We’ve all been there, too busy to get dolled up after we hit the gym. So, how do we do it without looking a mess? Easy… plan ahead. Pack a bag with a fresh pullover or wrap shirt, include some flip-flops, so you can get out of your sweaty sneaks, face wash, and your favorite make-up. Don’t go overboard with the make-up, you want to look sporty. Remember to choose pieces that dry easily and quickly. Wear sleek bottoms that work as well outside the gym as they do in. Or, you could always change into a pair after the workout. With all the new yoga clothing out there, you’re bound to find a perfect pair. Toss your hair back in a low pony-tail, throw on some shades, and you’re good to go - for a few hours anyway.

gym clothes in this observation:

Left:

Center:

Right:

We’ve all heard it a thousand times, capris are not flattering on most women. Yet, we can’t seem to get away from wearing them. For whatever the reason, capri’s seem to function for women. They function especially well for someone who is not comfortable in shorts, and it’s too hot out to wear full length pants. So, what’s a girl to do? Ok, we have found some variations that are flattering AND functional. The capri pant that looks the worst on women is the boxy cut that ends mid-calf. They don’t look very good because they make your legs look shorter and your body appear wider. Try going for a tapered capri - along the lines of a pedal pusher. It’s a more feminine cut and will narrow the leg. Another style that works as well as the capri is a longer short. This particular short will come to the knee or just below. Proportionally it works better on most than the capri does, and it’s more modern. We know you’re comfortable in your dependable capris, and they have become an easy “go to” piece. But check out a new style, and see if one of these cuts work for you. Who knows, you may like them better than the capris.

“Yes” capris in this observation:

Top Row:

Bottom Row:

It’s no secret the symbolism that accompanies the image of the beautiful butterfly. I can’t help but stare in amazement as this stunning creature flitters past. It’s not just their fairy-tale like beauty that strikes me, it’s the the journey the butterfly has taken to emerge so glorious. It’s the hope we all have for ourselves, that when it’s all said and done we debut as a superb being. The butterfly signifies change, rebirth, growth, and grace. Designers have officially been pulled by the power of the butterfly. They are everywhere from hair pieces to jewelry, t-shirts to lavish dresses. This summer is the perfect time to grab onto the magic of the angelic butterfly. If you have an appreciation, then it will be a timeless piece that will never go out of style. Butterflies are always welcome in the fashion world.

butterflies in this observation:

It’s a sweltering summer day and you’ve got some errands to run. Your kids have a play date at the park, you’ve got a lunch date with the girls, some shopping of course, and then a romantic dinner by the water. You swing open the doors of your closet and the last thing you want to step into is your tight jeans — just then you make eye contact with your maxi dress and it beckons to be worn… you happily oblige. It’s cool, sexy, flowing and versatile for all of your errands and dates for the day!

how to wear a floral patterned maxi
A floral patterned maxi dress alone is perfect for a hot summer day when all you want is one, long, flowing piece to make up your entire outfit. When choosing a patterned maxi, don’t overdo it with tons of jewelry. Opt for simple, hanging earrings. You can also ‘accessorize’ with your hair. Pamper your locks with rollers, hot or velcro (which Jean swears by), to get those oh so fabulous grecian goddess tendrils. It will fall beautifully with the free-spirited flow and pattern of the dress. If it’s too hot out, you can opt for a loosely coiled bun or simple low side pony.

the transformable nature of the maxi
If you decide to wear your maxi into the night, trade those flip flops for a sexier, strappy gladiator sandal and you’ll be ready to come off the beach and saunter into a romantically candle lit cafe. A belt doesn’t necessarily make your maxi day or night time worthy, but it will refresh the outfit and accentuate different aspects of the dress. Enhance a simple, solid colored maxi with a woven leather or suede belt right under the bust or loosely draped around the hips. If your maxi has gathers around the waist or underneath the bust then that’s where your belt should go. If your maxi has lots of ornamental details, a busy pattern or lots of layering and gathering then a belt is a no-no; you don’t want to wear your entire wardrobe. Finally, add a simple cuff bracelet, to top off the look.

waistlines, shoes and panties, oh my!
While some maxi’s gather under the bust or at the waistline to accentuate a curvy waist or create a waistline, other maxis shoot straight down to accentuate a thinner frame. For those maxis that are long enough to gracefully sweep the floor (creating a game of hide and seek with whatever fabulous shoes you have chosen to wear) opt for a sexy, simple gladiator sandal that contrasts the full coverage of the dress. For a shorter maxi, an open, sexy shoe will do the trick as well because you don’t want to cut off the length of the leg. Another maxi dress necessity is seamless underwear that won’t interrupt the cascading and sometimes clingy drapery of the dress. A visible panty line may distract onlookers when they should really be focussing on the outfit as a whole. Top off the look with a unique cuff bracelet.

