Take It Down a Notch or Three: Flats
Yes, heels are great. They make us feel tall and our calves look fabulous. Every once in a while our feet beg us for a pair of cute flats. Luckily for feet, flats are popular right now and add casual chic to summer work and play outfits. Choose a pair of flats with texture or a soft metallic hue for a more dressy look than canvas flats provide.

Bohemian Touches, Not All-Out Woodstock
Grab a bag with a touch of fringe or a sandal with a tiny bit of bead work, to wear the Bohemian trend. A loose ponytail, flowing skirt and comfortable cropped t-shirt complete the comfortable look.

Clutch This!
After years of carrying our lives around with us, ladies, it's time to take back our back health. Re-embrace the clutch. Use your cell phone or PDA and forgo any extra electronics. Pare down on-the-go make up to the essentials, and go lightly, like Holly in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Vintage Glasses vs. Designer Glasses
Save some money on designer glasses and opt instead for a pair of big, round vintage sunglasses. You'll probably have enough money left over for a new pair of shoes!

Mix and Match Shoes and Bags
Cleverly coordinated shoes and bags are back. We're not talking about matching solids or identical twin matches. The pairings are more subtle and work off texture, accent colors and embellishments. A bag with straw-colored patches will match with an espadrille in beige or a cork-heeled shoe. A white bag with bold, black graphics will tie in nicely with a strappy black shoe. Think subtle and the results will be big.

Follow the Yellowish Brick Road
Move over Burnt Ochre, muted mustard hues are coming into vogue, and can be found on clutches made with natural-looking materials.

Before Molly Ringwald was Pretty in Pink, there was Doris Day in Pillow Talk. Doris Day was pretty and pretty chic in pink pajamas, dresses with matching coats and gloves and high heels. In a modern world where super hero characters are known for wearing the same costume for an entire flick, in the days of Doris, an actress' revolving door wardrobe was her greatest sidekick.

Miss Match
While Doris Day's wardrobe was a little too happy matching for today's runway of mis-matched patterns, there is no denying that she was the epitome of swanky femininity, with a wardrobe fitting for an interior designer. Her hats matched her coats and gloves, which matched her dresses. Her coats had inner linings that were meant to be seen, not hidden away under a row of wide buttons.

Cozy Pink
Even in bed or lounging about at home, Doris Day was a picture of femininity. Her pink pajamas, both girly and modest, were also chic. A girl needs a good pair of pajamas, particularly if she expects to be taken out of bed and carried down the streets of New York City, by a burly Rock Hudson, or her own leading man, as Doris Day was in Pillow Talk.

Bottoms Up
The foundation of every chic Doris Day outfit is a stellar pair of pumps. A pair of ivory pumps, with a high heel and silver buckle will dress up any outfit, adding instant femininity a la Doris Day. For a modern approach, the shiny blue option will match perfectly with the blueberry blue of the upcoming fashion season.

Down With Love Fashion Tribute
The 2003 movie Down With Love paid tribute to Doris Day, Pillow Talk and the romping romantic comedies of the 1960s. Despite some plot and dialogue pitfalls, Rene Zellwegger pulled off the Doris Day guide to the feminine and chic, complete with matching outfits and lots of pastel hues. In her plaid white and pink skirt, she joined the ranks of Doris and Molly and was pretty in pink.

One of the most magnificent and enchanting hotels in all of Egypt is the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh. The Oberoi is located right on the Red Sea in the city of Hurghada, Egypt. The hotel offers an euphoric atmosphere on the white sands of the Red Sea, with access to the beach as well as surrounding tourist destinations.

The Oberoi is a perfect destination for tourists that are looking for a good mix of beach bumming and pyramid hopping. The hotel is situated on a private beach that stretches 48 acres long. The Spa and Fitness Center on site are world renowned. The many treatments offered at the Spa use techniques from around the world, including both the East and the West.

The rooms at the Oberoi are some of the most luxurious that you will ever encounter. The suites have large dining rooms for entertaining, living rooms, large bathrooms that overlook private gardens, outdoor dining pavilions, and private heated swimming pools, and beach access.

The Oberoi hosts several restaurants that serve different cuisines, including Italian, Indian, Chinese, and local dishes. The different restaurants are located around the hotel and are decorated impeccably.

The hotel is located about 25 miles from the town center of Hurghada, which presents a perfect balance for guests wanting to stay away from the city but also have easy access to it. The Oberoi has excellent concierge services and can assist guests in scheduling various tourist adventures, including desert safaris, 4th century monasteries, and island tours which are all nearby. Additionally, the hotel can arrange tours and excursions to the pyramids throughout the country.

With all the time guests plan on spending outside in the sun on the beautiful beaches of the Red Sea as well as the hours spent oohing and awing over the ancient pyramids, a sun hat is definitely a must.

Attention all animal lovers! Kenya is calling...

Kenya has some of the most spectacular wild animal reserves in the world. A trip to Kenya must include at least one animal safari—visitors on safari are expected to see around 30-40 different species of animals. Expect to see such a range of animals, including wildebeest, zebra, wild dogs, hyena, cheetah, leopard, lion, jackal, crocodile, elephant, rhino...the list goes on. For these expeditions, come prepared with a good pair of binoculars.

In order to tackle all of this animal sight-seeing, you will need a luxuriously comfortable bed...and some pampering wouldn't hurt.

The Fairmont Hotel has locations all around the world, but the one that has climbed the charts in terms of luxury and decadence is the Fairmont Mari Safari Club in Masai Mara, Kenya. The Safari Club is ranked # 48 of best hotels in the world. The hotel is located right on the Mara river, which serves as the home to many wild animals, such as crocodiles and hippos. The Masai Mara park reserve borders the Fairmont Mari Safari Club. This park reserve is one of the most famous in the world, and is noted for the annual migration of the zebra and wildebeest which takes place from July to October each year ("The Great Migration").

The Fairmont Mari Safari Club contains 50 luxurious tents where guests are housed. These tents are extremely unlike the type of tents used by campers—they are beautifully decorated and extremely comfortable. Each tent has its own extremely modern three-piece bathroom, and many tents have extended decks for private dining and outdoor showers. The restaurant at the Safari Club serves traditional African fare and provides live music every night.

The best reason to stay at the Safari Club, however, is the offering of superb safari packages to the Masai Mara park reserve. The Safari Club offers different accommodations and tour packages. My favorite contains a full-day drive through the park and a hot-air balloon ride! Have fun!

http://www.fairmont.com/marasafariclub

A pair of pumps can turn any outfit from drab to fab. We wear them to work and to go out on the town. The word pump is often used to describe a lot of different types of shoes. Pumps have a medium to high heel and cover the back of the foot and the toes, without a strap. Visible parts of the foot include part of the arch, the top of the foot, and a bit of toe cleavage.

Early Heels: Chopines
High heels, some as high as 23 inches were in fashion for upper class women during the Renaissance. These shoes were custom-made and had intricate lacing. In contrast, pumps combined a heel and style with easy slip-on convenience.

Pompes and the Louis Heel
The origin of the word pump in reference to shoes comes from strapless and button-less shoes, "pompes" worn by men and servants in the 1500's. The pump was later elevated to royal status. Pumps with a low and curved heel could be found in the French royal courts of the Louis XIV.

The curved heel is one which comes in and out of style on a pair of pumps, and is called the Louis heel. This particular pump looks strikingly similar to the early pumps of the 1700s. Both styles are round and curvy, with subtle patterning.

In the 1800's more of the top of the foot was shown in silk court shoes. The heel was relatively low, and the Louis heel remained popular in the 1800's.

Modern Pumps
The modern pump, with the narrow heel at the bottom, that we see today first came into fashion in the 1950's.

Pumps were a formal footwear of choice for ladies, including fashion icon Jackie O. The pump, particularly in a plummy pink high heel is still popular, in no small part because of the Sex and the City TV and movie franchise.

Sources
Head Over Heal History, http://www.headoverheelshistory.com/pumps.html
Pumps, http://shoes.lovetoknow.com/Pumps

Here's a peak at tomorrow's fashion trends, today.

Cropping the Shirt
The long-waisted shirt may be seeing its end as cropped shirts make their way back onto the fashion scene. The waist will be emphasized again, with cute cropped tops and waist-emphasizing wraps and shrugs.

Meet the Browns
Move over gray, the brown family is here. Earth hues continue to dominate all aspects of color in our lives, from couches Coaches (yes, Coach bags), from carpeting to peep toe boots. Brown is also the color of the day for make up. Neutral eye shadows, natural to nude lips, with un-fussy eyebrows and center parts add to the natural look for Fall 2009. Non-chalance, carefree hair will soften the more harder-edge look of biker chic clothing.

1920s to 1950s
The Depression-era and 1920s vintage touches recently found in clothing will give way to more 1950s, Hitchcockian styles. The 1920s are still being used by some designers, in a modern way, including Alberta Ferretti, the more optimistic yet restrained clothing of the 1950s, are also making the scene.

On the Fringe
Fringe will continue to shake its way around women's fashion. Fringe is reminiscent of the 1920s and the 1960s.

Sweet Petite
There's no reason to be swimming in his jeans or to wear jeans that are not the right length. Expect to see more petite jeans made for women under 5'4" that fit a petite woman's figure.

Hats off to Hats, Not Scarves
Those long layers of scarves we've been wearing, even in the heat and humidity may have to go. Fun and bright hats are preferable, and add a sense of whimsy to an otherwise serious world.

Warming up to Red
The must-have fashion accessory right now is warm red. Warm red is cropping up in designer handbags, shoes and women's ready-to-wear clothing. The red is empowering enough for women, yet subtle enough for the boardroom.

If you are expecting a baby or if you are trying to get pregnant then you need to think about building a maternity wardrobe. This wardrobe will need to take you through the physical changes that your body will undergo during your pregnancy, as well as provide you with clothes to wear while you regain your figure after you deliver your baby. The clothing items that you select for your maternity wardrobe will also need to help you deal with some of the comfort issues that pregnant women have.

Footwear
While footwear may seem like a strange place to start when building a maternity wardrobe it is actually one of the first wardrobe items that will need to be updated when you get pregnant. When you are pregnant your feet swell and spread. It is because of this that you will want to buy footwear that will stretch and breathe as your feet expand.

Clogs, flipflops and slip on shoes all work well as pregnancy shoes, however, you will also want a good pair of walking shoes as well. In addition to selecting comfortable and expandable shoes you will also want to pick up high quality socks. Thick running socks will help keep your feet dry and cushioned, protecting them from pain that some pregnant women experience as their weight increases.

Bottoms
The wardrobe items for the bottom half of your body need to be stretchy and they need to include an extra-stretchy front panel to accommodate your expanding belly. When selecting bottoms for your maternity wardrobe you will want to look for natural fibers, material that has a solid color and cuts that will fit your height. You will most likely need to buy several sizes to accommodate you at the various stages of your pregnancy. Select neutral colors for your bottoms.

Tops
Maternity tops will be where you can have fun with colors and patterns. Remember to select tops that fit you at your shoulders and that then flare outward. During the early part of your pregnancy you will be able to wear normal tops, however, as your pregnancy enters the second trimester you will most likely need to buy maternity tops. Try to select tops that are not too trendy, so that you can use the tops during future pregnancies.

When you are building a wardrobe you need to think about adding items that have specific purposes. For example, you will have collections of clothing that are for work, clothing collections that are for going out and having fun and clothing collections that are for going on vacation. When you are building your vacation wardrobe you will want to look for functional clothing items that are also fashionable.

Activity Specific Clothing Items
The clothing items that you purchase for your vacation wardrobe will reflect what you will be doing on your vacation and where you will be going. You will have several different types of vacation clothing, with items selected for the most common activities you participate in while on vacation. For example, if you are a camper you will want to select clothing items that are breathable, that are durable and that will protect your body from insect bites, scratches from vegetation and that will stretch and move with you. You will also want to select footwear that has a good tread and that are supportive of your feet.

