Find yourself gifting Mom with flowers year after year? Break the routine and shake things up this year. We’ve got some fun, creative ideas for Mother’s Day to make Mom happy and prevent you from  breaking the bank!

Show off your culinary skills. There’s nothing like a homemade meal and a simple gesture like this that really shows you care. Have Mom start the day with this yummy batch of chocolate chip pancakes: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-chip-pancakes/

Spend the day powered off. Take a break from Facebook and your iPhone and spend some time with mom. Enjoy some nice fresh air;  go on a local hike or take her to a nice place with a picnic basket full of her favorite foods! Trust us, time spent with you will be her favorite gift!

Movie Night! Line up a few rom-com movies in your Netflix queue for a girls’ movie night! Mom will love having a cozy night in watching movies that were chosen with her in mind! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/08/the-best-mothers-day-movi_n_568160.html#s88877&title=Terms_of_Endearment

Girl’s Trip! Plan a fun evening or daytime activity that Mom could spend with her friends! Try gifting Mom with a trip to the movies, museum tickets or nice lunch at her favorite restaurant.

Play Cinderella for a night and finish all of the house chores that usually fall onto Mom’s plate before she wakes up. She’ll be thrilled to start her day with this “to-do” item checked off her list!

Wishing all the Moms out there a Happy Mother’s Day!

When it comes to graduation fashion, don’t let that boring cap and gown get you down! Whether you’re celebrating your own graduation or a friend or  family member’s we’ve got some styling tips to help you choose the perfect outfit for the occasion!

Make Sure Your Outfit is Practical. If your heels are too high, they might sink in the grass while you’re walking up to receive your diploma. If your dress is too short or too low cut, you’ll easily wind up on everyone’s “fashion don’t” list. Also, keep in mind that you’ll be sitting most of the time during the ceremony, and possibly in direct sunlight, so comfort (and sunscreen) is always key!

Go Bold! Try color blocking. Choose an outfit made up of several bright blocks of colors juxtaposed against each other. Just remember to keep the cut classic and let the colors speak for themselves! http://www.togandporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/colorblocking.png

Maxi-mize the Moment! A fun maxi-dress, preferably with an outrageous print on it, is an easy-to-wear option.Just be sure the length isn’t too long – you don’t want to trip on your way to the stage! Pair the dress with simple jewelry and hair for the perfect ensemble! http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2012/04/daily-outfit-idea-how-to-wear-5.html

Pack a Citrusy Punch! Oranges and tangerines add the perfect pop of color, but we especially love when the hue is the main focus of any outfit. Try a wrap dress or comfy tunic in this bright color. http://thestylerundown.com/?p=3141

Make Your Makeup Memorable! Keep your makeup light if the ceremony is outdoors, or else you’ll end up sweating most of it off. And don’t forget to use waterproof mascara that will stay in place if you shed any tears! Check out our spring skincare for some additional beauty inspiration: http://mycleanscene.com/blog/2012/spring-skincare-trends/

Enjoy planning your outfit and have a wonderful graduation celebration!

We know how stressful exams can be and all that worry can easily lead one stressed-out girl! Follow a few of these tips to keep you calm, collected, and on you’re A-Game during finals this year!

Start your day by feeding your brain! Try this yummy meal for breakfast: a handful of berries (vitamin C), six to eight ounces of low fat yogurt (calcium and magnesium) and a slice of whole grain toast with natural peanut butter.

Take a break! Brains get tired and need a distraction sometimes, even if it’s just watching a funny YouTube video. Indulging in a quick break will give your mind a second to relax.

Get Connected. Don’t avoid everyone and shut yourself in your room through exams. When managing your study schedule, allot some free time for a fro-yo trip with friends!

Put down your phone! Constant multitasking is sometimes necessary, but can also cause us to lose focus. Take a few minutes a day to unplug from the computer and phone for a healthy and very much needed mental break.

Eat “Brain Food.” The omega-3 fats in salmon (often called “brain food”) as well as other fish, walnuts, flaxseeds and olives help keep your mind sharp!

Activate those endorphins! Hop on that treadmill or go to that yoga, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Having a daily exercise ritual will help you sleep better at night and keep your brain sharp in the morning.

Get to bed! Your body and brain are affected by the quality and amount of sleep you get at night, which determines how well you can deal with stress. Turn off the TV one hour before heading to bed to help your body and mind relax and help prep your brain for sleep.

