Products we Love for Summer
With summer upon us and in full swing, there are a few essentials you need to make the best of these heated days. Staying fresh and looking chic are important, but hard to maintain in sweltering heat waves. Here are some of my favorite products to help get you through the rest of this hot season without cramping your style.
To hide your bra straps: Hollywood Fashion Tape Bra converting clip 4-pack 1 clip, $9.99
These clips are a must-have for any summer top. They can convert your regular bra into a racer-back style in no time and keep your straps from slipping. With clear and black options, they will be discreet and keep you comfortable all day and night long.
To get your hair off your face: Urban Outfitters Loose Leaf Headband, $19
With the summer heating up, this stylish metallic headband is the perfect solution to keep your hair looking great and off your face. The pretty leaf detail adds a bit of boho chic to any outfit.
To waterproof your lashes: Anastasia Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat, $21
Avoid raccoon eyes and keep your lashes looking fresh all day, with this waterproof topcoat. The lightweight formula goes on smooth and won’t clump your already applied mascara. Added bonus: it can be used to give your lashes an extra boost throughout the day.
To catch some rays: Steve Madden Juliet Beach Mat, $24.99
Tote this fashionable beach mat to your next outdoor adventure. Whether it’s to the beach or the park, you will be able to relax in style. And it’s super easy to carry, just roll up and go.
To cool you down: Evian Mineral Water Spray, $11
Keep cool with this Evian Mineral Water Spray. The formulated spray will revive your makeup and give an added boost of freshness to your day. It’s also great for rehydrating sunburnt or dry skin.
To protect your skin: Aveeno Hydrosport Sunblock Spray SPF 30, $8.09
Have fun in the sun while protecting your skin with this easy SPF waterproof spray. The nicely scented formula is lightweight, non-greasy and contains natural ingredients. Perfect for an adventurous summer day outdoors, especially since you can apply on your skin even if it’s wet.
To soothe your skin: June Jacobs After Sun Hydrator, $36
Renew your skin after a day in the sun with this After Sun Hydrator. The formula will prolong your tan and moisturize sun soaked skin. Complete with anti-aging antioxidants and anti-inflammatory extracts to keep skin looking and feeling fresh.
9 Travel Must-Haves
Want to know how to safely pack an entire beauty regimen into a suitcase you can carry? What toiletries and gadgets should you not leave home without? How do you stay chic despite long flights and layovers? Worry not jetsetters, in honor of travel season here are some of my favorite go-to items for seamless and stylish globe trotting. Happy travels!
White + Warren Travel Wrap, BUY NOW, $295
To cozy up and stay chic when traveling, I love the look and quality of the White + Warren cashmere travel wrap. It’s a celebrity favorite of Angelina Jolie, and who better to trust than this jet setting mom of six? Also, this super soft wrap is available in over twenty different colors!
Trish McEvoy Beauty Emergency Card, BUY NOW, $75
The Beauty Emergency Card for eyes is a travel essential because of its slim packaging. With six eyeshadows, two eye definers, nude eye base, High Volume mascara, and Eye Lining and Precision Smudge Deluxe brushes, it’s an entire make-up kit that fits in the palm of your hand. Bring this with you for touch-ups on the go too!
Henri Bendel Dopp Kit Toiletry Bag, BUY NOW, $60
The Henri Bendel Centennial Stripe Dopp Kit is a chic and safe way to tote around your toiletries; special hinged flaps keep your belongings intact. The signature striped style was designed by Mr. Bendel over 100 years ago for clients’ ocean-liner voyages. The bags have a waterproof casing so not only do they look great, but they are practical and easy to clean too. I use this one and a variety of the other cosmetic cases when traveling.
PurseN Vacationer Tiara Jewelry Case, BUY NOW, $54
A great way to travel smart is to bring versatile pieces that you dress up with different accessories including your jewelry. The PurseN Tiara jewelry case is perfect—it has an origami inspired design with multiple pockets and four removable pouches for a tangle free travel. Designed to carry medium to large sized jewelry (great for packing statement pieces), you won’t have to decide between chunky necklaces, cocktail rings or bangles. Just bring them all!
Winter Running Must-Haves
Running in the summer is simple: Throw on sneakers, shorts and a tank and you’re good to get your sweat on. But in the winter months? Head out in less-than-stellar gear and you’re in for some chilly miles.
Just because there’s a chill in the air and snow on the ground doesn’t mean you have to relegate your running to the treadmill. Here are a few of my swear-by products that make running in the cold a total breeze.
Pants: High-quality running tights will be your best investment this winter. Look for a pair that’s tight enough around the waist so the pants won’t fall down while you’re running. Remember, your legs will warm up faster than the rest of your body because they’re doing most of the work, so don’t worry about just having one layer on bottom.
