Summer Must-Have: Silk Camisole

June 26, 2014

Equipment Cara Plaid Camisole ($125)

Recently I picked up this silk camisole from Madewell and I simply cannot get enough of it. The thin straps are just the right amount of sexy, plus it’s soft and lightweight, making it the perfect summer layering piece. Pull on over a swimsuit and haphazardly tuck into denim cutoffs, or wear under a lightweight blazer for a polished office look.

Here are my silk camisole picks. Which one is your favorite?



Summer Beauty Essentials

June 25, 2014


  1. Laura Mercier Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Tinted Moisturizer ($20.50) in Nude and Beautyblender Sponge ($19.95)
  2. Boscia Clear Complexion Blotting Linens ($10)
  3. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ for Face/Body ($36)
  4. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 ($22.50) in Sugar Tulip Tinted
  5. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray ($26 for 4 oz.) 
  6. Dior Vernis Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer ($25) in Wonderland
  7. NARS Duo Eyeshadow ($35) in Key Largo
Summer is in full swing, which means you should make sure your beauty routine is in tune with the season! 

In the hotter months, I like to switch to a more sheer tinted moisturizer (1) that corrects redness without leaving my face feeling caked up and heavy. For an extra dewy effect, wet a Beautyblender sponge before applying. If you are in a humid region or are just prone to some extra glistening in the heat, make sure to carry around blotting pads (2) to dab away any unwanted perspiration. You want to be glowing, not melting!

Skin protection should really be a year-long thing, but make sure you are extra vigilant about applying sunscreen (3) in the summertime! A fresh tan is lovely, but believe me when I say you would much rather have to deal with pale skin than skin cancer. If you have sensitive skin like mine, it's okay to splurge on a skincare-line sunscreen. Normally I use Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer for my face and the classic Banana Boat for the rest of my body. Make sure you are purchasing a sunscreen that is above SPF 30, and reapply often! 

Your lips need extra love too! I am a die-hard fan of Burt's Bees chapstick (partial to the mango flavor) but this tinted lip balm (4) is another awesome pick because it provides moisture and nourishment to your lips while also giving them a subtle hint of color. 

It doesn't matter if you spend every day at the beach this summer or are stuck miles from shore throughout - you can get beach-worthy waves with this surf spray (5). I love applying it to soft curls to add some crunchy texture. It also comes in handy when trying to create updos with my naturally stick-straight hair, as it provides texture so strands can stay in place. 

Update your mani/pedi with a vibrant coral nail polish (6). Dior polishes are gorgeous and easy, and this color is the perfect way to give yourself an instant tan - no harmful sun rays necessary!

The best summer looks are almost makeup-free, but if you are looking to add a bit of sparkle this nude eyeshadow palette (7) is the perfect way to add a glow. Bonus points: this duo palette can also be used as a makeshift bronzer palette! 

What are your must-have summer beauty essentials?

The Modern-Day Holly Golightly

June 24, 2014

Band of Outsiders is a staple amongst all the cool girls, so wouldn't it make sense that the resort lookbook resembled the style of the classic cool lady, Holly Golightly of Breakfast at Tiffany's fame? 

Think of the collection as Holly Golightly with an iPhone - headscarves, black silk jumpsuits, sleek trenchcoats perfect for hunting down lost cats, and so on. Holly has plenty of quirk to her, and her classic pieces with playful touches go perfectly with the Band of Outsiders aesthetic.

The classic LBD gets a modern twist with a cross back and ankle boots
The modern-day Golightly would serenade from the window in this awesome romper
Looking for cat in a chic trenchcoat dress
images via style.com and Breakfast At Tiffany's

Adventure Is Out There: Valentino Resort 2015

June 23, 2014


Wow, Valentino. Just wow.

Under the reigns of design duo of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino has become the go-to brand for luxurious and romantic bohemian clothing, full of lace maxi skirts, earthy suedes, and models in milkmaid braids. There's no doubt that Chiuri and Piccioli have succeeded in making the Valentino brand all their own, but in the process I have sometimes felt as if their collections have become repetitive, all variations on the same theme, and together not as all inventive as the presentations that Valentino Garavani designed for his namesake brand.

