Best Hydrating Products for Summer Skin and Hair:

Dear Margaret,


    I love the neon yellow/nude Topshop sandals...just might have to order those.. You've now made my sandal shopping decision even harder:)


   It def feels like summer here already in Phoenix too. It's going to be 108 degrees today and the air is so dry.. it's a struggle to get your hair and skin feeling hydrated here year round... but especially challenging in the summertime. Here are my top products to help beat the negative effects of this heat: (all available at www.amazon.com)


xo,
Kara





1.) Aveeno Positively Radiant tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 in Medium: 
This is the perfect moisturizer for day... the tint is sheer but noticeable and evens skin tone perfectly for those days you don't feel like wearing makeup. Bonus- it has sunscreen:)

2.) Jan Marini Age Intervention Eye Cream:
This is an awesome eye cream for day and night.. eye cream is super important bc the skin under the eye doesn't produce oil so it's necessary to always keep it hydrated. All of Jan Marini's products are amazing. They are way cheaper on Amazon than in salons.

3.) Avene Thermal Spring Water Face Spray:
I use this spray to set my makeup so that it doesn't look powdery or dry and it blends it all together well. It leaves my skin soft and supple. This spray bottle releases a fine mist of the spring water which is full of minerals. It's great for a refreshing mist throughout the day without ruining your makeup as well.

4.) Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick SPF 15:

This product makes lips so soft. I wear it everyday... It gives my lips a natural shine and gives them a smooth base for lip gloss or stick.  Madonna swears by this too:)

5.) Jan Marini Transformation Face Cream:
I use this cream mainly at night bc it's very hydrating and I don't necessarily need it during the day. It leaves a very smooth finish, hydrates through the night,  and again, I love her line:) Highly recommend. Everyone needs a great night cream.

6.) L'Occitane Hand Cream:
This stuff is always in my purse and in the drawer next to my kitchen sink. I'm always washing my hands, which makes them so dry, and this cream brings them back to life without any greasy residue. My fave.. hands down... no pun intended:)

7.) Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Body Wash:
Improves elasticity, relieves dryness, deeply conditions skin, brightens dull skin, evens skin tone, smoothes rough skin and minimizes the appearance of dry lines.

8.) Any Coconut Oil:

Buy a cheap bottle at the store and put in your shower. Use on body and ends of hair when you are done showering and are still damp. All around great conditioner!

9.) Olivina Body and Leg Oil:
I use this right after I get out of the shower and am towel-dry.  It's anti-aging, binds to the deepest layer of moisture,  and restores skin's silky, youthful texture... also has notes of citrus and wood. Plus, it doesn't leave a greasy feeling. Love this stuff (comes with a pump too).

10.) The Body Shop Olive Body Butter:

Through the years, this has proven to be the most moistening body lotion I have found.  I keep trying other things but always come back to this one.  I use this all day long on my entire body. This better never get discontinued:)

11.) Bond no.9 Fire Island Perfume:
I love this scent for summer bc it smells like beach, sunscreen, and tanning oil combined. Definitely reminds me of vacation!

12.) Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray:
I prefer letting my hair air dry in the summer (so I don't have to dry it out more with a hair dryer). Once it's done air drying, I spray it with this surf spray, giving my hair the perfect "beachy-wave, salt-water kissed" look.  Great product.

14.) PSSSST! Dry Shampoo:
There are tons of great dry shampoos out there, but this one you can get at the drugstore for like $6 and it has the exact same ingredients as the uber fancy/expensive Neil George Salon dry shampoo. This way you can miss a wash and still look fresh.. and your wallet will still be full:)

15.) Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask:

This is a great deep conditioner for the price. I seem to use it almost every other day in the summer so my hair stays soft.  Plus, a little goes a long way.

16.) MoroccanOil Treatment Light:
I use this product on the ends of my hair once I'm out of the shower. It's the only way I can comb out my tangles and it doesn't leave my hair greasy and weighed down.  I have definitely noticed a difference in my hair since using it too.. it promotes healing and provides great nourishment for dry, damaged hair. They make travel sizes too!

17.) Tangle Teezer Original Hair Brush:
The absolute best de-tangler for wet hair! Before I had this comb, I was never able to comb through from my roots to the ends. Now I never have a tangle. I recommend this to every single person.. I don't know what I did without it. Also available at Sally Beauty Supply.. comes in assortment of colors.

Top Sandals of the Season

Dear Kara,

Your deviled egg recipe sounds delish and super easy.

This week it is finally starting to feel like Summer and now I am desperately in need of new sandals. I did some trolling online and here are my top options. (All under $100!) Now I just need to compare with my closet.

