Style Lush

The Perfect Bathing Suit Cover-up

by Katie

Target has always been my go to store for bathing suit cover-ups. They have such a great selection of lightweight sundresses that are comfortable enough to throw over your bathing suit, but are still cute enough to walk around in.

This season is no exception. I've fallen in love with the sweet and sultry Mossimo Off the Shoulder Dress. You won't have to contend with any additional tan lines since the dress falls off your shoulders and the ruffles on top and on the hemline make it oh-so-sexy.

It's a total bargain at $18 and you have the choice of six fabulous colors (Black, True White, Guava Berry, Avalon Sea, Moss Lane and Quartz Grey). I'm kind of partial to the Guava Berry because the color is so bright and fun, but the neutral shades are great too because that they'll match any swimsuit.

I know it's kind of early to start thinking of swimsuit season, but as with most things at Target, you have to buy quickly since they sell out of sizes so fast. This is definitely one to jump on.

 
 {Image Credit: www.target.com)

My Favorite Wedding Color Combinations

By Katie

My husband and I got married in September 2006 and even now, over four years later, I would still keep my same wedding colors. We chose raspberry and tangerine with lime green accents (doesn't every color sound fancier when named after a fruit?) and had so much fun incorporating the bright and bold hues into our wedding.

The bridesmaid's bouquets (with my favorite Gerbera daisies!)

 
I also love yellow and lime green as a color combination. Wouldn't vases full of lemons and limes make a beautiful (and afforable!) centerpiece?

 
Then there's the gorgeous colors of a peacock feather. I love them for a fall or winter wedding. Just imagine your hair swept back with this beautiful peacock hairclip by Etsy seller modwedding.

 

Want a fresh color combination for a spring wedding? Lilac and apple green would really brighten things up like the pom poms on this beautiful invitation.

 
There are so many fun options out there. What were your wedding colors? Do you still love them?

{Image Credits: googleimages, etsy.com, weddingpaperdivas.com)

L.L. Bean Casco Bay Tote

by Katie

Before I owned a L.L. Bean tote, I used to buy a new beach bag every year. I was just never happy with the beach bags I found at The Gap or Old Navy or Target. They weren't large enough or sturdy enough and every time spring rolled around, I found myself looking for a new bag for the upcoming beach season.

My searching stopped the year I purchased my L.L. Bean tote. I bought the large version and that thing can seriously carry a lot of stuff ... two oversized beach towels, multiple bottles of sunscreen, two pairs of flip flops, change of clothes and lots more! Mine has a zip top and we often use it as an extra checked bag when we go a little overboard on souvenir shopping while on vacation. It's that tough.

In addition to their more traditional boat and tote, L.L. Bean always come out with a new print or pattern for each summer. I am in love with their Casco Bay Sailor Girl Tote for this season. The retro print is so bright and fun and fits right in with the nautical trend that is so very in this year. You really can't beat the price for the wonderful quality with the medium tote costing $27 and the large tote $32. You can even add your monogram for just $6 more. Even though my tote is still in great shape, I might have to add this one to my wish list!

{Photo Credit: llbean.com}

Kleynimals: Safe Keys for Babies

by Katie

My 3½ month old has been teething for about a month now. (I know, that's early, right?!) I haven't seen any little tooth nubs yet, but everything she can grab goes right into her mouth to chew on. I've been on the hunt for some really good teethers and wouldn't you know, my local paper recently featured an Annapolis mom who was inspired by her kids to invent a clean and safe alternative to the one thing all kids love to chew on: their parent's keys!

Kleynimals are made from food grade stainless steel and look just like a real set of keys, which is so important for those smart little babies who can't be fooled by a set of plastic keys. You may think $24 is a lot to spend for a simple teething ring, but Kleynimals will last until your kid loses them.

You don't have to worry about any chemicals or lead being in these keys and best of all, they're dishwasher safe! I think they would make a great baby shower gift, especially because you can get them personalized. I've already placed an order for Isla and I can't wait to give them to her.

 

{Photo Credit: www.kleynimals.com}

A Romantic Little Dress for Valentine's Day

by Katie

My husband and I have never been that into Valentine's Day. We recognize it with cards and a nice homemade dinner and sometimes we'll use it as an excuse to buy something that the other person wants, but we never go crazy with it.

It's not going to be any different this year, especially because our daughter will be getting her four month check-up that day which means we will have one cranky baby girl on our hands. (You can bet we'll probably be enjoying a bottle of wine to get through that!)

I know someone out there will be going out on the town with your sweetheart and have I got the prettiest little dress for you.

The Shirred Bodice Tank Dress from The Limited is the perfect dress for that special Valentine's Day dinner. It's not overtly sultry or revealing, yet it's sexy in that Emma Pillsbury buttoned up and delicate sort of way.

It would look equally as great at work underneath a cardigan giving it extra wear time, which to me makes it worth the $89.90 price tag. You can purchase it in Pink or Soft Taupe, though I'm really digging the Pink version because it's such a soft and pretty shade of pink.

 

 

Readers, what are your thoughts on Valentine's Day? Do you go all out or play it low key like me?

