I need another pair of boots or animal print piece in my closet like I need a hole in my Tory Burch tote. But animal print cowboy boots? That’s a whole different story, morning glory. These boots were made for walking – and that’s just what I did – straight to the checkout counter on the first day of the Nordies Anniversary Sale.

Merci, Grazie, and Mamnoon, Donald Pliner!

While I’m drifting through this Long Hot Summer (unfortunately the version sans a young Paul Newman) my new purchase already has me daydreaming about….

….all the other fall fashion in my future, of course! Even though it’s 90 degrees, I’m giddy-upped with anticipation to slip my beloved leopard coat back on as soon as it drops to 50.

My Fall Forecast: cheetah, leopard, tiger and zebra are always dans l’air – with a firm foundation of frocks, textured tights, ruffles & billowy blouses, nubby knits, tweed and tall boots –  all dotting my autumn horizon. Let’s throw in this season’s ultimate transitional item, a chic anorak, for good measure.

In the next couple weeks, I’ll receive all (yes, all!) the September issues in my mailbox. September Cover Girls:  Halle on Vogue, Jen on Bazaar, Julia on Elle, JLo on Glamour, Hillary on InStyle (as in Swank – seriously??), MaryKate on Marie Claire, Gaga on Vanity Fair and Bieber on Teen Vogue (can’t you just hear the Bieber-pitched  ‘tween squeals?).

Young starlets will be featured on the spacious cover of W, while cameras roll for a documentary about the creation of its September issue under new editor-in-chief Stefano Tonchi. Can’t wait to see what he has up his impeccably-tailored suit sleeve!

As I eagerly anticipate the arrival of all the issues, I’ll sip some lemonade, Long-Hot-Summer-style, and secretly pray that my mags are not in the least bit creased or wrinkled. Then I’ll  pop in The September Issue to watch for the umpteenth time and imagine what Anna and Grace disagreed on this year, while crafting my Fall 2011 lookbook.

And if my lovely leopard-loving friend Sherry is reading this – borrowing my new glam cowgirl boots should be added to the front of her lookbook!

Yee-haw for Fall.

The highlight of SATC 2? Besides seeing it with my fab friends? Carrie & Big’s digs! J’adore their apartment’s chic decor; I can imagine Holly Golighty and Paul Varjak living in a jazzy pad like that after they find Cat at the end of Breakfast At Tiffany’s.

I’ve read the SATC 2 reviews, darlings, and I don’t entirely disagree. We’re not talking Oscar material here - it’s supposed to be a fun escape.  In a nutshell: we get to see the girls in their New York habitat before Smith Jared (looking hotter than ever) hooks Samantha up with a potential PR gig that gets the girls an all-extravagances paid trip to Abu-Dhabi. You had me at personal butler, champagne and macaroons.

Carrie bumps into Aidan (in what I swear is the same Middle Eastern market where Indiana Jones had a sword/gun fight in Raiders of the Lost Ark); a dreamy Dane strikes Samantha’s fancy; and Charlotte and Miranda have a heart to heart. There are some LOLs along the way - but unfortunately they’re peppered with too many cheezy, forced double-entendres.

Now back to The Prestons‘ Posh Pad! Check out this dining room, with a peek into the kitchen…

Look at the chic and cozy living room…love the table.

Love this sunlight-flooded corner….

His and Her closet.  Cute and cute.

I thought the story of Carrie and Big trying to find their footing in their new marriage was sweet and one of my favorite parts of the movie. This picture of Carrie propped up on a pretty blue ottoman (where can I get one?) is from one of my favorite scenes in the movie.

The clothes on SATC 2 were a bit of a let-down with the exception of a few cute Carrie concoctions:

Last but not least, I’ll leave you lovelies with some SATC 2 eye candy for good measure.

Who knows if there will be a SATC 3? In the meantime, all you die-hard fans - there’s always TBS.

En route to my fab new office at National Harbor, or at other prime people-watching places about town, I don’t miss a trick on the streets. Every fashion statement, hit, and misstep is catalogued in the blink of my Gucci-shaded eyes. 

