lovely look: pyramid studs

News flash: studs are no longer reserved for heavy metal enthusiasts only. In fact, several designers have capitalized on the pyramid studs trend for their latest collections. Loeffler Randall, Marc Jacobs, and SHIH have all been spotted toughening up their handbags, shoes, and other accessories with this season's hottest embellishment. An easy way to add style to an otherwise plain piece, it's no wonder pyramid studs are unavoidable lately. On the less expensive side, check out Old Navy's suede studded flats or Alloy's patent studded belt. Trendy (and inexpensive) jewelry boutiques like Girl Props and Lulu's Fashion Lounge are also jumping on the pyramid stud bandwagon, so there are countless options out there when it comes to this particular trend. Whether you choose to wear a simple bangle or carry a bright patent bag, this look definitely deserves a chance this season.

From top left: clutch, Marc Jacobs ,available at Barneys; bangle, Girl Props; sandals, Old Navy; handbag, Intuition; small clutch, SHIH, available at Plaza Too; leather belt, Marc Jacobs, available at Barneys, white sandals, Loeffler Randall, available at Shopbop; ring, Girl Props; flats, Marc Jacobs, available at Barneys; blue bangle, available at Marc by Marc Jacobs stores; belt, Alloy.

mastering the carbon copy

Jonathan Saunders Dress, available at Net-A-Porter.

3.1 Philip Lim dress, available at Net-A-Porter.

Tibi dress, available at Revolve and Neiman Marcus.

Miu Miu flats, available at Bluefly.

When browsing through the Forever 21 website, we noticed that several of the items look eerily similar to some of our favorite designers' pieces. As you may or may not know, Forever 21 was slammed with a lawsuit from Gwen Stefani's company last year for selling sweaters that looked almost exactly like the L.A.M.B. originals. Clearly that hasn't stopped them from anything. If you are looking for designer style at a fraction of the cost, definitely check out Forever 21's selection. The quality make not be up to par (i.e. polyester material instead of silk chiffon), but the style is hardly compromised, and the money you will save can certainly be put to much better use.

on the prowl...moccasin boots

Moccasin boots have been a boho staple for several years now, but it seems like more and more celebrities have been feeling 'fringy' in the last few months. These boots are comfortable and easy to slip on and off, but the real question is are you confident enough to don them? When easing into such a distinct look, take a fashion hint from your favorite celebrities and wear these moccasins with relatively plain ensembles. Short dresses and tapered jeans are the best way to show them off. The boots will speak for themselves. All boots shown are available at urbanoutfitters.com.

(click on image to enlarge)

inspired by...piet mondrian

After coming across this spot-on dress, we began to notice several items that, whether through color or shape, seem to have taken a hint from Piet Mondrian's abstract red, blue, and yellow compositions. The dress itself is essentially wearable art, and although it may be a bit too bold for everyday wear, it is perfect for anyone itching to make a statement. Square-shaped and patent accessories accentuate the bold colors and straight lines that made Mr. Mondrian's work so famous.

Dress ($23), Forever 21. Tights (set of three, $15), Alloy. Sneakers, Nike, available on eBay. Bag ($1,109), Marc Jacobs, available at Barneys. Heels ($304), Marc by Marc Jacobs, available at Zappos Couture. Strappy platforms ($25), Alice + Olivia for Payless. Bangle ($3) and sunglasses ($8), Girl Props. Headband ($3), Bellachi.

for investors only: summer style

There are certain items that can be used day after day, year after year, decade after decade, etc. When something is sure to get a lot of use, there is less guilt in forking over a little more cash to make certain the piece will last as long as you'd like. Whereas trendy pieces go in and out of style after a few weeks or months, classic items will become lifelong staples in your closet. OK, "lifelong" might be pushing it a little, but with these pieces you are sure to get your money's worth. The key to finding investment-worthy items is to focus on basic styles and good quality. Remember, basic does not mean "boring" and quality does not necessarily mean "made from rip-stop material." You can keep the looks fresh and fun while still maintaining the status quo for quality and necessity.

1. We recommend investing in a basic pair of sunglasses for summer, and we turned to the trusty Ray-Ban website for some good examples. Wayfarers were made famous in the classic Risky Business scene where Tom Cruise danced around in his underwear, his Wayfarers, and not much else. Celebs have been wearing them for a few seasons now, and although some may label them "trendy", we think they have real staying power and can be pulled off for years to come. The Wayfarer comes in many colors this season, but we recommend sticking with a basic black or tortoise shade to make the style last. The classic aviator style was epitomized by Ray-Ban and the original shape hasn't changed much, which shows that this pair of sunglasses is here to stay. Aviators are universally flattering for all face shapes and the UV protection is a definite plus.

2. A good pair of jeans is a wardrobe must. The most important aspect is the fit, so make sure they are not too tight (i.e. muffin top), but not too loose (i.e. looks like you're wearing your boyfriend's jeans). Also, to achieve a classic look, stay away from trendier cuts, like big bell-bottoms or skintight stovepipes. Distressed and embroidered looks will not be in it for the long run, so look for classic boot cut or straight-legs in a medium-to-dark wash (please, no acid wash!). 7 for All Mankind's Stretch Bootcut in New York Dark is a good choice for investment-worthy denim.

3. Whoever said cashmere was just for winter must have had some sort of vendetta against the luxury fabric, because there is no reason cashmere can't be worn during the warmer months. Sure, we wouldn't recommend that you wear a bulky cashmere sweater at the beach, but a lightweight cashmere cardigan in a bold color adds splash to any outfit, and makes for a great layering piece. J. Crew has tons of variations in every color of the rainbow, but we personally favor the Featherweight Cashmere Ruffle Cardigan in orange. Wear this draped over your shoulders on cooler days or buttoned up over a printed summer dress on breezy nights.

