1. Nili Lotan® for J.Crew Beach Maxidress in Wood-Block Print: The design on this streamlined maxidress is adorable and summery. It’s a bit more coverup than you normally see on the beach but we think it’s just enough to go from beach to lunch and back again.

2. Graff Surfer Tunic: Showing off a little more leg, this bright and flowery tunic has the perfect combination of summery beach colors. It makes us want to fly to Hawaii, actually. While it’s a great accessory for the beach, this could even be a good outfit for a beachy party.

3. Albemarle Hoodie from Anthropologie: For a much more laid back look, we love this hoodie. It covers up just enough of our suit for the trip to and from the beach but we also don’t mind taking it off and stuffing it in our beach bag while we lay out or go for a dip in the ocean.

Are you headed to the beach this weekend? Make sure you enter our Ready for the Beach Giveaway on Facebook and get 20% off Soleil Organique instantly through the end of the month!

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1. Cardiff-by-the-Sea Beach, San Diego, California: The West Coast hosts some of the worlds most beautiful beaches and Cardiff-by-the-Sea‘s beach is certainly one of the most popular. Cardiff refers to the entire area, a small beach community boasting two miles of Pacific coastline where families come to enjoy their weekends and surfers flock to take advantage of the amazing waves.

2. Siesta Key Public Beach, Siesta Key, Florida: It’s called “Siesta” for good reason — this Florida island is a perfect place to relax. And the white sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico is a nice touch as well. Located just off the coast of Sarasota, this spot isn’t hard to get to but if feels like an escape from the everyday. The island also plays hosts to several fantastic restaurants and bars where we can find some nourishment between beach visits.

3. Sunset Beach, Lower Township, New Jersey: New Jersey has overcome the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy after it moved through the area last year. Located in Cape May, Sunset Beach was spared the worst of the storm. They powered through and continue to have one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. In fact, the quartz sand beaches are famous for Cape May Diamonds, small quartz crystals that can be found along the shore. We love the idea of searching for “diamonds” on the beach!

Did we miss any good ones?

Make sure you’re prepared for your Memorial Day getaway with our packing guide. And stock up on your sunscreen needs: Enter our Get Ready for the Beach Sweepstakes and earn a 20% discount on Soleil Organique purchases through the end of the month!

Photos via TheBeautifulBeaches.com, SiestaKey.com, AppalachianViews Photography 

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As someone who only recently converted to using body oils, she’s become quite a fan. Why? We’ll let her tell you.

“I’ve always been a lotion kind of gal,” Valerie says. “I moisturize my skin religiously morning and night and have used a body lotion for at least the last two decades (yes I’m up there). I recently started using a hair oil to moisturize as well as style my often unmanageable hair.”

She continues, “It got me thinking that a body oil might be interesting to try: why not just slather myself head to toe in oil and just slink through the day leaving a trail of grease behind? Not so appealing. But, I recently tried a few body oils and to my surprise, am now a convert. These dry down quickly, nourish, moisturize and smell divine to boot. Sold! I’m slinking through my days sans feeling like a big grease ball.”

Here are three of Valerie’s favorite oils: 

1. Guinot Huille Satinee

2. Rodin Olio Lusso Body Oil

3. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR

Are you a fellow convert? If so, feel free to share in the comments!

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Remember, May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. That’s why we want to make sure you have all the sunscreen protection you need before beach season! Our Beach Collection is the perfect combination of products to take with you to the beach this summer. You’ll be able to protect your skin from head to toe with our 100% Mineral Sunscreen for Face SPF 45, 100% Mineral Sunscreen for Body SPF 45, 100% Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 45 and the Skin Solace Replenishing Lotion to rehydrate after a day in the sun. What else should you bring to the beach with you? Check out our list here.

To win one of the three collections we’re giving away, like our Facebook page and follow the instructions our Facebook sweepstakes app here through May 31, 2013. We’ll be picking three lucky winners at random. You can find the full sweepstakes rules here.

If you have any questions, let us know in the comments here. And best of luck! We can’t wait to share our Beach Collection with you.

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1. Beach Bag: We’re starting with our old standby beach bag. This colorful and whimsical tote from J.Crew is a great option. Made of canvas, it can also stand up to all the sand and wind at the beach — maybe even a brush with the ocean.

