Summer to Fall: Wardrobe Must-Haves To Buy Now

July 11, 2013 at 11:55 am , by Amanda Wolfe

Enjoy the beach while you can! Soon enough we’ll be heading back to school and the office. If you’re a busy woman who wears many hats (of course you are), you likely need a wardrobe that can effortlessly go from work to play and season to season. Who has time to change out a closet four times a year?! I’ve gathered some grown-up pieces that can also work at a soccer game, pot-luck dinner, or conference.

Here are the five wardrobe essentials every woman needs going into fall.

 

 

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Hot Summer Hairstyle: Chic Chignon

July 11, 2013 at 8:00 am , by Maggie Niemiec

Can Emma Watson do no wrong? Whether walking the red carpet or strolling the city streets, our ultimate girl crush nails it time and time again. We’re obsessed with the simple twisted chignon she wore at the Cannes Film Festival and love that she let her natural beauty shine through with a luminous makeup look. Her easy updo is the epitome of chic, and believe it or not, you can do it, too! Recreate Emma’s stunning hairstyle for your next summer party in just a couple of steps.

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.

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Make It Work

July 10, 2013 at 8:00 am , by Maggie Niemiec

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

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Hot Summer Hairstyle: Braided Bangs with a Bun

July 3, 2013 at 3:03 pm , by Amanda Wolfe

Ahh July 4th weekend: Backyard BBQs, pool parties, beach days… and bad hair because the heat and humidity will just not cooperate with your look. We can’t wait to have some fun in the sun this holiday weekend, but (don’t judge) we’re already sad about the gross, greasy-looking ponytail that will inevitably end up in every Facebook photo or Instagram of all this festive fun. (To be clear, it’s not cute in person either.)

That’s why we’re loving AnnaSophia Robb’s braided bangs with a twist. It’s the perfect no-fuss updo: You’ll get your hair off your neck but the easy braided bang is fun and fresh from the front.

Here’s how to steal this hairstyle: First, part your hair to one side. Section off the hair in the front (your actual growing-out bangs if you have ‘em, or what would be bangs if you don’t). Braid your “bangs” along the crown of your head, down to your ear, and then all the way to the end. Follow our how-to video if you need some help. Secure the braid with a clear elastic. For extra credit, take the front section on the other side of your part and twist that back. Now gather all of your hair, including the braid and twisted section and pull it back into your favorite bun or twist. Done! We promise the braid is super-fast once you get the hang of it, and you’ll be able to rock this way-cuter-than-a-pony style all summer long.

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Summertime (and the Dressin’ is Easy)

July 3, 2013 at 8:45 am , by Bethany Porter

Every summer morning I wake up with the best of outfit intentions. I imagine myself in a breezy ensemble strolling the streets with an iced coffee, a canvas bag full of farmers’ market goods, and my guy on my arm. Then, I promptly reach for cut-offs and a tee and head to the grocery store. In an attempt to reform my uber-casual summer weekend ways I’ve been incorporating maxi dresses into my wardrobe. They are quick, stylish, and basically a full outfit in one garment. The key is to stick to a style that has a nipped in waist to give you shape. I love the patterned number above–it’s effortless chic to the letter–and you get extra credit for cool-girl accessories like a fedora and circle scarf.

dress, Nordstrom, sandals and hat, Modcloth, scarf, Sole Society, bag, Nordstrom, sunglasses, Ray-Ban, bangles, Dorothy Perkins

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How to Find Your Ideal Guy: 8 Traits to Look For

July 2, 2013 at 11:21 am , by YourTango.com

When searching for that special someone in the dating world, it’s always good to have an image of what he should be like. I didn’t start out by coaching women in their love lives; I started out coaching men. It’s funny when I think about it, because what women want from a man is what I was trying to teach them all along.

In any case, there are quite a few qualities that make a man great. In reality, looking for a guy who has these qualities is not as hard as people say. But if you want to have a higher chance of finding love, identify the ones that matter to you most and stick with them. In my personal opinion, all men should have these qualities and I don’t associate with nor respect ones that don’t.

1. He’s a gentleman. A great guy needs to be polite, respectful, considerate, and attentive to a woman’s needs. This includes classic gentleman behavior such as pulling out a woman’s chair, walking on the car side of the street and taking her coat. I personally believe that if all men were gentlemen, we would live in a better world. Today, this is far from the truth, so guys who do have this quality stand out. It’s also worth noting that great guys never cross the line of being inappropriate.

Read 7 more ideal-man characteristics at YourTango.com: Finding Mr. Right: 8 Qualities That Define A Great Guy

More from YourTango.com:

• I Love You: 15 Ways Guys Say It Without Saying It
• 7 Sex Positions Men Love
• Should You Go Natural For Your Next Hair Removal Session?

— By Alex Matlock for YourTango.com

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Wedding Season Wear

June 26, 2013 at 9:00 am , by Bethany Porter

Wedding season is in full swing and that means you need a dress. Not just any dress–mind you–a dress that can transition easily from a day or early evening ceremony to a rocking all night party fest. Done and done. This little strapless number is quite the eye-catcher and with party-worthy metallic accessories it’s a fool-proof wedding season pick. This frock could even work for a beach wedding with some embellished sandals. Ah, our styling work here is done.

dress, Modcloth.com, heels, Dillards.com, bracelets, Baublebar.com, clutch, Aldo

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