I know I’m rushing you, but fall is right around the corner even if you can’t feel it. How much are you going to wish you had scooped up this ensemble, for a mere hundred and seventy-five bucks – including shoes – come September? Food for thought.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Ximena Valero, an L.A. based fashion designer, whose signature is a convertible piece wearable in a myriad of ways. While there are other brands that offer the same idea, Valero’s is the first I’ve actually seen up close and tried on. In fact, she gifted me one of her ‘OMG’ dresses, and I’m very excited to wear it! I’ve played around with it, but haven’t had a chance to actually wear it out since it’s really long – built for leggy models, I guess. So until I can find a pair of suitable platforms, I’ll have to settle for studying this video that demonstrates all the different ways to wear the dress – fun!

Maya Meinert is the editor of ShopEatSleep.com. She covers retail, dining and hospitality in Los Angeles, as well as contributing her own personal picks. She was most recently the Marketplace reporter at The Los Angeles Business Journal, and has contributed to The Los Angeles Daily Journal, Santa Monica Daily Press, Los Angeles magazine and Giant Robot magazine. Maya can be contacted at shopeatsleepblog@gmail.com.

(Click to Polyvore for details, pricing and where to buy.)

That’s right, I said the F word – in July. Probably because I awoke to rainy weather, in the mid-fifties, on July 6th in Hollywood. Unheard of. It’s something I go through every season, after the initial thisiswhatshotrightnow fashion hype dies down and I’m in the throes of mid-season barren sales racks and redundant looks. Regardless, check out this (super) early sneak peek for Fall 2010 – that rabbit shrug is my new boyfriend.

Marysia Swim Demi Plie One Piece $176, Ballerina Top $97 and Bottom $98 (Squire Fox)

“Icons Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot famously posed in fuller-cut swimwear and came off sexier than any bikini-clad Sports Illustrated cover girl could. If you want to channel that retro style at the beach, try posing this summer in something from Marysia Swim.”

(Originally published on June 13th, 2010 by Max Padilla, Special to The Los Angeles Times. Click to read the full article.)

Whether or not you’re on board with the whole clogs redux sitch, two things remain a constant; 1) They’re crazy comfortable and 2) They’re not going anywhere any time soon. Enter Maguba. (Props Daily Candy!) With a ton of mix and match soles and uppers to select from, you’re in charge of creating your signature model and the combinations seem endless! Too overwhelming? Feel free to pick and choose from Maguba’s pre-existing collection – I’m (uncharacteristically) digging the Crayola bright, Barcelona sandal, in purple and yellow…

I would very much like to own all of these. Now that I think about it, I might even wear them all at the same time. Love it. (And yes, those are in fact optical glasses – I’m in the market.)

(Calypso Sophie Tunic $275, Balenciaga Metal Frame Glasses $322, Deux Lux Supernova Handbag $150, Rachel Comey Bollinger T-Strap Sandal $345, All Saints Zach Pant $100, Stone & Honey Aqua Ring $72)

(Click to Polyvore for details and where to buy.)

Alice + Olivia For Payless 'Hampton' Studded Clogs $39.99

I’m sensing a theme in my Bargains Of The Week…linen…studs…cheap…whatev. Love these, and what you can’t see? The sole is pink! It’s like the Payless version of Louboutins. Okay that’s a reach, but you have to admit that they’re pretty stupid cute…

Edgy Event Ensemble Under $300 by L.A. Stylist Mom

(Fever Toulouse Dress in Grey $86, Kelsi Dagger Kava Wedges $104, Topshop Ruche Vintage Floral Clutch $50, Urban Outfitters Twisted Rhinestone and Mixed Chain Necklace $28, ASOS Rhinestone Set Engraved Matte Metal Cocktail Ring $17, Gold Coloured Pyramid Stud Earrings $7.25)

Hayden-Harnett 'Lee' Dress in Bright Kaleidoscope $288

Hayden-Harnett 'Libra' Dress in Dusk Kaleidoscope $278

Hayden-Harnett 'Bibliotheque' Dress in Sunset $233

Hayden-Harnett 'Takama' Dress in Flax/Chevron $268

Hayden-Harnett has got it going on in the originality department. My very favorite swimsuit that I’ve ever owned came from them, complete in all its hand-drawn-patterned glory – hi Clio! This summer’s batch of modern dresses is no exception. Cheap? No so much, but then again who can put a price on not looking like everyone else. Not only are the patterns, cuts and workmanship stunning, these dresses are also comfy and forgiving, even on my pear-shaped bod. The ‘Lee’ is my personal fave, and the chic ‘Bibliotheque’ can also double as a tunic. Be sure not to miss their unique bombshell swimsuits in some of the same delicious prints…