FASHION RULES TO BREAK

“Step outside of your personal box. Try something new—maybe a different color, pattern or texture than what you normally wear. Let someone pick out something for you that you would never pick for yourself. You may find that you love it!”—Ashley Lowe, Cadence Corner Boutique, El Dorado Hills

“Rules are meant to be broken. If you want to clash patterns, wear white after Labor Day, or pair something black and blue—go for it! At FreeStyle Clothing Exchange, we encourage people to be unique and embrace their personal style, because that’s how trends are started. If you decide to try pattern clashing and it isn’t you, don’t worry: You can always trade past pieces for new, fashionable finds. Don’t play by the book; create your own style!”—FreeStyle Clothing Exchange Team, Folsom

“Your handbag does not have to match your outfit; in fact, a pretty-colored handbag can add a lot to any outfit, especially ones with subdued color(s). Mixing metal tones adds so much to your accessories; layered gold, silver, rose gold and copper look great combined together.”—Rachel Arendt, owner of ReLoveIt Consignments, Folsom

“Ignore the rule that you should start wearing white after Memorial Day and stop wearing it after Labor Day.”—Nancy Darrah, Owner, Belle Mode Boutique

MUST-HAVE ITEMS EVERYONE NEEDS IN THEIR CLOSET

“A really good pair of jeans.”—Ashley Lowe, Cadence Corner Boutique, El Dorado Hills

“Some of our favorite clothing items include a great pair of jeans, a designer bag, a tailored blazer, and the perfect little black dress that you can wear for any occasion.”—FreeStyle Clothing Exchange Team, Folsom

Re-Love It

 “Floral print everything, peplum tops and jackets, and T-strap shoes.”—Rachel Arendt, owner of ReLoveIt Consignments, Folsom

“A black dress, white shirt, black pants and a suit.”—Nancy Darrah, owner, Belle Mode Boutique

FASHION HABITS THAT MAKE YOU LOOK OLD

Cadence Corner Boutique

 “Dark, drab colors in oversized styles. Spice up your wardrobe with some fun, funky colors; try orange and yellow.”—Ashley Lowe, Cadence Corner Boutique, El Dorado Hills

“Dressing too young, too trendy or too sexy. As we grow older, there are styles that we need to either completely forget about or modify to help show a more chic side. Trying too hard to be young, trendy or sexy can make a lovely lady look desperate and old.”—Rachel Arendt, owner of ReLoveIt Consignments, Folsom

“Matching your outfit and accessories.”—Nancy Darrah, owner, Belle Mode Boutique

OUTFIT IDEAS FOR WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR

“Accessories can really make or break any style—whether it’s a fun handbag or a belt. First rule of thumb: Make sure your shoes and belt match. Add some bright and colorful jewelry to an outfit that may seem rather dull or heavily re-worn. Jewelry takes the spotlight, so make it big and bright!”—Ashley Lowe, Cadence Corner Boutique, El Dorado Hills

Mirror Mirror

 “A plain white, V-neck T-shirt and a nice pair of jeans can apply to both men and women. It’s all about how you accessorize it. For men, throw it on and add a belt and a watch (if you choose). For women, add either layered metals with some simple crystal/stone wrapable necklaces or ‘chunk it up’ with a long, leather-corded multiple-pendant necklace (don’t forget to throw on your Birkenstocks). Another fabulous way to rock your white tee and jeans look is to make it fancy by adding some Lorie Smith Jewelry “Swarovski” crystal pieces and heels to dress it up. Please don’t forget a belt with any of these looks.”—Nici Dale Mayer, co-owner at Mirror Mirror Fashion, Cameron Park

“When you feel like you have nothing to wear and are no longer inspired by your closet, it’s time to reinvent your wardrobe. Experiment with different styles and trade your clothes for some fun, new pieces. When you refresh your wardrobe, chances are you’ll be more motivated to dress stylishly and love everything in your closet.”—FreeStyle Clothing Exchange Team, Folsom

“A super soft T-shirt, cuffed skinny jeans and wedges; or, if you’re helping bring back the ’70s, wear a light cotton gauzy blouse, bell-bottoms jeans and leather sandals. A braid in your hair looks great with any style!”—Rachel Arendt, owner of ReLoveIt Consignments, Folsom

