Fashion Find: Antonio Melani Amanda Tote

Hey all! As you know, I have a serious handbag fixation, so I couldn't resist sharing the gem I discovered on a quick Dillard's run today. It's the Antonio Melani Amanda Tote, and I am absolutely in love. The bag retails for only $120, but it looks like a much more expensive bag. I actually stopped to look at it because it so closely resembled one of Michael Kors' $300-400 gorgeous creations. Considering my purse problem, I'm so impressed I walked away from this bag without buying four. It comes in several shades including neutral and those trendy neon and jewel tones, and the inside has so many compartments and pockets for perfect organization. It'd be a great office bag or day tote, and could easily fit my 13" MacBook Pro and several folders for a work day.

You can purchase the bag online, here! Let me know if you do, I'd love to hear about it.

Coming soon:

• Travel: Two Days in Ireland
• Beauty Reviews: My Recent Purchases

Fashion: Trendy Tribal

One of my favorite summer trends is the tribal pattern I'm seeing everywhere! It's such a versatile look, and adding a tribal accessory to any look takes it to the next level. Aztec-printed dresses, tops and even leggings are perfect for a summer boho look. I especially love tribal swimwear, how perfect for your vacation!

Tribal pieces to jazz up any summer wardrobe.

Simple accessories perfectly accent this wild skirt.

Monochrome + tribal.

Perfect summer night out look.

Classy + trendy for the beach.

What do you think? Have you added tribal pieces to your closet?

Fashion: Splurge or Save?

Unless you have an unlimited clothing budget (jealous), you have to pick and choose with items you need to splurge on, and where you need to save. When is it better to buy the designer, and when is it better to find a similar off-brand piece?

Timeless, good quality, high-use pieces are worth the extra splurge.

Generally, if something is trendy, I'd say buy a similar. If you think you'll get less than a year of wear out of something, don't spend big money on it. Boyfriend jeans? Save. Chunky sandals? Save. Keep your dollars for classic pieces that will never go out of style, such as a statement handbag, a designer watch, sunglasses you'll wear every day, or a great leather jacket.

Get "trendy" items at discount retailers, not designer boutiques.

For example, the high-low dress trend, while something I love, is sure to be gone next year, so don't spend more than $20-$30 on a dress you'll wear for a summer. If you get your must-have, on-trend, get-compliments-at-work pieces someplace like H&M or Forever 21, you can Neiman Marcus something you'll use and style for years to come.

What do you think? What items are worth the splurge, and where should you save?

Fashion: The Staple Bag and Statement Bag

When I was younger, I switched handbags nearly as often as I changed my clothes. I had cheap, faux-leather purses in every color of the rainbow. I fondly remember a sunflower yellow hobo I toted for a few years, as well as a cobalt blue bag with a giant flower adorning its front. As I've grown, my taste in handbags has certainly changed. Now, I'm a huge advocate of the staple bag: a classic, generation-transcending, occasion-transcending bag of good quality. Naturally, this sort of purse comes with a heftier price tag. Whether you have a designer or mall budget, you can find a gorgeous staple bag to go with any look.

Gorgeous bags that transcend from office to errands to out to date night.

Even if you can't spend several hundred (or thousand, eek!) dollars on a staple piece, dupes exist for less than $100 and are just as beautiful and versatile as the designer staples.

Staple bags for less than $100 - just as lovely as the designer bags.

However, this summer there is a massive trend amongst designers: bright-colored handbags! A boring suit or LBD can easily stand out with the addition of one of these jewel tone satchels, and a neon purse with a drab office outfit is sure to get you noticed and help your business casual stay trendy.

Colorful bags for summer looks.

What do you think? Should you splurge on a staple bag or replace a cheap one every few months? Is a colored handbag trendy and fun or tacky and obnoxious? Let me know!

Fashion: Maxi Skirts for Summer

Being 5'2", I took one look at the maxi skirt trend taking over fashion magazines and the internet and knew it wasn't for me. I've never met a formal dress I didn't have to hem, and I live in the world of petite pants. But when I moved to Paris and saw so many women absolutely rocking the ankle-grazing trend, I took a $10 gamble on a black, cotton maxi skirt from H&M and never looked back. It's so great for an all-day look because you can wear one for morning coffee and then out that night with just a few styling tweaks.

Solid and pattern maxi skirts for any budget.

Some of my favorite maxi skirts on the market right now.

Add heavier make-up and a pair of heels to dress up a maxi skirt for night.

Examples of day-to-night maxi skirt styling.

Chic celebrity styling.

Jennifer Lawrence, Selena Gomez, Olivia Palermo and Jessica Alba rock their maxi style.

What do you think? Are maxi skirts fab or drab? What's the best way to style a maxi skirt for summer?