I’m so excited to introduce my new homepage – with my own URL and all! Thanks to Sarah at Abundant Media for her amazing design – I feel even more put together today because of it!

And visit my other blog at www.blakeobrienadventures.wordpress.com

They asked four different stylists to come up with two different looks that used a classic white tunic as the base. Now, you know that I love a crisp white shirt, so I thought I’d share a look I’d create using that fab white shirt.

First, the shirt. A BB Dakota tunic at $80. I love the classic sleeveless look with the straight hem – very polished – and the versatility of its length – wear it in, wear it out, lots of options.

BB Dakota Tunic

Next, off to one of my other favorite resources, Polyvore, to scout out some items to wear with the white shirt. But since I love a bargain, I had to do a quick search for other options. Found two great alternatives – a DKNY for $63 or a RVCA Tribeca for $44 – both available at lovely Zappos.

DKNY

RVCA Tribeca

And guess what, lo and behold I had a white tunic by LA Made in my closet that I purchased at the magical price of $24.99 from TJ Maxx. You never know what’s lurking in your wardrobe already! And it has a cowl neck – very cute, indeed.

My look?

The new Gap 1969 jean leggings underneath with an oldie – my Allison Taylor beige cotton cropped jacket – nestled under the cowl. Paired with bejeweled Nine West sandals and my fave Kaenon sunglasses (amazing sunglasses, my friend owns the company).

What would you pair with your tunic?

Well, I still have a healthy dash of preppy in my system, which is why I’m loving shorts this summer. I’ve found so many deliciously preppy shorts – kelly green, baby blue seersucker, soft violet – that I feel like I’ve fallen back in time. But without the Aquanet hairspray, of course.

But picking the right pair of shorts isn’t always easy, especially with so many different lengths from which to choose. So let’s talk shorts shopping!

Flat’s Where It’s At. First, go for flat front shorts. Similar to pants and skirts, pleated shorts added extra bulk to waist area. Flat front shorts are more slimming, and allow you to pair them with shirts tucked in or out. I love these flat-front Old Navy shorts in cobalt blue.

Old Navy shorts

Not Seamless. Shorts come in a variety of inseam lengths, so it’s important to try a variety of different lengths to find the one that looks best on you. Here are a couple rules of thumb:

• Aim for the hem to end above or below the widest part of your leg to avoid making your thighs look larger than they really are. Since my thigh shape starts wider near my torso and gets narrower by my knee, I go for a 5″ or 7″ inseam.
• Don’t forget to take a seat while trying on those shorts. Make sure you are comfortable with where the hem lies when you are standing up and sitting down. And that’s why I avoid all 3″ inseams!
• Very in-tune with my preppy roots, here’s a great pair of Lilly Pulitzer 5″ inseam shorts, in a very fun hot pink.

Lilly Pulitzer shorts

Choice Choice. Shorts come in a myriad of styles, so you have lots of choice when it comes to finding the perfect fit. Bermuda, Board, Cargos, Jean, Culottes, Running, Cut-offs…the list goes on and on.

• Again, remember the hem when trying different styles. Take into account your entire leg as you try on different styles. Since I have athletic calves (and am proud of them!), I stay away from Bermuda shorts because the hem comes to my knees.
• My favorite short style – the skort!  You get the flexibility of shorts but with a more refined look, so an easy way to transition from a hike to high tea. I love this LL Bean skort (nothing says preppy like LL Bean) with its little bit of flounce.

LL Bean Skort

What’s your favorite style?

I had almost given up on my gorgeous but strapless heels. Somehow, my heel always manages to slip out of its resting place and usually lands on the outside of the shoe, completely collapsing the walls of my heels. This is, of course, equally as painful.

I’ve tried different fixes – including masking tape, duct tape and double-stick tape believe it or not – to no avail, so I sadly shelved those lovely stilettos. That was until now.

