Showing Your True Stripes

A weekend trip to Nordstorm Rack produced my favorite shirt this summer - a super soft, perfectly fitted, 3/4 sleeve, boatneck (!!!) striped top. Under store lighting, I swore it was navy and white, but upon closer inspection, the stripes are actually black, so I'm hunting for a dark blue version as well.

I've always loved nautical, military-inspired details, and the classic appeal of the Breton striped shirt calls out to me. Why are stripes, and in particular navy stripes, so closely associated with sea-faring activities? Here's the scoop: the Breton shirt enjoys a long maritime history, dating back to 1868 when it was first introduced as the uniform for French navy seamen. Later on, it was embraced as a garment by the wider mariner population, and now is reincarnated in both casual and dressy outfits.

The top is so versatile and can be low-key or sophisticated. The material is thin and great for balmy summer days (although I was sweating this humid weekend), and I'm looking forward to pairing it with skinny dark denim and blazers in the fall. Whoa, I can't believe I just said I'm anticipating the coming of fall! Autumn is my least favorite season; after all, summer is as far as it can be, and you have to start heaving bulkier jackets/sweaters everywhere. I'll always be a California girl at heart, but am starting to appreciate cooler weather!

Eight sixty top - Nordstrom Rack

Forever 21 shorts

Banana Republic mixed chain necklace

A casual, fun ensemble. These cheery yellow shorts make me so happy, and I take advantage of any opportunity to wear them. I tucked in the top because the shorts bubble out a bit and create a bulge when the shirt is pulled over.

 7 For All Mankind shorts

A more serious option, and you can see the untucked length. Maybe it's a relic from something I used to own when I was younger, but I love love the combo of boatneck + 3/4 sleeve, balanced by a longer length.

Walked to Central Park, and discovered one of the "Play Me, I'm Yours" pianos in the city! Such a cool idea - created as part of a larger art project by British artist Luke Jerram, who has placed snazzily decorated pianos across multiple global cities to encourage spontaneity, creativity and a sense of community. In NYC, there are 60 units located in public parks, streets and plazas, free for all to play, enjoy, interact and share. Recently, I'd read a WSJ article about it but was still completely surprised to come across one! The piano at Central Park was colorfully painted and looked inviting.

I sat down and decided to play one of my favorite pieces from Amelie: Comptine d´un Autre Eté.  It's been a while since I've played so I was pretty nervous, and my anxiety was wasn't alleviated by the small audience sitting on the benches directly in front of me. It was exhilarating (and a relief!) as the song came to an end, but what a unique experience on a beautiful sunny day.

If you're in NYC, go to this link for a map of all the piano locations. They'll be "on exhibit" until July 5th!

Button It Up: Not Just Another Shirt

When shirt dresses began popping up everywhere a few summers ago, I was instantly on a mission to find one that fit perfectly... A great alternative to summer florals, I like that these are so light and airy to wear, while still offering a fun and casual look. Unfortunately, each one that I have tried on was either (1) too short or (2) too boxy. Even on my 5'1 frame, I was surprised at how indecent these things could look! Without the proper dress length, the ones I found truly made it look like I was missing a pair of pants (was definitely not going for Blake Lively's infamous I'm wearing my bf's shirt from the night before look). After pretty much being disappointed each time I tried one on, I gave up.

Recently, however, I came upon a picture of Amerie in this Gap shirt dress and knew that it was exactly what I have been searching for all this time. The blue stripes are classic, the ruffles add the perfect touch of femininity, and the belt completes the overall shape by cinching at the waist. Too bad this dress is from Gap's 2007 summer collection. How did I miss it?! Still, seeing this gave me hope and so I began my search all over again... with much more luck this year!

I finally found a summer shirt dress of my own this past month at H&M. It's not as stylin' as the one Amerie has on, but I think it'll definitely do. The H&M version I found has light blue stripes, a pleated bosom and the sleeves can be worn rolled-up or left at a 3/4 length. My arms are short, so I favor the rolled-up look (love that the dress comes with a button strap to hold the cuffs in place). Since the material is pretty sheer, I also bought a cotton slip at H&M's Divided department to wear underneath (it comes in a pair of white and black for only $12). These slips hit mid-thigh and are the perfect accompaniment to the overall length of the dress. Although the empire waist gives a cute A-line silhouette, I found that the size 4 was still too unfitted when left on its own. Since I wanted to wear the dress with my new cognac Bandolino Fortunata sandals, I needed to find a substitute for my go-to cognac belt. After digging through my closet, I came up with a much more comfortable alternative: a silk sash from one of my work dresses. The dark blue, 2-inch sash was a simple solution to keeping the dress fitted, while adding a fun contrast. Being able to tie a cute, fluffy bow in the back also gives it more of a "summer dress" feel! The dress, itself, is super lightweight and comfortable to wear and will be a definite staple over the next few months. I've been trying to stop myself from buying things from H&M just because they're cheap, but thankfully this dress was $24.95 well spent!

