Editor's Choice: The BEST Summer Beach Bags and Accessories

Beach and Pool time just got cooler. Philip Stein Tote & Pistil Fedora

These are some of my favorite summer totes, beach bags and accessories for sun and sand! Trending now but will remain true classics you can call on year after year.

Quirky Mesh Bottomed Beach Tote and Matching Clutch

Quirky? Maybe. However the Shake Sand Sifting Beach Bag has a mesh bottom and flap to let the sand out. Pretty close to genius in my book but did you catch the little matching clutch? It has the same set up so no sandstorm there either. Roomy and well thought out, it has a zippered inner pouch and straps with just the right drop length. Coated canvas fabric in a sand beige, it's perfect for the beach blanket. See them at Quirky.com

Matched up! Quirky Shake Beach Tote & Clutch

Woven Bag with Pewter Sand Dollar by Newport Style

I saw lots of these handbags and totes while on vacation on Nantucket Island. Beautifully handwoven of natural ata grass, this bag is made for resort living with a large black grosgrain ribbon and pewter dipped sand dollar on the front. See more at NewportStyle.net

Handwoven Ata Grass Bag

Bamboo Handled Woven Bag from Hawaii
My brother purchased this for me while shopping on the Island of Maui. It's just the right size for your keys, wallet and cell but pretty enough for lunch at the Tiki Bar. Has a zippered closure and little pouch within.

Bamboo Handled Woven Bag from Maui & Mia Flower Halo

Beachy Accessories
Here are some fun accents to go with your summer wear. While I might not wear this in the water, the Mia Flower Halo has a pure Polynesian flavor going for it. When the stars come out...it lights up! Perfect for the club after a day on the beach. See them is various colors at MiaBeauty.com

Light and airy. Woven straw Fedora by Pistil Designs

Pistil Fedora
You definitely need sun protection on the shore. Do it in style with this sweet woven straw Fedora by Pistil Designs. Has a bright, cloth headband and easy fits larger heads of hair. By PistilDesigns.com


 

Bracelet that doubles as a necklace and visa - versa

Vanesa Farfan Jewelry
This Leather and Silver Bracelet/Necklace from Vanesa Farfan is very versatile and should be a definite inclusion in your resort bag. Made with fine quality leather and silver plated charms, it can be worn everyday but still look great for cocktails. See more jewelry designs from VanesaFarfan.com

Leather & Silver Bracelet/Necklace by Vanesa Farfan

Sailing to Nantucket from Cape Cod.

Totes and Jewelry c/o Philip Stein, Quirky and Vanesa Farfan respectively.

Resorts Fashion Week - Body and Sol

Some beautiful choices for Resort Season! Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly Clutch Set. Voda Swim Bikini in Caribbean. Classic Wayfarers by Ray-Ban.

Getting ready for Resort Season means starting NOW to get yourself into swimsuit shape. Picking just the right gear to show off that swimsuit body is key. Here are some of my favorites plus swimwear that does your body GOOD in so many ways.

Hello Riviera! Voda Envy Pushup Criss Cross Top gives you a serious lift! Side Tie Hipster Bottom is so sexy.

Voda Swim
I was looking for shaping swimwear that gives you a lift in all the right places. I've found Voda Swim suits to have just that with impeccable styling. The Envy Pushup Top claims to give you a 1-2 cup size increase, but I'm really impressed by the shaping power of the top. Whether you want a little extra or simply firm up what you have, this top has got it going on.

Resort Season Essentials for Body & Sol

Body & Sol Essentials
Here's my top essentials list for a gorgeously toned body and sun protected skin:

Embryolisse 365 Cream Body Firming Treatment
Total moisturizing, smoothing and firming all in one 7 fl oz tube. Rich in wheat protein, guarana (caffeine) and shea butter, it gives you an instant moisture & firming boost.

BioELIXIA Body Shaper
This Cellulite Contour Creme really works. I've used it for about four weeks and can see a wonderful difference in my contours. Even though I'm a cyclist, I like to be ultra-firm and this product delivers. The label says: "Scientifically proven to reduce the appearance of cellulite by an average of 57%."

Mission Sun Defeated Continuous Spray Sunscreen
Formulated for Athletes, this 50 UPF comes in an easy to apply continuous spray. Allows you to reach all areas of your body for unsurpassed solar protection.

Coppertone Sport High Performance Sunscreen
Made with added Antioxidant Defense ingredients, this 30 and 50 SPF sunscreen is water-resistant up to 80 minutes. Stays on even when you sweat so no sunblock running into your eyes.

Get ready for Resort Season! Woven Handbag by NewportStyle.net

Shimmer by Starlight
Don't forget to pack that shimmer-glow! I really like Kett Cosmetics Hydro Shimmers. It is very sheer and comes in four colors to mix or match with their Hydro Foundation. This is a fast and easy way to sneak  a subtle tropical glow. They also have a Sizzle Collection if you want to go darker into the tan-zone.

