Guest Post at Ciao Chessa!

Hope everyone had a very Happy 4th! We enjoyed summer salads on the beach of the Long Island Sound and feasted on a carnivorous BBQ of gargantous proportions. While the closest I came to fireworks was watching them on tv, we thoroughly enjoyed the DC and NYC displays! Today I'm guest blogging for one of my close friends who recently became a new mommy to a beautiful little girl, Lucia Isabella.  Come visit me at Monica's photography blog, Ciao, Chessa! Be sure to take some time to look around!

photo of Elisa Sednaoui from Starbucks and Jane Austen

Old Navy Sale: LOVE

Old Navy, you've captured my heart once again.

Your simple, lightweight summer frocks are bringing me right back to my days as a little girl. Just looking at these whimsical tops & dresses makes me remember my bright blonde side ponytail braid, freckled nose and endless hours running through sprinklers on my front yard. If you're at all tempted, everything on this page is under $15 and Old Navy is offering 30% off everything in the store until 6/29.  Get it while it's hot!!

No, literally, it's like, really, really hot out.

:  )

Happy weekend, weekenders!

On A Boat!!

I adore this photo shoot, who doesn't love the water in the summertime?

I love all the fabulous, airy tops, her abundance of gold jewelry, oversized Jackie O glasses and dark, slicked-back ponytails. She also makes a strong case for a gold Minx manicure, no?  Hilary seems to channel Aly MacGraw, which I just LOVE... 

from Vogue Deutch, September 2008

Hilary Rhoda photographed by Alex Lubomirski

via here

Summer Movies + A Giveaway Winner!

Summer movies are my fave. I can't wait to indulge in the freezing cold theater, clad with Raisinettes and a Sigg-ful of icy lemon water. I am smitten with each of these films and have them on my "must-see" list for the next few months.

Eat Pray Love

Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, James Franco and food porn??

Count me in!

I Am Love

"A tragic love story set at the turn of the millennium in Milan. The film follows the fall of the haute bourgeoisie due to the forces of passion and unconditional love."

Sounds perfect!

{out today in theaters}

Cyrus

Quirky, witty film about a boy {Jonah Hill} who can't leave the nest and a relationship between Marisa Tomei and John C. Reilly.  Tell me this doesn't intrigue you...

Duhhhhhhhh!

Happythankyoumoreplease

A group of late 20 somethings navigate through the murky dating waters of NYC.

...Reality Bites...Singles...  

It received the "Audience Award" for best dramatic feature at Sundance this year.

Sounds fantastic!

And now for the winner of the Misikko contest from last week....the winner is:

Alina of Alina's Daydream!!

Congrats Alina!  Please submit photos of your newly straightened hair!

Thank you all for playing!  I promise to have more giveaways soon!

Happy Weekend loves!

Summer Flavahhh: Essie Love

drumroll please....

...this is my official summer, 2010 endorsement for nail color.

Essie, Knockout Pout, $8

Available on essie.com

For the record, Essie did not sponsor me to say this,

although I would graciously accept any/all gifts

& would gladly model my nails and toes.
xo!

You're making me HOT!!

I'm completely obsessing over summer fashion.

I can't wait to throw on fun prints and light material everything!

Here are some of my favorite picks for easy summer living.

Above: Simone Calle bag, $2,000

Slightly prohibitive, yet 100% gorgeous!

{Matthew Williamson bikini}

{Yumi Kim "Aubrey" dress, $193}

{Toms navy stripe calypson wedges, $69}

{"Doctors Orders" bag, $468, Anthropologie}

{Kate Moss for Top Shop dress, $135}

{"Charming Composite Clutch" $68, Anthropologie}

{YSL Platform Sandals, $539, Barneys}


Have a fantastic weekend, my fantastic readers!

Summer Hair: 1 Look, 4 Ways

I love a clean, easy summer do.

As the summer heats up, my main hair objective is to keep it neat, yet stylish.

A pretty low braid or pony can do the job and keep you looking fresh.

Make your braid elegant and tie a black, satin ribbon at the end. 

Go for a middle part and a low pony.

Then, add bling and bright red lipstick for extra glamour...

You can't go wrong with a voluminous, wavy side braid.

I'd use a diffuser to blow dry the top and infuse the volume.

Then let the rest dry naturally with your favorite summer products.

Braid and go!

This red carpet look allows your pretty face to take center stage.

Sleek, elegant, ravishing!

Tune in this week for my wavy hair product arsenal!

photos via In Style

Foot Candy

I spotted these in the Style Section of the NY Times & nearly fainted.

The colors.  The easy summer style.  And the prices...oh, the prices.

Not one of these pictured here is above $98.

Find them here, at MYMU.

And you better act fast, they're a pretty hot commodity.

The artist/creator of MYMU, Gabriela Lanardonne, 

inspired by alpargatas of Buenos Aires.

Gabriela, if you're reading this, I'm a size 41, and I'll take every single pair.

photo via NY Times

See Tan, Want Tan, Get Tan {without sun}

Summer is quickly approaching. We all want to be tan, but also want to avoid the harsh UV rays of the sun. Here's how to achieve that gorgeous Gisele tan without even stepping foot outside.

Recipe for the perfect {fake} summer tan:

1. Facial Scrub:

Very important to remove dead skin cells before attempting radiance.

I suggest something absolutely delicious like,

Sugar Face Polish by Fresh. Sephora, $55

2. Moisturizer w/ SPF:

During the summer, we are naturally outside a lot more & our faces are exposed to all kinds of harmful rays sometimes w/o us even knowing it. Putting on an SPF {at least 15} is crucial all throughout the year, but most especially with increased sun exposure in the summer months.

Healthy Defense daily moisturizer {spf 45}
by Neutrogena sold in drugstores.

3. Great foundation w/ spf

Bare Minerals SPF 15 foundation

by Bare Escentuals at Sephora, $25

4. The Perfect Bronzer

Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder
Guerlain at Nordstom, $50

5. Body Tan {spray}

You will probably want to match your body to your face, so try a great spray tan in a bottle such as:

Tan Airbrush in a Can
ModelCo at Sephora $30

Gisele pic via Vanity Fair website