Go easy on yourself. Adding external pressure to the real pressure of exams is not going to help your cause, so do the best you can and acknowledge that giving it your all is exactly what you should be doing.

Best of luck on all your exams this year!

Have a couple stress-busting tips you’d like to share? Let us know what they are by commenting on this blog or posting your tips on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/mycleanscene

Summer is almost here! With the weather warming up, now is the time for bright colors and new looks – not only with your clothing, but with your hair and makeup too! Here are 5 of the most popular trends  you’re sure to see everywhere this summer:

Braids: Braids are back! There are endless ways to incorporate them into your hairstyle. You can pull all you hair together for a classic side braid just like our favorite girl Katniss. Or try including a few little braids into your updo.  It only takes a few minutes, but will look like you spent hours working on it! http://thebeautydepartment.com/2011/08/the-long-the-short-of-it/

Neutral Eyes/Bright Lip: We’re seeing bright pops of color everywhere and now is the perfect time to brighten up your lips! Have a little fun with your makeup and make a statement. Whether you choose hot pink, red or bright coral lips, pair it with neutral eye makeup so you don’t end up looking like a clown. Most importantly, make sure your lips are smooth and hydrated before you apply any color to help the look last all day.

Neon Nails: Nails are the easiest way to change up any look for the season and we couldn’t be more excited that bright neon polishes are staying through summer! Nothing says bright sunshiny days quite like  lime green nails or some hot pink polish on your toes.

Top Knot Bun: We all know how the story goes… you spend all day at the beach or lounging around the pool and then your friends decide to go to the mall or out to lunch, but your hair is a MESS! What’s a girl to do? Nothing a simple top knot bun can’t fix! Try throwing your hair up into a top knot and be amazed at how quickly your look goes from hot mess to super chic. Here’s a helpful how-to on getting this look in a flash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZQ-uZAEgi0&feature=related

Bright Eyeliner: What’s the quickest way to spice up your eye makeup without putting too much time and effort into it? Try rocking some bright eyeliner! Start off by lining your top lid with black eyeliner. Next, add a line directly on top of it with your favorite bright colored eyeliner. Use the same eyeliner to line your lower lid and voilà! You’re ready to rock the summer season! http://glowtdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/img.jpg

Now go out, sport some of your favorite looks from the list and get ready for an amazing summer!

We all know recycling, but are you into upcycling? It’s the latest in eco-friendly fashion – making your old clothes new again through creative styling. In honor of Earth Day, try out a few of these trendy spring looks created by upcycling your winter clothes!

Turn your slouchy winter sweater into a fun knit beach bag! http://frugalliving.about.com/od/craftsgifts/ss/Sweater_Bag.htm

The scarf that kept you warm all winter can be used as a sarong with your bikini, a mini for day, an evening wrap and more! http://i.americanapparel.net/storefront/images/altimages/rsa2502.html

Turn your jeans into a skirt by following these easy instructions! http://fun.kyti.me/index.php/2011/08/back-to-school-jeans-skirt/

Repurpose your old tee shirt into a super-cute cropped jacket! http://wobisobi.blogspot.com/2011/03/project-re-style-12.html

Happy Styling and Happy Earth Day everyone!!

Show us how you are upcycling your clothes by posting pictures of your creations on our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/mycleanscene

Summer is coming, and that means relaxing in the sun, taking naps and catching up with your DVR. But we all know that after a week or two of that laziness, boredom sets in and we’re ready to start moving again. Make this summer your most productive (but still fun, of course!) yet. Here are some of the things we’re planning this summer. What’s on your agenda?

Getting our body back! Stress eating during finals totally cancelled out all those New Year’s resolutions. So we’re ready to go on a physically challenging program to get our body healthy for the coming school year. This year we’re thinking of incorporating rock climbing, hiking and a dance camp! The endorphins will keep us pumped long after August is over!

Planning our future! At any age, dreaming about what your future holds can be a fun pastime. Start making those dreams a reality by enrolling in a summer program that counts toward what you want to study in college. Our summer class? Creative writing and social media of course!

Getting some international exposure! Study abroad and stay with a host family for a truly immersive experience. Who knows, maybe you’ll even have that international summer romance to brag about when you return to school this fall. We’re thinking Italy, Greece or Turkey this year.

