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Each Spring we see floral prints sprouting up in designers sketches, but this season’s prints seem a bit brighter and bolder than in past years. I absolutely love the floral trend for 2013, and with perennial-inspired prints popping up in every style imaginable you can be certain to see plenty of petal pushers rockin’ fab florals throughout the season. From handbags to heels to skirts and shirts, botanical styles are in full bloom this season.

The key to looking fab in floral is to simplify the look. If your top is floral then opt for a solid bottom and vice versa. Try to keep the blooms to one piece and stay away from mixing and matching; after all you don’t want to blend in with Grandmas sofa, right?! Here’s a garden variety of styles that will add the perfect amount of botanical BAM to your wardrobe this season.

STYLE TIP:
Go big or go home! Not only does a big floral print make a statement but it just looks fabulous! Also try mixing bold florals with solids or stripes. This will help break up the botanicals and still give you enough bloom without looking like you just stepped out of a greenhouse.

For those who are not quite ready to make a full leap into the look, floral accent pieces like neckwear, belts, and arm candy will keep your style on trend with just a touch of perennial pizzazz.

This stunning Floral Print Blazer ($29.80 Forever 21) causes instant #FashionAddiction!

Malibu here I come! This versatile Malibu Blazer ($198.00 Lilly Pulitzer) is made for FUN!

Semi-sheer with studded shoulders and a self-tie hem, this Floral Print Shirt ($19.80 Forever 21) is a definite must have for the season!

This Soprano Sleeveless Floral-Print Peplum Top (Sale $32.99 Macy’s) has sheer shoulders and a peplum waist that compliments in all the right places.

Gorgeous!!! This high-low Floral Print Pleated Skirt ($19.80 Forever 21) features accordion pleats and comes complete with envious onlookers.

Take note because this Floral Print Pencil Skirt ($13.80 Forever 21) is head of the class!

Who says you can't have it all? This beautiful Julianna Dress ($188.00 Lilly Pulitzer) combines both stripes and a fab floral print in a dress that's designed to turn heads.

I #LoveThis Kay Unger Floral Silk Dress ($273.00 Macy’s)! From the gathered cuff to the pleated collar, this beauty looks absolutely stunning!

A faded floral-print puts these Celebrity Pink Skinny Leg Jeans ($34.50 Macy’s) on any fashionistas' most-wanted list!

Flaunt your florals in this haute pair of Floral-Print Skinny Jeans (Sale $29.99 Macy’s)!

Not quite a ‘floral’ print, but this colorful Mercade Platform Sandal ($129.00 Nine West) is so versatile it can still play in the garden.

There’s no doubt that this 'Neodans' Pump by Guess ($98.95 Nordstrom) would jazz up any look.

So, now that it's almost Springtime, don't be a wallflower... Drop by Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza to find these and many more of the hautest in floral fashion to freshen up your wardrobe this season!

~ Nikka Shae

As the weather warms up, you may be looking into your closet and simply staring in confusion. What to wear? What to put away? What will work for the new season? This year, instead of spending lots of money on spring pieces, why not make your winter wardrobe do double duty? It really shouldn't be too tough, since mixing fabrics and textures is the name of the game this spring.

But beware: when mixing textures, limit yourself to just one heavy garment, and make sure all of the other pieces in your ensemble compliment one another, so everything ties together nicely. Still not sure on what to keep? Well, here are five ways to do it right:

1. Layering Pieces                                                                                                                                                                        Don just one of your favorite layering pieces and pair it with spring shoes, pants, or skirts. Sort through your winter wardrobe and keep an eye out for lightweight fabrics, pastels, and anything that will show off your tan. Avoid chunky sweaters and thick wools -- even in a sleeveless shell, these will make you miserable in the heat.

3. Cropped Pants                                                                                                                                                                           Try cold-weather cropped pants -- yes, even the winter-weight wool pieces -- with strappy sandals and a light, playful top.

 4. Winter Whites                                                                                                                                                                         These whites and creams come in heavier fabrics and are a great way to transition from cold to warm. The light hues will fit right in with this spring's sailor stripes and flirty florals, and the winter textures will add a little dimension to your ensemble. 

