I Need A Vacation!

It's that time of year when people leave their hectic lives behind and go chill somewhere with some water. That's right...it's vacation time...and I'll be taking one myself soon...Yay!

In preparation for my trip, I need to find a couple of new suits. And I need them to be inexpensive, but still cute. For the past few summers, Old Navy has become my place for swimsuits. They have an assortment of suits in various styles and colors you can mix and match. Here are my picks...

Details: Yellow Halter Swim Top and Bottoms, $16.50 each piece; Polka-Dot Bikini, $16.50 each piece at Old Navy.

Of course, you'll also need something to wear over your suit. Check out these cute coverups...

Details: Terry Romper and Hooded Cover-Up, both $19.50 at Old Navy.

While in Target the other day I noticed that they also had some cute, inexpensive suits. My picks...

Mossimo Black Butterfly Print Tankini Top, $19.99; Bottom, $17.99; Xhilaration Stripe Halter Swim Top and Bottom, each $14.99, all at Target.

Target Coverups...

Merona Swim Coverup Tunic, $17.99; Xhilaration Smocked Terry Dress Coverup, $16.99, all at Target.

We all know every ensemble needs accessories. Here's a few beach/pool side accessories...

Details (left to right, top to bottom): Straw Hat, $12.99 at Target; Velour Beach Towel, $12.50 at Old Navy; Seagrass Tote, $12.99 at Target; Oversized Straw Tote, $14.50 at Old Navy.

Clearly, this post was brought to you by Old Navy and Target. They should cut me a check! Both have a good variety and the price is right. Everything in the post was under $20.00...can't beat that with a bat!

Stayed tuned for more vacation style. I've got some more shopping to do for my trip.

Spring Style

I know I'm a little late with this post, but better late than never, right? Besides, spring style overlaps into summer style anyway.

Spring has sprung and that means it's time to rotate the wardrobe and get ready for warmer weather - except for those unseasonably freaky cold days (it snowed here on Easter!). I hear a lot of ladies say they like spring/summer clothes more than their fall/winter ensembles, but it's a toss up for me. I love cute tanks and peep toes, but I also adore my coats and boots.

Make sure these spring must haves are in your closet...

• swingy dresses


• shirtdresses


• sundresses


• cardigans


• peep toe pumps


• wedges


• cropped pants


• rain gear (Check out my Rainy Days post!)

With these essentials, you'll be ready for any spring occasion - graduations, weddings, April showers (or tornadoes if you live here), or just a day out and about.

I've put together a few spring looks using items from the list...

Details (left to right, top to bottom): Striped Trapeze Sweater, $58 at Banana Republic; Skinny Cropped Khakis, $29.50 at Gap; Liz X-Cross Cork/Wood Wedge, $34.99 at Ann Taylor Loft; Marc Jacobs Turnlock Jazz Bag, $458 at Nordstrom

Details: Ya-Ya Love Mahogany Cotton Rib Tank Top, $30 at Bluefly; Diesel Dark Wash Fuxim Long Shorts, $75 at Bluefly; Chinese Laundry Jammin Pumps, $72.95 at Zappos; Scoop-Neck Cardigan, $24.50 at Old Navy; Cole Haan Small Bucket Tote, $295 at Cole Haan.

Details: Playa Tank Dress, $250 at J.Crew; Abas Crinkle Patent Cylinder Clutch, $125 at Nordstrom; Enzo Angiolini Maylie Pump, $88.95 at Nordstrom

Details: Camilla Cotton Cady Dress, $280 at J.Crew; Kate Spade Pasadena Jocelyn Clutch, $268.95 at Zappos; Kate Spade Giselle, $278.95 at Zappos

Just add accessories and you're good to go!

I didn't realize I chose so many yellow items until I was uploading the pics. I guess that's my fav color for the spring. The J.Crew Playa Tank Dress comes in a pretty Bright Mineral color also. Having trouble finding springy stuff or accessories for these looks? Leave a comment and I'll try to help.

Until next time...

Bee You. Bee Style!

Bee You!

So...the idea for my next blog came to me as I was waiting in the doctor's office the other day flipping through a magazine. Jumpsuits! It's a trend that I've been seeing alot lately. On Tuesday I while researching for my post, I took a break to surf through some of my fav sites when lo and behold...another site had a similar post! With a couple of the same jumpsuits and everything! I'd hate for anyone to think I'm biting from another site, so I decided to scrap the post. O well. But do head on over to The Fashion Bomb and check out the post (dated Tuesday, April 10).

