A sprinkling of lace tops and skirts were an exciting addition to my spring/summer wardrobe. And, based on what I am seeing in all the fall previews, it looks like what might have been a one-season wonder is now a full-fledged trend.  For those of us who are tired of the studs, chains and distressed leather that have dominated the virtual shelves of our shopping world, lovely lace is the perfect antidote. It is simultaneously sweet and seductive, an enviable duality. And just one great piece, when paired with the right basic, can take your outfit from average to incredible.

I’ve plucked some of my favorites for you to consider when planning your fall purchases. All of these are available now and can be worn during the transition time from warmer to cooler weather. One, very important piece of advice – a single item of lace in any outfit is pretty, anything more is a costume. So if you want to evoke Marie Antoinette, please wait for Halloween. Happy shopping!

1. Donna Mizani Lace Dress in Black $210 – This is a perfect summer to fall transition dress. You can wear it now with a black, strappy heel and later with a nude, closed-toe platform. Buy it at singer22.com.

2. Beyond Vintage Lace Dolman Top in Navy $180 – Dark navy lace is so appealing because it’s not the traditional black or cream but still works well with the fabric. Match the color of this top to your darkest denim and wear it with a nude or chocolate brown heel for a chic, monochromatic look. The cinched waist and see-through tummy adds sex appeal without being vulgar. Buy it at piperlime.com.

3. Joie Elvia Lace Top $198 – I love this top in black or cream. You can dress it up with a mini-skirt and boots or heels, or take it downtown with wide leg jeans, a studded belt and clogs. It would also look adorable with simple flats and dark skinny jeans, alone or under a blazer. Buy it at shopbop.com.

4. Twelve Dances Skimmers $138 – These pretty black ballet flats are light enough to start wearing in the warm weather with skirts and dresses but will take you well into the fall paired with dark or black denim, black pants, leggings or tights.  Buy them at Anthropologie.com.

5. Stretch Floral Lace Stirrup Legging (in black) $42 – These may look a tad racy but with simple flat boots (black, over-the-knee would be my preference) and an oversized tunic sweater or dress, they will make your boring staples bold. Buy them at americanapparel.net.

6. Free People All Pucker Lace Camisole $48 – Worn under a blazer or silky button-down, this cami is a discreet, sexy-sweet accent. Buy it at shopbop.com.

7. BB Dakota Issac Lace Skirt in Black $70 – If you want to try this trend but are a little intimated, I’d recommend this mini. Wear it with a boxy black sweater and nude patent pumps and you have a super classy ensemble for an evening out. Switch out the pumps for flats and you tone down the trend completely. And when you start to feel daring, try it with an over-the-knee boot in an unexpected color, like slate or maroon. But it at revolveclothing.com.

8. Pavonine Throw Back in Ivory $127 – A sexy but comfortable top with a dramatic back cutout is my perfect Saturday night outfit. That way I can enjoy dinner in something loose fitting and still turn heads! I like how it is styled with a peek-a-boo black bra and bright pants. It would also work with a nude cami and dark or black jeans. Endless possibilities and a great price! Buy it at revolveclothing.com.

xoxo Melina

In my high school, you could get out of gym class for one semester if you took home economics. It was either spend the second half of my freshman year sweating it out with most of the varsity softball team, who looked at me like I was a pretty doll they planned to vandalize, or try my hand at the domestic arts. So I baked, sewed and, in order to appreciate the responsibilities of parenting, carried an egg around in a basket for a week without breaking it. I did not excel in any of these arenas, but I was especially bad at sewing.

I am befuddled by buttons and harrowed by hems so it goes without saying that I am always in need of a tailor. That was, however, until I found Bristols 6 “Hem Tape”. I had just bought my first pair of Genetic Denim and wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep them long to wear with my new spring wedges or shorten them to show off my summer sandals. In 5 minutes, Hem Tape gave me a clean, shorter hem that was temporary enough to remove easily without any damage to the fabric but sturdy enough to last multiple wears and even a couple of washes. Problem solved – the new jeans did not have to go under the knife and I could wear them with whatever shoes I wanted.

