$101, asos

These peep-toe booties are the summer version of your trust-worthy, fail-safe, go-with-everything, wear-everywhere winter boots. Wear them with..

1. Issa floral print dress,
2. Super Sunglasses,
3. A.L.C. spiked hoops,
4. Jerome Dreyfuss snake effect mini shoulder bag,
5. Dune booties,

$84, monsoon

Hanging out with dozens of effortlessly chic French women is how I spent the better part of Sunday. I took my kids to an Easter party-fundraiser hosted by a few friends for a local French elementary school. The poolside setting had all the trappings of a South-of-France rendezvous, complete with kir royales, straw fedoras, strappy sandals, Birkin bags and a scorching hot sun. After I devoured the poached salmon and asparagus lunch and fed my kids handfuls of chocolate, I endeavored to crack the secret of French summer style--and I can tell you this: it starts with something classic, fuss-free, and bare-leg-friendly. Something like this louche print tunic, along with...

1. Monsoon wooblock print smock top,
2. Topshop straw fedora,
3. Alexander McQueen round sunglasses,
4. Foley + Corinna canvas and leather tote,
5. Ishvara lace-up sandals,
6. Current/Elliot cut-off shorts,

$190, stylebop

Meet a linchpin of a well-rounded warm-weather wardrobe: this genius Theory short-skirt hybrid has a sophisticated tailored fit but is as easy-breezy as can be. (very Taylor Tomasi Hill, I might add.) And, oh, the places it can go--from work meetings to lunch to poolside cocktails...

1. Topshop ribbed sweater,
2. Wouters & Hendrix copper stud earrings,
3. Sandy Hyun pyramid bracelet, 
4. Sophie Hulme navy leather gold-toned brass clutch,
5. Topshop sandals,
6. Theory skort,

$82, max and chloe

I pinned this cute mismatched pair of turquoise earrings to my Pinterest board a few months ago and, desperately wanting to buy them, searched high and low for their source. I finally found them online today--yippee!--and was delighted to discover their under $100 price tag.

1. Reiss poppy print silk dress,
2. Max and Chloe turquoise stud earrings,
3. Max and Chloe gold band three ring set,
4. Dolce & Gabbana lip gloss in Candy80,
5. McQ Alexander McQueen clutch,
6. Aquazurra cut-out booties,

$195, shopbop

I walked into a luncheon the other day--late as usual--and when my table of friends saw me they all stopped talking to ogle a bracelet I was wearing. It reminded me how much power one little accessory can have. This hefty chain-link stunner would, no doubt, have the same stop-and-stare effect.

1. Marni sweater,
2. Michael Kors chain link bracelet,
3. Proenza Schouler PS11 bag,
4. Elizabeth & James t-strap heels,
5. Le Frame jeans,

$49, mango

My interior designer friend recently declared that she's all about ikat these days--ikat pillows, ikat finials, ikat rugs. You may recall that I am too. Here's a tribute to our mutual obsession.

1. Mango ikat print sweater,

2. Wendy Mink filigree earrings,

3. Clare Vivier wallet,

4. Maiyet ankle-strap sandals, 

5. Maiyet pleated woven shorts,

Toting a transparent bag would definitely call for some major editing on my part--but that wouldn't be such a bad thing. I could definitely use a little spring cleaning! The idea of carrying something like this once in awhile appeals to the inner voyeur in me--I love that you can transform its look (and yours) depending on what you put inside. The contents personalize the bag and add to its design. The ones above and below are by Valentino; In the bottom pic, Miroslava Duma shows off a Shourouk. Other options to check out from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Charlotte Olympia, Accessorize and Kotur.

Photos: , Pinterest,

$99, amazon

On Saturday night at an engagement party, my friends and I joked that we could all use a doting, dashing, big-diamond-ring-wielding fiance--and a sexy new pair of heels to go with! Well, I got the shoe thing down with these alluring leopard-print and metallic sandals. The fiance part I'll have to enjoy vicariously.

1. Equipment silk top,
2. CC Skye bangle,
3. Michael Kors leather watch,
4. Gorjana bracelet,
5. Comme des Garcons reversible clutch,
6. Nine West leopard print sandal,
7. Sportmax leather wrap skirt,

$57, miss selfridge

I have a full-tilt weekend in store, packed with kids' birthday parties and basketball game, a picnic in Malibu, an engagement party, and hanging out with the in-laws. A throw-on-and-go dress, like this, would see me through these back-to-back activities (save for the engagement party, which calls for cocktail attire). And it would make me look way more pulled together than I actually am!

1. Miss Selfridge boucle dress,
2. Ray Ban New Wayfarer sunglasses, 
3. C.Wonder shark tooth stud earrings,
4. J.Crew leather tote bag,
5. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent sandals,