On Our Radar: Beach Shack in Cape May, New Jersey

This past weekend we lost our Cape May virginity. We had been wanting to check out the southern tip of New Jersey for some time now and with a heat wave raging in the east, it was the perfect excuse to take a trip to the beach. Cape May is an easy 2 hour drive from Philadelphia and 3 hours from New York.

We opted to stay at the Beach Shack. That's the hotel's famed Rusty Nail bar (above) and is the main draw of the property. During the summer, they have live music daily and a reggae all day on Sundays. The bar serves $3 Red Stripes and Coronas on Sunday funday, so there's really no reason to go anywhere else.

The rooms at the hotel are nothing to write home about—it is called the Beach Shack, after all. But they are clean and quiet. The biggest downside is that on a 100 degree day the wall unit A.C. barely cooled our room.

Overall, Cape May has a very laid back vibe. The town caters to tourists, so you won't get any attitude—all our servers were super-friendly, even when we sat down to eat at one restaurant 20 minutes before closing. Another plus is that there are numerous places to eat and drink so we never had to wait in line, even at the famous Uncle Bill's Pancake House where we had the best blueberry pancakes of our life. (Admittedly it helped that we were only a party of 2.)

Another plus for the budget-conscious is that many of the restaurants are BYOB. There's a liquor store conveniently located right off the Washington Street mall (an outdoor pedestrian shopping area), so you can pick up your booze before heading to dinner. We ate at  Gecko's, a Mexican place. Be sure to ask for the homemade habanero hot sauce.

There's so much to do in the quaint Victorian-style town, we barely scratched the surface. Cape May does cater towards families and couples, but there were groups of guys and girls out—the Ugly Mug was the place to be the weekend we were there. Cycling and miniature golf are just a few of the activities that are popular in the town. A fancier place to stay is Congress Hall, which has the same owners as the Beach Shack. Check back next week for photos from our tour of the hotel.

Kate Spade's Lillian Bassman Capsule Collection

Kate Spade's capsule collection features Lillian Bassman, the brilliant fashion photographer of the 50's and 60's who produced black and white images. "Touch of Dew" was taken in 1961 of model Lisa Fonssagrives. The photo's movement and female power is a perfect addition to our carry on totes. The capsule includes this tote, a small zippered wallet and a scarf. The tote and wallet are printed on leather with a cream and gold woven lining.

Lillian Bassman Harmony Tote $495

Rachel Zoe's Jet Set Summer Series

We've been loving Rachel Zoe's wardrobe picks for her Jet Set Summer Series. St. Tropez (above) is our favorite—guess it's time to plan a trip! Zoe also featured the Hamptons, Malibu and Capri. Want more? Check out our guide on how to pack for a beach weekend.

Travel Friendly Clothes Care

No matter how carefully we pack our carry-ons there's always a top or dress that looks worse from the travel. Next thing you know one of us is dragging out the ironing board, and really, who wants to do that on vacation? Downy's Wrinkle Releaser in TSA approved three ounce travel size is just what we need. It's small enough to pack in your vanity case and strong enough to get out tough wrinkles.

Other handy new products worth checking out for your next trip are the Dryel Pen for knocking out a red wine stain before it sets and the Bounce Lint Roller that does double duty removing lint and leaving a fresh scent behind. If you like to exercise on the road and don't know where to put your stinky clothes, try the Tide Travel Laundry Bag which absorbs odors and keeps your damp clothes away from the rest. All products are available at Walmart, Target and retailers nationwide. Happy travels!

Kellan Lutz's Sexy New Advertising Campgain

Just when we thought we were getting some relief from the heat wave, we caught sight of these new sizzling Kellan Lutz shots for Abbot + Main by Dylan George denim for the fall 2011 campaign. Enjoy!

Anne V is the lucky model for Dylan George.

All photos by Yu Tsai

How to Pack for a Beach Weekend

Beach Weekend by Jet Set Girls featuring a sheer tunic

Headed to the beach this weekend? Here's everything you need to pack:
A bikini like the Diane von Furstenberg vintage style bathing suit is a no brainer. For a coverup, try the Tie-Dye Babydoll Cover-Up Dress from Kohl's or pair with jeans shorts, like these from Express. If you're headed out aprés-pool or beach, top with a tunic-style sweater like this one from Anthropologie. For nighttime, opt for one short and one long dress, because you always want to keep 'em guessing. Our picks are from Shopbop (short red) and Free People (gray strapless). Don't forget a great pair of nude sandals and a crochet tote.