Bristols 6 has a lot of fashion fixes to help you keep things in place and cover others but I am most intrigued by their “Adjust-a-Button”, which allows you to extend or tighten your waistband. The genius of this invention is obvious – poke a pin through the waistband of your favorite pants and let them out or take them in up to 1.5 inches. While I haven’t tried it myself, I am really excited about the possibilities…

Gain a couple of pounds in the winter months and now things are a little tight? No need to buy new pants, just add an “Adjust-a-Button”. Tone your tummy in Pilates and now your favorite jeans are loose? Cinch them in with “Adjust-a-Button”. Not to mention the miracle this could be for women in early pregnancy who need more room but aren’t ready for maternity jeans. It seems to me that having some of these on hand could be very useful.

You can buy Hem Tape ($12) and Adjust-a-Button ($18) at Bristosl6.com or on Amazon.com.

xoxo Melina

She’s unique, colorful, pretty and will hold all your “baggage”. The Stephanie Medium Hobo by Diane von Furstenberg could be your new best friend. I first spotted her poolside in Miami on the arm of a very fashionable South American and popped up from my lounge chair to find out where this beauty had gotten her beauty. Rarely do I stare but the metallic, knitted leather was so shiny and different that I became transfixed. So when my fellow sunbather told me the bag was DVF, I was a little shocked I hadn’t come across it yet.

My research started via iPhone at the pool that Memorial Day weekend where I learned Stephanie was  a relatively new style, having debuted as part of DVF’s 2010 resort collection. New summer colors had already been released and were selling at the big online retailers. Hmmm, I thought, I must not have been checking out bags enough lately or I would have noticed them. Then I realized that Stephanie didn’t look so hot on-screen. So if you are thinking the same thing now, I challenge you to go out and find one in person so you can see what all my hype is about. Because after seeing Stephanie at The Raleigh Hotel pool, I was sold and purchased one of my very own the next day. I have been wearing it all summer and getting tons of compliments. From the sales girl at Intermix to the lady shopping next to me at Whole Foods, everyone stops, stares and proclaims to love it.

The fall colors (featured above) have arrived and while I am very tempted to buy a new version for the cooler weather I am going to try and abstain. Instead, I’d rather share it with all of you…

You can buy your own Stephanie at dvf.com, shopbop.com, and neimanmarcus.com.

xoxo Melina

Who says you can’t learn anything from reality TV? Au contraire! Because of Miss Know It All, I can read, watch and listen to almost anything that involves copious amounts of consumption and call it research. Now thanks to Bethenny Frankel and her show Bethenny Getting Married, I can finally justify what is obviously an embarrassing obsession. On a recent episode, Bethenny had a bridal/baby shower where she gave her guests fantastic party favors – gorgeous sets of bangles by Jennifer Miller. Plug or not, Jennifer’s jewels are worth taking notice.

I love wearing bangles but unless I want to spend a small fortune assembling a collection made of real gold I am left with the cheap, unattractive options so many of us end up sporting.  Always on the lookout for something better, when I saw Bethenny’s bangles, I thought those are really, truly special. While they look like they cost more than they do, they are by no means cheap. Starting at $175 for a set of 10 and moving up to $195 for a set of 27, they are gold plated and feature pretty, faux diamond details. A minor investment for an accessory we use so frequently.

Check out the entire collection at jennifermillerjewelry.com.

xoxo Melina

Bright, neon colors for summer. Not exactly original, I know, but is this trend actually wearable? After scouring my piles of magazines and seeing images of bronzed photo-shopped models in 80’s inspired electric bikinis (um, no thanks!), I decided it was about time to explore more reasonable options.

Remembering that a pop of color can go a long way, I found flattering frocks and accessories in vivid hues that will give your closet good vibrations all summer long (and they are all under $200!):

1. Fierra Y Back Tank Dress, Alice + Olivia: $198 – Simple and sexy, just as the summer should be! Be perfection in purple with this no-frills dress that you’ll be grabbing for again and again for every night out.

