This post was created in connection with my appointment as an ambassador in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

Anne and I both go a little lighter in the summer. Just like a (spray) tan makes you glow in your sundresses, so does lighter hair brighten your face. Check out Selena’s new color above.

Colorist Shannon Silva of Dyer + Posta salon (a Marie Robinson affiliate) in Atlanta gave us these tips to going lighter and looking great:

“It is always important to only go one to two shades lighter than your natural hair color. Slow transition is the key and is much less damaging to your hair, especially in the summer when exposure to the sun and chlorine are a factor. A great coloring technique for gradually going blonde is Balayage, which creates a natural beachy look by using a painting technique instead of foiling. This technique can help a brunette mimic the lighter look on Selena!”

Protect your hair with Moroccanoil or a leave-in conditioner like the one from Bumble and Bumble. Brunettes can go brassy after just a few washings, so consider using a purple shampoo like Clairol Shimmer Lights every other week to keep your blonde highlights fresh.

• Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution — the combination of these two skincare powerhouses make your skin brighter, your pores tighter and your wrinkles less noticeable.
• Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum — it does everything the brightening solution does and is safe for use around your eyes.
• Original or Extra Strength 45-Day Jumbo Alpha Beta Peel — the star product of the Dennis Gross Skincare line. These easy to use pads are a DIY chemical peel. You’ll start seeing results after one use!

I’ve personally tried and love all these products and now that baby is here, can’t wait to start using them all again as part of my regular skincare routine!

The TSV is good through 11:59 PM today or until supplies sell out. Here’s the direct link to QVC.

Supermodel Lily Aldridge’s first design efforts were with Velvet this season, the line she’s been modeling for years. We love this trio of dresses which would round out your summer perfectly. Wear the Lily crochet lace dress to bridal and baby showers, the Dixie Oahu maxi to take on vacation or your neighbor’s patio party, and the Erin Bobcat tank dress for a wild girls night out.

Dresses range from $150 to $178. Visit Velvet.com.

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

It has been called the Gone Girl of 2012. While this story about the mystery of a single Brooklyn-mom who tries to unravel the apparent suicide of her teenage daughter is a solid page turner, it doesn’t have quite the same psycho-suspense of GG. But still, a very pleasant way to while away an afternoon on a lounge chair.

Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

I’ve recently read a slew of YA novels. This story about a romance between a girl who refuses to speak after being visciously beaten in a random attack and a sexy teenage orphan is one of the best. It’s touching and heartwarming without being a cliché.

Inferno by Dan Brown

While the novel about Robert Langdon, hero of DaVinci’s Code is well reviewed, our own personal Facebook poll has the jury split. Read at  your own risk.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

I hesitated to read this true story about a woman who hikes the Pacific Coast Trail for a long time. Who wants to read a book about some fitness and nature freak on her own for several months? But once I finally cracked the cover, I found it was an interesting and inspirational tale about a very messed up young woman who had no business walking a mile, much less attempting a thousand mile hike.

The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

The Shining Girls just came out last week and it’s tops on our list to read next. The book is about a time traveling serial killer who murders bright young women who “shine.” Sounds like a juicy nail biter!

1.     Repair for rough hair

2.     Strength against damage

3.     Silky softness

4.     Brilliant shine

5.     Smoothing

6.     Moisture

7.     Frizz control

8.     Heat protection

9.     Manageability

10. Tame fly-aways

When the folks at Pantene dared me to try it for 10 days, I was happy to accept the challenge. Watch the slideshow below to see my 10 different styles.

Day 1: Perfect Coiffed

Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m a big believer in starting the week off with a blowout. I took the Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème with me to my favorite blowout salon, then had my hair styled as usual. I was happily surprised with how well the curls held, even without hairspray!

Day 2: Beating Humidity

The ultimate test of any hair product is how well it fights off frizz on a rainy day. I love that my curls were still looking bouncy on day two and my hair wasn’t showing a hint of frizz, even on a rainy day!

Day 3: Half Up Bump

I generally shy away from conditioning products. Why? Because my hair is already pretty fine and I’m afraid that when I use them, I’ll never get a style to hold. But with the Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème I was able to tease my hair and get the perfect bump!

Day 4: Danilo-Styled Ponytail

On day 4, I got to hang with Pantene Celebrity Stylist, Danilo, on a photo shoot for my day job! Danilo is very into making the most of your texture, which is why he’s a fan of the Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème. He used the cream to smooth my hair back into a pretty pony with the front pieces down and the tail of the pony curled. No flyaways!

