Bubble-licous

Oh, the possibilites! Although it's back like it's new, it's hard to forget that I remember this style. I don't just remember it, I wore it and wore it out! Albeit refined, the bubble bottom style is back with modern flair. This confection is created by Arden B and it's beyond cute. The sleeves have a little ruching detail that adds a hint of texture. The belt cinches in the waist just a bit. The bubble bottom definitely shows off the gams. The only drawback I see is that it's only sold in black. I'd love to see this dress in color. I guess, in the end, you can't go wrong with basic black.

Photo:arden b.

Fashionable Home

In tough times... translated as five dollar a gallon gas time. I've resorted to altering my shopping habits. I started doing this anytime money was tight. Instead of buying new shoes or an outfit I'd buy something for my place. It seemed to help quench my shopping appetite and for less money. Think about it, it's certainly less expensive to get a nice piece to add flavor to a room than to buy some strappy, platform pumps to spice up an outfit. With that in mind, I headed to Crate & Barrel. I love this store! It doesn't hurt that they are having a sale. I found this Sylvia vase reduced from fifty-nine to twenty-nine dollars. That's a deal I can live with, I'll use my savings to top off my tank!

Photo:crate & barrel

Chic Deals

Now that summer is officially here, I'm trying not to go crazy shopping for summer gear. Really, when you think about it, it's a pretty short season. Taking it easy on the shopping side of things, isn't a bad idea. What's number one on my list this summer? Keeping cool when the weather is hot! This Mossimo frock fits the bill. At only $15, it's an easy choice. This little dress is pretty versatile. With a pair of flip flops, it's works a cool and casual summer look. It also works as a cover up at the beach or poolside. Leave it to Target to keep things simple and chic.



Photo: Target

Be-Jeweled

This isn't your grandmother's jewelry... they're cocktail rings! Costume jewelry is coming back hard and it all begins with the ring. There are so many styles popping up right now. These are just a few I found adorable and must-havable. Is that a word? These trinkets are available at girlprops.com for 6.99 & 12.99 respectively.

Photo:girlprops.com

This or that?

This style of sandal was one of my recent purchases. There is no shortage of designers making them from Nine West to Colin Stuart. The difference is, however, in the price. I found these Steve Madden lovelies for a cool forty-seven bucks(top). As I was strolling through Target for a little bargain hunting I found this ever popular style again(bottom). This time it was for the bargain basement price of fourteen dollars. So many designers, one summer style. I know imitation is the highest form of flattery, I'd just like to know who is imitating who.

Photos:Victoria's Secret & Target

Silver Slicker

Every summer I stock up on my favorites in new styles. I have to have gold, silver and black sandals and maybe a funky print in there to boot. In the last few weeks, I've been searching for some summer silver. So far this season, I've purchased about four pair of sandals in my color variations. What I didn't have were my summer staples : silver sandals. Then I came across these Dolce Vita kicks and my search was over. I ordered them this week and already have a fresh pedicure in anticipation of their arrival. Now summer can officially begin! For me, at least!

Photo: Dolce Vita

Who Rocked It?

They have royalty written all over them - the color of royalty anyway. Fergie and Posh slipped into this Dolce & Gabanna dress to hit the streets. Both made the look chic with superstar sunglasses but... who rocked it?

Photo:people.com

The Carrie Effect

If you saw Sex & the City, you know these shoes well. Let's be honest, who didn't see it? Carrie ran all around the Big Apple is these Dior gladiator platforms. While the Dior shoes are fab, they are also pricey. Still want Carrie's kicks. Try this version on for size. I found them on fashionjunkee.com for just $48 dollars! Although this verison isn't exact, it's definitely on cue style-wise. It's enough to make you get Carrie-d away!

Photo:fashionjunkee.com

Eighties: Never Say Die, Part 2

Don't call it a comeback! In case you haven't noticed - this is the eighties. That's right, the decade of neon clothes and shoulder pads never ended. We only had a brief intermission of about a decade or so. It seems every year something from that hard to forget decade seeps back into the now. This year it's been less of a seep and more of a flood. The eighties must-have o' the moment? Door knocker earrings. I found these at girlprops.com for the budget-friendly prices of 7.99 & 9.99. These throwback earrings were made famous by Salt-N-Pepa, MC Lyte and the like. Now they're showing up on Hollywood homegirls Raven-Symone and Meagan Goode. They're back and they're as big as ever. They've been moved from the hood to the red carpet. How's that for an upgrade?

