Find: Hip-T's

Muffin top, whale tail, crack attack -- it's borderline epidemic how often these fashion no-nos show up on a daily basis. Sitting, bending over and stretching can all be cause for backside embarrassment.

Enter the Hip-T. Hip-T's are stretchy bands worn around the waist to help keep your assets covered (pun intended). They compensate for shirts that are too short, jeans that are too low, and tops that won't drape smoothly.

Hip-T's come in a variety of colors, both with and without decorative lacy bottom bands and strangely -- Ed Hardy print. Ranging in price from $15.95 for one to $32.50 for a two-pack, this may just be an affordable fix to some of our frustrating wardrobe issues.

Tip: Pesky Regrowth

It's so unfair that we spend money to get our hairs colored, cut and styled, only to have our look sabotaged by regrowth. Evil, nasty, "oh my hair color is actually NOT natural" regrowth. But with a little ingenuity, you can avoid skunky roots between hair appointments. 

1. Semi-Permanent Pens - not great for a lot of area, but if you can get a little creative with your part, you can use the pen to touch up your regrowth where needed. Try Oscar Blandi Pronto Root Touch Up Pen.

2. Color-Enhancing Shampoo - simple to use and easy to find at any Walgreens or CVS. Try Claypac Color Enhancing Shampoo .

3. Demi-Permanent Kits - Nice'N Easy makes a kit that lets you put temporary color just on the hairline. The color should stay put until your hair appointment. This is the messier of the options, but the longest lasting.

If you're really, really in a pinch I've tried eyeshadow too. Spritz your part with hairspray and then brush shadow over the regrowth. With my red hair, I don't do this too often because I don't have red eyeshadow, but for blondes and brunettes, this is easy to do.

Another quick trick is to fluff your hair...adding volume hides regrowth. Use a root-lifting mousse and blowdry your hair upside down to build volume, then smooth and spray.

Do you have any better root coverup tips? Share!

Trend: Lucite Jewelry

Dress it up, dress it down, with is's versatility and durability, lucite jewelry is one of the hottest accessory trends this year. My fave is this chunky, funky silver/lucite bracelet by Alex Carol.

 

Silver/Lucite Bracelet by Alex Carol

Available at animaboutique.com

Check Etsy for great vintage lucite jewelry and pick up mod earrings, necklaces and pendants like this Cherry Earrings from betsy3.

Vintage Cherry Earrings from Betsy3

Trend: Textured Nails (low cost trend alert!)

Seen on at least a half-dozen runways in NYC during Fashion Week, the new trend for your nails this spring is texture. Talk about wonderful news...no more stressing over slight smudges and dents in a fresh manicure. Texture is edgy and give nails a more prominent place as an accessory this spring.

HOW: If you decide to keep it conservative, add a little sparkle to just the tips with a glitter polish overlay. If you're daring, try this: add a sprinkle of sugar between coats of slightly wet nail polish. Gorgeous texture, no cost!

Tip: Be sure to wipe of your nailpolish brush in between coats so as not to get sugar in the polish bottle.

Find: The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Mascots

I love the Vancouver 2010 mascots! Sumi, Miga and Quatchi represent various facets of Canada in the most darling way possible, and pay homage to the history and legends of the First Nations -- the indigenous peoples of Canada.

Sumi is an animal spirit who represents the mountains and loves to ski. Miga is a sea bear who represents coastal Vancouver and loves to snow board and surf. Finally Quatchi is a young sasquatch representing the Canadian forests and whose passion is hockey.

I'm crushing on all the Olympic Mascot wearables, found in the Official Vancouver 2010 Olympic Store. Choose from fuzzy slippers, an embroidered luggage tag or a mascot tote bag...even though the items are supposedly for children, they are playful enough to pull off a la Hello Kitty. But, if you're more adult-minded, maybe go for a simple key chain to show your Olympic Mascot spirit.

Tip: Puffy Eyes Be Gone!

If you've had a party-hard weekend, pulled a late night for work or had a crying jag, chances are you've encountered puffy eyes. No one likes to walk in looking tired and worn, so try this easy tip for puffy eye relief.

Tea bags. Seriously!

First, steep two tea bags for a few minutes, then set aside until they're cool to the touch. Relax on the couch for ten minutes with the tea bags placed over the puffy skin under your eyes and let them do their magic. Green tea is best, since the antioxidants are wonderful for reducing inflammation, but any tea bags will do. Tea bags are also wonderful for reducing redness if your skin is looking a bit irritated.

Why does this work? Without giving a long science lesson, tea contains tannins, and tannins work with the protein molecules in our skin to tighten them...thereby relieving puffy eyes.

Trend: Watercolor Prints

Channel your inner Monet this spring with a beautiful watercolor print. Seen on the runways of Michel Kors and Cynthia Rowley among others, watercolor prints offer a subtle wash of color that gives leeway to more interesting shapes and styles for blouses, dresses and skirts.

I'm digging this blueish grey printed trapeze dress from Martin + Osa. Not only is it on sale right now for $69.95, but it easily can be worn now with a cardi or jacket thrown over it, and transition nicely into warmer temps later in the season.

 

Watercolor Print Trapeze Dress

Martin + Osa