A lot of women hate the S-word. You know… swimsuit. Shopping for them can be difficult and extremely frustrating.

However, knowing what type of suit works best for your shape can help take some of the stress out of finding that perfectly flattering bathing suit.

With that said, below you will find options for the most common body types to ensure your next bathing suit shopping trip is a success!

If you have a petite figure:

Try going with a vibrant color or delicate details. Having too many details could overwhelm your small frame, yet a solid color bathing suit can keep you from looking to little-girlish.

Also keep in mind, vertical seams lengthen the torso and draw attention upward.

If you happen to be a tad larger up top:

Patagonia Women’s Solid Bibiana Top, Patagonia,

Try a racer-back style swimsuit which will give you extra support, similar to that of a sports bra.

Ethnic Cody Bikini Top, FatFace,

Halter tops are another good option because they can provide the uplift and coverage you need without seeming too matronly. A top with a wide rib band is a good bet too.

If you happen to be a little smaller up top:

H&M Bikini Top, h&m.com,

A bathing suit with a scalloped neckline can give the illusion of cleavage or a ruffled bandeau-styled top visually give the illusion of more.

Lively prints disguise padding and adds some oomph to your small bust. A snug fit is key; a gaping top will only highlight what isn’t there.

For the women with some curves:

Polka-dot Ruched Underwire Tank, J.Crew,

A modest cut is your best option. Also, a body-hugging one piece can really sharpen your silhouette. Patterns are a good because it there is no real focal point to the suit.

Consider trying to find a suit with spandex or a supportive lining.

Also keep in mind, side ruching keeps love handles in check, while a halter top lifts and supports the girls.

If you have a larger bottom:

Diane Von Furstenberg Tiger Print High-Waisted Bikini Briefs, TheOutNet.com,

Above-the-waist design elements are a good option because they draw the eyes up , which is where you want them. Though try and avoid skimpy tops, which can make that fuller coverage below… more apparent.

Retro high waisted fits are a good option too, because the look helps nip in your waist.

Suits for Women Post Postpartum or Full-Tummied:

Tulle Draped Bandeau Tank, J.Crew, 5

Try a one piece in a dark color. It will help streamline your silhouette and smooth your tummy.

Pink Flower Print Tankini, WallisFashion,

If you just had a baby or have a little extra around your mid-section, tankini’s or one piece suits that show off your sides can be your best friend.

Since Myles was born, I always wanted to make him a book with pictures of our relatives that live in others states, so he could start to learn their names and recognize their faces.

I was going to create one myself, but thought if I actually had a book like this made professionally, not only would it be sturdier and hold up longer, but that it would be a good investment–something that we will look at and enjoy for years to come.

Luckily, I was able to find the perfect product: The Big Book of Names and Faces by Pinhole Press. I couldn’t believe I found exactly what I was looking for. That never happens!

The book is a little over 9″ by 10″ and has a cloth hardcover along with an image of your choice for the cover. The inside is spiral bound, making it easy for little ones to turn the pages. It contains 23 pages for pictures with the name of the people on the adjacent page in an easy-to-read font.

Because not everyone Myles is close to lives out of town, we also included pictures of his friends, our neighbors and pictures of our family. You create the book on the computer meaning it’s completely up to you what you want to add to the book.

It was like Christmas when I got this book in the mail! I was so excited to introduce it to my little book-loving 15 month old. Not only does it help him remember family but one day will help him with recognizing letters and spelling. But right now, he is in love with pointing out noses on each person in the book as well as himself.

To find out more about this book or to start creating one for your family, here is where you need to go.

There is no doubt that having a tan makes us feel better about ourselves. It makes us feel healthier, hotter and even makes us women feel like we appear thinner!

Basking in the sun isn't always an option and if you do it too much, you could be harming your skin. That is why many are turning to self tanners. There are no known adverse effects of using a self tanner and it lets you control the shade of your tan!

With that said, here are a few tips on applying self tanners:

Always prepare your skin before applying self tanner. What do I mean? Make sure you exfoliate, removing any dead skin. This will reduce your chances of getting orange-ish patches of color around your knees, elbows and heels.

Massage the self tanner into your skin in multiple directions. Even if it is a spray on type of self tanner, it is still a good idea to massage it into your skin so it applies evenly.

Self tanners work best when left on overnight. If you apply it in the morning, just make sure that you don't exercise or shower for at least a few hours. Sweat can make your self tan a hot mess (no pun intended)!

If you do accidentally end up with a streaky tan or discolored blotches, you can quickly fix your mishap using toner with astringent or toothpaste!

