1. Sexy swim suits, duh

Bring bathing suits that you know will flatter your figure and make you look smokin’! It’s best to bring around two or three so you can alternate and let one dry before wearing it again. I don’t know about you but I hate putting a wet bathing suit back on, so remember to leave some drying time between each use. You may also want to bring something a little more….athletic? You know, for those banana boat/jet ski rides. You know that bikini isn’t going to hold everything in place…

2. Cute sweatshirt or sweater

While the temperature may be steaming during the day, you should pack a light sweater or hoodie in case it gets chilly at night. Vacation ain’t so fun when you’re freezing your butt off.

3. Sunscreen and aloe!

Since I’m naturally extremely pale, I basically turn into a red-faced lobster when I sunburn. And I tend to burn very quickly when I don’t put any sunscreen on. For those of you who burn quickly like me, bring sunscreen to protect yourself and aloe to ease the pain when you pass out in the sun from too many margaritas. For those of you who are lucky enough to tan easily, don’t forget your tanning oil. But remember to lay out in the sun safely and during non-peak hours so your skin won’t get sun damaged. Wrinkles are not cute.

4. Outfits that you can mix-and-match

Less is more when it comes to spring break. You don’t want to be hauling around huge suitcases through airports or lugging them around your hotel, so bring a few dresses, shorts, and shirts that you can wear together. Also, bring along some friends with cute clothes. Just a thought…

5. Figure perfect dress

Whether you and your friends are going to a club or dressing up to go to dinner, bring at least one dress that’s fun and dressy. Even in Mexico some clubs don’t want you coming in looking haggard so it’s best to bring at least one nice outfit. Dressing up is fun, not to mention an easy way to get attention for all the right reasons.

When leaving the country, remember to keep your IDs and passport on you at all times. Put them in a safe when you arrive at a hotel and also make sure to stow away your cash and valuables in there as well. If you absolutely do not want something, such as expensive jewelry, to get stolen, it might be best to leave it at home.

Now that you have a list of all the Spring Break essentials, stop stressing and start packing. Before you know it you’ll be laying on a beach, sipping margaritas and enjoying your fun in the sun!

So my Lenten promise is to have myself a great Spring Break, without going too over the top. I’m going to look back at my past spring breaks and try not to repeat the same mistakes. I’m going to take care of myself so that I look good in my bikini by working out and eating right, instead of crash dieting. I’m going have a bronze goddess glow and make sure my ex (who I’ve stalked and know for a fact will be spring breaking at the same place…with his new girl) wishes he never let me go. And just to make sure I give back during Lent too, I’ll bring back some amazing souvenirs! Woo hoo Spring Break 09!

The Sex and the City Movi

Rather, the SATC movie left me depressed for admittedly superficial reasons. Forget Freuds Penis Envy — the SATC Movie left me with major, MAJOR bag, clothes, and shoe envy. I felt like having a tantrum circa 1983 (But mom I waaaaant it!!!!!).

I am not exaggerating when I say that I was salivating at the sight of Miranda’s Norma Kamali Swim-suit and Carrie’s 5,000 pairs of Manolo’s and Louboutins. Suddenly my flip flops and white terry zip-up made me feel like a hot-mess.

Maybe I should have dressed up for the movie (I say this now with extreme sarcasm, because I still think movies go hand in hand with sweatpants and popcorn; not patent leather pumps and thigh highs). But when the movie was over, I had an itch to go home, freshen up and put on my best Carrie Bradshaw imitation.

But when I got home, nothing in my closet seemed to inspire me. Everything paled in comparison to my girls on the big screen. Sure, I have some stellar pieces from flea markets, boutiques and department stores; surly I could find some sort of SATC fashion inspiration for my night out on the town. But nothing came of it.

So, lucky for you ladies, I decided to do what I do best, scour the internet for SATC fashion looks that won’t leave me eating ramen and living out of a cardboard box for the next 20 years.

Carrie’s Extreme Dior Gladiator platforms ($770!) left me with extreme shoe envy, until I saw that my man Steve (as in Madden) made a very close knock off for $109.95! Pair the brown ones with a flirty ivory dress for trendy stark contrast. Then look in the mirror and call yourself Carrie (I won’t tell!).

This season is all about the Retro one-pieces. While last years maternity trend made me want to scream (and cry- which I did when someone asked me if I was expecting) this year’s hot trend of the one piece leaves me squirming with affection for the fashion gods. The Norma Kamali Mio suit that Miranda wears may just be the cutest thing I have ever seen. However, its hefty price tag counterpart of $350? Not so cute.

