Ramsey Boat Neck Sequin Dress,$550, alice + olivia

Izabel Goulart, a Brazilian model whom Carine discovered at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, turns it in a Mugler top.

For a cut-out zig, zag into this ribboned and mesh-topped tunic from Topshop for $66.

For the zag on a long sleeve shirt, check out what Karl Lagerfeld did for Macy’s for $99. Pair it with Tom Ford sunglasses for a killer downtown look.

Designer round up, left to right:

Aquilano e Rimondi, Jil Sander, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Jason Wu, Paul Costelloe, Kimberly Ovitz

Want acidic sunflower in your closet? Check out these subtly singeing pieces.

ASOS Stars And Stripes Print Scarf $25.86 – This lightweight woven scarf has a vintage feel, especially when tied in your hair.

Birthday Wishlist, straight from the heart of Social Media Sara:

1. Jeffrey Campbell Brown Distressed Litas – Platform pumps for adventures to run around the city in.

2. Klimt ‘The Kiss‘ Blankbook – Safe keeping mixed abyss of inspiration, notes, poems, sketches… my life in dissolved in pages.

3. Louise Manna Body Chain – Necklace for the whole bod.

4. Lomography Diana + Dreamer Camera – Vintage inspired pics, drool-worthy mint color.

5. Nasty Gal Ink Velvet Turband – Everyone needs at least one good turban, why not make it velvet, mmmm.

6. Topshop Scallop Hem Suede Shorts – Staple for music fest filled summer.

7. BCBG Thalia Deep V-Neck Jumpsuit – More function than a dress, less fuss than pants.

8. Skull Candy brown Aviator Headphones – Never let the beat stop, Fashion Indie Mixtape 3, that is!

9. Karen Millen Tribal Print Clutch – Tiny bag of funk.

10. American Apparel Long Accordion-Pleat Skirt – I could twirl in this for days. [She's got good taste. I own this, too! Yes, twirling is delightful in such a skirt.]

Kind souls, friends of Sara, and intern sympathizers, send all gifts to the FashionIndie office. To inquire about size and/or general birthday merriment tweet @SaraNiezgoda.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The weatherman is calling for mid 80s and sunny all weekend long!!

Keep it short.

*Bright striped high rise jean shorts: MinkPink

*Crop the button up shirt in shades of cerulean: Miss Selfridge

*Instead of a bra, have a small layer that welcomes unbuttoning: Topshop

*Shield the sun, but really look totally stuns in a wide patterned brim: Missoni

*Keep the shades clear and a touch catty: Cutler and Gross

*Rock the rope necklace to play with light: Proenza Schouler

*Cork wrapped in tie dye denim gives the leg a bit of coverage: Eight Twenty

Set the table bright:

*Recycled and speckled like confetti, these unbreakable dishes will make a splash. Zak Designs

*Memorial Day margaritas? Make it colorful and shatter resistant: William Sonoma

*Portable grill for guerilla grilling: Crate and Barrel

Now throw on the FashionIndie Mixtape Volume 3 and you’ve got yourself a poppin’ BBQ.

The spot
Il Bastardo, Chelsea

What to wear
Gap Jersey Maxi Dress $69.95, gap.com

A|X Armani Exchange Aviator Sunglasses $65, macys.com

French Connection Cleo’s Haze Clutch $158, usa.frenchconnection.com

Calvin Klein Blaire Wedge Espadrille $93.50, piperlime.gap.com

Lynn Ban Fintail Ring $1,600, kirnazabete.com

Topshop Moto White Denim Crop Jacket $80, us.topshop.com

What to order
Eggs Benedict with Imported Prosciutto and unlimited champagne

The spot
Southern Hospitality, Upper East Side

What to wear
Topshop Red Stripe Suntop $50, us.topshop.com

Gap High-Waisted Flare Jeans $69.95, gap.com

Diane Von Furstenberg Theia Caged Wedge Sandal $275, farfetch.com

American Eagle Outfitters Braided Skinny Belt $19.50, ae.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs Oversized Aviator $98, piperlime.gap.com

