Ahh, the ol' mix and matched bikini. Since I have a total girl crush on Kate Bosworth and a minor fascination with surf culture (I seriously love this movie), I'm going to take a beachy style tip from Blue Crush and make the general sweeping statement that cool Hawaii girls rock mix-and-match bikinis. And with that, bikini week is OVER. So is shell art.

MIX-AND-MATCH
1. Lolli Bow Bandeau Bikini Top // 2. L*Space Demi Underwire Bikini Top & Vapor Michela Reversible Rope Bikini Bottoms // 3. Tyler Rose 'Whole Lotta Trouble' Bikini Top & Bottoms// 4. Zimmermann Collision Lace Underwire Bikini Top & Bottom// 5. Xhilaration Bandana Swimsuit

It's all about embellishment - and not the Real Housewives jewel-encrusted kind. I'm talking about sweet, cascading ruffles and textured fringe. It's kind of like wearing jewelry at the beach. It highlights your curves in the most flattering way.
 FRINGE



RUFFLES
1. Mara Hoffman Rainbow Printed Flutter Two-Piece // 2. PilyQ Eyelet Bandeau Bikini Top // 3. PilyQ Pom Pom Ruffle Bandeau Bikini Top // 4. Roxy Juniors Sun Dancer Cropped Scalloped Bikini Top // 5. Seafolly Shimmery Ruffled Bandeau Bikini Top

Other ruffly cuteness that isn't pictured - d'oh!
DKNY Lola Lace Peplum Bandeau Maillot //  VS Ruffle Push-Up One Piece // Mara Hoffman Cropped Bikini Top

 

A little peekaboo here, some strappy details there. Unexpected slices in your suit...a pretty cool look if you ask me. It's like your bathing suite met Jaws, but in the most delightful way.


PATTERN PLAY
1. Xhilaration® Bird Print Swimsuit // 2. Rachel Pally Ibiza Bikini // 3. Mara Hoffman Braided Three Strap Bikini in Mosaic // 4. Tory Burch Montecito Reversible Bikini Top & Bottom // 5. Ella Moss Portofino Triangle Bikini// 6. We Are Handsome Corset Bikini // 7. J.Crew Herringbone Halter Top & Bottom // 8. Tyler Rose Leopard Bikini Top & Bottom // 9. Clover Canyon Interior Exterior Maillot

The LBD is an essential in every girl's closet, and the same chic and simple" little black bikini is equally important for those balmy beach days and summer niiiiiights (sang a la "Grease"). I mean, these are all such classic - and above all, flattering - pieces....a girl needs at least one little black 'kini in every silhouette possible.

LITTLE BLACK BATHING SUIT
1. Huit Cleopatra Swimsuit // 2. Mikoh Banyans Racer Back Bikini Top & Bottom // 3. NastyGal Flamingo Swimsuit // 4. Vix Swimwear Senegal Bandeau Embroidered Bikini Top // 5. L*Space Sun Seeker One Piece Swimsuit // 6. Marysia Swim Antibes Scallop Bikini // 7. Mara Hoffman Embroidered Twist One Piece 

Also - if you are actually planning on doing more than sunning your SPF-slathered buns at the beach or pool, I highly suggest taking a peek at these sportier suits. They have the added bonus of looking pretty dang hot while providing just a bit more coverage than your average bikini. Plus, no one wants their ladybits to make an unwanted appearance should the waves decide to get a little fresh. Am I right, or am I right?   

SPORTY
1. Zimmermann The Vase Crop Rashie Top & Bikini // 2. Cynthia Rowley Low Rise Bikini // 3. Zimmerman Brightside Rash Guard // 4. Araks for J.Crew Yanelis Bikini Top & Bottom // 5. Nina Swimwear Barberella Bikini // 6. Maaji Teal Mirage Reversable Bikini Set // 7. T by Alexander Wang Mesh Combo Swimsuit

Last year, I did a round-up of some of my favorite swimsuits full of tips and tricks to find a fit that flatters every body type. This year, on the eve of a trip to the sandy warm beaches of Florida (I hope....fingers crossed we don't get rained in!), I'm bring sexy back and serving up a sweet selection of this season's must-have swimwear. Stay tuned throughout the week for daily doses of bikinis, monokinis, and maillots!

