Summer Sandal Alert! The Best of Nine West

Aren't we all just looking for cute, affordable summer sandals? I thought so! Nine West has always been a brand I thought of as what I shopped in high school (yes, I know I am dating myself!). However, in the last few years I have come to realize that they are again the best fashion shoes for the money.

I believe in value. Is the style current but not so current that you'll only be able to wear the shoe for one season? Is the shoe comfortable enough that you'll wear it often? Are they a high enough quality to withstand wear and tear and not look like you were trying to knock-off a more expensive pair?

Nine West is a good value for your money, and as my clients know, I love saving them money! Here are some of my favorite Nine West sandals this season.

Has anyone else noticed the snake motif running through fashion this year? I love it and I love these snake sandals!

Benvolio gold snake sandal $130

The Wedge is THE LOOK this season. This flax colored pair will go perfectly with this season's brightly colored skirts and dresses. If these are comfy, they'll be my go to this season!

Larysa beige wedge $79

Want a more subtle wedge? The ankle strap and multi-colored snakeskin make this sandal oh so current. I see them as a powerful pop of texture and color with your favorite all-white look.

Precisely turquoise multicolored sandal $89

Going for the Americana look this season? Rock this fringe sandal with your best denim or red, white and blue look.

Flyme natural suede heel $99

Is minimal more your style? Tall enough to go without heels? These black and gold thong sandals could not be more chic.

Wewantit black/gold sandal $79

Do you like the Sea Change trend I've been talking about? These would work just as well at the pool as they would for an evening out. Do you wear flip flops to work (I loathe this habit!)? Why not wear gorgeous ones with Starfish on them?

Nancita blue starfish sandal $49

How cool are they in all white? Wear them with a minimal, all white look for day, mix them with bright colors, or create a black and white look for a night out on the town.

Nancita white starfish sandal $49

Who says evening shoes have to be metallic? This light pink leather is the ultimate sophisticated but TOTALLY HOT evening shoe this summer.

Cannonball light pink leather heel $79

Is anyone else DYING to go summer shoe shopping now????!!!!

Lani Is Reading...

A question I get a lot is, "Which blogs do you read?" I used to think that I didn't have time to read blogs. Turns out I just didn't have time to read blogs about what they were wearing on the streets of Paris last Tuesday. Not that I don't care about that, but with a family and a business to run, somethings got to go, right?

Blogs I do love are those that inspire while making me either feel happy or give me information I need. What falls under the happy category? Pictures of Lola, the charming chihuahua of Rosa Loves..., as well as pictures of beautiful food she has eaten on one of her many culinary adventures. Information I "need" is sound financial advice to which I can relate, recipes I can whip up easily, how to make oxford shoes age appropriate...

Of course all of this goes down much easier when accompanied by whimsical illustrations, beautiful photos and easy navigation. So here is the answer to that age old question I mentioned above. These are the blogs I actually READ.

Rosa Loves... is fabulous for any age if you like cute chihauhuas, beautiful photographs of food and chic but practical fashion.

The Everygirl, which bills itself as "the life map for everygirls everywhere," really is that. Filled with financial and fashion advice as well as plain old life advice, every 20 and 30 something girl should be reading this blog.

Girls of a Certain Age is a blog started by Kim France, the former and founding editor of Lucky magazine. This is perfect for those 40 and up but still oh so cool, just like Kim. Does anyone remember Sassy magazine? She worked there. Need I say more?

Spring Trend Preview

Today I'd like to highlight some more of my favorite Spring/Summer 2012 trends. The last few seasons I've struggled to find newness as I've put together my Trend Talks. Thankfully, this season it was not difficult! Yes, there are still florals but they are brighter and more whimsical than ever. Check out Dolce & Gabbana's vegetable prints for proof of this. What seems like a regular floral print from a distance is actually a tomato or eggplant print upon further inspection!

Looking for more newness? How about the dreamy pastel/nude/white story, the sparkle of the deco trend or clothing and accessories awash in colors and themes of the sea? See below for a few of my favorite "inspirations" this season. I'm not suggesting you spend $3000.00 on a jacket when I show you one on this blog or in a Trend Talk, rather I'm showing you the original version of the trend so that you can be inspired to recreate it at your own budget's comfort level. Or splurge a little! Did I say that?....J

Like what you see? Contact me to have me give a Trend Talk in your home with your closest friends, cocktails and maybe even some cupcakes! Everyone goes home with their very own trend book and the answers to their personal style questions.


