VARA or VARINA

Growing up, customizing your own Nike sneakers was all the rage. All the colors and designs available made the task a never ending daydream. I remember going to tennis practice and seeing everyone's kicks, all so different and so unique. A simple way to bring color to life and pump up the game.

Today, I have found the equivalent for every working girl: the Ferragamo make your own shoe event! It's brilliant, it's beautiful, and it's BRIGHT! With the fun colors and combos available, I feel like a kid in a candy shop. Who said you can't have a different pair of Varinas for every day of the week??

Click HERE to design your own and go crazy with your creations! I'm loving the teal, lavender and bisque colors!! Write back with photos of the shoes that you create - I'm just dying to see!!

Purse Perfection

I can't stop drooling over this new bag. It's like the best of Celine meets Louis Vuitton for a distinctly classy look that isn't overdone with monogram. I love the way the cool brown offsets the black accents and LV stamps to achieve perfect balance and sophistication. The thing has 2 large interior pockets, suede lining, and must-have brass metallic feet to keep the bottom of the bag clean and in tip-top shape. The body is made of Cuir Orfevre calfskin leather and is of course embossed with the Louis Vuitton signature. 

The impact on your wallet? This puppy comes in at a cool $4,000.

(But really, isn't a bag of this beauty priceless?)

Vintage Labor Day Treasures

I was thrift shopping uptown this week for a pair of those classic, fits-your-ass-like-you've-been-wearing-em-in-for-years high waisted shorts, and low and behold, I found this gem. The suit is so vintage and adorable, I couldn't help but get it as the perfect garb to celebrate labor day in! The neck line is wired into that cute low cut shape, making it structured and stable and just a little risque.

I hope this encourages you all to embrace your own sense of style through vintage finds!

Love is in the Air!

It's that time of year -- LOVE IS IN THE AIR! I hit mid-20s and BOOM! People left and right are getting engaged! For me, that means wedding planning is in full swing, and even better, it means tons of cutesy events to attend! When looking for new dresses, I love using Bloomingdale's easy search and filtering options, which let you cut down your search by occasion, color, size, designer, and even by price! I've put together a mini spread of picks from Bloomingdales below to help spawn some inspiration:

For Afternoon Events & Brunches:

(Left: BCBGMAXAZRIA Dress - Kalli Lace Inset ; Right: Free People Slip Dress - Meadows of Lace)

(Left: VINCE CAMUTO Lace Dress with Belt ; Right: Aqua Dress - Printed Faux Leather Halter)

Of course, there's nothing I love shopping for more than an evening gown (well, except maybe yoga pants!). These options are great to wear to weddings because they're totally gorgeous yet low-key enough that the attention stays where it should be: on the bride!

(Left: Amsale Dress - Crossover Neckline ; Right: Badgley Mischka Strapless Gown - Corset Top)

(Left: Basix Sleeveless Beaded Gown - Paillettes ; Right: Amsale Strapless Rosette Gown)

High Top Swagger

What's not to love? These kicks are perhaps the easiest way to add some funk into your look! Of course, I'm in love with Tori Burch's twist, although there are similar great finds from Nike and other top designers!

From TB:

Can't Stop! Won't Stop!

CAN'T STOP WON'T STOP! I wish this was my motto about working out ; instead, it's my motto about online hunting for yoga clothes. I know I've posted on this topic infinite times before, but I think it's hugely important to feel cute and confident while working out. (And it's hugely important to get yourself off the couch and start working out in the first place!) There's nothing better as motivation than the image of yourself as a lean mean yogi machine, wearing the cutest lines currently available. Today's showcase: Ellie! (http://www.ellie.com/). I love the Ellie Shop and the "Fit Fashion" motto that defines their goods! An extra plus? Ellie recently intoduced the "Coral Crush" line, which provides a ton of awesome coral colored sports bras, workout tops, and more! Coral is great for summer -- it makes you look tan, and it's simply gorg! And let's be serious, ladies, an investment in cute yoga clothes goes far beyond the studio! It's agreed: there's nothing wrong with wearing these babies all around town, to class, to the market, or to wine wednesday with the girls! Happy shopping!

Joie

The Joie blog (http://www.joie.com/blog/) is a true gem. Joie in general exudes an aura of sophistication through its style -- a style that finds itself in simplicity and comfort. While I've ever been a fan of Joie's perfectly beach-appropriate line of sandals, I've recently fallen in love with the bags, accessories, clothing, and jewelry that the blog promotes. The selection is not vast, but who needs selection when every single item in the catalogue is drool-worthy? Joie provides the perfect ammunition for a summer getaway. My tip to you? Wait for the sale! When Joie stuff goes on sale, you get a serious bargain for serious quality!

Independence Day!

