Update and May: Melanoma Awareness Month

Before everyone heads out to the beach to enjoy the sun this Memorial Day Weekend, I'd like to remind you to slather on the SPF! After my last post, I sincerely thank all of my readers for their kind messages over the past few months. So many shared the post, and I was amazed by the overwhelming number of readers - over 2,000 in the first 48 hours. Thank you for spreading the word and raising awareness about skin cancer. 

I have received numerous emails from friends and strangers - I'm so glad that my Melanoma Post encouraged so many to get checked. In fact, two family friends scheduled appointments and had cancers removed. Sharing my very personal story was well worth it! I was also amazed at how many of you reached out to me to share your own stories - skin cancer and Melanoma is truly an epidemic. Thank you for the overwhelming support. I'm so sorry for those who haven't been as fortunate, who are battling skin cancer. I admire you, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Besides posing for this picture in Bermuda, I spent every minute completely covered and under an umbrella. I still keep my hat on even in the shade, and I have SPF 50 all over! I am sporting a Mott50 maxi skirt and a Lands End Rash Guard

My leg has been healing nicely, and I am so lucky that my team of doctors got all of the cancer. I will always go to the dermatologist every three months to get a full check and am drastically changing my lifestyle to stay out of the sun and protect my skin.

I spent a few weeks in Bermuda this month and found it a challenge to stay out of the sun. I managed and wore sunscreen every day! While I was there, I ate dinner next to a family enjoying vacation on the island. They were all burned to a crisp, and their two fair, red-headed daughters (both under the age of 15) were painfully scorched. It made me cringe! Hopefully they will never see the cancerous effects of the sun, but unfortunately, many of us see vacation as an opportunity to overexpose ourselves to the sun. Now that we know the consequences of that mindset, we all have to protect ourselves and our children.

It's Melanoma Awareness Month, and you should know about some great UPF clothing and sunscreens that I've found.

CLOTHING: Mott50, Lands End, Coolibar (also has great options for men - if my picky fiancé approves, your guy will too! He wears these long-sleeved tees) Cabana Life
*All of these brands are UPF 50
10% Off Mott50 when you sign up for their email list - they do not bug you with constant emails, I promise!

When I started wearing UV Rash Guards last Summer, I was expecting them to be uncomfortable and hot. I was amazed that they actually cool you down by protecting you from the rays. Mott50 clothing truly feels like cotton - it's made from bamboo and really breathes. Their product line is perfect for the beach, but it's really more of a lifestyle line. I wear their clothing on days when I know I'll be walking around outside or sitting under an umbrella for lunch. You would never know that the Mott50 shirts weren't just regular cotton shirts. Also, Mott50 'Jenna' and 'Ginger' tops have a 'thumb hole' for the option of hand coverage - I love that!

Lands End rash guards come in great patterns and colors - they have a silkier feel than Mott50. Very comfortable and breathable as well. I don't own any of the Cabana Life products, but their patterns and color options are great, and their rash guards have a 'tunic' look.

*TAKE NOTE - just because it's a 'rash guard' doesn't necessarily mean it has any sun protection. Read the fine print and be sure that it says UPF or SPF (it should really be at least 50, but something is better than nothing). I have really liked many of the rash guards on Athleta, but I've realized that only some of them have protection. You're wasting your time and money buying a rash guard without UV Protection. Also, I've noticed that some rash guards have 3/4 sleeves - obviously, some protection is better than none, but take it from me - I had my first melanoma on my forearm. It is exactly where my arm would have been exposed in a 3/4 sleeve. 

 

 SUNSCREEN: Peter Thomas Roth, Coola Suncare, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer

I've been alternating between two daily SPF moisturizers - I wear Peter Thomas Roth Sheer Coverage SPF 30 which is made in NYC. You can buy it directly or through Sephora. I love the lightweight matte finish of SPF 30 Coola Suncare Matte Tint - it's organic and even has a slight tint. You can also find it on Soap.com. On days when I'm going to the beach for a bit (under an umbrella!), or even walking to the gym, I will wear Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 55 on my face and body. Remember to cover your hands with sunscreen too! Try to buy make-up with SPF in it that will give you added protection throughout the day.

HAT and SUNGLASSES: not only is a hat a great accessory, but it's also smart! A wide brim is best, but just try to cover your ears - a baseball cap doesn't do that. You must also protect your eyes from the sun's rays - if you're not wearing polarized sunglasses, you're not protecting your eyes. Kids and Adults should wear polarized sunglasses - I love my Maui Jims - they guarantee the lenses if they scratch.

