If Punxsutawney Phil was correct this year, we now only have 3 more weeks of winter, which means we can soon wash away those winter blues and bust out those spring styles.  This year, Pantone’s top color will be turquoise, which is not only a fun, bright color that can be mixed with everything from neutrals to browns to other brights, but it looks great on nearly everyone.

And with Spring Break comin’ quick, now is the perfect time to nab some turquoise!

Here are some great choices under 20 buckaroos that’ll perfectly highlight spring’s most popular hue.

Sure, it looks like your average tank top, but that scoop neck and racer back gives it a whole new dimension. Put this on with a bright bib necklace and some skinny jeans for the ultimate summer look.

I dunno about you, but I’m def looking forward to busting out my flip flops and showin’ off my fresh pedi once the warm weather hits, and these (paired with the perfect tan) will look totally fab with shorts, jeans or sun dresses.  The ultimate spring/summer solution.

And speaking of pedis, how can you resist this awesome turquoise nail polish? It’s funky, fresh and different. Love it.

It’s like those designers at Target heard my prayers. Behold: the cutest romper ever. Both rompers and florals are sure to be everywhere this spring, and this one (notice those ruffles!) is just too cute for words.

Looking for just a burst of color?  Go for this floral cocktail ring.

Cute, colorful and comfy: your go-to summer skirt, for sure. Wear it during the day over a swimsuit with a white ribbed tank, or tuck in something a little tighter and a lot lower for an evening on the town.

These shoes will be absolutely A-dorable with leggings, skinny jeans or a skirt.

Colored denim will be back this season, so why not throw on some turquoise jeans?  With a white tee and sandals these would be totally cute and perfect for your first spring picnic, those last few weeks of the semester or even a casual dinner date.

It’s the perfect day for some online shopping.

Nicole Kidman needs a new makeup artist.

Soothe that dry skin this winter.

Melissa Rycroft has her happily ever after.

7 party perfect nail polishes.

OMG. This story scares me.

You don’t have to be a Monet to do nail art, because it’s basically as simple as paint-by-number. If you can copy that complicated stats diagram into your notes, then trust me, you can put a gorgeous sprig of florals on your nail. Plus, your friends will be totes jealous when they all drop twenties on French manicures and your nails look a zillion times better for only the cost of the polish you grabbed at the drugstore.

Speaking of polish, here’s what you need to do this:

- Nail polish (duh)
- Cotton balls or Kleenex
- Toothpicks
- Topcoat (optional)
- Nail-polish remover

It helps to plan out your designs before you do them, especially if your drawing skills, like mine, are limited to scrawling malformed stick figures. Note that you don’t have to do something fancy on each nail – it works just as well to do a nice design on the thumbs (or big toes) and leave the rest of the nails as solid colors. Also, depending on how intricate your design is, you need to plot out an hour or two in your day to do the whole thing, since you have to let each color of the art dry before you can start the next color. The good news is that you can split this time up if necessary, and your nails will look really cool and avant-garde if they aren’t quite done yet.

OK. Got your plan? Good. For the sake of demonstration, I’m going to describe how to do this pretty red flower.

The brushes that come with bottles of polish are nifty tools, but they’re designed for full coats rather than nail art, so I propose that you use something else: toothpicks. Grab a few and keep them nearby.

1. Paint one or two layers of a red base coat. Let it dry thoroughly.

2. Use a toothpick to paint the main white flower on your nail first. Just paint the background shape (the middle circle and five surrounding petals). Then paint the four white leaves around it and the little white dots going outward from it. Grab a new toothpick if yours gets gloppy.

Important: obviously, your nail will not look totally perfect, but that’s OK! Especially since you will be adding more detail as you go, which is the perfect time to fix mistakes and add more pizazz.

3. When the white is COMPLETELY dry, go back to the red. Using a toothpick, start at the narrow end of the striations on the flower petals. Drag the toothpick lightly toward the middle of the flower. If you mess up, wipe it off quickly or glob it on a little more to make a different-looking design. Make striations on each petal this way.

