What’s the deal with end-of-summer sales in July? As far as I’m concerned, until Labor Day rolls around, summer is still in full swing, which means we still have time to strut our stuff by the sea or by the pool in this season’s hottest bikinis.

My latest obsession in swimwear is with So Low’s new Tie Dye Bikini. I have loved this company’s fabulously comfortable rollover yoga pants for years (they are the ultimate figure-flattering pants that come in wide range of colors and styles- perfect for long flights), and now they have swimwear that is equally chic and well tailored.

I tried this bikini out for a weekend and discovered that it not only fits in the right places, but it also makes a fashionable splash with its unique tie dye pattern. The fabric is breathable and stretchy but thick enough to conceal any lumps and bumps that you don’t want making an appearance at the beach. I chose the sunny yellow/red pattern, which perfectly complemented my July tan, but the blue/green combo (shown above, right, on hipster celeb Vanessa Minnillo), also suits most complexions.

With such a quintessentially summery pattern, the only accessories this suit requires are sunkissed skin, a smile, and a pair of simple shades. The result? Instant, ultimate beach goddess.

Houseboats have come a long way since their heyday in the 60s. Tango Diva founder Patti recalled a vacation she took a year ago on a houseboat in scenic Lake Powell, Arizona. She describes a lazy afternoon spent lounging in the boat’s jacuzzi, sipping champagne, “plunging down the waterslide from the second-level deck as the sun slips behind the cliffs and the first stars begin to appear. It’s heaven and it’s effortless. This ain’t your Aunt Annie’s houseboat.”

Patti is right. Houseboats these days are sleek, stylish, and an ideal way to take advantage of both land and sea, and now is the perfect time to head for Lake Powell and see for yourself!

Lake Powell is located in northern Arizona and extends upward to southern Utah. An easy 2-hour drive from the Grand Canyon, it joins the Colorado River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Famous for its many secluded coves and dramatic red rock formations, the water levels at Lake Powell are reaching a 20-year high right now, and previously off-limits areas are now open to boats, allowing visitors to see new sights and explore untouched territory.

If that isn’t enough of a reason to go, Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas just announced that you can rent a 46-foot Voyager houseboat for 3 days for only $1195. This is a savings of over $500! They also offer small watercraft rentals, such as jet skis and power boats.

Valid for travel Aug. 15 to Oct. 15, this houseboat package can accommodate up to 12 people- perfect for a group of friends or family trip.

For more information and to make a reservation, visit Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas, or call 888-669-2704 and request promo code tzhb40.

One of the most common travel inconveniences is having to buy another suitcase or duffel while on vacation so that you can schlep all your newfound, exotic goodies home. And nobody wants to bring an extra, empty suitcase with them in the first place. The solution? The convertible key chain Kiva bags.

Tango Diva tested these sleek, colorful bags that condense into its own pouch that can fit in the palm of your hand and can be clipped onto a key chain. The bags expand into roomy totes, duffels, backpacks, or “sling packs.”

With a variety of colors, including classic black, red, blue, and green, as well as several floral designs, these extremely lightweight and stylish bags won’t add any weight to your luggage until you fill them up with souvenirs.

These bags are also an eco-friendly way to lug groceries, use for shopping, and as a gym bag.

Get ‘Carried’ away this Fall during New York Fashion Week with “Labels and Love,” an exclusive, all-girls fashion weekend in Manhattan, produced by The Last Single Girl in the World, sponsored by Tango Diva.

Join Jerusha Stewart,author of “The Single Girl’s Manifesta” and Wendy Merrill, author of “Falling Into Manholes,” as they guide you through the ultimate destination for glamor and romance.

Bring your friend, sister, mother, or daughter and enjoy a memorable weekend including:

• The Official Sex and The City Tour
• Front seats at a “Couture Fashion Week” runway show
• A backstage pass at the runway show
• An elite singles mixer
• A private cocktail party
• Lux goodies, including a Manhattan Insider Map

Book the fashion package now!

Visit Tango Diva’s Calendar of Cool for more information.

Tango Diva’s annual Man Issue 2008 has arrived! This issue is bursting with our favorite international men about town and their personal tips to traveling to their hometowns.

We interviewed men from all over the world to get their perspective on what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and of course, where to play, in the places they call home. Hard work, we know, but somebody has to do it!

Learn from Ihab Rashad of Cairo, Egypt about “the sense of humor of the Egyptian people,” who, he says, “always find a reason to smile.” Take a dip with Greg Morey of Tampa, Florida, who reveals that when watching the local dolphins, “something touches your soul.” And discover the mysterious place where you can find Charles, a vampy vampire of Transylvania in Eastern Romania, on a given Sunday afternoon.

With a wink and a nod, each man reveals a little about himself as well as his hometown. So go ahead- sigh and swoon at our international roster of men by clicking here. Just try not to drool.

