I couldn’t choose just one print or one pattern, so instead I chose a random assortment. I personally love prints and know for a fact that I don’t wear enough of them. Patterned jeans are a major trend right now, but I believe prints should be worn a number of ways. Print shoes, bags, jewelry, or all over print dresses are such a great style for summer. Florals and aztec prints are especially worn all throughout the season.Forever 21, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Nasty Gal and other stores are all embracing the latest trends and you should, too. Check out my 8 picks to see how I intend to try out prints and patterns!

initiating the gallery...

Looking to add some new pieces to your wardrobe this summer? I have 8 different styles of skirts that should make the list. Short, long, trendy, classic; these eight skirts are essential for any girls closet. They are perfect for a day in the office or night out on the town. Best of all, they can be styled to be tailored to your taste. Skirts are very versatile and can be mixed and matched all summer long. Try a new trend or length this season and you might just find your new favorite skirt!

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School is out, and it’s finally time to embrace summer. That means warm weather, dresses, shorts, flip-flops and all of this season’s hottest trends. Although the neon craze has been around for awhile, I think I’ll finally give it a try this summer. It can be done in so many ways, so it’s easy for everyone to experiment with. Whether you’re bold with a head to toe look or just want to try out a splash with accessories or neon nails, there is something for everyone.

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I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. I’ll browse the site until my eyes become glued to a photograph of incredibly dressed fashionistas. I fall in love, then the hate sets in; hate that burns with jealousy over the fact that she is wearing those suede wedges and beautiful blazer, not me. I’ve found a few envy-inducing spring trend based outfits and recreated them with affordable pieces via Polyvore!

The cropped bustier/bracelet top is a sensational trend. It’s the perfect side dish to a gorgeous pair of distressed, dyed, high waist denim shorts. Cropped bustier tops are seen in a range of colors, patterns, and fabrics. I prefer straps for support, but either way this top/bottom combo will continue to trend throughout summer.

Get the look:

Ribbon Cut Out Bracelet Top, BANK Fashion, £18.00

Black Lace Shorts Handmade Vintage Bottoms, Etsy

6 Piece Rhinestone Bangles, Syleforless.com, $7.99

This is a perfect example of acceptable color-blocking. The pastels are huge this spring, and this bombshell has got it down. She pairs her light pink capris with a blouse and sweater, a stylish ensemble for those of you who are yet to experience the actual spring weather!

Get the look:

Peak Blouse Off White, Weekday.com, £40.00

MOTO Supersoft Skinny Leigh Jeans, us.topshop.com, $78.00

Linen Cable-knit Sweater, J. Crew, $34.99

Bangles, Dorothy Perkins, $27.00

I’ve mentioned the colored blazer before, and it’s back! I love H&M’s collection of hues, perfect for color blocking. While many daring fashionistas pair their pinks with teals and greens, this girl rocks a lace frock underneath for an adorably put-together look.

Get the look:

Blazer, H&M, $34.95

A-line Lace Dress, Dorothy Perkins, $44.00

Brando Clutch in Grey, Mimi Boutique, $40.50

One of my favorite trends this spring is lace bottoms. Change up your denim and khaki for some delicate lace. As seen above, stay stylish by pairing your bottoms with a bright pastel blouse and some minimalistic jewelry!

Get the look:

Blouse, Monki, £22.00

Lace Bottoms, Oasis, $72.00

Bangles, Nordstrom, $38.00

Beads, Forever 21, $7.80

Aztec prints are becoming the pattern of spring. These shorts are refreshing in the fact that they take the focus away from the top, accentuating long, tanned legs. Pair your blouse with a pair of Aztec printed shorts and a tote for Boho-chic attire.

 Get the look:

Top, Mango, £39.99

MOTO Aztec Hotpants, topshop.com, $64.00

Black Large Croc Flap Tote, Dorothy Perkins, $59.00

Twisted Necklace, Mango, £15

 www.fashionablymeg.blogspot.com

I’ll always think that the boybands of my childhood (Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, duh) are the creme of the crop. Maybe that explains my aversion to One Direction, or maybe I’ve just outgrown boybands. Yeah, right.

There must be something to One Direction, seeing as they’re such a sensation right now. I may not be their biggest fan, but their video for “What Makes You Beautiful” is a perfect summer video. It was filmed on a sunny California beach, and there are beachy fashions galore.

Our friends over at College Fashion put together some great looks inspired by the video. Check it out here.

It seems like ever since J. Biebs turned 18, he’s been trying to make himself seem a bit more edgy. Case in point: he was recently spotted wearing a t-shirt that said “never sleep, always party.” Hmm. I never got the impression that Biebs was a big partier. I always thought he was more of a mama’s boy. But maybe now that he’s a legal adult, he’s going to start pushing the envelope a bit more.

Bonus points: the t-shirt came from a clothing company started by CC Editor-in-Chief Jenny’s roommate! So we support Bieber’s choice. Check the t-shirts out here.