5.Accessories                                                                                                                                                                                  Pair your flirty new spring skirts and dresses with bare legs, mid-calf boots, and a skinny scarf, and you'll look like you bought an entire wardrobe just for the transition period.

Now that you've sorted through your wardrobe and decided what to dump, it's time to warm up your spring wardrobe with the coolness of winter. Have fun and allow your creative side to take over!

--theDAPPERDON

As we filter through this frigid February and on to March, don't be found freezing fellas! We all have our "trusty" jacket that we grab each time we go out, but this is your opportunity to open up to new outer wear options. A black leather jacket is the most common jacket men own...and feel most comfortable wearing, however there are plenty of alternatives to choose from, especially if you live in a city known for its notoriously cold weather. Parka jackets and puffer vests & jackets are not only durable and sure to keep you warm and insulated this winter, but will also ensure that you'll keep your style at a steady temperature. With the unusually cold and unpredictable climate Atlanta has been experiencing lately, I'd strongly suggest you invest in one soon!

Brave Soul Burnely Fair Isle Print Puffer Jacket, $39.99 -- Macy's

  Vince. Nylon Puffer Vest, $375.00 -- Saks Fifth Avenue

J. Crew Crescent Down Puffer Jacket, $150 -- J.Crew

Woolrich Arctic Anorak Parka, $379.00 -- Macy's

There is a plethora of parkas and puffers from which to choose, from hooded and furry to leather and edgy, so to help save you some time shopping around for a style that fits both you and your budget, I've done some looking around myself and found some perfect pieces that are sure to please.

The North Face 'Blaze' Vest, $130.00 -- Nordstrom        

 True Religion Denim Puffer Vest with Leather Yoke, $298.00 -- True Religion Jeans 

Moncler Gui Puffer Vest, $550.00 -- Neiman Marcus

Kenneth Cole Coat, Faux-Fur Collar Puffer Coat, $129.00 --Macy's

ProSport Parka, $598.00 -- Brooks Brothers

--theDapperDon

The military-inspired army green and camouflage trend has marched onto the fashion scene and inspired nearly everyone to adopt an aspect of this universal style. With so many styles and style options to choose from, it can be somewhat confusing when mixing and matching various pieces to create different looks, and since the primary piece produced in army green is the vest, which is most often designed in a super structured and mostly masculine style, this is one color and fashion trend that can easily be transitioned from men to women, so let’s look at a few styles for both men & women and how to wear them.

STYLES FOR WOMEN:

This uniform-inspired, cinched waist vest with authentic style patches provides the perfect feminine look. A collaboration of strong and sassy, this piece can be worn with jeans, a chic pair of leggings, or shorts.

The fitted fur-hooded puffer vest is a good way to create a rugged yet lady-like look. Try pairing with distressed jeans and combat boots.

For the ultra-feminine ‘fashionista’, this sheer, sleek, and structured sleeveless blouse gives the illusion of a vest, and the zipper adds a nice flare to solidify the style. Complete the look with a camisole, skinny jeans and pumps!

STYLES FOR MEN:

This traditional style tooling vest is great for any guy (or girl). With a severely structured design including four functional pockets and a hidden hood, both men and women can rock this style. Wear with a thermal, distressed jeans, and combat/rugged boots to complete the look.

The most common yet versatile style of army green designs is the men's puffer vest. This classic style can be translated into many looks from casual/preppy to rough/rugged. Wear with a long sleeve t-shirt, jeans, and either tennis shoes or boots (depending on the style you seek).

Don't be MIA and simply blend with this trend...here are a few options to accessorize your look!

--theDAPPERDON

1. Primary Colors
While electric shades dominated the runways last spring, straightforward pops of primary will lighten up the color trend this spring. Try coordinating your look with a fun pair of colorful (solid or patterned) shoes to enhance & embrace the spring time style.

2. Military
You’ll always be in style if you add a little military to your wardrobe. It’s an enduring trend in men’s clothing that never really leaves because it’s always masculine and very cool. Whether you choose the camouflage shorts, the olive tone vests, or a casual canvas jacket, the key to rocking the military movement is the fit. So leave those oversized fatigues from the Army/Navy store in the attic and aim for some of these.

