We love shopping for home candle scents because there is always a new fragrance to discover.  When choosing a scented candle for your home, consider which room you will be using the candle, and the mood you want to set.  Our favorites lean towards bold floral scents to the crisp aroma of citrus.  Remember to keep wicks trimmed to about 1/4″ to keep it from smoking (unsightly black cloud) and for maximum burn.

TOP PICKS:

1. L’Occitane White Flowers Scented Candle, $18.00 at L’Occitane
2. Votivo Prairie Sage Terracotta Candle, $18.00 at Sweet Amber
3. Trish McEvoy Candle Orange Ginger, $17.50 at Saks Fifth Avenue (featured)
4. Fresh Citron de Vigne, $48 at Beauty.com
5. Jo Malone Red Roses, $65.00 at Jo Malone (featured)

Zippers are making an appearance on denim, and we love how it adds a little edge to an outfit.  We have spotted colored denim and skinny jeans with extra zipper details that can be worn with an oversized tee, striped shirt or a tailored top for a polished, casual look.  Keep accessories simple and chic, so your zipper details become the focal point of your outfit.

TOP PICKS:

1.  Rich & Skinny Coral Make Peace Cargo Legging, $65.00 at Rich & Skinny (featured)
2.  J Brand Zipper Skinny Jeans, $187.00 at Tobi
3.  Rag & Bone Zipper Skinny Jeans, $198.00 at Shopbop
4.  7 For All Mankind Skinny Zip Stretch Sateen Jeans, $215.00 at Saks Fifth Avenue
5.  William Rast Skinny Zipper Jeans, $249.00 $149.00 (40% off) at Bluefly (featured)

Striped shirts are considered a classic, and when the nautical trend hit, they became even more popular than before. We’ve seen them cropping up in many variations from ¾ sleeve, to off the shoulder knits, halters and the iconic tee. Complete your look by pairing your stripes with simple flats and cut off jean shorts, crisp white pants, or a flouncy skirt for maximum impact.

TOP PICKS:

1. Michael Kors, MICHAEL Michael Kors Striped Sequin Top, $69 (featured left)

2. Nordstrom, Bobeau Stripe Boxy Knit Top, $42

3. Bluefly, Rebecca Beeson Black and Grey Striped Asymmetric Wrap Scarf Top, $45 (31% off)

4. Saks Fifth Avenue, Ella Moss Penolope Striped Top, $98 (featured right)

5. Saks Fifth Avenue, Tory Burch Striped Knit Top, $225

SHOP IT: Striped Shirts >

Since we’re fighting the heat and humidity, we ditched our heavy lipsticks for fruity lip gloss in pretty summer colors. We like to keep our makeup light and simple, and have chosen bright colors to help give our skin a fresh, youthful glow. The sweet and fruity scents are also a bonus!

WE LOVE:

1. Lancome Juicy Tubes, $18 at Lancome (featured)

2. ModelCo Glass Ultra Lip Gloss, $20 at Beauty Bridge

3. Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss, $14 at Clinique

4. Bare Escentuals Natural Lip Gloss, $15 at Nordstrom

5. LORAC Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss 3D, $22 at Sephora.com

SHOP IT: Fruity Lip Gloss >

Inspired by the recent resort collections hitting the runway, we have found new ways to make our swimwear more versatile.  One-piece swimsuits are available in more trendy styles such as asymmetric, one shoulder straps, belted accents and halter-styles that will definitely stand out beyond the beach.

Once you find a one-piece that’s both comfortable and flattering, there are countless ways to wear it.  It can double as a fitted top paired with a mini skirt or high-waist shorts.  When you want to go from poolside to a casual lunch, add a chunky statement necklace and strappy sandals to your one-piece swimsuit, and you’re ready to go!