2. Cotton Racer-Back Tank, Splendid: $44 – The key-lime color of this casual tank will look great paired with white jeans and a nice tan.

3. Neon Lights Belt, Madewell in Pop Pink: $32 – Keep it together and understated with this skinny belt that adds the tiniest burst of color. Cinch a dress at the waist, or sling it through the loops of pants at the hip, either way you can’t go wrong with this chic and playful accent.

4. Olvera Pocket Dress, Patterson J. Kincaid: $89 – This orange-blossom/coral color reminds me of a Tequila Sunrise, which could be your perfect accessory! Wear it as a beach cover up or throw on some heels for a sweltering night out. The best part? It’s on sale right now!

5. Disco City Tote, Foley & Corinna in Electric Blue: $198 – I have this bag in grey and I wear it all the time. It’s so versatile and I absolutely love the azure blue color. This high-voltage accessory can bring any outfit from boring to bangin’.

6. Patent Ballerina Flats, Bloch: $150 – You’ll be walking on sunshine with these peppy fun flats that can bring any summer outfit to life. They will also work well into fall when you need to spice up an all black ensemble.

7. Skinny Mini Skirt, Naven in Vegas Blue: $140 - Tuck in a cute tank and you’re good to go with this high-wasted electric mini.

8. Drape Back Top, Amanda Uprichard in Hot Pink/Black: $106 – I bought this top in the spring and love wearing it with my black skinny jeans. It’s sexy and yet leaves plenty to the imagination. The black band in the back is great for hiding a strapless bra so you can feel supported while showing off some skin!

Now go get yourself a gorgeous neon number and crank up the heat on your summer wardrobe.

xoxo Lauren

Every season I try very hard to invest in just one new handbag. The effort is not in the picking of the bag, it’s in picking only one from the many I tend to covet. But as they say, more is not always better. Of the new bags I bought this spring (yes, I was a total glutton and bought several) I am, hands-down, getting the most use out of my BOYY Slash bag.

First of all, it’s just a great looking bag. Let me be clear, this is definitely more of a cool-girl bag than a statement bag. There are no logos, just a fabulous shape, a super-chic chain shoulder strap, and lots of functionality. Because the top, python-embossed flap is reversible, it can be worn all black (or brown) or with the contrasting detail showing. A great bag to travel with, it lays completely flat and does not weigh a ton. It also goes from day to night easily because it is neither too big to be just a “day bag” nor too small to relegate it to the evening-only options. And thanks to the smart, detachable shoulder strap, it transforms into a clutch, giving you FOUR completely different looks. It’s no wonder why this is the most used bag in my collection right now.

BOYY makes only bags (well, one wallet) in several styles and shapes. All of which are unique, wearable and thoughtful. I bought my Slash bag at Scoop, which does not have an e-commerce site yet, but you can buy the whole line on BOYY’s website. The Slash bag retails for $595 and is definitely worthy of that price tag because it will be on permanent rotation in my closet!

xoxo Melina

It’s about time! J.Crew’s newish sister store, Madewell, is finally online with its own e-commerce site. If you are not familiar with the brand, the clothes are a little less preppy and a little more bohemian. And the prices are similar, if not slightly more reasonable, than J.Crew. With only a sprinkling of stores throughout the US, the site is a long time coming for those of us who can’t get to a store or just prefer to shop from the comfort of our homes.

I had a great time shopping Madewell.com. Here are the contents of my cart…too bad I can’t buy it all!

1. Romantic Ruffle Dress: $88 – Love the ruffly sleeves and skin skimming, yet flattering, silhouette.

2. Metal Mesh Drape Tank: $58 – This rocker meets surfer girl tank comes in three colors. The mesh panels dress it up, making it an easy staple piece that can go from day to night.

