Useful Wedding Presents That Won’t Get Returned The Next Day

imageThis week, we’ve found 10 wedding gifts the happy couple will actually use because c’mon, how many towels or toasters do they really need? Okay, so you’re at a wedding, staring at the gift table and playing that fun game where you try to guess what’s in each dramatically-wrapped box. But as you’re getting into the swing of things, impressing inexplicably single groomsmen with your skills and wit, you begin to notice a pattern: half of the boxes are the exact same size. Know why? They’re all full of tumblers. Six to eight tumblers are great. 95? Not so much. Avoid being a giver of boring, repetitive gifts and give the newlyweds something they’ll actually use. NOTE: If you’re not close with the couple or aren’t sure about what they already own, stick to the registry. There’s a reason they asked for that meat tenderizer. Click over to The Frisky for more on relationships, celebs, and of course, style.

Stylehive’s Stylescopes Help You Beat The Heat With Cool Summer Pastels

imageInspired by a friend’s shiny new pair of Jeffrey Campbell stacked heels in the most refreshing shade of mint, I got to thinking. Who says pastels are only suited for your Easter basket? We tend to associate pastels like eggy yellows and dainty pinks with the early springtime, but what’s more summery than a bowl of mint ice cream or a cloudless blue sky or the aqua tint of the ocean on a perfect day at the beach? Creamy cool tones are about as fresh as colors come and are the perfect calming, crisp alternative to obnoxious 90s neons. The stars predict warm weather ahead, so surrender to the the summer spirit and get your hands on some cool-toned pastels! For example, Leos can swap their trusty LBD for a more daring satiny spearmint number and Libras will ditch their old wayfarers for a fun pair of lavender-hued frames. Check the slideshow and see if your sign is destined to don lilac, aqua, or mint!

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Father’s Day Gifts For The Gourmet Foodie

imageFather’s Day may be on June 21, but it’s never too early to starting thinking about what to give him. Is he the kind of dad whose favorite room in the house is the kitchen? Does he like to try out new recipes or know exactly which wine to pair with each dish? Then forget the tie tacks or golf clubs, your foodie father would love something that would appeal to his gourmet taste. If he already has his dream grill and you can’t pry him out of the deck on nice days, then consider getting him a monogram steak brand and carving board that will have him feeling even prouder about his grilling abilities. And if he likes to kick back and enjoy a nice cold beer, maybe he should consider making his own beer with a homebrew kit. Check out my slideshow for more gift ideas for dads who like to enjoy the finer things in life.

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Create An Art Nouveau-Inspired Shrink-Art Pendant!

imageSusan Beal is a contributor at Craftstylish, a site dedicated to do-it-yourself crafts and fashionable art projects! Below, she shares a fun how-to on creating your very own Art Nouveau inspired pendant! Pick up some sheets of shrink plastic at your local craft store or online and use it to create a vintage-inspired pendant piece! I traced a romantic, swirly pattern onto white plastic and used it as the basis for a red-and-black pendant on a beaded chain. The sky is the limit with shrink art, so you can freehand or use specific designs for inspiration. Adding sparkly faceted beads along both sides of the adjustable chain, and as a decorative dangle at the clasped end, is a fun way to embellish the overall design. Click on over to Craftstylish for the full step-by-step instructions, along with loads of other inspiring do-it-yourself projects!

Hot In The Hive: Division E Tees For Women

imageEver see candid photos of your favorite stylish celebs and wonder how they manage to look so effortlessly chic in something as simple as a slouchy white tee? The truth is, those handy white tees aren’t just your average Fruit of the Loom cotton shirt — in the case of starlets like Hilary Duff, Nicole Richie, Vanessa Hudgens, and Lindsay Lohan, they’re often donning the ultra-comfy variety courtesy of Hollywood favorite brand, Division E. Now with their first-ever women’s collection, the brand designs tops that are body-conscious and universally flattering while still maintaining that casual-cool feel. With both basic and not-so-basic designs (with added details like graphics, grommets, and other hardware), the tees range from plain and classic to rock ‘n roll and edgy, making them perfect for both dressing up and dressing down. Good thing they’re so versatile, because they’re so comfy you’ll want to live in them 24/7! You can find the brand online at boutiquetoyou.com!

Price: all items under $60
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Division E Slouchy Pocket Weekend Tee to the Hive.

L33T Jewelry for Gamer Girls!

imageI enjoy the Wii very much. It really is the future of gaming. My brother bought me the Nintendo DS for my birthday. I’d like to think that I am at least staying relatively current on new games and gaming consoles. I would never call myself a gamer – true gamers may try to hurt me with flying turtle shells – but I grew up with SEGA and Nintendo. I have a younger brother and a family on a budget so we had to share many toys. This led to a childhood bereft of Barbies and My Little Ponies and one full of uni-sex toys like Legos, boardgames, and eventually, video games. Wario and Waluigi, for as long as they’ve been around, are still considered “new” members of the Mario family in my mind! Now that I’m all grown-up, I can’t spend my days worrying about coins and mushrooms and evil nemeses. But, there is still that child inside that likes to make an appearance every so often. The best way for a little girl all grown up to show her gaming side? Jewelry, of course! Obviously, I’m not the only one with nostalgic childhood memories of Mario, Kirby and magic mushrooms! Check out the slide-show for a great variety of awesome, wearable gaming jewelry and accessories and let your inner child out!

