Carasol Parasol Saves You From The Sun - But Do You Have The Guts To Walk Around With One?

We all know them. The tanorexic. They're slightly orange and never too far from a tanning booth. And as middle age approaches, that sun worship turns their once admirable complexions to a leathery debaucle. At best, they have more wrinkles than their sun-screened counterparts. At worst, they develop skin cancer.

But now a new sun-saving alternative has hit the market. Straight from period films and Gone with the Wind, the Carasol Parasol is a throwback to the days when pale skin connoted high economic status and desirable beauty. Now, it mainly just denotes someone who is willing to stand out in their attempts to avoid UVA and UVB rays.

The Carasol Parasol is designed with UV blocking fabric in ultra-girly styles. Stylish and smart? Definitely. Really something I'd ever use? Probably not.

Because, frankly, while I think this is a good idea… I couldn't actually imagine using it regularly. As I took it out for a spin in the city, numerous people turned their heads upward, looking for the imaginary rain. Others stared. I felt awkward and kind of weird. Maybe on a beach or on a vacation… but on the streets of New York, the Carasol Parasol made me feel a tad out of place. 

For those of you who are braver than me, the Carasol Parasol is available at www.carasolparasols.com and costs between $85 and $325.

What do you think of this new way to battle the sun's rays? Would you sport a parasol around town? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Runway Recap: A Cocktail Party Gone Bad

Here's the latest from SheFinds writer Casey: 

Let me say up front that I think this challenge had too many facets to it and one of them stacked the deck unfairly.

1. The models are your clients and the challenge is to create a cocktail dress.

2. The materials must be green (not the color, but the concept).

3. The models will be traipsing daintily (as I imagine models transport themselves) to Mood to select the fabrics.

I know, it's one of the classic PR twists, but it really leaves the designers whose models make bad choices at a distinct disadvantage. Mean!   
 
Many models made the unfortunate choice of satin and most of the designers opted for very short dresses (I think this might be because the models didn't purchase enough quantity). As Nina Garcia said, "Short, tight, and shiny is the easiest way to look cheap."  And boy oh boy do I think many of these gals ended up looking cheap. It was as if this was a figure-skating hooker challenge. Cases in point:
 
Stella's one-armed biker babe satin dress with tie-ups on the side.  One quick bend and it's a paparazzi bonanza!

Jennifer's was a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.

That said, at least they weren't in the brown satin club.  Poor Wesley, Leanne and Joe were all saddled with some heinous fabric.  I think Joe made it into something wearable though with the sparkly straps and peek-a-boo keyhole. Wesley and Leanne were dragged into the bottom two with a brown satin hook. Wesley ended up going home.


However, not everything was bad this week. Like guest judge Natalie Portman, I fell in love with two of the dresses. Kenley (who is so stylish herself, like a dressed down Dita Von Teese) made a perfect cocktail dress with a modern Victorian ruff that looked spectacular on her model (though I fear would not look remotely close to spectacular on a normally shaped gal like myself).

And Suede… whose name is silly and pretentious… created a true masterpiece. Using bias-cut strips of his two fabrics in orange and cream, he created a low V-neck bodice and a floaty tulle skirt that resulted in a fabulous cocktail dress that I would love to wear myself. Wait! I can!  This week's prize is that the dress will be manufactured and sold on Bluefly! Yay! And, you can pre-order yours now by clicking here. This all makes me not only excuse his strange Bob Dole-ish habit of talking about himself in the third person—but I will even embrace it.  Casey watched Project Runway last night.  Casey liked Suede's dress the best!  Casey will buy Suede's dress on Bluefly.

Taste Test: Which Tie-Neck Blouse Will Keep You Bound Up In Bills?

There’s something about plain old short-sleeve blouses that just doesn’t do it for me. But add a great detail – like the tie-neck both of these feature – and the result is somehow much more wearable and much more chic. Both of these blouses would be perfect workwear for warm days. They’re from the same store, but right now one will set you back less than $50, the other almost $200. Can you tell which is which? Click on the images to see the prices. 

Test your Fashion IQ with other Taste Tests.

