Most of us can’t afford to buy a new wardrobe each season, so we rely on a few accessories to extend what’s already in our closet.

Here are 5 must have accessories that will take you all the way through summer.

Sunglasses. Protect your eyes from harsh light and UV rays with a pair of fashionable glasses that offer 100% UV protection. If you participate in a lot of summer sports, you may need specialized glasses – especially if you’re on the water a lot. For everyday wear, however, choose a flattering style for your face, choose a frame color that is flattering for your skin tone, and most of all, the lenses need to have UV protection. Make sure they’re comfortable to wear in addition to looking good.  I like this pair with round frames by Versace. Available from eluxury, $190.

Versace round sunglasses

Hat. Another fashionable yet practical summer accessory, a hat will protect hair, skin, and eyes while still looking good. Save the baseball cap for when you’re playing ball, and find something that will look good when you’re out shopping, lunching al fresco, or spending an afternoon at a picnic. Try the versatility of this Squishee Bucket Hat by Eric Javits. The bucket hat is a popular style, is easy to wear, and this one looks like it’s straw, but is really made of a fabric that maintains its shape. Available at Nordstrom, in black, antique, or natural, $170.

Eric Javits squishee bucket hat

Scarf. Fashionable and practical, a scarf can add pizzazz to an outfit or serve as a little extra warmth when temperatures drop. Find one small enough to wear around your neck, and spend some time learning a few of the many ways to tie and wrap it. Choosing a larger scarf give you additional ways to wear it, and allows it to be wrapped about your shoulders or across your lap if you need a little extra warmth. You can also use it to quickly cover your hair if you need to rush into a building and need protection from wind and rain. There are lots of fun prints to choose from, including this leopard print by Himalaya Trading Company. Available at Overstock.com, $39.99.

Leopard print pashmina by Himalaya Trading Co.

Belt. Another accessory that can change the look of an outfit and extend its versatility, the belts seen on the runway have been both wide and skinny. You likely have a skinny belt already in your accessory wardrobe, so consider going wide this summer. Wear with a dress, over a jacket or sweater, or topping off a skirt. You’ll find lots of variety to coordinate with your wardrobe. I like this wide patent belt that comes in black and sable. Available from Ann Taylor, $59.

Wide patent belt from Ann Taylor

Tote bag. Yes, they can be oversized, but that’s the exact reason you want a tote – to carry around all the stuff that you need for a day about town. You can tie a scarf around the handle, stuff your hat and sunglasses inside, and keep all your other essentials handy. There are lots of fun styles and materials to choose from, so it will be easy to find one (or more) that fit your personal taste and budget. I’d love to add a little color with a tote, maybe something like this Dolce Gabbana shopper in red. It’s classic enough to be an investment piece, and can go with anything from a little black dress to jeans. Available from MyWardrobe, $724.50.

Dolce & Gabbana Red Estelle shopper

Check your favorite stores to find variations of all these summer accessories that will fit any budget. There are choices in every budget range, and if you choose carefully, you’re summer selections should take you into fall.

Photo credits: eLuxury, Nordstrom, Overstock.com, Ann Taylor, My Wardrobe

Post from: The List Maven

Made of recycled Chinese newspaper, and woven into a creative design, you can rationalize getting both knowing that you’re helping the environment.  The newspaper is coated with laminate to protect the bag from water and you from newsprint stains.  To make you feel even better about parting with your cold hard cash, Raw Bags make regular donations to green organizations.

Choose from the fold over clutch, with two snap closures.  $70.

Chinese Newspaper Clutch

Or the tote, with a cutout handle.  $100.

Chinese Newspaper Tote

A raw deal never looked so good!

Image credit: Raw Bags

Post from: The List Maven

My lips are saved on a daily basis by Smith’s Minted Rose Lip Balm. This isn’t your average old chapstick – not only does it keep my lips from drying out or cracking from the cold winter wind, but a spot of dry skin is quickly soothed, without the need for a bulky lotion to take up precious purse real estate.