Photo:girlprops.com

Eighties: Never Say Die

Who knew the eighties would last this long? Every time I look around another eighties trend has invaded my favorite stores. This one, I must admit, threw me for a loop. Has tie-dye really made a comeback? According to Arden B., absolutely! The retail chain is selling a few tie-dyed pieces this summer updated with today's style sensibilities. Expect to see this one shoulder creation on streets everywhere. Seems the old saying is true, everything old IS new again. What's next, a Prince & the Revolution reunion?

Photo:Arden B.

Maxed Out

Get maxed out this summer! Maxi dresses are booming and they won't be going away any time soon. The style is so versatile and looks good on any body type. It's a favorite among the mommy-to-be set took Many of the dresses are made with an empire waist which makes it roomy enough for a growing tummy. No baby bump? No worries! It's still a style that suits yo. My favorite thing about the maxi dress is it's a chic style that makes me feel like I'm on a luxurious vacation every time I slip it on. Wanna check out any of the dresses you see above? Here's the info. clockwise: Arden B., Bebe, Armani Exchange and Marciano.

Photo:mystyle.com

Chic Deals

Love, love, love! As I continue my diva on a budget spree, I stumbled across this shirt dress. I've always loved the look of the shirt dress and can't wait for the chance to pull it off. This look is from Rogan from Target. It's a cool look for hot summer days with short sleeves and an above the knee look. While the dress had cool features, the coolest may be the price. It's only $39 dollars. The diva on a budget spree continues.

Photo:Target

Flower Child

Florals have been taking a turn this season that continue to surprise me. Mostly, the floral patterns are large. Beyond that, they are all so different. The many varieties keeps the trend exciting. This dress takes on the floral trend in bold fashion. The rich colors keep it fresh. They could have gone the pastel route but these colors add an unexpected boldness that make this dress even more appealing.

Photo:bluefly.com

Burst of Color

Bring on the color! Citrus hues are definitely in. Emmy Rossum rocked this tangerine treat to an event in L.A. It's a simple dress but is certainly has flavor. With the added layers of fabric, the dress has texture. The added belt keeps it on trend and current. We saw this look a lot in the Sex & the City movie. It's the perfect look for a hot day. The look is perfect for the heatwave we've been fighting here in Southern California.

Photo: mystyle.com

Gone Bad or Fad?

Rihanna has perfected the "Good Girl, Gone Bad" look. The island beauty has taken the bad girl look and made it chic. She's mixed it up by rocking hats and some of the hottest boots of the season. I'm wondering, is this a look the everyday girl is pulling off on the streets? Is the bad girl look a must-have or a fad?


Photo:mystyle.com

Poncho Done Right

Is anybody still rocking the poncho? I have a few in my closet, but they rarely make their way to the light of day. According to a few experts, ponchos never really go out of style. It seems the style favorite, like jeans, merely morphs into more updated silhouettes. This style is a different take on your classic poncho. It brings the fullness of the look in with a belt to give more of a defined waist. It could work, but I'm still on the fence.

Photo:mystyle.com

Chic Deals

Is it me or have gas prices put a dent in the shopping budget? Here in L.A. gas is just below $5/a gallon! The thing is, my urge to splurge hasn't gone away. While we all have our splurges, it never hurts to stumble up on a deal. As the summer shopping season is in full swing, I have been scouring the web for chic looks on a budget. There are some great finds all over. One of the first places to hit is, of course, Target. Here are a few. Enjoy!

Go International Strapless Dress $27

Mossimo Maxi Dress $15

Go International Ruffle Top $18

Photos: Target

Who Rocked It?

Rihanna has gone from island girl to pop crossover sensation seemingly overnight. The new title the 20 year old seems to be trying out - fashion icon in-the-making. She stepped out for lunch in L.A. in this Stella McCartney jumpsuit. Actress Angie Harmon wore the same suit to an event. They both wear it well but... who rocked it?

