Keep Cool, In Style

For the past few days, it's been impossible to escape this heat wave that's been cast upon New York and the boiling heat refuses to simmer. Here's how to stay comfortable, cool, and fashionable in this unbearable July heat.

At the beach or pool.

Bandeau Bikini, Sarong, Sunglasses, Espadrilles

This outfit features the white on white and cat-eye sunglasses trends, which are elegant and chic looks for summer. A sarong adds a feminine feel to the bikini and the look is finished with a pair of classic espadrilles.

At an outdoor event.

Crop top, Shorts, Sandals, Bag, Bracelets

Look summer-time fine at an outdoor concert, picnic, etc. in a leopard print crop top, cut-off shorts, gladiators (a classic summer fave), and top it all off by wearing bangle bracelets and sporting a cross body bag.

At a party.

Dress, Boots, Clutch, Belt

Go to a party looking chic in this SHAKUHACHI tunic dress embroidered with lace worn with a brown skinny belt. Wear with a pair of leopard Litas by Jeffrey Campbell and a bright colored clutch to finish the look.

What are your thoughts?

What do you wear to keep cool and stylish in the summer heat? Let me know and leave a comment below!

Summer Trend: Aztec Prints

Brave the heat like the Aztecs this summer, as some of your favorite A-list celebs are doing. Believe it or not, the Aztec pattern can be dressed up, down, and worn during any occasion. Here's how some celebs and I would wear this trend.

1.Relaxing in the city

Barbados native, Rihanna was spotted wearing this casual purple Aztec printed romper while relaxing on a rooftop in the Soho neighborhood of NYC. Rihanna sure does know how to keep it cool this summer. Recreate her look by wearing: Forever 21's Oxidized Tribal Print Romper, $19.80, Rumor's Miami Straw Fedora in Sand, $22, Juicy Couture's The Beau "Live for Sugar" Sunglasses, $98, and Mandee's Chain Trim Thong Sandal, $28. Pair with a black bag and bangle bracelets to complete the look.

2. Out on the town shopping

 On her blog, Kim Kardashian boasts about how much she loves the summer trends, Aztec print and maxi dresses! Kim wore this stunning, figure-skimming Mara Hoffman maxi dress while shopping in L.A. The actual dress that Kim K. is wearing is $240, a dress a soon-to-be college student like me could not afford. I searched this internet for a long time trying to find an Aztec print maxi dress that had a similar pattern and I found this Blue Aztec Print Maxi Dress from Wallis, $78. Although it doesn't have the exact colors, it still has bright colors mixed with geometric shapes as Mara Hoffman has in her dress. Like Kim, pair this with a pair of classic aviators (Small Aviator Sunglasses - Top Shop, $25), gladiator sandals (Braided Gladiator Sandals - Forever 21, $17.80), and a cross body bag (Hamilton Leather Cross Body Bag - Michael Kors, $155) 

3. To the club or to a party

 Here's Miss Kim Kardashian (or should I say soon to be Mrs. Kim Humphries?) again in a Mara Hoffman dress. This time Kim wore Mara Hoffman's Twist One Shoulder Dress - $372 to the Wet Republic Hawaiian Tropic party. For the party Kim opted for a shorter, edgier dress together with a nude clutch and Charlottle Olympia Espadrille bright red platform pumps. Recreating this look was harder than I thought it would be. I just could not find a similar dress so I found two dresses: the Akira Black Label One Strap Tribal Print Dress - $48 and Blue-Orange Aztec Mesh Cold Shoulder Mini Dress from dhstyles.com - $33.99. The Akira dress features a similar one shoulder strap and the dhstyles.com dress has the same triangular pattern as the Mara Hoffman original. I chose Qupid Mineral-01 Orange Crinkle Patent Women Plaform Pump - $26 to match the bright oranges in the dresses. If you aren't comfortable with wearing the bright orange, go for a nude or beige color heel. To conclude the outfit carry a River Island Cream Snake Skin Clutch Bag - $17.

Here's how I'm wearing Aztec print this summer.

While in NYC shopping with my graduation money I wore the Zipper Front Knit Poncho from Forever 21 - $19.80. I loved the zipper accent on the front and the unique, ethnic pattern. I don't have anything else like it in my wardrobe! With this shirt I wore a pair of black shorts and a light pink bag from H&M. I'm definitely planning on buying more Aztec print clothing for my wardrobe this summer!

What are your thoughts on the Aztec print trend?

Are you loving it just as much as I am? Let me know and comment below.