Beach Blowout: Marysia One Piece {$285} // Vix Cover Up {$180} // Sea Bags for J.Crew {$165} // Michael by Michael Kors Sandals {$135} 

BBQ Mixer: Lovely Jumper One Piece {$165} // Tibi Maxi Skirt {$395} // Havanna Clutch {$88} // Ancient Greek Sandals {$185}

Poolside Party: Polka Dot Bikini {$48+} // Milly Tunic {$230} // Farmer’s Market Tote {$50} // Striped Flip Flops {$22}

Tonight we skipped over to the Beverly Hilton to celebrate the launch of Domaine Home {get familiar}. I have sort of a love/hate relationship for interiors. Seeing beautiful pictures of beautiful homes such as those on Domaine Home makes me feel love sick. Not so much in a ‘I wish I could have that but can’t’ kind of way, but more of an overall aching in appreciation for the beauty that lies in great design. The love-at-first-site excitability in not only the fashion industry, but interior design industry leaves me with not only love for the trade, but a hate because if only I had never seen, had never known about the allure that lies in these inspired photos, then I wouldn’t feel so lustful for it. Such is life.

Naven Maxi Skirt {$438, borrowed} // Equipment Blouse {$188, c/o DressedSB} // Loft Necklace {sold out, similar one here for $32} // Clare Vivier Oversized Clutch in Leopard {$258} // Steve Madden Real Love Heels {$80, c/o} 

Tick, tock, tick, tock the weekend has almost arrived and it’s time to bust out your-mean lean grillin’ machine-self because come Friday it is officially summer in my book {ya baby!}. Here are a few key pieces to ring the summer in with style.

1. Pineapple Drink Stirrers {$36} // 2. Paddleball Set {$24} // 3. Veggie BBQ Pan {$10} // 4. LemLem Kaftan {$215} // 5. Corn Holders {$2 set of 8} // 6. Tory Burch Studs {$78} // 7. Splendid Espadrille {$78} // 8. Classic Apron {$36} // 9. Canvas with Leather Tote {$150} // 10. LED BBQ Lights {$20} // 11. Slider Set {$20} // 12. Sarah Jane Short {$175} // 13. Tear Off Napkins {$10} // 14. Slate Cheese Board {$15} // 15. Rail & Warf 48-Hour Duffel {$118} // 16. Ace & Jig Top {$120} // 17. Graphic Dot Swimsuit {$110} // 18. Primary Statement Necklace {$42}

A few days ago we received an invite to a wedding in Melbourne, Australia for two of our dearest friends. You can imagine my elatement when, as we debated whether or not we were going, we realized how this same couple traveled from London to LA for our wedding. So, needless to say it’s looking optimistic {fingers crossed} that we will be making a trip to Australia come February. I can’t tell you how many e-mails I’ve been getting lately from fellow damsels seeking wedding attire advise {love that btw!}. After talking “beach wedding” and then “vineyard wedding,” today it’s all about the city wedding & I think you’ll find a common thread in my wedding dress advise:

For summer wedding attire, it’s all about the flow of the dress. Let the material and the dancing of the fabric in the wind do all of the talking. An understated dress with a statement necklace and classic heel is appropriate for any wedding dress code. For summer weddings I am all about a long, easy maxi dress.

Steve Madden Real Love Heel {$80} // Dress on loan from Kymerah // Chanel Clutch // Cartier Bracelets // The Loft Necklace {sold out, similar one here}

For more favorite wedding attire picks, see below:

 1. Zimmerman Suit {$310} // 2. Mar Y Sol Basket Tote {$95} // 3. Slim Flip Flops {$26} //4.  Navy Halter Swimsuit {$88} // 5. Nate Berkus for Target Towel {$18} // 6. Arcona Leave In Conditioner {$20} // 7. Surf Spray {$25} // 8. Contrast Straw Hat {$80} // 9.  Shiseido Sunscreen {$32} // 10. Detangling Comb {$30} // 11. Printed Maxi Dress {50 euro} // 12. Jungle Romper {$198} // 13. Hepcat Shades {$55} 

If there’s one thing that I have grown into over the past year it’s gardening! Last year Farmer Don came out to visit & helped me get my garden set up. Now I like to tend to it every weekend with water, warm words and a little TLC. If you’re looking to plant a few things this spring, I’ve included a little guide for summer planting below.