The 2015 resort presentation was not a departure from the aesthetic that Chiuri and Piccioli have established as staples of the present-day Valentino, but rather a revitalization. 

With some inspiration from an archival print from a 1973 collection, as well as the works of the iconic artist Frida Kahlo, Valentino delivered a truly extensive collection full of clothes for the fashionable, adventurous woman.

The clothes were not only beautiful but practical. They aren't just for sitting around and looking pretty, they are for exploring jungles both urban and exotic, for traipsing through cobblestone streets in seldom-visited villages, for seeing all that this world has to offer in fabulous style.


The first half of the collection was full of these practical but fascinating looks, with army jackets decorated with butterfly motifs (another staple of the Chiuri-Piccioli-run Valentino), comfortable gladiators and flat espadrilles, and billowy fabrics and shapes perfectly made for moving around.

Then the earthy tones and Khalo-esque touches quickly transformed into technicolor, geometric print dresses that recalled the pop art of the 60s and 70s. These were the looks that were inspired by that archival 1973 print, which was considered quite "visually disruptive" and continued to be so here, but in the best of ways.

If there's anything that modern fashion has taught us, it is that the rules were meant to be broken. Patterns can clash for the ultimate effect, for example, and in general things that are supposedly visually displeasing can make for great sartorial statements. The highly-saturated looks are sure to land on magazine pages and make statements on the red carpets. They may even find themselves on a bold street style star or two. Surely they are the standout pieces from the collection, if only because the colorful patterns are so clearly attention-grabbing.

In a season of resort shows continuing to demonstrate the increasing importance of the pre-season collections, Valentino delivered a knock-out presentation that was just as strong as any major ready-to-wear collection. I sincerely hope these magnificent clothes get the attention they deserve come winter.

Milkmaid Braids

June 13, 2014


I'm trying to be more "adventurous" with my hairstyles and experimenting with looks that go beyond the simple straight-down style. After washing my hair I tested out a take on the milkmaid braid that consisted of making two French-braid pigtails and then pinning back the ends at the nape of my neck. 

I thought it looked pretty cute and while it didn't turn out perfect the first time I will definitely try this hairstyle again. Plus, it gave me cute beachy waves since my hair dried in this hairstyle.

Would you ever try milkmaid braids? What hairstyle should I test out next?

Safety Dance

June 10, 2014

Ileana Makri Safety Pin 18-Karat Rose Gold Diamond Earring
Once upon a time safety pins were simply handy tools used to take in a too-loose dress or prevent an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction at the school dance. Then they became a staple of the punk fashion movement, adorning everything from leather jackets to silk dresses. But we live in a brave new world where the punk accessory and handy styling tool has evolved into a full-fledged fashion statement. 

Versus, the Versace diffusion line, has a slew of safety pin-adorned shirts, skirts, and dresses if you aren't looking to DIY your punk pieces.

But beyond that, safety pins have become an increasingly popular motif in the jewelry world. It makes sense to take an item that is already made of metal and dip it in gold, add some diamonds and some chains, and turn it into a statement piece.

Earrings, bracelets, and necklaces have all gotten the safety pin treatment. Both high-end and affordable jewelry brands are fans of the trend, so there's a safety pin piece for every budget. And you don't need a mohawk or studded leather jacket to rock the trend; these jewelry pieces are sassy enough to give a bit of edge to your ensemble but are not overwhelming, so even the preppiest of preps can wear the trend. 

How do you feel about safety pin jewelry?

SHOP THE TREND:



Summer BBQ

June 9, 2014


I attended a friend's summer barbeque in Venice Beach yesterday and wore a perfectly summery white lace dress paired with a plaid shirt to add some country edge to the ensemble. 

The LWD (Little White Dress, for those of you who are acronymically-challenged) is a summer must-have, as it works for a number of events. For example, I've worn this dress to picnics, dinner parties, the beach, a beach-themed party, class...the list goes on and on. 

I also love using a button-up shirt as a jacket in summer. Button-up shirts tend to be more light-weight than most jackets, so they work wonderfully for when the day gets a little cool.



