Standard Hotels will provide poolside vending machines for swimsuit purchases!

Vending machine everywhere sell a variety of items. I just saw a vending machine at a local Macy's that sold ipods and other small electronics. Well, now at Standard Hotels, you will soon be able to buy swimsuits from vending machines thanks to a new initiative from clothing company Quiksilver and hotel owner André Balazs.

From Springwise: “A specially designed, co-branded line of men’s boardshorts and one women’s bikinis are available not just online and in The Standard Hotels’ gift shops but also in what just may be the world’s first bathing suit vending machines, located poolside at the hotel’s New York, Los Angeles, Hollywood and Miami locations. The first such vending machine opened in Los Angeles. The Standard/Quiksilver women’s black bikini comes with a waterproof travel bag and sizes extra small- large. The men’s boardshorts includes “a carefully curated list of addresses corresponding to unique groups of destinations near each of the 4 hotels,” as the company puts it, “curated and scribbled out by legendary skateboarder and Quiksilver Creative Director Natas Kaupas.” The theme for the Miami style suit is “Comida is Cuban”; for the LA pair, it’s “Art is Undercover”; for the Hollywood suit it’s “Music Musts”; and for the New York style, it’s “Summer in the City.”“

ShaToBu – A Workout You Wear!!

Now that shapewear is becoming increasingly popular, brands are trying to stay ahead of the competition by launching one innovative design after another. ShaToBu — “The Tummy Shaping, Muscle Toning, Calorie Burning Workout You Wear “— claims that by using its shape-enhancing products, the wearer can lose up to 12 percent more calories during daily activities like walking or climbing stairs.

ShaToBu was created by chiropractor Dr. Denise Perron, who decided she wanted to create something for her patients that would allow them to do their prescribed exercises, without them knowing about it. Using the principle of resistance training, Dr. Perron crafted this revolutionary shaping garment that uses seamless resistance bands to make muscles work a little harder during natural movement, while remaining comfortable underneath clothing. To get the most out of the product, ShaToBu recommends wearing it 12 hours a day, 7 days a week

Currently there are only two silhouettes available in black and nude: the ShaToBu Waist to Knee Shaper and the High Waist to Knee Shaper, which are both available on the ShaToBu Website for $50 and $60, respectively.

The Quick Bra Checkup - Q & A

When was the last time you made time for a proper bra fitting? This is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy lingerie wardrobe, and is particularly important if it has been more than one year, 10 pounds, or one pregnancy since your last fitting. It’s like getting a routine exam at the doctor – it can be annoying and uncomfortable disrobing in front of a stranger, but it’s crucial if you want to feel (and look!) your best. For a quick checkup you can do right now, ask yourself the following questions:

* Do you have impressive cleavage? Unless you are wearing a bra style specifically made for creating cleavage (like a push-up or plunge bra), your breasts really shouldn’t be shoved together. This is a common mistake because so many lingerie models themselves are actually wearing bras that do this, so it’s hard for the average consumer to know that it’s wrong! The underwire and center gore of your bra should sit against your breastbone, separating your breasts. If it doesn’t, your cups are likely too small. Cleavage is great, just make sure you get it the right way – with a well-fitting bra in style made for this effect.
* Have your straps fallen down today? Something is wrong. There is a chance that the solution is as simple as tightening your straps. But if this is a common problem for you, it is more likely that your band is too big. When your band isn’t tight enough, it can ride up your back, decreasing strap tension and resulting in the annoying and embarrassing strap fall. Try a bra with a smaller band size and see if that helps (and remember, for every band size you go down you must go up a cup letter to maintain the same cup fit).
* Does your bra create unflattering back fat? Your band probably doesn’t fit. When a band fits correctly (i.e. when it fits snugly and remains parallel to the floor throughout the day), back fat greatly diminishes. Excess bulges can be caused by a band that is too tight or too loose. A good bra fitter can help you determine which problem you have.
* Is your underwire poking you? The cup is probably the wrong size. An underwire will poke your breast tissue if the cup is too small, and will poke your underarm if the cup is too large. It is also a possibility that this cup simply isn’t the right shape for you – try different styles and brands.
* Are your breasts falling out the bottom of your cups? Your band is too big.
* Are you suffering from a double-boob effect? Your cups are probably too small.
* Do your cups wrinkle? Your cups are probably too big.
* Are you just plain uncomfortable? Are you counting the minutes until you can take your bra off? A well-fitting bra is not uncomfortable. Your breasts are supported and nothing pinches, pokes, or rubs. If you fling your bra off the moment you get home, it doesn’t fit. If you can’t determine the problem from the examples above, a qualified bra fitter can help you. You should probably stay away from mall chains and be sure to visit a good boutique or reputable store with a wide range of sizes and certified bra fitters.

Charla Krupp's Book “How to Never Look Fat Again”

As all contractors know, to get a fabulous house, the foundation needs to be perfect! The same goes for lingerie and clothing. What you wear underneath your clothing can make a huge impact on your overall appearance — and I don’t just mean shapewear! New York Times best-selling author Charla Krupp is showing she also understands the value of a good "foundation" in her new book “How to Never Look Fat Again,” which gives over a thousand tips on how you can get a slim look without having to hit the gym or cut any calories.

In an interview with Adam Glassman of O, The Oprah Magazine, Krupp shared some insight:

AG: What are your suggestions for dressing skinny this spring?

CK: Invest in a bra that puts your nipples midway between your shoulder and elbow. Most women sag too low. The narrowest area on most of us is below our bra. Don’t rob yourself of that great, thin line.

AG: How can we eliminate the scourge of muffin top?

CK: You want underwear, shapers, or stockings to rise as high as possible to get the smoothest line.


One of Krupp's faves: Spanx Skinny Britches Short

Krupp is an avid fan of Spanx shapewear; she wrote about the brand’s unique slimming products in her first book “How Not to Look Old,” and she is featuring the brand in this book too.

Want to find your perfect foundation? Go to Naughty and Nice Lingerie.