After reviewing almost 10,000 entries, Tourism Ireland chose three winners of their “Your Very Own Ireland Podcast Contest.” The winners were chosen to spend a week roaming about Ireland with a guest and to report back on whatever sparked their interest, free of supervision or direction.

Of course, Tourism Ireland did provide them with airfare, car rental service, hotel reservations, and MP3 player support. With these tools, the three winners each explored Ireland in their own way, and the result is these three incredible podcasts featuring over 30 audio travelogues, which allow listeners to join in on the journey of Ireland themselves.

Check out the podcasts here.

Enter the Lifestyle Makeover Giveaway to win a 7 night stay for two in a private 2-bedroom villa at the luxurious and beautiful Hilton Head Health, on the South Carolina Coast (retail value: $7,999).

Whether you want to kick start your plan to lose weight or just want a week to de-stress and reconnect your body and mind, this giveaway package is sure to give you a makeover of your body and your soul!

All you have to do to enter is click http://www.spaweek.org/content/promo/hiltonhead and forward the link along to at least two other friends.

The package includes:

• Accommodations in a private 2-bedroom villa with a shared living and dining area
• 3 healthy gourmet meals and snacks per day
• Health assessment: individuals will be weighed, measured, and will get a blood screening
• 3 45-minute private sessions focused on goal setting, meal planning and exercise strategies
• Access to a wide variety of fitness classes on a daily basis
• Array of nutritional classes and cooking demonstrations to choose from
• Group sessions on stress management motivation and self-discovery
• Unique and interactive H3ID Classes focusing on Fitness, Nutrition and S.E.L F (Stress, Empowerment, Longevity, and Fulfillment)
• Use of all fitness and recreation facilities
• 1 60-minute massage per person, per stay

The package does not include airfare and transportation to the Hilton Head Health. Valid August 3rd-December 28th, 2008.For more details, call 800-292-2440 or visit http://www.hhhealth.com/

The days of lip-synching “singers” is becoming part of the past, with the growth of empowering female artists like Tami Chynn, a new kind of pop princess who emerged from one of the grittiest, male-dominated music scenes there is- Jamaica’s dancehall.

Chynn, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, has just released her first single, “Frozen” (featuring Akon) from her new album coming out this summer entitled PRIMADONNA. “Frozen” reflects Chynn’s roots and influences, ranging from Jamaican artists lke Sean Paul and Lady Saw to Beyonce and Madonna. Chynn’s main focus is making music that inspires girls everywhere and of all ages, and she succeeds in doing this by singing fun, empowering, sexy, and at times sentimental lyrics. Her songs move you in the emotional and physical sense of the word.

Even though PRIMADONNA might be her first official album, Chynn has been deep in the Reggae scene for a long time, with underground hits such as “Hyperventilating,” “Touch Me,” and “I’d Like to Know,” off an independent album. After her hometown success with Reggae, Chynn developed her music to have a more wordly sound that was a better reflection of her experiences and her ability to constantly reinvent herself. PRIMADONNA, according to Chynne, represents Jamaica’s ever-evolving music culture, proving that dance music doesn’t have to sacrifice substance for popularity.

Check out “Frozen” and discover why we think Tami Chynn is on her way to becoming a worldwide sensation.

To view Tami Chynn’s official site, visit http://www.tamichynn.com/

North Berkely’s Gourmet Ghetto is so chock-full of culinary hotspots and hideaways that it’s hard to choose where to eat. The solution, according to epicurean concierge Lisa Rogovin, is to try them all!

Let Lisa tour you through the area known as the birthplace of California cuisine for an afternoon, making stops to speak with local chefs and food purveyors, not to mention sampling an assortment of delicacies.

Visit the original Peets Coffe & Tea in Walnut Square, the eclectic food shops at Epicurious Garden, and the Vintage Berkely Wine Shop, and the area’s weekly all-organic Farmers Market.

Some of the local artisan edibles that participants will get to sink their teeth into:

• Cupcakes made from scratch at Love at First Bite Cupcakery & Bakery
• Raw food goodies at Cafe Gratitude
• Parisian-style Macaroons from Masse’s Pastries
• Salts and Culinary Spices at Elephant Pharmacy
• Crispy Potato Puffs at Gregoire’s
• Organic specialties from the Juice Bar Collect
• NYC deli pastrami at Saul’s Delicatessen
• Tea History & Tasting at Imperial Tea Court
• Chocolate works of art at Alegio Chocolates
• Housemade Soups from SOOP

Selections and stops on the tour will be changed seasonally.
Tour Schedule - Every Thursday from 2 - 5pm, year-round, rain or shine.
Price is $60 per person.
Reservations can be made by calling 415-806-5970 or by email at lisa@inthekitchenwithlisa.com

Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance.

For more information on the tour and on Lisa Rogovin, visit http://inthekitchenwithlisa.com/index.htm

Tango Diva has joined Facebook! That’s right, Tango Diva has become even more hip and happening with an informative and interactive Facebook group and  a fan page. Check it out and join!

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