Meg Donohue is a freelance writer, editor, and blogger. She shares her love of all things stylish – from interior design to fashion to travel – in a host of national magazines and websites, including StyleHive.com, Shelterrific.com, and HeliumReport.com. She also writes StyleSavestheWorld.com, a guide to chic, green living.
Admit it: You’re a tried-and-true multi-tasker. There is no errand so complex that you can’t simultaneously catch up with your besties on your cell phone. You’ve bought shoes while rehashing last night’s date on your phone, tried on sunglasses while making dinner plans with three friends across town, and picked out your new iPhone...while gabbing on your old iPhone. So you know that few things are as frustrating as helplessly watching your phone battery die a speedy death as you chat your way around town. Chic, solar bags to the rescue! Solar bags use the sun’s energy--those sweltering summer days are good for something!--To recharge cell phones and computers, even when you’re on the go. Swing one of these stylish numbers on your shoulder and you’ll never be faced with the horror of old fashioned single-tasking again. Click on the SLIDESHOW to check them out!
If you’re looking for a way to turn your plain ol’ outdoor space into a hip gathering spot for evening parties that last well into the wee hours, look no further than fire pits. Not only do fire pits provide warmth once the sun sets, their attractive glow and crackling sound effects set the mood better than any other outdoor living accessory. Plus, they come in a wide array of designs and styles, from modern to Asian to rustic. The cherry on top? A lot of fire pits double as grills, which means you’ll be bringing home some serious two-for-one summer fun. Hive Tip: Don’t have room for a full-fledged fire pit? Invest in some small gel-fire burners - they’re the sleek, grown-up version of tiki torches and provide bigger flames than candles!
As every stylish gal knows, lighting is everything. Skin never looks as flawless, eyes never as sparkly, necks never as slender as in the forgiving glow of candles, lanterns, and other outdoor lights. Perfect lighting can transform any outdoor space into a magical spot for a meal, party, or romantic tête-à-tête. From modern, light-up cube stools to festive string lights to Greek Isle-worthy lanterns, check out my slideshow for lighting ideas that’ll keep you and your outdoor space looking sexy into the wee hours of the night.
As you soak up the rays during another glorious beach day, why not do your part for the planet to ensure the beach can be enjoyed by generations of ocean lovers in the years ahead? From your beach bag to your sandals to your cover-up, you can easily and stylishly greenify every single part of your beach experience. Look for beach totes, towels, cover-ups, and bikinis made with organic cotton (about 25% of the world’s pesticides come from non-organic cotton farms) or recycled materials like these prepster-chic Ella Vickers bags made with recycled sails. Save your skin and your body, as well as the planet, with mineral sunscreen (as opposed to chemical sunscreen which is thought to be less effective and interfere with hormones). And don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle! Those disposable plastic bottles wreak havoc on the environment - and that’s something no true beach bunny could condone!
When it comes to shopping, I’m not usually a creature of habit—I tend to shop when and where the mood strikes. I do, however, have three annual fashion traditions: I always buy something new to wear on my birthday and New Year’s Eve (something about turning over a new leaf, I suppose), and I always buy a new bikini in the summer. This year, in the spirit of saving the world while perfecting my tan, I’m stoked to see there are lots of “green” bikinis on the market. Bikini designers are using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, bamboo, soy, and even factory surplus materials from a factory that made Olympic speed skater outfits! I’m glad to see someone’s thinking about responsible beach fun, complete with cute side-ties and ruffles! Check out my SLIDESHOW of 6 eco-friendly bikinis and hit the beach in savvy style…
Nothing pulls together an outfit like great jewelry - gold bangles transform an otherwise boring sun dress into a boho glam look, a great necklace punches up even a plain black tank top, and oversized earrings make a 10-second ponytail look like a chic updo. But sometimes when shopping for your next signature piece it’s all too easy to forget that metals and jewels are not always mined with the best interests of the environment and local community in mind. Luckily, the trend toward all things green has brought with it a slew of fabulous eco-conscious jewelry designers who work with recycled, vintage, reclaimed, and Fair Trade materials and often donate a portion of sales to worthy charities. So take a look at my slideshow of eco-conscious jewelry - you just might see the green bling of your dreams!
City dwellers - New Yorkers, in particular - are remarkably adept at making even the tiniest of studio apartments look chic. With just the right balance of calm neutrals, surprising pops of color and perfectly sized pieces, a one-room flat can become a jewel box worthy of a four-page spread in any design mag. The key, of course, is finding furniture that fits the space and achieves that all-important blend of functionality and style. Some tips? A round table allows for lots of seating even in small spaces. Forget the bulky armchairs and look for slipper chairs that provide all the comfy upholstery without the heft of space-gobbling arms. And a sleek Parsons mini-desk can pull double duty as a hall console for keys and mail and a home for your laptop. For more small space pieces, check out my SLIDESHOW!
