Summer Vacation Essentials.

The summer solstice is coming up, everybody...it's in 5 days! I know you are all getting ready for summer and planning your weekend getaways or even bigger trips. I, for instance, am getting ready to go on a vacation to Spain in a couple weeks, and I've been planning the essential things I need to take with me for weeks. Whether its an international trip or a weekend getaway, there is always a way to travel in style and I'm here to tell you how!

I've gathered 9 products that are perfect for vacationing smart as well as in style. I'm sure you know that sunscreen is important to take with you on vacation, but do you know which one has the most protection and the least amount of oil? Airports give you paper luggage tags, but wouldn't a stylish luggage tag do a better job of lasting and standing out among a sea of luggage? That's what this post is for...

Without further ado, let's begin our holiday!

1. Do Not Disturb Hat: This hat is the perfect way to lay by the beach and get lost reading a book without being interrupted. The floppy brim is also a good protector from the sun! This hat is a bit of a splurge, but you can make your own DIY version by reading this tutorial here. Or buy the hat here.

Eugenia Kim Do Not Disturb Hat. $219.95

2. Tortoise Shell Sunglasses: When packing for a vacation, space is key! There is no room to take 3 different pairs of sunglasses, nor should you try to find room. Tortoise shell sunglasses flatter every outfit, every color you wear. They are a universal accessory that looks good on almost everyone and matches with literally anything you wear. They are the perfect accessory to take on vacation. Get the pair pictured here.

H&M Sunglasses, $12.99

3. Comfortable Sandals: Let's face it, when you're off to go on new adventures in a new place, its going to be hot and you're going to do a lot of walking so you need to perfect shoe that is ventilated and also comfortable. These Birkenstock sandals are both of those things. I used to think they were really manly shoes, but there are a bunch of new colors incorporated now that make them more feminine and stylish. The arch support on them are also great for those touristy days where you'll be walking a lot. Get them here.

Birkenstock Madrid Birko-Flor Sandal, $69.95

4. One Piece Swimsuit: Bikinis are great for laying by the beach and getting a great tan, but if you're going to a place where a lot of swim activities are available, you're going to want a swimsuit that you won't have to worry about falling off or having an accidental, unwanted body exposure. Get your adventure on with the peace of mind a one piece swimsuit gives. And it doesn't have to be a boring, sporty one piece. This swimsuit's scallop detailing gives it a girly look, while still covering the right parts. Get it here.

Everything But Water One Piece High Neck Halter, $319.00

5. Rose Bud Salve Lip Balm: The summer, in general is really hot and it dries out your skin, including the skin on your lips! Being in airplanes also dries them out. So to remedy this, Rose Bud Salve is one of my favorite lip balms that gives your lips a ton of moisture and shine when you want that dewy summer look. Get it here.

Rose Bud Salve, $6.00

6. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen: Don't learn the hard way...take sunscreen from home when you're going on vacation because everywhere else you go will sell it to you for an insane markup! This Neutrogena sunscreen goes on super light, but protects like crazy. It has Helioplex technology, which protects from UVA and UVB rays, is water resistant, and doesn't clog your pores. Find it in stores here.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70, $11.49

7. Long Kaftain: Kaftains are the perfect thing to wear over your swimsuit to cover up when you're on your way to or leaving the beach or the pool. This H&M kaftain's print is Middle East inspired and so cute. Get it here.

H&M Patterned Kaftain, $34.99

8. Large Tote Bag: When you are on vacation, you are going to want to have a lot of things on hand. A large tote bag carries a lot of items, perfect for the beach. It can even double as a carry on bag, if it is big enough. This striped tote bag from Forever 21 is a large enough bag with a bunch of tiny compartments inside of it as well. Get it here. 

Forever 21 Striped Canvas Bag, $22.90

9. Colorful Luggage Tag: Have you ever mistaken someone's luggage for yours on the carousel because they all look the same? With a bright, unique, and colorful luggage tag, you'll be able to spot your suitcase right away. This bright Kate Spade luggage tag cannot be missed in a sea of suitcases. Get it here. 