Love the pretty blue color and pleats!

A Wrinkle (Releaser) in Time

One bad habit of mine is leaving clothes in the washing machine and dryer. I'm then punished with wet-dog smelling clothes left in the washing machine and rumpled garments left in the dryer. While there isn't much I could do to remedy the former, I've discovered a great solution to the latter... Downy Wrinkle Releaser Spray. It works great on cottons and jersey fabrics, instantly lifting away wrinkles and reducing static cling. My apartment has a small iron and lacks an ironing board, so what usually happens when pieces of clothing get too wrinkly is they get brought to the drycleaners. I've since stopped doing that ever since discovering the Downy spray!

Pictures show the before and after much better than any words could describe. My roommate wanted to wear the below shirt to go out but bemoaned its wrinklyness until I produced the spray to work its magic. She had this stuffed in her drawer and hadn't worn it in months.

 

The bright color of the top made the wrinkles even more apparent, so it was crucial that the top was treated before heading out. We sprayed 6-8 times on each side (quite a bit of the liquid is necessary, but you don't need to saturate it, just mist to get it slightly damp), and gently tugged at the sides and smoothed downwards to straighten out the fabric. Since we were limited on time, we used the blowdryer to accelerate the drying process, but normally you could just put the top on a hanger to dry until you're ready to wear it.

Ta-da! The after picture (about 7 minutes later) - smooth and beautifully draped, with nary a wrinkle in sight.

Here's the shirt on. Pretty dramatic difference, super useful in a hurry, and all done without the use of an iron! Now my roommate was ready to head out, looking more polished and fresh. An additional bonus: the spray imparts a light,clean scent so it doubles (triples?) as a laundry freshener.

In sum, I'm a big fan of this product. It's super quick, cuts back not only on ironing time but also drycleaning costs, makes clothes smell fresh, and actually works to get clothes wrinkle- and static-free. If only it came in a travel friendly size so I could stick it into a carry-on and/or purse for quick perk-me-ups. My boyfriend even uses it on all his shirts and has stopped making fun of our tiny iron.

If you're unable to find this in stores, a good alternative would be Febreze, which I've been told does practically the same job. Let me know if you try either and what your experiences are!

Investment Leather Goods

As I mentioned in the previous posts, I was in Spain two weeks ago, during a very opportune time. The Euro exchange rate was at an all-time low and coupled with my birthday approaching, created the perfect opportunity to grab something I’ve been dreaming about and saving for. But first some background.

Ever since the economy started tanking a few years ago, more people are taking a minute to pause before making impulse purchases, choosing investment pieces that denote quality and lasting style. Even better if the purchase retained its value and was able to be resold for a higher price. You can’t say that about most things (clothes, cars, etc), but you can say it about certain purses (my boyfriend would roll his eyes right about now). I’ve been saving up for a special bag and have been thinking a lot about which one...to have, to love and to be assured that its style and value would last.

I find myself wanting to buy classic and key items to complete my wardrobe. Iconic pieces like Louboutin heels, Theory suits, DVF wrap dresses... the must haves that girls worldwide enjoy and for good reason. Great craftsmanship, perfect fit and quality materials justify the higher price tag. With purses though, choices are more personal. There are many brands with wonderful leathers and workmanship..choosing one is just a matter of taste and preference. Here's what I've been pining after and finally got in my little hands...

I fell in love with the 2.55 Reissue Flap the first time I saw it in pictures. A variation of the Classic Flap, the Reissue has the original Mademoiselle lock designed by Coco Chanel and an all chain strap vs. chain + leather combo. The name comes from the year of the bag's debut (1955), and was deemed the "reissue" when Karl Lagerfeld, head designer of Chanel, commemorated the bag in 2005. The newer flaps, called the "classics" (ironic since it comes after the original style) have interlocking CC turn-locks and woven leather + chain strap. Other differences between the two are the leather - the reissue is calfskin vs. caviar or lambskin on the classics - and the number of flaps - the reissue has two while most classics tend to have one (the small and medium classics have two).

