Let me start by saying that I’m not generally big on prints. Stripes or polka dots are pretty much as adventurous as I get. But a little peek at Chloé’s snakeskin dress in this month’s Real Simple may have changed my mind.

Understated and downright chic, this beauty is way more high society than stripper pole–which is what I think about when I think snakeskin. It’s a print that always seems so cheap to me, but Chloé proves that it doesn’t have to be.

With my interest piqued, I had to poke around to see if there were some other pieces out there that are just as low key. I was totally shocked by how many snakeskin pieces I found that I would wear….

Bianca Nero snakeskin dress

Parker snakeskin top

Jessica Simpson snakeskin bag

Aldo snakeskin sandals

Alice and Olivia snakeskin leggings

River Island snakeskin cardigan

The key to making snakeskin look sophisticated is subtly. If the print isn’t too loud and obnoxious, it adds a rich texture to your look. It’s a neutral with a little extra oomph!

Another thing I’m liking about it is that adding in little pops of this print is a great way to transition your wardrobe to fall once the weather starts getting cooler (although at this point it doesn’t feel like that will ever happen!).

What do you think?

So, as I mentioned earlier this week, I’ve been spending a lot of time poolside lately. Unfortunately, even though I’ve piled on the sunscreen, the sun has not been too kind to my face. It’s free of sunburn, but just being exposed to the sun is seriously irritating my rosacea.

I basically look like a 16-year old in the midst of a bout with acne. Things could most certainly could be worse, so I’m not about to complain. But since I’m currently the food source for my little one, I can’t use any medication to calm it down. What’s a girl to do to?

I’m thinking of investing in a super cute sun hat. I’ve been eyeing them for awhile now and this is the perfect excuse to try one out.

Check out the cute one’s I found after a little poking around…

Athleta

Hinge

Jessica Simpson

Coolibar (UPF 50+!)

Sunday Afternoons (UPF 50+!)

Collection XIIX

So what do you think? Do you like any of these? Do you think they’re silly? I want to hear from you!

For those of you that don’t know, I’m the blog editor over at Best Hudson Valley Wedding Ever!, a wedding blog that focuses on New York’s Hudson Valley. One of my duties is to find awesome real weddings that might be of interest to our readers.

Last week I featured the gorgeous wedding of Allison and Tim. Among the many super pretty details were Allison’s killer shoes (shown below in a photo taken by the incredibly talented Jade of Uplift Photography).

The most amazing part of these pretty sparklers? She embellished them herself!

She bought a pair of Something Bleu flats off of eBay for $60–they’re regularly $240!–and attached the rhinestones by hand. How gorgeous are they?!

It got me thinking. Why don’t more women do that?! There are tons of way to personalize your shoes.

First, there are literally thousands of shoe clips available on Etsy. They can transform an ordinary shoe into a show stopper.chiffon flower shoe clip by Fink Shop

bow shoe clip by the shop at no 144

Looking to really go DIY? Green Wedding Shoes has a pretty easy tutorial on adding a chiffon embellishment to a relatively plain shoe. I have also seen some pretty amazing hand-painted shoes out there (check out norakaren if you like the idea but aren’t that crafty).

If sparkle like Allison’s is more up your alley, these Benjamin Adams beauties may be your dream come true.

Sadly they cost about $400, but The Bride Fairy has a tutorial that will cost you way less (you just need a little time and patience).

So what do you think? Would you embellish a pair of shoes to get a more unique look or would you rather just buy ’em and forget about it?

I’ve been spending a lot of time at the pool this week because my daughter is taking swimming lessons (she fancies herself a little mermaid–only she doesn’t particularly like getting her eyes wet). All that time in a bathing suit has me thinking an awful lot about cover ups.

Generally we think of cover ups as something to hide our bodies behind. I mean, they’re called cover ups, right? We use them to cover our bodies.

But seeing all these women of various shapes, sizes and age ranges in different stages of undress has led me to say TO HELL WITH IT! My daughters do not need to grow up watching mommy desperately try to cover her body in shame (hey, I had a baby just under four months ago. I’m not exactly feeling svelte at the moment).

Instead, let’s think of cover-ups as what they actually are:  a fashionable way to get from the pool/beach to wherever else your day might be taking you without looking like a hooker at the grocery store. They’re also a great way to shield your skin from the sun if, for instance, your shoulders suddenly feel like they’re on fire.

Here’s a collection of super cute ones…

I love stripes. I love cardigans. Why not combine them in one nautically-inspired bathing suit-covering masterpiece? This Beach Star cover up is great for the lady who wants to inject her look with some glamour!

If you love stripes, but want something a bit more bohemian, W Swimwear makes this gorgeous sheer tunic. It’s light and flowy and the colors are like the sunset. Love it!

Speaking of tunics, how cute is this one from Milly? Love it! The jute embroidering is so pretty and if you’re looking for a darker color, it’s just as cute in coconut brown.

Going for something sexy? This Nanette Lepore piece totally fits the bill. The crochet let’s you see through it just enough, while leaving a little to the imagination–way sexier than letting it all hang out!

If versatility is the most important bit for you, you’ll love this Garnet Hill convertible cover up. Wear it as a skirt while you traipse down the beach in search of seashells and pull it up into a strapless dress when you’re ready to go into town for some lunch!

Another piece that can easily double as a dress to walk around town in is this pretty cotton voile one from Lands’ End. Love this color!

I’m still obsessing over stripes in a big way. They’re simple and classic and absolutely perfect for summer.

Today I bring you a look that would work for a party, brunch or even at work!

You can mix and match these pieces depending on what you are willing to splurge on and what you don’t find as important without sacrificing style at all…

Luxe Look

Oscar de la Renta dress, $580.49 (on sale from $1290)
Dior “Bagatelle” sunglasses, $345
Dooney & Bourke satchel, $168
Michael Kors “Juniper” espadrille, $140

Steal

Spense dress, $59
Chinese Laundry sunglasses, $29.90
Chaps satchel (via eBay), $28.95
SM “Skylar” wedge, $49.95