Darling Hailey Top
($60 at darlingclothes.com)

Marni Edition Cat Print Knit Tank
($260 at www.marni.com)

Black Reese Cardigan 
(158.00 at alpinestarsbydenisefocil.com)

Swedishhasbeens Neon Sandal  ($122 at www.swedishhasbeens.com)

Swedishhasbeens

Neon Sandal 

($122 at www.swedishhasbeens.com)

Top Shop Dress
($76 at www.topshop.com)

Suzi Chin Women's Cap Sleeve
Fit-And-Flare Lace Dress
($158.00 at amazon.com/fashion)

Everyone who has been around me since Solstice knows that all I ever do is bitch about the weather, which defeats my reasoning for never bitching about cold weather. But I'm a polar bear! Me likes cold! So in the attempts of staying cool, I'm trying to wear modest thin layers in the two outfits I've documented.

Quite possibly the cutest shirt I have at the moment (badass award goes to my Nylon Magazine t-shirt) is a light Angel sleeve penguin shirt. You may not see it right away in the first picture but low and behold... tis tiny penguins in a tiny chorus line! (Yeah I said chorus line, what of it?)


The questionable part of this $10.50 top from Mimi Chica that I found at Revival is where it lands on the waist, making anything I wear with it for jeans or skirts would make me look a little bottom heavy. But, I can look past that fashion faux pas and absolutely love this thing. This wins over my Peace Generation pink sparkly penguins for sure!

And as we all know, given that my main love for polka dots never die -- so once more when I enter the "Holy Gates" of Revival I find a very adorable $10.50 loose white tank top with a tie ruffled collar full of navy blue polka dots from Old Navy, girl has to jump for any polka dots they can find. 

Since shapeless and thin is possibly the best option next to strategic apartment nudism, I was a little hesitant about how it makes me a little larger which is why I went for my red jeans -- and yeah, maybe I did wear this on the fourth, what of it? -- to give the whole outfit a little more density. Downside of this top exactly? having to wear a cami underneath, but this is the most known top from my closet in the past three weeks since I bought it.

And how cute is this $14 (but got it for $12 at a Revival 20 percent off sale) R Tease dress? The light cotton, although black and black is bad for summertime, itself is good for a moderate day, which today was but I think despite the double-breasted gold buttons (which I absolutely love) makes me look a little top heavy but in the long run, all you need is a belt but kudos to R. Tease for making my boobs look awesome!

Well, here are my summer rules and since I neglect to take pictures of my nails (which I totally should), I must recommend shimmery light glitter polishes for summer... I feel so Musings from Manhattan! Speaking of you, MfM, I miss your face... er nails...

Patterns Make the World Go Round... Specifically Polka Dots...

Because polka dots are a girl's best friend with the multiple ways of wearing them, but lately I found the majesty of pairing them with my essential red jeans that finally feel good and broken in; and really comfortable sandals always work... but back to polka dots, showing off both worlds as the black and white top (although a little snug with a thin fabric and a cinched in hem that doesn't help the figure much) is from Ragstock for $5 in the Recycle Area (aka. my God) and the white with blue dots from Revival for $8. I find no sin in even accessorizing with polka dots and red jeans with lighter girly colors like the baby yellow head band (Silver Spider, $1 Table) and this super badass pink skull cuff from local artist Kim Sun Designs for 10 bucks at the local arts fest..

The Essential Summer Pattern: Flowers, Flowers, Flowers!

Whether retro like my adorable Prime Time brand pink with blue roses or my latest flowery and my latest Cheri flower dress (magically structured with a corset-like waist and pleats with pockets) (Revival, $12 during a 20 % off sale) (did I mention... WITH POCKETS!?) which is long enough to go bare-legged but not bare-thigh because some girls need to keep shit in. That is my cross to bear but it leaves opportunity for black leggings to go with the most COMFORTABLE T-SHIRT EVER! (Revival, $6)

And Rockstar to Usher in Fall

Because what is more badass than a $10 dollar t-shirt from Nylon to commemorate their 13th anniversary designed by  Nylon's art director and a $6 black skirt from Revival that can be removed with one short zip? Awesome. And of course what can be more cool both weather-wise and bad ass than black and white stripes? I'm so ready for fall... and to go shopping on this week's impending paycheck.

(Esther Williams Swimwear modcloth $90) from Glamour Magazine

(Asos Bandeau Dress with Bell Skirt in Cupcake Print, 40.38 from Nylon Magazine)

Just as summer is finally getting boring towards the end and some of us just can't wait for it to be over (fall cannot get here fast enough); What did we learn about fashion this summer? Or rather, what kind of outfits can you get away with in the summer? What do we have to look forward to?


I thought you'd never ask.

Coming Up Polka Dots

Polka Dot Skirt (Revival $7) Dress (Ragstock est. $14)

It seems rather ridiculous for me to pin-point polka dots just in the summer, because polka dots are so adaptable and um... awesome? Here is a skirt I really do swear by, other than the fact it's more of a high waist and rather tight on me and a dress I never seem to wear enough! But despite the drawbacks of these polka-dotables, they are rather summery and the skirt is a fantastic transition into fall.

 

D-D-D-Denim

Denim Skirt (Ragstock $5) Union Jack Shirt (Gordmans est $13)

This Month's Nylon is begging for you to look at your denim differently, colored jeans (skeptical island, population me), skirts, dresses, and even a really cute dark washed suit blazer that I'm in love with. What am I going to do with this fall trend for summer? The only thing you should do, go completely 90s with a Union Jack, leggings and my trademark biker boots. I feel like my childhood fashion heroes: Daria and Clarissa Darling all in one!

Colorables

 This fantastic twirable pink baby doll has already made its appearance in my vspot, and I love it so much I had to advertise it here as well. Neon is a huge staple this summer and if you can find one good bright color (my yellow leggings or this pink doll top) it will be easy and natural to dress it down with some duller fall accessories or, as my solution for everything is biker boots. It's making a comeback I tell you!

Yellow Lace Dress (Revival $7) White Crochet Dress (Revival est. $12)

While pink is fine for every so often, I'm finding my own signature color combination is surprisingly white and yellow. They are so close together on the color wheel they shouldn't look right together! Depending on your taste (or pain tolerance for bright colors), it works... darker yellows will look better with white. And this yellow dress, since my flip phone does me no favors, it's all lace starting at the bust until the hem at the bottom. And I swear by this white dress. I love it!