{H&M top; Aqua skirt; TopShop belt and earrings; Cutler & Gross sunnies; CC Skye cuff; VonRay pin; Valentino handbag; Carven for Robert Clergerie shoes}

In high hopes that this Memorial Day brings you out of your comfort zone {as if sipping lemon caipirinhas should only be left to the weekends} and brings you to the beach, the lake, or the BBQ pit {what’s cookin’?} I bring you the ultimate guide to checking your day old outfit at the door, and rolling deep next weekend in freshness so fly that it will make your neighbors extra, extra nosy!

The Beach:

Sheer chiffon has stolen the hearts of us fashionistas nationwide. Wear this trend in an age appropriate way with the oldest trick in the books… the classic cover up. A long sheer chiffon caftan {calling all Diane von Furstenberg fans} or a short airy white version {I smell an afternoon at Bloomingdale’s} will keep you fashionably first!

Stylist’s trick? Take a long caftan that hits below the knee and update it by tying the flowing fabrication in an effortless knot around the knee area. Instantly, your caftan goes from {a drag} to {a swag}!

The Lake:

Last time I checked your closet {yes, I’ve been inside your home}, I noticed you have been wearing the same flip flops both for your monthly pedicure and to your afternoon social swim. Gasp! Do you use the same towel for the pool and the shower?  Levels! Levels! All accessories have levels.

Your pedicure flip flops should be under $10. Your “to the lake!”, “to the ocean!” and beyond flip flop should be over $30. Fashionable favs are at Tory Burch, Michael Kors, and Marc Jacobs. Don’t ever let your sun-kissed {lewk} smell of cheap plastic again!

The BBQ:

Cheeseburgers by way of 360 degree juice splattering is no home for white. Stay All American while churning the midnight {baked beans} and opt for a striped tee and jeans.  A straw hat would Lion Witch and Wardrobe you right onto the front pages of the J.Crew catalog. Trust me, it’s a good look!

Remember to pack light and live by “La Petite Valise”. The lighter your suitcase, the lighter the burdens in your life…

Sail away!

xoxo,

elshane

Now that we are all enjoying the sunshine, and before we embark on our summer get-aways, it’s time to pick out the perfect pair of sunnies.  It’s vital that you choose sunglasses that you love but also that fit your face shape.  No one wants to look like a bug and believe it or not if you choose the wrong shape, your face can actually look wider or longer.   Here are a few guidelines to keep you in check before hitting the mall:

• If you have an oval face shape (face is symmetrical): any type of sunnies work for you!  Aviators, wraparound and round will look great!
• If you have a round face shape (the widest point of your face being your cheekbones): Rectangle shape and wide frames will make your face look longer.
• If you have a square face shape (you have a prominent jawline):  round and cat-eye frames are flattering because they’ll balance your jaw-line.
• If you have a triangle face shape (face is the most narrow at your chin): cat-eye, aviator and rimless styles flatter you!

Our fave sunnies by style:

Rebecca Minkoff Bedford

Ray-Ban Cats 1000

Kate Spade New York Angelique

Ray-Ban Large Metal Aviator

Armani Exchange Vintage Metal Aviator

Marc by Marc Jacobs Metal Aviators

Rebecca Minkoff Perry

Ray-Ban Wayfarer

Ray-Ban Jackie Ohh II

Kenneth Cole Reaction Navigator

Armani Exchange Plastic Aviator

Custom Eyes Oversized Metal Aviator

A few things other things to know:

• Don’t leave your new beauties in the sun – sun and heat damage can distort the frame.
• Add a scratch-resistant coating to protect against small scratches (however, this will not protect against all scratches!)
• Keep glasses in their case as often as possible (we’ve all broken a pair, or two!)
• Don’t wear your sunnies as a headband as this stretches their arms.
• Only use the soft cloth that comes with your sunglasses to clean them; paper towels or rough cotton (like denim) will cause scratches.

Now go enjoy the sunshine!

Kelli & Lisa

School will be out and summer will be here before we know it, and to many of us, that means plenty of fun in the great outdoors. As a family, we love to hike, camp, and mountain bike. It’s fun, great exercise, and even educational, but as with anything there are a few precautions that families should take to make sure they have a rewarding time on the trail or at the campsite this summer. Here are a few of our tips for fun and safe summer outings:

Make sure everyone stays on the trail.

Running off through the brush may sound like fun, but there are good reasons to stick to the trail. Not only do you risk affecting sensitive plants and wildlife, but you’ll risk having them affect you, too. Ticks lie in wait in the tall grass and bushes waiting for a larger animal to latch onto, and with Lyme disease prevalent across the United States these days, you definitely don’t want to play host to one of these tiny but terrible parasites.