Making it rain! To get the green, you’ve got to put in the work. Send out feelers for a summer job to save up change for next school year’s wardrobe. Many of us make some extra pennies by babysitting. Find a family that’s looking for a summer nanny for a steady income stream.

Getting some real world experience! Choose an entry-level position or internship in a field that you are interested in to get a feel for what it’s really like to work in that industry! Want to intern with us at Clean Scene? Contact kcurtis@murad.com.

Relaxing! Make sure to carve out time in your busy summer schedule to veg out a little at home. You deserve to have some down time after using all your mental energy during the school year. Ahhh, we think it’s time for a nap in the sun. J

Happy Summer Everyone!

Let us know what’s on your summer agenda by commenting on this blog or posting it on our Facebook page.

www.facebook.com/mycleanscene

What’s your dream job? An actor? A doctor? A journalist? No matter what career path you’re looking to head down, it’s never too early to hop on the road toward that goal. This summer make a plan to try out a couple of your dream career choices. Here are some suggestions to help you get experience in the career that you know you love!

For the Science Fanatic:

Summer Programs

Lab research assistant

Volunteer at a hospital (children’s hospitals are great!)

University summer programs for high school students

Honors summer programs

College Majors

Pre-Med

Biology/Chemistry

Psychology

Careers

Doctor

Professor

Researcher

For the Tech Wiz:

Summer Programs

University summer programs for high school students

Tutor children in computer science or math

Intern at a science museum

College Majors

Computer Science

Engineering

Applied Math

Careers

Engineer

Product Manager at a technology company

Web/Application Developer

For the History Buff:

Summer Programs

Intern at a museum

Volunteer at your local newspaper

Model U.N.

College Majors

History

Art History

Political Science

Careers

Professor

Museum Director

Journalist

For the English Enthusiast:

Summer Programs

Volunteer at literacy programs

Intern at a newspaper

Intern at a PR firm

College Majors

English

Communications

Public Relations

Careers

Copywriter

Professor

Public Relations Specialist

For the Inspired Artist:

Summer Programs

Internship at gallery

Volunteer at non-profit art foundation

Volunteer with an art therapy program

College Majors

Art Therapy

Visual Arts

Advertising

Careers

Art therapist

Graphic Designer

Art Director

For the Music Aficionado:

Summer Programs

Internship at a recording studio

Volunteer at a music therapy program

Tutor music students

College Majors

Music Production

Music Theory

Music Performance

Careers

Audio Engineer

Composer

Performer

We’d love to hear about your dream job and what steps you’re taking to get there! Let us know by commenting on this blog or posting it on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/mycleanscene

Maximizing Efficiency and Minimizing Stress When Dealing with Airport Security

Yay, Spring Break is upon us! Time for sun, relaxation, a week away from school. Only downside? Airport security of course! But we’re here to help! Let’s get you set for a fun and relaxing vacation from the minute you arrive at the airport to the minute you get back home!

1) Suitcase Size! Although we all want to pack a different pair of shoes for every possible situation (What if I go hiking?!), let’s keep it simple people.  If you are headed to a warm climate, bring a pair of wedges that can be dressed up or down and bring a pair of tennis shoes for tours and hikes. That should cover everything from dressy dinners, hanging out on the beach and long tours. For cooler vacations, like a ski trip, pack one pair of boots and a pair of nice flats. Make sure to wear the boots on the plane, because they take up a too much room in your suitcase. Remember the less you pack, the more you save in checked bag fees – mom and dad will love that!

2) If it’s over 3.4 leave it at the store! We’ve all had this drilled into our brains by now, but it’s worth a mention. For toiletries, make sure that all of your containers are travel-sized (3.4 ounce or 100ml). Travel-sized empty bottles are available at any local drug store to squirt some of your favorite products in if unavailable in a small size.  Don’t forget to pack your bottles in individual sandwich bags, required by airport security. Less obvious but important toiletries for travel are face cleansing wipes, sunscreen, dry shampoo and waterproof mascara.

3) Accessorize to maximize! Pack efficiently by using the three to one ratio – three tops to every one bottom. Mix up your looks by going heavy on the accessories – earrings, bracelets, necklaces, sunglasses, etc. You’ll get a million different looks with minimum usage of valuable suitcase space.