Kate Spade Petula Stripe Luggage Tag, $14.00


Happy Summer!!

Summer Fashion Trends.

This weekend was Memorial Day Weekend, and I was busy getting ready to party it up to ring in summer! If only this LA weather will allow. But either way, I plan to kick of this summer by rocking some fashion essentials that are key for this season. There are a lot of things happening in the fashion world this season that I want to share with you all, but I can't help but notice that some of the Spring season trends are still here to stay! Check out some of those trends by clicking on my Spring Fashion Essentials post.

For summer, I'm bringing you guys six essential trends that you can sport and look like the fashionista in your group of friends. Now without further ado, here are the six pieces you need to start your summer and continue looking great all season. Click on the photos to shop all the looks!!

1. Dad Hats: Dad hats have made a surprising comeback in the trend cycle and its perfect to keep your face safe from the beaming summer sun. Dad hats are exactly what they sound like...they're like those hats that your dad used to wear on the weekends when he'd take you to the park or go golfing. I love that awesome brands are embracing this trend and putting their logos on these hats, like this Antisocial Social Club hat, Drake 6 God hat, and a throwback Calvin Klein logo hat.




Antisocial Social Club Weird Cap, $36.00
Calvin Klein Baseball Cap, $39.00
Jordan 12 "The Master" 6 God Dad Hat, $21.99


2. Boudoir Inspired Dresses: Slip dresses aren't just for wearing underneath your regular dresses anymore! These lingerie style dresses are really light and cute for the summer heat. Anything with spaghetti straps and lace detailing is an A in my book.

                                     

Forever 21 Contemporary Layered Slip Dress, $24.99
Choise Pink Lace Up Front Cami Dress, $12.90
Her Velvet Vase Wintour Classic Maxi, $60.00


3. Playful Sheer Socks: I know what you're thinking...socks for summer?! But no, trust me, these socks are perfect for summer. The sheerness of the socks make them really airy and they breathe easier in the heat. Add a cute pattern to them and they are great! Pair them with a pointy heel for a super New York street style look.

Greatlookz Rock Your Socks Whimsical Doodle Semi Sheer Socks, $8.99

Target Women's Trouser Sock 3-Pack, $7.00

Chelsea 28 Sheer Brocade Crew Socks, $9.00

4. Corn Rows/Boxer Braids: Before the Kardashians started wearing their hair in boxer braids, the African American culture was embracing this trend for years. This hairstyle has been popping up all over, though, even on red carpets. Whenever I can put my hair up and don't have to blow it out, I'm happy, especially in the summer when hair gets frizzy and damp from sweat! This do is ideal for this season.

5. Flat Wire Rimmed Sunglasses: Thick rimmed sunglasses are so last year! Dainty wire rimmed sunglasses are all the rage now. They're giving me a 70's vibe and actually pair really well with trend #2, boudoir inspired dresses.

 


Marc Jacobs Metal-Rim Gradient Cat Eye Sunglasses, $200
Forever 21 Cutout Trim Sunglasses, $9.90
Lulu's Sunday Stroll Gold and Taupe Sunglasses, $17.00


6. White Sneakers: White is a very summer color and accenting your outfit with a white sneaker is the ultimate cool girl style. These go great with any outfit. My favorite things to wear with them are dresses. It't a really great way to make a dress wearable during the day. Switch to heels at night for your summer night parties!

H&M Platform Sneakers, $29.99
Comme de Garcons Converse Low Top Sneaker, $120
Forever 21 Embroidered Eyelet Sneakers, $14.90

Ice Cubes & Flowers.

If you're like me, sometimes you may think that your drinks like water or wine can use a boost of fun and flavor to change things up a bit. I always like adding a little lemon to my water or berries to my champagne, but I wanted to try something different. During one of my many trips to Sprouts and Whole Foods, I always noticed they had edible flowers in their produce section, thought they were cute, and wondered what I could do with them. Then it came to me...ice cubes! I thought this was the perfect way to spice up my drinks, especially with summer coming up.

