A friend of mine was lamenting the fact that her closet was a wreck, and as a result, she was having a difficult time getting her summer wardrobe together. After leaving her high powered job, she had lots of “work” clothes, but very few hang out with the kids clothes.  She asked, “What do you wear in the summer that’s casual?”  My first response was “NOW THAT’S AN EASY ONE.”   Could it be that we all gravitate to uniforms because they are both familiar and mindless?   Here is my classic summer uniform…most of which is stuff that will be trashed by Summer’s end… it looks like this:

Michael Stars T-shirts. We heavily endorse these tops at StyleBluePrint.

Absolutely, a passel of  Michael Stars T-Shirts. They have free shipping offers about once a month so  JUMP ON IT.  In my closet I have: 2 white, 2 black, a brown, and a charcoal grey.  They look fabulous with skirts, shorts, and even under a business suit with pearls.  One size fits all at $31.00 a tee.

Next, on to Target to get a couple of skirts or even better: skorts (Liza hates skorts, I love skorts.  I don’t get her: how can she not embrace these?).  I found my favorite blue jean skort there a couple of years ago.  I finally tossed it when the zipper broke.  If Target does not fit you or ALL THE SMALL SIZES ARE GONE, head to Old Navy.  They have skirts in various shades of denim and white.  If you hit Old Navy at the right time, it can be a gold mine.  Also, while TJ Maxx fails in the skirt department, they do a great for active wear with plenty of work out pants and tennis skirts.   Did I mention that I absolutely can NOT stand capri pants?  But, I know they are a mainstay for many; the clam-digger length is more my style.

Athleta Sunburst Skirt; $49 www.athleta.com

Next, splurge on a great fitting skirt or skort from Athleta. For those of you that don’t know, the GAP just purchased them.  The BAD NEWS  is we now pay tax on online purchases, the good news is….NOT SURE YET.  Maybe that they stayed in business? Let’s hope the prices go DOWN, with the quality staying fab. I have truly loved most things I’ve ordered from this catalog.

J Crew Stretch summer weight bermuda. On Sale: $39.50

J Crew Tissue Ruffle V-neck; $32.50

Shorts: I like the Bermuda, longer style.  J Crew has a stretch bermuda and I always buy a couple each summer (and they always have some fun tees that you could look through as well). If you want another splurge item, buy a pair from Tory Burch or your favorite higher-end designer.  I know: they are shorts, but the pricier ones WILL look better and will see you through a few casual cocktail parties as well as moments of just needing to look pretty darn cute this summer.  A nice short can pull you through many functions in this modern world and need not be constrained to the poolside.

J-41. STyles range from $89-$99. available from www.athleta.com or J-41 website.

FINALLY, Look on the j-41 website for the cutest casual shoes in the history of America. I have several pairs and continually receive compliments.   Not only are they happening with style, but they are made from 100% recycled and recyclable packing.  I love the soles since they are also from partially recyclable rubber with a cool road map on the inside soles.

Donald J Pliner Glair Sandal. On Sale Zappos. $175-$193

My partner for this site would kill me if I didn’t put down her favorite all around, go with everything, yet pricey shoe for summer: The Donald Pliner flat Glair Sandal. And, it really does carry you from day to evening, casual to dressier.  And, it is comfortable enough to make you doubt your Reefs or Rainbows.  The metallic color goes with everything.  They are last years model, so they are on sale at Zappos for $193.  Other colors are as low as $175.

Now you are outfitted and good to go for Summer.  Don’t forget your sunscreen.  Hmmmm, you still need that coverup though…..more later in another post!

I just returned from the Power of the Purse luncheon to benefit the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation. What an AMAZING gathering of women.  It’s quite evident looking around the room at Nashville’s most influential women (and some brave men!), that without the STAR POWER OF WOMEN, so many organizations simply could not open their doors.   Jane Pauley was the incredible keynote speaker and reiterated that fact again and again.  I felt proud to be a woman and part of the Nashville community.

The timing of this event is brilliant. I am ready to shed the winter wools and get into spring and top of the list is to change out MY PURSE.  We thought it may be fun to feature our fave purses for spring.  We’ve mixed pricey with Target. Jane Pauley intimated the good times are ahead of us… get ready!

This white handbag is made of quilted leather with metal accent hinges, by CC Skye, and retails for $675 at Cotton Mill.  This purse feels as good as it looks and the metal hinges will help keep the purse in primo shape.

