Look Fashionable At The Beach!

Sher Matsen

It's that time of year when we pack up our bags and head to the beach for the day to enjoy those warm sunrays and the refreshing sound of the lapping water.

So what constitutes a good beach wardrobe. Well there are certain essentials that none of us forget. On goes the swimsuit and bathing suit cover, flip flops on our feet. Beach bag has been packed with the essentials - sunglasses, floppy hat, towel and a good book. Great - got the basics covered but what about the rest.

So if we are so prepared for a day at the beach, why is it by the time we get home we look pretty worn. Here are some helpful tips to make your day at the beach fun and keep you looking fashion fresh all day and all the way home.

First before you leave home, if you've got long hair pull it into a high pony tail or fun knot. Use some funky hair accessories that will stay in place when you're swimming. Try a fun colored bobble or some firm fastening clips in bright summer colors. If you pull your hair up your neck will stay cool and you'll look fresh all day with your neat hairdo.

Second slather yourself in sunscreen before leaving the house, then toss the sunscreen in your bag so you can reapply after a swim or every few hours. A sunburn is not only unhealthy and painful, it's unattractive, so don't let yourself turn into the lobster of the day. Your sunscreen should be a SPF of 15. It doesn't hurt to use a strong SPF on your face or your entire body if you burn easily.

Your beach bag should be large enough to hold your supplies for the day. Why not get something fun and fashionable to keep you looking fashion fresh. Make sure you've got all the daily essentials in your bag - sunglasses, sunscreen, a good book, a floppy hat, some lip gloss, and any other makeup touch ups you'll want. If you plan to wear eye makeup make sure it's waterproof. Stay away from heavy foundations. If you must apply something use a bronzer moisturizer. It's also a good idea to bring lip balm with an SPF15 to protect your lips. It never hurts to put some moisturizer in the bag. Include a snack and plenty of fluids. It's important not to get dehydrated.

Okay great we've got the basics covered now what about the wardrobe basics? If you're planning to wear a swimsuit it's usually easiest to put it on at home, that way you're not chasing down change rooms. So great - first on goes the swimsuit. Now what to wear for a cover? Well you've got plenty of choices. A tank top and shorts, tank and skort, or a nice light cotton dress all work well over top. Choose something that's easy to put on and take off, and choose fabrics that breathe to keep you cool. I also suggest including a long sleeved cotton blouse just incase you start to burn you can protect your shoulders and arms.

If you're planning on heading out later in the day without returning home you might want to toss a pair of jeans or long skirt into your bag. If your outing is going to extend into the evening you'll want to include a sweater for the cooler evening air. If you're worried about your evening wear getting sandy or wet at the beach, then place them in a separate bag and leave them in the trunk of your car. That way you are guaranteed they'll remain fresh.

My favorite beach look is this. And what's perfect is it keeps me looking fashion fresh throughout the day and takes me right into the evening. First I like a swimsuit that's got lots of support and is bright and cheerful. I throw a fitted tank on top and throw on a loose flouncy long skirt. The long skirt serves me through the evening and also works great to cover up if I'm starting to burn. I choose a lightweight material in a darker color with a pattern that accents the colors in my swimsuit. Flip flops are my footwear. Depending on where I'm heading after the beach I choose either a basic pair or one of my funky pair with rhinestones or crystals. Easy to walk in, feet breath, and terrific for an evening out. I keep a fitted light weight sweater in my car, and take a long sleeved cotton blouse down to the beach. I usually choose a long sleeved and long length blouse because it's versatile. I can knot it to create a short blouse, wear it long as a beach cover, and put it on if I start to burn on my upper body. I usually choose white or a soft pastel depending on my other colors. I like white because it's cool to wear and refreshing to look at. Every year I buy a fun new beach tote that's big enough for the beach but not too big as to take it with me for an evening out. I like a fun bag that's full of character.

Since I always feel naked without my jewelry I wear fashion jewelry to the beach. That way should I loose something I won't be out a lot of money and I won't feel so bad. I like to keep the earrings simple and elegant. I may or may not wear a necklace. Often I'll toss a funky wood necklace in the bag to add to the evening outfit. I like to wear a couple of fashion rings just to add the finishing touches. Now if you're fussy about tan lines you'll probably want to forgo the rings. I toss my watch in the bottom of my bag so I can put it on later.

That's it - simple is the key. Keep your beach wardrobe choices simple but fashionable. Think ahead so you can go from beach to an evening out without hassle. Remember to always make your fashion statement!


© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
Sher has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.


Carnave Latin America Pageant at the Venetian in Las Vegas
Rob LaGrone

Carnave Latin America Pageant at the Venetian in Las Vegas

Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com
To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:
http://jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/fests/carnave/carnae.html

Las Vegas always has a party going on, but not many are so big that they require multiple locations. CarnaV� 2003 is the new kid on the block, but the event will fit perfectly here: it's a wild, festive celebration that rolls from one hot spot to another in our city that never sleeps. Don't you just hate this town? (Me neither.)

