You might remember Lauren Conrad from the MTV hit series "The Hills," or perhaps you recognize her face from the covers of fashion mags like "Elle," "Glamour," and "Cosmopolitan." At just 27, the L.A. resident has launched four successful fashion lines, as well as written several New York Timesbestsellers. As the current editor-in-chief of the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle site LaurenConrad.com, Lauren cites Martha Stewart as a source of inspiration. "Not only do I share Martha's passion for crafting, cooking, and entertaining, but I also have drawn a lot of inspiration from her career as I work to develop my own lifestyle brand and website."
Seashell Lights
Who better to ask for outdoor party ideas than a California native? We've asked Lauren to round up her favorite alfresco entertaining ideas.
When she entertains outdoors, Lauren likes to make sure that her lighting matches the mood of the event. "Twinkle lights are an easy way to add a summery, romantic feel to an o
...Read More »- Thu, May 23, 2013 12:53 PM EDT | Comments
It often seems that anything cooked on the grill is instantly more delicious. This universal cooking technique also provides a way to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible, and -- let's face it -- to create a bit of a show out of your meal. Any way you look at it, grilling and summer go hand in hand, and we want to make sure this is your most successful season yet. Here, then, are 7 dishes that should be in every cook's summer repertoire.
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Brought to you by the spirited home cooks' community at Food52.
- Thu, May 23, 2013 12:47 PM EDT | Comments
The season for shorter hemlines, glowing skin, and bright lipsticks is upon us. Be brave this summer and opt for a bold new hue!
For More From Real Beauty:
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
By Alyssa Goldman, Cheapism.com
Mosquitoes and fleas and wasps … oh my! Insects are a major drawback of the summer months but there are simple and cheap ways to repel bugs naturally. We've compiled a life of tips and DIY projects that can minimize the ick factor this season.
DIY bug repellent. To cut costs, repel bugs naturally by making your own bug spray and lotion. Aside from the gratification of doing it yourself, you're sure to benefit from the chemical-free composition.
Don't let the bugs bite you.
Related: Best inexpensive lawn mower recommendations
Ingredients needed for a bug-repellent lotion bar include coconut oil; shea, coconut, or mango butter; beeswax; dried rosemary leaves; dried whole cloves; dried or fresh thyme; cinnamon powder; dried catnip; and mint leaf. The instructions at Wellness Mama are a bit time-consuming, but don't let that deter you.
An easier (but possibly less effective) way to keep the bugs away is DIY bug spray, with directions courtesy of the same site.
...Read More »Long days, curling waves, flashing fireflies - Mother Nature provides lots of summer fun absolutely free. But we've found her some competition this year. These giveaways and too-good-to-be-true freebies will keep you and your wallet on vacation all the way to fall. By Sandy M. Fernández, REDBOOK.
1. Do a sun salutation
Top yoga teachers will lead free outdoor classes at the third annual Yoga in the City festival in San Francisco (May 12), Chicago (June 2), New York City (June 9), and Los Angeles (June 30). More than 20,000 people joined in last year, so you might want to stake out your mat early.
2. Bite into a doughnut
Friday, June 7, celebrates National Doughnut Day, which began as a way of honoring Salvation Army "lassies" who served baked goods to troops during World War I. In their honor, Dunkin' Donuts is giving away a doughnut with every drink, and all Krispy Kreme stores nationwide are participating with no purchase necessary (check the company's Facebook page for details...Read More »