It’s an important month at Salt & Prep because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women AND men around the world are diagnosed regardless of age or ethnicity. It affects those loved ones and their families as lives are lost.

Help spread the word on the importance of early detection with an awesome tee by [vlv style] We’ve dedicated a line to breast cancer awareness with a hot pink ribbon using the motto, “viva la vida!” or, “live the life!” We think it’s a super positive message and spreads the message clearly. Finally, a trendy tee you can wear year round to help an amazing cause!

Now that the Komen 3-day in Seattle has happened, vlv style is donating $3 from each sale to the American Cancer Society. Visit the [vlv style website] to purchase a “Pink Ribbon” tee and “LIKE” the [vlv facebook page]!

Viva la vida!

+ Article submitted by our sponsor [VLV Style] owner Ayako Igari
+ Image copyrighted [Michelle Moore] 2011 and used with permission

The good news is that with patience and persistence, skin problems like acne, can be managed! At [Budhi Skincare], our goal is to help restore your confidence in knowing that you’re not alone in your struggles to manage your acne.Everyone gets some form of acne during his or her lifetime.

Keeping your skincare routine simple is the goal. Otherwise you are not going to stick to it. You brush your teeth twice a day so why not your face! You don’t need very many skin care products, just a simple cleanser and topical acne medication depending on your skins needs. Acne medications can be drying so use a moisturizer loaded with antioxidants and oil control to help manage combination skin. Remember, your skin is the largest organ of your body, what you put on it goes into it. Use products that are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, dyes and essential oils. Essential oils from plants smell great but they can irritate skin, especially if you are allergic to plants and grasses. Managing acne takes patience, a new skin care routines can take 4-8 weeks before you see a difference. There is no magic acne product that will get rid of your acne overnight.For more information on acne and skin care go to our skin care education piece on our [website].

Budhi’s Top Tips for Managing Skin and Acne:
1. Dead skin cells, dirt, sweat and makeup can clog pores, which allows acne bacteria to grow and can contribute to the creation of big, red, inflamed zits!! So get in the habit of washing your face both morning and night, just like you brush your teeth. And don’t forget, washing your face in the shower counts too!
2. Always choose a cleanser that is free of fragrance, essential oils and dyes, as products containing these ingredients can irritate your already sensitive skin. Also, cleansers containing glycolic and salicylic acids can dry out your skin when used with acne medications. Too much of a good thing!
3. Use a clean washcloth for gentle skin exfoliation every time you wash your face. Regular exfoliation will aid in skin cell turn over and help keep your pores clean and clear. Clogged pores can contribute to causing zits and will prevent topical acne medications from reaching the pore lining to be effective. As for grainy facial scrubs, don’t use them! Scrubs can damage the surface of your skin and may cause inflammation and irritation. This is the last thing you need when you have skin that is already irritated!
4. After cleansing, apply a thin layer of the acne medication Salicylic Acid to help prevent clogged pores and reduce skin inflammation. Salicylic Acid is a multifunctional ingredient that will aid in gently exfoliating the skins surface as well as the pore lining preventing clogged pores. Salicylic Acid helps prevent and reduce blackheads, whiteheads and blemishes.
5. Benzoyl peroxide can be used if you have a red inflamed zit. A zit is a bacterial infection caused by a naturally occurring bacterium called Propionibacterium or P acnes bacteria.Benzoyl peroxide helps kill bacteria, dry up acne blemishes and prevent new ones from forming. Apply a thin film on zit and surrounding area.

Budhi skincare is available in store at either of [Swink Style Bar's] Seattle locations (Downtown and University Village).

WANT TO WIN a lovely treat from Budhi? Just do the following two things to enter our GIVEAWAY for a Budhi “Starter Kit” which includes 1 % Salicylic Acne Pore Treatment & 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Medication. I, as a 20-something year-old uses their products to help with zits, so this giveaway is for ANYONE OF ALL AGES!

