HOTTIE

So hot pink is in and will continue to be in in the fall. And while I'm truly dedicated to all things pink, sometimes hot pink can be severe, or severely preppy, depending on the item. So how about a dash of hot pink on something totally functional and completely hip? A carry everything bag made of cotton and watersnake!!! YESSSSSSSssssssssss.

www.calypso-celle.com

PRETTY CLEAN

Washing your hands is a necessity. And having the soap readily available is also a necessity. This was always a bit of an annoyance to me because soap wasn't pretty,, it certainly wasn't sparkly,, and it honestly ruined the look of my well planned out kitchen. I didn't want to spend a fortune on hand soap but I did want a dispenser that went with my kitchen. Thank goodness for Target. They now carry a full line of J.R. Watkins cleaning supplies that are natural, smell great and look amazing. 

www.jrwatkins.com

www.target.com

GET CRAFTY

So I saw a pair of flowered espadrilles in a catalog recently. They were gorgeous but they were pricey,, over $350 pricey, which was well over my summer sandal budget,, but it got me thinking. I have a pair of $13 wedges from American Eagle from last year and I knew where to find silk flowers,,, a plan was hatched. Two fake flowers ($2 total) and a hot glue gun later and the plan was complete. Summer flower espadrilles for $15. Move over Martha Stewart. 

www.michaels.com

www.anthropologie.com

www.ae.com

STONED

Whether you have a lot of time or a little, wasting it on a laborious makeup application isn't fun for anyone. If you could minimize the routine and still look fabulous, wouldn't you? Stila Cosmetics has one of the most full proof products on the market. Convertible eyeliner in Stone. It comes with a self sharpening liner, eye shadow and smudger all in one. So no more sharpening, no more hunting for the right shadow (and then spilling it), no more q-tip cotton stuck in your eye after doing the smokey look. And there isn't an eye color that Stone doesn't look good on. Sweeeeeet.

www.stilacosmetics.com

www.sephora.com

www.ulta.com

NORDSTROM EVENT

For anyone in the Boston area who wants to do a little good and have fun while doing it, Nordstrom is having its grand opening at the Northshore Mall, Wednesday April 15, 2009 from 7-10PM. There will be cocktails, dinner, dessert, live music and of course, shopping. Tickets are $75.00 and all proceeds will benefit the North Shore Music Theatre and The Friends of Beverly Hospital. Hope to see you there,, and if you see a little Sparkle,, please say hi.

For tickets call 978-236-1600 or www.beverlyhospital.org

BLUSHING BRIDE

You got engaged and now you need the dress. You know you want pink and orange flowers for the tables, you're putting your bridesmaids in fuschia, even your groom gets to wear a colored tie. So what about you? Why do you get stuck wearing white? Can't the bride have any fun? If color is your thing, then wear it on your wedding day. Pink, blue, green,, pick your favorite color and work it. Gwen Stefani wore pink on her wedding day and was inspiring. Her pictures were splashed across every fashion mag out there touting how daring and beautiful a choice it was. Sarah Jessica Parker wore a pale pink dress to the Oscars one year and granted it wasn't a wedding and she is a movie star but isn't a wedding a great time for you to feel like a movie star? You can still look like a princess in color,, just a bit more BAZAAR one. 

JUST DESERT

I'm sort of getting sick of my UGGs. Regardless of fashions' ins and outs, nothing got me through the winters quite like them. The comfort and the warmth,, it was hard to resist. But I'm determined to change it up this coming winter and I think I found just the boot. Spotted at the Milan fashion shows was a new model sporting them,, granted she could make anything look cool, but still. They're classics. They're rugged. They're warm and they're comfortable. My UGGs may officially be deserted.

www.clarksusa.com

GOING TO PARIS

I have a plain kitchen. White cabinets, white subway tile, stainless steel and white marble counters. It's neutral, it's sparce. It works but it needs punch. It needs pizzazz. It needs SPARKLE! A big piece of sparkle. A crystal chandelier kind of sparkle! In a kitchen you ask? Yeah! Why not? In fact,, putting a fancy parisian crystal chandelier in an unexpected place adds a wink,,,an element of surprise and fun. Opulence where there usually isn't any. Try putting one in your bathroom and see how much more fun brushing your teeth becomes. Qui, qui!

www.myparisfleamarket.com

TURN ON THE HEAT

Get ready for a safari summer. A little bit Indiana Jones a little bit Out of Africa. You get the idea. This Nicholas Astor dress in Smoke sets the right tone. And you can accessorize it for day or night with jean jacket and fip flops or leather jacket and high heels/sparkly clutch. If it seems short, pair it with some leggings or those Diva white jeans. Smokin'.

www.revolveclothing.com

PARTY GIRL

I think we could all learn a lesson from our 4 year olds. Dress for a party even if you're not going to one. What are you saving that really pretty taffeta skirt for? Doesn't that rhinestone pair of shoes deserve more than one outing? And if you don't wear that sequin purse now,, when will you? Every day can be a glamour fashion day even if you're just getting hot dogs and fries at Spike's Junkyard.

