My Summer Style Crush

There's No Place Like Home

There Isn't A Backpack We Lack

I'm feeling on the backpack these days. It's not the most chic thing to tote, but I feel like the fresh sizes, bold shapes and different styles that are out there right now, warrant a little bit of love when worked with some backpack swagger. Looking ahead to Fall, I'm most interested in the Cheap Chic global print of the Olsonboye bag at JC Penney for $35.

If you want to spend some dough, this Diane Von Furstenberg Printed & Canvas pack is gorgeous.

For the 80's lover, a stone washed denim is totally tubular.

And if you're into a more grown-up look, this double fabric from Romwe is perfect for all adult boys and girls.

Are You A Nasty Gal?

I think a two-piece, tummy shirt paired with matching print leggings is super sexy in the Summer time. Especially when it's all retro, and fitted like a dew-y Italian, Sophia Loren goddess would wear. My style assistant, Chi Chi rocks this look like a champ. Even with her "curvy girl" stat status. I dream about wearing that type of look. Its why I'm on Jenny Craig. Ha. But since, I'm not baring it all, will you do it for me? I'm for serious about this. Pretty please with a cherry on top. Tweet us a pic to @Shop_CheapChic of you in your hottest Italianista two-piece look. And if you're looking for one, the online global destination for the coolest clothes on the block is Los Angeles-based Nasty Gal. My new favorite fashion destination.

 

East Coast, West Coast, Worldwide

Just flew back from Los Angeles. My other home. I got to hike every morning, taking in the early morning dew and fresh scent of the Eucalyptus trees of Runyon and Fryman Canyon. Got to meet a friend's new baby and share In N' Out Burger over wine and terrific conversation. I did a ton of Cheap Chic Shopping on Melrose, and rounded out the week with a terrific Cheap Chic Shopping segment on Good Day LA. Jillian is focused and fab. A savvy newscaster is under those gorgeous boobs.  And Debbie Matenopolous is smart, engaging, super fun and incredibly nice. My models, who are all friends, clients, Cheap Chic bloggers, and budget Stylists, were amazing and their outfits really represented what I stand for and share with you. Let's buy it cheap and make it chic! Here's the nitty gritty of our Cheap Chic appearance. See you in L.A. soon for our next live Hollywood Cheap Chic Shopping Tour!

Look #1: PHARMACY CHIC 

Model: Genelle Brooks-Petty

Cheap Chic Shopping Total: $36.20 

• First Rule of Cheap Chic Shopping: You Buy It Cheap and Make It Chic!

Look #2: CELEB-INSPIRED STYLE, BLAKE LIVELY AT THE SAVAGES PREMIERE 

Model: Lindsey Nolan

Cheap Chic Shopping Total: $10 Dress at Crossroads

• Haggle or at least try. Be open to haggling or bartering for a better deal. The worst they can say is no.

Looks #3: TRENDY GIRL 

Model: Shawn Richardz

Cheap Chic Shopping Total: $62.97 at Target

• Time is money. Know what you want when you're shopping. Have a plan.
• Shop in the AM if you can. All new merchandise is on the racks. It's the best time to shop.

Look #4: CLASSIC LOOK FOR LITTLE COIN

Model: Lindsay Wess
Cheap Chic Shopping Total: $94.85 at H&M, Limited

• Fit is so important to a refined and luxurious look. Look for something that flatters your body.

Look #5: SHOP YOUR BOYFRIEND'S CLOSET 

Model: Leah Ashley

Cheap Chic Shopping Total: $0

• Grab the items you love and then make them match to other items in your wardrobe

The House That Lady Bits Built

Have you peeped my full page advertorial in this month's Glamour Magazine? While not Style Producing The Chew and Cheap Chic Shopping, I list my Summer must-haves for primo Summer Livin'. It also happens to be an advertorial piece for a new feminine product on the market called Softcup. For that time of the month, Softcup will have you smooth sailing. Which is always a Summer must-have. And this is not the first feminine product, I have endorsed. A few years back, I did a media tour for YAZ birth control and the many ways you can pair it's discreet Tiffany blue pack with your purse.

I like to call my NYC apartment, the house that lady bits built. And I ain't too proud to share the health wealth with my sister's. So, if you're looking for a Style eye's view of a tampon, pill, feminine wash, sexy toy, or pharmaceutical pill, I'm your gal for all the girly trendy tips.

Scrunch This!

I work with a man who wears a scrunchy. A neon green one at that. Mario Batali, famous for his flaming red hair, and apple green scrunchy certainly sets style trends. As he said on our show The Chew, "fashion is one thing, style is another". So true. 

And it looks like his scrunchy trend has trickled down to us masses. Like a secret language, ladies always love to share some style secret that they bought, found or saw and a scrunchy is no excpetion. Kat, our audience coordinator, was rocking her black leather scrunchy from American Apparel like the prideful cub of our Papa Bear Batali. And even though Carrie and the gang squashed the scrunchy trend a few years back, every bad trend deserves a revival... so will you bring scrunchy back?

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

I love a tiny graphic tee, preferably a boys size, emblazoned with some pronouncement of love for a brand or city, tucked into a boho chic skirt, colorful and pop-y, and finished off with a statement necklace to proportion out the look. I dare you to wear it and tweet me the pic @Jess_Zaino

The Higher The Bust, The Closer To God

This segment came about after Clinton mentioned I had "double-boob". He suggested Intimacy in NYC and it changed my life. I figured if it could happen for me, CK could spread his wealth to the women of America.

