Just because the Summer season is almost over doesn’t mean you need to put away all your summer gear! Summer dresses are still super trendy and always very cute. So, why not hop on over to Bluefly.com and pick up some great Summer dresses while they are still available? You know their sales are fast and furious! At the moment some of their summer stylings are up to 75% off.

Case and point, this Tufi Duek Foliage Printed Black Halter Dress is currently an additional 20% off, priced at $332.79 from the original $770.

Bluefly 

I love the pink and black. The dress is orange and black with a tie halter neck and a pleated neckline. The pleated detail at the neckline make this even more luxurious. You can absolutely find an adorable halter dress at stores like Forever 21, H&M, and Old Navy, but with the pleating the dress pops and you’ll definitely be the only one wearing it..well unless you have even more fashionable friends then you!

Ashley Shute spends eight hours a day working as a blue jean and t-shirt wearing community organizer in San Antonio. The other 16 hours are dedicated to dreaming about and shopping for the latest luxury fashions. Her style icon is Jacqueline Kennedy; classic, clean, and always professional. You will never find a fake bag in her closet and she wants a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes before she turns 30

Have I said that I think all of the Twenty8Twelve designs that Sienna Miller and her sister Savannah put together are to die for? I think I have, but to reiterate this statement I’d like to tell you all about this truly retro-fabulous Cream Floral Silk Indiana Dress from the girls at Bluefly.com.

Bluefly 

This dress screams the late 70s early 80s with the bow off to the side and the gold brown tone in the flowers. But, how do you bring this dress out of the time wrap that is 30 years ago and in to the late 2000s? How about putting on a pair of black tights and ankle boots? I’d splurge for the boots and the tights if I could guarantee that I would look good in this dress.

It is made of floral silk chiffon and has long puffed sleeves and is unlined. I love that it is unlined because it will be great for all of us that are craving a look that transitions from Summer to Fall.The length is ultra sexy as well, with it measuring 18 inches at a size small.  It is currently $290 at Bluefly.com. What are your opinions? Great blast from the past? Chic enough to transition from the Summer to the Fall? Just a Fall look? Let me know!

Ashley Shute spends eight hours a day working as a blue jean and t-shirt wearing community organizer in San Antonio. The other 16 hours are dedicated to dreaming about and shopping for the latest luxury fashions. Her style icon is Jacqueline Kennedy; classic, clean, and always professional. You will never find a fake bag in her closet and she wants a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes before she turns 30.

I stil haven’t fallen in love with the ankle boot. They remind me of something I would wear when I was in second grade. However, I could definitely fall in love with the trend if I could wear the Christian Louboutin Paola 100 Ankle Boots.

Net-A-Porter 

Look at that fabulous pattern. It’s a black demi-sheer lace-effect with the signature red soles and 4inch heels. With the sheer material of the boot you’ll have to get some awesome boot socks (yet another reason to buy boots…more fun socks!).

These are one of a kind boots, for sure. They aren’t the run of the mill luxury fashion boots that will cost $300-500. These are a major splurge for even those of you that live and die by the designer label at $1,155 from Net-A-Porter. but, if you have to have them, then… they’re worth it!

Ashley Shute spends eight hours a day working as a blue jean and t-shirt wearing community organizer in San Antonio. The other 16 hours are dedicated to dreaming about and shopping for the latest luxury fashions. Her style icon is Jacqueline Kennedy; classic, clean, and always professional. You will never find a fake bag in her closet and she wants a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes before she turns 30.

Just like we love strapless dresses, tousled tresses and bare legs for the summer there are various reasons for loving the Fall season. One of those reasons is covering up! Picking the perfect scarf, wrap, blazer, or even bolero is the highlight of my Fall shopping. It’s so much fun I have to break these two topics up in to two different posts.

Nordstrom 

The past few seasons scarfs have popped up everywhere, from tiny local boutiques to main stream discount stores such as Target and Old Navy. It honestly all depends on how much you’re willing to spend on fashion for the scarf. Like any good clothing item, scarves come in great and fantastic materials, like this Eyelash Tissue-Weight Cashmere Wrap from Nordstrom. It’ has some funky fringe and comes in a variety of colors, ranging from the ivory pictured to bright blue. It is $89.90.