Make sure you pick the correct type of self tanner. They come in tinted gels, lotions, in an airbrush can and vary greatly in different shades. If you have light skin, I suggest using a tanner that gives you color gradually. If you have darker skin, I think it is safe to say you can go ahead and start with a medium to dark tanner. When in doubt, you can always mix the tanner with lotion first, then apply more tanner as needed.

Now, I bet you are ready to get your glow on, but don't know what tanner to choose. Right? No worries! Here are the top rated tanners on the market, ranging from .00 to a little over .00.

Loreal Sublime Glow for Face (Inexpensive)

Specifically designed for your face, this inexpensive gradual tanner was one of the top rated. Users found it best to apply the product over the course of a couple days so the tan gradually grows darker over time.

Jergen's Natural Glow (Inexpensive)

This is my personal favorite. I love that it gives me a gradual tan, because with fair skin, I think it would look strange to one day be five shades darker accompanied by an orange hue! It does have a self-tanner type smell...but for the price, I'm okay with it.

Victoria's Secret Self Tan Lotion with Tint (Medium Priced)

Holly Morgan, Q102 personality, claims this is her favorite self tanner. Not only does it give you an instant glow with a hint of shimmer, it also smells great!

Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Sunless Tanner (Medium Priced)

This tanner applies smoothly and was in the top rated tanners because it contains a color guard, which means it is tinted so you can see where you are applying it. I hear the smell has a slight hint of Amaretto. This tanner is best used for medium skin tones.

St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse (More Expensive)

Rated one of the top tanners, St. Tropez Bronzing mousse is known to stay on longer than most other tanners.

Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream (More Expensive)

Delicious? I am not really sure but I hear the scent is delectable. This self tanner is packed with Cocoa Butter and Aloe Vera, leaving your skin silky and smooth.

Guerlain Terracotta Spray (More Expensive)

Guerlain of Paris introduced one of the first bronzers in 1984 named "Terracotta". To this day, the brand Guerlain is still one of the top rated self tanning brands around. Users found that is dried very quickly and the color was quite natural with no orange hues.

As you are cleaning out your closet for spring, here are a few creative tips to keep everything clean, organized and in place.

Tip #1: If you have those shirts that no matter what you do, they continue to slip off the hanger, then this little DIY project is right up your alley!

This is really simple. All you have to do is “draw” zig-zags with a hot glue gun on the top of plastic hangers. I tried this project out last month and yes, it works! Who would have thought? As you can see in the picture above, my zig-zags aren’t perfect, but they sure do the trick!

Tip # 2: Make Shoe Storage from Wire Hangers

This idea I came across while browsing Pinterest. You can find the full tutorial on how to create these adorable flip flop hangers here.

Tip # 3: Make Pillowcase Garment Bags

Use old pillowcases as garment bags! Drape pillowcases on hangers over occasional-use items such as sweaters, throws, seasonal bedding or formal wear.

There are two ways in which you can create pillow case garment bags:

You can slit the seamed end of a pillow case, apply liquid stitching adhesive, then cover the opening with coordinating bias tape. Bias tape is available at most sewing stores. (I know Hobby Lobby has it).

Or, remove some of the stitches right at the center to create a one-inch-wide hole. Tack with needle and thread on either side of hole to reinforce stitching but also to keep it from opening further.

Tip #4: Create a Boot Tray

Line an inexpensive plastic serving tray with glass pebbles found at a craft store to create a boot tray. In the winter, ice and snow will melt and drain through the rocks and in the spring and summer months, you can put your kids muddy wet shoes in the tray to protect your floors from what would otherwise be a wet mess.

Tip #5: Recycle Old Paint Cans into Winter Storage

Tuck mittens,scarves and other accessories into wall-mounted paint cans to keep them neat and easily accessible for the entire family.

[Last three images courtesy of BHG.com]

If you are looking to start a new career, there is no better time than now to attend an open house at Lincoln College of Technology. Lincoln College of Technology is committed to providing students with the hands-on skills and training needed to succeed in the ever-changing employment landscape. Not only will they make sure you are fully prepared for every aspect of your career change, from the education to the training, but they’ll also help you feel confident when you start interviewing in your new field of expertise!

Have an interview coming up? Here are several tips to help you nail it:

Make sure you research the company. Don’t just check out their homepage online – really understand the company. What have they received? How long have they been in business? What projects have they completed that you admire? Showing interest in the company shows you also have interest in the available position.

Practice makes perfect! Or at the very least can help you be more prepared for your interview. Practice interviewing with a friend or family member. You can even record or videotape your responses and then replay them to see how well you did.

