I have a confession… I am seriously addicted to jewelry. Sparkly and shiny, rustic and ethnic, precious and costume – I love it all! Much to my husband’s dismay, my hoard frequently overflows the jewelry chest and ends up all over the bedroom as I search for just the right accent for an outfit. Each piece is unique, I explain to him (yet again). How can I possibly cull my collection?

My little obsession isn’t usually a real issue (and hubby truly is a patient man). But it can be problematic when I am ready to pack for vacation. How to choose just the perfect pieces? Jewelry can make or break an outfit I rationalize. And even with limited baggage space, I usually end up over-packing.

Lucky for me, just this week I discovered the perfect necklace for vacation. It’s ccalled Caracas and is a funky combination of vibrant glass beads, a delicate chain, and some retro pewter thrown in! I loved the burst of bright colors – this necklace would work with everything in my summer closet. With a 20” silver chain and lobster clasp, it’s also adjustable to a variety of lengths. This lovely piece is from Stella Designs of Montreal. $50

I found the Caracas necklace at Flying Daisies, which is the neatest online store — ever! Founder Michelle Kranz has a wonderful eye for unique products – from gorgeous jewelry, to fun bags, to treasures from around the world. Every piece sold by the folks at Flying Daisies was chosen specifically to inspire others to explore their own free-spirited path. Truly my kind of place!

My other ultimate vacation find is this set of stunning bangles from Taqwa Iman.  Envision a fabulous swimsuit, broad brimmed straw hat and an armful of these lovely bracelets… perfect! Later in the day, swap out the swimsuit for a sundress and slides, plus bangles and voila! you’re ready for a day of sightseeing. For evening, pair a simple strapless dress, sexy heels and an armful of these lovely bangles and you’re ready for a night on the town.

The bangles are made out of Rhodium and are imported. Each set contains six bangle bracelets, and at only $9.50, I would buy two set and really make a statement. Plus, Taqwa Iman is currently offering free shipping on all orders over $75. If you are ordering from the USA, enter coupon code USFREESHIP. If ordering from Canada, enter coupon code UKCAFREESHIP.

Now, if I can just find a little more room in that jewelry chest of mine … just don’t tell my husband!

–Susan

Every stylish woman loves a great fashion solution—heel pads for painful high heels, plunge bras for low-cut tops, fashion tape to keep that low-cut top in place, and even big, scary stomach-holding-in panties for…well…you know.

I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites that would pretty much save the day on any vacation, when you always want to look fabulous.

If you’ve ever grappled with bra straps that won’t seem to stay hidden or a strapless bra that doesn’t offer enough support, you might want to give Strappys a shot. I like to call them “bra jewelry” because they actually add style to your outfit and keep you far, far away from looking “fashion faux-pas.” I would probably shy away from the metal Strappys because I don’t exactly have small breasts, and it seems they might cut into my skin. But they do offer many beaded and fabric straps that could truly make your outfit, especially fabulous strappy tanks and off-the-shoulder tops like the ones featured in the photos on their website. There are casual and dressy styles for any occasion, making Strappys a seriously stylish fashion solution, not to mention, they’re easy to tuck into your luggage for that tropical vacation you want to look fabulous for!

I’m pretty clumsy and always seem to spill something on whatever I’m wearing, which is why I was thrilled when I heard about Madame Paulette’s Professional Stain Removal Kit. This thing is awesome. Madame Paulette has been a respected high-end cleaner and tailor for about 50 years, so it’s pretty clear they’ve done their research and they know how to handle just about any type of stain. They specialize in couture cleaning, and they even have testimonials from high-end designers like Vera Wang and Hermes on their website. The stain removal kit is easy to slip into your bag and tote any place there might be a high stain risk (think Italian food or red wine). It includes three different formulas in foil-sealed packets that will remove oil stains, fruit juice and soda stains, and sweat stains, so it’s very all-inclusive. Drip butter on your white sundress? The Madame’s got you covered. Slop spaghetti on your favorite button down shirt? You’re covered. So stop living in fear. Wear those white pants and chug that red wine! After all—you’re on vacation!

