I like Free People as much as the next girl. I consider it to be the more bohemian, festival-going, I’m-going-to-walk-barefoot-on-grass-sometime-today version of Anthropologie. That’s why I was slightly shocked to see that they sell a bag for $998! Granted, this leather mail bag is a cross-body messenger bag that’s cute but plain and definitely nothing to write home about. Plus, their other bags hover between $150 and $300, on average. What were they thinking?

House of Diehl, the cool kids of Style Wars fame–where designers design against the clock using household objects and vintage threads in a Project-Runway-on-crack fashion event–recently debuted Diehl Breakers, a line of handmade sunglasses that put cutting edge style first and function second. The unstoppable Betsey Johnson has a pair and now I have a pair, too!

You may not be able to wear them driving, but you can wear them at the following:

1. Lounging at the local rooftop pool–sun not required, but kick ass outfit is.

2. Front row at a fashion show.

3. In an exclusive booth at The Box burlesque club.

4. On an Alaskan cruise (to throw off the other tourists).

5. Auditioning to be a backup dancer for M.I.A.

6. As part of a solo performance art show at the MOMA.

7. Chillin’ with your peeps. (This one’s my favorite.)

Check out the different Breaker collections below. My fave is the “Silver Eyelids” from the Disco set, because it’s eyeshadow and sunglasses–all in one!

HoD "Tough" Breakers

HoD "Sunset" Breakers

HoD "Disco" Breakers

HoD "Candy Panes"

Fourth of July calls for fireworks,  barbecues and, of course, patriotic fashion. It’s the one day you can wear stars, stripes and three colors without looking silly. Well, you might still look silly, but everyone will have so many Pabst Blue Ribbons in them, you could wear a Ghana flag and no one would notice.

Here are a few picks to show your patriotism. USA!

This chemise from Old Navy is supposed to be for sleeping, but I say it’s for fashionably holding a beer.

Stars and Stripes Racerback Chemise

This bikini from Tilly is a cute take on stars and stripes, using pink and black while incorporating stars and stripes.

This cute finger-painted tee from Yes Style replaces stars with hearts to show your love of country (and love of your country’s soccer team. Meow!).

Flag Print T-shirt

I don’t quite know what to make of these Giuseppe Zanotti open-toe booties from Zappos. They’re either hideous or brilliant. There’s just so much going on. Stars! Eagles! Rhinestones! I have a headache just looking at them. I’m erring on the side of hideous, but to each her own.

I love this drop necklace from French Connection. It’s sleek, dramatic and is definitely a statement piece–meaning, keep the rest of your outfit simple so this doesn’t compete with anything else. I like that it has a tribal-esque feeling without being too trendy. It can go from this season to next, seamlessly and dramatically.

French Connection Drop Necklace

Wear it by the pool with a black string bikini and big rimmed straw hat or with a white form-fitting shift dress.

Get it now while it’s on sale for $41.99, down from $88.

I’ve been lusting after the J Brand Houilihan skinny cargo pants ever since they came out. They’re a great alternative to jeans and look great with platform heels or wedges. The price ($231), though made me go, “EEEEEKKK!”

Photo: Nordstrom.com

Luckily, one of our favorite juniors brand, Delias, makes a great version. Check out their Trooper skinny twill pants.

Photo: Delias.com

To more closely mimic the cropped look of J Brand’s pants, I would probably roll up the bottoms and wear them with high-heeled clogs. And at $19.99, you can put the money you save towards the motorcycle jacket you need for fall.

Orange on lips has been seen popping up on celeb lips for the past couple of years. Scarlett Johansson, Leighton Meester and Jessica Szhor have all been seen sporting the juicy shade on and off the red carpet. When used with slight smudged eyeliner and mascara as the only other makeup, it can look fresh and make eyes pop!

Two great ones to try (and at opposite ends of the price spectrum) are Mac Morange and Milani Orange Gina.

MAC Morange $14

Milani Orange Gina $3.49

Another way to try the citrusy trend is to rub just a bit of the lipstick onto your cheeks for a fresh, fun summer look!

Designers Antonio Berardi, Jasper Conran and Louise Goldin

We started seeing the underwear-as-outerwear trend last fall on runways from London to Milan to Paris, but as we know, not everything on the runway can be worn the same way at your office job. That’s the beauty of fashion! We can take inspiration, tweak it and mold it to fit our non-runway lives.

You may not wear a bra out, but you’d wear a corset-inspired top like the one below from Topshop.

Bold Floral Zip Bralet

With boning, molded cups and a zip front, you can feel daring without needing to set an hourly rate.

Wear with this Narciso Rodriguez high-waisted skirt from The Outnet.

Stretch-crepe pencil skirt

I really love this Christian Dior bustier dress with its molded bustier top and faux-sheer lining. It’s super sexy, but it doesn’t have to be slutty.

Knitted lace bustier dress

If it still shows more skin than you’re comfortable with, throw on this Topshop blazer with it for a downtown cool feel.

