Sunglasses with colored frames can be a great way to spice up a summer outfit, just adding that one splash of color. They also usually come in cute wayfarer or cat-eye shapes.
1. Andy Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses, $325, Selima Optique, net-a-porter.com
2. Endurance Resin Two-Tone Sunglasses, $128, Carrera, asos.com
3. Cool Blue Shades, $9, lulus.com
4. Pastel Sunglass in Pink, $25, americanapparel.net
Arsenic and Old Lace is a Frank Capra film from 1944 starring Cary Grant. It's cute and hilarious, and although slightly morbid at times, a good family film too. It also has Peter Lorre, who is funny and creepy as always. Such a great film.
1. Ruched Bodice Sousdi Stripe Dress in Cream/Black, $285, No. 6, forwardforward.com
2. Lavalliere Bow Pumps in Camel, $795, Christian Louboutin, saksfifthavenue.com
It's practically swimsuit season. For some places, it already is. And, you know you need a new swimsuit, but what do you get? When there are mostly bright, colorful styles, sometimes all you want is a chic, black swimsuit. There are so many different variations that can be flattering on many body types, so I'd advise you to look at as many as possible. My personal favorites are the bikinis with white accents, but I personally have a strapless black tankini with white polka dots that I'm in love with.
1. Tuxedo Bikini in Black, $152, Nycked, shopbop.com
2. Ocean Bikini, $45, Cheap Monday, ssense.com
3. Gold-Trim Halter Bandeau Top and High-Waist Bottom, $78, Very Sexy, victoriassecret.com
4. Chic Deep-V Trim One Piece in Black/Creme, $188, Spanx Swimwear, zappos.com
Casablanca. Now who hasn't seen Casablanca? Please go see it. Made in 1942, this beyond-words film stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Beautiful film. I fall more in love with it every time I see it. Films really don't get much better than this.
1. Dune, $325, Kate Spade, piperlime.gap.com
2. Brigitte Dress, $350, rebeccaminkoff.com
A skirt with a front slit can be unexpected, sexy, and surprisingly flattering. The slit can be as subtle as just a pleat or slightly to the side, or as bold as right down the center or a true slit.
1. Skirt in Brown, $30, hm.com
2. Wine Cord Skirt, $45, karmaloop.com
3. Buttoned Up Beauty Skirt, $63, modcloth.com
4. "Playing" Skirt, $148, Nanette Lepore, shop.nordstrom.com
North by Northwest is an Alfred Hitchcock thriller from 1959 starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint. I love this film. It's not exactly scary by our standards, but it's a wonderful drama with some thrills in it. Cary Grant gives it a quirky and witty feel, too, which I adore.
1. New York Light Azore Bangle, $180, swarovski.com
2. Green Amethyst Drops, $72, wendyminkjewelry.com
It's difficult to define a 70s-style sandal exactly. To me, it's just a certain look. Then again, I didn't live through the 70s. If you did, then you probably know exactly what I'm going for. If not, then like me, if it seems 70s-esque and that's what you're going for, all the more power to you. I think these sandals are pretty cool.
1. The Vicky Sandal in Black, $225, Ash, karmaloop.com
2. Serenite Slingback Sandal in Cognac Multi, $50, Steve Madden, endless.com
3. Infinity Gladiator Sandals, $19, forever21.com
4. Gladiator Espadrilles in Brown, $80, gap.com
Yet another ultraviolent movie. But I promise you all that the violence isn't the main part of the film. It's always, always used (at least in the movies that I like) to carry the story along. It is never the objective. Anyways, Sin City is based off of a fantastic graphic novel series by Frank Miller. The film was made in 2005, and much like the comics, was shot in black and white with spurts of gorgeous, radiant color. It's an amazing and wonderfully arty film, and you should see it. But again, only if you can tolerate violence.
1. Erin 159 Open Toe Pump in Red, $38, Wild Diva, endless.com
2. Madison Bangle, $85, juliecollection.com
Plaid and shorts are always a good combination in the summertime. This summer, it looks like the trend is leaning towards a more comfy, pajama-type look. Wear it with a cool tank or a slouchy tee, and you'll be both hip and comfortable.
1. Unisex Plaid Woven Short in American Plaid, $18, store.americanapparel.net
2. Seersucker Drawing Shorts, $38, Juicy Coutoure, bloomingdales.com
3. Almost Famous Plaid Short in Beetle, $16, buckle.com
4. Madras Plaid Shorts, $60, calvinklein.com
Reservoir Dogs is a Quentin Tarantino film made in 1992. It's very stereotypically Tarantino, and upon watching it a second time, realized just how cruel and violent some of the characters are. If you can easily stomach violence and blood, this film shouldn't be a problem for you. But don't get me wrong; this is an absolutely fantastic and well-made piece of film-making. If you want something darkly humorous, too, this is quite an interesting movie.
1. The New French Cuff Poplin Shirt in White, $34, victoriassecret.com
2. Two Button Suit Jacket in AK Black, $99, AK Anne Klein, zappos.com
I love Bohemian style. It's so earthy and hippie-chic. The pieces can be worn together for a rather strong effect, or worn with other pieces for something more subtle yet unexpected. The paisley dresses and gypsy accessories are my favorite.
1. Polooka Large Bag, $418, Erin Templeton, stevenalan.com
2. Filigree Chandelier Earrings, $23, thelimited.com
3. Coral Multi Batik Leaf Wearable Art Scarf, $135, theodoraandcallum.com
4. Nazrena 3/4 Sleeve Dress, $182, shop.velvet-tees.com
This comedy, from 1986, is one of the funniest films I know. It features Matthew Broderick as the lead character. Not as easy to appreciate if not a teenager, but John Hughes brings another incredibly relate-able masterpiece in this film.
1. Galactica Jacket, $148, Funktional, shopbop.com
2. Houlihan Shorts, $200, J Brand, ssense.com
Sometimes great cocktail dresses are challenging to find in the summer. Some that are in the middle between casual and fancy are even more difficult. So here's some that might spark some ideas of what to buy, or where to shop, for your nightly boy-hunting and bar-hopping.
1. Cross-Front Babydoll Dress in Grape Clusters, $15, oldnavy.gap.com
2. Beaded One-Shoulder Dress, $395, Shoshanna, piperlime.gap.com
3. Sunnie Dress in White Water, $60, quiksilver.com
4. Lani Lace Black Dress, $395, rebeccaminkoff.com
Some beautiful colors in the spring are soft citrus colors, which i define as pastel and soft lime, lemon, orange, and grapefruit colors. They're bright while not being overpowering, but have a bit more of a kick to them than ordinary pastels. When put together, only stick with a couple of them, but an outfit that includes two of these colors can definitely pack a fashionable punch.
1. Nylon Handbag in Margarita, $18, hue.com
2. Crochet Babydoll Dress in Sedona Rose, $32, kohls.com
3. Yellow Sandals, $495, Cacharel, shoplesnouvelles.com
4. Rane Coral Ring, $50, maxandchloe.com