FAVORITE WORKOUT ACCESSORIES

 “We love Hydro Flask water bottles! They keep your water cold—even in our hot yoga classes—and they don’t sweat.”—Nick Clark and Katie Osborn, co-owners of Spotted Dog Yoga, Folsom

BEST CLOTHING TO SWEAT IN

“My iPhone so I can listen to music, a quality pair of headphones so I can turn up the music and ‘get in the zone,’ and a good reusable water bottle so I can stay hydrated throughout my workout.”—Chris Maberto, fitness director at El Dorado Hills Sports Club

TIPS TO LOOK STYLISH WHILE WORKING OUT 

 “While you’re not going to a fashion show, there are a few things you can do to look good while working out. Headbands are hot right now and can turn the worst ‘bedhead’ into a fashion statement. Neon colors will brighten up any weight room. Need some motivation? Motivational tanks and tees are all the rage and can give you the inspiration to get through your workout.”—Chris Maberto, fitness director at El Dorado Hills Sports Club

“Try clothing that complements your body but might be outside your comfort zone—a different style or pattern, or even adding a pop of color. You might be surprised to find a new look that makes you feel inspired.”—Suzanne Cardenas, personal trainer and group fitness instructor at California Family Fitness (Folsom and Rancho Cordova locations)

“It may sound simple, but a good water bottle and playlist go a long way. Having a water bottle that you like will help you want to hydrate, which is a critical component to ensuring optimal performance and safety. In addition, having a great playlist is the perfect accessory to stay motivated and work out harder for longer durations. Music can also improve your mood on days when you just don’t feel like working out.”—Suzanne Cardenas, personal trainer and group fitness instructor at California Family Fitness (Folsom and Sunrise locations)

BEST ITEMS FOR AN AT-HOME WORKOUT 

“A few sets of dumbbells, a medicine ball, stability ball, resistance bands, a jump rope and TRX.”—Chris Maberto, fitness director at El Dorado Hills Sports Club

“My favorite pieces of equipment are a mini exercise ball and resistance bands. Both are versatile, can give you a full-body workout and travel easily. If you’re looking to build strength, then I would recommend a kettlebell.”—Suzanne Cardenas, personal trainer and group fitness instructor at California Family Fitness (Folsom and Rancho Cordova locations)

BEST GIFT FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS IT ALL

“For someone who has it all, I think a great gift is time or an experience. For guys, a golf or movie night; for women, you can’t go wrong with a spa treatment. The trick to an ‘experience gift’ is in the way you give it—golf can be given with a box of golf balls or gloves; movie tickets in a bucket with microwave popcorn, candy bars and bottles of water; put spa or workshop gift certificates in a basket with soaps, candles and an inspirational book. In general, books and journals are also great gifts for men or women who have it all.”—Lisa Wolf, owner of Burlap and Bees, Folsom

 “The ergonomic, sprung, active Swopper swivel chair adapts itself to you—not vice versa. Thanks to its worldwide unique flexibility, the Swopper chair provides active sitting in three dimensions: backwards, forwards, sideways and up and down. This dynamic supports and encourages healthy sitting in ever changing positions. Scientific studies confirm that on the Swopper chair you move twice as much as on conventional seats.”—Chip Huckaby, owner of European Sleep Design, Folsom

BEAUTY PRODUCTS & TIPS EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT…

“The entire product line from Rodan + Fields (the dermatologists who created Proactiv) is exclusively for anti-aging and offers four different regimens to address all skin types. Remember to wash your face every night, exfoliate and use sunblock.”—Brooke Knadle, owner of Cherry Blow Dry Bar, Folsom