3/4 Gathered sleeve blazer

The key is to take underwear elements–like a bit of lace or sheer mesh or boning and incorporate ONE into your outfit, otherwise you’ll look like Lady Gaga (and it’s nowhere near Halloween, kids).

Show support for your favorite soccer team with Havaianas limited edition World Cup flip-flops, representing 17 teams–USA, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Argentina, Spain, The Netherlands, Australia, England, Paraguay, France, Japan, Italy, Portugal, Nigeria and Cameroon.

Photo: Havaianas.com

At $24, these colorful sandals are the perfect way to show some nationalistic pride! They’re only being sold until July 11, but will most likely sell out before then. Score them online (haha) at Havaianas or Barneys, but hurry, because supplies are running low. GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!

Father’s Day is Sunday, but if you haven’t gotten Pops (or your baby daddy) a gift yet, don’t fear–J.Crew has unveiled a shirt subscription program where they send subscribers a handpicked shirt every month for a year. And, Dad can exchange for a better size if any given month’s selection doesn’t fit.

A yearly subscription costs $695, roughly $57 per month. Sign up by phone: 866-739-5944.

Hair has been the bane of women for ages. Too much in certain areas, not enough in others. It’s really enough to make a woman go mad! Luckily, there’s a myriad of options to remove it—some old, some new, all effective. So throw away your razor and check out San Diego’s best places to keep your skin silky and smooth!

String It Along-THREADING

Possibly the oldest method of hair removal, threading harkens back to the days of Cleopatra when the entire body used to be threaded. Now, threading is generally used for deftly shaping brows and quickly removing hair from the entire face. A technician holds a piece of cotton thread between her teeth and rolls the ends between her fingers to pull the hair out from the root.  According to Dolly Bakshai of Beauty by Dolly, threading results can last up to three weeks and does zero harm to skin. It’s a very precise technique for eyebrows and takes anywhere from five to 15 minutes. Bonus? It averages $12 for the brows.

Best for: face, eyebrows

Try: Beauty by Dolly, www.beautybydolly.com, 858-693-0200

Urban Calm, www.urbancalmspa.com, 619-236-1395

Go Brazilian-BRAZILIAN WAXING

Started by five Brazilian sisters in New York in 1987, Brazilian waxing has exploded in the United States as the most daring method of hair removal in terms of amount of hair removed.  Adri Rebis of Bella Brazil explains that due to the Brazilian influence, bikinis are getting smaller, necessitating a “clean” bikini area. Waxing utilizes warm or hard wax that’s carefully applied to the skin and pulled off quickly. With it, the hair comes out at the root. Depending on the density of the hair, it may break the first three to four waxes, but with time, hair becomes sparser and weaker.  You need at least a quarter inch or two weeks’ worth of growth. She only uses hard wax since it adheres to the hair and not the skin. Results last from two to six weeks. Bonus? The more you do it, the less it hurts!

Best for: Brazilian bikini, underarms, legs

Try: Bella Brazil, www.bellabrazilspa.com, 858-964-5109

Beauty and Body Lounge, www.beautyandbodylounge.com, 619-692-9300

Sweet Pull-SUGARING

The predecessor to modern-day waxing, sugar “wax” consists of all natural ingredients like lemon and honey. The technician applies the gooey mixture to your skin—where it heats naturally to your body temperature—then pulls it out in the direction of the growth rather than the opposite direction, which prevents ingrown and lessens the chance of irritation that can sometimes be a result of regular wax.  Results last approximately as long as regular waxing. Barb Crum of Tranquil Spa Services by Barb says that it’s great for men’s backs since men have more nerve endings, so no more red bumps! Bonus? It’s so natural, you could literally eat it!

Best for: legs, underarms, backs, upper lip

Try: Tranquil Spa Services by Barb, www.tranquilspaservicesbybarb.com, 619-227-8238

Swanky Sugar, www.swankysugar.com, 858-663-5914

Zap It Away-LASER

I tried the new Cynosure laser at Laser Away. Having heard horror stories about laser hair removal and how it feels like hot needles poking into you, I was pleasantly surprised at the quick and relatively painless laser session. Gone are the days of messy gels and hours-long sessions. They iced my underarms for a couple of minutes and then applied the laser. With the laser, shot out a stream of cold air, which considerably lessened the feel of the laser.  Laser Away recommends six sessions spaced six weeks apart for permanent hair removal (barring major hormonal changes). Bonus? Once you’re done, the hair is gone—forever!

Best for: bikini, underarms, legs, back, chest

Try: Laser Away, www.laseraway.net, 760-929-9944

Vasseur Skin Salon & Spa, www.vasseurdayspa.com, 619-236-9095

This is one of the coolest jumpsuits I’ve come across since jumpsuits and rompers decided to make an appearance a few years ago.

Rachel Comey’s mid-length jumpsuit will keep you cool as booty shorts without letting your ass hang out. I love the sari-like draping, which will make you feel like a modern day Bollywood star. Perfect for the red carpet, the gallery or simply just dinner.

Available at Forward by Revolve.