I love Summer, not only because of longer, hopefully sunnier days, but also because of all of the yummy mouthwatering summer fruit like cherries, peaches, and oranges. This year, fruit is not only good to eat, but to wear because one of the hottest summer trends is wearing deliciously bright colors on your lips! Bright matte lips are popping up all over Hollywood as the go-to summer trend and we’re absolutely crazy for bright tangerine corals and watermelon colors!

MAC Attack: Bright creamy

Shades of coral and bright pink are definitely favorites but anything with a tangy sweetness gives any outfit a fresh squeeze. It may seem a little daring, but these fruity colors are definitely a summer staple and can be worn with everything from dark evening wear to more casual neutrals. We especially like MAC’s Bright Creamy Coral to get your orange fix and Chanel’s Rouge Coco Liberte for a little tangerine strawberry smoothie.

How do you do it? Let the color speak for itself by toning down the rest of your makeup. A light swoop of blush and neutral eyes help these hues pop. If you’re like me however, and you still need a little eye liner; try to only feature your top lid, not the bottom and voilà, you have a hot summer look!

Because these juicy colors compliment any outfit, we recommend these nail polishes to accent your lips! OPI’s ‘Sweetie Pie’ or ‘Dulche de Leche for a natural touch. By going with a neutral, your lips can do all of the talking. Or for those who would rather walk on the wild side, try a daring dash of blue on your nails, like OPI’s  ’Dating a Royal.’ Darker shades provide for a glamorous color contrast without taking away from your perfect pout.

Every year, at about this exact time, I am scrambling to get or plan a little something for the extra special men in my life: my grandfather, my father and my hubby. I know, I know, you don’t have to give a material gift to let them know just how special they are, but it is kind of nice to give them something that they will look at and remember “Hey, I remember the time that I received this! I had so much fun!” What is important is the memory of the experience. For example: my father has the pair of tickets from when he took me to see the Giants for the first time at Candlestick when I was six (Yes, CANDLESTICK!). My Grandfather has my first fishing license from when we went fishing on the Klamath River in Northern California. My hubby keeps in his wallet a picture that he took with an outstretched hand of us in front of a California Mission on our first road trip. Those were times that we spent together and had so much fun that we still talk about to this day. For me, Father’s day is no different because as cheesy as this may sound, it is important to appreciate and to create memories with the men in your life every day. So this Father’s day, enjoy your time together, whether it is through a phone call, a card, or through a stroll in the park, try to find something fun to do, something quirky to say, or somewhere to go that will be remembered over the years and will leave a ticket stub or a photo in a wallet or even a frame, and so here are my suggestions for you, for your father’s day out.

Suggestions:

# 1          Pamper him: he may be hesitant at first, but a nice foot massage and a pedicure is just what any good man deserves. You both can be sitting in serene, comfortable spa chairs, relaxing and enjoying your time together. He doesn’t have to get polish if he doesn’t want it, because with a sport pedicure (also comes in a manicure) his toenails and nails will shine with a natural buff.

#2           Take him out to the ball game: The World Champion SF Giants and Oakland Athletics are playing today in Oakland. Sure to be a good game. Nothing says I love you dad than hotdogs, beer and our national pastime. Not to mention, it’s gorgeous outside! Don’t forget to take BART! Game starts at 1:05pm.

#3           A little love for the Blues: Good food and music at Biscuits & Blues in San Francisco. Tonight it’s the Ron Hacker CD release party at 8pm and 10pm. Always good food. Half slab of baby back ribs set to the blues always says a good time that I know he’ll enjoy! Located at 401 Mason St. @ Geary St. San Francisco, CA 94102.

#4           Hawaii Five-O: When I lived far away from my dad I used to send him cards for father’s day with a nice little note on the inside and a sexy hula dancer on the front. Of course my mother would see the card and give him a hard time until she saw it was from me, but then they would make their pina coladas and sit in the sun together.

For papa, do a little something during the day, a little something in the evening, just so long as you have a good time together that you’ll remember over the years.

Jason Wu: I love you!

Today is Sunday and it is absolutely gorgeous outside! If you are not looking forward to Monday morning at the office after enjoying your weekend lounging around in your shorts soaking in some summer sun: Fear not! Take summer back with you to the office by updating your office wardrobe with a fresh (and fun!) summer trend! Forego the traditional office pant or skirt suit and keep your shorts on!  Designers such as Akris and Jason Wu have paired suit jackets with  matching wool, linen, or tweed culottes or Bermuda shorts for a short, sweet and sophisticated look that is perfect for summer leisure, business, and even an after work martini! FYI: Culottes and Bermuda shorts are longer styles of shorts compared to of course cutoffs or minis and they therefore give you more range of motion, versatility and comfort. When paired with nude or flesh colored pumps or cute toeless high-heeled sandals your legs will look miles long. But, before you step out, be sure to get your toes ready at Pinkies with bright, eye-catching colors that will not only stand out at work but that’ll also make your mouth water! Try Essie’s Fruit Sangria and OPI’s Tropical Punch!

Well, we are officially post-Memorial day and steadfast into June: Summer is here and unfortunately so is the rain and the clouds!

Oh MY Captain!

Thus, instead of enjoying summer sunbathing and salivating over my Mrs. O’Leary’s BBQ, I’ve been hiding indoors, catching up on the latest summer blockbusters as well as trying on the latest shades of OPI and Essie. I know OPI never disappoints, but I have to admit… recently… I have been maybe just a little bit too excited with OPI’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean Line’ (POTC) and not just because I love a new color! Yes, I am a Johnny Depp fan. There, I said it. I especially love him in his tight swashbuckling pants as the Captain of the Black Pearl. But the new OPI colors that were made in sync with the movie and luckily enough with this summer’s neutral trend, like Capt. Sparrow himself, have stolen away with my heart! A treasure of colors with quirky-cute names like ‘Sparrow Me the Drama’ and ‘Skull and Glossbones’- who could resist?

Donna Karen 2011

As neutrals are hot this summer (unlike the weather right now) the chalky, creamy colors of the POTC line add a fresh splash of color to your neutral wardrobe. Just in case you haven’t tried it on yourself, the runway neutral trend coincides with the trend formerly known as “minimalist” that features light, “calm” colors and materials but the new spin for summer is definitely NOT a monotone. Whereas 2010 minimalist fashion featured more clean lines, simple shapes, and often a single neutral color,2011 spring and summer’s neutral trend features a combination of flowing shapes paired with loose, romantic draping necklines and light-weight fabrics such as linen and silk in a any of a variety of natural colors such as bright white, khaki, olive, beige, oatmeal, rose and even terracotta and all are of course completely WEARABLE. Whether rain or shine, the neutral trend allows you to go from a playful poolside (or indoor spa chair) to sophisticated spotlight and it is of course easy to accessorize: color.  Yes, it’s as easy as adding a splash of ‘Steady as She Rose’  or ‘Mermaids Tears’ to your nails or a sweet and sassy headband or bangle. Or you can add a little bling by adding a dash of my latest addiction… silver shatter and match it with your own silver treasure!

If you haven’t tried the new Pirates line, I highly recommend trying all of them with the Silver shatter. Shatter is great! It goes great on any color—check out my polish this week: OPI’s Vodka and Caviar with shatter!  FYI: If you didn’t know already, OPI is releasing five (YES 5!) new shatter colors! Turquoise, navy, white, red, and blue! I know I can’t wait!