 Vintage Chanel classic flap. So beautiful!

I love the history behind the bag and the success story of Coco. There are little tidbits like the hidden zipper behind the front flap, supposedly where she stashed her love letters. The back pocket is where she kept extra money. The chain strap is the same type of chains that the nuns in the convent/orphanage where she grew up used to dangle their keys from.

The size I got was the 225, the equivalent of the medium/large classic flap. It's the perfect size for me (I'm 5'2), and great as an evening bag, although too small for everyday use. My favorite part is the flexibility to wear it using one strap as a crossbody or with two straps on the shoulder. When I first got it, I spent a lot of time switching it up between the two haha.

Part 2 of the investment pieces... While in Spain, I couldn't pass up the savings and decided to get the Louis Vuitton Epi Zippy wallet in Rubis. Red is my favorite color, and particularly striking in this leather. I love Epi because it epitomizes understated elegance, and the material is very hardy too!

I had a hard time deciding on the style at first. After reading obsessively on forums, I finally settled on the Zippy for its safe all-around zip and expansive internal structure. My current wallet (Lacoste) is two years old and already there are rips in the leather where the folds crease. I figure that investing in a nicer, long-lasting wallet (that I'll use practically every day) will be much more worth it!

Tale of Three Dresses

There are times when making certain decisions are so easy for me - of course, that one, couldn't be anything else  - and there are other times when I wonder how I get dressed every morning. Today is one of the latter. While browsing Urban Outfitters (I'm a big fan of their chic and affordable dresses), I found a great candidate for a birthday dress... only I kept wavering between black, navy, and lavender. What's a girl to do but buy all three and badger her roommates to help decide?

I couldn't think of anything either.

The garment in question is the Pins and Needles Ruffle dress, a floaty and breezy piece with a double layered ruffle collar. It's a tent shape naturally but when cinched with a belt, the dress lends definition and is super flattering. The chiffon material is great for summer, and the collar creates visual interest. Length is great for petites (I'm 5'2" for reference), but would likely be too scandalous for somebody much taller.

First up, lavender! This color has the most "summer" feel and would be beautiful for a daytime wedding, although you'd have to be careful with the sheerness of the fabric. I'd wear this with cognac/brown accessories for a casual outing. Love the color... but not on me. I thought the pale lavender washed me out, and the material felt flimsier with the lighter hue.

Second was the navy, the safe choice. I had wanted to step away with the lavender but some colors are tried and true for a reason. It's great that both gold and silver tones work with the dress. Here I am with both heels and silver flats. Dang, why do legs look so much better with heels and so stubby without?

Finally, the ubiquitous black. No matter what, I was going to keep this color since it's a classic shape and I didn't have a floaty black dress in my wardrobe. It looks good with gold accessories, which was key since I wanted to match with a certain something I had gotten for my birthday - to be revealed shortly =)

I really debated keeping all three but that would be ludicrous (... right??). I'll probably return the lavender (sadly!) and be happy with the blue and black. Hmm. I just changed into both the navy and lavender again and want both. SIGH. What would you do??

Also, here's a shot of the byCORPUS dress I picked up after seeing it on Michelle and couldn't resist. Love polka dots, they're so fun! I discovered that hitching up the dress at the ruched waist transforms the piece into a tunic, super cute with jeggings and flats.

Hugs and big thanks to Jessica for playing photographer and stylist =)

Everybody Cross Your Body

hGot back from Spain (Barcelona and Madrid to be precise) a week ago and everyone there carried cross-body bags. It may be a trend in America now, but it's practically a necessity overseas, particularly while navigating crowded areas. Sneaky local tricksters (euphemism for thieves, really) will take advantage of unsuspecting tourists and slyly lift wallets/phones/cameras from open pockets. Luckily, I had read up on this prior to leaving stateside and set out to find a zippered messenger bag with criterion that it be 1) lightweight, 2) safe, 3) good organization structure and 4) large enough to fit more than just essentials - during the day, I would be carrying a travel guide, camera, water bottle, sweater, etc.

 

(Retiro Park in Madrid...even guys use cross-body bags!)

I took stock of my inventory at home and could only seriously consider the Longchamp large shopper tote. Made of nylon, the bag is extremely light and could fit everything I needed during the day. It's also attractive looking yet would still blend in on the European streets since it's a pretty common brand and shape. When travelling, I don't want to call more attention to myself than I already am reading maps and snapping pictures of everything! However, I nixed this due to the lack of a crossbody strap, absolutely no internal organization, and too large size.