When it comes time to hand over your resume, you’ll want it to look its best. Have a few people check your resume for grammatical errors and spend the extra few cents to have it printed on resume-grade paper.

During the interview process, ask questions about the company. Have the interviewer explain the benefits, what your work schedule will look like and job requirements. This will not only show you are interested in the position, but you’ll also be better prepared for the position once you are hired.

Dress conservatively in clothing that fits well. If your clothing is a little too snug or the top of your shirt is cut a little too low, it could very easily distract from the interview.

After the interview, send a personal thank you note that is hand-written, thanking the interviewer for his or her time.

Preparing for an interview can be hard work. But with these tips and the support of Lincoln College of Technology, you can land the job you have always wanted.

To find out more about Lincoln College of Technology, I suggest you stop by one of their open houses:

May 9th at 10:00 AM in Cincinnati
[click here for details]

April 18th at 4:00 PM in Tri-County
[click here for details]

May 9th at 10:00 AM in Florence
[click here for details]

May 5th at 10:00 AM in Franklin
[click here for details]

When putting on your jewels to complete your ensemble, do you ever get stumped? I mean how much jewelry is too much, right? Especially when it comes to necklaces. There are so many different styles, lengths, colors and textures.

You’ve got the subtle necklaces such as dainty little chains with small pendants to crazy over-the-top bib necklaces that have more beads and jewels on it than you could count in one day. Finding the right necklace to accentuate your look can sometimes be complicated!

So with that said, here are a few tips to help you find the perfect necklace that not only looks fabulous but fits your personal style:

Consider the type of neckline your top has:

Both long “Y” shaped necklaces and short necklaces look great with V neck tops.

Take in to account the depth of your shirt, too. I like to always have necklaces stop just above the neckline of a shirt or at least a couple inches below so the necklace doesn’t get stuck in my shirt.

Scoop necklines look best with shorter necklaces.

Keep a simplistic neckline (sans the rouching or ruffles) if you plan on having your necklace as the focal point of your outfit.

Now that we have the necklines down, here are a few more tips on styling necklaces:

Go with a simple necklace if you are wearing a super busy or patterned top. Think a simple chain necklace with a small pendant.

If you are planning on wearing solid colors, wearing necklaces with multiple layers and colors could really brighten up what would be a rather dull outfit.

Layering necklaces is another option that really can make your look dazzle.

Another trend going on now is wearing mixed metals. Think bright silver with antiqued gold.

Make a statement by wearing a statement necklace and use it as the focal point of your look.

Sometimes plain old trial and error is the best way to decide what you feel comfortable wearing.

Just make sure you don’t try and pull off something crazy like this…unless you like that kind of thing!

If you haven’t checked out Fab.com, then you are definitely missing out! Filled with an abundance of great design at every price point, Fab.com is an e-commerce site focused on everything design; from sharing inspiration, selling well-designed items to discovering new brands and products.

Fab.com has items across all price points and also offers daily flash sales as well as longer-term curated sales based on specific themes.

To start, you will need to become a member, but it’s totally free and no different then logging onto any other shopping site.

[Click here to sign up]

Okay, so to get an idea of what types of products Fab.com has, I found my 7 favorite items that are currently for sale. But just like Etsy, items come and go fast!

I am in love with this Pop Goes the Phone, because I am forever hitting the mute button mid-conversation on my iPhone.

A company based right here in Cincinnati, Kavatee sells beautiful scarves and necklaces and when put together, make an absolutely stunning accessory!

These shakers are just about the coolest thing I’ve ever seen for a kitchen (aside from the voo-doo knife holder I have). And for , you can’t beat the price!

I like the idea behind the My Cuppa Tea Mug. You can get your tea right every time by using the guide on the inside of the cup. They had one for coffee, which I would prefer, but it was sold out.

How clever is this “Stichagram” Pillow?

Classic Customizable Playhouse. This would probably be the best spent, only if my toddler was just a little bit older.

Check out this water-powered alarm clock...just don’t forget to water it!

There are a lot of other items I am totally in love with, but you will just have to check them out for yourself by heading over to Fab.com!

Here is a great question I received from a reader and just like Nicole, I am sure a lot of us would love to pull off wearing sneakers more often. Yet, we aren’t willing to sacrifice style for comfort & support.

The question is:

My suggestion would be to pair sneakers, such as Keds or Converse, with other casual pieces and use other accessories such as jewelry to dress up your look. It is pretty easy to pull of sneakers if you are wearing denim shorts or jeans. However, if you are thinking about wearing a skirt and sneakers, there are many cute ways to do so.

