Shopping Spree At Zara’s Sale

I don’t know about you but I’m in need of a shopping spree……big time!! Needing to be budget mindful, I turned to the Zara sale to curate a budget conscious mini shopping extravaganza -  3 outfits, a pair of sandals and a must-have clutch all for $310.00. Now that’s prudent, thrifty shopping!

I adore the printed crossover dress worn alone or with the sublime silver motorcycle jacket (which looks amazing with white denim too). Worn with a cozy cardigan and the dress becomes a fabulous transition piece for fall. I had to have the black trousers with ankle and pocket zips; wear it with the draped studio top and you’ll have an urban minimalist ensemble with a dash of edge. Need something a bit more romantic in your wardrobe? Switch the top to the printed shirt with bow, add the high heeled sandals with the vibrant red heel and voila!

The ripped denim shorts are perfectly on trend this summer and look cool with any t-shirt, but paired with the aforementioned printed blouse with bow and it’s a knockout feminine look while keeping its casual vibe. Of course, it’s not a true shopping spree if you don’t come home with a fab handbag, and the beige zipped clutch with neon green stripes totally fits the bill. And it adds the perfect finishing touch with all the above outfits!

Clockwise from top left: Crossover Silver Jacket W/Zips $89.90 on sale for $59.99 www.zara.com, Printed Crossover Dress $89.90 on sale for $39.99 www.zara.com, Draped Studio Top $89.90 on sale for $39.99 www.zara.com, Ripped Denim Shorts $59.90 on sale for $29.99 www.zara.com, Fashion High Heel Sandal $129.90 on sale for $39.99 www.zara.com, Zipped Clutch $89.90 on sale for $39.99 www.zara.com, Printed Shirt W/Bow $79.90 on sale for $29.99 www.zara.com, Trousers W/Zips And Pockets $79.90 on sale for 29.99 www.zara.com.

Get The Look For Less – Style Icon Diane Kruger

The crop top trend is back! It has made its way from the runway to the streets in a big way. But if you are a little worried about how to rock this trend in a dressy-chic (but not over the top) way, take a lesson from Diane Kruger. The enviable beauty, with abs any girl would die for, attended the French Consulate screening of Farewell, My Queen (opening on August 3) in LA. Donning a striped cropped tank and louche black trousers by Lucca Couture, strappy heels and snake skin clutch, Diane makes looking minimal and chic as easy as 123.

Shop my favorite looks for getting this refreshingly current look, ideal for warm summer nights, for less!

Clockwise from top left: Helmet Lang Wide Leg Trouser $375.00 on sale for $110.00 www.matchesfashion.com, Loose Crop Tank $22.00 www.americanapparel.com, Snakeskin Print Cut-Out Clutch $39.90 www.express.com, Cembura High Heel $39.98 www.aldoshoes.com.

Summer Styling Tips

Allesandro Ambrosio looks summer ready in her Tolani print strapless dress. The mixture of prints is a great way to add a touch of pizzaz to a summer dress, but if you find this trend tricky to pull off you are in luck -  this  Tolani dress does it for you. The hi-lo hem updates a strapless silhouette with a modern and fresh feel.

Kelly Rutherford, seen here at a NYC screening for Farewell, My Queen, adds depth and a tiny bit of edge (while keeping it minimal) to a LWD by accessorizing with different shades of the same hue – tan and brown. Hermes handbag an Lanvin shoes.

Olivia Palermo, at Christian Dior’s Haute Couture show in Paris last week (in all Dior), proves that a leather top can be summer friendly. The key, keep the top sleeveless and pairing it with a pair of shorts helps to ensure your look reads summer not fall.

Jennifer Lawrence (in Dior), also at the Christian Dior Haute Couture show in Paris, does justice to the lady-like trend in the print du jour – florals. Choose a dress with a fuller skirt and a few inches above the knee to keep the look young and fresh. Keeping the floral print in one color will maintain that feminine feel.

Miranda Kerr takes basics and gives them a healthy dose of pizzaz. Her A.L.C cropped trousers get a face-lift with tuxedo stripes, giving her sleeveless Equipment shirt ensemble some serious sex appeal. Manolo Blahnik pointy toe pumps and Stella McCartney sunglasses take this sexy look and adds a shot chicness.

Michelle Williams at Comic-Con 2012, adds a pop of color to her black and white floral print Giulietta Resort dress with raspberry Giuseppe Zanotti platform heels. The trapeze silhouette needs a healthy flash of legs to keep it from becoming too matronly. Make sure the shoes are on the chunkier side to keep the dress fun and light.

