Pretty Summer Bags

It's easy to get anthropologie addicted - everything is so adorable (and some of the brands are so hard to find elsewhere!).

The Rumpled Crimson Satchel is the color of a field of poppies. A great weekend bag that has exterior pockets for your phone, lipbalm, chubby change purse, or anything else you might need easy access to.

Adorable flowers adorn this Navy Blue Embroidered Convertible Bag making it unique and providing lots of personality.

Bikinis

Sometimes it's not easy to look at bikinis since it makes us think about what our bodies would look like in them, but bikinis usually mean summer days, beaches, and a whole lot of chillaxing.

Here are some picks with cool prints, and great colors.

Left to Right:

Hurley Unbeautiful Swimwear Top and Hurley Unbeautiful Swimwear Bottom,

Billabong Earth Swimwear Top and Billabong Earth Swimwear Bottom,

Beach Sexy® Banded Halter Top and Matching Bottoms,

Beach Sexy® Reversible Color Triangle Top and Low-Rise Bottom.

Bright Canvas Totes by O'Neill

O'Neill, the surf company, has some adorable canvas purses.

Canvas is a sturdy fabric that's not too pricey.

Left: O'Neill Cloud Nine Tote

Right: O'Neill Miss Sunshine Tote

These purses come in great colors and fun patterns - perfect for summer.

T-Shirt Dress

This Women's Cap-Sleeve Knit Dresses is like a favorite t-shirt made into a dress.

Perfect for those days when you intended to wear a t-shirt and jeans, but it's just too hot.

Red Purses

Following the same logic from the previous post (on "Red Dresses"), red purses are also perfect attention grabbing accessories.

The ideal pop of color for an outfit since red goes with a fairly wide spectrum of colors. For example, the teal tops shown with the red bags may seem like an unlikely combination, but it really makes the red pop.

Most people opt for neutral color bags that will go with everything and that's all very well and good, but it's even easier to work with a wardrobe full of neutrals and adding color with accessories, making a gorgeous red bag a great investment.

Left to Right:

Nubby Pleated Hobo (in Deep Guava),

Kenneth Cole New York Flap Down Small Satchel,

Cole Haan Aerin Patent Leather Satchel,

Steven Lady Lock Silver Hobo,

Marc by Marc Jacobs Krazy Kord Faridah.

Red Dresses

Red dresses will always make others take note - perfect for occasions when you don't mind a little extra attention.

Left to Right:

Draped Jersey Dress,

Cap-Sleeve Ruched Printed Dress,

City Style Jersey Dress.

Sexy Summery Tops

Warm weather is best enjoyed in outfits that are a little more revealing (so long as it's tasteful).

This Katie Open Back Top looks like a simple top from the front, but the cutout in the back is a surprising touch.

Halter tops are a great way to show off shoulders. A cinched waist ensures that this Printed Halter Top is as fitted to the body as possible.

The Peacock Print Top has a mixture of two prints, and o-ring details on the straps. The silhouette is airy and pretty - exactly what you want on a hot summer's day.

MBMJ Necklace

A long chain and a big bold pendant in a bright color make the MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'Hinge Jewels' Square Pendant Necklace stand out.

If it were just the gold cutout rectangle on a gold chain, the design would be so classic and simple, the colored sides add a modern twist to the necklace, but it's still easy to wear.

Extra 20% Off Sale @ J.Crew

Picks from the J.Crew sale section (which is an extra 20% off through May 17th, 9:59pm ET).

Left to Right:

Byzantine-Print Merino Cardigan (J.Crew print cardigans are always so pretty),

Wavy Double-Link Bracelet (a unique take on a basic piece),

Kaleidoscope Bracelet (as seen in this previous post),

Enameled Tile Necklace (perfect for sprucing up boring neutral tops or dresses).

Floral Skirts

Normally when thinking about floral skirts, I think flowing, light fabrics and dainty prints. These straight, cotton skirts with boldly colored florals are feminine but definitely not prissy.

Left: Pleated Floral Skirt

Right: Flower Paisley Medallion Print Skirt

These geometric floral prints in this structured silhouette are definitely a great way to do florals at work.

Printed Canvas Totes

These canvas totes are fun versions of a simple work bag.

For something with a design that's not too crazy, check out the Rampage Print Canvas Tote Bag. The colors are not too bright, but there's still a cool print that makes a basic tote less basic.

