One of my all-time favorite stores, as I have mentioned before, is Victoria’s Secret. They cater to the sophisticated woman and yet manage to keep their designs flirty and fun.

With summer fast approaching, there is no better time than now to check out the 2008 swimwear collection available through Victoria’s Secret now.

Whatever your size and style preference you will find the perfect bathing suit, and with their low prices you can even afford to get more than one.

Although there are over one hundred different gorgeous styles to choose from, here are a few of my personal favorites.

Vix Floral Sequin Sliding Triangle Top & Adjustable Tanga Bottom

This is a stunning bikini that offers as much luxury and elegance that you can find in a two-piece swimsuit.

Exclusively for Victoria’s Secret, this little number offers decent coverage, with sequin embellishment and embroidery, lined cups for no see through, and is made of imported Brazilian polyamide/elastane.

It is available in sizes XS-L, top $110, bottom $60.

Beach Sexy Shimmer Stripe Sliding Triangle Top & String Bottom

A little bit disco-esque, this two-piece is full of sparkle and shine.

Trendy and flirty, you will definitely stand out on the beach in this one, with a center rhinestone heart and contrasting red string ties.

Crafted from imported nylon/spandex, this bathing suit will shape to your body like a glove, is available in sizes XS-L, top $32, bottom $24.

Rampage Metallic Triangle Top & Low-Rise Bottom

Featuring an all-over scroll print, light removable padding, neck tie and back clasp, this gorgeous little number is fully lined and made of imported nylon/spandex.

The flirty flippy skirt bottom accentuates your curves and covers you up a bit more if you want more coverage on the bottom.

Available in sizes XS-L through all Victoria’s Secret outlets, this set is $49 for the top, $51 for bottom.

Very Sexy Ombrè One-Piece Monokini

As you can see I’m more of a bikini girl myself, but there are a couple of one-piece suits that I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on.

Take this monokini for example, which features blended ocean-blue and mauve colors.

This one-piece has an open back and is fully lined. It ties at both the neck and back and features a plunging neckline, for a price of only $60.

Vix Jeweled Cut-Out One Piece

This is another of my favorites. A stone-bold stunner, this one-piece comes with beveled jeweled stones on the front and a one-shoulder asymmetrical silhouette that connects the top and bottom on one side.

With minimal back coverage and the bright white color, this bathing suit screams sex appeal.

Available in sizes XS-L this one-piece is yours for a very reasonable price of $165.

These are just a few of the swimsuits Victoria’s Secret is featuring this year, so make sure that you check out their retail stores or website to view the full collection.

If you are looking for a great gift for you - and your boyfriend - you will definitely want to check out Customized World.

I was flipping through a magazine the other day and noticed an ad for the company near the back, and decided to check them out for myself.

I am usually put off by things that are overly cheap because when it comes to fashion although I do not think you need to spend a fortune to get quality, I also do not think that you need to be super stingy either.

One thing I noticed right away was the low prices of the apparel they were offering, everything from t-shirts and bottoms to bridal wear and doggie clothing.

You can get any of their products customized personally for you, and the greatest part is that you do not have to choose from previously selected quotes and words, but rather can make them up completely on your own.

My favorite was the set of customized underwear or “Hotties” as they refer to them.

When I ordered my set, the deal was 2 pair for $20 which is very reasonable, and the shipping was cheap and very prompt, as I received them in the mail only four days later.

I absolutely love them, and although they are certainly not the most extravagant piece of intimate apparel I have ever bought, I was definitely satisfied with my purchase, and so was my boyfriend once he saw his name inscribed on them.

I must say that there are relatively few pieces that cannot be somehow made to work and look great, but there are still those few styles that I just don’t get.

The Steve Madden chap has started to become quite popular, and even though I keep going back to the website and into stores to check out the shoe now named as “Steve Madden’s Most Wanted”, I still don’t see what all the fuss is about.

