Lounging is a practice that can take many forms.  Dragging around the house, alone, with not a care as to how you look.  Hanging out by the pool or beachside with an umbrella drink and a good book.  Snuggling up with your significant other with your latest Netflix pick.  Or chilling on the patio at your favorite restaurant with girlfriends.

However you do it, I continue to find the importance of finishing the lounging look without letting it all go to hell.  When alone you may tell yourself, “I’m by myself, who cares what I look like right now?”  But what if you decide to run outside and walk the dog?  Are you going to just throw on your street shoes and go out as is?  What if you run into someone? What if a cute neighbor drops by to borrow some ketchup?

When you’re hanging out with the girls, having a leisurely lunch at your neighborhood spot, you may tell yourself, “I’m just out with my girls.  Why should I bother to try? It’s just the girls.” But then you run into someone you know or someone you’d like to GET to know and all of a sudden you’re ducking and dodging because you look a mess!  That happened to me for the last time a few weeks ago when I literally ran away from a cutie trying to converse with me for fear he’d see it wasn’t one of my better days.

During poolside and/or beachside lounging we usually look a bit better.  But it’s possible, when in public settings such as these, you could be thinking, “I’m out here just trying to relax and focus on me, today.  I’m not trying to be cute for these people.  This is MY time.” But you never know who you could see.  There’s nothing worse than being caught out there looking less than, when you know your best can be more than what others are currently seeing.

So as I mentioned, I was recently in a situation when I was literally fleeing from a cute guy because I was out looking ridiculous.  Baseball cap on, crappy jeans, nobody’s makeup…just not my best me.  And I don’t require much.  Most of us don’t.  A little effort can go a long way.  So whether you’re lying around the house or running to the market or lounging around with friends, follow these simple rules and not only will you look better, you’ll feel better about the way you look which really makes you your cutest!  Even if you are just lounging.

1. Keep the basics in check.  Stay consistent with your pedicures.  Your feet speak volumes about you and every girl loves looking at her feet when they’re freshly pedicured (or maybe that’s just me loving to look at myself all the time).
2. Make sure your eyebrows stay shaped.  Even if your hair isn’t on point, with eyebrows in order, your face will always look pretty.
3. Keep your lips shiny at all times.  Shiny lips are super cute and sexy.  My favorite lip gloss at the moment is Juicy Tubes Hallucination.  I have gotten so many compliments when I wear that gloss.  I know we’re in a recession and $18 lip gloss may be a little too extravagant for some, but this one is worth it if you can swing it.

Whether you’re looking to meet Mr. Wonderful or just tired of looking tore down, I guarantee that when lounging or just in a leisurely mood, a little effort goes a long way.

Style tip: My most recent favorite in/out lounge look is the super lounge tee, a colorful silk scarf doubling as a headband and some Haviana flips.  That look coupled with some good gloss and and my Westie have proven to be far more affective than my sweats and baggie tees.

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As a chronic internet user, browsing the world wide web has become a part of my constant entertainment. Not having a blackberry until almost 2 years ago, I wasn’t as addicted to email and staying connected as I am today. But it was pretty bad even then.

Now, it’s become so bad, that I sleep with my blackberry and before I even get out of bed, I pick it up to see my emails! Is that not pathetic? Especially coming from the Lounge Queen. I pride myself with knowing what it takes to kick back, relax and enjoy my down time, but I seem to be having a problem, lately, taking my own advice.  So here’s what I’m going to start doing  in order to disconnect and unwind properly.

1. Either leave the Blackberry in the living room out of the bedroom until I’m up and ready for work, or turn off the radio frequency so emails are not coming through all night.

2. Put my computer and blackberry down after 9pm.  I know that’s late for some, but that’s pretty good for me.  At least it can be a start.  (As I type it’s almost 11pm!)

3. Only check emails at dedicated times throughout the day so I don’t get distracted from my work and/or downtime.

4.  Read more!  The computer has become my entertainment and I feel bad about that.  I have tons of books waiting on me.

5.  Quit interrupting my meals and down time to respond to emails or text messages.  When I’m with others it’s so rude and seriously…there’s little that is so pressing it can’t wait.

Putting these few things into action will be hard, but it must be done.  The three things I can’t seem to live without these days are my TIVO, my Blackberry and my computer, but they’re taking over and I have to get some balance back!

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