BCBG Striped Short $138
BCBG Pointelle Pullover $178

dress it up

I think we all assume shorts go with a tee, but try and make your shorts work a little harder for you. You can instantly elevate the look of a short by pairing it with a blouse, or a knit, a wedge, and a handbag. Check out some ideas below. You’ll see no matter what your budget – you can pull off a sophisticated look.

BCBG Striped Short $138
Gap striped Shorts $39

Zara Floral Top $59
Zara Clutch $20
DV by Dolce Vita Wedge $59

do you remember Dr. Scholl’s?

All I remember thinking was that Dr. Scholl’s were really cool, because my three older sisters wore them. I had no idea they were advertised as an exercise sandal. Did you?

Like most popular fashions from the past, these sandals have been reinvented and are sneaking back onto the scene.

Flogg

The newer version of the well known Dr. Scholl is made by Flogg.

Flogg also makes a platform clog sandal that looks pretty cute. I love the blush patent color. The patent pops but the color is neutral. It straps on (see above) – so it’s probably pretty comfortable.
Flogg Platform Clog Sandal

All Wrapped into one

The white shirt has the ability of being sexy, simple, sophisticated, classic, chic, and elegant all wrapped up in one.

Carolina Herrera

I recently saw my step-sister in one of Carolina Herrera’s white shirts, and it looked absolutely stunning. You could tell immediately the quality of the garment. The sleeves were dramatic, the body perfectly fitted. Having said that, you don’t have to spend that kind of money to get the feel of white shirt. Pay attention to the fabric, and the cut.

Dress-tastick

I think we underestimate the dress. A lot of us only wear dresses on special occasions, but really you can wear one everyday. I’ve been wearing dresses in place of shorts, because I just think they’re more flattering and feminine.

Zara Tube

Zara’s tube dress would be perfect in the day with flat sandals, or into the evening with a strappy heel. It’s not meant for the super curvy, it will just look more sleek on an athletic shape.

The Perfect Sun Dress

This evokes sweet, clean, innocence. It’s perfect for a hot Summer day. Pair it with flip flops, wedges, or pop in a bright color flat sandal. You can’t go wrong!

Shabby Apple

Shabby’s white cotton wrap dress is incredibly versatile. You can wear it to work, to lunch with the girls, over your swimsuit to the pool, and onto Sunday brunch.

Beautifully Bright

Who doesn’t look good in this color in the Summer? It’s refreshing, like a tall glass of water. Again, you’re pairing this with flat sandals in the day – strappy high-heeled or wedges at night. This is a perfect dress to play with jewelry. Pop on a statement necklace or earrings.

Fabulous Floral

This is modern floral, it’s not too busy … simple – clean. I would leave your neck bare, and just wear earrings.

Hey Sailor

I love a navy stripe in the Summer. This would be cute in the day with keds, or red patent flip flops. I actually wouldn’t over-do the jewelry. Maybe just a big gold hoop, and a straw bag. Perfect for running around the Hamptons, or walking down main street on Nantucket.

Wrap it Up

A cotton wrap dress is just so easy in the Summer. Nobody does the wrap dress like DVF. This one works well going to work or on the weekend. It’s worth the investment.

Pop Pattern

Aztec patterns are distinct, which makes it a statement on its own. It’s your choice if you want to play it up, or just pop a bit of the distinct pattern paired with your basics. I, personally, love Mara Hoffman’s take on the trend. Her use of blues, purples, pinks, and oranges are soft. Rest assured, if you want to embrace your inner Aztec … there’s a color or pattern out there that will surely speak to you.

So … do you love or hate the Aztec trend? XO

Custom Made

I feel like I’m always showing you “the look for less”, but today I want to show you “the best of the best”.

Sometimes seeing the best can inspire a look, a feel, or even a better “look for less”.

Capri sandals are hot right now. It’s all about jewelry for your feet, in the most decadent way.

Why buy a custom capri sandal?
Because you usually get what you pay for. These sandals are hand crafted. Each pair is made to order, making each pair unique. The structure of the sandal is solid, and will last for many years. They are hand sewn, not glued like so many of the cheaper versions. They use stones that resemble the pebbles you’ll see on the beach, or gems that reflect the glorious colors of the island. Women like Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy were among the many who adored these sandals.

