Ropes

Ropes are no longer just a twist of braided strands for lassos, boat docking, climbing and other hobbies. Rather, ropes live on from the nautical trend in a huge way!  Details pop up in accessories, shoes, apparel and even home decor as they remain a defining look for casual American style. Rope in the trend with popular styles whether or not you take a Hampton-esque vacation! 

This Rafe tote is a fabulous find for summer. I love the pop of fresh canary ikat atop the canvas material. Roping details are present in the handle and the drawstring piping to round out the nautical look.

What a perfect partner for the beachy Rafe tote! This Vix 'Ana' style replaces strings with ropes. 

Ropes are even appearing in allover prints like this Fairway Buoy Tank from Anthropologie. The colors remain nautical and the knotted, 'rope-like' design along the neckline adds dimension and texture.

Tassel-in your toosh with this Roped-In dress which is also from Anthropologie! The printed rope design is inspired by the docks and complimented with colorful nautical stripes. 

Tie your feet down with DV by Dolce Vita's Osorno Rope Sandal. The design is sleek, simple and stylish! 

Go-Go Gingham

If Parisian, Brigitte Bardot, can wear a gingham wedding dress to marry her love, then we can make the translation that this look is flexible and easy to pull off! Gingham is making its "what's old is new again" cycle with a rainbow of versatile looks.

Just because it's in your babies nursery or on your relatives cottage kitchen curtains, doesn't mean you can't fashion a skirt, a dress, shoes or even a swimsuit. Gingham is humble, classic and most of all, it stands on its own for the best in simplicity!  

Go casual with drawstring shorts or a western-style gingham shirt from Gap.

  

Go flirty in gingham with this Betsy Johnson dress where she pairs florals to make the print more playful.

The Anthropologie Checks and Balances blazer is exactly that. A combination of different sized gingham checks are well balanced with this statement piece. Make sure that it's companions are simple: solid bottoms, simple jewelry, sleek flats or stiletto's.

This flowy skirt from TopShop reminds me of throwback summer style at its finest. A solid tee or tank, flats and gilda hoops will add the perfect touch.

Satchels and shoes are a great way to throw in the print for a touch of its style. The Nine West Satchel and the Cynthia Rowley for Roxy wedges should be worn a-la-carte. In this case, less is more so be sure not to overdo the look (it'll make you look...cheap!)

Of course, I couldn't forget swimwear! Especially with a suit this cute! Patty Cakes by Betsy Johnson has adorable keyhole cutouts at the halter neckline which add great detail to this retro beach look!

Trend :: Tribal Tribute

“...dance to the beat of a tribal drum with modern, African-inspired pieces”

~Vogue

The Tribal Trend is back with a full throttle revamp for Spring 2010! Think multi-colored, multi-faceted and...a trip to Africa. Tribal is your opportunity to be vibrant without being predictable. Here is your chance to pull out your ikats, batiks and treasures you have collected during your travels and sass them up for one of this seasons hottest looks.

Update any boho chic style with a twist of tribal by pairing it with statement jewelry, scarves and shoes. Or take the trend by it's horns and convert your look from head-to-toe. Jungle prints will mingle with slashed up, asymmetrical and rugged tribal impressions, while ethnic mosaics will be drenched with unexpected color combinations. The look is day-to-night dynamic and can even be pulled off with the "clog" that is making its comeback this spring too! (thanks to Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel...)

Givenchy's Spring 2010 (left) tribute to streamlined tribal was immaculate. This zebra-esque print is splashed onto rich silk for an intense impression. From one end of the tribal interpretation to the extreme opposite is celebrity, Kayley Cuoco (right). She taunts her tribe in a colorful maxi-dress that is printed in a vibrant asymmetrical mosaic pattern.

Stella & Dot's Cortez Cuff has a larger medallion design made of turquoise, glass and wooden beads. The espresso leather base makes the colors pop with drama. Finally, the handmade cuff is finished with a two-snap button closure for a secure fit. 

 

If you want just a touch of the trend try the Tribal Dance Scarf at Nordstrom. Innate artwork pops with hues of blue, coral and canary yellow's for a fresh take on inspirational pieces.

The Tribal Rhythm Tank at Anthropologie has a boho-chic vibe to it. Ethnic artwork is patched onto a cotton and silk blended tank in a sporadic fashion.

The Native Habit Skirt from Forever21 is a great piece to jazz up! Hide the elastic waistband under a chunky belt . Then, skew from the basic white tank by mixing in a dustier blue top for the hot "blue on blue" trend. When going tribal you can mix in mismatched colors for a kaleidoscopic and loud look!

Finish your look at your feet with the REPORT Redding sandal at Nordstrom. The medallion embellishment is dressed with earthtone and energetic colored beads for a distinctive look.

Bold Gold

The upcoming season is going gold! Let your other metallics take the backseat and step into something that is going up in value. Gold will play leading and a supporting roles as it makes an appearance in both details and as the main event. Shoes, belts, bags, clothes, jewelry, and even home decor will pop in flattering hues of gold. 

Start by investing in great everyday gold pieces you can wear all year long and with virtually anything. Stella & Dot's La Coco Brooch Necklace comes with a removeable brooch and bracelet so you can wear it long or short or layered with other pieces. The Mira Bangles come in a set of three and are lightweight and great for stacking. Not to mention one of the bangles in the set includes touches of reconstituted turquoise which is the color of the season!

Bebe's Meg Metallic Platform Sandal is primed in a subtle metallic gold that has a modest springtime shimmer. The platform sole and caged straps make this shoe feminine with a sexy edge.

Hype's champagne-gold Mia foldover clutch is a sueded material with a crocodile embossed design (also hot this season!). This clutch is a great piece to finish up your final touches. Open it up and be surprised by a fresh pop of spicy orange colored lining. Shop this clutch at BlueFly for discounted prices.

Spring break will be here before you know it and Victoria's Secret's Golden Twist Bandeau swimsuit is sexy and on the bold gold trend!

Give a small room in your house a seasonal revamp just by adding a touch of fresh, trendy accessories. Anthropologie has organic bathroom pieces in hues of gold you can pair together for a quick lift. Most pieces are versatile, like the canister above, and can be used for a low impact kitchen makeover the following season.

Love Notes

It's hard to refuse a great piece of trendy or classic jewelry, heavenly chocolates and garden fresh flowers on Valentine's day. On the flip-side, I also adore a guy who can have some sensitive dialogue to go along with it. Once the chocolates melt and the flowers fester, the love note will last forever.  

If you can't express your feelings in just one love letter, give your lady a quaint collection of heartfelt and romantic passages.  LOVE hosts 212 pages of charming as well as comical love verses for only $14.94 at Anthropologie. Present the book with pages premarked of the passages you want her to unravel.

It doesn't get more sentimental and romantic then Valentine in a Bottle. If you prefer to write your own note than give a book that's bound of other great men's words, this is the perfect gift. It's certainly a treat to open and is something she can even use as nightstand decor.

Give her a fortune whose surprise tale will make her cookie crumble. At Good Fortunes you can order a BIG, BIG fortune cookie and pack up to ten tender lines in your message. Receive 10% off with product code VAL22. 

Purchase the collection of "Pick Up Lines" in this magnetic poetry kit available at Francesca's . Use over 240 words and phrases to create a poem for your loved one on Valentine's Day. Perhaps you can even be assertive and say, "Will You Marry Me?"