For fourth of July, floral headpieces are all the rage! Whether you’re making a crown or just sticking a single stem in your hair for an extra pop of color, these adorable accessories are an easy way to add a festive touch to your outfit. Real flowers can get expensive (and let’s be real – they don’t last!), so my heart is going out to the cheapy versions that you can buy at Forever21! Nothing is better than saving money when it comes to dressing for a one-time event! And when you get thrown in the pool with flowers in your hair, your heart won't break that these soooo expensive accessories are ruined! Forever21 is for sure my go-to stylist for this 4th of July, with adorable wedges, tops, and denims in stock at great prices! Check out some of the goodies I found, below:

Time for Bags

Aren't they prettyyyy. I can't help but oogle over these beautiful babies. Despite my previous posts, the purses of Chanel are what draw me in every time. Vintage, classic, chic... a girl's simply gotta have one (or, a few?). The new line line is modern yet rustic, with looks that push conventional lines yet again to achieve the magnificent.

Karl Lagerfeld sketches Chanel

Coco Chanel.

I hope my post a few days ago about Chanel’s lovely new shoe line has everyone inspired to strut in style! If you’re going to make one splurge buy, I always say stick with shoes or bags – in most cases, they’re pretty difficult to outgrow! (Fine - if not shoes or bags, maybe some goodies from Hammacher Schlemmer... see my most recent post!) Anyways, who doesn’t love shoes! A great pair of shoes in itself make an outfit. All of that aside though, it’s time to give some kudos to Chanel’s fantastic line of jackets. From the classic tweed blazers to new looks that are boyish and fun, everyone needs a great jacket for work (and more obviously, for the nights after work!). No words (or even pictures) can replace the glories of a real Chanel jacket so classy that it will never go out of style. Karl Lagerfeld does a pretty awesome job though, sketching images that I can't help but share. In my mind, his art is perfection, capturing the glamour, sophistication, and timelessness that is Chanel.

(And notice how they all showcase such faaaabulous jackets!)

For more, visit inside.chanel.com

Yogi Fashion

Women's Health recently published an article showcasing

some of the hot new up-and-coming yoga clothing brands that

are adorable and affordable. The spread was SO GOOD that

not only did I make a few guilty purchases, but I feel the need to share

the love!! Below, behold the yoga brands of the future!

The tops at Nux USA are trendy, affordable, and won't get in the way 

during your work out:

From ALO, I'm completely obsessed with the Core Pant!

(So cute - and it comes in so many colors!!)

At Lucy, most of the yoga pants are reversible!

(That's like getting 2 pairs of pants for the price of 1!! SCORE)

 Finally, there's SOLOW, which I love for their unique colors and cuts that you can't find anywhere else!

 For the original article, check out http://blog.womenshealthmag.com!

Coco Chanel

 Chanel, tu me tue.

But seriously. 

Chanel's timeless and ruthless moves in fashion are truly killer, 

making the brand one of my all time favorites. This year, 

Chanel has done it again, going beyond the traditional lines 

of fashion to achieve l'extraordinaire.

For me, it's the shoes that do it! 

But worry not - this is the week of Chanel, 

and I will showcase the many beauties of the 

2013 collections that will leave you mind-blown and moniless.

(Join me soon for an exposition on Chanel Jackets!)

Mais aujourd'hui, c'est les chaussures: 

From the Paris-Edimbourg Collection:

From Spring-Summer 2013:

(I AM IN LOOOOVE)

From the Pre-Collection:

As the French would say:

OOH-LA-LA!

Bright Fun Jewelry for Summer!

Tory Burch is back with hot new designs for summer! 

Among my favorites are the neon crossbody bags, and her to-die-for

new jewelry creations:

These hot colors are sure to compliment any outfit on a hot summer day!

Gilt

Gilt is the new hot site of the moment!

www.gilt.com

This little treasure showcases major deals on unique and high-end brands,

not only exposing you to awesome new designers, but helping you to afford them, too!

Every day, new irresistible finds are featured.

The best part, you ask? Gilt has started exhibiting sales that

feature adorable home decor elements, as well as baby and children's lines!

Today's obsession from Gilt: 

Jewelry by Mary Louise Designs

Sexy Fit

Looking great while working out is underrated.

If you're doing it right, by the end of your workout, there should be sweat dripping from places you didn't even think you had pores!

That's why wearing cute athletic gear helps push you the extra mile. If you're like me, it's embarrassing to be seen post- or mid-workout without looking like you're seriously struggling! But that means you're doing it right. Gotta push it to see results! And dressing right not only motivates you to work hard to look good, but it distracts from the fact that you're beast-mode working out when you run into friends at the gym or the studio or your fave running path!

I recently discovered the Victoria's Secret VSX Sport line, and I'm obsessed.

The best part is, the stuff fits all body types! Whether you're busty or curvy or stick skinny, the sizing is made to accommodate pretty much anyone.

Here are some of my favorite recent purchases!

(If this adorable stuff doesn't motivate you to work out and get beach ready, I don't know what will!)