Travel Tuesday Links

Picture courtesy Andrea Gomez Romero www.sunset.com

Thirty-eight perfect summer trips from Sunset.

Best Cities for America's Favorite Foods The Daily Meal.

Ten rules for booking the perfect cruise from CN Traveler.

Get the line up of this year's Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Learn the best way to pay overseas from Today Money.

The best sunscreen from Coastal Living.

Kim Kardashian's Bachelorette Party at Tao

Kim Kardashian celebrated her bachelorette party this weekend at Tao Las Vegas with her sisters, Khloe and Kourtney, her mother and friends including Brittny Gastineau. They had dinner beforehand in Tao's private dining room and were entertained by dancer Mighty Mike: 

Afterwards Kim and her friends headed up to the club and took over a few tables on the dance floor.

Meanwhile Kim's fiancé, New Jersey Nets basketball player Kris Humphries, was partying at the Palazzo's Lavo with friends including Kourtney's boyfriend, Scott, Kim's brother, Rob, and Khloe's husband, Lamar Odom. The boys made their way over to Tao eventually to see the girls and bring them back to Lavo.

New L'Oreal Mascara and Lip Gloss

L'Oreal Voluminous, one of our long-time favorite mascaras, needs to move over to make room for one that's better, the new L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lash Mascara. It gives lashes the same volume and coats them individually so there's no clumping. Each lash gets its own little helping of love. It's now available in a waterproof and carbon black for extra intensity. $8.99 at drugstores.

Another new fave from the L'Oreal fall line is the L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Gloss. Though it looks like a candy-flavored kiddie gloss in the tube, it's strictly for grown ups. The gloss packs serious color punch, with less tackiness than other glosses. Plus it contains Argan oil, omega 3 and conditioning Vitamin  to keep lips super smooth and kissable. Available in 16 shades. $7.95 at drugstores.

On Our Radar: Swimming with Sharks in Mexico

Okay, we may have a phobia about sharks when we're in the ocean, but we're not alone. This is an opportunity to see these babies up close and safely. In Playa Mujeres from June to September, whale sharks gather close to shore. While these sharks can grow to a whopping 40 feet long, they're vegetarians. Would you have the nerve to jump in?

The new Villa del Palmar Cancun is offering a Whale Shark Adventure package which includes:

• 5 Days and 4 Nights in our Luxurious One Bedroom Ocean View Suite
• 2 50-Minute massages per room, per stay
• 10% Off additional massages
• Up to two children under 12 stay and eat free (sharing room with their parents)
• 2 Whale Shark Tour passes
• Round trip transfers
• Welcome cocktail upon arrival
• All meals, snacks and beverages + premium brand alcoholic beverages
• Complimentary internet access in your room
• 6 times daily shuttle to downtown and hotel zone shopping centers
• Complimentary use of water and land Toys: non motorized water sports
• Daily theme nights
• Taxes and gratuities

Price: $1598 total package for 2
Children's’ tickets for Whale Shark Tour can be purchased on property ($79 USD per child)

Learn more about Villa Del Palmar here.

Web Snob July 22nd, 2011

It's not easy to be both adorable and elegant, but the Nina Ricci "Liane" bag at Bag Snob is as cute as it is sophisticated.

What's better than a goody bag of Clarins skincare products to play with? One that helps to improve the lives of kids in need. Get yours at Beauty Snob!

Coquette says you don't need a microscope to appreciate the beauty of Diana Eng's laser-cut tees that are inspired by floral anatomy and botanical cells.

Fashion Pulse Daily's got the scoop on famed New York City discount department store Century 21's flash sale site.

The Jet Set Girls love the exclusive Halston line available at One and Only Resorts worldwide.

Second City Style shows you how to make your favorite summer mini work for fall.

Shopping and Info loves the sexy and chic Pologeorgis Suede Brown Shearling Vest for Fall 2011.

StyleHive beats the summer heat in style! It's the ponytail re-vamped with these three easy looks!

The Shoe Goddess loves these chic Miu Miu Crisscross Glitter Ankle Boots!

New John Frieda Styling Tools

Conair partnered with John Frieda stylists to produce a first-ever line of styling tools. I tried the hair dryer this week and was impressed. The hair dryer has two heat settings and three temperatures. While the directions recommend starting on a low heat, I cranked up the speed and the heat; because I wanted a speedy job. Considering the oppressive heat and humidity, which makes drying my hair a marathon chore, I finished in record time. The dryer has ionic technology which helps with frizz and my hair is significantly shinier and smoother than normal. While I have girlfriends who are particularly attached to their dryers, so much so they'll pack them on a vacay; I've never been choosing. Now that I've used the John Frieda, I just may be sacrificing a pair of shoes to make room for this one in my suitcase.

