I’ve been desperately searching for a grown up interpretation of this trend and I’ve finally found it in this skirt!

Aztec prints have been a summer trend for the last few years, but presented in ripped tees and styles that appeal to the high-school set, I usually skip them because they just feel a little to young for me.

Higher-end lines like All Saints always seem to strike the right balance with this print but it’s been a real challenge to find anything that looks sophisticated enough (at a budget friendly price) for those of us who are over thirty!

And then came this skirt…which works for two reasons, the muted color palette and the sequins. I can’t wait to wear this out once the weather gets a little warmer and I plan on styling it similar to the picture for both day and night.

A classic white button-down helps balance out the sexiness of the hemline and dressiness of the sequins…when it comes to shoes, you could just as easily style it with flat gladiator sandals or a pair of high-heel sandals!

Sometimes I feel like a broken record when I talk about the necessity of a fabulous nude pump in every woman’s wardrobe.

This shoe is perfect for hard to figure out fashion situations where you stand in front of the mirror asking “what shoe would look good with this?”…it’s perfect for those days when you feel 10lbs heavier and need an instant slim down and it’s essential on any day when you want to look chic, sophisticated and put together.

I’ve had my nude (almond-toe) Louboutin Pigalle pumps for more than six years now…it was one of my first big splurge items and in that time they’ve more than paid for themselves.  I’ve worn them countless times and they still look just as good as they did on the day I bought them…with the help of my very talented cobbler!

But lately I’ve been into a pointier toe…like the new Pigalle update, called the Pigalle Plato.  This toe feels so fresh and while I’m tempted to splurge again, I have a feeling this toe is more of a fad than a classic look.

So when I found this style from Nine West I was beyond excited.  The shade is slightly cooler than the Louboutin, but the toe and the thin platform are almost identical.  And for under $100 you can’t beat the price! I own this style in a black satin version and they are one of the most comfortable pairs of pumps in my closet.  I wore them out right after I bought them and NO blisters!

If you are in the market for a new nude pump or are looking for an update to the ones you have I can’t recommend a better choice!

With so many of us heading out for Spring Break or a little cold weather get-a-way, I thought it would be fun to spotlight the “local trends” in one of my favorite warm weather destination…Miami!

Miami has so much to offer its locals and visitors. From gorgeous beaches to endless shopping, there is something for everyone. When they aren’t in bikinis, Miami-goers are often found wearing vibrant clothing.

Miami temperatures do drop and it frequently rains in the winter. When the chillier weather hits, a fitted top and jeans are popular choices. Put on a cozy top like the Simply Vera Vera Wang Chiffon Cardigan from Kohl’s. To add a bit of shine to your daytime look, opt for a bold statement Simulated Crystal Necklace from Simply Vera Vera Wang.

No matter the weather, at night it’s all about a form-fitting dress. Try pairing this Chaps Solid Pintuck dress with a Leopard Woven Straw Clutch.

During a warm day, there’s nothing quite like relaxing at the pool or beach! A Leaf Chiffon Caftan Dress from Jennifer Lopez is perfect for Miami because it’s vibrant and easy to throw on over a wet bikini.

This post was sponsored by KOHL’S.

I don’t know about you, but whatever purse I’m using becomes my excuse to carry around my whole life. I will throw everything and anything in there, you know, for “just in case” purposes. It becomes the coffin of every receipt I’ve ever touched and the land of the lost lip-glosses.

But since spring has made an early appearance, why shouldn’t spring cleaning, right? It is all about downgrading, ladies. Reducing clutter, clothes we don’t wear anymore, and even the size of our bags … yes I said it, small is the new big this spring.

These mini bags, from shoulder styles to cross body, will force us to re-evaluate the contents of our purses and only carry the necessities because, well, space will be limited.

Apart from being drop dead adorable, they are being shown in bright and bold colors for spring, like this orange number from Mango on sale for $63.99 or this budget buy from Charlotte Russe for under $20 bucks!

If the thought of only carrying one lip gloss, a cell phone, a credit card, and a few pieces of gum is terrifying, you need a mini bag that is so one-of-a-kind and worthwhile, that it makes you forget about all the missing items…maybe something like this Velvet Tassel Grab Bag from ASOS for $29.54. If I was to have a love affair with a purse, it would be  with this one. It is versatile in the sense that you can rock it to the office, out lunching with the ladies, or even with that prized little black dress. It’s all in the details with this bag, from the vintage vibe of the velvet, to the long dangle of the tassel. A mini bag heart throb, if you will.

Starring at my large tote that is busting at the seams is desperately making me want to jump ship to this mini must-have. With so many colors, textures and styles to choose from, you can find one to complement any look. Now all you have to do is start separating the “must-have” from the “just in case”.

See more from Kate on her blog, LifeSucksInAStraplessBra!

More River Island…

Brooklyn Decker has definitely been added to my best-dressed list…besides her impeccable style and the ability to make every fashion statement look effortless she always looks so confident in her clothes and it’s so fun to see her on the red carpet!

She recently turned heads in a trendy floral blazer from Dolce & Gabanna which made her LBD look anything but basic. Toned down accessories and simple black sandals allowed her bold blazer to make a very Spring-time statement!

