Trend Alert: SURF CITY

Friday I'm heading down to my hometown of sunny San Diego, which is the perfect city to embrace this season's surf inspired clothing. High-end designer's translated the surf city vibe literally and figuratively, through the use of scuba stripes and rash guards as well as ocean hues and even photo prints. 

Left to right: Opening Ceremony Scuba Floral Dress, Derek Lam Scuba Dress, Herve Leger Scuba Dress,  McQ  Alexander McQueen  Rash Guard Top,  Alexander Wang Track Suit Dress, Harvey Faircloth Surf Printed Dress, Rag & Bone Surf Dress

The casual market has no shortage of surf culture classics either. Neon notes, bandage bathing suites, friendship bracelets and funky patterns are just a few of the trends that take me back to my high school days of working summers and weekends at the local surf shop.

Featured: Chan Luu bracelet, Jets by Jessika Allen Highway Paneled Swimsuit , Diane von Furstenberg Backpack,  Mara Hoffman crop top, Casio Watch, Herve Leger Bandage Bikini Top, Basta Surf Tico Shorts, Carrera Sunglasses, Stella McCartney Hawaiian print T-shirt, Diane von Furstenberg Kaiti Thong Flat Sandals,  Christopher Kane Rainbow Lace Dress, Alexander Wang Chloe High Heel Sandals, Rag & Bone Biba Shorts

Inspiration Room: Swing into Style

I'm absolutely enamored with this design by Casey Noble for HGTV's Design Star (season 5); If I was single in the city, I can guarantee you this would be my apartment. It shows you can create a chic and stylish look even in a small space.  The two toned soft blue walls with faux molding are offset by pops of red/fuchsia in the pouf and pillows. The piece de resistance is the indoor swing, which adds a touch of whimsy to the sophisticated rug and sleek lines of the couch and night stands. 

Image via CasaSugar

Thirsty Thursday: Peach Margaritas

It's 70 degrees in San Francisco, so in honor of the heat, and National Margarita Day (yesterday), I present to you the White Peach Margarita. A perfect summer thirst quencher, it also embraces my current favor color trend - coral. 

Mara Hoffman Ibis Kimono and Bustier Bikini; Stuart Weitzman Encore Wedge Sandal; Eugenia Kim Fedora; J Brand Skinny Jeans 

Ingredients (for 1 drink)/ Directions:1 oz shot silver Tequila
1 oz shot non-alcoholic triple sec
squeeze of lime
1/2 cup peach puree
kosher salt for glass rim

Puree Peaches with agave syrup until desired consistency. Add more or less agave depending on how sweet you like your margarita. Fill up a blender 1/2 full with ice and add 1/2 cup peach puree and remaining ingredients. Blend. Run your halved lime around the rim of your glass and press on coarse salt.

Image/recipe courtesy of Thyme To Be Loved

Jewelry Storage Made Simple

Spring is in the air in California, so here is a little inspiration to kick off spring cleaning with  simple and stylish jewelry storage solutions. From tea cups to cupcake pans to shadow boxes, there are an abundance of creative and inexpensive ways to display your baubles.   
Images: 1/2/3/4/5/6

Bargainista: Marni for H&M

Although most of us have been looking forward to the March 8th launch of the Marni for H&M collection for some time now, can we please talk about the accessories?!?! From the bold jewelry to the relaxed resort hat and the too cool for school sunglasses, these pieces are captivating. And please don't even get me started on the sequin tie-on collars.... 

Just in case you were wondering what clothing items I will be attempting to pick up, the list is as follows: the Harry Potter gone femme fatale cardigan, the retro infused pencil skirt and pants, the divine leather shirt and the playful printed maxi dress. Wish me luck ladies, and happy hunting to you!

With most accessories costing under $50 and clothing items under $150, Marni for H&M is sure to cause another record fashion frenzy. View the entire collection here.


Images courtesy of H&M

Looking For: Little Leather Dresses

Move over LBD, the LLD (Little Leather Dress) has hit the scene. Celebrities have been embracing the second skin trend, and now it's time for all of us to try the look, no matter our budget or body woes. From Angelina Jolie's sexy black number to Jennifer Hudson's lady like leather and Blake Lively's bold Gucci number, there is a wide variety of the LLD available. 

Check below for a sampling of what's in the stores. Black LLDs are abundant on the market place and are a safe bet for someone who wants to look sexy and cool. Neutral colors are my favorite leather dress trend. They come in every shade and are classy and sophisticated while maintaining a casual flair. Finally, if you are ready to steal a scene, try a bold hue, which let's everyone know you have arrived. 