I bought my edible flowers in a package from Sprouts in the produce section. The package included a mix of flowers that are currently in season including Marigolds, Snapdragons, and Dahlias.

I have this really awesome ice tray that makes ice cubes in the shape of diamonds, which I used to make my ice cubes. As a woman in the gold and diamond industry, I HAD to have this! I bought mine for a steal at Burlington Coat Factory, but you can get one online on Amazon here.

Normally when making ice cubes, the cubes come out all cloudy, but I didn't want that cloudiness to take over the pretty colors of the flowers. To fix this, I boiled the water I was going to use for the cubes twice to get rid of the minerals in the water that cause the cloudiness. While I waited for the water to cool down a bit after boiling, I arranged 2-3 flowers in the ice cube tray in an aesthetically pleasing way. Once the water cooled down, I poured it into the ice tray. I let it sit overnight, but if you're impatient, you can have them ready sooner. Just allow up to 6 hours for the water to set.

They come out looking so pretty! The flowers are a really easy way to flavor your drinks and healthy (depending on what drink you put it in ;)). You could put it in water or lemonade, but I decided to put it in Prosecco! I know what you're thinking...maybe the ice waters down the Prosecco...but actually the cubes are so small that when it melts it's not a whole lot of water and either way, its flavored by the flowers.

This was a fun way to change things up with how I drink...both visually and through taste. Next time, I think I'll try to infuse my ice cubes with some summer berries!

Summer 2015 Fashion.

It's June and its finally getting warmer outside, which means its time to break out your short shorts, bathing suits, and espadrilles in your favorite warm summer colors! Some fashion pieces never go out of style, but its always a good idea to add trendy, new things to your wardrobe. This summer, I'm obsessed with six new trends that I want to share with you. They can all be used separately and incorporated into your current pieces or even worn all together. Here they are! My summer must have trends for the 2015 season...

1. Updated Aviator Sunnies: Aviators are a universal sunglass shape that looks good on almost everyone, so when I saw these new age Prada aviator sunglasses, I knew I had to have them. They are a fashionable spin on a classic sunglass. Ditch your played out cat eye sunglasses for these! Available at Nordstrom. 

2. Stacked Jewelry: Gone are the days of a statement necklace or ring. Welcome the stacking of more slender and elegant pieces of jewelry to complete your summer look! I love these stackable zig zag rings. These particular rings are gold, rose gold, and white gold with diamonds from Levik's Jewelers. You can also find similar but more affordable rings in department stores, but investing in a few pieces of fine jewelry is beneficial for any fashionista.

3. Fruit Patterns: I love the fresh look of fruits on various items of clothing, especially for the summer! My favorite are pineapples...they just scream summer. I found these cute shorts from Sears. They work really well and look great for festivals.

4. Fringe Details: I'm loving fringe details throughout many pieces of fashion this summer. I especially love them on these gorgeous shoes from Miss Guided US. How can you not be obsessed with these?

5. Rosy Brown Lips: I'm trading traditional summer red lips for these smoky pink shades, which I think is super elegant and fashion forward. Most of all, its not an expected shade that everyone else is going to be wearing this summer. This shade can be found at Sephora.

6. Watches with Fabric Bands: I'm so over the typical bracelet, metal band that everyone wears nowadays...I'm looking at you, Michael Kors watches! Instead, opt for these really fresh looking watches from Daniel Wellington. This particular watch is called Classic Southamptom Lady...it doesn't get more summer than that. They come in multiple colors that fit anyone's taste. I got mind from Levik's Jewelers, which is now an authorized Daniel Wellington retailer!



What do you guys think? Are there any other trends I should consider this summer? Let me know! I value all fashionista opinions. Happy shopping and happy summer! 

News Flash!

