If you love beauty and the latest trends as much as I do, you’re without a doubt going to want to join ThePinkPanel, an online community of beauty insiders where you can test the latest beauty products right before they even hit the market (and get paid for it!) For the self-professed beauty junkie, PinkPanel is pretty much a dream come true. Membership is completely FREE and you can even make a few bucks to support your shopping habit.

This is how it works:

• Click Here to apply.
• Once approved, you will receive exclusive free samples of skincare/makeup products to test at home.
• You’ll then be asked to complete a few simple online surveys sharing your thoughts and opinions about the latest products. Often you will receive a stipend for your time and opinions ranging from $50 to $200. Each survey is designed to take no more than 20 minutes.

Once a month, PinkPanel randomly selects a lucky member to receive a gift basket of the newest and best beauty products on the market. It’s about time you got something free with no strings attached. So join me in becoming part of one of the most beautiful and fun consumer panels.

Disclaimer: Beauty samples were provided free of charge. 

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August marks my 4th Anniversary as a resident of Manhattan and I’m hoping for many more years here in the Big Apple. So in honor of the city that I’m proud to call home, I’ve put together a collection of my favorite Instagrams that best describe my magical NYC experience. I’m also obsessed with Instagram so be sure to follow me! Above is a photo of Times Square last New Year’s Eve just when the clock struck midnight.

So True!

Weekend Brunch

A fashionable Ice Queen in the windows of the Fashion Institute of Technology

Go Knicks!

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Happy Father’s Day to my wonderful Dad! Thanks to my father, I have an undying love for the lakes of New England and the outdoors. As a kid, he always made time to take me skiing, camping, and bike riding. Once a year, he’d even take my sister and I out of school for a day of skiing which was always awesome. We often go on the same excursions today. Yesterday, my sister and I took him for a Father’s Day sail on the Delaware River. It couldn’t have been a more perfect day to be out on the water. The wind was wonderful and the temperature comfortable. I always tend to think of sailing when I think of my Dad because he’s out on a boat whenever he gets the chance. Happy Father’s Day Dad! Here’s to many more beautiful days out on the water and up on the slopes.

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Until now, I’ve never been a huge Crocs fan. I’m all about casual chic comfort, but the classic Crocs just weren’t working for me. This summer, however, I became a believer! I love their latest designs of summer sandals and flats. These trendy new designs stay true to the Crocs original style using the same comfortably waterproof materials that keep feet happy. As I put together my summer 2013 wardrobe, I’m hung up on my new Crocs Huarache Mini Wedges in multicolor. I can’t wait to pair them with a red sundress, chic swimsuit, or my favorite white capris for a burst of color.

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Choosing the correct lingerie can make or break your outfit. Wearing too tight of a bra can show some unwanted back fat through your clothing, and wearing a bra that’s too big can make your bust area look loose. Properly selected and fitted lingerie makes your garments look better and have you feeling better too.

PROBLEM: My Lingerie is Ill-Fitting

SOLUTION: Ill-fitting lingerie can make a major difference in how your outfits look. Lingerie that is too loose will bunch up and look unsightly, while lingerie that is too tight will accentuate any extra weight you may carry by creating bumps and rolls where they didn’t previously exist. Instead of continuing to suffer the discomfort and embarrassment of wearing lingerie that just doesn’t fit, have a professional measure you by visiting a lingerie store. Once you get your size there are many online stores to browse.

PROBLEM: Lingerie is Taking a Beating

SOLUTION: Washing your lingerie is a necessity, but throwing them in the washer can be harsh on the delicate material. Instead of allowing your potentially pricey lingerie to feel the brunt of the washing machine’s power, wash your lingerie by hand in your kitchen sink. Use a tablespoon of a mild washing detergent with warm water. Submerge your delicates in the sudsy water and allow them to soak for an hour or so. Add some stain remover to any pesky spots. After these delicates have soaked, remove them from the water and gently press the water out. Do not wring them, as this can damage or misshape the garments. Hang them from your shower rod to dry.

If you must run your lingerie through the washer, make sure you clasp the hooks and place your lingerie in a delicates back. Don’t forget to use the delicates setting.

