Baldwin Denim now available at Space 519 in Chicago. Check out what Daily Candy had to say about our hometown denim here.

With so many music festivals coming up this season, it’d be a good idea to know some items to shop for! Here are some pointers to get you started!: (1) Find a good size, nicely secured tote bag for all your traveling needs since you most likely will be from out of town. (2) Find some comfortable, trendy sandals you’re going to be walking around all day in. (3) Get some kind of sun protective gear like some UV protection sunglasses or a hat to shade your face. (4) A pair of comfortable denim shorts will complete any look for a hot sunny day of music!

Today came the much anticipated Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. Swirls of rumors surrounded the company as a new iPhone announcement was highly expected. Sure enough, Steve Jobs announced the arrival of the fourth generation iPhone complete with a flatter shell, dual cameras, and a higher-resolution display. Prices are as follows: $299 for 32 GB and $199 for 16 GB. Existing iPhone owners can upgrade up to six months early. On sale June 24.

I have a couple of favorites this week and both are great “go-tos” for summer weddings and events. I love the cocktail dresses from Laila Azhar and Black Halo. They look so polished and sophisticated. When you are frantically trying to find that perfect dress for an upcoming summer wedding or event,  start with these designers and you can’t go wrong.

Before you let summer start zipping past you, make sure you check off one of the most important activities for the season: Host a Barbecue! It has been one of my favorite things to do so far…and it makes it so much easier to get all your friends in one place and catch up. It’s a simple process that doesn’t have to cost too much money. Get some hot dogs, roasting sticks, DON’T FORGET THE MARSHMALLOWS, a bonfire, and some good music! Maybe some frisbees. Quick and easy way to a fun summer evening. Have fun!

We have the honor of being nominated in 3 categories for KC Magazine’s 2010 City’s Best awards! Follow the directions in the link below to vote for us under the categories Best Local Boutique and Best Designer Clothes, as well as Matt Baldwin for Baldwin Denim as Best Local Designer! Voting began June 1 and the nominees and winners will be announced at a special event August 19 at the Kansas City Convention Center.

The newest trend in summer hair: braids. I feel like every celebrity I see has been wearing braids in some shape or form. They provide a great way to get your hair out of your face on a hot summer day. Whether you choose to do a small braid at your hairline, a side braid, or a french braid, it can finish off a casual or dressed up look perfectly.

JUST IN- two new colors of the Build Kansas City tees! Now available in white and navy, these comfy shirts are $30 and encourage consumers to buy locally. To support shopping local, pick up your own tee at either Standard Style Boutique location, where both colors are available!  For more information on this local campaign, go to BuildKansasCity.org.

I now have a new obsession thanks to my recent cupcake shop discovery. Cupcake A La Mode is a Kansas City-based business that puts a stylish spin on the traditional dessert. While I’ve always had a soft spot for cupcakes, these cute and yummy creations are by far the best I’ve had. With flavors from marshmellow fondue to peanut butter kiss to raspberry lemonade, there is sure to be something for everyone. Stop by one of the adorably decorated stores in either Kansas City or Leawood to enjoy your tasty treat! For a full menu see http://cupcakealamode.com/.

With the death of Alexander McQueen in January, the fashion world has been abuzz with speculation about who would replace him as creative director of the London fashion house. Last week it was announced that Sarah Burton will be filling McQueen’s shoes after serving as his right-hand woman for 14 years. She was named head of McQueen’s womenswear design in 2000 and expressed a desire to remain true to the creativity and passion of the late designer. Burton’s first solo precollection will be presented in June followed by a Spring ’11 collection during Paris Fashion Week in October.

Now that summer is in full swing and temperatures are already in the high 80′s it is time to start dressing for the weather. A trend this summer that will surely keep you cool and still looking office ready is the  new version of summer suits. The suits are comprised of a tailored blazer and nice longer length shorts. Make sure to keep your shirt, shoes,and accessories modest to achieve a professional look.  The new summer suit is a great way to beat the heat and still look professional!

Looking to have a sun kissed glow without sitting out in the sun’s harmful rays?   L’Oreal’s Sublime Bronze self-tanning gelee is a great solution for you.  The light-weight formula dries quickly and provides a streak free glow that looks natural. It also contains Vitamin E so it leaves your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. You can pick up a bottle of  the self-tanning bronze at your local drug store.

In a recent study by portfolio.com, Kansas City proved to hold a high quality of life when matched up to other metropolitan areas. It ranked number 21, beating out St. Louis, Dallas, Chicago, New York, and L.A. Study was based on factors such as median household income, work commute time, unemployment rate, and population growth. Kansas City was especially favorable in number of adults with high school diplomas and rent affordability. Go KC!

In a heart-warming story of determination and love, Liz Bohannon, a Kansas City resident, shows how business can be mixed with passion to create a solution to a large problem in a foreign country. While traveling in Uganda about a year ago, Liz discovered a need for funding so that young women could get the college education they deserved. By creating a functional and stylish sandal, she combined women’s love of shoes with a practical solution. As someone who spent the last summer is Uganda, this story really hits home for me and gives me hope for a better future through entrepreneurial people like Liz. Read the full story here.

Many celebrities have stepped out on the red carpet wearing blush toned dresses.  While this color looks best on women who are tan, many celebs such as AnnaLynne McCord pair her blush colored dress with a white blazer. Another solution to avoid being washed out is adding a bright colored lipstick.

Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for! It’s opening day of Sex and the City 2 and our countdown to the madness ends. While we love these installments because of the sassy personality of Samantha, domestic diva lifestyle of Charlotte, and ever-changing love life of Carrie, the best part of it all comes down to one thing: the fashion. I feel like I’ve grown up learning fashion 101 from the movie screen, but to be practical I must look somewhere else. The wardrobe budget for this sequel was a staggering $10 million! While I need to win the lottery to afford their fashionable finds, I will attempt to copy trend after trend from these New York ladies with much cheaper versions.

If you are looking for a great new bag for the summer, try getting a straw bag. This natural bag is a great summer accessory to dress up a causal look. Many celebrities are pairing the bags with a great pair of denim or even a sundress.  If you want one with a little extra detail, go for one with black accents so it is still simple and chic!

Recently, I’ve seen tons of celebrities from Ed Westwick to Kristen Cavallari drinking a new-found beverage, Vita Coco coconut water. My pressing curiosity wanted to know what all the buzz is about. Coconut water is not only 100% natural, it’s also fat-free and emerging as an alternative to sports drinks-a way to hydrate and replace electrolytes without a bunch of calories. Other health benefits include a ton of antioxidants and potassium. With 5 different flavors so far ranging from pineapple to peach mango, this is sure to satisfy your taste buds and your healthy diet.

My pick for this week is a staple piece that everyone needs this spring and summer. It’s the spring blazer–an essential piece in the spring/summer wardrobe for a variety of seasonal events. I love this blazer in white because it’s so fresh and it makes an outfit pop, but blazers in neutral tones like sand and nude are perfect for warm weather too. I love the Elizabeth and James blazers and their super tailored fit. They are perfect for cool nights over dresses or over a sleeveless top for those places where the air conditioner is cranked too high. So if you do not have one already, put your black blazer to rest until fall, and pick up a white or neutral blazer to get you through the warmer months to come!