On the other hand, if you are planning a luxury vacation, such as going on a cruise, your clothing choices are going to be different from those selected for going camping. First of all you will need a formal outfit for dining and night time activities aboard the cruise ship. You will also need casual wear for touring ports and lounging around on the ship. Finally, you will need great swimwear that is flattering to your figure.

If you will be traveling abroad then you will need to select clothing items for your vacation wardrobe that are culturally acceptable for the country that you will be visiting. For example, if you are going to a country that is more conservative than the United States, then you will want to select clothing items that cover your arms and legs and that also have a more conservative neckline. When selecting clothing items you will want to look for clothing options that are comfortable, that resist wrinkling and that flatter your shape and body type. You will also want to select clothing items that are appropriate for the climate and weather conditions that you will be encountering in the foreign country.

This summer there are trends galore. One new fashion trend that has recently emerged amidst the jumpers and neon pieces of the Spring 2009 runway is beaded tops and dresses. Drew Barrymore, Mischa Barton and Iman all wore gowns with beading to recent red carpet events. Beading can provide a wonderful and personalized look for formal or casual occasions. Beading can be of any color, heavily or lightly interwoven into many types of fabric, in one place or in several different spots. In many cases, it also saves you the need to overload on accessories since the beading of the piece is an accessory in itself!

If you're looking to wear this trend in a more casual way, paired with denim capris or white summer pants, try a beautifully beaded top. A wide variety of beading styles can be found in beaded tops. Sometimes, if you're lucky, designers will combine trends. For instance, a bright coral shade is combined perfectly with defined "choker" style beading on the Ella Moss Caribbean Top in Flamingo ($183). Choker-style beading on a top or gown draws attention to the face and diminishes the need for other jewelry (although, in some cases, it may still be appropriate). A beaded halter with similar styling is the Type Z Kate's Halter in Mustard ($71.10). This top has smaller beads followed by larger wooden beads at the base of the neckline, creating the illusion that the top and accessory are fused.

Beaded gowns can also range from casual to formal, and everywhere in between. Dresses like the Roxy Famous Dress in White ($50.50) with beading at the straps and waist, can be worn to a barbeque, a beach party or even to the mall. A formal but exquisitely beautiful dress that combines the beaded and brilliantly colored trends is the Robert Rodriguez Twist Neck Embroidered Dress ($435). Bright pink in color, this dress has flowing floral beading down the front.

Beading has always been popular, but it has become more mainstream with its recent resurgence as a trend, allowing more and more women to enjoy its beauty and fashion benefits.

Summer season calls for carefree looks and lightweight clothing, but if you're adhering to a business casual dress code this season, you'll need to exercise some discretion over the season's hottest trends. Summer fashion trends include short minidresses, cropped pants and halter tops designed to show off your tan and keep you cool, but most of these pieces won't even make the cut for your business casual wardrobe.

Stock up on linen pants that you can press for a pulled-together look. Linen pants in darker colors are a great substitute for your usual black office pants and skirts, and can create a semi-professional look when you pair them with a fitted blouse. Just make sure they're clean and pressed, and wear a pair of ballet flats or closed-toe shoes to complete the ensemble.

For tops, try some of the season's loose and billowy caftan or dolman sleeve blouses. These work especially well with a pair of cropped pants that fall below the knee - the perfect business casual office look! These tops will keep you relaxed, and give you that playful summer look without breaking the dress code.

If you prefer to wear a skirt, look for the frock-inspired skirts and pair it with a fitted blouse or V-neck tee for a cute and fun look. These skirts are great for summer, and can be paired with some closed-toe ballet flats or other closed-toe shoes to create a pulled-together look.

If your office dress code permits sleeveless tops, don't think this means you can throw on the halter top or ruffled tank tops just yet. Sleeveless can still be conservative for the business casual setting if it's a polo neck top, or a sleeveless vest that's layered with a high-neck camisole or t-shirt. Be careful about how much skin you're showing when you're in the office environment, and stick with the more modest styles whenever you can.