Photo:people.com

Working Girl

What's a girl to do after a bad breakup? Well if you're Sarah Larson you get to work. The model and former flame of George Clooney just got a new gig. The newly single Larson is modeling a new line of couture dresses by designer Christian Audigier. She was selected because the designer liked her style. She recently completed a photo shoot in Los Angeles for the ad campaign. The line of dresses feature Audigier's signature tattoo-style print and are already available on his website. Look out for the ads featuring Larson later this month.

Photo:people.com

The Golden Tote

How much gold can one take? Hmm... Michael Kors, I'm taking at least one more. This bag speaks my language. It's the perfect everyday, weekend bag. There are pockets galore for all the many things I tend to carry. Now that I think of it, this could also make a great beach bag. The possibilities may be endless.

Photo:michael kors

Where the Rubber Meets the Gold

The color of the season - gold, the style of the moment - peep toe, this shoe - interesting. Fashionably speaking, I like things most people think are odd. At first glance, I thought this was one odd shoe. It's a Prada piece and it has high-fashion written all over it. There's a little bit of leather and a little bit of rubber to make a whole lot of shoe. From the criss-cross straps to the funky ankle strap, and the sky high heel, this shoe puts sexy all over your feet. I really like the tuxedo style look of the buttons on the ankle strap. It adds an unexpected twist. On second thought, the whole shoe is an unexpected twist.

Photo:bluefly.com

Dog Days of Summer

As I was shopping around for Father's Day gifts I stumbled across this Dolce & Gabanna chain. The design is simple and chic. In a sleek black it keeps the D&G style low-key. I'm a fan of dog tag chains. They're a great way top off a casual outfit. With it being a designer chain, I thought it would be more expensive. You can pick this up for just over one hundred dollars. I've you're a slave to labels, now you can get your fix without spending the mortgage on couture.

Photo:bergdorf goodman

Para mi Papa!

Happy Father's Day!

Do the Girlie Thing

There are days when I wanna feel extra girlie and on those days I need this dress in my closet. C&C California created this sleek dress with just enough frills. The lightweight jersey knit give it an easy flow. The ruching and the blouson fit up the girl factor. What more could a girl need?

Photo:bluefly.com

Going Nude

Black has always been the staple to turn to, the can't-go-wrong color that matches everything. Every season there's a new black, this summer is no different. The go-to color of the season seems to be nude. That's right, nude is the new black! The muted tone lights up any outfit like black never could. It's the perfect shade to add a feminine touch to your frocks or anything else you decide to rock. These patent leather Pradas work for me. At three hundred ninety-six dollars they may not work for my budget though. Will you be going nude this summer?

Photo:bluefly.com

Coming to America

Budget friendly prices, trendy fashions and Kate Moss designs, oh my! London's own Topshop is bringing its British flair to America! The store known for causing a frenzy will be opening up its first U.S. shop in NYC this October. Fear not fashion lovers beyond the New York border! Topshop is also launching its U.S. website in September for the rest of us and most items are expected to be $100 and below! To make the deal even sweeter for New Yorkers, they'll even be doing same day deliveries within Manhattan. How sweet it is!

Photo: people.com

Pleated Perfection

Perfect summer dresses can be hard to come by. A dress that's casual, comfortable and chic all at the same time... is even harder to track down. I found this Design History creation that fits the bill for my summer dress search. This dress screams summer casual! It's carefree flow and above the knee hem make it an instant summer favorite. Made of lightweight stretch jersey with short sleeves, this dress was created to keep you cool. For me the pleats keep this look from being an over sized t-shirt and make it more casual chic.

Photo:bluefly.com

Delectable Collectibles

Have money, will travel! Next month Christie's is holding and auction of the designs of famed style-setter Yves Saint Laurent. The auction house will have various pieces from older collections for sale. The prices are considered to be relatively inexpensive because the designs aren't new and the clothes have been worn. These items are definitely collectibles. The items up for auction include jewelry and clothes. Among the items is a sweater made famous by former first lady and fashion icon Jackie Kennedy Onassis. For some items prices start as low as two hundred fifty dollars. As these items are collectibles, who knows how much they'll go for. Other designers featured at the auction include Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler, Balenciaga and Gianni Versace. The auction will be held at Christie's in New York on July 2nd.