If you prefer bright and eclectic, the Rampage Abstract Printed Canvas Tote Bag might be more your speed. The red, purple, and grey swirl print has a groovy 70's vibe.

Bold, Earthy Necklaces

I picked up this Stacked Disc Necklace recently. It's a pretty solid, heavy necklace (budget jewelry can sometimes be too flimsy). I love the bright tangerine color and the stacked discs with the edges sliced off really add some interest.

The Tiger Eye Necklace is another gorgeous piece. The cotton thread wrapping the necklace gives it a natural feel and the tiger eye beads have just the right amount of glint to them.

Mixed Print Dress

For a fun look with lots of color, try a piece with mixed prints like the Alanna Dress.

The waist cinching, tie-back sash emphasizes the waist and the flare away from the body creates a nice hourglass figure.

Made of breathable cotton, this is a great dress for kicking around in on a hot summer's day.

Neiman Marcus First Call Sale

Hot pieces on sale that can be worn now.

Left to Right:

Michael Kors Debutante See-Through Wedge (now $161, was $230),

Cole-Haan Layla Patent Leather Clutch (now $225, was $158),

Marc By Marc Jacobs Lovely Clutch (now $174, was $248),

Isda & Co Gathered Dress (now $95, was $135),

Berek by Takako Sakon Beaded Sweater (now $64, was $128)

Review: Work Tops for Spring/Summer

When the weather gets hot, light tops that are office appropriate are essential. Recently, I tried these on.

If your office is ok with showing shoulders, this Sleeveless Ruched Top would work on it's own since it has thick straps that make sure bra straps don't peek out. For a more conservative office, add a little cardi (a short-sleeve or 3/4-sleeve version would work perfectly).

For a little more coverage, a simple Crewneck with Tucking Details made of silk-viscose is an easy-to-wear silhouette that is definitely office-ready.

The Pleat-Front Blouse is a traditional shape that is made feminine with an airy cotton-silk blend and pretty pleats. Despite it's breezy qualities, it's not see-through so it doesn't require a layer underneath.

Sweltering workdays are infinitely easier with tops like these that help you stay cool and still look professional.

A Bag that is the Color of Happy

This Latico Medium Rolled handle Handbag is a fantastic shade of tangerine orange.

The neat shape combined with the ruddy color make this a playful, casual bag with tons of personality.

Bright Sweater-Jacket & Skirt

The 525 Toggle Hoodie is a thick knit toggle sweater-jacket is a great substitute for a light jacket on those spring days. The lovely lemony color is perfect.

A bright colored skirt will definitely make a statement this spring, especially in this sexy and shapely Susana Monaco Slim Skirt.

Soft Lambskin Wallets

There's nothing like buttery soft leather and why not have it in the form of a daily item that you have with you all the time?

A pop color for a wallet makes it easy to find in your purse/bag and since it's not something that you're wearing, wallets don't need to exactly match all your outfits.

The clasp on these wallets is so different. These wallets definitely have a wow factor that will keep you happy with this everyday item.

The Lambskin Wallet is the perfect smaller sized wallet and while it does have a zip pocket in the back, but it's not really ideal for holding a lot of change.

For a larger, carry everything solution, this Large Lambskin Clutch is a great option. Numerous slots for cards, two ID windows, and a removable checkbook section. The zippered section for change is still not built for carrying the thousands of pennies you've accumulated over the years, but it'll take a couple quarters.

And right now, get 30% Off Plus Free Shipping (March 13 through March 16).

It's Easy being Green

Today, Daily Candy Deals led me to this Green Apple Ring and it's so different, but a great way to incorporate the bold color thing into your wardrobe. It also comes in red, but there was looked way more enticing despite the fact that I prefer red apples to green.

These Oversized Teardrop Earrings make me want to get my ears pierced. They're so superbly big and dangly, but not overly ornate or fussy.

Colorful Satchels

There's nothing like a colored bag to perk up any outfit.

I love the rich "Red Clay" color of the Cole Haan Village Triple Zip Leather Satchel. The leather is buttery soft and separate compartments help you organize everything.

The Kenneth Cole Reaction Gather Up Medium Satchel comes in a bright "Lemon" color and is a unique sporty shape, but the soft leather keeps it looking chic.