3. Bold Accessories
Designers really went after this trend with neon kicks, unique hand-painted details, and bags big enough to fit your entire bag collection. For you, start small to liven up your look in a big way, or if you’re accessory shy, take it down a notch and make it your own with the simple addition of a bright watch,colored (or glow in the dark) shoelaces, or a shocking pair of shades.

4. Shorts Suits                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Cool, calm, clean, and comfortable...this sporty style trend is ideal for the mogul on move, or the style setter stepping out. You can even pair a nice blazer with a cool pair of chino shorts for a different, more eclectic look. So show some skin and let your legs breathe & collect some sun rays this season! For a complete look, try wearing a spiffy pair of boat shoes.

5. Stripes
Stripes streaked across some unexpected places for spring! Embrace it this spring...even if it’s a pattern you can get behind, like any other trend, play it safe by limiting yourself to one or two striped pieces, or by sticking with a simple lightly pinstriped suit.

Now that spring is officially upon us, we can all join in a collective... YAY!!! Let’s face it; springtime is by far THE most exciting season when it comes to fashion. I mean, the colorful mix of styles and patterns and prints (Oh my!) is unlike any other season. Lovely lace, fabulous floral, bold splashes of color, and sassy statement wear are in this season, but one of my favorite styles for spring are stripes. Always drool worthy, stripes are super hot for 2013 so expect to see fashionistas everywhere mixing and matching and creating fab new looks with this geometric gem.

STYLE TIP: You can never go wrong with black and white stripes but don’t be afraid to color outside the lines. Bold and colorful stripes not only make a statement but they also show your fun side.

Here are a few stripe-inspired styles to help you keep your look “in line” and on trend this season.

1. This INC International Concepts Sleeveless Striped A-Line Dress (Macy's $89.50) mixes vertical and horizontal patterns for a fresh look.

2. Look tuxedo chic in these sassy Skinny Ankle Pants (Forever 21 $19.80).

3. This gorg Open Front Striped Blazer (Forever 21 $27.80) features a notched lapel, cuff sleeves and padded shoulders. Q-T!

4. These Striped Drawstring Harem Pants (Forever 21 $17.80) adds just the right amount of chic to any look.

5. Look sharp in the bold, contrasting lines of this Petite Striped Crepe Button Down Blouse (Ann Taylor $59.99); perfect for a redefined work-to-weekend look.

6. This Three-Quarter-Sleeve Striped Top by AGB (Macy's $24.99) adds a bit of stylish interest with its sheer sleeves and bold lines.

7. Expect onlookers to react with envy when you rock these fab REACTOR Heels (Steve Madden $109.95).

8. Fab-u-lust! This Brown & White Woven Tote (Henri Bendel $398.00) will have onlookers craving your sense of style!

Wanna "line up" the hautest looks for your wardrobe this season? Drop by Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza to find these and many more trend approved styles for spring!

~ Nikka Shae

On Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27, Atlanta shoppers get a chance to curb their fashion fix with the hottest trends in clothing, shoes and accessories during Simon Fashion Now. Retailers from both Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza such as Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, C. Wonder, Barami, Gap, Lilly Pulitzer, LOFT, Tommy Bahama, True Religion, and many more will showcase the latest styles for the season in this spectacular 2-day fashion extravaganza that features a series of high-energy runway shows, interactive entertainment, fabulous in-store events, and amazing discounts for shoppers throughout the mall.

The fashionable fun kicks off on Friday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Neiman Marcus Wing with Trends & Friends Night. Score samples and see demonstrations from Aveda, Brooks Brothers, Chick-fil-A, Corner Bakery Café, ECCO Shoes, Pandora and many more. At 7:00 p.m., stop by the Simon Fashion Now stage in the Macy’s Court for Simon Fashion Bow Wow. Cheer on students from Bauder College in a fierce design competition as they showcase looks for dogs supported by the P.A.L.S. program and the local celebrity models who love them. Plus, enjoy hourly prize giveaways and runway fashion shows where you can see the coolest spring fashion trends that you can take home that night!