 “Four skin care products that everyone needs are a cleanser, exfoliant, moisturizer and daily sunscreen. Cleansing twice a day is very important, and selecting a cleanser that fits your skin type is crucial—whether this be a milky creamy cleanser for dry skin or a foaming cleanser for more oily skin. An exfoliant is essential to remove dead skin cells and keep your skin looking fresh and renewed. Exfoliants also help with fine lines and wrinkles and come in many forms, including alpha hydroxyl acids, scrubs and retinols. Next, you need to replenish that healthy fresh skin with a moisturizer. Moisturizing twice a day is key to avoiding skin from becoming dehydrated, which leads to dull and tired looking skin. Oftentimes when our skin is oily we hold back from moisturizing, but sometimes that’s exactly what our skin needs. Lastly, SPF is the most important thing we can apply daily. It helps protect our skin from daily sun exposure and is crucial in preventing future damage. It’s always important to consult with an esthetician to select which of these products is correct for your skin type and/or skin condition.”—Jessica Arens, spa manager at Asante, El Dorado Hills

“A natural exfoliation, or a natural facial, is great for those with acne or rosacea. Clay and water are combined to create a cream. The cream is spread over the area to be treated. Using only the fingertips the clay is moved around using a featherlike touch. As the clay penetrates the skin, dead cells are loosened and roll off the skin. There are no machines, chemicals or peels used in this procedure. The entire treatment takes one hour and 15 minutes, and when the client is done—they leave with baby cells forming.”—Myriam Liberman, owner of The Tiger’s Eye Skin Care, Granite Bay

“My favorite beauty tool is the Redefine Macro Exfoliator by Rodan + Fields. It’s like getting microdermabrasion at a spa, but you don’t have to leave your house; plus, it rejuvenates the skin and leaves it looking softer and brighter. Shimmer Shine by Kevin Murphy is a repairing shine mist that has vitamins A, C and E. Spray it on skin for a healthy glow or spray on hair to revive shine and repair.”—Brooke Knadle, owner of Cherry Blow Dry Bar, Folsom

“I would save on trendy home décor items. Styles change so often. Get a few key low-priced trendy items to update the look of your space. Don’t skimp on furniture, but you also don’t need top-of-the-line, super expensive furniture either. The days of buying one great piece of furniture to last your whole life is no longer the reality; I’d rather have secondhand real wood than particleboard though. Also, don’t skimp on lotions and candles. You want lotions that are healthy for your skin and smell great and candles that burn clean, smell natural and last a long time.”— Lisa Wolf, owner of Burlap and Bees, Folsom, 

WHAT TO BUY A HUNGRY HEALTH NUT

“Fresh nuts! Farmers’ markets are good for this, since California grows a lot of them, or [purchase] health bars that contain nuts.”—Jim and Renee Snook, owners of Snooks Chocolate Factory, Folsom

We Olive Folsom

 HOW TO SPOT A QUALITY “FOODIE” PRODUCT 

“We don’t feel you can visually know when a product really tastes good, but if you shop where you can taste before you purchase then you are assured that you will take home a quality, great tasting product. Sampling is available every day at our store just for that reason.”—Joan & Ken Masegian, owners of We Olive, Folsom

“Check the label or ask what’s in it. Simple, ‘real food’ ingredients always pack the most nutritional value. Look for products made with ingredients you can pronounce, and with as little processing as possible. The closer an item is to its origins (the plant or animal that made it), the more health benefits it will provide.”—Jayme Richards, co-owner of Great Harvest Bread Co. (recently closed), Folsom

“[First], you must taste it; note textures, flavors and smells. Next, use your senses. If it’s not good, you’ll probably realize this quite quickly.”—Jim and Renee Snook, owners of Snooks Chocolate Factory, Folsom

“Fresh California extra virgin olive oil is both full of flavor, and very healthy. California extra virgin olive oils must be tested to ensure they meet both the acidic and taste profiles necessary to be deemed ‘extra virgin.’—Joan & Ken Masegian, owners of We Olive, Folsom

BEST PET TOYS FOR YOUR MONEY

“The best pet toy for your money somewhat depends on how aggressive a chewer your dog is. For the most avid chewers, we recommend the GoughNuts line of dog toys. They have a ball, a doughnut ring and a stick; each of the items has a lifetime guarantee for the length of your dog’s life by the manufacturer—in a price range of $21.99-$25.99 they may not seem inexpensive, but they will last a great deal longer than five toys at $9.99. What’s more, they’re made in Modesto! For the not-as-aggressive chewer, we’d recommend the Dura-Fused leather dog toys from Spot Products. They provide a great chew experience along with a squeaker that most dogs love, are priced from $6.99-$8.99, and come in many fun shapes.”—Bob Campbell, owner of sBarkles, Folsom

