Category: Fashion

I just stumbled upon BHLDN, a fabulous website for brides offering an elegant, offbeat and whimsical approach to everything bridal. Here are some of our favorite takes on traditional hair accessories for the big day. Which one do you like?

Languid Bow Headband--$220.00

North Star Blusher Veil--$375.00

Libelle Headband--$290.00

Feathered Corsage Birdcage Veil--$300.00

Don’t shoot the messenger, but fall is only two months away! Here are a few links to some hair and makeup ideas showing up on the runways.

On the one hand I’m mesmerized yet on the other I’m unsure about my feelings for this collection of exquisite necklaces made from hair–that’s right–hair. But I guess that’s exactly how artist, Kerry Howley, wanted me to feel about her latest creations. A recent graduate with honors from London’s Middlesex University, Howley designed the hair necklaces entitled “Attraction/Aversion” as her graduation collection.

Howley explains, “Attraction/Aversion is a material exploration of how people can feel seemingly opposing emotional responses simultaneously. The necklaces are made of human hair, a familiar material that we take pride in. However once off of the body hair becomes an innate source of aversion. Kerry wanted to see if she could make discarded hair attractive again.”

How do you feel about this art form?

Summer has arrived – it means sunny days, humid nights… and oh! Weddings!

As I type, brides around the country are scrambling to pull together and put the finishing touches on the weddings of their dreams.

The perfect dress…

The perfect hair…

The perfect makeup…

Oh…and the perfect person to walk down the aisle towards, too.…that’s a minor detail though.

Shows like TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress chronicle endless appointments of brides and their entourages as they try on dress after dress… but what exactly are the dress trends?

One not-so-big surprise is that the Royal Wedding has had a major impact on bridal trends.

Some big trends include the use of sapphire. While diamonds or pearls are pretty traditional wedding jewelry, don’t be surprised if you see a little something blue (and sparkly) on brides this season!

Another influence – Kate’s dress. I mean, I’m not even thinking about getting married right now, and I think, “I want that dress!” escaped my lips when she stepped out of that car. Beautiful and classic – with a hint of fairytale. Those lace sleeves and that Grace Kelly style will definitely be seen this season.

However, for the bride who is not about to be Kate 2.0 on her wedding day, Bridal Fashion Week offered varied, unique and romantic styles that ranged from layered and intricate to simple and short. Yep, I said short.

Aside from Kate-inspired dresses (sleeves both long and short were seen all over the runway), Bridal Week trends included:

Illusion necklines  – like this Monique Lhuillier

Two-tiered skirts – like this Junko Yoshioka

“Horsehair” Trim – like this Rivini

The “Little” White Dress – perfect for the reception

Now we know that the hair is just as important as the dress. Summer bridal styles range from classically glamorous to beautifully casual.

One big thing that I’ve seen is hair accessorizing. Whether it is feathers or flowers, ribbons or rhinestones – brides are accessorizing from head to toe. Which is perfect for any bride, but especially if you have a shorter ‘do it allows you to spice it up for that special day!

Trendy up ‘dos, like this chignon, are simple, but super chic:

Brides are also opting for down ‘dos. Keeping things casual and soft but still elegant. You’ve seen these down-dos on brides like Kate Middleton and Reese Witherspoon. They range from sleek and straight to soft curls.

Kate swept her hair away from her face:

Reese kept things simple and sleek:

What are your favorite looks for bridal season? Your favorite hairstyles, dresses, jewelry – even makeup?

I know I’m a fan of the simple and chic look of the down ‘do, but I also love the look of a chignon up ‘do!

American Idol is part of American culture. For the past 10 seasons (yes, it’s been 10! crazy!), we’ve watched truly talented singers rise through the ranks and go onto singing stardom.

Sure – you tune in to see who will wow the crowd, who will choke under pressure and who will surprise everyone.  However, if you’re anything like me – you tune in for more than just the singing and the crazy judges.

Personally, my favorites parts of the seasons are the auditions (I mean, William Hung’s “She Bangs” is a “classic” at this point), and, most of all, watching the transformations that the contestants go through as they advance through Idol.

We’ve seen Ryan Seacrest go from a rookie host with frosted blond tips to a carefully coifed media mogul. We’ve witnessed countless transformations of past idol contestants. Some of my faves? Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and Jennifer Hudson.