For women with hair that freaks out at even a hint of humidity (I feel your pain, ladies), a great straightener is a must-have on any summer trip. Remington has a pretty nifty wet-to-dry straightener that does double duty, drying your hair and ironing it stick straight at the same time. Unique vents allow the steam from wet hair to escape. It comes in a slim 1” plate size (which would be great for travel), 2” wide plate and a 2” curved plate to give your hair a little flip at the ends. Use it after the shower to get ready in a jiffy or use later in the day on dry hair to smooth flyaways—the ionic heat eliminates those dreaded frizzies.

-Keri

Every time I open my planner, I flip ahead to June and imagine when I’ll go on spontaneous trips to the beach—I get visions of driving there at night with the windows rolled down and my radio blasting, only to arrive just in time to watch the sun rise on the ocean. Then lying on the sand, waiting for the sun to warm everything up—and perhaps lend a deeper color to my pale Polish skin! Not to mention the summer nights…

That said, my daydreams don’t include wrinkled, last-year summer clothes and clunky luggage to weigh me down. It’s all about breezy dresses and cute bags filled with only the essentials.

That’s why when I saw the amazing jersey dresses from Donna Morgan in bright florals and bold mod prints, I immediately thought “perfect summer dress.” The jersey material breathes well and it’s super easy to rid of wrinkles—I usually just blast wrinkles for a few seconds with a hair dryer after I finish doing my hair.

One of my favorites has to be “Seabreeze” because the lime green and turquoise-y blue shades remind me of a tropical resort, and the cute tie waist helps cinch your curves in just the right spot. Keep the accessories to a minimum to let the bold colors and large pattern take center stage.

I also love the “Black/Ivory” short sleeved polka dotted dress—very mod and super chic. This one would look great with some strappy heels (I actually love the ones on the model) and a matching ivory bag or, to make things more playful, throw on a little sweater with a big fabric flower pin in a surprising color.

If large patterns aren’t your style, there’s always the “Regal” dress in a beautiful and very popular shade of deep purple. This wrap-style dress has a side tie and a rosette at the neckline for interest, but don’t be afraid to go a little crazy with the accessories—try bright yellow sandals and a few big bangles. (photos from Donna-Morgan.com)

To go with your spontaneous beach trip, it’s important to be able to pack light. Bring only the essentials. This is always tough for me because I can never decide which shoes to wear or which handbag to carry. Well Miche Bags has the handbag part covered for me.

It’s a classic tote bag with changeable outer shells, so there’s no more dumping out your entire purse to switch to another one that matches your outfit—simply detach the outer shell and put on a different one! There’s a small Miche Bag and a larger one, so shells range in price from $24.95 to $44.95, depending on the size and materials used.

I admit I was skeptical when I first saw these on TV a few years ago because they just looked too plain for my taste, but they’ve amped up their options with some stylish shells that feature pockets on the outside—a must-have for items I need quick access to. Now you won’t have to stuff your luggage with a range of different purses because the shells fold flat to take up a lot less precious space. I’m loving the larger bag because it has more of a slouchy look to it, and of course, more room! (photos from MicheBag.com)

Now, if only finding a hotel room on the fly was this easy!

-Keri

You’ve seen it happen numerous times on the red carpet. You’ve even seen it happen onstage at the Super Bowl. Or maybe it’s even happened to you! It’s the dreaded nip slip.

You know the story—you find a fabulous draped gown or almost-sheer party top that won’t hide the straps of a bra, so you go for it—you go braless. And you pray that no amount of sashaying or dancing will end in an attention-grabbing wardrobe malfunction. But life happens. And so does the evil nip slip.

Well, thanks to Nippies® Natural by Bristols 6, you (and your nips) can rest easy, knowing you’re fully covered. Nippies® are nifty little super-slim silicone discs that adhere directly to your skin to smooth those little bumps on your lady lumps (I couldn’t resist). They’ve got a great matte finish that doesn’t reflect light, which Nippies® boasts is “paparazzi proof,” so all those camera flashes won’t reveal your little secret or make everyone think you’re wearing pasties.

The little wonders come in two colors to match different skin tones, and they’re also available sans adhesive (body heat will keep them in place) if the thought of ripping them off at the end of the night sends shivers down your spine. They’re sold in a little croc-textured purse compact for that extra “cute, girly and convenient” factor.

