Packing For Summer Vacation

Whether you are still on a student schedule or well past graduation day, the beginning of summer always comes with the anticipation of summer vacation.

But the planning and packing that go along with vacations can sometimes be a drag — and lead to some unwanted, spontaneous vacation outfits.

To avoid overflowing suitcases, mismatching clothes, inappropriate clothing styles or running out of undergarments, study up on how to pack efficiently and effectively without sacrificing your everyday style.

Click to enlarge
Here are few tips you can follow when packing for your next vacation, leaving the rest of your trip for (fashionable) fun in the sun:

1. Count out how many days you will be gone, and pack up the appropriate number of undergarments in a separate suitcase compartment.

2. Next, pack up a few shirts and bottoms for sleeping. No need to bring a new shirt and shorts for every day! Roll up the top and bottoms in one stack and place in your suitcase.

3. Now think about how many different types of occasions you will experience on your vacation. Will every day be an outdoor adventure? Will you be dressing up for dinner? Will you need business attire or just casual wear?

4. Count up the different types of occasions, and plan out the same number of outfits, keeping in mind a similar color scheme or style so you can mix and match pieces as much as possible. For instance, if you are taking a dressy outfit and a casual outfit for the same day, try picking out one shirt that can be dressed up and dressed down with different pieces.

5. Roll up different outfits according to the days and place them in your suitcase in sequential order.

6. If necessary, throw in a few extra pieces that can serve as last-minute options if you decide to go with a different look.

7. Pack one — just one! — pair of shoes per occasion on your vacation. For example, pack just one pair of running shoes, one pair of dressy shoes and one pair of everyday walking shoes. Extra points if you have shoes that can serve for multiple occasions.

8. Pick one necklace or other accessory that will complement multiple outfits on the trip. No need to pack your entire jewelry box — accessories often get lost or broken en route. Pack jewelry in a plastic bag and place in the compartment with undergarments for additional padding.

9. Pack bathroom supplies in plastic bags to avoid any messes having to do with changes in elevation.

For resortwear to bring on your vacation visit Avenue Verde

Article by Brooke Brown, Mormon Times

When To Wear Your Resortwear Dresses

Resortwear dresses call for a warm, leisurely, and laid-back setting. Summer soirees, tropical vacations, and summer evenings out on the town are the perfect places to flaunt resortwear dresses that have been hiding in the closet all winter.

Designers all know that the arrival of their resortwear collections offer a beacon of hope to women who are dying to get rid of the dreary gray weather. The nautical stripes, exotic prints, sumptuous colors, and sheer linens offer a glimmer of future sunshine-filled days to help them get through the last few weeks of spring.



Cruises and tropical destination vacations offer the perfect pre-summer excuse to get the resort-wear dresses out of storage. Striking the perfect balance between casual and formal, resort-wear was made for extravagant vacations. Crisp white pants and a blousy silk shirt are perfect for afternoon shopping, while a breezy, printed caftan is the perfect bikini cover-up by the pool. Dinnertime at a fabulously chic restaurant is the perfect time to showcase the resortwear dress of the season.

Once the weather takes a turn for the warmer at home, it is appropriate to begin wearing resort-wear dresses. Summer soirees are the most optimal occasion to dawn the beautiful resortwear dresses that everyone loves. A lavish pool-side get-together with friends calls for an eye-catching hue in a body-flattering fabric.

Do not be afraid to try a resortwear dress for a night out on the town either. Many designers incorporate chic shift dresses and simpler styles that can be perfect for a date or a night out with the girls. Some collections may even offer office-appropriate staples as well. Simple linen suits in soft colors, and light cotton pencil skirts have been known to crop up on the runway in more than one designer line.

For resortwear dresses visit Avenue Verde

By Emily Waterfield, The Writers Network
Photo by Leonid & Anna Dedukh from Fotolia.com

The Little Trend That Could: A Look At How Color Blocking Dominated the Resort Collections

If you’ve flipped through any fashion magazine this past spring, it’s safe to assume that you would have come across an editorial featuring color blocking. Now that the resort 2012 collections are coming to a close, it’s become obvious that this trend is not going anywhere–in fact, it seems to be more popular than ever.

More specifically, we’ve noticed it on countless short dresses. And why not? Resort collections seem like the perfect place for fun, easy, and colorful clothing. In fact, many of the looks show few additional accessories, presenting them as ideal for simple, no-fuss dressing.