I also like Glow All the Way by Hard Candy (Tropical Tan) and use it for photo shoots all the time. It looks amazing on bare shoulders and legs maybe because it is infused with 24 kt GOLD. Whatever the case, all eyes will be on you with these two shimmer specialists.

Day: Beach cover or evening wear, you choose. Metamorphose Dress by Horny Toad.

Evening:Dress and clutch at the Ice Theatre of NY's Benefit Gala honoring Kurt Browning (shown) and Sonia Rodriguez.

Resort Fashions Newport Mansions NEW Fall Hats by Pistil Designs

Photo: Marble House, Newport RI (John Corbett), Pierotucci Overnight Leather Duffel Bag. NEW for fall 2013, Emery Bucket Hat in Silt by Pistil Designs.

Newport, RI The first day of fall and thoughts turn to going to traveling to New England to see the turning of the leaves! If you enjoy traveling, think about going now because the temperatures are cooler and there is less of a press of the crowds at most vacation destinations. If you are ever in Rhode Island, do stop by for a tour of one of the Newport Mansions. I visited The Breakers which was the Vanderbilt's summer cottage but there are several other estates open to the public for daily tours, namely Marble House.

 

The perfect travel companion: Pierotucci Italian Leather Overnight Duffel Bag - Toscanella Collection

Dressing for Comfort
One of my favorite traveling dresses is the Gabriella from the Craghopper's NosiLife Collection
I'm wearing it in the lead photo collage and it is so flattering yet comfortable. Add a little knit topper for the cooler fall temps to come but the dress has a bit of warmth due to the soft jersey knit fabric. Short-sleeves, a vee-neck and an empire waist gracefully accentuates your bust line. Add a pretty scarf and this dress can be fancied up or down.

Gabriella Dress in Lichen by Craghoppers

NEW Pistil Hats for Fall 2013
Needless to say, classy Fedoras and Buckets which have made a fashion resurgence are here to stay. Audrey Hepburn epitomized chic with her bucket hats and large sunglasses! I like this season's collection from Pistil Designs. Their hats are always comfortable for us girls with lots of hair and the beautiful fabric linings add a bit of individual personality to the hats. The rich wool blends also mean these hats are water resistant in case you get caught in a rain shower. Here are two of my favorites that are new for fall 2013:

Griffin Bucket Hat in Brown by Pistil Designs. Eyewear by Ray-Ban

Griffin Bucket Hat in Brown 
What could be better than a weather-worthy bucket hat? Made of a wool/poly blend, the only decision you’ll have to make is which of two tweed patterns you like best. The contrasting hatband has a brass-finished, metal detail. Inside, the satiny lining keeps your forehead itch-free. 

• wide brimmed tweed bucket
• contrast band
• satin lining 
• does not give you "hat hair"

Emery Fedora in Silt by Pistil Designs

Emery Wide Brimmed Bucket Hat in Silt
Great for drizzly, gray winter days, the Emery is made of a special wool/poly blend that is water repellent. The deep brim acts as a rain-shedding awning around your head. Lined with a really fun contrast print fabric. A stretchy inner headband perfects the fit.  

• water repellent
• wide brimmed bucket
• soft inner band
• lined

  

Marble House, one of the Newport Mansions open for public tours. PHOTO by John Corbett, courtesy of the Preservation Society of Newport County.

 
Bag and hats c/o Pierotucci and Pistil Designs respectively

Resort Fashions Newport Mansions - LBD Goes from Beach to Evening

PHOTO: The Breakers, the grandest of the Newport Mansions

The Breakers, Newport RI One of the things I really enjoy about traveling in New England is the easy, yet elegant style you'll see from Nantucket Island, Mass. to Newport Rhode Island. When I took the tour of The Breakers which was the Vanderbilt summer cottage, there was the Cliff Walk and many other seaside attractions. Newport also has a vibrant nightlife as it is home to the Newport Jazz Festival each year. So how about a dress that can go from the shore to a night out at a posh dinner club?  Here you go!

Horny Toad's Metamorphose Dress can be worn so many ways.

Daytime
Hand Bag: Handwoven Pewter Sand Dollar Bag from NewportStyle.net, the Newport Mansions Stores.  This bag is somewhere between a tote and a Nantucket basket purse. Handwoven of natural Ata grass, it is a work of art but the leather straps and sturdy construction only underscore its beauty.

Shoes: Earthies Vista Leather Wedges in Alpaca The woven leather picks up on the handcrafting of the Pewter Sand Dollar Bag and these shoes go from the Mansion Tour to the shore. Comfortable yet pretty they remind me of a similar design by Diane Von Furstenberg this season.

Nightlife 
Really, this is what that special little black dress is for. You can dress it up or down. When you are traveling, you'll appreciate having it along because you will have worn it to the beach and now it's time to make dinner plans.

Necklace: Green Quartz from Club Monaco, 5th Ave. Bag by Betsy Johnson. Raynia Pumps by Earthies available at Nordstrom.com.

