Be Your Own Barista and Bartender

The best cocktails and cafe' beverages are sure to cost a pretty penny. Whether $4.95 for that dolled up latte $2.99 for that iced tea which is mostly ice, or $14.99 for that cocktail that was way over priced, getting the best bang for your buck can be easy and inexpensive, saving you time and money. No more waiting in long lines or paying outrageous sums of money for drinks you can make yourself! From that cafinated morning pick me up, to that extra special evening cocktail the steps to making your favorite drink are easier than you think. We've consulted the experts in simplifying three easy recipes into three easy steps!

Iced Vanilla Latte
step one: add 2-3 teaspoons of light brown sugar and 3 drops of vanilla extract to a tall glass
step two: add ice and 1/2 cup strong coffee or 2 shots espresso
step three: fill glass the rest of the way with chilled milk, stirr vigourously and serve







Afternoon Iced Tea
step one: add three bags of your favorite tea to 1 cup of steaming hot water making it extra strong
step two: fill a tall glass with ice and 1/2 cup of cold water
step three: add the hot brewed tea and more ice, serve chilled



Classic Club Cocktail
step one: fill martini shaker with ice
step two: add 1/2 cup of cranberry grape juice made strong from frozen concentrate
step three: add 2 shots of rasberry flavored vodka, shake, strain into a pilsner or martini glass and serve

Bejeweled Beauties of the 63rd Annual Emmys

The 63rd Annual Emmy Award nominees, announcers, and presenters donned the red carpet in jewel toned gowns ranging from emerald greens worn by Olivia Munn in Carolina Herrera, to sapphire blues like the Roksanda Ilincic gown Dianna Agron rocked.

Christina Hendricks in Johanna Johnson and Rachael Taylor in Giorgio Armani were quite eye catching in shades of diamond white; sparkling like champagne spilling off their gorgeous silhouettes.

Of course the ever popular ruby reds stole the spotlight as the best dressed starlets seemed to be at their very best dressed in scarlet. Lea Michele looking lovely in Marchesa, Sofia Vergara sexy as ever in Vera Wang, and Nina Dobrev dazzling the paparazzi in Donna Karan.

Frizz Free in High Humidity

Humidity can make hair do wild and crazy things, from frizzing out to making waves, to being an all around unmanageable mess. Fighting this force of nature with flat irons and hairspray can and will only make matters worse. Instead of going into combat mode with your hair, try going with the flow using these simple tricks to tame hair into the perfectly tousled styles worn on the runways and red carpets. First apply a weightless polishing serum to damp hair making sure to evenly distribute it through the ends. Next separate hair into two to three inch sections, mist each section with a curl enhancing spray and use a diffuser on your blow dryer (set to low or no heat) to lightly blow dry hair. Finally finish hair with a moisture rich finishing spray to add texture, shine and bounce. 

Look Good Travel Light

Looking good and traveling light go hand in hand with styles that are classic, versatile, and easy to pack. Gone are the days of checking bulky luggage (unless of course your going on an extended stay) because traveling with less means saving more. The money spent in baggage claim fees can sting in this economy, not to mention it could be better spent elsewhere. So save money and time, by choosing the right wardrobe pieces allowing travel to be more leisurely by simply packing smart. 

Begin with a purse or  carry-on choosing styles and sizes which allow for optimum usage. It can be a purse large enough to hold clothing, beauty products, a cell phone, and wallet. Or it can be of the smaller variety and fit snugly into a larger carry-on. Either way the purse or carry-on bag should contain enough room for the necessities and then some.
Highly Recomended: Louis Vitton

A well fitting pencil skirt can be dressed up or dressed down, used for business attire or a night out. A pretty blouse and a cardigan add a sophisticated touch and can easily be accessorized in a variety of ways to suit the mood. For instance adding a thin belt at the waist over the cardigan gives a lovely polished look. While pairing a larger belt and bracelet with the blouse tend to dress things up a bit. Beige heels go with practically everything and should definitely be thrown into the mix. Along with a pair of strappy black stilettos and some casual comfortable ballet flats. The flats go great for a casual day look when worn with a favorite pair of jeans, causal top and cardigan.     Highly Recomended: Victoria's Secret

