and lobster clasp, it’s also adjustable to a variety of lengths. This lovely piece is from Stella Designs of Montreal. $50

I found the Caracas necklace at Flying Daisies, which is the neatest online store — ever! Founder Michelle Kranz has a wonderful eye for unique products – from gorgeous jewelry, to fun bags, to treasures from around the world. Every piece sold by the folks at Flying Daisies was chosen specifically to inspire others to explore their own free-spirited path. Truly my kind of place!

My other ultimate vacation find is this set of stunning bangles from Taqwa Iman.  Envision a fabulous swimsuit, broad brimmed straw hat and an armful of these lovely bracelets… perfect! Later in the day, swap out the swimsuit for a sundress and slides, plus bangles and voila! you’re ready for a day of sightseeing. For evening, pair a simple strapless dress, sexy heels and an armful of these lovely bangles and you’re ready for a night on the town.

The bangles are made out of Rhodium and are imported. Each set contains six bangle bracelets, and at only $9.50, I would buy two set and really make a statement. Plus, Taqwa Iman is currently offering free shipping on all orders over $75. If you are ordering from the USA, enter coupon code USFREESHIP. If ordering from Canada, enter coupon code UKCAFREESHIP.

Now, if I can just find a little more room in that jewelry chest of mine … just don’t tell my husband!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM Susan also writes for It’s how you play the game! , Success Won’t Wait! and Susan Said What?!