CarnaV�, the brainchild of event marketer Gene Dibble, is an international celebration of Latin music and culture. The "V�" stands for Las Vegas, the chosen venue, and "Carna" recalls the well-known Carnaval of Rio de Janeiro. Dibble professes the ambitious goal of making this event as popular as Carnaval. Oh, and one more thing: "Each year we will come back and create one of the biggest parties Las Vegas has ever seen." It's a tall order, but given what I know of Latin American culture, it's just possible.

What's a Las Vegas party without beautiful, poised women dressed to thrill?

Other events at CarnaV� 2003 included: Noches de CarnaV�, CarnaV� Revent�n, Moda de CarnaV�, Oasis de CarnaV� and the Miss Mesoamerica International Beauty Pageant where over twenty of the most beautiful women from Latin America competed for the coveted crown.

The Miss Mesoamerica pageant was founded by Francisco Cortez in 1992 as a celebration of Mayan (Central American) culture and beauty, but it quickly grew into a broader international pageant. Now presented in Las Vegas as part of CarnaV�, it includes contestants from all over Latin America. Judging by this year's competitors, I'd say there's a plenty of beauty to go around.

The party began Wednesday, September 10 with "Cine de CarnaV�" and a screening of the award-winning bilingual film "Blue Diner" from Puerto Rico. The film event took place at the Palms Hotel Casino and was followed by a reception (which, in Las Vegas, means "party") and Q&A with executives from the film and the industry. "Noches de CarnaV�" continued the festivities Thursday and Friday with two dance parties at the upscale nightclubs Curve (inside the Aladdin Resort Casino) and Venus (in the Venetian). Also on Friday was a special publicity event in the Venetian: Actor Mario Lopez and musician Tito Puente, Jr. presented a check for $25,000 to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund on behalf of CarnaV�, and the pageant contestants dazzled the crowd with their bright smiles and red evening gowns. The event wasn't given a name, but I would suggest "Ogle de CarnaV�."

You can't have a summer event in Las Vegas without a weekend pool party. After Saturday's "Moda de CarnaV�," in which the pageant contestants modeled fashions and jewelry from Venezuelan designers at - where else - Fashion Show Mall, everyone repaired to the Hilton's newly updated pool area for "Oasis de CarnaV�," featuring The Girls From Ipanema and other live music performers. The highlight of the evening was the oh-so-unpopular swimsuit and "best body" portions of the pageant. I had made plans out of town that day and am now seeing a good psychiatrist. Miss Venezuela's victory that evening propelled her to ultimate triumph in Sunday's main pageant extravaganza in the Venetian's C2K Showroom, where she was crowned Miss Mesoamerica 2003. (She won best swimsuit and Best Personality awards also.) Another party followed (as if you had to ask), at the Prana Restaurant to close the festival for this year.

CarnaV� coincided with the kickoff of Hispanic Heritage Month here in the States (September 15 through October 15). In Latin America, of course, every month is Hispanic Heritage Month, and the festive mood of this brief celebration can be found in everyday life there. Tempted to move south? Don't worry - with Las Vegas its new permanent home, CarnaV� will bring the fun back to us again next year.

And the winner is . . . everyone, of course. Salud!

"THE BLUE DINER" AT CARNAV� 2003 LAS VEGAS

Latino Public Broadcasting Executive Director Luca Bentivoglio screened THE BLUE DINER during the inaugural edition of CarnaV� during Cine de CarnaV�, at the Brenden Theatres 14 at the Palms Casino Resort followed by a Q&A and a reception that included Producing/directing/writing team Natatcha Estebanez and Jan Egleson and co-star Jos� Yenque. The reception was held at the Ghost Bar at the Palms Casino Resort.

The feature film was presented on PBS by WGBH Boston scheduled for broadcast nation wide on PBS stations mid-September. Funding was provided by Latino Public Broadcasting, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. Proceeds of the screening will benefit KLVX-PBS, Las Vegas.

One of the few fully bilingual American independent films, THE BLUE DINER, tells the story of how a Puerto Rican mother and daughter confront a lost father, lost language, and lost love. Misunderstood and equally stubborn, these women clash powerfully and comically until they realize how much they need each other. The film stars Miriam Col�n (All the Pretty Horses, Lonestar) and Lisa Vidal (NBC's Third Watch, I Like It Like That, Lifetime's The Division) with Jos� Yenque (Traffic, The Price of Glory) and William Marquez (Zorro, Forces of Nature).

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:
http://jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/fests/carnave/carnae.html

Rob LaGrone, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent - Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com



Rob LaGrone, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave Your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.