Cocoa Connection

Sore feet got you sore?

If you’re like me, by this time in the summer your cute summer shoes have taken a toll on your feet. The cute espadrilles, the newly broken in thongs, and the heels you splurged on have all taken their toll. Ever look longingly at your “comfy sandals” and wish they matched that cute skirt or went with those jeans? Well, there are a variety of comfortable sandals out there that are stylish and chic.

The black & gray flats from Tod’s look versatile and cute. For a more affordable find, try the suede and leather flats from Enzo Angiolini which feel like a vacation for your feet. I can vouch for them being comfortable and the bronze color accentuates any outfit. The flats also come in black.

If you are looking for a thong-ish sandal, try the Cole Haan Air Cym sandals below (they feel like a dream!)  or check out The North Face. They have thongs with fabric woven in to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

A Must Have You Actually Should Have: Cuffed Shorts

So it's summer and your calendar is exploding with events. Summer can be filled with all sorts of events, comprised of lazy days and exciting adventures at night. In the Summer, your typical week could have you fishing on Sunday, busy preparing for business meetings on Wednesday, and enjoying a late night movie date on Friday. So you've managed your busy  schedule, but one task remains: What are you going to wear? The solution-- a trendy pair of cuffed shorts. Yes, these shorts have been spotted on the  trendiest fashionistas since Fall  2005 and may not technically be  the newest trend, but they are not  going to have a "short" stay in the world of summer must-haves fashion. The point is whether you are 20 years-old and looking for the right sophisticated-chic outfit for that Wednesday business meeting or you're 40 and want a look that is hip for that Friday late night movie date, these cuffed shorts are a summer must have you actually should have. Dress them up, dress them down, and I promise you're look will be nothing "short" of trendy.

Get your work wear to work for you

Summer is in full swing and hopefully this means more evening adventures after a long day of work. Preparing for such adventures can be problematic. How to pull together a chick outfit for work without looking like you are going to the beach? With all the beach and casual wear available, it can be hard to focus on chic work wear. Fortunately, the trends this summer are all about coverage and volume. Out are the skimpy dresses, skirts, and tank tops. In are the flowing dresses and even bathing suits that cover more. This translates to more choices for work wear. Many of these summer styles can provide more flexibility to your work and evening attire.

Here are some suggestions to get you through the summer. For starters, invest in a nice shirt dress. These are abundant in stores this summer. Dresses like the below by Martin Grant are perfect for work and can be transitioned to evening wear by adding some accessories like chandelier earrings and a clutch. During the day, wear a simple flat or low heel. No flip-flops! For evening, wear an open-toe high heel. You may want to avoid the head band in the evening. The best thing about shirt dresses is that they flatter many body types and most women can wear them and look fabulous.

(credit:firstview.com)

The dress below by MaxMara can also be worn to the office and in the evening. The length and cut make it appropriate for offices with a business casual dress code. This dress is perfect for anyone who needs to hide some bulges here and there. Again, for evening, simply substitute flats with a pair of heels.

(credit: firstview.com)

Ladies, you can eliminate the need to carry a change of outfits during the summer if you are going out after work by wearing a dress that can be dressed up or down depending on how you work it!

For help finding the dresses above or similar dresses, email us at cocoaconnection@gmail.com.