Your Evening Look

Lips
Here you need to go bold or go home! Classic RED lipstick adds a touch of elegance to your evening look so try a sheer moist orange-red like this one from Clinique in 06 Red Red Red. It is long lasting and enriched with olive fruit and aloe.

Add a bright, bold lip, lots of golden glow and some serious fragrance.

Skin
This dress shows a lot of skin so make it count.  Hard Candy's Glow All the Way in Tropical Tan is an instant bronze and gradual self tanner with 24 karat gold! You get a good 2.7 oz tube so go for it.

Fragrance
The evening won't be complete without applying a little perfume to your pulse points. As the nightlife heats up, it will continue to mix with your chemistry for a lasting scent. Lancome's Hypnose and Salvatore Ferragamo's F for Fascinating are two of my favorites.

Black Sequined Lip purse by Betsy Johnson

My Evening Makeup:

Kett FIXX Creme Foundation is waterproof and stays on all day without blotting or retouching.
Kett Hydro Foundation & Blush applied through an airbrush
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finishing Powder (infused with pure diamonds!)
Lips: Clinique Long Last Lipstick in 06 Red Red Red
Eyes: Sephora Waterproof Liner in Navy Blue




Dress, shoes and Woven Handbag c/o Horny Toad, Earthies and NewportStyle.net respectively.

Resort Fashions-Newport Mansions Style

My tour of the Newport Mansions wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Gift Shop!  PHOTO: The Breakers Driveway Entrance, courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County

Newport, RI: I had the pleasure of taking an August tour of New England which included visiting Mystic Connecticut, Nantucket Island, Cape Cod and Newport County Rhode Island.  If you've never gone, this is a great time of year to make the trip. One of the most lovely area attractions however are the Newport Mansions. I took a sumptuous tour of The Breakers (shown in the collage above) and walked though those beautiful "cottage" gates that lead to the front entrance.  There is a LOT to see so be sure to wear comfortable (but fashionable shoes)!

Cloche Hat in Camel and Peach Taupe Scarf  via NewportStyle.net.  ExOfficio FlyQ Trench in Cigar and The Field Outfitting Women's Croc Leather Clutch.

After doing quite a few of these fabulous excursions, there are some travel tips I've learned along the way. The first is to be organized to get through the airport and make your connection with ease.  Wear the right coat and shoes and you can rule (and tour) the world!

ExOfficio's FlyQ  Trench Coat

Trench shown here in Cigar has multiple organized zippered inner pouches for everything from your passport to your iPhone. Lined open slash pockets in the front keep hands warm and toasty and if you hit some rainy weather, you'll be ready for that too. ExOfficio is known the world over for their well thought out travel-wear.

Horny Toad's WalkOn Shorts

Peeking out from under my trench, these are walking shorts in an organic cotton blend with just a touch of spandex. The look SO classic. Dress them up, dress them down. They are perfect for traveling or as the name implies, walking!

Dansko Franka Antique Full Grain Clogs in Brandy

New for fall 2013, the Franka is from their Havana Collection. Completely on trend with lovely strap details, buckle, brad embellishments and a super comfortable foot bed, these are touring super-stars.  

NEW for fall 2013! Franka in Full Grain Leather by Dansko.

   

Gift Shop Finds at the Newport Mansions

Taking a guided tour of the Vanderbilt's summer cottage in Rhode Island was such a treat. So much history and art.  I love both!  One thing you must do upon completing your tour of The Breakers is stop in at the Gift Shop in the lower level of the mansion. Two beautiful classic finds you can order online for fall right now are:

Yes, I love to shop!

Cloche Hat in Camel

So elegant, this very warm Women's Camel Buckle Cloche is made of 100% wool felt. Has a self fabric belt and an elegant gold buckle detail. As a added bonus, wool is naturally wicking and water-repellent so if you get cause in a bit of rain or snow, you're covered.

Peach Taupe Scarf

You can definitely dress like one of the Vanderbilt ladies in this deliciously peachy scarf. Made with the softest silk, this lightweight scarf is accented with a beautiful paisley pattern and lovely fringe adds the finishing touch to any outfit!

   

Resort Fashions with the timeless elegance of the Newport Mansions

The Field Outfitting of Dutchess County, New York

This is a new company but they definitely "get it" when it comes to easy-chic travel style. They offer goods and clothing for the most discriminating traveler and their fall 2013 line under "Ladies First" is definitely worth a look. One item from Field Outfitting has become my favorite for obvious reasons. It's gorgeous and practical!

The Field Outfitting Women's Croc Leather Clutch Wallet 

This does double duty actually. It is a large Women's embossed croc leather Clutch Wallet. Fully appointed leather interior has more than enough room for cash, credit cards, passport and more. Carry it alone for when you don't want to bring a large handbag. Has a sturdy zip closure and leather tassle. Reptile leather is so hot this season. This is a beautiful example of how fashion meets function.

 

PHOTO: The Breakers Entrance, driveway courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County

Clothing and accessories c/o Newport Style.net, ExOfficio, Dansko Shoes, Horny Toad and The Field Outfitting