While we ladies in San Francisco can hardly complain about extreme weather, my summer vacations visiting family in Connecticut have taught me enough to know that when the weather gets really hot, you rarely want to get out of the pool, let alone get dressed up and wear real clothes. But the truth is, you don’t have to suffer to look sharp when it’s sweltering outside (contrary to popular belief, pain isn’t always beauty), and the newest Spring/Summer lookbook from Max Studio is chock-ful of comfy-chic pieces that manage to ooze sophistication without making you feel miserable! The key is to find stylish summer staples in lightweight, breathable, weather-friendly fabrics like linen and cotton, and of course, exposing skin to stay cool while still keeping it classy! Opt for a pair of goes-with-everything linen shorts, and a drape-y top that looks luxe but feels as comfy as your favorite tee. And of course, don’t underestimate the need for a lightweight summer jacket – this linen blazer-style jacket goes a long way in boosting the sophistication scale without making you break a sweat!

Pictured above: Herringbone Linen Jacket, Pique Shirred Sleeveless Blouse, and Max Studio Shorts in Cream

- Alexandra Gambardella

This season, it’s all about the ever-flowing summer maxi dress. But how do you take the simple, effortless warm-weather staple and turn it into something that’s unforgettably statement-making? It’s all about choosing the right accessories, which will help elevate the look from something you just threw on to the epitome of casual summer glamour! First off, given the maxi dress’s voluminous shape, you want to make sure you do your curves justice – cinch your dress in at the waist with a coordinating belt, which will also serve to add some on-trend edge to your otherwise super-feminine look. Furthermore, maxi dresses look best on vertically-gifted girls, but if you’re not supermodel-tall, don’t fret – fake it by sporting some sky-high platform sandals to add the illusion of extra height! And last but not least, complete the look with the perfect floppy sun hat, so you can beat the rays while also giving off the perfect dash of boho-chicness! You’ll find these and more summer styles at SSENSE.

Pictured above: Suno Multicolor Empire Maxi Dress, DSQUARED2 Camel Wool Jennifer Hat, Lanvin Brown Leather Waist Belt, and Chloe Nude Platform Sandals

- Alexandra Gambardella

TheFind is making the most of their summer maxi dresses with the perfect accessories from SSENSE

It’s official: I’m a recently re-converted watch lover. In this day and age in which our most trusted timepiece is our cell phone and some elementary schools don’t even teach kids how to tell time in analog form anymore (seriously!), watches as functional items are becoming increasingly obsolete. But as with many fashion trends that are clearly more for fashion than function (gauzy scarves that don’t keep you warm, peep-toe booties, sequins, etc.) – I’ve come around from my skepticism and am ready to embrace the realm of candy-colored watches, whether or not I actually need an extra reminder of what time it is! This season, Marc by Marc Jacobs has plenty of bold-faced pieces to consider, from brightly hued leather to oversized silicone straps that fit comfortably on your wrist alongside this season’s equally color-festive friendship bracelets and metal-studded fare! More luxe than that Casio Baby-G you used to rock back in junior high, yet still plenty of fun, these watches from Watch Station will help you have your most stylish, colorful summer yet!

Pictured above: Diver Coral Silicone Watch, Rock Silicone Amethyst Chronograph Watch, Blade Silver Tone Blue Patent Watch, and Icon Stripe Watch.

- Alexandra Gambardella

We’re so excited about this amazing GIVEAWAY.We’ve teamed up with the ever-so fashionable website, Forward by elyse walker, to offer our readers a chance to win the iconic Alexander McQueen Skull Chiffon Scarf in Black and Ivory.This is the perfect scarf to add just the right amount of edginess to your spring and summer wardrobe.McQueen’s scarf can be dressed up or down and looks great paired with Rick Owens Ribbed Tank Dress in Black, Current Elliott Stiletto Jeans in Stone Leopard, Helmut Lang’s Vintage Tape Pullover in Black and Nili Lota’s Over-sized Tee….just to name a few a pieces from Foward by elyse walker’s site. McQueen’s edgy scarf will remain a fashion favorite for years to come. McQueen was known for his outrageous prints, use of color, statement pieces and extreme fashions.

Forward by Elyse Walker is a place where East Coast meets West, uptown-chic mingles with downtown-cool, and our highly curated mix of merchandise is both visually stunning and sartorially inspiring. Their sharp buyers, stylists and editors, whose fingers are continually on the pulse of what’s next, bring FORWARD by elyse walker shoppers the most exclusive lines, directional designer pieces and expertly styled looks that can’t be found anywhere else. Shoppers will find the most sought-after collections, including Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Chloe, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Proenza Schouler, Rick Owens, Costume National, Stella McCartney, Valentino, Versace, Fendi, Missoni, and Givenchy.

To enter to win this trendy and ever-so chic Alexander McQueen Skull Scarf you will need to complete all THREE of these steps:

1. Subscribe to A Few Goody Gumdrops by email and leave a comment on this post using the email address you used to subscribe or become a fan of AFGG on Facebook by clicking the “like” icon.

2.Become a fan of Forward by elyse walker by clicking the “like” icon.

3. Tell us how you would accessorize this scarf from the Forward by elyse walker website. We’d pair this edgy scarf with the Chloe Paraty Handbag, Rick Owens funky Cord Sandals and the A.L.C. Lena Dress. How will you accessorize this scarf from Forward by elyse walker’s website? We can’t wait to find out!!!

The winner will be chosen on May 20, 2012. Forward by elyse walker will send the scarf directly to the winner.The winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond to AFGG.The contest is open to US residents only.

