Shoes of Summer

Shoes of Summer by elbonner featuring synthetic boots

For what feels like centuries, I have worn the same brown leather, Rainbow flip flops every day that I didn't have to work in the summer. Don't get me wrong, I love my Rainbow's and recommend them to anyone with feet, but sometimes I want something with a little more pizzazz! Luckily, there are all sorts of cool shoe trends happening that make me want to just turn my walk-in pantry to an overflow shoe closet (who needs canned tomatoes?!). And the best thing of all is that all of the shoes pictured are available in one awesome place: Swell.com, one of the best clothing sites out there!. Here are my favorites so far:

Embellishments: Coins, buckles, embroidery, fringe, excessive amounts of beads. Throw them on a shoe and this bitch is chomping at the bit. Shoes like this can make any boring outfit way more interesting. White t-shirt and jean shorts? Embellished sandals! T-shirt dress? EMBELLISHED SANDALS! These two from Swell are so incredible I almost did a spit take when I saw them and make me actually want to take the time to keep my feet looking like dried up dinosaur skin that's been sitting an a dehydrator for 5 million years!

Cute, but Comfortable: Let's face it, sometimes cute shoes destroy your feet and you find yourself craving something that will give your soles a little more TLC. Thanks to companies like Sanuk (top) and Havaiana (bottom), comfortable shoes don't need to be butt-ugly. The Sanuk Yoga Sling sandals incorporate Sanuk's yoga mat foot bed technology (sooooo squishy) with some seriously soft toe/ankle straps that are like the slipper version of a gladiator sandal. Havainas has partnered with Mara Hoffman, a swimwear designer with the coolest prints ever, to make printed rubber sandals that are beautifully squishy and bright. The all-rubber sandals are great for the beach because they won't be ruined if they're accidentally taken away by the tide. If it's comfort you seek, look no further!

Bootie Patrol: Ankle boots! Why did it take so long for me to accept you into my wardrobe?! Ankle boots are great with skinny jeans, but I think they are even better with shorts. I cannot wear heels, I JUST CAN'T. I've tried and I can't walk very fast in them, which my tall boyfriend hates, and my feet are destroyed by the end of the night. I can wear ankle boots with dressier outfits that I can't wear sandals with and still look appropriate whilst still being able to walk. Swell has a bunch of cute ankle boots that are great if you're going to do a lot of walking or need some toe coverage. I wear them all the time and they're always a big hit. I only need like a two-inch heel with a little western flair and I'm hot-to-trot!

If you're stuck in a shoe rut (I'm looking at you Old Navy flip-flop cult followers) and need to spice up your shoe game, look around you and see the great offerings available to you. And check out Swell for all the shoes shown above. Now, get to steppin'!

Swell Fringe Embellished Thong Sandal
Swell Sequined Leather Toe Ring Sandal
Sanuk Yoga Sling Sandals
Havainas Mara Hoffman Anada Slim Flip Flop
DV by Dolce Vita Fisher Fringe Bootie
Roxy Carrington Boot
Volitale Very Movement Wedge Bootie

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The Swimwear Spiciness Chart

Spicy Swimwear Chart by elbonner featuring a swimsuits two piece

The thing I love about beach style is that it comes in so many different shapes, forms, cuts, colors, and designs. There are so many ways to look beachy! It's also another outlet for you to be able to show off your own fashion prowess which works in two ways: 1.) makes you look really good at a place where people normally don't take the time = instant bad ass, and 2.) inspires other to experiment with beach fashion. It doesn't have to be big t-shirts and  Soffe shorts, people!

The Mild Look- Classy, elegant, screams "I own a beach mansion and you don't". By mild I don't mean boring, I mean put-together, muted, and simply elegant. Go for pastel-toned, beautifully made suits, paired with flowy kaftans and dresses for a super relaxed feel. You should exude an "I haven't had a real job in years" vibe and wait by your infinity pool for someone to bring you a mimosa.

Bikini- Tori Praver
Kaftan- Jenn's Pirate Booty
Sandals- Havaianas

Medium- Everyday fun is what this look personifies. You're out with your friends, you need something that stays on whilst playing frisbee, but still looks cute when you inevitably fall asleep on the beach with possible snoring. PRO-TIP: A cute suit will probably detract from the snoring.  Pair with a trendy t-shirt and some cut-offs from a post-beach taco and margarita emergency session and you're good to go!

Bikini Top- Roxy
Bottoms- Billabong
Shirt- Wildfox
Shorts- PacSun

Hot- You're one of those people who doesn't leave behind fashion for anything, even at the beach. You love making bright, bold statements and peacocking whenever you get the chance. People may make snide comments about your outfit, but secretly wish they had the balls to pull off something like that! Go for bright prints and interesting cuts to stand out in a sea of solids! Pair with an equally bright cover-up and some super bright shorts to take your look from walking the sand to dancing the night away at a cool beach club! Take the plunge and work some prints, honey!

Bikini- Maaji
Kaftan- Mara Hoffman
Shorts- Calypso St. Barth

I've got beach fashion on the brain as I start packing for Oahu. Less than a week and I will be sandy, relaxed, and full of spicy ahi poke and I can't friggin' wait! Beach fashion doesn't need to be laborious, just have fun and try something new every once and a while! Happy Sunday!

Dream Beach Bag

Dream Beach Bag by elbonner featuring billabong handbags

All this warm weather and promise of a tropical vacation has put me in the mood to SHOP! If I didn't spend everything on food and bills, this ensemble would totally be in my closet by now. Even as an obvious not-svelte person, I really enjoy looking at and buying swimwear. Just mix and match different pieces that fit and the number one, important thing is to not care. Unless someone is a total jagweed and goes out of their way to tell you that you look bad, it's almost a guarantee  that no one is going to say anything to you about your swimwear choice. 

It's also toenail polish color explosion with lots of neon and brights in summer nail collections. Not to mention lots of new sunscreen formulas and new products. Bah, I'm o excited!! I love the warm weather. I started Insanity (it's awesome); if you like HIIT workouts then Insanity is for you. I get bored and find myself really liking interval workouts to keep me entertained. I'm slapping on my vitamin C serum and pumicing my crusty feet (sorry). Get ready for the sun, baby!

Go Away Winter

Go Away Winter by elbonner featuring persol eyewear

It's 24 degrees outside and if the weather knew what was good for it, it would warm up and start raining money from the sky. Since neither of those things seem like they will never happen, I've taken to the internet to look at sunny happy things to take my mind off of the booger-freezing temperatures right outside my window. In only five months I'll be complaining about my back sweat and I can't wait!