One polka dot dress, three ways.

Bee is to honey what Liz is to polka dots so I'm not really sure how I don't own some sort of black and white dotted dress. This one in the two left pictures is from Madewell and i'm KICK-ING myself for not buying it when I had the chance. Here's to finding a look-alike and styling it as so. 

1. With a floppy hat and brown leather accessories

2. With a totally cool moto jacket, minty accessories, and red lips

3. A cool cut blazer tossed casually over your shoulders. 

1. Atlantic Pacific 2. Mattieologie 3. Madwell.com

Summer Lovin

I've never been so "I need summer RIGHT. NOW." in my life, so let me just daydream a little about a summer wardrobe while I currently can't have (even CLOSE) to summer weather. 

Dress // Brogues // Bag

Nicole Richie for Macy's — my favorites:

Long gone are the days of greasy hair and booty-skimming skirts on The Simple Life (I LOVED that show.) Nicole Richie's style has evolved so effortlessly over the years it's hard to believe she wasn't a boho-chic goddess all along. 

A little school lesson: Nicole has had two lines in the fashion industry for some time now, House of Harlow (the "OMG I WANT EVERYTHING" jewelry line), and Winter Kate, a clothing line named after her daughter's two middle names -- collective "aww."

Thankfully she decided to design a line we can all afford. Her designer collection for Macy's hits stores in early September with prints, velvet, and leather trimmings galore. GIMME GIMME. These are just a few of my favs, but you can view the rest of the collection here. 

Coach's fall line (from the girl who doesn't like Coach)

Okay I DO like Coach...sometimes. I hate splashy label brands, like, those old Dooney and Bourke bags are my idea of purse hell. Coach's new Legacy Fall 2012 Collection is nothing of this sort. It also includes shoes, jackets and a few other accessories. Here are a few of my favorites:

The sexiest (in the good way) shirt-dress I ever did see.

Oh baby. Did I mention it's under $60?

Subtle asymmetry

The lone crystal bead on this otherwise perfectly symmetrical necklace gives it the perfect amount of edge. Me like. Me want. From Anthropologie.

Tribal-inspired shorts — cheap, cheaper, cheapest.

cheap // cheaper // cheapest

The under $20 shoe MUST.

Can't believe these shoes from H&M are only $18. I'm having a hard time picking a favorite, guess I should just get both?

Today's five favorite links

• Kembrel is a private shopping site just for students. 

• The 10 funniest commercials of all time.

• The politics of beer pong. This is TOTALLY how we should decide the President of the United States.

• DIY summer hosting tips

• Cannot WAIT to read the Grace Coddington memoir (the creative director at Vogue for almost 25 years now!)

Two perfectly printed shorts, under $30

1//2

Well done, Forever 21. Wear either of these with a solid color top or, if you're feeling daring, mix with another print! Just remember: balance is important. If you're wearing a bold print on the bottom, go with a more subdued one up top, and vice versa. 

The perfect Cinco de Mayo accessory

Delicate skulls are chic, not aggressive. Bracelet by of a KIND. 

Zara Spring/Summer 2012

You guys.

Summer Staple

Ahh, the T-shirt dress, something I live in come summer. Kiiiiinda head-over-heels for these C&C California ones. How fun is the neon??

5 outfits to try this week

Sometimes it's harder than people think to just "throw" an outfit together. I like to keep looks pinned or torn out of magazines in case I need a little inspiration. Here's what I'm lookin' to this week:

Even if you don't have the exact items, taking the basic concept of the outfit and making it your own works too. In this case: crew neck sweatshirt over feminine skirt topped with a jean jacket. I'd probably opt for black flats to keep it more "day".

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but it's supposed to cool down here in good ol' Minnesota quite a bit this week. A long-sleeved polka dot (or stars if you're feeling extra trendy) blouse and jean shorts is the perfect segway-to-spring outfit with opaque tights and black booties.

Tell me you've invested in the colored jeans trend already! They're here to stay for another season so grab yourself a pair. Tip to take from picture: they look awesome with complimenting neutrals. 

Black on black on black with a pop of neon? Yes please. 

Always looking for new ways to wear chambray shirts. Over a black lace scalloped skirt is genius.

Photos via: Casual glamorous, 21 arrondissement, Teen Vogue, Style by Kling, Sincerely Jules.

OHP. The next style book I'mma gonna need.

I'm beginning to loathe the term "Parisian-chic" (start reading fashion magazines at a young age and it'll happen) but OH do those French ladies sure know how to dress....side note, I feel like this is a pretty consistent topic on my blog. Oh well. Deal. My blog not yours. 

Inès de la Fressange, a premiere model for Chanel in the 80's, (UMM BEST TIME EVER) has recently written a style guide for all us common folk who just don't have that boatneck-striped T/black skinnies/flats-combo down to a natural science yet. According to Fressange, only eight closet items are necessary to transform you from Average American dresser to French and Fresh. That alliteration was my own. Thank you. 

PS I would officially like to change my name to Liz de la Welle. 

Don't you love the layout?! I like how everything seems handwritten and scrapbooky. 

I can't get over how stinkin cute the pages are. 

Go forth. Be fashionably French. And buy the book here. 

Casual weekend date.

Dress//Shoe//Cuff//Purse//Nailpolish

Let's talk about the second color you need in your life.

M I N T

So it's no "color of the year" like the hue we talked about last week, but mint is surely becoming my favorite color for spring and the shade I am most excited about incorporating into my wardrobe. Diane Von Furstenberg's spring runway show had it paired with tan and gray—but it works so well with pretty much all neutrals. 

Get some.

Layering T//Shirt//Dress//Another dress//Belt//Jeans//Bikini

*Photos: Coco & Kelley via Vanessa Jackman, Gary Pepper Vintage, Tululu Vintage

How To: Layer Jewelry

A few pieces to get you started...

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8