XOXOXOXOX

Margaret

Best Subtle Hardware..... Dolce Vita "Archer" $69

  

http://www.zappos.com/dv-by-dolce-vita-archer-nude?zfcTest=fw:0

Best Suede...Joe's "Tina" $90

 

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/joes-tina-sandal/3232846?origin=category&fashionColor=TURQUOISE&resultback=7739

Best Classic Strappy....J.Crew  "Audra" $98

 

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shoes/sandals/PRDOVR~85668/85668.jsp

Best Colorblock...Top Shop "Cross Over" $50

 

http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=4915920&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208694&parent_categoryId=208581&pageSize=20&refinements=category~[210018|208694]&noOfRefinements=1

Best Retro....Urban Outfitters "Kimchi Scallop" $29

 

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23842420&color=046

New Healthy Take on Deviled Eggs...

Dear Margaret,

I can't wait to see your new place! I can't imagine what a pain it is moving all your things in NYC.. It's hard enough as it is in Phoenix where we have cars and extra space:) Hope ya'll settle in nicely:)

Love your Cannes Film Festival picks.. my fave was Diane Kruger as always.. she can do no wrong in my mind:) I agree that these were much better over all than the Met dresses.

I thought I'd share with you my favorite new filling snack for in between meals. It's my new healthy take on deviled eggs: I take two hard boiled eggs and take out the yokes (I feed them to Wrigley:) then I fill the center with two tablespoons of my favorite hummus (right now it's the plain organic hummus from Trader Joes).. I then add sea salt and pepper and a little cayenne pepper for spice.. plus the cayenne speeds up your metabolism. You can get really creative with this snack.. adding any spices or any flavor of hummus.  It's so good you have to try it.. plus its 100% guilt free.

Nutrition facts (depending on your choice of hummus)

Calories: 110, Fat: 0, Carb: 4.8, Fiber: 1, Sugar: 0, Protein: 13.8

xo,

Kara

Cannes Film Festival Photos

Dear Kara,

Sorry I have been so mia lately. I hope you had a great weekend in Texas at Jennifer's wedding. My move to the West Side is still in progress. Michael and I have been working like slaves since Friday. We basically were unpacking, furnishing and re-decorating all at the same time. I am pooped and so sore and there still is so much more to go! The furniture dudes just left, 9:15 PM on a holiday weekend!

I just took some time to breeze through all the great pics of Cannes Film Festival and everyone looked amazing! I loved all the gowns, I think they were better than the Met Gala and the other most recent red carpets. Here are my favorites....

 

 

My Top 6 Purchases for this Memorial Day Weekend:

Dear Margaret,

Since you and I both are addicted shoppers, I thought I would share with you my favorite purchases this Month! I plan on wearing all of them at some point this Memorial Day weekend:) Miss you!

xo,

Kara

Mara Hoffman bikini.. can't wait to wear this with a long necklace and my faded J.Brand cutoffs.
available at:
www.freepeople.com

I special ordered this Love Heals spike necklace from the company and have been wearing it with everything.. it def makes an outfit look cooler and isn't as scary on:)
available at:
 c.jane in austin, texas: 512-236-1436

One of a kind Vintage horn Rosary long necklace.. comes in different varieties. Will wear this with my new bikini:)
available at:
c.jane in austin, texas: 512-236-1435 

Perfect Isabel Marant copy.. high top sneaks with hidden wedge. Wore these with my cutoffs and white linen slub tee for a casual look and they actually lengthen your legs bc of the "mysterious" wedge haha.  Brand is "mtng originals", made in Spain, and very affordable price! Def recommend these.
available at:
c.jane in austin, texas: 512-236-1435

Insanely gorgeous multi-color thread Haute Hippie lil sweater. I'm so obsessed with this.. Adds interest to all my outfits and covers just enough when it's chilly in the summer! I'm never taking it off.
available at:
pink lagoon boutique in solana beach, ca: 858-792-0882

The perfect nude patent sling-back, peep-toe pump by Prada. On sale at Saks.. a closet staple.
available at:
Saks Fifth Avenue

Favorite Free "No Equipment Needed" Workouts for on-the-go:

Dear Margaret,


This weekend Ryan and I randomly went to L.A. for Lakers playoff game 4 (star sightings: Jack Nicholson in his shades, Denzel Washington, and David Beckham)...and during any down time I got I was able to bust out some of these free and equipment free workouts in the hotel room... every little bit counts:) 3 years ago I bought this "Shape" magazine with Lauren Conrad on the cover and have been doing these moves ever since (when I'm traveling or don't feel like going to the gym). I always like to take advice from fit celebs bc they get the best trainers/nutritionists there are. Here is what she said:

"Basically it's a circuit I can do anywhere - in my hotel room when I'm traveling or at home in my living room," says Lauren. "There are just five moves: squats, sit-ups, push-ups, couch dips - where I balance on the edge of a couch and lower my hips, then press up - and planks. I do 20 reps of the first four moves, then hold the plank for 20 seconds. I go through the entire circuit six times. No equipment required."

... it's actually pretty hard so sometimes I break it up and do three sets in the morning and three more later when I get a chance.


