I recently found a second pair of comfy sandals after giving up on all strappy shoes for three years (my fussy feet don’t like straps). It was too good to be true when I scored my first pair of flat gladiators, and now these! It must be my season for Summer shoes so I’m stocking up.

The Kenneth Cole Reaction Cedar City wedged sandal has soft interwoven leather vamp straps that roof an angular open toe. The sling-back heel strap has an adjustable side buckle closure and elasticized inlay for extra comfort. The footbed is cushioned and the outer soles are rubberized for extra grip. The heel stands at two and half inches, which is pretty high for me but, quite doable for shorter stretches of time if the shoe is extremely comfortable. Ideally, I’d have preferred a one and a half inch heel for 8-hour runs, but that’s okay. This wedge passes the 4-hour mark with flying colours and that’s a huge accomplishment with my feet.

The leather is really soft so stretch away if you have a wider foot. Pop in foot petals if you have a narrower foot. Unfortunately, you can’t fit orthotics into sandals without them peeking through so I don’t have a solution for that.

Never give up trying to find the wardrobe items that work for you. Like me and my strappy sandal purchases this season, you will find them eventually if you persevere.

The Cedar City wedge sandal is available in several online and brick and mortar stores in up to eight different colours. They cost around $80 full price, but you’ll get them for cheaper if you do your homework. I bought the pewter pair on sale for $54 at Macys last week as another Summer go-to metallic wedge in my footwear collection. Perfect with frocks, skirts, leggings, clamdiggers, walks shorts, pants and jeans. Flop proof.

Fashion trends often make a comeback every 20-30 years, but generally they are not identical flashbacks. Repeated trends have been modernized, refreshed and improved the second time round, making them more becoming and “new” to wear.

Once you reach a certain age, you’ll probably find looks in stores that you used to wear before. The question is, will you wear them again? I absolutely will, but only if they are a flattering and contemporary incarnation. After all, our goal is a style evolution, not a style stagnation.

Sometimes it takes me a while to get used to the new improved trend. At other times I can scarcely contain my immediate excitement. For example, I had to rethink skinny jeans but I was all over voluminous trends from the word go.

I’m having a ball with the revival of 80’s fashion. It was hideous when I sported it the first time round, but I was at an impressionable age and thought it was fabulous. Like most people, I went through years of cringing at my 80’s style and vowed I would never wear fashions like that again. But I’m blown away with how creatively and successfully designers have re-interpreted the good elements of 80’s looks and I’m embracing them with loyalty and enthusiasm.

At the end of the day revisiting old trends makes me smile because they are nostalgic and current at the same time. Over to you. Do you wear trends that you’ve worn before? If not, why not?

Today’s blog post is written by fabulous Tara, a New York native who currently resides in Los Angeles, California. Tara is a writer by profession, forum member and long time YLF supporter. When this product wearer trial came my way, Tara sprung to mind as the perfect person to give it a whirl.

I really love Second Base!

Okay, let me explain. Second Base is actually a new style of camisole that Angie asked me to try. According to the website, it’s the first camisole made to layer, leaves no bulky lines around the hips and waist, and is silky soft and eco-friendly. That sounds pretty great, right? Angie wanted to know if it could be a good choice for warm weather layering.

As someone with a larger chest, I know a little something about layering. I have a bit more cleavage than I care to display, but I learned a trick right here at YLF that makes any top wearable. I just pop a camisole underneath and I’m good to go! A cami gives me just a little bit of extra coverage, and I wear one almost every day. The problem is, I live in sunny Southern California, and when the temps start to rise, the extra layer of fabric clinging to my body is uncomfortable. In the summer, when it really heats up, wearing a cami can be unbearable. But – I still need the coverage. I’ve often struggled with how to wear my favorite tops in the hot weather and not roast to death.

I think Second Base has solved my problem. It looks like a sports bra, except it’s incredibly light and silky-feeling. It’s offered in black and white, XS to XL, in two different styles. (The website has lots of great pictures.) The “Meredith” has wider straps that are not adjustable, with coverage similar to a tank top. My favorite is the “Sarah,” which has thinner straps that I can adjust for a little extra coverage. But the real beauty of either style is they only cover your bra, so you don’t have extra fabric heating up your body.

I did notice that neither style completely covered the bottom of my bra, but this did not bother me at all because A) no one sees under my shirt, B) there’s enough coverage up top, and C) have I mentioned the part about not roasting to death? In fact, Second Base was so comfortable I totally forgot I had it on. I intended to try it out with a bunch of different tops, but I got distracted and about three hours later I remembered I was still wearing it. Most excellent!

Bring on the summer heat. I can finally keep covered, and still keep cool!

Second Base is offering 20% off and free shipping for YLF readers. Just enter “YLF” as the promotion code when you make your purchase.

Boho fashion is earthy, layered, loose, relaxed and natural. Picture the hippie movement of the late 60’s and early 70’s and you will have a great visual of what it’s is all about.

• Natural fibers and elements like cotton, linen, stone, shells, wood, aged leather and suede
• Flowing silhouettes like maxi dresses, empire cuts, flared pants, faded cutoff jeans, crocheted toppers, peasant blouses, ankle-length gypsy skirts, shaggy waistcoats and bell-sleeved tops
• Intricate design details and trims like top stitching, handkerchief hems, bat wings, ditsy florals, beads, macramé, smocking, folksy embroideries, wooden buttons and fringe
• Rustic fabrics like aged leather, chunky knitwear, patchwork and tie-dye
• Casual accessories like organic jewelry, slouchy hobo bags, headbands, broad brimmed floppy hats, and hip slung belts
• Earthy colours, with lots and lots of brown

Items are supposed to look weathered, distressed and matte. Shine is at a minimum. That’s the authentic vibe.

Boho style works well in casual settings. Think faded denim, folksy embroidered T or peasant blouse, flat leather sandals, wooden beads, slouchy brown bag and cute straw hat. Viola. You’re good to run errands, take kids to the park, enjoy a BBQ, have a picnic, or sightsee on a hot Summer’s day.

It’s also fun to add bohemian elements into a modern urban style. Try white or dark jeans with a silky empire cut bat-winged top, heeled silver wedges, pearls and patent handbag. I have one bohemian top and that’s the way I like to interpret the boho chic trend.

My personal style is about as un-boho as it gets, but I admire those who embrace the look with sass and spirit. I have clients and friends who look killer in bohemian fashion because it suits their lifestyle, aesthetic preferences and who they are. Totally fab.

Bohemian fashion trends strongly some seasons and less so in others, but you’ll always find the look in US stores like Anthropologie, Lucky, Fossil and Free People. As you can see from the pictures, there seems to be a fair amount of boho fashion in stores at the moment, which makes me think that it might be big next year. New merchandise that comes in at the tail end of a retail season is usually an indication of next year’s trends. Time will tell.