PROBLEM: My Bold Colored Lingerie is Fading

SOLUTION: Reduce the color loss you are experiencing by only washing bold lingerie in cold water. Also, specifically seek a detergent that is labeled safe for colors. To further reduce the likelihood of color loss, use less detergent than you normally would, as the more detergent you use the greater the risk of the soap leaching colors from your potentially pricey undergarments.

Also consider how often you absolutely must wash your lingerie pieces. If you only wore your bright bra for a two hour long date, you may be able to wear it once more before you have to wash it. By reducing the number of trips that your lingerie takes in the washer, you can extend the life of the garments.

PROBLEM: You Can See My Undergarments Through My Clothing

SOLUTION: This can be a major problem, particularly when wearing light colored shirts. To ensure optimum safety in bra concealment, select a bra that matches your natural skin tone. This bra will be the least visible as it will be largely indistinguishable from your skin even if your shirt is rather translucent.

The same rule holds true for panties. If wearing light colored pants, select panties that match your skin as closely as possible. Also, avoid panty lines by selecting a thong instead of a bikini or boyshort panty.

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On April 29, 2011, Pippa Middleton showed the world that white isn’t just for brides, it’s for bridesmaids too. Sometime in June 2013, she became Vanity Fair‘s newest Contributing Editor. Kate may be the ultimate royal, but little sister, Pippa, has proven herself to be the ultimate socialite following in the footsteps of Jackie O. as a fashion editor. She’s also a vision in white. But, I tend to love her style no matter what color it is.

That being said, the little white dress as seen on Pippa Middleton in Vanity Fair is a summer staple. It’s perfect for a beachside vacation or a summer brunch in the city. However, just as it isn’t easy to climb the social ladder, pulling off the little white dress can be an equally difficult endeavor. White can be quite the unforgiving shade, so be certain that your little white dress fits you well and that it has a solid lining before buying it. Once you’ve found that beyond compare LWD, be sure to wear undergarments close to the shade of your skin so they don’t show through. To add color, pair it with a brightly colored bag, bright shoes, or a vintage convertible like Pippa did in the magazine. Here are some of my top white haute dress picks for summer 2013:

Phillip Lim Twill Wrap-Effect Dress | Iris & Ink Draped Crepe Dress | PAUL & JOE SISTER Crocheted Cotton Dress

On the sporty side of fashion, tennis whites are always trendy. Pippa professed her (and Kate’s) love for tennis in Vanity Fair when she told readers about the first time she went to Wimbledon at the age of eight. Though I’ve never excelled at sports, I’ve always loved tennis. Well, mostly I love the clothes. But, I do play on occasion when I can borrow someone else’s tennis racket. Like golf, it’s one of the most fashionable sports. At a match, everyone from the spectators in the audience to the atheletes are decked out in designer fashions. Inspired by Pippa and her stylish tennis ways, there are a few fab tennis items that I plan on adding to my summer wish list:

1. Butterfly Alcrane Table Tennis Ball Holders  2. Wilson Sporting Goods Tennis Racket  3. Pink Trim White Tennis Tank  4. Match Play Tennis Skirt  5. Michael Kors Jet Set Signature Tennis Racket Cover  6. Reebok Lifestyle Classic Leather White Tennis Shoes

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Father’s Day is almost here! So I hope you saved the date for June 16, 2013. Looking back on the past year, I’m so thankful that my Dad has always been there when I needed him. Especially, when I needed extra money to pay my bills or a shoulder to cry on. I only hope that someday I can return the favor when he needs me. Though he’ll be out of the country this Father’s Day, my sister and I are planning a dinner for when he returns. So it will be a belated Father’s Day celebration. In honor of this Sunday’s festivities, I’ve put together a collection of my favorite gift picks for Dad!

1. Team Golf NFL Golf Balls  2. Knot Enough Sailing Tie by Alynn Novelty  3. Oakley Men’s Holbrook Retro Sunglasses  4. Flips Audio Headphones to Speaker Hybrid*  5. Polo Ralph Lauren Classic-Fit Short-Sleeved Cotton Madras Shirt  6. Speck Kindle Fire Fitfolio Case 

*Get $10 off Flips Headphones and a Free Rush 3-Day Shipping Upgrade from 6/12-6/16 with the Discount Code FA0010INT.

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