deal(s) of the day: sale shoes - designer edition

i was spending a little too much time over at notcouture last night, and found there a number of deals much too lovely to keep to myself.

juicy couture continues to surprise me. if they keep this up, i'm going to have to stop mocking them entirely.

these sandals ($101) are a great way to bring a little ombre to your summer...and on sale, too. i love the yellow, but if you're feeling extra girly, pink is the perfect choice. nab either at bergdorf goodman, where you'll also get out tax-free (unless you live in NYC).



for a more understated style, i love these t-strap beca sandals from gryson. yellow and grey IS definitely the hottest color combo du jour, and these little flats make it clear why. nab them for $225 at funky lala.


and last, but certainly not least, more sigerson morrison love. these beauties ($145) are absolutely everything i've been looking for in a casual black flat - love the modern mary jane styling, the intricate detail on the strap, and that thick elastic around the top is going to keep these comfy in any weather. they're lovely in black, but that fabulous bright gold would be oh-so-fun too. decisions, decisions.

what i want today: bloom tote by jessica jensen

lately, i'm really into bags that aren't from the big design houses - i'm craving style a little different from those that everyone else is carrying, and i love the attention to detail that you get from most of the smaller designers that comes without the hefty pricetag.

this ivory appliqued tote by jessica jensen is just what i'm after - the craftsmanship is amazing, i love the pink suede lining, and the lambskin exterior is stunning. this might just be the perfect warm-weather handbag. after all, how excited would you be to bring this out of the closet every spring?

pick it up for $758 from jessica jensen, but through the end of july, there's a lucky magazine code for 25% off. so, with code "luckybreaks7", you can take this beauty home for just under $570, putting it in the price range of a kooba or botkier - but i like this one so much more.

cheap thrills: summer skirt

we're long overdue for a cheap thrill, don't you think?

quick fashion confession: i hate shorts. sure, i have a couple of pairs lying around. but i just never love the way they fit. so, in the summer, it's skirts and dresses all the time. if nothing else, it's a good reminder to be more ladylike...nothing reminds you to cross your ankles and bend at the knees ;)

i find myself checking out the selection at skirt spot periodically, and wanting them to get just a bit more fashion-forward, because the style options are endless and the prices are fantastic. looks like they've finally granted my wish! i absolutely love this two-tone pleated skirt, and it's definitely a cheap thrill at $44.

alone, i realize it's as preppy as it gets, but bear with me. throw on a colored tank and a contrasting menswear vest, add a cute little sandal, and you've got a darling summer-friendly look.


just remember: this is one of those ensembles that gets its chic by mixing things up - keep it anything but matchy-matchy, and you're set!

what i want today: retro jacquard diamond skirt

i adore skirts - they're so fabulously girly, and perfect for most any occasion. but sometimes i get a little weary of the same styles over and over again. pencil, flare, a-line...black, white or a big, bold pattern.

so, i'm thrilled to pieces by this sassy little retro number from marc by marc jacobs. i love just about everything here - the chic pattern, the button detail (and i love that they're faux - i detest buttons on skirts, which only ever lead to unflattering bulges), the seasonless styling...everything. it's like chanel meets gogo girl. this will be fantastic all summer, sure, but also fab with tights in cooler weather. plus, with the retro vibe, this beauty isn't going out of style any time soon.

oh, and did i mention it's on sale?? $117 at bloomingdales, but buy quickly - their site is notorious for the eternal backorder.

what i want today: juicy couture chiffon trim dress

this feels like the perfect conservative option for summer months, for those of us who aren't loving the spaghetti-strap/oh-so-short hem options out there. this one is perfect for the office, but still hip enough for evenings out. i love the detailing on the sleeve, which is right on trend this year. and the accessorizing options on this are endless - i'd love to see it with a bright belt and flats, or dressed up with a chunky necklace and mary jane heels.

best of all, it's on sale - $78 at saks, but not for long.

an updated classic: gallagher cardigan

there's nothing that makes me quite as happy as when a designer takes a wardrobe basic, like a cardigan, to new heights. my rationale is that it's much more reasonable to splurge on a classic piece, rather than picking up the most au courant piece out there.

these gallagher cardigans by chris benz are the ultimate classic splurge. the colors are rich and versatile, the styling is perfect for layering over or under, and the details, as with all design classics, are impeccable. glass buttons, perfect length, ribbed styling, and a flattering v-neck silhouette. i also love that it's cotton, not cashmere, as sometimes you want to layer during the warmer months, and a cashmere cardigan, while lovely, is just not the thing in july.

pick up one (or all three) at shopjake.com for $325 each.

summer dress roundup

(again, a great big thanks to connie at the daily obsession for giving us her take on the best summer dresses out there!)

Ahh...as the weather warms up, I just crave dresses. That means I'll be keeping my eye out for new frocks and pulling out the credit cards so I can add them to my closet!

