Keep Your Accessories by the Door
If you have favorite accessories that you reach for every day — say a pair of versatile earrings or a watch — try keeping those pieces in a bowl by the front door. You can reach for them quickly in the morning as you go for your keys — and even save a few precious extra seconds by putting them on in the car or subway on your way to where you’re going.

Turn the Shower Into a Clothing Steamer
Before you get the shower, hang a wrinkly garment on a hanger in the bathroom and keep the door closed. You’ll find the steam helps remove wrinkles from your clothes without the need to take time out to iron. (As if you even have time in the morning to let that sucker heat up!)

Pack an Inner Bag
If you’re the type of girl who frequently swaps out her handbag, you can make the switcheroo quickly and easily without forgetting anything: Simply pick a small, soft bag to use as an inner pouch that holds all your essentials — wallet, lipstick, antibacterial gel, or whatever “essential” means to you — and just drop it into the new bag you pick each day.

Stick With a Basic Purse
Of course, you can avoid that last step altogether by opting for a neutral, go-to bag that matches with absolutely everything. Spend a little more on a high-quality piece that goes with brown, black, gold, silver and everything in between. The result will be not only a time savings — but will add up to a cost-per-wear figure that you can totally live with.

Choose Wear-With-Everything Work Shoes
Instead of accumulating a closet full of fun shoes that never — ever — seem to go with that outfit you’re putting together in a mad dash in the morning, opt instead of a couple of pairs of neutral, stylish — and comfortable! — kicks. Even if they’re a little more expensive than you’d usually spend, you’ll find you can reach for them in no time flat to complete just about any outfit.

Have a Go-To Blazer
The thing about a nicely tailored blazer (or even a mediocrely tailored one, frankly), is that it has the power to pull together an entire outfit, no matter how disheveled it might otherwise be. Use it to hide stains on a blouse that you didn’t have time to clean, or dress up a too-casual work wardrobe when everything else is at the dry cleaner.

Stock Up on Dresses
Separates can take tons of time to locate and then to match, whereas throw on a flattering frock and you’re out the door quick.

Wear Black
One of the most frustrating time sucks in the mornings can be trying to match the various components of an outfit. Make like New York girls, known for wearing lots of black for any occasion year round. It looks smart, and it’s practical too — since every piece matches!

Eat Before You Dress
Eat your breakfast while you’re still in your robe (or heck, birthday suit!). If you dribble something down the front of your fresh outfit, you’ll be scrambling to put together a new look or remedy a stain — and who on earth has time for that?

Let Your Closet Work for You
It might seem like a huge time commitment to organize your closet — but a tidy space can slash your getting-dressed time every single morning. When you know where everything is, you can reach for it quickly and be on your way. This might mean keeping like colors together, or like styles (blazers together, blouses together, dresses together, and so forth). When it’s still dark outside and you have five minutes to be out the door, you’ll be glad you committed to that time in advance.

Check the Weather Forecast the Night Before
If you wake up to find it’s pouring rain — and yet you have no idea where to find your rain coat or umbrella — well, that’s going to add quite a bit of time to the morning routine. Do yourself a favor and check the forecast the night before so you can have all the accessories you need at the ready.

Act Like Every Day is School Picture Day
Remember school picture day? Channel that preparedness by picking out your outfit the day before. Lay it out somewhere free from pet hair, or hang everything on a single hanger in the closet — accessories and all — so you won’t forget a thing. You’ll be dressed in a few minutes flat.

Fake lashes, extensions, growth serums...some short-lashed women have been willing to go to great lengths for bat-worthy eyelashes. But lash perming? Terrified by the idea — but also intrigued — iVillage health editor Angela Law agreed to head to a salon to test out the treatment for herself. 

What eyelash perming is: Adapted from the technique used to curl hair, perming chemicals are now being applied to eyelashes to create an upturned effect that fakes the appearance of extra length. 