A colleague at work just introduced to Heavenly Heelz and I’m back in shoe heaven! I slipped them into the back of my heels and not only did they stay in place, they actually held my heel stay firmly in place as well! So tomorrow, I will be boldly opening that closet door and pulling out my favorite slippery strapless numbers and giving them a second chance to live out their well-heeled destiny. Thank you, Foot Petals, for salvaging my stilettos!

A fixture at the Tour de France prize-giving ceremonies, the Podium Girls, or Hostesses as they are also called, are these beautiful young women who help honor the winner at each stage. But what I find so utterly fascinating are the outfits that the Hostesses don. I mean, there was Fabian Cancellara, being recognized for his tremendous efforts in conquering the first stage, all I could ask is “what are those girls wearing?”

Stage 1 Winner Fabian Cancellara

Each outfit is tied back to the sponsor’s colors, so on this day, the Podium Girls mirrored Powerbar in black jumpsuits with yellow detail in the form of a belt and headband. Hmmm. Now when I think of Powerbar, I think of strong, athletic and super-fueled, so how about a sleek black Prada track suit, with yellow Puma sneakers? The headband could stay, but let’s skinny it up.

But then, the outfits came decidedly more demure as they moved to the jersey-presenting ceremony, with Fabian was joined by two Hostesses in tailored pale yellow sheaths. Very lovely. Particularly love the swept-up do with a boat-neck dress.

Stage 1 Yellow Jersey presentation

In addition to the yellow jersey for the stage winner, there are other recognitions, such as the green jersey for the best sprinter. Now these outfits remind me of a gal in the Orbit gum commercial, with the long neckerchief.

Alessandro Pettachi

This green is such a fun color, I would have loved to have seen them in a green and white Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress like this one.

Diane Von Furstenberg

In between, there have been various suits, dresses and outfits in yellow, black and green, but so far, none has been more captivating – and sometimes more distracting – than the dresses worn when the best climber is recognized. In this category, the rider receives a red polka-dotted jersey , so the ensuing ensembles have been pure spectacle. Here’s my funniest fave:

Now, Carrefour is a European supermarket chain, so I’m not really sure why the skirts resemble umbrellas, but they do feel like something Carrie Bradshaw might have worn in the 80s, albeit with a better fitting top. Just think what Kate Spade could do with this category!  I love this sheath dress – just needs to be in red.

Kate Spade

So carry on Tour de France! I can’t wait to see what your lovely Podium Girls showcase next!

Nordica ski boots

Though we didn’t find a match, we did walk away with some great boot shopping tips thanks to a super knowledgable sales guy at Footloose (one of the best ski shops in Mammoth). Here’s what we learned;

• Size It Up. Always get your foot measured. It helps the sales staff see the shape of your foot, which will enable them to find the beat fit.
• Flip Out. Before you try it on, turn it over. The “sole” of the boot should match your foot’s shape. Narrow foot? The sole should be narrow too.
• Line It Up. Ready to try it on? Not quite yet. Pull that liner out first. Your foot should have about an inch of breathing room between your heel and the back of the boot.
• Time to Try. With the liner back in, slip that tootsie in. The boot should conform to your foot. Too tight is not right – just like with all shoes – but the boot should be quite snug. Too loose and you won’t have the stability you need to get you safely down the hill.

And my tip for ski boot shopping? Buy in July. $800 pairs were going for $250. Now if I could only find a Louboutin sale like that one.

Capris do not look good – on anyone! Need proof? Just pick up a Victoria’s Secret clothing catalog and check out the capri section. Capris make those gorgeous models’ calves look they have grown two sizes. The problem – the capri ends mid-calf, and since they aren’t fitted, they make your leg look thicker than it really is.

Now, I know what you are going to say. They are just so comfortable! I understand as I do indeed own a few pairs of capris. Each summer, I seem to be drawn in by their refreshing fabrics and fun colors, but I’ve got stronger over the years and am now able to resist their persistent pull. Mostly because I’ve branded an image in my mind, of myself, wearing white linen capris that had branding at cuff. I shudder just to think about those pants.