Latest Blog Posts From MomFinds

Win it Wednesday: Win a $100 Shopping Spree at BusyMommi.com

• So you’re a busy mommy.  Join the club and check out BusyMommi.com, a fantastic site created by two moms who know what it’s like to be busy.
  

• Astromical gas prices?  Big bank busts?  Talks of recession?  No wonder everyone’s talking about “staycations”.  If you’re nixing your summer vacay this year, you can still escape.
  

You Paid Too Much for Those Highlights to Scrimp on Good Hair Care

• Money’s tight, but yet no one wants to scrimp on the necessities, like good highlights. And with good, professional highlights comes the obligation to use good, professional hair care to maintain them.
  

Deal Of The Day: 30% Off Sweaters At Banana Republic

Stash your new BR sweater somewhere close to the front of your closet, so you can wear it with those great slacks from Nordstrom on the first day of fall.

A long-sleeve sweater in white ($41.30, will be $59) looks so crisp against grey wool slacks.

This crewneck cardigan ($48.30, will be $69) comes in seven other perfect-for-fall colors.

We like the slightly-longer short sleeves on this shirred crewneck top (41.30, will be $59) – more put-together looking than a cap-sleeve sweater.

More steals and deals on the Web:

Save 20% on all handbags at SmartBargains until Tuesday.

Use coupon code TAKE10 for 10% off jewelry at Diamonds International.

15% off denim at Old Navy.

Christian Siriano’s Collection Is…What We Expected

Thanks, no doubt, to the cozy relationship between the online megastore and the Project Runway folk (don’t forget to utilize the Bluefly.com accessories wall!), Christian Siriano of Season 4 fame is now selling his collection exclusively at Bluefly.

The clothes aren't all bad. My taste skews far nearer to Jillian’s (she’s from Long Island and worked for Searle…is anyone surprised?), so I’m still mourning the fact that I can’t buy her stuff at Bluefly right now, but ok. Trying to get over it.

My major bone to pick with Christian’s clothes is that it seems like in the translation from couture to plain ole designer fashion – and the fact that these pieces are now meant to clothe real women, not edgy, flesh-covered hangers – all that detail of his will start to look cheap and out of place. Like the ‘Posh’ Puff Sleeve Blouse:



It’s $590. Doesn’t it still look kind of cheap? And who wears that? What on earth does she wear it with? Two of SheFinds’ most fashion-saturated minds can’t answer those questions. We’ll pass on the blouse.

On to the better news. The silk ‘Heidi’ Pencil Skirt ($240):

This looks like a flattering, special-night-out number, and I love the way it sits a bit higher than the natural waist – perfect for tucking in a black tank without getting that high-waisted-bra look.

What do you think about the collection? Browse Christian’s clothes here and share your opinions below.

Only 1 Day Left To Win A $200 Shopping Spree At Julia Bristow Jewelry

Sure, it's nice to pine over astronomically priced, luxury designer accessories, but we all know most of us will never be able to afford them in our lifetimes. And when we find amazing boutique designers like Julia Bristow, we think, why would we want to spend all that money anyway when we can own unique and beautiful gems for a fraction of the price. Or even for free! 

This week, SheFinds is giving away a $200 shopping spree at Julia Bristow Jewelry. To enter, go to the site, pick out what you'd buy if you won, and then come back to SheFinds and post about it. So far, our readers love the Pink Quartz necklace, the Fertility bracelet, and the entire Nature's Presence collection. You have one more day left, so let us in on your favorite for a chance to win. 

News Updates: Siriano Pops Up At Bluefly, Hayden-Harnett Next At Target?, And More..

Christian Siriano's first collection arrived at Bluefly.com yesterday. Shop the fierce designer's duds now, and check back in with SheFinds later today for our review of the line. [Racked]

Rumors are circulating that accessories brand Hayden-Harnett will be the next designer to collaborate with Target on a discount line. Shop Target now for the much anticipated Botkier bags (although we didn't think they were so hot). [WWD]

Jessica Simpson is adding a dress collection to her massive apparel brand, which already includes shoes, accessories, swimwear, and lingerie. What do you think of the Jessica Simpson line? [CatwalkQueen]

According to a report from DeBeers, diamond sales for the first half of the year grew significantly. Could the diamond be recession-proof? [Portfolio]