5 Simple Tips for a Brighter Spring Complexion

--Guest Post By Victoria Girard

When you look in the mirror do you see a bright youthful face looking back at you or do you see someone who looks dull and tired? If you see a bright shining face in the mirror you are clearly on the right path but if, on the other hand, you see a dull and lifeless reflection staring back at you take heed; there are 5 things you can do to refresh and rejuvenate your skin helping it look brighter and more alive.

1. Diet and Water

Yes, it really does matter what you put in your body as these nutrients (or lack of) feed your skin from the inside. If you are consuming too many processed foods your skin will respond by looking unhealthy. Start eating an abundance of nutrient dense and antioxidant rich foods including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and beans. Not only will these healthier choices feed and nourish your cells they will also protect them from free radicals. Be sure to also include plenty of water in your daily plan. Staying hydrated will help maintain juicy plump cells.

Try: The Vitamix is a powerful blender/juicer that breaks open the cell wall of fruits and vegetables giving you all the best enzymes and nutrients that your body can immediately begin to assimilate and benefit from.




→ Buy the Vitamix 1300 TurboBlend 4500, $378.95, at amazon.com.

Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale for Women 2013 On Now!

It's time for the sale you've been waiting for... the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale for Women is on! Through June 2, you can score up to 40% off a huge selection of women's clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories. Plus, as always, you get free shipping and free returns on all of your purchases. Fabulous!

Every year the Half-Yearly Sale serves up something just a little bit different from years past, whether that's a couple unexpected sale finds or what appears to be a different focus for the sale. This year, my initial feeling is that the sale accessories are where it's at. The selection of top label shoes, handbags, and other accessories are just much more compelling than the clothing offerings.

My top sale picks so far...

It's rare to find Ray-Ban sunglasses on sale, so scoring these super stylish Ray-Ban Bubble Wrap Aviators at 25% off is a super steal.

This bright mandarin-colored RED Valentino Bow Crossbody Bag has been a favorite of ours for a while, and scoring it at 40% makes it just that much more desirable.

Are you a fan of Kate Spade's cheeky quote totes? Don't miss this "Curiosity" version on sale for 40% off regular price.

Snag a new pair of Superga's iconic Cotu sneaker for 33% off, in a range of spring-perfect colors.

I'll add more great finds as I run across them. In the meantime, click on the Half-Yearly Sale image above to do your own sale exploring. Enjoy!

5 Pedicure Maintenance Must-Haves for Summer Feet

--By Kim Moshtaghi

As the years progress, I have discovered it has been harder to maintain my feet. The wear and tear caused by wearing high, pointy heels has finally caught up with my feet. On one awkward day, I looked down at my feet and thought, are those really my feet?

Although I invest a lot of money to make sure my feet look prim, my routine high-end pedicure with callus removal doesn’t produce sufficient results anymore. Now I have to invest my own time, aside from my regular biweekly pedicures, to keep my feet looking bare-able.

Most technicians recommend lathering intensive repair creams on your feet, and then wearing cotton socks on your feet while you sleep to ensure the cream penetrates and softens your skin. If you have calluses, then it’s wise to also use pumice daily on soaked feet to exfoliate rough spots before lathering on creams.

For an intensive repair cream, try Neutrogena or Burt’s Bees. Although I like both, they only work when you consistently apply them several times a week, which will soften your calluses or smooth out your feet and keep them looking youthful.




→ Buy the Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme, $8.99, at drugstore.com.





→ Buy the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Foot Creme, $4.39 (was $4.73), at drugstore.com.

What to Wear to Brunch This Spring

--Guest Post By Ruby Jones

Are you planning for a brunch with friends? If yes, then you must be looking out for a perfect bunch dress that best suits you.

Brunch, the perfect time to get dressed up well and catch up with friends for a chat, is the best relaxation from your hectic schedule. When it comes to brunch, your outfit isn’t going to make or break the experience, but it’s important to think about what you wear. Do remember, the way you dress up for your brunch can say a lot about your lifestyle.

If you are wondering about what to wear to brunch, here I have listed some of the best brunch dresses for you choose from:

Mod Cloth Lakeside Brunch Dress

Featuring a classic A-line silhouette, a tie-neck bodice and cinched waistline, this aqua hued silky dress, is the best for your soiree. This Lakeside Brunch Dress when paired with a wide brimmed hat and a mimosa-hued cardigan, will add casual coolness to your classic look.




