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

Make Love Not Trash is a company that believes in environmental awareness and social responsibility.  This small family owned company makes eco conscious products that reflect their Californian roots.  They are committed to reduce, re-use and recycle at every opportunity.  You can make an eco fashion statement with a stylish bag from their Nightfall Collection.  The handbags in this line are made with 100% organic hemp and trimmed with recycled PET material.  The hardware is all antique brass and each bag features the Make Love Not Trash embroidered wing logo.  Available in several different styles, all bags from the Nightfall Collection retail for around $100 each.

- Holly Duce

As a mom there are few things better than snuggling up with freshly bathed kids right before bedtime, especially if they are wearing cute and soft pajamas.  Skylar Luna offers the perfect two piece pajama sets for kid and babies.  Made with super soft yarn-dyed 100% organic cotton, these well made pajama sets are nothing but comfortable.   A printed neck label instead of a tag means no irritation while flat interior seams prove that attention to detail really does make a difference.  Available in several different colors and prints including stripes and “bubbles” Skylar Luna pajamas come packaged in a reusable linen bag to minimize waste and retail for around $40.

- Holly Duce

If you ask a sports loving new dad what he most looks forward to with his child, he’ll likely say “tossing a ball around”.  Until that time comes he’ll probably enjoy cuddling up with his new baby and a Teamees sports themed blanket.  These plush blankets are available in four sizes (Pee Wee Small, Junior Varsity Medium, Varsity Medium Satin Back or Varsity Large sizes) and several different styles including basketball, baseball, football and soccer.  Made with a high quality minky fabric, these blankets are super soft and snugly.  Teamees sports inspired baby blankets make a special gift for new and expecting dads, especially for Father’s Day.  Handmade in the USA, Teamees blankets start at around $36.

- Holly Duce

O, The Oprah Magazine listed the Caldrea Sink Set as one of the “7 Green Cleaners That Really Work”.  Lightly scented with refreshing mint and palmarosa oil, this set of three eco-friendly products effectively clean and deodorize kitchen surfaces and more. The caddy holds three 16 oz bottles: dish soap, countertop cleanser and hand soap.  The aloe vera in the dish soap and hand soap softens and moisturizes your hands while the special vegetable protein in the countertop cleanser removes odors from the kitchen. Made with plant-derived ingredients and a blend of essential oils, each of the three products work without the use of harsh chemicals. The Caldrea Sink Set is available in several other scents including Lavender Pine and Green Tea & Patchouli.  It retails for around $40.

- Holly Duce

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