Favorite Fit: Statement Stripes

By LL 

If you haven't noticed yet, one of this summer's hottest trends is statement stripes. Bold lines in stark contrasts are appearing in all pieces of the summer wardrobe for 2013. 

Taking the look from the runway and into your closet is simple (if only we could all look this cute in such an outfit!). You can find a bold skinny jean from True Religion.

Or join the trend with a pump from Super Woman.

A statement stripe outfit works best with two colors in the striped piece, then accent the outfit with a few solid pops of color, as seen below from PopSugar.com:

If you do multiple colors in the striped pattern, lean more towards neutral of subtle accessories.

Stripes can be daunting, especially bold, thick stripes. But there is something so refreshing and nautical about statement stripes in the summer!

Throwing a Fit: Nautical Themes!

By Cool J


Nautical is everywhere, isn't it? It seems like red, white, and blue are not just for the 4th of July anymore, and we're seeing anchors, sailboats, and fish from several different retailers. Bold stripes and maritime colors abound, but one retailer in particular seems to be a perfect match for this trend.

That retailer is one of my personal favorites, JCrew!

LL posted about the popularity of maritime fashion in a post here called "Throwing a Fit: On a Boat!"

I'm sure some people are tired of this nautical onslaught, but personally, I adore it.

I have embraced it and am loving JCrew's new line! I too was throwing a fit for some of these pieces. 

I love the t-shirt dress with dizzy anchors (backordered at this time)

...so instead of dizzy anchors,  I splurged on a red/navy number. It may not have quite as blatant in its look, but the red and navy stripes definitely are reminiscent of the nautical themes that abound.

The D-man's birthday was yesterday, so I wore my stripes out to dinner and drinks with friends. 

Dinner: Saffron

Drinks: Brit's Pub

It was a gorgeous evening in Minneapolis, especially on the rooftop at Brit's Pub, and the D-man's birthday evening was great fun. I believe he's ready to sail away into the next year of life!

Throwing a Fit: On a Boat

By: LL
As Memorial Day comes and goes, it is officially, by anyone's rules, appropriate to wear nautical-inspired attire. I don't know about you, but there is something crisp and classic about navy, white, red and gold combinations in prints that just scream summer on the east coast to me. Here are some of the pieces that I am throwing a fit over as we head into the heart of summer.

From left (clockwise): Gap Maxi Dress ($74.95), Kardashian Kollection Striped Shoulder Tank ($24.95 - Sears), Jubilee Flutter Sleeve Top ($34.95 - Rouche), Seersucker Blazer ($34.95 - H&M), Sailboat Print Shorts ($34.95 - Land's End), Sailboat Top ($24.95 - Old Navy)

What is nice is that each of these items also fits the bill, coming in under $100! Can't beat that!