4. Let the red completely dry, then dot on black in the very middle of the flower.

5. With gold polish and another toothpick, make tiny dots around the bottom and sides of the flower. Now let that dry! You know how annoying it is to smudge a normal manicure; imagine messing up all this hard work!

Here are a few more design ideas to get you started:

Orange floral nails
Flamingo nails
Checkerboard
This book is also helpful, though it’s meant for kids

Remember–this is art, and art is subjective. If all else fails, bust out the nail-polish remover and just start over. The point is, you can do it and you can make those nails look great. When everything is dry and finished, put on the topcoat and walk around showing off your hot new nails to everybody!

I’ve missed my sandals. I missed them so much that I dragged them out of the back of my closet a month ago, only to gaze longingly at them every day, sigh, and pull on another pair of warm socks. After a long, hard fall, winter AND spring of boots, rain boots, and snow boots, I am dying to leave the house in nothing but a kick ass summer dress and a fantastic pair of gladiator sandals.

Before that happens, though, I have to take care of one teeny problem. You know that long hard winter of boots I mentioned? It has left my feet looking….less than pretty. So, in preparation for the day when all my sandal dreams come true, here are some step-by-step instructions for an at-home pedicure that will have your feet ready to see the sun before you know it!

Step One: Polish Prep
Soak a cotton ball or cotton pad with nail polish remover and remove all your old polish that has been on there since last August.

Clip toenails straight across. Seriously, DO NOT cut anything but straight across. If you try and clip down on the sides you risk a seriously painful ingrown toenail. Ouch!

Use a nail file to smooth the edges, and if you want to round down the sides a little, this is the time to do it.

Step Two: Soak It Up!
(Side note: if I’m pressed for time, or just feeling lazy, I’ll skip this step and pumice my feet in the bath or shower before I polish).

Fill a low, wide bucket with hot water and add a half cup of Epsom salt, which eases muscle tension and de-puffs tired feet. If you’re feeling super-indulgent, toss in some scented bath salts or elixir – anything with a scent you really enjoy.

Soak your feet for 5 minutes or so, and after they’re good and soft, take a pumice stone or a foot file and use it to slough the rough bits of your feet: the balls of your feet, your heels, and the outer edges of your big toes and pinky toes.

When you’re smooth, pat your tootsies dry with a towel. If you would like, push back your cuticles (don’t cut em! Another recipe for ingrown toenails!) with the edge of an emery board, and then slather both feet with a super moisturizing foot lotion or cream.

Step Three: Time To Polish

Wash the moisturizer off your toenails with soap and water and let them dry.

Use a foam toe separator to create space between your toes. In a pinch, I have been known to use neat little rolls of paper towel between each toe for that purpose, but believe me, the foam spacers are way nicer and pretty cheap.

Apply one coat of base coat, two coats of color and one coat of top coat. I try and do one wide stroke down the center of each nail, and then two thin ones down each side.

Use a Q-tip dipped in nail-polish remover to clean up any messy edges or other polish mishaps.

Now, this is the most important part: Let your polish dry COMPLETELY before putting on close-toed shoes. This means several hours. If you’ve got to go asap, caaaaarefully slip on some sandals. Apply a new coat of top coat every three days or so, just to keep your polish fresh and chip-free until you’re ready for a new paint job!

That means it’s time to make your toes look pretty, because, let’s face it, they probably look pretty gross after being stuffed in a pair of boots all winter.  Grimy toenails are the perfect way to ruin a hot new pair of sandals (not to mention creep out everyone around you), so it’s time to give them a little TLC. And while you’re at it, let’s give those fingernails some attention; a little pretty polish goes along great with that perfect summer sundress.

Bold, neon colors are the trend of the summer and below are some bright polishes that will catch the attention of everyone, maybe even a summer fling. I know my summer goal is to score a hottie with a yacht, and while neon toes won’t get me that, I’ll try anything.