So comfort you want? Then comfort you shall have. Here are some alternatives to the capri.

Pack it Up. The Cargo Pant is a hot trend for the summer. You no longer have to worry about smacking someone with your side pockets like with cargo pants of old. These days’ cargoes are simple and slim. Check out the J.Crew Linen-Silk Cargo Pants.

J Crew Linen-silk cargo pants

It’s Okay to Slouch. Summertime is the right time for a little slouching. Though relaxed in the fit, slouchy pants still look great on a date, especially with when rolled at the cuff. Pair with stacked high heels and a fun tank. Gap Slouchy Pants

Gap Slouchy Belted pants

Elongate It. Just because it’s summer, doesn’t mean you have to wear short pants all of the time. A full-length pant in a light fabric can feel and look just a fresh, especially in fun summer colors or a crisp white. Check out the Old Navy Button Front Wide Leg Pants – love the wide bottoms.

Old Navy Button Front Wide Leg Pants

Island Fever. Living the luxe life? Try the Georgie’s St. Bart Pant – gorgeous brown silk for tropical island nights or perusing Parisian shops by day.

Georgie St. Bart's Pant

Craving a Cardi: Loving the two-toned look of the Palisade Cardigan and the delicate wrap at the waist. I’d go for the charcoal and black, natch, over crisp white shorts and a delicate tissue tee.

Palisade Cardigan

Cowboy Couture. I’ve been on the hunt for a great denim shirt for about 5 years now. Yep, five years. Somehow, my favorite denim shirt didn’t quite make the move from our last home, so I’ve been looking for  a great replacement. Here are two fun ones:

• The Selvedge Chambray shirt looks like it fell right out of your man’s closet, but it’s got a tailored sensibility. Love the color, love the cloth, love the cut.

Selvedge Chambray shirt

• The Denim Utility Shirt-Jacket puts a fun twist on an old concept. Nipped in at the waist with a bit of a tie, you can layer or leave it alone.

Denim Utility Shirt-Jacket

Add It On: And there are far too many accessories to wax upon about (though I did just pick up their pearl and silk wrapped necklace on sale for $19.99!), but had to share this belt. Adds the edge that I love, but so pretty in white!

Studded Leather Belt

Do you love J.Crew too?

As I was pulled into a store simply because the tunics featured in the front window, I thought how sad it was that the gleeful tunic had to hibernate come fall. So here are some thoughts on incorporating more fun into your wardrobe, courtesy of the tunic.

So let’s start with the fab navy-blue ikat-print tunic I recently got at Toss in San Francisco (that was the store with the tunic display – so smart).

Classic Cover-Up. Since it’s summer, we’ll start with the obvious – the beach cover-up. Throw over your suit and pair with your favorite beach bag, Havaiana flip flops and floppy hat.  (Sorry to get off topic, but can’t resist sharing my new fave sunscreen – Neutrogena’s new Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock in SPF 70 – perfect under makeup).

Free Flow. After a day in the sun, freshen up that tunic for a summer’s meal with skinny white pants, gladiator sandals and a chunky beaded necklace. Leave that tunic flowing free over or tie off with a skinny belt.

Missing the waves while at work? Sneak a little tunic fun into your work wardrobe. Here are three ways to make it work:

• You’re Penciled In: Grab your favorite pencil skirt and you are good to go. Tuck in your tunic and pair with a statement necklace and complete with stacked high heels.

• Well-Suited: Slip the tunic under your suit to wow up your wardrobe. Try an all-black or all-white suit to make the tunic stand out. Just tuck it in and trot it out. Add a metallic necklace and a bit complementary color at the foot (such as orange with navy) to complete the look.

• Cool Casual: Have Causal Friday in your office? Dig out those paper-bag waisted pants and skimmers for a just-come-from-the-pool casual look. Again, tuck that tunic in to highlight the paper-bag waist.

So there are five ways to get some life out of that favorite tunic. What’s your favorite one look like?