HIGH-WAISTED
1. Mara Hoffman Tut High-Waist Bikini // 2. Tallow Tanala High Waist Bikini // 3. J.Crew Graphic Dot Underwire Bikini Top & Bottom // 4. Tavik Tribal High Waisted Bikini Bottoms // 5. Kooj High-Waisted Bikini // 6. 6 Shoreroad Mi Tai High-Waist Bikini Bottom


BUSTIER
1. Xhilaration Zig Zag Swimsuit // 2. Maaji Oceanica Dreams Bikini // 3. Zinke Starboard Bustier Bikini Top  // 4. Zinke Strapless Chevron Bikini Top // 5. We Are Handsome Blue Jellyfish Print Bikini // 6. Seafolly Rococo Rose Bustier Bikini Top & Bottom // 7.  NastyGal Block Party Bikini Top & Bottom

A Mason Pearson boar bristle brush. Even with the promise of silky and shiny locks, can you justify the cost of the Rolls-Royce of hairbrushes?

How about these classic beauties that positively go with everything and that you promise you'll never  take off your feet? Oh, and to the dodo's out there buying these expensive monstrosities....I beg you to reconsider and to give me the cash instead because you have clearly either 1) gone crazy, 2) run out of pretty things to buy, or 3) all of the above.

And who can forget about the mac daddy of luxurious face creams....and body oils that supermodels swear by?

It kind of breaks my heart that this Balmain clutch is so desperately out of my league. Plus, this iconic bag nearly gave me a heart attack when I took a gander at the price....really?! And how did I not know that they cost this much?? Wasn't there a Sex And The City episode about this? I think there was.

I had to laugh when I discovered the price on these awesome vintage Persol sunnies....
 
Is this too much to pay for "the perfect white tee" after a lifetime of searching?  What about a simple and slimming LBD?


So....now I'm curious. Tell me, what's the one item you just had to have and splurged on?


PS Splurge. What a gross sounding word. I promise to use that word only in dire straights from this point onward.

Scallops....if you ask me to eat one, I'll turn green and my stomach will get churlish. If you ask me to wear them, I'll gladly jump with glee.  I especially am loving scalloped-edge shorts (especially ones that are easy on the wallet like the pair above!). It's a very feminine detail without delving into saccharine sweet territory. Pair them with an unfussy top, comfortable sandals and BOOM - you've got a perfect spring outfit at your fingertips.

Look #1
Rosa Arctica Light Moisturizer // Ditzy Chambray Sleeveless Top // Pixie Scalloped Shorts  // Metallic Rose Gold Sandals

Look #2
Bone And Leather Tasseled Earrings // Shrunken Boyfriend Printed Shirt // Sea Jewel Scalloped Shorts // Peep-Toe Clogs

Hanging art stresses me out. I hang it crooked 99% of the time, can never find the studs, and am super ADD which results in constant rearranging. Fun fact: the bizarro 1980s texture on our walls isn't a fan of those super convenient little sticky picture hangers...just ask the shattered glass that had a meet-and-greet with our floor. Anyways, for these reasons and beyond, most of the walls in our house are still as bare as Bruce Willis' scalp.

Heeeellllooooo, dream home. Excuse me while I spaz out over how freaking fantastic Jenni Kayne's Beverly Hills home is. The contemporary architecture, cozy furniture, the use of beautiful and natural materials, and the way the light just pours in through those spectacular steel windows...I love every square inch.

PS Some super pretty Jenni Kayne designs for your viewing (or wearing) pleasure. While her home is a haven of neutral perfection, girlfriend knows how to use color in clothes like a pro. That hot pink gown? Swooooon!

Godet Gown // Moto Jacket & Colorful Neon Shorts // Racer Back Gown // Metallic Top & Tribal Print Shorts

Earlier this week, I announced that I'll be co-hosting a Kollabora craft party in cahoots with Megan, Linda and Valerie during the Texas Style Council mixers. The bracelet-making bonanza is this Sunday at Stella Says Go. Are you planning on going? You better be if you live in the Austin area!

I spent my childhood summers living in a cabin in the northern woods of Wisconsin making friendship bracelets and canoeing the lake, and would come home with my neck and arms absolutely stacked with colorful friendship bracelets. Chevron, stripe, stair step, woven rope....you name it, I wore it. If you are a bit rusty on your bracelet making skills but really want to join in on this weekend's TXSC craft-a-thon, fret not....this tutorial is to the rescue. Here's what you'll need to make a chevron friendship bracelet: at least 4 colors of your favorite embroidery string, a safety pin, and some time.

1. Madewell Jean Jacket - Somewhere in between childhood and being a grown-up (HA!), I swapped a jean jacket for a blazer or (faux) leather jacket. This coral hue is a great way to update a classic, and perfect for that unpredictable spring weather.
 