3. Panama Hat: $58 – A great hat at a great price. This girly twist on the original will go perfectly will all your summer outfits and is a stylish way to shield yourself from the sun.

4. Boardwalk Shorts: $72 – The trend of the season, silky shorts in the perfect summer pink. These will make your tan legs look great and the color, despite what you may think, can go with almost anything.

5. Cascade Color Drop Necklace: $98 – Metal chain necklaces are everywhere right now but I love this boho version with the colored stones.

6. Mariposa Skirt: $88 – Love the shape, love the exposed zipper, love the print. You will get a lot of use out of this mini.

7. Academy Blazer: $168 – Pair it now with a flowy dress or skirt and in the fall with skinny jeans, this versatile blazer will be one of your favorites. It’s all in the details – the tailored shape and gold buttons will inject instant fashion into any outfit.

8. Drifter Top: $118 – I’m a sucker for pretty tops that look like they came straight from the 60′s and this one has my name written all over it. It’s the perfect piece to wear with denim cutoffs and go see a summer concert in the park!

9. Scarfi Creazioni Panarea Multi-Lace Sandals: $78 – Instant Italian chic! These sandals are actually made there on the island of Panarea. They come with two sets of straps, in black and periwinkle, so you can wear them all summer long.

xoxo Melina

Let’s be honest…we like to look at celebrities. We want to see what they drive, who they hang out with and, most importantly, what they are wearing. So when I discovered Singer22.com about a year ago I was giddy over the idea that I could shop the clothes right off the celebrities’ backs. Ok, some of them are just the new brand of pseudo-celebrity who got lucky on reality television but who cares? They have access to the latest designers and trends so why wouldn’t I be interested?

The only site of its’ kind, Singer22.com has ingeniously made trendy celebrity street fashion readily accessible to all. Catch Rihanna strolling in Manhattan in J Brand skinny cargos and an LnA tee…you can buy the whole outfit here.  Party dresses and hip casual clothing in the boho/punk-rock genre is the general theme of this massive online storefront, although there are definitely more polished looks in the mix.

Hard-to-find t-shirt brands such as Lauren Moshi (seen above on Reese Witherspoon), Wildfox, and Rebel Yell, which are extremely hard to find in street retail are all available in abundance. The latest hot frocks from Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Gypsy 05, Alice and Olivia, Pency, Parker and many more stock the virtual shelves of this fun, funky fashion world where dressing like a celebrity is just a click away. You can also find your favorite accessories such as Jeffrey Campbell shoes and Rebecca Minkoff handbags.

And now for the downside…you can only return your purchases for store credit (good for one year). But they make the exchange process easy and, truthfully, you know you will use it eventually. The links below (and images above) are just a small slice of Singer22.com’s vast summer selection (left to right):

Alice + Olivia Sheila Asymmetrical Cut Out Dress in Black: $242 - Current/Elliott The Captain Trouser in Army or Khaki: $162 - Naven Party Dress in Pop Pink (Black and Purple also available): $379 – Paige Premium Denim Verdugo Jegging in Dusk: $158 - Blue Moon Summer Lovin Dress in Summer Tie Dye: $175 - Lauren Moshi V-Neck Swing Bow Top: $94

Looks like you have a new excuse to sneak a peek into the lives celebrities and their favorite fashions. Don’t worry, we won’t judge.

xoxo Melina

It’s officially summertime and if you haven’t noticed this trend yet, the MKIAs are here to help. Like you, we are ready to show some skin in this supremely versatile style. These neutral numbers go with literally anything – colorful, flowy dresses, your favorite LBD or jeans and a blazer. They also make legs look longer, leaner and tanner. That alone should be reason enough to invest in a pair!

The styles we are featuring range from the reasonably priced to some you’d need a good reason to buy. Here are our current favorite flops, flats, sky-high pumps, and everything in between:

1. “The Sparkly Knockout” – Christian Louboutin Glitter Pump: $595. Like a sexy modern Dorothy, click your heels three times in these and go somewhere fabulous. I absolutely love these and could wear them for many a night on the town.

