Photo: Thinkstock

I have a friend who religiously packs her Clarisonic face brush alongside her lantern, s'more supplies, and sleeping bag on camping trips. She may not have running water or a toilet, but she definitely has clean pores and smooth skin. It sounds a bit crazy, but who am I to judge? I have a poster hanging in room that says "I love not camping." In fact, the last time I spent the night in a tent I was seven, on a family trip in Yellowstone National Park, and I begged my father to take me to a hotel on day two. But for those of you who have plans to head to the great outdoors this weekend, these five beauty must-haves will help you feel a bit more pampered while you get in touch with Mother Nature.

Next: Get your beauty essentials checklist.

Photo: Courtesy of Baggu

O's executive beauty editor, Jenny Bailly, was recently on the hunt for a knapsack after her one-year-old son Henri's daily supplies had outgrown her regular purse. She wanted something sophisticated that would evenly distribute the weight (i.e. no cartoon characters splashed across her back), but not so bulky it looked like she was planning to climb Mount Everest. This bright red satchel by Baggu ($32)—made of recycled cotton—is sleek, light, and there isn't a doodle or kiddy design in site. Meaning Jenny can keep both hands free and schlep her son's stuff in style without looking like she swiped his backpack or regressed back to middle school.

Taking a night class? Need something to carry legal briefs to and from the office? See 11 more grown-up options.

Photo: Thinkstock

With the end of summer almost upon us, it can be tempting to start scheduling fall sessions at the tanning salon to feel that warm, sun-like sensation on your skin. Yes, this activity has long been known to cause skin cancer and premature aging, but according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 30 million people every year are still willing to hit the tanning bed. And if you ask them why, they'll say that a little color makes them feel sexier and look thinner. But what they may not realize is how hard it can be to stop.

Researchers at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center recently discovered that frequent indoor tanning causes changes to the brain similar to those seen in people addicted to drugs and alcohol. UV light, says senior author of the study and professor of psychiatry at the university, Dr. Bryan Adinoff, has rewarding effects in the brain—causing people to continue flocking to tanning beds despite knowing the lethal side effects [as reported by The New York Times].

Bottom line: Skip the tanning salon and opt for streak-proof self-tanner to get your glow on instead. And when the colder temperatures set in, pretend you're still basking in the hot summer rays  by curling up with one of O's tantalizing beach reads.

What do you think of this study? Ever visit the tanning bed or know someone who has?

Keep reading:

Confessions of a tanaholic
Beauty extras that'll give you more oomph
Get a foolproof summer glow

Photo: PerpetualKid.com

We promise these fun finds will make getting over this week's hump a little easier...

3D Drawing Pad, $8. This sketch book even makes stick figures pop off the page.

Kling Magic Wall Paint, $16. Where do you put important papers and pictures when the fridge is already maxed out? Anywhere you put this paint, which turns any surface into a magnetic one.

Milani Specialty Nail Lacquer Jewel FX, $5. This glittery top coat makes an ordinary pedicure an instant party.

iFrogz Custom Headphones, $35. Personalize everything—from the headband color to the ear cushion fabric—and jam to your favorite tunes in style.

Alexander McQueen has been on everyone's mind since the wedding dress of the year (designed by his successor, Sarah Burton) made its way down the aisle on Catherine Middleton. In addition to the dress, however, McQueen has long been known for his theatrical runway shows and signature, teetering armadillo shoes that made an appearance in Lady Gaga's music video—all of which are celebrated in the recent exhibit (Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty) dedicated to the late designer's work at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The Met even stayed open until midnight for the first time in its history during the exhibition's last weekend so that the overwhelming number of visitors could get a last look.

While I waited in the two-hour long line that snaked around the museum to see his extraordinary creations up close and personal, you can take a private virtual tour—led by none other than the Costume Institute's curator, Andrew Bolton. You won't even have to weave around other patrons to see McQueen's dress made of razor clam shells or headpiece comprised of butterflies—this video makes you feel as if you're spending the night in the museum alone. (Although seeing as the designer dubbed himself the Edgar Allen Poe of fashion, it may feel more as if you're having a sleepover in a haunted house—complete with a ghost-like hologram of Kate Moss).

Go ahead, skip to the head of the line—then let us know what you think.

Photo: Getty

I've always regarded Eloise (the fictional star of the successful children's book series) as the sassiest and most revered New York City hotel guest—running around The Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue like she owns the place. That is until I discovered Matilda, the fancy feline who has greeted guests from the lobby of yet another famous Manhattan hotel, the Algonquin, since 1930. Not only does she have her own email, Twitter and Facebook accounts, but she's got stories to rival those of Eloise. At one point her collar was stolen, as reported by the hotel, during which news of the "Algonquin Cat-Burglary" buzzed around town. Or in 2002 when celebrating her birthday (with 150 of her closest kitty friends), she jumped on to her cake and ran out of the room, leaving a trail of frosted paw prints.

There have been many similar-looking Matilda cats since the original made her debut, but last week the hotel celebrated its latest "Algonqueen," Matilda III [left] with a cat fashion show.

To see some of the best looks from the runway alongside witticisms from the hotel's cattiest human guests, keep reading.

Photo: Courtesy of nOir

We recently reminisced about  friendship bracelets and how this simple accessory can link us to those we love most in our now grown-up worlds. So when we spotted O's fashion department wearing nOir's Shaka Lanyard Bracelets ($25) we couldn't wait to share yet another fashion throwback find with you. While we recall rainbow piles of plastic string and hours spent making keychains with our bunk mates, the gold toggle clasp and sleek design of this bracelet take this arts and crafts activity to a new level. Brighten up a friend's day with one of these colorful bangles—all without having to re-learn the lanyard box stitch. Bonus: These bracelets are water-friendly, meaning the recipient won't have to worry about getting them wet while she's washing dishes or enjoying the remaining days of summer at the beach.

Would you wear this bracelet? Give it to a friend? What's your favorite summer camp memory?

Keep reading for more stylish ideas:

7 turquoise accessories to rock this summer
Get a necklace that supports your favorite charity
Check out a charity project turned big (sparkly) business

Photo: Courtesy of Kiehl's

Wondering why there's a wheel on the lid of a beauty product? Kiehl's hosted a week-long charity motorcycle ride, which kicked off in Philadelphia and ended in New York City. Besides the rich texture of this Ultra Facial Cream and the fact that this moisturizer absorbs instantly minus any residue, we love that 100 percent of the proceeds benefit amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. And if this cream helps relieve the wind-burned faces of tough guys/girls who spent seven days on the open road, then we're pretty sure it can handle our dry summer skin.

Kiehl's Limited Edition Ultra Facial Cream, $46


Keeping Reading:

Check out 14 more stylish items that give back (for under $100)

Photo: Thinkstock

As a child, I used to collect all my mom's old catalogs (my favorite: Spiegel) and leaf through the photographs, decorating my dream grown-up house and dressing my dream grown-up self. Today, not much has changed. I pour over the pages of J.Crew, Crate & Barrel and Sephora, imagining myself with glamorous new shoes, chairs and lipsticks—and then proceed to the Internet with my credit card in hand.

 

Photo: Courtesy of Bracedlets

Make getting over today's hump a little easier with these fun finds:

Bracedlets, $5 each. Created by the founder of Lulu Frost jewelry and two New York City orthodontists, these stretchy bangles made of power chains and metal brackets give a whole new (and stylish) meaning to the term "metal mouth".