Madewell Plaid Shirt (Similar Here) | Free People Dress | C. Wonder Boots | Urban Outfitters Purse (Similar Here) | Tory Burch Sunglasses | Brandy Melville Necklace | Henri Bendel Bracelet



Lazy Sunday

June 8, 2014

Sometimes, you just have to have a lazy Sunday, where you can lounge in your pajamas until noon, reading a great summer book while sipping on an iced latte from Urth Caffe. #livingthedream

The perfect recipe for a lazy Sunday morning:

Bedhead Pajama Set | The Vacationers by Emma Straub | Charlotte Olympia Slippers



Trending: The New Pinstripe

June 5, 2014

Light pinstripes are the new print you need to have.

Zara Striped Blazer With Belt ($99)
There is something so chic about a well-placed pinstripe. The style of pattern often reminds me of the 1920s and zoot suits, and also my mom's pantsuits. Pinstripes are fashionable but can easily come across as outdated or simply conservative. They can also be incredibly sexy. It's all about how you wear it.

For summer, I would highly recommend testing out a light white-and-blue pinstripe piece, like the Zara one above or any of my other picks below. The light colors make the pinstripe perfectly suitable for summer, and luckily pinstripes are featured on all sorts of clothing pieces, from office-appropriate blazers to weekend-worthy high-waisted shorts. 

No matter what your style or what occasion you are dressing for, light pinstripes are an excellent and classic choice that will make you the most sharply-dressed woman in any room.

SHOP LIGHT PINSTRIPE PIECES:


June Wishlist

June 4, 2014

Summer is in full swing and I for one am ready to celebrate!

Here are some of the things I am currently obsessing over:

Zara Cut-Out Top ($49)
Vita Fede Pearl V Ring ($225)
Catbird Jewelry Heart Memory Ring ($64) and Threadbare Ring ($44)
Madewell Large Zip Pouch in Beachday ($32)
Theory Stilla Leather and Stretch-Jersey Wrap Mini Skirt ($415)
Vans & Madewell Paisley Slip-Ons ($55)
Ray-Ban Mirrored Clubmaster Sunglasses ($160)

Summer, to me, is about easy and effortless style. You can look awesome without intricate layers or dazzling coats. A crisp black and white outfit is all you need, and by mixing sultry (cut-outs and leather) with playful (sneakers and beach-print pouches) you get the perfect balance of styles. 

I've been obsessing over stacked rings and am eager to grow my jewelry collection. These pieces from Catbird and Vita Fede are gorgeous and remarkably well-priced for the quality. 

Mirrored sunglasses are incredibly chic and perfect for those bright summer days, and I have been a huge fan of the "Clubmaster" shape from Ray-Ban. I know I don't need another pair of sunglasses to add to my already large collection, but if I had to add another pair it would be these guys.

What are you obsessing over this month? What summer trends are you ready to try out?

SHOP LINDSEY'S JUNE WISHLIST:

The Midway Point

June 2, 2014

Kate Davidson Hudson (Photo by Diego Zuko via harpersbazaar.com)

I cannot believe we have reached the halfway point of the year. June of the year 2014, can you believe it? So what better way to celebrate the midway point of 2014 than with a popular trend known as the midi skirt

Not quite a maxi and certainly more modest than a mini, the midi skirt is the perfect medium; Goldilocks would have been stoked to jump aboard the midi skirt train. The midi skirt is perfect for summer because it's flowy and breezy but not suffocating with its length. You can move freely without worrying about a skirt riding up or the hem of your dress getting dirty in the sand. 

Because of its longer length and it's traditional positioning at the waist, feel free to pair the midi skirt with a crop top or a muscle tee to balance out the feminine stylings of this ladylike skirt. 

The midi skirt also looks great with gladiator sandals or pointed pumps. Even sneakers would look great with this style of skirt! The styling possibilities are truly endless, but this is definitely a trend you will want to test out this summer. 

SHOP MORE MIDI SKIRTS:   
What do you think about midi skirts? Will you be sporting them this summer? 

Also, how is it already June!?