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Making the Most of Summer Styles

What is it about the month of July that makes a girl take stock of her life? I mean, most people wait till the end of the year to do that — take a good, long look back and make all sorts of pledges and promises, resolving to give up chocolate or lose that extra 10 pounds, or find true love. But there is just something about mid-summer that gives me a little recharge. Perhaps it's the fact that the year is already half over, even if all I can see right now are long, lazy sunny days and hot summer nights stretching out endlessly before me. Which, of course, gives me ample opportunity to wear my gorgeous new maxi dress and strappy sandals! Not to mention my oh-so-flattering new swimsuit (and adorable cover up, which helps camouflage that pesky extra 10 pounds. Thank heaven for shaded beach loungers — there is definitely something to be said for "Lying down, looking skinny!) But I digress…

Anyhoo, this patriotically red, white and blue weekend has definitely put me in a reflective mood. I realize just what a lucky girl I am to enjoy such bounty in my life. Fabulous friends, a truly fantastic job, an adorable little abode, a faithful, furry, lovable little puppy and, best of all, the opportunity to live in this wonderfully free country; a country where I am free to write about anything I choose without fear of being nabbed by anyone other than the Fashion Police! Not that any of my topics are particularly controversial or anything, but I must admit I have, on occasion, been lambasted by a reader who was appalled by my suggestion of pairing a particularly feminine blouse with denim, a pair of stacked heel boots and this gorgeously funky doctor's bag. (Someone obviously stuck in a 1950's time warp.) Or the reader who practically had a heart attack when I inferred that weddings offer the perfect opportunity to break out of LBD mode and opt for something feminine, cheery and (gasp!) celebratory. (My own personal opinion. I adore absolutely any reason to get all girlied-up and weddings are ideal!) Anyhoo, in keeping with my new found feeling of bounteous blessedness, I propose to sermonize on a topic most dear to my heart: weekends! More particularly, what to wear and what to shop for on weekends. And in my world the weekend begins on Friday and doesn't end till the elevator has deposited me at my office sometime Monday morning. Or Monday afternoon…

Weekends are always fun! (Or at least they should be don't you think?) My weekend started off early, and with two very pleasant surprises! I had ordered some of those new Nic's Sticks from my favorite beauty site, Avenue You. I also remembered to enter my All Access Beauty Pass number (they send you free goodies based on your previous orders). Well, everything arrived today and there were oodles of fabulous little surprises included along with the Nic's Sticks that I had ordered! I just love it when I get freebies! (I highly recommend the All Access Beauty Pass.)

My other fabulous surprise was this gorgeous-beyond-belief handbag by designer Alexandra Bee. Beautiful, supple Italian leather, exquisite hardware and plenty of room. It is fully lined, with several compartments, as well as cell phone pocket, keychain holder and exterior zip pocket. Functional and fashionable, all at the same time! (I just love being able to share my fantastic new finds with my dearest friends…and I am so looking forward to the look on Girly's face when she sees that I got mine first!) But I digress…again…

Anyhoo, weekends are wonderful. Whether they are packed to the hilt with parties, events and opportunities to don that fabulous new frock and satin heels, or maybe just three days in a row with no obligations whatsoever; the chance to relax in your jeans and sassy tee and be one with the world, weekends are meant to be enjoyed!

Reasons to love weekends:

• In anticipation of the weekend, I tend to dress way cooler on Fridays. I don't know why, but the Fashion Fairy seems to sprinkle sassy dust on my Friday duds and all of a sudden the scarily stylish production assistant on the 17th floor isn't quite as intimidating. I have no control over this phenomenon — it's all about the Fashion Fairy and her dust. I try to look this cool every day, it just doesn't work out. What I think is very Gwyneth Paltrow in the morning mirror turns out to be just me with a false sense of cuteness by the 12 o'clock once-over.
• Cheeseburgers and French Fries. Like chocolates wrapped in holiday foils, weekend lunches are calorie free. This is why I always do lunch with my girlfriends who aren't in mortal fear of carbs on the weekend. (Girlfriends who eat only salads with fat-free dressing on the side are really not weekend worthy.) Thankfully, Girly is always up for a burger (where does she put it all?!?) and when she's in town, Shop Girl can burn through a double cheeseburger, fries and chocolate milkshake in one single afternoon of shopping for the perfect pair of pumps! And speaking of shoe shopping, word to the wise: always shop for shoes in the late afternoon, when your feet have reached their true size potential (otherwise you will end up with footwear that pinches and causes blisters!) Also, wear comfy easy-to-slip-out-of shoes to aid in quick try-ons. And if you do happen to find the perfect pair of shoes, snap them up post haste! You know you will obsess about them the rest of the weekend, and when you drop by the boutique Monday after work your size will be sold out.
• And speaking of shopping (aren't we always?), Certified Retail Therapists agree that shopping on the weekend is good for the soul. After all, it is important to reward yourself for surviving life's challenges. The weekend indicates the end of the work week, which means that you have successfully dressed yourself — overcoming inherent outfit anxieties — for a full week. Well done, indeed! Now, when it comes to serious shopping, always remember to dress the part. A fashionista never attempts retail therapy in workour wear and cross trainers. Or shapeless jeans and a sweatshirt. You can be comfortable and stylish at the same time. A great pair of denim jeans and a chic top paired with wedges is the perfect afternoon-at-the-mall outfit. Simple, stylish and makes for a quick change when trying on all those gorgeous work ensembles. Or a skirt and top, once again paired with slip-on espadrilles or sandals works just as well. I always like to wear heels when trying on dresses and skirts, but skyscrapers are not always conducive to trekking miles through the mall. Ergo, the wedge heel or platform sandal! You get the long, leggy effect of heels and the comfort of a solid sole.
• Weekends are anything-counts-as-exercise days. Yes girls, a couple of laps around the mall in a chic summery ensemble and a pair of strappy sandals really does burn calories! Especially if there is a fabulous sale taking place — there is nothing quite like an armload of shopping bags filled with glorious goodies to give a girl a great upper-body workout.
• Last, but certainly not least, big things happen on weekends. All funny stories stem from weekend antics, all dynamite outfits are worn on weekend outings, and all power shopping is done on weekend time. As such, weekends are full of the anticipation of all the what if's… What if I find a pair of Jimmy Choosaks.com's on sale for $12 (my current bank balance)? What if they run out of the teeny tiny samples of Crème de la Mer at Saks so they just give me the full size jar? What if my friends throw me a surprise party just for being me? (Don't laugh, you never know…) What if my boyfriend from college comes into town and professes his love for me…and whips out a 6-carat square cut diamond on a platinum band? Really, the possibilities are endless.

Well enough of that. I've got to dash. Burgers and fries at noon! You girls behave. (Well, at least, a little.) Have fun, smile pretty and try not to break too many hearts.

xoxo,

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