In lieu of the jumpsuit post, I chose to post about individual style. Everyone has their own style, a way of making an outfit their own. You may be wearing the same outfit as someone else, but rock it in your own way. Does that make sense?

One way to make an outfit your own is to literally personalize it. There are a few sites out there that offer customized apparel. Customized Girl is one of them. I've purchased several items and have been pleased with their products and service every time. Take a look at some of my Customized Girl stuff...

The first one (left to right) might be hard to read. It's a "Soon to be..." top I bought for my sissy after her engagement. The other two are just some fun tops I got for myself.

Steve Madden also offers customized orders. It's the

Design Your Own Collection exclusively at SteveMadden.com. The user designs their own shoe by selecting from various styles, heels, and colors. It's pretty cool. Can't find that pink and brown wedge you're looking for? Design your own! I haven't ordered anything yet, but I'm thinking about it. If anyone out there tries it, please provide feedback.

One more site...Bags-Purses-Totes specializes in personalized items. They have several different items and make good gifts.

These are some fun ways to Bee You!

Until next time...

Bee You. Bee Style!

Little White Dress

So...I have a family affair coming up. My newest cutie-pie cousin is being dedicated back to the Lord and his mother requested that the family members wear white for the service. I immediately went into panic mode...I have nothing to wear! But before I began looking for a dress to spend my hard earned money on, I told myself to calm down and think. Turns out, I do have a couple of white dresses, but only one is appropriate for going to see Mr. Jesus (Did yall see Borat?). Anyway, my near crisis reminded me of a little blurb I read a while back on The Little White Dress. It's now a fashion essential, like the LBD.

In the March issue of Glamour (one of my fav magazines), there's a Spring Trend Dos and Don'ts article by Michael Kors...

"All Hail the LWD
Do learn the phrase: Little White Dress. It does the same as your LBD! This year there are so many fabulous ones; look for something textured, embroidered or with eyelets. Do try it with metallic accessories for night or black patent for day."

After researching for this post, I was thisclose to going out and buying a dress. *sigh* I guess I'll be good and work with what I have. First up, we have some dresses I think are cute and can be a good look for the summer...

Details (left to right, top to bottom): Empire Waist Goddess Dress, $148 at Banana Republic; Ralph Lauren Linen Halter Dress, $129 at Macy*s; Irene Voile Dress, $138 at White House Black Market; Springtime Halter Dress, $138 at White House Black Market; Empire Waist Dress with Pleating Detail, $199 at Club Monaco; Circle Eyelet Dress, $79.50 at Gap

Just like with the LBD, the right accessories can really make this outfit pop and you can make it your own. Let's look at some accessories that go along with Mr. Kors's suggestions...

Details (left to right, top to bottom): Charles David Alpha, $175 at Zappos; Porthole Handle Bag, $44 at Cache; Square Stretch Bracelet, $24 at Cache; Patent Leather Headband, $12 at Ann Taylor Loft; Steven Lalo, $116.06 at Zappos; Jessica Simpson Janey, $92 at Piperlime; Patent Leather Clutch, $39 at Ann Taylor Loft; Joie Last Child Patent Leather Ballet Flat, $155 at Shopbop

Tip: If you go with an Empire Waist, make sure it doesn't make you look prego. Sometimes that happens when you're well endowed in the bust area.

Another tip: If you're looking for a LWD, try to find one that is lined. It hangs better to prevent that clingy look, plus you won't have to worry about it being too thin/see through and showing your goodies. It might sound old fashioned, but it's a good tip for dresses, skirts, and dress pants, especially for clothing you'll be wearing to work or church. The good stuff is lined (my Momma taught me that). See Momma - I do listen!

Until next time,

Bee You. Bee Style!

