let the sunshine in!

factoid:  i was a little hippie in high school.  (let me just tell you that the indian print maxi skirts and tunics that are everywhere right now are giving me MAJOR time travel flashes!!)  i distinctly remember one of the "tennis lady" moms being SHOCKED by the fact that my friend beth and i dared to show up at the country club with bare feet, above mentioned indian print maxi skirts, little tank tops and Tab in hand. truth be told - she was probably jealous - because we looked ADORABLE. 

anyhoo - back to now... i am equally time-travelly happy about all the tie-dye that's out there in the world right now.  it just makes me feel sunshine-in on the inside.  keeping with the me-that-i-am-now, the pieces i'm particularly loving are more refined in their cut and structure - but still have the hippie edge with their gamut of different tie-dye effects.  if i were to go on a binge right this very moment - i would most likely end up with at least one (HELLO nanette lepore dress, i believe i have fallen for you madly)...or two...or three... of these little lovelies i found scouring shopbop...  there are also loads more pieces out there and i can't think of a better look for summer.  perfect weather for something a little bit looser to let the air kiss your skin, and looking like a ray of sunshine.

shop and awe

summer is here, at last.  and because of the crazed timelines of the fashion industry, sales on summer merchandise are already beginning.  no complaints on that!  in the past i've wandered sales simply for the fun of it - and lord knows i've come away with some doozers.  some of my absolute fave closet dwellers were scored that way.  i won't stop the aimless wander - i just enjoy it - BUT i've decided that perhaps it's time to also incorporate some military precision strike tactics as well.   i can't claim all the credit on this idea.  wandering around aimlessly this weekend, enjoying the glorious heat and sun, bf and i did the drill, stop for an iced coffee here, pop into a newly opened chocolate shop there, and of course me being me, a few boutiques and shops.  (where, over the course of the weekend, i was treated to SEVERAL goodies to add to the summer wardrobe by the man.  love when that happens!)   anyhoo -- in one of said stops, Filene's Basement to be exact, i saw a rack of Missoni merch with a big ol' sign saying "additional 50% off!!"   you won't blame me for getting heart palpitations - right?!!?  i picked up a dress, held it up to me - and bf said "it's marked down extra - but it's still a couple hundred dollars for something you don't really need".   i kind of need to admit that he was spot on.  (if it were a pair of Louboutins, it might be a diff story - that's a collectors item thank you very much)  thus was born my 2010 sale shop concept.

Bergdorf's sale is starting this week. will i go?  YES.  will i buy?  only if it is on my list.  there are a few things i've been pining for - and if they are marked down, they may end up mine.  Barney's sale will be starting soon too - same rules apply.   when the further markdowns are made later in the summer - all bets may be off - but let's just wait and see, shall we?  let's live in the moment.  make a wish list.  keep it on hand - and shop the sales that way.  better to get a discount on something you've been lusting after (jury please see photo exhibit A)  than to end up with a closet full of things you never knew you needed, and therefor will never wear.  i believe in you stylies.  shop like no one's watching - do it like you mean it - but do it right and you'll have a closet full of gems to take you through the rest of your life!

easy, breezy

i first "met" Zara when i lived in Paris.  i'm pretty sure that was before the store even came to the States...  but i was obsessed with the amount of tres chic things i could get on my petit budget... cut to today, and Zara is easily accessible back in the old USA for a price friendly good looking item. they just opened a massive store in the Grove out in LA, and my bff and i did some serious time in there and found some goodies...

their new lookbook is delivering some perfect summer pieces - following the "don't try too hard" credo i love to live by.  they ooze summer cool and comfy - and can be taken all over the style map depending on how you accessorize.  this is now a full on bi-continental love affair!

summer dreams

when i graduated college i went on vacation to the south of france.  it is, quite literally, the most beautiful place i've ever been.  it was like being in a Cezanne painting.  i came back with the best tan i have EVER had, and with a lifelong obsession with espadrilles and straw bags.  i had my straw bag for years, until the leather straps got worn to within an inch of their lives. living in the city, it's a bit hard to work the whole espadrille and straw bag thing into the daily wardrobe... but this year there are a number of shoes and bags that are doing their best to urban up the beach staple.  and i'm LOVIN it. 

to wear... or not to wear...

spring and summer are slowly creeping upon us.  (not as fast as i'd like, quite frankly.  i'm a bit over this whole rain and chilly thing)  i am READY.  have switched out the wardrobe (perhaps a teeny bit early but i am eager) so bring it on!

the question was posed to me - what NOT to wear this summer.  i mulled it over a bit - and it's more thematic than specific.  what NOT to wear in summer?  anything too tight or too short.  let's be honest.  .01% of the population can pull it off.  and even those girls teeter on looking like a hoochie.  wearing something too tight does NOT make you look thinner - it makes you look bigger.  and too short - well that's just going to show your bits when you move the wrong way.  so DON'T.    another NOT for summer is anything too structured or overly "put together".  a head to toe "look" just "looks" like you're trying too hard.  and summer is SO not the time to try to hard.

this inevitably brings us to what TO wear, to avoid the above tribulations...  for me, summer is the time of the dress. it is the easiest possible piece of clothing imaginable.  it's one thing - you put it on and you're dressed.  how great is that?  then the fun part - the accessories.  add a belt and some heels -  you're dressed.  flat sandals?  you're casual.  but let's focus...  the dress.  aside from being ridiculously easy - it is also nice and cool, which is always a bonus.  there are literally dresses for every conceivable shape and size.  and for every possible occasion.  i am of course a HUGE fan of the tee shirt dress, as a logical extension of my love of the tee.  and they are out there in droves right now - American Apparel has some brilliant dresses for great prices, and the LA Made drapier versions are fantastic.  if you're feeling a little boho, the tie-dye Gypsy 05 tee -- LOVE....  if you're in an office and need to look a bit more "dressed" so to speak - i've become a bit obsessed with this Gypsy 05 silk shirt dress.  i've seen loads of others as well - they are out there in abundance...   you can also swing into the mix the tunic.  they're also out there EVERYWHERE - H&M has them in droves, and i am currently loving on this cute little number from Tolani...  go for an easy fit - not too tight, not too sloppy.  go for a length that works for you - a little bit above the knee works for almost everyone.  if you have killer legs - go a teeny bit shorter.  if you're feeling shy - throw on some leggings!   and develop a loving relationship with belts. makes one dress into two looks!

the bottom line is that spring and summer are the fun months - back to childhood - even if you're not on school vacation for the whole summer (and who doesn't wish we all were?) you can still take it easy a bit and take it down a notch - and that includes getting dressed.