Cotton is not just for weekend anymore – we’re seeing it used in designer wear for summer – but be careful when attempting to clean extra special pieces yourself, even when the label tells you home cleaning is OK. Natural fibers are prone to losing color over time, and special designs and styles require professional cleaning to make that piece last more than a few wears. Also, cotton is more susceptible to damage from harsher home cleaning detergents – even those detergents that claim to be eco-friendly have a higher pH than those used by professional cleaners.
Summer housecleaning tips.
Summertime cleaning will be fast and easy with these tips from Real Simple. Grind vinegar ice cubes to freshen a musky garbage disposal. Use wadded up aluminum foil and a drop of detergent to scour off baked-on food. When pet hair is a problem, grab a ...
3,000 year old pants!
Archeologists have uncovered ancient trousers worn by Chinese horsemen, developed way back then for riding, herding and battling to replace bulky gowns, tunics and togas. The ancient wool riding pants were discovered in a graveyard in China’s Tarim Basin. The prototypical pants feature contrasting fabric on the knees and around the waist – early man seems to have had a good eye for fashion. See a photo and the complete story at Science News.
Fashion first aid.
Fashion first aid kit. Emergencies happen, and quick fixes can save the day (or night). Double stick tape removes lint, fixes falling hemlines. Use a black Sharpie on a scuffed heel. Use a piece of hangar foam to remove deodorant or makeup stains from ...
Closet management 101.
Keep all your clothes and shoes in the same general area, organized by function. Divide messy drawers with custom-fit partitions made of foamcore board. Add some structure, and capacity, by adding a rod at the top of your closet for shorter items like ...
Summer wedding tips for women.
The first rule: keep the spotlight on the bride by avoiding white, cream or pale pastels. Prints with light backgrounds are fine, as long as they don’t read as “white” from a distance. If the ceremony is in a house of worship, cover your shoulders with a sleeved dress or jacket. If the wedding’s outdoors, skip the heels and wear comfortable flats that won’t sink into the lawn. A fancier evening reception demands a cocktail dress or your standby little black dress. Beachside festivities are casual, time for a graphic sundress with a cardigan or short denim jacket for after dark. And don’t forget the sunscreen.
Summer wedding tips for men.
The women have it easy in a simple non-white dress. But in summer, the men’s traditional dark suit can be a little warm, somber and predictable. For a city wedding, choose a light weight suit in gray, blue or a subtle pattern. Style it up with a sky blue, pink, mint green or lavender long-sleeved Oxford or poplin shirt. In the country, blazers and sport coats reign, paired with well-cut chinos. Seaside or resort? A tailored white shirt, colored chinos and a light-colored linen blazer. Keep everything understated
Happy 4th of July!
We quote Erma Bombeck, popular newspaper humorist and author. “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” Today we’re with our families, celebrating our nation’s freedom, liberty and blessings. Happy Birthday America!
Flag etiquette.
Displaying our national symbol is actually mandated by an official Flag Code. For instance, the flag should not be flown in the dark or inclement weather. It should not be used as decoration – that’s a job for bunting, streamers and decorative materials. Always display the blue part on top. When the flag is lowered, it should never touch the ground or any other objects, it should be gathered by waiting hands and arms, respectfully and ceremoniously folded (ask a veteran how). Flags should be mended and cleaned when needed – we clean American flags at no charge as a courtesy year round. Show your pride and fly the flag to celebrate Independence Day.
Polo shirts, a brief history.
This casual classic is seen everywhere, especially in warm weather. Originated by French tennis champion René Lacoste and introduced at the 1926 U.S. Open, the shirt quickly became favored tennis attire. Soon, polo players ditched traditional button-down Oxford-cloth long sleeves for his crocodile-marked shirt. The combination of comfort, breathability, long tuckable tail, and soft collar quickly made the Lacoste popular for golfers. In 1972 Ralph Lauren founded his company on the “Polo” shirt. Today, every major clothing line includes polo shirts, worn by men, women and children for work, play, school and even for tennis. Nothing brings out the style of a polo shirt better than our professional cleaning and pressing. Try it once, we think you’ll like the combination of crisp and casual.
