And now for aan article of clothing that I am intrigued by, but am not sure that I like. I love the way this chocolate and turquoise tank looks in the pics. I love the weirdly asymmetrical cut and unfinished edges. But I have some questions about the craftspersonship and quality of finish for the price.

Don’t get me wrong. I am 100% behind almost any DIY aesthetic and this is no exception. But I am not a yuppie who thinks it’s reasonable to spend $65 on a ripped up tank top. So, if anyone has experience with this line and whether the quality warrants the cash money price tag, please let me know.

Pricely nitpicking aside, this top is totally convertible, to which I say RAD, and also weird and falling apart looking. So long as it’s not actually going to fall apart, I’m good with it, and would rock it verily with denim shorts and combat boots or gladiators. Available from Led Thread.

Photo Credits: Led Thread

When I was a little girl, I had oodles of ribbons for making hair bows. My mom made me keep them organized by length in Mason jars. I had bows in my hair, on my clothes, and bows on the toes of my shoes. As a teenager I shunned anything bow-like, and prefered not to be reminded of my girlish past, but as an adult, I am again crazy for them.

These days, however, I need the little girl cuteness of bow-adorned clothing to be balanced out with sophisticated silhouettes and modern sensibilities. I am not, after all, trying to relive my childhood, I am just trying to repurpose a childish aesthetic.

This stripey bow tank by Erika Hendrix is girlish and cute, but the stripes give it a nautical, tomboy look that makes it totally wearable by grown up women. The drape is also lovely for us lesser busted ladies. Available for $80 from Smashing Darling.

This Check Mate Slanted Bow Top by La Mixx is basically perfect, as far as I’m concerned. Its plaid, it has a poufy, easy-to-wear cut, and it’s cotton. Plus the slanted bow neckline is interesting and a bit avant garde. They suggest wearing it with leggings, but I might try it with short shorts and some boots. Available for $56 from La Mixx.

Photo Credits: Smashing Darling, La Mixx

Happy Birthday to America, and Happy Birthday to me! That’s right, folks. I am one of the lucky ducks that gets to share their birthday with the birth of my nation. And as a bonafide yankee doodle dandee, I am your source for cheesy Americana. Sure, kitsch is a German word, but they just invented it. It is our great United States that perfected it. Observe.

Here we have combined two of our most fetishized icons: the American flag (in rhinestone, no less) and Barbie. Lovingly arranged into an almost inscrutably bizarre pendant by G. Jarvis Jewelry, this one-of-a-kind, handcrafted gem can be yours for a mere twenty five smackers. Seriously, this version of creepy cuteness has swerved so far from cute that it’s basically just pure, loveable creepy with a little sparkle. Who could ask for anything more? Available from G. Jarvis Jewelry.

Photo Credit: G. Jarvis Jewelry

Just a few short weeks ago, I wrote about Whichgoose’s ethereal head wreaths. Although I realize revisiting her hat collection so soon opens up all sorts of stalker questions, I can’t help it — sorry.

Why isn’t this talented girl’s designs at Henri Bendel yet? I’ll never understand..

Victoria Velvet Cloche Hat -- $40

And, while I have your attention, a sophisticated option to dress up your hair at your next formal occasion.

Grace -- Ribbon Rose Comb

I promise, I’m not her publicist. Just slightly obsessed, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Images: Whichgoose

Like rompers and convertible clothing, wrap dresses are one of the seven wonders of the world. Lose ten pounds? Still fits. Gain ten? Your handy dandy wrap dress will protect the blow to your ego. Because you customize the fit every time you put the dress on, it always looks right. 

And not just right, either, it looks great. It’s a classic that you can dress up, down or sideways. And Ureshii will make one just for you in any color you like. I like all of them, so if I had my way, I’d just stock up. Plus the price is way below designer department store prices (did I just steal that line from a commercial?). At $76, made to measure, this is a bargain. Available from Ureshii. 

Photo Credit: Ureshii

Mosley Tribes is one of my favorite new sunglass designers. The line is streamlined, pared down, classic, but still totally on trend. I have a bit of a sunglass fetish, and my MTs are one of the shining jewels of my collection. I’m sure you can see why.

These hot red flip ups are amazing. I know, they look a lot like Ray Ban Wayfarers, right? Yes, of course they do. And that look gives them a special retro charm. But there’s something different about the shape of these that makes them different. The edges are curved off a bit, and the sides have a less pronounced wing, which makes them ever so slightly more flattering. And, THEY FLIP UP. So, you can live out all your early 80’s movie fantasies, indoors or out. Available for $235 from Karmaloop.

Photo Credit: Karmaloop

After WWII, King George (of the UK) issued a series of posters to lift the spirits of his subjects. By Order of the Crown has re-issued the slogan in the form of tee shirts, magnets, and, well, posters. And in these heady modern times, the dictate to keep moving still seems authentic. Perhaps, more so than ever. And, it makes for a really cool tee shirt.

The shirts are available in every possible color and size, and they also have a variety of other interesting historical reprints that you should definitely check out. Available for $19.98 from By Order of the Crown.

Photo Credit: By Order of the Crown

I have a confession to make. I’ve been wearing the same bikini for, like, six years. Maybe more, even, I’m not sure. It isn’t that I don’t have any other bathing suits, I just don’t wear them. Because none of them are as perfect and comfortable as the one that I love. Until now.

Seriously, how adorable is this? It’s modest, it’s sweet, and it has extremely well thought out details like the velvet bow and glass buttons. Oh yeah, and it’s fully lined, in case you actually wanted to wear it in water or something. Available for $140 from La Drama Queen.

Photo Credits: La Drama Queen

There’s basically nothing more summer chic than striped pants. Seersucker, linen, cotton, whatever. They just need to have that sun-faded relaxed look that works for afternoon picnics and Sunday strolls. They always look nautical, even 1,00o miles from the ocean, so if you happen to live 1,000 miles from the ocean, here’s a way to bring the beach to you.

I don’t particularly love the frayed cuffs, and I have questions about the look of the waistband, but overall, I love the shape of these French loungers by Go Monkey. The wide trouser legs are breezy, comfortable, and flattering, and the stripes are perfect for conjuring up seaside fantasies. Available for $60 from Go Monkey Design.

Photo Credit: Go Monkey Design

Vampires are the hottest thing since, er, well, I’m not really sure what. But they’re everywhere in pop culture right now. I’m sure this is evidence of, like, some super important cultural trends, or whatever, but what I really like about it is the monsters. MONSTERS ROCK! I’m not sure why. Maybe because they’re evil and scary and also comforting relics of childhood?

In any case, if all the monsters that you were ever scared of got together and had a tea party or something, this is what it would look like. It would look awesome, and you would want to wear it every day this summer and probably even into fall. Available for $23 from Lucha Workshop.

Photo Credit: Lucha Workshop