This summer, I recently became so obsessed with Flash Tattoos, which are essentially temporary tattoos...but they're metallic in gold and silver! In fact, I included them in my Summer Fashion blog post earlier this summer. They were available at Forever 21 for a while, but since they sold out I was on a mission to find them again, and after some research, I found them. The website I found them on is called flashtat.com and they have many different "collections" of tattoos available. I ordered the Sofia collection, but they're all so beautiful. You can mix and match the different tattoos...I actually think it looks better when you do. I think my next purchase will be from the Zahra collection. Question is, how many more occasions should I plan in order to show these off?! These are so much fun and what I like most...unique! How can you not love them?

These tattoos are from my Sofia collection.

All the pieces that come in one collection.

These are pieces from the Zahra collection.

Summer Fashion.

Memorial Day has gone and passed and that means...its summer! To me, summer is a time to have fun with fashion and take some risks. So I've compiled some trends that I think are prominent this summer season. These trends are fashion forward and fun and can be incorporated in your wardrobe in so many ways. Here are some examples with descriptions followed....

1. Chains

Chains are back! But I'm not talking like 2 Chainz, pop rapper status...Short chains are the jam, and I like ones like this one found at H&M that have a different design than ordinary 2 link chains. I think this statement piece pairs well with a pastel colored blouse or a denim jacket.

     2.   Kimonos

Kimonos have somehow made their way from Japan to the US, and I'm loving it! Especially with some fringe on the sleeves. It's a cute piece to throw over shorts and a tank for a casual lunch or even a festival. I personally like to wear a kimono as a swimsuit cover, so perfect for pool parties this summer. This kimono can be found on Polyvore.com.

     3.   Metallic Tattoos 

Remember when you were 12 and thought you were so cool getting those temporary tattoos from vending machines? Well, this is way cooler than that. Summer is a time to bare a little more skin and adorning your body with these cool gold and silver metallic tattoos are so much fun! This pack of metallic tattoos is from Forever 21 and has pieces to tattoo as a necklace, bracelet, anklet, or ring.

     4.   Orange Hue Makeup

Orange is the new black, people! This season, incorporate orange hued makeup into your look. But be careful...accent your makeup with orange in just ONE element of your makeup, not all of it. For example, I like adding a pop of orange to my lips with this MAC lipstick "Lady Danger", available at MAC stores or Nordstrom.

     5.   Thick Strappy Sandals

I'm loving sandals with thick straps this season. It's a plus when they are two toned. These are a fabulous find from UrbanOg.com.

    6.    Geometric Shapes

Geometric shapes on clothing were all over the runway for this season. You can incorporate it into any piece of your outfit. I like it on this small purse from Zara. It includes a pattern of hexagons on a really trendy mustard color.

    7.   Long Vests

This piece kind of look like they made a comeback from the 80's, but I think they are really chic and fashion forward. I love this white draped vest from Forever 21. I would pair it with dark jeans and a fitted crop top. 

Nords.

I cleaned up at Nordstrom during their annual anniversary sale and these are some of my favorite pieces! This time of year I like to splurge on myself a little so I took advantage of it. I lined up some pieces for fall and for the remnants of summer. What did everyone else get? There are 3 days left of the sale so get on it!

(clockwise from boot)
1. BP Darbie Boot.
2. Marc by Marc Jacobs 58 mm Retro Sunglasses.
3. Voluspa Maison d'Or de Cassis Candle.
4. Natasha Couture Skull Double Wrap Bracelet.
5. Kate Spade Hancock Park Jeanne Leather Satchel.

BP Studded Denim Vest.

Summer Fashion.

Fashion is ever changing and although there are some staple items everyone should have, some pieces are in style during certain seasons. Since summer is coming up, I thought I'd share what I think are the most fashion forward colors, trends, and must haves for the season. These are my top 6 fashion picks for summer 2013...

1. Cynthia Rowley flask bangle; available at Cynthia Rowley or cynthiarowley.com

2. BCBG two tone floppy hat; available at BCBG

3. Thigh leg chain; available on www.ZHOVAK.com

4. Smoldt double handle satchel; available at Aldo shoes & accessories

5. Meteur cutout wooden wedge sandal; available at BCBG

6. YSL lipstick in Corail in Touch no. 14; available at Sephora and Nordstrom