How it works: A salon technician first fits your eyelids for mini rollers that look a little like pieces of dried macaroni. Once selected, she affixes the self-adhesive rollers to your lids along the lash line, and then uses a little stick to adhere the lashes to the roller. Next, she applies a strong-smelling, diluted perm solution to the lashes, places a warm towel over your eyes and leaves the solution to set for fifteen minutes. The technician then applies a chemical neutralizer, which is allowed set for another quarter hour. Finally, she gently removes the rollers, and if all goes well, your eyelashes will look very curled for 5 to 6 weeks and better-than-pre-perm for 4 more.

What it costs: Prices for lash perms range from $20 to $75 per session

Where to get it:  Lash perming is on the treatment menu at many full-service salons, especially those that do eyelash extensions. You can buy DIY kits...but please don’t.

Our tester's verdict:  Eyelash perming hasn’t been approved by the FDA — and I have a feeling it’s not because the agency isn’t into being pretty. It probably (just a guess) has to do with the fact that you are putting potentially blinding chemicals really close to your eye.

I was freaked out when I left the salon and vowed that I would never do it again. But then I got home, stared at myself in the mirror for a good few minutes and was completely in awe of my transformed face. My eyes were wider and more awake. I felt younger. 

I also half convinced myself that I could actually see more. My eyelashes naturally point down, almost shade-like, so I guess it is possible that I had a wider scope of vision with the eyelashes now out of my eyes. The whole thing was really kind of cool.

My boyfriend, however, was not as amused and couldn’t look me in the newly widened eyes for two days. He finally had to because, well, we live together and it was awkward.

I’m fairly certain that curly lashes aren't worth possibly going blind for — but as summer inches in and I start thinking about the three weddings I have to go to the next two months, I've somehow started contemplating getting another perm. I mean, if you ignore the dangers, it’s great: your eyelashes look awesome even without mascara, no more pinching yourself with the eyelash curler. Just once more, I tell myself. For the weddings! And then I’ll have to come up with another excuse for putting myself at such silly risk.

Angela's Before & After Lash Perm Pictures

The Internet is home to many creepy things you can never un-see. Right now, it's the breeding ground for a bizarre craze in which women (and a man or two) show off the results of their attempts — through dramatic plastic surgery, makeup and other methods — to look just like human Barbies or porcelain dolls.

And wouldn't you know? Some are gathering huge followings on social media or YouTube pages with their video beauty tutorials. Many followers are fans legitimately interested in emulating the living dolls' looks — and others gawk for the same reason you probably can't look away right now.

Here we bring you some of the most unbelievable living doll photos we've seen. It's downright baffling. You've been warned.

Valeria Lukyanova 

Facebook.com/valerialukyanovaamatue21

We are trying to figure out how Ukraine's Valeria Lukyanova walks without falling over, but we figure her left hand is propping her up out of frame.

Dakota Rose

Twitter.com/dakotakoti

Dakota Rose has more than 77,000 Twitter followers — plus a YouTube channel with tutorials on how anyone interested can emulate her style.

Venus Angelic

venusangelic.com

Here's what Venus Angelic wants you to know about her, per her website: "My sparkling personality, my voice and my me exists only once in this entire universe." We think that's probably true.

Olga Oleynik

Facebook.com/pages/Olga-Olyenik/495864760447997

We're glad Olga Oleynik is sitting down in these shots, because it seems like falling over every time she stands up would be a real risk and that makes us nervous.

Anastasiya Shpagina

Facebook.com/AnastasiyaFukkacumiShpagina

Ukraine's Anastasiya Shpagina has close to 100,000 Facebook followers, including many who gush over her porcelain good looks in the photo comments.

Justin Jedlica

justinjedlica.com

Oh yes, there's at least one Ken doll to go with all these Barbies: New York's Justin Jedlica credits a fascination with the lives of celebs like Michael Jackson and Donald Trump for his desire to transform his looks this way (presented without further comment).

Alesandra Dubin is a contributing writer on iVillage and founder of home and travel blog Homebody in Motion. Follow her on Google+ and Twitter.

