The Summer is all about weekends away. Whether you’ve rented a house with friends or are a guest at someone else’s house, you’ll need the appropriate sleepwear. You don’t want to find yourself scrambling for something to wear downstairs for coffee in the morning. Go prepared, be confident and be pulled together. As I’m sure you have a great swimsuit and cover-up, you should have great pajamas. Eberjey has some really cute pj sets, robes, and nighties. They’re made from the most supple fabric; you’ll love slipping into it after a long day at the beach. The best part about Eberjey, is that it’s sweet enough to wear in front of his parents, and sexy enough to make you feel like a woman. Keep in mind, it’s really inappropriate to be overly sexy in a house full of people. Be elegant, not trashy. They’ll be saying “isn’t she lovely, where on earth did you meet her?”. Instead of “She’s nice, what bar did you say you met her in?” YIKES! So, ditch your college sweats (for this weekend anyway) and invest in some beautiful jammies.

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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.

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It’s simply not realistic for all of us to have four seasons of clothing. So, we’re going to show you how to make a piece multi-seasonal. We all have our favorite “go-to” jersey dress for Summer. It feels light and airy on a hot humid day. In the summer you’re wearing it with bamboo bracelets, gladiator sandals, and a shot of turquoise in a Beirn bag. To make that dress work into the fall, put it with leggings or skinny jeans and a pair of tall boots. On cooler days, pop on a leather bomber jacket. Make a Fall statement by keeping the details in darker colors like an aubergine belt and handbag. Voila! You’ll get another couple of months out of one dress.

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Summer can be the hardest time of year to camouflage the areas of our body that we don’t particularly like. A common body part that we hear women complain about is their arms. During the hot months when everything seems to be sleeveless, how can a woman who hates her arms dress? Well, we have a few tips for you. If you’re very sensitive about your arms, you can go for tops that have 3/4 sleeves. That way, you can cover the part of the arm that you probably object to the most. You don’t have to completely cover up, simply transition from top to arm gracefully. For example, the DVF yellow top has an open flutter sleeve that the arm extends from beautifully. The orange DVF dress has a similar sleeve that will showcase the part of your arm that you feel more confident about. You don’t have to completely sacrifice sleeveless items. If you come across a sleeveless dress, like the Milly maxi dress, that you can’t live without … simply throw a cropped cardigan with 3/4 sleeves over it. You can conceal your upper arm without compromising the effect of the dress. Another way to cover your arm without looking too covered up, is to choose a top or dress with a sheer sleeve. It’s covered while still giving a glimpse of skin. When all else fails, self-tanner can serve as a smoke screen to any perceived problem areas. There’s nothing wrong with a little smoke and mirror magic during the horrific summer months. Good luck Girls!

A special shout out to Trish Ginter, Founder of Smashing Darling for suggesting this post topic. We’d like to do more posts on topics you care about most. Send you ideas to: suggestions@giftgirl.com

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Let the festivities begin! Memorial day is upon us and we can smell summer in the air. Cruising with the top down, grilling in the backyard, hanging on the beach… HANGING ON THE BEACH… OH NO! That’s always how it happens; it sneaks up on us. We are quickly reminded that with all of summer’s delights also comes bathing suit season. The first few trips to the beach can prove to be the toughest. Getting beach ready is something you have to ease into. It’s a process for most of us. We are not entirely ready to shed all our clothing on the first day. I guess you could say, we like the summer to court us a little bit. I want to feel comfortable peeling off the layers, and exposing myself to the sun little by little. So, if you have to be poolside or on the beach this weekend, no worries. We’ve got a plan for you. A one piece is a good place to start. Go for a basic but sophisticated color like black or red. Cover it up with one of this season’s hottest trends, a jumpsuit. A jumpsuit will come across as playful while still maintaining it’s elegance. Pull out your summer accessories this weekend. If you’ve got a great summer tote, it should make it’s first appearance this weekend. Reminder, the tote should blend with the suit and cover-up. Slip into your new summer sandals and you’re ready. Oh, don’t forget a great big pair of sunglasses! They’ll be dying to know how you pulled it all together so early in the season.

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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.

Bottega Veneta is known for their woven leather bags; it has practically become their label. If you haven’t noticed, Bottega doesn’t have any conspicuous labels on their bags. The identity of the brand has become synonymous with their specific woven leather. If you want this luscious leather, though, you’re going to pay for it. Their bags range from $1200 to over $5000. If you can’t afford that hefty price tag, we have the bag for you. Banana Republic has made a few bags that more than resemble the unreachable Bottega Veneta. They even have a similar sandal that blends beautifully. You may have just found your perfect summer bag! It’s big enough to take to the beach, structured enough to take to work, and comfortable enough for everyday. No matter where you go, or what you wear, this bag brings it to a chic level. How can you beat a reasonably priced, well made, fashionable, designer look-alike bag? We don’t think you can beat it, but we do think you should go for it!

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1. Bold color - meant to be mixed with all kinds of colors, and can be worn with everything.

Carnaby Carryall @ J.Crew
Cashmere two-button cardigan tee @ J.Crew

2. Skinny belt - cinching your waist is an easy way to update.

Leatherock skinny double-wrap belt @ Nordstrom
Cynthia Rowley patent leather belt @ Nordstrom

3. Patent leather - shine on! It can be black, neutral, or bold.

Kooba ‘Jacinda’ patent bag @ Plaza Too
apt. 9 chain flip-flops @ Kohls

4. Dip-dye - An updated version of Tie-Dye. It’s done in soft colors this season, which looks good on all.

Secrets of Charm daria shirt @ Shopbop
Adam Lippes degrade halter wrap top @ Shopadam

5. Wide leg denim - a great way to update. It’s clean, classic, and fresh.

J Brand cass jean @ Shopbop
Goldsign ‘Treo’ high-waisted wide leg stretch jeans @ Nordstrom

6. Metallic - should be worn like a neutral, and goes with everything.

Zoey metallic clutch @ Plaza Too
Adam Lippes linen trench @ Shopadam
Liv metallic ballet flats @ J.Crew

7. Full skirt - easy to wear with a fitted top or tee.

Plenty by Tracy Reese printed skirt @ Nordstrom
Ruffle skirt @ Gap

8. Bracelets - lots and lots of bracelets. Bangles are fun for this season.

Asos chunky wood bangle w/ metal detail @ Asos
Elsa Peretti bangle @ Tiffany

9. Tribal prints - young, fun, urban, and edgy.

zebra smocked top @ Active Endeavors
tribal print sundress @ Topshop

Summer fashion is all about ease, comfort, and uncomplicated style. The last thing you want to do on a hot day is wear layers of clothing. That’s precisely why The Ella Moss Collection works so well during the summer months. It’s a collection that is virtually fuss-free. You can literally throw one of her dresses on with sandals, a straw bag, and be out the door. There is very little closet time required to make the pieces work, they just do. The shapes are simple, wearable, and accessible to almost all body types. The fabric is ultra soft, feels gentle on the skin, and moves beautifully with the body. The designs are feminine in a truly modern way, allowing women the freedom and flexibility they need to run around all day long, and still look great. This summer, don’t sweat it, go with the effortless fashions of Ella Moss.

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