My social calendar is quite full this weekend: graduation on Friday and the wedding of a former student on Saturday!  Since I frequently go months on end with nothing too special going on, I figured such momentous occassions were the perfect excuse oppurtunity for some shopping. 

 When I set out to find a dress I didn’t really have a silhouette or color scheme in mind, but I did have very specific requirements.  The ideal dress needed to be appropriate for a variety of events and needed to be comfortable, feminine, and flattering.   Easier said than found, right?

I figured if anything I was going to have to err on the side of dressier, and slightly uncomfortable, when it came time to purchase a dress, but thankfully, this Porridge dress from Anthropologie more than met my needs.  The A-line silhouette is both uber-feminine and comfortable, which means I will be able to breathe while sitting through the graduation ceremony but still feel glamorous enough to attend an evening wedding the next night.  I love the interest the graphic florals bring to the dress, making it super easy to accessorize for both graduation and the wedding.  A statement necklace and a delicate bracelet or two is all that is really needed to complete the look.

Style Notes: Gap cardigan (ancient; similar style) / Anthropologie dress (spring 2013) / Kate Spade shoes via Last Chance (winter 2013; love these) / Anthropologie earrings (spring 2013)/ Anthropologie necklace (spring 2013)

Don’t you just love when you find something so perfectly you at an amazing price?  This skirt was a return at work (did I mention I am now working part time at Anthropologie) that immediately caught my eye.  What’s not to love about an a-line shimmery, lace skirt?  It is a tad wintery, but when I saw the price ($10) I knew it was worth purchasing even if I had to wait nine months to take it for a spin.  Low and behold, though, we are currently enjoying a bit of a cool spell, so I figured why not wear it at least once before it has to be officially retired until fall returns to the valley?

In an attempt to not veer too far into wintery terrain, I opted to pair the skirt with a light weight, sleeveless chambray shirt, purple ladylike purse, and some peep toe kitten heels.  (The cardigan was an after thought that morning when I walked outside to a crisp breeze!)

Style Notes: Gap cardigan (ancient; similar style) / Anthropologie shirt (spring 2013) / Anthropologie skirt (spring 2013; purchased on major sale; love this) / Enzo Angiolini shoes via Last Chance (winter 2013; similar style) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Forever 21 bracelet (fall 2012; great for spring) / Coach bag (spring 2009; love this)

With the Kentucky Derby right around the corner I thought it the perfect time to showcase this lovely hat I received as a birthday present in the fall.  While it isn’t the kind of hat one turns to for all sorts of occasions, I wholeheartedly embrace the idea that fashion doesn’t always have to be practical.  Every once in a while it’s okay to indulge and buy, or better yet request as a gift, something you l-o-v-e but don’t have a ton of occasions to don.  For me, this hat, while rather regal, is such a find.  It’s so feminine and so quirky that I can’t help but smile and feel instantly ten times more glamorous than I really am whenever I wear it.

When it came time to style the hat, I knew I wanted to embrace my inner regal lady and go with an all black ensemble. While spring is all about bright, bold colors, in my (fashion) book there is always room for black.  In the right silhouette, an all black ensemble is timeless, seasonless, slimming, and the perfect balance between sophisticated and sexy.

Since the hat is such a show stopper, there really was no need to go overboard with accessories.  I kept it simple with a necklace that is a modern take on a traditional strand of pearls and small, statement earrings.  The peplum top, tuxedo stripping, and bow pumps add a little more visual interest, but because of the all black palette they are not too distracting.

Style Notes: Dillard’s hat (fall 2012; similar style) /  Target shirt (winter 2013) / Ann Taylor pants (fall 2012; similar style) / Anthropologie necklace (spring 2013) / Anthropologie earrings (spring 2013) / Kate Spade shoes via Last Chance (spring 2013) / Kate Spade ring (fall 2011; love this)

Apparently I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned that I was feeling a strong draw towards graphic florals this spring because when I spotted these pants on sale at Anthropolgie I was beyond delighted. 

What keeps these pants from taking a turn for the saccharine is the graphic floral and leaf prints in hues that are not overly feminine but still utterly perfect for spring!  After a long dreary winter who needs bubble gum pinks and soft blues?  Bold pops of color are what’s necessary to enfuse our days with a little energy and whimsy!

This orange peter pan collared shirt is the perfect compliment to the pants.  I love the way the collar and button tab play off the various tones and shades of orange in the pants while the rest of the shirt remains neutral enough to keep the overall look from going overboard! 

Style Notes: Anthropologie shirt (spring 2013) / Anthropologie pants (purchased on sale; spring 2013; similar style) / Gap Belt (fall 2013; similar style) /  Classiques Entier shoes via Last Chance (spring 2012; love these) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style) / Kate Spade ring (fall 2011; love this) /  Marc Jacobs bag via Last Chance (spring 2012; love this)

For this week’s Friday Finds I thought I would change things up a bit and share this adorable (and affordable!) jean jacket I found in Target’s junior’s section for a mere $20!  Jean jackets are kind of a big deal for spring, which I had been pretty much on the fence about until coming across this on a recent trip to Target to purchase cleaning supplies.  (I swear; is it even possible to get out of that place without at least three things you never intended to purchase?)  As a child of the 80s, jean jackets generally take me back to an era of Aqua Net hairspray, slap bracelets, and parachute pants.  Um…no thanks.

This jacket, however, with its quirky polka dots is refreshingly updated.  Since I purchased this jacket in the juniors’ section (size L) it is a little more fitted than a typical jean jacket, which is also part of its charm.  One thing I have always disliked about jean jackets is how bulky they feel and look on me.  The more tailored fit of this jacket lends itself to being layered over dresses or a cute top with some colored skinny jeans.  A great floral pin or statement necklace are the perfect accessories to add a little extra fun this spring!

Style Notes: Target jean jacket (spring 2013) / Dee & Ray Mona Dress via Last Chance (summer 2012; love this) / Classiques Entier shoes via Last Chance (spring 2012; love these) / Old Navy pin (spring 2012; love this) / J.Crew bangle (fall 2011; love this) / Michael Kors watch via Last Chance (spring 2012; similar style)

Style Notes: J.Crew Factory Factory Printed Pleated Shift Dress $79.50 (currently 30% off) / Modcloth A Class Act Flat $29.99 / Gap Striped chambray mini $54.95 (30% of until 4/7) / Stripe by N Bonjour Tully Pullover $89 / Anthropologie Piped Peplum Blouse $88