No, you’re not in the middle of some sorta funny movie where you’ve suddenly hopped into a hot tub with a few of your friends and were instantly transported back to 1989. (And all the funny parts were shown in the previews.)

But yes, crop tops are back. In a big way.

This summer we are taking a cue from Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Ditch the Lycra leotards (please tell me you’ve done so a long, LONG time ago) but hang on to those crop tops, because this summer, we will be rocking them. Hard.

Of course, there is a right way and a wrong way to rock the crop top.

Right Way: Done casual with jean shorts and a bathing suit, or over a tank with some high waisted shorts.
Right Way: Over a fitted, high-waisted skirt or a nice pair of jeans.
Wrong Way: Like this.

Really, it all comes down to pairing the right crop top with the right bottom and, of course, wearing your hot ’80s inspired ‘fit with an extra dose of confidence. Not quite sure how to pull this off? Here are a few ideas to get you through the summer months.

Cropped Yet Covered
This is a great option for those who would really rather not show off their recent finals binge in a crop top but still want a similar look. It’s loose throughout and a bit longer in back but still has that cropped feel. Pair with a pair of fitted jeans (it’s always important to keep the bottoms fitted when the top is loose!) and I’m loving these blue/wood shoes paired with the yellow. Plus those heels? Ferosh.

Product Information: Top – Lulus.com, $25; Jeans – Gap, $69.50; Shoes – Forever 21, $25.80.

I’m (Cropped) on a Mother F**king Boat
Yet another reason to love primary colors: this outfit. The red crop top with the navy high waisted shorts and yellow boat shoes is perfect for a summer day… on a boat. If red isn’t your color, Navy and hot pink are totally adorbs, too, and for $15 a shirt, why not get two?

Product Information: Top – American Apparel, $15;  Shorts – American Apparel, $38; Shoes – Forever 21, $19.80.

Beach Cropped
My favorite of all the crop top looks, take the vintage looking tee and a pair of tattered jean shorts, throw ‘em over your bathsuit, grab your Walkman and scrunchies and hit the beach! I love the total ’80s throwback of this outfit. Minus the Walkman part. I mean, you can still look adorably ’80s and rock out to your iPod, right?

Product Information: Shirt – Top Shop, $28;  Bikini Top – Forever 21, $10.80;  Bikini Bottom - Forever 21,  $9.80; Shorts – Delia’s, $37.50; Shoes – Charlotte Russe, $7.

SJP looked stunning and vibrant in this bright yellow gown, a color that is often difficult to pull off.  But with the weather warming up, why shouldn’t everyone embrace the color of summer? It brightens up your look and echoes the color of sunlight.  It’s the perfect pop of color to add personality whether you’re soaking up rays on the beach or stuck at a desk in your cubicle.

Sure, not everyone can work (or afford) a dress like SJP, but you don’t have to go yellow from head to toe to get its beautiful effect. If you’re feeling a little uneasy there are many yellow shoes and accessories to help you incorporate the color into your wardrobe. Yellow nail polish is another easy and cheap way to add a splash of color to your look. From bikinis to tanks to statement necklaces, there are so many ways to bring a little yellow into your life and wardrobe this summer. So take a hint from America’s biggest fashion icon and slip into some yellow.

[Click on the images below to get the shopping info.]

I am in total freakin’ party mode right now. Not that I blame myself; actually, far from it. Instead I am rewarding myself for delaying Senioritis until the last 3 weeks of the year by downing bottles of wine with the girls on weeknights and stumbling into morning class with barhead and underye circles.

So obviously instead of getting my notes together for finals I’m just perusing the Internet for additions to my summer party dress lineup. The minute I grab my diploma, I’m strippin’ off that gown and hitting the clubs hard.

The first night will be a little black number, skyscraper heels, chunky jewelry. But the subsequent nights, I’d like to mix it up a bit. Enter The Sailor Button Dress from New Look.

I never really got into the whole nautical trend, but this dress is too tempting to resist. The vibrant red only pops even more with contrasting white stripes and the split detail is totally sexy, while till having a demure, girlish quality.

The cut couldn’t be any more flattering with a cinched waist and forgiving pleated skirt. And the nautical style embossed buttons draw the attention up to your shoulders having a totally slimming effect. Added bonus? It has one of my favorite features in a dress: pockets. Giving a comfortable, laid back vibe to an otherwise sophisticated and refined mini. I can already seem myself out on the town, one hand in a pocket, the other daintily holding a martini (or making a beer pong shot…either way).

