Fear Wearing Very Bright Clothing? Take Baby Steps With Neon Jewelry

That hot pink dress just a bit too LOUD to wear in public?!

Or that acid-colored lime top too attention-getting even for you?

As we've all heard and seen by now, neon colors are a BIG trend for Spring 2012.

You DON'T always have to follow what's in, especially if you wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it. But maybe just a tiny bit of a trend can do wonders for your wardrobe. So, let's take a look at a piece of neon jewelry.

We love the Sunburst Glass and Metal Necklace by Ann Taylor ($78, at Ann Taylor stores). Now, we could ALL look divine in little neon accents here and there. You can get your glow on without searing someone's eyes.

A little brightness never hurt anyone. And an acid-yellow necklace is edgy enough to look good at the office as well as a night on the town, followed by a relaxing time on the weekend.

How about you? Are you in for a fashion splash of neon?

Jenny McCarthy Dazzles As Shoe Designer: Check Out 'Insatiable'

Whoa! That's some shoe!

And it can be yours today, thanks to Jenny McCarthy and ShoeDazzle.com.

The sexy celebrity has once again, sat down and designed a pair of rockin' sky-high shoes to support children with Autism. Jenny, mom to son Evan, an autistic child, is hoping you take home her 'Insatiable' shoes to donate to this wonderful charity:

100% of the profits benefit Generation Rescue.
Enter code JENNY at Checkout and ShoeDazzle Will Donate $5 From Your 1st Purchase.

'Insatiable' is all about a black platform peep toe with silver studded heel and bright blue insole. The shoe is available today, April 9th exclusively at ShoeDazzle.com in honor of Autism Awareness Month.

This shoe will most likely SELL OUT, like the 1st pair Jenny designed 1 year ago. So, time is of the essence, as the saying goes.

Jenny McCarthy has been such a strong voice for autism. We salute her for all the good she continues to do. And that's one sexy pair of platforms, ladies!

Learn more about Generation Rescue here.

Anne Hathaway's New Super Short Haircut: Miserable Or Not?

Actress Anne Hathaway.

We're all used to seeing her with beautiful, long dark hair. But something major has just gone on in the beauty department for the popular 29-year-old actress.

Just take a look at the latest photo snapped of the actress leaving the Box nightclub in London in the wee hours this morning. Oh yeah, barely an inch of hair on her lovely head. We wonder ifTed Gibson her celebrity stylist gave her the new do.

OMG!!!

Anne Hathaway has chopped off her locks for the role of Fantine in Les Miserables, the musical movie. And if you recall, the character is a struggling factory worker who is forced into prostitution to provide for her illegitimate child and ends up selling her hair for money.

Now, Anne Hathaway could have hidden her long, thick mane and worn a wig for the part, but this actress is obviously serious about her craft and said to also be dieting on a 500-calorie plan to get as authentic for the role of Fantine as she can.

So, would you chop off about 95% of your precious hair for a big movie role, knowing that you could easily avoid the drastic cut by stuffing it under a wig?

In our honest opinion, we would NOT take the haircut.

We admire Anne Hathaway for her confidence, her courage, and her honesty as an actress to go the extra distance. Can't wait for Les Miserables the movie with her, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman.

Get With Kate: Skip Foundation And Still Look Great!

Kate Winslet.

We really like this Academy Award-winning actress, not only for her amazing performances but also for her unassuming attitude and her not-try-so-hard beauty.

Kate Winslet is quite stunning, and proves that you don't have to be skeletal to get attention.

Here is a photo of the British beauty at the recent movie premier of Titanic 3D held at the Royal Albert Hall. The Lancome cosmetics ambassador stands out in an elegant black gown. She is wearing a bobby-pinned updo and understated makeup with the exception of soft red lips.

And interesting to note, we just read that Kate Winslet is not a foundation kind of gal. This is what she told InStyle magazine in the April issue:

"Since I don't wear heavy makeup...I opt for tinted moisturizer instead. It's not as dark as foundation, and it gives my skin a lovely sheen.

Kate must have really nice skin because it isn't easy getting away with merely tinted moisturizer as base coverage. But we have found a number of women DO prefer what Kate does, and SKIP the foundation.

Kate likes putting on her fave Lancome Renergie Eclat Multi-Lift Cream ($75/1.4 oz., at Lancome-Usa.com). The Multi-Lift tinted moisturizer comes in 4 universal shades and delivers instant illumination to the complexion and tightening and smoothing skin.

We're not sure everyone could afford a $75 tinted moisturizer, but you can still get with Kate and put on a less expensive cream and still look great.

First Lady Michelle Right About Push-Ups: Fab For Toning Arms

We thought of First Lady Michelle Obama yesterday, as we struggled to complete a set of 10 push-ups. Remember when Mrs. O challenged Ellen on her TV talk show last February? And the First Lady won by completing 25?!