However, if you’re looking for something a lot less pricey you can always run upstairs to the Juniors section of Nordstrom to find a less expensive alternative to the designer name scarf. In the Juniors section you’ll find a scarf made of less fancy material, but equally as fashionable for as low as $5.99 (I think i paid more for something at Wal-Mart earlier in the year!). You’ll probably end up with cotton instead of cashmere, but, if you’re just looking for a fun piece then who’s counting right? A good choice is this BP Lightweight Wrap.

Net-A-Porter 

But, of course, there are those cold Fall days when you are out on the town, at a football game, or had to park far away from the office when the cheap alternative just isn’t going to do it. Those are the days you pick something like this Missoni Wool Knit Snood from Net-A-Porter for $240. This option is great because it has that maroon color that’s always fabulous for the Fall and is very versatile…it can cover up your ears (confession…I had no idea what a snood was until I started writing this today…. that’s what I get for living in Texas for 21 years)!

Even if it isn’t cold in the Fall where you are, though, scarves and wraps don’t have to be hidden! Get a good color and go crazy! A good choice would be this Maje Fringed Cotton Scarf from Net-A-Porter for $190. Like always, there are no rules in fashion!

Ashley Shute spends eight hours a day working as a blue jean and t-shirt wearing community organizer in San Antonio. The other 16 hours are dedicated to dreaming about and shopping for the latest luxury fashions. Her style icon is Jacqueline Kennedy; classic, clean, and always professional. You will never find a fake bag in her closet and she wants a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes before she turns 30.

This Richard Chai Silk Cowlneck Dress reminds me of something I would find in a photo of my mother taken during the late 1970s and early 1980s and I don’t disapprove! The small purple flower pint and silk is to die for and the cowlneck gives pushes it right in to the late 2000s.

Sak’s Fifth Avenue

What do you all think? Is this worth the splurge of $518.19 at Sak’s to get that retro feel that you could find at in a photo album? I don’t know. It just might well be because it is 100% silk, has a side zipper and of course is designer made. It’s your call though!

And if you’re a fan of the purple flower print you’ll also like the Richard Chai Silk Cowlneck Top in the same pattern for $358.11. Both are on sale right now.

Ashley Shute spends eight hours a day working as a blue jean and t-shirt wearing community organizer in San Antonio. The other 16 hours are dedicated to dreaming about and shopping for the latest luxury fashions. Her style icon is Jacqueline Kennedy; classic, clean, and always professional. You will never find a fake bag in her closet and she wants a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes before she turns 30.

At the age of 25 I can look back now at Independence Days past and smile fondly at the bright red, white and blue shirts that my parents dressed me in as a child and then laugh even harder at dozens of graphic tees I saw every 4th of July at my summer jobs at such places at the ice cream shop, Six Flags, and the hardware store.

Zuma Press

Friends, a word of advice, unless you are going on a family outting where you are taking lots of pictures, you are under the age of 8 or over the age of 59, the Patriotic tee needs to be retired like the tacky sweater. Maybe I should throw a theme party, “the Patriotic T-Shirt Party.” It could catch on like the “Tacky Sweater” parties of the holiday season.

So, if you are between the ages of 9 and 58 it is highly recommended that you choose something other then the graphic tee, the face painted shirt or the actual flag as a piece of clothing this upcoming weekend to celebrate your freedom.

Why not go with something more subtle? A white sundress? A bright and shiny red bag? Or a fun blue top? These are all great options and options that are at your fingertips! And of course, if these aren’t giving you that fashion fix you’re looking for stopping by your neighborhood Norddstrom, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, or even Target isn’t a bad idea…just please..do not wear that $5 flag shirt from Old Navy..again this year!

Nanette Lepore lispstick embroidered silk ‘Creole’ top

bluefly.com

Alice & Olivia sky blue jeweled detail tutu dress

bluefly.com

Narcisco Rodrigue White Cut-Out Dress

theoutnet

Bottega Veneta Oversized Intrecciato Tote

theoutnet

Kors By Michael Kors Allie Espardille Wedges

theoutnet

Ashley Shute spends eight hours a day working as a blue jean and t-shirt wearing community organizer in San Antonio. The other 16 hours are dedicated to dreaming about and shopping for the latest luxury fashions. Her style icon is Jacqueline Kennedy; classic, clean, and always professional. You will never find a fake bag in her closet and she wants a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes before she turns 30.

I love showing off my feet. When everyone in the office leaves I turn up my music really loud, take off my shoes, dance around badly and sing even worse. So, fall is almost a mourning period for me. But, I’ve decided, this fall, to look on the bright side of things. Boots can also be fun!

