Cruel Summer

Summer is quickly approaching so that means beaches and vacations galore. Swim suits will be in full effect and the agonizing task of finding the perfect one starts now. Since you can find a bikini in a size 10 and under virtually anywhere I decided to aid everyone else in their search for the perfect suit. Every body is a beach body.


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I did not care for the bottom that accompanies this top. It did not really embody my idea of high waisted. Thanks to the multi colors you can mix and match it with almost any bottom.


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I love this cover up. It can go from pool side to the casino easily.


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Plus size blogger GabiFresh created a line of plus size swimsuits that are absolutely amazing. Unfortunately the Galaxy two piece is sold out.





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Serve up an ole nasty piece of Annette Funicello this summer and find your summer romance.



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The cut on this suit and the ruching in the tummy is perfection.



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This suit is everything I tell you everything!



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This scuba style suit is so creative a beautiful. If you don't want to show your arms this is perfect.

Right At Your Doorstep.

So I've discussed how you can get a runway look for less, now I want to give you some ideas on how to get beauty products for less. From hair to makeup to polish, here are some companies that send you your favorite and soon-to-be favorite products.

CurlBox.

Curly headed girls, this is for you. CurlBox helps you explore curly hair products. If you're like me, you are always buying new hair care products trying to find the best ones for your hair. I have way too many products just sitting in my bathroom because they did nothing for my hair. You don't want to get rid of them because they were way too expensive to just toss because they couldn't get rid of the frizz or made your hair too heavy. CurlBox will send you a box of hair care samples every month. It's $20 a month and you can cancel at anytime. The downside is that the company is so popular there's a waiting list to join. So if you're a curly headed girl looking for better products I suggest to hop on the waiting list soon. It doesn't hurt to try this at least once.

Fellas, there's a curlbox for men coming soon. Hop on the mailing list to receive more information. You need to keep your curls in order as well. You're welcome in advance.

Beauty Box 5.

If you love buying beauty products just to try something new the Beauty Box 5 is the company for you.  For $12 a month you can receive 4-5 beauty product samples like makeup, lotions, perfume, etc. Once again you can cancel at anytime so there is no commitment. 

Julep.

Can't keep your nails the same color for longer than a week? Become a Julep Maven. For $20 a month you will receive a box with a few polishes plus an additional beauty product like mascara. You take a quick style quiz so they can get an idea of what you might like, then they place you in one of the four groups pictured above. I was placed in the bombshell group so that would be an example of what I would receive. 

Ipsy.

Makeup lovers! Become and ipster. You can receive a makeup bag monthly for just $10. Ipsy will send you a makeup bag monthly and also email you videos from some of your favorite YouTube makeup artists that will help you create looks using the products in your bag. This is meant for makeup lovers of all levels. No clue what to use for what, the videos will help you out. Just want new ideas to recreate, you can do that too. The products are all popular brands like Kiehl's, Urban Decay, MAC, and many more. 

Here are a few more companies offering similar subscriptions...

Glossy Box: $21 a month. Box filled with a range of beauty samples. 

Birch Box: $10 a month. Beauty and lifestyle products fill the sample boxes.

Beauty Fix: $49.99 per box. Unlike the other companies Beauty Fix gives you regular size products.

The summer is a great time to have some fume with you beauty regime. Try one of these out and let PGSD know how it went. I'm sure other readers are curious about your experiences.

(Don't forget about the gold box on the right. Send us tips, ideas, questions, and comments anonymously.)

Top 5 Beauty Must Haves

Hey PGSD, what are your beauty must-haves?

It hardly ever takes me a very long time to get ready for the day. As long as I've got these essentials, I'm ready in a flash and feeling like a million bucks!

1. Cherry or Strawberry Chapstick

It’s not just about the flavor. Although I do love the flavors, I like those for the day because they have a tint to them so they add a bit of color to my lips when I don’t want to wear lipstick, or it’s inappropriate to wear lipstick. I wear Spearmint Chapstick to bed.

2. Palmers Cocoa Butter

I love the smell of cocoa butter and it works wonders for my face. Especially in the winter time.

3. CoverGirl Queen Collection: Mascara in dark brown or black and Loose Powder

I don’t use it just on my eyelashes. It’s handy for filling in my eyebrows, since I have the tendency to occasionally pull at my eyebrows when I’m anxious. I don't usually wear foundation and concealer on a regular day, but I love a light dusting of loose powder from the Queen Collection. It covers and keeps my face feeling light.

4. St. Ives Apricot Scrub

I adore this stuff. Even though I try not to use scrubs everyday, St. Ives is so gentle that it can be used daily without drying out my skin. It makes my face feels ahhh-mazing! Soft like petals.

