Marc Jacobs spring 2010. photo: style.com

I’m having a love affair with khaki, military, surplus, utility, field, whatever-you-call them jackets. I can’t stop thinking about them and which one I want to buy, and how many ways I can wear it, and how they’ll save the world… oh, wait. Anyway, we all need to enlist! They go with everything! Ladylike printed dresses? Yes! Jeans & a T? Of course! On a chilly stroll? Absolutely! At the office? Sure! You can make it work, I promise! Picking your favorite is half the battle- they run the gamut from structured to soft (not to be confused with sloppy), and you can find a winner at every price point. Perhaps after picking out your new uniform you can march on and represent for a more authentic outfit.

army surplus

marc jacobs damask ruffle jacket

j.crew solid ripstop field jacket

volcom commando jacket

balmain military jacket

lc lauren conrad military jacket

ecote military jacket

coco chanel.

Judging from the diagonal zippers, strappy shoes and patriotic stripes out there, it seems that everyone is walking a fine line! Personally, I’ve always been in search of the perfect navy and white boatneck top a la Coco Chanel, but I just got back on track thanks to a most edgy cohort of mine who dared mix a striped tee and a floral skirt with enviable success! Horizontal stripes always get a bad rap for making peeps looks wider in the middle, but if you stick with thinner stripes in a loose silhouette then it’s all good. I must switch lanes now and declare my love for skinny cargo pants! With seams going in every direction these are not the most flattering of pants, and perhaps it is no coincidence that the best pair out there is totally unaffordable and hard to find in-store! So… while I go check up on my credit line, you go ahead and strip down to these.

my summer line-up.

1. Jeffrey Campbell “Roller” Sandal

2. Central Park West Sequin Striped Top

3. Nation Ltd. “Cypress” Striped Tee

4. LC Lauren Conrad Floral Embellished Skirt

5. BC “SOS” Oxford Sandal

6. J Brand “Houlihan” Cargo Pant

7. Old Navy String Bikini

8. Lemlem “Tibeb” Tunic

strap happy.

I have always had a serious aversion to strapless dresses. As you might not agree, I find them unflattering on most and generally lacking in construction. Also, nothing drives me crazier than the unsightly appearance of tan lines and/or constant wrangling with an unsupportive dress! As a stickler for proper fit (who is no stranger to the occasional tug-under-the-arms routine) I tend to avoid anything strapless altogether. However, if you have enviable arms, toned legs and a bust that stays in place, then I’ve got a new summer look for you: strapless mini-dresses in an ethnic-inspired print paired with contrasting studded, strappy sandals. It is a daring duo that works because it balances a simple silhouette with a playful pattern and a severe embellishment. When the sun sets, top off this chic ensemble with this season’s must-have neutral utility jacket (if you can, skip the purse and put the pockets to use instead). Lastly, leave all your baubles at home as this look (thanks to a great strapless bra) should stand alone, no fidgeting necessary.

mix-match

1. Vanessa Bruno Athe Studded Leather Flat Sandals

2. Edme & Esylite Pueblo Dress

3. DV for Dolce Vita Osaka Strap Flat Sandal

4. See by Chloe Embroidered Linen-Blend Dress

5. By Malene Birger Diva Studded Leather Sandals

6. T-Bags Off the Shoulder Jersey Dress

Party time, excellent!

The month of May seems to be the unofficial kick-off of party season. A multitude of weddings, parties, showers, graduations and miscellaneous holidays stand before us. Many events will overlap and some we won’t be able to attend, but all will require that we have something to wear. Not every occasion is so special that one must splurge on a new outfit (even though I wish I could!). I’ve found that if you invest in one versatile, playful party dress you can easily mix in pieces you already have to make it look and feel new with each wear. Let your closet rise to the occasion be it formal, dressy or casual! Here’s 3 cheers for wardrobe sustainability!

