Travel Trends Event in NYC

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Recently, I attended an event in NYC hosted by MomTrends. As the PaddlePak Ambassador, you know I had to be there or be square (and honestly, how cute are those watertight backpacks?)

I was also a MiracleSuit swimwear model (I know, bringing sexy back, summer-style) just to round things out a bit. I had my hair done by the one of the stylists at Butterfly Studio while there, and I must say my locks gave the poor man a hard time. I had just landed home hours before, and my hair was a hot mess. It’s usually a bit iffy later in the day, since I don’t use product and I’m not what you’d call a vain woman (cough- see “very low maintenance” to put it nicely) but you know what travel does to your hair, yeah? Blah. I washed it before I got on the flight, but apparently that didn’t help much. Poor fella, he did his best, and I was in that seat longer then any three other women combined, LOL. Gotta give him an A for effort!

I didn’t get a chance to talk to everyone in the room, since I was busy with the PaddlePaks and also with the MiracleSuit fun. I have to say, I love my suit as well. I didn’t initially think I’d love this particular style or cut, nor the cover up in the same exact print (seemed like too much) but I was really wrong. The girls were kept in place, I loved the print once it was on (and like so many things, you need to try it before you decide if you like it!) and it was slimming. Most importantly (for me) is the fact that it kept my girls up where they needed to be and inside the suit the whole time.

You might be thinking “so? You were just walking around a room, how hard was that suit working?” I will give you that- which is why I waited an extra week before writing this post. I wore that suit nearly every day on my trip to Cancun this week, including horseback riding (where it preformed under EXTREME duress), pools, saunas, whirlpools, the ocean, and a cenote swim. I’d say it quite earned the 5 star rating I’m giving it. Plus? I just feel pretty in it. I was the only “model” who was plus sized- and I worked what the Good Lord and carbs gave me. Sexy comes in every size, you better believe it. No matter what size you are, you deserve to look and feel good, which is why I say you will love MiracleSuit.

Paddlepak- well, you know I love those, and we have taken them everywhere all summer long. I’m sure you have read my numerous reviews, tweets, and facebook posts about them, so I won’t talk too much about them. I will mention that there are new, larger sizes (available in whale and shark) with room for more or larger things, and a spot for bathing suits to sit inside. There are also new Jellyfish bags, perfect for holding your camera, phone, or miscellaneous smaller items that you don’t want to get wet, yet still want to bring to the pool, as well as a small “crabby” Crab shaped change purse (which is the perfect size for holding cash and a room key). It clips to any of the PaddlePaks or any other bag you might choose to carry. Love these- you will too. They are perfect for all sorts of travel, especially the wet kind.

Here are some hair care tips from Kattia Solano, expert stylist & founder of Butterfly Studio Salon on how to achieve effortless beach waves, a top trend to get you through the hot summer days.

Kattia Solano’s Step-By-Step Guide to Easy, Carefree Beach Waves

1. Shampoo and condition with a moisturizing shampoo that’s not too smoothing like Rahua to promote natural texture. Leave a dime size drop of conditioner in the hair.

2. Comb through with a detangling brush (the Tangle Teezer is the most gentle on the hair – great for kids too!) and wrap towel around hair to absorb moisture for about 10 minutes.

3. Gently apply a leave-in conditioner like Shu Uemura “Essence Absolue Cream” to nourish and protect hair. Follow with a styling product that gives a little hold. My favorite for a curly look is Oribe’s “Cream for Style” to give curls definition.

4. Set with pins to create waves and a huge pin curl. Allow to dry as long as you can naturally. If not, use a hair dryer on the lowest setting.

5. Now the fun part – release pins and use a texturizing spray generously from roots to ends. For me it’s all about spray “Après Beach” by Oribe. Don’t forget to flip your head over and spray the underneath area.

6. Gently tousle hair and shake your waves out to create more volume. Done!