Hope you enjoy our peep show. And more importantly, get yourself a proper bra fitting. If not in NYC, your hometown Bloomingdales or Nordstrom will do.

A special thanks to our friends at Intimacy and to my good friend, Chanda Rule, for being such a good sport for this segment.

The Anorak Has Got Your Back!

Is it hot? Humid? Hailing? With each day, Mother Nature is making sure we're rolling with the punches, and that means being prepared for those punches with stylish and appropriate outerwear. I have found denim dampens and wool is too much for Summer months, so the perfect piece is an easy, breezy, effortless Anorak. This military-inspired jacket is finished with a drawstring hood, roll-tab sleeves and a cinched waist for proper protection from the elements and from bad fashion.

SAYESS To The Dress

It's true. Once I'm married next Spring, my name, Jess "Zay-no" will be Jess "Say-yes". I am marrying Majed Sayess. And while he is the greatest, kindest, sweetest, sexiest guy in the whole wide world, I would've married him for the awesome name upgrade alone. While I am a bride to be, with a task list a mile long, I am, in my soul, a lover of style and finding the right dress, was of course a priority. I started at the bridal emporium Kleinfeld, where Joan Rivers was in the reception area, and even gave us brides some advice. "Never give back the ring!", she exclaimed, "You can give back the CD's, the clothes, but never the jewelry" as she swung her fur cape around and promptly stormed out of the room. What a scene, Man! I tried on a few Hollywood Glam pieces, that while lovely, didn't stir up anything in me. In the same afternoon, I moved on to David's Bridal having seen a few pieces from the Vera Wang collection. I met my consultant, Jamilah, and I was in love. With her and the Vera Wang collection. I tried on four dresses that I couldn't get out of my head. Since my little sister was in town from Geneva, we expanded our search to Bridal Reflections, Amsale, the Vera Wang flagship boutique on Madison Ave. and the fabulous French atelier Cybeline, where my sis bought her dress last year. The latter has incredible designs, great prices and a customer service that is divine. All boutiques offered an amazing array of beautiful dresses. The ones with the vintage Hollywood look I wanted. But my heart kept going back to David's Bridal and the beautiful White by Vera Wang. And of course, my Cheap Chic sensibility knew it was the right choice. I want to marry to Majed in "that dress". I had just written a Cheap Chic Bridal article for The Epoch Times and gave propers to their vast selection and incredibly affordable "real girl" pricing. And I'm happy to report that I'm living proof of my Cheap Chic ethos. Buy it cheap and make it chic. After trying on nearly 50 dresses, I headed back to David's Bridal, having dreamed of "the dress" and on a sale weekend, no less, paid less than $700 for a fitted, edgy, Hollywood-y dress that I can't wait for you to see. After the wedding, of course. Stay tuned ; )

Tibi Or Not Tibi

Pricey? Yes. Amzaeballs? You betcha. Tibi's new season tropical prints are a destination dream.

Is That You Behind Those Foster Grants?

Foster Grants made sunglasses glamourous in the 1970's. Today, they make them Cheap Chic. Pick up a pair of these fab gold Aviators for $20 or less, by clicking here.

RIP Vidal Sassoon

Stomp

Brian Atwood is one bad ass bitch. While working with Versace’s skilled artisans and high-quality factories for 9 years, Atwood fine-tuned his technical abilities and began conceiving of his own label. In 2001, he debuted the very first Brian Atwood collection. A heady mix of come-hither heels and magnetic style made his entrée immediately successful. Atwood gained notoriety not only for his exceptionally crafted footwear but also for his inventive manner of presenting them, including a memorable peep-show locale and once using back-bending contortionists as shoe models. In short, his shoes, which are available at Bloomingdales, are a celebrity favorite, and any good fashion girl's must-have.

Go For The Gold!

At last night's Met Costume Institute Gala, the ladies (and a few sexy men) showed off their fashionista connections and fulfilled their couture fantasies. The amount of metallic gold on the red carpet showed a major trend emerging. That, and peplum. Both trends which can be translated to your next main event, or even a backyard BBQ.

Derby Fashion

Are you a quirky or fabulous? I'm more of the latter, with a few of my favorite wide-brimmed looks from this year's 2012 Kentucky Derby

Grandma Swag

Sneak A Peek At This Ankle Cleavage

In a recent article for AOL Shopping, I was quoted as referring to "ankle cleavage", for its slimming and youthful effect on an overall look. What is ankle cleavage you ask? It is the the peek-a-boo portion of the ankle exposed when wearing pants, as my stylish friend Jenn pointed out, clarifying the definition for the world, and further educating the masses on a sexy summer trend (and a coined Jess Zaino fashion term). Here are a few favorite examples:

Let The Sun Shine

Orange is to Spring as Yellow is to Summer. And even though we're a few months away, I figured I'd bring the trendy color into my wardrobe sooner than later. It's not a flattering color, to be honest, but it is one that is psychologically uplifting, like sunshine or a fresh lemon. Yellow has a compassionate, energizing effect, warming the heart, and opening the senses. And despite it not being the best for any skin tone, it is a bold color to rock with other primaries like green, blue and orange and my personal favorite, a fitted white tee tucked into a high waisted yellow skirt, which I'm wearing today.