HOW TO: Fishtail-Plait

SPRING RUNWAY 2013

1. Capes

The cape is such a perfect winter layeringstaple that it can be hard to imagine wearing one in spring. But capes can not only work, they can be a pleasant and unexpected surprise in the warmer months. Burberry Prorsum’s runway was the perfect example of that: capes in Duchess Satin in seasonal colours proved that the cape was here to stay, and more desirable than ever.

Salvatore Ferragamo F/W ’12, Burberry Prorsum S/S ’13

2. Oriental-inspired clothing

You known when Miuccia Prada jumps onto something, it’s here to stay… for a while at least. Prada’s Japanese-inspired runway of modern Geisha girls brought the oriental fashion fascination into the coming warmer months. And it wasn’t just Prada – the likes of Etro, Issa and Behnaz Sarafpour bought Asian influences of their own. So those kimonos and oriental-print silks you got for fall, are more than welcome to stick around.

3. Leather skirts

Leather is just for winter – said no-one ever who actually knew what they were talking about. Leather works across the seasons and those leather skirts we loved so much for the colder months aren’t precluded from working in spring and even summer. Lighter weight leathers and in lighter hues will of course be ideal, but don’t forget that you can always head out at night – once the sun has gone down – in your black pleated leather skirt even in spring.

Akris F/W ’12, Rag & Bone S/S ’13

4. Playful retro pieces

If you’ve found yourself indulging in some playfully retro pieces – like 1950s stylecostume jewellery, pencil skirts, vintage-style hats and anything that takes its cues from the bold, bright side of 1960s fashion, fear not: there’s no reason you can’t keep playing dress-ups with it. Spring brings ample opportunity to show off legs in micro-mini mod dresses, or to cinch waists and layer on the attitude like a retro bombshell babe.

DSquared2 F/W ’12, Moschino S/S ’13

5. Metallics

The spring 2013 runways shone with metallic hues: bronze, gold, silver, leather, silk, lurex… If it was metallic, odds are you could spot it on some runway or another. You’ll also find that, come spring / summer 2013, metallics will be on many a shop shelf. Keeping any metallics you’ve invested in through 2012 is not only a good idea, it’s a must.

Got It in the Bag

5 purse essentials for the girl on the go

Hello Beautyqueen, My purse is always full, but I never seem to have what I need. What are your on-the-go essentials? Monica 

Dear Monica, 

Receipts, gum wrappers, loose change.

It’s true, us ladies like to hang onto every useless item until our purses are overflowing like an episode of Hoarders. And yet, we constantly find ourselves in a pickle while we’re out and about and need something ASAP. 

So I am all about being prepared — without having to carry the kitchen sink in a Mary Poppins-style bag! Here are my totally totable purse must-haves that have come to my rescue onmany occasions!

	A Portable Cell Charger How many times have you been out and panicked because your cell phone was on 3% battery life with no electrical outlet in sight?! Well hold the phone and take a deep breath, because a portable device charger can truly be your lifeline. The Anker Astro Mini is only the size of a lipstick — but will keep your battery alive!
	Mini First Aid and Sewing Kit From broken straps to broken nails, a mini first aid and sewing kit will keep you prepared for any and every mishap. This gift set from The Container Store includes a first aid kit with necessities such as bandages, cotton swabs, nail clippers with a file, scissors, tweezers, and safety pins. The sewing kit includes needles, five colors of thread, buttons, scissors, safety pins, a pop-up thimble, and more tools just in case!
	Eye Makeup Remover Sticks Some days I run around from set to set, and by the end of the day my makeup is running too! So I’m in love with these Almay Oil-Free Makeup Eraser Sticks to keep my eye makeup looking fresh from day to night. Whether you need to remove smudges or want a whole new look, these are perfect to have on hand.
	Multitude Headbands If you’re going straight from the office to a yoga class, this mix of sparkly and matte headbands is vital. The gorge, versatile bands come in sets of four and can be wrapped multiple times to create a hair tie in a pinch!
	Sunscreen Towelettes Ever been at a ball game and smelled something burning only to realize it was your own unprotected skin? Yep, leave the charbroiling to the grillmasters, and keep the harmful rays at bay with these mess-free, portable sunscreen wipes. This pack by Sun-X comes with 50 of the little skin-protecting cloths!