BOTOX MIGHT NOT DO WHAT YOU WANT IT TO
Many people confuse what Botox actually does with other age-fighting beauty injectables. “[Botox's] only benefit is to render a muscle weaker for 3-4 months. It doesn't fill lines, it just makes it harder to make the muscle contraction that creates the lines,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Misbah Khan, owner of M. Khan Dermatology in New York City. So will it work on those wrinkles around the mouth? “No. If you have smile lines [the parentheses around the mouth], you'll need a filler [like Restylane] to erase them.”

THERE’S A BLACK MARKET
Many coupon services run deals for cheap series of Botox, and they’re probably all too good to be true. Before you buy into anything, know who and what you’re dealing with. “Do not look for the better deal. Make sure you know what’s going in your face. If it's too cheap, it may be acquired on the black market, or the Botox they’re using might be expired or about to expire," warns Dr. Khan.

YOU COULD HAVE AN ALLERGIC REACTION
You may know that Botox is derived from the same bacteria as the toxin botulism, and while you absolutely cannot catch botulism from the use of Botox, there is a small chance that you could have an allergic reaction to preservatives and ingredients used. "Some reactions that have been reported include itching, rash, welts, asthma symptoms or feeling faint,” says Dr. Dennis Gross, founder of 900 5th Dermatology and creator of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. If you do have a reaction, call your doctor right away.

AN UNSKILLED INJECTOR MIGHT LEAVE YOU LOPSIDED
“If the Botox is injected wrong in any part of your face, you may have a lopsided appearance,” says Dr. Gross. “Just remember that there is an artistry involved in the technique, so be sure your physician is highly experienced and skilled at administering it.”

OVERDOING IT COULD LEAD TO DROOPING—OR WORSE
“Drooping of the eyebrows can happen even in the best of hands; it can occur if too much is injected in one place,” says Dr. Khan. And if you’re already using Botox, over-application could make it worse. “Overuse of Botox can cause the muscles to become so weak that they can't support the flesh.” The results can look unnatural, and even worse, be painful. “If too much Botox is applied during a neck rejuvenation, it can cause the side of the face to droop, or in some cases the muscles that hold the neck up weaken to the point where you can't swallow or hold your head up."

SPEAKING UP CAN DIVERT DISASTER
You might think that you really, really want Botox no matter the small risks, but the pursuit of beauty is never worth harming your health. As with any other procedure, you should always disclose your full medical history before sitting in the chair. “Make sure to tell your doctor about all of your muscle or nerve conditions, as you may have an increased risk of serious side-effects, including difficulty swallowing and/or breathing,” cautions Dr. Gross. “Also, inform your doctor of any surgery plans, weakness of forehead muscles, recent injections, or medicines you are currently taking.” Dr. Gervaise Gerstner, L’Oréal Paris Consulting Dermatologist adds one more caution to that list: “Be sure to disclose any autoimmune neuromotor disease like myasenthia gravis.”

RESULTS ARE NOT INSTANT
“It takes about three to seven days to show the full effect, and results will last about four months,” says Dr. Gross. And those results vary, depending on the depth of your wrinkles. “If you start Botox treatments just as fine lines are beginning to appear and continue them as you age, you can prevent select expression lines from forming at all,” advises Dr. Gross. Patients who already have pronounced lines may see benefits in a bit more time, “It takes a few days to see results, and a full two weeks to see the full effects of a Botox treatment,” explains Dr. Khan.

BOTOX IS NOT PAINLESS
Although getting Botox is not particularly painful for most patients, since there are needles involved, you can’t expect to feel absolutely nothing when getting injected. “During the procedure, you can expect a slight pinch from the needle. There are numbing creams available in topical and aesthetic forms,” says Dr. Gross. Dr. Khan is also known to use ice to numb the area for people who have a low tolerance or phobia of needles.

ASPIRIN AND FISH OIL DON’T MIX WITH BOTOX
“We tell our patients to stop using aspirin products up to a week before a treatment because they are blood thinners,” cautions Dr. Gross. "Discontinuing the use of aspirin the week before will help to keep bruising down. Also, we tell our patients to stop using fish oils a week beforehand because they also promote bruising for the same blood thinning reason.” Of course, always discuss changing the dosage of medicine with your primary physician beforehand.