Apartment dwellers, rejoice! Gone are the days when a sofa bed meant yanking some ridiculously heavy bed frame out of the pits of an uncomfortable sofa - and good riddance. These days, far more user-friendly concepts like the day bed and futon are getting modern makeover from the likes of Design Within Reach, Urban Outfitters and even my fave place for inexpensive finds—World Market! These sleek pieces will give you extra seating and a comfy place for guests to rest their heads. Check out my slideshow for eight convertible sofa beds that’ll give your apartment smart 2-for-1 style!
Who says a home has to be sleek and minimalist to be cool? Sometimes there’s nothing more stylish, cozy, and, yes, ironically hip, than some funky, old school home accessories that would make grandma proud. Scouring flea markets, Craigslist, and eBay are great ways to dig up unique treasures, but the grandma-chic look can also be found in brand-new products from glossy black tea sets to throw-back floral duvet covers to plush rocking chairs! For contemporary finds that’ll give you that grandma-chic style, check out the slideshow!
Ever notice that baby showers have more ladies saying “awww” than “ha-ha”? Sure, babies and their clothes are tiny and cute and precious, but who said they can’t be funny too? At long last, onesies that give voice to baby’s inner comic are pushing their way into a market known for bows, ruffles, and the all-American white, pink, and blue. My personal fave? The “Nobody puts baby in the corner” onesie. Cuz who doesn’t love a well-placed Dirty Dancing reference? C’mon, baby mama, don’t be a downer! Check out my SLIDESHOW of the seven funniest onesies in the Hive!
Etsy, oh, Etsy, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1) I love that you let me hang amazing, unique artwork on my walls without emptying my wallet. 2) I love that through you I’m able to support up-and-coming artists from all over the world. 3) I love that you introduced me to fabulous, budget-minded photographers like Hilary Hitchcock and Alicia Bock. For a peek at inexpensive prints--all $35 or under!--of 6 of the coolest photographers selling their art on Etsy, check out my slideshow!
If you’re a voracious reader like yours truly, your house is probably equally overrun with mad piles of magazines and books. Though I like that “library” look of walls of books, I still want our home to have an uncluttered modern look. So, what’s a book lover to do? Hunt out cool shelving units that will display your books in new and interesting ways...like these attention-grabbing floating shelves from Umbra or the fabulous vertical shelf from West Elm! Another tip? Group books by the color on their spine - the blocks of color will add a great pop to any room! Check out my SLIDESHOW for more unique shelving ideas.
It’s the oldest story in the world: woman and man meet, fall in love, co-habitate, fight about furniture. Figuring out how to decorate an apartment in a way that will appeal to the sensibilities of both sexes is tricky, fight-inducing territory, to say the least. Still, with savvy shopping, achieving a gender-neutral look that doesn’t compromise style is possible. Figuring out which favorite colors you have in common is a great place to start. Then look for furniture with strong, clean lines: a stylish, gender-neutral look that can be accessorized as modern, bohemian, or retro as you (both) like! For pieces guaranteed to keep the peace, check out my SLIDESHOW!
Between the beauty brands that have built their businesses on the idea of natural skin care and those that have just started jumping on the green bandwagon, it’s tough to know exactly how earth-friendly beauty products actually are. Only 70 percent of a product’s ingredients need to be organic to attain the “organic” label - the rest could be anything! Really, the only way to be sure the product you’re slathering on your skin is as natural and/or eco-friendly as it claims is to do some good old fashioned label reading. Ingredients to stay away from? The Burt’s Bees website recommends steering clear of sulfates (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate), parabens (methyl-, propyl-, ethyl-, butyl-), petrochemicals (petrolatum, mineral oil, paraffin), chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone/avobenzone), and phthalates to start with. Check out the SLIDESHOW for some of my favorite SERIOUSLY earth-friendly beauty brands!
Even though I registered for a whole bunch of straightforward wedding gifts, some of our most memorable and cherished gifts were ones that we had no idea were coming (play tickets, artwork, and restaurant certificates!). Don’t get me wrong, we’d probably be eating with our fingers to this day if it weren’t for the kind aunt who bought us silverware, but there’s something really special about those folks who managed to go out on a limb gift-wise (and get it right). So, in the spirit of those brave souls who think creatively about gifts, here’s a slideshow of ideas in all price points that’ll help you think beyond the typical wedding registry.
Page 1 of 4 pages 1 2 3 > Last »
6 Weeks To Sexy: Extreme Workout Gear Is My New, True Love
My total body transformation has kicked into high gear. I…
Designer Spotlight: Slane & Slane Jewelry Makes Elegance Fun!
There’s no denying that accessories have the power to make…
Style Video: Did Kelly Ripa Get Stomped at Her High Heel-a-Thon?
Kelly Ripa thought she was the fastest high-heeled hottie in…
Home Poll: Which Colorful Fridge Gives You the Big Chill?
Who ever said refrigerators couldn’t be hot? Well, they obviously…
Hive Exclusive: Heidi Klum Spills Her Style Secrets!
At this year’s Peabody Awards, there’s no denying that the…
Style Giveaway: Win $500 Worth of Bling From Jami Rodriguez!
Recently we wrote about the coolness factor of Stylehiver…
