Okay I’m going to blunt and honest. Not only because it’s in my nature, but because I owe it to you.  Flip Flops should not be worn anywhere, but at the pool, beach and around water related activities. This is only an opinion, but I’m sharing nonetheless.  The only exception is a leaving the salon after having a pedicure. For many people, (way too many) flip flops are a popular choice for summer footwear to the mall, grocery store, a night on the town, and to work. They’ve completely given up when it comes to what goes on their feet.

beach and poolside appropriate footwear

Flip Flops seem to be everywhere and on everyone. They come is all colors and brands from Old Navy to Prada and with price points from $1.99 to $285.00 you have amazing choices. However, even if you did pay hundreds of dollars keep it near the water. $200.00 flip flops are still just flip flops. Now when you need a nice and comfortable sandal to wear during the summer there is a more appropriate choice. Introducing, the more approcpriate thong sandal.

A great thong sandal to wear around town.

If you’re a guy then there are plenty of stylish options for you as well.

Men's sandal

I am still haunted by the Northwestern University’s Women’s Lacrosse team that visited the White House wearing pretty dresses and tacky ass flip flops.  Had they been protesting the administration (Bush was in office) then maybe, but still very tacky and inappropriate.

So there you have it. My short rant with suggestions and pictures of  how to keep you feet cool in this cruel summer heat, yet stylish. Later for now.

Women have different opinions on why models are so skinny. Contrary to popular belief, not all women want to see skinny models all the time. Many prefer to see models that look a little like them. All women aren’t a size 2 or 4. However, every woman does enjoy and derserves to be fashionable and sexy.  The evolution of fashion is incredible.  What is considered fashionable today may be hideous in a year.  That same style can make a comeback in twenty years.  Body types of women also evolve.  Fashion trends seem to run parallel to body types.  In the early 1900’s plump and curvy was in.  Women wore corsets that contorted the body to get an exaggerated hourglass shape.  The clothes they wore accentuated their figures. The 30’s and 40’s emphasized a more slender body.  Designers made dresses that hung loose on the body and minimized the curves on a woman’s figure. Incidentally, this run’s parallel to the women’s suffrage, where some women felt that in order to be taken seriously they should look less like women.  The 50’s and 60’s introduced actresses Jane Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe. These women were not only drop dead gorgeous but voluptuous as well.  They wore form-fitting clothes that hugged every curve.  They were sexy and size 12.  The 70’s brought the slim and youthful look.  Twiggy was the model who coined this look. There seemed to be a push towards an androgynous dressed female. That brings us into today.  Models are skinnier than ever, but plus-sized models are also becoming quite popular.  Beautiful normal sized women like Emme and Tami Fitzbugh-Thompson are burning up the runways. A more toned body had also emerged. As a result, designers today are catering to all fashion needs.  You can choose the sensual and ultra-feminine designs of Donatella Vesicle or the androgynous looks of Miguel Androver. If you’re like me you prefer both. What’s in store for the future? A healthier attitude about ours bodies, therefore a long and beautiful relationship with fashion.

This is one hell of a bag. Watching Lucy Lu’s character Mia from ABC’s now cancelled show Cashmere Mafia unwrap this piece of heaven was absolutely ceremonial.  She opened the box carefully with both hands and from the look on her face it was the stuff dreams are made of.  What is it about a fabulous handbag that can stabilize even the worst mood?  A great bag can not only complete an outfit but revitalize it and make it come to life. The bag she was so in love with was the $1,840.00 Aviatrix bag from Gucci. (shown above) What caught my eye was not only the soft beautiful Bordeaux suede material and gold hardware that screamed luxury, but the perfect size of this bag.  Chatting with my very best friend recently, we discussed the luxury of owning great handbags, and how bigger is simply better for practical reasons. (Because with handbags and men, SIZE does matter) We don’t like them too big, but just big enough.  Now don’t get me wrong, a little clutch for evenings out on the town are a definite must have, but for daily activities such as shopping and work you need room to move and stash. Unfortunately, many of these gorgeous bags are extremely expensive.  Though you do get what you pay for. To get a roomy Gucci or Balenciaga bag you may need to skip the rent for a few months or start pole dancing to afford it.  Some of these bags retail for thousands of dollars and that’s the reason they are often referred to as ”status bags”. However, there are great options that allow you to buy an amazing bag without getting evicted.  Sites like e-luxury and bluefly can satisfy your big, badass handbag addiction. Great and familiar mainstays like TJ-Maxx, Marshall’s and Stein Mart have amazing selections to choose from and are kind to every budget.  The efficient fashionista will start here and work her way out. They have a plethora of name brands to satisfy even the biggest label whore. There’s no need to go broke in order to look good, especially in this unforgiving economy. For the creative types like myself, there’s Freddy and Ma. This site lets you design the bag and choose everything from color to size and shape and material.  What girl doesn’t want her own custom made bag from her very own design? Just think if this site designed boyfriends and husbands!! Designer husbands…. now that’s another blog post. For who don’t have separation anxiety, there’s Bag, Borrow or Steal which allows you to rent a designer handbag. Choose from authentic brands like Coach to Valentino and have it delivered to your door. You may keep the bag for as long as you want. What you pay depends on your level of membership. So you now have the tools, this amazing informative blog, your smarts and your account balance. So use them! With these options you can have a great big or little bag to call your own.  If you shop smart you can actually have more than one!! So people, get out and shop. Retail therapy always works!