My Spring/Summer 2013 Holiday Beachwear Picks

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Spring is in full swing and the summer is just around the corner.  If you haven’t already purchased this year’s bikini or swimsuit, then chances are you’ve got an eye on a few options.  In celebration of the warmer weather and upcoming summer holidays, I’ve scoured the internet for my top summer vacation fashion picks.

Summer 2013 is all about mid-century retro glam, color blocking, strips and bright and cheery hues.

Starting from the feet up, here are my top picks:

1. Havaianas Top Flip Flops ($18.00 from Zappos)

havaianas

Havaianas has perfected the quitessential flip flop and infused a bright splash of color into their current line. Offering classic style, quality, comfort and a rainbow pack of colors, it’s a must-have for anyone heading to the beach this summer.

2. FitFlop Due Canvas in Sunflower (also available in Hibiscus and Super Navy, 75 GBP from FitFlop)

fitflop

When I saw these cute canvas shoes for sale at the mall I immediately fantasized about where them on a Mediterranean cruise, or a Greek island think.  Just think how nicely these sunflower cuties would look against the white-washed homes on Mykonos. Ideal for a quick jaunt into town or walking along a beach promenade, these FitFlops are ultra comfortable and also come in Hibiscus (red/pink) and Super Navy (dark blue).

3. Antique Embroidered Kaftan ($76.00 from Accessorize)

white_kaftan

This delicate white embroidered kaftan will add a dash a glamour to your summer beach wardrobe. The little white dress is everywhere this year, making this kaftan even more bang on trend. It’s incredibly versatile and would look just as great over a swimsuit as it would for a steamy summer night out.

4. ASOS Stripey Cut About Maxi Beach Dress ($26.60 from ASOS)

striped_maxiASOS is quickly becoming my go-to clothing outlet. The London-based company scours the globe for hot trends and designs its own pieces accordingly. This stripey maxi dress is casual and bright with a hint of shimmer. I’m packing it next to my embroidered kaftan on my next beach vacation.

5. Feather or Not Scarf ($11.99 from ModCloth)

scarfIf there’s any I learned from living in Europe, it’s that scarves are to be worn at all times of the year.  This lightweight offering by ModCloth can add a nice pop of color do a bland outfit and a touch of sophistication for a night out.

6. Oh What a Sight Sunglasses ($11.99 from ModCloth)

sunglasses$11.99 to add some retro glam to my outfit? Yes, please. These super cute, super fun and super mid-century glasses are ueber cool and a great bargain.  Pair with a loose fitting blouse, high waisted short and espadrilles for the ultimate mid-century-on-holiday look.

7. San Diego Hat Company XL Brim Sunhat ($44.00 from Zappos)

summer_hat

When it comes to sunhats, I say go big or go home.  This extra large and floppy offering by San Diego Hat Company is perfect in so many ways.  The ultra wide brim will help protect your face AND shoulders from harmful UV while you look effortless chic.  Perfect for lounging on the beach.

Travel Tip: Top 3 Long Form Podcasts to Pass the Time

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Call me weird, but I look at entertainment as an emotional investment.  If something is going to be holding my mind, ears and/or eyeballs captive for any significant period of time, I need to feel like I can commit.  This is probably the reason why I spend more time flipping through the movie options on an airplane than actually watching a movie.

As someone with a busy travel schedule, I spend hours in waiting rooms, on trains and on planes. All the while my mind is thirsty for entertainment and I’ve come to depend on podcasts to help me whittle down the hours until I reach my next destination.  While there’s a part of me that loves short, low emotional investment podcasts (e.g. Stuff You Should Know), I still find myself checking the time on my phone every 15 minutes when I switch shows and this kind of defeats the purpose of trying to make life tick by faster.

