Swimspotting

Every year when it starts getting cold, I start fantasizing about escaping to a tropical island (yes, I am aware I live in Los Angeles and that I'm spoiled with beautiful southern California weather!). So when Lucky magazine asked me, as one of their Lucky Style Spotters, to review online swimwear boutique Swimspot.com, I eagerly said yes. In my mind, I was already halfway to The Maldives.

I browsed through the site, sifting through a selection of designer swimwear from brands such as Ella Moss, St. John, Splendid and Tommy Hilfiger. Navigating through the collection was straightforward - the site's streamlined layout and extra large images were certainly a plus.

Next, I tried Swimspot's Fit Specialist program. The site offers a team of Fit Specialists who are devoted to providing personalized fit support based on each customer's taste, preferences and body type. They're reachable by one-on-one appointment via phone or e-mail. I corresponded with the lovely Nikki, who fired off e-mails to me asking specific - yet discreet - questions about my shape, age range, trouble spots and more, eventually sending me a list of carefully curated swimsuits tailored just for me. I was pleasantly surprised by her spot-on selections; each piece was something I would have chosen for myself, including this Splendid one-piece suit and Luxe by Lisa Vogel Couragette bikini top!

Next, I tried the Bikini Builder, a tool which allows customers to mix and match from a bunch of swim separates. I loved how easy it was to experiment with different combos and watch as they instantly appeared on the model. I only wish the site offered more separates to choose from!

I also made sure to check out Swimspot's 2011 collection, full of cute, colorful pieces like this Guess floral print monokini. I love the site's variety of styles; rather than just selling standard two-piece bikinis, they offer plenty of swimsuits with cool, unique cut-outs and shapes in eye-catching patterns.

All photos courtesy of Swimspot.com.

Now that this week's weather forecast has spelled rain for Los Angeles, I'm sure my mind will wander to faraway sun-soaked islands. At least now, thanks to Swimspot, I'll be appropriately dressed for my imaginary getaway!

Win A MINKPINK Tank Dress From Shop Moderne!

(MINKPINK High Tied Tank from Shopmoderne.com, Robert Rodriguez jacket, Christy's Crown Hats fedora, gifted Tahitian Jelly Beans by Michele watch, Fallon earrings, Lyric Culture bracelets, Tory Burch boots)













Photos by Catharine Acurso (also pictured above!).

The lovely Janet at ShopModerne.com loaned me this MINKPINK High Tied Tank to style and photograph - and now we're teaming up to give one away!

This top is gorgeous, comfortable, super soft and almost sheer. The best part of all is its versatility - drawstrings on both sides allow you to adjust the length so I wore it as a dress, and the rainbow of colors makes it easy to mix and match with other pieces. When I first tried the dress on, I loved its beachy, casual surfer girl vibe. But for a more seasonally appropriate look, I paired it with a structured blue jacket and peep-toe booties for some city girl edge. I'm sure whoever wins this tank dress will put their own unique spin on it - and I can't wait to see!

To enter to WIN, please:

1) Follow my blog!
2) E-mail me your entry at tiffanylingtse[at]gmail[dot]com. Please include the tank top size you'd prefer if you're selected as the winner!
3) Score an extra entry if you follow Shop Moderne on Twitter or add them on Facebook. [Just indicate in your e-mail entry that you have done so.]

The winner will be chosen randomly and the deadline for the contest is 11/30/10. This contest is open to international readers. Good luck, everyone! Thank you so much for being the best and most patient readers in the world!

Visit me at CUSP this Wednesday, 9/15!

If you live in Los Angeles and want to enjoy a fab evening at one of my favorite boutiques, CUSP, come out to the Westfield Century City mall location TOMORROW for a special night of shopping! Lucky magazine kindly asked me to help co-host a Lucky Style Spotter event on Wednesday, September 15th, where shoppers can try on clothes, get their pictures taken and enjoy great gifts with purchase. I'll be there from 6-8 PM to help shoppers pull together looks from CUSP's enviable selection of clothes (CUSP is owned by department store giant Neiman Marcus, but carries younger, hipper, more contemporary styles). If you come by, please make sure to stop and say hi!

Peek inside my Proactiv VMA bash!

