Spring/Summer Essentials, No.1

The next several posts will cover what I consider to be stylish essentials for spring/summer...in no particular order! As always, I welcome feedback, suggestions, even criticism, if that's all you can think of...

First up, knee length "shorts" or bermudas. The selection available in years past was so heinous that once "short shorts" were no longer appropriate, I opted to sweat summer out in jeans. Not so these days...lucky us! Perhaps not flattering to all, but I am a huge fan. At least try some on and give it a sec before swearing them off. A few nice examples:Washed Belted Linen Shorts, Boden USA, $54. Dress these up or down...wear them to a lacrosse game or dinner at friends'...Tropical Patchwork Madras Bermudas, JCrew, $78. You don't have to wear them with heels and a button down...but it does look fab. Railroad stripe bermudas, Old Navy, $25. Stripes hide stains...grass stains, mud stains, Kool-aide stains...Billabong Girls Wendall Plaid short, Zumiez, $40. Youthful.Campsite Shorts, Anthropologie, $118. I can actually picture myself playing in the dirt with my family in these... Joe's Jeans Stretch Denim Bermuda Shorts, Nordstrom, $178. These are saying, "Wear me, I'm Comfortable."

G-Star Raw

"G-Star is a style of all times. Futuristic and cautious. Far-reaching and experimental. Alternative and traditional. G-Star is about making eccentric combinations, and maintaining authenticity. Never one to follow the crowd. Just the product."

Here are three inspiring looks from their current collection...I want to wear all three! The womens' line is so amazing, but unfortunately is hard to find online. This is the store locator.
Great recommendation, Leah. Thanks!

style profile: Leila

This multi-talented (professional make up artist, photographer, filmmaker...) up-and-comer is currently in grad school to be a physician's assistant.

Leila, (pronounced Lee-la), you have fabulous style, and we want to know more...

Three words to describe my taste: Trendy, Sophisticated, Fun!
My three favorite clothing stores include: The Limited, Banana Republic, and Anthropologie.
The best season for clothing is Fall because I love wearing knee high boots and trench coats!
When traveling, I never leave home without... a simple black t-shirt. It is easy and is always slimming!
I've got a great style secret: Really know your body shape and flatter what you've got! For example, I have a really short torso and long legs, so to even things out I wear finished shirts that hit below my hips or just leave my shirts untucked.
I get inspiration for my personal style from: Reese Witherspoon and Cate Blanchett-these women know how to dress their type of body!
My worst fashion-victim moment: Be careful of being too trendy! I look back at my freshman year of high school and cringe when I remember body suits, rolled jeans, and the "waterfall" bangs!

Here's is an outfit from Banana Republic Leila can wear to class/work...Short sleeve empire waist top, Banana Republic, $20. Torso-lengthening top in a great color.Wear the top over these versatile glen plaid trousers...Martin glen plaid wide leg pant, Banana Republic, $70.
It probably gets chilly in the hospital! 3/4 sleeve crochet button cardigan, Banana Republic, $64.

Thanks, Leila!

black top

You can't go wrong in a black top with captivating details. Wear it with denim or white bottoms.Love on a Hanger Vintage 40s Bow Top, Nordstrom, $24. Darling.
LA Made Short sleeve tie front Cherub jacket, tee-zone.com, $75. So flattering.
Careful Puff Sleeve Round Neck Tunic, cutesygirl.com, $14.99. Nice length.
Player Ruffle Trim Crossover Blouse, cutesygirl.com, $18.99. Dramatic (in a good way).Roxy 'Kalani' Lightweight Stretch Denim Trousers, Nordstrom, $58.50. These would look great with any of the tops above.

Athleta

"No matter where you're headed and what you have in store, this season it's all about the dress. One piece, packable and flattering. How much better can it get?"

That's what the clothing company Athleta has to say...and I tend to agree. As we all head out of town (or just around town) for vacations, etc, here are three outfits that make me want to wander.

Tie Front Dress, $89, Finesse Knicker, $34, and St. Martin Wedge, $89. I am loving this outfit from Athleta.com.Dip Dye Audry Dress, $150, Athleta.com. Super soft stretch micromodal. Yum. (Probably needs an undershirt.)
Tissue TooHip Tunic, $69, Adjustable Tunic Cami, $49, Karma Capri, $54, and Ropeswing Ballet Flat, $65, Athleta.com. Let's see a close up of those ballet flats...
Gorgeous!
Have fun wherever you're going, and remember, pack light!

a simple and stylish nine months

I recently received this kind request:

"I love your site and style it fits me perfectly! My best friend L. told me about it! I am asking if you have any fun sites for maternity clothing, etc. I am about 3 months along and haven't got a clue whats out there now. My last child was born 3 years ago!

Any help would be appreciated!"

Thanks, Sarah! I'll start with bottoms, since that is the first place most women need more room. And by bottoms, I mean jeans, because they're everyone's fave, right?Maternal America Classic Fit Maternity Jean, Due maternity, $87. These are a great basic. The designer vibe, minus the $200 price tag.

Hidden panel Clinton trousers, gap.com, $68. Our mutual friend, L., was looking fabulous in these recently. I am always a fan of trouser jeans! A flattering look that easy to dress up or down.
Maternity Roll-Panel Wide Leg jeans, oldnavy.com, $36.50. Check out the cute blue-grey denim! These scream cute and comfy at a very comfortable price.

Other stylish ways to cover your lower half...
Due Essential Maternity Skirt, Due maternity, $68. It's all about comfort. This wide elastic band will enable you to wear the skirt all throughout your term and while you transition back into your normal size. This attractive slate color is very versatile. And, you can definitely wear this skirt to work.
5-pocket denim skirt, Destination Maternity, $35. I actually wore this skirt a lot when I was expecting last year. Like wearing jeans, but you get a nice breeze.
The Softest Yoga Pant by Majamas, Figure8 maternity, $45. Yoga pants give you that easy, luxurious feeling of supreme comfort. And these days, it's acceptable to wear them casually just about anywhere.

Stay tuned for more stylishly simple maternity finds.

denim

Undoubtedly one of the best style choices you can make is to find a great pair of jeans. Here's a website, Zafu, that promises the perfect fit. Take a quiz about your body type to find your ideal pair. It has jeans in all price ranges and styles. Zafu also lists where to buy them and how much they cost.
Melbourne, by Paige Premium Denim, shoprapunzels.com, $179.

sailor-inspired pants

Three Dots wide leg sailor pant, tee-zone.com, $110. Very cool look for casual pants. Lux High-Waisted Sailor Pant, urbanoutfitters.com, $58. Machine wash. Better get started on those crunches...Dickies Wide Leg Roll Up Pant, angelsuniform.com, $17.99. Call me crazy, but I think these could work!North Star Sailor Pants, anthropologie.com, $98. I'm listing these very cute pants last because they are dry clean only.

hello yellow

Yellow's been big for a while, and it's still going strong.I adore this look from Gap. Includes the Wide Stripe Shawl Cardigan, $59.50, cotton, machine wash, and the cotton Sun-kissed Khakis, $49.50, also machine wash.
Tender by Groove, on sale for $14.99 at alloy. I found these last summer and have been asked about a thousand times where I got them.Kensie Girl Sheer Tunic Tee, Nordstrom.com, $28, machine wash.