Bold, yet feminine accessories are très élégant conversation starters. Raise the roof in playful design and luxurious textures!

{Featured Dress} LC  Lauren Conrad, available at Kohl’s

1. FENTON/FALLON for J.Crew Carrington crystal bow necklace, J.crew.com

2. Dive & Flow Jacket, Anthropologie.com

3. Romantic Soles Teton, Zappos.com

Summer festivities call for multiple bright colors! Make the switch to funky flats and multiply your lasting power too!

1. Ribbon Clutch, Windsor.com

2. Leather Skinny Belt, Gap.com

3. Pour La Victoire “Ella” Flat Sandal, Endless.com

Who's that super cool girl across the room who clearly is NOT from around here?? YOU. In this!!

1. Peacock Shell Earrings, Forever21.com

2. Around Again Belt (moss), Anthropologie.com

3. Paloma Barcelo “Dalila” Flat Espadrilles, Net-A-Porter.com

change of pace.

So I’m that girl who’s always running late. It takes me an hour and fifteen minutes to “get ready” and I can easily tack on more time to that if I can’t figure out what to wear. In my recent race against the clock I’ve been saving time by foregoing eyeliner (gasp!) and foundation (double gasp!) and piling on sunless tanner instead. This tactic alone saves me a good ten minutes every morning, and I think my sudden glow keeps people guessing where I’ve been vacationing! Though I’m still the jackass putting on her mascara at stop lights, I’m proudly  speeding that much less to work every day. I’ve also been adopting a “beachy” look to accompany my tan, and I’m quite inspired by the effortless looks of Kate Hudson and her Malibu Beach Barbie counterparts. If life’s a beach, then all you really need is jeans and a white t-shirt… but if you happen to have an extra ten minutes then throw on a couple cool accessories and hit the boardwalk!

washed ashore.

1. Brightly Twisted Tie-Dye Pashmina, Kitson.com

2. Ella Moss “Lila” Cuff-Sleeved Top, Piperlime.com

3. GlowFusion Micro-Nutrient Face & Body Natural Protein Tan, Sephora.com

4. Foldover Canvas Tote, Gap.com

5. Easy Straight Destructed Jeans, Gap.com

6. Cynthia Vincent for Target Gladiator Wedge, Target.com

7. J.W. Begay Solid Cluster Turquoise Cuff, SouthwesternJewelry.net

8. Two-Tone Sunglasses, Forever21.com

dangerous curves ahead.

People, the world is trapped in a trend. Everywhere I go all I see is boxy/drapey/flowy/batwing/dolman/oversize/wide-as-can-be tops! An extra small shirt now fits like an XL, and it’s like attack of the Flashdance shoulder all over again. Don’t get me wrong there are some styles that I desperately covet, but this trend is a bad trap for so many; namely, the curvy girls. If you’ve got a bump in the road you needn’t steer clear, but you do need to avoid some dangerous curves! Lesson 1: you must carve out a waist, be it by belting or simply tucking in your top. Lesson 2:  add gravity with a chunky necklace or tailored blazer to balance out your ensemble. I’ve created a little flow chart to help demonstrate, so ladies if you’ve got it then flaunt this…

if you've got it, flaunt this.

Stamped Tulips Tank, Anthropologie.com

Citizens of Humanity ‘Amber’ Mid-rise Bootcut Jean, RevolveClothing.com

Sliced Agate Bib Necklace, JJill.com

N.Y.L.A. ‘Laroche’ Sandal, Nordstrom.com

http://www.coachella.com

Things that I LOVE: fashion, music, sunshine, all things southwestern, people/celeb watching. Things that I DON’T love: excessive heat, waiting in lines, port-a-potties, drunken crowding, expensive expenses. Thanks to a bittersweet ruling I’ll be sitting out the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this weekend (better luck next year). My biggest regret is missing out on the parade of fashion do’s and don’t’s of Coachella’s finest. It’s always interesting to see how people manage to look amazingly cool when it’s hot as hell and the ground is kinda dirty. I foresee this going wrong in so many ways, but I figured out a funky way I’d do it right. Many thanks to Schmal (a Festival alumna) on this one!

fest dressed.