Ace & Jig Dress {sold out but equally obsessed with this & this one!} // Wooden Handled Garden Trowel {$8} // Anthropologie Hat {similar one here & here} //  H by Hudson Riley Boots {$315, c/o} // Knox Pave Bar Necklace {$70, c/o}

In terms of laying out your garden, a good rule is to plant the tallest crops (beans and corn) on the northern side, because this will prevent them from shading the rest of your vegetables. Just south of them should be your next-tallest crops (tomatoes and squash), followed by the lowest-growing crops (beets and carrots) on the southernmost section.

Warm-season vegetables include:

• Beans (lima beans and snap beans, specifically)
• Beets
• Bell peppers
• Carrots
• Corn (requires a lot of room)
• Cucumbers
• Eggplant
• Tomatoes
• Squash
• Zucchini

Warm-season Herbs include:

• Basil
• Chives
• Dill
• Fennel
• Parsley
• Sage
• Thyme

Here are a few garden gear must have’s for every girl & her garden:

We’ve all been there: Standing in front of our closet freaking over what to wear {naturally, at the absolute last second before we’re supposed to be somewhere}. Panic sets in and you state the 100% whole hearted claim that you have nothing to wear. This is the time when you should always rely on your closet staples.

For me, that equals a pair of good jeans, an easy white tank with a bold blazer & killer heels {and clutch!}. Sure, you may call me crazy for spending nearly $460 on a blazer but if you ask me how many black blazers I’ve purchased since I got this one nearly 4 years ago the answer is: One {and you’re looking at it}. Ask me how many times I have worn it and the answer is: Hundreds! My motto? Buy the best and you will only cry once!

Joe’s Jeans High Water Vintage Reserve {$165, c/o} // Clare Vivier Clutch {$258, same clutch smaller size available here for $198} // ATM Tank {$62} // Steve Madden Real Love Heels {$80} // Helmut Lang Blazer {$460}

Here are a few of my other favorite staples :::

Just in case you missed the past two QVC segments that I was a part of, I thought I would share them here. Also, be sure to tune in this evening {May 16th} at 10PST to QVC for a fun segment on summer dresses!

To shop the trends, visit QVC’s Inspired Style with Amy Stran!

 I’ll be the first to admit that come summer I may or may not go a little bit overboard {pun intended} with nautical. I know that I’m obsessed with something when the husband doesn’t like it and I still choose to wear it because I love it so much. As soon as the boat anchored in Marina Del Rey, I knew it was time to bust out my favorite white jeans & set sail into my summer style! White denim is my #1 summer staple because it literally brings any and all colors to life!

Old Navy Rockstar Super Skinny Jeans {$20} // Kate Spade PicNic Champagne Box {$98} // Banago Malaya Tote {$99} // Striped Zara Sweater {$40} // Chanel Espadrilles {equally cute ones here & here}

This post is sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy’s latest fashion lineup in store or online at oldnavy.com.

I used to steer clear of dresses that were a touch on the shorter side in fear of a little breeze coming my way & before you know it, all of my goodies are showing! Thankfully when my Lovers + Friends sent me this cute dress, I also had my girl Heidi Merrick’s vegan leather track shorts to slip on under it. I found that it was the perfect match & can’t wait to start wearing these shorts with more pieces I’ve been scooting to the back of the closet.

Lovers + Friends Dress {c/o, here it is in tangerine} // Heidi Merrick Vegan Leather Shorts {$195, c/o} // Clare Vivier Clutch {$188} // Gold Arrow Necklace {$59} // Mia Tiered Necklace {$110} // YSL Arty Ring // Valentino Heels