It’s summer, and everyone is thinking about the sun and the beach. When it comes to thinking about having fun in the beach, we also think about the kind of swimwear to buy. Swimwear shopping is not a simple task, there are some things that you need to look into before deciding which piece of swimwear to buy. If you buy the wrong swimwear, you’ll end up not feeling good or not looking great, which would, of course, ruin the fun. Here are some useful tips to help you in buying the best swimwear:

• The best swimwear for you is the one that fits perfectly. One way to ensure that the swimwear you get will surely fit, be sure that you get swimwear with adjustable closures.
• Women can buy swimwear that sells the top and bottom separately for the best fit.
• You must also know your body type. Not every design can be perfect for all wearers. If you have a long body, you should choose swimwear with horizontal stripes. For individuals with shorter bodies, it is best to pick swimwear with vertical stripes.
• You also should choose the color that matches your skin tone well.
• If you do not have any idea as to what kind of swimwear to buy, you can give  online stores that sell swimwear a visit. These stores have many kinds of swimwear in stock that can inspire you. Just look at their catalog, and you’ll surely find something that could be perfect for you. If you find the swimwear that you think is perfect for you, order it. But the downside of buying swimwear online is that you cannot really fit the item before buying it. You cannot make a color match of the swimwear with your skin tone.

We all want to look great and sexy on the beach during the summer, and the key to looking great is in the swimwear. Buying the right swimwear can give  you that all important feel great look that you need.

Whether you’re giving a birthday gift, holiday gift, corporate gift, or a just because gift- there is a certain set of unspoken rules when it comes to gift giving etiquette. Giving is so much more than getting, so make sure you do it right. Here are some pointers to help you select the right gift.

1. Gift cards are generally tacky. It doesn’t take a lot of effort in purchasing a gift card, even if it is a card/certificate for someone’s favorite store or service. The best gifts are usually bought with great thought and creativity. Unless the person actually requests a gift card (or are notorious for gift returns), a gift card is bad taste.

2. You don’t need to spend a lot of money for the gift, but you don’t want to buy something dirt cheap either because the gift giver will know. And whenever you buy any gift, make sure to remove the tag or price sticker, so they don’t know how much you spent.

3. If you don’t know what to give the person, ask a close friend or relative that you both know well.

4. Regifting is never wise, and they will find out. It makes you  look cheap, and its just as embarrassing for you as it is insulting to them.

5. A perfectly acceptable gift for a giver? A donation in her name to a charity that’s important to her.

6. Who says a gift has to be something tangible? Give them an experience that they will remember. Check out Cloud 9 or Excitations for more ideas.

7. Get creative with your gift giving expertise. Go to a stationary store to find beautiful wrapping papers or a craft store to make your own. You also can give several small gifts, place them in a basket, and wrap it in cellophane paper.

Shopping for others can be enjoyable but so can shopping for yourself ,if you know how to do it right! The first thing you need to do is to figure out what it is you need to shop for. Be a woman with a plan. Whether it is a dress you want to buy for work, an outfit for a date, or a pair of earrings, think ahead. This helps you to keep within your budget and avoid one of the biggest pitfalls of shopping- impulse buying!

Speaking of your budget, figure out what yours is for your visit to the mall. If you have a few things you need to buy, such as a new outfit and accessories to go with it, then do not figure out the total of what you have to work with but how much money you can afford to spend on each piece. Be flexible with yourself. For example, upon arriving at your chosen store(s) you may discover that one item on your list is on sale while another item is a little more costly. Thanks to the lower price on the one item the two will balance each other out.

If possible, dress for the item you are looking for. To use an example, if you are looking for a pair of dressy boots to wear with a skirt, then wear a skirt while shoping so when you find a pair of boots you like you can see if they are a good fit. If you are shopping for a strapless dress to wear to a social event, then wear a strapless bra because that is the type of undergarment you will wear with the dress when the day comes.

Many people like to shop with other people, but if you want to take the time you need to find the pieces you want, then it is best to shop by yourself. If you shop with a friend or family member, then you may be swayed by her opinion and buy something that is just not you. We have all done this from time to time. Prevent this from happening by using your own good fashion judgment.

Enjoy your next shopping trip for yourself, and make sure you stay within your carefully crafted budget. Have a blast!

It’s hard to shop in San Francisco, mostly because of the high taxes, but it’s still fun because there are so many stores selling unique items or that give you the chance to support good causes. Here are a few stores to include in your next San Francisco trip.

1. Doe

Doe is a local indie boutique, art gallery and design house. This family-operated boutique specializes in women’s clothes and accessories, especially those produced by designers from the West Coast (in particular the Bay Area). But they also carry a lot of other items, including baby stuff, houseware, bath products and papergoods. As an art gallery, they also feature art shows as well as collaborations with other artists.

629A Haight St. San Francisco, CA 94117; Tel. (415)558-8588

2. Just Awesome! The Board Game Store

A store selling boardgames. You don’t see a lot of these shops. They have a good selection, broken down into easy categories. They have Open Box, where you can test drive a board game before buying it. They also have regular board game nights. It’s a store for any board game lover.

816 Diamond St. San Francisco, CA 94114; Tel. (415)970-1484

3. Under One Roof

Under One Roof is the first and only non-profit retail store in San Francisco. Its mission is to generate funds to support HIV/AIDS education. They sell different items, including books and glassware. Show your support for HIV/AIDS education by buying their items at their store or online.

518A Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114; Tel. (415)503-2300

4. Double Punch

Double Punch is for the adult who loves and collects toys. Located at the North Beach district, near Washington Square, Double Punch features and sells collectible items from Japan, limited designer toys and other items from designers all over the world. They also have a gallery where they feature works from local artists.

1821 Powell St. San Francisco, CA 94133; Tel. (415)399-9785

5. Lola of North Beach

Need some stationery? Journals? How about some thank you notes or photo albums? Then drop by Lola of North Beach. All their items reflect and celebrate family and friends.

1415 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133; Tel. (415)781-1817
Ghirardelli Square, Main Level, 900 North Point St. E206, San Francisco, CA 94109; Tel.(415)567-7760

So, do you think you might wanna try these stores?

Summer is here!

With summer comes plenty of fun in the sun, and hopefully (if you’re lucky) plenty of free time to shop!

Lots of people hit the road (or sky) for a quick vacation getaway, and one of the most famous places to go for a trip away from home is Orlando, Florida- the location of Walt Disney Studios.

But what most folks don’t know is that Walt Disney World also has one of the best places in the world for shopping and nightlife: Downtown Disney.

Downtown Disney is a huge shopping area about a mile or two away from the actual theme parks. The downtown area includes all types of stores, such as Disney memorabilia shops, candy shops, sports stores, a Lego store, and even a few electronic stores. Of course, there are many, many more, and the best way to find out just what downtown has to offe, is to stop by for a visit!

The fun doesn’t just stop there however. Downtown Disney also has one of the best adult nightlife spots in the city: Pleasure Island. It derives its roots from the good ol’ Pinocchio movie where the kids run off to a wild and crazy island of the same name. Some of the best clubs around are located within Pleasure Island, such as Mannequins, Orlando House of Blues, Adventurer’s Club, Comedy Warehouse, 8 Traxx, Motion, and BET Sound Stage.

Good shopping time, or partying, often works up an appetite which is why Downtown Disney also has some of the best places to stop for a bite to eat along the way. Downtown Disney also includes some fun attractions for the family, like Cirque Du Soleil, Disney Quest (a virtual reality Disney theme park), plenty of kiddie rides scattered here and there and even a restaurant called T-Rex Cafe which includes life-like dinosaurs everywhere in the same fashion as Rainforest Cafe.

As mentioned above, there are plenty of ways to spend some money at Downtown Disney, and for those who take the time to visit it can provide one of the most unique shopping experiences around. Take my word for it, this article will not do the atmosphere justice. If you ever visit Disney with the kids, or even just solo, don’t forget to stop by Downtown Disney. You won’t regret it.

Many people cringe at the thought of wearing a hat in the summertime, but hats provide protection from the sun’s burning rays and can act as an anti-aging device for your skin. When shopping for a stylish hat you need to take into consideration both your face shape and the build of your body. Read on for some ideas.

Hats and Face Shape

If your face is narrow and on the long side, then choose a hat with a good sized brim on it. Straw fedoras or panama style hats are a good choice. Choose a hat where the crown is low. Solid colors and horizontal stripes are fine, but stay away from busy looking hats that feature big floral patterns or polka dots.

If your face is round, then choose a hat that features a high brim and a sharp angle. Examples of these include bucket hats. Look for a hat that has a crown and a brim that is somewhat wider than your head is. Stay away from wide and floppy hats as well as wild colors. Good color choices include navy, white, or plum.

Those with oval face shapes have the most versatility when it comes to choosing a stylish summer hat. Almost any style flatters the lady with an oval shaped face. If you like to be in fashion, then go with whatever kind of hat is in style for the summer season!

Hats and Body Frame

Those who are on the petite side need to look for hats that don’t overwhelm them. A hat that is too big or too floppy will make you look head heavy which is something you don’t want! If you tend to be short, then look for a summer hat that boasts a small brim and a small crown. Examples of these include a newsboy hat or a bakerboy cap.

If you are tall and statuesque, then a wide brimmed hat would become you. Straw fedoras and Trilby hats would look good on you. Hats with tall crowns are likely to make you look even taller. A sun hat with a low crown and brim would look good on you, as would a canvas baseball cap.

If you tend towards the feminine and curvy side, then choose a wide or full floppy brimmed hat that has vertical stripes. This will serve to balance out your figure.

As soon as you walk in a upscale department store they bombard you with perfume samples and free gifts that  are supposed to entice you to buy their latest lipstick. But what if you really want to try some of their more expensive skin care creams and luxurious fragrances? How do you approach them to make a smart decision?  It would be a good idea to gather some knowledge about beauty products that are truly worth your money. Here are some facts to know about beauty products.

When it comes to skin care and anti-aging products, you truly might be tempted to buy something from the counter. But before you chuck down a wad of cash for that $50 cream, test out cheaper versions at the drug store, many of Olay’s products work the same at half the price. It also would be wise to ask your dermatologist about what she/he would recommend and what to avoid. A lot of skin care products can cause irritation.

Expensive isn’t always better, and Lancome doesn’t always trump Max Factor. A lot of the more pricey versions of certain cosmetics (like lipstick and eye shadows) may contain more pigment that makes a shade seem richer in color, but that is not always true. Plus, many of the cosmetics that they sell are in trendy shades and will be chucked in a season. Who wants to spend $30 on a nail color that only lasts three months?  However, if you find a certain expensive brand truly worthwhile, then it’s okay to stick with it.

What products are the best to buy at a cosmetics counter? I prefer designer fragrances, and SPF lotions. It’s okay to browse and test products but don’t be fooled by certain sale tactics that they may try to use to ploy you into buying something. And a lot of these sales people aren’t always very honest when it comes to answering your beauty questions. It’s best to research the products yourself before you actually buy the product.

And in this segment of the series on San Francisco shopping, we will take a look at three different districts in San Francisco: Mission, Russian Hill and Pacific Heights.

7. Mission Street

If you’re looking for unconventional and out-of-the-ordinary things to buy, then the Mission District is the perfect place for you. Be sure to drop by Valencia Street and 16th Street. Looking for a hat, try Ads Hats on Valencia (between 18th and 19th Streets) where the entire store has walls and walls of hats, from berets to fedoras to page boys. And the best thing about the store, one-third of the hats they sell are from local designers.

Looking for clothes by local designers? Try Minnie Wilde or Saffron Rare Threads. Minnie Wilde (266 21st Street, between Valencia and Mission Streets) features cute, fun and flirty clothes from Hayes Valley designers, while Saffron Rare Threads (3579 17th Street) creates all-around professional clothes featuring the designs of San Francisco locals, Priya Saraswati and Yugala Priti.

8. Polk Street

Shopping on Polk Street can be an experience all in itself. You’ll find everything here, from high-end to low-end. Looking for clothes for men and women? Drop by Catseto or Fashion Exchange. Looking for lingerie items, try Lusciouswear or Belle Cose. Do you love clothes and shoes from the 50s to the 80s? Then be sure to drop by Mascara Vintage. After some heavy shopping on Polk Street, be sure to drop by Bob’s Donut Shop at the end of the day and treat yourself to some wonderful and cheap dessert.