Thanks again for the well wishes and support over the past few months. Hopefully, I've knocked some sense into you by now and you'll protect yourself in the sun. I hope you find some of my recommendations helpful. I would love to hear some of your suggestions - please comment below. Enjoy the long weekend, and sit back with a cocktail - just be sure it's under an umbrella, please!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from Tipsy Skipper!

We got a little carried away this year with these eggs.... We're so excited about our new prints - they just look great on any surface!
We apologize for the lack of recent posts. Tipsy Skipper HQ has been busy with new print designs and custom products! We'll be posting regularly again soon!

In the meantime, please check out our new additions to the Captain Morgan Clutches. New prints will soon be available in our Tipsy Toes and Tipsy Totes as well!

Cheers to a Happy Easter!

Styling for the Holidays

For a Daytime Event or Casual Gathering

J.Crew Dress . Tipsy Skipper Earrings . Port Tack Clutch . J. Crew Pearl Necklace . Skipper Skimmers (Flats)

Mix prints using your accessories. The flats and clutch are worn far enough apart that you can mix prints without looking overdone. Use the color palette of navy blue to tie the accessories together.

For a Cocktail Party

J.Crew Dress . Jojo Pearl Party Bling Earrings . Port Tack Clutch . J. Crew Pearl Necklace and Cocktail Ring . Nine West Flats

Styling for a Formal Affair

 Devon Baer Ruffle Collar Silk Dress . Nine West Flats . Tipsy Skipper 'Riptide' Clutch

 Tipsy Skipper 'Riptide' Clutch . Jojo Agate Necklace and Clear Party Bling . Jojo Cocktail Ring

What are your styling tips for dressing for the holidays this season? We're excited about Red and Jewel Green. What's your color of the moment?

The Evolution of a Custom Print

Did you know that Tipsy Skipper creates custom designs and products in addition to the original line of accessories? We've done custom designs for clubs, organizations, sororities, and weddings!

The Ocean House in Watch Hill, RI is a magnificent coastal resort, for which we recently designed a custom line of products. The key to custom orders is to make sure that the print design and pattern is unique and special. For the OH, it was important that the design had the same fresh, fun and seaside feel that the resort does.

First, gather images...

Second, I created a gouache painting of the Ocean House. I then scanned the painting and 'cleaned up' the image on the computer.

 I then created an image of the iconic tower, from a different perspective, and used it as a 'mark' or 'icon' to then use in a pattern repeat.

The prints were used for a whole line of custom Tipsy Skipper products - flip flops, ties, clutches, tote bags - in various prints and colorways.

Tipsy Skipper Custom Collection for the Ocean House.

Tipsy Skipper custom Ocean House Tie. Jonathan, the OH Sommelier, models his.

 

 

The Beach Plum on Fishers Island, NY placed a Tipsy Skipper custom order as well. In fact, we just re-ordered this design for the second year.  Fishers is a small island off the easternmost part of Long Island, NY. It's actually very close to the coast of RI and CT.

First, gather Photos...

Then I sketched and played around with color, scale, positioning, etc.

And finally, the finished print design! Fun and whimsical - just like summer spent on Fishers!

The finished clutch turned out beautifully! They are available at the Beach Plum and on the website.

It's fun working on all prints, but it's especially fun working on custom orders. Customers love to buy items that are unique to a place that they love, or where they spend time. Also, it's so fun working on bridal or sorority orders - I love to see the photos with women enjoying the product!

Custom SILK clutches to match the charcoal bridesmaid dresses.

Interested in placing a custom Tipsy Skipper order? Contact kearsley@tipsyskipper.com for further information. Let's start designing! Made in USA.

White Jeans after Labor Day...

Don't put away those white jeans just yet! Accessorize them for Fall with a seasonal palette of orange, red, and navy. Add a brown belt for a Fall look and a pair of Skipper Skimmers with brown leather trim to match.

Just because it's October doesn't mean you can no longer wear color. Have fun with your wardrobe, and accessorize with Tipsy Skipper!

Tipsy Skipper earrings in ivory and navy

Captain Morgan Clutch

 in Sea Crest and That's a Croc

email info@tipsyskipper.com for monogram information

Tipsy Skipper Skipper Skimmers

in Sea Crest and That's a Croc

Elizabeth McKay Blouse

Send us your Fall wardrobe ideas. How do you take your white jeans from Summer to Fall?

Tipsy Skipper and Sail to Sable

Tipsy Skipper and Sail to Sable are hosting a giveaway! Two American brands are collaborating to give a tunic and coordinating clutch to one lucky winner.

Jennifer launched Sail to Sable this Summer, and draws a nautical inspiration from growing up on the coast and uses bright colors in her designs. Read all about her here. The line includes placemats, napkins, tunics, and pillows.