Then, I stumbled upon the Marc by Marc Jacobs Petal to the Metal Natasha purse, which seemed perfect at first. Cross-body strap, lots of zippers, medium size, and beautiful gold doves to boot. I even called several stores and picked up the last one (nationwide!) at the Soho store. After bringing it home though, I immediately knew it wouldn't work. Why? The main flap is MAGNETIC! Not zippered, which meant not safe at all and I was just asking for my belongings to be stolen. Website pictures and descriptions are deceiving, they definitely make it sound/look like the flap had a zipper (don't be fooled, the flap itself has a zipper opening, but doesn't zip close the main compartment) Super cute purse, just didn't suit my needs.

(from Shopbop.com...currently carrying all colors in stock)

Finally, my roommate Jessica offered to let me borrow her Prada nylon crossbody, her travel bag that's accompanied her to many far-off adventures. It ended up being perfect. Great medium size, adjustable strap, lightweight nylon, discreet design, tons of zippers and compartments, and an extra leather strap close for added safety. My favorite part was the inside zipper in the main compartment - it's where I hid my wallet. I didn't carry any of my credit cards, extra Euros, or passport in my purse; for those top-priority security items, I used a money belt. I could fit most everything I needed (sometimes I felt limited by the size, but it's probably better since it prevented the bag from getting too heavy!) and proved invaluably handy during the trip.

True story - we jumped on a mid-afternoon metro and I was eating sliced pineapples. Both my hands were occupied but I was looking down and could see the bag in my periphery. A young girl squished close to me and tugged on the leather strap gently; I hadn't fastened the last loop so it could've been pulled open. I saw everything as it happened and quickly pulled back, away from her grasp. My main reaction was shock that the stories I read about online came true for me! This girl was trying to pilfer my purse! What I should've done was yell "NO" loudly as to warn the other tourists/passengers, but I was so stunned and instead just shook myself away. I couldn't stop thinking about it the rest of the day, it was a little traumatizing! Thank goodness for the purse; even if she had gotten the strap loose, she would've had to go through two zippers to get to my wallet, and I (hopefully) would have felt her actions by then. So it was a wake up call, and made me really appreciate the bag. Now I'm hunting for my own Prada crossbody!

Some shots in and out of action. I usually turned it around when taking pictures =\ But I used it tons and lurved... trust.

Bright Whites - Rembrandt Whitening Strips Review

Twice a year or so, I try to use teeth whitening strips to regularly maintain the pearly whites. I've always appreciated good teeth hygiene and first learned of these strips in freshman year of college after being dazzled by a friend's magnificently white smile and he shared his secret. Since then, my weapon of choice has always been Crest Whitestrips but for whatever reason this time around (I felt adventurous, what can I say?), I bought a box of Rembrandt’s Whitening Strips to test out. I don’t often hear of this brand of whitening strips being used or reviewed, though I’m not sure why that is – Rembrandt is well known for their toothpastes and was specifically created with teeth whitening in mind. Both Rembrandt and Crest use peroxide-based whitening ingredients that fade with time and necessitate touch-up treatments to restore the original sparkle.

The strips arrived in a cheery lime green and white box, and were individually wrapped. When I first opened the packaging, I was a little perplexed at how...large they were. The thick white strips looked like molds for your teeth, and maybe they were targeting people with large mouths and big gums? I followed instructions – first, rinse with water for 15 seconds to moisten teeth, then apply top and bottom strips and secure the tabs behind/over the front teeth.

These strips stayed in place well and didn’t make me salivate as much as Crest Whitestrips usually do, so I could go about my business while they did their duty. After about 30 minutes, I repeated the 15 second rinse and removed the strips (with a bit of force, they felt a little gluey!). The box comes with 7 strips, claiming that 5 is enough for regular whitening but you can use the extra 2 to boost the whiteness even more. I finished the box, faithfully completing the system and was really glad for it to be over. Starting day 3, maybe because the strips are so large, I began to grind down on them, and the more I did it, the more uncomfortable they became and I wanted to get them off! It was a really weird feeling, and made me wish the thinness of Crest Whitestrips.