TOP PICKS:
1.  Hermanny by Vix Swim Watercolor One-Piece Swimsuit, $74.90 (30% off),  featured right
2.  Tommy Bahama Palms Away Swimsuit, $86 (33% off)
3.  Michael Kors Wrap-Around Belted Mailot Swimsuit, $289,  featured left
4.  La Blanca Braided-Bust Swimsuit, $79 (34% off)
5.  MagicSuit Chameleon Goddess One-piece by Soma Intimates, $164

EXTRA EXTRAS: Pool Rules 2011 > Arrive poolside in a show-stopping piece!  Wheather you’re in a bikini or one-piece, heads will turn.

We like to tastefully show a little more skin when the hot weather calls for it.  Halter tops and dresses are sexy, comfortable and flattering once you find which best complements your figure.  We prefer loose fitting styles in bright color, breathable fabrics to keep cool during the day, and a more fitted style with stone, sequins and embellishments for a fun night out.

Bebe Embellished Leafcut Halter Top, $58.99

Robert Rodriguez Sequin Halter Mesh Top, $325

Bebe Bandage Ombre Halter Dress, $72.99

Marlo Halter Dress in Bonfire, $163.00 $81.50 (50% off)

Halter Maxi Bra Top Dress, $69.50

While Rebecca Minkoff continues to create beautiful handbags with bright colors, textures, and fresh silhouettes, she now offers a collection of fabulous shoes which launched in 2010.  We love the chic, unexpected combination of leather flats with a dalmation-spotted haircalf toe; strappy cut out, graphic pattern wedges with metallic trim; and leather high-heel sandals with contrast, ruched jersey straps.

Rebecca Minkoff Spotted Toe Ballet Flats – Dalmation, $195.00

Rebecca Minkoff “Caroline” Demi-Wedge Sandals, $250.00

Rebecca Minkoff Foxy Cutout Sandal, $295.00

Rebecca Minkoff “Femme Fatale” Strappy Sandals, $315.00

Rebecca Minkoff Women’s Vixen Platform Pump, $295.00

Launched in 2002, alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet is a sophisticated, eclectic brand which epitomizes the personality and quirky style of designer Stacey Bendet.  We can’t get enough of alice + olivia dresses.  They are fresh, edgy, lightweight and definitely worth the splurge!

alice + olivia Gitana Button Front Dress, $330.00

alice + olivia Cecee Dress With Belt, $368.00

Alice + Olivia Mena Dot Print Halter Dress, $242.00

Alice + Olivia ‘Stevie’ Silk Dress, $295.00

Alice + Olivia One Shoulder Long Dress With Belt, $495.00

White denim is one of the hottest summer items and most versatile wardrobe staples.  It can be matched with any contrasting color or print, making it effortless to dress up or down.  Wearing white denim is like working with a blank canvas, there are endless options to create an ensemble that reflects your personal style.  From skinny jeans to wide legs, we have chosen our favorite white denim styles that will be fun to experiment with.

Blue Essence ‘Eliot’ Skinny Denim Jeans, $88.00

Citizens of Humanity Dani Crop Jean in White, $146.00

Hudson Gwen Wide Leg Jeans in White Wash, $165.00

True Religion Women’s Sammy Cargo Pants, $178.00

AG Adriano Goldschmied Ex Boyfriend Crop Jeans in White, $165.00

This summer, try something a little different by pairing your warm weather wears with short ankle boots.  Shorts, skirts, dresses — you name it — they can all be updated by these bad boys for a look that’s unexpected and fresh.  Our favorites are probably these J Brand Cadet Boots, which we picture ourselves wearing with a long pleated skirt of some sort.

J Brand 1038 Cadet in Worn Westpoint

J Brand

$154.00

J.Crew Dixon short boots

J. Crew

$79.99

Frye Carson Short Boot

CUSP

$238.00

Fiorentini + Baker “Eli Levanzo” Boot – Ebony

Madison LA

$485.00

Topshop autumn tan contrast buckle ankle riding boots

Topshop

$135.00