→ Buy the Mod Cloth Lakeside Brunch Dress at modcloth.com.

FOUND: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s Long Oatmeal Cardigan

I get a lot of emails from PR agencies suggesting the proper credits when a celebrity is spotted wearing one of their clients. I ignore most of them.

Generally these pitches include candid shots of celebs wearing outfits that clearly no stylist had touched, at places like grocery stores, coffee shops, and airports. And they are, for the most part, not cute. I really wouldn’t be doing anyone any good writing about where to find an ugly outfit.

But, this recently delivered picture of English model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, taken this week at LAX, made me pause before hitting delete. I love this traveling outfit. Not only is it super cute and cozy, it looks like something I’d actually want to wear while traveling. Doesn’t she just ooze both comfort and style?

Want to steal Rosie’s airport look for yourself? She’s wearing the Zadig & Voltaire Cambi Cardigan. She paired this oatmeal-colored cardigan with leather leggings, a dark grey tank top, and studded boots. The neutral colored bag is a fabulous final touch.

This 100% cashmere cardigan has long sleeves and a draped hem, with worn details around the edges – perfect for achieving that slouchy French vibe.

The French Zadig &Voltaire label is a bit of a hit amongst style-conscious celebs. You know, the ones you actually want to dress like. The label has been spotted on Olivia Palermo, Jessica Biel, Freida Pinto, Halle Berry, and Sarah Jessica Parker. There's nothing wrong with keeping good fashion company.

→ Buy the Zadig & Voltaire Cambi Cardigan, $495.00, at us.zadig-et-voltaire.com.

Lush The Mermaid Bath Bomb: Shop for a Cause

What: Lush’s limited edition The Mermaid Bath Bomb

Who benefits: All proceeds are being donated to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to marine wildlife conservation.

Why you want it: This limited edition addition to Lush’s much-loved Bath Bomb collection was inspired by “The Mermaid Song” by Ysanne. The song is the first release from The Coldwater Project, a symphony-backed collection of songs each of which is paired with a non-profit organization and an exclusive brand for the purpose of supporting important issues. You can download an MP3 version of the song for free with every purchase of The Mermaid Bath Bomb, or purchase the song for $1.00 at LushUSA.com.

Beyond the warm fuzzy feelings you’ll get from supporting a great cause, and the general fun of scoring a free music download with your purchase, you’ll also be getting a fabulous new Lush Bath Bomb. This particular bomb shares the same scent as Lush’s best-selling Big Blue Bath Bomb, and features mineral-rich arame seaweed and sea salt. The ocean-derived ingredients melt into your bathwater and work to soften your skin. Plus, well, Bath Bombs are just a lot of fun.

As with many of Lush’s products, this Bath Bomb is completely vegan – it doesn’t contain any animal products of any kind. It’s a perfect little gift for your favorite vegan… or for yourself.

→ Buy the Lush The Mermaid Bath Bomb, $4.95, at lushusa.com.

Summer Essentials for Looking Amazing at the Beach

--Guest Post By Simon

This coming summer is going to be red hot. The beach is waiting for you and these essential summer styles are itching to break out of your wardrobe.

The Maxi Dress

The maxi dress is a staple for ladies to beat that summer heat. I like the fact that this type of dress is airy and breezy, and can be taken from the streets to the beach for your vacations.

You can wear it alone, or throw it on top of your swimsuit as a cover-up. Summer is the perfect time to pair your lengthier dresses with neutral accessories and that oversize hat.




→ Buy the Splendid Magnolia Stripe Maxi Dress, $138.00, at shopbop.com.

Why Leather Smoking Slippers Will Be Your Favorite New Shoe

When the smoking slipper started to pick up steam as a women’s fashion staple I had a hard time taking it seriously. I couldn’t help but picture Hugh Hefner, the king of lounge dressing in broad daylight. The shoe felt too much like a costume for everyday wear. This had to be a passing fad… or not.

Now that it’s been on the scene for a while, the smoking slipper is starting to pop up in the collections of some of the more downtown labels. Consequently, the old fashioned slip-on has received a makeover that takes it from louche to lovable. Dowdy silk fabric has been replaced by distressed leather and hardware details, and the result is much more wearable.

Personally, I like how this shoe silhouette can add a masculine edge to girly girl looks, and make more conventional outfits vibe fashion-forward. Check out two of my favorite smoking slippers here:

This crackled black metallic leather version from Prada is funky and stylish, but not completely over the top. I’d pair this shoe with boyfriend jeans and a crisp button-down shirt. The otherwise mumsy outfit will get edge from the shoe, making the whole outfit feel contemporary. Or try trading out the button down for a slouchy tee for a casual look with an extra element of fun.




→ Buy the Prada Crackled Leather Smoking Slipper, $420.00, at neimanmarcus.com.

Top Pick: Uniqlo Slub V-Neck Dress

This dress fits like a dream, is machine washable, comes in three wear-anywhere colors, and cost less than $30.00. Do you need any more reason to buy it?

I just picked up this dress in black at the San Francisco Uniqlo store. It was one of those items that looked so good on the hanger that I just had to see how it looked on. And, after all, I was heading to the dressing rooms anyway. I was even more impressed once I slipped into this summer-perfect frock.

The Fit and Fabric

The Uniqlo Slub V-Neck Dress pulls on without closures and has an elasticized waist covered by a tie belt in the same fabric. Despite the fact that it doesn’t have any closures, it manages to fit slim to the body in a manner that is flattering, but not too clingy. It runs very true to size – I am a size 2 in dresses, and the size Small fit me perfectly.

The fabric is a 50/50 cotton/ polyester blend, making it machine washable. I can’t attest to how well it washes, but I’m optimistic since I’ve had good luck with Uniqlo in the past. Although it has a considerable amount of manmade fabric content, it feels very cool and cotton-like on. I suspect it will be quite comfortable in the summer months.

How It Works in Your Closet

This dress has a very simple, yet stylish look to it. The silhouette is a classic sleeveless, but with the addition of an asymmetrical hem. It’s really a great platform for accessorizing. The dress alone is quite plain, but could be made to fit a variety of situations from super casual swimsuit cover up, to fairly dressy dinner dress.

This versatility makes it perfect for vacation traveling, which is exactly why I picked it up. In addition to the basic black, this dress is also available in a dark slub grey and a cheerful light orange.

→ Buy the Uniqlo Slub V-Neck Dress, $29.90, at uniqlo.com.

The Best Spring Nail Polish Colors for 2013

--Guest Post By Jason Miner

Everyone loves nail polish! The allure of perfect, fashionable nails is calling and this spring you have a wide array of choices that will fit your wardrobe and skin color while still being fashionable and hip. Here are some of the best spring nail polish colors and trends for 2013:

Pale and Perfect

Natural is in with pale nail polishes like Sally Hansen’s Baguette Beige. From pale pink to crisp white to beige neutral you have the opportunity to make your nails stand out against dark skin or blend in with your lighter skin tones. Pair with leather accessories for a chic look that is all the rage.




→ Buy the Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Nail Color in Baguette Beige, $4.59, at amazon.com.

5 Pieces of Loud Jewelry You’ll Want to Build an Outfit Around

--By Kim Moshtaghi

Everyone who knows me knows I like loud jewelry. Although I use colors and different intricate styles to complete my outfit, sometimes I plan an outfit around a piece of “loud jewelry” as my centerpiece and then I let everything else come along for the ride.

I am going to start delicately for those shy gals. Francesca’s Abu Dhabi necklace is truly a great deal and full of life. It looks like something you could purchase at a market across the world. I like the small beadwork incorporated into the bib style necklace. The little beads are the backdrop to a gorgeous lining of lime green and hints of turquoise and complete the look.




→ Buy the Francesca's Abu Dhabi Bib Necklace, $34.00, at francescas.com.


I drool over nice, bold earrings even though I never seem to wear them. I admire them on others. Don’t ever underestimate Chico’s jewelry. Chico’s has some random and great pieces. I like this colorful mixed blue earring. There seems to be a trend with the blue and lime green hues right now, which I love. Sometimes clip earrings can cause some scratching but Chico’s clip-on earrings are typically protected and comfortable.




→ Buy the Chico's Zwena Clip Earrings, $35.00, at chicos.com.

Get Punk Couture Nails with Deborah Lippmann

The Met Gala -- the annual fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute -- has become known as essentially the Oscars of fashion. Don’t let this moniker confuse you, there are no actual awards given out at the Gala. Rather, the red carpet arrivals that precede the telecast-free charity event are the stage on which the fashion cognoscenti (and the fashion-adjacent D-list) strut their stuff.