ASOS PETITE Leather Dress With Lace Insert Sleeves; Chloe Sevigny For O.c. Leather Pinafore Dress; Vila Leather Dress; Cushnie et Ochs Sleeveless Leather Dress ; Alexander Wang Racer Back Leather Dress; Shakuhachi Pleated Leather Dress

Warehouse Leather Dress; Reed Karakoff Linder leather dress;A.L.C. Dakota Dress; Vince Leather Tank Dress; Alice by Temperley Almond Leather Dress; Barneys Originals Perforated Leather Dress

A.L.C. Sienna Leather Dress; Ralph Lauren Collection Eugenia dress; Vince Leather Shift Dress; Versace Tie-Waist Leather Dress; Raoul Mock Neck Leather Dress; ASOS PETITE Leather Dress w/ Side Panel Detail

Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice

This Valentine's, allow me share with you a few of my most loved little life pleasures. Holding hands with my honey, cupcakes, sassy sayings, stunna shades and last but certainly not least, my heart - my pup Chopper. Happy Valentine's Day friends, make somebody smile:)


Images via www.weheartit.com

Runaway Bride

Runaway brides are the a quintessential paradox to traditional Valentine's Day images. And as much as I love flowers and candy, I know that Valentine's isn't the best day for everyone, every year. Without further adieu, I dedicate this post to the lonely and the broken hearted.

Images: (Top) Deviant Art ; (Middle)  photo by Elena Kalis on Cuded; (Bottom) Trust Your Photographer and photo by Nina Larsen

Hello, Lover

Northern Hemisphere Spring/Summer 2012 collection

 

My heart skipped a beat when I first saw these lovely lacy frocks by Australian brand, Lover. A decade strong, the line possesses a romantic and ethereal sensibility with an undercurrent of irreverence.

     

Southern Hemisphere Autumn/Winter 2012 collection

Embraced by celebrities from Keira Knightley to Kristen Dunst, Lover has earned international acclaim. Available online in the United States here and here.

Images courtesy of Lover

Girl Gadgets: iPad Handbags

My laptop is on the verge of extension and I think it may be time to invest in an iPad. Of course I will have to have the proper accessories to accompany it....right? From Diane von Furstenberg to Jeffrey Campbell, designers have never made it so easy to embrace technology and fashion at the same time. Just looking at these stylish and practical iPad bags may push me over the edge.

Diane Von Furstenberg Harper Connect Daybag

Top: Proenza Schouler iPad Case, Bottom: Jeffrey Campbell Toni iPad Case

Left: Marc Jacobs Quilted Crossbody iPad Case, Right: Reveal Miki IPad Purse and  Audrey IPad Purse

Tony Duquette for Coach

A new show stopping designer collaboration has hit the fashion scene: Tony Duquette and Coach. The late Duqette is an American design icon with projects ranging from lavish interiors to glamorous costume designs. His opulent aesthetic is captured in the Tony Duquette for Coach Jewelry Collection, which is comprised of over twenty pieces starting at $48. Below are a few of Duquette's luxurious interiors showcased next to Coach statement pieces.

 Tony Duquette's original jewelry pieces are archived in a beautiful book available here.

Top three interior images by Richard Powers for Vogue Living

Jewelry images courtesy of Coach

Season of Love

Red and Pink color blocking has hit the blog scene like it's nobody's business, and I'm jumping on the bandwagon. The nontraditional color combination not only makes you stand out in a crowd, but it conveys that perfect lovey dovey feeling we associate with  February.

Left to Right: Krystal Bick of This Time Tomorrow, Dree Hemingway via Style Code, Sarah Jessica Parker in Prabul Gurung via Pop Sugar, Taylor Sterling of Sterling Style and The Glitter Guide, Emma Stone in Lanvin via Fab Sugar

For an understated vibe add gold accents, like Dree Hemingway's belt. If you're a more daring fashionista, try completing your outfit with a pop of orange like Taylor Sterling's Cambridge Satchel. And at the end of the day if bright colors still aren't your cup of tea try easing into the trend with a statement necklace.

Asos Top w/ Peplum, Adia Kibur Necklace, Equipment Blouse & Doo.Ri Shorts, Botkier Clutch, Hybrid Dress, Charlotte Olympia Pumps, Flowers

Wednesday Want: DVF Ballet Flats

She's done it again; Diane von Furstenberg has elevated an essential of every woman's wardrobe into an enviable item. Her new Botswana shoe lends a wearable glam to ballet flats that The Countess would surely approve of. From pebbled to patent leather, metallic to calf hair, the hardest part about deciding to buy this shoe is choosing which color combination your closet will see first. Available here and here.