An elegant cocktail dress with the strappy black stilettos, along with an enticing necklace create the perfect look for an evening out. Wide legged pants can be paired with an elegant blouse or nautical top depending on whether the day calls for meeting with clients or shopping and lunch. A lovely mid-length beige trench coat goes nicely with just about any outfit and can be a saving grace if caught in light rain or an evening breeze. So the next time traveling comes up on the agenda think carefully about how the right wardrobe essentials can be mixed, matched and smartly packed because traveling light is the way to go.
Highly Recomended: Burberry

Easy & Inexpensive Ways to Entertain this Summer

Whether staying local or venturing out, nothing says summertime like a gathering of friends for good drinks, great food, and excellent fun. It doesn't have to be expensive to be entertaining, in fact with a little ingenuity and some clever hosting a simple backyard barbeque can become a chic and inexpensive way to entertain outdoors. Classic games like croquet, lawn bowling, badminton, even horse shoes and darts are popular amongst most party goers.

The menu can be as simple as California Style Sliders which are basically miniature gourmet burgers. A delicious and diverse array of sliders can be made quite easily and inexpensively. Ground beef is the usual option, but turkey burgers, and veggie burgers make for an excellent assortment and offer more options for those whose dietary choices may vary. Grilled apple slices with melted brie is also an excellent alternative to the savory tastes of beef, turkey, or veggie burgers. Serve them up on fresh rolls and arrange them on lovely little trays. 

Mix up a delicious Sangria using fresh fruit and alternatively a wonderful Lemonade, as well as Iced Tea or even Iced Water; all of which can be placed into individual glass beverage dispensers and labeled accordingly. Arnold Palmer's are easy to make by mixing half lemonade with half iced tea to mingle together a delicious and refreshing duo of a drink. Set out a few different types of drinking glasses from tumblers to champagne flutes and let guests enjoy choosing a beverage that best suits their personal style.

For dessert nothing says American like Apple Pie, or any other types of pie for that matter. Summer Berry, Lemon Meringue, even Peach can be the perfect treat to slice up and top off with some home made vanilla whipped creme or big yummy scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

As the sun sets, set the mood with candles, a few strategically placed lanterns, and some music for ambiance. Keep sitting arrangements casual yet inviting and create little niches here and there for company to mingle and visit. Essentially create an inexpensive outdoor experience that will make this summer's memories last for years to come.

Simply Beautiful Summer Makeup by M.A.C.

The key to this summers style is simplicity. When it comes to makeup, subtle choices should emphasize elegance in a way which is not excessive or overly done. Moisturize skin with an SPF 15 or higher to protect skin from the dangerous UV  rays you may encounter this summer. Applying Studio Fix Fluid foundation by M.A.C. offers flawless coverage with a light SPF 15 already built in. Allow for natural beauty to be accentuated by using more neutral earthy shades of eyeshadow. We recommend adding a bit of M.A.C. eyeshadow in Embark blended to the outer edges with M.A.C. eyeshadow in Naked Lunch. Opulash mascara by M.A.C. is perfect for emphasizing full dramatic lashes. Curl lashes with a lash curler, both before and after applying mascara. A favorite lip gloss, such as M.A.C. Prep + Prime Lip conditioning primer, paired with M.A.C. Cremestick Liner in Pink Treat gives lips just a hint of color without drawing attention away from the eyes. Lips should be light and lovely by using tones that are not too bright, while having just enough pigment to make that perfect pout stand out.

Summer Styles in the South of France

The 2011 Cannes Film Festival brought a select bevy of starlets to the South of France and the white hot styles hitting the red carpet this year were anything but boring. Bound to be all the rage this summer, lighter shades in organic fabrics are not only keeping the ladies cool, but the gents as well. We saw everything from floor length formals to fun and flirty to sophisticated and elegant a la' Rachel McAdams in a lovely white dress from Maxime Simoens Couture and subtly stylish peep toe pumps by Salvatore Ferragamo. Her Midnight in Paris co-star, Owen Wilson, charmed the crowds in a casual white suit by Calvin Klein. Similar styles can be achieved quite easily, and purchased for considerably less at one of my favorite places to shop H&M. So this summer, whether partying it up on a white hot summer night or a spending a day on the town under the beautiful summer sun, keep it classic, clean and cool in the light bright shade of white.