And I’ll look cute either way.

To Start:

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Program: If you’re looking to grow your nails out this product really works.  It also strengthens nails and keeps them from being cracked or brittle.  Sweep this on as a base coat before painting your nails (then reapply daily) and you’ll see results in just a few days.

To Color:

Maybe I’m a nail polish snob, but I truly believe when it comes to polish you get what you pay for.  More expensive polishes don’t crack or bubble as easily, stay chip-free for longer, and go on smoother.  That’s why I tend to shell out the extra few dollars for a more quality polish. And it’s still way cheaper than bi-monthly mani/pedi appointments, so it’s worth the investment.

OPI: If you go to OPI’s site you can test out colors against different skin tones and on different nail lengths.  Of course, it’s not the same as trying it out yourself, but it might help you make a decision about what color is right for you.

Try Out: Shorts Story, A Grape Fit, In My Back Pocket, or Need Sunglasses? Some of these bright hues may be too much for your fingers (they are mighty brighty), but may be just right for your toes.

Essie: Essie has a mini line of neon colors for this upcoming summer, making it pretty easy for you to transition into brights.

Try Out: Flirty Fuscia, Funky Limelight, Perky Purple, or Punchy Pink. You can even try all four with the Essie mini set for only $18.

Sephora Brand Polish: If you can’t afford to spring for a pricier polish above, try Sephora Brand’s polish in: Chupa, Mangue, or Curacoa.  (P.S. Can someone tell me what those words mean??)

Top it Off:

To seal your color in and add a new level of shine try Revlon’s Quick Dry Top Coat.  It dries super fast, prevents chip, and has a UV shield to keep color locked in.

There is nothing more beautiful than a freshly manicured hand wrapped tightly around a glass of sangria. Welcome home, summer!

A few months ago, we shared our picks for adding more color to your beauty bags. Now the season is in full swing, and we can’t help but feel inspired by all of the colors blooming outdoors, being displayed in store windows and taking center stage at our local beauty counters. This is the perfect time of year to add more punches of color to your beauty routine, no matter how subtle. Find these colorful picks in stores right now.

MAC “Just A Pinch” Gel Blush is a seriously bold red color in its pot, but goes on smooth and sheer when applied to our cheeks and lips. This color looks great on all skintones and can be worn as light or amped up as you like. $18.50, nordstrom.com

Essie Neon Collection

What better way to add color to your look than to add it to your tips and toes? We know that neon can be a bit scary for some, but when worn on the hands and feet, it’s a lot less “in your face”. Get this mini set, and don’t be afraid to try them all. $18, essieshop.com

L’Oreal H.I.P Bright Duos Eyeshadows pack gorgeous, even more rich pigment than the original, into two colors that can be worn together or separately. Highly blendable, these colors go on sheer when applied with a shadow brush. Add more layers to turn up the volume on your desired look. $7, drugstore.com

Bare Escentuals Free To Be Naturally Adventurous Set

With gorgeous, vibrant colors, this 100% pure, preservative-free set allows the user to play up her bohemian style; give yourself exotic eyes, sparkling cheeks, and inspiring lips with all of the lively colors. Includes a blush, two eyecolors, one liner shadow and a gloss housed in a teal clutch. $39.50, sephora.com

Sephora Brand Moroccan Sunrise Bag Collection

We believe beauty junkies can never have too many cosmetic bags. We know these will never be worn with our favorite ensembles, but these tangerine colored bags look so good in our bathrooms, and really make keeping our ever-growing beauty arsenal well-organized. Available in four sizes. From $9, sephora.com

This is the perfect time of year to add more punches of color to your beauty routine, no matter how subtle. Find these colorful picks in stores right now.

Wait, Melrose Place is coming back? And Ashlee Simpson is joining the cast?!

Three words: Ryan Gosling hot.

DJ AM is cursed with airplanes.

OPI releases their new spring colors!

Dating tips for Meghan McCain.

