Happy Shopping

With National Wine Day upon us and summer fast approaching, it’s time to address the issue occupying our minds: how are we going to keep our drinks cold this party season? We’ve all heard the same horror story hundreds of times – the dolt tasked with keeping the wine chilled forgets his cooler at home and spoils the bonfire. His sheer incompetency leaves you with nothing but steamy Sauvignon Blanc, and your mood is inevitably soured by the molten wine swilling around your infuriated mouth. Thankfully, Andy the amateur won’t be ruining any more of your outdoor parties this summer season, as we’ve compiled a list of the top five portable wine coolers that promise to keep your Chardonnay frostier than Guy Fieri’s tips!

Corkcicle Canteen – $35 (25 oz.)

Who needs to lug around a cooler full of bottles when this canteen can keep your wine cold for up to 25 hours! In two convenient sizes (25 oz. and 60 oz.), this durable, shatter-proof steel growler will keep your wine chilled come hell or high water. And starting at $35, the Corkcicle Canteen won’t leave you scouring the pavement for pennies to afford some Two Buck Chuck.

Yeti Canteen – $40 (26 oz.)

This canteen (26 oz., 36 oz., 64 oz.) is designed for our more intrepid explorers looking for an option as rugged as the booze fueled routes they plan on climbing. This stainless steel bad boy includes wide-mouth “Over-the-Nose” technology, perfect for people who view travel glasses as weakness and prefer swigging straight from the bottle.

Oenophilia – $25 (25 oz.)

This vacuum sealed canteen is the cheapest of the bunch by a wide margin. Stylish and handy this canteen is available with either a red or white wine finish, perfect for the forgetful drinkers among us.

Vinotrek – $40 (25 oz.)

This space-age canteen will add a little bit of class to your outdoor function. Whilst it may look more Death Star than Death Valley, it is constructed from 18/8 stainless steel and will withstand all manner of scrapes and scratches.  The package also includes a collapsible wine pourer which will ensure that not a single drop is wasted during transfer.

EcoVessel – $40 (25 oz.)

The simplest of the five canteens, the EcoVessel boasts that it will keep your wine at ‘ideal’ temperature for over 36 hours! Sporting a traditional wine bottle shape and triple insulation technology this canteen is ideal for those long summer nights spent boozing by a bonfire.

Happy trails and happy drinking!

I ran out of foundation yesterday morning so, naturally, I sped over to my nearest drug store to get a replacement before work. I got to the pharmacy, headed over to the makeup section and was instantly overwhelmed. Anyway, as I was perusing, I noticed some options that had various levels of SPF (#sunscreen), and as a New Yorker, with a heat wave upon us, I opted for one of them. I ended up making the wrong decision – I won’t go into the specifics, but cakey is the most diplomatic way I can describe it. Needless to say, I was self-conscious for the rest of the day.

Today, I decided I’d get in the know and do some research. Turns out (I know, I’m the last one to know), there’s a whole market for SPF-infused makeup products! This took me down the road of comparison shopping and I learned a few things that I want to share with you.

So, ladies, listen up – here’s your save and splurge guide to SPF makeup:

FOUNDATION


Save: Loréal True Match Super Blendable Makeup

How much? $10
SPF number? 17
Why is it great? The sunscreen component is made up of pure titanium dioxide, which means less irritation for sensitive skin. Also, the finish is silky enough to feel good, but light enough for a non-cakey look.

Splurge: MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation

How much? $34
SPF number? 30
Why is it great? I got this as a gift last year, and I can tell you, this is the best foundation I’ve ever used. It’s water-based, so it feels like you’re wearing nothing, and you really only need a few drips, which makes for a longer lasting product.

PRIMER

Save: Almay Smart Shade CC Luminous Primer

How much? $7.88
SPF number? 15
Why is it great? This is the stuff of gods. Put on a small amount and instantaneously, that tired look you’ve been reluctantly rocking is gone. Plus, it stays in place all day, so no makeup lugging required.

Splurge: Coola Daydream Mineral Primer

How much? $42
SPF number? 30
Why is it great? It’s weightless, it’s infused with Coola’s signature Plant Protection®, and our VP of marketing can’t live without it. Need I say more?

BB CREAM


Save: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream 8-In-1 Skin Perfector

How much? $8.99
SPF number? 30
Why is it great? As a past Allure Best of Beauty Winner, you know you can trust this to do the job. It’s also oil-free, sheer, and you can add foundation or whatever other makeup you need right on top.

Splurge: Bobbi Brown BB Cream

How much? $46
SPF number? 35
Why is it great? This is the perfect BB option for someone with oily skin. Containing silica, it’ll minimize unwanted shine, and it has brightening and anti-redness ingredients. It’s not very cakey either, so you won’t see any of those ugly creases anywhere!

Happy makeup-ing!

