Get Your Glow On: Faux Riviera Tan

Voda Swim String Bikini & Freewaters Sandals

Somewhere Warm & Sunny: Warm weather is on the way! I know I keep telling myself that because really one day it will be true. When that hot weather shows up, I don't want to show my pasty winter-white legs and arms! Here are some runway tips and tricks to go from blah to bronzed instantly. My simple steps to a Faux Riviera Tan:

First Get A Close Shave
If you like the Venus razor you will LOVE these Women's Five Blades by 800 Razors. These are amazing with no nicks or burns under the arms or the bikini area. The multi bladed head tilts to caress every crevice and the 360 lubricating soapy bars keep it smooth. These even come with a burn free guarantee.

800 Razor trumps Venus!

Next Exfoliate
I like to use my Clarisonic Plus daily in the shower for extra clean & gently exfoliated skin. Before I hop in the shower I do a quick dry brushing with a soft Boar Bristle body brush. To do a deep exfoliation try using Tree Nut's Olive & Shea Butter Sugar Body Scrub. Another good scrub is by Mio - Double Buff Dual Action Enzyme Exfoliator. Pay special attention to elbows and knees as they tend to be rougher and will absorb color more quickly than other body parts.  

Mio Double Buff and Tree Nut Sugar Body Scrubs

Moisturize & Firm
Right out of the shower, first apply a good cellulite cream like this Cellulite Firming Complex by TriLASTIN or Embryolisse 365 Cream Body Firming Treatment. The warm water and exfoliation will ensure maximum absorption of these products.

Time to Glow:  I've looked at quite a few self tanners and by far the best color you can get is with an airbrush. Once only available in a salon, now if you have even a basic airbrush compressor, you can do it at home. Otherwise get a pair of rubber gloves and a can of Quick Tan by Body Drench. This gives you a rich, instant tan that darkens over 3 days and lasts for almost a week. Spray it on and rub it in. Let it dry thoroughly before getting dressed. If you want a bit of EXTRA glow, add a layer of Hard Candy's Glow All the Way self tanner. It's infused with 24K gold and looks incredible in sunlight.

Firm and Glow essentials!

Full Body Glow
Just remember to really glow all the way! Do your arms and legs and all other areas of exposed skin. Don't forget to use a bit of bronzer on your face and neck to match up your look.

Glow from head to toe this spring!

Products featured in this article c/o these respective companies:

VodaSwim.com
Freewaters.com
800razors.com
EmbryolisseUSA.com
HardCandy.com
TreeNut.com
BodyDrench.com
Mioskincare.com
TriLASTIN.com
 

Valentine's Day Ideas & Gifts: Bed & Breakfast Get Away #BombshellsDay

Time to get away for the weekend even if you're staying home! Crabtree & Evelyn Goodies

NYC, NY This Valentine's Day falls on a Friday, making it perfect to extend into the weekend. Here are some ideas on how to turn the weekend into a Bed and Breakfast Adventure, even if you plan to stay home! Likewise if you are planning to take off for the weekend, here are the perfect travel gift sets for him and you.

Valentine's Day Breakfast in Bed Tea and Biscuits
Wake up to proper English fare starting with Breakfast Tea, Bicuits and Wild Blueberry Preserve in this lovely keepsake gift tin from Crabtree & Evelyn! Something sweet to start your day and keep those memories there after.  Set contains: White Chocolate & Raspberry Biscuits, Lemon and White Chocolate Biscuits, English Breakfast Tea and Wild Blueberry Preserve.

Yummy delights to start your Valentine's Day morning.

Belgium Waffles
Buttermilk Belgium waffles (try this Cheese Pumpkin Weekend Waffle Recipe from GaveThat.com) are always so right for a fancy breakfast. Save some time and get the toaster or frozen variety. Serve them with butter and a touch of the C & E Wild Blueberry Preserve and the Breakfast Tea (of course). Set everything on a breakfast tray and enjoy everything in bed.

Recipe for these fluffy Belgium waffles at GaveThat.com

Sugar n' Spice
One of the most sensuous smells is that of vanilla and brown sugar. There's a reason why girls used to dab a little vanilla behind the ears. Amp up your breakfast-in-bed Belgium Waffles by adding Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract to the batter and by topping them with Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Sugar. This subtle layering of delicious, natural vanilla will warm up more than just the waffles. See more exclusive gourmet extracts at NielsenMassey.com.

Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract & Pure Vanilla Sugar

Weekend Get Away Gifts for HIM
Nothing sends the travel-bug nudge like giving him a delicious West Indian Lime Travel Set for Valentine's Day. This set has everything your beau will need with a hint of tropical places it will bring to mind. A Caribbean Cruise? A beachy weekend? Drop that hint. Visit CrabtreeandEvelyn.com for even more luscious gift ideas.