HAIR-DRYING IS OFF LIMITS RIGHT AFTER THE PROCEDURE
“There’s no lowering of the head for two hours post-procedure,” says Dr. Gerstner. “No yoga, no bending over, no blow drying your hair, no tight hats, no napping. In other words, heads up!”

BOTOX MIGHT CURE MORE THAN WRINKLES
If you have excessive underarm or palm sweating or suffer from serious migraines, talk to your doctor about using Botox to cure these ills. It's been proven to diminish or stop excessive sweating, called hyperhidrosis, and to reduce the severity of migraines too—but don’t try tacking either treatment onto your cosmetic visit. You’ll need to book separate appointments. One quick tip: always take a quick peek at the box. “Botox meant for cosmetic purposes will say ‘Botox Cosmetic’ on the packaging,” says Dr. Khan. “Botox for medical purposes will say that on the package.”

A HAPPIER LOOK MIGHT ACTUALLY IMPROVE YOUR MOOD
If you’re prone to frowning, “eventually those muscles strengthen in that formation, which means it takes much effort to smile and look happy. When Botox relaxes those muscles, you look happier, which can really improve your mood and confidence,” says Dr. Gross.

Kristin Booker is a contributing writer on iVillage. Follow her on Twitter and Google+.

NSFW Look #1: Flip Flops
We’ve all wanted to pull a Peter Gibbons from Office Space and stroll into work wearing flip-flops, a Hawaiian shirt and a who-cares attitude. But then we remember we have credit card bills. Sigh. So save the plastic dime-store thongs for the pool if you want to keep the paychecks rolling in. Instead, upgrade to a luxe-looking leather sandal with chunky straps or a cute peep-toe wedge in a pretty print. If your office has a closed-toe shoe policy, try a colorful sling-back heel.

NSFW Look #2: Strapless
Do you commute to work on roller skates? Then don’t squeeze into a tube top or risk a wardrobe malfunction with a strapless dress. Rule of thumb: if you can’t wear a standard bra with it, you probably shouldn’t wear it to the office. Layer your look instead, topping a fitted shift dress with a blazer that you can remove on lunch breaks and after-hours.

NSFW Look #3: Beach Bag
Your work bag shouldn't serve double duty as your shore catch-all. After all, you don’t want to be sprinkling sand all over your desk or harboring hermit crabs in your file cabinets. If you like bag that's big, try a structured tote in a light colored leather. It’ll work well with your cheerier seasonal looks and make the morning drudgery seem slightly more bearable.

NSFW Look #4: Tank Tops
Casual ribbed tanks are best left for the gym and the BBQs this time of year. An easy safe-for-work swap? The sleeveless button-down. Worn with a classic pencil skirt or a skinny ankle-length pant, the look is effortlessly cool. But keep a cardi at the ready to cover up if you have a last-minute meeting or to combat that freezing office AC!

NSFW Look #5: Low-Cut Anything
You don’t want to smother the girls in this sweltering heat or suffer from unfortunate under-boob sweat, but allowing your cleavage to breathe in a revealing V-neck top or spaghetti-strap dress might earn you some HR finger-wagging. A flowy, silk bohemian blouse or tunic in a graphic print or floral pattern offers the breath of fresh air you need, without suffocating your chances of a promotion.

NSFW Look #6: Short Shorts
Eh, just no. Unless your office is a Hooters restaurant. Instead, slim, knee-length Bermudas worn with a blazer offer a tropical take on the suit. Or pair them with the aforementioned sleeveless shirt and espadrilles for an almost-at-the-beach, casual-Friday ensemble.

NSFW Look #7: Crop Tops
Midriff-baring crop tops are awesome for summer music festivals. Not so much for weekly staff meetings. That doesn’t, however, mean that showing a slice of skin has to be tawdry. If done correctly you can wear subtle keyhole necklines, laser-cut overlays or dresses with a bit of an open back.

