It is that time of year. My absolute favorite fashion season: Pre-Fall. Pre-Fall style is the magical in-between of summer and fall. Even though it is Labor Day today and it feels like summer is over, we still have a few more weeks officially of summer. So it is time for Pre-Fall!! It’s all of the fun of fall fashion without worrying about the cold. Living in California I end up wearing pre-fall much longer than it’s intended to. I couldn’t wait to start browsing this year’s pre-fall collections. And, this season didn’t disappoint.

I can’t help it! I’m a dress girl at heart. Nothing makes me feel more confident and put together than a breathtaking dress. Clothes have such transformative power! Lately, I have been spotting so many Ulla Johnson dresses out and about. I’m a huge fan of the brand and a handful of my favorite dress are hers. If your closet is in need of a mid-summer pick-me-up a Ulla dress is the answer.

Ah, Summer the best season. The perfect time for vacation, road trips, extra time spent at the beach, and eating outside. As we are in the last stretch of summer, with nice warm August weather, summer fashion proves to be a never-ending struggle. Trying to dress stylishly without sweating can be almost impossible. While throwing on a pair of denim shorts and a t-shirt is simple, it doesn’t work for many occasions. Here is a guide for how to survive a summer heatwave while looking sensational whether you are meeting a friend for dinner or traveling through Europe! 

Looking for the perfect summer dress is no easy task. Before I left for East Hampton to visit a close friend, I looked everywhere for a dress. It needed to work for a weekend in the sun. The moment I spotted this Maje dress I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. 

This winter I am recommending blue. Dark blue dresses that is.

I was considering these three dark blue dresses for my sister’s midday wedding in October. I like navy or dark blue. Give me a break from black but has the same richness. And wintertime really highlights a deep blue.

As sister of the bride, I ended up going with the more festive off the shoulder dress by Roland Mouret! It was so comfortable yet special. Which of these 3 dresses I was considering for my sister’s wedding you favorite?

Happy November 1st. We are two months away from the New Year! OMG.  I don’t know about you, but here in Southern California, during early crisp mornings as I’m heading to work, I put on the perfect fall outfit and by lunchtime when the sun’s come out and it is 85 degrees, that cute fall outfit that was once a fashionistas dream is a little less climate appropriate. By evening, the wind is making me glad again I brought that extra sweater. That’s why I believe in layering and dressing for whatever temperature fall throws your way…no matter where you are in the country or outside of the country. Layer, layer, layer is the answer.

Here are my current favorite fashion forward fall looks for when it’s warm in the day and cooler at night.

I have some black Chloe scalloped flats that I bought last season and am loving right now. They are amazing and they were expensive.  Thought it might be helpful to do a round up of the most stylish and affordable flats for fall. Nothing like a good stylish comfortable flat for running around town to get things done.

And this year has so many amazing, different styles. Gone are the days of just your average ballerina flats. Here are 17 of the best affordable flats for fall and winter 2018/2019.  Most on the list are under $100!

Should every girl have a go-to jean jacket? Is that a rhetorical question?

As I shared with you in a prior post, my friend A.Ro recently suggested I dress down my fancy black Chloe dress with a jean jacket — and after scrambling through my closet, I realized I don’t own a proper one!

As I expand my collection of denim, here’s a variety of pieces I’ve found that could work for almost any occasion or time of day. From vests, different colors, cuts, and washes… it’s important to have options! Happy shopping!

Who says dressy clothes are just for dressy occasions?

I’ve been trying to find ways to incorporate the fancier items in my closet into my regular wardrobe — and I’ve found that with a little creativity and willingness to play around, you can find a look that works for almost any day of the week!

Case in point… I bought the Chloe dress pictured throughout this post for a wedding I was going to late last year. As I’m sure many of you can relate, it’s a beautiful dress (that I spent way too much money for), but it just sits in my closet.

A little background, I purchased the dress while rushing out of the store before closing… without even looking at the price tag. I still lose sleep over that sometimes, but what can you do. I had to catch a flight early the next morning for the wedding, so I ended up deciding to make it work. In hindsight, I totally could have worn something perfectly nice that I already owned (without spending an arm and a leg) and returned the dress, but here we are. All dressed up with nowhere to go!

Springtime is among us!

I am so inspired by the warm weather and fresh blooms this time of year. The beauty all around us just makes me want to throw on a flowy floral dress and fill my home with newly-picked flowers!

Here are some of my favorite ideas for incorporating the colors and flower power this season brings into fashion and home decor (below)!

Spring showers bring… the need for waterproof fashion and cozy interiors!

Ok, ok, I know we don’t get a ton of rain here in Southern California, but we do have days where I need to throw on a light rain jacket and a pair of boots — if I leave the house, that is! With a reading nook like the one pictured (above), I don’t know if I ever would…

Check out some of my rainy day inspiration (below)!

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with some online shopping?!

Here are a few products I’m obsessed with right now — not to mention, a couple of really awesome sales! No rhyme or reason here, just sharing as I find. Enjoy!

Next month, I am going to Greece!  So excited. I will be in Santorini overlooking the ocean for a few days.  I am planning my packing list already.  I imagine walking through the streets of Santorini all in white carrying the accessory of the summer…a fabulous straw bag!

Today, I bring you our ultimate straw beach bag round up for your shopping pleasure.  Tote bags, clutches, messenger style purses…we’ve rounded up 15 of our fave straw bags!

I am trying to plot out my summer plans for vacations.  I want to go some place I haven’t been before…maybe Greece, Scotland, Morocco.  Hmmm…so much of the world to see.  So little time!  And I must add some versatile items to my summer wardrobe to accommodate my dream travel.  I love white lace tops to pair with jeans or a long bohemian style skirt.  A cute light lace top is the perfect summer wardrobe staple for travel.  Light and versatile…casual and dressy.  A must have.

I bought the lace top pictured here last summer.  It is one of my faves…I wore it in the Hamptons when visiting my besties AM and A.Ro.  Now I am in search of some new things for summer (and for more summer travel)…here is a look at some delicate lace tops I am eyeing now. Which one do you like best?

This post has been sitting in my inbox for awhile.  Not real confident about pictures of me on the blog but since our mission here at COCOCOZY this year is to include a little more about fashion and style, you will see a little more of me from time to time.  This year we are happily focused on ALL things style and lifestyle (decor, entertaining, fashion, art, travel) – bringing pretty inspiration to you and hopefully giving you good ideas for all aspects of your life.   (BTW…I say “we”, because I have a small little staff  helping me at our small little offices in Beverly Hills with all things COCOCOZY including the blog and product line).

Okay…for today’s post we are exploring a few perfect printed dresses.  Here’s why.  I would not say I dress in a drab way…but I do kind of dress in a drab formulaic way when it comes to pattern and color.  I get into a routine. Solid colored pants pants/or jeans, solid colored top, khaki jacket, black Rag & Bone open toe booties is a kind of staple…or a solid colored dress, solid green skirt, solid blue jumper.  Lately, I have been mixing things up with a top of a different solid color, maybe a stripe here or there, or switching out the shoes for a pair of YSL sling back heels or some cute Aquazzura sandals.  Then came this dress pictured above….

I know.  It is Spring.  Who talks about velvet in the spring?  Not anyone I know.  Today, here is a first…a little bit of velvet for the home and for your wardrobe.

I think a top with a touch of velvet for spring or a fresh white room with a velvet accent chair all work even as the weather gets warmer.  Check out a few ways to use velvet accents at home and in your closet!