Think of all the ridiculously tacky socks you can buy..the possibilities are endless! And the styles of boots number almost as high as the the number of tacky socks you can wear with boots.

 But, as the luxury fashion writer, I am going to urge all of you to please be careful in your boot purchases! Buying 5-6 pairs of $30 ankle boots and only wearing 2 because the other 4 give you horrible blisters or they just don’t match is just not right. Shoes are meant to be seen not hidden! Walk in them. Run in them. Dance in them. Get blisters. And do this all before going to work or going out on the town.

Instead of buying 5-6 ill fitting boots, buy 2 expensive boots that fit perfectly. Let me show you some that would be a good choice in a variety of styles.

Ankle Boots

Alexander McQueen

Donald J Pliner Michi

Thigh High Boots

Stuart Weitzman

Sam Edelman

Just Fun Boots

Oh Deer…

Cole Haan

Gabriella Rocha Jordenna

All Photos from Zappos.com

Some days I feel lazy,  a jersey knit skirt, a t-shirt and flats and I’m ready to go. Other days I feel the need to get super dressed up and just be pretty, even if that means over dressing.  Some days, my friends will ask me, “do you have a hot date later tonight that I don’t know about?” There is no hot date (sad face…) but I look hot! And looking good is always a good thing!

Net-A-Porter

This Oscar de la Renta Sequin-Sprayed-On Dress makes me feel like getting dressed up for that non-existent hot date that my friends are asking me about. The dress is multi-colored with short sleeves made of 100% silk with paillette detailing. The dress is $4,790 from Net-A-Porter.

Ashley Shute spends eight hours a day working as a blue jean and t-shirt wearing community organizer in San Antonio. The other 16 hours are dedicated to dreaming about and shopping for the latest luxury fashions. Her style icon is Jacqueline Kennedy; classic, clean, and always professional. You will never find a fake bag in her closet and she wants a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes before she turns 30.

Get excited and get ready to bargain shop! I have finally broken down and signed up for Ideeli. And oh readers,  was it a bad idea. I’ve found the website to be the flea market of luxury fashion. If only I could try the clothes on before buying!

That’s why, I may pop my Ideeli cherry today and buy some Nina Nguyen jewelry. Her pieces start at $24 and go up to $87  That’s up to 65% off the orignal prices of $60 to $225. And I will always buy cheap jewelry. Take a look at some of the pieces that are up for grabs until tomorrow:

Idelli

Nina Nguyen BRIOLETTE NECKLACE $79

Ideeli

Nina Nguyen 3 Stone Earrings $59

Ideeli

Nina Nguyen Gold Flower Drop Earrings $29

If you aren’t an Ideeli member, and aren’t able to get a membership today, get on their waiting list. It is well worth the wait!

Ashley Shute spends eight hours a day working as a blue jean and t-shirt wearing community organizer in San Antonio. The other 16 hours are dedicated to dreaming about and shopping for the latest luxury fashions. Her style icon is Jacqueline Kennedy; classic, clean, and always professional. You will never find a fake bag in her closet and she wants a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes before she turns 30.

If you look at pictures of my feet throughout the years you will be taken on an evolutionary adventure of fashion. In 1999, I was wearing rubber flip-flops from Old Navy, by 2006 I was wearing Teva flip-flops and last year I moved by way to more work appropriate leather flip-flops.

However, ten years is just too long to wear flip-flops and it’s about time to upgrade! That’s why, this year, I have finally invested in t-bar sandals. I have black ones and browns now, but after seeing these Tibi Twiggy T–bar sandals, I may have a pair of pink ones calling my closet home soon.

theoutnet.com

The thing about this style is that they are perfect for the summer. They show off perfect summer toes and come in casual styles and more dressy styles. These Tibi sandals are a perfect middle of the road compromise and grow with my flip-flop/t-bar sandal evolutionary adventure.

These sandals have a fuchsia and white swirl pattern with a slight heel along with side ankle strap fasteners. They are currently $150 (marked down from $375) and come in a variety of sizes from theoutnet.com.

Ashley Shute spends eight hours a day working as a blue jean and t-shirt wearing community organizer in San Antonio. The other 16 hours are dedicated to dreaming about and shopping for the latest luxury fashions. Her style icon is Jacqueline Kennedy; classic, clean, and always professional. You will never find a fake bag in her closet and she wants a collection of Manolo Blahnik shoes before she turns 30.