5. Wen Haircare Products in Fig

You may have seen infomercials for Wen Haircare, the hair system that has shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner and detangler all in one. I am obsessed with what this stuff does for my hair. I actually look forward to washing my hair. It’s great for everybody’s hair too. It makes your hair shiny, soft, manageable and smelling fresh! There are a wide variety of scents like, Sweet Almond, Winter Vanilla, Lavender, and Pomegranate. But my favorite has to be Fig. I like feeling it tingle my scalp when I use it as a deep conditioner. When I don't wash my hair, I use the styling gel every day and I love it. Try Wen! You'll love the results you get and the time you save on styling your mane!

The beauty section of my bathroom is insane. I collect products like a fiend and have a wide variety of products and price points. I'm obsessed with trying new things ,but have a few constant go- to items:

1. Natural oils- Be it almond, coconut, castor, or jojoba I love my all natural oils. They are harmless and can be used for hair or skin without being too heavy. I use a combination on my face and hair and wonder how I survived without them before my discovery. 

2. E.L.F clear brow and lash mascara- This keeps my brows in check and makes sure they are free from stray hairs in between trips to the threader. This is a miracle in a bottle and all for $1

3. C.O. Bigelow lip balms- I absolutely love the variety of flavors and they keep my lips moisturized for long stretches of time. It tastes great and comes in a variety of flavors without worrying about being tinted or a full on color. I'm not a super big lipstick wearer so I love the colorless shine.

4. Mascara- I adore all Maybelline mascaras as well as Dior, Big Girl, and Buxom. Even if I don't have a stitch of makeup anywhere else on my face I will have mascara. No lashes needed. 

5.  Dove bodywashes are A- mazing. I have super sensitive skin and these products lack lanolin which can be irritating for those with skin problems such as eczema  The variety of scents and textures are sure to please everyone.

I’m a fairly simple girl when it comes to beauty products but the things that I do have are things I live by. 

1. There isn’t a day that can go buy without my Clinique 3-step skin care. That consists of a facial soap, clarifying lotion (which is alcohol based cleanser), and a moisturizing lotion. A clear face makes life so much easier.

2. Next on my must have list is cherry Chap Stick. It stays in my wallet. I’m not worried about color or shine. I just need moisturized lips.

3. Smelly goods! I have an everyday scent and a ooh la la scent. I am obsessed with my brown sugar body spray (also body butter and lotion). The sweet scent is addictive. My ooh la la scent would be my flower bomb. Its slight sweet but spring like. It makes me happy.

4. I’m just starting to get in to make up but my two goto’s have always been foundation and mascara. My favorite foundation is Make Up For Ever Professional Paris HD Invisible Cover Foundation. I stumbled upon it in Sephora a few years back and have been hooked ever since. There’s nothing like finding your perfect color and lightweight foundation in one.

5. As for the mascara, I’m an advertisers dream! Maybelline’s volume express mascara commercial reeled me in and continues to do so. I am currently carrying around the Mega Plus Volume Express, only because I still have a couple of tubes to finish but I do plan on moving to the newer one, The Rocket.

So there you have it. My top 5 beauty must haves.

You know that phrase, 'many hands make light work'? Well imagine these products as my extra 'hands'. Here are some items I must have at all times:

1. Coconut Oil-This is top on my list. Used as a moisturizer, this oil really helps to ward off ash and dry skin. I make sure to buy the unrefined, virgin coconut oil. It is all natural and keeps your skin so silky smooth.

2. Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara- I have negative eyelashes. They are naturally short, and whispy. However, after 2 coats of this miracle mascara, I have the most amazingly full lashes. Absolute best mascara I have ever used.

3. Vitamins- This one is a personal one as no one should undertake anything without consulting with a physician. Legal fun aside, I have to have my vitamins everyday. Does this make me old? No. What it does is give me great hair, nails, skin and amazing energy. I have to have my vitamins. Period.

4. MAC Studio Fix Foundation- This is the best cream foundation I've ever had in life. It covers flaws and gives me a great glow. It always keeps me camera ready.

5. Green Tea- I wake up every morning before work to have a large mug of green tea. It gives me great energy and puts a smile on my face in the morning. I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for an alternative to Coffee or energy drinks. It is all natural and doesn't give you that crashy feeling in the middle of the day.

What are some of your daily must-haves?!

Closets for rent.