4. As far as summer purses and beach bags go, we adore the classic Longchamp Le Pliage because it can be used for several different occasions. It is beach-friendly, easy to wash, and even easier to wear. The bag is available in several different colors and sizes. Pictured is the small Royale with short handles. Although $100 may seem a little steep for a basic nylon bag, we have yet to come across a bag like it comparable in style or wearability.

5. Everyone is looking out for the perfect summer sandal, but with thousands of options out there, it is almost impossible to single out just one pair. Lately, we have been eyeing the Metallic Gladiator from Urban Outfitters. The gladiator style has stuck around for a few years now, which is impressive because most people thought it was a one-season trend. However, each summer these flat strappy sandals are coming back better than ever, and they have really grown on us. Although we do love some of the wild and crazy choices out there, we feel that plain, thin strap sandals are the way to go. The three simple straps make this sandal wearable without looking gimmick-y, and the metallic gold color goes with practically everything.

6. Audrey Hepburn put Tiffany's on the map for young girls everywhere. While every girl dreams of the day a man gets down on one knee and presents her with a tiny blue box, there are other (more attainable) ways to enjoy the Tiffany's legacy of luxury and sophistication. We selected a plain pair of sterling silver studs because they can easily be dressed up or down depending on the accompanying outfit. There's nothing wrong with wearing these everyday, but make sure to keep them looking shiny and new (not a problem since the bag they come in doubles as a polishing cloth!)

reds, whites, and blues

This Memorial Day, take a hint from Chanel's Spring collection and adorn yourself in stars and stripes. You can choose to go all out by wearing the prints together, or take a more subtle approach and pair one printed piece with a classic white shirt or jeans. Don't forget that accessories can make or break the outfit, so opt for pretty patent flats or a cute clutch to make the look really stand out.

1. This striped cardigan from American Apparel is comfy and a steal at only $44. For the truly daring, pair this with the star printed skirt to create an audaciously adorable ensemble. The sandy color will keep the outfit from looking too costume-y. For the not-so-bold out there, pair this sweater with plain bottoms and standout accessories to show off your patriotism in a safer manner.

2. The Leadlight skirt from Anthropologie provides an excellent way to wear the holiday colors without looking like a walking American flag (see above). The hint of green in the skirt makes it wearable for any time in spring and summer, not just Memorial Day and the 4th of July. Because of the large and well-defined floral print, this piece would be best paired with a plain top and shoes.

3. When looking for a cute clutch that showcases the holiday colors, we were delighted to come across the Kate Spade Hilton Head bow clutch. The turquoise and red make a great color combination that changes things up from the usual royal blue and red combo. The huge bow really sets this clutch apart from the rest, and embodies the preppy and chic style that made Kate Spade famous. Plus, it's on sale!

4. One shoe style that works great for this season is the J. Crew City patent-leather flat, shown here in a deep blue shade. Patent leather is a good way to spice up an otherwise plain outfit, and we feel that flats are the best way to wear patent leather. The style of the shoe makes it wearable all year long, with bright patterned skirts or lightweight pants in the summer, or with flannel skirts and tights or dark jeans and trousers in the winter.

5. We turned to Sperry, the maker of the timeless Topsiders boat shoes, for this next item. The quality and clean look of the classic Sperry have been transferred into a more girly style for this summer. The cushioned leather sole and espadrille bottoms make this shoe comfortable and cute, and a surefire hit at any summer BBQ.

6. This star-printed skirt from Asos is a real knockout piece not intended for the meek. As you can see, stars have been huge on the runways (like Chanel and YSL) and in Hollywood for a few months now, and this skirt is a fun and affordable take on the trend. As previously mentioned, it would look great with the striped cardigan, or any other red and white striped top, but for a safer way to pull off the look we recommend a plain white blouse.

7. This ruffle halter from J. Crew is exactly the type of blouse we were talking about to pair with the star-printed skirt. It is classic, but not too stuffy. The ruffles are fun and the cut is flattering for most body types. It is also a great shell to wear under blazers and any other structured jacket.

8. These plain white jeans from Urban Outfitters would pair up well with any printed top, shoes, or bag. White jeans are a perennial summer staple, and an easy way to pull off the white in the red, white, and blue look. Because of the fairly tight fit of these jeans, they would look best with a billowy top. For an additional layer, try a cute and clean-cut blazer to add color and structure.

9. This bright red blazer from Topshop would work great with any of the pieces shown here. We really love the contrasting trim and nautical embroidery on the pocket. Although this would look great in the breezy summer evenings, there is nothing stopping you from rocking this jacket in the the colder fall and winter months.

knockoff shmockoff

Although I always enjoy the luxury and glamour that accompany designer pieces, I will forever be a stickler for a good knockoff. Depending on the source, designer lookalike pieces may or may not compromise quality, but they hardly compromise style and come (more oftentimes than not) completely guilt-free. Why spend a fortune on a piece that will be out of style in three months? This Rebecca Taylor-esque dress from Intuition is so close to the original, minus the $300+ price tag. The fun and flirty style and budget-friendly price make this dress a great buy for early summer. Also comes in black.

go easy on me, i'm new at this blog thing

Borrowing a line from Patrick Park's musical masterpiece, "...now show me something pretty" was created to showcase beautiful fashions; whether old or new, trendy or classic, splurge-worthy or affordable, all of these items are sure to please! enjoy.