Two trends I’m looking forward to and looking to rock a lot of are leather and lace. I love the complexity of pairing the two together– and the great thing about living in 2009 is decades worth of inspiration, shapes, and silhouettes to pair these two together while still looking fresh and hip (and not just like Courtney Love).

Lauren wrote about the leather jacket as a rocker staple, and I completely agree. The great thing about a leather coat is that it’s a staple for everything and everyone.

KRMA’s Jade Leather Jacket is a favorite of mine– the shape is fitted and playful, and can contrast great again skinny jeans & tank tops, to gorgeous 1940s and 80s inspired dresses.

Or, le swoon–this Mackage Becca Leather Jacket. Holy crap–does this have an amazing shape or what? It playfully mixes a hard shape and soft, femme details to create a stunning piece.

And pairing them with lace? I’d love to see some delicate lace leggings or tights paired with either jacket–like these Black Banded Lace Legging by fashion blogger favorite, I Heart Norwegian Wood.  Try pairing a playful and colorful lace turtleneck top or button-up blouse with a sleek pair of pants or high-waisted skirt for a flirty and softer look.

One trend I simply cannot get over is my love of ruffles.  Maybe it’s the super femme side of me, but they’re sophisticated, sexy, sweet, and sassy– all in one delicate detail.  And because I’m no fool, I always love to try & get great pieces when they’re on sale. It makes them that much more satisfying.

This Amanda Uprichard dress satiates my desires. To play down the girliness, I think it’d be fun with this Lauren Moshi headband.

It baffles me that jewel tones fall in and out of season. They’re flattering on so many skin tones, go great throughout the seasons, and this Fluxus dress falls through all the seasons. (And because I’m SO crazed about Lauren Moshi’s headbands, I’d pair this dress with this lush purple one.) Add in some great Oh Deer! pumps and you’re set for so many occasions.

Sunny summer days are upon us and we are always on the search for the perfect swimsuit, the most comfortable sandals,the hollywood sunglasses and the every occasion dress. Its easy to fall in love with what looks good, that sometimes we forget to look for what we actually need. This is where I come in to help. This past weekend as I was enjoying the summer day in a boat with friends, it seemed as if nothing could go wrong. I had the swimsuit,  the sandals and I thought I had the perfect dress.

Vix Mikinos Bikini Set

It wasn’t until we were docking and discussing our plans for what to do next that I realized I didn’t really think my outfit choice through. We had made plans to go to dinner…we were starving, the kind of starving that had me eating candy by the handful,which I never do.

It wasn’t until I reached for my cover up I realized that it just wouldn’t do. I had packed it because it worked great as a day dress. It did its job, it matched my bathing suit and it was easy to just throw back on.

Did it work to go out to dinner? No way.

The little dress was the latest trend, practically see through, and had a boxy shape to it and not until I was hit with the dilemna, of do I actually have to go to a restaurant dressed like this? Did I realize that rules from land wear to water wear really shouldnt differ.

I didn’t know that I was throwing away years of experience in figuring out what looked best on me simply because I was on water. If you know what look compliments you the best, dont fall into the latest trend.

In my quest to remedy my mistake I found the Vix Solid Cotton Short Dress cover up on the Manhattanite site. It’s more stylish than the average cover up, so no need to pack an extra set of clothes. Just add heel, red lipstick and this could easily go from water to land.. not just any land, but dinner.

Problem solved.