VIMPick: Look for Less

Wedges are a great summer item but not when they cost $365 like the Stuart Weitzman wedges that have been seen on Gossip Girl and celebrities alike this season! While looking for shoes myself, I found these wedges at DSW for $49.95. They are remarkably similar to the Stuart Weitzman pair and even have similar detailing on the strap.



Ours:


Theirs:




—MANDILYN KERR

Your Hair vs. The Summer

Summer can be a trying time for preserving well-tamed hair. The recurrent harsh elements of summer such as UV rays, chlorine, and humidity can easily damage and weaken your locks. These products will help preserve color and moisture, despite the elements.

Oscar Blandi At Home Salon Glaze: This glaze prolongs the life of color treated hair and brightens natural hair color. While the olive oil and macadamia oil boost silkiness and shine, the glaze also contains sun inhibitors and antioxidants to protect hair from the negative effects of the environment. It can be used daily, mixed in with your conditioner to boost shine, or can be used weekly as a three minute treatment. (Sephora, $25)

Bumble and bumble Quenching Complex: Bumble and bumble’s trendy brand encourages users to mix their vast array of products and find what works best based on their hair type and needs. Their Quenching Complex is a must-have for preserving soft, shiny hair of all types. This leave-in conditioner/detangler provides protection, moisture, and replenishment for overworked or dry hair suffering from heat styling or the environment and can be applied daily. (amazon.com, $25)

Oscar Blandi Pronto Colore Root Touch-Up and Highlighting Pen: Those who opt for coloring their locks know that re-coloring too frequently is another source of damage. To fend off double the damage this summer, consider trying a root touch-up pen. There are several different versions of this concept in aerosol sprays, but this highlighting pen is more environmentally friendly and helps concentrate where you want the color. Free of ammonia and peroxide (unlike many sprays), it conditions hair with gentle nutrients while perfectly hiding roots. (Sephora, $23)

—STEPHANIE WEBER

The Shatter Craze!

When Katy Perry released her collection of nail polishes with O.P.I. back in February, the black shatter polish from her collection instantly "shattered" the beauty world, selling out of stores in the first week. With the popularity of the black shatter, O.P.I. then released the silver shatter at the beginning of this summer with their "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" Collection. But now, we can all shatter our nails in five more additional shades. Along with the black and silver, O.P.I. released this month shatter polishes in white, navy, turquoise, red and blue. Apply one coat of shatter over two completely dry coats of polish and now you too can achieve this stylish textured look!

O.P.I Shatter Polish, $8, opi.com

—CARLY HILL

Summer Wardrobe Must-Haves

Now that the weather is finally starting to reflect the date on the
calendar, it’s time to make sure your wardrobe is set for the season!

Summer scarves: These lightweight wraps are an excellent way to add a
punch of color to any outfit. They go great with anything from
sundresses to sweaters. Many summer scarves have delicate details such
as lace and shimmer, which are most visible when paired with a less
dramatic top. ($14.99, express.com)

Sundresses: A staple to any summer-loving girl’s closet. Sundresses
are the perfect way to embrace the warm season. Dress them up with
accessories such as cardigans, jewelry, and wedges and you’ll be
dressed to impress at any event. However, sundresses can look just as
great standing alone without the embellishments for a day at the pool
or a gathering with friends. ($45, aerie.com)

Shoes: The crochet trend is on the rise this summer and can be spotted
in many variants and styles. We love the delicate look of crochet
shoes and how comfortable they are. (Rocket Dog, $40, zappos.com)

Watches: A watch is the perfect way to add character to any outfit. We
love WEwood’s environmentally friendly beige wooden watch and their
pledge to plant a tree for each watch purchased. ($119, we-wood.us)

Add your own creative touches to these ideas and you’re sure to be
well dressed this summer!

—STEPHANIE WEBER

VIM Review: Pretty Little Liars Season Two Premiere

The liars are back this summer on ABC Family with their second season of secrets, suspense and stylish clothing! The premiere on Tuesday night did not disappoint. The episode picked up right where the season 1 finale left off—the town has turned against them, thinking that they lied about the death of Ian. After all there was no body? Or was there?

The elusive and all-knowing "A" is still taunting the girls as they try to come clean to their grief counselor. While Emily still copes with the news that her family is moving to Texas, Hanna gets a surprise visit from Caleb. And the big question still left unanswered from last seasons finale: where is Ian? The girls intercept a text message sent to Spencer's sister, Melissa, from a person whom they believe to be him. The premiere wraps up with that discovery and the edict suggested by the counselor that the girls are to spend time apart. Like every Pretty Little Liars episode, there are still more questions left unanswered than before. Overall, the episode was drama-filled, suspenseful and full of great fashion choices!

Pretty Little Liars airs on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. on ABC Family!

—MANDILYNN KERR

Giambattista Valli… At Macy’s?

No, we’re not kidding. In a recent effort to make high fashion more affordable, several mass-market retailers have teamed up with top designers to produce inexpensive, limited edition lines. Now, rumor has it that Giambattista Valli, a designer best known for his ultra-feminine cocktail couture, is next up to develop a capsule collection for Macy’s Impulse department.



Created for the young and fashion-forward, Impulse kicked off with a debut collection by London–based designer Kinder Aggugini in February. The series continued with a contribution by Matthew Williamson in April, and Karl Lagerfeld is set to launch his designs at Macy’s in September. While the partnership hasn’t yet been announced, sources at WWD say the Valli collection will be released in November as the fourth and final collaboration effort to draw excitement to the stylish Impulse department.

Assuming (and praying!) that the speculations are true, a new line of gorgeous and affordable Valli dresses will hit stores just in time for the winter season. So, if the collaboration even slightly resembles his most recent runway collection, we’re going to thank Macy’s in advance for allowing us to be the best dressed at all of our holiday parties this year.

—SAMANTHA MEUX

Keep Calm and Sing Along

Stressed about what concerts to attend this summer and most importantly, what to wear?! Here's three of this summer's hottest concerts and some key pieces needed for the night.

1) Katy Perry — Quirky, bubbly and oh so girlie. Our favorite "California Gurl" will be traveling all across America this summer, bringing her over-the-top style to the stage. Dress in bright colors, candy accessories and swipe on a coat of Katy's own OPI nail polish collection for the perfect sweet girlie look.

2) Ke$ha — Bringing the party to you this summer is the always crazy Ke$ha. Known for her unpredictable personality and "garbage-chic" style as she likes to call it, this concert is sure to be like no party you've ever been to. With lots of glitter, feathers, animal print and denim cutoffs, fitting into this party shouldn't be too hard.

3) Glee Live in Concert — McKinley High's New Directions are bringing their choir room to a city near you! The whole cast from the Fox show is performing their hit songs from seasons one and two, helping you remember to "Don't Stop Believin'!" Dress up in elements of your favorite characters, like knee socks and animal sweaters for Rachel, or in McKinley High's school colors of red and white.

—CARLY HILL