TUCCIA DI CAPRI

One os the Island’s best sandal shops. Click here – Tuccia Di Capri

CANFORA – The Story …

It was the year 1946, the war had only just ended, and Capri was, once again, inundated with travelers arriving from every corner of the globe: royals, artists, intellectuals, and actors, all of whom shared the same desire to enjoy life like never before. Just a few years later, the economic boom exploded and Capri became the heart of the Dolce Vita and an obligatory port of call for members of the Italian star system.

This said, in the late 1940’s, Capri’s economy was still based almost entirely on fishing and there were only a very few hotels on the island. Opposite the most important of these, the historic Grand Hotel Quisisana, my grandfather, Amedeo Canfora decided to open a sandal shop. A modest little shop, with a workbench on which to make his sandals, walls hung with soles and costume jewelry, and shelves filled with books in which the measurements of the most important regular clients were recorded and carefully conserved.

Within no time at all word reached the mainland that Canfora’s sandals were the finest of all those made on the island of Capri: being both the most beautiful and durable. Soraya, Princess Margaret, Maria Callas and Grace Kelly were among the first famous clients to purchase a pair of Canfora’s made-to-measure sandals…. And yet, whether she was a crowned princess or a modest maid, my Grandfather treated all his customers with the very same discretion and devotion.
Click here for Collection – Canfora

Game Day

The sun is already super hot in Dallas. It would only take one day to derail all the skin-recovery you’ve done through the winter. It almost happened to me on Sunday. I was at my son’s baseball game when I realized the sun was blazing. I was NOT prepared. Luckily, I found a tree to sit under before the sun melted my face off. So … in the future I’m leaving a hat in my car. Plus, of course, lathering on sunblock (more than SPF 15!) as part of my daily regimen.

Deciding what hat to wear outside of the beach or pool can be tricky. You have to go for more protection than a baseball hat. You’re simply not going to get the coverage you need from a baseball hat! You need a wider brim to shade your face entirely from the sun. I like the look of the Michael Stars blue stripe hat. It’s a bit more sporty looking than other wide brim hats.

Hats Above

San Diego Hat Company Hat $42
Adidas Hat With Yellow Tie

By The Beach

For the beach I love the look of a natural straw hat. It’s more earthy, and blends easily with your surroundings.

Hats Above

Echo Designs Hat With Black Detail
Theodora & Callum Cowboy Straw Hat
Rachel Zoe Straw Hat with Belt

Poolside

Sitting by the pool, go for some color and a little more glamour. Keep in mind – you want it to work well with your suits. It doesn’t have to match perfectly, but it should be in the same family.

Hats Above

Rachel Zoe Black Stripe Hat $68
Kate Spade Hat with Scarf $88
Echo Design White & Black Hat $58
Forever 21 Hat $12

waist not

I think the one thing that always bothers me about maxi dresses is that a lot of them don’t accentuate the waist enough. With so much dress happening, I want to see some waist definition. A skirt could be the answer. That way … you can tuck in, tie, or go midi on the top (depending on your age).

Equipment Tie Front Top

DV Wedge Sandal

Gossip Girl

I’ve recently been introduced to the world of Gossip Girl, and it’s safe to say that I’m obsessed. I think what I like even more than the twisted plot is the use of fashion in the show. Like in Sex and the City, fashion plays an important role. Part of the reason I watch is to see what they are wearing, and how they put it together.

Accessorize

Jewelry plays a huge part in the styling. The use of earrings surprised me the most. I found myself completely in awe of the statement pieces they used. 

Serena’s Style

Serena’s style, in particular, appeals to me. True, her low cut tops can be a bit much. BUT … for the most part I think she always looks great!! Her perfectly messy pony grounds even the most extravagant outfit. There’s an earthy edge to her upper east side style that makes it unbelievably sexy in a sophisticated way. Check out some of her earring looks from the show … who knows maybe it will inspire your Summer look. I know I’m in the market for a few statement earrings.

Mix it up

So … you want to freshen up your Summer swimsuit situation. Just by adding one or two suits to your collection you can get the some great looks.

The key is to have one black/brown, one print, and one solid that is featured in the print. You’re looking to be able to blend tops and bottoms. Every girl should have one great fitting solid black or brown bikini. Especially now that mixing and matching has become so standard. Black is an easy mixer, as is brown. Find a print you like, and a solid that is pulled from the print. That way, you can easily mix and match – and it all translates. You can build your bathing-suit wardrobe from there.

Some great bathing suit building blocks:

L Space Print Bikini Bottom
L Space Print Top
Bright Solid Bikini
Classic Black Suit
Old Navy Basic Bright Top
Old Navy Basic Bright Bottom
My Favorite Fringe Top – L Space