Rainy Days Bee Style

So...it's been raining like crazy around here so I thought I'd write about Rainy Day fashion. I have mixed feelings about rainy days. On one hand, it makes for bad hair days and it makes me want to be lazy and lay around all day. (Who wants to be out in the icky rain?) But on the other hand, there's my cute rain gear that's always fun to wear. I have some super cute rain boots that I absolutely love. I get some looks from fuddy-duddys, but I also get a lot of compliments on them. They're fun and functional because they keep my feet and lower legs from getting soaked. I have a long trek from my car to the building at work and if it's been raining for a while, the parking lot turns into a lake (not exaggerating) so they really come in handy. I wear them in and then just change into my real shoes for the day. I get to wear my cute peep toes or sandals and I don't have to worry about wet toes. Wet toes aren't fun. Protect your nice shoes and pants from being drenched and invest in some rain boots.

Check these out...

Details: Pinky Plaid Rainboots, $19.99 at Target; Polka Dot Rain Boots, $16.98 at Wal-Mart; Pink Ribbon Rain Boots, $60.00 at Shop Intuition

When I was younger, one of my fabulous aunts passed on some good fashion words of wisdom. She taught me to wear bright colors on rainy days. It's a tip I've always remembered. It makes you stand out plus it helps combat that lazy, dreary feeling. My fav color to wear, rain or shine, is pink. Simply wearing a colorful top on a bleak day can make a difference. Try it. It might brighten up your day! One way to keep it bright is to get a rain coat in a fun color. Like these...

Details, left to right, top to bottom: Michael Kors Short Trench Coat, $145 at Bloomingdale's; Nine West Sateen Coat, $88 at Nordstrom; Michael Kors Rain Slicker, $98 at Nordstrom; BB Dakota Gabrielle Trench Coat, $39 at Nordstrom; Nine West Trench Coat, $169 at Nordstrom; Trench with Bow, $129 at Nine West

Or you can opt for a more traditional rain/trench coat like one of these...

Details, left to right, top to bottom: Casual Trench Coat, $69.99 at Gap; Long Twill Jacket, $695 at Burberry; Trench Coat, $995 at Burberry; Lilly Pulitzer Trench Coat, $358 at Bloomingdale's

No rainy day outfit is complete without an umbrella...

Details: Juicy Couture Motif Umbrella, $55 at Nordstrom; Burberry Ultra Light Mini Umbrella, $125; Clear Dome Umbrella, $29.95 at Umbrellas.com


Stay dry and cute!
Bee You. Bee Style!

Welcome to Bee Style!

Hey!
Welcome to my Fashion Blog. I'm Bee (as in Aunt Bee or Queen Bee - take your pick) and I created this blog to share my passion for fashion with other fashionistas and chic chicks. I am a firm believer in the power of fashion...the right outfit has the ability to make you feel sexy, beautiful, confident, intelligent, etc - the possibilities are endless!

I hope you enjoy the blog. I'm still developing everything and getting my thoughts together. Please comment. Leave suggestions and let me know what you think. I do have a non-fashion related full time job (boo!) so I probably won't post as much as I'd like to, but I will post regularly with fashion news, trends, and other goodies.

For my very first topic, I thought I'd stick with one of the classics...The Little Black Dress. That's actually what I wanted to name my blog, but it was already taken (double boo!). I randomly selected a few affordable little black dresses I think are cute. I hope you do too. Every girl needs one...or three. If you need one, maybe you'll like one of these enough to buy it. Then I can feel like I've made a difference in the world with my blog. That's deep!

Now for the details. Going left to right, top to bottom:
Max & Cleo Ruched Jersey Taffeta Party Dress, $168.00 at Nordstrom; Splendid Scoopneck Tunic Dress, $95.00 at Saks; Pleated Trapeze Dress, $98.00 at Arden B.; Smocked Empire Dress, $29.50 at Old Navy; Triacetate V-Neck Dress, $148.00 at Ann Taylor; Martala Belted Shirtdress, $148.00 at Ann Taylor; Sateen Serenade Dress, $138.00 at White House Black Market

Since no outfit is complete without the proper accessories, here are some cute ones to go with your Little Black Dress. (Not all at once, though.)

Details:

Chinese Laundry clutch, $40.50 at Chinese Laundry; Cultured Black Pearls, $119.99 at Overstock; rsvp Willow Pump, $69.95 at Zappos; Black Rhinestone Hoops, $6.95 at Sam Moon; Sterling Silver Bangles, $150.00 at Ralph Lauren; Padparadscha Sapphire Ring, $39.20 at Zales; Dangle Earrings, $3.95 at Sam Moon.

I guess that's it for my first post. What did you think? Check back later for more. Until then...

Bee You. Bee Style!

-Bee