Music Fest-Style: Go Boho-Chic or Boho-Grunge
Camilla Belle and Kate Bosworth are masters of Boho-Chic, while Drew Barrymore and Miley Cyrus are pro’s of Boho-Grunge. For either look, depending on how you pair your pieces, you can achieve these styles with Music-Fest staples:

• Fringe Anything: Boots, Roman sandals, slouchy bags, fringed Tee’s.
• Fedora: Whether made of straw or khaki, it not only protects your face from the sun but looks stylish, too!
• Cropped Tops: Adorable when paired with high-wasted shorts, cut-offs, or a maxi-skirt.
• Cut-Off Shorts: Sexy and easy-going. Heat up the look with some knee-high gladiator sandals.
• Tank Tops: Try a neutral color paired with bright jewelry and stand-out shoes.
• Long Necklaces: Lengthier necklaces look more relaxed, and that’s the vibe of a live music festival. Gold, silver, rose-gold—anything will work. Add charms for a more feminine look.
• Turquoise and Coral Jewelry: Perfect addition to any outfit, the little pop of color makes an outfit stand out.
• Side Satchel Purses: Easy to walk in and keep track of.
• Feathered Hair: If it’s socially acceptable in everyday-life, then a music festival should be the mother-ship of feathered hair!
• Ray-Bans: Not “Fay-Bans” (fake Ray-Bans), you’ve got to have that little RB logo in the corner of the lens. Whether they be classics or aviators, it’s safe to say (in my opinion), that Ray-Ban is the official sunglass brand of any music festival.

Eats & Drank: Bottom line—Have no fear when it comes to food at festivals!

• All hail the delicious food vendors at music festivals! Be adventurous with this one—trying pulled-brisket bbq and queso nachos is still one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Dig in!
• Don’t feel guilty about all the fried goodies you absolutely must sample. Fried fish wrapped in a tortilla and topped with jalapeno ranch and pico de gallo? We do not say no to that!
• All hail the infinite amount of chilled beer! There’s nothing better than sipping on a cold one while listening to your favorite band.
• Feeling classy? Try a glass of wine one evening if you’re over the beer-binge. I’ve also seen margaritas and other specialty drinks sold at places, so if you’re willing drop some cash, give those a shot!

Safety Musts

• Stay hydrated! Bring sealed water bottles into the festival with you and purchase water as you need throughout the day.
• Sunscreen—load it on! It’s hot out and three days of standing in the sun can take a toll on your skin. Load on the SPF and even get SPF lip balm if you’re extra sensitive.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Keep purses zipped up, don’t anger the belligerent drunk man and don’t become that belligerent drunk man in female form.
• If you’re staking out a spot at the stage of your favorite band, remember that things will get cramped and pushy once the show begins. Make sure you’re not claustrophobic or afraid to kindly push people back if need be.

Last but not least, bring cash to avoid ATM fees at the festival and pack an extra deodorant in your bag. Finally, enjoy yourself and have a blast!

I hate you, Jack Daniel.

Got a health question? Don’t trust those “Doctors” at the University Health Center? Are you scared of Web M.D. because it always tells you you’re gonna die? Ask a real doctor, our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin. She’s here every Thursday to answer whatever you throw at her – yes, even that – so ask away. Leave your question in the comments or send it over to us. Don’t be shy; she’s waiting for ya!

Q: I don’t know if you’ll know this but I was wondering if you had any advice for curing a hangover? I always feel super crappy for days after a long night out and I don’t know what I can do to feel better. I drink a lot of water and try to get a lot of sleep but nothing helps!

You know bodies – do you have any ideas?

A: Oh, I hear you. We’ve all been there. Unfortunately, there is no magic home remedy (although I can tell you that hungover medical students have been known to hook themselves up to bags of IV fluid, which I’ve been told works wonders!).  To some degree, a hangover is just par for the course – one of those lessons the Universe likes to teach us to keep us out of trouble. But assuming the deed is done, what can you do to minimize your suffering? Here are a few tips:

1. If you’re conscious enough in the midst of your drinking binge, make sure to alternate your alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic ones to help your body stay hydrated in the presence of such a strong dehydrator.
2. After you’ve thrown up in the cab and rid yourself of any strays who might have followed you home, down a very large glass of Gatorade, which can help replace the electrolytes you’ve lost. If you can keep it down, chug two or three glasses.
3. Avoid caffeine. Coffee will not help sober you up. It will just make you a jittery, nervous drunk. Because it also dehydrates you, it will only worsen your hangover.
4. Although people may tell you to take two aspirin or a dose of Tylenol before you hit the hay, both can cause more harm than good. Aspirin can irritate the stomach and make you more likely to wind up praying to the porcelain gods. And Tylenol can be toxic to the liver, which is likely busy trying to break down alcohol. Try some extra B vitamins instead.
5. Sleep in.  Call in sick if you must. Your body needs rest to repair itself.
6. Forget the hair-of-the-dog advice. Unless you’re an alcoholic in the midst of withdrawing (in which case you’ve got bigger problems and need help), a little nip of alcohol in the morning is likely to just prolong the agony.  Try a virgin Bloody Mary instead.
7. Get something into your stomach in the morning, even if you don’t feel like eating. Your stomach gets pretty beat up when you’re binging, and food helps to coat it.
8. Take ibuprofen or naproxen in the morning to fight off your headache. You tummy will likely have settled down by then and can handle the medication. Take it with food so it doesn’t sit on an empty stomach.
9. Take a shower. It’s likely to perk you up and get the stink off you.
10. If you can stand it, get outside and move your body. It gets your blood flowing and provides welcome endorphins to help you fight the after-effects of too much booze.

