With summer well under way and temperatures continuing to climb relentlessly, leaving even the most determined fashionista looking and feeling somewhat frazzled, many New Yorkers begin to long for the well-deserved serenity that is vacation.

Ahh, vacation. Yes, there are some that feel no hesitation at rushing off to the nearest travel agency to book yet another one of those typical summer trips in which all you do is lounge, look and lavish, but if you’re one of those wanderlust souls who want a break from the norm, here are a few things you might want to consider asking yourself: do you want both a physical and mental challenge? Do you dream of having the chance to really experience another culture from an insider’s perspective (as in: you want something more than that painfully fake camel ride in the desert, lead by the uncomfortably attired “native”)? Do you want to make a difference in poorer countries? Do you want the chance to develop cultural understanding not found in a glossy tourist book?

Then here’s an idea. Why not follow the lead of 55 million other Americans and invest for once in a “volunteer vacation”? These working holidays have become enormously popular in recent years and offer a welcome relief from the everyday stresses of our modern society.

We started off our manners series politely explaining how much calmer, less stressful, and over-all more enjoyable our lives would be with a little dose of manners. But being the Americans we are, you shouldn’t be surprised that the politeness is over. We’re getting down and dirty and throwing it all out there and with the help of the wise Emily Post, hopefully shock you into a more sophisticated and refined self.

The idea of proper manners and etiquette are nothing new. Since the beginning of the 1900s, with the help of Emily Post, we have been instructed and given advice on what to do and what not to do. Today, any tricky situation can find resolve thanks to the Emily Post Institute (www.emilypost.com) and Emily’s great-great granddaughter, Lizzie offers her services to those facing the daily dilemmas of our generation.

You’ve undergone the necessary summer rituals (or tortures for some) of waxing, polishing and tanning. Now it’s time to show off your beautiful body wearing the right swimsuit. You’re saying, “How do I choose? Color? Style? Designer?” The answer is “Do it by personality.”

The ‘Model-esque Diva’

Diva attitude, check. Ego the size of New York, check. A body that can rival any Supermodel, check. If all of the above is true, walk the sandy beach runways in this hot number.

Gottex makes this animal print deep plunge one-piece for $178.00, available on pilarsbeachwear.com.

The ‘Trendista’

You uttered “I’m so hot” before the celebrity heiress made the phrase famous. Every fashion magazine and new designer is filed in your mental rolodex. Set the next trend in an amazing two -piece.

Red bandeau top and low rise bottom for $66.00 each, both are embellished with wood detail by Anika Brazil, available on instyleswimwear.com.

We live in a world obsessed with hair. At any given moment, a television commercial with a model’s long luxurious locks being tossed about will sell the newest shampoo. Women now pay $50 to have their hair washed and “blown-out.” We’re a nation where the color of your hair can determine the content of your character. And when Brittney Spears, America’s pop princess, shaved her head, it made more newspaper headlines than a political election.

I can’t say that I haven’t dreamt of having beautiful long flowing locks myself. Sure, I appreciate what traits are bestowed to me, but gorgeous hair is not on the list. I did grow my hair out once in hopes to be mistaken for Julia Robert’s from afar, but when a picture of a girl whose hair more closely resembled a horse’s mane stared back at me, I quickly trotted my arse to the closest Supercuts and chopped the “ponytail” immediately.

As the dog days set in, we’ll do almost anything within our power to cool down our body temperature and wrest back control of our melting senses. At times the summer air’s simply too chaotic for words, we just need to run for cover. But all hope is not lost – common sense (and science) dictates that ingesting lots of cooling, healthy greens sets our body temperature plunging into the depths of sweet icy relief (or at least in that general direction). So fix the Lower Eastside Girls Club Annual East Village Farmers Market (girlsclub.org) on your suffocating-summer cool-down radar (Wednesdays 12-8). Featuring lots of fresh fruits and veggies, herbs, cider and eggs, Girls Club’s famous granola, muffins, cookies and salsas, smoothies made with their very own girl-powered bicycle smoothie blender: a spectacle surely worth playing hookey from the office to behold!!!

Ah, summer. A time for sandals and floral print sundresses, the smell of SPF 15, and fruity tropical drinks to make even the brokest gal on the block feel like she’s on vacation. Launching summer in July was Hanger‘s intent. Mine was to get there. Hanger succeeded. Me? Barely. I should’ve known I was in for a duel with fate from the start. My partner-in-crime’s bus was stuck in the Lincoln Tunnel for nearly an hour. I left work in a hurry, forgetting the bar’s address on my desk. Walking while on the phone, basking in the warm glow of multi-tasking (or was that just the heat?), I was mid-step, mid-sentence when my sandal broke, leaving me sliding toward Port Authority to meet said partner-in-crime. The humidity had me feeling bedraggled with a frizz fro out to here.