Keep in mind, your maxi doesn’t have to max you out!!
From Gap to Missoni, this summer promises to maximize the availability of maxi dresses!

Gladiator sandals are one of the biggest trends of the season. Last month’s post on the Gladiator ignited a firestorm of questions: How do I wear them? We’ve put together three of our favorite looks to help you out.

Gladiator look 1

The first look has a tall gladiator paired with a summer cotton dress. The key to this look, is to keep the dress flowy and unconstructed. The cut of the dress will balance out the tall gladiator sandal, making your legs look slim. A big hobo bag completes the look beautifully.

Gladiator look 2

The second look has a short gladiator paired with shorts, a billowy top, bangles, and a textured tote. The key to this look is to lean toward the bohemian, not preppy. It should look relaxed and sophisticated. It translates into a perfect day to evening summer look.

Gladiator look 3

The third look is a more dressed up version of the gladiator sandal. Again, the dress is free flowing which helps to balance the bulk of the shoe. The gladiator we chose is metallic, and reflects beautifully as opposed to drag the outfit down. We paired the outfit with a linen bag with gold accents, to tie it all together. The dress becomes the focus, with very fashion forward accessories that don’t take over the outfit.

We hope some of these looks inspire some of your own creations. Have fun with it, and relax into a pair of gladiator sandals this season.

It’s almost that time of year, bathing suit season. Getting beach bound ready can be a bewildering task. What suit should I wear? What suit looks good on me? Should I buy a new beach bag? What type of cover-up should I wear? Your head starts to spin, and sometimes that can cause you to make some bad decisions. We are here to give you a little head start, by breaking it all down for you. Hopefully, this will help you organize your thoughts.

Tory Burch jane thong @ Jildor

Birkenstock gizeh black patent @ Jildor

Christian Louboutin ankle-wrap pump @ Bergdorf Goodman

Oh Deer! Kate @ Zappos

These days it seems like the prices of high end designer shoes have jumped. A really nice shoe used to cost $500 to $600, now that is on the low end. The sweet spot, these days, for a designer shoe is $650 to $900. We’re wondering, is a designer shoe worth the high price? For example, if we showed you two shoes that looked basically the same, and told you that one was a Christian Louboutin and the other an Oh Deer! - which one would you want? Is the quality that much better in the designer shoe? Or is it just the name? What is it about shoes that causes us to throw caution to the wind and spend an insane amount of money? Well, there’s something so lovely about putting on an expensive pair of shoes.  Slipping into a pair of $1200 Chanel pumps can make you feel like Dorothy in her magic slippers. Why is that? I think it’s because it makes you feel like you’re worth it, and special enough to wear something so well crafted. I suppose that means I’m buying into exactly what luxury brands want me to, essentially I’m part of the problem. What’s a girl to do? I think many of us out there get the meaning behind Oscar Wilde when he said: ” I have a simple taste, only the best”. Hopefully, we won’t all go broke doing it. Happy shoe hunting!

c.c. skye cuff on T-bags maxi dress

Isharya abstract floral cuff on Dolman tee

Roberto Cavalli chain wooden cuff on Mara Hoffman dress

Tory Burch logo cuff on Philip Lim top

This summer, the arm is getting some much needed attention. Bigger bracelets have resurfaced, and will adorn the arms of countless women. Styles like the cuff and the bangle really accentuate some of the styles for the season. It’s also a really easy way to update your look, without spending a lot of money. Designers like CC Skye, Isharya, Tory Burch, Roberto Cavalli, Banana Republic, and J. Crew have all embraced this trend. So, no matter what your price point, you can grab a great one. Imagine the white CC Skye cuff with a T-bags maxi dress - an outfit that is perfect for dinner by the beach.  Or the black Tory Burch cuff, which compliments the modern design of the Philip Lim top. It’s an easy trend to make work, without a ton of lost time figuring out what to wear it with. Which cuff is your favorite? 

Is it possible to make it through the entire summer with only one pair of sandals? We think we have found a pair of sandals that work everyday, and with every outfit. The Tory Burch Ali sandal in metallic silver and gold. It’s the perfect combination of hot and cold, the yin and yang, the day and night. The Ali goes with white, it goes with black, it dresses up, and it dresses down.  It’s an investment you will be glad you made. You’ll go through an entire summer without having to worry about what shoes to wear. That, in and of itself, is sheer bliss. 

Tory Burch’s new collection has such a refreshing quality to it. We can practically taste the salt water in the air just by looking at the line. Filled with brilliant blues, cool greens, and crisp whites, the collection will keep us cool on even the steamiest of days. Her pieces tend to be easy to work with; basically fuss-free. Isn’t that what women want? Pieces that don’t require a ton of closet time trying to pull it all together.