Can you believe it’s already August? It’s okay though, because that means my favorite season is almost here: FALL!! (The first day of Fall in the Northern Hemisphere this year is September 22 at 5:18 p.m.) In preparation for this crisp, bright, leafy, rainy, glorious time of year, I created an Autumn Essentials list, chockablock full of products (clocks, silverwear, apparel, art, etc.) to help get you in the spirit. In honor of Halloween, the list currently contains 31 items, but I’m sure there will be more as the autumn months get closer, so keep checking back! Cool stuff shown above (L-R): Puckered Canvas Bag, 23 Inch Roulette Clock, Narration Booties, Lipmann Collection Nail Color in Dark Side of The Moon, Gladiator Bird, Raven, Wire Spun Candelabra, Viceroy Velvet Curtain.

Hope you all didn’t miss me too much! I’m still here. . . And I’m BACK! With some Good New Tees for your wearing pleasure. This one’s my favorite. It’s called “Missing!!!” and the guy that drew the poster found out later that his bike wasn’t stolen, but TOWED, because he had chained it to a fence with a “no bikes” sign on it. Haha! Here’s the original design that appears on the white tee. It comes in girly sizes too. Just buy it.:

I’m keeping it classy with My End-of-July Finds. Everything that is appealing to me today has a vintage-chic, rose-colored feel to it (or has rhinestones on it, duh). I must be getting into the Fall vibe. . . And cocktail coasters are cracking me up! Peep these hot picks and see my other July Finds here. What do you think?

July Finds (L-R): Oh My God Coaster, Lula Hoop Scarf Kit, Bear Shits Coaster, Fossil “Candy” Frame Cents Coin Purse, Cocktail Now Coaster, Rose Bouquet Earrings, Bling Bottle Opener, Tree Owl Lamp, Wildfox Malibu Girl Sweatshirt.

Don’t forget to vote on today’s poll

What Do We Think of Halle’s Potato Sack Look?

That top is a bad move, girl!!
OR
I love potato sacks, especially ones with Halle Berry in them!

The Bobble Detail Scarf is pumping me up!

The little bobble details on this scarf are reminiscent of grapes and this accessory is just as scrumptious. Try the neckwear in Bubblegum Pink, Oatmeal, or Lime (among other colors. My fave for fall is Duck Egg, a charcoalish blue, shown above). Shop tons of Fun Scarves for Fall and start rockin’ your new stole ASAP!

Also above, from left to right, Curiosity 16 Scarf by Swash, DVF Warhol Scarf by Diane von Furstenburg,  Cockaigne Scarf by Lin Beeser, and Fringed Jersey Scarf from Topshop.

July always seems like one of those months that starts off with a bang (no pun intended) and ends far too quickly. In the aftermath of the bright, patriotic colors of 4th of July celebrations, I`m seeing trends already moving into fall, with muted/neutral colors, pinks and greys, romantic ruffles and florals, tons of flats, boots, and oxfords, and lots of delicate jewelry, i.e. watch pendants and antique key necklaces. (See The Secret Garden shopper’s guide for this romantic look.)

Fashion is always several steps ahead, but my advice is to enjoy your sandals and sarongs while you can. Keep your eyes peeled for the hot fall finds, but don’t let the summer pass you by while you shop! See My July Finds for products that are catching my eye this month. New items will be added all the time, so keep checking back to scope the unique goodies I find.

Shown above (L-R): Christopher Kane Chimp jersey T-shirt, zipper hoops, whispy feather wallet, strapless smocked floral jumpsuit, TokyoMilk scented bubble bath.

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.

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.

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.