Tipsy Skipper and Sail to Sable - the perfect coordinating combo this Summer! Accessorize your Sail to Sable tunic with Tipsy Skipper accessories.
 Enter to win today! Contest runs through midnight July 31.

New York Times Feature...kinda

I'm excited to announce that Tipsy Skipper reached its two-year anniversary this month! It was back in 2010 when I founded the Tipsy Skipper brand and started designing and manufacturing products in the USA. The brand was originally created as a Senior Degree Project at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

 I majored in Graphic Design, but I ended up in the fashion end of graphic design. I was fortunate to have design internships with the amazing people at Vineyard Vines and Lilly Pulitzer. I created textile designs for Vineyard Vines, creating prints for ties, totes and their custom line. I later worked in the Print Design Department of Lilly, where I designed the Delta Zeta sorority print for the first sorority line of products.

Even earlier, I won a design contest hosted by CK Bradley to design a belt motif. This was the first time one of my designs was translated to an item of clothing. It's a great feeling to have your drawing transform from paper to a belt being sold in stores and being worn by strangers!

Yesterday, the New York Times featured an article 'Pledge Prep' - highlighting a company, Rushbiddies, which 'coaches' girls on how to rush a sorority. I turned to page 2, and there was my Delta Zeta Design for Lilly! I was so excited to have one of my designs featured in the NYTimes!

Granted, I'd rather a Tipsy Skipper print be featured in the New York Times, but there's time for that! Tipsy Skipper has made waves in the Greek world, designing custom prints and products for various sororities. Check out these Bid Day bags for Alpha Delta Pi at University of Florida

Plus, designing custom wedding products for ladies post-sorority life has been a blast! 

So, next stop: Tipsy Skipper in the New York Times!

Summer is sailing by!

Summer is sailing by! Be sure to catch your Tipsy Skipper accessories while you still have the chance. Cheers to Summer!

Polish your Look

'That's a Croc' in aqua  - paired with OPI colors

 So obviously, here at Tipsy Skipper HQ, we're all about coordinating accessories, but how about coordinating your polish color to create your look.

An orange-red polish to match the colorway in this Captain Morgan Clutch

Our 'Petal to the Metal' print has so many colors, you could go in so many directions.

'Petal to the Metal' paired with OPI 'Gargantuan Green Grape' 'The IT Color' and 'Go on Green'

'Petal to the Metal' paired with OPI 'Kiss Me on My Tulips' and 'Blue My Mind'

'Fiji Fizz' is the perfect print with cool blues and torquoise. If you like to make a statement pick up the dark navy in the print, or go with a subtle and soft pearl. 

'Fiji Fizz' paired with Essie 'Midnight Cami' and 'Oui Madame'

 Craving pink and green? Go with 'Shellacked' and a candy pink or pastel green. 

'Shellacked' paired with OPI 'Shorts Story' and 'Gargantuan Green Grape'

 Coming up with names for Tipsy Skipper prints is one of the best parts of finalizing a design, but seriously, where do the creative employees at Essie and OPI find inspiration for their colors?! Maybe they get a little 'Tipsy' at times! What a fun job!

'Looped' with Marigold ribbon paired with OPI's 'The IT Color' and Essie's 'Torquoise and Caicos'

'That's a Croc' in pink and green paired with OPI 'Go on Green' and 'You're a Pisa Work'

  'Starboard Tack' is another print which allows for many color options.

'Starboard Tack' with pink ribbon paired with OPI 'Gargantuan Green Grape' 'Yoga-to Get this Blue' and 'Shorts Story'

What are you favorite color combinations? Do you find yourself changing your polish color constantly this time of year? Or maybe you only coordinate for special events...Cheers to color!

Mix and Match this Season!

We're loving the trend of mixing and matching prints and patterns this season! Grandma's rules are OUT - wearing white before Memorial Day is now acceptable, and you won't get kicked out of the country club for mixing prints and patterns. Phew!

Celebrities have been leading this 'Mix and Match' trend, but you can certainly go overboard.....

Mixing Stripes and Print is easy to do...

Mix navy stripes with 'Pinch Me'

Or try mixing white jeans with Skipper Skimmers and a striped top. If you're hesitant about mixing prints, then coordinate using a similar color and go with that as your color palette.

Our 'That's a Croc' in aqua print or try 'Looped'

What are your thoughts on mixing prints? We're mixing prints and stripes all the time at Tipsy Skipper HQ
Also, we're getting so much inspiration fromQ our Pinterest friends - have you followed Tipsy Skipper on Pinterest yet?