John Frieda styling tools are available at Ulta, CVS, Best Buy, and Meijer. The hair dryer retails for $49.99. Also available are curling irons in three sizes and a straightener.

This review was based on a press sample.

Review: Ford Flex

What better time than the Fourth of July to test out a bright red Ford Flex? It's a show-stopper of a car that's ideal for road trips. Everywhere I went, I got compliments on it—I particularly enjoyed the cheers I got driving by a group of soldiers after a small town Fourth of July parade!

The car feels like an update on a classic truck. Its exterior is modern, and its interior, while having top of the line technology, including Microsoft Sync system to hook up your smart phones, has a vintage vibe. I particularly liked the silver-edged analog clock.

The Microsoft Sync system works via Bluetooth. Once it's hooked up, you can make phone calls, play your iTunes or listen to Pandora. Word of warning: your incoming calls will be announced, so don't hook up the Bluetooth if you have something to hide! All of these functions are also available via a firewire cable hook up as well. The car comes with built in GPS.

The Ford Flex is surprisingly easy to drive for such a large car. It has a parking assist that helps you parallel park (something I did not attempt to do) as well as a rearview video display, similar to the one on the Lincoln MKX.

My biggest complaints about the Flex are that it's hard to figure out how to fold down the seats to allow passengers access to the third row. (My guy compared it to a opening a parachute.) And, that last row of seats is so tight, you wouldn't want to put adults back there for a long drive.

If you're looking for a car that's fun to drive and will get you noticed, the Ford Flex is for you.

Sweepstakes Alert: Win a Trip to Lollapalooza

It's almost Lollapalooza time! No ticket? Enter to win Clearasil's Rock Your Skin sweepstakes—one lucky winner and a friend will win tickets and a trip to the show in Chicago August 5-8 to see Coldplay, Eminem, the Foo Fighters and more play. Enter on Clearasil's Facebook page. Hurry! The sweepstakes ends July 22nd (eeek so soon!).

Tokidoki Rollerball Collection

The Tokidoki Rollerball perfume collection at Sephora is the "criminally cute" option for jet set girls who don't want to check bags. Each one is only 0.33 oz. and costs $18. Sandy is our favorite; but picking yours is going to be hard!

Here's how they shake down:

Adieu: Black Berry, Strawberry, Juicy Orange, Tiare Flower, Water Lotus, Creamy Vanilla, Cashmere Woods.
Adios: Lemon Leaves, Pink Grapefruit, Cyclamen, Day Lilies, Pink Orchid, Lotus Blossom, White Musk, Peach Skin, Crystallized Woods.
Ciao Ciao: Water Hyacinth, Out of the Shower Accord, Muguet, Day Lily, Sheer Jasmine Petals, Musk, Sun-Drenched Woods.
Donutella: Raspberry, Bright Bergamot, Muguet, Jasmine Sambac, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Musk.
Sandy: Pear Blossom, Freesia, Honeysuckle, Gardenia, Hint of Vanilla, Amber Musk.
Siberia: Cool Aldehydes, Muguet Petals, Night Blooming Jasmine, White Orchid, White Musk, Soft Woods.

Learn more about Tokidoki for Sephora here. 

Travel Tuesday Links

Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica lets guests take out Kate Spade beach cruisers (above) at no cost. (Refinery29).

In the mood for ribs and traveling in the Lone Star State? Check out these top 12 Texas BBQ spots. (CityPASS)

It's not too late to book a fab—and inexpensive—summer vacation. (Budget Travel)

Tired of fighting the crowds for you square foot of sand? Head to one of these secret beaches. (MSNBC)

Get the Hair and Makeup Look from Mara Hoffman Swim

One of the highlights of Miami Swim was the MaraHoffman collection, which, "celebrates life and spirituality and the hair and make up reflects this ideal," says the press release from the show. "These are women who are not afraid to be strong and feminine all at once and can show their individuality."