It can be tricky to make sure you're abiding by the company dress code over the summer season, but there are plenty of clothes and accessories that do make the cut for business casual. When you choose to wear linen pants, oversized blouses, and well-cut sleeveless tops, you can stay attuned to the season's trends and enjoy a more relaxed look without breaking the rules!

One of the popular fashion trends that has been appearing on the runways are asymmetrical lines. Asymmetrical lines are basically any type of hem on a piece of clothing that is not the same as another part of the clothing. It could be a dress that falls longer on the one side or it could be a blouse that only has a strap on one shoulder. These types of clothing pieces have been seen on the fashion runways of Roberto Cavalli, Robert Rodriguez, and Vivienne Westwood to just name a couple of designers.

The runway fashion trend of asymmetrical lines is not strictly for the runway and model-type women. This fashion trend is actually a very wearable trend for all women. Having an asymmetrical hem on a shirt or dress may actually draw attention away from the waist and focus it on nicely toned arms or long legs.

An asymmetrical line can easily take an otherwise plain dress and turn into a show-stopping dramatic dress. It gives it the added touch to make it look more interesting, which can make you look more interesting. A one-shouldered blouse can easily be paired with a skirt or a pair of jeans and you can take it out for a night on the town, without showing too much skin.

It is actually rather easy to find pieces of clothing with asymmetrical lines as the fashion trend has also become a hit with the every-day average woman. If you want a cute, but still hot blouse to wear out for a night on the town in summer, try a one-shouldered blouse with a print, such as this one by Just Cavalli. If you are looking for more of a formal dress for a wedding or a fancy date night with your man, then consider a dress like this one from Vivienne Westwood . They are both easy and wearable styles that add drama and intrigue to your outfit.

Asymmetrical lines is a fashion trend that you are going to be seeing a lot of this summer.

As spring officially gets underway, another hot 80's fashion statement is making a comeback. Starting this season, it's all about the neons. Expect to see neon in everything from pants and dresses to accessories. Shocking neon shades have been seen on the red carpet lately, on A-list celebs like Gossip Girl's Taylor Momsen and singer Alicia Keys. So, what's the best (and most foolproof) way to wear neon this season?

Everyone remembers the scary neon overload of the 80's. Fortunately, it's not just neons that are hot right now, but neon shades paired with neutrals, in any number of combinations. The result is a look that is both eye-catching and stylish. For instance, a black pantsuit with neon pink heels or a bright green dress with black, white or gray accessories all work well into this trend.

Dresses are an easy warm-weather way to wear neon in comfort. There are plenty of great dresses available in neon shades, such as the Ginger Orange Nevaeh Dress designed by Ezekiel. Eye-popping tops like the French Connection Prom Ruffle Top ($80) and bottoms like the Apple Bottoms Skinny Leg Pocket Pant in Sunflower ($81) are great ways to get in on this trend; just don't over do it with more than one neon shade.

Are you looking for a really simple way to wear neon without spending a lot of cash? Wear accenting neons in the form of shoes, purses, jewelry, watches and hair accessories with the all black, white or gray outfits you probably already have. Take a monochromatic outfit and add some pizzazz to it with a brightly colored handbag like the Dooney & Bourke Sport Duck Purse ($48). Or, add flare in other ways, with a funky necklace, watch or pair of shoes.

The return of the retro neons makes staying in style this season easy, and most of all, fun. Use these easy-to-follow tips to make the most of this Spring 2009 trend.

When you think of the word jumpsuit, the 80's may come to mind, but believe it or not jumpsuits are all the rage in the fashion world. They are being seen on all the runways as well as on celebrities. Celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Beyonce, and Kate Bosworth have all been seen wearing jumpsuits, but you are not a celebrity nor a model walking down the runway. So, how you can sport this runway fashion trend without looking like you walked straight out of a Bangles music video?

Here are some things to remember when taking this fashion trend off the runway.

The jumpsuit actually gained popularity during last fall but with summer here, it has taken on some new variations with color and style. No longer will you just find all black jumpsuits, but there are ones in all colors and even patterns. If you are the daring type of person, you can pull off the zebra print jumpsuit, you just have to do know how to wear it and when to wear it. Something like a zebra print jumpsuit is best suited for events such as a night on the town or a cocktail party. It should be played up with a fancy belt along with some cute jewelry such as chunky bracelets or a big cocktail ring. Pair it with a high heeled pump or peep-toe shoes and you are ready for a night out. They key to this look is to look put together and not like a shapeless, potato sack.

Whether you are choosing the casual jumpsuit for running errands or the black dressy one for a cocktail party, you need to remember a couple key things. If the outfit has a voluminous top, you need to make sure that it is cinched in at the waist with a belt or tie on the jumpsuit. If it is not, it can look sloppy and make you look larger than you are. You can have some variation with the style of the pants. One fashion trend is pants with a tapered leg, while pants with a wide leg are also popular. Pick what suits your body the best.

If you are new to this fashion trend, you may want to stick to an all black jumpsuit like this one by Allen Schwartz.

Costa Rica is known for having the best of many different worlds all wrapped up in one small island in South America. While in Costa Rica you will find gorgeous beaches and warm blue waters, offering you a whole array of different opportunities for both exhilarating fun and relaxation. Some of the many water activities include kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, swimming, and more. As you travel more through Costa Rica you will also discover an abundance of Rainforests and wildlife refuges. You will want to plan ahead to secure an in depth tour of these natural wonders, especially if you are tight for time and money. If you do decide to trek through the Rainforest, knee-high waterproof boots are highly recommended to avoid ticks and other poisonous insect bites.

For those tourists that are looking to visit all the spectacular sights of Costa Rica, but also pamper themselves while at a few of the outstanding spas spread throughout the country, you should have no problem finding something to suit you. One of the most decadent and magical Spas in Costa Rica is Tabacón Grand Spa & Thermal Resort. Anyone looking for pampering will surely find what they're looking for at this wonderful Spa and Resort.

Tabacón Grand Spa & Thermal Resort is located in Tabacón in the area of Arenal in Northern Costa Rica. The Spa's location presents a nice break from the tourist packed beaches of Costa Rica, because it is in the center of the country.

The Spa is centered around the natural hot springs that provide a long list of health benefits to all who endeavor to use them. The Spa offers a host of different treatments and therapies to its guests, including massages, skin care treatments, mud therapies, and more. The accommodations at the Spa are extremely extravagant, and the restaurant will more than meet your expectations.

When you're out and about, at the metro station or at the mall, do you notice (and silently critique) what the women around you are wearing? Some people obviously threw whatever they could find on, while others try to look fashionable and never quite get there. On the endless spectrum of wardrobe interpretations, there is one fashion trick that makes almost any outfit look trendy - matching colors or accents. It may seem totally obvious, but think about it. When I see a woman in a turquoise blouse, and then notice turquoise-accented espadrilles or a beaded turquoise headband, my first thought is 'wow, that looks sharp. I wish I had the time and money to pull that off'. Surprisingly, I've discovered it's not as pricey as it looks. Most women have the cash to pull it all together with matching shoes and accessories - you just have to know where to look.

If you're watching your budget, then know this: the matching shoes, headpieces, jewelry and purses don't need to be expensive at all. The overall "put together" effect of the outfit is what people will notice. For instance, orange can be a hard color to pull off. But pair a hot top like the Nic & Zoe Wave Sheer Print Cardigan with the affordable Romantic Soles Snuggles in orange for $59.00, and you've got an outfit that looks far more expensive than it is. Jewelry is an even less expensive way to match up an outfit, since costume jewelry is cheap and can be bought to match any shade. For example, check out the Juicy Couture Brushed Jersey Pant can be matched with the Goorin Brothers Ribeye Hat in pink for just $36.00.

So next time you're looking to make an impression, don't max out your credit card. Just match up the colors you love with affordable accessories for a look that outlasts the trends.