And of course it meets my strict, wearable rule. Ankle strap heels, some mismatched bangles and a bare neckline make it nightlife ready. Then the next morning you can slip out of bed, throw on a white linen blazer and some flip flops for brunch. Not to mention that when fall weather hits a pair of black tights and a leather jacket will carry it through the season.

I’m hittin’ the town sailor style…
Bon Voyage ladies!

I recently went to Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), a massive electronic music festival/rave, and saw some wicked cool costumes. While I didn’t go all out with leather and lace like some party-goers, I did enjoy stepping away from my usually more conservative outfits and wearing neon bright clothes. I liked it enough, in fact, that I figured I could try to work them into my daily summer wardrobe.

And why not? When paired with the right articles of clothing, bright pieces are a super easy way to add color and fun to your look.

The easiest way to incorporate color is with a bright pair of shorts. Sure, you have your reliable blue or black jean shorts that practically go with everything (so you can grab the nearest clean – or not – top), but colored shorts would make the outfit more vibrant and exciting. I picked up these shorts featuring destroyed cuffs from Wet Seal, and at $12.50, they won’t make you feel too guilty about dipping into your account for a “novelty” item. They come in a couple of other colors, and  if the cutoff look isn’t your thing, other styles are offered in even more colors.

I’ve been pairing these with a basic top (white or gray v-neck, anyone?), some key accessories and flip flops and my summer look has been instantly amped up. I’m even considering heading back to Wet Seal and getting every color they got.

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

Even short haired girls know, a summer outdoors is a hair disaster waiting to happen.  Cruising in a convertible. Spending a windswept day at the beach.  Biking with friends. Floating your day away in a pool.  They all sound fantastic right about now, don’t they?  Well your hair doesn’t agree.  Tame those wind ravaged, water logged tresses with these cute, chic and fabulous accessories.

Cute Clips:

Throwing your locks into a simple half updo, is a classic, chic solution for limp strands that hang by your face.  Secure with a statement clip to add character and charm.

This Miniature Bug Hairclip is adorable for summer yet its gold and rhinestone detail make it dressy enough for evening. $16, bananarepublic.com

So you can’t go to Hawaii for vacay?  Well bring the island home with this set of Blue Leopard Hibiscus Flower Hair Clips.  The tropical touch is perfect for any beach party. $8, torrid.com.

Riddle me this: It’s June. It’s cold and rainy in most of the country so you spend your day shopping instead of at the beach. You stumble upon sundress after sundress, cute top after cute top, and you want to buy everything. In fact, you’ve pretty much convinced yourself that it’s totally fine if  you move some money from your savings into your checking. Clothing is a sound investment, after all.  And even though Suze Orman would say “stop it right there, sister,” you really want/NEED these amazing frocks for summer.

Well I’m no Suze Orman, but “Stop it right there, sister.”

Let’s face it, summer is only 3 months. Is it worth going into debt buying that totally adorable DVF wrap dress? Sure Carrie Bradshaw would say yes, but Carrie Bradshaw is a fictional character. I however, your trusty budget sylista, am 100% reality. And not reality like The Hills reality – reality, reality. So listen up.

For such a short season, especially one that has been unseasonably unsummery (seriously mother earth – get on that), there really is no need to go into debt and owe your soul to Saks. Especially when this summer is ALL about accessories. The bolder, bigger and brighter, the better. Bib necklaces and funky necklaces are all over the place making it possible to take a garb from the 8th grade and make it look instantly modern, and make the simplest of outfits look uber chic and pulled together.

I scoured the web and compiled a ton of awesome options. When you wear one, though,  remember to pair it with simple clothes, solid color dresses, maxi dresses or with a great pair of jeans and solid top. Keep the rest of your accessories minimal. And, no, minimal does not mean 3 cocktail rings and a pair of hoop earrings. (Yes I’m talking to YOU, Miss Over-Accessorizer…and you too, grandma) Choose ONE other accessory, whether it be one ring, a few thin bangles or small studs and let the necklace be the focal point. Throw on cute shoes and a great bag and – boom – you just saved yourself a lot of money and buyer’s remorse. Not to mention you still look hella stylish.

I know, I’m good. I’ll be here all week. Well, I’ll be here every Friday.