Keep in mind that hangovers are our body’s way of responding to an overdose. Because our livers can’t keep up with the alcohol we put in, the whole body rebels. Do your body a favor and stave off hangovers the best way – prevention.

–Dr. Lissa Rankin’s book, What’s Up Down There? Questions You’d Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in Fall 2010. She invites you to join her Pink online community (www.owningpink.com/forum) or read more of her writing at Owning Pink (www.owningpink.com).

1. Drink enough water.

You’re giving the weather a head start if you don’t properly hydrate yourself. Just because you’re not sweating from the summer heat doesn’t mean you can cut down on your h20 intake. Continue to drink plenty of water, and limit your fizzy soft drinks and alcohol, which will dehydrate you faster than you can say “blizzard.”

2. Invite skin care into the shower.

One thing’s inevitable: you have to shower, right? So purchase soaps and body wash that won’t dry you out. According to About.com, bar soaps are more likely to dry out your skin, whereas emollient-rich cleansers will actually battle the effects of dry skin. Try Dove Delicate Cream Body Wash, or look for the word “butter,” as in “Shea Butter,” “Cocoa Butter,” or just plain “Body Butter” when you’re selecting your next lather. Your hands feel the cleansers you use the most, since they are slathering the stuff all over your bod.

3. Dream away dryness.

If your hands are so dry it’s painful, you may want to pull out the big guns. Put an extra-strength lotion or vaseline on your hands, and then sleep with knit gloves or socks over your hands. This way, you can’t smear the moisturizers all over the place or inadvertently wipe your hands on your sheets while you sleep. The gloves will trap the lotion overnight, meaning your skin cells get the most help.

4. Wear your effing gloves.

Seriously. Invest in a few pairs so that even if you’re running late and forget to grab one pair, you have a backup in your messenger bag, or keep a pair in every room of the house so that they’re always accessible. Get the thickest, warmest gloves you can find – a cheap knit pair won’t do much to keep your hands warm (and moist) this season.

5. Protect your nails.

For nail care, make it a point to keep your routine manicure appointments. If you can’t afford a professional manicure, at least take care of your nails every week by clipping and filing them to keep them in check. When you wash your hands, make sure you clean underneath the nail to prevent germy build-up, and use a nail brush if possible. Don’t be afraid to soak your hands for a bit – a warm handbath can make you feel better after you’ve come in from the biting cold! And, of course, use that lotion you’ve been saving for the back of your hand on the area around your cuticles to prevent irritation and hang nails.

Grab a checked table cloth or blanket to sit on and save your tush from the summer bugs!

Keep cool. Bring water bottle spray fans if it’s a very hot day out. They keep you cool, refreshed and will even help work on your summer glow!

Hydrate. If you don’t want liquor (although beer and/or wine coolers are a great way to quench your thirst!), here are some drink recipes:

Women Today Magazine suggests these fun drink alternatives:

Ice Pops: In a blender, mix any type of fruit (try peaches, pears, strawberries) and add a table of lemon juice. Pour the mixture into ice cube holders and freeze. Either stick Popsicles in them or serve as ice cubes in water to add some spice to your glass of H20!

If you’re tired of boring ‘ole lemonade, try adding other types of juices to spice it up, such as cranberry, raspberry or grapefruit juice.

If you like some bubble in your juice, add some seltzer or club soda to put some zizzzzz in your juices!!!

Rumble in that Tummy.

As always, roll-ups and sandwiches are easy and cheap, but you may’ve grown out of them after mom packed you one too many lunchbox lunches over the years, so here are some other snack ideas for the summer munchies.

Cucumber minis. Slice cucumbers, spread regular or chive cream cheese on the first layer. Then, take a thin sliver of smoked salmon (aka lox) and top it off with a piece of dill and a caper. Wrap them on a tray in plastic and pack in your basket. They are d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!!!! (not to mention, low fat!)

Bean Salad. A great way to get protein from an unexpected source. Combine chick peas, cannellini beans, red kidney beans, and some diced red onion and then throw on some olive oil and garlic. You’ll get your iron fill, plus your good fat fill (with the yummy olive oil!). Chill before you go and throw in some tupperware and enjoy!

For you meat eaters. Throw some diced skinless chicken, mayo (low fat if you feel like saving the cals!), walnuts, apples (or grapes if you want it a little sweeter) and some dill. Toast some Italian bread and make mini sandwiches for you and your guest!

Well there you have it…some great ways to enjoy a unique summer picnic!!! Pack your bags and make sure you bring that appetite…and let us know if you have any other awesome ideas.

[photo courtesy of hickerphoto.com]