There are actually about 20 different versions of this shoe that Madden presently has available, some of which I will let off the hook for the time being while others I simply have to make a point about.

I don’t care who you are, you cannot tell me that these do not remind you of your professor’s worn out old shoes only with a heel stuck on the bottom.

I tried, I really did, to come up with any possible outfit that this shoe could even remotely look decent with, and there was nothing.

Unless you are dressing up as a senior citizen for Halloween, I can’t imagine why anyone would like these shoes - sorry Steve.

Then there is also the Shawnee, which really does a disservice to the moccasin.

Talk about bland and boring - I usually love Steve’s designs, a combination of youth and sophistication, but with these I have to say he has gone off track.

Maybe if there was a higher heel or the fringe and string were scrapped … maybe not. What do you think?

New York Bridal Week wound down on Friday, with most editors fatigued and hoping that they never again have to see another white dress.

Okay so maybe it was not all that bad but editors were definitely exhausted, although all agree that it was more than worth it to check out some of the latest and greatest in bridal fashions.

Vera Wang was one of my personal favorites for this bridal wear fashion week, where she offered 32 gorgeous different bridal gowns, all exquisite in their own right.

Vera Wang was born to design wedding dresses. She always gets everything perfect in a dress from start to finish, from the draping and color to the length and embellishment.

There were many other designers who displayed their new bridal designs during this year’s New York Bridal Week, including Reem Acra, Carolina Herrera, Elizabeth Filmore, Monique Lhullier, and Oscar de la Renta.

If you are interested in viewing the complete showcase for yourself you can check out New York Weddings for the full story.

We are now fully fledged into the spring season with the warm summer weather on the way and here are some just as hot spring/summer 2008 pieces that you will want to add to your wardrobe.

Vibrant Colors

Just as we reported recently on sunglasses, neon shades are in for apparel as well. Try a bold splash of lime green or sunshine yellow in your ensemble or go all out with a solid colored dress in an eye-popping shade.

If you really want to heat things up this summer, try one of these gorgeous dresses. The dress on the left you can purchase from Costume National, the similar hot pink version offered by Nanette Lepore.

Flirty and Romantic

Romantic looks covered in frilly and lacy designs are totally in this season, much to my delight. These feminine, flirty looks are gorgeous to wear either on a warm summer day or for an evening out.

Here are a few of my favorite versions. On the left is an admirable spring dress from Max Azria, with a skinny natural-hued leather belt that helps to accentuate the waist.

The typical romantic style dresses are done in light pastels and whites, but for a more daring look you could choose a dark romantic dress, seen here by Calvin Klein from his fall 2008 collection which could easily lose the tights and be worn with a pair of strappy heels to make it more suitable for the warmer weather.

Retrosexual

The styles of the ’50s are definitely back and all the rage, and I for one am a true fan of this timeless style. Think Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly, the overtly feminine yet subtly sexy apparel that will never really go out of style.

If you are interested in getting the bombshell ’50s look for yourself, here are a few staples you will need to include.

You will want to invest in some knee-length pencil skirts which will help to accentuate your curves and give you more of an hourglass figure. Sleeveless silk blouses work well as do shaped t-shirts and fitted jackets.

This is an adorable bathing suit from the Abaete Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear Collection and a Kimono jacket and pencil skirt from one of my favorite designers, Michael Kors.

With these beautiful looks and the right accessories you will be ready and set for summer, the epitome of a true fashionista.

The summer is fast approaching and there is one accessory that you need to have to be ready for the beautiful weather - sunglasses.

Sunglasses have always been one of the favored accessories. There are so many different sizes, styles and shapes available and you can really have a lot of fun with them.

For the upcoming season, there are a few styles in particular that you will want to keep your eyes open for.

Cat Eye

One of the hottest sunglasses styles for this summer is the cat eye look. Also often known as butterfly frames, these sunglasses are pure femininity and sex appeal.

They are very vintage looking, think back to the era of Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren.