2. Beach Hat: Eugenia Kim, a designer whose hats have been worn by the lovely Lana Del Ray, has a summer collection that we absolutely love. The collection includes adorable floppy hats as well as fedora styles.

3. Beach Blanket: A good beach blanket can make the difference with any day at the beach. The 100% cotton Missoni Home “Liam” Beach Towel is one of our faves. It’s soft and luxurious and the best way to lounge on the sand.

4. A Sombrilla: We’ve mentioned the Sombrilla from Hollie and Harrie before but we really love it. It’s not really an umbrella nor a tent — it’s somewhere in the middle. And we can easily adjust to provide shade wherever we need it. It also comes with some stylish options!

5. A Good Book: We want to limit the amount of time we spend in the sun, of course. But if we have our sombrilla shade, our hat and our sunscreen, we can spend some time reading on the beach. Maybe we can read Catching Fire before the new Hunger Games movie comes out or catch up on a classic like Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.

6. Sunscreen: Always, always, always have sunscreen in your beach bag! We recommend our 100% Mineral Sunscreen for Body SPF 45 paired with the 100% Mineral Sunscreen Mist SPF 45. Stock up and get ready for some fun in the sun!

Did we miss anything? Now let’s have fun!

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This week, Valerie picks the Connie High Top — an old standby from Converse and a comfortable shoe that can complement any situation. Also, it’s perfect for everything we have to fit into the weekend.

Valerie explains, “This weekend is jam-packed with lacrosse, soccer, baseball, Tae Kwon Do and saxophone for my three kids. My solution to this madness is the Connie High Top. Comfortable, fun, brings me back to the days of yore and I can be quick on my feet to schlep the gang to and fro. I opt for the classic off white, but there are so many fun colors to choose from.”

You may have also noticed fashionistas like Sarah Jessica Parker and Rihanna wearing them while running around the city. These shoes are a classic that have withstood the test of time and we love them!

Where do you wear your Converse high tops?

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Many of us may be turning to a personal trainer to see results this time of year. We spoke to Pete, who is not only a personal trainer but also the author of the 90-Second Fitness Solution. Pete shared his top workout tips about meeting with a trainer, staying active and protecting yourself from the sun when you have the chance to get active outside.

Soleil Organique: For those of us who have never worked with a trainer, is there etiquette we should follow?

Pete Cerqua: Be yourself. Tell the trainer about any injuries or medical problems. Let them know what your goals are and most important, this is not a session with your shrink so focus on your body and don’t expect the trainer to solve relationship problems.

SO: What should we do to prepare for our first work out with a trainer?

PC: Have your questions ready and get a clear understanding about the type of workout that is about to happen. Let the trainer know what you are capable of, as well as your past exercise experience so they can gauge how hard to push you.

SO: Between meetings with a trainer, what should we do to stay limber and pumped for our next workout?

PC: My workouts focus on strength training and high intensity cardio so I tell my clients to do less intense activities between our workouts. This can be as easy as a brisk walk, a yoga class, some of my home exercises or my favorite – go dancing!

SO: What can we do at home to stay in shape if we can’t get to the gym?

PC: In my first book, The 90-Second Fitness Solution published by Simon & Schuster I outline 3 levels of home exercises that will keep you busy. My favorite quick workout is to do a wall sit for 90 seconds followed by a plank for 90 seconds. Sounds easy but wait until you try it! If you need directions you can go to my website 90-secondfitness.com and click on “Take the Challenge” for more details.

SO: For those of us who sit at a desk all day, do you recommend any easy moves we can do in our seat to strengthen up?

PC: First, get up and walk around the desk! Getting the blood circulating is the most important thing you can do next to staying hydrated. After that, grab a co worker and do the Wall Sit workout described earlier right in your office.

SO: What are your favorite outdoor workouts? And how do you protect yourself from the sun?

PC: The big thing these days is training for some type of Cross Fit or Civilian Military Combine competition. These are basically obstacle courses which is a more complete workout than say going for a run. When you add crawling, climbing, burpees, squat thrusters and kettlebell swings into a workout you know it’s going to be amazing!

