Copley Place

Between now and the middle of October, I have seven weddings to go to.  

Don't get me wrong, I love weddings: Dancing, cake, Champagne, an excuse to dress up ... what's not to love? That last one, though, dressing up, can be a double-edged sword. No one loves buying a new dress more than I do, especially if there's a legitimate excuse built in ("There's already a picture of me on Facebook wearing that to a wedding!" being one of my favorites). But, after celebrating my third or fourth nuptials of the season (and the showers, gifts, and hotel stays that go along with them) I have a feeling my new dress fund may begin to run dry. 

That's why this year, I'm going for dresses that I can wear more than once, and ones that can be easily accessorized to create a different look. The key to buying a dress that you can re-wear? Simplicity. If a dress is simple in silhouette and color, it's like a blank slate: a few accessories are all you'll need to make it look like new. Here, three that meet the criteria. 

1. Vince Sleeveless Crewneck Dress $245
This dress is great for a number of reasons. One, you can't go wrong with classic black, even in the summer, and even to a wedding. Two, the below-the-knee length and sleek silhouette also make it appropriate for both formal affairs and more casual ones. And three, a crewneck is the perfect canvas for showcasing a statement necklace.  

2. J Crew Laila Dress in Navy, $250
Navy is a great color because it looks as good paired with neutrals and metallics as it does with bright colors. Try this dress with gold jewelry and nude heels for an evening wedding, or pair it with bangles and shoes in bold hues for a daytime event.  

3. BCBG Delphine Pleated Cutout-Back Dress, $338
The nude color ensures this dress is understated, while the brocade fabric keeps it interesting. Switch up the color of the sash or try a delicate belt for a different look.

After a year spent continuously wearing every bracelet and watch I own all at once (and seeing everyone else do the same) in an effort to throw a top-notch arm party, I think I'm ready to shut the fiesta down in favor of something a little more simple: I'm switching to the statement bracelet. The five pieces below are cool enough to be a party of one. 

1. J. Crew's bright Color Mix Bracelet would add pop to a t-shirt and jeans or a tank top and maxi skirt. 

2. Alexander McQueen's iconic scarf (which seems to make an appearance on at least one Kardashian a day) takes bracelet form. I've had my eye on this piece, available at Neiman Marcus, for months now. 

3. This wrap bracelet from Tory Burch, also available at Neiman Marcus, has a nautical vibe that's perfect for New England summers. 

4. Tiffany & Co.'s Metro Bar bracelet makes a daintier statement. 

5. Big statements don't have to mean big bucks. This leather bracelet from American Eagle Outfitters is a steal at only $17.50. 

Father's day is coming up quick, and if you're still at a loss over what to get dad, I'm here to help. Copley Place has a ton of great, guy-friendly stores stocked with gifts waiting to be given. After a few hours of shopping at the following shops, you're sure to come up with something he'll love.

1. Thomas Pink: There are few clothing stores that men actually get excited about, and Thomas Pink is one of them. Their dress shirts are unique, high-quality, and they come in three fit styles.

2. TUMI: If dad is an avid business traveler, he'll appreciate just about anything in the TUMI store. From briefcases and carry ons, to monogrammed luggage tags and leather iPad cases, this place is stocked full of things he'd love to have on his next work trip.

3. Victorinox/Swiss Army: Like clothing, most dads don't typically too excited over kitchen tools. Unless those tools are knives. Victorinox makes a set of steak knives that are perfect for gifting, especially at the start of grill season. You'll also find everything from watches, to fishing and travel gear, and even clothing at the store.

4. The Art of Shaving: Every day will be a little more luxe when you give dad a gift from The Art of Shaving. The store offers high-style, old school shaving tools like lather brushes and straight razors, as well as commercial brands like Gillette and Mach 3,all gussied up with options like ivory or engraved handles.

5. Mont Blanc: If you're looking to splurge, go for one of the brand's top-of-the-line watches. If that's over-the-top, the pens are equally iconic, without the (quite as) hefty pricetag.  

6. Brookstone: If dad's a gadget-guy, it doesn't get any better than Brookstone.

7. Ticketmaster: Still can't find a gift that's just right? There isn't a dad in the Greater Boston area that wouldn't appreciate a night at Fenway Park. Even if he's (gasp!) not a Sox fan, the atmosphere, history and hot dogs at the stadium are enough to please any baseball lover.

I always make it a point to clean out my closets when I move. Why go through the trouble of packing something up and bringing it to my new place if I'm not going to use it once it gets there? So, last month, I moved to a new apartment, and I was in the midst of making my typical "donate," "keep" and "sell" piles, when I noticed that basically half of the clothes in my "keep" pile were striped. I've always had a thing for stripes, but seeing this pile made me decide that it was more of an obsession. While I'm now trying to make an effort to expand my horizons when it comes to prints, I also don't see myself abandoing my stripes anytime soon. So, to kill two birds with one stone--and because it looks awesome--I'm going to mix my old stripes with my new prints.

Here are a few fun ways to do it.

1. Mixing small-scale prints in the same color family is a safe, chic way to approach the trend. I love this outfit from Banana Republic.

2. Push the envelope by taking a cue from this Tory Burch look, and pairing stripes with a bolder, brighter pant.

3. Switch it up by wearing a striped shorts or a pencil skirt, like J. Crew's No. 2 version, with a printed top.

If you notice, most of the striped pieces I've shown above are fairly neutral, but don't be afraid to go for something with more color, so long as either a. both pieces are in the same color family, or b. at least one of the prints is done in neutral colors, you'll look great.

3.

Is every office blazing hot in the winter, and arctic cold in the summer, or is it just all the ones I've ever worked in? For whatever reason, it seems like the climate in my office is always the opposite of what's going on outside, which makes getting dressed for work a bit difficult.

I've gone through great lengths over the years to stay warm in the office air conditioning during the summer: plugging in a space heater, drinking tea, wearing a snuggy with the company logo, you name it. The most effective solution, of course, was also the most obvious. I started wearing layers, packing a cardigan or blazer in my bag during my commute, and tossing it on over my outfit before going into a meeting in the conference room that could pull double duty as a meat locker. As summer approaches and the temperature in my office starts to drop, I'm on the lookout for professional, versatile layering pieces, like the ones below.

1. Think of this wrap cardigan from Banana Republic as an office-friendly version of your favorite robe. Plus, the neutral color will go with almost anything. 

2. A stylish update to the everyday blazer, BCBG's layered lapel version pairs a longer length and a bold color for an overall look that's fun and chic, yet still professional. Bonus: It's cute enough for weekend wear over white jeans or a pair of printed shorts and heels. 

3. The shorter length of Michael Kors' tweed motorcycle jacket make it a great option for layering over a skirt or dress. Roll up the sleeves for a more casual, summer-friendly look. 

Stay warm!