The Summer Slim-Down Part V: Get in Gear

If there is one thing that will get a fashionista to the gym... it's cute workout gear. If getting dressed is half the reason you go to work in the morning, investing in some new workout clothes could help motivate you to get to the gym.

The gym can be glam

Summer Splash: Cover up!

As my grandma would say with her slow southern drawl- cover up young lady! Although I resented it at the time, now I know good old grams was right- covering up is just as important as showing it all off! While you may be rocking your bikini there is no way to faster kill your post beach summer glow then to throw on a pair of softee shorts and a old college t-shirt...gross! Keep rocking out your bad self with cover up to compliment that ah-maze bikini. I used to think that my bathing suit had to match my cover up (secretly it was just a ploy to buy more clothes) but these days there are so many cover ups that you can get away with one or two for the season and rock them with the white bikini or neon bandeau. So many coverups can go from beach to bbq to nighttime, which is great for a gal on the go or a fahionista on vaca who needs more room for shoes in her suitcase. Coverups can range from tunics, rompers, sarongs, tank tops or sundresses.

You know you love her- Blake Lively covers up in a Tory Burch tunic

Summer Splash: Poolside Products

Stocking your beach bag with the right products to keep you looking fab is just as important as having the latest issue of InStyle with you while you soak in those rays. Living in the state with the most sunny days (love it!) I have found out some of the best products to primp with by the pool. From your head to your hair- you're gonna wanna fill your straw tote with these. Here are some products must haves if you plan on lounging on the beaches or just hanging out in your backyard pool.

Lauren and Audrina know the importance of products when laying out

The Summer Slim Down Part IV: Skinny Drinks

I love Bethenny Frankel and her Skinny Girl cocktails. However, if you're out for drinks with your annoyingly fit girlfriend who swears she always drinks beers (yeah right.), or you live somewhere you can't get her delicious drinks like me, you may need a few other options. These are my go-to DIY skinny girl drinks:

Skinny Ever After- The one who started the drink craze

Summer Splash: Cinco De Mayo Fiesta

Hola mi amigos! I love Cinco De Mayo almost as much as I love Mexican food! Living in Arizona there are an abundance of Cinco De Mayo fiesta celebrations happening this weekend, as well as muchas restaurant specials for this holiday...burritos, margies, guac, it doesn't get any better then that! If you are not as lucky as to live in a place the embraces Cinco De Mayo as much as Arizona, what about putting on your own mexican inspired fiesta?

Margaritas anyone?

Summer Splash: The White Bikini

Summer brings visions of backyard bbqs, crisp cool lemonade, and laying by the pool. It also means bathing suit shopping. Growing up as a swimmer I have always been a sucker for a good bathing suit, and while I have traded in speedos for bandeau tops and love to always try out the newest bathing suit trends, I always end up going back to my summer staple: the white bikini.

In Royal Fashion- Pipa and Kate know the importance of a good white bikini
 

The Summer Slim Down Part III: The 20 minute rule

It may not surprise you that I've fallen victim to the P90X craze on more than one occasion, but typically around workout 8 I give up. While I'm certainly not knocking those who can push themselves to work out for more than an hour every day of the week, I am just not one of those people. Every week I try to fit in at least 1 intense workout that lasts (GASP) longer than an hour, but that's it for me.

Summer Splash: Prepping for the Pool

Almost as important as getting your bikini shape for the summer is getting your skin ready for days of short shorts, bikinis, and tank tops. With so many different products out there it's hard to determine what you need to get your self in summer shape. No worries gals, I have done my homework and have found some perfect products for primping before you hit those pool parties. 

Keeping up with the right products- a preggers Koutrney and Scott know the importance of products before heading out to the beach

The Summer Slim Down Part II: Abs, Ass and Arms

Working out isn't my favorite part of the day, so I like to have a quick and dirty 30 minute routine that I can count on to hit all of my problem areas. To eliminate jiggle from my abs, ass and arms, I use these moves:

Summer Splash: Adding Turquoise to your Home

One of the ways I love to get ready for summer is with my house. Even before school's out and suddenly our quiet street is transformed into a kiddie play land my house is ready for summer. Every year I try to add little simple touches to make my home feel more summery. This year the color of summer is turquoise. Adding some simple updates can make any room feel more summer ready--no matter where you live. I love the vibe you can get in a room by a simple turquoise addition.  Here are some great finds for adding turquoise to your home!

Simple additions make a big statement

The Summer Slim-Down Part I: To Cleanse or Not To Cleanse...

Boozing in Madrid

After a few weeks of boozing, Easter chocolate, and what felt like a marathon of fabulous dinner parties with friends, I have begun to dread the inevitable wardrobe switch from flattering pants and blazers to skimpy summer threads that leave little room for error. Like many women, May marks the beginning of my Summer Slim-Down. As you might have guessed, this ain't my first rodeo. Yes, I've done a SSD every year for as long as I can remember... some more successful than others. I've worked out with trainers, undergone strange ultra-sonic procedures, and even stuck it out through bizzare diets (once I ate only roast beef, peanuts and shrimp for an entire week) all in the name of a flat stomach. Over the years, I've become fitter and wiser and I've settled on a fool proof plan that gets me in fabulous shape for bikini season, which I will be posting over the next few weeks.

Summer Splash

Here at Coast to Closet, my sister and I are more than a little excited about the fast approaching summer weather. Sunshine, shorts and sexy bikini's make this season one of our favorites. As the weather breaks and mother nature teases us with a few glorious sunny days, we've been anticipating summer with the intense excitement of school kid. 

Cheers to a fabulous summer!

As May approaches and beach season looms, we are getting prepped for summer and sharing our secrets with you in a week long segment called "Summer Splash". Check us out this week for the latest in summer beauty, fashion, fitness, and more!