9. Sacramento Street

Sacramento Street is full of high-end shops so be careful coming here for some shopping adventures, but they do have some of the best items money can buy. Drop by Brown Eyed Girl to find colorful women’s clothing and accessories. If you’re looking for classier designer clothes, then maybe Susan is the shop for you. And if you’re looking for unique home décor and furnishings, be sure to drop by Sue Fisher King.

So what do you think? Are you prepared to burn your money in San Francisco? Be careful boosting the economy, though. It might create more problems for you if you don’t watch yourself.

When it comes to shopping for other people, do you have any specific techniques that you use? Can you zero right in on what your mother, father, brother or sister would like, or it is a whole lot of guesswork on your part? Buying for other people is not as easy as buying for yourself, but it does not have to be excruciating. Read on for some ideas.

We buy gifts as a token of love and appreciation. We want to show others how much they mean to us, regardless of the occasion. In order to do that, you need to know what the person in question likes and does not like. The key to this is paying attention.

It has been said that if you want to know what matters most to a person take note of what they spend their money on. For example, if your mother always heads for the housewares department every time you go shopping and is always looking for something to make her home more inviting, then this is a clear indication that a gift for her home would make her very happy.

Another obvious clue is to listen to what people say. If your sister keeps mentioning that she needs a new blender or that she wants to buy a new steamer but never seems to get around to it, then she has provided you with a perfect gift giving hint!

You have heard others talk about driving defensively, but have you heard about the need to shop defensively? Learning how to shop defensively means that you are organized and planning ahead for all holidays, birthdays, weddings, etc. This is especially important for the person who is not thrilled at the idea of shopping.

Of course, there always is online shopping (or shopping through a mail order catalog) but that also involves planning- often more so than trolling the malls for gift ideas! If you decide to do online shopping, then order your gifts early. Aim for at least three to four weeks before the special occasion arrives. During the busy holiday season you should order anywhere from four to eight weeks early to guarantee delivery of the goods.

If you are not a shopping genius, then you might want to take someone with you who is more of a shopping pro. Most of us know someone who fits into this category!

Summer is around the corner, and you know what that means, hot weather! Well, maybe not for every location in this world, but for many places, summertime means blazing sun, humid weather, and more heat. While many people have to “suffer” through the warm weather and while others have to deal with sweaty bodies, some people are fortunate enough to have air conditioning or central air.

Many air conditioners are only $100–which is a good investment.  The leading air conditioner brands are Frigidaire, GE, Haier, Kenmore (Sears), and LG. An air conditioner has an exterior portion that contains a compressor, fan, and condenser. The inside of an air conditioner contains a fan and an evaporator. They typically sit in windows.

How do you choose what type of air conditioner to buy? Well, how much cooling are you looking to get out of it? Consumer Reports states that “ A general rule is that 5,000 to 6,000 Btu/hr. models cool rooms 100 to 300 square feet; 9,800 to 12,500 Btu/hr. models cool rooms 250 to 550 square feet; and 9,800 to 12,500 Btu/hr. models cool rooms 350 to 950 square feet. ”

This may seem like something that is completely obvious, but you also want to look into how big the air conditioner is going to be. If you bought an air conditioner out of the blue and then tried to put it in your window only to find that it did not fit, well, that would not work out too well, would it? Before going in to buy an air conditioner, be sure to measure the dimensions of your windows and see how far open your windows can go. Do not forget to write the measurements down!

Another thing to look out for is the window location. You may not know this, but most air conditioners do a better job directing air in one direction or the other. Depending on what direction you want the air to be directed in the room, you will have to buy an air conditioner that blows left, right, etc. Looking to see if the air conditioner is certified is also a good idea.

These are the top Consumer Report rated (5,000 to 6,000 BTU/HR) air conditioners:

• GE ASM06LK
• LG GL6000ER
• Frigidaire FAA067P7A

Keep it cool this summer!