2. “The Back to the Beach Thong Sandal” – K Jacques Valerie T-Strap Sandal: $240. Throw these in your beach bag and head to the coast! These infamous sandals are what European women live in during the warm summer months.

3. “The Peek-A-Toe Sandal” – L.A.M.B Quincy Platform Pumps: $245. The laser cutouts give personality to these simple-yet-chic basics.

4. “The ‘Take Me to Italy!’ Wedge” – J.Crew Sardinia Wedge Espadrilles in Dusty Blossom: $118. When I wear these, I’m transported back to the sun-kissed, breezy Amalfi Coast where fashion is chic and effortless. The heel is the perfect height: low enough for everyday-wear and high enough for dressing up an evening outfit. I’ve worn these to work, shopping with friends, and on dates. I’ve already convinced both of my roommates to buy them. Love!

5. “The Practical Ballerina” – Kors Michael Kors Olympia Ballerina Flat: $165. Patent Leather with a delicious nude-pink hue and a sleek, simple design, these adorable flats will be a very popular staple in your wardrobe.

6. “The Modern Marvel” – Boutique 9 Thomsina in Natural: $110. Modern design at a modest price.  What’s not to like?  Melina recently purchased these to bring on a long trip to Spain and she swears they go with over half of her outfits! We know she won’t be packing light but at least she’s trying to pack smart.

7. “The Forget-Me-Knot Flop” – Cooperative Braided Sandal: $24. The braided cotton straps on these are a perfect compliment to the nautical trend that’s so popular this season. But these can be worn anywhere on land (especially at that price!).

8. “The Naked Bombshell” – Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Sandal: $760. Soar to new heights and be runway ready with these trendy platforms. Yes, the heel on these is almost as steep as the price, but I’ve added them to my wish list (along with being able to afford my rent). A girl can dream!

9. “The MaryJane Francaise” – MaraisUSA Mulberry MaryJane Nude: $58. Perfect for strolling the cobblestone streets of Paris, or the glittering sidewalks of New York, these flats are an adorable twist on a classic.

With this selection, we know you will find a nude knockout (or two) to round out your summer wardrobe.

xoxo Lauren

Like what you see? We hand-picked this lovely little collection to showcase one of MKIA’s favorite online fashion retailers, Net-a-Porter. Unlike many of its competitors, Net-a-Porter is a solely virtual experience and as such is a standout among other online fashion destinations. Offering a vast, yet well curated assortment of high-end designers (Balmain, Balenciaga, Miu Miu) and mid-priced labels (A.P.C., Milly, Elizabeth and James), the site looks and feels like a cross between Bergdorf Goodman and the best boutiques in London and New York. And do they deliver!

Every order, no matter what the price point, arrives in a beautifully packaged gift box complete with a big bow. If you live in New York or London your fresh-off-the-runway fashion will arrive via courier by the end of the day and within 24 hours if you live elsewhere.  That’s right ladies, no need to track your order from Net-a-Porter, this is a high-end experience all the way and, like we said, it doesn’t matter how much you spend, you get the same five-star treatment. It’s all part of the site’s fantasy-style shopping experience and knowing you are getting something special when you spend your hard-earned cash. They make returns easy too with free shipping and self-addressed labels.

Featured above and listed here are some of our favorite summer selections available at Net-a-Porter now (from left to right, top to bottom):  Tibi Watercolor Silk Dress $380, Belle by Sigerson Morrison Strappy Lattice Espadrille Wedges $240, Alice + Olivia Striped Cotton Skirt $165, Kova & T Ella Silk Shirt Dress $295, T -Bags Batwing Blouse $170, Diane von Furstenberg Juntas Cutout Mini Skirt $345

As a testament to the success of the site, the founder, Natalie Massanet, is now an e-commerce heroine having just sold her shares for $76 million to Richemont luxury group, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chloe and Dunhill. Not bad boss lady. Don’t worry the brains haven’t left the business, Massanet will continue to head the company!