Crabtree & Evelyn West Indian Lime Body Wash, After Shave Balm, Cologne & Shave Cream

Other Gift Ideas for Him Shown Here: Leather Luggage Tag by The Field Outfitting. Men's Tuscanella Leather Overnight Duffel Bag by Pierotucci, Italy

Your Turn: Weekend Get Away Gifts for YOU
Make sure you're ready to catch that flight with him with this very cool travel ready skincare set from Giovanni. Detox Will Travel has everything you need and then some in its TSA Compliant packaging and personalized label: Cleanser, Detox Masque, Deep Scrub and Moisturizer all with the detoxifying benefits of activated charcoal from volcanic ash. Just what you need to DeTox! Visit GiovanniCosmetics.com for their full selection skin and haircare essentials.

Giovanni's Vacation Ready - TSA Friendly DeTox Will Travel Set

Go Shopping for a Bikinni
Even if you haven't planned a tropical Valentine's Day Weekend, this is still the best time to look at a few swimsuits together, like this gorgeous Envy Push-Up in Teal from Voda Swim

Voda Swim's Envy Push Up Bikini and VS Heavenly Fragrance Set & Clutch

Victoria's Secret #BombshellsDay is Valentine's Day 2014! In store coupons and the newly released VS fragrance Forbidden. I like many of the newer VS fragrances so I'm sure this recent release won't disappoint. Details on VS Bombshell's Day Here

Candice Swanepoel & Karlie Kloss in NYC for VS Bombshell's Day

Chocolates Of Course!
No, I didn't forget! If you are going away or staying in, get cozy by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa. Take it to go in a silvery thermos and share at your destination or along the way. Either way, chocolate always makes Valentine's Day extra special!

Sea Salt Caramel Hot Chocolate to go.

Gift Tin & Gentleman's Toiletries c/o Crabtree and Evelyn
DeTox Skincare Travel Set c/o Giovanni cosmetics
Men's Leather Duffel c/o Pierotucci, Italy

Resorts Fashion Week - Body and Sol

Some beautiful choices for Resort Season! Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly Clutch Set. Voda Swim Bikini in Caribbean. Classic Wayfarers by Ray-Ban.

Getting ready for Resort Season means starting NOW to get yourself into swimsuit shape. Picking just the right gear to show off that swimsuit body is key. Here are some of my favorites plus swimwear that does your body GOOD in so many ways.

Hello Riviera! Voda Envy Pushup Criss Cross Top gives you a serious lift! Side Tie Hipster Bottom is so sexy.

Voda Swim
I was looking for shaping swimwear that gives you a lift in all the right places. I've found Voda Swim suits to have just that with impeccable styling. The Envy Pushup Top claims to give you a 1-2 cup size increase, but I'm really impressed by the shaping power of the top. Whether you want a little extra or simply firm up what you have, this top has got it going on.

Resort Season Essentials for Body & Sol

Body & Sol Essentials
Here's my top essentials list for a gorgeously toned body and sun protected skin:

Embryolisse 365 Cream Body Firming Treatment
Total moisturizing, smoothing and firming all in one 7 fl oz tube. Rich in wheat protein, guarana (caffeine) and shea butter, it gives you an instant moisture & firming boost.

BioELIXIA Body Shaper
This Cellulite Contour Creme really works. I've used it for about four weeks and can see a wonderful difference in my contours. Even though I'm a cyclist, I like to be ultra-firm and this product delivers. The label says: "Scientifically proven to reduce the appearance of cellulite by an average of 57%."

Mission Sun Defeated Continuous Spray Sunscreen
Formulated for Athletes, this 50 UPF comes in an easy to apply continuous spray. Allows you to reach all areas of your body for unsurpassed solar protection.

Coppertone Sport High Performance Sunscreen
Made with added Antioxidant Defense ingredients, this 30 and 50 SPF sunscreen is water-resistant up to 80 minutes. Stays on even when you sweat so no sunblock running into your eyes.

Get ready for Resort Season! Woven Handbag by NewportStyle.net

Shimmer by Starlight
Don't forget to pack that shimmer-glow! I really like Kett Cosmetics Hydro Shimmers. It is very sheer and comes in four colors to mix or match with their Hydro Foundation. This is a fast and easy way to sneak  a subtle tropical glow. They also have a Sizzle Collection if you want to go darker into the tan-zone.

I also like Glow All the Way by Hard Candy (Tropical Tan) and use it for photo shoots all the time. It looks amazing on bare shoulders and legs maybe because it is infused with 24 kt GOLD. Whatever the case, all eyes will be on you with these two shimmer specialists.

Day: Beach cover or evening wear, you choose. Metamorphose Dress by Horny Toad.

Evening:Dress and clutch at the Ice Theatre of NY's Benefit Gala honoring Kurt Browning (shown) and Sonia Rodriguez.