My Wish List

This week’s wish list is an array of vibrant pops of color and a few basic pieces to balance the mix. Miu Miu’s glitter platforms are the answer to Southern California’s June gloom but will also feel right at home in the sunny rays of Miami, Florida. How fun to wear them with Love Moschino’s cut offs, even more fun now that they are on sale ($69)! Being that it’s sale time, there are a few other goodies at prices to great to let them slip through your fingers – Suno “Harvest” skirt on sale at Barney’s for $109 from $265 & Raquel Allegra tee on sale for $88 from $220.

Kate Spade’s snakeskin clutch, in a brilliant sunburst orange, might not be on sale but with how much use you’ll get out of it, it is worth every penny. I know I’ll be wearing mine with everything – from my LBD’s to short suits to my favorite pair of denim skinnies. And since we are talking wish lists, Missoni Home’s Neda down filled sateen pillow, for $420.00, would be right at home on my couch.

Are you coveting something special, share with us!

Clockwise from top left: Kate Spade A La Vita Clutch $468.00 www.katespade.com, Miu Miu Glitter Platform Peep-Toes $607.00 www.mytheresa.com, Love Moschino $123 on sale for $69.00 www.yoox.com, Missoni Home Large Neda Down Filled Sateen Cushion $420.00 www.netaporter.com, Suno Harvest Skort $265 on sale for $109 www.barneys.com, Raquel Allegra Printed Cotton-Blend jersey T-Shirt $220 on sale for $88.00 www.netaporter.com.

Shop For Date NIght – Under $180.00

You’ve got a hot date with your crush dejour or maybe dinner with the girls at the latest and greatest new restaurant, or maybe it’s just as simple as an opening night party at your favorite art gallery. All have the potential to make for a night you’ll never forget, let’s make sure you look as amazing as your night! I know that shopping can be a burden on your checkbook…….but not always!

I’ve curated an ensemble – from head to toe – that is on trend, fun and flirty and will expand your wardrobe as well (each piece can be worn with other items already at home in your closet). All for under $180.00.

There is nothing like guilt free shopping!! Now go create that night you’ll never forget!

Clockwise from top left: Playsuit With Lace Back $59.90 www.zara.com, Sole Obsession Alisa Sandal $59.95 www.dsw.com, Peace Hand Chain $25.00 www.topshop.com, ASOS Metal Handle Foldover Clutch $33.14 www.asos.com.

From My Closet To Yours – Styling Tips By Kristin

Anne Hathaway shows how to sport a dressy white blazer in a casual way. Seen here in head to toe Stella McCartney at the designer’s Spring 2012 presentation in New York. Love the touch of a printed t-shirt, cropped skinny jeans and nude shoes. The wristlet is a fresh new take on a handbag when you only need a few essentials.

Miranda Kerr walks the streets of NYC in style. Here she gives navy cropped skinny jeans an updated look with pointy toe pumps (Lanvin) in lieu of platforms or strappy heels. She lends her look a touch of pizazz with Equipment’s sheer polka dot blouse.

Olivia Palermo, strolling the sidewalks of NYC, takes your basic cut-offs and tee into off-the-charts WOW status by adding Tibi’s animal print car coat. Her pastel accented flats keeps this outfit grounded in summer.

  Rosie Hunungton-Whiteley, at LAX upon her return from making the world a more beautiful place, wears an on-trend Ikat print in an unusual silhouette – Iro’s Olathe bomber jacket. She rounds out her look with MIH jeans, Rag and Bone ankle boots and a Celine Bag.

Kristen Stewart, in Mexico at the premiere of Snow White and the Huntsman, rocks the cropped top trend in a Marios Schwab top, Vivienne Westwood gray pants and neon yellow Louboutin pumps. Love the freshness of a basic white cropped top and highwaisted ultra cuffed trousers with a pop of neon ankle strap pumps.

Girls In Their Summer Dresses

Girls in their summer clothes!!! Having a few summer dresses in the closet is a must. Nothing is as easy or as comfortable — especially on a sultry hot day.

With wedding season and graduations upon us, now is the perfect time to invest in one or two (or a few) — the Paul & Joe Sister floral strapless mini is perfect for either occasion, and with a leather motorcycle jacket thrown over it the look goes from befitting to edgy. In fact, many of these dresses can go from day to night with a quick change of shoes and accessories. And, if balmy nights are still weeks away (or non existent) try adding the Alexander Wang perforated ankle boot and Day Birger Et Mikkelsen cropped leather jacket. It’ll take the Emerson Thorpe, T by Alexander Wang, Melissa Odabash or the Zara tulip dresses from the perfect day wear to smashing night-time knock-em-dead dresses.

