SHOP THESE HOTTIE SHOES NOW!

When I purchased a pair of black Anna Flats from Bakers, I had no idea that my new summer obsesh fest had begun. I was initially shopping for a pair of slouchy ankle booties on sale, but instead found a strappy elastic black sandal with brown heel and back zipper that matched perfectly with my tulip dress with elastic waist band. HEAVEN! I ended up wearing these shoes, rain or shine, with pants, leggings, skirts, and dresses all around New York City. Elastic strap shoes, whether heels or flats, are supes versatile, especially in every woman’s fave color, black! These kicks will be your new best friend this summer and well into fall. Trust.

Wear these puppies with: SEXY STRIPES, PUFFY TANK DRESSES, & TULIP SKIRTS!

Shown above (L-R): Anna Flats by Bakers, Ransomm Sandals by Steve Madden, Elastic Ankle Wrap Sandal with White Cut Wedge by Proenza Schouler.

Shop Tulip Skirts now.
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.

Nautical is always in for summer, but plain stripes on plain tees get old fast. The key to rocking this look through summer 2009 and beyond is to seek out stripes on tees with unexpected fabrics and fun stylistic flourishes. My favorite picks from a whole flock of hot tops in Striped Tops With a Twist are below (L-R):

Eco-Ganik Stripe Pocket Tank, Splendid White Rugby Stripe T-Shirt, BGD Scoopneck Tee

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

SHOP SLASHED LEGGINGS NOW.
We all know trends get recycled, and slashing your pantalones up to make a fashion statement is nothing new. But this does not mean that the stripped, ripped, and thrashed black leggings of 2009 aren’t supes sexy and chic-ly risque. I have yet to see a non-celeb rocking “slashed-up-to-there” leggings (which makes me want to get a pair even more! Trendsetterrrr!), but I’m sure this fad will spread faster than the swine flu, especially among the teens and early twenty-somethings who are growing tired of their plain old leggings. Zzzz!

Shown: 1. LnA Olivia Thrashed Gathered Bottom Leggings in Noir, 2. LnA Ripped Zipper Leggings in Flat Black, 3. David Lerner Ripped Leggings, 4. Leyendecker Kerouac Ripped Leggings.

Click here to see more hot slashed leggings!

Wear with: a baggy t-shirt.
Click here to shop Baggy Tees.

I’m not one who religiously reads her horoscope. Nor am I someone who takes her daily star reading 100% seriously. I do, however, freak out when my horoscope describes my current life situation to a T (which has happened more than once). And, as cliché as it may sound, I think it’s a cute idea to give zodiac-themed birthday gifts to friends (especially since there are so many ridiculously cute/unique/designer accessories to choose from these days).

My faves right now are the Zodiac Constellation Cuffs by Jessica Kagan Cushman, shown below. Who wouldn’t want to rock this definite conversation-starter? Be sure to check out my other astrologically-themed buyer’s guides full of all 12 signs worth of cute Zodiac jewelry: Zodiac Hoop Earrings, Hello Kitty Zodiac Designer Jewelry, and FettY Zodiac Necklaces.

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.

So I’m about five months behind - big deal. I found it and I want it: the world’s first 3-D webcam, Minoru by Novo. Minoru, which in Japanese means “reality,” is shaped like a tiny red robot who sits atop your computer monitor with two cameras (his eyes) that are spaced as equally apart as human eyes. The built-in stereoscopic anaglyphic processing software allows you to be seen in 3-D to anyone wearing a set of red and blue glasses (you get five free pairs upon purchasing the cam!).

You can also be seen in regular 2-D if your chat buddy’s not wearing a pair of 3-D specs. Minoru connects to your computer’s USB port and is compatible with Windows Live Messenger, Skype, AOL Instant Messenger, OoVoo, and others. This little guy also allows you to take 3-D pics and vids to upload to YouTube. Snag a Minoru webcam for yourself for less than $90 at my Gadgets That Look Like Cute Things But Actually Do Stuff buyer’s guide on Kazowie. (Another favorite from the guide is the Speakal iPig 2.1 Stereo iPod Docking System, below).

Whenever I see someone wearing a top with a unique and sexy design or cut on the back, I always stop to ask her where she got it. The person usually replies with the name of a foreign country, to which I reply, “Figures. It’s super hot!” But I think these types of tanks are unique, sexy, and necessary additions to any chic chick’s wardrobe, especially for summer. So, I went in search for some Black Tanks With Sexy Backs that I don’t need to travel across the world to purchase. Check ‘em out.

Shown - from left: Kimchi Blue Lace T Back Halter, Silence & Noise Swirl Tank, and Silence & Noise Leather Back Applique Tank.

Today, I happened to stumble upon Bestow, a unique gift, personal accessories, and decorative home boutique. The best way to desribe the products at Bestow, in my opinion, is a ‘cross between circus/goth and raunchy/romantic.’ This wide-variety boutique offers items, which I’ve included in my Seductive Gifts for Ladies and Home Decor and Accessories guides, that would make very unique and special gifts to bestow upon your loved ones or yourself!

Pictured (L-R): Fruits of Cornucopia Eau de Parfum, The Circus 1870-1950, Vice Canister-Downers, Message Pillow ‘Love’, Jeweled Zebra Pillbox, Fruits of Cornucopia Hand/Body Wash.