Women and Children First announces its second Pop-Up Shop, scheduled for Friday-Sept. 13 at 4910 Kavanaugh Blvd. (formerly Revolution Fitness & Health). Discounted, past-season merchandise will be offered by a host of retailers including Barbara/Jean, Vesta's, Scarlet, Tulips, Proposals, Steamroller Blues and Hanks Fine Furniture. Offered in addition will be "gently worn," professionally cleaned fashions, designer clothing and accessories, men's clothing, new and used furniture and home accessories.
The Pop-Up Shop will kick off with a Preview Party, complete with wine, hors d'oeuvres and a "sty-lent auction" from 5-8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $30. The shop will then be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Bear in mind, this is not your usual thrift-store shopping.
"We will have 'stylists' on hand to help" the clothing shoppers, says co-organizer Tiffany Robinson. During last year's event, she adds, "I ... helped quite a few people find items and put outfits together."
All proceeds from the Pop-Up Shop will benefit Women and Children First, Arkansas' largest shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
THE SKIN-NY
The subject of caring for dry, itchy skin is one that usually shows up in Dressing Room during the cold and gray days of January.
This time, we thought we'd issue a gentle skin-treatment reminder during these waning days of summer so that readers won't be caught unawares, itchy and ashy when the temperatures begin to drop.
"Skin requires a certain amount of water," says Dr. Henry K. Wong, professor and chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The cooler it gets, the less the environment can help the skin. "There is less humidity in the air. [And] forced-air heaters reduce the humidity in the household even more."
Unfortunately, people tend to make several mistakes that exacerbate dry-skin problems in colder weather ... taking long, hot showers, for instance, instead of short, lukewarm ones. (Hot water "removes natural oils," Wong says.)
Another mistake: Using harsh soaps, i.e., soap designed to clean grease off the the hands. These strip off the barriers that help retain moisture in the skin, causing dryness, flakiness, itch and inflammation. It's best to use mild soaps. Yet another mistake "is [to] rub the towel aggressively against the skin" while drying off after showering. This abrades and excessively dries the skin. Pat the skin instead, Wong urges.
He also advises using a moisturizer to help the skin retain water (the best time to put it on is right out of the shower; this helps lock in moisture). Those subject to allergies, inflammation or contact dermatitis should use products that are fragrance-free or reduced-fragrance. A final recommendation for those who will be out catching the football games: Make sure there's some sunscreen in your moisturizer, Wong admonishes.
In a quest to ease my itch-prone skin into fall, I recently tried -- and was impressed with -- products from two bath/body-hair-care lines in particular:
• Camille Rose Naturals (available at Target, Whole Foods, Bed Bath & Beyond and Amazon.com). The line of natural products, founded by a vegan, offers a skin-pampering Whipped Body Butter ($12) in such "flavors" as Patchouli, Ginger Spice, Sun Kissed, Lemon Meringue and Whipped Shea.
• Nubian Heritage (Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, nubianheritage.com), a company founded by former Harlem street vendors. It features products with shea butter from women's co-ops in Ghana. The company recently introduced travel-size lotions and body washes ($2.99 each) in best-seller scents Coconut & Papaya, Indian Hemp & Haitian Vetiver, and Raw Shea Butter. These are good, but my favorite Nubian Heritage products are the oil-rich Bath & Body Scrub ($12.99), which moisturizes as it exfoliates, and the lush Bath, Body & Massage Oil ($10.99).
MORE FRICAINE,
S'IL VOUS PLAIT
Fricaine, the line of luxury handbags designed by Stephen Kayode of Rogers, featuring globally sourced, exotic print fabrics, and first mentioned here on Feb. 22, has expanded. The line now includes wallets and backpacks in several styles each, as well as clutches -- same materials. Prices range from $88-$188. Visit fricaine.com.
TRUNK SHOW
Designer Paula Hian is hosting a trunk show Sept. 20-26 at Lois Gean's, a boutique at 109 South Jackson St. in Magnolia. Hian (paulahian.com) specializes in structured knitwear manufactured in France and featuring intriguingly color-blocked and bold graphic pieces.
The show will go on during regular store hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Call (870) 234-1250.
Dressing Room appears monthly. Send Arkansas fashion-related tips and news releases to:
hwilliams@arkansasonline.com
High Profile on 09/06/2015