We all know who Taylor Swift is, but we may not recognize the new Taylor. She’s debuting her new look in the December issue of Harper’s Bazaar. We swear, it’s really her! We would never, ever, ever, like ever – never, lie to you.

Look how grown up – and sophisticated – our little Tay-Tay looks!

The new mag hits newsstands on November 27th!

Louis Vuitton’s new Shanghai super-store opened this past weekend and, suffice it to say, it is beyond anything we’ve ever seen or could dream of! The four-story mecca of leather goods has 100 employees and features the usual Louis Vuitton items we know and love, plus made-to-order cases for tea sets (love!) and mahjong tile carrying cases. There’s also a gilded spiral staircase and a private floor complete with a hair salon! Check it out!

 

Have you picked your jaw up off the floor yet? We told you it was OVER THE TOP! Now who is on the phone with their travel agent booking their next trip to Shanghai?!

…are you ready?

It’s sometimes difficult to don a swimsuit when you’re not 100% thrilled with how you look in one. But never fear – there are tips and tricks you can use to accentuate what you love while downplaying what you don’t. Pay close attention…

Flattery Law #1: Color-Block Your Bikini

Cheyenne Ellis // Magazine

Mixing two different, punchy solids is fun and body-friendly: Just wear the darker shade where you want to look slimmer.

Flattery Law #2: Look for Retro Details

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

A sweetheart neckline creates pinup-worthy cleavage while still giving plenty of support.

Flattery Law #3: Go Strapless

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

The brilliance of this elegant suit? It draws attention up to the shoulders, a beautiful spot on everyone

Flattery Law #4: Find a (Sultry) Skirt

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

Extra coverage is fine, but skip any skirt that hits more than an inch past your bum.

Flattery Law #5: Pick the Perfect Ruffle

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

A frill down the front is all the flourish you need to feel stylish but still look sleek.

Flattery Law #6: Bare a Single Shoulder

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

One-shouldered suits are seductive without going skimpy.

Classic Pear Shape

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

It smooths the midsection and highlights your shoulders.

Extra-Curvy Hourglass

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

This has an uplifting top and a tummy-friendly waistband. It’s the ideal bikini if you’re not super-skinny

Small Bust + Full Thighs

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

Stripes fill out the top half and balance the bottom half.

Long Torso + Tummy Pooch

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

Color-blocking fakes perfect proportions.

Classic Apple Shape

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

A wrap suit, like a wrap dress, carves out a pretty waist.

Flat chest + Long torso

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

The halter creates a fuller bustline, while high-cut legs balance your proportions.

Wide Hips And Thighs

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

With a bra-style top, a swim skirt is amazingly alluring.

Full Rear + Short Legs

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

The high cut lengthens legs; the gleamy shoulder draws eyes up.

Big Bust + Short Torso

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

Low-slung bottoms elongate your midriff, while the top keeps you stable.

Full Chest + Short Legs

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

A higher waist visually moves the start of your leg up.

Boyish, Athletic Build

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

Ruffles add curves in all the right places.

Small Chest + Full Hips

Ben Goldstein/Studio D // Magazine

The classic string bikini is adjustable, so it fits like a glove.

Now you’re armed with all the info you need to purchase the exact “slimsuit” to accentuate everything you want and everything you don’t! Go get ‘em, girl! Knock ‘em dead! Be breathtaking – in fact, you already are!

We’re back from NSS, exhausted and overwhelmed – but omigoodness, what a FANTASTIC experience! We can’t wait to share everything with you, but while we’re decompressing and getting re-organized here’s a little something very timely for this time of year. It’s definitely time to get our tan on!

Self Tanner: Top 10 Self Tanners on the Market (according to About.com Style & Beauty Guide Julyne Derrick) based on tester and expert reviews.

Guerlain’s Terracotta Self-Tanning Spray for the Body

At $35 – $50 it’s one of the best spray tanners on the market. Testers overall found it dried very quickly, overall color was very natural (a brown rather than orange and the tan deepened as the hours went on), and the smell factor was average like most self-tanners. One con is the price – it is not a cheap option.

