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

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.

Key elements of hipster style have been cropping up in the wardrobes of self-proclaimed hipsters and non-hipsters alike this summer. I’ve noticed the “retro sunglasses, baggy shirt, graphic tee, skinny jean, fedora trend” has become increasingly popular among the urban chicks in the city. It’s a pretty laid-back style, so it’s smart for summer. What do you think about the hipster trend? Cool or wannabe?

Shown (L-R): Tear Us Apart by Kid Dangerous,  Viktor Osborne - Black Straw Feather Fedora, Carrie Sunglasses.

SHOP RAINBOW NOW!

I should take my own advice and spice up my majorly monotone wardrobe with some kaleidoscope-inspired pieces. If I truly believe the theory that color affects mood, I should probably quit wearing so much black and look into some more colorful clothing options. The rainbow-colored garments, jewelry, and accessories in my Add Some Rainbow buyer’s guide are the perfect solution for those looking to brighten up not only their wardrobes, but their attitudes as well!

Pictured (clockwise from left): Totes Jumbo Stripe Umbrella Rainbow, Carnival Print Strap Dress,  Beaded Wire Hoop Earrings, Longchamp ‘Xlight Imprime’ Vertical Nylon Tote, Braided Mosaic Bead Cuff.

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.

I’m obsessed with the Forever21 and Wet Seal pieces I found today. These items definitely need to be part of my wardrobe, STAT! They’re mix-and-matchable and so versatile that each individual piece has the potential to become a Spring/Summer staple, no doubt about it.

Each top can work with each pair of pants to create any type of look that you’re going for. (And the skirt was too adorable to pass up. Any type of solid black, white, or 2-color colorblock tee/tank will go with it.) Save the cut-out leggings for nighttime frolicking. I’m thinking they’ll look great with a pair of heeled strappy or open-toe ankle booties and an understated, solid loose-fitting tee. They’re hot. I’m obsessed! Placing order now. To snag these items, click here: Wet Seal + Forever21 = Affordable Sexiness.

Bobbi Blu makes the most comfortable and adorable shoes I’ve ever seen or worn. I own one pair, but might have to invest in another! I can’t get over the sale prices I found for my Girly Bobbi Blu shopper’s guide! The shoes may not be the spankin’ new Fall ‘09’s, but they still look hot to me! They’re cute, feminine, and classic enough to transcend the seasons, yet they’re somehow still unique and fresh.

From left: Bobbi Blu Alissa Camel High Heels, Bobbi Blu Rosilynn, Bobbi Blu Dallan, and Bobbi Blu Edith.

Though the colors are mostly muted (which match everything!), they pop because of the unique designs, patterns, fabrics, and accents used by Bobbi Blu. Think patent, satin, floral, ruffles, scallops, buttons, and everything girly and wonderful! Plus, I’m always sold on any shoes with padded soles, especially pumps! Cute and comfy? HAAAAY!!

SHOP MORE BOBBI BLU SHOES NOW!!