Also found off trail are hazardous plants like poison oak and poison ivy. Contact with the oils from the leaves of these plants causes a rash and severe itching. There’s no real cure—you have to just let it run its course, so get ready for two weeks of itching and being uncomfortable if you happen to touch one of them.

Pack plenty of water.

It sounds like common sense, but it’s surprising how many people head out onto the trail without enough water. Becoming dehydrated is easier than you think, especially in the warm summer weather, so make sure everyone drinks plenty of fluids. Sports drinks are OK, too, but plain old water is healthier and less expensive.

Protect everyone from the sun.

In addition to having plenty of water on hand, make sure to take measures to protect your family from exposure to the sun. While most sunscreens are effective in preventing sunburn, they don’t actually protect you from other effects of sun exposure. For children hats are a must, and even shirts with long sleeves are a good idea to keep the sun off. While baseball caps are common, they’re not all that effective, so try to choose a hat with a brim that protects the ears and back of the neck as well as the face.

Don’t let kids run off ahead.

When you’re on a hike, make sure everyone sticks together. Don’t let kids run off ahead, especially if you live in an area that’s home to mountain lions, other large mammals such as coyotes, and poisonous snakes. Chances are you’ll never see one of these creatures in the wild, but better safe than sorry.

Got your own tips for family safety while hiking and camping? Share them with us by leaving a comment.

Red carpet trend: Dark vamp lips!

As seen on Sofia Vergara, Kate Bosworth, and Jessica Alba to name a few, the vamp lip can go from “man repelling” to *inviting* by simply applying it to the right situation!

Do: Add a vamp lip to an already sexy look, like a black sequin evening dress, or a crisp white cocktail dress. The deep vamp will play off the feminine notes of the rest of the look to balance out its severity!

Don’t: Add a vamp lip to a daytime look, like jeans and a tee...and be mistaken for a red wine-o!

Red carpet trend: Orange and purple!

As seen on Diane Kruger, Eva Mendez, Emma Stone, Beyonce and more, these colors are here to stay for fall!

Do: {Bring it bright} and make a statement. Wear a purple or orange solid dress with a matching heel, and keep the makeup light.

Don’t: Be shy! These colors work on all skin tones, as long as you find the right shade. Keep trying and don’t rule a color out of your wardrobe before trying it in every shade!

Red carpet trend: Red Hair!

As seen on Kate Bosworth, Jaime King and Florence Welsh… did their stylists catch the elshane makeover bug from last month?

Switching up your hair color is as easy as {cutting an onion}. Learn from the best and give it a whirl! I’ve had so much fun being a red head…and in one months time, it’s all faded back to blonde. Memories!

xoxo,

elshane

Mother’s Day is sneaking up on us! In case you still need to pick up something special for the most important woman in your life, we’ve got Mother’s Day gift ideas for you. Here are our pics for Mom that will show her just how lucky you are to have her without breaking the bank.

1. Zig Zag Canvas Bag (Z Gallerie) 2. She’s Moxie Chocolate Gift Box (Epiphany Chocolates) 3. Floating Artwork (Shutterfly) 4. Faceted Perfume Bottle (Z Gallerie) 5. Fields of Flowers Body Wash and Lotion Set (Philosophy)

If you really want to pamper Mom, host Mother’s Day brunch instead of going out. If it’s the thought that counts, then a homemade feast will make up for all of the temper tantrums you threw as a kid! Lucky for you, our favorite brunch dish is SUPER easy to make!

Breakfast Casserole (serves 6)

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
• 1 pound of breakfast meat (ham, Canadian bacon, bacon or sausage)
• 5 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 12 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 2 quart baking dish. Line the bottom of the dish with hash brown potatoes (remember to make sure they’re thawed!) Make sure to cook breakfast meat ahead of time in a skillet if it is raw and uncooked.

Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a separate bowl and pour over hash brown potatoes. Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese over the egg mixture, add breakfast meat and then sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil and bake until a utensil can be inserted and come out clean (about 10 minutes). Let stand for about 5 minutes before you blow Mom’s socks off!

Make this recipe healthier by using egg whites, low fat cheese and a low fat meat such as turkey bacon.

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!

Kelli & Lisa

Mother’s Day is coming up, so here’s a whimsical, beautiful, and easy-to-create heart brooch made from decorative buttons and painted gold. My son made one of these for me when he was in kindergarten, and I was amazed at how creative and sophisticated it looked. We even entered it in the kids’ jewelry design competition at the county fair where it won first place! Whenever I wear this brooch, I get compliments on it, and I’m sure most moms would love one of these for a Mother’s Day gift.

