Elijah's take on the maxi dress

My older sister, along with celebs like Lauren Conrad and Angelina Jolie, is fond of long maxi dresses. Even though I hardly wear them, I can see their appeal--cool, summery, and unfussy. I recently came across this Elijah column dress that, while not a conventional maxi dress, still maintains an easy, relaxed fit. In a soft blend of cotton and silk, this creamy white dress is ultra comfortable. The ruched, asymmetrical one shoulder strap in pale blue gives the loose baby doll shape a bit of sass. It's the perfect dress for slipping on when you don't feel like assembling an outfit, but still want to appear effortlessly fashionable!

On Sale: Plastic Island's tiered dress

As anything with layered tiers right now is undeniably in, this Plastic Island tiered dress in pale pink is the perfect frock for summer parties. The multiple, slightly askew tiers run down the length of the dress, and add a fashionable statement to the simple sleeveless style. The sweet scoop neckline is embellished with rhinestones and beads. At $92.99, this dress can go from an outdoors summer wedding to cocktails with your colleagues on a Friday night. Match them up with a pair of fun crisscross wedges featuring gorgeous hot pink ribbon detail or head for a more subtle shade, like this nude-colored sandal that will complete your elegant look!

The perfect Fourth of July dress

In my opinion, a girl can never have enough fun daytime dresses. A dress saves us from the boring jeans-and-top uniform we often resort to, and is definitely a comfortably cool option for summer. This Star Silk Racer Back Dress from Alisha Levine is a patriotic nod to the American flag--ideal for a Fourth of July barbeque or fireworks outing! A deep navy scattered with cream stars, the swingy silhouette is flattering to all body types. Slip into a pair of cute sandals (perhaps these strappy Rafe New York slingbacks in red?) for a fashionable and color-coordinated July 4th.

Alice + Olivia's garden party dress from Gossip Girl

Now that I've already watched all the Gossip Girl episodes from season one countless times, I've graduated to combing the Internet for pictures from the upcoming second season. With the cast currently filming in the Hamptons, I expected some signature, ultra fashionable outfits and I was not disappointed. Leighton Meester, in character as Blair, was spotted wearing this summery Alice + Olivia garden frock. She accessorized with a wide pink belt, a sky blue headband (of course!), and cute floral flats--a very Blair-esque ensemble fit for the hot Hamptons weather! The dress also comes in a silk blouse with blouson sleeves and a bubble hem. The playful, multicolored print is really what makes this garden party dress so special. You can mix and match with a variety of colors (orange or lemon yellow instantly come to mind) and the classic silhouette (very Audrey Hepburn-ish) will never go out of style.

(Credit to Getty Images)

Breaking News: I Bought It!

I bought the Pencey dress!!! With the 20% discount, it came out to $308. Thank goodness Shopbop offers free ground shipping. I can't wait till it arrives. I loved how the dress looked on Leighton Meester (simple, unadorned, & hot!) and I'm looking forward to putting my own spin on it!

(Photo from Getty Images)

The Summer Dress

Every summer I'm focused on finding the perfect summer dress, the kind that transports you to the beach of some exotic island just by wearing it! I'm always on the lookout for a dress that is unfussy, elegant and versatile. When I flipped through the pages of bebe's summer catalog, I was immediately attracted to the Sexy Fit Minidress. A simple, curve-hugging silhouette is accented by a deep ruffled V-neck and hemline without exaggerated frou frou. At $129, the dress comes in summer cocoa, tropical punch and white. I can totally see myself wearing this summery frock paired with the appropriate accessories (I'm thinking gladiator sandals, a long necklace, and sparkly wristlet, perfect for dancing the night away somewhere in the Maldives)!