Happy Memorial Day! Swim Away!

Off the Shoulder tank

If you live anywhere remotely near the Midwest right now, then you are likely trying to beat the heat.  It is incredibly hot, not the best weather to be out gardening, walking the dogs or other activities.  If you are lucky enough to own or visit a pool, then happy swimming.  Here are a couple of my favorite bathing suits by J. Crew.

Lomellina CrissCross Bandeau tank

I love the Jersey Lomellina CrissCross bandeau tank in earthy colors which are just sumptuous for the beach.  If you are lucky, then grab the garden floral tunic which is 30% off its markdown price of $69.99.  I love this tunic because it can go as a swim coverup to just a pretty blouse.

Skirted Twist Bandeau Tank

Tulle French Twist Top

The Off the shoulder tank is gorgeous.   It has that kind of 50's retro feel with coverage in all the right places while still feeling sexy.  Part of this is because of the ruching along the body. I am a big fan of the belvedere red (so pretty for Memorial and 4th of July!), but there is also a great range of other colors as well.  I also like this Signature swimwear because it dries quickly and doesn't lose its color.  The nylon/Lycra/spandex blend is a fav for sure.

From prints, to polka dots and solids galore, J. Crew continues to be my favorite place to grab suits.  They are all relatively flattering regardless of body type so it makes it easy to pick.

Cheers!

Rain, glorious rain.

With Spring turns Summer and the rains come, sometimes hard.  I needed to divert from a fashion moment to share some of my Pinterest boards, so aptly called Rain.

I have always loved rain even as a child I was awe-inspired by even a sprinkle to a hard rain monsoon.  We would run barefoot across the apple orchard and if we were lucky enough, a rainbow would grace our eyes.  It was magical, the sound, the feel, the beautiful sight...  Where ever you are, I hope the rains meet you and offer similar feelings.  It also reminds me that Summer's blazing sun is around the corner, too fast.

So, tell me your stories about the rain or the season you like the best.

Cheers.

Happy Friday (ok, so I'm a bit early)...some things on my "love" list!

If you are a fan you know that Bobbi Brown's Beach fragrance was M.I.A. for awhile due to repackaging; same fragrance, new design.  I never knew I would miss a scent so much and here is why.  This scent takes me to the beach in a minute and smells like all the wonderful things associated with it such as ocean/sand, suntan lotion, mandarin and fresh sheets.  Well, mostly the fresh sheets because I spray this little wonder of a summer scent on my pillow, comforter, sheets and oh, me!  I have my daughter hooked as well.  If you like to layer then definitely get the body lotion.  Every time I spray it on, I return to the beaches in the Outer Banks, N.C.

To get that bronzed look without going to the beach, I picked up Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Terra Azzurra Powder Bronzer and Blush. This is a collaboration between fashion and beauty.  It is half bronzer and half blush which I love.  It is just enough to give my fair skin a natural looking sun-kissed glow.  And it comes in a Pucci printed pouch!  This is a great buy for Summer and looks adorable too!

What's next? I am going to get a mani/pedi this weekend and just got a fabulous new color from Chanel.  The color is Delight, #607 and part of their 2012 Summer Collection.  This is one of those colors that I am going to use over and over.  Do you remember an OPI color called Kyoto Pearl - an unbelievably shimmery, pearly/silvery color which I believe is still available?  Well, I used this so much and Chanel's Delight reminds me of what the opposite would look like with hints of gold - perfect for Summer!

On to my weekend which I hope to do nothing!  Outside of the normal running around from ballet to baseball and everything in between, I think I will take some time to chill with a great book.  I have been dying to leaf through a couple of books - "Flea Market Chic, the thrifty way to create a stylish home" (Liz Bauwens) and "a perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life" (Mary Randolph Carter), both can be purchased through Amazon.com.  If I could actually find enough time to haunt any flea markets, I would be able to better follow suit, but I love looking at books like these because I store images in my brain for how I would like to see things come together and I always feel inspired when going through them.  I think it is the details and the eclectic pieces that give the inside of a home character.  I am thinking that my house is anything but "kept" so I think the second book and I are going to connect on many levels!

All in all, this is going to be a casual weekend including the wardrobe.  I have a couple pieces which will go well for this mood.  Eileen Fisher's new Spring items are coming in and I recently picked up her white gauze scarf which is beautiful.  With that, picked up the Poncho in Pintucked Gossamer Crepe, which can be worn over a cami or tee and is a great weekend wear-all -- just enough warmth for cooler Spring days.

So, all I need to do is get through Friday and off I go to a weekend of rest and relaxation, right!!  In all seriousness, we all need a little time to unwind so I hope you will find a some time carved out for yourself.

It is officially almost Friday (EST), so cheers to a great weekend! Oh, and how could I forget - Happy Mother's Day to me and all the wonderful moms out there.  You definitely deserve some peace, love and some time to do things just for you!  I hope you have a happy, happy day.

Pantone's Fashion Colors...One Stop Shop for Seasonal Color Trends!

If you've not had a chance to visit Pantone's Fashion Colors by season then you are missing a great opportunity to get a head's up on those colors that will be hot.  Pantone also has many fashion designers weighing in on their inspirations.  You may have also seen my recent post on Sephora's new collaboration with Pantone featuring the "Color of the Year" which is Tangerine Tango (see Instagram Pop-Up Color Shop in the Meatpacking for #sephorapantone.

On the Pantone site, you will see the Fashion Color Report which currently features 2012's Spring and Fall color palettes!  The Designer Outlooks are where some of fashion's hottest designers reveal their inspiration, colors and must-have items for upcoming seasons.

Tangerine Tango is actually hot across both season!  I must say, it is one of my favs and paired with Bellflower(left), it is beautiful!

So here are both Spring and Fall's hottest colors by Pantone!

Spring 2012

Fall 2012

I loved Nanette Lepore's Outlook for Spring...

inspiration We love the mix of hot neon colors with soft pastels, reminiscent of nature at its extremes: a powerful sunset, the ocean sparkling at dusk with flashes of lightning in the distance prominent colors Neon Flamingo, Shocking Pink, Acid Lemon, Electric Blue, Sea Breeze, Lilac, Hint of Purple and Sand; Neon Flamingo paired with the heat of Shocking Pink and a Cool Hint of Purple, Acid Yellow tempered with the softness of Seabreeze and Lilac signature color Neon Flamingo for its vibrancy paired with our new neutral, Hint of Purple must-have item The "new suit" — a nipped jacket with a full structured skid One of my other fans under the Spring colors is "Cockatoo" which is a light blue/green. If you are fashion or color challenged, particularly when  color blocking or pairing up complimentary colors together,  this is a great place to start.  You can get a mini-training on  colors and how they work to make you look fabulous!   Also, please visit my Pinterest boards where I have a range  of colors and one of my favorites is my Jewel Tones where  I have the brightest, richest and most beautiful colors all in one place! See this beautiful bird which I've pinned and this definitely speaks to  Tangerine Tango!  Happy Pinning and let me know what some of your favorite Pantone colors are and why you are inspired by them. Cheers!