The Cherry Blossom Girl

Two things bring a smile to my face this morning: a happy customer and a blog post about Salvage Life. Alix, otherwise know as "the cherry blossom girl" has a fabulous fashion blog. And she recently bought this dress from my shop. Alix lives in Paris, is a fashion school graduate and has her own line. Here is a quote from one of her readers, "The Cherry Blossom girl is one of the most exquisite fashion blogs for girls who love tea parties, believe in wonderland and wear pretty dresses on their search for it."

Style Inspiration: Out at Sea

Ciara attends a taping of BET's 106 & Park on July 18, 2007 in New York City.

Amerie and Kelly mix denim with this season's nautical trend.

¾ sleeve top: Aimee Keyhole Top, $13.80, www.forever21.com; Necklace: Wood Anchor Necklace, $8.90, www.forever21.com; Skirt: Rope Belt Pencil Skirt, $64, www.topshop.com; Heels: Letsey, $150, www.dune.co.uk; Hat: Nautical Stripe Newsboy Cap, $22, www.fredflare.com; Sneakers: Chuck Taylor All Satr Patent, $49.69, www.converse.com; Red pants: Multi Button Sailor Pant, $19.99, www.wetseal.com; Dress: Navy Stripe Bow Dress, $56, www.missselfridge.co.uk; Short sleeve top: Stripe V Neck , $9.99, www.charlotterusse.com; Sunglasses: Dita Xanadu Sunglasses, $350, www.shopintuition.com; Bag: Nautical Rope Bag, $26, www.alloy.com; Anklet: Anchor on 9inch Anklet, $5.99, www.girlprops.com; Shorts: High Waisted Sailor Shorts, $22.99, www.charlotterusse.com; White pants: Sound of Summer Trouser, $148, www.fcusbuymail.com; Espadrilles: Candyce Espadrille by Steve Maadden, $149.95, www.endless.com

Anchors away! The nautical trend that’s hit our favorite stores is here to stay (throughout the summer at least). Make like a sailor about to set sea with nautical stripes in navy blue or red; high-waisted, multi button sailor pants and shorts; espadrilles and rope detail accessories. Amerie and Kelly Rowland wore denim with their striped tops and added bright red shoes and accessories to finish the look off. Ciara on the other hand jumped straight into the trend with a sporty-nautical dress and gravity defying wedges. Get some inspiration from my picks above then plan your own trip out to sea!

Credit: Photo of Amerie from theybf.com

Dresses that TWIRL!!!

My mom has told me that when I was a little girl, I would refuse to wear a dress if it didn't "twirl." There is just something about a wearing a full-skirted dress on a beautiful summer day knowing that you can bust out a twirl whenever the moment calls for it. So this is for all the twirly girls out there!

Shops and the City…

I’m in the middle of planning my annual trip to the U.K. and one of my must-have travel items is a book by author Caryn Franklin called “Fashion UK.” Though it was published nearly six years ago, I still find it a valuable resource when looking for unique boutiques and local designers wherever I am in the U.K. The book details all noteworthy boutiques in regions including the south/London, the northeast and northwest of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It even features interviews from local and international designers on how they became successful. For my trip to Italy later this year I’m still on the hunt for a handy little shopping guide but I did discover two chic books about Paris and one on New York. I’ll be storing them for future shopping expeditions – one has to be prepared. I guess some were born to sightsee, others to shop!

Left to right: Chic Shopping Paris by Rebecca Perry Magniant; Paris Chic & Trendy: Designers' Studios, Hip Boutiques, Vintage Shops by Adrienne Ribes-Tiphaine; Shop New York: Downtownstyle by Meg Castaldo

Cash, Check or Charge?

Cash: Tiered Chiffon Dress, $27.80, www.forever21.com

Check: Black Tiered Silk Slip Dress by A.B.S., $225, www.bluefly.com

Charge: Strapless Silk Dress by Marchesa, $2550, www.net-a-porter.com

Whether it’s prom night, hen night or just a good ol’ girl’s night out, make an entrance with a flirty, sexy, mini dress with this season’s must-have tiered frills. Sharon Leal is already hip to the trend and now you can be too on any budget. The fuchsia dress is from Marchesa’s Resort 2008 collection – it’s simply to die for! If you don’t have two and a half thousand extra dollars floating around you can look just as stylish in the cheaper alternatives and if you love frills as much as I do, also check out this Tiered Ruffle Dress by Robert Rodriguez ($473) available at Nordstrom.

Farrah Fawcett, 1970's Dress

Ok, I just got the pictures from the last shoot and I absolutely love this one! Katie's looks just like Farrah, except with calmer hair. What do you think, does she exude the 70's vibe?

Here are some pics of Farrah that I found on the internet.

Make Mine A Mini!

Selita Ebanks attends a gala celebrating the @Murakami exhibition hosted by Louis Vuitton at The Brooklyn Museum, Thursday, April 3, 2008 in New York.

Top: Crystal embellished clutch, $973, www.net-a-porter.com; Hex Gold Bag, $44, www.monsoon.co.uk; Rafe New York Hayden, $295, www.piperlime.com
Middle: Tod's Boomerang Pochette, $1250, www.eluxury.com; John Lewis Black Patent Clutch, $50, www.johnlewis.com; Bunny Metallic Rosette Mini Bag by Loeffler Randall, $242, www.shopbop.com
Bottom: Cecile satin clutch by Jimmy Choo, $1795, www.net-a-porter.com; Zsa Zsa Beaded Bag, $56, www.accessorize.co.uk; Sparkle Box Clutch Ba, $40, www.oli.co.uk

Downsizing doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. This season travel light with vintage-inspired mini clutches that are bound to be the talk of any party. Let’s face it, all a girl really needs is her lips gloss, keys, cell phone and credit card and she’s set for the night. All the mini delights above can hold your essentials comfortably and won’t hinder your moves on the dance floor – nothing worse than trying to do the electric slide with a big ol' handbag! Selita’s jeweled box clutch inspired this post. I couldn’t find the exact one but my picks are equally as elegant.