To start, I need to find some work-appropriate dresses. Hanii Y has this fabulous black dress embroidered with white circles, which are totally classic but fun. I adore the feminine puff sleeves, yet structured shape. I also know that I won't be sweating bullets at a client meeting when it's 90 degrees out, since it's totally lightweight. Linen is also never a bad path to go down. This Thurley dress feels very organic, but the black embroidery adds sophistication. All I would need is are a pair of simple black round toe pumps to finish the look.

For the weekend, I'm all over lightweight sundresses like this one by Maeve. The bright color is cheery, but what really captured my attention was the neckline. It has a lovely pleated design over the decollete area, which I think is so fun. Another option is this fantastic silk halter dress by Vanitas of California. How can you not love the beautiful dripping blue, green and white print? Plus, you could wear this on a variety of occasions - from the annual family picnic to a friend's engagement party.

Lastly, I have to talk about my favorite go-to store, J. Crew. I can always count on them for some great, reasonably priced pieces - and lately, they've been knocking it out of the park. For a easy day dress, my pick is this cherry blossom button-front dress. I'd belt it and wear it to work with a structured tote and heels. I also adore this colorblock shift; the vibrant pairing of orange and magenta is so bold and fun, making it perfect for the season. Plus, the texture and shape of the dress is a bit of a throwback to the '60s that is flattering on most body types.

Have any other suggestions? Drop a comment and let us know!

what i want today: alexandra cassaniti tote bag

i'll admit that i'm starting to tire of the tote bag trend. they're just everywhere right now, so i feel like i could write about a different one every day. and every one seems to be cuter than the last, so i can never choose the one(s) for me. but at the end of the day, they're all just tote bags, suitable for grocery store outings, and maybe the occasional weekend errand-outing.

that's what i love about this version by alexandra cassaniti. it's so much more than just a tote. the leather handles and subtle buckle hardware dress this one up for weekday wear, the high-quality canvas keeps it from looking tired, and the hand-painted detail really makes this tote a show-stopper. plus, after rifling through my tote like a mad woman to find my ringing cell phone every single time, that well-designed zip pocket is feeling like sheer genius.

pick it up for $220 at shopbop, and your summer bag search is at an end.

plus, today only, use code MYDAY08 at checkout to save 20% on regular-price merchandise at shopbop.com.

what our guest wants today: bangles!

(i'm so excited to present the lovely editor of the daily obsession as your guest writer on this fabulous friday - let's all give her a great big virtual high five, shall we?)

Bangles are making a comeback! (Were they out? At least for me, they were...but they're definitely back in for the season, though.) I'm seeing them everywhere - from my favorite little boutiques to big department stores. They are easy and simple to wear, but make a style statement. Here are my tips on how to choose and wear bangles, en vogue:

* Bangles are a fantastic way to inject color into your outfit. Wearing a simple black shift and heels? Slip on a vivid bangle such as this resin version by Lee Angel - and a boring outfit will immediately be brought to life!

* If you're into no-muss, no-fuss dressing, then more than likely, you feel the same way about your jewelry. No problem! Many designers offer bangle sets such as this bold red set by Blu. You won't have to think twice about looking fabulous.

* If you are fond of more delicate adornments, I suggest layering 2-3 tiny, thin bangles on a wrist. This is also a great way to find experiment and wear various designers altogether! Try these from Giles & Brother, ginette_ny and Poupette. If you prefer not to search for complementary bangles, you can always buy a set like these by Iosselliani. Either way, they'll add a subtly elegant touch to your outfit.

* This is also a perfect opportunity to test out more artsy looks and venture out of your comfort zone, so take advantage. It's just on your wrist, so you can wear something unexpected without it taking center stage. This beautiful abstract knotted bangle set by Jennifer Rose is exactly what I mean. You'll add an instant dose of flair and style!

* Believe it or not, but you can also add pattern to an outfit with bangles as well! J. Crew offers some ideal options every season for this purpose. This
enamel bracelet is topped off with a chic zebra print; the gorgeous summer shades help make it a soft introduction of pattern.

* Along the same lines, why not add some texture or sparkle? Glam it up by choosing a bangle with embedded stones. Try this dazzling version by J. Crew. Czech crystals are combined with colored resin cabochons - this just says vintage resort to me!

Do you have any tips to add? We'd love to hear about it!

what i want today: joey top by le train bleu

this top just reminds me of everything fabulous about summer. the deep violet color and cheery floral pattern is a little bit bohemian and a little bit tropical, the drape is beautifully relaxed, and the breathable silk fabric is just what i'm looking for as a dressier option when the weather is miserably hot.

i'd pair it with a flared white cotton skirt, short-shorts, denim cutoffs...just about anything, really. it's that fantastic.

grab it for $138 at le train bleu, and use code luckybreaks1 to save 25% on any of the many gorgeous pieces you'll find sitewide!