FACE IT

So you're buying organic apples and oatmeal for your kids. You're drinking green tea and you've almost given up Diet Coke,, but what about your skin? Going organic with your skin can not only make your skin radiate, it can also be affordable. Aubrey Organics has a range of products for sensitive skin, combination skin, dry skin, oily skin. I personally use the Sea Buckthorn in the summer and the Rosa Mosqueta in the winter but all of them work. And let's face it,, if your skin looks great, you feel great, no matter what bag or shoes you're wearing.

www.aubrey-organics.com

www.wholefoodsmarket.com

DIVA IN WHITE

I cursed the day, and Kate Moss, the day the skinny jean arrived. I resolved to never wear a pair, and was convinced I was doing my legs and hips a huge favor by bypassing this look. 

So much for resolutions. 

When it comes to fashion there is a time to hold firm and there's a time to be open minded. When I found the Diva,, I laid down my fashion swords and never looked back. However,, I did grumble. You see,, the Diva only came in dark jean and blue jean,, but no white. I succumbed to other brands last summer but no longer. The Diva jean is now available in white!!!! Can you hear me?? WHITE!!!!!! And the best part? They are $29.50 at Old Navy. At that price,, you might want to buy 2,, just in case the butter from your lobster bake wants to steal the Diva's show.

www.oldnavy.com

WALL VALIUM

I'm having one of those days. One kid is sick and the other is being Superman off the counters. I think I have pink eye and my jeans aren't fitting. The babysitter canceled for this weekend and my husband said he'll be home late from work. I'm not a drinker, although this could lead me to be one, but I do have a mantra and it's hanging on my wall. KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. I stare at it and say it over and over. And if that doesn't work there's always BEN & JERRY'S.

www.keepcalmgallery.com

ONE OF A KIND

This summer you're going to want a necklace that goes with everything,,,,,cocktail dress, jeans, bathing suit,,,, but do you really want to see it on everyone else?  i.e. J.Crew, Anthropologie, GAP. Don't get me wrong,, I love what they're doing with costume jewelry and own a few pieces myself, but if you want a real gem, invest in a vintage piece by Miriam Haskell. They are exquisite, made by hand, works of art. And although some of the pieces date back to the 1920's, 30's and 40's, they're still just as relevant in today's fashion as they were back then. Glitterbox.com has a nice collection of Miriam Haskell along with other designers of the time. Glitter on.

www.glitterbox.com

'CAUSE THIS IS THRILLER

The 80's are back but that doesn't mean you have to dress head to toe looking like you came out of a Michael Jackson video. One piece will do and if you keep it in a neutral palette it will keep it looking more modern. Keep the motorcycle jacket short and fitted,, roll up the sleeves for a more casual look and throw it over any and all dresses. The more feminine the better. Topshop has a great one and it's only $90. Now beat it,, before they sell out.

www.topshop.com

BIG LOVE

Hello gorgeous. That's what I said when I saw her,,,this 4 ft by 5 ft piece of art by Andy Warhol for Chanel. I also got the "crazy eyes" as my clients like to call them. Happens any time I see something that I fall crazy madly in love with, and this was one of those times. In fact, I don't really purchase anything that I don't get the "crazy eyes" for,, otherwise what is the point? Buy what you love, not what you think is "right" or "in" or "safe". Big. Love. Crazy. Words to design by.

CHUCK IT

I am supposed to be a grown up by now. I know this. Turn the music down to a sensible level, wipe your mouth after drinking a milkshake, and for God's sake stay out of the puddles!! I'm managing all of it,, I really am. But ya know what? When it comes to sneakers,, I'm going to be a kid. I held off long enough but every time I put them on my kids, I longed for a pair of my own. I may look like I have rabbit feet while wearing them but I'm hopping right into a puddle when I do.

STOP POUTING

Have you been looking for the perfect red for,, like,,, EVER? Do you have 12 tubes of varying shades of red in your makeup kit that you thought made you look like Marilyn Monroe in the store but looked more like Marilyn Manson when you got it home? You're not alone. Red is one of the hardest colors to get right and when it goes wrong,,it's unforgivable. But I found it. I really did. The perfect red. "Icon" by Hourglass Cosmetics. Not too orange, not too dark,, not too bright. Just iconic.

www.hourglasscosmetics.com