“KONG toys are a great choice because they’re durable and offer a wide selection for any dog or cat.”—Erin Selover, CEO of Wagger’s Pet Spa and Market, Folsom

 WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN PET FOOD

“All of the answers you need can be found on the ingredient panel; the key is what not to allow in your pet’s food (wheat, corn, soy or by-products of any kind), as they are the ingredients most often linked to allergies/itchiness in your pet. Once you eliminate those ingredients, you have eliminated 95 percent of what is carried in supermarket chains and likely 50 percent of what’s carried at the big box pet food stores. If your dog is itchy or has occasional ‘hot spots,’ we’d recommend you consider a grain-free food. For a dog with intestinal issues, we’d recommend a limited ingredient diet (usually containing just one protein and one carbohydrate). Consulting with you and finding the best option for your pet, as well as your checkbook, is what we do. We have strong relationships with all local veterinarians who oftentimes tell the patients to ‘just go to sBarkles—they’ll get you on the right food for your pet.’ Also, you want to avoid gimmicky foods—ones that tout olive oil usage is a current example. We have seen no studies that show superior benefits to olive oil over any of the other oils used in the market today.  If you want olive oil in your dog’s food, go to Costco, buy a gallon and squirt some into their bowl every day (it’s much less expensive!).  Foods featuring celebrities are another concern.  Rachael Ray’s dog food has ingredients that wouldn’t pass muster in our store, for example. Remember, it’s all about the ingredient panel.”—Bob Campbell, owner of sBarkles, Folsom

“First and foremost, your pet’s food should never contain soy, wheat, corn or by-products. You want to look for foods that start with deboned chicken or some other type of meat-specific meal, such as beef meal, turkey meal, chicken meal or salmon meal. Look for foods that have whole grains in them such as brown rice and oatmeal. Also, if your dog suffers from allergies, look for grain-free options or limited ingredient diets (LID). Raw diets are another option. The best dog food is the one that works for your dog and offers proper nutrition for a lifetime.” —Robin Mizell, owner of Bark Avenue, El Dorado Hills

“When looking for pet food, we recommend looking for brands that are grain free with no by-products; food that’s rich in meat, low in carbohydrates, and made with whole fruits and vegetables. Fresh ingredients and minimally processed is preferred. Avoid propylene glycol, BHA and BHT, as these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Naturally preserved is always better. Anything with soy or wheat is not unsafe, but a lot of animals are allergic to it, which causes some concern.”—Barb Poteet, co-owner of The Natural Pet Tooth Fairy, Folsom

TIPS FOR DRESSING UP PETS

“Consider the following three things when dressing your pets: comfort (Is your pet comfortable in the type of clothing selected? Does the hood fall in his face? Does his leg fall out of the leg hole? Is the neck too tight?); proper sizing (this is more important in male dogs—if the body is too long, the dog will pee on the fabric.); climate (make sure the dog isn’t too hot or too cold)—you don’t want your dog to overheat, but if your dog is small with very little fur, you need to protect them.”—Robin Mizell, owner of Bark Avenue, El Dorado Hills

“Choose clothing and harnesses that fit well and are well made; never leave clothing on for days, as their fur needs circulation to avoid matting.”—Erin Selover, CEO of Wagger’s Pet Spa and Market, Folsom

“Show your pet’s personality by dressing them in something that shows who they are. For a female, you can have her put on a cute little dress with a bow on top of her head or even something as simple as a collar with a bit of glitter, diamonds or a flower. For a male, you could tie a bandana around his neck or put a bowtie on his collar. Holidays are always fun for dressing them up for the occasion; put them in a cute holiday sweater or dress them in a costume for Halloween. Another fun thing is to dress them up in your favorite sports team gear.”—Barb Poteet, co-owner of The Natural Pet Tooth Fairy, Folsom

Fashion photos by Dante Fontana © Style Media Group. All other photos courtesy of their respective companies.