Absolutely a must-have wardrobe solution—and a great (and funny) gift for your fashionista friends!
(Photo from bristols6.com)

-Keri

The Oscars are just days away and like many film buffs, I am getting excited. Will my favorites be recognized or will the Academy ignore popularity and go for esoteric value? Only time will tell!

For me, one of the best parts of the Oscars is the red carpet walk. Who’s hot? Who’s not? Who so completely missed the mark that I’m surprised they got out of the limo?!

I absolutely love to see the fabulous designer gowns, jewels and shoes. (I guess I never fully left the pageant girl in me behind!) But as lovely as the gowns and gems are, for me, one thing that differentiates the well-dressed from the perfectly-dressed are the fabulous, over-the-top shoes. I was recently contacted by Lanalia Shoes  and now I know where all those gorgeous red carpet heels originate!

Lanalia Shoes are like wearable works of art. These exquisite creations are hand-sewn and handmade of the finest materials – right in the heart of Los Angeles by a creative team with over 80 years of handmade shoe making experience, collectively!

Some of my favorites include the Jessica (pictured). Although I think that the metallic leather is an interesting option (and slightly hipper than silver or gold) the Jessica is available in custom colors for just the perfect look. Also, as shown the heel height is 4 ½ inches, but the shoe can also be crafted with varying heel heights (just in case you have a short date!). $280

I also love the Alba (pictured). No stranger to clear shoes (all those years of pageants, after all) the Alba takes the traditional clear shoe to a whole new level. In addition to a lovely Swarovski® stone on vinyl strap, the 4 ½” heels are absolutely encrusted with Swarovski® crystals. Perfect with a strategically simple dress and piles of jewels from Harry Winston! $425

Finally, the Zoe (pictured) is the ultimate in sparkle, with over 3,000 hand-set Swarovski® crystals! The 5 ½” heels make your legs look fabulous. And, lest you think these heels will make you suffer for your style, the Zoe (and every Lanalia shoe) has a full-length cushion of Poron, a NASA-created high-density cushioning material that adds built-in arch support.

Lanalia Shoes has so many other styles, plus customization, you are sure to find the perfect heels for your own red carpet walk, wedding or charity gala.

Maybe I can’t give them a golden statuette, but Lanalia Shoes wins my personal award for Best Shoes!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, entrepreneur and social activist. In addition to Style on a WHIM, Susan also writes for http://mcneilldesigns.wordpress.com, http://successwontwaitinc.wordpress.com http://susansaidwhat.wordpress.com

I’ve had it with winter—I’m over it. I’ve been over it since the first snow, and we’ve had about four more feet since then. I’m tired of bundling up. I’m sick of wearing boots and doubling up on pairs of socks. I want spring. Now. To keep myself sane in the meantime, while Old Man Winter keeps spitting out snow showers and “wintry mixes,” I online shop for anything exciting and new and springy!

This week, I revisited Stella & Dot, one of my favorite trendy jewelry companies, at StellaDot.com, and I found amazing stackable rings in light green flourite, lemon quartz and ruby. They look amazing stacked, but would also look great on their own. The lemon quartz makes me think of a sunny beach! $39/each

I mentioned before that I’m tired of wearing my big clunky boots, so I can’t wait to grab a pair of Payless’ adorable cream colored flats, like these. They’re a steal at $22.99, and the cute little blooms are an obvious choice for spring. (photo from payless.com)

Dandelion Jewelry, a store we recently became acquainted with when they became a WHIMSY™ dealer, offers these super cute silver blossom earrings for just $25. The bright yellow is an absolute eye-catcher and makes me think of a tall glass of hand-squeezed lemonade!

For a refreshing splash of color to add to any outfit, try a scarf like this aptly named spring floral scarf from New York & Company. The orange shade adds instant sunny appeal to your look. And it’s on sale for $13.96! (photo from nyandcompany.com)

Try brights, pastels and anything NOT black or gray to put yourself in a sunny mood!