This pair is the Anouk Cat’s Eye Sunglasses from Tom Ford Eyewear, which retail at Saks Fifth Avenue for $330 USD.

Metallic

Metallics are all over the place this year, and they are most popular of all in accessories. There are some gorgeous metallic sunglasses, for both men and women.

Unveiled in Michael Kors‘ Spring 2008 line were numerous metallic shades, the men’s primarily featuring metrosexual styling done in bronze and gold tones.

For women, a good choice would be the Marina Chain Temple Aviator Metal Sunglasses, which are sophisticated aviators offering a subtle splash of metallic color, perfect for day or evening.

Color

Color is all the rage this season. We always hear of black making comebacks but this time it is all about bright colors.

Neon has returned to the runways, and there is no funner way to stand out than to brighten up your accessories.

Everyone from Armani Exchange to Kate Spade are turning heads with their electric-hued, vibrant colored shades, so start off your summer with a bang and get a pair of these stand out sunglasses.

If you have ever watched the hit TV show What Not to Wear, you have seen makeup artist Charmindy applying aerosol spray foundation to the nominees.

A revelation in beauty, this is definitely one of the newest breakthrough advancements in the cosmetics world, and one that definitely caught my interest.

The foundation that Charmindy uses is called ERA Face. It is the first and only patented spray-on foundation that combines long lasting color with a state of the art delivery system.

Applying your foundation has never been easier, and the spray delivery ensures that your face is coated evenly and that there are no unsightly spots or lines.

As stated on La Te Da Beauty Bar:

ERA Face is lightweight, fast and virtually mistake-proof. It contains light diffusing pigments to enhance the skin’s natural healthy glow. ERA Face provides sheer minimal coverage for a natural, less made-up look. For maximum coverage, color can be seamlessly layered to provide completely opaque results while still using minimal product.

With ERA Face you get head to toe perfection, as it can be used not only on the face but also the entire body if you want to cover up scars, moles, or other problem areas on your skin.

It can even completely cover up tattoos, varicose veins, stretchmarks, and skin discolorations.

The foundation is water resistant so it will not rub off on clothing or come off when it gets wet, and yet it can be easily removed with mild soap or a gentle makeup remover.

There are many other advantages offered by the ERA Face foundation as well, including that it is good for the skin. Its unique formulation helps the skin by providing it with vital moisture without clogging pores.

It contains ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile which means that foundation is not heavy like other makeup, allowing the skin to breathe as a result.

ERA Face is available through a number of retailers, including Amazon, The Shopping Channel, and various other retailers for anywhere from $30-$70 USD.

I am not one for the super skinny waif-like models of today, I’m really not.

I’ve always thought women were most beautiful with at least a little bit of meat on their bones, which is becoming harder and harder to find these days.

However, the woman who actually started the waif trend I have a great admiration for, and that is Kate Moss.

I’m pretty sure I heard a gasp there from some readers.

Of all the models out there, whether you like her or not, Kate Moss is one that stands out from the crowd, and she is one that has definitely left an impression on me.

Okay so she doesn’t have the best reputation, especially after the incident a few years back that involved some, shall we say, not so desirable photographs.

She has been the target of much media controversy, and the British tabloids and paparazzi in particular often target Moss.

She has always been a true fashionista, a style visionary who has started some of the hottest trends.

Ugg boots, Marc Jacobs ankle boots, Alexander McQueen’s skull scarf, skinny jeans - Kate popularized them all, and she has even brought some old styles back into popularity, including high-waisted pants and waist-cinching belts.

She is known famously for her many advertising campaigns for the likes of Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Rimmel, and also for her high-profile relationships and party lifesyle.

Still, regardless of the abundant negative press she has received, no one can deny that Kate Moss is a true style icon. Anything she wears instantly becomes fashionable, whether she is trying or not. She is the perfect combination of innocence and sex kitten - a sassy, confident woman with a style all her own.