I am an avid watcher of red carpets and reader of In Style. I love to see what colors are hot, fun hairstyles, and how celebrities are accessorizing. Certain styles stick out to me and I become obsessed with having those things in my closet. The problem with that is that 9 times out of 10 I cant afford the original and have to find the next best affordable thing. While I have fun with the challenge sometimes its just not the same. Good thing there’s always a back door! For those of you who have watched Sex and the City the movie will remember the purses rental Jennifer Hudson raved about. She was able to rent designer bags for an affordable price and change them as she needed. While there’s nothing like having your LV bag, sometimes you have to accepts the fact that there isn’t an extra $500+ in your wallet to spare and your birthday or Christmas is a way away. Plus lets not act like celebrities own everything they wear to award shows and other special event. It’s just not practical. Here are a few online rental programs you all might enjoy. There’s something here for everyone!

Bag, Borrow, or Steal.

This site was made popular by Sex and the City. Prices range from $50 to $500 a month for bags. Accessories prices range from $25 to $700 a month. The more an item cost the higher its rental price. So next time you are in a store and fall in love with a bag check the site out. There’s a good chance you can rent it out for a lot cheaper.

The Frock Shop.

Have a special event? Rent a special occasions dress for 4 to 7 days. The Chicago based rental company is all about making sure everyone looks great for the special event (including wedding dresses). If you live in Chicago you can even get first dibs, and the opportunity to go to the shop and try on the dress before you commit. (if you do order online the do allow you to switch sizes free of charge) Sizes range from 0 to 22 and XXS to 2X. Prices vary from $25 to $200. I love this company because lets be real, who wears those fancy dresses multiple times? After I lie to myself for about 2 years on how I will where that dress again, it ends up in my goodwill pile.

Lending Luxury.

Red Carpet looks straight to your door with the click of your mouse. Prices range from $50 to $500 for dresses (tops and bottoms are also available). They also give you the opportunity to purchase some of the designer clothing.

Rent the Runway.

Runway styles are now easy to get a hold of with rental prices ranging from $30 to $350. Party girl to black tie, all on one site. They also have a selection of accessories, including shoes (sizes are limited).

Gwynnie Bee.

They consider their selves the Netflix of plus size clothing with sizes ranging from 10 to 24 (for now). Unlike the other options you must choose a monthly plan. The lowest plan starts at $35 a month where you will receive one at a time. The most expensive plan is $159 a month giving you the ability to have 10 garments out at one time. You get unlimited exchanges with whatever price plan you choose as well as free shipping.

Just Fab.

Shoes rentals are hard to come by but I would suggest JustFab. Every pair of shoes is only $39.95. You can't beat that. You have to take an entry survey that will figure out your style so every month they can present you with a group of shoes you might be into. That does not limit your choices though. You can also browse the site and look for other options. I love this site because it is practical and I prefer there shoe options over Shoe Dazzle, which is a similar site. While my personal preference is JustFab I do recommend trying both sites to determine which site fits you better.

I hope you all check these sites. Let me know how it goes! 

The Distinguished Gentleman

So one of me and my father's favorite pastimes is shopping. We are both clothing obsessed and he reads just as many fashion blogs as i do. He is the one who always told me "dress like you are going to see your worst enemy or your ex today". As a result of this I have spent a lot of times in men's stores in addition to working in one myself. One thing that was brought to my attention is that some, not all, guys do not know how to put together a simple outfit. Jeans and a tee shirt is cool sometimes, but you cant wear that everywhere. A lot of guys definitely don't know how to put together a suit. 

Don't just go grab some off the rack dime a dozen suit and run out to an interview. No you look foolish and will not get a callback. Take a page from the Don Draper school of fashion and pull out a serious suit and tie (p.s. loving JT's new song). I don't know a woman alive who can resist a man in a crisp suit, with a nice watch, who looks like he has a daily agenda. You remember how Tommy always had a suit on even though we all knew he didn't have a job? You can always try to convince them. 

Do not be afraid of color! You are not in the secret service so a plain black suit with a white shirt, while classic is just plain boring. Switch it up a bit and let your personality come out. If you are still into the muted colors you can pair a sport coat with slacks for the look of a suit with a twist. If you are a little more spicy you can really stand out in an unexpected color. Chartreuse is in even for the guys. If you aren't that daring this pant also comes in navy and juniper. 

Patterns and textures can also have a major impact on an outfit. A Gingham shirt or paisley tie can always be eye catching. A velvet sport coat instead of the typical wool or cashmere is an unexpected twist and is an amazing evening wear look.  

Male or female accessories can make or break an outfit. Tie bars, cufflinks, pocket squares, and a watch bring it all together. Learn to tie a windsor knot instead of rocking clip ons you savage. You will appreciate it years from now. Also, always wear a watch! 
 

Be it for church, job interview, even a date looking your best just makes you feel better. Try some of these stores to upgrade your look:
www.josabank.com
www.nordstrom.com
www.menswearhouse.com
www.brooksbrothers.com

Now here is a gratuitous picture of 2 Chainz in a tux

*Outfits pictured above courtesy of Nordstrom*