My best dressed ladies of the night are… Helen Mirren, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams, Diane Kruger and Meryl Streep! As for my least favorites, I’m sorry in advance to Mariah Carey, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Kendrick and Mariska Hargitay. I would say more but I was taught if you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.

The Best

The Worst

Who were your favorites and least favorites of the night? What did you think about Saldana’s lavender frock?

*All images were pulled from JustJared and People Style Watch

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There are numerous over-the-counter medicines to take for outdoor allergies, but I try not to take medicines when at all possible, so last year I was happy to learn about a natural allergy relief remedy.  While at the farmers’ market at Mockingbird Station, I met a local beekeeper who somehow convinced me that putting bee pollen in my food (I mainly put it in oatmeal, yogurt and tea) would help my allergies. I was a bit skeptical at first but what he had to say really made sense. He told me by ingesting the pollen produced by bees in and around my zip code, that my body would become immune and my allergies would be less severe.

I have to say that after incorporating the pollen into my food my allergies did ease up a bit. I am not sure if this was a mental thing or if it actually worked but it is definitely worth a try for anybody out there suffering from outdoor allergies like me.

What do you take for your allergies? Have you learned of any other natural remedies to reduce outdoor allergies?

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“When I heard that we were getting calls and e-mails from women asking if they can wear SPANX under their swimsuits, the visual of those tan lines was something I couldn’t bear!” said Spanx founder, Sarah Blakely.

Spanx offers a variety of styles varying from stylish one-pieces and tankinis to bikinis and swim dresses; and they all feature runway-influenced details like swim velvet tiers and ruching to keep you on the fashion forefront. The one-piece styles offer a lightweight inner body shaper that flattens the tummy, smoothes the back and slims love handles, and all of the suits are constructed with a luxuriously soft, premium Italian jersey fabric. They also feature perfectly molded cups, which can also be removed, with soft adjustable straps to offer an ample amount of breast support.

I have yet to try on Spanx swimsuits but here are a few of my favorite styles from the site:

The full collection is now available on spanx.com and will be at the following retailers by mid-February: Saks Fifth Avenue & Saksfifthavenue.com, Neimanmarcus.com, Bloomingdale’s & Bloomindgales.com, Dillard’s, Belk, Lord and Taylor, Von Maur, and Victoriassecret.com. Select styles available in sizes: 4-16, ranging from $186-$226. Color offerings include: Black, Flamingo, Chocolate, Pool, Teal, and SPANX Red.

You can also read about Spanx swimwear from a mom’s perspective here!

What is your favorite style? Would you be willing to pay Spanx hefty price tag in order to feel slim and trim by the water?

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REVALÉSKIN decided to incorporate this powerful extract in their skin care line in order to revitalize aging skin, defend against everyday environmental stressors (e.g. sun, wind, pollution) and even out skin tone. REVALÉSKIN has five products as of yet but my favorite is the Intense Recovery Treatment. It has the most potent concentration of the super-antioxidant CoffeeBerry extract and helps hydrate my extremely dry skin. It has been said that REVALÉSKIN is a great alternative to Kinerase and Prevage, and also works well with Retin-A.

Seen in this month’s issue of InStyle Magazine, REVALÉSKIN Intense Recovery Treatment is a must have for light skinned people who want to even out their skin tone and combat the damaging effects of the sun.

Become a fan of Confessions of a Plastic Surgeon’s Daughter on Facebook to receive 10% off all REVALÉSKIN products at the English Surgi-Spa. Order by calling 501-227-9556 and ask for Stefany.

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The hair salon is a place where most frequent often and usually go to the same stylist time and time again, but have you ever thought about the proper salon etiquette?  I went to the salon yesterday to get my hair highlighted and cut and asked my stylist, Tuan, if he would help me write a blog post about salon etiquette.  He was happy to help so we brainstormed some common questions/misconceptions people have pertaining to salon etiquette and answered them below.

Every time I go to the salon I always wonder if I am leaving enough tip?  How much do I leave the sweet lady that always washes my hair and is fond of cute purses?  Is it okay if I’m running 5 minutes late?  All of my questions were answered and then some.  I hope this helps next time you go to the salon and I would love to hear your questions and crazy salon stories!

What is the appropriate amount to tip your stylist?

Typically about 10%-20% is an appropriate amount.  If you are just getting a haircut then 15%-20% is standard, but if you are getting color services along with a cut then it is appropriate to leave 10%-15%.

What is the appropriate amount to tip your stylist’s assistant?

If the assistant is doing a shampoo then $2-$3 is appropriate.  If they are assisting with your color as well then you should tip $5.  Just keep in mind to always try and leave more than $1.

Do you tip the salon owner or just your stylist?

If the salon owner is also your stylist, then you should still tip as if they were not the owner.  Some people think that because their stylist is also the owner of the salon that they do not need to be tipped because they are receiving all the profit and not just a commission.  However, they are providing valuable services and their time so they should receive the same benefits as the other stylists in the salon.

Is it impolite not to converse with your stylist while they are doing your hair?

