Be a "Pin Up Girl" at the Beach

Sometimes the best fashion inspriation doesn't come from Vogue--it comes from real people.

Over the weekend, Pirate Girl and I ran across another stylish way to jazz up a swimsuit; simply pin on a broach.

Broaches are a smart way to give a regular swimsuit several unique looks simply by changing the pin.

Forget practicality, you can just take the pin off before you get in the water. Or better yet, find a swimsuit that already has a bauble attached like the one in this picture.

Obviously, you'd want to find a broach that's inexpensive and costumey. Any shop that sales vintage jewelry should have tons of broaches, giving you lots of great options for spicing up your swimwear.

Best Dressed: Swimsuits & Accessories

I can always count on Pirate Girl to make a fashion statement at the lake (or the Texas Hamptons, as I like to imagine it).

And this last Memorial Day weekend was no exception.

Arriving at the dock rockin' big, dangly, gold earrings and a couple of bangle bracelets, she immediately reminded me of how great accessories look with swimsuit.

(It didn't hurt that she was also carrying a bottle of champagne.)

Adding some costume jewelry to your swimwear ensemble is such an easy way to look chic when you're sweaty.

Practical? Well, maybe not always, but it looks so great.

I proudly proclaim Pirate Girl Best Dressed Lake Texoma!

Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn

In my world, there is no bigger style icon than Audrey Hepburn. Here are some her looks that I love. Any one of them would still look great today.

- Black dress
- Orange coat
- All black
- Black skinny pants
- Ballet flats
- Big sunglasses

The good news is that all of these looks can easily be replicated on a budget!

Classic Summer Cool

Sunglasses or "sunnies," as Rachel Zoe calls, them are a summer must-have accessory. And while trends with sunglasses come and go, aviator shades remain classic summer cool.

Brad, Angelina, Jessica Simpson, Posh, Jessica Biel, Paris Hilton and countless other celebs have been photographed sporting these shades.

And you can, too. They look great on everyone, guys and girls. They're trendy, but never go out of style. How many accessories can do that!

Rachel Zoe also says that sunnies are the universal "do not disturb sign," so unless you're on a plane and would rather sleep than chat with the stranger sitting next to you, remove your sunglasses when you're not outside.

To that point, unless you're outdoors, I think it's impolite to have a conversation when wearing sunglasses. You should be making eye contact.

The Bikini Alternative

The monokini is my perfect swimsuit.

It's everything you want in a bikini and more because it covers up a less-than-flat tummy.

That's why I bought two this season.

While I'm on the topic, may I just add that Target has the best swimsuits? Oh, well, I think I just did.

Inexpensive and stylish; what more could a girl ask for.