-Keri

Like most girls, I love to wear beautiful, designer clothes, especially on romantic holidays like Valentine’s Day. But all too often the price is a serious deterrent! In the past, I have turned to eBay and utilized the “Buy it Now” option. This can be a huge timesaver, as well as tremendously cost-effective. Most “Buy it Now” options are offered by boutiques hoping to sell excess inventory. I once got a fabulous one-shouldered, beaded evening gown by Tiffany for under $100, including shipping! The tags were still attached, showing that the boutique had been listing the lovely dress for $399 at retail. Not too shabby!

The only problem I have with eBay is that it’s so easy to get lost in the thousands of offerings. Looking for sunglasses? There are a million to choose from. Handbags? How best to sort? You could spend an eternity on eBay and still not find what you’re looking for – and it’s probably there, somewhere!

So last week, when Bruce from Brandvertiser introduced me to his new service, I was enthusiastic to say the least! Basically, Brandvertiser lists the best deals available on eBay by brand.  Badgley Mischka? Got it. Hermes.Yep. Stella McCartney, Valentino, Movado… and the list goes on and on!

Brandvertiser also lists by item type. Search by categories like handbags, sunglasses, watches, perfume and more.  It really makes a specific search easy!

So, if this Valentine’s Day you’re looking for just the right LBD by Chanel, accessorized by new Jimmy Choos, a sparkly bag by Judith Leiber, and a lovely bauble by David Yurman, you can get it all at Brandvertiser!

The last few days have been a continual deluge here on the East Coast. Our little pond is overflowing its banks and the yard is a sea of red clay. Although intellectually I know that we need the rain, the soggy, gray days do nothing to improve my mood. So I was thrilled to open my email this morning and find the perfect antidote – a La Montagne Umbrella!

This gorgeous umbrella features images and symbols from the Basque region of the French Pyrenees, including the area’s distinctive architecture, tranquil green pastures and majestic mountains.

And, not only is this a truly beautiful umbrella, it also has a special system of double ribbing with springs, to prevent the umbrella from being turned inside out in the wind (finally!). Although it’s surprisingly strong, this umbrella weighs only 14 oz.

La Montagne Umbrella is $96 and is available only from the lovely and very, very French Quel Objet.

Tres chic!

Are you ready for the next level in flip-flop design?

Yoga Sandals are uniquely designed with four thongs, so that the sandal will not slide around on your foot. Plus, the support of the heel protects your arch, while the slope provides ambulatory stability. 

According to the creators at the Beech Sandal Company, since each toe is gently separated, there is a natural alignment of the foot bones and muscles, aiding posture and balance. 

In fact, Yoga Sandals are stocked in many podiatry clinics across the UK and Europe. And, industry experts recommend and retail Yoga Sandals to their clients as a remedy for many common foot disorders – from the realignment of bunions to the soothing of sharp pains and improvement of joint flexibility.

One of the fringe benefits that I’ve discovered with these amazingly comfortable sandals – they also make the perfect flip flops to wear to your pedicure. No more smudged polish!

How often has this happened to you? You purchase the most amazing swimsuit – great color, great fit, your absolute favorite – and it gets snagged and ruined on the side of the pool!

The folks at Pretty SMART! have come up with a simple, but amazingly effective solution. The Azula is a water resistant, flexible mat that you place on the edge of the swimming pool to keep your suit from snagging. With the price of a decent swimsuit close to $100 these days, this simple product is a no brainer.

PrettySMART! Was founded by lifelong friends Julie and Laura. Growing up, one was tagged “the smart one”; the other, “the pretty one.” So they turned those adjectives on their heads, tongue and cheek, by making them the company name.

And boy did they hit the mark! The Azula is machine washable, flexible, durable and lightweight. And so convenient — basically, you just roll up, tie it with built-in cord and go! Pretty smart, indeed.

Not only is the Azula a sure fire way to save your swimsuit from damage, you can also use it for hot leather car seats, frigid metal stadium bleachers, at picnics and outdoor festivals, on the beach, and more.  

Prices for the Azula range from $7.00 to $14.50, depending on pattern. And good luck choosing just one! There are funny sayings, great graphics, and eye popping colors. To make it just a little bit harder, the pair are unveiling 2010 styles at AmericasMart in Atlanta later this week.

I’m thinking one to match each suit…