1. Leave a comment on this post below with your favorite thing about the fall season! Please be sure to leave your name & email in the contact form so we can connect with the winner! (example, Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte, Sweaters, Rain, etc.)
2. “Like” Budhi’s [facebook page]

The contest closes on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30th and we’ll draw a winner at random and announce it on MONDAY OCTOBER 3rd on the salt&prep [Facebook Page].

THANK YOU!

Words from Michelle: I am very excited to share this editorial with our readers. As a high school senior portrait photographer, part of my philosophy is to bring awareness to healthy body image to my clients and the teen generation as a whole. I want to send home a strong message that EVERYONE is beautiful inside and out, and is what I strive to give all my clients. Also being a fashion photographer I strongly believe it is my duty to bring my message across in my fashion work. I wanted to work with “real teens” – hand picked from my client base to show off what REAL girls look like modeling clothes. Rebecca and Danielle are amazing girls, both excel at sports, and are extremely smart and driven. This is my second editorial featuring real teens, and it was truly a joy to work with them. I hope you feel like you can relate to them!! XOXO

STAY TUNED THIS WEEK because we have a fabulous article and giveaway from the owners of [Budhi Skincare] coming to salt&prep in a few days!!

+ Outfit One
On Rebecca, Sweater, Theory $415; Blouse, Theory $235; Dress, Alice & Olivia $297; Belt, Prada $300 (all available at [Neiman Marcus]); Socks, [H&M]; Shoes, [REPORT] (price available upon request); Earrings, Stylist own; Ring, [Tiffany & Co.]
On Danielle, Jacket, Rachel Zoe $525; Shirt, Theory $105 (both available at [Neiman Marcus]); Skirt, [GAP] $79.50; Tights, [H&M] $9.95; Shoes, [REPORT] (price available upon request); Belt, BP at [Nordstrom]; Necklace, Stylist own

+ Outfit Two
On Rebecca, Belt, [GAP]; Bracelet, Disney Couture at [Macy's]; Leather Shirt, Theory $575; Pants, Vince $230 (both available at [Neiman Marcus]); Collared Shirt, [H&M] $14.95; Socks [H&M]; Shoes, [REPORT] (price available upon request); Handbag, [Marc by Marc Jacobs] $188
On Danielle, Fashion Glasses, [Forever 21]; Bracelets, Jewel Mint $30 & [Tiffany & Co.]; Cardigan [H&M] $29.95; Sweater Blouse, 3.1 Phillip Lim $375; Skirt, Alice & Olivia $264 (both available at [Neiman Marcus]); Boots, [REPORT] (price available upon request); Earrings, [Forever 21]

+ Outfit Three
On Rebecca, Skirt, Alice & Olivia $396; Shirt, Theory $235 (both available at [Neiman Marcus]); Sweater, [H&M] $39.90; Socks, [Forever 21]; Shoes, [REPORT] (price available upon request)
On Danielle, Sweater, [H&M] $24.95; Shirt, Disney Couture $98; Skirt, DVF $298 (both available at [Neiman Marcus]); Socks, [H&M]; Boots, [REPORT] (price available upon request)

+ Outfit Four
On Danielle, Pants, 7 for all Mankind $225 [Neiman Marcus]; Shirt $29.95, Jacket $39.95, Socks all from [H&M]; Shoes, [REPORT] (price available upon request); Scarf, [Urban Outfitters]; Handbag, [Marc by Marc Jacobs]
On Rebecca, Sweater, Theory $425; Pants, J Brand $172 (both available at [Neiman Marcus]); Shoes, [REPORT] (price available upon request); Socks, [H&M]; Ring, Jewel Mint; Bag, Mossimo for [Target]

Credits
+ Shot exclusively for salt&prep by Seattle Fashion & Senior Portrait Photographer, [Michelle Moore]
+ Photographed on location around Seattle
+ Makeup & Hair, [Jenny Bowker]
+ Styling, [Stacy Zimmerman]
+ Modeled by “Real Teens” Rebecca R. & Danielle I.
+ Thank you to [Neiman Marcus]
+ All shoes provided by [REPORT]

+ Michelle’s High School Senior Portrait website can be viewed [HERE]. Michelle is available for Senior Portraits in the Seattle & Portland areas.

