Summer's Best Budget Buy: Classic, Bucket Bag From Old Navy!

Okay....So you can't afford the red, studded Prada bucket bag for $2,400.

That's alright....We feel your pain.

But, we've found a CHEAP, sporty, cute, roomy BUCKET BAG from Old Navy.

Hey---for LESS than $33, this is one best budget buy. Plus, the bucket bag comes in 3 shades......White. Navy. Mocha brown.
And it has pretty tassels.

Yes, it's FAUX leather, but who cares. It looks good and can carry you conveniently through summer.

Take a peek at all 3:

Here are the details:
Supple, textured faux leather, with piped trim. 
Adjustable buckled shoulder straps. 
Grommeted openings threaded with faux-leather tassel ties. 
Bucket shape, with molded base Smooth twill lining, with interior compartment for cell phones or wallets. 
Approximately 14"L x 6 1/2"W x 10 1/2"H, with 20" strap drop..

 If you check out the customer reviews, you will see that this bucket bag from Old Navy gets HIGH marks.

Big Beauty Bulk-Up: Jessica Simpson's Legs Are The New Madonna Arms!

A recent beauty publication has linked the defined musculature of Jessica Simpson's legs to Madonna's super-ripped arms.

And you know what?

We see the connection!

For a few years now, it's been ALL about the arms---shredded biceps + triceps.

And Madonna became the poster girl for extreme arm fitness in both a good + bad way.
Either the star was considered perfectly fit with bulked-up arms or way too buff for a woman to appear.

And now usher in Jessica Simpson, a new mom once again to baby boy Ace Knute with fiance Eric Johnson. And look at those killer legs! The calves alone, are something you can't take your eyes off.

Already---the critics have responded:

"Those legs are too muscular and belong on a man."
Or...
"Way to go, Jess! You look incredible!"

Jessica admits dropping some 50 lbs. through Weight Watchers since having baby Ace. Plus she works out. Trainer Harley Pasternak demonstrates her leg-sculpting routine:

Check out this excellent demo here on People.com.

Ladies, Do you prefer the beauty bulk-up or just fit but not defined?

Nautical Summer Scarf: Get On Board With Style!

Yes. It's REALLY alright to wear a summer scarf. No----NOT the heavy woolen kind, but something in a cool, cotton blend is nice.

Fashionable celebrities like Jessica Alba wear summer scarves A LOT! And she's protecting her beautiful skin in the process. .

Okay....so maybe you aren't spending summer in St. Barts, but you CAN wear a summer scarf hanging out anytime, anywhere. It's a classic fashion staple.

Since it is summer, we think the nautical summer scarf is a must-have!

And these scarves are just about everywhere. We found some at Etsy.com.

 

These are both from AnytimeScarf. The nautical anchor scarf is $30. The nautical stripe scarf is $24. 

A summer scarf is styish + handy for a few good reasons:

1. It can serve as a head scarf. 
2. It can be tied around the hips as a sarong. 
3. It can shield the neck + decolette from the sun. 

Plus, a  summer nautical scarf looks so darn chic!

Finding The Perfect Foundation Match For Today's All-American Woman

The perfect match.

When it comes to makeup foundation, well for us, it's been almost impossible to blend in the perfect match. We have light olive skin, being of Mediterranean background.

Today, we wear ColorStay foundation in NUDE by Revlon. And we've been applying this foundation shade for years now. Maybe 15 years and counting.....This is the CLOSEST shade we could get to match our skin tone. Not flawless, but, not bad, either.

We have been to the department store makeup counters and have had pros trying to exactly match our complexion, but still, they haven't done any better than our self, so we stick to the Revlon, because it works and we're afraid we can't do any better.

We remember the March issue of Glamour magazine that recently tackled this same topic. The publication noted that we are indeed a melting pot nation, and that "the number of mixed-race people grew 32% from 2000-2010," adding that by the year 2050, "people of color are predicted to represent 54% of the American population."

So, that poses a lot of challenges for makeup companies to re-think foundation choices for the abundance of skin tones that ALL deserve the perfect foundation match.

We believe that the giant makeup players are trying to expand the foundation market. Bobbi Brown + MAC are just 2 of the major companies that offer a nice, full range of foundations that are really wearable + flattering to most skin tones.

And then there is IMAN Cosmetics started by the iconic model herself, who has been at the forefront for years now, when it comes to creating the closest to an exact foundation match.