What to order
The classic BBQ Combo and a Mint Julep

The spot
Caracas Brooklyn, Williamsburg

What to wear
Topshop Yellow Mini Floral Print Dress $80, us.topshop.com

Tom Binns Ethno Teknik Hand-Painted Swarovski Crystal Necklace $2,175, net-a-porter.com

kate spade new york “Make Waves” Bangle $78, nordstrom.com

Sonia Rykiel Dalya Platform Sandal $1,087, shopsavannahs.com

Malababa Pocahontas Bag $395, calypsostbarth.com

Illesteva Leonard 3 Sunglasses $230, lagarconne.com

What to order
Llanera Arepa with a Tropical Bloody Mary

The Spot
Juliette, Williamsburg

What to wear
Nasty Gal Flora Sweetheart Romper $68, shopnastygal.com

Reiss Classic Two Button Blazer $320, reissonline.com

Michael Kors Darrington Flap Hobo $895, neimanmarcus.com

French Connection Jakoba Platform Mule Espadrille $138, fashionbeans.com

Bonamano & Ferrari Rhinestone Bracelet $138, amrag.com

Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Sunglasses $145, swell.com

What to order
Roasted Banana Stuffed French Toast and a JOiE DE ViVRE

Did we miss anything? What is your favorite brunch spot in NYC?

1. Invest in a tent: Not to camp in silly, to wear! Tent dresses are the best fat day cures in the whole entire world. Just make sure it fits you well through the chest and arms to avoid looking like you’re wearing an actual tent; that’s when this look becomes unflattering. Above: MinkPink Table Manners Dress $88, shopnastygal.com

2. Wear pants at your actual waist: Here’s the thing, low rise pants are not flattering if you carry extra weight in your stomach. Try a pair of high-waisted pants that sit at your natural waist, the smallest part of your stomach. Adding a wide leg is even better – it’s like distributing that weight downward to even-out your figure and make you look taller. Above: Milly Woolen High Waisted Trousers $328, julesb.co.uk

3. Opt for an empire waist: When the waist of a dress sits above your natural waist and flows into an A-line skirt, it draws attention up and away from your problem area. Choose a dress with a structured, well-fitting top in a fabric that isn’t clingy. Above: Marchesa Empire Silk Chiffon Gown $5,821, boutique1.com

4. Go vintage shopping: They don’t make ‘em like they used to, that’s for sure. In an age of fast fashion and mass produced everything, garments are not made of the same high quality they once were. Dresses from the 50s and 60s were tailored to actually fit a woman’s body correctly and give her a waist. Try on some different options and find what looks best on you, but dresses from the 50s, 60s and 80s are good places to start. Above: Vintagephilosophy 1950s NEW LOOK Cocktail Dress $159, etsy.com

5. Buy a bra that fits: And no excuses! As an intimate apparel industry veteran, I can’t tell you how many women I’ve heard say “this new bra changed my life.” A proper fitting bra lifts and separates to give you the shapely figure you deserve. It also improves posture and, I guarantee, confidence that will be noticed by everyone. Stop by a department store with a good intimate apparel department, and someone can measure and help you find the perfect fit. Above: Betsey Johnson Stocking Stripe Lightly Lined Demi Bra $48, betseyjohnson.com

6. Cute shapewear won’t kill you: Shapewear – UGH what a gross word, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be. Shaping and smoothing garments have come a long way since girdles, as many of them can pass for regular clothing. Smoothing and shaping tanks with a touch of lace look like normal slips or camis, so you don’t need to worry about being frumpy when removing your clothes. Above: Shapeez Tankee Long $ 85, unbelievabra.com

What are your tips for hiding a tummy under light spring clothing?

1. Loveday 31, Astoria
Owner and curator Ivona Bilicic knows her stuff – she used to be a buyer at famous rip-off Manhattan vintage store Screaming Mimi’s. But the merchandise at Loveday 31 is far from overpriced and much more carefully selected. Eccentric metallic shirts from the 80s share a rack with silk Givenchy shirts and Prada dresses. Uniquely shaped vintage bags are shown among locally designed jewelry and antique brooches. I recently bought a black, intricately knit shirt with metallic silver threads and 7-inch long fringe for $40.

Credit: Free Williamsburg

2. Beacon’s Closet, Williamsburg & Park Slope
Perhaps the most well-known local Brooklyn thrift store chain, Beacon’s Closet has something for everyone. Both locations have their fine points: the more-crowded Williamsburg store has about four times the merchandise ranging from beat-up tees to Pucci pumps while the slightly more refined selection at Park Slope requires less digging and waiting. Some of my best buys include an $18 Marc by Marc Jacobs sweater and $18 brand new Betseyville shoes.