Beyonce is shiny.

Matt Damon. In spandex.

Northwestern Dance Marathon raises over $900,000!

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Leighton Meester is the new face of Reebok.

1) Trader Joes Chicken Lime Burgers. These bad boys are my new obsession. 150 calories, 19 g of protein, all natural, and SO quick to cook. A great way to change up your veggie burger routine, or a great snack in between classes that will keep you full (unlike that 100 Cal Pack obsession of yours which leaves you hungry .4 seconds after you finish it).

2) I live in Chicago. Where it is always cold. And snowy. And my eyes water and then freeze leaving icicles on my eyelashes. True story. But yesterday it was 65 degrees! I couldn’t help but think: Spring! Summer! Bathing Suits! So while I am not going on Spring Break, I did find an adorable bathing suit from Gap (yes, Gap!) that I can’t wait to wear…when the snow melts and I don’t have to wear ear muffs everywhere. Bonus: it comes in a two-piece AND one piece option (for those of us who don’t feel comfortable letting those pizza-and-beer-nights show…).

3) Essie’s new “One of a Kind” Spring 2009 Nail color. It’s a reddish orange that screams trendy, but not over the top. Funky and, you know, cooool. Oh and bright (and by bright I mean that perfect balance of bright enough for spring, but not too bright for March).

4) American Apparel Deep V neck shirt. You may already know about this gift from AA heaven. It’s the perfect balance of casual t-shirt and sexy top with the cleavage-y deep V. And it’s comfy enough that it feels like sweats. And when cute, affordable, and sexy-ish clothes are also COMFY? That is worth a whole lot of love.

5) Jason Segel. Seriously. Love him. As in, he is my ideal man. As in, even though I don’t think I want children, I would have his because I would be guaranteed that my offspring would make me laugh. So I am pumped for I Love You, Man to hit theaters next weekend. Because if Forgetting Sarah Marshall tells us anything it’s that I’m guaranteed to laugh until I pee, which is always Love-List worthy. Oh and there is full frontal nudity. Enough said.

Reds and pinks are usually restricted to lips, but why not get a little crazy? Here are some ravishing red and pretty pink products to try out. So whether you have a romantic candlelight dinner planned with that special someone, or whether your special someone is a bag of green M&Ms, and a handle of Svedka, you’ll be prepared for a great night!

Bare Essentuals liner shadow in Black Ruby: Intimidated by the idea of red liner? Don’t judge just yet… This shimmery powder is a dark brown with flecks of ruby color. It looks great either as a dry liner or mix it with a little bit of liner sealer to create a more dramatic wet liner.

Clinique Eyeshadow Duo in Strawberry Fudge: This twosome is a take on a delicious dessert. The brown works really well with the light pink to create a subtly pink-princess look.

Urban Decay Mascara in Black Cherry: This burgundy mascara may be a bit much on your lashes alone, so try coating them with black mascara first. When it dries, coat just the tips of your lashes with this fun deep-red hue.

Lancome Color Fever Gloss in Mercury Rising: Intense red is really in right now and perfect for V-Day. Lather in this bright red gloss, but keep the rest of your face simple, for a classic look.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Pink Pursuit: This pastel pink lip gloss is super shiny and also moisturizes. Plus, 10% of these proceeds are donated to breast cancer research!

O.P.I Nail Polishes: So. many. options. If you are looking for a pretty pink try: I’m Indi-a Mood for Love. Or, if you are looking for a deep garnet color try: Romeo and Juliet. Or, if you are looking for a translucent pink check out: Who Needs a Prince Charming? (Amen to that!)

(Bonus: reading all the nail polish color names on this site is quite amusing. How do I get a job naming nail polish colors?)

Wax is not kind to Carrie Underwood.

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Baby pandas melt our hearts.

Our bank accounts shrivel up to nothing, but we still love the richies.

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Arizona’s coach, Lute Olson, is stepping down.

Press on nail polish?

Oprah is being sued….for $180 MILLION.