Lindsay Lohan never learns! TMZ reports that Lindsay was caught in an altercation with another girl at The Standard Hotel on Wednesday night. The story was given from a witness who was at the hotel with said girl, so who knows how biased her account is. The witness claimed that Lindsay accused her friend of bumping into her. The friend responded that it was not her but must have been one of the guys accompanying Lindsay and pointed out Lindsay’s father. The story follows that the verbal dispute heightened until Lindsay threw her drink in the girl’s face. TMZ caught up with Lilo’s father, and he told a very different story. See the video here! Regardless of what actually went down, it would do Lindsay some good to keep a lower profile for a while!

In other news today:

Miranda Kerr turns 29 today and her body is STILL banging!

Have a busy morning? Here’s 4 quick and easy outfit ideas!

Have you seen the ‘Glee’ cover of ‘How Will I Know?’

Anne Hathaway looks shockingly thin on ‘Les Miserables’ set!

Click through this photo album of the cutest documentary animals ever!

These have to be 8 of the craziest billboards ever!

Have you ever been called a ‘crazy girl?’

Bethany Frankel’s novel, ‘Skinny Dipping’ sounds a lot more like an autobiography

[Lead image via Featureflash / Shutterstock.com]

What It Is: Clarins Gloss Prodige in Grenadine and Papaya

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

Another Clarins Spring addition, Gloss Prodige promises a “lip-plumping formula [that] delivers intense colour, mirror-like shine and long-lasting hold. Leaves lips soft, smooth and fuller looking.“

Lip gloss is the perfect Spring/Summer handbag essential. Lighter and brighter than lipstick, it gives you an effortless, airy look. I definitely switch over to mainly gloss in the summertime and hopefully this new gloss fits my needs. I tried out two very different shades, Grenadine and Papaya!

(Papaya, Grenadine)

How To Use It:

These glosses come with a foam-tip applicator that allows for easy application. The applicator wasn’t tapered or doe-foot, just cylindrical like the wand, but I liked it. It was on the larger side, which made precise application impossible, but the colors are sheer enough that you don’t need to be super careful. I wore both of these on their own and found them to be quite pigmented and lovely, but I imagine they would look great over a lipstick of a similar shade.

(Papaya)

(Grenadine)

CC Rating: A

I really don’t understand how Clarins keeps hitting it out of the park! These glosses are amazing– moisturizing, not too sticky and come in a gorgeous array of colors.

I would have given the Clarins Gloss Prodige an A+, except they claim to be plumping, and I really didn’t find ANY plumping or tingling at all. I am quite happy about this, as I don’t like plumping glosses or the sensations that usually come along with them, but if you read the description, you would think you’re getting a plumping gloss.

Please don’t be put off by the less-than-perfect score. If you’re looking for an amazing new lipgloss, don’t hesitate over this! The Gloss Prodige line is A+ in my heart. You can pick them up on the Clarins site for $20 a pop.

[Need some new makeup but not sure what to buy? Check out Alex's other beauty reviews here.]

One year in middle school, I remember that it suddenly became really cool to wear panties with words on them. You know, a brand name (Victoria’s Secret PINK or American Eagle, of course), or a cutesy little slogan. Bonus points if it was a thong that you were hiding from your mom. It was also very cool in my middle school to wear a skirt on top of pants, just to give you an idea of what I was working with here.

At some point, I decided that it was definitely not cool to wear “statement panties.” And that if a guy took off my pants and my underwear had a cheesy slogan on them it would be kind of embarrassing. But judging by the number of statement panties available online, lots of women must still wear them. So I put the question to you, CC readers. Statement panties: hot or not? Here are a few examples to help you decide. Read More »

What It Is: Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Stance (from the new Human Fundamentalism collection)

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

Illamasqua is a super funky brand that stands out with amazing quality products. I’ve never encountered an Illamasqua product that I didn’t love, so I was really excited to try out their new shade of nail varnish. Stance is a bright fuschia-violet with a glossy finish.

How To Use It:

Illamasqua nail varnishes come in square-shaped bottles with a sleek, black cap. I find that the large cap makes application slightly cumbersome; it doesn’t allow for much precision. However, the brush is standard-size.

CC Rating: A

Illamasqua is a wonderful brand; the products are always of stellar quality, featuring unique and fun shades. I love Illasmaqua not only for basics, but for bright, crazy products and colors. Their nail varnish in Stance is no different – it’s an almost neon magenta!

As I mentioned above, I really don’t like the cap of the Illamasqua nail varnishes. Application is a lot more difficult with the large, square cap, and I have to take my time. However, the varnish itself is fabulous and applies opaque with 2 coats. It goes on very smoothly and doesn’t streak at all. The wear-time was about average, and I noticed tip wear within 2-3 days.

Overall, I like the Illasmasqua nail varnishes, but I’m not blown away. If the price point was closer to $10, I think I’d be more likely to add these to my collection. Illamasqua nail varnishes, including Stance, are available on Sephora’s website for $14.

[Need some new makeup but not sure what to buy? Check out Alex's other beauty reviews here.]