After 7 days, I finished the pack but didn’t think my teeth were dramatically whiter, but it’s kinda like saying you can’t see yourself growing taller each day. I did get comments from other people mentioning how white they were though! I felt the bottom edges of my bottom teeth could've benefited from more whitening, maybe when I'm not lazy I'll get one of the whitening pens but for now, I'm satisfied!

Conclusion: Rembrandt’s Whitening Strips are a good alternative to Crest Whitestrips, if you’re against Crest having a monopoly on whitening strips. I like having options, and like that the Rembrandt strips were tactile and stuck well to my teeth, and also didn't make my teeth that sensitive. However, Crest has a variety of whitening strengths (Classic which takes 14 days, or Premium which is 7 days, then there is Professional which is even quicker) and the strips are thin and don’t entice you to bite them. Overall, I think both work at the same effectiveness, but what you choose depends on preference of the strip textures. Let me know if you like one more than the other!

Goody Spin Pin Review

Have you heard of the Goody Spin Pin? Before my roomie, Carmen, introduced me to this last week, I hadn't! What a complete shame since it's kind of awesome. I've always been super jealous of the girls who can carelessly throw their hair into a messy bun using a pen and this little hair piece makes the same look totally achievable for clumsy people like me. Found at Walmart, Target, CVS and Walgreens for about $6, the spin pin pair is available in brunette and blonde shades. As part of the Goody Simple Styles collection, it's touted as "doing the work of 20 bobby pins". I love that it does exactly what it says it will! As shown on the site here, attaining a classic bun is as easy as gathering your hair, wrapping, and screwing in one spin pin from the top and one pin from the bottom. Since my hair is layered it was a little tricky to get the right kind of twisty action going, but once I got it done, the bun lasted all day.

Loving my new 1-minute workday 'do! 

This is also going to be the perfect summer must-have for beach days, bike riding, or lounging by the pool. You can easily add a flower hair clip for a dressier/girlier look as well. I will never be without this again!

Au Naturel Face Make-Up

Besides finding the right dress and pair of sandals for the upcoming summer days, having the perfect natural face make-up is a must! I'm definitely not one of those girls who can run out of the house each morning without some sort of cover-up (I still remember the days of being made fun of in middle school for having a consistent spew of breakouts across my forehead and chin). Always one to feel less than confident about what my skin looks like, finding the balance between light, fresh, and made-up has been a pretty big feat. Thankfully, as my skin gets clearer and smoother with the help of my Clarisonic and AHA, this doesn't seem as impossible an obstacle as it used to.

First things, first, it's most important to have as best a canvas as possible to start with. Some of my skincare must-do's for the warm, summer months include:

1) Clarifying and smoothing face mask: My pick is the Fresh Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar ($38). I've previously used the more expensive tube version of this mask and found that the extra $10 allows for a more convenient disbursement and thicker application... which also leads to the product running out much more quickly than the bar version. I've tried a million masks and this one is a true favorite. I like that it's light, quick-drying, non-irritating, and really seems to clean out my pores (making them look smaller!).
2) Eye cream: Using the right type of eye cream helps keep the skin under your eyes from shriveling up and even helps fight off dark circles. Because the skin around our eyes is the most delicate, it's important to give it the targeted moisture it needs. I've been using Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF and it's got the right amount of moisture for my (still) youthful under eyes. Eye cream is expensive, but definitely worth the investment! Clinique All About Eyes is another favorite of mine for its super light consistency and cool-to-the-touch feeling.
3) Night cream/treatment: It's easy to want to skip putting on moisturizer at night, but I see night cream as a very essential prep step. Keeping skin well-balanced and nourished while you sleep definitely makes a difference in your overall complexion. My absolute HG moisturizer pick is the Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream. I love how my skin looks like there's a soft-focus on it when I wake up in the mornings! Unfortunately, since I've started using the Acne.org AHA treatment, I've had to take a break from this, but would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't found a night cream yet.

Now, onto the fun stuff! Make-up, make-up, make-up:
1) Tinted moisturizer: I didn't include moisturizer above since my summer routine consists of using a tinted moisturizer (Cover Girl Smoothers in #810 Light to Medium). As mentioned before, this is a simple, light, and long-lasting TM. I haven't had any irritations and will continue using it until someone points me towards a better option for less than $10!

