The pool is open!
Like it or not, it's time to put on your bathing suit.
If your current suit is ill-fitting or out-of-date, you can buy a cute new one that's stylish and still appropriate for your neighborhood pool.
This year's trends include prints and patterns, bold color, halter tops, tankinis and swim skirts.
Land's End has some cute-yet-conservative suits in its largest-ever summer collection. And for those of you who insist on wearing an all-black one piece (it is slimming), Land's End has a nice assortment of those, too. They're sold at suburban Sears and at the Land's End Inlet stores, as well as landsend.com. While prices for the top or bottom of a two-piece start at $26.50, most ensembles end up being in the $100 range.
For more colorful choices, check out the suits from Garnet Hill and TJ Maxx.
Garnet Hills' Aerin Rose Paisley Tankini ($119 for the set, garnethill.com) is a nice twist on a basic black suit and is available in regular and plus sizes.
For bikini wearers, T.J. Maxx sells some fun and very affordable metallic designs. The gold metallic bikini pictured is $24.99 - for both pieces.
Father's Day
As Father's Day gifts, ties get a bad rap. But the truth is, a really nice tie is a good present. Especially one from an upscale men's clothing store like Executive Clothiers, 6 N. Elmhurst Road in Prospect Heights.
Owned by Wheeling resident Elia "Ollie" Galam, the store sells neck wear by Italo Ferretti with three special features: a tiny weight that's sewn into the tip so the tie always hangs straight; a movable loop that attaches to a shirt button to hold the tie in place; and a double-stitched collar band that helps the tie keep its shape. Prices start at $145.
If you spend more than $100, Galam will give you a $50 gift card toward future purchases. For hours or more information, call (847) 253-3800.
If your dad's a soccer coach, a baseball fanatic or a golf nut, he might appreciate the Hidalgo sports-themed cuff links, which sell for $150 per set. Available at Lustig Jewelers in Vernon Hills, State Street Jewelers in Geneva and Dallell & Co. in Crystal Lake.
It's expensive stuff (the belts start at $170), but stylish dads will love the quality shoes, jackets, belts and wallets by designer Gordon Rush. Items can be purchased at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and at gordonrush.com.
Eyebrow news
Benefit Cosmetics will open its new Brow Bar Thursday at Bloomingdale's, 900 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The following week, they're opening another bar on Southport, in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.
The bars offer everything from a quick brow shaping to full facial waxing. The best thing about them? No appointment necessary. Go to benefitcosmetics.com for more details.
If you just want to peruse Benefit's "candy shop" of fun makeup, visit the Benefit Boutique at 214 S. Main St. in Naperville.
- Jamie Sotonoff