But it’s a dry heat!

By Karen R. Smith

If your family is like mine, summer is only half over, yet their bathing suits and sandals are absolutely trashed. And truthfully, my own bathing suits are calling it quits too. Between the summer sun, high temperatures and pool chemicals, clothing just doesn’t last very long. With another month to go, there are plenty of bargains to take advantage of that will get you and yours through the season looking good if you know where to look!

Ladies first

It seems to me that my bathing suits used to last for the season, but they don’t anymore. That might be a change in the chemistry of the average swimming pool, which is the primary source of relief here in Southern Arizona. Or the combination of those chemicals and the strength of our summer sun, which has been setting records for weeks now.

Whatever the reason, my suits have lost their elasticity, and are starting to look threadbare as those elastic fibers fizzle out. If that’s where you’re at too, don’t worry. Head to Amazon, and in the search windown, type “Cupshe swimsuit”.

You’ll instantly get a list of dozens of bathing suits produced by this nimble manufacturer -- many in the exact styles and patterns that top designers introduced earlier this season. These are knockoffs, pure and simple, and all are under $30.

Take a look at the striped halter one piece with cutout, which, by the way, is Amazon’s top seller this season. Bold mixed patterns, high waisted bottom, sexy midriff cutout -- it’s got it all!

What do your man’s feet look like?

If you’d rather not answer that question in public, while you’re scrolling through Amazon’s ladies bathing suits, take a moment to get an amazing pair of summer shoes for your husband that will make him look terrific.

Search for “mens poseidon shoes” and prepare to be amazed. These mesh oxfords for men come in a dozen great colors. They have slip-resistant rubber soles and open, breathable leather woven upper. The colors are terrific; my older son went with yellow, which are the coolest color ever; my husband started with a grey pair, and has added navy and black ones too because “they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn.” And my daughter-in-law bought a pair in forest green and beige, which look fabulous with all her business suits.

In short, these are the perfect summer shoes, and right now, you can get them for all your men and gals to finish out the season in style. And all under $30.

Moving Sale

The wonderful folks at Cinderella’s Sea have outgrown their space at Monterey Court and are moving to a larger new location at Casa Blanca Plaza. Help them by shopping out their Monterey Court space and you’ll get up to 75% off a wonderful selection of ladies clothing and accessories. (including Joseph Ribkoff, Frank Lyman, Cartise, Samuel Dong and many more. They will vacate the shop on August 12, so you have less than two weeks to get over there and stock up!

Off season discounts

The good folks at Persnickety, a gem of a shop, are having their summer sale, and discounts abound throughout the shop. All clothes and shoes were 20% off when I visited this week, and there was a dense rack of 75% off clothing too. Right near the cash register was a giant basket of shoes for 50-75% off (needless to say, several came home with me)!

If you haven’t already shopped here, it’s one of Tucson’s best resale and consignment shops, with a remarkable selection of cowboy boots that you won’t find anywhere else. The selection varies constantly, which means smart shoppers make Persnickety a regular pit stop.

Put on your dancin’ shoes!

All dressed up and ready to go? Head to KXCI’s 7th Annual House Rockin Blues Review at El Casino Ballroom this Friday, August 3rd. Adrianna Marie and her Groovecutters with LA Jones will be here from California, and it’s dance-all-night music from this swinging blues band. To open the show, Arizona Blues Hall of Fame all-stars Anna Warr and Hurricane Carla will get you on the dancefloor, backed by the award-winning Bad News Blues Band.

New clothes, new shoes, and great music being played on one of the smoothest dance floors in the south west this Friday night --- get out there and boogey!

About the Author:
Karen R. Smith is an award-winning journalist and publicist. Her book, "Stylishly Sexy" is available online and she takes private style clients throughout Arizona and across the country. Visit her at www.stylesmithtransformations.com