Clockwise from top left: Emerson Thorpe Asymmetrical Dress $299.00 www.singer22.com, Paul & Joe Sister Short Dress $198.00 www.yoox.com, T By Alexander Wang Muscle Tee Dress $120.00 www.barneys.com, Maritime Colorblock Dress $98.00 www.jcrew.com, Melissa Odabash Jamie Striped Mini Dress $230.00 www.netaporter.com, Tulip Dress $79.90 www.zara.com.

Bottom row of pictures: Alexander Wang Shelly Boot $585.00 www.barneys.com, Day Birger Et Mikkelsen Cropped Leather Jacket $450.00 www.netaporter.com.

This Week’s Wish List

For now, this week’s wish list will have to remain just that, wishes. But with a little work wishes can become reality. The first thing I am placing my energy on is the Smythe color block blazer. I love adding a pop of color via a blazer and the black lapel gives it an extra shot of versatility – I will dress it down with skinny jeans or ragged cut-off shorts, but it’s nice have to have the alternative to dress it up with wide leg trousers or a maxi skirt.

The Norma Kamali retro halterneck swimsuit is not only an awesome swimsuit that is super flattering (rouching is great for camouflaging tummy areas), it makes for a brillian halter top with a pair of high-waisted shorts or a-line skirt. Phillip Lim’s silk crepe de chine dress is another versatile piece – the blush nude color is not only amazing when paired with black but it makes for a spectacular back drop to springs vibrant hued accessories.

Happy shopping! If you have any wishes you would love to share PLEASE do!!

Clockwise from top left: Smythe Color Block Blazer $595.00 www.intermix.com, Moto Black Hotpants $40.00 www.topshop.com, Embroidered Tulle T-Shirt  $59.90 www.zara.com, Zinnia Ink Pillow $295.00 www.barneys.com, 3.1 Phillip Lim Crepe de Chine Silk Dress $595.00 www.netaporter.com, Norma Kamali Halterneck Swimsuit $350.00 www.netaporter.com.

Boat Shoes For Fun And Fashion!

One of my favorite things about summer is lazing about on a boat -  sail boat, motor boat or yacht the one thing that remains the same is the need for boat shoes. Whether it’s the original Sperry Top-Siders (made in Maine) or a neon pair of Vans these shoes are not only practical but fun and fashionable.

Boat shoes are celebrating their 75 year anniversary this spring and there a multitude of styles, colors and prints to choose from. My fav is still the classic Sperry Top-Sider but I’m definitely going to be adding a pair of Vans in a neon yellow shade to my summer wardrobe.

Boats make you a little queasy? No worries, these shoes can be worn with mini skirts, shirts for a fun preppy look ( I would add a funky  t-shirt to lend this look some edge – try Alexander McQueen’s  Skull t-shirt.

Clockwise from top left:Original Sperry Top-Siders Made In Maine $300.00 www.sperrytopsiders.com, RockPort Walkability Boat Shoe $80.00 www.zappos.com, Luxury Rebel Boat Shoes $120.00 on sale for $84.00 www.bloomingdales, Sperry Top-Siders $89.95 www.nordstroms.com, Picturesque Biscayne Sperry Top-Siders $59.99 www.famousfootwear.com, Vans Neon Authentic Boat Shoes $45.00 www.vans.com.

Micro Trend – Short Shorts

Not since Daisy Mae Dukes (The Dukes Of Hazzard) have shorts been so popular or so short! Everybody’s wearing them – they were rampant at Coachella with Rihanna, Kate Bosworth and Kristin Stewart seen in this micro ( literally) trend.

Dress them up or down, there is no shortage of prints, fabrics, and silhouettes you can find this summer staple in. Weather it’s the original daisy duke denim with frayed edges (Siwy and Moto have the best pairs I’ve seen), edgy chic leather (Emma Cook’s butter-soft leather shorts are the hippest way to master fashion’s hot yellow trend), printed chiffon styles to stretch tweed (Rag & Bone have a few to-die-for pairs) let shorts be your go-to piece for Spring/Summer 2012.

If you need to be on the dressier side of fashion and don’t want to miss out on this hot trend try a short suit or a silk fabric in longer lengths paired with a blazer. Another style tip to remember – you’re showing off quite a bit of skin so keep your tops on the simpler, more demure side. And lastly, remember a little bit of faux tanner goes a long, long way to va va voom gams.

Clockwise from top left: ASOS Floral Printed Premium Short $54.54 www.asos.com, Crochet Shorts $49.90 www.zara.com, Moto High Waisted Hot Shorts $60.00 www.topshop.com, Emma Cook Leather Shorts $530.00 www.netaporter.com, Sam & Lavi Storm Knit Short $75.00 www.singer22.com, Isabel Marant Snake Print Shorts $380.00 www.barneys.com.