Last time my friends and I went on a trip together, we went skiing, and being the Hawaii girl I am, I had nothing to wear. So I bought a bunch of stuff that was on sale, thinking, “I’m only going to wear it for the weekend. Who cares, as long as I’m warm?” Which would have been fine, except that now there are a bunch of pictures that will circulate photo albums and online profiles forever. Bleh!

So this time, I am determined to only bring things that I love. This is much easier, since our next trip will be in warm weather, which I know how to dress for. One thing that will definitely make it into my little suitcase is the Nellie dress from Fighting Eel’s Spring 2008 collection. The bold geometric pattern is sassy and the cut is totally flattering to show off newly tanned shoulders. I can’t help but love the spring collection also, just because it was photographed at Laniakea, where I used to work out! Oh, how I miss Honolulu…

I’d love to pair this frock with these fun, slightly wacky sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti!

It’s not just because I’m from Hawaii that I’ve fallen in love with the Honolulu-based line Fighting Eel. While I do love that the designers are local and that the dresses reflect the island/city dynamic of our beloved state capitol, what really draws me to these dresses is that they’re perfectly cut and completely versatile.

I usually choose one or two pieces that really resonate with me, but I really adore all of the pieces that Fighting Eel has created for Fall 2007. Each piece could be dressed up for work, parties, or gallery openings or dressed down for your Saturday morning errands. And, since I don’t live in paradise anymore, I also love that the pieces are easy to layer with long-sleeved tees, blazers, knit tights, and boots for the cooler coming months.

Okay, okay, if I absolutely have to, I do have two favorites from this collection. One is the Lucky dress, with its adorable little pockets that sit just at the hip. I love the slim tulip shape of this shift, in it’s Audrey-esque simplicity. The other is the Love dress, complete with a fuscia obi-style wrap belt. Both dresses exhibit the uncomplicated yet sophisticated nature of the line.