The fun continues Saturday, April 27 at 1:00 p.m. with more hourly prize giveaways and a full day of runway fashion shows. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of an interactive styling competition, Ready, Set, Style! And, be sure to take advantage of innovative Style Stops featuring interactive beauty and product demonstrations showcasing the must-haves for spring.

Now, you might be wondering…How can I score the styles featured in the fashion showcase? Well, unlike other fashion shows that preview looks months before they hit store shelves, the styles that grace the Simon Fashion Now runway are immediately available at stores within the mall. How fab is that!!!

This is going to be an event you don’t want to miss!

For more Simon Fashion Now event details visit www.simon.com/simon-fashion-now or like Lenox Square Mall at facebook.com/LenoxSquareMall.

Lenox Square Mall is located at 3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30326.

Spring is swiftly making its return, so it's time to welcome the warm weather with fashions worth wearing! With dozens of designers strutting their creations down the runway at the array of fashion week events, there are plenty of new trends in place that will definitely suit your style, so let's take a look at some of the most popular looks for Spring 2013! Brace yourself because these are BOLD, beautiful, and beyond average looks that will have you standing out in the most stylish way possible.

1. Bermuda Shorts

The relaxed-fit, cool-girl shorts that were all over the New York runways this season are perfect for every girl who never felt like she could pull off those cheek-baring cutoffs.  They’re ultra chic, super comfortable, and flattering, so pick up a pair and make pop!

2. Black and White

“Spring trends” might typically remind you of pastel colors and fun floral prints, but this season, designers put the emphasis on strong black-and-white looks. Able to be worn year-round, easy to pull off at every budget, and sleek enough to work or on date night, this versatile trend is the definition of wearable!

3. Statement Sunglasses

 Pick up a pair of spring’s stunt-worthy sunglasses. Embrace your personality and showcase your style as you shine while showcasing a cool pair of shades.

4. Bold Stripes

Take spring’s big, bold, uncomplicated stripes for a spin this season. With denim, they’re all-American; with navy, they’re nautical-chic; and worn head-to-toe, they’re just plain cool.

5. Shorts Suits

If you must buy one new thing this spring, make it a shorts suit! They’re purposeful, versatile, and office-appropriate, and I'm sure you’ll be able to find celebrity style versions of this must-have trend at every price point!

So now that you're all warmed up & thawed out from winter wear with a great guide on the hottest trends for the upcoming season, visit Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza to pick up your new Spring wardrobe. Remember...bold is best!

--theDAPPERDON

Aaaaaah loafers...the name alone just screams comfort! During these warm spring, and soon-to-be hot summer months, it is extremely important to not only stay cool, but comfortable as well. Since feet hold heat, a cool shoe collection is a top priority this season, and what better selection to add to your collection than a lofty loafer? From leather to suede and even rubber-based, these easy on/off shoes are a perfect pick for the season...the only thing is choosing the right pair for the right place, party, or person.

Gucci Leather Loafers

Leather is a classic, yet clean choice of loafer. Able to be worn during both day and night, and with a variety of clothing options from jeans to slacks, this is the most selected type of loafer due to its versatility. 

Christian Louboutin Boat Shoes

Naturally nautical in nature, these water tolerant loafers are a great choice for this season of water-related activities. Whether kicking your feet up and relaxing on a yacht or featuring your footwear at a fashionable fishing trip, boat shoes are what you need to enjoy the water. 

Louis Vuitton Suede Loafer

Suede is traditionally considered to be a fall/winter fabric, however there are some exceptions to the rule. Depending on the design, color, and season released, suede can be worn during warm months to certain social functions (particularly evening events) to suggest a stylishly spring look.

SWIMS Shoe Lace Loafer 

Spring and Summer spell "SPLASH" since so many activities are centered around water, and since many men hate to get their shoes dirty or damaged, this innovative water-proof loafer is the ideal selection to step into this season. They both repel water, and provide ventilation throughout to ensure a cool pair of feet.

Christian Louboutin Rollerball Loafer

Want to make a stylish statement simply by stepping out? Well, this trendy pair of loafers is the best option in that it features the animal print and studded trend. There are many similar styles to choose from, but when choosing this type of loafer to complete your look be sure to let them be the focal piece and not over do it.

--theDapperDon