I was a summer baby, born in July.  It must have been the alignment in the stars because I have an innate pull toward the summer months.  As the weather begins to warm and vacations are in the last stages of planning, I am beginning to feel my favorite time of year creeping up.  Here are my Top 5 Summer Staples:

1. I always wear SPF 30 on my face.  Mineral versions like this Peter Thomas Roth powder with SPF 30 are a great alternative to heavy sunblock creams that can cause breakouts.  I used to use these sunblock creams, but after applying makeup it proved too many layers for the summer heat.  Now, I just brush this on in the morning and throw it in my purse for touch-ups as necessary!

Peter Thomas Roth Mineral Powder SPF 30

2. Chlorine can damage your hair, skin, and bathing suit.  Kiehl’s makes the best product — Swimmer’s Cleansing Rinse for your hair and body.  It’s gentle enough to use on your swimsuit, too!  It neutralizes the chemical and keeps your hair from turning green, skin from drying out, and your favorite suit from deteriorating!  If you spend your summers in the swimming pool, this is a must have. 

All-Sport Swimmer's Cleansing Rinse for Hair and Body

3. Everyone is in search for the easiest way to get that tousled, beachy wave look without looking like a sloppy mess.  I use a 1 ½” barrel curling iron and wrap 2” sections (or larger if I am in a rush) to create big, loose waves. Then I flip my head over, shake it out, finger comb, and finish off with this a few sprays Frederic Fekkai’s amazing Beach Waves Spray. It has an amazing smell, seals/protects hair from the sun, and gives you that California surfer girl look all day.

Frederic Fekkai Beach Waves

4. I am dying to get a hot new bathing suit this summer.  I’m really want to get a plunging v-neck like this halter one-piece by Carmen Marc Valvo. While it’s still very sexy and on trend, no need to worry about getting a bunch of funky tan lines across my midsection.  This suit exudes confidence and personal style — I can already envision myself cocktailing by the pool!

Carmen Marc Valvo Halter One-Piece

5. Lastly, I love this silk coverup from Diane von Furstenberg. Maxi-coverups were hot this season on the runways, and make it easy to go straight from lounging to lunch or dinner. This resort piece is hot, and the lioness in me can’t resist the leopard-print and embellishments!  If you’re not as bold, try something more subdued (but still sultry) like this tunic from Calvin Klein.

Diane von Furstenberg Leopard-Print Silk Coverup

The 2009 holiday season is now a distant memory, but is your wallet still recovering from a full season of holiday shopping? Here are some of my favorite finds for $10 or less.

beso frugal without skimping on small treats to pamper yourself from head to toe.

Here are my top picks for products I can’t live without these days:

Mara's Top Picks: 1. MARC by Marc Jacobs, 2. Hanky Panky, 3. Lola, 4. Revlon Sheer Pink, 5. Kiehl's Conditioner, 6. Ray-Ban Aviators, 7. Votivo Candles, 8. M.A.C. Lipglass

When thinking about this week’s post, I turned to my own current must-haves for inspiration.  Here’s what I’m loving right now:

1. MARC by Marc Jacobs Petal to the Metal Benny Satchel
$398
“The grape color is fresh and flirty for spring, and I can’t get enough of the dove motif on his latest collection!  Plus, it has plenty of pockets that keep me organized when I’m on the go.”

2. Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong
$18
“The only underwear I buy these days — I must own a pair in every color.  They’re so soft and comfortable, and they never show through my clothing.”

3. Marc Jacobs Lola Eau de Parfum, 3.4 oz.
$85
“One of the best-selling perfumes in the country right now, Lola has hints of fuscia peony, geranium, and ruby red grapefruit.” 

4. Revlon Sheer Pink Enamel
$4.79
“When I don’t have time for a manicure, Revlon’s Sheer Pink polish saves the day.  The smooth formula glides on evenly, and it’s sheer enough so that mistakes don’t show.  Just one coat makes my nails look pretty and even.”

5. Kiehl’s Extra Strength Conditioning Rinse
$21-$33
“I use this conditioning rinse in lieu of my daily conditioner once a week to soften and add shine to my long (somewhat damaged and dry) hair.  Added bonus: the delicious coconut smell!”

6. Ray-Ban Aviators
from $72
“Even on my worst days, the aviator style makes me feel tough and sexy.  I love how Ray-Ban is now offering different lens and frame shades.  My favorite, the classic large style with gold frame and black lenses.”