To make this craft, you’ll need:

• Assorted decorative buttons and charms
• White glue, like Elmer’s
• Heavy card stock, letter size.
• Gold spray paint
• Bar pins
• Kid-safe scissors
• Heart template (download it here)
• Newspaper

Print out the heart template onto a sheet of card stock and carefully cut out the heart with a pair of scissors. Spread a good amount of glue over the heart. You need to put enough glue on the paper so that the buttons stay put.

Now choose some buttons and arrange them however you like onto the heart. When you’re satisfied with your design, set aside and let it dry. Try to keep little fingers away from it until it’s completely dry and all the buttons stay put.

Take your creation outside or into a well-ventilated room, place it on the newspaper and paint it with the gold spray paint, making sure to get paint into all the nooks and crannies around the buttons so everything is covered. Again, let your brooch dry thoroughly before handling.

When the paint is dry, turn your brooch over and glue a bar pin to the back. As before, make sure you use a healthy amount of glue so the pin stays in place. Let it dry once more and you’re done!

Now you have a beautiful piece of jewelry that any mother would be thrilled to receive on Mother’s Day, or on her birthday or Christmas, too, for that matter.

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms and moms-to-be out there!

Heareth all naysayers: thy, too, wear shorts.

It was merely three years ago when I coined the expression, “the B.C.”…

“Back in the B.C. days, I could wear those shorts…”

“I used to dress like that…in the B.C. ages…”

The B.C. days are long gone, my sympathetic amigas. Those B.C. {Before Cellulite} days are now just photos in the journal… unreachable memories. But allow that NOT to defeat us and our ability to wear shorts! We can jump into these A.D. {Appropriately Demure} times with confidence and conviction.

{Versace for H&M top, Marni at H&M necklace and bangles; shorts from Tokyo, Japan; Neives smile ring; CC Skye pink bracelet and earrings; Cutler & Gross sunnies; DVF clutch; Christian Louboutin heels}

The Short Report:

THE DENIM {JORT} JEAN-SHORT:

The last time I saw Grammy slangin’ cut of jean shorts was… well, yesterday. ‘Age appropriate’ is the key term, defined by length and the finish of the short.

*A frayed/fringed short should be left for those under 40… unless you’re Demi Moore. We forgive you~You inspire us~Never stop!

*Over 40 and have a frayed/fringed short that you can’t give up? With a tiny double roll cuff at the bottom hem, you add an instant polished, age appropriate look!

*A Bermuda-length Jort works well with a finished hem. Take your favorite old pair of jeans and have your local tailor re-attach the bottom hem to hit two inches above the knee.

T{WILL} YOU STOCK UP ON ME:

The most classic short in the books is made of twill. Think: Khakis in all colors shapes and sizes {J.Crew, we’re looking right at you}.

*Twill is forgiving for all leg shapes because it’s meant to sit low on the hips and create an over-sized, non-thigh hugging appeal. {The wider the short, the skinnier your legs look}.

*Pick solid colors that pair well back to a printed top or classic white tank in your wardrobe.

*Darker skin tones do well with bold, jewel-tone brights, while porcelain skin tones work best with pastels. BOTH hues are so-right-now.

THE FINE PRINT{ED}:

A fresh take on a classic color short, printed shorts are a MUST in a trendy wardrobe.

*This style works best in shorter silhouettes; lengths that hit over six inches above the knee. Why? You don’t need your shorts to be mistaken with the next annual Quicksilver Surf Competition uniform {Board Shorts gone BAD}.

*Printed shorts can be dressed for evening with an espadrille wedge or patent round-toe pump. Add a solid silk blazer to richen the look.

Fear not the short!

xoxo,

elshane

Cinco de Mayo is one of our absolute favorite Holidays.  Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican heritage and pride and is a great reason to get together with your family and friends.  From the décor, to the music, to the food, there’s nothing we don’t love about this day!  So, today we’re here to help you host a magnifico celebration!

The Little Things:

• Buy batches of colorful flowers and place in short vases
• Stream colorful paper banners and flowers along your yard
• Buy fresh peppers and place in large glass bowls as food table décor
• Place mini-cactus’ along long tables
• Use maracas for your place settings
• Give every female guest a paper flower for their hair and every male guest a sombrero
• Have a piñata for the kids!
• Serve sopapillas and fried ice cream for dessert

The Ultimate Playlist:

Bidi Bidi Bom Bom by Selena Quintanilla Perez

La Bamba by Ritchie Valens

Macarena by Los Del Rio

La Cucaracha by The Hit Crew

Hot Hot Hot by Buster Poindexter

Your Attire:

French Connection Gwendoline Flower Dress, Ray Ban Large Metal Aviators, Rebecca Minkoff Neon Park Avenue Clutch, Sam Edelman Josie Wedges

Ultra Healthy Guacamole:

The best guacamole is made with the freshest ingredients… this recipe has been a classic in our families for years.  It’s diet friendly and also includes healthy, detoxifying spices!