Watching an award show on your own is always fun, but take a few good friends, a delicious mud pie and plenty of swag, and you've just created the best excuse for a party... EVER. Thanks to possibly the most renowned acne-fighting skincare brand on earth, Proactiv, I got to host a fun MTV Video Music Awards shindig last Sunday. Two of Proactiv's celeb ambassadors, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber, were nominated (Justin as "Best New Artist" for "Baby" and Katy for "Best Pop Video" and "Best Female Video" for "California Gurls"), and Justin nabbed his award! We had a blast singing along to the performances (Drake and Mary J. Blige's "Fancy" definitely got some of us goin'), snacking on watermelon and ice cream, commenting on the more interesting fashion choices (er... Gaga's meat dress? Ke$ha's trash bag creation?) and drinking in the sight of the Nokia Theater's vast, beautiful stage. From a purely visual aspect, I loved Kanye's closing performance - his bright red suit against that stark white backdrop looked stunning!

After the VMAs were over, everyone visited my mini gifting lounge and took home a Proactiv Plus Deluxe System trial set as well as Justin Bieber's My World 2.0 and Katy Perry's Teenage Dream album. Thank you so much to Proactiv for hooking me up with this fab opportunity!

What are your MTV VMA plans?

Thanks to Proactiv, the famous skincare line favored by so many celebs, I'm hosting a fab MTV Video Music Awards viewing party! The awards show airs live this Sunday, September 12th, at 9/8 CST and I can't wait to take in all the fashion, music and great performances! Two of Proactiv's spokespeople, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry, are nominated for awards (Justin for "Best New Artist" for "Baby" and Katy for "Best Pop Video" as well as "Best Female Video" for "California Gurls). So don't forget to cast your vote and tune into the show!

Havaianas Midnight Swim Club

(Diane von Furstenberg sheer dress/coverup, Cocobelle gladiator sandals, Lyric Culture bracelets, Elliot Lucca purse, F21 hoop earrings, Tyrant Collection nameplate necklace)

Photos by Catharine Acurso.

The best kind of party is the secret kind, the kind no one knows about... so when I got an exclusive invite to the Havaianas Midnight Swim Club party (their third and last for the summer) at a private Hancock Park residence, I jumped at the chance to mingle with all the beautiful people.

The party, needless to say, was a blast. Catharine (my talented blog photographer), Jamie (my friend & PR guru with her own fab blog) and I goofed around in the photo booth, noshed on Fat Burger cheeseburgers and Crumbs cupcakes and watched as scantily clad model types frolicked in the pool. And when we left, we took home a pair of personalized and bedazzled Havaianas flip flops. It was a good night. Thank you, Havaianas!

The 4th Annual Enzoani Fashion Event

Photos courtesy of Vincent Lim.

From the moment I stepped into the bright, polished lobby of the JW Marriot Hotel at L.A. Live for the 4th annual Enzoani Fashion Event, I knew I was in for a treat. And I was so right.

Anyone can scrape together a party, but the folks at Enzoani know how to throw a bash in style. To celebrate the unveiling of their 2011 Enzoani collections, including Blue by Enzoani, LOVE collection and Bridal collection, as well as the North American debut of their Holland bridal line Modeca, hundreds of retailers, media and celebrities gathered for a formal dinner and runway show. I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to the star-studded affair (actresses like Garcelle Beauvais, Charlotte Ross and Ming-Na Wen were in attendance) where I sipped on lemonade raspberry martinis and noshed on filet mignon and a tiramisu chocolate bomb that was...well, the bomb.

Photos courtesy of Enzoani.

And then there were the clothes. Dozens of exquisite, beautifully crafted, European-inspired dresses parading down the runway one after the other for a total of 78 looks. I didn't dare blink for fear of missing a moment of the show. It's no wonder that Enzoani is one of the most respected brands in bridal fashion. I adored their vibrant colors and attention to detail, from the ladylike pockets on a one-shoulder cocktail number to the intricate beaded sash on a flowing purple dress.

Clearly, the geniuses behind Enzoani have also mastered the art of fit; one of my pet peeves when trying on formal gowns is that my shape gets lost in all the fabric and embellishment. Not so with Enzoani. Each dress is flattering, carefully designed to accentuate its wearer's natural waist and mold to curves perfectly. The result? The kind of gloriously feminine, sophisticated evening attire that every woman needs in her wardrobe for that cocktail party or wedding just around the corner.