To learn more about Pete Cerqua and his 90 Second Fitness program, visit his website and you can also buy his books The 90-Second Fitness Solution and High Intensity Fitness Revolution. Find them here. And let us know how you’re staying fit!

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The friendly and helpful Four Seasons staff make us feel right at home. But unlike home, we’re surrounded by golden beaches and beautiful weather. Located on Pinney’s Beach in the island’s capitol city of Charlestown, guests of the resort have direct access to these sandy beaches as well as three different pools, each with a fantastic view.

In between dipping in the pool and laying on the beach, we can also go for a round of golf at the resort’s own golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II. Tennis courts are also available on the grounds where we can practice our serve. Or we can go for a guided tour of the coral reefs off shores, take a banana boat ride or any number of amazing and fun activities.

When we’re done, we can stop by the spa and get a massage or ayurvedic treatments. Pedicures and manicures can also help you relax after a long day on the golf course. Make sure you ask about their Soleil Organique products as well.

We’re ready to go! Could you see yourself spending a summer vacation here?

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Go for a wide brim: It’s no secret that the wider the brim, the more shade you’ll have. Since you’ll be in the sun for some time on Saturday, look for a Kentucky Derby hat that has a wide brim to give you a little added shade. That minor detail can save you a little UV ray exposure and make you look even more fabulous.

Opt for UPF rated fabrics: You can find hats made from UPF-rated fabrics or fabrics given a Ultraviolet Protection Factor. This means the fabric on your head is even more likely to block out those damaging UV rays. You can do a search online to find retailers who sell UPF rated hats or keep your eyes open for them when you’re out shopping.

If all else fails, wear sunscreen: Look, we know that picking out a Kentucky Derby hat is all about making a statement. Sometimes that statement isn’t going to be the ideal sun protection. So put on sunscreen before you go to the Derby and make sure you bring extra with you so that you can reapply after a few hours.

Hats We Love! We do have our favorite derby hats — here are a few to admire:

1. Louise Green: Louise’s hats have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift and Debra Messing. This particular option is simple but reminds us of that Great Gatsby-esque 1930s glamour we love!

2. Formé Millinery: Created by couture milliner Jenny Pfanenstiel of Chicago, these hats are one-of-a-kind. You’re sure to be a fashionable standout among all the lovely bells at Kentucky Derby with this hat.

3. Satya Twena: Another favorite of celebrities, Satya Twena’s designs are a bit eclectic and unusual but also very beautiful. We love the color of this fascinator but make sure you grab that sunscreen!

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The Skin Cancer Foundation has a full list of ways that you can keep your skin protected but we’re looking at the top three most important things to keep in mind when enjoying the spring and summer sun.

1. Wear Sunscreen: When we’re on the beach, we want to wear those new swimsuits without having to worry about exposed skin. To do that, we use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. This will guard your skin from the broad spectrum of UVA and UVB rays which can damage your skin.

Make sure you apply liberally and don’t forget your face, your ears, your hands and your feet — all of which are commonly forgotten and exposed to the sun. If you’re concerned about how much sunscreen to use, take some expert advice. Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D., professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine, suggests aiming for two milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter. It sounds really scientific but that’s about a shot glass full of sunscreen for your face and body. And just remember, you can never put on too much. Make sure you stock up on all your sunscreen needs today!

2. Wear Sun Protective Clothing: From sun hats to cover ups, it’s important that we give our skin a little break from the sun every now and then by putting on clothes that will block out UV rays. It may be hot but long pants and long sleeves could save you from an unnecessary sunburn. A good hat and UV-protective sun glasses will also be a lifesaver when the sun is beating down on us.

When choosing clothes to protect us, we look for UV-protective fabrics. Clothes that protect from the sun are often given an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. This is an important element to look for when shopping for beach wear. Explore UPF rated clothing on Mott 50 and Parasol.

3. Find the Shade: The hours between 10am and 4pm are generally the most dangerous when it comes to sun exposure. Make sure you know where you can find shade and retreat there early and often. Take an umbrella — or even a “sombrilla” like this one — to the beach with you so that you can block out those dangerous rays all day.

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