1. Forever 21 Pattern Block Woven Top

2. Tilly’s Straw Fedora

3. Ray-Ban Wayfarer

4. Bess Studded Suede Boot

5. James Jeans Boyfriend Short

"Little Edie" in Grey Gardens, 1975

So I’ve let the cat out of the bag that I’ve been having a little trouble practicing what I preach lately. I’ve been weeding out the dead weight in my closet to make room for lighter, brighter staples and trying to make sense of the rest. Suddenly it dawned on me that the missing link right now is a “statement” shoe to perk up my every day outfit. I need something to add that fashionable touch when paired with cropped cargo’s, a floral skirt or skinny jeans. I’ve narrowed my search down to the following criteria: a comfortable bootie with a trendy twist and preferably a neutral grey tone. I’m having trouble deciding which pair to pick so please weigh in on the matter!

six degrees of separation.

1. Jessica Simpson “Ciera”

2. Jeffrey Campbell “Paris”

3. Filippa K “Simone”

4. All Black “Stacked-Strap”

5. Mia “Seductive”

6. J.Crew “Brodie”

cashmere open cardigan in apricot, jcrew.com

Lately I feel deeply challenged every time I get dressed (more so on workdays). My clothes have become mismatched pieces of a once-worthwhile puzzle of a closet. The vintage isn’t mixing with the new, nothing fits or “match-clashes” in the right way anymore… and why do i have 5 gray cardigans and twice as many gray wool skirts sitting around collecting dust? How can i dress people for a living but not be able to dress myself anymore?! Picking out what to wear has become the hassle that used to be my hustle and flow!

After a long talk with the Debbie Downer Hotline, I’ve realized that the source of so much of this style strife is that I’m fighting the seasonal wardrobe transition! The weather is on the upswing with occasional days of sunshine (followed by subsequent downpours), but I no longer need to leave the house with my staple coat, scarf, gloves and hat. I’ve had to retire many of my favorite winter accessories, but this doesn’t mean I can just run out of the house in a sundress and sandals (that’s about 3 months out). So what to wear when it’s cool outside but you’re heating up inside? Answer: colorful layers belted to imperfection. Away with the gray and in with cheerful orange, peach, papaya and apricot! I have been flipping through magazines religiously in search of my seasonal style concept and fell in love with this totally attainable look from j.crew (pictured above). A little inspiration goes a long way, and props to Jenna’s  style setters for crashing my pity party!

coral reef.

1. V-Neck Cardigan, Martin + Osa
2. Ikat Linen Top, Forever 21
3. Slub Sweater Cardigan, Forever 21
4. Linen-Blend Crochet Neck Tunic, Old Navy
5. Looping Lanes Belt, Anthropologie
6. Pintuck Cami, Forever 21.com
7. Joanie Plaid Shirt w/Belt, Forever 21

Pass the Dutch? Yes, please. Thanks to the likes of Chanel, Celine and Louis Vuitton, clogs are coming out of the woodwork this season. There are countless updates to the classic clog making this historic shoe a more comfortable, wearable and now accessible addition to your wardrobe. Time to cuff up your casual pants and knock on wood!

dutch babies.

een. Michael Kors “Sycamore” clog

twee. Swedish Hasbeens “Sky” clog

drie. Tory Burch “Risley” clog

vier. Jeffrey Campbell “Charli” clog

vijf. Mia “Braid” Swedish Clog

zes. Cynthia Vincent “Tamara” Embroidered Peep-Toe Clog

Editor’s Note: My apologies for the lack of recent entries. I’ve been stuck in Shaun White mode and having a hard time thinking outside the flannel. More style, less snow from here on out!