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Shop Boots That Go With Everything now.

I never knew how becoming the tulip skirt was until I tried one on myself. I have a pear-shaped body, but the combination of an empire waist and tulip skirt on the dress I recently purchased made for a surprisingly flattering silhouette. Even though a tulip skirt is full around the thigh area, it provides a slimming effect as it narrows towards the bottom (especially if the skirt drapes across from one side to the other, as seen on the Boulevard Before Dawn Dress, below).

For a more laid-back look for summer, pair a casual tulip skirt with a tank or tee and a pair of ankle boots.
Shown below (L-R): Bandana Bandit 2 boots by Not Rated, Stonewashed Leather Boot by Humanoid, Ankle Boots by MOMA.

See more BOOTS THAT GO WITH EVERYTHING.

Shown above (L-R): Mini Tulip Skirt in black by A Piece Apart, Silence & Noise Knit Burnout Skirt, Silence & Noise Mineralist Skirt. See more TULIP SKIRTS.

Summer is about simplicity. Layering too many accessories and products makes your look stuffy and over-done. Sticking with key trendy summer essentials allows you to keep the rest of your look laid-back and relaxed, the way summer should be. My favorite summer must-haves are shown below, but there are plenty of items in several other summer categories to shop through. Happy clicking!

See all: Yellow Purses, Coral Blushes, Cork Wedge Heels, White Jewelry, Braided Jewelry, Retro Sunglasses.

Shown above (L-R): Berbenno handbag in light yellow by ALDO, CORALista blush by benefit, Mely Wedge in Chocolate by BCBGirls, Braided Magnetic Cuff Bracelet by Accessories & Beyond, sunglasses by Forever21.

OTHER SUMMER ESSENTIALS:
(Basics so easy, you’ll rock them every day!)

Baggy Tees
Beach Totes
Bandeau Tops
Charm Bracelets
Havaianas Sandals
Bronzers
Sarongs
Loose Powder Makeup
Anti-Cellulite Products

I don’t know why, but it seems impossible to be in a gloomy mood when I wear yellow. Yellow’s said to instill optimism and energy while stimulating memory. No wonder I like it so much. Yellow is a great color to wear during the summer months and there’s a perfect shade of it for every skin tone. Yellow isn’t just a daytime color, either. It’s rare to see yellow rocked at night, but I think that’s what makes it even hotter! Pair some Canary Yellow Shoes from my buyer’s guide with a little black dress and some silver hoops and you’re good to go! Yellow Purses and Faux Canary Yellow Diamonds are hot too! I’m obsessed.
Shown: Cosa Sandal by Kelsi Dagger in Gold.

Since Victoria Beckham has been spotted on several occasions wearing basically the same travel outfit from head to toe, everyone’s accusing her of committing a major faux pas. She was spotted in New York on May 3rd wearing Christian Louboutin pumps, Balmain military leather jacket, Stella McCartney skinny jeans, a HUGE Hermes handbag, and the Loewe chauffeur hat and again yesterday at Heathrow in the same duds (too bad Coraline rocked the chauffeur look first! See: Dress Like Coraline).

Hmm, doesn’t seem like the most comfortable outfit to sit on a plane for 10 hours in, but she can pretty much do whatever she wants - she’s Posh Spice. And it’s not like she doesn’t have infinity pieces of designer apparel in her wardrobes. She could’ve easily rocked a different outfit, but she didn’t want to. I won’t hold it against her for wearing her fave clothes more than once. See my Dress Like Victoria Beckham style guide for Posh’s designer pieces and their affordable counterparts.

Cork bottom sandals are my new favorite look for spring. They are super versatile and can be worn for casual occasions with jeans as well as with dresses for fancier outings. I especially LOVE cork bottom wedges like you see here:

Clockwise from left to right: Stuart Weitzman Attire Wedge, Nigel by Michael Kors, Bette Buff on Cork by Kork-Ease, McGraw Sling by Michael Kors, Enzo Angiolini Gild Sandal.

Check out more Cork Bottom Wedges

Plaid is not for everyone (plaid reminds me of my dad’s work shirts) but I love how many different kinds of plaid there are: tartan, gingham, argyle, madras. And depending on what colors and material, plaid pieces can have a completely different look and feel from one another. There is definitely a huge difference between a light, summery cotton plaid and a heavy wool plaid. I don’t think that plaid ever technically goes out of style, but it happens to be super hot at the moment and I’m pretty sure that its here to stay well into the fall.