Have we mentioned yet how much we love summer? Of course we have, how could I forget? With the warmer weather and longer days comes more time for frolicking and basking in the sunlight – seasonal affective disorder be gone!

Whether you’re tanning in the grass or merely sitting outside or next to your window, cranking up your favorite tunes is the icing on the cake. And what is your must-have listening vessel? Some clutch Bluetooth speakers, duh. Need some help finding the right one? These are the best of the best:

BEST FOR ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME – Bose SoundLink – $179

Now, any Bose portable speaker will be top-notch, but their SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II is our personal favorite. Compact, light, and extremely user friendly, the sound is unbeatable.

BEST FOR OUTSIDE GATHERINGS – JBL Pulse 2 – $149.35

Perfect for any gathering, this beauty will impress any guest with its interactive light show. Its splash-proof capability lets you rest easy when bringing to large scale events, and it also functions as a speakerphone, which will come in handy.

BEST FOR THE BEACH, THE POOL, OR THE SHOWER – UE Roll 2 Volcano – $71.50

With a great, sleek design, a not-too-heavy weight, and an even better price, the UE Roll 2 Volcano is already a winner. But the fact that it is waterproof?  Can’t beat it for summer days (and nights)!

Now that you have your speakers, do it up 90’s style and make a playlist! Happy (almost) summer!

You’re at the airport, ready to board, when you get the news that your flight has been delayed three hours. You’ve already eaten your pre-flight meal and bought your plane snacks, and now you’re stuck. You could do some work on your computer or call a friend but your computer and phone are dying, real quick. Sure, there are outlets on the plane, but until you board, there isn’t much you can do if you haven’t snagged one of the few outlets in the gate area.

Here’s another scenario for you: you get to your destination and your checked luggage is nowhere to be found. We’ve all been in these situations and I bet we’re willing to do anything to avoid them in the future. Well, with summer travel starting fast approaching, pick yourself up a piece of smart luggage and never worry about idle time at the airport or losing your luggage again. Here are the best of the best:

BLUESMART ONE

How much is it? $331
Where can you get one? http://www.bluesmart.com/one
What are its best features?
An integrated app for remote locking

• A great battery for all your smartphone charging
• Self-weighing capability
• GPS tracking so you never lose your bag again
• A two-year warranty
• A water-resistant shell to protect from rainy transporting

BARRACUDA

How much is it? $349.99
Where can you get one? At Ebags.com
What are its best features?

• A dropdown tray attached to the handle that fits a laptop perfectly for while you’re waiting for your flight
• A collapsible feature that turns the suitcase into a storage bag for easy stowing under the bed
• A two-cup holder for easy pre-flight drinking
• A portable battery which can charge up to five phones at a time
• Self-weighing capability
• A location tracker

RADEN A22

How much is it? $295
Where can you get one? At Raden.com
What are its best features?

• A built-in charger for up to four smart phones
• 2 USB ports for even more power when needed
• Exterior material to will protect your luggage
• Pockets galore for easy organization
• GPS location technology
• Self-weighing capability
• An app that will provide helpful, relevant trip tips, like finding the best route to get to the airport, the weather at your destination, and approximate TSA wait times

Now that you’ve gotten smart with your luggage, make sure you pack right! Our packing pro-tips should do the trick.

Happy (smart) travels!

 

 

 

A year into moving into my apartment, I’m still trying to fill it – I know, first world problem of the century. The walls are covered, the kitchen is accessorized, and the bedroom is knick-knack heaven, but still, there’s something missing: greenery. See, in my mind I have a green thumb, but life has proven this to not be the case. Still, I need some plants in my life. After all, according to Treehugger, they help deter illness and purify the air, which sounds pretty good.

So what’s a not-so-good plant parent to do? Find the most low-maintenance flora, of course! Here are your top three options, with directions to keep ‘em alive:

Aloe

Where to put in your house: near a window, or somewhere sunny
How much to water it: every two to three weeks

Snake plant (also known as the mother-in-law’s tongue!)

Where to put it in your house: anywhere you want
How much to water it: whenever you remember

Peace Lily

Where to put it in your house: in the bathroom or another room without much light
How much to water it: once per week

If you still haven’t found the plant that speaks to you, take a look at this list from The Today Show – they’ve got tons more options for you to choose from!

Okay, so you picked your plant – now to find your planter!

If you’re looking for something unique, Etsy is perfect.

Prices range pretty dramatically, but if your plant is going to be a centerpiece, you’ll want something beautiful, right? I mean, how can you go wrong with a plant in a pineapple? Exactly.

Wayfare has some killer choices, too.

Plus, they provide tons of narrowing options so you can be sure you’ll find your favorite.

Lastly, take a look at West Elm.

They’re a bit on the expensive side of the spectrum, but all of their pieces are modern beauties. Worth it? I think so.

We’d love to see all of your creations – shoot us a Facebook post, tweet, or blog comment. Happy (kind of) planting!