Garden Party

There's a fine line between tasteful and tacky ... pick a bad floral pattern and you risk looking like gaudy wallpaper. But choose a pretty print and you've got an easy, feminine ensemble. Below is a round up of chic florals I'm currently craving – and contrary to Mrs. Priestly's criticism, these pieces are a welcome spring trend in my closet. 

The garden party goods, clockwise from top right: 

• floral tulip top – $12.50, available at Forever21
 

• dahlia floral dress – $75.20, available on ASOS

• summer fun dress – $127.79, available at Free People

• floral cut out waist dress – $53.72, available on ASOS

• floral sandal – $7.50, available at Forever21

• strapless peplum top – $15.80, available at Forever21

• blurred floral blouse – $53.72, available on ASOS

• printed maxi dress – $46.99, available on Piperlime

• midi skirt – $69, available at Urban Outfitters

• floral skinny belt – $16.11, available on ASOS

Bargain in Bloom

The goods:
• maxi dress from Free People
• chambray shirt from J.Crew
• bangles from IGWT and C.Wonder
• necklace from Loris Shoes

This floral maxi dress has proven to be a great layering piece and has made a few appearances throughout the year (here and here). I've worn it alone to balmy, summer weddings, in the winter with a turtleneck, or tie on a shirt for a cool spring day like today. Floral frocks add a feminine touch, and who says they have to be reserved for warm weather months?

p.s. A few days ago I mentioned how it's totally worth scouring department store outlets – Well I tracked this dress down at Neiman Marcus Last Call, marked down from $148 to $60 ... while it was still full price at FP! Yup, definitely worth checking out.

Delicate Details

The goods:
• vintage blouse from Salvation Army
• green pants from Anthropologie 
• pumps from Aldo
• bangles from Forever21
• green agate ring from Target
• rhinestone initial necklace from UO

Adding delicate details to a vintage blouse and pants creates a clean, easy look. I added dainty gold bangles and one simple necklace to play off the romantic ruffle of this top. I love a good statement ring, and this one is a pretty serious stone, but in the most delicate sea foam shade of green. I found this awesome piece at Target for about $15. It's very similar to the lovely work of local jewelry line, Dollybird ... but I can't resist a good bargain!

Pep in Your Step

Lately, I have been admiring the peplum style, but avoided it assuming the ruffle was meant for super slim chicks, not these hips! But then I fell in love with the above dress from BCBG and had to try it on. The cut is so feminine and the fringe falls just right where it accentuates an hour-glass shape in a good way. One problem, the $248 price tag is slightly out of my price range. I set out on an online hunt for similar flirty frocks, at a more affordable price. Below are some pretty peplums I spotted ...

The fringed frocks: 

1. open back peplum dress – $69.83, available on ASOS

2. scuba pencil dress – $96, available at Top Shop

3. gabby peplum dress – $178, available at NM Last Call

4. frill waist dress – $99.90, available at Zara

5. work with me dress – $49.99, available on ModCloth  

6. peplum top – $42.97, available on ASOS 

7. contrast trim dress – $17.80, available at Forever21 

8. midi dress with v neck – $71.62, available on ASOS 

9. lace peplum skirt – $50.13, available on ASOS

10. lilac fitted dress – $50, available at Top Shop

11. sweetheart dress – $52.99, available on ModCloth 

Channeling Chanel

The goods:
• blouse and pumps from Zara
• jacket from T.J. Maxx
• pants from Forever21
• wrap watch by La Mer
• bracelets from J.Crew and Forever21

I spotted this jacket on the discounted racks of T.J.Maxx for around $25 and was drawn to the Chanel-inspired look. Taking that theme, I'm pairing it with black pants and a black and white blouse, since she typically stuck to only those two shades. Also made famous by the fashion icon are the cap toe pumps, updated here with a tan and black pair from Zara. I suppose you could call this look "Chanel-lite", since Coco often added strands of pearls, baubles, a hat and her camellia brooch to her ensemble (as evidenced by my full-blown Chanel Halloween costume last year). 