This next purse is available at The Perfect Pair (remember they have shoes and accessories! Some of my favorite jewelry in town is from here.)  This purse is actually a wrinkled patent in a burgundy/brown color. It is made by LA designer Jennifer Kale.  KALE products are usually made in the USA- but not exclusively.  This purse retails for $572.  Check out the hot pink lining!  I love happy surprises when I open up my purse…my surprises are usually french fries my kids have thrown in my purse, not fabulous linings!

Lastly, we have this cutie clutch from Target. It is by Angie and Lola and I’m having a devil of a time getting an image to upload for this clutch.  It is ONLY available online.  I’m pasting this teeny tiny picture, but then a link where you can see this fab $29.99 clutch and order it as well!  Click here for link

If after this post you are inspired by the Power of the Purse, but want to give money to the Community Foundation’s Women’s Fund instead actually purchasing a bag, please donate here!

Every Christmas all sorts of publications print their best of holiday buys. I always love to see what items the publishers deem to be “hot items”.  Most are in categories with items priced under$25, under $50, under $75 etc. What I find in magazines is by the time the ink has dried most items are already sold out due to demand..   Last Christmas there was a pair of great Lucite candelabras from Target featured in Town and Country.  They were reasonable at under $50 so I jumped in my car and zoomed to Target.  Sold out.  I checked the website.  Sold out.  And then one day, low and behold, there they were reduced to $25 each.  If an item is lucky enough to make Real Simple, it is guaranteed to sell out.  I called about an amazing wrap in chocolate brown with ruffles featured in Real Simple a couple of holiday seasons ago.  It was a small boutique company from New York so I called the company direct and spoke with the sales associate.  Her comment was they have never sold so many wraps and yes, they were sold out.  .She was helpful and directed me to a similar wrap and my friend Daniel purchased it for his wife Leslie. Still to this day, it is one of her most favorite gifts.   With supply and demand in mind, I wanted to share with you some incredible deals and gifts ideas available RIGHT NOW.. Nothing better than some early Christmas shopping both locally and online.

10 great gifts under $50

1.    Bobby Brown Mini Tube Tints $30 available at Belk’s or Private Edition  I received this as hostess gift a year ago and loved it.  The set includes 4 small tubes all in great colors.
2.    Pottery Barn  Bamboo Cotton Throws $35.  What a great gift for someone that has everything.  They come is 4 fantastic colors:  cream, paprika, camel and chocolate brown. www.potterybarn.com
3.    Victoria’s Secret.  French Cuff Shirt $28.  On sale now.. this is a must have shirt because it stretches to fit your shape, washes and holds up…little or no ironing. www.victoriassecret.com
4.    Red Envelope.  Holiday Paper whites in red vessel $39.  Gorgeous presentation of 10 paper white bulbs..a fabulous hostess gift. Red Envelope is known for their packaging, simplicity and elegance. www.redenvelope.com
5.    Sundance.  Post Modern Pearl Studs $18.  Baroque freshwater pearls in sterling.. wonderful iridescent colors peach, coppery brown, white or gray. www.sundancecatalog.com
6.    Envirosax..great reusuable  shopping bags $8.49 each on Amazon.com for grocery and everything else..  My sister gave me a set of 5 last year for Christmas and I love them.  They are deceivingly big, come in fabulous colors and designs and can fit when rolled up in an average purse.  They have small snaps that allow you to roll them up and a small carry pouch.  The only challenge is to remember to keep them in your car.  www.envirosax.com
7.    LL Bean. Wicked Good Slippers and Scuffs. Like the name says wicked in their warmth and comfort. Great Slippers for men, women, and kids in lots of styles and colors like:  Chocolate brown, vintage red, cobalt blue $49.95.   www.llbean.com
8.    Iprint.com. Photo note cube with 650 pages, color photo on 4 sides.  I love gift items that have many uses.. There are great for grandparents, teachers, teenagers, and friends and cheap at $14.99 per cube.  Check out I print.com for personalized ties, boxer shorts, key chains and more.  www.iprint.com
9.    Steinmart.  Pashmina and scarves.  I am not a big fan of Steinmart for clothes and shoes, but I think they have great accessories and jewelry.  If you need a hostess gift or small gift item, they always come through with good prices.  Their selection of pashminas for $12.95 is worthy of a visit with a lots of colors and styles.
10.    Create  your own bag of favorites for a friend.  Last Christmas my friend Anne put together for her walking buddies and it was incredible.. a tube of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, a small electric foot massager and tube of great lip gloss, bar of chocolate.  Of everything in the bag, my absolute favorite was the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream and lipstick protectorate for winter chapping and general dry skin.. It is great at night under your eyes and on your lips priced at $17.00 each. www.elizabetharden.com or at Dillards..

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping.