Marianna found an article in Retail Customer Experience describing the concept of retail’s third shelf. Retail “shelving” is a fascinating concept.

MaryK recommends browsing through Suri’s Burn Book, which documents the youngest Cruise’s hilarious musings on fashion, fame, and family. 

Jamie is inspired to keep up her efforts to look polished and fashionable no matter what after reading Always Dress to Impress in the WSJ. 

Inge says you must look at these stunning limited edition scarves that Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto designed for Hermes. The design of these scarves was inspired by polaroids, which is why they have wide white borders. They are amazing.

Nicoleb is obsessed with Mulberry’s 2012 Fall Collection. I agree that it’s fab. 

Last but not least, here’s a golden oldie from Kat at Corporette where she discusses whether Christian Louboutin’s are office appropriate footwear. It’s quite the discussion. 

Semi tucking (or half tucking) has gained immense popularity over the last few seasons. It’s when tops are partially tucked in front and un-tucked everywhere else, as illustrated in the outfits below. You can semi tuck all kinds of tops, from basic t-shirts and blouses, to button down shirts and knitted tops. 

This season I’ve noticed a way of semi tucking that looks new to my eye. It can only be achieved with a top that buttons through the centre front because you leave one side un-tucked while the other is tucked back into your bottoms. That way you create a sharp difference between the left and right side of your outfit. The outfits below show case the new semi tucked look.

Although I don’t semi tuck at all, I prefer the effect of the original semi tucked look because the hem of the top creates a more gradual curve on the body. This method looks more intentional and attractive to my eye. The sharp edge of the new semi tuck that creates “a flap”, looks like an afterthought. It’s as if you forgot to tuck in the other side of your shirt. 

Perhaps this alternative way of semi-tucking will grow on me, but at the moment I’m not a fan. If you’re going to semi tuck, I vote create a gradually curving hemline instead of a sharp edge.

Do you like the new semi-tucked effect? Of the two methods, which do you prefer, and which do you sport?

You are on Team Mascara if you wear mascara daily, or almost daily. You are on Team No Mascara if you leave it off for at least half of the week.  

I am on Team Mascara because I wear it every day.  I LOVE mascara. It enhances the shape of my eyes, brightens up my face, and makes me feel more pulled together. I can count the times in a year that I don’t wear mascara on one hand. It’s very much part of my daily style and grooming routine. 

Over to you. Are you on Team Mascara or on Team No Mascara? Tell us why, and no batting for both teams.

Here’s an easy guideline for sandal wearers who fancy the idea of keeping their sandal collection tight, minimal and versatile. The heel height, heel style, sandal style, and colours are to your taste, although I’ll make a few suggestions along the way. 

You’ll essentially need three types of sandal, with the fourth pair duplicating the type that you’ll wear most frequently.  

1. Casual Sandals: Wear these with casual skirts, dresses, shorts, cropped pants, clamdiggers and jeans. Metallic flat sandals are a great casual addition. Nude-for-you wedges are versatile and leg lengthening for bare legs. Espadrilles, cork heels, and wooden heels are ideal. Suede gladiators fit the bill, as do flat thong sandals with heel coverage.
2. Dressy Sandals: I don’t mean “cocktail dressy”, but they have to be a step up from casual sandals. You can wear them to the office, a day wedding, the theatre, date night or a fancy restaurant. They could be black cage heels, silver wedged sling backs, bronze T-straps with stacked heels, or strappy patent stilettos. Self colour and self fabric heels tend to look dressier. 
3. Extra Fun Sandals: These sandals might be a little more edgy, fashion forward, avant-garde or retro than your usual sandal style. Perhaps they’re patterned or colour blocked. Or neon. Or studded and ankle strapped. Or high heeled and platformed. Or they’re peep toe sandal booties. Whatever feels more daring and perhaps, at first, a little out of your comfort zone. 
4. The Duplication: Establish which type of sandals you’ll wear the most frequently and purchase another pair that fits into that category. Add in a pair of casual sandals if your days are filled with casual activities. Add a pair of dressy sandals if it’s an office requirement. Or throw is another pair of sandals that scream extremely happy fun feet each time you stare down at them. 

By all means purchase many more pairs of sandals if you love wearing them and your Summers are long and hot. These guidelines are for those who are wardrobe minimalists, have short hot Summers, or are on a tight budget.  

I don’t like to wear sandals, plus our Summers in Seattle are short and seldom all that hot. And I prefer to wear closed Summer shoes and pumps for dressy occasions. This means that I have no need for sandals at all.