NSFW Look #8: Minis
It's tempting to want to flaunt your toned and tanned legs 24/7 during the summer, but short skirts and mini-dresses need to be reserved as weekend-only wear. A timeless shirtdress in chambray or a bright color will provide just the right amount of thigh coverage and appear professional without looking stuffy.

NSFW Look #9: Tight Everything
There's something about the heat that makes a few working girls dress like they're starring in an American Apparel ad — all Spandex and Lycra. Instead of going tight, look for clothes in woven fabrics that skim rather than squeeze the life out of your figure.

On Pinterest and Instagram we see tons of beauty lovers who experiment with new trends and one makeup look we've got our eyes on is Ombre Lips.

Crop Tops

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic, Anita Bugge/WireImage

Here's why crop tops are wearable right now (unlike the ones you might remember from the last decade they were popular): They don't bare that much. Think more a peek of rib cage than a bra-to-hip reveal.

Cutouts

Jonathan Leibson/WireImage, Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, Steve Granitz/WireImage

Cutouts are omnipresent on red carpets these days, and you can get the celebs' right-now look with even a sweet keyhole at the bustline or flash of waistline.

Fringe

Rob Kim/FilmMagic, Earl Gibson III/Getty Images, D Dipasupil/FilmMagic

You could go full Gatsby by wearing an all-fringe dress for an evening out, or just dip your toe into the trend with a bit of the stuff on a swimsuit or handbag.

Lace

Taylor Hill/Getty Images, Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Sony Pictures, D Dipasupil/FilmMagic

The great thing about lace is its versatility. Dress up with a full lace gown, or pair a pretty top with a denim jacket for everyday gorgeousness.

Mismatched Swim Separates

FameFlynet, Inc.

We love the trend of mismatched two-piece swimwear for its total cost effectiveness: Try a fun combination of two suits you've worn in past seasons — et voila! A totally updated beach-ready masterpiece.

Black and White

Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images, Michael Buckner/WireImage, Rommel Demano/FilmMagic

Look crazy pulled-together in this classic color combo that gets a summer update in sweet frocks and lightweight pants.

Nail Art

David Livingston/Getty Images

You don't have to go crazy with nail art to make a very on-trend statement. Try a mani in a fun color, with a contrasting hue on each ring finger for attention-grabbing accent nails. Tres chic!

Neon

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic, Kevin Mazur/WireImage, Jim Spellman/WireImage

If you're into conjuring crazy '80s excess, fear not: Updated for this season, neon makes a bold statement in little pops of color on shoes, belts, and clutches. Head-to-toe commitment isn't necessary, but it is fun, especially when applied to a pretty frock!

Ombré Hair

Jason Merritt/Getty Images for GLAAD, Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images, Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

So gorgeous, so you — yes you! Anyone can wear this look, which is also easy to maintain since the color doesn't begin at the roots.

Statement Sunglasses

Donato Sardella/WireImage, NCP/Star Max/FilmMagic, Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

From colorful frames and lenses to wacky shapes, statement sunglasses are both totally on-trend -- and also a perfect way to get the sun protection you already needed for your eyes this summer.

Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angeles-based writer and the founder of home and travel blog Homebody in Motion. Follow her on Twitter: @alicedubin.

Transform a simple pair of sunglasses into a chic pair of shades with this simple craft from Erica Domesek.

If you covet Clare Vivier or dream of DVF, head to StefaniBags. The e-shop’s wares are shoppable by feature and trend (drawstring, pouch, tribal, tech, etc.) — and their generous loyalty program lets you rack up points toward your next purchase.

Coupon code: IVILLAGE25

Deal dates: June 1st to 15th, 2013

iVillage favorite: We love the timeless good looks of the ‘West Broadway’ satchel from IIIBeCa, famed handbag designer Joy Gryson’s new line. Carry it crossbody over the weekend, then remove the long strap for a polished, in-the-office vibe. Normally $198, now $148.50 at stefanibags.com.

If you're among the women who struggle to find a bra that fits — so, basically, every woman alive — you might be heartened by some news from Jockey International.

The intimates brand is attempting to simplify the issue once and for all with a new product line based on a completely overhauled sizing concept, according to Huffington Post.