3. Buffalo Exchange, Williamsburg
You won’t find a ton of vintage merchandise at Buffalo Exchange, but you might come across some cool new digs along the way. Designer denim for men and women usually costs less than $20 and a brand new chunky necklace will set you back about $8. There are great vintage finds too, like a pair of Marc Jacobs sandals I bought for $24 a couple years ago.

4. Housing Works, Upper East Side
Where do all of the wealthy UES women take their Ferragamos and Pradas when they don’t want them any more? Housing Works, of course. In my opinion, this location is the best of the 10 retail stores around the city. There aren’t a million downtown vintage hunters in your face, and the merchandise comes straight from Park and Madison Avenues. It also has the best vintage jewelry selection -  I have at least a dozen pieces from my summer living in the same neighborhood.

5. Monk Vintage, Williamsburg
Where can you buy a rainbow striped bow tie, cummerbund and pocket square matching set? Monk Vintage in Brooklyn has about 10 for you to choose from. From the tutus suspended from the ceiling to mounds of vintage jewelry, you will find super fun and unique vintage pieces here. Dresses run from around $25 – $40 while a full suit will cost you about $100. Everything is in pretty good condition and the store is small, so you won’t spend hours looking for an outfit. The peach Polo Ralph Lauren Western shirt I got for $35 is still one of my favorites.

6. Goodwill, Chelsea
Of all the Goodwills in the city, why this one? Are the workers nicer? Absolutely not, but the selection is all that. This fairly new outlet isn’t too crowded, but it is fairly organized. If you’re familiar with Goodwill, expect all of the same prices and merchandise categories. Last week, I found a leather Coach computer bag in good condition for $20.

7. Vintage Thrift, Gramercy
From Manolos to mink throw pillows, this store literally has everything. You can get a stack of records with your dining room table and Italian designer ties with a retro KitchenAid mixer. Not only has Vintage Thrift been named Zagat’s #1 NYC thrift store four years in a row, profits go to The United Jewish Council of the East Side.

8. Viceversa, Williamsburg
Maybe the most overlooked Williamsburg thrift store, Viceversa is definitely worth your time. Stocked with equal parts men’s and women’s apparel, you can find everything from red cowboy boots to sequined muumuus. Prices here are dynamite – you can snag a fur coat for as little as $40. I bought an 80s rainbow sequin dress for $20 last year; I recently saw the same exact dress on Nasty Gal retailing for more than $200.

9. The Antiques Garage, Chelsea
Lauren from Corvus Noir introduced me to The Antiques Garage last summer when I interviewed her for FashionIndie. This place is insane. From 9 am – 5 pm every Saturday and Sunday, you can walk through this concrete jungle of every antique imaginable. It can be a little overwhelming, so take it slow – one table at a time. I bought a gorgeous leather, color-block bag with a chain strap for $10 the last time I was there.

10. No Relation Vintage, East Village
Nestled among the dozens of nail salons and pizzerias on First Avenue, No Relation Vintage is a rare gem. Little nooks throughout the store hold specifics like shoes or sundresses while scarves sit in a basket by the register, waiting to be impulsed purchased. In true East Village fashion, you won’t find a shortage of leather jackets or distressed band tees. Many a silk scarf from this old school thrift store hangs in my apartment.

Did I miss anything? What is your favorite NYC thrift store?

Alexander McQueen Jersey Samurai-Print Dress – $2,165 at Bergdorf Goodman

Issa Strapless sequined silk dress – $586 at Net-a-Porter

Lanvin Jersey-silk sequin draped t-shirt dress – $2,485 at Lanvin

Alice + Olivia “Priscilla” Bustier Dress – $495 at Bloomingdales

Express Metallic one-shoulder banded dress – $79.90 at Express

D&G Ocelot Print Stretch Satin Bustier Dress – $625 at Nordstrom

ABS Silk organza strapless dress – $330 at Saks

Badgley Mischka Platinum Label black silk georgette covered sequined v-neck dress – $259.20 at Bluefly

Motel Spider mesh dress – $80 at Nasty Gal

French Connection Morningstar knits dress – $298 at French Connection

There’s something about these absurd cartoon-John Lennon-Doctor Octopus sunglasses that I love.  You definitely need the right face shape and size to pull these off.  I must have them before Mary-Kate gets her pupils on them and continues her monopoly on the round sunglass market.

Vintage black 80′s shades (top) available from Nasty Gal.