For the hair, TRESemmé Stylist Elsa Canedo, the lead stylist for the show, created earthy fishtail braids to match the inspiration. The overall style is meant to have lots of texture and to look effortless without being too polished.  See below for steps on how to recreate the look:

Step 1: Create a middle part and divide hair into sections
Step 2: Prep each section with TRESemmé Thermal Creations Curl Activator Spray, then curl using a 1" barrel curling iron and pin to the head
Step 3: Once all sections are completed, take out the pins and brush the curls with a paddle brush
Step 4: Flip your head upside down and spray TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo throughout hair for added texture, lightly combing the product through with your fingers
Step 5: Flipping your head upright, divide hair into two sections down the middle of the head, and begin to create two French braids, starting at the top of the head to the base of the neck
Step 6: From the base of the neck, create two fishtails braids, and secure them with clear elastics, leaving some length on the ends loose
Step 7: Lightly rough up hair at the top of the head, pulling a few pieces loose with your fingers, and finish by lightly applying TRESemmé No-Frizz Secret Smoothing Créme in a backwards motion

Make Up For Ever alliance artist, Lottie, key make up artist for the Mara Hoffman show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami created the makeup look with:

Cheeks: The skin was modern with a glowing complexion. Lottie applied MUFE  HD
Invisible Cover Foundation to give the models a flawless canvas. Next, Lottie created beautiful flushed
cheeks using MUFE HD Microfinish Blush and MUFE Mat Bronze.

Eyes: Lottie created a "blessing" like smudge between the eyes using neon orange MUFE Wet Make Up for a strong look. The brows were sculpted straight, almost masculine in shape, and the eyes were lined with heavy black using MUFE Khol Pencil #1K. She also added a thick coat of MUFE Smoky Lash Mascara.

Lips: The lips boasted next to nothing color using MUFE  Glossy Full Couleur #10, a
sheer peach.

Get the Makeup Look from Diesel Swim

Make Up For Ever alliance artist, James Vincent, key make up artist for the Diesel fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami, created a simple look with slightly bronzed skin for a healthy looking holiday tan. Here's what he did:

Complexion & Cheeks: James used a combination of MUFE Sculpting Kit #1 and MUFE Mat Bronze, along with MUFE Uplight #31 (sparkling pink) and #33 (golden copper) to highlight cheeks and warm up the face.

Eyes: The eyes featured a soft, golden shimmer for a natural, open-eyed look. James applied MUFE Aqua Cream #11 (gold) and #12 (copper) to the lids, and then dusted MUFE Metal Powder #2 in maize gold on top for added sheen. He finished by lining the eyes with MUFE Khol Pencil #1K in black and #6K in gold.

Lips: The lips were shaped and sculpted with MUFE Aqua Lip #2C, and topped with MUFE Lab Shine #S6, a soft peach, for a glossy, polished finish.

All products are available at Sephora.com.

Gretta Monahan's Hair Tips for Travel — and Giveaway!

Between dry air on the plane and the stress of getting to the airport, it can be a challenge to land with perfect looking hair. Dove hairstylist Gretta Monahan (above left) shares some of her top tips:

• To combat dry cabin air, be sure to pack a hydrating spray mist for your face and an oil-based serum for your hair. Dove Nourishing Oil Care Serum* instantly smoothes flyaways, without weighing hair down. Plus, it is less than 3.4 oz, so you can apply at 30,000 feet!

• If you are in a rush to get to the airport, one fail-safe option for long locks is to apply a smoothing cream. Then, twist hair into a high bun and secure with a loose elastic. When you land, take out the bun and rake your fingers through for loose, shiny waves.

• For a quick and easy style, pop into the airplane or airport bathroom to pull your hair into a low, slightly-to-the-side pony—simple, but also fresh and modern. Add a bit of volume to the roots by teasing with a small brush, gather hair low behind one ear, and secure with a clear elastic. This style looks best when it is a bit “undone,” so finish with a flexible hold hairspray for perfectly imperfect plane hair.

• For shorter ‘dos, a soft bandeau headband is a great fix. They are easy to pack and available in a variety of fabrics, colors, widths and price points to complement any look and budget.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT: JSG is giving away 10 bottles of the new Dove Nourishing Oil Care Serum so you can try it for yourself. Email us at jsggiveaway@gmail.com with Dove in the subject line and be sure to include your address. The giveaway ends on Sunday July 24 at 11:59 pm.

On Our Radar: Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

This one is for our Midwestern readers who like a bit of adventure on their girls’ getaways. The Grand Geneva Resort and Spa on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin features all kinds of activities, like horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, wall climbing, golfing, biking and more—plus, skiing in the winter.