The brand will replace the sizes you recognize — cup sizes in A, B, C, D, and so forth, and band sizes in 32, 34, 36, and on up — with what it calls Jockey's Volumetric Fit System.

The new high-tech sounding tool claims it can actually fit you for a bra better by determining the total volume of your breasts as well as the measurement below your bust line. The new sizing scheme measures cup sizes from 1 to 10.

So how do you figure out your number? With a proprietary cup it makes just for measuring your ta-tas. Although the concept seems a little gimmicky, if it works (and we'd love to think it does), who wouldn't want an affordable option for a bra that feels more customized to the body than many of the ones currently on offer in the mass market?

What do you think? Would you try Jockey's brand new sizing system?

Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angeles-based writer and the founder of home and travel blog Homebody in Motion. Follow her on Google+ and Twitter.

Tell us if this sounds like you: You'd love to score an armload of amazing new clothes that fit you like a glove — all without breaking the bank or battling road rage in the mall parking lot. Of course, right? We've got you covered. Here's our guide to the best places to shop for budget-friendly plus-size fashion online.

DOROTHY PERKINS 

Score fabulous finds, including on-trend pieces in sizes ranging to 18 as well as a collection of tall items at Dorothy Perkins. You can shop by style ("Vacation Lookbook," "Bohemian Rhapsody") for an even more convenient and fun browsing experience.  

OLD NAVY

Old Navy's great basics are available in plus size exclusively online — score! Try the site for summer shorts, tees and a pretty good selection of swimwear. Bonus: The retailer often has sales for even better prices.

FOREVER 21

Did you know Forever 21 has a department devoted to amazing plus-size clothes and accessories? Check it out for great dresses and tops around $20 — both wardrobe staples and on-trend pieces — plus an incredible selection of swimwear.

MODCLOTH

If you're into celebrating your individual style, hop over to ModCloth for cool pieces you're not likely to see on other ladies. Shop for plus-sized dresses, tops, bottoms, swimwear and intimates with frocks starting around $50 and shirts even lower.

ASOS CURVE 

ASOS' plus-size offerings can be found at ASOS Curve, where the shopping experience is super easy and streamlined. Find dresses, tees, shorts, amazing swimwear and lots more good stuff.

DRESS BARN

At Dress Barn, find sizes 14 to 24 in dresses, tops, fun capris and shorts for summer, plus swimwear and shapewear all at totally manageable price points. For instance, jeans start just over $30 in all kinds of cuts, colors and patterns.

ASHLEY STEWART

When it comes to wearable trends, you can't beat the vibrant colors and patterns at Ashley Stewart, available in sizes 12 to 26. In addition to great fashion and accessories, it's also a solid source for activewear, with many pieces right around $30.

LANE BRYANT

For lingerie, we love the offerings at plus-size fashion emporium Lane Bryant, which at last look included about 150 options for bras in bold colors, specialty shapes for wearing under dresses, and sports options — plus a few racy bedroom looks to boot. Va va voom!

BARE NECESSITIES

Bare Necessities is another solid option for plus-size intimates with prices ranging from extremely budget-minded right on up to more indulgent; on last look, a five-pack of plus-size Hanky Panky panties would set you back close to $100, but there were also plenty of options around $8 a pop.

SWIMSUITS FOR ALL

We love the sexy silhouettes offered at Swimuits For All, in sizes 8 to 34 — and we admit we're a sucker for their mission statement too: "We believe that some of the most memorable times in our lives are spent wearing a swimsuit. By helping make those experiences better, happier and accessible to anyone and everyone, we are making the world a better place to swim in." That's an idea we can get behind! 

You always knew you'd marry him even if he proposed with a length of twine for a ring. But now that it's been a while since you got hitched — and now that you have a couple more zeros on your bank statement — would you trade in your original engagement ring for a blingier model?