Once the shoes had been replaced (thank you, Payless), we hopped on the subway to Union Square because my brain has jumbled the address to 217 3rd Avenue. Of course, there is no 217 3rd Avenue, and I’m thinking, maybe it’s one of those underground no-sign joints. But no. Blessed technology, I called my sister who quickly Googled the address, at which point my brain started to regain functionality, and I knew what she was about to say: 217 3rd Street. Curses.

I grew up in the 80′s – a decade of carelessness, power-suits and overindulgence. A time when only tree-huggers recycled and being “green” was not yet trendy. These days everything’s gone green, hotels, spas, cars, Leo, Julia and the list goes on. But the fashion industry? Who would have imagined? Stella started down the runway and others soon followed. So I pose the question: Is it possible to be fashionable and earthly unselfish at the same time? Well, the answer is on the shelves. What once seemed to be an oxymoron is now neatly stacked and displayed at Barneys, Bloomies and Fred Segal and is adorning the torsos of Sienna Miller and Zooey Danschanel.

ZOOEY by Alice Heller and a collaborative design effort with Love & Eight are teaming up with Healthy Child Healthy World to launch a “GREEN” partnership, offering “a fashionable, eco-friendly and optimistic message in 100% organic pima cotton.” These super-soft luxury T-shirt’s will be launching this August and $2 of every purchase will benefit the HCHW Organization (it’s asking the participating retailers to match this). HCHW is dedicated to protecting children from harmful environmental exposures. Members of this organization are spattered with celebs, such as our beloved Meryl Streep, Brooke Shields, Laura Dern and Erin Brockovick to name a few.

The ZOOEY line features earthy colors in tones of ash, sunshine, grass, snow and ocean to complete the theme. Leave your “I Stole Your Boyfriend” and “Team Aniston” graphic tee at home – these shirts with positive messages such as, “Make Peace With The Earth” and “Think Green, Be Cool” are way more grown-up and cool.

You can get your green tees during the fall/holiday season, and they can even be shipped in an earth friendly green box. Just another reason to shop.

Who wouldn’t want to look like the stars? Why wouldn’t someone grab the chance to dress in the latest and stylish designer clothing? Well, when a shirt is the same price as your months rent, passing it up isn’t that hard. But, finally we can give into fashion temptation! The latest trend has been for renowned designers to create collections available to everyone – no matter what budget you’re on!

Target’s GO INTERNATIONAL line has been creating collections for their stores since the beginning of 2006. Luella Bartley, Tara Jarmon, and Proenza Schouler are just a few of the designers that have created lines for Target stores. Hitting the racks starting July 15, the newest addition to the GO INTERNATION line, Libertine, brings a rugged, yet sophisticated and preppy look to Target. The items in the collection are versatile, can be mixed and matched and are perfect for a casual day at work or out and about on a Saturday afternoon. With prices ranging from $12.99 to $39.99, who can resist?!

Striped Tunic $17.99, bucket hat $14.99. image from target.com

Argyle Sweater Vest $24.99, Eyelet Shirt $24.99, Bermuda Shorts $26.99. image from target.com

For most people, summer calls to mind happy things like barbeques, sprinklers and popsicles. But if you’re a beauty junkie, the word “summer” may leave you stricken with fear. You’d much rather hide in your air-conditioned abode, far from the scary hot temps and humidity that will inevitably make your mascara run, your foundation melt, and your t-zone to go from matte to oily within seconds of walking outside. Have no fear! Here comes Awake Cosmetics to the rescue with summer-proofing products that just might make you say, “Bring on the heat wave.”

Awake Cosmetics is an innovative Japanese cosmetics brand that promises to soothe irritated, stressed-out skin using natural, hypo-allergenic ingredients. Its products target a number of skin concerns, like dullness and excess oil, and include deep-cleansing facial washes, skin-rejuvenating moisturizers, masks and treatments for any skin type, foundation, lip glosses, and even high-quality brushes.

I love New York. But I also have an equally passionate love for London. Call me a two-timer, but there is so much to do in both cities – who could ever be jealous!? But whichever place I am enjoying, I am faithful while I’m there. So – I love New York.

Having spent a lot of time across the pond lately, one thing sticks out. Yes, in both towns you can shop, eat, drink, dance, spa – etc., but there is one glaring difference in the way it’s done. The British are well-mannered. Extremely well mannered. Of course, not all of them, but as an overall cultural observation, much more emphasis is based on the protocol of propriety than here.

Manners are a sticking point with me. Of the things I despise most in life (sunscreen, caraway seeds and rudeness), the lack of common niceties really irks me the most. We at BeautyNews have decided to start a regular feature on how we can recognize when our behavior is not quite up to standard and, most importantly, how to improve it.