Some of the best elements at the Grand Geneva are its fabulous WELL Spa + Salon and fitness center. Take advantage of its Mid Summer Maintenance package that features private classes for cardio tennis, yoga, Zumba, body bump, or cardio outdoor combat, all followed by your choice of a massage or a customized facial.

Or if you like to golf, try the Grand Getaway package, which features a two night stay in a deluxe guest room, two rounds of golf on either The Brute or The Highlands courses, $300 spa credit per room and a $100 dining credit.

Or you can add a free Sunday night stay to your weekend getaway. Visit GrandGeneva.com for more info.

Sponsored Post: Better than Botox?

My friends at Olay, who know I’m a Botox user, asked me to test out and review the new Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex. Like Botox, the product softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike Botox, you don’t need a doctor’s appointment or a needle to use Wrinkle Revolution Complex. I’ve used Botox for about five years and my last injection was in February, so this is right around the time I’m really starting to notice my wrinkles. I couldn’t wait to test it out.

Watch the video to learn more about my Botox use and see the Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex in action. My hubby, who recorded the video, said at the end, "Wow! That really works!" I wish we had it on tape, but he was being a good cameraman and keeping his lips zipped while the camera was rolling. Here's a sneak peek at my before and after. Click on the picture to get a closeup view:

The new Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex is available in stores and online.

Now that you’ve seen the results, why not transform your own look with Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Revolution Complex and show it off on your Facebook profile.

New Mascara Watch

We tried the most fabulous new mascara a few weeks ago, but had signed an embargo so we couldn't tell you about it...until today! The new Lancome Hypnôse Doll Lashes promises lashes worthy of a Madame Alexander doll. It has an ingenious cone-shaped wand that lets you concentrate where you want the mascara--from the the inner corners to the tips of lashes. The result are show-stopping glam lashes. Our only complaint is that the formula smudged a bit when we wore concealer. Waiting a few minutes for the concealer to dry or a quick dusting of powder remedies the problem.

The new Lancome Hypnôse Doll Lashes is available for $25 at Dillards and will roll out to other stores in September.

The BootyWrap

We're all too cool for fanny packs; but they serve a purpose. They're good for stashing your keys, cash and lipstick when you're running errands, walking the dog, or just don't feel like lugging your purse around. Yesterday we found a much better solution: the BootyWrap. It's like wearing a sweatshirt around your waist with secure zippered pockets; but without the bulk. Plus, it covers your backside which is perfect for the gym. It comes in blue, white, black and grey for only $30. Order it at www.bootywrap.com and put that fanny pack back in the closet!

Travel Tuesday Links

Banyan Tree Al Wadi

Travel + Leisure release its list of the World's Best New Hotels. Safe to say, we want to go to every single one! (TravelandLeisure)

Amber continues her jaunt in Fiji with a review of the Manava Resort (BeautyBloggingJunkie)

Already read all the books on JSG' Summer Beach Read list? Check out Parade's. (Parade)

Anthony Bourdain is in Cuba. Discover the country along with him. (Travel Channel)

Lenny Kravitz is designing suites for Miami's latest hot hotel (Hotel Chatter)

Country Necklaces

Maya Brenner, known for her state necklaces, recently expanded her jewelry collection to include a few countries. We particularly love Japan, which Rebecca Romijn helped design—100 percent of the proceeds benefit the Red Cross Relief Efforts in Japan.

The necklaces are available at MayaBrenner.com.

Halston at One and Only Resorts

One and Only resorts is continuing its program of partnering with designers for exclusive items available only at their hotels. (Remember these Louboutins?) Halston's Mario Schwab found inspiration for his dusty pink silk chiffon dress by imagining a sandy beach holiday, while French designer Maloles Antignac, known for her signature ballet flats, created these a limited edition line of her Isabella sandal in  pink and gold braided leather.

Both items are available exclusively at One and Only resort boutiques in the Maldives, Los Cabos Mexico and Mauritius.

Spring Street Jewelry and 25% Discount Offer

We stumbled across Spring Street jewelry this summer and were thrilled to see their impressive designs at such low prices. Our favorites are the Moroccan Beaded earrings with turquoise, coral, amethyst and pearl accents making these perfect for almost anything in the closet. They're also only $20, which is surprising since they are so substantial. Here they are on Olivia: 

Another piece we're gaga for is this Elephant Ring, which would look great with an arm load of bangles:

We're partnering with Spring Street to offer our readers a 25% discount if you use the code Jet Set Girls at checkout. See all their jewelry and the summer must-haves at SpringStreetDesign.com. Happy shopping!