Some brides are choosing to do just that, with retailers large and small building the upgrade option right into the purchase agreement for the original stone as a customer incentive. For example, a diamond purchased from jewelry website James Allen can be exchanged at 100 percent credit for any replacement diamond of at least twice the value, or the retailer will buy back a diamond at 70 percent of the original purchase price if a customer buys an upgrade elsewhere. Mom-and-pop jewelry shop Icing on the Ring in Los Angeles offers a credit in the full dollar amount of the purchase price regardless of the upgraded stone's value.

Icing on the Ring co-owner Vic Rupchian says that couples often trade up when they're getting close to a milestone anniversary, and usually around "the longer stretch" — often between the 8- and 15-year mark.

He has yet to observe a trend in folks upgrading rings purchased in the depths of the lean recession years, but suggests it's a bit early to have seen that happen anyway. "Things are just shaping up now. It could happen closer to that 8- to 10-year timeframe," he notes.

Beyond the desire for a larger stone, there are other reasons people upgrade. Women are more involved in the purchase of an upgrade then they were in when their grooms popped the question, so they might find a style more their own, according to James Allen. Or maybe they'll replace a dated setting with a more modern one as the years go by.

But some folks would never even dream of giving up the ring their groom held in his sweaty palm when he got down on one knee, the ring they wore on their wedding day. "There's that sentimental attachment, that heirloom quality to original rings," Rupchian says.

So let's hear from you: Would you ever upgrade your engagement ring?

Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angeles-based writer and the founder of home and travel blog Homebody in Motion. Follow her on Twitter and Google+.

In the era of steerage-style air travel and crazy bag-checking fees, it’s time to get serious about packing efficiently. Here are 10 ways to do it while still looking like the pulled-together goddess that you are when you arrive at your destination.

Roll Your Clothes

It may seem counterintuitive, but folding clothes the way you typically would in a dresser is a bigger space suck than rolling. Roll tightly, in the same way you would roll up a yoga mat after a workout. If done carefully you can cut the space your clothes take up by half. This method resists wrinkling too. Score!

Bring Only One Pair of Jeans

Denim lovers out there may regard this as blasphemy, but: You only need one pair of jeans! Pick a pair that’s skinny enough to look pulled together, but not so tight as to be uncomfortable on a plane. And select a dark wash that you can wear for casual walks around your destination, or dress up with a blouse and accessories.

Pick a Color Theme and Pre-Plan Outfits

It’s tempting to throw all your favorite pieces into your suitcase and assume you’ll put together a few great looks on the other end. But it doesn’t always—ahem, ever—work that way. Make thoughtful choices in advance along a color theme, laying out versatile pieces that you can combine into multiple outfits you’ve pre-planned. This will help you ditch those purple pumps that match with nothing but seemed like such a good idea before you found yourself lugging them around multiple airports with jetlag and a not-cute scowl.

Headed to a Hotel? Ditch the Hairdryer

If your destination is a hotel, you can call ahead (or check online) to confirm there’ll be a hairdryer in your room—and then save space by ditching your own. (After years of personal experience and experimentation, I feel compelled to add this caveat: We curly-haired girls know our diffuser attachments don’t tend to fit on the travel-sized dryers often found in hotel rooms, so use your judgment.)

Tuck Underthings Into Shoes

Maybe in your college days, you found occasions to stash a pair of clean panties somewhere hidden just in case you got lucky. (Hey, we don’t judge!) Channel that girl by tucking underthings like panties and socks anywhere you see a pocket of extra room in your suitcase—like the toes of shoes—and save a bit of precious space.

Compress Your Bulky Clothes

Airlines often charge extra per piece of luggage—so make a single bag count by stuffing as much into it as you can without exceeding the weight limit. For a small investment, you can buy a compression sack that will help you squeeze the air out of bulky items—especially useful for travel to a cold-weather destination.

Stick to One Evening Bag

This is another controversial one—but hear me out, ladies. We love our evening bags, but they can be not only bulky but also delicate and prone to damage when we cram them into overstuffed luggage. So try to stick to a single going-out bag—perhaps a clutch in a metallic tone that can go with black, brown, blue, or just about anything. If you select a tone other than silver or gold—say, bronze—it will be more likely to go with an array or jewelry and accessory options. Make sure it complements the pair of going-out shoes you’ve packed (and stuffed with undies!) too.

