All this warm weather and strong rays of sunshine have gotten us oh-so ready for the shift in seasons! My suggestions for when the mercury rises? Keep close to a pool, seek refuge by a cooling fan, and stay out of a steamy kitchen. Above all else, remember that icy cocktails, light meals, and frosty desserts are the best remedy for sizzling days. Here are a handful of favorite ideas! What's your favorite thing to chow down on when it's hot outside?
I don't know about you, but I've still got a hangover of sorts from the massive amount of good food I ate this Memorial Day weekend. On Friday, I hit up the San Francisco Michelin-starred La Folie lounge, where I grazed all night on truffled popcorn, smoked salmon lollipops, and lobster mac and cheese. Saturday morning was the perfect day for a long city stroll and some dim sum, which I paired with milk tea tapioca. On Sunday, I cooked up pasta with kale and walnut pesto, and on the Memorial Day holiday itself, the grill was my friend. We chowed down on curry-spiced burgers with cucumber yogurt and a side of Guy Fieri's four-bean relish. It was my first Guy Fieri recipe, and I'm happy to say that it turned out to be a solid one.
What did you eat over the long holiday weekend?
Over Memorial Day weekend, the stars enjoyed many fun-filled activities and all the while looked super stylish while doing them. Kate Beckinsale attended a party in Malibu looking crisp in all white with pops of bright colors; Taylor Swift was cute in LA wearing Current/Elliott polka-dot jeans and her red velvet loafers; and Olivia Palermo strolled NYC in a pair of printed origami Parker shorts. Check out these ladies and many more top looks from Memorial Day weekend. Then shop their fabulous looks, including 11 exact pieces!
The long Memorial Day weekend has come to a close, but we can still reminiscence on our days in the sun with these beauty shots from our latest Instagram challenge. From neon nail polish and lips to bountiful waves and braids too, thank you for sharing your vacation with us.
Source: Instagram Users silbarrick, fitfabcities, kristinbrophy, nikkisoda
Happy Memorial Day! We know you're kicking off this Summer in style, so don't forget to send us your beauty-related pictures today for our latest Instagram challenge. We want to see your eccentric nail art, braided hairstyles, colorful makeup, and favorite sunny season-inspired products. Just upload an image via Instagram, and tag it #bellamemorialbeauty, and we'll round up our favorites tomorrow. We can't wait to see your summery snaps.
And in case you're not already, please be sure to follow us on Instagram (@BellaSugar), too.
If you'd like to honor the men and women who have served our country or are in the process of doing so, one way of giving back is to donate to a charity that supports our troops. Many military charities exist, but these five have been rated as some of the most efficient organizations. Can't afford to donate? Visit your local veteran's hospital for volunteer opportunities.
We're happy to present this excerpt from one of our favorite sites, YourTango. Today, we have some thoughts on vacation sex.
Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, ladies and gentlemen — 'tis the season to wear white jeans, indulge in a back yard barbeque and, of course, go on vacation.
Speaking of vacation, traveling can be quite the romantic experience. Sure, there is likely plenty of nagging, awkward sunburns and uncomfortable TSA frisking associated with getaways, but there's lots of sex involved, too, say the survey aficionados at Zoosk. They picked the brains of 1,500 Americans for their thoughts on travel, romance and — of course — sex.
Zoosk found that 69 percent of men and 72 percent of women think having sex while on vacation is better than doing it at home. Is sun and sand the reason we're so turned on while at the beach? Or, perhaps, the musty smell of a muggy hotel room in the Caribbean? Sadly, those questions aren't answered, but there's plenty to learn about the best — and worst — of couples vacations.
Getting there. As relaxing as lying on a beach with a cocktail in hand sounds, the preparation for vacation can cause copious amounts of stress, especially for couples. One-third of Americans worry that they'll be selected for an additional pat down (or worse) by the TSA before takeoff.
Where to go. The beach was the most popular destination for a romantic getaway, with 22 percent of the vote. A romantic city (Paris comes to mind) came in second with 19 percent, with cruises and "exotic, far-flung locales" tied at third with 15 percent each. Other romantic destinations included bed and breakfasts and camping, but we're having trouble associating the "best sex ever" with mosquito bites getting in the way.
For the rest of the article, head to YourTango: Hello, Memorial Day: Vacation Sex Is The Best Sex, Says America
Written by Lydia Belton for YourTango.
More from YourTango:
If you're still not sure what to wear to your Memorial Day barbecue (hey, it happens), just cull some style inspiration from Olivia Palermo. The socialite was snapped out and about in NYC looking chic, Summery, and perfect for a daytime celebration. We honestly can't decide what we love more about Olivia's ensemble — from her sweet printed shorts to her silky V-neck blouse, right down to her red flats and beachy-cool Gerard Darel bag, her outfit is polished yet laid-back, a subtle nod to Americana and, best of all, totally easy to replicate for your big BBQ. To copy her look, just start with a pair of navy-and-red printed shorts then tuck in a cream-colored blouse and cinch it at the waist with a skinny brown belt. Add accessories like a cool crochet bag, sleek red flats, and tortoiseshell Wayfarers. Click through the widget below to shop similar pieces now — and Happy Memorial Day!
As always, when it's time for a holiday weekend, everyone's looking forward to the extra day off — as well as the sales and discounts. Memorial Day is no different. Although we've given you the lowdown on which products you should keep an eye out for, here are a couple of great sales going on:
Memorial Day is a great weekend to kick off the beginning of Summer. Keep the barbecue healthy by offering nutritious options that are low in calories. From a potato salad without mayo, to a guacamole made with edamame, these delicious dishes have something for everyone.
Side Salads
 Israeli Couscous With Tomato, Feta, and Mint |
 Sweet and Sour Cucumbers |
 Potato Salad With Cornichons and Capers |
Dips
 Edamole |
 Black Bean Veggie Dip |
 Mango Red Pepper Salsa |
Skewers
 Grilled Chicken Skewers |
 Fruit Kebabs |
 Mango Grilled Shrimp |
Vegetarian Fare
 Grilled Veggie Pizza |
 Portobello Mushroom Burgers |
 Grilled Tofu |
What will you be serving or taking to your Memorial Day barbecue?
Source: Flickr User avlxyz