If you look in my closet, you’ll see it’s filled with blazers…they’re always go-to items whenever I’m in a rush to get ready but I’ve noticed that all my options are solids and in this very print-friendly season, a floral blazer would make a great addition!

One of my favorites out there at the moment is this style from Rebecaa Minkoff…but it’s quite pricey for something I may not love come next spring. But if you’re looking to splurge, a garment like this one with the capability to transform any basic ensemble into something totally fabulous may be worth spending on!

For more affordable options, I’m happy to report that there are quite a few out there! H&M has a great floral blazer for under $50 bucks and I love the draped construction of this floral blazer from Forever 21. Major plus, it’s under $20!

If you’re looking for versatility, a printed floral blazer is definitely a wardrobe essential!

For more from Brittany, visit her blog, The Subtle Statement.

Cue the warm weather, birds chirping, and most importantly the sunshine…Spring has finally made an entrance! This season, the term “sundress” takes literal meaning, as yellow becomes Spring’s official neutral.

Elizabeth Olsen, Heidi Klum, and Vanessa Hudgens are just a few celebs that have been spotted sporting the sassy shade. And while many of us fear yellow this time of year (pre-sun) — you don’t need a tan to pull off this formerly hard to wear color because there’s a shade out there for everyone.  If you’re on the pale side, embrace your skin tone and look for softer, more pastel shades…think butter.  Now if you’re more olive toned, look for a bright yellow that will give you skin an instant glow!

When it comes to styling, I say keep it simple.  Try a nude strappy sandal with dresses that have a more bohemian feel like this one…or you can even go office-chic in this dress from Loehmans’ for only $39 by pairing it with some black pumps like Blake Lively did!

Check out these fabulous selections below to make a bold statement as you step into Spring…because this season, yellow is anything but mellow!

For more from Brittany, visit her blog, The Subtle Statement!

More Asos…

From Gwyneth Paltrow to Kristen Stewart, the front row at Louis Vuitton read like a who’s who of Hollywood and the one thing all of these fabulous women had in common, the designer’s coveted cap toe pumps.

I absolutely love the pale yellow version of this pump that Corrine Bailey Rae was just spotted wearing-it’s such a fresh alternative to the all nude and white pumps we’ve been seeing for Spring!

And if you’d like to add these to your shoe closet, these Metal Toe Pumps from Zara look almost identical!  Here they are on one of my favorite bloggers, Liz from Late Afternoon…

But for $129-they’re quite the steal compared to the $9950 price tag of the Louis Vuitton version! Or you could also opt for this similar pair from ASOS or this $50 pair from Mango!

If you’re looking for an easy way to incorporate the soft pastel palette you’ve been seeing this shoe is the best way to do it…wear it with an all black ensemble, a printed mini or with this season’s must have, a cropped pant!

For more from Brittany, visit her blog, The Subtle Statement.

Peplum. Defined as a short ruffle attached at the waistline of a jacket, blouse, dress or skirt. P-e-p-l-u-m. Peplum. Yes, those ruffles do have a proper name, and peplums happen to be springing up all over the fashion scene (no pun intended).

It is always fun to have a garment that has something special, making it stand out from the crowd, and that is exactly what peplums do, like this bold red peplum skirt from ModCloth.com for $42.99. Match this colorful garment with a solid form fitting T-shirt throw on a boyfriend blazer and finish with some chunky gold bangles for a look that’s retro-chic!

True, peplums have some nasty rumors being spread about them, like they have the tendency to accentuate certain lady lumps in a not-so-chic fashion. But it is all about finding the right style that works for your body shape.

When worn properly, peplums actually hug a woman’s curves, creating a beautiful silhouette… This throwback to the 40’s is also great if you are looking to add a little shape to your bod, or want a fabulous way to show off that curvy figure. The key here is balance…if you’re going peplum on top, go fitted on the bottom and vice versa.

If you’re still a little skeptical, why not test-drive a subtle peplum top, like this one from New York & Co. for under $30… you can pair it with something as simple as skinny jeans and colorful heels or this top even looks great with a classic pencil skirt; a totally wow-worthy outfit for the office!

Remember the more color the better this spring, so make your peplum look pop!

Read more from Kate on her blog, LifeSucksInAStraplessBra.com!

Chartreuse has come a long way from its’ days of oh-no-she-didn’t wear that color! You can’t walk into a store without seeing this  striking love child of green and yellow! And we bet that by the end of this Spring you’ll own a chartreuse-something

Now this color is not for the faint of heart, but the impact is worth the courage in my book. I love it when basic pieces, like this sweater from Zara, take on a whole new life in such unexpected colors. It puts a not-so-sweet twist to a lovely floral print!

And talk about wow factor…even a chartreuse colored t-shirt or a basic shirt dress from Old Navy screams style (yes, with confidence and charm) and spring! Or if you are less thrilled about the idea of wearing this color in large doses…why not try chartreuse accessories like this crossbody bag from Steve Madden?

And as the temperatures rise, so should your colors…ladies, set your chartreuse loose!

More Ann Taylor…