I also like to mix it up with my top three ballet-inspired YouTube short videos too..the first one is "Awesome Thighs" (does recommend you use a playground ball, which I bring in my carryon, but not needed), the second one is "Ballet tThighs, Butt, and Abs" and the third one is Tracy Anderson's "Sitting Arms". My inspiration includes Kelly Ripa and Tracy Anderson.. they are both very short girls who practice these ballet based moves and in return appear long and lean.. my utimate goal:) Here they are.. save them to your "favorites"!!  :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YYoyKZmuvc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCtOoGLFHno


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CulgpxH8yc


xo,
Kara

The Great Googa Mooga

Dear Kara,

Yesterday I went to The Great Googa Mooga, a brand new food and music festival in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. The festival was put on by the same people who do Bonnaroo. There was a VIP ticket for $250 or a limited amount of free tickets. We were lucky enough to get the free tickets. It was a GORGEOUS day here so it was a blast. There were 75 food vendors, 35 brewers and 30 wine makers. Music wise we were able to see Fitz & The Tantrums and Daryl Hall & John Oates. There were plenty of picnic tables and banquets. There was also plenty of land to sprawl out on a blanket. 
This was my first food festival and I totally recommend it. Great food, good music, fun people watching- whats not to love.
Here are some pics from the festival.....

 

 

Best Anti-Aging/Glow Regime For the Face:

Dear Margaret, 

Love your "food substitutions" list.. I definitely use all of those too.. good to know about the applesauce, vanilla extract, and nutmeg combo though.. I've never tried that and it sounds delish:)

As you know, I can't stand having a pale face.. therefore I have been using Dr. Dennis Gross' Alpha Beta Glow Pads for over a year now (about 1-2/week).. They are on my "Austin Monthly Favorite Things" list.. I can't live without them. Not only do they grace my face with a streak-free tan, they also: 

exfoliate dry, dull skin & help minimize appearance of dark spots & pores Minimizes imperfections and limits the need for foundation Active Vitamin D & Soy Protein create a natural healthy glow

...which leads me to my new favorite product find... I went to Sephora to buy more of these miraculous "glow pads" and the dude gave me a sample of "Dr. Dennis Gross Extra Strength Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel-Steps 1 and 2"... and OMG am I addicted now! I ordered them immediately after just one use. You are supposed to use them everyday and I see why.. it literally looks like you just had a chemical peel after using them (in a good way, not that weird, shiny, beat red way:) This is how you use:

-Apply Step 1 to clean, dry skin in circular motions from forehead to neck. Continue until pad feels dry. Wait two minutes. Apply Step 2 using the same technique. Do not rinse after either step or use products containing alcohol. ... (Then you can use your "Alpha Beta Glow Pad".. but these are needed really only once or twice a week...and then use your face cream). These "Daily Face Peel Pads" are expensive (cheaper on amazon.com) but are definitely worth it. Here are some product features:

Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles Visibly reduces pores and treats breakouts Targets dark spots; Improves skin tone and texture

Sooooo... I always say "Your skin is your best accessory and taking proper care of it is an investment in your future"... these Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta products will help you get there:) Go to Sephora and just ask for a sample and see what you think!

xo,
Kara

3 Step Regime (Steps 1 and 2 daily, glow pads used as needed)

Alpha Beta Peel Pads

Alpha Beta Glow Pads

Must Have Food Substitutes

Dear Kara,

I have read all three of your book recs and those books rock. Of course my #1 rec would be "Boundaries" (the basic one) it was so life changing for me.

I am sure you already use these but wanted to share my favorite substitutes for cooking:

1. Fage Greek Yogurt... Greek yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream or mayo in cooking or as a spread/topper. I recommend adding a splash of lemon juice and herbs.

2. Applesauce (unsweetened), Vanilla Extract & Nutmeg....These three together or by themselves are great replacements for sugar. Vanilla extract is very powerful so a little can go a long way; the general rule is cutting the sugar amount in half and adding 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

3.  Pasta Replacements:
-Shirataki noodles: These guys are Asian and are in the produce section by the tofu and greens. They come in a bag with gel. You have to follow the instructions 100% if not more extreme (wash/rinse very thoroughly) because they smell. But they look like pasta, taste like pasta and have amazing nutrition info: 20 cal, 0.58 g fat, 3g carb, 1g protein, 2g fiber. WOW!
-Zucchini ribbons: These guys are a great subsitute but you still will feel like you are eating a vegetable; which manyatimes is refreshing.
-Spaghetti Squash: The name says it all, it's perfect with sauce. If you can't purchase the squash already cooked, cut it in half (warning the squash is pretty tough so it takes a bit of time cutting) and cook in oven at 375 degrees, rind side up. (Make sure to remove seeds and pulp after cooked)

4. Chips.... Kale Chips. Kale is the best green for you so having it as a snack is ideal. 1 head of Kale, cut into 1 1//2" pieces doused with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil , then cooked on a cookie sheet at 275 degrees for 20 minutes and sprinkled with sea salt.