Iman's brand looks at the issue this way:

 ...."That women with skin of color represent many races, cultures and ethnicities. IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances are designed for African American, Asian, Latina and multi-cultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shades."

Beautiful Iman divides her foundations choices into 3 color categories--Sand, Clay, Earth, with 16 shades to choose from (photo only shows 12 shades here).

To learn more about IMAN Cosmetics, click here.

It's Summer, Finally: Now Tell Your Body Hair To Take A Hike!

Summer means bikini time and mini skirts and halter tops and ALL that skin exposed in between.

Maybe you wax, shave, depilate, bleach, sugar gel, pluck, laser, epliate, etc., etc.

And perhaps these methods just aren't enough for the body hair grow-back.

Well, this stuff is worth a shot:

Completely Bare Don't Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor, ($9.99, at CVS).

At least, this formula makes for a wonderful hydrating body cream if it doesn't work successfully as a growth inhibitor. It smells divine, too and made with a lemon grass and green tea base.

Here are the details:

"For best results apply twice a day, results will show after 28 days.
Contains capislow, proven to: Help reduce hair density by as much as 50%; Help reduce hair length by as much as 30%; Help reduce hair growth by as much as 55%. Individual results may vary.
Cindy Barshop, hair removal guru to celebrities is owner and founder of Completely Bare Spas. Made in USA."

We can't make promises that you will remain hairless on the areas you want to be, but it doesn't hurt to try this growth inhibitor during the weeks of summer.

Unwanted body hair is an unwelcome sight, and honestly,most of us have found at least have ONE nasty hair that didn't belong there.

To quote that adorable Sesame Street song.....
"One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?"

LOLz....

Kaley Cuoco Follows Blonde, Pixie Cut Trend With Success: Would You Dare?

We have to give these celebrities a lot of credit for undergoing a major beauty transformation.

 "Long hair we don't care."

 Apparently not!

 Kaley Cuoco is the latest blonde star to go pixie. And her fans are lovin' every selfie + red carpet photo they can find of the delightful TV actress.

Some might say, all Kaley did was remove her long hair extensions. Even if that were true, going from super long hair to super short hair is still a BIG beauty change.

The pixie cut is definitely on trend at the moment. But it's NOT an easy do to carry with style + beauty. It's a chance you take when you have that much hair lopped off. It's the point of NO return. If you don't like your new, short locks it will take several months to get back to longer hair and usually involve a difficult or awkward growing out stage at times.

However---with a pretty, pixie cut, you can go edgier with makeup, jewelry + hair styling products. Check out Kaley's very bold cat-eye.

The "Big Bang Theory star follows in the pixie footsteps of 2 other famous, blonde actresses who have also gotten lots of attention for their closely cropped cuts---Jennifer Lawrence + Robin Wright.

Plus, all 3 ladies are wearing a glam side part. Allure magazine explains the beauty of the classic side part:

To feminize a boyish cut, like Robin Wright's, blow-dry bangs to the side using a small round brush. "Wearing the bangs soft and side-sweptcan help minimize a square jaw and make a short cut look less severe," says Tim Rogers, a hairstylist at the Sally Hershberger salon in New York City. If bangs are short, pieciness can accomplish that, too. For a wispy effect, flatiron the face-framing sections, then tousle, and separate them with your fingers.

To read more about styling a pretty pixie cut, click here.

Going On Summer Vacation? Then Take This With You For Wrinkles!

Summer vacation is fast approaching for many of us. And wherever your travels + adventures take you, remember that wrinkles are a no-no.

Well, NOT those wrinkles we worry about after playing in the sun all day. For those---tuck in your high 30 SPF, plus some retinoids for nighttime application.

We're talking about those OTHER wrinkles. You know---the kind that ruin your perfect summer ensemble.

Packing for vacation is not always fun when you have to cram your favorite tops, shorts, skirts, bathing suits, etc. into a never big enough suitcase. And maybe where you're headed, ironing isn't an option.

But there is a simple solution.

You will have to pack along these 2 extra items:

1. A blowdryer.

2. A bottle of this---"The Laundress Crease Release" ($8, 2 fl.oz., at thelaundress.com).

It's easy. After you arrive at your hotel room, beach/lake cottage, etc., hang up your loose dresses, tops, shorts and so on. Spray them with Crease Release. Then BLAST 'em with your blowdryer. Laundress is safe + gentle to fabrics.

There---INSTANT smoothing. Wrinkle-free, ladies!

Now go out and enjoy your summer vacation!