Welcome to the Float Designs Blog!
Float Designs celebrates laid back luxury by offering quality fashion and unique products and hand designed prints inspired by the lazy days of summer and blissful beach vacations. Float Designs offers women refreshing new options to cover-up with in style and all of our designs are created for the woman who's idea of a vacation is one that never ends.
Click here to visit our homepage
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Check out the beautiful work of Danelle Manthey below. Danelle is a NYC photographer and recently incorporated Float garments into her latest project she was working on in Naples, Florida. To view more of Danelle's work please visit her website.
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| Breakwater Beach Dress Floating |
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| Maritime Tunic in Park |
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| Captiva Crochet Tunic |
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In January 2009 Float Designs participated in the third ONE fashion show in support of the Boys and Girls club located in Burlington, Vermont. See video clip below.
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| Boys and Girls Club Burlington, VT |
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| ONE fashion event - Off shore halter dress |
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| ONE fashion event |
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Float's Driftwood Drawstring
Pants make Desperate Housewives!Episode 5
October
19th
To my delight I received a call yesterday
from the Wardrobe Manager at
Desperate Housewives
to let me know that Eva
Longoria's Character
Gabrielle wore
Float's Driftwood Drawstring
Pants on last Sunday night's
Episode in the Sugar Orchid colorway. I have
included a few screen shots below or you
can
catch the episode online.
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| Eva in Driftwood Drawstrings |
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| Eva in Driftwood Drawstrings |
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| Eva in Driftwood Drawstrings |
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Click here to view the Driftwood Drawstring pants in color Surgar Orchid on our
collections page
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| Driftwood Drawstrings |
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Float participated in the Naples Bridal Show 2008 event last weekend! The fashion show consisted of Bridal looks including wedding gowns, mother of the bride outfits and honey moon and resort looks provided by Float Designs. All of Float Designs are perfect to wear on your honeymoon or at a destination wedding for beach side dinners or as a beach cover-ups!
A big THANK YOU to all the beautiful models and hair and make-up artists!
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| Naples Bridal Fashion Show |
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| Naples Bridal Fashion Show |
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| Naples Bridal Fashion Show |
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| Naples Bridal Fashion Show |
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We Heart the MTV HillS!
Most of you already know we at Float are MTV Hills fans and we are loving this season of the Hills! You may remember last season Float's Coastal Carry All appeared in an episode of the Hills. Last night Lo Bosworth was spotted wearing our Smocked Sailing Dress in Blue Rain! Click here to see this item.
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| Lo Bosworth in Smocked Sailing Dress |
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| Lo Bosworth in Smocked Sailing Dress |
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The Florida Keys!
Last weekend we went to the Florida Keys for Jason's birthday. I had never been to the Keys before so I was very excited to see what the hype was all about. It is definitely a lot more humid in the Keys then were we live in SW Florida and they don't have any beaches which I thought was a bit strange.....They do have plenty of fishing, boating and other such outdoor activities to offer.
We stayed in Islamorada at a bed and breakfast, but took a drive down to Key West and walked around Duval street which is great for people watching and good shopping...
I was happy to see that Float is being represented so well in the Keys! You can find Float at a few places in the Keys listed below.
1. Cheeca Lodge Resort and Spa
2. Hawk's Kay Resort and Spa
3. Shell World (this is a nice store even though the name does not exude luxurious thoughts)
4. Theater of the Sea
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| Key West |
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| Cheeca |
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Float is sold at the Cheeca Lodge and Spa sport shop. I went in to check out the Float assortment and it was displayed wonderfully inside the store and outside on the featured mannequin. We were able to take a walk around the resort and this is definitely where we are staying for our next trip to the Keys. Cheeca offers LUXURY in the keys.! This is a beautiful resort and a perfect home for Float cover-ups, beach bags and bathing-suits!
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| Theater of the Sea |
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Theater of the Sea in Islamorada is an educational and entertaining marine
animal park where performances are up close and personal.
You can actually swim with the dolphins for only $175/ half hour........
