STYLE. Summertime and the living is easy. Now that the weather has broken, the last thing we DivaGals want to do is spend more time flat ironing our hair! This summer we are rocking “Corrine Curls” from our newest hair source …. O.V.A. Boutique provides 100 percent virgin grade human hair extensions in multiple lengths, textures, styles, and colors. Their hair products are imported from India, Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, and Peru. We have to thank our newest Beauty Gal Aminat for the recommendation.

O.V.A. should really be called “standing ovation” because every time we walk out the door with our haute curly locks we see smiles of appreciation from both men and women; it was a hit a GILT‘s outside patio at the Palace Hotel in NYC. And in the back of our minds we am paying homage to the curly girl Corinne Bailey Rae as we go on and “let your hair down.”

Photo: CorinneBaileyRae.net

CREATE. Ever have that moment where you just canΓÇÖt find the right necklace for your outfit? How about taking matters into your own hands ΓÇô literally! Jewelry designer Kristin Hanson, the woman behind Kristin Hanson Couture, KIKI by Kristin Hanson and Hanson for Men, actually offers jewelry-making classes in her studio, a fabulous multi-story space she has redesigned in downtown NYC. Classes can be as short as an hour, or as long as it takes to finish your fabulous unique creation, I learned when I was invited to make my own pendant. Creating the shape? Cutting out your own materials? Polishing it to a superior shine? Yes, itΓÇÖs all on you ΓÇô with the help of talented (and handsome!) master cutter John. I hacked out the shape of my sorority crest ΓÇô it certainly wasnΓÇÖt perfect, but I did feel a sense of pride after seeing my final product.

PROTECT. Luxe Gal just got her first iPad, and I am loving it! I have been bridging the learning curve on my hot new device and picking up accessories left and right. My first iPad add-on was the Speck iPad cover. It’s stylish and functional, and helped rid me of my fears of dropping my iPad. This cover is like a glossy covered blanket and promises to be “the perfect iPad folio case for anyone looking for lightweight protection, secure grip and pixelicious style.” Digging the snap closure and a revamped 4-panel cover which offers me tons of stand options. The whole thing just makes me smile every time I flip my cover open. Retails for $59.95.