Whether through fringe, fabric or sequins, expect to see plenty of color-blocking in the next year.

To keep your wardrobe up-to-date with the newest trends visit Avenue Verde- Resort Wear

Article by: Dana Kruspe

Hottest Travel Fashion this Season

We browsed through the summer/resort wear collections showcased by top designers and formed these suggestions of what the hottest travel looks of the season are.



Ever since the Indian traveller decided to give granny's home a miss for a summer bash with friends, stepping out in style for a vacation seems to have become the norm. So bring out your stylish jackets, scarves and light sweaters to jazz up your date with cooler climes. Add oomph to your beach break by stocking up on resort wear or enjoy a chic and sexy cruise with the right accessories. Take clues from these looks; head out to the local flea market to bag the right travel wear. And don't forget to pack right and travel light!

Cool clues

Escaping to cooler climes is one of the best ways to beat the heat. Leading designers too seem to have taken a note of your flair for a hilly fare seriously and have showcased ample stylish pieces suitable for cooler places in their summer and resort collections. And the major style suggestion seems to be that one stylish jacket in a silk and wool blend can do to a vacation what 20 poor knits cannot. But mind you, jackets don't come just in black or brown. Designer duo Shantanu & Nikhil's look for women are fitted jackets with a hint of detailing around the waist in a bright colour. Designer Malini Agarwalla sent women in bright fitted full sleeves tees with smart stoles and scarves down the ramp to give you an idea on how to lighten up your break and fashion brand Energie's look seems to suggest that for men, nothing beats the charm of a fitted leather jacket and a funky scarf.

Chic coast

If a siesta only means seaside to you then you better stock up on vibrant resort wear. But setting off for the shores doesn't mean packing in trunks and two bits. Designer Arpan Vohra's look for the beach bums lets the ladies stroll in style at the local beach market in fitted sleeveless jackets matching your swimwear with beaded neckpieces and comfy footwear. Rocky S wants all the chicas to carry a big bright bag to carry most of your knick knacks. Team it with a bright flowy short dress, as you lounge by the poolside during the day and attend a beach party at night, without having to fret about. So that men too also look like better halves. Designer Rajvi Mohan's look is fitted kurtas and shirts in light shades and shorts or bermudas just below the knee — paired with flip flops and a trendy jhola.

Accessory alert

Now there are some accessories that are not to just make us look like tourists but also come in very handy. Designer Pallavi Mohan's summer/resort look suggests any vacation to a tropical destination is incomplete without a maxi dress and a matching umbrella. Sunglasses, broad bangles, quirky neck pieces and a short dress with funky prints are the safest bets to stuff your travel bags with are designer Babita Malkani's trendy tips, while capris, flip flops, floral headbands and sleeveless dresses with frills are designer Miriam Strehlau's suggestions to get you in the true travel spirit right away.

To get your hottest travel fashion essentials of the season go to Avenue Verde


Article by: Amin Ali for the times of India
Image credit: Thinkstock photos/Getty Images)

Travel Apps That Won't Bust Your Bill

Skype, Google Translate and other mobile programs have made international travel smoother and easier—but they're useless if you aren't near a wireless Internet connection or don't feel like racking up another $800 data bill. Enter "local data" apps, which work offline—in other words, anywhere you can take your charged-up smartphone, no extra fees involved.

City Maps 2Go
With 3,100 locations, this is one of the best offline maps apps available. You have to download each map to use it without a connection, but then have unlimited access. Deleting and adding maps is simple, and helps keep memory usage to a minimum.$1.99, available for iPhone

Converter (unit conversions)
An all-purpose converter that can help you through the Celsius-Fahrenheit shift as well as 63 different currency conversions. Open the app before departing to update exchange rates and, barring any major market fluctuations while you're away, you're good to go. It also does weight and volume conversions. $.99, available for iPhone

Jibbigo Translator
Seamlessly translates your English into spoken French (or seven other languages) and the response back into spoken English, with written translations for clarity. There are better Spanish apps out there, but Jibbigo's range of language options (Mandarin, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog and Iraqi Arabic), is leaps ahead of the rest. From $4.99, available for iPhone and Android

Wi-Fi Finder
How are you supposed to search for a WiFi spot when you don't have Internet access in the first place? This crowd-sourced offline app tells you where to find nearby paid and free access points. Caveat: It's more complete in major cities than in rural areas. Free, available for iPhone and Android

MetrO
Contains information on 400 transit systems worldwide. Enter a starting point and destination and this app plots out a step-by-step route on local public transportation. It lacks transit maps and sometimes tells you to walk with nary a directional cue, but can get you where you need to go on nothing but bus fare. Like City Maps 2Go, MetrO requires a predeparture download. Free, available for iPhone and soon for Android.