That’s why I love the longform (1+ hour) podcast. When you find a good one, you’re engrossed, captivated and entertained while you blissfully sit unaware in a crowded room full of strangers on an uncomfortable metal chair. Having listened diligently to a variety of podcast over the past 4 years, I’ve come up with my top 3 list of long form podcasts to help you pass the time -

3. Alison Rosen in Your New Best Friend (ARYNBF)

I caught on to ARYNBF by way of the Adam Carolla Show, where she’s the resident news girl and the ying to Adam’s yang. Podcasting is an arena that is flooded with a sea of amateurs, many of which have hit it big. Alison, however, is a professional journalist with the credentials to back it up.  In her show she interviews comedians, actors and other members of the media in a format that beckons her guests to open up and reveal personal stories, views and opinions.  Her patience and willingness to share her own personal anecdotes draws out the best in her guests and her congenial nature makes her instantly likeable to the listener.

Some of my favorite ARYNBF episodes of late have featured Dr. Drew, Jim Jefferies and Harlan Williams.

2. Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History

Dan Carlin calls himself an amateur historian, but his in depth multi-part podcasts on major historical events are more intriguing and informative than any lecture I got from my history professors in college.  Even if you’re not a history buff, Dan’s story telling abilities will immediately rope you into his nonfiction tale. His podcasts detailing WWII’s eastern front single handedly altered my view of the Second World War and his “Wrath of the Khans” series is equally captivating.

1. This American Life

You can’t go wrong with This American Life.  Ira Glass is a staple of public broadcasting and as an American expat, I appreciate how he brings stories from all around the nation to life.  Some shows are funny (try listening to the episode on investigating whether pig bung holes are being masqueraded as calamari), while others are incredibly thought provoking and address some of the biggest societal issues America is facing today (try listening to Harper Valley High School, which tackles the issue of gun violence in schools or Trends with Benefits, which investigates issues with the nation’s disability benefits system).

Easy Tips to Make Long Distance Flights More Comfortable

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1. Pack Strategically

Before boarding, take all your in-flight essentials (smartphone, tablet, toothbrush, medication, lotions, etc.) and place them in your personal carry on – the one that goes under the seat. This way you won’t have to grapple with the overhead bins to access the things you need. This is especially handy if you don’t have an aisle seat or you’re on a bumpy flight.

2. Dress for Comfort
The airplane is not a runway and there’s no reason to dress to impress here, unless you happen to be Victoria Beckham. It’s a lot easier to fall asleep in comfier attire than tight jeans and a button-up blouse. To keep things casual-yet-presentable, opt for tights or jogging pants with a sweatshirt. For added comfort, take off your shoes in flight and add an extra pair of socks to stay cozy.

3. Have Teeth Cleaning Gum on Hand
I try and brush my teeth during longer flights, but admittedly, sometimes I’m grossed out by the bathroom on the plane and I just can’t bring myself to do it. Luckily, teeth cleaning gum (e.g. Orbit) acts as a stopgap between trips to hygienic bathrooms and if you can just pop one in after a meal instead of getting up to brush your teeth.

4. Keep a Bottle of Water with You
Either purchase a bottle of water before you board (after you get through security, of course), or ask the flight attendant for a bottle before they dim the cabin lights. Once it’s “lights out”, you won’t have to worry about waking anyone to get a drink.

5. Hydrate – Inside and Out
The dry air on flights can be almost unbearable for some. Unfortunately there’s no quick solution to this other than to keep drinking fluids throughout the flights. Some of us also suffer from dry skin in the air and this is where tip #1 comes in handy. If you’ve packed your lotion(s) into the carry on under your seat, you can moisturize as often as you like, which can mean the difference between tolerance and misery.

6. Avoid Static and Braid your Hair
This probably isn’t an issue for most men, but those of us who suffer from static-charged tangled messes of hair on long flights can avoid this whole fiasco by just braiding it. Braiding your hair keeps it neat and completely out of the way so you won’t have to fight during the whole flight.

7. Nervous Flyer? Sit Closer to the Wing
If turbulence keeps you on edge during long flights, sit closer to the aircraft’s wings. When a plane is in the air, it acts like a fulcrum (not something I want to fully visualize), with the front and back experiencing the most movement. The center of the plane tends to remain the most stable throughout the flight.