Day 5: Sparkly Headband

Look how shiny my hair is!! I took the Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème on my recent Babymoon. I loved that having one product that does it all saved me from packing a suitcase full of products. Though it’s not a TSA-approved size(though between us, you could more than likely sneak it on in your carry on), my trip was a road trip.

Day 6: Messy Sidebraid

While on vacation, I wanted a casual relaxed style. I worked some of the Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème into my dry hair for manageability. It helped hold the braid and whispies in place.

Day 7: Side sweep

Time for another blowout! I opted for a smoother look with a few waves at the end and swoopy bangs. With the Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème I don’t have to worry about how often I style my hair since it has heat protection.

Day 8: Pulled Back Princess

For the day of my baby shower—unfortunately another rainy one—I styled my hair straight and twisted back the front pieces. The sweet look went perfectly with my magenta meringue of a dress!

Day 9: Oversize Bun

For another casual style, I opted for an oversize bun. Thanks to the Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème, my hair was easy to sweep into place and flyaways were nearly non-existant!

Day 10: Beachy Braid

When an unexpected heat wave hit, I was on the hunt for a beachy style! I washed my hair, used a dab of Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Crème and let it air dry. My hair had a soft wave and to top it off, I braided my bangs!

Check out my Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 BB Cream Pinterest Board.

GIVEAWAY ALERT: Enter to win the ultimate 10 collection, plus the NEW Sarah Potempa Jetsetter Mini, which is perfect for traveling and not even available to the general public yet, by emailing us at jsggiveaway@gmail.com. The giveaway runs through Monday, June 17.

I thought I had finally figured it out on my recent babymoon, when my hubby and I drove to the shores of Eastern Maryland. What could be stressful about a car trip? Turns out a lot! Between picking up the rental car, packing, and, the worst part of any trip for me, dropping off my pooch at my in-laws for dog sitting, I was stressed out before we even got on the highway.

But while I may have been stressed, at least I wasn’t sweaty or stinky thanks to Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response. Turns out there are three main causes of sweat: activity, heat and stress. While the causes aren’t surprising, what is is that stress sweat smells the worst.

The Eccrine gland produces sweat caused by activity and heat; this type of sweat is 99 percent water. Stress sweat comes from this gland plus a different gland, the Apocrine gland, which releases sweat that’s 80 percent water and 20 percent nutrients (lipids & proteins). The bacteria that naturally occurs on our skin feeds off of the nutrients from stress sweat, which is what causes the odor. Ewwww!

That’s where the new Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response comes in. It has proprietary technology in the formula (BCD molecules) that actually trap the odor and lock it away, before replacing it with a fresh scent. One of the things I love most about this deodorant is its fresh, citrusy scent. The scent is just enough to energize you without attempting to cover up any sweat smells with an overwhelming fragrance.

Before you start worrying that you have to use a different deodorant on days that you hit the road or have a stressful day at work coming up, I’m happy to reassure you that Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response covers all three types of sweat and is 4x more effective against underarm wetness caused by stress than an ordinary antiperspirant.

Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response will definitely be in my toiletries bag on my next trip—and already has a home in my medicine cabinet!

Now it’s your turn. I want to hear about your stress sweat moments! Share in the comments below or find me on twitter at @JSGAnne.

Want to find out more about Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response or anything about sweat? Check out the brand’s Facebook and Twitter (@SecretDeodorant) pages. Ready to try it out for yourself? Check it out at the P&G eStore.

Note: I have a relationship with Secret Deodorant

• “Remember, movement is a privilege. If you can, you should,” says fitness expert Kacy Duke. Think about that next time you’re tempted to hit the snooze button and skip your morning yoga class, run, etc.

• “Use Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub as an exfoliant to provide a smooth surface for your new spring lip shade,” says makeup artist Gita Bass. I’m personally all about the bright, bold lip this summer, and exfoliating not only helps it go on smoother without any gunkies, it also helps it stay put longer.

• “Keep a food journey to see what’s contributing to triggers. Keep blood sugar steady with regular balanced meals & whole foods,” says nutrition expert Ellie Krieger.  I’m embarrassed to say that boredom and procrastination are two of my top triggers. Keeping a journal helps me identify my weak spots and reminds me that I should only eat when I’m hungry.

• “Not everyone needs to cleanse 2x day, but it is important to cleanse at the end of the day to remove dirt, grime & bacteria,” says Simple Advisory Board dermatologist, Debra Luftman. I generally only cleanse at night, but in the summer, I do like a quick swipe with the Simple Soothing Facial Toner in the morning.

