Enjoy summer fun with your above ground pool.



Tara Horner of eHow.com suggests the benefits of choosing an above ground model over other similar options when looking for a way to beat the heat this summer.

Above ground pools present a good alternative to popular public pools which are often too overcrowded to be enjoyable for a pleasant family afternoon swimming, Horner observes.

And by contrast in-ground pools can be costly and time consuming to both install and maintain.

If you find the potential setup of an above ground pool daunting never fear. It can be accomplished, usually with the help of family and friends, by following a few simple guidelines.

Specifically, Tara suggests:

• Finding the right area. A smooth open area with no sharp rocks or other debris that might poke the liner is best.
  


• Unpack tarp first. Unfolding this over the area you have selected is an important first step before opening the pool itself.
  


• Open the pool. And when doing so take special care to unroll it with the "drain" facing away from any nearby building and preferably toward a hill.
  

For more, see Tara's full directions on how to open a new above ground pool at eHow.com.

When they opened the Highline here in NYC, it was meant to be yet another way to enjoy outside. This railroad was transformed and it gave us more reasons to enjoy the summer air. Leave it to Bond No 9 to use it as a means to figure out another scent that would be immortalized within their brand. The Highline is Bond No 9's first railroad scent (and they also believe that it's the world's first as well). The bottle is surrounded by flowers and tall grass. The scent embodies urban renewal and has the wild and untamed elements of nature while still having the femme essence that we have come to enjoy from a brand who works to "make scents of New York". If you've yet to smell this scent, make your way to a local boutique as it launched this month and will be yet another way of paying tribute to this city.

The news is full of scary stories about toxins in our food, water and homes. So it's always a relief to find a product that's all natural. Okay, let me clarify - a product that actually is all natural as opposed to the phony version of that phrase we see attached to so many products on store shelves.

Melvita makes a line of plant oil that's good for everything from moisturizing to anti-aging. I was really excited to discover them because I'm always looking for products that will complement my beauty regimen without shortening my life!

Melvita makes a line of organic skin care products that repairs, cleanses and protects against pollution (to name just a few features available in the line). If you're not sure where to start, Melvita's argan oil is a great first product to add to the medicine cabinet. This oil, rich in vitamin E and Omega 6s, protects skin and hair, and is also great for your nails.

They also have a collection of nourishing soft shea butters, and even a men's line for your hubbie or boyfriend. Oh - and did I mention that Melvita's products are entirely organic? What on earth could be better?

This post has been sponsored by Melvita. Photo above is from Melvita.com.

If you have children, or are thinking about it, chances are you've done some reading about what you should and shouldn't eat while pregnant. The information is a little overwhelming, actually, but it got me thinking that I should probably clean up my act a little - I mean, if toxins and mercury aren't good for children, they probably aren't that good for me either.

I threw out the Fantastik cleaner and replaced it with Seventh Generation - that sort of thing - and I felt pretty good about myself. But then I started thinking about the other things I use: my facial cream, my soap and shampoo. And I realized I had to make some choices.

I kept my Murad (yes, I'm addicted to my facial regimen and, toxic or not, I'm sticking to it), but I dumped my chemically shampoo and soap.

And guess what? I fell in love with something new: EO. Their shampoo cleans my hair without any residue (I wish I could say the same of other natural shampoos) and their products smell nice.

Now if they'd just make a mercury-free tuna, I'd be all set!

Photo above is from EOProducts.com.

Mascara is like religion - people have strong opinions about it and rarely do people switch brands. For years I was a Maybelline Great Lash girl. Then I tried Shu Uemura (when I discovered their divine eyelash curler), but I was never really happy.

I have terrible allergies and I tend to rub my eyes, so for years my mascara smeared. I figured this was just my fate.

Then one day I stumbled across the Bobbi Brown counter and her amazing waterproof No Smudge Mascara. This mascara actually flakes instead of smearing. And though they sold me a makeup remover for it, I find that it rubs off just fine with a tiny dab of Cetaphil.

I still rub my eyes, but now at least I don't look like a raccoon! And I've come to realize that changing brands of mascara isn't completely taboo. Now maybe I'll be more open to trying new things… like monkfish liver!

Hm - maybe I'll save that one for next year.

Photo above is from Nordstrom.com.