First gather your hair at the base of your neck and pull into a ponytail. Smooth out any frizz on top of your head. Back comb sections of hair in the ponytail to add volume. (FYI: The more you tease the ponytail, the bigger the chignon will be.) Then bunch up a piece, twist it up and around, and bobby pin it into place. Continue teasing and pinning small pieces of hair until you’ve created a balanced bun. Spritz with a light-hold hairspray to keep your style in place.

This low updo also looks fab when worn off to the side. Follow our how-to video to see exactly how to do it. Emma’s hair is fairly straight, so her style looks sleek and polished. But you wavy and curly-haired girls can wear it just as well! Use a salt spray to enhance your natural texture and then follow the same steps as above.

We’re halfway through summer, and, boy, is it hot. As much as we wish we could  lounge by the pool all day, we still have to go to work. Bring summer fun into the office with this easy ensemble. The classic pencil skirt gets a nautical-inspired update with this chic navy-and-white wrap version from Madewell. Pair it with a bright pink sleeveless blouse and you’re sure to stay cool. (Is the A.C. blasting in your workplace? Ditch your usual cardigan for a soft patterned scarf, which doubles as a shawl when you get cold.) Every working woman needs a fashionable yet functional bag, like this leather satchel, to tote her essentials to and from work. Slip on some Toms for your commute but step into these raffia-trimmed metallic sandals as soon as you arrive at the office. They’ll add a little edge to your look while the platforms make them easy to walk in.

blouse, Target, skirt, Madewell, scarf, Target, bag, Shopbop, earrings, J. Crew, watch, Nordstrom, bangle, BaubleBar, shoes, Nordstrom, sandals, Saks Fifth Avenue

We’re super excited about Target’s latest collaboration, this time with FEED Projects, the humanitarian organization founded by Lauren Bush Lauren, to create the FEED USA + Target collection. The limited-time-only collection includes more than 50 products, from home goods to clothing to accessories, which will benefit Feeding America and fight hunger in the U.S. Each product displays the number of meals that will be donated to children and families through Feeding America when purchased.

You can bet we have our eye on this comfy and totally cute red fleece zip-up (above). At just $25, each fleece’s purchase provides 20 meals to Americans in need. Now that’s a shopping initiative we can get behind. Get yours, and other FEED USA + Target collection products, starting June 30 at Target stores and Target.com.

Crop tops aren’t just for 20-something festival-goers anymore. They’ve been all over the runways this year, and, believe it or not, you can wear them, too! The key to pulling one off is to keep the rest of your look simple and refined. If you’re going to play peekaboo with your tummy, be sure to cover your cleavage. This knitted crochet crop top does the trick. Pair it with a high-waisted knee-length pencil skirt, like this gorgeous floral one from Zara, so only a sliver of your stomach shows through. The look is super flirty, yet still classy and totally on-trend. Change up your accessories to take your outfit from day to night. A versatile crossbody bag and flat sandals are perfect for daytime, while gold spiked bracelets, a hot pink clutch, and strappy high heels give you just enough edge for a night on the town.

top, Topshop, skirt, Zara, crossbody bag, ASOS, flat sandals, Old Navy, bracelets, ASOS, clutch, Kate Spade, heels, Steve Madden

]]> http://www.lhj.com/blogs/ladieslounge/2013/06/19/cream-of-the-crop/feed/ 6 http://www.lhj.com/blogs/ladieslounge/2013/05/29/wild-thing/ http://www.lhj.com/blogs/ladieslounge/2013/05/29/wild-thing/#comments Wed, 29 May 2013 12:00:50 +0000 Maggie Niemiec http://www.lhj.com/blogs/ladieslounge/?p=27944

We’ve seen a lot of tribal-inspired fashion in 2013, and this super versatile animal-print shift dress from ASOS is an easy way to incorporate the style it into your own wardrobe. Wear it to work with a crisp white blazer and silver accents, like these sparkly earrings, classic wristwatch, and studded suede loafers. Pair it with natural makeup for a tasteful but trendy look. Heading out for a night on the town? Go for the gold with spiky gladiator heels (which are actually quite comfortable because of the extra ankle strap) and dainty drop earrings. We love adding the hot pink clutch for an unexpected pop of color. Finish your going-out look by applying bold fuchsia lipstick and a touch of shimmery bronzer.

Work look: dress, ASOS, blazer, H&M, earrings, Banana Republic, watch, Fossil, shoes, Forever21

Play look: dress, ASOS, earrings, ModCloth.com, clutch, Michael Kors, shoes, Guess, lipstick in “Faint for Fuschia”, Maybelline, blush/bronzer duo in “Desire/Laguna”, NARS

Shorts weather is finally here, and we can’t wait to wear a trendy shorts suit. A minimal black and white print like this one ensures the match-matchy look doesn’t overwhelm you. Three rules apply when picking out your suit. First make sure the shorts are shorter than Bermudas (which can look dowdy), but longer than cutoffs (which only work if you’re 16). Then go for simple accessories. We paired basic earrings with a magenta tote for daytime and a canary yellow clutch at night. The bags add subtle pops of color without competing with the patterned suit. Lastly, avoid sky-high stilettos! Mid-level pumps or flats keep the outfit classy and chic.

