Bare Naked Ladies

With all the heat approaching (or upon us depending on where you are) we will inevitably be faced with the option of wearing white or very cool, light fabrics like silk or linen. One thing to keep in mind-no one wants to see your panty lines or the little red heart pattern on your thong (at least no one with their mind out of the gutter). Believe me, it's harder than you think to find a good pair of underwear that don't show through summer's lightest colors and fabrics. How do we expect to solve problems like health care when I can't even find a decent nude thong? I kid you not I spent 2 1/2 hours trying to find a pair to wear under this dress. Okay, I had a couple of pit stops in between in search of a body bronzer cream to give me that Beyonce on the yacht with Jay Z glow when I slip into my swimsuit this weekend. BTW, how did I go from nude thongs to body bronzer (boy, it's so hard to stay focused these days)? Anyway, I did find a pair at Nordstrom (after having no luck at Macy's or lingerie giant, Victoria's Secret) to bad for me they were only available in a light peach color.

above left photo courtesy of myskins.com

Newsflash, nude for me is not a shade of peach! But thankfully after my frustration I stumbled upon some options. You can choose from 20 different colors in the my skins collection. Nude underwear in straightforward, seamless style. Grab a couple thongs and a bra too.

My Skins Thong $12 and Girl Short $12.

On the body bronzer front, I didn't make a final decision but I had the girls at Nordstrom and Sephora made me some nice samples from Lorac and Laura Mercier. We shall see.

Lorac TANtalizer Body Bronzer and Luminizer $32

Laura Mercier Body Bronzer Makeup $38

Bonus: This one has a subtle coconut scent.

Return of Summer: Retro Swimwear Styles

Summer is here! I can't think of anything more Summer than swimwear. So many swimsuits so little time for last minute sit-ups. But don't fret, you have a lot of wiggle room in this season's retro styles. No, the bikini's not going anywhere but if you're not so excited about donning one you don't have to-the one-piece is here and so now.

Pin-up Perfection. Steal 50's/60's style with this two piece in a hot solid color like white (go even further with polka dots or floral prints). Just add huge Jackie O sunglasses and go.

La Blanca by Rod Beattie Glamour Halter Top $87 and Hipster bottom $55.

70's Sweet Seduction. This one piece is so sweet and completely sexy and the same time. I love the sleek belted look of this suit. It reminds me of a jumpsuit. This feels very Charlie's Angels (sexy) or Three's Company's Chrissy Snow (carefree). I almost want to run out and wear roller skates with this one.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Strapless One-Piece $173.

Totally 80's. Channel the 80's with this neoprene surfer styled zippered one piece (back in the day I begged for my purple one with a pink zipper). Keep it zipped up or zip down a couple of inches for the daring. This suit has a racer back and can easily go from the beach to the street when paired with a high waisted black skirt or ruffled mini.

Lisa Marie Fernandez "Elisa Mallot" $385.

The Heat is On

Hey everyone, it's officially summer and I'm officially back (this time around catch me on Tuesdays and Thursdays). I love summer, but the heat is definitely on. The only problem is, I still have to go to work in all that hot sun. Mondays are bad enough now I have to look out at everyone running around in shorts and tank tops while I'm in a suit. Well no more, for now on I will make a vow to stay (and look) cool while it's hot. Here's a couple of suggestions.


A feminine alternative to a stuffy blazer...

Pair with a classic sheath dress to add a cool twist to a conservative look. For a weekend look go completely sweet by pairing with florals or soften a tougher look (i.e. denim, summer leather) by adding lace.
LaRok Vintage Lace Shirt Jacket $268









A classic look goes cool...




Take Fall's go-to jacket straight into summer. Sleeveless and still sleek.
Wear for work paired with a pencil skirt or light slacks. Wear for play unbuttoned over a feminine dress or a tank and short shorts.
Torn by Ronny Kobo Alana Trench Coat $374.



Oh and by the way, speaking of heat-GO LAKERS!

Gone Fishing...

...Or whatever else they say when you go on vacation. Happy Friday All! I'm officially on vacation (albeit short) and I'll see you next week. But if you're in LA catch me at the UCLA Reggae Festival this Sunday and Monday for the official start of summer. It's an outdoor annual event that's really one day full of R&B/Hip-Hop music on the first day and Reggae on the second. Always fun even though Erykah Badu was an absolute weirdo on stage last year (I've got love for her, but the little drum thing-seriously Erykah?). Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

Am I Too Old For This?

Now I consider myself well informed when it comes to fashion, beauty or whatever else. But even the most fashion forward sometimes have doubts. I always try to evaluate a look to see if it's really for me and try to live by the mantra to never follow every trend. But, I really like those candy colored nails. Women of all ages have accepted the trend of dark colored nails in otherwise odd colors like Navy Blue (my favorite is OPI's Russian Navy) and now seem to considered them chic. Please know that I have no intention of telling my age to the world on a blog post. But let's just say I remember buying cassette tapes in my early high school years (to my defense, that might have been junior high). Honestly, I'm really itching to try the pastel nail colors in those soft yellows and that mint green color I've been eyeing. Can a woman with a full time job, mortgage and all the things that go along with being a grown up wear mint green nails? I don't know but I might have to push the envelope with this one.

*BTW, OPI has a great site that lets you virtually try on nail colors and even adjust the nail length and skintone so you pick the best colors. Check it out here!

Essie Mint Candy Apple, $8.

Finally Friday

Pop Quiz: What was Tiny doing before she started hanging out with Toya? Who did Kandi kick it with before rubbing elbows with the Real Housewives of Atlanta?
Answer: They were both a part of the 90's girl group Escape. If you have no idea what I'm talking about and/or wondering who the hell Tiny, Toya or Kandi are-don't worry I watch enough Reality TV to make up for your misinformation (wink). Just sit back and enjoy a song I used to like a long time ago and laugh at the tomboy fashion of that era. Happy Friday!


Escape- Just Kickin' It

LA Fashion Fiends Walk This Way-This Thursday!

If you're in the Los Angeles area and love to get your fashion fix, make sure you're in Downtown LA tomorrow for Downtown Fashion Walk. In the same spirit of Downtown's popular Art Walk, Fashion Walk is a collection of stores around the Historical district that open up from 12 noon to 10PM with plenty of fun like live DJs to lure you in. If you can't make it tomorrow, the good news is it happens every third Thursday of the month. Check for updates here.





photo: Betsey Johnson Spring 2010 RTW courtesy of Style.com