What’s a Smart-Cut Camisole?

The latter half of summer can be tricky in terms of balancing the desire to keep cool and look great. I have a few favorite items that do a fantabulous job of both. While they’re from our Fall collection, they are nevertheless light weight and somewhat sheer. (Come on now, stay open-minded!)

Introducing a few great tunics in our recent video, Ulla VP for Merchandising, Diane Cantor reassured us that she was hearing our concern for fabrics that are too sheer versus fabrics that are opaque and often bulky.

Today I want to focus on a certain type of Ulla tunic that is so appropriate to be worn in late summer and well into the Fall. The two tunics pictured here are very light weight but they come with a “magic bullet.” Each of them comes with their own tonally matched slinky opaque camisole – brilliant!

So what’s so great about that? The barely-there camisole is smart-cut; it creates a flattering outline, hardly visible under the tunic but yet enough to provide excellent coverage and enough to manufacture a very flattering silhouette. I'd love to hear some reviews of our Embellished Animal Tunic Set, #14427 and our Dip Dye Embroidered Tunic Set, #14426.

Diane, I love you!

Babe Hope

Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger

Be your personal best.

New Fabric Born at Ulla!

What if I told you there was a fabric that was so flattering and comfortable that it would make you look sleek in a snap? There is such a fabric! For the time being, we are calling it viscose spandex (because that’s what it is) but that name doesn’t begin to extol its virtues!

I’m talking about a fabric that is being launched in our Fall collection. I love it for several reasons:

• It skims over and conceals what’s puffy
• It has a flat, matte, elegant surface quality
• It has enough weight to support the line of the garment
• It’s soft, stretchy and not bulky

Some of the items in our catalog and web site may look like traditional styles, but when cut in this fantabulous fabric…beautiful things happen.

Personally, I’ve started my own viscose spandex collection. I’ve begun with three outfit-makers:

• Two-in-One Knit Dress, #14230 (Aubergine)
• Surplice Viscose Spandex Knit Dress, #14229 (Teal)
• Open Front Viscose Spandex Pintuck Jacket, #14545 and Matching Viscose Spandex Knit Tank, #14571 (Raspberry)

The reviews are coming in and they're wonderful! We'd love to hear your opinion of this magic fabric!

Babe

Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger

Be your personal best!

Affirming Your Personal Best

Shoot for the moon! Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. Hold a good thought and become what you aspire to be.

Just for today,

I will expect the best of everything;

I will not revisit yesterday nor contemplate tomorrow;

I will celebrate this day and rejoice in all that is good in my life;

I will walk with my head up, calmly, confidently and soak up all that surrounds me;

I will acknowledge and be grateful for my importance in the world and be my personal best because it celebrates God’s love and plan for me.

I’ve adapted this affirmation from “Just for Today.” (Narcotics Anonymous Works Web site, NA World Services, Inc.)

Many people and organizations use affirmations to uplift and instill self-belief. I do too. I often copy inspirational messages on an index card, slip it into my handbag, and read from time to time through the day. Personally, I’ve found “talking the talk” has helped me “walk the walk.”

Please share affirmations and other microcosms of self-esteem. You might have the words that another reader needs.

Babe

Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger

Be your personal best.

Wearing Fire Works

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the US commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This special day is celebrated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches and ceremonies. Hmmnn…What to wear, what to wear?!?

I love clothing that sets the mood and conveys a message. I love clothing and symbols that make me feel like an integral part of something important, something that came before me and will endure long after me. Often, when I meet folks for the first time, they are able to read my enthusiasm in a nano-second. Life is too short to choose basic black when there’s fire works in your heart.

If you feel so connected, open up your closet and reach for red, white and blue. Pair a great top with jeans, a skort, or white slacks and party on!

What will you wear to a great party?

Babe

Ulla Popken Stylist & Blogger

Be your personal best.