Simple & Classic French Manicure
Clean and well-shaped nails never go out of style. Add a french tip for elegance.
+ Image via [Prepaganda]

+ Image via [Gary Pepper Vintage]

Clean, Modern & Opaque Manicure in a Pretty Pastel
A fresh coat of your favorite color goes a long way…
+ Image via [Peppermint Musk]
+ Image via [Gary Pepper Vintage]

“Odd One Out”
Add a new twist on the classic with a single nail in glitter, or accent color(s)!
+ Image via [Cupcakes and Cashmere]

+ Image via [becauseimaddicted]

WRITERS – Want to write for salt&prep? We are looking for TEENS, BLOGGERS & COLLEGE STUDENTS who are interested in Fashion & Writing to submit articles to us. Please [Email us] with your article idea. We’d love to chat about featuring you, your ideas, and any links to projects you are working on! XOXO
See more of our nail inspiration on [Pinterest]. Article written by [Michelle Moore]

Dallas senior Allie loves fashion, shopping, singing, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends. She is an extremely motivated and hard-working senior that will be attending Texas Women’s University in the fall to major in nursing. With her sweet and caring personality she will make the perfect nurse!

Outfit One Cowboy boots paired with a dress – my favorite!! This is an instant classic whether you have a pair of vintage boots in your mom’s closet, or want to show off your favorite new boots you just snagged for fall. Multi-Colored Dress, [Dillards] + Boots, [Sheplers]

Outfit Two Now pair your favorite cowboy boots with skinny white jeans, and a bright colored tank in your favorite color. Throw a denim jacket over if the weather is cooler, and you’ll have the perfect layer to add more variety to your portraits! Orange tank, [Macys] + Denim Jacket, [Ann Taylor Loft] + White Jeans, [American Eagle] + Butterfly Ring, Boutique at a local mall + Orange necklace, EarthBound + Orange floral bracelet, [Francesca’s Collections]

Outfit Three Wedges are cute and always perfect paired with a pair of boot-cut jeans and your favorite top. Plus they look really good as a prop if you want to go wandering barefoot through a grassy field. Floral Shirt, [Dilliards] + Jeans, [Buckle] + Floppy Sun Hat, [Charming Charlie] + Wedges, [Payless] + Necklace, [Juicy Couture]

+ All images (c) [Erica May Photography], and used with permission.

PHOTOGRAPHERS – to submit your favorite stylish senior session, please [Email us] with 5-10 images sized at 900 pixels wide. Vertical images should be doubled up side-by-side. Feel free to include your logo or watermark. Also please provide a brief description of the shoot and as many details about where the clothes are from as possible! xoxo

For the first outfit, we wanted to showcase a little more of an upscale look, so Megan chose a sheer, peach [Audrey] top and paired it with a black and white striped mini skirt [San Souci] to make it more youthful and fun. For a little additional “pop”, a turquoise necklace from [Francesca's] was featured to bring out Ginny’s gorgeous blue eyes, and then a more unexpected color–tan–was used as the color of choice for the skinny belt and high heeled sandals by [Paper Doll]. We love pairing non-traditional things together (mixing blacks and browns, mixing patterns, and pairing upscale items with funky or casual pieces). It makes the images so much more interesting! The top, skirt, belt, and heels were all found at one of our favorite local boutiques [American Threads] that is actually selling pieces online now via their [Facebook page] so even if you’re not from Georgia, you can still enjoy get your hands on their adorable clothes!