Blazer and shorts, Karen Millen, blouse, H&M

Daytime look: stud earrings, Kate Spade, tote bag, Dillards, flat sandals, Zara

Nighttime look: hoop earrings, Dorothy Perkins, clutch, Aldo, heels, Zara

Yes, you can do leather! It’s one of the biggest trends this spring and surprisingly accessible. The scalloped hemline and fun cutouts on this (faux) leather skirt make it flirty and feminine. Pair it with an of-the-moment chambray shirt for a casual style you can wear anywhere, from running errands on the weekend to a romantic dinner out with your husband. The denim acts as a neutral, so feel free to incorporate pops of color with your jewelry and shoes.

skirt, Nordstrom, shirt, Madewell,  sandal, Piperlime, wedge, Target, bracelets, Aldo, earrings, Kate Spade 

Taylor Swift and Fun. (Larry Busacca/WireImage.com)

1. “We Are Young” – Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe

record of the year, song of the year, album of the year, best new artist, best pop duo/group performance, best pop vocal album

2. “Thinkin Bout You” – Frank Ocean

record of the year, album of the year, best new artist, best urban contemporary album

3. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” – Taylor Swift

record of the year

4. “I Will Wait” – Mumford and Sons

album of the year, best rock performance, best rock song, best Americana album

5. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson

record of the year, song of the year, best pop solo performance, best pop vocal album

6. “Lonely Boy” – The Black Keys

record of the year, album of the year, best rock performance, best rock song, best rock album

7. “Somebody That I Used To Know” – Gotye Featuring Kimbra

record of the year, best pop duo/group performance, best alternative music album

8. “Payphone” – Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa

best pop duo/group performance, best pop vocal album

9. “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” – Eli Young Band

best country duo/group performance, best country song

10. “Madness” – Muse

best rock song, best rock album

11. “Wide Awake” – Katy Perry

best pop solo performance

12. “Love On Top” – Beyoncé

best traditional R&B performance

13. “Wanted” – Hunter Hayes

best new artist, best country solo performance, best country album

14. “The Motto” – Drake

best rap song, best rap album

15. “We Take Care Of Our Own” – Bruce Springsteen

best rock performance, best rock song, best rock album

1. “Last Friday Night (TGIF),” Katy Perry – I love dancing to this, and the music video with Kathy Beth Terry cracks me up.
2. “Summer Nights,” Rascal Flatts – “Come on ladies, it’s time to pop that top” (off the convertible, of course!)
3. “Rolling In the Deep,” Adele – I never get sick of her soulful sound.
4. “Smooth,” Santana featuring Rob Thomas – Santana’s legendary guitar playing plus Thomas’ seductive voice equals one hot hit.
5. “Summer Love,” Justin Timberlake – Makes me think of that summer crush. Swoon.
6. “Judas,” Lady Gaga – Definitely the best dance track on her “Born This Way” album.
7. “Forget You,” Cee Lo Green – Whenever I hear this, I turn the stereo all the way up and sing at the top of my lungs.
8. “Summertime,” Kenny Chesney – Country Music Awards’ four-time entertainer of the year, Chesney is the undisputed king of summer music.
9. “Only Girl (In the World),” Rihanna – The pop princess came back better than ever with this single.
10. “All I Wanna Do,” Sheryl Crow – All I wanna do is have some fun, just like former LHJ cover girl Sheryl Crow.
11. “Blow,” Ke$ha – Although I hate to admit it, she sure knows how to make a catchy song.
12. “Empire State of Mind,” Jay Z feat. Alicia Keys -It’s my first summer in New York City, so this song is my jam.
13. “Kids,” MGMT – Sure to get stuck in your head.
14. “Party Rock Anthem,” LMFAO – The best going-out song. Period.
15. “Twist and Shout,” The Beatles  - Makes me want to run outside and dance in the street like Ferris Bueller did.

What’s your favorite summer song?

Last month a University of Texas study found that people who regularly drank diet soda saw a 70 percent greater increase in their waistlines than non-drinkers over a 10-year period. Those who drank two or more diet sodas a day saw a 500 percent greater increase. Even more shocking: earlier studies from this year linked a diet-soda habit to diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

Why? It could be because artificial sweeteners are 200 to 700 times sweeter than real sugar. Experts theorize this makes you crave more sweetness, which has an effect on your eating habits.

“Artificial sweeteners trick the palate, so when you can’t get your Splenda but want something sugary, you need six times the sugar to reach the same level of sweetness,” says Lisa R. Young, Ph.D., a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition at New York University.

In diet soda’s defense, the researchers didn’t take into consideration other parts of participants’ diets. It could just be that people who choose any kind of sodas over, say, water or green tea, are more likely to have poor eating habits. “People usually eat a bag of chips, not an apple, with their Diet Coke,” adds Dr. Young.

Keri Gans, registered dietitian and author of The Small Change Diet, says people who want to drink soda should always choose diet over regular, especially if they’re trying to lose weight. “It has its place in the American diet,” she says. But even then, diet soda should only be a treat every once in a while. Water, seltzer or low-fat milk are much better choices.

So what’s your diet-soda stance? Are you going to try to cut back or keep on sipping?

Photo by the Self Improvement Association.