And we laugh till we cry...

...Always so hard to say goodbye
And we all sit round here in our hometown
It's so good like this, these are times we'll miss
The memories, I hope they'll never fade
Glowing embers lie across the sky.

Lostprophets, Last Summer


It seems like everywhere I go, change is all around. It could be said that change is proportional to age, because it's true. Close friends aren't quite as close anymore, things that were oh-so-important to you don't seem to matter anymore, and your jeans even fit a little more tighter than you remember them fitting.

It's summer, and in my mind, its an opportunity to reinvent yourself. To stop and think. To start things over. To reminisce about the stupid things you and your friends of. To make new memories to last a lifetime. To wear summery tops and dresses.

If you don't own at least one of the aforementioned, I highly encourage you to find one. In my opinion, everybody has what I call a "soul mate" (or multiple ones) piece of clothing. There is always one pair of jeans, a carryall-- a dress-- that will fit you perfectly.

Without sounding just a tad too much enamored with a piece of clothing, the feeling that you get when you first put on a dress that hugs you in all the right places is indescribable.

So. Where to look?

This Ruby Rox number, a white gauze dress, is something that I, personally, own. Although it retailed for USD$68.00 at Nordstrom, I found it at Nordstrom Rack for a mere USD$15.00! (Score!!) Ruby Rox is a great place to look. They offer a variety for virtually any occasion.

This dress, by Mona & Holly, is a Shamrock Dress in Bobble Yellow. Their summer 2007 collection is the embodiment of summer. The fun silhouettes, prints, and cuts are refreshing, especially in light of trends inspired by Mary Kate and Ashley's recent dark era-- heavy black eyeliner, greasy hair, black everything.

Both of these designers can be a little pricey, but a little extra effort and an eye for a good find can yield a dress just as perfect as a designer dress at places like eBay, a small consignment or vintage shop, or even a thrift store. Don't be afraid to pick up something a little less traditional and make it your own.