4) Don’t forget the details! It’s the little things you forget that can really be a buzz kill for your trip. Remember your sunglasses, sunscreen, hair ties, glasses, jacket, bathing suit – and our most forgotten item – the phone charger!

5) Sail through security by wearing slip on shoes that can easily be removed. Have your laptop out and make sure any laptop cords are in a separate bin. Keep your metal jewelry to a minimum. And wear your socks – you don’t want to be walking on that icky floor in bare feet!

Now that we’ve got you through the airport, enjoy your Spring Break! Let us know what you are doing this year by commenting below.

You’ve heard it before – you are what you eat! But what does that really mean? Depending on what type of skin you have, it could mean the difference between a so-so complexion and date-ready skin! Here are some recommendations for which foods you should avoid or stock up on, all according to your particular skin type!

Dry Skin: Avoid salty foods. Eat hydrating foods
-Instead of French fries, munch on Cucumbers.
-Instead of salted nuts, eat celery (good with unsalted peanut butter – YUM!).
-Instead of chips, eat Pomegranates.
-Instead of candy, eat melons.

Oily Skin: Avoid greasy foods full of saturated fats. Eat foods rich with Omega 3s (good fats).
-Instead of steak, eat salmon.
-Instead of sausages, eat eggs.
-Instead of French fries, eat snap peas.
-Instead of potato chips, eat edamame.
-Instead of bacon, eat… well, nothing compares to bacon, so just try to keep that to a minimum!
-Instead of onion rings, eat nuts.

Combination Skin: For combination skin, healthy eating habits for oily skin and dry skin apply. Avoid both greasy and salty foods to keep your skin in balance and add foods rich with Omega 3s and hydrators to keep skin from drying out. Bottom line – healthy eating is good for ANY skin type!

Cheers to a healthier diet and beautiful skin!

The Oscars are like the Superbowl for fans of all things Hollywood, celebrity and glamour! Why not celebrate it like you would the Big Game – with a fun themed party! Clean Scene is here to give you all the tips and tricks to make your Oscar party the next best thing to being at the actual event!

The Guest List:

1) Invite people that love the Oscars – and will love a theme party – as much as you! There’s no bigger downer than having your BF’s boyfriend in the corner all night looking at his watch. So tell her to leave him at home and bring her Celebrity A-Game instead!

2) Make it a costume party and have guests dress up as their favorite nominee. Not feeling the people nominated this year? Have people dress up like movie starts past or present. Everyone loves a good Marilyn Monroe costume opportunity!

3) Outfit inspiration: http://www.teenvogue.com/style/2011/02/best-dressed-at-oscars#slide=1

The Ambiance:

1) Get guests into the mood before they enter your door.

-Have a red carpet in lined up in your entrance way, or stanchions with fake paparazzi behind them. It’s a great photo op that will be an even better keepsake after the last award has been announced!

2) Gold is the theme of the night, so cover your place in golden balloons! Blow them up with helium, tie them with gold ribbon and let them float on the ceiling for a festive atmosphere.

3) After the Oscars are finished, make sure to have your own after party, with video interviews of your guests talking about how happy or disappointed they were with the Oscar winners.

The Food:

1) What better way to honor the year in movies than with movie theater treats! Think boxes of candy, popcorn and even hot dogs! Everyone loves to have movie snacks – without paying the concession stand prices!

2) Or Get fancy with your food, a la the Governor’s Ball. Drizzle chocolate on strawberries, serve yummy appetizers and don’t forget a signature mock-tail!

3) Toast the winners! Serve sparkling apple cider with a squeeze of lemon and a halved strawberry in plastic fluted glasses each time a winner is called. Yum!

The Games:

1) Download Oscar voting ballots—or create them yourself!—and have all the guests fill them out before the show starts.

-Making a ballot: http://www.ehow.com/how_10019459_make-ballot-sheet.html

-Personalized ballots: http://www.ehow.com/how_2026124_personalize-oscar-ballot.html

2) Test your guests knowledge of movie trivia before the actual festivities get under way. Find some great games to print out here: http://martieknows.squarespace.com/blog/2011/2/21/academy-awards-party-movie-quote-trivia-game.html

3) Provide prizes to winners of each game. Prizes can include chocolate awards statues or replica mini Academy Awards.

However you throw your Oscar party, remember to have fun! It’s all about the glitz, glamour and celebration. Who knows, someday maybe we’ll be watching you on that Oscar stage accepting your award!