5 top beach totes for the city

When warm weather hits the city, bringing a little vacation style into your daily outfits makes you feel lighter, happiers, almost on holiday (we said almost!).
So here are the top 5 beach totes that you can include in your daily attire when you go to work, to the mall or you're just strolling around.


Fun Shopper $64.00
If you missed last Summer's sell out beachy shopper then now is your chance to redeem past wrongs. This cheering cotton canvas bag is as happy in the supermarket as it is on the beach - which can't be said of all of us.

go shopping > Boden

---

Cape Coral Tote $79.00
Coral couture--an intricately embroidered seascape of red coral (stitched with bugle beads), blue sea-blossoms (adorned with hand-placed sequins), and button starfish (crafted in pearlized shell) has a braided handle with silver-plated accents.
Goes with all your summer wardrobe staples: white trousers, coral maxi dress, blue tank top etc.

go shopping > Chico's

---

Straw tote with giraffe print straps $24.99 $17.49
A posh version of the straw tote, this woven straw tote bag features exotic giraffe print fabric straps and side bow which look great at the seaside and whimsical in the city. Fabric inset with drawstring closure keeps your valuables secure.

go shopping > Fashion Bug

---

Straw Studios Cornhusk Buckle Satchel $42.00
This is such a great summer bag and it holds a good amount of things, from beach essentials to office stuff.

go shopping > E-Bags

---

Crochet tote with butterfly sash $19.99 $9.99
Crochet tote features pretty satin butterfly sash woven through large silvertone grommets. Double handle styling. Zip top closure

go shopping > Fashion Bug

Steal the look: Ashley Judd at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Ashley Judd was spotted attending the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana (source: Access Hollywood). We love her casual-meets-Coco-Chanel outfit. This is our suggestions to steal her look without squeezing the wallet.

The raffia hat: sur la tête Suzette Swinger available at Amazon
Are you headed for an island under the sun? Wear this great raffia straw hat and you'll be protected from the sun's harmful rays. The raffia straw crochet body allows for great ventilation. The Suzette Swinger from sur la tete is a great hat for travel. The durable raffia straw retains it's shape and the wide brim is sure to keep the sun off your face. The round crown is 4 1/2" high and the brim is 3 1/2" wide. Twisted raffia tie around the crown can be used to size the hat down for a comfortable fit. Elasticized terry sweatband.

The maxi dress: Charter Club Surplice-Neckline Printed Maxi Dress available at macy's
Maxi dresses continue to be a major statement this spring and summer-- Charter Club makes it special with an eye-catching multi-patterned style.

Peruvian Connection: free shipping!

Free Shipping on Orders of $100 from Peruvian Connection
Expires: 5/28

These are few examples of classy dresses from Peruvian Connection that we believe you'll love as much as we do:


Firenze Silk Dress
In curvy, draping folds of silk, our sultry dress evokes marbleized Florentine paper. Designed to bewitch and beguile, from flirty shirred straps and gathered v-neckline all the way to the banded hem. Silk lining; back zipper.


Silk Sketchbook Dress
Delicate pen-and-ink vines climb a ground of ashes-of-rose silk chiffon. The graceful silhouette is pure poetry–from the lettuce-edge neckline and fitted empire waist to the airy flaring hem. Shaped with an adjustable back tie, with a rosy silk lining and back zip.


Cote D'Azur Pima Cotton Tank Dress
Scrollwork from a vintage French brocade is echoed in shades of turquoise and cream on a simple pima sheath. Jacquard knit with a flattering fit through the waist and hip.


Pima Jacquard Chinaberry Tank Dress
Cool pima jacquard stitches sketch an abstract landscape from a Ming Dynasty textile. Knit long and lean, with a single side slit for great strides.


Pima Cotton Lacemaker DressBeautifully shaped; meticulously hand-crocheted, with sweetheart neckline, 3/4 sleeves and scalloped edging. This mercerized pima crochet dress is a fabulous destination wedding dress. Sold as a set with a fine gauge pima and Tencel tank dress.

Hooray! The One-Piece Bathing Suit Is Back

One-pieces are back in style and we couldn't be more thrilled! We went on a hunt for this season's hottest, cutest and most flattering one-piece swimsuits. And to be honest, it was a tough job—there were lots of fabulous contenders.

So, which one works best for you? Here are our favorites for you to consider before you hit the beach:

Retro

Travel back in beach time with this Boyleg Swimsuit. The vintage-inspired one-piece's "boyleg" bottoms and polka-dot pattern make this bathing suit uber-cute, flattering and beach-worthy.

$74 at BodenUSA.com (link)

---

Tummy Control

Yay for the Tommy Hilfiger - Newport Stripe Removable Soft Cup One Piece w/ Tummy Control! Its eye-catching stripe-and-polka-dot combination is no match for the tummy control that it provides. Thank goodness all of those positives are in one suit.

$105 at Zappos (link)

---

Flirtatious

From its plunging neckline to it’s flirty frills, this Kenneth Cole REACTION Ruched SwimDress will keep you super-sexy, while still leaving something to the imagination.

$94.00 at Macy's (link)

---

Trendy

Who cares about unusual tan lines?! Cutouts are a major trend this season, so pick up the Moschino - Shimmer Twisted One Piece With Front Cut Outs, fashionista!

$429.00 at Zappos (link)

---

Secretive

We love the Kimchi Blue Cinema Swimsuit because it hugs the right areas while accentuating others.

$98 at Urban Outfitters (link)

---

Edgy

This Thomas Wylde aqua skull 'Sahara' high neck swimsuit brings a little bit of edge to the beach.

$108.99 at BlueFly (link)

---

Street Chic

Although you’ll be far away from the busy city streets, you can still take some of the street cred’ with you to the beach. The high-set belt on this Michael Kors Skirted Bandeau Maillot Swimsuit Women's Swimsuit will maintain your “chic.”

$140 $105.00 at Macy's (link)

---

Dip In

Take the plunge with this camilla and marc Futures Vedettes Maillot. It’ll flatter both curvy gals and not-so-curvy gals alike, and its classic color gives this deep V-neck swimsuit the longevity required for you to justify its not-so-plunging price tag.

$229.00 at Shop Bop (link)

---

Dramafied


Poolside glam is written all over this Zimmermann Honey Rider Rectangle One-Piece. Its dramatic print practically tells a story.

$255 at Chick Downtown (link)

---

Skirted

Skirt the (bum) “issue” with this Shape fx Shirred skirted suit. Its shirring and outline details will minimize your problem areas and flatter your assets.

$49-$54 at Amazon

---

Colorblock

We saw colorblocks on dresses, and now we’re seeing them in swimwear. We love this One-piece halter suit, a very affordable take on the popular trend.

$15 at Amazon (link)

---

Jungle

Bring the jungle to the beach with this Belted Tank Suit. Its sweetheart neckline and belt make this one-piece ideal for voluptuous ladies.

$29 at Amazon (link)

source: http://beauty.ivillage.com/?nlcid=bs|05-20-2009|

via | SwimsuitsGuide.com