As reported on our very own The IT Fashion just a few days ago, Kate Moss recently topped the list as Glamour magazine’s best dressed woman, and this is not the first fashion list on which she has topped the charts.

She is a true iconic English fashion model, and she even has her own successful clothing line which shows that although the press may prefer to portray her in a not so positive light, she is more than just gorgeous, she is an intelligent, creative, decisive young woman.

One of the most idolizing things about Kate Moss is that she wears what she likes, what she wants to. She is a fashion trendsetter and never a follower, one that is always willing to break the fashion rules.

Kate Moss is a true supermodel. She has rocked the runway, posed on the covers of numerous fashion magazines, and proved herself time and time again as being a true style icon.

Some people idolize Victoria Beckham’s style while others go into a frenzy when they see that she continues to make one “Best Dressed” list after another.

Either way it is safe to say that she is not going to have much success with her clothing line, as it was dumped soon after it was released.

Kitson and Fred Segal have dumped Beckham’s line after poor sales. There was also a serious lack of promotional work, as Victoria even refused to do in-store promotions to advertise her line, which definitely did not help things any.

As reported on Holly Scoop, Fraser Ross, owner of Kitson, says that:

We asked her PR people so many times for her to appear but she didn’t. Celebrity lines are no different from an album or music tour. They have to be promoted to sell.

To some people this news is sad, while others are thrilled. Apart from her time with the Spice Girls, I think Victoria Beckham’s style is quite stylish and pretty, and she looks darn good after having two kids.

With her lack of promotional work however, whether it be due to laziness or ignorance, it is only expected that her entrepreneurial efforts here would fail.

Here is one list that we have all been waiting for. Candy Pratts Price, Executive Fashion Director of Style, the online home of Vogue and W magazines, has recently announced her list of the upcoming year’s best accessories.

This is one woman who knows her fashion, and whose experience and expertise we can trust in to advise us of the hottest looks for the year.

She lists accessories from the top designers around the world, including the effervescent John Galliano, for one. She names the suede and copper platform sandal as her accessory of the year from Galliano, an almost gladiator-modernized sandal perfect for the summer and fall.

Her pick for Calvin Klein? The leather platform pump. Already available from Calvin Klein, this subtle platform pump has innocent appeal and is neutral enough to work with just about any outfit. Calvin prefers these stylish shoes with his typical streamlined black dress, but you can pair them with almost any combination from your wardrobe.

The Christian Louboutin accessory chosen was an incredibly funky and modern stiletto boot, made of leather and suede and which is oh so stylish. It features a patchwork design of lavender, navy and tan, with his signature leather red soles.

Louboutin has boutiques located all around the world where you can purchase these boots and any other day shoes, evening shoes, wedges, boots, platforms and bags featured in his collections.

An incredibly creative, distinguished designer, it is no wonder Louboutin made this list and this one of a kind patchwork stiletto boot is just one of hundreds of beautiful, exquisite designs he has released for 2008.

A designer made infamous on the TV show Sex and the City, Manolo Blahnik, also made this list. As always, Blahnik’s unique and qwirky style shows through, with the newly released embroidered satin ankle boot. Manolo Blahnik has always been a champion of timeless and beautifully crafted designs, his shoes screaming with high glamour and sex appeal.

Pratts Price continues on the list with one of everyone’s favorites, Valentino. Always classic and sophisticated, Valentino’s designs are never a let down.

This is an accessory of the year that you do not want to miss - the Fango Rose tote bag. Featuring a gorgeous rose petal cut-out on the front of the bag, this elegant design is perfect for the spring and fall seasons of 2008.

There is no one in the fashion world like Valentino, and this feminine, flirty tote bag is just a small part of his 2008 collection. For the full viewing of his spring and fall collections you can check out the Valentino website.

The list continues on with names like Miu Miu, Delfina Delettrez, Emilio Pucci, Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent and Diane Von Furstenberg, just to name a few.

This is one list that we can all stand behind and which will be our sidekick of style for the 2008 year.