BRANDS ON OUR RADAR

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As a stylist, I'm always searching for new places to shop. Thanks to the internet and rise of e-commerce it seems like every single day there's thousands of new sites to browse. Talk about overwhelming! Get me on a cute boutique's website and I could scroll forever. I can't be the only one who catches themselves making "dream" shopping carts on these sites, right? 

I've rounded up some of my favorite indie brands to shop. Some are quite established, others newer, but they're all top notch. 

Reformation 

Reformation is known for eco-friendly, surefire basics and feminine dresses. The LA brand embraces current trends, but infuses them into their collections quite tastefully so that the pieces are still classic. Their tagline is "We make killer clothes that don't kill the environment." Need I say more? 

Glossier

Maybe it's the clean pastel aesthetics or their Instagram full of fresh faced babes, but Glossier is a new brand that simply can't be ignored. This beauty line started in late 2014 with a focus on skincare and is now branching into natural looking makeup as well. Prices range from $12 to $26 so there's no reason not to treat your skin to a treat. 

Aelfie

Aelfie sells rugs, pillows, bedding, and other home accents - all of which are definitely Pinterest worthy. Their designs are bright and contemporary, often featuring bold graphics. Despite being so modern, the company prides themselves on the fact that all of their rugs are handmade using age-old, Indian techniques. How cool is that?!

Melissa Joy Manning 

MJM is the place to go for quality, wearable everyday jewelry. Collections range from affordable minimalist metal earrings to fine diamond rings. Lots of the stone pieces are quite the splurge, but they're so unique. The jewelry is all handmade in the USA, with materials upcycled and ethically sourced. 

Rylee & Cru

Of course I couldn't finish this roundup without including something for the kiddos. I've always been a fan of blogger and illustrator Kelli Murray, so it's no surprise that her clothing line for little ones is just as stellar. They sell wears for both boys and girls and all of their clothes are hand dyed and SO soft. I can't get over how cute this appleseed top is. 

Photos from Instagram. 

NOT YOUR GRANDMA'S NECKERCHIEF

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The neck scarf is having a resurgence. BIG time. Bandanas and silk scarves worn around the neck are no longer reserved for those in western flicks or 50's sock hops. (Though I always did admire Marty's blue neck bow in Grease...) This trend is the perfect way to jazz up any outfit with a case of the "blahs" and works with just about any outfit. Throw one on to add some personality to sleek workwear or tie it on to top off a casual look with a denim jacket. There's also about a million ways to tie these scarves. Test it out with the french twist, square knot, neck wrap, or slip knot. I recently found a navy scarf bandana at GAP that is long enough to tie multiple ways. That might be a great place to start your collection.

It's always helpful to see how other people wear a trend. Here is some inspiration spotted on Pinterest. Be sure to follow my "Trends I Love" board to see more style spotting. 

EASTER DRESSES

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Today not only marks the first official day of spring (Happy Spring Equinox!!) but it's also just a week until Easter. What a lovely time of year it is. This Easter I'm looking forward to lots of family time and some artsy Easter eggs (maybe these?). Since I was young I always got a kick out of dressing up for Easter as it meant being able to wear my new sundress, or at least something fun and frilly. This year I'm rounding up my favorite spring Easter dresses so you can spend your time searching for hidden eggs, not the perfect dress... They all have a very modern vibe to them while still remaining feminine. The dresses below would look great paired with a pair of white single soled stilettos, or a chic pink block heel.

WRAP IT, KNOT IT, WEAR IT

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wrap dress 3.jpg

One trend I found myself drawn to without even realizing it is "the knot." Ruched dresses, boxy skirts, and sleek blouses are all being tied up into knots. The soft gathering of fabric this creates is ultra flattering, no matter your body type. The gathers typically accentuate the waist, but some are placed to create more volume on top, while others are fitted and flare out into a peplum.

My search for the perfect new spring dress came to a halt this past week at GAP, and the dress just so happened to be in line with this new trend. The vertical stripes and dark navy are a slimming combination, while the tie sits comfortably around the waist creating a flattering silhouette. By now you know I'm a fan of shirt dresses, but the wrap waist and knot detailing take this closet classic to a whole new level. 

For more ways to wear this trend, here's some inspiration: 

PINTEREST LOOK FOR LESS

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I've expressed my love for maxi skirts before, but it seems I'm not alone in my admiration. The image below was pinned to my Spring Style board and has been getting lots of love. That's why I thought I'd show you how to re-create the look on a dime! A white lace blouse and a pink silk maxi skirt look flawless when paired together, but also make for super versatile pieces to buff up any spring wardrobe. Also, how cute are those brown heeled sandals? I can't believe the dupes I found at Forever 21 for just $30. In fact, with this whole look ringing in at just $126... there's no reason not to treat yourself.