Spring in your Step: Floral Pump

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Add a little Spring to your step with the floral pump. An easy way to add color and style, this Spring trend will pair well with anything from edgy leather pieces to everyday essentials.

Mixing prints can be tricky. With this pump, mastering the mix is easy. Pair with any pattern in similar color families. Mix your florals with stripes, polka dots, graphics and/or animal prints and you are well on your way to one stellar mash-up.

Manolo Blahnik ~ BB Pump: $645.00

Alice + Olivia ~ Danny Pump: $295.00

Ivanka Trump ~ Kayden 2 Pump: $130.00

Guess ~ Neodan 5 Pump: $99.00

Functional Fashion: Pencil Skirt

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The most versatile of the skirt family, the pencil can be serious at work or flirty in the evening. Available in a myriad of textures, patterns and colors, the pencil skirt is a functional wardrobe essential.

Work: Pair your pencil skirt with a dress shirt, button-up, silk blouse or plain/printed cardigan and cami.

Evening: Dress-up your pencil skirt with a simple tank or cami, killer shoes and accessories.

Weekend: Depending on the material and texture of your pencil skirt, try adding some Chuck Taylors or sandals, a plain tee and jean jacket.

A pencil skirt can be very figure-flattering. For additional slimming properties – look for skirts with color-blocking panels on the sides. These panels – especially when black – whittle the curves significantly.

Burberry London ~ Stretch-Twill Peplum Skirt: $495.00

Alice + Olivia ~ Sarah Suede Pencil Skirt: $298.50 (sale)

J.Crew ~ No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Geometric Print: $148.00

Vince ~ Leather Pencil Skirt: $1050.00

White House | Black Market ~ Colorblock Ponte Pencil Skirt: $49.99 (sale)

Festive Frocks: LRD

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Get in the holiday spirit this season with a classic LRD. The blushing alternative to black, the little red dress combines a spirited color palette and holiday flare that will sizzle at any event this season.

When wearing red… think sophisticated not cheap. Look for sharp lines, great design and a fairly conservative cut. Pair with neutrals like black or nude and try not to over accessorize. Keep it simple, keep it chic.

Here are a few of my favorite festive frocks:

Splendid ~ Washed-Crepe Shirt Dress: $110.00

Alice + Olivia ~ Peplum Knit Dress: $264.00

Three Floor ~ Bad Girl Dress: $308.00

Black Halo ~ Jackie Belted Gabardine Sheath Dress: $345.00

Miu Miu ~ Flared Stretch-Jersey Dress: $595.00

Heavy Metal: Metallic Trend

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The runways for Fall 2012 were ablaze with molten-like metals in gold, bronze, silver and jewel-tones. Metallics glimmered in the form of dresses, denim, skirts, shoes and bags. Interpreting runway looks into everyday life can be tricky. Embrace this trend with wearable pieces that will make an impact all season long.

Since metallics create such a bold statement, wearing too many at once can cheapen a look. Choose one key piece (cigarette pant, pencil skirt, statement bag) and let it be the star of the show. Pair these pieces with basic neutrals. Try a cozy knit sweater/slouchy boyfriend sweater for ultimate comfort and understated style. For a dressier look, pair with a structured blazer that will not draw attention from the showcased piece. Keep accessories basic or forfeit them completely.

Metallics offer a fun way to freshen up your look for Fall and update your wardrobe for a new season. Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

J Brand ~ 9202 Low-Rise Metallic Coated Legging: $249.00

Alice + Olivia ~ Connie Metallic Flounce Coat: $798.00

Tibi ~ Lurex Jacquard Strapless Dress: $485.00

AllSaints ~ Metal Pencil Skirt: $95.00

Diane von Furstenberg ~ Tonda Metallic Clutch: $395.00

Jimmy Choo ~ Anouk Metallic Leather Pumps: $650.00

Topshop ~ Jacquard Metallic Shorts: $60.00

Statement Sandals: Graphics

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From abstract florals to eye-catching ikat, summer sandals are getting graphic. Found in an overwhelming array of colors, styles, prints and patterns, complete any outfit with a bold statement sandal.

Keeping it neutral. Make these statement shoes the focal point of the ensemble by keeping the rest of the pieces neutral and/or monochromatic.

Mixing prints. Sometimes the best combinations are the ones that do not seem suitable. There are no rules here, only to look for prints and textures in complementary color families. The pieces do not have to coordinate exactly, but there should be a common theme.

Spice up your wardrobe with some vibrant graphics. Here are few of my favorite stand-out sandals.

Zara ~ Fabric Sandal: $99.90

Theodora & Callum ~ Hippie Heel: 229.99 (sale)

Loeffler Randall ~ Dita Platform Pump: $425.00

BCBGeneration ~ Hosanna: $87.99 (sale)

Alice + Olivia ~ Juliet Platform Wedge Sandal: $295.00

Cynthia Vincent ~ Naomi Aztec-Printed Platform Wedge Sandal: $197.00 (sale)

To The Max: Pleated Maxi Skirts

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Add a bit of spring to your wardrobe… and step with a brightly-colored pleated maxi skirt. These pieces are popping up everywhere and are available in the most beautiful colors.

Wear these vibrant spring colors now by coordinating with bulky sweaters and cardigans. When the weather permits – transition effortlessly into spring with a simple tee or tank, sandal or espadrille. Wear a statement piece – necklace/earrings/bag/shoe – that plays with color scheme. Example – turquoise and red, royal blue and yellow, purple and lilac… 

The shape of these skirts can often camoflauge the waistline, to avoid this, wear a belt or find a maxi skirt with a different color waist band (yellow skirt pictured).

Topshop ~ Pleated Maxi Skirt: $40.00

Piperlime ~ Hive & Honey Pleat Maxi Skirt: $59.00

Bloomingdales ~ Alice + Olivia – Shannon Pleated Maxi Skirt: $396.00

Shopbop ~ Tibi Maxi Pleated Skirt: $330.00

Forever 21 ~ Pleated Maxi Skirt: $24.80

Fall Transition: 3.1 Phillip Lim Fishtail Sweater

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Summer is quickly coming to an end. Transition into fall style facilely with one simple piece. A comfy knit sweater can pair with any of your summer-basics: maxi dress, maxi skirt, flirty skirt or cut-off jean shorts. Inevitably already in your closet, a heather gray sweater coordinates impeccably with many color palettes and prints.

This fine-knit fishtail sweater by 3.1 Phillip Lim adds a nice twist to the run-of-the-mill sweater. The fishtail detail provides a modern edge and complimentary shape. Pair this piece with Fall’s snakeskin pant or leather shorts for an effortlessly casual style.

Items Pictured:

Tbags Los Angeles – Maxi Dress ~ $185.00

Alice + Olivia – Shannon Pleated Long Skirt ~ $396.00

3.1 Phillip Lim – Fine-Knit Fishtail Sweater ~ $245.oo