Trina Turk Siam Dress, $298

I think I’ve found the perfect vacation dress!  When I look for great dresses to wear in the summer, I have some pretty specific criteria: not too long, not too shirt, comfortable, lightweight, a pretty color, and versatile.  I think the Trina Turk Siam Dress has all of that and then some.  First of all, the turquoise blue color is quite possibly the most flattering color to just about every skin tone.  It’s very rare that brunettes, blonds and redheads can all wear the same color and look pretty but turquoise just works for all hair colors and skin tones. 

Then there is the pattern of the dress, which is a floral print, but it’s also a retro print which adds to the style quotient.  The contrast trim v-neck is pretty but not too low cut, meanwhile the length of the dress, while on the shorter side, hits that flattering point just above the knee (depending on how tall you are).  There are some who would consider the elbow length sleeves to be a bit warm for summer but the sleeves are loose and the material is a nice breathable cotton so I don’t think it would be too hot. 

Overall I think this dress is just fabulous, although I admit I’d like it to be just a tad cheaper (it’s $298).  But that’s the price you are going to pay if you want to wear a hot designer like Trina Turk.  Her clothes are really beautiful and really hot with celebs too (everyone from Kristen Cavallari to Taylor Swift to Cindy Crawford).

I’ve discovered a great eco-friendly, made in the USA jewelry brand that I just had to share: Alex and Ani. Not only are their jewelry products made from locally sourced materials, but they’ve got a patented expandable sliding adjuster so you can customize the size of the bracelet or earrings you buy! Awesome, right? A brand dedicated to craftsmanship and the environment is always a winner in my book.

Definitely check Alex and Ani out:

Alex and Ani Slash expandable bracelet, $188.00.

Alex and Ani Lots of Love and Luck expandable bracelet, $178.00.

Find lots more Alex and Ani right here.

 Store Appeal: What’s most likeable about Calypso is the simple fact that it’s chic beachwear for every day (well, almost every day). It’s very wearable and functional for weekend jaunts and errands or if you’re just looking for something comfortable to wear during warmer days when the idea of wearing clothes is just too uncomfortable to bear. Calypso is a fun brand, which is confirmed by the online store which features video lookbooks and “flicks” to get shoppers in the mood for fun in the sun. And like any good lifestyle brand, Calypso does not just do clothes, but shoes, purses, fragrances and even jewelry. While at first sight the ethereal beach bunny wear may look more suitable for a California girl [read: Cameron Diaz], rest assured these frocks are compatible with any glamazon’s warm-weather wardrobe.

Our Vote:  If I could choose anything to wear all summer long, it would be linen tunics and dresses in bold, yet calming colors that resonate with the season. Luckily we have Calypso! The line is a wee-bit pricey given its beachwear, but keep in mind the quality of the materials such as fine linen, cotton and silk. Possibly the greatest benefit to this line is just about everything matches every other piece in the collection – from shoes to shorts, jewelry to tops – this is truly the effortless chic beach style women have been seeking.

Our Favorites:

1.)    Samantha Shirt – $165

2.)    Boyfriend Capris – $225

3.)    Eugenia Dress – $95

4.)    Calypso Mandala Jumpsuit – $475

5.)    Ruvuma Ring – $195

Chefs Catalog features the majority of the top kitchen brands including Cuisinart, KitchenAid, Waring and many more.  This is a great site to get your kitchen electrics, as they have a wide selection of mixers, blenders, and also specialty appliances like rice cookers, ice cream makers, popcorn machines, panini presses and waffle makers. They also sell a lot of cookbooks, including ones for ethnic and specialty foods. 

 One of the coolest things I saw on their site is this portable BBQ grill:

Solaire Infrared Portable BBQ Grill, $360

I think this is the perfect thing for a 4th of July party on the beach or your boat.  It’s completely cordless so you can grill pretty much anywhere, which means that your party options are limitless.  It heats up in only 3 minutes and cooks 50% faster than traditional grills.  It evens comes with its own carrying bag.  The grill isn’t cheap, it’s $360 (originally $400) but I think for the product it’s a really good value.  Having a fast and easy portable grill can come in handy for so many occasions.  Even if your power went out, you’d be able to grill!