With the second outfit, Ginny is wearing a navy and white-striped, one-shoulder [Audrey] mini dress (also from American Threads) that has a bit of a nautical inspiration to it. We definitely wanted to feature some of her mom’s uniquely designed custom jewelry, so her mom brought a bracelet that’s made from reclaimed locks….how fantastic is that??!! Luckily for the rest of us, her mom is creating a site to feature her custom pieces, and it will be available soon at [Jasmine Blue Jewelry]. We also took advantage of some of her mom’s personal vintage jewelry pieces, which is seen here in the gold hoops and long gold necklace that Ginny is wearing. So instead of the usual sailor-type jewelry, these custom accessories made the look a little “tougher” and unexpected. Also, the high winds we had that day were whipping Ginny’s hair around, and it, too, added to the fun of this part of her shoot. I loved this outfit!

For the final look, Ginny wore a blue romper [Audrey 3 + 1 from another local boutique, Lavender] and paired it with a gold necklace from [Charming Charlie], as well as orange and black bracelets and green earrings from [Francesca's]. The necklace, bangles, and the print of the romper were all chosen because they have that tribal influence in design that we love so much right now. There are so many ways to make tribal print and design work: it can be relaxed and almost bohemian, it can be edgy, or it can be upscale and fun, as shown here in Ginny’s styling. You can go all out and wear the print as a patterned piece of clothing, or you can choose to use tribal-inspired jewelry as statement pieces to add drama and interest to more modest outfits. Mix it up and have fun with it!

I think it’s worth mentioning that one thing Megan and I feel is so important is shopping and developing relationships with local, independent boutiques. It is important to support your local community of businesses and artists, and the reward–besides creating a great network of professional friendships–is that you are able to feature your senior girls wearing looks that aren’t easily found anywhere else. Seniors love that! No one wants to feel that their images look like everyone else’s, and I know that, as a photographer, I love for my images to look unique among each senior I photograph. Shopping at independent boutiques allows you to pull garments and accessories that are a little more one-of-a-kind in your market since they tend to stock more unusual pieces and they carry them in much more limited quantities. With the exception of a few of the accessories, everything featured in this session–as with almost every session I shoot–was purchased at local, independent boutiques here in the north Atlanta area. Support each other! <3

+ All images (c) [April Turner Photography], and used with permission.
+ Make-up by [Paula Molinari]
+ Wardrobe Styling by [Megan Head]

PHOTOGRAPHERS – to submit your favorite stylish senior session, please [Email us] with 5-10 images sized at 900 pixels wide. Vertical images should be doubled up side-by-side. Feel free to include your logo or watermark. Also please provide a brief description of the shoot and as many details about where the clothes are from as possible! xoxo

Summer is finally here and all the ladies are running to their closet to pull out their shortest shorts. With the weather getting hotter everyday it can be hard to stay fashionable in the glazing summer heat but jean shorts are all you need to stay hip and cool this summer. How do you wear your jean shorts in the summer? Leave a comment below!

+ Casual and Cute
When hanging with friends poolside or a the local shopping center; comfort is key. When you and and your girls are chatting it up about last years embarrassing moments and cute guys, pair jean shorts with a cool tank or graphic tee. This will give off the appearance that you just threw on something and were ready to hit the mall. Simple accessories like a belt and fun friendship bracelets (Check out these SUPER amazing friendship bracelets by [bfrend]. I love the chunky metal paired with a handmade floss bracelet!) with a converse or vans will keep you still looking casual and cute with gal pals.

+ Images via [Forever 21]

+ Dressed Up and Ready
Many may think it’s impossible to dress up jean shorts. When it comes to turning up the heat with your short is all about the type of top you pair them with. To achieve more of a night look try a more dressy floral top with a cardigan or sweater. Button ups with a formfitting blazer can also give of the same effect. When it come to shoes its all about the heel or wedges. They’ll help elongate your legs and make you look more tailored and put together. Oxfords or a great pair or ballet flats also a alternative for those who don’t like their feet to high off the ground. When it comes to accessories you have more room to play. Depending on your own personal style you can try sporting a great statement necklace with a pair of pearl studded earrings.

+ Images via [Forever 21]

Want more? We’re also digging this [Jean Short Guide] by golden&golden.

Want to write for us? We are looking for style posts, DIY, interviews, etc! Please email us at [style@saltprep.com] or check out our submission opportunities [Here].

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