L’Oreal Sublime Glow for the Body

This is a great, inexpensive gradual tanner. Testers found it best to apply product over the course of a couple days so the tan could gradually grow darker. Apply after you exfoliate in the shower and apply a thin layer of moisturizer. Overall, testers loved the shimmer it leaves behind and the price. One con is the product tends to be runny and many testers would have preferred a pump. Still, this is a quality self-tanner for the money. $10

Laura Mercier Bronzing Gel for the Face

Unlike other self-tanners, Laura Mercier’s bronzing gel is meant to be used to enhance the tan on the face. The company suggests dabbing a bit on AFTER tinted moisturizer and BEFORE powders. A bit pricier other bronzers on the market, testers found it’s well worth the price. This bronzer provides a “just tanned” look with a touch of rose. Warms the skin and adds a spark of shimmer. $32.

Jergens Natural Glow

This is the favorite of many who have tried dozens of other options. People love that it’s gradual because one-application self-tanners tend to streak on the pale and fair-skinned. Use this daily after the shower and enjoy a gradual, natural tanned look. Jergens is only $4.

Decleor Self Tanning Milk and Gels for Body and Face

You’ll find Decleor products to be one of the best and least pungent self tanners you’ll try. Testers found the product to be almost perfect: Hydrating, non-streaking, natural, no orange color and with a bit of shimmer. Like all self-tanners, Decleor products do smell. The tanning agents are 100 percent organic and are suitable for face as well as body. And they even have a bit of SPF! $36

St. Tropez Whipped Bronze Self-Tanning Mousse for Face & Body

This salon brand is a celeb fave. You apply this and within a few hours you’ll have a deep, naturally-looking tan. This is not a gradual self-tanner. Because the product is fast-acting and dries fast, testers recommend using the pad that St. Tropez makes for their self-tanners. St. Tropez’s website even features applications videos.  Whipped Bronze has a more pleasant fragrance than other self-tanners. Ideal for the entire body, including the face. $40

Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanner for Face

The highest rated and most loved Clarins self-tanner on Makeupalley.com. Reviewers raved about ease of use, didn’t complain about the smell and said the product worked great on oily skin. $32

Neutrogena Sun Fresh Sunless Foam

For an inexpensive self-tanner for the body, this product doesn’t streak, dries quickly and allows for a buildable tan. If you have darker skin, you should opt for the medium/deep product because you may not notice a tan if you opt for the fair/medium. $9

GlowFusion Natural Protein Tan Spray for Body & Face

This is Julyne’s self-tanner of choice at the moment. She discovered it at Sephora a couple years ago and while it does smell and it dries quickly, the tan looks incredibly natural. $40 and up

Hawaiian Tropic Firming Island Glow Daily Moisturizer

A gradual tanner for the body and you can’t beat the price. Makeupalley.com users love this product and it compares favorably to Jergens self-tanner, which some people complain smells. $7 on up

So, there ya have it! The best self-tanners on the market – now go get your tan on! Chat back with us and let us know your favorite! Which one worked best for you, which would you recommend to your BFF? We wanna know!

 

 

A Tango, perhaps? The Tangerine Tango, specifically. Not only is it a dance…it’s a color. A very bright and bold color that holds the honor of being named Pantone’s 2012 Color of the Year (Pantone 17-1463). Chosen because of its “sophisticated and dramatic undertones,” Tangerine Tango is a continuation of last year’s winner, Honeysuckle (Pantone 18-2120). The 2011 winner was said to be “inspiration to face life’s everyday troubles with verve and vigor,” with Tangerine Tango building off of that by giving an “energy charge” to move forward. Pretty dramatic language, but these people takes their colors seriously.

And so do we…but in a more fun, lighthearted way!

Celebrities are always on the cusp of the latest trends – Tangerine Tango for everybody!

