Lets face it, as much as we’d like to, most of us can’t spend the entire summer at the beach. But why not bring the beach spirit into our homes? The easiest way is to create a tablescape that’s easy to look at from any direction in a room. Our living room mantelpiece, for example, is constantly changing its mood, and not just during the holidays. Our friends and family know immediately where our heads are at when they enter the living room and look at the mantelpiece.

As you can see, at the moment, we’re embracing summertime. Just assemble pieces that relate to any theme, using color and shapes that complement each other and speak to how you’re feeling at the moment. Resist the temptation to add too many objects at any given time.

We like to try to include something from the garden, even if it’s just branches or colorful leaves in clear glass vessels. These blue hydrangeas capture early summer in the garden. They’re actually starting to fade into a wonderful combination of blue and lavender. Since orange and blue are complementary colors, we added these bright orange Fenton glass pieces we discovered recently at Brimfield Antique Show. They’re a nice contrast to the muted starfish and seashells we collected on a visit to my sister, Betsy’s home in Scituate, Massachusetts. If you’d like to share your summer mantlepiece or tablescape with us, please send us a photo, and we’ll share. Stay cool! –S & L

The Spring 2010 runways were teeming with all sorts of lingerie-style looks–from lace satin teddies to fragile chiffon dresses. And while the boudoir-ready get-ups looked great on the catwalks, it’s not always the easiest look to pull off at home. Nevertheless, I was inspired to make the transparent trend work when I was presented with a styling challenge from Argentine designer Maria Lizaso. The architect turned fashion designer launched her namesake line in 2004, and is currently expanding into the US and Spain with her beautiful collection of feminine separates. I’m wearing the “violet top,” below. To see more of Lizaso’s pieces, click here. I think the key to making a top like this work is, first and foremost, self-confidence. And then it’s all about working with proportions. This top is so small and delicate that it needs something with volume to balance it out. Any bottom you pair with a top as short and revealing as this one needs to be high-waisted so that you’re only exposing the most flattering part of your midsection. Nobody wants to see your belly button! I opted for a simple black bralet underneath, but I think you can definitely have more fun with it by wearing a colored, textured, or patterned bra as shown on the Rochas runway, below (mom would most likely wear with a nude or black cami). While pieces like this may not appear that versatile at first glance, this is actually a great one to add to your black tie repertoire–it could be worn as a capelet over a slinky dress, with high-waisted cigarette pants, or a voluminous skirt…the options are limitless!
Looks from left: Christian Dior, Nina Ricci, Christian Dior, Rochas (all photos from style.com). – L

With the second to last day of Christmas shopping upon us, I’ve got one last idea for all you last-minute shoppers: give the gift of Rodarte! The highly anticipated GO International line by the Los Angeles-based designer sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy hit stores and the web this week. We rushed to Target as soon as we could (the pickings already slim) to get our hands on a couple of pieces. Just in case you’re not familiar with Rodarte, here are a few runway looks from the past couple seasons. Pretty amazing, right?
I was really hoping for the leopard-print dress or one of the lace cardigans, but alas, all of the small sizes were gone by the time we got to the store. Instead, I opted for this navy blue tulle blouse (above, $39.99) with a really beautiful lace camisole ($19.99 and available in an array of really pretty colors) to go underneath. I like this piece because it doesn’t scream “Rodarte for Target,” but still embodies the romantic essence of the brand. Classic and chic, this is something any woman could wear for years to come.  So many great pieces here for holiday parties. – L

While out and about last week, we made a quick stop at Zara on 5th Avenue to see what they had in store for fall. In search of something we could share, and wear both now and into the autumn, we seized upon a fantastic blue and white blouse, reminiscent of many of the microflower prints from Chloe’s f/w 2008 collection. At $49.99, it was just the pre-fall pick-me-up we were in need of. Since purchasing it, neither of us have been able to take it off. My turn next, mom!
I’m wearing the blouse underneath an old Phi menswear-inspired vest with black ridding-style leggings and Givenchy lace-up wedge-booties. Definitely the more fall look of the two. Below, Suzanne pairs the blouse with a Trina Turk white accordian-pleat skirt, vintage studded belt, and her Delman sandals. I love how fresh and summery she makes this top look.
If there’s one thing we’ve taken away from purchasing this inexpensive, yet super cute top, it’s that you really can update up your late summer or pre-fall look with a cheapie–the challenge is shopping your closet to put the rest of the look together! Have you guys found any transition pieces that you think will look great now and two months from now? Comment below to share! – L . transition clothing, Zara blouse, knock off chloe, fake chloe, knock off chloe blouse, mother daughter outfits, outfits mothers and daughters can share, pre-fall, fashion designer, fashionable clothing, Teen Vogue, Lauren McGrath, fashion reproductions, fashionable knockoffs

Tomorrow’s the big day (mom’s 50th birthday party) and we still don’t know what we’re going to wear! As you know, we’ve been planning this special occasion for some time now (will share everything with you next week), and our outfits need to be just right. We need your help! Vote for your favorite in the comments section below!
look 1: Classic black Thakoon pencil skirt, Only Hearts white tank, Fenton necklace, and Christian Louboutin heels.
look 2: Prada skirt (garnered at last year’s sample sale), black tee, Miu Miu booties.
look 3: Prada pants (a little out there, I know!), James Perse tank, vintage leather bomber, Malo sandals.

It wasn’t easy getting mom to agree to this little photo shoot (she is very camera shy!), but I know you guys are interested to see more of her style. How great does she look!??!

look 1: Diane Von Furstenburg strapless dress, H & M sparkly shrug, jewel-embellished Prada heels (purchased from a consignment store in Greenwich, CT…mom likes to joke she’s walking around in a dead woman’s shoes).
look 2: Voluminous black Prada skirt (she got hers at last year’s sale too!), black v-neck t-shirt, wide belt from Italy, Fenton necklace layered over a vintage crystal one, hand-me-down black Calvin Klein sandals.
look 3: TSE gold pleated skirt, J Crew cardigan and belt, pink pearls, same jewel-embellished Prada heels as look 1. – L

As you guys know, we are big fans of the striped tee. We wear them every chance we get! Yeah, yeah, we know what people say about  wearing horizontal stripes (but we don’t believe them!). Since so many of you wrote in about how you’d like to see more personal style posts, I thought I would try out a little styling piece highlighting some of my favorite ways to wear the striped tee (tell me if you find this exercise silly/self-important/unhelpful). My striped tee du jour is L.L. Bean’s boatneck pullover: thin stripes, flattering fit, right price.

The t-shirt I’m wearing below is actually a great steal from H&M bought a few months ago. Other similar t-shirts are made by Petit Bateau and Saint James.
look 1: Don’t be afraid to use t-shirts as a layering tool. Worn underneath a bold solid-colored shift dress, stripes make this look a little more playful and not quite so serious. A floral-print belt by Cacharel adds that last bit of interest. Click here to see me snapped by Garance Dore during fashion week wearing the same dress (wore it with stripes even in the winter!).
look 2: Paired with a boxy boyfriend blazer and super-skinny cropped jeans, this is one of the easiest ways to wear these nautical-inspired tops.
look 3: I love mixing stripes and flowers. They really are a match made in heaven! Adding a punky studded belt breaks up the stripes and gives the waist a little definition. – L