The 2013 Met Gala was last night…I’m sure you’ve seen the pictures. This year’s theme was Punk: Chaos to Couture, derived from the theme of this year’s major Costume Institute exhibition. The exhibition, opening to the public on May 9, will examine punk’s impact on high fashion. Picture labels like Comme des Garcons, Junya Watanabe, Ann Demeulemeester, and Helmut Lang (otherwise known as my people).

So, back to the Gala. The revelers were pretty evenly split between those who attempted (sadly, I might add) the Punk look and those who just went with the Gala part, minus the Punk. Those who did try to bring the Punk went all out, sporting accoutrements like spiky hair (Miley Cyrus), Mohawk fascinators (Sarah Jessica Parker), and dress-gloves (Kim Kardashian). The theme carried all the way to the tips of their nails.

Enter manicurist to the stars Deborah Lippmann. She created Punk nail looks that were appropriately on-theme, but surprisingly wearable for us non-Gala people, using her namesake nail polish line. Check out the fun…

I Eat Fashion for Breakfast — Now, Start Your Own Clothing Line

--Guest Post By Stacie Morgan

The pop star Katy Perry will launch her own clothing line, according to MyFashionLife.com. The singer already has a line of perfumes and hair products, and now would like to try her hand in clothing. Perry obviously has the connections and resources to get her ideas from sketches to store shelves relatively fast.

The aspiring, average Jane and Joe, however, are in for an uphill climb, but one that can be hugely rewarding for the persistent entrepreneur. Once you have your drawings and desire in place, the rest will come down to good business acumen, patience, and thick skin.

1. Develop a Plan & Stick With It

The first, and most obvious, issue that'll need to be addressed is startup capital. It's best to sift through the best business credit card offers and find one that provides benefits and rewards relevant to your business. This will also get you into the habit of keeping all your business expenses in one place and not mixing them with personal expenditures. Your business plan should include an analysis of competitors, determining overhead costs, a plan for distribution, and an estimate of cash flow. A representative at your local Small Business Association office can provide some guidance with this, as well.

2. Be a Specialist

You may be a Jill-of-all-trades when it comes to producing lovely garments, but start with one item or genre in the beginning. Concentrate solely on maternity wear, toddler clothing, or whatever peeks your interest. Trying to do too many things at once will cause you to neglect some aspect of your business at the expense of another. You can expand your clothing line once a comfortable level of success has been attained.

Your Summer Hair Care Survival Guide

--By Kim Moshtaghi

The summer weather is great but the weather conditions are far from perfect for our hair. Every year I invite the warmth but I hate endlessly pampering my hair to combat the summer affect. Although keeping my hair properly hydrated and stylish isn’t the easiest task, it is easier with some help.

I don’t think I could survive without coconut oil, because my hair always feels better after I put some coconut oil on it. I take a couple teaspoons of it and microwave it for 30-45 seconds and then I comb it through my hair. I leave it in for a couple hours before I wash my hair. I love the outcome. The oil softens my hair and makes it more manageable. In addition to helping keep your strands soft, coconut oil is a great way to keep your skin moisturized and smelling edible!




→ Buy the Nature's Way Coconut Oil-Extra Virgin, $9.29 (was $14.99), at amazon.com.

What to Pack for a Spring Beach Vacation

--Guest Post By Michelle Najafi

Are you infamous among your family and friends for borrowing their belongings while traveling? Is trying to stuff your suitcase with every toiletry, cosmetic, and clothing piece in your wardrobe a habit you’re all too familiar with? If the answer to any of these questions was yes, then what you really need is a guide on the essentials to pack for a spring beach vacation. Read on to see what items should make the cut in your quest to packing the perfectly prepared spring vacation suitcase.

Spring Print Tea Dress

Whether it’s worn on top of a swimsuit or paired with a comfortable pair of wedge sandals, a flirty and whimsical dress is a must for your spring suitcase. Light and airy, this Spring Print Tea Dress from ASOS fits the bill perfectly. With subtle floral patterns and a pastel yellow shade, this spring-appropriate dress is right on trend and will make a stylish statement by the pool, beach, and everything in between.




→ Buy the ASOS Spring Print Tea Dress, $19.95 (was $58.19), at us.asos.com.