Forever 21 lives up to its name with a selection of styles that keep no-longer twenty-something fashionistas like myself looking and feeling young and hip. A few weeks ago, I popped in the Forever 21 near Herald Square in New York City and picked up this adorable “Bubble Gal” graphic tee.  I was pretty psyched the junior fashion-leaning brand’s size L still fits me.
 
 
Forever 21 is also offering free shipping on all swim wear that ends, tomorrow July 5.
Image credit: Forever 21

Me to We Style’s Bali Bamboo Dress adds a twist to the little black (and red) dress, since it’s actually 5 dresses in 1!  The Canadian clothier was nice enough to send me a dress to try out.  When I opened the package I thought, “Cool, a black skirt,” and immediately wrapped it around my waist. 
I was pleased it gave me adequate coverage, because there are few things less comfortable than a wrap skirt that unwraps or flies open when you’re walking.
Then I remembered that the skirt, made with 100 percent organic cotton and bamboo, can be worn four other ways: as …read more

Are you still stocking your summer wardrobe?  Then you need to stop by Public Library.  No, not your local book branch, but the hip apparel website.  Public Library offers a collection of style trends inspired by cool people, places, and things.  
I’m particularly fond of the Africa-theme Samburu tees; a portion of sales go to the Samburu Project to provide fresh water for the Samburu community in Kenya.
 
 
The t-shirts are a hit with celebrities including Beyonce, Jessica Alba, and Halle Berry.  Here’s your chance to scoop up a Public Library tee — 25% off until June 30.  
Enter the discount code …read more

I cannot stress how much I love H&M.  The tres chic retailer supplies the latest fashions at recessionista prices.  Today I stopped by the H&M on 5th Avenue in Manhattan and scooped up a cute black top with metallic stripes for only $10. 
There were also plenty of trendy hanbags for $5-10; my closet overruneth with totes, purses, clutches, and hobos, so I had to resist the urge. 
I’m not sure when the sale ends, so hurry to an H&M near you.

Image credit: H&M

This week I’m in a city sophisticate, “Hot Fun in the Summertime” mood — perhaps I’m thinking of how to dress to impress during my upcoming trip to Toronto. 
So here’s my weekly Hot Mama Daily roundup of “5 Things I Want Right Now”:

 
 
From top to bottom:

Banana Republic Pleated Sleeve V-Neck Dress in Red Coral
Forever 21’s Colorful Macrame Top
Target Merona “Eleora” Tortoise flat sandals
Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag
Rosena Sammi Indian Monsoon bangles (set of six)

 
Image credit: Forever 21, Banana Republic, Target, ShopBop, Rosena Sammi

Don’t miss this deal.  Nivea is offering a free sample of Sun-Kissed Beautiful Legs Moisturizer lotion and get this — 20 percent off  your entire Newport News catalogue purchase with use of the discount code “501.”  Hurry, this offer ends June 15.
I haven’t purchased anything from Newport News before, but the Nivea discount prompted me to peep the online catalogue.  And guess what?  The website has some really cute, inexpensive summer basics.
Here are a couple finds that piqued my interest:

 
 
Image credit: Newport News

Hot Mama Daily reader Sheila is looking for a sexy one piece bathing suit to cover the stretch marks she developed on her stomach after giving birth to her daughter.  ”I am sure that no one wants to see them,” she says (LOL).
Stretch marks are certainly no fun, so I empathize with Shelia’s beach fashion dilemma. Below, check out two hot swimsuits – an asymmetrical black suit and a classic suit in minty teal  – on sale on Gap.com that will conceal Sheila’s tummy and help her get her sexy back.  
Click here to read more about “Swimsuits that Flatter Your Figure.”
I also …read more

I recently discovered  Suno clothing made from recycled African textiles from Kenya.  I’m drawn to the bright, bold colors and the design’s cultural statement. Suno’s first collection was inspired by both the women of East Africa and New York City’s downtown fashionistas.  The Spring/Summer 2009 collection includes only 1,000, one-of-a-kind pieces made from vintage Kenyan kangas. 
Kangas are large rectangles of printed cotton that women from the coast of East Africa have worn since the mid 1800s.  They are sold in identical pairs and usually have Swahili phrases about social or sexual politics written on them.  Like works of art, these …read more

There’s still time to win a cool, vintage-inspired Worn Free t-shirt.  Make this hip tee part of your rockin’ summer wardrobe.  That’s right, get Worn Free (valued $39.95 -$49.95) for free.
Jennifer Aniston and Carmen Electra are fans of the replicas tees, and winning one would make a perfect gift for Mom or the high school or college grad in your family.  Heck, you could even keep it for yourself (that’s what I’d do).
For your chance to win, simply respond to this post and tell me why your Mom rocks or why you’re a rockin’ Mom?
Hurry, the giveaway offer ends on Mother’s …read more

Summer is near and the change in seasons always inspires me to shop.  Well, actually it doesn’t take much to inspire me to shop.  Lucky magazine is one of my resources for current fashion trends and I love the Editor’s Picks section “What I Want Now.”  So I decided to copy come up with my own version.  
Here are my picks of five items I want, like, yesterday:
 
This bohemian scent with notes of grapefruit, cardamom, cypress-wood, geranium leaves, juniper berries, cedarwood, leather and guaiacwood, was inspired by artsy Brooklynites like me.  Bond No. 9 made me a perfume-nista (Bryant Park and the …read more