Absolutely not.  Stylists understand that it is a relaxing time for their client and he or she should not be worried about carrying on a conversation.  They also know that getting your hair done can take a big portion out of your day and you may need to work on something while at the salon.

Is it appropriate to bring pets?

It is not appropriate to being pets to a salon because of sanitation reasons, even if your pet is small.  The state board can penalize the salon if there are any animals there.  However, if you have a dog for handicap purposes then it is okay to bring it in.

Is it rude to eat while your stylist is doing your hair?

It is not rude but it is a nice gesture to bring something small for your stylist if you are bringing in food for yourself.  You must remember that due to people being late sometimes stylists may not be able to grab a bite to eat in between clients.

How do you approach your stylist about disliking your cut/color?

This is a tough one.  If you are not happy with your cut or color then it is your responsibility to voice your feelings, but you must do it in a polite manner.  It is also your stylist’s responsibility to fix what you do not like and either deeply discount your service or not charge you at all.  On the other hand, you have to be aware that sometimes a cut or color you want might not work with your hair type, so sometimes it may vary a bit from a photo or idea you had.

How late is too late?

Anything passed 15 minutes is too late.  Also, if you are going to be late and you call ahead to say you are not going to be on time then it is necessary to be honest with the exact time of your arrival in order for the stylist to prepare accordingly.  If you are more than 20 minutes late then everybody’s appointments for the rest of the day will be behind.

What is the proper lead-time for cancelling an appointment?

Typically 24 hours before your appointment.  If you have an appointment in the evening and you cannot make it then call as early as you can that morning.

If your salon serves alcohol then how much is too much?

Anything more than one glass of wine is too much.  The idea behind salons offering wine is to relax you – not get you tipsy/drunk.  However, if you are attending a party at a salon then feel free to consume the same amount of alcohol you would consume at any party you attend.

If you have any more salon etiquette quesions just ask them below and I will get them answered!

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Kate Hudson can really rock out a backless gown. Remember that beautiful yellow gown from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days? I liked that dress so much that I wore a version of it by Dina Barel to my high school prom and I will be keeping my eyes peeled for a version of this dress as well.

As for the others, a few of my other favorites were Penelope Cruz, Drew Barrymore, Diane Kruger and Kyra Sedgwick. If you missed the awards then you can see the looks here!

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The following recipe is my favorite healthy dip from Ellie’s cookbook. The dip is not only a great source of fiber and protein, but it’s also super simple to make.  One serving size consists of ¼ cup of hummus and 4 pita chips, which is perfect for a mid-afternoon snack.  Each serving has 195 calories, 12G fat, 6G protein, 18G carbohydrates and 3.5G fiber.  This would be a great dip to make at upcoming Super Bowl parties and nobody will even suspect they are getting some nutrition into their systems while watching the game!

Ingredients

2 cups shelled edamame, cooked according to package directions

1 cup silken tofu, briefly drained of excess liquid

½  teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

3 cloves garlic

¼  cup olive oil

1/3 cup lemon juice, plus more, to taste

1 ½  teaspoons cumin, plus more, for garnish

Directions

Set 1 tablespoon of edamame aside for a garnish. Place the rest of the edamame, tofu, salt, garlic, oil, lemon juice, and 1 ½ teaspoons cumin in the bowl of a food processor and process until very smooth – about 2 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper, plus more lemon juice, if desired. Remove to a serving bowl and garnish with reserved edamame, and some cumin.

Print the recipe card here!

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Chapel of Love is the perfect color and it typically stays on until taken off, which is usually about 3-4 weeks. The best part is that you can buy it at Target. Seriously, who knew you could get OPI at Target?! However, if you prefer to shop online then you can also get it here for the bargain price of $5.49. Not sure what color you want and don’t think Chapel of Love is for you? You can always go to OPI’s web site and try colors on your virtual hand to see what fits your skin tone and nail length best!

What is your favorite color? Do you prefer OPI or Essie?

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We live in a society that has rather large midriffs.  There are two basic reasons for this: fat and a relaxed abdominal wall.  The fat is located not only on the outside of the belly wall, which can be treated with liposuction, but it is also found on the inside of the tummy wall where the intestines are located.  This depository of fat can only be reduced by exercise and diet.  The other scenario for a protruding abdomen is the relaxation of the muscular wall.  In women, this often exists from the belly button downward and is usually attributable to pregnancies.  In men, it is found from the belly button upwards and exists when the six-pack muscles separate either from over exertion and/or a rather large collection of inward fat.  This deformity is often worse after a large meal when the belly is even more protrusive because the muscular wall is not strong enough to hold the stomach in after having been filled.  The surgical redress for these issues are either liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and /or both.  In my practice, I prefer to liposuction the fat from around the abdomen and flanks followed several months later with an abdominoplasty where the stretched tissues are put back together.  Regardless, the goal for either gender is a smaller waist and a flatter tummy.  When indicated, staging the procedures by removing the fat first with liposuction and tightening the abdominal wall and skin later gives the very best results.

If you have any questions then you can submit them here.

*Image taken from Google Images

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