Electric Sun

Sun-lover and compulsive shopper? Tanning Boutiques exist.

A summer tan cannot come soon enough. Today I visited Electric Sun in Ellicott City. It has combined two of my favorite activities (tanning and shopping) to join a new genre of faux-sun salons called tanning boutiques. Its filled floor to ceiling with so many cute trinkets, ranging from wine openers to polka dot flops to Bride-to-Be totes. One of my favorite finds was a Big Buddha bag. Oh, and their tanning beds are top of line. I always leave bronzed, not burned. Visit their site or fan them on facebook.

Favorite Flip-Flop Friday

Rainbows Sandals. They are classic and comfortable, my favorite flip-flops of all time. Just bought a new pair yesterday to replace my four-year old ones that my rottweiler (King) nibbled too many times. These are the best. Rainbows mold to your feet so the more you wear them, the better they feel. They're quality flops and have a lifetime warranty. If a strap breaks or something (and its not your fault i.e. tripping and ripping is on you), just send them in for a fresh pair. I buy mine at Nordstroms. 

Vintage Purses from New Designer

Local designer, Michelle Cooley, makes these gorgeous purses from vintage materials. Her work and resume is incredible. For starters, she's the mother of 9 children (the eldest is one of my best friends). She designs and sews the purses at her home in Annapolis, adding a little bit of something old and something new to each unique bag. Her creations are called Purses With A Past and have been featured in silent auctions and local boutiques. Check her website & blog to follow the exciting journey of a MILWF (Mom In Love With Fashion).

The Real OC: East Coast, Eastern Shore

My balcony view on 44th St. Oceanside 3/22/11

Hello, Ocean City! Not my first choice for Spring Break but there’s a beach and bars here too. I'm visiting my second home in OCMD to get it ready for summer. My place is in perfect proximity to my favorite spots...

 Bellybuster’s, Seacrets and South Moon Under. 

Bellybusters on 45th street Oceanside

Bellybuster’s is a little shack-style restaurant on Coastal Highway, serving the best spicy shrimp in OC (personal opinion of moi). You can walk in there right off the beach, barefoot and in a bathing suit. If you’re looking for fast and stellar seafood, or a simple grilled cheese and fries, Bellybusters is the spot. OC’s hidden treasure for sure. 

Seacrets "Get Lost and Find Us" on 49th St. Bayside

Seacrets, the most famous and recognizable place here, is known for being one of the world's largest bars. Its an incredible place for drinking, eating and floating (socially & aquatically). The setting is insane, you almost forget you’re in MD. Complete with imported palm trees and tiki torches, every measure of decor was chosen to imitate Jamaica and islands alike. I've been coming to Seacrets with the family for years. Their crab soup and burgers are good, but I was often distracted by the roped-off scene: bartenders serve floating patrons as they sit on rafts, jet skis, in-water tables and booths. Last summer I was finally 21 and participated by boozing in the bay too. It was great. I’m a sucker for “signature” anything so I would recommend Seacret’s Signature Dirty Banana Daiquiri (yum). 

South Moon Under on 80th St. Bayside

South Moon Under: my favorite store. Their buyers are amazing and really capture the ideal East Coast style, combining causal comfort with contemporary trends. The store’s headquarters are located in Berlin, MD (right outside OC). They first opened here in 1968 as a surf shop. Since then, they have branded themselves as a surf chic boutique and expanded store locations to Annapolis, Baltimore, Bethesda and Towson, with a few more shops in surrounding states (DE, PA, VA). Their Ocean City location has two levels; the second floor hosts primarily bathing suits, a vast collection of every desirable option. They also carry clothing and shoes for men and women, in addition to accessories and home decor. Offering the best designer jeans and bikinis, SMU is definitely my first choice location for shopping splurges. Check out their style blog or shop online. 

Two Weeks Notice

CEO and founder, Blake Mycoskie, created TOMS in 2006. TOMS has created a movement and dedicated a day to recognize their cause by hosting a open-invitation event on April 5th called One Day Without Shoes. In two weeks, be like Blake and go barefoot for an entire day. The philanthropic brand is truly incredible, like it’s inspirational founder, and this event will follow suit. Participate and forget to wear shoes on April 5th! 

Sliver Slippers

I l-o-v-e my glitter TOMS. Other than flops, they’re my favorite choice of footwear. I love the way they look (like Aladdin), how they feel (like slippers) and what they stand for (helping humanity). Every time someone buys TOMS, a child in a third world country is given a new pair of shoes. One-for-one is the motto of the brand as they passionately sponsor a philanthropic cause that makes anyone with a heart (or feet) want to partake.

Watch this video and you’ll want to wear TOMS too. 

Gold Medal in Style

This necklace resembles a mini gold medal you can personalize by choosing your own initial. Its so simple but when it comes to everyday jewelry, minimalism is key. I l-o-v-e my initial necklace from South Moon Under. It compliments everything I wear and really accentuates a solid summer tan. A friend of mine bought both her initials with two chains, I plan to copy that decision seeing as layered necklaces look effortlessly chic. 

'Tis the season to flip flop

Spring is back and so is my favorite footwear. Though its not their signature season, it is socially and seasonally acceptable to rock flip-flops again. With the change in temperature comes the change in trends and subsequently, the fabulous opportunity to adapt to both with personal style. My blog will be filled with my favorite things pertaining to fashion, trends and travel. Style is a choice to which I apply the flip-flop philosophy: breezy comfort. I enjoy suburbia and love the city, but the beach is my geographical preference.