Alluring Apps

Beauty is in the iPhone of the beholder

We all know what Heidi Klum says about fashion: one day you’re in and the next day you’re out. Well, the same is true for beauty trends, and it can be overwhelming and time consuming to keep up with the latest looks.
You can say auf wiedersehen to stressing about whether winged eyeliner and beach waves are here today or will be gone tomorrow. Look and feel like a supermodel with the help of these free apps. Saving money on apps means you can spend your money on your beauty products that'll have you looking runway ready.
Bangstyle: Magazines are so 2012. But that doesn’t mean you need to have a hairstyle as outdated as the Mayans’ end of the world prophecy. Because both customers and stylists can upload photos to showcase new ’dos, this means you can crowdsource your newest hairstyle with the inspire button. It acts like your personal Pinterest for your mane, saving your favorite hairstyles to feed your “I need new hair!” urge. Bangstyle also helps you find the nearest salon when you get the urge to trim your tresses. 
Beautylish: Beautylish is a one-stop app for everything a glam girl on the go could possibly need: product reviews, video tutorials, and articles on the latest beauty trends. Need a quick makeup lesson on how to perfect a smoky eye or nude lip look? Want to find a blush that will transform you from dull to doll without making you look like Raggedy Ann? Whether you’re searching for a new look or want to share your makeup maven skills, you can do it all on Beautylish. 
mySkin: Aside from “drink lots of water” and “wear sunscreen every day,” the number of differing theories on how to keep a clear complexion can be frustrating. But now you have your own esthetician in your pocket with the mySkin app. Factoring in your skin type, your skin problems, lifestyle, and health history, it recommends the best finds for your face. You can also create a skin care wish list and connect with other users to discuss various skin conditions and fixes.
GoodGuide: It’s just as important to take care of your insides as it is your gorgeous outside. Scanning products with the GoodGuide app shows you whether they’re healthy, green, and organic. In addition to beauty products, GoodGuide has info on all sorts of items from food to baby products. Plus, create personalized shopping lists of the highest-scoring products. 

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Expert advice to break the mid-winter funk

This time of year can come as a bit of a shock to the system. What, no more endless parties, free-for-all goodie buffets, or welcome breaks from the office? It’s like the zombie apocalypse has officially begun!
Though it helps to keep a carrot dangling at all times — for example, a little staycation or 3-day weekend vay-k — it can be hard to maintain pre-holiday happiness levels once the new year sets in.
In an effort to counteract this effect, I turned to experts in a variety of health and wellness-related fields for some simple advice on their “magic” mood-boosters that are def worth a try!
“Burn sage with the windows open to refresh the air in more ways than one; try some flower remedies (Alexis Smart Flower Remedies are my favorite) — they are as harmless as water but as powerful as drugs; add (or make) a giant piece of abstract art filled with bright fire colors to the room you spend the most time in; incorporate pure rose essential oil into your life — take a bath in 10 drops, wear it on your wrists, mix it into massage oil or into a pure moisturizer for face and body.”
— Dana Claudat, founder of The Tao of Dana
“Jump up and down a few times! Sounds goofy, and it is, but it will give you an instant jolt of energy and cheer. Also, listen to your favorite upbeat music. This is one of the easiest, quickest ways to give yourself a lift.”
— Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project
“A brief and moderate bout of exercise holds tremendous power to transform your mood and mental state. A 5-10 brisk walk will absolutely nudge you out of any funk!”
— Holly Perkins, women’s strength training expert
“Slowing down and connecting with our body and mind through a regular meditation practice is a proven mood booster. Meditation enables us to rid the stresses that affect us on a daily basis. When we relieve ourselves from past and present stresses, we open space for greater self-awareness.”
— Shel Pink, SpaRitual Founder and leader of the slow beauty movement
“Put on your favorite song and march in place, then do a 2-minute light jog; step outside, place both hands on a wall, and do eight pushups; hold a towel in both hands, lift your arms overhead, and stretch side-to-side, remembering to breathe naturally. This is your feel-good mood elevator!”
— Lauren Piskin, founder of Chaise23 Fitness Studio
“Green juice: Celebs sip it. Trendy yoginis drink it. And you can make it at home. Blend organic kale, pear, lemon and ginger; adjust proportions to taste. This makes a great liquid shot of nutrients for a fast energy boost. Too bitter? Add more fruit. Also, Coconut Hot Cocoa: Chocolate is always a pick-me-up, and this "candy bar in a cup" version of hot cocoa actually won’t act heavily on your blood sugar levels.”
— Jared Koch and Jill Silverman Hough, authors of The Clean Plates Cookbook
What are you waiting for? Whether you feel like moving or meditating, happiness is just a “magic” moment away!

