Blog Posts by Harper s Bazaar

There's nothing as exciting as being whisked away from your daily life to place of relaxation and inspiration. Even if it's just a weekend jaunt, the idea of traveling can be at once thrilling and cathartic.

But then there is the packing: that stressful process that makes vacation-prep a dreaded chore. Never fear: packing your bag can be boiled down to a science. There are a slew of nifty accoutrements coupled with smart strategies from seasoned veterans that will make for easy, stress-free packing.

Related: Gifts for Travelers

Luggage
First things first. The right suitcase is a must. For long trips, go industrial so you can pack without concern that you're leaving anything you might need behind. But for shorter trips, stick to a an easy carry-on.

Related: 10 Accessories Every Woman Needs

Strategy
For quick, easy packing - and to maximize space - choose clothing you can mix and match. The simplest way to do this is to choose a color scheme and stick to it. Says J.Crew creative

Tommy and Dee Hilfiger show off their flair for fashion and decor in their new apartment at the Plaza in New York.

Perhaps it's only fitting that the Hilfigers' new home is perched on one of the highest floors of one of New York's most iconic landmarks, the Plaza Hotel.

"We tried to incorporate as much of the history of the building as we could," says Tommy Hilfiger's wife Dee of the luxurious two-floor condo they bought in 2008 and the hotel's roster of storied guests. "From Marilyn Monroe to the Beatles to Jackie O., it makes you think, if these walls could talk," she muses about the hotel and residence at the corner of Central Park South and Fifth Avenue.

Playing to his forte of re-creating the past, Tommy elaborates on his apartment's decor: "We had a vision to create an old-world atmosphere complementing the old-world Plaza." And they did just that, with a wink, of course

Related: Click Here to See More Photos of Tommy Hilfiger's Home







Following a gut renovation, the grandiose,

Remember the '90s, when everyone (adults included) collected Beanie Babies? Well, fast-forward two decades and we've got Silly Bandz, the latest playful jewelry craze for children and adults - yes, adults. Silly Bandz are colorful rubber bands that can be twisted and shaped into animals, objects, or people and then remold themselves back into their original shape. And they're becoming the new It Accessory.

Fashionable celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Kelly Ripa have been seen sporting the bands. Since the last thing you want in the summer is heavy jewelry, pick up a pack of Bandz (or snag some from your child), and layer them - or mix with fine jewelry like SJP - for a trendy, colorful, carefree summer look.

Have you tried the Silly Bandz trend? Would you?


More from Harper's Bazaar:

• Supermodels Without Makeup
• Celebs with Seriously Sexy Arms and How to Get Them
• Easy Sexy Date Night Hair and Makeup
• Celeb Makeovers: Then & Now
• 7 Ways

New color can add depth and dimension to your hairstyle. Find the right shade and you'll be looking years younger, too.



20s: Get a Subtle Boost
Mischa Barton

"The biggest mistake women can make at this age involves a drastic change in color," says Joel Warren, head colorist and co-owner of the Warren-Tricomi salons in New York City. "Instead of choosing an extreme monochromatic shade, add face-flattering highlights or lowlights."

Get glamorous for your big night out.




30s: Keep It Simple
Eva Mendes

Consider your lifestyle. Brighter hues fade faster (especially reds) and require the most maintenance. In Warren's experience, women in their 30s are working hard and often wait the longest to head back to the salon. Pick a dye close to your natural shade so your roots are less glaring.

Take your hair from office to cocktails with these easy looks.




40s: Be a Natural Beauty
Jennifer Lopez

"Think about the way your hair looked in your youth, and try to bring back that shade," advises Warren.

While her signature style may not mesh with your own, there is no denying that there's something fantastic about Lady Gaga's unique fashion sensibility. The hot designers certainly think so anyway. And her avant-garde style adventures continue to get more spectacular. She wows us in so many ways - from out-of-this-world Armani Privé to sculptural Calvin Klein Collection. Like paparazzi, we can't get enough.


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1. London, February 2010
Gaga pulls off the pantless trend like no one else. Here, she opts for a boyfriend blazer, lace tights, graphic sunglasses, and military hat. Even if you're not into pantless, take note of Gaga's use of fashion staples.

2. The Brit Awards
In tiers of white, a lace eye mask, and a tower of hair, Gaga walks the red carpet before sweeping the awards show. View the best dresses of the red carpet.

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3. 2010 Grammys
The ultimate attention-grabber: Lady Gaga is futuristic-chic in custom Armani Privé. Check out more futuristic fashion.

4. The Face of

When the dress code is less conservative, there are many polished alternatives to a traditional two-piece suit. Learn how to wear appropriate alternatives to suits, no matter your age, with the help of a few fashion-forward ladies.




20s: Anne Hathaway

• Three words: mix and match. A "suit" at this age can be anything from skinny jeans, a blouse, and a fitted vest to a denim pencil skirt, a long jersey tank, and a cropped jacket.
• Play with masculine-feminine combinations. An oxford shirt looks sweet with puff sleeves and a scarf tie. If you are wearing a tailored jacket, pair it with a ruffled blouse.
• Add color or shine to liven up the look. Select accessories in vibrant hues to give your serious look a youthful jolt.

30s: Joy Bryant

• If you have the figure for it, a razor-sharp pant or skirt is just the thing that says fashion forward and cool. For those who like a slouchier cut, try menswear-inspired

Bronzed glow, dewy skin, pink cheeks... Here's how to wear this season's gorgeous colors at every age. For more beauty ideas, give yourself a personalized virtual makeover to try out all the latest makeup trends for the season.

20s: Get the Glow
Make a statement with a vibrant cheek color. Try M.A.C. High-Light Powder in Marine Life ($26). "A coral blush mixed with bronzy gold is a great way to add warmth to the skin without piling on bronzer," says Dell Ashley, Yves Saint Laurent's national makeup artist. Adds Kate Lee, a Chanel celebrity makeup artist, "Vivid shades look best when applied on the apples of your cheeks." Try these beauty tricks from the runways.


30s: Add a Jolt of Color
Sheer neon glosses like Chanel Brilliant Lip Shine in Laser ($27) let you incorporate fun, flattering shades into your look without appearing as though you're trying too hard. "You can wear the gloss alone or layer a dab of it over a nude lipstick for a more neutral pout," instructs Lee. We like

Red carpet events and movie premiers are all about the wow factor - as much as we talk about the big event or award winners, we're also always chatting up another hot topic: Who was the best dressed?

Cameras snap hundreds of celebs, but a few fashion-forward stars stand out time and again. We've gathered photos of a few of our favorite ladies who've made us look at fashion differently. Whose style is most inspirational to you?







The Mainstay: Sarah Jessica Parker
Wearing: Pairing a casual T-shirt with a fuchsia Oscar de la Renta skirt, Parker channels Carrie Bradshaw.
More of Sarah Jessica Parker's Looks










Iconic Style: Gwyneth Paltrow
Wearing: Paltrow shows off her incredibly toned gams (the result of two-and-a-half-hour workouts with Madonna) in a short, lace LBD. Paired with a tuxedo jacket and Alexander McQueen satin heels, the mini looks classy and chic.
More of Gwyneth Paltrow's Looks








Fashion Darling: Carey Mulligan
Wearing: In a Prada gown at the Oscars, where she was