Jump start your summer and pick up some TOMS Shoes* in a plethora of plaid slip-ons.

From Modcloth.com, comes a pretty little sleeveless number, The Rise Over Run Top and Urban Outfitters has quite a few cute summery pieces, including the Plaid Smocked Tube Top,  the Plaid Shirt Tie  Tunic and the Chambray and Plaid Tube Dress. Or from 80’s Purple, you can grab the sassy Roberta Oaks Georgie Dress. Check out some more hot Summer Plaid

*TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased. Get some!

I discovered this young up-and-coming designer on Etsy a few weeks ago when I was in the beginning stages of searching for my wedding dress and I fell in love with her drapey designs and amazing photos. Last week she was featured in Daily Candy and I’m sure that we’re going to see more and more of her in the future.  Her prices are totally reasonable, and the turn around time for ordering is only 4-6 weeks after providing her with your measurements. If I didn’t already have my dress in progress I would have definitely ordered from her! Oh yeah, some of the proceeds go to charities. Amazing…

A few of her dresses for bridesmaids or brides who want to go with something a little less traditional (left to right): The Raspberry Perfection Dress, The Flock Dress, The Robin’s Egg Dress, and the How She Sparkles Dress.

Amazing dresses for brides (left to right):The White as Snow Dress, The Athena Gown, The Pink Petals Dress,  and the A Peaceful Afternoon Gown. Check out some more amazing pieces- Sarah Seven Wedding and Bridesmaid Dresses.

SHOP PICNIC DAY NOW!

Poll: Will you wear a dress or shorts to Picnic Day this year? Vote now!

Every year in April, my alumni college town hosts “Picnic Day.” This all-day event is “designed to showcase the richness and diversity of campus life, as well as the community” of the small town and has been a tradition for the past 95 years. It’s super fun to walk around town and celebrate springtime with friends literally from morning ‘til night. Picnic Day is one of the major events of the city which everyone knows about and practically everyone looks forward to. You’re going to be seen, so you’ve got to look cute!

I will be taking a drive up for my 6^th Picnic Day this weekend and I can’t wait to see all my old friends! My Picnic Day Picks buyer’s guide is full of tops, dresses, shoes, and accessories that are perfect for a day in the sun, whether you’re going to Picnic Day, or you’re hosting your own picnic in the park! The key is bright colors, light fabrics, and comfortable fits.

SHOP MORE PICNIC DAY PICKS HERE!

Pictured, from left: Not Rated Women’s Jammin Jelly Flat, Simple Woven Dress, Elastic Lotus Bracelet, Dark Wash Bermuda Short, Embroidered Flower Plaid Top, Petal Earring, Cavalry Twill Patch Pocket Pants, Stripe Boy Tank, and Stuart Weitzman Women’s “Cleopatra” Gladiator Sandals.

In case you didn’t already know, Spike Jonze and writer Dave Eggers, have created a movie based on the classic book, Where the Wild Things Are.  One my favorites when I was little; the illustrations were so perfectly dark and creepy and I’m interested to see how it translates into the movie.

I found the cutest pic that I had to share of a Max costume that someone made on Etsy.  I would snatch up this one up if I knew someone that could wear it!

I also found some really cute merch:  Where The Wild Things Are Wrist Clutch,  One of a Kind Buttons, and Handmade Recycled Glass Pendant.  Check out more good stuff to get you excited for the movie in my Where The Wild Things Are buyer’s guide.

Gold is my new passion when it comes to flashin’ fashion. And I’m not talking about the 24 carat kind. I’m talking the shiny, reflective, metallic variety. Why I have not yet purchased a gold lame’ bikini is beyond me.

It really is better late than never, though, as there are now so many contempo designers flashing back their clothing, shoe, bag, and jewelry lines to gold’s glory days of gaudiness. The result is flashy, yet somehow classy. I love 2009! Anything goes! And I say go for the gold. Sexy gaudy gold, that is.

Seen here: Marc Jacobs Quilted Metallic Leather Stam Satchel, American Apparel Shiny Legging, American Apparel The Shiny Sash, Just Cavalli Just Joy Logo Ring, and Louis Vuitton Graphic Wedge Sandal.

See tons of my favorite sexy gaudy jewelry too! So hot! Trust me, you want to see this.