Gourmet Goodies

Nothing brings holiday cheer like a get-together chock-full of gourmet goodies. And showing up to a year-end soiree with a drool-worthy gift for the host will make you the talk of the party — yeah, you’re cool like that. If you want to spoil your friends with “where did you get that?” hostess gifts this party season, I've got a shopping secret to share with you.
North Shore-based Foodstuffs Gourmet Foods & Catering has been dishing out gourmet foods, gifts, and catering services to Chicagoland for over 30 years. A recent trip had me swooning over gingerbread houses, holiday candy sticks, old-fashioned sweets, and oven-baked breads. From European-style gift baskets to regional gourmet treasures, finding a gift for the ultimate host is well…ultimate fun.
Planning a holiday party of your own? Be a guest at your own shindig by picking up ready-made appetizers, entrees, organic salads, fine patés, and cheeses. Or choose from their holiday menu, which offers yummy low-carb and low-fat options, leaving room for the important stuff (like that second glass of egg nog).
Foodstuffs Gourmet Foods & Catering
Four locations in Glenview, Glencoe, Lake Forest, and Evanston

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
xx Beautyqueen

Winter Vay-Ks

The hottest places this winter

No matter what part of this beautiful country you hail from, winter wedges its snowy little head into our lives and suddenly we’re craving a vay-k replete with hot cocoa and hot ski instructors — right?

Well, I picked three of the hottest (or should we say coldest?) getaways for the season that I think you’ll love. Choosing whether to head out west to Lake Tahoe, fly south to Taos, or meet halfway in Telluride is the hardest part of planning your powder party.

Telluride, CO

To avoid the celeb-infested cities of Aspen and Vail, opt for a winter getaway to the beautiful and quaint town of Telluride. It’s filled with historic buildings, five-star restaurants, and unique shopping, but perhaps the best thing about this city is no driving — gondolas are the main method of transportation! Awesome! Ski, eat, and relax like a queen if you opt to stay at one of these lodgings you will just drool over.

The New Sheridan Hotel

Located on the main street, this historic hotel has been a social hub for 117 years. We love its old-fashioned style and authenticity.

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Hotel Madeline

If you’re looking to do your trip to the nines, it is a wise decision to stay at this luxury mountain resort at the base of the ski areas. It offers ski in/ski out conveniences as well as a host of the city’s best restaurants and spas.

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Mountain Lodge

This hotel, nestled in the San Juan Mountains, offers breathtaking views as well as a stone fireplace in each room to keep you warm and set the mood for some après-ski snuggling.

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Lake Tahoe, CA

Lake Tahoe is one of the best places in California to experience that brisk mountain air. Enjoy what the west has to offer in the way of winter and head to North Lake Tahoe, aka “Old Tahoe,” and try some of the Olympic-caliber downhill skiing nearby — I dare you.

Shore House

This place is pretty amazeballs if I do say so myself. It offers rooftop hot tubs as well as fire pits located on the cobblestone streets below the units. Its proximity to over 270 skiing and snowboarding trails makes for a pretty cool time

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Rent a Cabin

An affordable and fun way to see the (frozen) lake is to rent a cabin with some friends! Choose your location depending on what you want to spend the most time doing, whether it’s skiing, shopping, or gambling, and if cooking isn’t your thing, dump the kitchen and head out to eat!

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Taos, NM

A little off the beaten path, Taos is the choice for adrenaline junkies looking to explore the Rio Grande and take advantage of all the outdoor adventure this breathtaking city has to offer. In the mountains, the weather is cold, but the city below has mild winter temperatures, prompting some vacationers to wear sandals vacationers in the dead of winter! So it’s both warm and cold, just like we want our men. OK, that makes no sense but it sounded like a joke.

San Geronimo Lodge

This enchanting inn was one of the first resort hotels in New Mexico and maintains the traditional adobe walls, high ceilings, and verandas. It’s tucked away in a quiet setting and prime location not too far from town, allowing for guests to choose to venture out or stay in and enjoy the rustic setting.

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Touchstone Inn Spa & Gallery

Stay here and you’ll see the most stunning view of Taos Mountain. Heck, even USA Today called it “the place to stay in Taos,” so I bet it’s as beautiful as it looks!