Aloha Hawaii

I recently returned from a week in beautiful Maui, Hawaii. Below are some of my favorite photos I captured while exploring this tropical paradise! These shots were taken with my Olympus Stylus 720. (Click on any photo to view it at full size.)

I spent a day in Los Angeles en route to Hawaii. No trip to Hollywood could possibly be complete without a visit to the celebrity-loved Kitson on Robertson.

Beautifully manicured grounds at the Wailea Beach Marriot Resort + Spa. Absolute paradise! 

View of the pool and ocean at the Wailea Beach Marriot Resort + Spa. It doesn't get much better than this!

This is the adult infinity pool – check out how you almost can't even see where the edge of pool ends and the ocean begins. Unbelievable!

 

On an adventure rafting tour to the Kanai Coast, my boyfriend stuck my waterproof camera under water and tried to capture a school of dolphins - unbelievably lucky that this shot came out so well!

Incredible shot of a seat turtle taken under water while snorkeling

Sweet Summer Swimwear

Finally, my quest for a cute, colorful and supportive bikini is officially over. 

The Betsey Johnson Lollipop Demi Top and Hipster Bottom just may be my greatest summer find ever. Crochet-like material, rainbow bright stripes, adjustable straps, and adorable details like victorian buttons, pretty ruffle trim and satin bows will make this one stand out amongst all others in your closet.

The style is sold out on the Betsey Johnson website, and I had trouble finding this style available online. The halter version (much more revealing, less supportive for larger busts) is all over the internet and in stores. I found it at Londo Mondo in Chicago.

If you are a fashion magazine junkie like me, you would have spotted many similar Betsey swim styles all over the glossies this month, most notably the July 2010 issue of People magazine featuring Jennifer Love Hewitt, wearing a similar style. Available at Nordstrom by clicking here and here)

Now go put on your brightest bikini and hit the beach with flip flops and a cute cover up!

Nicole Richie is Travel Chic in Sydney

How adorably chic does Nicole Richie look? She was spotted arrivng at the Sydney airport in Australia for a packed schedule full of promotional appearances for her clothing line Winter Kate.


Here she is in a fuzzy cream colored beanie, a delicious eye-catching green satin scarf, an avant-garde black jacket, Jet skinny jeans and black platform pumps, while fabulous accessories complete the ensemble. Chanel sunglasses, a Givenchy bag and a silk scarf made for a lust-worthy look.

She was first in jeans and a black vast on her way into a theatre, and later changed into a white dress and black motorcycle jacket for an early evening photo op. She headed to the Mid City Centre mall afterwards in her sequined jacket for more posing and autograph signing with fans. 

Sweet Summer Must-Haves

Today I was pleasantly surprised to find a pair of super cute, cropped cargo pants that actually work on a petite figure. These Marisa Cargo Cropped Pants from Ann Taylor Loft do the trick, and are super flattering on short legs like mine! 


I chose the Vintage Cream wash for a classic look - the adjustable drawstring ties at the bottom hem are adorable, as you can adjust them and roll up the bottoms for that slouchy, relaxed boyfriend look that looks so great with a pair of summer wedges. I can't wait to start living in these as an alternative to denim leggings and summer dresses.


Ann Taylor Loft Marisa Cargo Cropped Pants


Super cute cargo pants in a cropped silhouette with fabric-covered buttons. Front zip with button closure. Belt loops. Two patch pockets and one coin pocket. Two patch pockets with button closure at the thigh and two in back. Adjustable drawstring ties at the hem. Tonal topstitching and seaming details throughout. Sits lower on the waist. 21 1/2" inseam.

Pretty, airy tank tops work year-round and are the perfect layering pieces to anchor any outfit. Anthropologie never fails to offer the absolute loveliest, girlie styles in floaty fabrics and soft dreamy colors.

Here are two of my favorites:

Creative Outlet Tank in Pink

Bordeaux imbues their jersey top with an inspired arrangement of pleating, puckering and stitching

Graces Tank in Lilac

Sheer panels of chiffon flow from mythically soft jersey into inspiring folds and ripples.

When the weather gets hot and humid, or I'm on a sunny tropical vacation, there are few things that make me as happy as an easy, lightweight sun dress in a pretty color or floral print. No need to match a top to your bottoms, just throw on a pair of cute sandals and you're out the door! 

(*SHHH!!! My secret shopping tip for trendier pieces is the BP juniors department at Nordstrom - they had the biggest selection of summer dresses at a nice price. Of course the fit and quality can't match the more expensive brands, but I managed to find some great pieces nonetheless.) 

Here's my recent finds:

Mimi Chica Ruffle Dress in Jelly Bean

Two-tiered ruffle flutters at the front of a breezy dress styled with adjustable spaghetti straps and an elasticized waist.

Wedge Sandals

Rampage Flynn Wedge Sandal

The espadrille is not only high in fashion, but "up there" in height. Be flirty in the Rampage Flynn sling sandal while sporting bermuda shorts or a cute skirt. 

I scored these perfect oatmeal colored wedge sandals at DSW. ($39.95)

These look very much like the Stuart Weitzman Alex shoe ($365) worn by Jennifer Aniston. 

$365.00 vs. $39 - not too shabby! 

CeeBee is all about the Look for Less!