I am constantly searching for new ways to orgnanize my jewelry that make my pieces easily viewable and accessible to me. For this reason, I’m not a fan of jewelry boxes or any other type of storage system that requires being opened to reach its contents. So, I created a wishlist on Kazowie called “Creative Ways to Display Your Jewelry,” which features unique items, such as a paper mache snail and tea saucers, which double as pretty jewelry holders, hangers, and organizers. With these products, you can display your beautiful pieces on your dresser or hang them from your wall as part of your room’s decor, while organizing your jewelry to avoid lost earrings and tangled chains, and keeping everything within easy reach for those get-up-and-go mornings.

Inspiration:

For other affordable jewelry display options see also, Vanity Trays.

I’m very picky when it comes to my shoes - that’s why I don’t own many pairs. This past weekend, however, I decided to go on a mission for a pair of ballet flats (I’ve never owned any, do you believe it?!) and discovered a designer that manufactures shoes in exactly my style: Sam Edelman. I picked up tons of shoes to try on and the majority of them were made by this 5-year old company that I wish I’d discovered earlier. I not only found ballet flats, I also snagged some ankle strap sandals and some grey vintagey t-strap heels!

Shown above (L-R): Ilsa Round-toe Flats,  Gracie Ankle Tie Thong Sandal, Oceana Sandal, Sahara Sandal.

Sam Edelman somehow finds the perfect balance when combining glam details (metallics, bright colors, ankle straps, studs, bows, snakeskin) with natural accents (wooden buckles, button ornaments, stones, embroidery) on shoes that are actually COMFORTABLE. I’m such a fan of this style-merging technique because shoes that can dress an outfit up and down give their wearer the most bang for her buck. You’re going to love these shoes if you don’t already. Check out my top Sam Edelman picks here.

Isla Fisher is always tre chic, and she didn’t let us down at the UK premiere of her guy (Sacha Baron Cohen)’s new movie, Bruno. This look matches, without going overboard: necklace and clutch are the same shade of grey, shoes and dress are both a lighter shade of the same color, and all this head-to-toe monochrome looks anything but dull when paired with Isla’s red hair and fire engine lips. The breastplate necklace is a major trend for this summer!

Lipstick: NARS Lipstick in Jungle Red
Clutch: Jessica McClintock Rectangle Fold Over Box Clutch
Shoes: Haru grey leather sandal by L.A.M.B.
Necklace: tuleste market Large Hammered Squares Choker
Dress: Ponte Pleated Tube by Silence & Noise

Check out my Isla Fisher Style Guide for more of the celeb’s red carpet look.

And don’t forget to keep checking back to my June Finds list for unique pieces that have been catching my eye this month!

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.

A summer trend that I’m noticing popping up everywhere is the not-so-nautical stripe, in black, grey, and white shades. These summer stripes are often unevenly spaced, irregularly sized, and sometimes distributed over a garment in varying directions (horizontal, vertical, diagonal). I like these stripes on loose, faded pieces that fall perfectly and nonchalantly, such as the Grey/Black Stripe Ripped Knot Tee by Obesity and Speed and the Border Tie-Dye Short Sleeve V-Neck by C&C California, shown below (L-R).

My Summer Stripe Trend guide contains tons of unique pieces (tops, dresses, purses, shoes, etc.) that take nautical to the dark side, which means these stripes will carry you from day to night and from summer to fall.

Also pictured (above, L-R): Striped Crop Top by Charlotte Russe, Lela Rose for Payless Brinley Ribbon Pump, and Varigated Striped Tight by Urban Outfitters.

Don’t you want to be just like Keri Hilson and tell the boys to recognize a real woman? If only you had those hot triple-finger “ON” and “OFF” knuckle rings she wears in the music vid (see below), your swagged-out attitude would be at its highest liquid magma level. . .

You probably won’t believe me, but today is pretty much your lucky day. Because I’ve FOUND those rings for you to purchase through kazowie.com and add to your jewelry collection!!!!!!!!! Don’t believe your ears (eyes, whatever)? Check the links, beez!

The Turning Me On Ring AND The Turning Me Off Ring

Want more Multi-Finger Rings? <—Click it or ticket.
The Bad Knuckle Ring

It’s official. I’m obsessed. It was love at first sight.

Dooney & Bourke always makes hot, classy purses, right? But the Toggle Bag seems to stand out from the rest of the summer newbies. It’s a soft, white leather messenger bag with brown rolled up leather toggles and navy triangle accents stitched to the front with yellow thread. Hot.

SHOP NEW DOONEY HERE!

The only thing that makes it look like a traditional D&B purse is the signature blue ducky silver purse charm. Otherwise, it’s totes fresh, simple, and new, which makes it the perfect summer purse for ‘09! Holla.

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