Again, just make sure to add other casual elements to your look and I bet you’ll look just fabulous!

Below are four looks I found that include wearing sneakers that are absolutely adorable!

And if you still can’t get over wearing flat sneakers, there are other alternatives as well that can provide the comfort and support you may be looking for.

For example, today I decided to wear my comfy wedges paired with jeans. They are dressy enough for the office, but also have the support I want so I don’t go home with aching feet.

These Slip on Wedge DKNY Sneakers from Bloomingdales seem like they would still have the comfort desired, but with a little wedge heel to add some style.

Hope that helps and if you have any fashionable sneaker tips, please share with us!

[Images of fashion courtesy of lookbook.nu]

While we may be more than a couple months into 2012, it isn’t too late to fulfill your New Year’s resolution of starting a new career.But why stop there? Starting a new career can be a great way to give yourself a fresh new start, but what about your image?

Dressing for success can make all the difference. It will help you feel more confident about yourself and possibly even help you land that position you have been dreaming of!

Here are a few tips I have found to be helpful when it comes time to interview:

1. Dress conservatively. Watch out for tops that are cut too low. My suggestion is to wear a solid color, possibly a suit with coordinating accessories.

2. Make sure your clothing fits properly. Shirts that are cut too low or pants that may be a little too snug can detract from the interview and keep you fidgeting.

3. Skip the cologne or perfume. If you take a shower before your interview, there probably isn’t a need to douse yourself with cologne or perfume. Again, this is something that could potentially detract from your interview.

4. Limit the accessories. Having too many accessories layered on can look unprofessional. Try sticking to nude-colored heels and a small simple purse. Dainty and simple jewelry is probably a better solution than a pair of wild leopard print earrings.

5. Grooming is a must. Make sure your hair is neat, your panty hose don’t have any runs and your nail polish isn’t chipping. While these things may seem small, they can have a huge impact on a potential employer. Showing that you care about the way you look can show your soon-to-be-employer that you will care about the job.

6. Lastly, try on your interview outfit the night before. Does the outfit you chose look good on? Check the mirror to make sure everything fits properly. That will be one less thing you will have to worry about the day of your interview.

Ready to put these tips to good use? First, start training for a new career with Lincoln College of Technology! Lincoln is hosting several open houses around the area – check them out to see all the exciting places a new career can take you.

Here are the details:

Open House at Tri-County campus – April 4th at 4:00 PM
Open House at Cincinnati campus – April 11th at 3:00 PM
Open House at Florence campus – April 11th at 3:00 PM
Open House at Franklin campus – April 14th at 10:00 AM

Remember, it’s never too late to start training for a new career and bring out the new you!

Shopping for clothing can be quite the hassle and can leave you frustrated and empty handed. But accessories on the other hand, are not only a lot easier to shop for, come in every style but are a much more practical way to update your look.

With that said, here is this spring’s list of top ten accessories that are cute, trendy and very affordable!

Layered Bracelets: The more the merrier!

Bracelets on left: 28 Textured Metal Bracelets, Dorthy Perkins, (yes !)
Bracelet on right: Pieces Glippa Set Of Six Bracelets, Asos, .11

Feather Accessories

Feather and Shell Necklace, Mango,
Beads Feather Linear Earrings, Wetseal, .50
Crimson Feather Earrings, FENNOfashion, .50

Neon Trimmed Purses

Hit the Dance Floor Clutch, Mod Cloth, .99
Xhilaration Green Burlap Bag, Target, .99

Large Carry-All Bags

RVCA River Tote, Swell,
Bueno Rouched Handbag, Target, .99

Colorful Sunglasses

ASOS Mega Oversized 70′s Sunglasses,
KY Punky Sunglasses, Nordstrom,

Stone Jewelry

White Druzy Agate Cuff, Charm and Chain,
Knox Cave Necklace, Anthropologie,
Gold Tone Green Ring, Lucky Brand at Macy’s,

Wedge Sandals

Promise Shoes Hakken in Rainbow, Heels.com, .99
Rampage Benson Wedge Sandal, .95

Colorful Shoes

Lina Woven Ballet Flats, Tom’s,
Wing and Flair Heel, ModCloth, .99
Women’s Mossimo D’Orsay Peep Toe Pump in Red, Target, Sale, .48

Big Earrings

Large Yellow Metal Teardrop Chandelier Earrings, Fantasy Jewelry Box,
Nine West Earrings, Large Colorblock Drops, Macy’s,

Floral Clips

H&M Hair Clip/Brooch, .16
Beige Rose and Feather Clip, Wallis,