Summer Paradise Colors ~ Harpers Bazaar Mexico

I love bold, exciting beach color!

Barbara Fiahlo for Harpers Bazaar Mexico

Photographer Danny Cardozo 

hits the beach with model Barbara Fiahlo

for the new issue of Harpers Bazaar Mexico

for a vibrant, exciting story featuring swimwear 

and beach coverups styled by Danny Santiago.

Colors of Summer, Harpers Bazaar Mexico

Don't you just love the chunky jewelry?

And such gorgeous makeup by Euridice Martin

Colors of Summer, Harpers Bazaar Mexico

Colors of Summer, Harpers Bazaar Mexico

Colors of Summer, Harpers Bazaar Mexico

Colors of Summer, Harpers Bazaar Mexico

Colors of Summer, Harpers Bazaar Mexico

Sicilian Obsession ~ Taormina

To say that I have become obsessed with the glorious island of Sicily would be an understatement.
I think at this point, after a life filled with international travel, Sicily may just be my absolute favorite place in the world.

Its got it all.
Spectacular beauty, mind bending historical sites, wines to die for, the best food in the world, and the loveliest, friendliest, most fun people you will ever meet.
(except at Catania airport. Those folks weren't much fun).

One of my favorite places to visit there is beautiful Taormina.

The sun coming up over beautiful Taormina

Located between Messina and Catania on the east coast of Sicily, majestically perched up high on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, picturesque Taormina reigns supreme.
Walking through the beautiful streets of tiny Taormina you'll rub shoulders with movie stars, musicians & jet setters, all of whom love the art, restaurants, shopping and history that envelope you.

shopping streets in Taormina

Taormina

Taormina

The views in any direction are breathtaking.

Taormina views

One of the most magnificent historical sites is the Teatro Greco, thought to have been built around 750 BC, by the Greeks, (who loved to place their theaters on sites with awe inspiring views) and later added to by the Romans.

Teatro Greco by night

You can walk all through the theater which is remarkably well preserved.
During June the Taormina Film Festival is held in the theater, and throughout the year various operatic and theatrical performances are staged at this mesmerizing venue.

setting up the screen for the Taormina Film Festival at the Teatro Greco

Connected by a funicular, below Taormina are the beaches of Taormina Mare and the lovely Isola Bella, where you can stretch out in the sun on the public beaches, or lie out on sunchairs at the private lidos, and swim in the warm and intensely blue waters of the Ionian Sea.

Isola Bella, Taormina

Taormina Mare and Isola Bella

Make sure you take time to enjoy the local wines and the unbelievably fabulous local cuisine.

I can't wait to go back....

Ocean Dream ~ Gioia Magazine

I'm still in beach mode.

So I've got swimwear on my mind.

Yulia Terentieva for Gioia Magazine

Check out these fabulous shots from Italian fashion bible, Gioia.

Lensed by Alvaro Beamud Cortes

Demi Lovato Sizzles in Canada's Fashion Magazine

Check out Demi Lovato in the August 2013 issue

of Canada's Fashion Magazine!

 

Demi Lovato in Fashion Magazine

The singer/songwriter/X Factor judge

looks sensational. I had no idea that she was so stunning!

Lensed by Chris Nicholls.

Check out the article in Fashion Magazine here

The Last Siren ~ Vogue Latin America

Samantha Gradoville gets super-siren-sexy

in the June issue of Vogue Latin America.

la ultima sirena, Vogue Mexico

Beautifully bronzed by makeup artist Alexa Rudulfo

Gradoville is luminous as she moves through

metallic swimwear and fashion,

styled by VittoriaCerciello.

Lensed by Thomas Cooksey

La Ultima Sirena

Vogue Mexico June 2013

La Ultima Sirena, Vogue Mexico

La Ultima Sirena, Vogue Mexico

V

La Ultima Sirena, Vogue Mexico

La Ultima Sirena, Vogue Mexico

La Ultima Sirena, Vogue Mexico

How To Get A Perfect Professional Spray Tan

As much as I love being outdoors all summer, and adore a golden glow, 
I am always coated in the highest SPF I can get my hands on.
Melanoma and premature aging are both so very non-sexy.

However, unless you are Nicole Kidman or Casper The Friendly Ghost, being preternaturally pale isn't super flattering either.

So the best option for a realistic and beautifully even tan is to get a fake bake. But anyone who has stood naked in a machine spray booth, or who uses self tanners knows that it is more likely that you will get a streaky, uneven mess than a perfect tan. So your best bet is to follow in the footsteps of almost every celebrity and have a professional airbrush spray tan.

Here are 5 easy steps to help you get the perfect professional airbrush tan:

image via butterfliesandbikinis.com

1.) Prepare ahead.
The morning of your appointment use a non oily exfoliant in the shower. Buff away all the dry skin, paying extra attention to the elbows, knees, ankles and feet. Your neck, chest and shins need to be super smooth too.
Use a good shaving foam and get the closest shave possible.
Don't forget you face - use a gentle facial exfoliant ( I prefer enzyme masks) to make sure your skin is soft, supple and baby smooth.

2.) Dress The Part.
Wear something loose that won't crease against your newly tanned skin. Save your gorgeous lingerie for another day - although most tanning products will wash out its better to be safe than sorry.
If you're aiming for no tan lines and want booty-liscious perfection, plan on going commando after your tan.
Airbrush tans take a few hours to develop, so take every precaution to prevent creasing.

3.) Stay In The Holding Pattern
My dear friend airbrush tanner extraordinaire, Sarah San Marco says its best to stay put infront of the fan for a few extra minutes to make sure you are absolutely dry before dressing

4.) Make It Last.
Once you are all the way dry, try to avoid putting on anything tight or clingy. Ideally a loose, dark colored dress. Try to not let your skin get wet for the next 8 hours if you can- typically the tan will keep processing and developing for 6 to 8 hours. (at the 8 hour point I look borderline Jamaican)
Once you've been ok'd to shower the excess will come away and you will be left with your gorgeous perfect tan.
Maintain your tan by using body lotion after you shower everyday. Some tanning techs will give you some tan product to add to your moisturizer to boost your tan, or will advise you as to which self tanning creams are the best to extend the life of your tan.

Emily Senko for L'Officiel Turkey

Emre Guven lensed this fabulous tribute to playing dress up

for L'Officiel Turkey's May 2013 issue.

 

Emily Senko by Emre Guven for L'Officiel Turkey

Model Emily Senko dresses up in eastern inspired ensembles

brought to life impeccably by makeup artist Ali Riza Ozdemir.

Fanciful Playdate