Kate Spade Laptop Sleeve

by Katie

I am hard on a laptop. When not in use, mine can often be found standing in for a coaster or sitting on the hardwood floor. I can't remember the last time it actually sat on a desk when not in use. I have a laptop bag but to be perfectly honest, the last time I used it was when I traveled to BlogHer 2008. I purchased that particular bag because it was big and could hold a lot of stuff as a carry on, but clearly it's  not working for me now.

I need a laptop sleeve to take care of my laptop when it's not in use and I've fallen in love with one from Kate Spade. The Keyboard Laptop Sleeve is tongue-in-cheek funny with the whimsical laptop on the front and the red color is so cheerful and fun. It will fit a 15" laptop and is made from neoprene, ensuring a safe place for your laptop to rest. I think my laptop has found a home!

 

{Photo Credit: katespade.com)

Petite Treat Cupcake Stand

by Katie

We have quite a few (dare I say all?) cupcake loving writers on the Style Lush staff. Jennie even opted to serve cupcakes rather than cake at her wedding! As for me, I whole-heartedly believe that the frosting-to-cake ratio is much higher on a cupcake which is what does it for me. I also happen to love finger foods and cupcakes are the ultimate finger food, don't you think?

I think we can all agree that cupcakes are pretty enough on their own, but I've discovered a way to make them even prettier. Forget a tiered cupcake stand, The Rosanna, Inc. Petite Treat Cupcake Stand, is perfectly sized to serve and display one fabulous cupcake.

They're sold individually in four different colors (Mint, Pink, White and Yellow) and can be purchased directly from the website, though all but Yellow is backordered at the moment. If you really can't wait, you can find them on Amazon too, though. They're a bit pricey if you need to buy a lot of them (anywhere from $15-$18 a pop), but wouldn't it be nice to give the birthday girl a cupcake on her very own pedestal? Or if you're planning on making your own Valentine's dinner for your sweetheart, just imagine how fancy a tiny indivual dessert would look on one of these. I think they're so very sweet!

{Photo Credit: rosannainc.com} 

Zipper Trend: Cute or Not?

by Katie

It seems the zipper trend isn't going away anytime soon as I'm noticing more and more zippers popping up on clothing and accessories lately. Admittedly, I thought the trend was pretty stupid at first, but it's really starting to grow on me. Who knew you could do so much with zippers?

Here are some of my favorites:

Double-wrap Zipper Bracelet from J.Crew

Leave it to J.Crew to put a femine touch on zippers.

 

MB Vontricia Zipper Flat from Target

I bought these recently and can tell you that they're even cuter in person.

 

Vintage Zipper Flower Brooch or Hair Clip from Etsy seller benjamin2008

For the month of January, these gorgeous flowers are buy one, get one free!

 

Mossimo Zipper Trim Top from Target

This would look great under a cardigan, or on it's own.

 

So, what do you think? Cute or not? Have you jumped on the zipper bandwagon?

{Photo Credits: jcrew.com, target.com, etsy.com)

Warm Winter Hats

by Katie

Dear Readers, I need a winter hat. I just returned back to work after eight weeks of maternity leave and have found that blow drying my hair with a nine week old in the house is an absolute luxury (and impossibility). I've been leaving the house with wet hair and while that's not so terrible in the summer, it's just plain stupid in the winter.

I alternate between three different winter coats: a long black coat, a mid-length fuschia coat and an ivory peacoat so I'm looking for a hat that's fairly neutral in both color and style to coordinate with each. I'd also love something that's actually warm and not just cute because I have a long walk from the parking lot to my office.

I really like the Cableknit Pom Pom Beanie from GAP. It comes in two very neutral shades (Vintage White and Light Gray Heather) and it has that classic winter hat look about it.

 
 

Then there's the Pretty As a Present Cabbie hat from Anthropologie. It's such a sweet looking little hat but I wonder if I'll be able to pull off the brimmed hat look. It's also $58 which is a lot more than I tend to pay for outerwear. That's more like my coat budget!

 
 

I adore berets. Let me rephrase that. I adore berets on everyone but me. I always feel ridiculous when I put one on, but this Cashmere Beret from Ann Taylor seems to be very simple and understated. I think I could actually wear it without feeling like a beatnik wannabe. Plus, it's cashmere. Ahh, the softness! (It also comes in six colors, so it meets my neutral requirements.)

 

Though the Ophelia Hat from dELiAs is decidely not neutral, it's completely adorable. It would look fabulous with my ivory pea coat. Plus, it's only $19.50, a total bargain!

 

What about you, readers? Do you have any suggestions for my winter hat quest?

{Photo Credits: gap.com, anthropologie.com, anntaylor.com, delias.com)

App Magnets for the iPhone Addict

by Katie

Do you need a stocking stuffer for the tech geek in your life? Look no further; the App Magnets from ThinkGeek are the perfect little unexpected gift to stick under the tree, in a stocking or even for the office white elephant exchange.

Each set comes with 18 magnets that look just like real iPhone apps and is just $12.99. Since I'm not allowed to bring my phone into the office, I suffer serious iPhone withdrawal during the work day. I would love a set of these to stick on my cube!

 
(Photo Credit: thinkgeek.com)