'Packing It All In'

The Jersey Shore

The ritual sounding of honking trucks and cars along Hudson Street, all headed to the Holland Tunnel and as far away from New York City as we know it, began two hours earlier than expected yesterday.

This phenomenon could only mean one thing: the start of Memorial Day weekend.

From the time that I returned to the office post-lunch break and then headed home, each constant honk that could be heard outside my office windows made me think, “What was I going to pack to the shore?”

This Sunday, I will be headed to Long Branch in New Jersey for a beach wedding of one of my closest friends. From slinky bandeau bikinis to ripped denim shorts, here’s what I plan to pack in my suitcase to celebrate the weekend:

· Bandeau bikinis are the hottest commodity on the beach right now. To be worn with straps or not, bandeau bikinis are unlike triangle top bikinis because they can be worn by all bust sizes.

The monokini

· While I do not own one yet, monokinis are also on the rise as the sexiest version of a one piece. There are far more styles this season than the last, providing far more options for all body types to have their own version of the monokini. At Victoria’s Secret there’s the possibility of a wireless pushup monokini, a leopard wrap monokini, or even a tye-dye monokini.

· No need for designer shorts here. Comfort is everything at the beach. My $30 American Outfitters denim shorts (now buy one pair get the second 50% off) have survived endless summer days, vacations to Miami (and very soon my vacation to France), proving to be one of the best summer investments I’ve ever made.

Nicole Miller full-length, silk coral gown

· My silk coral Nicole Miller gown will be my gown of choice for the beach wedding ceremony of my once freshman college roommate and her fiancée (whom she met in college). With the sureness of wind at the beach, I ruled out a short dress that was privy to baring too much to the wedding party.

Diane Von Furstenberg jelly sandals

· Remember when jelly sandals were all the rage? I was probably 9 years old, but now they’re back. Designers like Givenchy (a couple seasons past), Diane Von Furstenberg and Vera Wang have their own chic version of the jelly sandal. The sandals are not only inexpensive, but because of its material can also withstand sand and water.

Wishing you lots of sun and this Memorial Day!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of www.photobucket.com; Victoria's Secret; Macy's; shopbop.com

'Wise-Up: Making the Most of Your Space'

A down economy forces us to do many things: adjust our budgets, examine our spending, and make cut-backs. This might result in doing without a monthly pedicure, bringing lunch to work more often, or riding a bicycle to work.

Making the most out of every dollar we spend is not just beneficial – it’s essential.

Why don’t we do the same for our living space? I admit that living while I love the openness that the 800 square foot ‘home’ of mine offers, I do not use the space to its full potential.

Even the small nook could be super-efficient and still have a sense of style.

Here’s how:

Small space becomes a perfect home office

· Transform that small nook or corner of your room into a work or hobby space. There is one such space in my home wedged between stairs and the bathroom that is my designated ‘work zone.’ Behind my office desk is a small bookshelf where I store most of fashion, literature and language books. Don’t need another home office? Try transforming the area into an art studio or sewing/knitting space.

Platform beds save space and provided extra storage

· For most of my adolescence, I never knew what it was like to be able to look under a bed. Why? My mattress rested on a bed frame that not only had a headboard complete with shelving, but it also had a base with built-in drawers. Living in a 2-bedroom apartment with my parents and sharing a small room with sister growing up, the storage space eliminated a lot of clutter. Don’t waste the space underneath your bed: keep things tidy with drawers.

A staircase doubles as a bookshelf

· Have a staircase with unused space underneath it? With some staggered shelving, you have the place to keep several rows of storage baskets. Keep your linens and other miscellaneous household items in these baskets and out of sight. Use some molding around the shelves to add architectural appeal to this space.

Furniture multi-tasking

· Ever worn a pretty three-quarter length skirt as a top? Or ever used a scarf as a belt? If pieces of clothing can double in use, then why not furniture? Let an ottoman serve as a coffee table and that sofa transform into a bed at night. Especially if you have a small living room, multi-tasking furniture is mandatory.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of www.unplggd.com; www.common.csnstores.com; http://freshome.com; www.countryhome.com

'Memorial Day Is Here'

It was a day first celebrated in 1868 as an American holiday where we honor our veterans – both past and present. And now, it is perhaps the start of (not only the summer but…) some of the season’s best sales.

No better way to show your stars and stripes than by doing a little shopping. Memorial Day weekend might be a week away, but at Décor Innovation you can start shopping now.

Yes, right now.

Décor Innovation has already announced its 25% percent sale on select items at its home furnishings e-commerce site. Take an additional 10% off sale items if you use promocode MEMORIAL2010 at checkout.

Save big on these items:

Pinstripe Blackout Curtains (now $48.74)

For directional draping, invest in a pair of pinstripe blackout curtains for your living room or bedroom (was $74.99). The curtains – available in beige, burgundy and navy – feature vertical stripes that run along the length of each 52” panel.

Compliment a study or home office with this tailored pinstripe pattern. Or use the pinstripes as a way to lengthen a space with low ceilings, for instance. The unlined curtains block incoming sunlight and drown out noise thanks to its triple weave fabric.

Silk Dupioni Blackout Curtains (now $48.74)

Instant luxury at a fraction of the price. These silk dupioni blackout curtains (was $89.99) in rich colors like sage, chocolate, burgundy transform any dull décor into an in-house getaway. The sumptuous fabric drapes effortlessly in two 52” panels.

Follow the textured weave to the top hem and find more than one option when it comes to installation using a curtain rod: either shirr on for a traditional look, or slide on for a more contemporary/utilitarian feel.

Cheetah, Coyote and Wild Cat Throws (each $63.74)

As the proud owner of a faux cheetah throw, I cannot tell you how anyone would be amiss if he/she did not have at least one faux fur throw. Temperatures might be rising here in New York, but I still manage to cuddle against my lynx faux fur throw every night.

Why? Answer: The micro plush lining is incredibly soft – much softer than the quilted duvet I have on my bed. The faux fur print (whether cheetah, coyote, or wild cat each was $99.99) is not only an ongoing fashion trend, but makes for lively addition to any chaise, sofa or recliner.

*Photos courtesy of decorinnovation.com