Photos: Associated Press/Christies

YSL Remembered

While I was out on vacay the legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent lost his yearlong battle with brain cancer. The fashion icon was credited with empowering women by recreating the pant. His take on the pant made it a more elegant piece of a woman's wardrobe. The designer was quoted as saying "fashion was not only supposed to make women beautiful, but to reassure them, to give them confidence, to allow them to come to terms with themselves." It's this attitude that kept him highly regarding in fashion circles everywhere. When he retired from runway in 2002 the fashion world mourned the end of an era. Yves Saint Laurent, designer and icon, dead at 71.

Photo: Associated Press

Funky Feet!

Ok... so thong sandals are the best way to show off your french pedi. These shoes may be the best way to show off your feet! This is funky done right. I love these sandals for all the details. The funky snakeskin print give them a little edge. The string tie in the back keeps it dainty. The small wedge heel keeps it comfy! Wow, I need these in my life! These could easily be a girls best friend.

Photo: Michael Kors

Safe in the Sun

Before I left for vacation, I took a trip to the dermatologist. We had a conversation about the best products to use on my skin. One he couldn't say enough about was the Neutrogena sunscreen. He gave me a tube for my face. Of course, I took it with me on vacay as I was in at least 90 degree heat almost every day. I used this cream everyday under my moisturizer on my face and the derm was right. This worked great. The one I used had an SPF of 55. It's not really greasy so you don't look like you've just walked through an oil slick. Worked well for me, so I thought I'd pass it along.

Photo: Neutrogena

Cute Comfort

Wedges are know for their comfort, right? What about when you don't want to rock a sky high heel though... here's an alternative. Michael Kors takes on the wedge and drops it down a few inches. These sandals have all you need for comfort and cute. With a low wedge and thong it has comfort wrapped up. With the skinny straps and classic colors to choose from - the cute is covered. Add pretty pedi and get your stroll on!

Photo: Michael Kors

Summer Splash

A little color goes a long way... even on your eyes. This palette of pretty is from Stila. The cosmetic giant has a little summer color splash. This handy eyeshadow compact has a three key colors this season... gold, bronze and blue! While blue eyeshadow used to be a big no-no... now it's all good as long as you rock it the right way. Rock on!

Photo: sephora

Who Rocked It?

These two Texans have soooooooooo much in common. Jessica Simpson and Eva Longoria Parker share a home state, a hairstylist and their Mr. Right - both named Tony. The other thing they share is this Juicy Couture dress. Eva has long proclaimed her love for the brand. While both ladies looked laid back fab... who rocked it?

Photo:People

Bikini Beach

Everything is getting a high waisted makeover. From jeans to skirts to shorts - now the swimsuit. This season the bikini took an old school detour. The 50's flavor of this suit makes it that much more adorable. I'm loving the Jackie O look of this suit. From the polka dots to the high waist - it's a look I could definitely see pulling off. Would you rock it?

Photo: Victoria's Secret

Golden Goddess!

I found this glamorous beauty last year for my honeymoon and I've been wearing them out ever since! These sparklers are a Victoria's Secret find. I watched them for at least a year, waiting for them to go on sale. They didn't but I bought them anyway! These sandals look good with EVERYTHING! From jeans to dresses, dressy or casual they work. When I bought them they were seventy bucks - now they are on sale for 49! I'm thinking about getting a back-up pair.

Photo:Victoria's Secret

Back from VACAY!!

Hello all!

I'm back - it was a well needed vacation and I'm refreshed and ready to get back to the biz! Posts will resume now!

Who Rocked It?

Nicky Hilton gave this Lacey Parker dress a club ready look with dark tights and heels. Solange rocked the same dress in a beach worthy look with gladiator sandals and a low-slung belt. They both added their own flavor but... who rocked it?

Photo:people.com