Nothing makes a room feel more lively and home-y quicker than adding fresh flowers, especially during the summer months, when bright colors are everywhere. We love filling our office with new blooms to add instant color, and over time we have picked up a few tips to make them last longer.

Our office favorite is our white phalaenopsis orchids (from Trader Joe’s) and they have lasted for months because we haven’t over watered them. The trick is to leave them alone and just make sure the soil is not too dry. We have also heard that putting an ice cube in the pot once a week can also do the job.

Our second tip is to cut flowers. Try selecting same color flowers and cut them really short, cleaning off excess leaves. Not only does it look chic, the flowers will last longer!

Inspired by the beautiful black glossy feathers of the raven bird, our newest jeans Alice Coated Skinny jeans in Raven are now officially available for pre-sale at Nordstrom starting today and will be available for purchase online in two weeks.  Like the rest of the HABITUAL Fall 2012 Collection inspiration, head designer Jennifer Wojinski directly referenced the feathers in the surrealist painting by Remedios Varo, “The Creation of the Birds” for the Alice Coated Skinny jeans in Raven. A great transition piece from summer to fall, you’ll add a touch of edge to any outfit with these jeans!

Fashion expert, stylist, host and blogger, Sydne Summer is always helping people look and feel their best. When she isn’t trend spotting, commentating on red carpet events, or appearing on the Style Network and E!, you can find her blogging the top fashion trends on Sydne Style.

Her fashion sense is as classy as she is, having evolved from her upbringing in Miami and L.A. to studying in Boston, London and Paris. Even though she is one popular and busy woman, we were lucky enough to catch up with Sydne Summer and learn about some of her personal fashion habits.

New York or Los Angeles, and why?

LA. I love the energy in New York and how incredibly chic everyone is. But I can’t give up my relaxed Cali lifestyle. Nothing beats the gorgeous weather, palm trees, beach and ocean. Plus, driving everywhere just means I get to wear even higher heels.

Give us a sense of your personal style?

I’ve always been a girlie-girl. I lean toward feminine fabrics and classic silhouettes. Even when I wear my denim, you’ll usually find it paired with a silk top or tweed blazer. Since I’m originally from Miami I’m also obsessed with color, especially neon. I always find that when I wear a bright top or dress people tend to smile at me more–or maybe it’s just because color puts me in a better mood.

You’re best known for being a fashion expert, but what do you consider your greatest talent?

I think it would have to be my eye for color. Whether it’s putting together outfits or incorporating unique color combos in my oil paintings, which I love doing in my spare time.

What’s your daily habit?

Dog time. I rescued my Pomeranian mix Bunny four years ago and she always puts a smile on my face. Even when I’m stressed prepping for a TV segment or finding the perfect mint necklace for a shoot I’ll look down at the adorable ball of black fur at my feet and realize everything is going to be just fine.

What’s one thing in your closet you could never give up? And what’s your go-to piece in the closet right now?

My turquoise Manolo Blahnik sandals. I bought them with my first paycheck and love them just as much now as I did then. My go-to is a pencil skirt. Black is safe but I have them in all different colors and patterns. I usually wear them with a tee and statement necklace to meetings or a bustier at night.

BONUS: What’s your ideal summer outfit?

A bikini! Clearly I’m on vacay-mode. Denim cut-offs and a loose printed top are perfect for throwing on top when I leave the beach.

Sydne is wearing HABITUAL Almas Skinny jeans in Snowfall in her photo. You can find your own pair on Nordstrom.com!

Another great Made in the USA brand coming out of Portland, Oregon is Prunella Soap, made by Janell Anderson. Prunella (or more specifically Princess Prunella) was a nickname Anderson’s mom gave her as a little girl as she would stay in the bath too long, turning her fingertips to “prunes.” It was this childhood nickname, love of dogs and Anderson’s interest in the cold process of handmade soap that made her jump into entrepreneurship and do her own thing.

Inspired by European culture, design and cooking – as well as the idea of using only the most wholesome, basic ingredients in beauty products – Anderson uses only organic ingredients and the old-fashioned method of soap making. Her products cure for a minimum of four weeks from the time they are made before they are available for sale. And it is that time, effort and dedication that truly makes Prunella Soap a Northwest treasure.

But not only does Anderson make this cute soaps, she also has ventured into greeting cards with her other Etsy shop venture CoolJane.