By: Jasmine Moy, The Wall Street Journal

Healthy Tips for Vacation

So you've worked hard all summer to lose weight. You've pushed yourself through grueling workouts 5 days a week and watched everyone else enjoy the ice cream sundaes at the BBQ while you settled for the fruit salad. You finally have yourself in this healthy routine and then suddenly your most longed-for time of year becomes the most dreaded: vacation. Between all the R&R and with poolside cocktails at your hand and eating out a nightly habitual, its no wonder a vacation can be a destructive influence on any diet. Dr. Wayne Andersen, author of the bestselling book "Dr. A's Habits of Health (The Path to Permanent Weight Control and Optimal Health)" wants to keep you on track with some of his healthy travel tips:



1. Before you pack, be sure to ask the hotel if they have a gym or pool and bring appropriate clothes to get some exercise. (No excuses!)

2. Bring healthy snacks for the road/plane. Items like Medifast Crunch Bars are great options because they’re satisfying, portable and contain less sodium and calories than airplane snacks or fast food options.

3. Drink lots of water. Any sort of traveling is taxing on the body and you’ll want to keep hydrated.

4. Remember that alcohol will let down your defenses and is full of empty calories and carbs. It is best to choose club soda or a diet drink with your meals.

5. Make healthy food choices. Some days you may have to have both lunch and dinner out, so make the best of it and choose wisely.

6. Don't worry about losing weight. Sometimes the stress of traveling will slow your weight loss. The main objective is not to gain weight.

7. Remember to bring your journal to jot down both memories from the trip as well as what you ate to help you keep track of calories.

8. Have a great time!


For fashionable vacation wear visit avenueverde.com
article credited to Jen Wielgus of Phillyburbs

What You Should Know About Sunscreen

With summer on the horizon, we know it’s time to slather on the sunscreen and reapply, but how much do we really know about this magical lotion that’s said to protect against sunburn and prevent skin cancer? For all the mysteries that still remain about the sun and how it affects us, we can rest assured knowing that we have these 10 facts about sunscreen covered:

1. There is No Evidence that the Chemicals in Sunscreen are Not Safe: Despite ongoing controversy over the safety of the chemicals in sunscreens, most scientists and doctors agree that there is no evidence that sunscreen ingredients are harmful to humans. The argument that sunscreen ingredients are carcinogenic, block vitamin D or alter the body’s hormone system will require further research and experimental studies before any conclusions are drawn.

2. The Higher the SPF Number, the Smaller the Difference: It’s a common misconception that a higher SPF number means you are doubly or triply protected. A higher number does indicate more protection, but it doesn’t give you two to three times as much protection as one with an SPF 15. Sunscreens with SPF 15 filter out roughly 93 percent of UVB rays and SPF 30 sunscreens filter about 97 percent. The protection slightly increases as the SPF number gets higher, but only by one percent (98) for SPF 50 and two percent (99) for SPF 100 sunscreens. The fact is no one sunscreen will protect you completely.

3. SPF Numbers Only Refer to UVB Ray Protection: The sun protection factor (SPF) number on sunscreens only measures protection against UVB rays, the skin-burning rays. There is no current FDA-approved rating system for measuring protection from UVA rays, which cause aging of the skin. To ensure coverage against UVB and UVA rays, you should use a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen, or one that contains avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

4. There’s a Difference Between Waterproof and Water-Resistant Sunscreen: Sunscreens that are labeled "waterproof" or "water-resistant" are slightly different in their chemical makeup and water tolerance. Water-resistant sunscreens can maintain their SPF level after 40 minutes of water exposure, and waterproof sunscreens can maintain their SPF level after 80 minutes of water exposure, according to the FDA. If you’re plan on being in the water or participating in outdoor activities, you should choose a water-resistant or waterproof sunscreen for optimal protection.

