summer dress roundup

(again, a great big thanks to connie at the daily obsession for giving us her take on the best summer dresses out there!)

Ahh...as the weather warms up, I just crave dresses. That means I'll be keeping my eye out for new frocks and pulling out the credit cards so I can add them to my closet!

To start, I need to find some work-appropriate dresses. Hanii Y has this fabulous black dress embroidered with white circles, which are totally classic but fun. I adore the feminine puff sleeves, yet structured shape. I also know that I won't be sweating bullets at a client meeting when it's 90 degrees out, since it's totally lightweight. Linen is also never a bad path to go down. This Thurley dress feels very organic, but the black embroidery adds sophistication. All I would need is are a pair of simple black round toe pumps to finish the look.

For the weekend, I'm all over lightweight sundresses like this one by Maeve. The bright color is cheery, but what really captured my attention was the neckline. It has a lovely pleated design over the decollete area, which I think is so fun. Another option is this fantastic silk halter dress by Vanitas of California. How can you not love the beautiful dripping blue, green and white print? Plus, you could wear this on a variety of occasions - from the annual family picnic to a friend's engagement party.

Lastly, I have to talk about my favorite go-to store, J. Crew. I can always count on them for some great, reasonably priced pieces - and lately, they've been knocking it out of the park. For a easy day dress, my pick is this cherry blossom button-front dress. I'd belt it and wear it to work with a structured tote and heels. I also adore this colorblock shift; the vibrant pairing of orange and magenta is so bold and fun, making it perfect for the season. Plus, the texture and shape of the dress is a bit of a throwback to the '60s that is flattering on most body types.

Have any other suggestions? Drop a comment and let us know!

what our guest wants today: bangles!

(i'm so excited to present the lovely editor of the daily obsession as your guest writer on this fabulous friday - let's all give her a great big virtual high five, shall we?)

Bangles are making a comeback! (Were they out? At least for me, they were...but they're definitely back in for the season, though.) I'm seeing them everywhere - from my favorite little boutiques to big department stores. They are easy and simple to wear, but make a style statement. Here are my tips on how to choose and wear bangles, en vogue:

* Bangles are a fantastic way to inject color into your outfit. Wearing a simple black shift and heels? Slip on a vivid bangle such as this resin version by Lee Angel - and a boring outfit will immediately be brought to life!

* If you're into no-muss, no-fuss dressing, then more than likely, you feel the same way about your jewelry. No problem! Many designers offer bangle sets such as this bold red set by Blu. You won't have to think twice about looking fabulous.

* If you are fond of more delicate adornments, I suggest layering 2-3 tiny, thin bangles on a wrist. This is also a great way to find experiment and wear various designers altogether! Try these from Giles & Brother, ginette_ny and Poupette. If you prefer not to search for complementary bangles, you can always buy a set like these by Iosselliani. Either way, they'll add a subtly elegant touch to your outfit.

* This is also a perfect opportunity to test out more artsy looks and venture out of your comfort zone, so take advantage. It's just on your wrist, so you can wear something unexpected without it taking center stage. This beautiful abstract knotted bangle set by Jennifer Rose is exactly what I mean. You'll add an instant dose of flair and style!

* Believe it or not, but you can also add pattern to an outfit with bangles as well! J. Crew offers some ideal options every season for this purpose. This
enamel bracelet is topped off with a chic zebra print; the gorgeous summer shades help make it a soft introduction of pattern.

* Along the same lines, why not add some texture or sparkle? Glam it up by choosing a bangle with embedded stones. Try this dazzling version by J. Crew. Czech crystals are combined with colored resin cabochons - this just says vintage resort to me!

Do you have any tips to add? We'd love to hear about it!

deal of the day: TDO anniversary giveaway

why am i always disqualified from winning the very best giveaways?? okay, so normally you might think i'm a little biased, but seriously, the loot to be scored via the daily obsession's giveaway in honor of their two-year anniversary is pretty freaking amazing. i counted 89 products, including everything from beauty and fragrance, to handbags, clothes and underpinnings. total value is right around $3,200. happy birthday indeed!

to enter, just leave a comment about how fabulous this giveaway is, which shouldn't be hard. you can see all of the details here. good luck!!

what i want today: great fashion on the cheap!

we've all been there - after a month of looking through all of the fall fashion magazines and seeing thousands of fabulous looks that cost, well, thousands of dollars, you just want to throw your hands up and forget the whole thing. we feel your pain. so, for the last month, we've been scouring the web and every store we could visit (tough work, i know) to find the best bargains under the sun. today, we'll be talking fashion finds, but next week, we'll bring you a list of beauty products. the only rules we gave ourselves were that the pieces had to be fabulous, fashionable, and under $75 (or $25 in the case of the beauty products). so, without further adieu...

(head on over & check out my post at TDO for loads of great fashion buys for under $75...finally, i'm blogging things i can actually afford!!)