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Explore A Classic Silhouette With The Boater Hat

image“Picture yourself in a boat on a river…” The Beatles may have had something there. We’ve seen the fedora come and go and the floppy sun hat loitering around, but the new shape in hats is…drumroll please…the boater hat. Seen on the Spring 09 Marc Jacobs runway and now your closet! It’s a classic silhouette, but the mini boater hat from Pixie Market was the first to re-catch our eye, now we can’t stop spotting them on the style-set in the streets. We love this perfect straw boater hat with grosgrain ribbon from Brooks Brothers & suggest you give this new/old shape a try. Perfect for lazy summer days in the park with your favorite floral print dress. Or try polishing up your standard skinny jeans and a slouchy t-shirt getup with a proper boater hat. Click on over to our friends at Shop Therapy to read more fashion tips and trends!

Gotta Getaway? Make a Splash This Summer at The Jules Underwater Lodge in Key Largo!

imageSummer is here! Schools are getting out, suitcases are being dusted off, swimsuits are being pulled out from the back of closets and you realize you badly need to stock up on sandals and flip-flops! The perfect summer getaway includes warm sun, blue oceans, soft sands and beautifully potent drinks! Add a twist to your summer beach vacation and book a room at The Jules Underwater Lodge in Key Largo, Florida! Named after Jules Verne, the author of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and other famous sci-fi novels, the Jules Underwater Lodge is a an authentic underwater research habitat. It’s open to the general public, though, and is the perfect place to go for a night or two during your vacation. Many of those who often travel to beach/ ocean areas in Summer are adept at diving. Book a night and have unlimited diving for certified divers with meals provided! Totally a beginner? No problem! The Jules Underwater Lodge offers lessons that come in different packages for a variety of diving abilities. Diving equipment, as well as a gourmet dinner at 6pm prepared by their “mer-Chef” (who is also on 24 call duty to make whatever you want, whenever!) and breakfast in the morning are all included in the price! Other activities such as experiencing what it’s like to live undersea for a longer duration and other fun and educational tours are available. The gift shop offers beautiful pearl jewelry and the accommodations are comfortable and authentic. Basic packages start at $475 per person per night, but include not only an amazing and unique room and environment, but also meals, diving gear and unlimited diving time. You can customize your stay at The Jules Underwater Lodge by choosing additional activities and tours. The Jules Underwater Lodge is also ideal for weddings, honey-mooners and specialized parties! Check out the slideshow for cool pics of this amazing hotel and book a stay today!

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Tea’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

imageLately, we’ve been happily celebrating the late arrival of summer in the city. There’s only one thing we’ll miss about the dark days of winter — and that’s Tea Delgado’s multi-colored dreamcoat collection on “One Life to Live.” Ever since she stormed into the courtroom (her return to Llanview marked by Blair’s horrified whisper of Tea’s full name), we’ve been gaga for gorgeous Tea (Florencia Lozano). One of the first things we noticed about her was the trunk full of fabulous coats she brought with her to chilly Pennsylvania. Even Joseph, with a legendary amazing Technicolor dreamcoat of his own, must be jealous. Tea’s coats were red, yellow, green, brown, scarlet, black, ochre, peach, ruby, olive, violet, fawn, lilac, gold, chocolate and mauve. No matter what was on Tea’s agenda — falsely confessing to killing someone, springing Todd from the clink, manipulating Cristian and Vanessa, whispering on her cell phone to Ray, getting in Blair’s face about her maternal insticts — she always managed to sport a gorgeous new coat. Be sure to check out our friends at SOAPnet for the rest of the article, plus a slideshow for the most stylish coats worn in Llanview!

Channel Tomboy Agyness Deyn With Menswear Gone Girlie

imageEver get the urge to raid your boyfriend’s closet? Well you’re in good company. All around the world girls are doing what many bold women have been doing forever — taking classic men’s pieces and making them their own. Inspired by the likes of women such as Marlene Dietrich and Katherine Hepburn (who was rarely seen without her slacks), today’s tomboy icons like Agyness Deyn, Samantha Ronson and model Freja Beha Erichsen are keeping the menswear trend alive among the traditionally “fairer” sex. Even Coco Chanel was a rule-breaking tomboy! What do you need to get the tomboy look? A great pair of black trousers a good way to start — look for some that have pleats or for ones that are a little roomy but still narrow in the leg like the “Burnisi” Pant by Theory. Top off those pants with a great plain white T-shirt or an updated button-down like ones from Alexander Wang. If you get a little chilly, add an oversized boyfriend blazer that is everywhere this season. Take cue from tomboy Agyness Deyn, who is often spotted wearing a fedora or a bowler hat and suspenders to add some whimsy to your look. Add some quirky accessories like argyle socks or a bowtie and a cummerbund (it’s a super versatile belt!) and you’re good to go. Check out the slideshow for how to get the look!

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