Float also looks great in the Theater of the Sea boutique. If you need a swim suit for your swim with the dolphins make sure to check out the Theater of the Sea boutique to pick one up a deep sea one piece and after your dolphin swim you can throw on one of our cute cover-ups!
Happy dolphin swimming!
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| Beach |
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Float goes to Surf Expo!
Float
Designs is getting ready to hit Surf Expo in Orlando again! Surf Expo
is by far Float's favorite show and we are looking forward to
exhibiting there again! This is the number one show for all beach wear items, such as bathing suits, bikinis, cover-ups, flip flops, board shorts and much, much more!
The show goes from September 12th - 14th
and we will be at booth #1306N debuting our fall/winter line and
previewing our spring/summer 2009 line.
Surf did a nice little write up on Float and what has been happening with us.
Click here to check out what they had to say!
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Chicago Stylemax!
Float
recently returned from Chicago Stylemax show. I want to thank my
Chicago girlfriends for their wonderful help and hospitality! Thanks
again Megan and Marie!!!!
Chicago was pretty chilly for
August, but I guess I have been spoiled by the blissfully warm weather
of Florida for some time now! I stayed with my wonderful friend Megan
in Lake View which is on the North side of Chicago. I was able to go
jogging around Lake Michigan in the mornings and the beach looked beautiful,
and very, very clean for being so close to a major city. I wish I could
have spent some time at the lake prancing around in my Float beach
cover-ups, but there was no time for that. Maybe next time.....
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| Ramona Senese - Founder/Designer |
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| Chicago Strylemax |
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| Megan Steaming |
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| Megan and Marie |
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| Sheila in Crochet Dress |
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| Sheila in Off Shore Halter Terry Dress |
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Thanks again to my wonderful model Sheila!
Pictured above!
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| Ramona Senese Founder/Designer |
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In a Sea of Float!
Thank
you to my friend Cathi for taking this photo of me in a "Sea of Float"
printed FLOAT tunics, caftans, drawstring pants, bathing-suits, beach totes, and pull
overs. This was the debut of my darker hair, but have already gotten
sick of it and I am back to blonde......
I am wearing the Deep Sea One Piece in color Sugar Orchid.
Channel your inner
retro spirit in this 1920's inspired one-piece bathing suit. Shirring
at the sides will make you feel 10lbs lighter.
If you are interested in purchasing this suit please visit our collections page.
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Miami Swim Show
Float
just participated in our first Miami Swim Show exhibition! Our Deep Sea
One Piece Bathing Suit was featured in the swim runway show and
received rave reviews! The show was very large overall, but a wonderful
show for Float and we are looking forward to exhibiting there again
next July.
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| Deep Sea One Piece Grapcicle & Sugar Orchid |
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| Deep Sea One Piece Grapcicle & Sugar Orchid |
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| Adrift Dress |
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I was very excited to debut my new print for Spring/Summer 2009 at Miami Swim which received a wonderful response!!! The new Float print is named "Jacaranda" because it was inspired by the beautiful and blooming Jacaranda trees along Sanibel island
This print will come in 4 colorways. The Beach Glass colorway in the "Adrift Dress" is featured above.
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LUCKY Magazine named ME as a stand out local designer!
Thanks Lucky!
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| Lucky Magazine Local |
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LUCKY Magazine named ME as a stand out local designer! Thanks LUCKY Magazine!!!!
They featured Float's Maritime Tunic and this is what they had to say.
"Ramona Senese's beachy tunic works equally well as a bikini cover-up or a brunch perfect top worn with white shorts or pants"
I couldn't agree more! To check out all colorways of this beachy tunic please visit our collections page
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| Mike and Katie |
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| Alphabet Cone |
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Junonia Shell Found on Sanibel Island!
While my cousin Mike and his girlfriend Katie were visiting Sanibel Island from Long Island, NY they were lucky enough to find a very rare Junonia shell (pictured right). This shell
has been found on Sanibel's beaches, usually after a good storm, but is a very rare find. The Junonia
shell is so rare and prized among local shellers, that anyone who finds the shell get's their picture in the local Sanibel Paper which they did! See above photo. And yes, Katie is wearing Float's Maritime Tunic!