Not bad for a 48-year-old woman.

Last year, we could do 20 push-ups. Then we got lax, and took a break. We continue to lift small weights to keep our arms toned. We've been doing that for years now, but push-ups are really an excellent all-around toning movement that don't require any equipment or much time, just the desire for a strong, fit body. Plus, you can do a push-up just about anywhere.

Let's face it----Summer isn't too far behind, and that means warm weather and the shedding of sweaters and jackets. If you want your arms on display, now is the time to get MOVING.

And Michelle Obama has it right----her 'Let's Move' Fitness Program for school-aged children speaks volumes. But when you think about the theme, there really is NO age limit. We should all be moving.

If you want to bet that beautifully-toned arms like the First Lady's are just about lucky DNA, you're wrong. You have to work at it continuously.

So, let's further examine the push-up and its benefits and features. We did some research and found an old but very educational article in the Los Angeles Times by Jay Blahnik, a Laguna Beach-based personal trainer and IDEA Health & Fitness Assn. spokesman:

"The primary muscles used during a push-up are the chest, front shoulder and triceps muscles. However, because the push-up requires you to hold your body in a stable, horizontal position against gravity, you also engage your neck, core, hips and legs with each repetition.

Although the push-up is a simple exercise, many people do it incorrectly. Consider these push-up tips to minimize the risk of injury and maximize the benefits:

* When pushing away from the floor, focus on using your arms and keeping your body in a straight line throughout the movement. Avoid lifting your butt higher than your hips or hunching your neck and shoulders. Go slowly and exhale on the upward phase of the exercise.

* Don't allow your chest to actually touch the floor when you come down. Instead, stop the downward portion of the movement when your chest is 2 to 3 inches away from the floor. This will protect your shoulders and still provide plenty of range of motion to make the exercise effective. Try placing a book, rolled-up towel or tennis shoe under your chest to remind you when to stop lowering your body during the exercise.

* If you are unable to complete a full push-up, execute the exercise from your knees and/or place your hands on the edge of a sofa or bench (instead of the floor). These positions will make it less challenging, and allow you to build your strength over time. Then progress to a traditional push-up when you are able to complete 8 to 12 repetitions of this easier version of the exercise."

For more push-ups information, click here.

Beauty Budget Buy: Metallic Thong Sandals $20 Old Navy

Spring has certainly sprung. And if you're ready to slip on your favorite old flip-flops or thong sandals, you might want to buy a new pair, because these types of warm weather footwear wear out very quickly.

We believe you should display the prettiest feet around town, and that's why we are looking at Old Navy for our Beauty Budget Buy of the Day. Get this----a pair of Metallic T-Strap Thong Sandals for just $20!

Metallic is so chic and trendyfor Spring/Summer 2012. And merely adding a pretty pop of gold to your wardrobe makes a fab fashion statement.

We love these thongs---super cute and comfy with an elegant T-strap design. And if you buy them online, you get 30% off at checkout!

And now for the Debbie Downer footnote, so to speak:

You've heard the arguments before, that flip-flops or thong-style flat sandals, are NOT the best summer footwear. The American Podiatric Medical Association, along with plenty of studies out there, caution that flip-flop wearing time should be limited.

When you're walking in a pair, your gait changes in a way that affects your feet, ankles, and legs. And believe it or not, these go-to-casual sandals can cause substantial pain.

If you cannot give up wearing flip-flops or thongs, at least slip into a pair that have good arch support and cushioning. As the experts say......"If your flip-flops can fold in half, then they are NOT sturdy enough."

Hey---we still own several pairs of flip-flops and flat thong sandals and we LOVE them. We don't walk around in them day in and day out. So, we will buy the metallic thong sandals from Old Navy, and that's that.

Some things in life are TOO adorable to pass up.

Famous Celebrity Blondes Going For Bangs In Spring 2012

We discussed the big bangs trend just a few weeks ago. But lately, there's been a change we've noticed:

More and more celebrity blondes are going in for the cut. It looks like the blonde bangs brigade is here. Just take a look at the latest flaxen-haired trio who have opted for some pretty fringe:

Christie Brinkley. Jennifer Lawrence. And Taylor Swift.

Then there is Reese Witherspoon. Rihanna. Anna Faris. Hilary Duff.....And the blondes with bangs who's who goes on.

Gotta love the fringe. You can hide forehead wrinkles and high foreheads with bangs. Your eyes instantly look BIGGER with bangs. And if you suffer from thin, scraggly eyebrows, bangs can cover them, and your problem disappears.

So then, the question begs: Are you in some fringe for Spring?

Remember---there are all kinds of bangs. You can get longer, softer, curved bangs like Jennifer Lawrence of the 'Hunger Games'. Not severe or too heavy. You can side-part or middle-part the fringe when you want a change. Plus long bangs don't take forever to grow out.