What You’re Shopping For, March 2021 Edition, Vol III.

*Image above via Mansur Gavriel. Would adore one of their sweet clutches in the prettiest spring colors for this season!

Q: Spring wardrobe refreshers, but not too expensive.

A: I so hear you – I’ve been adding lots of fun finds as we head towards warmer weather. I shared some great spring finds for under $125 here and here, but my two favorite snags in the past few weeks are these sunglasses and this SEA-like acid wash denim shirtdress. These floral mules are also on my radar as an easy way to greet spring with open arms. So sweet with a white dress, denim and a white tee, etc. A few other great, affordable finds for the new season:

THIS EYELET SWEATSHIRT ($30)

THIS TWEED CARDIGAN

THIS PUFF-SLEEVED MINI (SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A NAP DRESS AND A SLEEPER DRESS)

THIS SMOCKED STRIPED TOP

THESE HIGH-WAISTED FLORAL SHORTS FOR UNDER $20

THIS PRETTY FLORAL LADY BAG LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER BRAND THAT COSTS A FEW TIMES AS MUCH

SIMPLE, ELEGANT LEATHER SLIDES

Q: Legging sets for three year olds.

A: If you’re after packs of leggings, I would look at H&M for ribbed sets like these or — my personal favorite — Old Navy’s full-length cotton leggings. I always buy a bunch of those in white, navy, and pink for mini to pair with tops (very into floral smocked tops like this and this right now) or statement sweatshirts. I even think they work under smocked dresses like this (especially if the dress hits at the knee). Old Navy also sells sets of these leggings worth considering if you’re looking for some prints to pair with solid-colored tees/sweaters/sweatshirts.

If you’re talking about top-and-legging combo sets, my favorites are from Zara. They do have some sets already paired, but you can also do your own matchwork with sets like these leggings and this sweatshirt.

Vanair Baby also has some cute ribbed sets for under $20, and I love this floral set from H&M, especially layered underneath a little puffer vest.

P.S. More favorite cotton pieces for everyday toddler wear.

Q: I need a gift for a 5 year-old boy…. we are sending his new baby sister one of the gorgeous Tricia Lowenfield crosses (thank you for the introduction to her work!!), and don’t want him to be left out. I am thinking maybe some of her little boy’s stationary? I’d love some of your fantastic ideas too, though!

Q: So sweet! I love those crosses. Here are a few items we’ve sent or considered sending to my two similarly-aged nephews…
+100-piece puzzles.
+Revell model kit.
+Legos.
+Globe basketball.
+Matchbox cars and playtape.
+National Geographic Kids subscription.
+Ooly art supplies or Kid Made Modern kit.

I think all of those would make really fun gifts for that age, depending on what you know of his interests!  For stationery, the Lowenfield set is so sweet. Sharing a few other great options…
+I actually just ordered this set for my daughter — she LOVES blue!
+Love these classic planes.
+Scooters and bikes!
+These coloring pads are also SO cute for a little boy!

Q: Black booties that are slightly edgy/chunky — but not too edgy/chunky.

A: I immediately thought of these boots I lusted over all fall from Nicholas Kirkwood. An elegant shape but those big pearls throw major attitude. On the flipside, these lug-soled boots have a bit more refinement than similar styles thanks to the pearl detailing and then proportions of the sole to the boot. In general, I think Stuart Weitzman does a good job of responding to trends without going too far — their styles always feels a tad more refined / reined-in.

Q: I am looking for a little white dress for graduation. It’ll be worn for graduation pictures and the actual ceremony/day of, so it has to photograph well but also be appropriate for sitting, standing, etc. I want something classic that I won’t hate in photos 5 or 10 years from now but still fresh, as I am trying to take advantage of being 21 and probably in the best shape of my life.

A: Congratulations on an enormous achievement, especially in such incredibly strange times.  You should be so proud of yourself.  Enjoy your 20s — they are for tinkering, exploring, trying new things on.  Go boldly! A couple of little white dresses that jumped out at me as walking the perfect line between youthful and classic:

+Just the sweetest, chicest dress.  Jackie O. meets a leggy beach babe.

+Demure in the front, party in the back.

+White eyelet from A+O.

+Expensive but gorgeous.

Q: Sister of the bride/MOH dresses for shower, bachelorette, and rehearsal dinner wedding event.

A: Congratulations! A few roundups of chic dresses for special occasions/spring season here and here (and I also shared some suggestions in this post), but a few I want to list out right here, at differing levels of formality (couldn’t tell if you wanted dress options for all three events or if all three events are rolled into one?):

+Wow – this dress is a showstopper and I can’t believe the price. It looks like it could be Johanna Ortiz or something, but it’s under $300.

+I can’t stop thinking about this neon (!) gown. I love the shape. You’d be memorable in it! You might need to get the bride’s approval since it is such a bold color!

+This dress is festive and I love the neckline.

+This bubble gum pink gown is — wow. A knockout.

+This $108 dress arrived and I am honestly wowed by the quality/style in person. I wasn’t sure if the fabric was going to look cheap in person but it is so sweet! I think it passes for something more expensive. So feminine and pretty!

+This pretty yellow rose print dress reminds me of something from D&G but costs under $200.

+Adore this Alice McCall.

+I’m always a sucker for Self-Portrait!

+Truly the dress of my dreams.

+This Zimmermann is just so interesting — and on sale.

Q: Blush pink bridesmaid dress that I can wear again.

A: If the bride is OK with a very subtle pattern, I adore this Aje, which would be great with strappy sandals and an updo for a wedding or with silver flat sandals for a vacation. I also adore this LoveShackFancy and this Needle and Thread, both of which I would happily re-wear to other special occasions in the future. And, I mean, this is a forever piece at home in any woman’s closet. Major Carrie Bradshaw moment…swoon! (Similar look for less with this.)

This dress is also tres elegant (on the more demure side) and would be repurposable for different occasions — think Baptisms, future weddings, ceremonies, etc.

Q: A dress for my daughter’s Baptism.

A: Congratulations, mama! Wow! I love this Liberty floral wrap dress (under $100 currently) — so sweet and spring-like and ladylike and hopeful. Some of the dresses from Meadows strike me as a chic pick, and a lot of them are in demure (Church-friendly) cuts, like this tiered botanical, this toile, or (swoon) this daisy-print style. If those aren’t to your tastes (possibly a bit much for some), this smart Shoshanna dress serves up major Chanel vibes. I also absolutely adore this Rebecca Vallance dress if you’re looking for something with a bit more structure, and for some reason I always wanted to wear white to the Baptisms of my babies, so this might be a lovely choice, too.

P.S. Some great personalized gift ideas for Baptisms and other religious ceremonies here.

Q: A sleeveless white cotton nightgown that’s not overly long or fussy.

A: I have heard great things about the brand Hanro, and this style looks comfortable and sleek. I also like this style. Not in solid white, but I adore everything Lake makes and this might be right up your alley.

Q: An outfit for a baby shower — it will be a low key dinner.

A: You are in luck! I just wrote an entire blog post on this subject!

P.S. In my quest to perfect my skincare routine, I recently switched up moisturizers. I love using this hydrating cream in the dead of the winter, but was ready to switch to something lighter weight as we head towards spring, and was eager to test the well-hyped Nano Emulsion from Hanacure. (I’d seen it all over the place, including in this InStyle article, which boasts the tantalizing, click-baity title “Shoppers Say This Under-$50 Moisturizer Has Them Aging Backwards.” And click I did.)

P.P.S. This is me, this is not me.

P.P.P.S. How do you handle outgrowing friendships?