I feel very lucky to live in a place where I am about an hour car ride from everywhere. I love visiting my clients in Los Angeles, San Diego and of course, Palm Springs. I just adore the PS vibe! The Ace Hotel and Swim Club is one of my favorite places to visit when I’m in town. This mid-century desert gem is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. If you’re planning a trip, you must visit stop by The Ace for one of their famous pool parties!

In case you haven’t noticed, printed dresses are my favorite way to look summer chic. I’m often running around town during the week shopping for clients or in meetings, so I don’t have a lot of time to change between all of my appointments. That’s why I adore dresses! A great dress can take you from the office to cocktails in a snap. This little number by British design house, The Kooples, is everything one could want in a summer frock. The bright print and timeless fit means that it will always look cool.

I’m always on the hunt for new little black dress options. Of course I own about 60 different style already (you can never have too much black, right??), but this Milly version couldn’t be more perfect! I’m totally obsessed with the high necklace and flirty skirt. I envision wearing this dress to a summer cocktail party or to an fancy brunch. You can even make this dress work for the office if you throw on a blazer and some fun accessories.

Maxi dresses are my go-to favorite for summer. They are just so easy, feminine and are always comfortable in the heat. This Alice + Olivia dress caught my eye instantly! The ornate detailing on the top and sheer skirt are were just too “boho chic” to resist. I rocked this look while visiting the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs because it just seemed way too perfect in the space. This dress would also look amazing at an outdoor summer wedding or music festival.

I’ll admit, I’m a huge sucker for a great floral print. Maybe it’s the girly girl in me, maybe it’s the fact that I wish I was born in the 1960’s. Whatever the reason may be, you are sure to find lots of different flower print dresses and tops in my wardrobe. This A.L.C. dress had me at hello! I just love how the neon print pops next to the black backdrop. This dress is so versatile, it can be worn to work or to a summer wedding.

I’ve paired this dress with my favorite go-to jacket for the summer by Joie. This jacket is part cardigan, part leather bomber. It’s lightweight, super easy to wear and it’s on major sale right now (Yay!). I completed this look by throwing on my favorite necklace of the moment by Aqua. I seriously wear this piece everywhere because it goes with so many outfits.

xo, SM

There’s nothing like a great pair of sunglasses to get you in the mood for summer. These “Edge I-Wear Jasmine” rose gold sunnies are the perfect pair to sport poolside or while running around town! I love everything about these sunnies, but I especially dig the price (only $10.00!). Edge I-Wear also has tons of other super stylish shades for guys and gals. Be sure to check out their awesome selection of styles at edgeiwear.com!

As I’ve been preparing for my upcoming trip to New York for Fashion Week (eek!), I’ve been shopping for all of the essentials I need to spend a week in the cold. Remember, I’m the girl who layers three sweaters if it’s under 60 degrees. I have so many cute things I want to bring, but I only have two suitcases and so many shoes! One of the must haves on my list is a classic trench coat. I know it’s not the warmest choice, but it’s just so timeless and chic. I feel just like Audrey Hepburn standing in front of Tiffany’s when I wear mine!

I styled this Burberry trench for California weather with a striped skirt and lightweight sweater, but it can easily be worn with everything from jeans to slacks. The color is a light tan, which looks great with pretty much everything. The length is also not too long and not too short. Remember to consider your height when buying a trench or any longer coat. You don’t want a style that is too long because you don’t want it to overwhelm your frame.

I’m a firm believer that the right accessories can make an outfit. Even if your look is fairly simple, a great handbag, watch or shoes can add just the right amount of interest. When I’m running around shopping for clients, I need to be comfortable, yet stylish. I often opt for a feminine blouse like this one from BGBG and denim because they are both classics that never go out of style.

A killer handbag is also a must for me. I need a style that is big enough to hold all of my essentials and versatile enough to work suit an assortment of looks. This Henry Wear “Penelope” tote is just the right size and goes with so many different outfits! I love how the rich colors compliments the many jewel tones in my wardrobe. It’s also the perfect shape for a laptop and notebook, which is ideal for meetings.

I’ve never shied away from color in my wardrobe. There is just something about wearing a pop of color that makes me happy and always gets me lots compliments. However, I’ve been on a neutral color palette kick lately. They are super popular right now and look so rich and stylish. Lots of people want to add more muted tones into their wardrobes, but have no idea how to wear them without looking washed out. So I recently shot this neural inspired look to serve as inspiration!

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to set new goals for yourself and begin to cross off those “I’ve always wanted to do that” items off your list. If one of those goals is to revamp your wardrobe, learn how to dress for your body type, and add some investment pieces into your closet, hiring a personal fashion stylist might just be what you need to kick-start the process. I’ve been a fashion stylist for over eight years and this time of year is always very busy for me because lots of guys and gals are wanting a fresh start in the wardrobe department. My clients range from working professionals who are simply too busy to shop, to stay-at-home moms who are stuck in a style rut. I understand that it can be intimidating if you’ve never worked with a stylist before, so I’ve outlined three major reasons why you should just go for it!