Prunella Soap has been featured on the Martha Stewart Weddings blog, The Huffington Post, Oregon Home Magazine, Etsy Finds, Etsy Dudes & Etsy Gifts and we’re sure these cute gift (or personal) keepsakes will continue making a hit. Currently Prunella Soap can be found on Etsy, or if you are in the Portland area you can stop by:

Betsy and Iya at 2403 NW Thurman, or Tender Loving Empire at 412 SW 10th Avenue.

We recently attended a wine tasting event in Malibu featuring the French skin care line Caudalie, born 18 years ago from the vineyards of Bordeaux. It was necessary for this skin care line to host a wine tasting party because Caudalie has been ‘recycling’ raw materials from grapes, grapevine stalks and grape-seeds to extract the exclusive active ingredients in their products.

We were privileged to meet the co-founder, Mathilde Thomas, and loved hearing about Caudalie’s journey. Mathilde created Caudalie because she believed that it was possible to formulate effective and natural beauty products with refined, luxurious textures inspired by the vine. This natural company is built on respect for both your skin as well as the environment.

Caudalie products are a dream for the women who don’t want to choose between effectiveness, naturalness, luxury and ecology. All of the formulas are created from natural ingredients that respect the environment and are biodegradable. The company doesn’t end the good there – 1% of their annual worldwide turnover is donated towards implementing environmental projects, on top of the fact that their packaging is made from 50% recycled paper. It’s amazing to think that just this year Caudalie saved more than 1,200 trees!

We loved seeing The Head and the Heart at Coachella Music Festival, it was unlike anything we ever imagined. Not only did their music make us want to stand up and dance around, but it also touched our hearts and minds. Originally from Seattle, they optimize the indie/folk genre while also appealing to rock/pop aesthetics. A band made up of five talented guys, it was their one girl, Charity Rose Thielen, stole the show for us.  We haven’t stopped listening to “Lost In My Mind” and “Sounds Like Hallelujah”. Look into tour and concert dates on The Head and the Heart’s website and Facebook; we would love for you to be able to experience them in person! We hope you find that their songs are the perfect summer melody like we have!

Looking red hot in our Almas Hi Rise Zip Skinny jeans in Acid Red, Jessica Alba was seen wearing HABITUAL while leaving The Honest Company offices yesterday in Santa Monica. Jessica wore her Almas Hi Rise Zip Skinny jeans with a light, breezy button up blouse and chunky tan heels. Jessica has definitely made HABITUAL jeans a habit, as she was already spotted wearing our Alice Skinny jeans in Sahara, Alice Skinny coated jeans in Taj Mahal and Harrison Bell Bottom Flares this year!

Where to find your own pair: Shopbop.com

Summer officially starts next week, which means that we want versatile outfits and pieces that can be dressed up or dressed down for day and night. Neutral colored pants are the perfect choice if you want to go from daytime to nighttime without the hassle of changing.

Start your day off right by pairing the Alice Coated Skinny Jeans in Kiss with a simple and clean white strapless corset top and coral pumps for a splash of color. After a long day out and about, slip on an airy silk black  blouse and pumps for an elegant and more sophisticated look for your evening. Two looks tied together with one staple piece. Feel free to throw on a chunky bracelet and/or gorgeous clutch to add your own touch of style.

Tops: Parker Silk Corset Top (left), Vintage Havana Top

Jeans: HABITUAL Alice Coated Skinny Jeans at Nordstrom

Shoes: Carven Coral Suede Heels (left), Alice + Olivia Dina Suede Pumps

Clutch: Tarnish ‘Plate’ Clutch

Bracelet: Argento Vivo ‘Galaxy’ Cuff

A perfectly worn leather jacket, a hand-rolled cigarette or the sea spray from a day in the surf – all of these unique and “manly” fragrances can now fill your home thanks to 2550 Degrees. In hopes of fulfilling the lack of uninspiring mens’ home fragrances, 2550 Degrees set out to create “artisanal candles with a masculine bent” by taking distinct scents from different personalities of men and putting them in the form of candles.

2550 Degrees’ candles are made to trigger memories, spur imagination and set a mood while still being 100% recyclable. As recommended by 2550 Degrees, they suggest using the hand-roughed lids as cocktail glasses or even catch-alls. Along with their candle line, 2550 Degrees is also collaborating with OLO Fragrances to create a complementary candle and perfume set blending the distinct scents of each brand.

The best part about it all is that all of 2550 Degrees’ products are proudly packaged in Portland, Oregon and can be found right here in Los Angeles at UNIONMADE in Santa Monica or at PLATFORM located by Occidental.

We might just have Joe, Clive, Luc or Kurt join us in our offices – in the form of “Mandles,” as appropriately named by Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Company.