2) Setting powder: The secret to my everyday face! I've tried a bunch of powders (Everyday Minerals Silk Dust, Start to Bronze Powder, Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, Prescriptives Virtual Matte Powder, MAC Blot Powder) and nothing gives me the same natural, soft focus look as MAC Mineralized Skinfinish (Medium Dark). I bought the Medium Dark and Shimmer duo way back when it was a limited edition item and kept lucking out by finding it at CCOs over the years. Although I love the shimmer part for highlighting, I was going through the mineralized powder much more quickly. Thankfully, these days you can buy just the mineralized powder at any MAC counter. I don't think anything else comes close to this one.
3) Cream blush: I've been wanting to try out cream blushes for so long, but have been too scared of ending up with stained cheeks to do so. I finally went for it this weekend and bought Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Rose Petal as a tester. The color is much more shimmery than I would like, but the texture is amazing for cream blush newbies like myself. Because it really is a mousse, using the product is a lot simpler than it appears! I dab my right middle and ring fingers lightly in the pot and rub in circular motions on the apples of my cheeks for a light, natural flush. For $6, the color payoff is pretty nice and much more low-key than any powder blushes I own. I'm definitely going to try the highly rated Sonia Kashuk in Rosey and MAC Blushcreme in Ladyblush after I get more acquainted with creams.
4) Brown eyeliner: I rely on eyeliner as much as the next girl when it comes to accenting my eyes, but I think the key to a softer look is softer eyeliner. Having the right shade of dark brown allows for a less harsh daytime look. I'm currently using Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Eyeliner in Mahogany Ink and love that it blends in seamlessly with the roots of my eyelashes. I thinly line my top and bottom lids with the Sonia Kashuk Smudge Brush for quick and easy application.
5) Mascara: Curled, long lashes finish off the look! By using two light coats (no clumpy spider eyes, girls!), this gives your eyes that pop despite skipping out on those shimmery eyeshadows. My favorite is the CoverGirl Lash Blast.

The results of a 5-minute, 5-product make-up routine:

Please excuse the Myspace-esque tilt! Setting the flash directly on my face was too harsh and didn't allow the colors to show up as well. I added a thin layer of Maybelline Pink Please ColorSensational lipstick, but clear lipbalm works the best for a true au natural look. After trying all kinds of foundations to cover up my scars, it's been so nice to find that I don't have to slather on a ton of products to feel okay about being seen in public! Wearing less make-up has actually made me much more confident knowing that people aren't thinking I'm too made-up for the season. This is definitely not to say that the final payoff is as streamlined as a full foundation face, but I think the end result really is as close to au natural as I will ever get (it almost looks like my real skin, right?). It's been a long road from those days of being snickered at for being a pizza face--there's hope for us all!

Finding the Perfect Summer Sandals

Now that the weather in LA has officially caught up with the high 80s and 90s of my Palm Springs days, I've been on the search for the perfect pair of summer sandals to pair with my dresses. Since I don't consider myself too much of an adventurer when it comes to shoes, it's always fun to see what all the girls are wearing these days so that I can try out some less traditional styles myself.

I recently wrote about the Dolce Vita Able sandals I stumbled upon in New York, and was excited to find a little surprise while at the Banana Republic Factory Store this past week:

Pretty much a replica of the Dolce Vita's, right?! The colors aren't quite as lust-worthy as the originals, but I was still pretty excited to find them. The weaved backing gives that extra support that will help prevent the uncomfortable slipping around that I hate when wearing flat sandals. Unfortunately, the size 6 was still too large for me so I had to pass. For a fraction of the DV's cost, I wish I could've made them work somehow!

These Seychelles are everything I want and more! Comfy leather backing, cute embellishments, cognac-wear-me-with-everything color, and a 1-inch wedge for a touch of dressiness. Most of my summertime sandals really only last for the season, but I think I can wear these well into September/October.


Here's another pair of pretty cute Seychelles. I'm not sure how I feel about the white on my darker toned feet (will this make my toes look dirty?), but I really like how these are such a great alternative to the superfluous T-strap flat sandals. The straps are girly and fun.


Jessica came out to LA for a visit last weekend and she had on these adorable Bandolino wedge sandals for her trip. I've never really thought of Bandolino as a "young" shoe brand, but these looked great on her and I'm tempted to order them too!


I'm not sure how busy the top part of these Michael Antonio sandals might look when you're actually wearing them, but these have that nice balance between simple and interesting. I want.

I bought these Chelsea Crew gold sandals as a quick, whatever shoe, and they really are less than impressive. I thought the simple gold straps would make them a safe bet, but they turned out to be too boring and not quite as comfortable as I was anticipating. Can't wait to replace them with a much better pair! What shoes are you sporting this season?