Buy Now, Nike Tech Women’s Running Tights, $65
Top: You’ll want a solid base layer underneath your jacket, and you can’t go wrong with all the options at Lululemon. They’re insanely soft, and thanks to the handy thumbholes, the sleeves don’t ride up.
Buy Now, Cabin Long Sleeve Tee II, $68
Top: I hate the idea of wearing a scarf or neck-warmer while I run, so occasionally I’ll opt for a turtleneck-style top to save on additional layers. This option by Under Armour is moisture-wicking (see ya later, sweat!) and thin, so you never feel too bulky.
Buy Now, Women’s UA ColdGear Compression Mock, $49
Jacket: Thumb holes? Pockets? Reasonable price? Yes, please. GapBody’s Fit full-zip jacket is ideal for winter running because the fit is snug—bulk doesn’t always equal warmth—and it’s cute, so you can keep it on for your post-run brunch date!
Buy Now, Fit Fill-Zip Jacket, $48
Leg Warmers: Yes, that’s right. Leg warmers. They’re my favorite and I like to think they’re making a comeback, at least in my world. Before it gets too cold, I’ll be out running in shorts and leg warmers. This knit pair by Harmonie will stay up while you run and keep your shins and calf muscles nice and toasty.
Buy Now, Harmonie Two-Tone Legwarmers, $9.50
Hat: Most running hats aren’t adorable, but this one actually is. Throw it on before you head out and your ears will thank you when they’re not frozen in the first mile.
Ali Feller is a writer, blogger, marathoner, running addict and self-proclaimed gym rat living in NYC. Follow her training, reviews of local fitness classes and her daily attempts at staying sane in this hectic city at her blog, Ali On The Run (aliontherunblog.com).
It’s Time: Divorce Your Boots & Marry Ballet Flats
By Daniela Apeloig
Not only has the weather been playing with your feelings, running hot and cold by the day, but you’ve been married to your 6 pairs of boots and booties for so long now that the honeymoon is over. Teased by Black Swan, you seek out those ballet flats from last season—they whisper your name, flirt with you, and beg you to take them out for a spin. You are totally seduced and headed for divorce. If you’ve already signed the papers and are totally over it, we can help. We love matchmaking. So, here are the ballet flats on trend this spring. You’ll fall in love at first sight.
Nude Ballet Flats
Neutrals and nude colors are a big spring fashion trend. The BCBG Molly Ballet Flat, $98, is a classic and hits the spring color trend at the same time. The elastic trim makes the flat super-comfortable. The perfect pairing for a neutral outfit, or to contrast with something more dramatic.
Colorful Print Ballet Flats
Colorful florals and tribal prints are a hot spring fashion trend. You can have fun mixing and matching motifs—just make sure they have a similar color palette or pattern. Pair this Vitia Kaleidescope Print Snip-Toe Bow Flats by Mossimo, $24.99, with a print outfit, tribal accessories, or a simple T-shirt and jeans. Whatever the combination, you’ll make a statement.
Waterproof Ballet Flats
With spring ☺, come the spring showers ☹. Although you divorced your boots, we know you still see your rain boots from time to time. We’ve got the perfect rebound—Melissa Plastic Island shoes, made from Melflex, a waterproof plastic. The Melissa Royale II in black, $86, is very Chanel-like, with a white toe and a heart-shaped heel.
Lace Ballet Flats
Lace is fickle. One season it’s the hot trend, the next, it’s moved on. This spring, the lace trend loves you, so love it right back with the Sam Edelman Women’s Caper Ballet Flat, for $99. It’s covered with black Belgian lace and topped with a jeweled toe to add just the right amount of sparkle to your look. Wear these flats with anything from jeans to leggings to dresses.
Floral Ballet Flats
Flowers bloom in spring and in spring fashion trends. They should bloom in your wardrobe too. The Gap’s Appliqué Flower Ballet Flats in taupe for $49.50, put the perfect spring in your step. Pair them with that military vest you just bought—you’re so on top of the trends this season!
Striped Ballet Flats
Ahoy, there, nautical stripes! Come aboard this spring fashion trend with the American Eagle Outfitters Canvas Ballet Flat, $29.50. With white and navy blue stripes, these flats are great for jeans or a nautical outfit in blue, gold, or red.
Metallic Ballet Flats
We love everything that shines. That’s why we love this Yosi Samra Merlin Fold-Up Ballet Flat, in Bronze Crackled, for $65. These flats fold in half, so you can carry them in your purse and take them out whenever you want a rest from your killer heels. Also available in gold, silver, pewter, rose gold, and even metallic pink or blue. So choose your favorite metallic and hit the streets rocking one of spring’s hottest trends!
Related Links
• The New Spring Fashion Trends Take a Home Décor Turn
• Resort Wear for Less: Go Wild on Vacation with Safari-Style Fashion
• Consignment: Selling Jewelry and Fashion Online for Cash!
