As we transition our clothes from summer to fall, this is a reminder to also focus on your hair and skin. The summer months can be tough on both as the sun can bleach hair making it dry and brassy, and those pesky brown sun spots are so annoying! By the end of the summer there are enough spots on my face for a game of "connect the dots"!  So as fall approaches, let's give our hair and skin a little extra TLC. I thought I'd ask the the experts at Salon Metta and Suite 103 Spa for their advice.

Salon Metta (North Andover, MA)

I've been with my stylist Helen for over 13 years and adore her. But then again, everyone at this amazing salon is super talented and wonderful! During my last hair appointment, I asked Helen to share some tips for bringing hair back to life after the hot summer. 

• The sun can cause hair to go lighter and/or brassy so try adding a bit more depth at the root to avoid it turning too light, red, or gold. Going with an ashy tone can also be helpful for getting rid of brassiness. 
• A tinted shampoo with a purple or blue base can get the brassiness out! My favorites are Oribe Bright Blonde, Matrix Brass Off, and Pureology Strength Cure Blonde. 
• Use a clarifier to remove mineral build up. I love Oribe The Cleanse as it clarifies and is color safe. 
• Get regular glazes to add hydration and shine to your hair.
• Consider going a little darker for fall, or add in some low-lights for dimension. 

Ready to try a new salon? Mention FASHIONISTA when booking at Salon Metta and get $25 off your first service with any stylist! First time clients only and products excluded. Book here. 

Suite 103 Spa

I've also been visiting Suite 103 for over 10 years (hard to believe!) and I'm thrilled that this amazing spa just expanded to a larger space! They now offer just about everything from spa treatments, IV drips, color analysis, make-up, and much more. And boy do I have a discount for you! Mention FASHIONISTA and get 50% off a service (injectables included!) excluding packages, specials and products. This offer is for new clients, or for those who have not been to the spa in the last 12 months.

I asked the dream team Julie and Cheryl about fall skincare and make-up tips.

Julie

As we move into the cooler weather, it's time to get rid of brown sun spots and hydrate the skin! Some of my favorite treatments are:

• Hydrafacial -this super hydrating treatment will make your skin glow and look refreshed!
• PRX Peel --this is an amazing treatment that lifts sagging skin, lightens sun and age spots, improves skin texture, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. There is minimal redness and peeling too, so no downtime! 
• Photofacial --this treatment improves the skin's tone and texture and can help with sun damage.
• For products, I suggest using a retinol at night and hyaluronic acid in the morning. Don't forget a good moisturizer and sunscreen too! 

Cheryl

There are lots of beautiful saturated colors in for fall such as burgundy, olive, and gold. The red lip is always in style (big this fall too!) and luminous glowing skin is all the rage (you may have heard of glass skin). We'd love to do your make-up whether it be for a special event or to teach you how to apply it!

Also, Suite 103 is having a big grand re-opening event on September 24th from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. to celebrate their gorgeous new space. There will be prizes, raffles, and more. Plus meet industry experts!

Who's joining me? 

Thanks for stopping by!

xx Susan

We're at that crazy time of the year when it's too warm to put away summer clothes, yet the weather will soon be turning chilly. It's already getting pretty cold at night here in Boston, despite 75 degree days. 

It's not quite time to pull out heavy pieces, but then again, it's not the right time to put away summer either!

So what's a woman to do?

I generally don't make the full summer to fall wardrobe transition until late September, however I am starting to pull out layers such as jackets, sweaters, vests, and cardigans. 

Many summer dresses and skirts can actually be worn all year round with the addition of boots and a jacket or cardigan (excluding gauze and very lightweight fabrics in the winter). I have several summer dresses that look fall-ready paired with booties and a leather or denim jacket. 

Another idea is to add in warmer fall tones so your wardrobe will instantly look more seasonal. Consider shades of olive green and my favorite chocolate brown, which are also very "in" colors for fall. I  love burnt orange, deep shades of green, burgundy, and mustard yellow too! 

Here are a few outfit ideas to give you inspiration for this unpredictable season.

Toxic people.

Do you have some in your life?

I've had my fair share and recently got punched in the stomach (figuratively) by a few people who are very close to me.

After almost a year of therapy, I finally broke free. It wasn't easy, but I needed to disconnect for my own physical and mental health. Enough is enough. 

This blog is a reflection of my own personal journey with the hope that it can help others going through similar situations. Of course always consult a practitioner if you are struggling. 

I won't name names because my goal isn't to hurt anyone, but rather to share what I've learned to help those in damaging relationships.

Whether it be family or friends (and despite years of history together), not all relationships are healthy. And the toxic ones can be draining, stressful and even destructive to our health. After a life-time of getting emotionally beat-up, I finally had an epiphany that it was time to disconnect from these unhealthy relationships for my own self-protection.