Conde Nast Digital StudioAmy Paturel, SELF magazine

We all know the drill: Use sunscreen to avoid sunburn -- and reapply frequently. But sometimes, we just forget. Or we fall asleep in the sun. Or we get caught up in a killer game of beach volleyball.
For serious burns (i.e. blistering red skin), get to the doc STAT. But to get through the first 24 hours of a mild sunburn (read: no blisters) that stings and causes discomfort, we asked Skin Cancer Foundation spokeswoman Francesca Fusco for a few tips:

Related: Why does my long weekend high wear off so fast?

1. Got milk? Make cold milk compresses by soaking a clean cloth in a bowl with equal parts milk, ice cubes and water. Then hold the cloth on the burned area for five minutes. Repeat three times. The fat, protein and pH of milk have a soothing anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. What's more, cold temperatures constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling.

2. Take a pill! Aspirin acts as an anti-inflammatory, suppressing chemicals in the skin that cause

Channel your favorite vacation spot in your garden with these dreamy design ideas.

IF YOUR DREAM VACATION IS TO...


Malibu: Fake a seaside resort


Bring out the striped cushions and colorful umbrellas, and let the garden take care of itself, as this one does. The deck is made of sustainable ipe wood that has weathered to a soft gray. Drought-tolerant plants need only yearly trimming and occasional watering-which leaves plenty of time to kick back on a lounge chair and bask in the sun.
> Related: 3 ways to bring beachside style to your home


Vancouver: Pave a trail to the coast


Give it twists and turns, then edge it with grasses, so strolling along it feels like a hike toward the water's edge. This path winds through coppery New Zealand hair sedge (Carex tenuiculmis 'Cappuccino') and 'Georgia Blue' veronica. Miscanthus sinensis fans out at right, while bigleaf maples and Douglas firs create a view in the distance.
> Related: 32 great ideas for garden paths


Maui: Add a poolside

Getty ImagesBy Lynne Peeples

Forty years after the Clean Air Act, more people are breathing easier. "In general, we've seen tremendous improvement in air quality," says Jonathan M. Samet, MD, director of the Institute for Global Health at the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles.

But some air is cleaner than others. Here are the 5 cities with the cleanest air, according to the American Lung Association's annual report, which looks at levels of ozone and particulates, which are tiny particles that can get lodged in your lungs.

Health.com: 12 ways to keep your lungs strong and healthy

Cheyenne, Wyo.
Population: 88,854

Cheyenne is the clear winner: It has the lowest level of year-round PM 2.5 particulates, tiny lung invaders about 1/30th the width of a human hair. Cheyenne's small size may help; fewer cars travel the roads, and vehicles are a key source of PM 2.5 (and ozone).

Wyoming's capital also has fewer short-term spikes in 24-hour particle pollution. "When exposure peaks, you

Have you bought swimsuits for the season yet? I just nabbed Kiddo two -- a Hello Kitty one-piece and a cuter-than-cute two piece with yellow and white stripes, pink trim. As I was ordering them (online, of course, because 2 a.m. is when this mama has time to shop), I noticed a not-so-bad looking yellow and white stripe suit in my size. We could match! How cute could that be!

More from The Stir: Swimsuit Help for the Abdominally Challenged

Okay, usually matching isn't my thing. Not sure if it was because I was up so late (or early depending on how you look at it), I went on to find some amazingly cute ways to match or coordinate on the beach, at the pool or by the lake this summer. I am sold. Even if the "mini-me" look isn't your thing, I am willing to bet my beach umbrellla these suits -- some of the cutest ever -- will change your mind.

If these pretty-in-polka dots suits don't make you smile, I'm not sure what will. From JCrew, you can pick from navy or this sweet

Go green and get healthy! These brand-new bikes cruise with old-school flair. They're perfect for riding around the neighborhood, making quick trips to the grocery store or cruising along the beach.

Plus: Check out our cute summer craft projects!


The Splurge
Pendleton - yes, the blanketmaker - blazes an unexpected trail with a speedy stunner that sports the brand's 1927 Chief Joseph motif. Each bike is handcrafted and sure to get you noticed. ($749; pendleton-usa.com)



The Steal
An easy-to-adjust seat makes Huffy's bargain ideal for sharing with family members. Of course, the cheery robin's egg blue color is perfect for summer, too! ($90; walmart.com)

Want more? Check out 12 more ways to have fun this summer!



Pastel
Also available in mint, this two-wheeler's twice as earth-friendly, since it comes with a reusable mesh shopping bag-perfect for summer trips to the farmer's market. ($410; giant-bicycles.com)



Fanciful
This dreamboat's got it all: a wicker basket, cherry-red spokes, a

Cb_i_hate_perfume

One of my very favorite new resolutions is to Cultivate good smells. It's astonishing to me how much pleasure my sense of smell gives me, now that I've tuned into it more forcefully.

In the course of my research, along with Demeter Fragrance Library (I love the idea of a "fragrance library"), I discovered a site called CB I Hate Perfume -- and learned that an actual store exists in Brooklyn. Fortunately, I have a good friend who is also a smell enthusiast, and together we made a field trip to the store.

I got the idea for the resolution to Take a field trip from my six-year-old, who gets extremely excited at the prospect of a kindergarten field trip. To her, it's such an adventure, such a treat. Sometimes, I get to go on field trips with her class, and I always enjoy them tremendously, and finally, it occurred to me to look for occasions to assign myself my own field trips.

Visiting the store with my friend was a deeply pleasurable experience. She handed me the wonderful

By Kristin Koch for TheNest.com

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For a complete list of top summer camp gear, visit Babble.

Plus check out the whole Babble 2011 Summer Guide!

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