No need to fish for compliments when you step out in one of these sea-breezy summer fashions—the oohs and aahs will flow nicely on their own, thank you. Nautical and beach prints typically make an appearance this time of year, but right now they seem to be everywhere—even where there’s no sand and water in sight.

It’s impossible not to think about summer when you’re walking around town wearing starfish, sea turtles, jellyfish, crabs, seahorses and other sea creatures. Or flaunting shells, sunsets and other beach-themed prints. Cynthia Rowley and Lilly Pulitzer have dedicated entire collections to adorable ocean dwellers, and other brands have dabbled in accessories that let you bring a little bit of your last vacation home with you. … //READ MORE

So you think Bollywood is all about song and dance? You think it’s about saree-clad men and women striking poses that aren’t usually seen outside an extreme breakdancing video? About eardrum-shattering shriek songs that go on for five minutes or more, several times within a single movie? If that’s how you define Bollywood, I can’t disagree with you. However, there’s so much more to learn about these all-too-predictable, yet highly entertaining Indian films.

Here, we will attempt to demystify Bollywood for you. But before we explain what this genre is really about, please note: The Namesake does not count as a Bollywood film, and neither does Slumdog Millionaire. To qualify as a true Bollywood movie, the film must have several important ingredients: … //READ MORE

This is a portrait taken of my mother, Cynthia Mays Nicosia, in the late 1950s when she was in her early 20s and studying dance at the Metropolitan School of Ballet in Manhattan. She was working part time at the New York City Public Library on 42nd Street and living at the Brandon Residence For Women up on 85th Street near Riverside Drive, which was run by Volunteers of America. She paid $17 a week for room and board, which included breakfast and supper. However, because she was usually training late into the evening at ballet school, she would often miss the dinner.

In 1961, just a couple years after this photo was taken, my mom dashed off to Rome to see about a dancing job. She ended up not getting the gig, but she decided to make the most of her time in Italy. She took a tour of the city called “Rome By Night.” My dad, Giorgio Nicosia, was the guide. Cynthia and Giorgio first exchanged words at the fountain of Trevi. At the end of the tour, he dropped off all the other passengers first and then took my mom back to her hotel, where he asked her out. They had about three dates before she had to … //READ MORE

So you’re one of those chicks who need to schlepp next-to-everything you own wherever you go—including the beach. Heading out soon for the sand dunes? Let’s see, you’ll need your towel, your flip-flops and sunscreen—and your iPod, for sure. Oh, and don’t forget to pack that sultry summer novel you’re reading. Maybe you should also take the aloe, in you case you burn, and a change of clothes, in the event your suit doesn’t dry. And a hairbrush. Should you bring a hairbrush? Hmm. And certainly you should consider carrying a bottle of that leave-in salt spray, which miraculously transforms your sopping-wet locks into adorable beach waves. Definitely. And hey, what about those magazines you’ve been meaning to flip through…

We understand the situation, and we have a solution. But we’re not gonna lecture you to pare down to the bare essentials (or at least everything you can fit into a crossbody bag). And we’re not gonna tell you to leave half your possessions in the car while you … //READ MORE

I may have the only kids in America who don’t go gaga over Disney World.

After a recent five-night stay in the “happiest place on earth,” I realized that my children have much different happiness criteria than the Mickey Mouse-and-rollercoasters recipe that floated my boat three decades ago. Yes, they enjoyed Space Mountain, shooting targets with Buzz Lightyear and eating popcorn at 11 o’clock at night while watching fireworks. But for them, Disney World wasn’t the dreamy, end-all vacation it had been for me when my parents took me at age 10. Besides the fact that Disney is now competing with high-tech video games and lowered attention spans, why was the experience so different for my kids?

Full disclosure: When we visited Mickey’s hood last month the temperature in Orlando, Florida, was close to 100 degrees, with 90 percent humidity. It was peak tourist season, so of course the lines to all the rides were excruciatingly long and the restaurants overflowing, despite our savvy use of FastPass (a great new service for those who like planning ahead) and online dinner reservations. But those weren’t the deal breakers for my kids, ages 11 and 8. Sure, they bitched and moaned about the heat and the crowds. But the real complaints were about stuff I never anticipated. … //READ MORE

Are you in a workout slump? Are you tired of your regular fitness routine and looking for a new challenge? Whatever you do, don’t give up and stop exercising. It’s perfectly normal to hit a plateau or get bored with your regimen from time to time. But there’s always a way to get yourself motivated again.

To trick is to be adventurous. Nowadays, there are so many interesting workouts out there just begging to be explored. Many are classes whose other participants can help inspire you, and some are activities you can do on your own, if you prefer exercising solo. Here, we present a dozen great workouts to try. Some you may have heard about, while others may surprise you. Give at least one of them a spin this summer … //READ MORE