the hunt: must-have maxis

A painterly floral print and delicate details make this maxi dress a summer wardrobe must-have.
Greylin Blooming Silk Maxi Dress, $198 at Anthropologie

Now that the weather has finally, gloriously decided it's spring, all I want to wear is dresses. I'll be honest, I don't discriminate when it comes to dress hem length, but I have a soft spot in my sartorial heart for maxi dresses. They're so effortlessly chic - you can easily dress them up or down with the right accessories - and is there anything more comfortable on a warm spring day? Here are a few of my favorites, culled from two of the season's best trends:

Stripes

Stripes were all over the recent runways, from Marc Jacobs' mod tour de force to Kelly Lynne's killer high-waisted pants and striped skirt. Both collections - and these fab maxis - prove that stripes look best in bold black and white.

1. I'm nuts for the subtle nautical details - that's an anchor on the chest!!! - and ombre stripes on this Emma Cook dress. Seriously, I want this in my wardrobe NOW.
Emma Cook maxi dress, $352 at Net-A-Porter

2. Bold and flowing, BCBG's high-low striped dress is perfect for showing off a sexy summer sandal. If the voluminous silhouette isn't for you, try belting it at the waist.
BCBGMAXAZRIA Gia Silk High-Low Striped Dress, $548 at BCBG

3. Want something on-trend that won't break the bank? Mossimo's graphic maxi is as chic as it is easy on the wallet.
Mossimo knit maxi dress, $30 at Target

The Blues

From Tiffany to navy, sky to ocean, shades of blue are one of the key colors of the season (lucky for me - blue is one of my all-time favorite colors).

1. A watercolor print, floaty layers and barely-there straps make this dress perfect for indulging in a little summer romance.
Theyskens' Theory Dressa Marble Print Maxi Dress, $907.50 at My Wardrobe

2. She's the queen of Maxi Dressing, so it's no wonder Rachel Zoe's minty snake print wrap dress is a must-have.
Rachel Zoe Celine Print High-Low Silk Gown, $495 at Nordstrom

3. This gorgeous crochet maxi just makes you long to be on a yacht touring the Greek Isles, doesn't it? So dreamy.
Missoni Crochet Knit Ombre Dress, $3,630 at Mytheresa

the hunt: work horse work bags

My beloved work bag in on it's last legs. For close to 10 years, it's faithfully lugged my laptop to and from class, work, the airport, coffee shops, photo shoots, and everywhere in between. I found it at Express while I was still in college, and although the straps are unraveling and the zippers aren't that zippy anymore, I can't give the damn thing up. It's just an absolutely perfect work bag - roomy, exterior pockets for easy access to cell phone, keys, and other essentials, wear-with-everything black patent leather...But I know the time will come when my perfect bag won't be able to bear the burden of my computer, magazines, notebooks, iPad, and everything else I carry with me on any given day. It's time to start the search for a replacement, and these chic work horses would definitely get the job done.

1/ Pour La Victoire Nouveau Tote
Made of sturdy black leather, this sleek, stylish tote by Pour La Victoire - a brand I can't get enough of - has zipper gussets that expand to allow more room for workday essentials.
$445, Shopbop

the hunt: perfect parkas - 2012 edition

It's that time of year again. The air is crisp, the leaves are exploding with color, and morning frost has replaced the summer's morning dew. We're deep into fall, and while it's time to make your annual trip to the pumpkin patch and cider mill, it's not quite time to pull out your heavy winter jacket. Luckily, this season there are a slew of great parkas available for any budget. Whatever the price point, look for special details like fur-trimmed hoods, floral prints, or even faux leather sleeves. Check out this year's picks below:

get the look: dressage

Zara Phillips riding High Kingdom during the Eventing dressage phase at the London 2012 Olympics

Is there a more elegant Olympic sport than dressage? Not only does it showcase beautiful horses trained and ridden at the highest level, but the riders are turned out with incredible style, from the tips of their top hats to the toes of their sleek black boots.

The riders competing in Eventing took to the arena for their dressage tests earlier this week (including Zara Phillips, above, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth), and the individual and team Dressage competition starts August 2. Equestrian style was also a major influence on the fall 2012 runways  (see: Gucci, Givenchy and Ralph Lauren), and with the collections making their way to store shelves, now is the perfect time to indulge in some haute horsey attire. Here's how to get the look:

the hunt: wedge sneakers

All spring long, the fashion world has been losing its collective mind over wedge sneakers. It all started with Isabel Marant, and now everyone from Marc Jacobs to Ash is getting in on the action. At first, all I could think was, "Really? Does no one else remember how tacky high-heel sneakers turned out to be? Does no one else remember those '90s disasters with the gum rubber stilettos?" (shudders violenty)


Well, I remember the ghosts of high-heeled sneakers past, so when it became clear that wedge sneakers were indeed having a major moment for spring, I started researching them with some definite trepidation. I was a sceptic - and then I saw these:

Nike x Liberty wedge sneaker

the hunt: orange wedding shoes

I love when a bride thinks outside the ivory satin box and goes bold with her wedding accessories, so when an engaged friend asked if I knew where she could find orange shoes for her walk down the aisle, I did a little happy dance. Then the fashion gears started turning. Orange is one of the major color trends for spring 2012, so there are lots of great options hitting stores right now. Here are some orangetastic styles that would certainly add a delicious pop of color to any bride's big day:

1/ Jimmy Choo "Vamp" Platform Sandal
These are perfect for a bold bride who wants a glamorous, va-va-voom walk down the aisle.
$750, Neiman Marcus