5. Sunscreen Does Not Cause Vitamin D Deficiency: For years, people have blamed sunscreen and dermatologists’ pleas to stay out of the sun as the leading cause for vitamin D deficiency in Americans. However, we now know that there is little to no evidence that shows sunscreens cause vitamin D deficiency, and people can get the recommended amount of vitamin D from other sources than just the sun, such as taking dietary supplements and eating foods like salmon, milk and eggs.

6.Sunscreen is Not Fail-Safe: We now know that sunscreen is not fail-safe because it is not a guaranteed protection against all of the sun’s harmful rays. There is also no supporting evidence that sunscreens protect you from developing malignant melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer. Sunscreen alone will not fully protect you from the sun or from developing skin cancer. In addition to wearing sunscreen, you should also seek shade, wear protective clothing, avoid peak hours of sun exposure and monitor the UV index.

7. One Ounce of Sunscreen is Needed to Cover Your Body: We now know that one ounce, equivalent to a full shot glass, is the recommended amount of sunscreen needed to cover your exposed skin. You should apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours, especially after perspiring, swimming or towel-drying. Sunscreen is something you definitely don’t have to go easy on. Don’t forget to protect the often-missed parts of the body, like the lips, ears, hands, feet, neck and scalp.

8. Everyone Should Use Sunscreen, Regardless of Skin Color: People of all races and ethnicity are at risk for developing skin cancer, and should wear sunscreen to protect themselves from UV radiation. We know that people with fair skin and a large number of freckles and moles have a greater chance of burning and developing skin cancer, but people with darker skin can also burn and develop skin cancer as well. Dark-skinned individuals are also more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer in the later stages when it is more dangerous and could be fatal.

9. Sunscreen is Needed in All Types of Weather: Whether it’s sunny, cloudy or snowing outside, you still need sunscreen to stay protected all year long. Ultraviolet rays can do a significant amount of damage even when the sun is not at its hottest. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, people experience some of the severest sunburns because they did not protect themselves on cloudy days, where up to 40 percent of the sun’s radiation can get through. So, whether you’re hitting the slopes or riding the waves, you need to wear sunscreen in every season and every type of weather.

10. Sunscreens Have a Maximum Shelf Life of Three Years: According to the FDA, all sunscreens have to be stable at their original strength for at least three years, unless otherwise indicated by an expiration date. Sunscreens lose their effectiveness after three years, especially when the bottle is exposed to direct sunlight, extreme changes in temperature or left open. Sunscreen is said to have a shelf life of three years. However, if you’re using the appropriate amount of sunscreen daily, you shouldn’t have bottles of sunscreen sitting around for more than one year!
Source:
US Pharm D

Sundress Hunt: Tips for the battle with the summer necessity

When I was in the store shopping for a new sundress this past week, I heard women lamenting all around me in the dressing room.“I look pregnant in this dress!”“It makes me look like I weigh 20 pounds more than I do!”

The complete lack of self-esteem reared its ugly head as we all stood sighing at the mirrors in our rooms. Most sundresses are misleading, so we think they will look as good on us as they do on the hanger. But it isn’t always easy to make a dress look the same on our unique bodies as it does on size two mannequins. So here are a few tips from someone who has defeated the sundress shopping dragon more than a few times—and has the closet to prove it.

Be honest with yourself. You would think the fine art of finding a perfect sundress would be easy by now since we have hundreds of stores and brands to choose from. But the mannequin feeds our warped view of how a sundress will look, since we want to be a totally unrealistic size two when we’re actually a size 12. Embrace your curves and find a dress that celebrates them. A dress with no structure (like a t-shirt dress) might look safe to someone trying to find a comfortable way to hide a few extra pounds, but it actually does more harm than good. If you’re curvy like me, look for dresses with a built-in slip, sweetheart neckline and an A-line cut. The A-line (looks like you’re wearing a capital “A”) is our very best friend!



Hide behind a great dress. Prints, ruched waists and belts can make a tummy literally disappear. They usually highlight the smallest part of you (your waist) without drawing attention to the extra padding you acquired over the winter. Prints will liven up the dress and keep attention from zeroing in on one place. Feel the material. If it’s heavy jersey or starched cotton, it will be just as unforgiving as velvet.

Finding the perfect sundress isn’t easy. You’ll probably have to search two or three stores before finding a good one. Try an outlet store like Ross for a wide selection. And don’t lament over your gambles in the dressing room—just deliver a swift karate chop to the offending dress behind closed doors. I’ll probably be laughing in the room next to you...doing the same thing.



Written by Deena Spell of Patch.com