Pucker Up!

Bright red lips lead the way in BCBG's Fall 2011 campaign by David Roemer in this image from fashiongonerogue

Nothing captures the spirit of summer quite like a lethal dose of color incorporated into your wardrobe in the form of a bright handbag, dress or shoe. But the easiest (and often cheapest) way to add a dash of color to your look is with lipstick. 

Finding the best color for yourself is all about experimentation, so it's important to be willing to try out anything. If you hate a certain shade, wipe it off and start again - and don't be afraid to be bold! Even though our hair & skin tones couldn't be more different, we both tend to gravitate towards bright red, pink, and orange lipsticks. But really, any burst of color will do!

Check out our experiments with bright lips, our favorite lip colors, and more inspiring images below to get you thinking out of the makeup box...

 LoDo (L) tries out a reddish-orange shade while LoGo (R) opts for more of a fire-engine red.

Some of our favorite red lip colors(from left to right):

Estee Lauder's Pure Color Lipstick in Red Velvet ($24) is a classic red that stays put and won't smear

Lancome's Coloring Stick with Brush in Rougelle ($19.89) is easy to apply and helps keep color in place

Laura Mercier's Gel Lipcolor in Hibiscus Bloom ($22) is a more modern, traffic-stopping red

Isabeli Fontana's lips sizzle in this shoot by Terry Richardson for Mango's Fall 2011 collection

We love this shot of Marilyn Monroe sporting an orange-hued lip color instead of her usual red

We were big fans of Alexis Bledel and Emma Stone's hot pink lips on the red carpet

 Get your own coral, orange and pink lip fixes with these bad boys (from left to right):

MAC Lipmix in Crimson ($14.50) has a great, creamy texture and intense staying power

Urban Decay's Super Saturated High-Gloss Lip Color in Punch Drunk ($19) is a great orange shade that's so easy to apply

MAC Lipstick in Pink Nouveau ($14.50) is one of the best, bright pink shades out there, and often sells out in-store

Brilliant Blouses!

A lot has happened since you last heard from us. But after a few quick jaunts to LA and San Francisco, 2 weddings, a handful of road trips and countless days at the beach, we're back...and just in time for a few more summer-themed posts! Personally, we still start sweating every time we look at what lies ahead in fall fashion, so don't be surprised if we try to keep the spirit of summer alive for as long as possible.

One of the things we most look forward to this time of year are the epic clothing sales that occur as stores start making room for fall merchandise. While it's never a bad idea to stock up on sandals and swimsuits, one of our favorite sale items to watch out for are blouses. Whether they come in bright colors, crisp whites, or pretty patterns, blouses make perfect transition pieces from summer to fall, and will keep your wardrobe shining long after Labor Day weekend. Here's how we like to wear them, mixed in with a few of the best deals we've found:

 LoDo pairs a thrifted, lime green blouse with a bright, silk skirt by Lush and suede wedges from Banana Republic.

Soft blouses in neutral shades are a wardrobe staple any time of year. We're digging The Addison Story's silk blouse at Saks, on sale for $55.99

xLoGo wears a coral blouse by Matthew Williamson for Impulse, black Zara shorts, Dolce Vita snakeskin platform sandals, and an H&M color-block purse.

Tank blouses are perfect in summer heat, but double as great layering pieces for fall. Check out this Sleeveless blouse with Lace Detail at ASOS, which is a steal for only $17.24

We love the subtle print and loose cut of this Japanese Floral Smock Shirt by ASOS, on sale for $24.13