• “Make your skincare routine a habit. It should be something you do every morning & night – must be pleasant & relaxing.” Dr. Josie Howard Simple Advisory Board Psychiatrist. I’ve said this myself numerous times. It’s so important to use products that you love—those that feel good going on, don’t irritate your skin and even look pleasing on your vanity. That way you’re sure to make cleansing and moisturizing part of your daily routine.

For more from the Simple Advisory Board, check out the “Meet Our Experts” page on SimpleSkincare.com. Be sure to follow Simple on Twitter (@SimpleSkincare) for more tweetups like this one!

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an ambassador in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

The event tomorrow is in NYC’s Times Square from 11 to 5. It will also take place in:

Atlantic Station in Atlanta
June 8
11 to 5
Lincoln Road in Miami
June 11
1 to 7
The Grove in LA
June 20
11 to 5

Can’t make it? Tweet to Gillette Venus  with the hashtag #StepUp and $1 will be donated to the program in your honor!

The property’s most recent claim to fame is that it was the setting for Wedding Crasher’s. I’m sure the management would prefer to be known for its historical heritage dating back to 1816 or numerous awards and accolades, but it’s the quickest way to explain it to people my age who aren’t familiar with the area.

The Inn at Perry Cabin is an easy four-hour drive from NYC. (We headed down on a Sunday and were lucky not to hit any traffic.) The last hour or so has you winding down scenic country roads where you can buy any type of fruit butter imaginable (Peach! Plum! Mulberry!) and helps get you in the mood to slow down and enjoy your newly adopted pace of life.

I was welcomed with an anti-oxidant smoothie and a tray of sweet and salty snacks. Not a bad way to start!

The bed was outfitted with a full-size maternity body pillow, which felt very decadent. At home, in my queen size bed, I only have a half pillow that seems like more trouble than it’s worth as I like to switch sides and positions during the night.  This one was comfy and cozy and once I snuggled in, my husband called it my “fortress”.

On the first night there, we opted to have dinner at 208 Talbot, as it would not be open the rest of our trip. The hotel offered a free shuttle to the restaurant and town. We were pretty embarrassed when we realized it was basically down the driveway and across the street, but hey, I’m preggers and it was a looong driveway.

The next morning, I woke up and headed to the Linden spa for my mani and Barefoot and Beautiful pedi.  I had my breakfast of fluffy pancakes while getting my toes done—I may have been on vacation, but I can’t pass up a chance to multi-task! The spa uses the very baby friendly Spa Ritual nail products.

After my nails dried, Leo and I headed into town for a delicious lunch of crab cake sandwiches and wandering around and in and out of the shops in the historic town. Then, it was back to our room for a nap before our afternoon spa treatments.

For those who are feeling more adventurous or who aren’t in town during a cold spell, the Inn at Perry Cabin offers the use of bicycles for toddling around town and can set up any number of types of boat trips. If you want to memorialize your pregnant body, the hotel can also set up a photo shoot with a local photographer for $150. We opted to forgo this and I’m glad we did. At 8 months pregnant, I would have felt like my days were overscheduled.

As for us, heading back to the spa was just our speed. I had the Moon and Tide Pre-Natal massage, which was bliss for my aching back. I really appreciated that a 50-minute soothing massage for the dad-to-be was included as well. Leo has been working hard to get our apartment in order for baby—painting and clearing out furniture—and he deserved the TLC too!

That night for dinner, we headed to the on-site restaurant, Sherwood’s Landing. (That’s where breakfast is served, too.) I had one of my all time favorite dishes, butter poached lobster, and my hubby had the filet mignon.

After a solid night’s sleep, we had one last breakfast, then it was back to NYC. We left feeling refreshed and relaxed—and a little more ready for baby!

The Babymoon package at the Inn at Perry Cabin is priced at $485 and includes:

• Luxury accommodations with water and garden views.
• Maternity body pillow and pregnancy magazines
• A signature organic antioxidant smoothie and sweet and salty amenity.
• Optional photo session with a local photographer (rates begin at $150).
• Daily à la carte breakfast for two (value of $45 per room, per day) and one dinner for two (value of $130 per room) in Sherwood’s Landing.
• Linden Spa services for the expecting couple. For her: a Moon and Tide Pre-Natal Massage, a Barefoot and Beautiful Pedicure and a classic manicure. For him: a 50-minute soothing massage.
• Complimentary wi-fi.

This review was based on a complimentary stay.