Bring an Array of Scarves

Scarves pack small and light, and they can really add variety to outfits you repeat. Pack a few wrinkle-resistant, brightly colored pieces that will pack a punch when tied around your neck, bag, shoulders, or even in your hair. A scarf can also be a great place to rest your head in an airplane seat—or even cover your eyes when you want to get some shut-eye in flight.

Streamline Your Beauty Regimen

Sure, your makeup case at home might contain enough to fill your entire carry-on bag if you let it—but don’t. Streamline your regimen by trying, say, a multi-tasking product that works for lips, cheeks and eyes. In addition to lightening your load, you’ll find the revamped approach allows you more time to get out there and explore your destination!

Wear Your Coat or Jacket on the Plane

In these days of massively inflated prices for checked baggage, outsmart the system by wearing some of your bulkier pieces—like coats and boots—instead of packing them. And if you get cold on planes, your cozy topper will keep you more comfy than a paper-thin airline blanket maintained with dubious hygiene practices.

Time to mix it up for the summer with some fresh accessories! So what's going to make sure you're hotter than the weather? We're counting down the top 5 accessories you'll need to be sporting!

With beach season fast approaching, there’s a decision to be made: Will you choose to shave or to sugar, IPL or laser the hair off? We found the best at-home versions for each hair removal method to leave you fabulously hair-free.

Waxing

Modern kits have made the age-old practice of waxing a less daunting prospect. The very best formulas seem to “shrink wrap” each hair, no matter how short or coarse, and are brightly colored so you can see exactly what you’re doing. Bliss’s Poetic Waxing kit ($48 at sephora.com), scores an A+ on both counts. Simply heat the aromatic, dark blue wax (it comes in a cute microwavable mug) and apply to skin with a large or small spatula. Remove in a brisk motion (no messy strips in this kit!) and treat skin with the included healing oil.

Sugaring

What to do when your skin’s too sensitive for waxing but you want similarly smooth results? Try the ancient practice of sugaring. Like waxing, the process involves applying a tacky mixture to skin and removing the hair with muslin strips. But unlike wax, when applied correctly, sugar-based formulas won’t burn or adhere to skin, so there’s less potential for irritation. Natural beauty devotees are fans of sugaring’s pure ingredients (many products are organic, and you can even make a custom batch yourself at home). Perfectionists love that every last bit of residue washes off with water. So what’s the rub? You may have to practice a few times before your hands get the hang of the procedure. We love the ease of Moom Organic Hair ($19.95 at folica.com).

Shaving

Gone are the days when you had to steal your husband’s Mach 3 to get a super-close shave. Venus Gillette’s latest razor innovation for women has five blades, an ergonomic curve-friendly design (especially handy on knees and ankles) and a skin-conditioning strip developed in partnership with the master moisturizers at Olay, $8.99 at drugstores.

Intense Pulsed Light

(IPL) Technology If de-fuzzing is taking over your beauty routine, it might be time to call in the big guns—and go below skin’s surface to zap hair before it grows. Remington’s i-Light Pro ($249.99 at remingtonproducts.com) does just that, targeting hair follicles with light energy. After a few weeks of use hairs begin to fall out, and re-growth gets lighter and lighter over time. Europeans have been using the first-generation i-Light since 2009, and now we get to try our own version stateside. A downloadable i-LIGHT Pro app for iPhone, iPad and Android will even remind you when it’s time for your next treatment—and when the device’s cartridge needs replacing.

Laser Technology

Laser hair removal in our own bathroom? It’s true: The FDA has cleared the Tria Hair Removal Laser ($395 at triabeauty.com) for at-home use—and it’s shot to #1 on many women’s beauty product wish lists thanks to its promise of permanent results after as little as six months of use. Just like the lasers employed in salons and doctor’s offices, the Tria can cause sensations ranging from “warm and prickly” to “snapping rubber bands.” But five comfort settings allow you to adjust the intensity to suit your skin’s sensitivity.

WATCH: Want Beautiful Skin? Remeber: Less Is More