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| Grandma at the beach |
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| Black and White Beach Photos
It is no secret I LOVE black and white beach photos. As you may have noticed Float's home page is adorned with them. Those black and whites are actually of my family including my grandparents, parents, my aunt, and my sister and I when we were kids. I have always loved black and whites and especially of the beach. When designing I draw a lot of my inspiration from the past and love to look through these old photos for inspiration when designing bathing-suits and cute beach cover-ups!
The photo to the top right is of my grandmother and her friends at the beach in Long Island, NY and the bottom right photo is of my Mom and her friend in Cape Cod.
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| Mom at the beach |
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| Crusin' |
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Packing for a Cruise!
Cruise ShipPacking for a cruise may the only dreaded part of a cruise. From all the vacations and cruises I have been on I have learned the packing list is essential! By forgetting something you may have to purchase it on the cruise or port of call for more than double the price!
Of course beach cover-ups are essential since you are outside a good amount of the time. You want something very comfortable that you can throw on over your suit and something you can wear from the pool to the lunch table.
Here is a list that has been helpful to me when packing for a cruise.
Women’s Cruise Clothing Packing List:
• bras (include strapless if needed for evening wear)
• underwear/nightgown/pajamas
• robe
• socks (for the gym or when walking around at ports with sneakers)
• evening bags for dinner and drinks
• oversized beach tote to store your beach towel and reading materials, sunscreen, i-pod, and water bottle
• comfortable walking shoes if you plan on stopping at ports
• rubber sandals or flip flops for reef walking and beach
• evening shoes
• a few swim suits with cover-ups/pareos/sarongs
• work out clothes and jog bra
• dress/outfit for informal nights on ship
• dress/outfit for formal nights on ship
• dress/outfit for casual nights on ship
• shorts (athletic and casual)
• tops of all types (sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved)
• capri pants
• sweater and sweatshirt (nights on a cruise can get chilly)
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Float Designs loves the reality MTV show the Hills!
We especially loved the end of last night’s episode which was filmed at the Malibu Beach House. When LC and Audrina were talking about “losing” best friends (trust me LC it is all for the better, no one needs friends that dump you for boys!) there was a female character walking around in the background packing her stuff to leave in Float’s Coastal Carry All! I have posted a very small screen shot of one of the takes when LC was bringing Audrina her motorcycle helmet that “Justin Bobby” left on the couch for her. You can see the Coastal Carry All in the background which I have pointed out. I know this is not the greatest picture but I am searching for a clearer one to post. Enjoy!
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UPF (Ultra Violet Protection Factor) ratings
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Since Float Designs specializes in Beach
Cover-ups we have been working diligently to have all garments tested
for their UPF (Ultra Violet Protection Factor) ratings. We have just
had all of our garments tested at the International UV testing
laboratories, which is an internationally recognized leader of textile
and apparel evaluation and testing with over 30 years of textile
experience. Float Designs plans on listing all UPF ratings for garments
over UPF 15 (sun protective). We will be posting this information soon
and we will keep you posted.
Of course it is still always
important to use sun screen when outside. Please refer to these sun
tips below provided by the Skin Cancer Foundation for a safe and happy
summer!
• Seek the shade, especially between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.
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On Thursday June 14th Float had its first fashion show!
We participated in a Spa and Wellness event in Westchester, NY put on by Laura Anne Pelliccio (President of WestchesterSpa.com). Float was invited to attend the event and to participate in the fashion show that evening. The models were great and the clothes looked wonderful! Overall it was a very successful event for Float.
This was a party to launch WestchesterSpa.com. The first spa website in Westchester, NY dedicated solely to finding the best beauty, spa medical and wellness businesses in the area. Participants included spiritual healers, masseuses, skincare consultants, health and cosmetic participants and more.
Check out the site at http://www.westchesterspa.com.
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