2 avocados

½ cup of pico

½ lemon

garlic salt

lemon pepper

cayenne pepper

Mix avocadoes with pico (the chunkier the avocadoes, the better!), add garlic salt, lemon pepper and 2 pinches of cayenne pepper.  Squeeze lemon over guac (this adds a tang and also keeps your guac from turning brown!).  Serve with pita chips.  Serves 3-4

Our Favorite Skinny Rita:

3 ounces Patron

2 ounces fresh lime juice*

1 ounce agave nectar

Mix in shaker with ice, pour into two salt-rimmed glasses, garnish with limes.  *Use grapefruit juice for a delicious grapefruit rendition!

We are so excited for Saturday & hope that everyone enjoys their celebration!  Adios!

Kelli & Lisa

Last year, we attended a live stage performance of the musical A Year with Frog and Toad. It was a lot of fun to see, but it also got me thinking back to how much I loved author and illustrator Arnold Lobel’s series of books starring the amphibian duo when I was young. After the show, we made it a point to get some of the Frog and Toad books for all of us to enjoy at home (it was awfully convenient that the theater was right around the corner from a great bookstore, too).

In case you’re unfamiliar with the series, the Caldecott award-winning Frog and Toad books are about two best friends, Frog and Toad, and their adventures together. The tall, green Frog is easygoing and philosophical, while the stocky brown Toad is more introspective, self-conscious and even irritable at times.

Each book in the series—which includes the titles Frog and Toad Are Friends, Frog and Toad Together, Frog and Toad All Year, and Days with Frog and Toad—contains five short stories. Most are funny, some are a little scary, and some are even poignant. The best thing about them is that they really delve into what it means to be a friend and to have a friend, and teach readers some important lessons about life (although not in a heavy-handed sort of way).

Another great thing about the Frog and Toad books is that they’re part of the “I Can Read” series written for beginning readers. My daughter is beginning to tackle more advanced beginner books in kindergarten, and when we get tired of reading the little reader books her teacher sends home with her, we often grab a Frog and Toad book and read a couple stories out of it together.

Find Frog and Toad at your local bookstore or library—you’ll be happy you did. If by any chance a performance of A Year with Frog and Toad appears in your neck of the woods, make an effort to see it. It’s hilarious and has terrific songs, and of course you’ll recognize all your favorite Frog and Toad stories adapted for the stage.

“One part kale, two parts celery, a pinch of cayenne pepper…”

Someone I know is talking bikini season. Scared yet?

With cheeseburgers juicier than ever, and french fry topping reaching new {truffling} heights, getting loose with the juice isn’t that easy.

70′s inspired swimwear takes front and center in this great weight debate. Higher waisted bottoms debut as a well-seasoned trend in swimwear. It’s like having your cake and eating it, too!

{Diane von Furstenberg “Bonnie” bikini, Selima sunnies; vintage hat}

*****

Coveted swimwear brands like Shoshanna, Diane von Furstenberg, Mara Hoffman, and D&G have called to action, and produced some of the most print-friendly, belly-bestie options for the summer. With the bikini bottom hitting above the belly button, all of last night’s dinner is left to a beach-goers imagination! And, chiffon ruffle details like this Diane von Fursenberg “Bonnie” style, leaves the skin looking as soft and smooth as a Victoria’s Secret model’s be….hive hairdo.

And for those juice-heads out there? I admit, I am one… we still have kale to lean on.

Confused?

Companies like BluePrint Cleanse, Pressed Juicery, and Cooler Cleanse, have paved the way for the 21st century juicehead. In about 1,600 calories per day, “indulge” in a liquid based diet consisting of everyone’s favorite vegetables: beets, carrots, celery and kale… oh, and some fruits as well, like apple, grapefruit, lemon, and pineapple, to satisfy the ultimate bikini-friendly bod.

I know what you’re thinking… well, stop judging! Listen up!

“A short cleanse or detox program is not a luxury or indulgence. It’s routine maintenance, something you do to help your body run better, feel cleaner, and look brighter and younger. During a juice cleanse, you ease the digestive process by replacing regular meals with delicious, fresh-pressed vegetable and fruit juices, raw coconut water elixirs, and silky smooth nut milk blends. Consuming only liquids for a few days frees energy in the body, which can then return to the essential jobs of deep inner cleansing and healing.” – Cooler Cleanse statement.

Now who’s juicing with me next week?

xoxo,

elshane