You’ll find it everywhere in the latest home decor trends, naturally.

Fashion and make-up? Of course!

 

Lifestyle pieces and gift items…you betcha!

Is the Tangerine Tango a bit too bold, bright, or ELECTRIC for you? Never fear, it can be toned down with just the right touches. You just have to know where to start…

A splash of color can make a big impact!  For instance, in this dining room, the strips of orange next to the khaki and white really make the orange pop.

Dining room with orange, white and khaki

This little girl’s room has white walls and furniture causing the orange and pink to have a high impact on this room. It looks fun and playful.

Girl's room

On the flip, orange and blue are also a great combination. This little boy’s room is almost completely opposite of little girl’s room above, yet is just as awesome.  With dark walls, furniture and floors, the orange brightens up the décor.

Boy's room

This sitting area is playing with the idea of color. The blue-grey cabinet, with the orange interior is quite lovely and ties together nicely with the orange chair. I also like the idea of living color, so the light orange flowers are a nice touch

Sitting Area

I absolutely love this bathroom. The dark brown with the orange makes a bold statement and is softened by the mosaic tile.

Bathroom

So GO FOR IT! Get your Tangerine Tango on! How will you use it? Where will you showcase this POP of brightness in your home? Share with us!

It’s no secret that everybody wants to be trendy, stylish, and on-par with the latest fashions. What is ALL over the runways this season??? Color-blocking, of course! Now I realize it may be a little intimidating to tackle trendy fashion – you may think, “That looks amazing on her but I could never pull it off.” You know those thoughts have crossed your mind…I know they’ve crossed my mind. But when I come across a trend that I really want to give a shot, I search for ways to make it work for me. And naturally, I want to share my findings with you!

I came across a post from The Budget Fashionista that fits the bill, to a tee (no pun intended)…here’s what she had to say.

The hottest trend of the spring/summer season is color-blocking, and personally, we couldn’t be more thrilled. The spring 2012 runways exploded with vibrant hues that were avant garde, playful, and impossible to ignore both for their brightness and their prominence across designers and retailers.

The color-block look is far from new, but it’s back with such a bang that you don’t want to ignore it this year. There are lots of ways to make it work for you–some easier than others–so let’s take some time to examine the best ways to color-block your summer looks.

Cheat.You’ll look like a fashion genius without putting any thought into it if you simply buy a color-blocked dress. Pick one that works for your skin tone and personal style- and make sure all the colors flatter, not just one or two.

Pair separates. When it comes to color-blocking with separates, the easiest way is to pair a bright hue with a nude hue. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you can try to pair two bold colors, but we suggest starting with one bright piece and one neutral toned piece.

Up the Ante. Once you’ve got your main hues represented in your outfit, take color-blocking to the next level with accessories. If you’ve got a deep-hued top, skirt or dress, pair it with bright accessories and vice-versa. A bright yellow top looks great with cobalt blue bracelets, and a deep purple skirt pairs nicely with brightly colored shoes.

Opposites attract. There are a few things to remember when it comes to color-blocking with the right colors. Make sure you only have one neon color. While it’s totally okay to rock three bold colors, only one of them should be super bright. We like this formula: one bright, one bold, one neutral.

Also, remember that neutral doesn’t have to mean nude. Use white, grey, brown and black to hold your outfit together. And an easy way to make sure you get the trend right, even without a neutral? Stick with different hues of the same color. Sky blue, cobalt and navy look great, while pale pink, bright pink and fuchsia do as well.

Having a tough time figuring out what to pair with what?

Here are some more hues that go great together:

1. Cobalt Blue, Yellow, Orange

2. Chocolate Brown, Pink, Peach

3. Purple, Bright Blue, Teal

4. Deep Blue, Bright Pink, White

5. Coral, Grey, Ivory

Isn’t that all wonderful advice? And don’t  you want to go shopping…like, right now!? I know I do…see you at the mall!

 

 

 

 

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