This is just one of the many cool things available at Chefs Catalog though, so you’ll have to go check out the store yourself to see all they have to offer.

James Perse should know a thing or two about Los Angeles, after all this designer was born and raised here. Combining high-quality cotton and jersey with simplicity and comfort, he has created everyone’s favorite t-shirt. Men who like to keep it simple will find a friend in James Perse, that’s for sure. Everyone’s all about going back to the basics, and the minimalist designs of James Perse make the perfect base for a comfortable yet stylish foundation of basics for anyone’s closet.  I’m loving the muted and sophisticated pigments of these tees below, perfect for fall. Take a look for yourself:

1. James Perse Arsenic Crew Neck, $45.00

2. James Perse Port Pigment V-Neck, $50.00

3. James Perse Deep Pigment Crew Neck, $55.00

> shop more James Perse men’s shirts

This week I discovered some cute totes from Lilly Pulitzer. Known for her citrus-y bright pink and lime green prints, she’s been the retro uniform for the affluent since the 50′s, and I love the happy mood her clothing and accessories evoke. Even Jackie O rocked Lilly Pulitzer so you know it’s gotta be chic!

Check these totes out:

Lilly Pulitzer Original Carry On, $148.00. So retro 70s and fun; I love the hot pink and orange combo!

Lilly Pulitzer Polka Dot Tote, $109.99.

As always, I understand not everyone wants to carry around a loud, cheery bright tote like the Lilly Pulitzer ones above. So here is a great, low-key option. Kooba Denim Canvas tote, $295.00.

Great light washed denim with a cool shape and leather pocket details. I think it’d be really comfortable to tote due to that little arch in the middle they took out for more room for your arm. The adjustable strap handle is also a great style detail. Plus denim is classic and timeless as well, so investing in a denim tote might be a good idea!

> shop more Lilly Pulitzer totes

> shop more denim totes

Store Appeal:  Ever wanted your home furnishings to look as stylish and chic as your closet? Of course you do! And Donna Karan knows that! Since 2001, Donna Karan has been helping savvy fashionistas make the most out of their bed, bath and home décor through her domestic line, DKNYHome.com. Her philosophy is simple: “To me, the bedroom and bath are our inner sanctums, the places where you get to be truly be yourself. And just like your clothes, every piece should be multidimensional, expressive and a gift to give yourself.”

Our Vote: What’s most helpful about DKNYHome.com is the a la carte or pre-fixed menu offerings. When buying bedding, sometimes you may want just the sheets, sometime the entire collection. DKNYHome.com offers that ease to shoppers along with individual pricing or pricing for the entire collection.

Our Favorites:

1.)    DKNY Floral Garden Bedding Collection – $729.99

2.)    Donna Karan Liquid Silk Pillow Cases – $99

3.)    Lilac Shadow Bath Accessories – $119

Miu Miu Patent Leather Ruffle Bag, $1050

If this is too wild for you, consider maybe a more standard style bag, but in a wild color.  How about this awesome Kate Spade handbag? 

Kate Spade La Casita Sammie, $275

The Kate Spade La Casita Sammie is a vivid bright purple and is hot as it gets!  I think this is probably the more reasonable option, its less than a quarter of the price of the Miu Miu bag and a lot more practical.  But hey, practical isn’t always what motivates women to buy handbags, right?

Paul Smith is an English designer whose trademark colorful stripes have gained notoriety all over the world, and you can see his signature style on the wickedly fun trouser socks pictured below.  Pump some personality into that drab sock drawer of yours. See all the fun you could be having underneath your slacks!? Click on the images for prices and information.

> Find more Paul Smith socks

Nylon Magazine has posted a first look of this highly anticipated collab and these are some of the lovely images.

These are the much talked about skinny motocross khakis:

Sophisticated yet casual:

Tomboy chic:

Like what you see? Hit your nearest JC Penny beginning Fall of 2010 to start seeing these Mango items in stores. Look for new products each month and online at jcp.com.