Summer Essentials Series ~ Avery Bleu

Anyone else feeling the heat wave outside?  Oooh wee, close to 100 degrees in Century City!  I am loving the warmth that has finally arrived (I am sitting in an air conditioned office however). 

Today's summer essentials come from one of my FAVE peeps, and yes I am very partial and biased because it is of course my roomie Avery Bleu is sharing her summer must haves.  Miss Avery and I go way back, like drinking too much spiced rum freshmen year of college and blacking out back (but that's another story for another day).  Miss Avery is ALWAYS on top of the trends, whether she's sporting neon nails, bright pink lips, stripes, sequins, whatever.  If it is currently in season, she is currently sporting it.  She is also always on top of celeb gossip, good music and takes excellent care of our good friend Waldo!  So make sure to head over and check out Avery Bleu just as soon as you finish checking out her summer essentials.

*What one item can you not be without this summer?*

Colorful nails!

Pink, green, orange, purple, yellow, glitter..the brighter and sparklier the better. I love it all, especially with a bit of a tan. Here are just a few of my faves from my massive collection.

*What are you craving for summer 2011?*

 

LWDs - Little White Dresses

Whether chilling poolside, grabbing drinks with the girls or *sigh* working the day away, a light, feminine LWD is perfect for any occasion. I already own a few, but always have room for another.

 

*What is your essential summer song for 2011?*

"Knee Deep" by Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett

Many of my friends would be surprised by my selection of a country song, as I'm typically more of a hip-hop and altie gal, but this little ditty makes me want to ditch work and relax in the sun, preferably with a cold beverage in hand. "Wishing I was knee deep in the water somewhere. Got the blue sky breeze and it don't seem fair. Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair. Sunrise there's a fire in the sky. Never been so happy. Never felt so high. And I think I might have found me my own kind of paradise." You simply can't help but do a little knee bounce, toe tap, finger snap or hand clap when it's playing. The addition of Jimmy Buffett makes it even more appropriate for summer. 

AND their song, "Toes", is also good for summertime fun - "I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand. Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand. Life is good today, life is good today." I mean, does that evoke the feelings of summertime goodness or what?

Thanks Avery for sharing your summer picks and nail polish collection with me!  You better believe I was shocked to see your summer selection song was country!!  I have to agree to both songs though, they are quite fantastic!  I am so happy to call you one of my best friends and thankful you share a love for beauty products, chardonnay and Waldo.  XOXO

Tomorrow, Andi from Saltwater Dreams shares her faves!

Summer Essentials Series ~ Dwelling & Telling

Today's summer essentials come from the stylish and gorgeous Linley over at Dwelling & Telling.  Linley is always sporting the latest fashion trends and might I add she sports them fabulously.  Her style, recipes, and Fab Five Fridays are my favorite items on her blog, but just about everything she posts is fantastic!  Make sure to head over and check out her latest Fab Five, but only after you see her summer essentials below:

*What one item can you not be without this summer?*

This summer I have found that every day I am reaching for my bronzer! I am addicted to Benefit's Hoola Bronzer! It's the perfect shade for me, and honestly, I think it would be complementary for just about anyone! It's a perfect bronze and it has a matte finish - which is what I need as a professional. Don't get me wrong, I love shimmer, but not when I'm at work. Moving on, I've been clinging to bronzer this summer mostly because I have been MIA at the pool - aka, it's the middle of summer and I am tanless. Sweeping the bronzer on the areas that would naturally be "kissed" by the sun is my go-to look before leaving the house!

*What are you craving for summer 2011?*

Neon and neutral combos! I'm not the biggest trend follower - I'll sometimes wear a look or two that's trendy each season, but otherwise, I'm just wearing whatever I want. However, this summer I cannot get enough of pairing neon and neutral. I did a post on some of my favorite neon/neutral picks, a How-To nails tutorial, and I wore my own version of neon and neutrals. I'm loving it!

*What is your essential summer song for 2011?*

Mac Miller - Knock Knock

I'm a big fan of hip-hop music. Not cheap "hip-hop", but classic, talent-filled hip-hop. I really like Mac Miller - he exudes talent and creates fun music. He doesn't take himself too seriously and his music just makes me want to dance. Sure, the song has nothing to do with summer, but it's been on repeat (along with this song) in my car all summer long.

Thank you so much Linley for sharing your marvelous selections!  I have never listened to Mac Miller but I am REALLY enjoying this Knock Knock tune!  Also the nail tutorial was such a great feature and I love your neon/neutral ideas!  Be sure to head over to Dwelling & Telling for a daily dose of goodness!

Next week I will have more summer essential goodness from awesome bloggers!  Ya'll come back now ya hear?

Forever Frugal Friday ~ Review Time

Last Friday I ordered 4 items from Forever 21 that totaled under $50. Below are the items I purchased and my review of the fit and quality.

So I was the most excited/nervous for this piece. Mostly because I really wanted it to work so I could wear it this weekend. I read the measurements before I ordered to make sure that I didn't end up with a super short dress and I have to say that the measurements provided were very accurate because this baby reached exactly where I measured it would. I ordered a size small (risky) based on the measurements and am happy to report that it fits as it should and is even a little roomy. This dress is a keeper! Sadly, the dress is no longer available online, but you could check your local store if you like it.

A few weeks back I posted my craving for anything and everything neon yellow, more specifically that Splendid tank. Well I found this little guy for $8.80 and again was debating between ordering the small or the medium, but based off the provided measurements went for the small. I HEART this tank! I heart it so much that I am debating buying it in pink too! It's light weight, the colors are super vibrant, long and perfect with jeans and the summer days ahead. It may not be exactly like the Splendid tank but close enough.

I have been needing a simple necklace that I can wear to work and also use to dress up an otherwise super casual top. I had been eyeing this one at JCrew but couldn't commit to the $40 price tag. This Faceted Beaded Necklace arrived and I was pleasantly surprised by the color (the beads have a tint of purple to them) and quality. I mean it was $6.80, I wasn't really holding my breath for it to work out well. But it is quite lovely and exactly what I wanted. Yay!

My only unlucky purchase (and luckily returnable) was this Skinny Studded Leather Belt. I took a chance and ordered the size small (said it fit sizes 0-4) and I figured if it was too big I would just take it to my shoe guy and have an extra hole punched (wanted to use it at my true waist for dresses). Well the belt is too big and sadly there is no room for extra hole punches. So I will be returning this guy this weekend and replacing it hopefully with another belt. I will say that the belt looks very nice and not chintzy at all. It reminds me a bit of the JCrew Skinny Pyramid-Studded Belt that I adore so much. If I am unlucky this weekend with belts, that JCrew one may just have to come home with me.

All in all it was a very successful order, 3 out of 4 ain't bad! I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I received my package (standard shipping - cheap one), ordered Friday at my door waiting for me on Tuesday. It sure as hell beat the time I would have spent at the store browsing all the racks and trying on. I must say that their measurements and descriptions are pretty accurate which should ease your mind when ordering. Happy Shopping!

Desperately Seeking Sully ~ Neon Yellow

I saw this scarf on the JCrew website and knew it was a piece I just have to add to my spring wardrobe. I mean who wouldn't smile wearing this guy or seeing someone else wearing it?

I am also kind of dying to own this neon stripedSplendid tank.

This picture does not do justice to how bright the yellow is, and every time I walk past it at Macy's I give that top another longing glance.

Anyone else craving neon's?