2. J.Crew Fan Fringe Necklace - Spice up any outfit with some colorful bling around your neck in one of my all-time fave color combos. In my opinion, coral and turquoise go together like peanut butter and nutella (my current addiction).

3. Rag & Bone Jefferson Pants - Talk about one pair of chic party pants. The cut says business, the color is all fun. Perfect for the 9 to 5 job, and cocktails afterwards.

4. Tarte Glamazon™ Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick - I read a gag-a-licious article a bit ago how women eat an average of 7lbs of lipstick in their lifetime. What the heck!? Gross. While I'm not ready to give up my fave MAC hues, I definitely think swiping on some naturally-formulated lipsticks is a good idea.  This Tarte lipstick fits the bill. 

5. findersKEEPERS You Sent Me Dress - Living in one of the most casual cities ever calls for a dress that isn't too fussy or fancy. I am smitten with the loose fit, interesting black and white pattern, and killer neon coral color on this frock. Get in my closet.

6. Madewell Simple Mary Jane Wedges - Simply adorable. Great for work and play, and they would look killer with a pair of jean cut-offs.

7. Shoshanna Neon Ruffle Bikini Top & Bottom - Pure hotness. It's trendy, girly, flattering and fun. Now I only need to get my derriere in shape to rock a skimpy suit like this. Time to go do 29483495439 squats.

8. Stila Self-Adjusting Custom Color Blush - I have never mastered the art of blushing your face so you don't look like a sunburnt clown. I love how this Stila blush takes the guesswork out of finding the right hue, and adjusts the color to your skin tone. Brilliant.

9. Dainty Darling Ruffled Blouse - A total steal at $32, this is such a sweet top. I can see it paired perfectly with white skinny jeans, metallic sandals and huge sunnies. 

Texas Style Council, the annual blogging conference in Austin organized by ATX sweetheart Indiana Adams, is back in action. Woohoo! Though the official conference isn't until August, we can all get acquainted before the main event with several mixers (RSVP here) happening on March 8, 9 and 10. Blogging babes, get ready for a weekend of epic adventures involving all our favorite things: blogging, shopping, schmoozing, crafting, and other various activities that end in -ing.

For detailed info on each separate event, check out Indiana's post here.

Last weekend, I woke up at the crack of dawn (aka 7:30am) and declared it "National Make Something Day." After pensively waiting for the fabric store to open and convincing my sweet husband that it was a really good idea for him to come with me, we were off to scoop up a bevvy of beautiful fabrics so I could get my Saturday craft fix. One and a half hours later (ahem....sorry, John!), I was ready and rarin' to get this crafternoon started. I pulled out the ol' sewing machine, prayed I'd be able to sew a straight line, and let 'er rip.

For the big mama pillow, I used yellow, teal and green ikat fabric that I bought on our honeymoon in Bali. It was approximately 99.3 degrees with 100000000% humidity in the Denpasar markets when we bought it, and John was baffled as to why the heck I was digging through piles and piles of fabric in these little shops that doubled as saunas. "TO MAKE PILLOWS!" was my snappy response each and every time he questioned my motives. Nevermind that I hadn't ever sewn a stitch in my life, was 70% sure I was going to die of heat stroke, and didn't have room in our carry-on luggage. Well, two and a half years later, I actually made that pillow. Victory! Jenny at Little Green Notebook posted a great tutorial on how to whip up these easy envelope pillows.

The little striped lumbar pillow was the more complicated one to sew since I got ambitious and wanted to put in a punchy yellow zipper (sewn in with neon pink thread....natch) since the striped fabric was a little 'blah' on its own. Susan from Freshly Picked shows us how to do this in a tutorial about sewing zippered pillows. I was thinking of doing some sort of geometric block printed design on the front of this in gold (obvi), light turquoise, coral or yellow ink. What say you, readers? Yay or nay?


Lastly, I whipped up a little pouch to contain all of the clutter that inevitably invades every corner of our house. Receipts, I'm coming for you. This is the one DIY project from the weekend that I wish I had read a tutorial for. I got kind of cocky after I made the zippered pillow and was all "I got this," and didn't sew in a lining. Durrrrrr. It's like the land of frayed threads up in there. At least the outside looks good. The ikat and stripes look really fun together, and I'm slightly obsessed with the neon pink zigzag stitch where the two fabrics come together.

What are you planning to make this weekend?