7. Votivo Candle — Red Current
$25
“Perhaps my favorite candle, it’s clean-burning with a delicious scent that appropriate year-round and not too girly.  Makes an excellent hostess gift!”

8. M.A.C. Cosmetics Clear Lipglass
$14
“The shiniest gloss I’ve ever tried.  This unique formula really does leave a glass-like finish that lasts for hours.  I love it alone or over my favorite lipstick.”

Mason Pearson Nylon and Boar Bristle Brush

Girls with pin-straight strands are in search of volume, bounce and curl and curly girls wish for straight hair, or at least defined curls.  We all want what we don’t have…at least when it comes to hair.  Check out our top 5 picks for making your hair a dream come true.

Sedu Flat Iron

#1 The Sedu Flat Iron

Curly girls looking for a sleek transformation, check out the Sedu Flat Iron.  It has ionic ceramic tourmaline plates to straighten hair without damaging it.  The temperature is adjustable at 240 to 410 degrees, which means you can vary the settings depending on the state of your hair. Curlier, coarser hair should use the iron on high settings so it can deflate frizz on contact.  More fragile hair can be styled around 300 degrees without fear of burning the hair.  The adjustable settings are what really make this iron a winner for me over the Chi (which runs at a constant 370 degrees).

Check out the user photos on Folica‘s site.  I love before and afters!

Solia 1" Flat Iron

#2 The Solia 1″ Flat Iron

Have wavy or straight hair?  Try the Solia 1″ Flat Iron.  It can curl hair as well as straighten it, making it a great tool for touch-ups on days when you just need to get rid of some frizz, as well as, a hardworking curl/wave creator.  YouTube has awesome video tutorials on techniques you can use to create tight curls and looser beachy waves.

Larger plates (2″ and greater) are faster for long, thick hair but thinner plates allow better control, the ability to curl (best with 1/2″ to 1″ plates) and make it easier to straighten hair at the root.  If your hair is very short, get a 1″ or thinner iron.

T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer

#3 T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer

A.M. time crunch?  The T3 Featherweightdryer is super-fast and lightweight making it a hit with anyone who blowdries and a lifesaver for those of us with harder to manage hair.  Your arms won’t get as tired and the entire process will be faster, making it more likely you’ll do a thorough job and get rid of that dreaded wave in the back, even if you are in a rush.

#4 Mason Pearson Brushes

Mason Pearson’s boar bristle brushes are definitely an investment at over $90 each.  However, many of us spend lots of cash at the salon on masks and treatments to repair damage.  Treat your hair better daily and cut down on your salon visits, it’s better for your hair and your wallet.

Large round brushes are best for straightening with a blowdryer, flat paddle brushes smooth straight hair and vented brushes create volume. Wearing your hair curly? Skip the brushes altogether.  Rake fingers or a wide tooth comb through hair and twirl small sections to maintain ringlets.

Always be careful with high heat from a blowdryer and a boar bristle brush,  the bristles will warp and singe if the heat is too high.

#5 Spornette Brushes

If you are looking for a good brush at a great price. Try one from Spornette.  They range in price from $5 to $30.  They are the perfect choice for distributing product in hair and even working conditioners into the hair in the shower.  At such a great price, you won’t mind if they get gel or mousse on them.

There are some products in this world that I just can’t live without.  When people enter my home, the first thing people typically say is, “it smells soooo good in here, what is that?”  I can’t take all the credit, tho’.  I fell in love with what has come to be known as the Anthropologie scent – which of course is the soy-based candle No. 6 Volcano, by Capri Blue.  When I’m between trims, I always use Redken’s Vinyl Glam Mega Shine.  Spray it on after a blow dry and it’s like an instant hair cut.  Say goodbye to dry ends and say hello to healthy shiny hair!

Are you looking for an alternative to Ugg boots?  If so, Hunter boots are the next best thing.  These wellies come in all sorts of colors and you can accessories them in an array of warm and colorful hunter socks.  If you were to look through my makeup bag, you would instantly notice my Saltbox cosmetic bag.  I was given one as a gift, but now I want to buy them for my girlfriends.  Inside, you would be met with Benefits Georgia peachy box powder.  I use an over-sized face brush and dust it all over.  My skin instantly looks glow-y, fresh, and ready to take on the world.

1. Capri Blue No 6. Volcano, Jar Candle ($28.00)

2. Redken – 02 Vinyl Glam Mega Shine Spray ($13.28)

3. Hunter - Hunter Boots ($115.00)

4. Saltbox - Saltbox Bags ($30.00)

5. Benefit - Georgia Powder ($28.00)