... of course, no Coco homage would be complete without a spritz of Chanel perfume (though I opt for "Mademoiselle" over her signature "No.5")

Mlle Chanel, photo from Pinterest

Discount Department

The goods:
• top from Mikkat Market
• silk dress from Off 5th
• leggings from H&M
• booties by Report
• men's watch
• cuff by Nine West
• rhinestone earrings from J.Crew

It's just like mother nature to tease us with that summer weather ... but I'll keep spring alive with this super bright pink hue. Department store bargain basements like Nordstrom Rack, Neiman Marcus Last Call, and Off 5th may seem intimidating with their mishmash of inventory, but taking the time to sift through the deeply discounted racks can lead to some fantastic finds. This dress was originally marked around $178, but it was tucked into a rack, slashed down to $25! I check out these spots first when on the hunt for something specific – say, a dress for a wedding, or a classic pencil skirt – that way I have a goal instead of not knowing where to start. Of course ... I always pick up some fun finds along the way, whether or not I find what I came for.   

Mad Men Style: Modern Home

You can channel your inner Betty or Joan with some stylish steals, but to really complete the look, grab a few vintage home accents, too. Below are a few Don Draper-approved accessories to add a mid-century modern twist to your space ...

The Mad Mod goods: 

1. mid century side chair – $95, available on etsy

2. modern brass sconce – $39, available at Urban Outfitters

3. vintage typewriter – $68, available on etsy

4. set of vintage tumblers – $42, available on etsy

5. set of vintage decanters – $44, available on etsy 

6. danish-style media stand – $89, available at Urban Outfitters

7. vintage ice bucket – $33, available on etsy

8. vintage cigarette tin – $12, available on etsy

9. vintage ads for framing – $65, available on etsy

Homage to Mid Century

The goods:
• tshirt from Nordstrom
• vintage jacket from Salvation Army
• dark denim from Forever21
• pumps from Aldo
• vintage earrings from rummage sale
• vintage clutch from McShane's Exchange
• bangle from Coach

As my own tribute to the mavens of Mad Men, I'm adding a modern spin to a few vintage finds. I'm donning this vintage swing jacket that I scored at Salvation Army for $3, and throwing in some accessories inspired by Betty and Joan, like these clip-on baubles and a sleek portfolio clutch. Pairing these items with skinny jeans and a clean ponytail keeps the look current instead of costume. I'm looking forward to pulling more inspiration (and getting my Don Draper fix!) during Sunday's premiere!

Money Bags

So I have a confession to make ... I've been stashing my cash in a Coach wristlet since college. It's a convenient little pouch to hold cards, bills, and I.D. (and all that random stuff that makes it's way in, like receipts, frequent-buyer cards, coins, and crap), but also a pain rummaging through all of that to find anything. I figure since I am now officially out of my twenties, it's time for a grown-up wallet. I want it to be slim and lady-like shape, professional yet pretty (you know, for holding all of my benjamins).

The cash-stashin' goods, clockwise from top right: 

• coach croc skinny wallet – $158, available at Coach

• lodis sleek frame wallet – $58.90, available at Nordstrom
• marc jacobs fold over wallet – $168, available on Shop Bop
• see by chloe twirl flap wallet – $195, available at Bloomingdales
• kate spade zoey wallet – $198, available on Zappos
• mk saffiano wallet – $138, available at Nordstrom

Mad Men Style: Joan Holloway

Leave the a-line skirts for Betty, Joan is all about the curve-hugging styles. She saunters down the hallways in sexy pencil skirts, sporting her signature red lip. Swipe Joan's sultry, secretarial look with these inspired pieces ...

The secretarial goods: 

1. jade cardigan – $62, available at J.Crew

2. knot collar blouse – $59.90, available at Zara

3. pink pencil skirt – $32.23, available on ASOS

4. berry brooch dress – $129.99, available on ModCloth

5. vintage pen necklace – $24, available on Amazon 

6. YSL Rouge Pur Couture – $32, available at Bloomingdales

7. linen peep toe pump – $80, available at ALDO

8. tan belted dress – $49.99, available on ModCloth

9. polka dot scarf – $7.99, available on ModCloth