(Previous 3 Photos: http://www.tvguide.com/photogallery/american-idol-favorites-1772)

This season’s contestants kept with tradition and transformed, by leaps and bounds, from auditions to the finale.

Runner up, Lauren Alaina (16 years old!) started off the season a lil’ disheveled (can’t blame her, I’d be a wreck):

(Photo Credit: http://idolphenomena.blogspot.com/2011/02/idolrumors-top-24-spoilers.html)

By the finale, she had experimented with looks ranging from sweet to rocker chic:

(Photo Credit: http://www.123etcetera.com/lauren-alaina.html)

By the way, anyone else think Lauren resembles DJ Tanner (a la Full House) in the photo with the black and white patterned dress?

The transformations are not limited to the female contestants. Season 10’s winner, Scott McCreery, certainly went through a transformation of his own.

Scott was a young, clean-cut guy, donning flip-flops, with a little bit of a country twang to his style when he auditioned in Milwaukee.

As the season went on, he become more polished, an apparent fan of leather jackets and light wash denim was no more (so were the flip-flops)!

Open collar and suit jacket? How very “Seacrest” of him!

Jokes aside – these guys (and gals) look great! It must be nice having a stylist, makeup artist and hair stylist on call!

What have been your favorite Idol transformations – from this season or seasons past??

Can’t remember them all? Take a peek at the American Idol photo albums! – Ahh…nostalgia.

Ahh – summertime in New England – the light at the end of the tunnel during the gray winter months that just seem to drag on and on!

After a long, cold winter, and a sometimes non-existent spring, it is easy to see why New Englanders eagerly await the opportunity to peel back the layers and hit the beaches.

Before you throw on your suit and hit the sand – go through our summer checklist and make sure you’re at your summer best (and safest!).

Skin: Bronze it up!

Okay, you’re first thought might be to jump into the nearest tanning best… but stop! There’s a better way! Maybe your skin hasn’t seen the light of day since October, but you don’t have to expose it to harmful UV rays in order to be a bronzed beauty.

Self-tanning products have come a long, long way. Products, like Jane Iredale’s Tantasia Self-Tanner (available at Salon Bogar), allow you to build up a natural looking tan, with no streaking! It allows you to control your tan, has a citrusy smell, and has been tested for sensitivity on both the face and body. Plus, you’re moisturizing your skin while bronzing it – the best of both worlds!

If you’re a little unsure of how to apply it for the best results – Jane even offers a short video on the best, and easiest, way to apply Tantasia.

Get your glow on: Protect it!

You’ve got yourself glowing – now it’s time to protect your skin! We all know how damaging the sun’s rays can be so working some sun protection into your skin care routine is a great habit to form.

PCA skin offers a great line of sunscreen, moisturizers, and other skin solutions that can help you protect your skin from the summer sun. Many of their products contain an SPF of 25 or greater.

Plus, remember – even if the sun isn’t shining brightly – those UV rays still get through. You can often get the worst burns on the cloudiest of days!

Hair: Shield it!

When it comes to sun exposure – skin is the biggest topic. However, your hair gets just as much exposure to the sun’s rays, and can be easily damaged.

If you color your hair, over exposure to the sun can cause color to fade. If you’re making the investment in hair color, you should protect it with shampoos and conditioners that offer protection from sun damage.

Aveda offers a Color Conserve line of shampoos and conditioners that protects hair from not only the sun, but from water and other environmental damages as well!

You should take just as much care if you don’t color your hair – Aveda offers a different Sun Care (it’s safe for color, too) line as well – including products for before and after sun-exposure.

The Little Things:

After applying SPF and protecting your hair from the sun – go the extra step and add some sunny accessories to help you stay sun-safe, and chic:

• A cute hat! (Weren’t we just talking about these?)

Grab a cute fedora or a fashion forward floppy hat to shield your skin from the sun:

• A great pair of sunglasses:

Don’t forget to protect your eyes!

• A water bottle (hey, they can be cute, too)!

Hydration – hydration – hydration! You’ll feel better – plus, your skin and hair will look better if you’re not dehydrated from the heat!

Accessorize, be green and make a statement with a cute reusable water bottle.

What’s on your summer checklist??