Mixing It All Up:

Dolce & Gabbana eggplant print skirt $815
See by Chloé printed top $295
Michael Kors platform sandals $745

Beyond the Pale:

Dolce & Gabbana motorcycle jacket $3,045
Paul & Joe Sister maxi skirt $300
Vince silk tank $185
Ralph Lauren Collection wedge sandals $595

Deco Delight:

Gucci metallic-striped fringed dress $5,900
 Badgley Mischka crystal drop earrings $100
Valentino suede platform sandals $1,175

Sea Change:

Faith Connexion skinny jeans $250
Mary Katrantzou underwater sweater $960
Miu Miu starfish sandals $750

The New Accessory: Nails

It seems as though the hottest trend people are talking about isn't a particular clothing item or shoe, rather it's the newest fashion accessory to hit this year: nails. Crazy and vibrant color are making their way into fashion now more than ever. This is not to say that the classic "ballet slipper" or nude nail is leaving us any time soon, but it's time to put a little spin on the typical pink or red nail. Even celebrities are getting involved in the nail polish industry and teaming up with top brands like O.P.I. For example, Katy Perry launched a line containing a sparkly blue polish along with a "Black Shatter" polish that gives your nails a crackle effect. Justin Bieber even came out with a line which includes vibrant purples and a glitter polish titled, "Step 2 the Beat of My Heart." You may want to go one step further and try the new "caviar nails"or cheetah print nail strips by Sally Hansen. With these catchy names and cool designs, maybe you should consider changing it up this season and adding this funky new accessory to your wardrobe.

Summer nails

Essie Spring 2012 Collection

The "Caviar Manicure" by Ciaté

Katy Perry Collection by O.P.I

"Teenage Dream" crackle nail polish by Katy Perry for O.P.I

Justin Bieber Collection by Nicole by O.P.I

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips 

China Glaze Ecetropop Spring 2012 Collection

Guest post by Jennifer Schwartz, Real Life Style Intern.

The New Neon

"Neon???!!!", you ask. "Didn't I wear that in the 80's?" Why yes, you did. And having been there myself, I wasn't sure I would be back for this round. Have you heard the old adage, if you wore it the first time around you shouldn't wear it the second time around? I'm here to show you how to do the "NEW" Neon so no one will think you just pulled your old neon out of the closet.

Still unsure? Start with an accessory, then go bigger if you dare. I started with neon yellow sunglasses and before I knew it, I was obsessing over a Marc by Marc Jacobs neon trimmed jacket at Barneys. Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom of the blog for a special surprise!

Neon yellow is feeling the freshest of all the neon colors.

Hot pink is oh so pretty and stunning on blonds.

Orange is bold and beautiful on those with olive and darker skin tones.

Try mixing your neon shade with a subtle non color such as khaki or grey for a super sophisticated look.

Enjoy!

Bill ruched halterneck swimsuit $350

Brian Atwood Manic platform pumps $595

Target Xhilaration crossbody bag $13

Marc by Marc Jacobs leather belt $130

Roberto Cavalli neon leather trimmed tote $830

Kamikaze silk chiffon plunge bra $90

Bruce silk-crepe blazer $445

Michael Kors pink sheath dress $1,245

Proenza Schouler python bag $1,735

MCQ Alexander McQueen flats $410

Marc by Marc Jacobs Brice army-style coat $609

Marc by Marc Jacobs Esther Oxford crepe top $330

Klee leather and neon sandals $200

Jill Stuart oxford with neon sole $745

Brian Atwood Alima neon leather pumps $795

Portrait in Neon

Photography by Danielle Sara Photography at Mamas Link event

Be True To Your Hue

Be True To Your Hue. I saw this line in a Gap ad for Spring and immediately thought, "Yes, that's it exactly!" The Gap ad was referring to brightly colored jeans; I'm referring to the fact that we all have that one color which looks best on us. This is the color that makes us shine a little brighter, the one that compliments our exact combination of hair, eye and skin color. Smart celebrities, and their stylists of course, figure out what their true hue is and make it a signature. Think Julianne Moore in green, Ellen in white and Emma Stone in red. And who else but Jennifer Aniston, with her golden hair and skin, could pull off beige as a signature color?

What's your true hue? Don't know? Pay attention to what color garners you the most compliments. It always amuses me when a client has an obviously ill-fitting garment in her closet that she tells me attracts compliments every time she wears it. It has never occurred to her that this is due to the color, not whether or not the garment actually flatters her body shape. This is my way of saying a good color is still no excuse for unflattering clothing.

I'll never forget going into the closet of a woman with very pale skin and beautiful red hair, and finding no flattering colors. We purchased a Kelly green rain coat from Burberry and I swear it changed her life. Remember the movie Pleasantville, when the characters turn from black and white to color? It was like that.

Need some professional help figuring out your best colors but not ready to hire a stylist? Try Life in Color: The Visual Therapy Guide to the Perfect Palette--For Fashion, Beauty, and You by Visual Therapy, otherwise known as the gentlemen who taught me everything I know.

Julianne Moore in Tom Ford

Ellen DeGeneres in Zac Posen

Jennifer Aniston in Donna Karan

Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli

Life in Color by Visual Therapy