After years of carrying around multiple bulky makeup products that weighed me down and inevitably leaked or broke in my bag, I finally found something that brings it all together in a tiny little kit. Benefit’s Justine Case has a variety of refreshing little goodies for your face to keep it fresh and flawless all day long.

I haven’t switched over to an iPhone yet, but it is tempting…having said that I worry that there’s no way a sleek and stylish touchpad device could replace my Blackberry Curve. For one thing, I have a habit of dropping my phone all the time. The Blackberry takes a beating – no matter how clumsy I am it still always seems to cooperate.

Even though, as I mentioned, I’ve experienced my fair share of purse stains and product spills, when it comes to my hair, I have to bring reinforcements. Curls can be obnoxiously fickle – all it takes is a small rain shower or even the hint of it in the air for my hair to go nuts. Jonathan Redo Freshen-Up Mist for Hair & Skin® To Go does the trick and is travel size for anywhere.

You never know when business will come up – I always make sure I have my cards on me. Years ago I found a business card holder that is artsy and quirky and made just for me. If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, go with a polished silver card holder like this one. Available at Executive Gift Shoppe for $15.00.

Images: sxc.hu and Sephora and Blackberry

Post from: The List Maven

I’ve got two of the hottest new products around sitting right here in front of me, and holy smokes I can’t wait to share! The best part? I get to give away a set to a lucky reader!

First, awards season is approaching us (and the swanky holiday party season is HERE) and this is probably the coolest kit I’ve ever seen. The Melissa Rivers Red Carpet Ready Kit, provides you with some of the best products from Fashion Forms that were designed to keep you looking and feeling your best. No more unsightly bra straps, readjusting or tugging to keep your outfit in order, you can now rest assured that your attire is in place and perfect throughout the duration of your night. This fabulous kit and must-have for any occasion comes packaged in a beautiful fashion forward clutch purse and includes:

• Dress & Lingerie Tape with Dispenser – This easy to apply double sided tape is not only transparent, it is guaranteed to hold even the most daring dresses and tops in place.
• Ultimate Silicone Gel Petals (with travel case) – These extremely soft and now REUSEABLE gel petals provide you with a smooth look with or without your bra. Easy to apply and even easier to remove, these petals can be worn up to 25 times!
• One Size Adhesive Bra – This reusable adhesive bra, provides the support and coverage you need without all the straps. This one-size wonder can be cut to your perfect size (A-DD).
• Strap Tamers – At last, the easiest and most effective way to stop falling bra straps. These bra concealers, made from high tech durable plastic and stainless steel, are ideal for everything from wedding gowns to active wear and sleeveless.

You can buy the Melissa Rivers Red Carpet Ready Kit at every major department store including Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Neiman’s, Nordstrom and online at Fashion Forms.

Next up, is this unbelievable innovation in handbags: The Miche Bag. The set I received has three shells, plus the base bag. Yes, I said “shells” – this bag is meant to save you time and hassle, as well as be fashionable and fabulous!

It’s so fantastic… I can’t say enough how much I adore this! You have one base bag, and the shells attach and remove magnetically, so you can change your style up whenever you need to, without having to move your stuff to another purse! I’ve got the shiny black shell for when I need to be basic yet fabulous, the bright yellow shell (as seen at left) for when I’m feeling fun and frisky, and a really great fuschia shell to go with me when I’m feeling girly. There are some really great other ones, including this giraffe print/red one… I’m SO buying that one to use as my “power” bag!

Available nationwide, the Miche Bag base retails for $29.99 and each shell is $19.95.

So here we are with another giveaway, this one ends on Monday, December 22, 2008. To enter, you must be a resident of the USA, and leave a comment below! Winner will be drawn at random at noon on Monday (Eastern Time). One winner, BOTH products!

Post from: The List Maven