As an alternative, try this red retro style by Carmen Marc Valvo for $117 or this Pinup Retro Scoopneck one-piece for only $51.99

Charlotte’s Jackie O inspired shades were classy and big without making her look bug-eyed and over-stated. Everyone needs a perfect pair of shades to wear on the beach (in that new suit of yours) or with a sundress and an iced coffee (deeeelightful!). Swap out the movie originals (Natali Sunglasses from Salt for $313) and go for a pair at Forever 21 for $5.80.

In just about every scene, Samantha or one of other ladies had something fabulously belted. Thrown over a duster, a chunky sweater, a blazer, a sundress, a slightly miss-matched belt can not only complete an outfit, but also cinch in your waist giving you that perfect hour-glass figure. Try this white patent belt from Forever 21 for $7.80.

A Tip: Since belting is such a huge trend right now (read: the slap bracelets of yester-year) many jackets, dresses, etc. are coming

with belts already attached. To really punch up the outfit and make you a standout, swap out the belt that it comes with for a different one that contrasts/compliments in color. Or take it one step fabulous-er and look for a different texture (think patent, woven, or croc).

[Photos courtesy of Steve Madden, Forever 21, Victoria's Secret and shinystyle.tv]

BEFORE YOU GO:

Don’t forget your passport — You will need it even if you go to Mexico for a day. If you don’t have one already, it’s not too late to get one.

Get your work done — Dig your heels in before you leave, so your trip can be a real vacation without work looming.

Make yourself pretty — If you want to be pampered with a manicure or wax job, do it before you go. It may be cheaper while you’re on your trip, but satisfaction is not guaranteed.

Consider different weather and occasions — You might not be on the beach all the time, so prepare some clothes for lounging, going out, and cold/wet weather.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE:

Bring two bathing suits — Have two different types, and don’t go generic. Nothing is worse than seeing another girl wearing the same bathing suit. Also, putting on a damp bathing suit is never a nice feeling. Having two lets you dry one while you wear the other.

Establish a budget — Prevent overspending by coming up with a daily budget. Research costs for food, accommodations, and other expenses in the currency of where you are going, then convert it back into dollars so you know the different rates.

Beware of scams — Even when you book your room, clarify if the price is for the room or per person. Don’t buy items packaged in a box. I once spent 150 Euro on a “Sony camera” in a box holding what turned out to be a bag of sand.

Protect yourself — Don’t accept drinks from strangers and keep a condom in your purse.

If something goes awry, there’s always Advil — so don’t leave that at home either.

The countdown ‘til Spring Break starts today. Prepping now will keep you worry-free later.

Have fun!

As temperatures rise and shorts, bathing suits, and skirts become less about fashion and more about necessity, it becomes more and more vital that I love myself. I must love myself because I’m not always the biggest fan of my thighs and stomach. I must love myself because I always think my arms could be firmer and my knees could stop looking so weird.

As I type this, I’m sitting at my desk in a bathing suit (living in New York has kept me far away from any type of swimming pool, but bathing suits are much more acceptable than a bra and underwear if someone were to knock or accidentally look into my apartment. Or if a stranger crawls through my window while drunk. This has happened. I am now always prepared), sweating and drinking water like a mad woman.

Any other article of clothing would be insane to wear at the moment, and thus, I’m forced to see my body in all of its flawed glory—and probably will be seeing it for the rest of the day into tomorrow, if NYC continues to bake me like a Christmas turkey. Since starting a new gym routine that includes lifting and more cardio, I’m more comfortable in my skin than I’ve been in a while, but even a size 4/6 looks less than perfect when one is sitting Indian style in a bathing suit.

But I won’t give in. I won’t give in to the nagging feeling that I should stop eating just for the day, or swear off anything with carbs, or run down the block to one of the 12 GNC’s by my apartment and grab a bottle of weight loss pills. I won’t give in, because I’m 24, and I’ve been down this road season after season.

I also won’t diet. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Dieting makes me sad, obsessive, and only works for a little while. If I diet, I’ll lose weight, but the weight I’ll become won’t be something I can maintain comfortably.

I’m normal for my height, have a good BMI, but must consistently fight the urge to freak out when I see an unflattering picture or a girl who is literally half of me. I have to fight the urge, but I do, because life seems too short to obsess about becoming thin.

Sometimes, I feel like I’m the only one out there who feels this way. What about you, lovelies? Anyone out there who’s at a normal, healthy weight and fighting to love herself that way? Anyone else refuse to diet? Anyone else sick of the Hollywood brainwashing? Let me know!

…Before my apartment completely turns into a rotisserie oven.