A Few Goody Gumdrops wishes to thank Forward by elyse walkerfor sponsoring this Rockin Giveaway!

From our friends at A Few Goody Gumdrops

["Iris" styles for Eyebobs]

“Getting older ain’t for sissies,” style icon Iris Apfel once told Into The Gloss; And hence, if there is one person we’d love to imitate as we grow older, it’s decidedly Iris Apfel. Known for her signature glasses and for staying active in the fashion industry, Apfel’s newest collaboration with Eyebobs is available this Spring 2012, with a complete collection to come out in 2013.

Eyebobs prides itself on “stylish, smart and a little sarcastic” eyewear, for those of us who may initially shun the idea of eyewear over contact lenses. The Iris, pictured above, a polarized sunglass and sun reader, is available in hard-to-find magnifications and retails for $99 and $75 respectively at eyebobs.com.

With Iris Apfel on board, Eyebobs has found itself the ideal candidate to prove that glasses are not something to be averted, but instead, adorned.

-Alana Quagliariello

From our friends at Fashion Pulse Daily

French apothecary skincare line, L’Occitane, has a new line of products in keeping with their botanical tradition. The Immortelle line – named after the floral essence – along with daisy, form the basis of the anti-aging skin and hand care products. The Immortelle Brightening Essence ($56, 1 oz.) is a serum used twice daily to brighten and smooth the skin. It comes in a tidy glass jar with a dropper apothecary style. The Brightening Essence has a light, intoxicating floral aroma. The product absorbs quickly without looking greasy. While it is a serum, it is not hydrating. It simply adds some luminescence to skin subtly. The Immortelle Brightening Hand Care ($30, 2.5 oz.) is one of the most effective hand lotions I have used. It is completely grease free, which many lotions claim, and it is smoothing and soothing instantaneously. The hand cream has the same invigorating scent as the other Immortelle products. Once you put it on, you want to keep putting it on. L’Occitane’s Immortelle line is a basic botanical line that offers quick results and repair. The Brightening Essence claims anti-aging benefits, but I didn’t notice much difference in my complexion other than increased brightness. My favorite product, and new addition, is the Brightening Hand Care. Whatever they are doing with the lotion, they need to do with the Brightening Essence serum.

From our friends at Short and Sweet

Many of my girlfriends are either new moms or having babies, and I’ve been
in search of the perfect mother’s day gift. Flowers and chocolates are
great, but moms love something more sentimental to celebrate their first
mother’s day. Jewelry designer Charme Silkiner has created a sweet sentiment
that makes a perfect mother’s day gift. The Bijoux d’enfant mother and child
collection includes sets of matching jewelry for mom and baby. Beautiful
interchangeable gems can be customized to represent birthstones. The
children’s pieces can be worn long after baby has grown up – as a bracelet.
I love the idea of getting someone a unique gift that no one else has. And
these handmade pieces are stunning. Sets range from $225 – $580 and can be
found online at CharmeSilkiner.com.

From our friends at Skinny Purse

Shopping and Goodies has the latest trends in summer sandals, an amazing Alexander McQueen giveaway, a new social shopping experience and Chanel’s newest face. I’d start reading what the chicest fashionistas have to say! Each week they come up with more and more info!

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away an Alexander McQueen Chiffon Skull Scarf in Black and Ivory!
Girls Talkin Smack has the latest scoop on on the newest face for Chanel No. 5 . It’s Brad Pitt!
Shopping and Info shares summer’s 5 top sandals. You’ll love them!
TheFind is excited to announce the launch of Glimpse by TheFind – a new socially-curated shopping experience!

Open-toe shoes are a great excuse to show off a spring pedicure – and they’re just about the most popular form of footwear come the warmer months of the season ahead. However, what happens when it’s a gorgeous day and you want to be season-festive, but your toes aren’t exactly in tip-top show-off-worthy shape? I ran into this dilemma one sunny afternoon a couple weeks ago, and I came to the disturbing realization that I have no closed-toe shoes worthy of the spring and summer months, so to save you the trouble of a haphazard, emergency self-pedicure, I’ve rounded up 4 of my favorite close-toed espadrilles. Just as spring and summer-festive as your favorite pair of toe-exposing strappy wedges, these espadrilles still let your feet breathe while you beat the heat in style… even in-between polishes.

Pictured above: Bettye Muller Katy Closed Toe Espadrille, Ralph Lauren Charla Wedge, Marc by Marc Jacobs Closed Wedge Espadrille, and Theory Xara Denim Espadrille.

- Alexandra Gambardella

If I had a nickel for every time my mother has either asked for my advice on jewelry or to borrow from my own collection of baubles, I’d probably have enough money to buy her an entire wardrobe of trinkets for easy accessorizing. And since Mom and I do have differing tastes when it comes to jewelry (my latest slew of friendship bracelets and studded “arm candy” aren’t exactly her style), I’ve decided to start small by gifting her with some luxe yet ladylike jewelry pieces this Mother’s Day. Lucky for us web-savvy shoppers, the Sundance Catalog contains something for every mom – from sleek sterling silver watches to vintage-inspired cocktail rings and even a little bling for the mom who isn’t afraid to stand out – and boasts unique pieces at an affordable price (you know, so we shoppers still have enough left to spend on our own spring jewelry collection)! Check out my picks below include the Footprint Necklace,  and browse the rest of the gift-ready Mother’s Day pieces on Sundance’s official website!

Pictured above from Sundance Catalog: Footprints Necklace, Lunar Ladder Bracelet, Sunglitter Earrings, and the Earth’s Center Ring

- Alexandra Gambardella