Lately, a trend-gone-wrong that has stopped me in my click-clacks – and, if I weren’t a lady, would leave my jaw hanging – is the shirtdress. It may as well be renamed the “dress-shirt” – as in, dress that shirt up with some pants, please!

When you get it right, a simple, clean-cut shirtdress is a chic staple every girl should own. My pretty picks: Ralph’s timeless number in rich buttery biscuit and Shoshanna’s prim perfection in geranium.

The cherry on top? Pockets! Frocks with pockets make me smile & want to toss my Burberry hat in the air à la Mary Tyler Moore.

A shirtdress is also the perfect answer to that daily nagging question, “What on earth will I wear today?” as you stand in a closet stuffed with clothes and shoes. Girl, you know it’s true.

Buyer beware:  there’s a sea of wannabe shirtdresses out there just waiting for you to slip-up, so a discerning eye is critical. Don’t be fooled by cheaper fabrics that are ill-fitting and cause those unsightly in-between-button pulls. If the fabric looks and feels cheap, it probably is!

A hint that a dress is well made? You guessed it: frock pockets. Just knowing they exist makes me feel 110% sassier.

The tip du jour?  The shirtdress is a dress styled with the details of a shirt. Not a shirt to be worn as a dress. So if it looks like you’re channeling Tom Cruise à la Risky Business - call me a relic, call me what you will, say I’m old-fashioned, say I’m over the hill – you should probably put some pants on.

What better way to celebrate spring and enjoy yourself than a night out with the girls? My pretty pals and I kicked up our heels and got our shop, drink, and swag on at Shecky’s Girls Night Out last week at Constitution Hall.

Shecky’s knows what a girl wants: fashion from talented designers at discounted prices; delish cocktails; latest beauty treatments; and Shecky’s popular swag bag. Of course the icing on the cupcake is sharing it all with your girlfriends!

Cocktails were flowing – and sloshing & splashing around  – as we tried to navigate the crowd while juggling our drinks, shopping and swag bags. Cheers to anyone who managed to stay splash-free throughout the evening!

There were scads of accessory and jewelry vendors this year, but a couple that really caught my eye were Katie Thompson’s KT Collection of handmade jewelry…

…and one of my favorite boutiques, Fornash. Thanks to the inspiration, creativity, and stylish eye of owner Stephanie Fornash Kennedy, clients and fans will always be delighted with colorful, beautiful and classy pieces.

One of my primo purchases this spring is this lovely lucite chandelier necklace. It makes any outfit party-ready, à la Holly Golightly.

My chic friend Carolyn snapped up this darling wicker clutch perfectly suited to her classic style.

They were a little light on the clothes this year which was a tad disappointing for this frock-loving girl, but the designers on-site were a delight, especially LaKisha Cameron and her pretty Marzee collection.

We made a bee-line for Marzee as soon as we arrived. My savvy shopmate Dee scooped up a gorg saffron shift with ruffle trim down the side that looks like it came straight from Fashion Week. Be sure to visit the new Marzee Boutique in Georgetown!

My fab friend and sassy stylista, Sherry, scored oodles of goodies including strands of beautiful sterling and brushed silver filigree necklaces from La Bella Destino, and some glam gauzy tunics from Mad Clothing.

Although I was impressed once again with how well-organized the event was, I have one question, Shecky’s: when will you decide to have some nibbles for us? Some of those cocktails were pret-ty strong and we could have used some tasty cupcakes or other treats.

If you missed it, there’s still a chance to catch them in another city or when they’re back in DC in the fall. In between, you can get your fix at the Designer Lounge!

Girls Night Out, Shecky’s style – who could ask for anything more?

“I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors, for trees, for birds and flowers.” ~Audrey Hepburn

I share Audrey’s passion. Give me some beautiful blossoms & gorgeous gardens and the winter of 2010 is a distant memory. Spring, you sassy thing, you sure know how to make an entrance! Your blooms are so vivid they’re in Technicolor.

A harbinger of spring in DC, the cherry blossoms kick off the season on the National Mall as people from all over the globe trot to the Tidal Basin to see the blossoms. Under the most beautiful azure sun-filled skies, my mom, sister and I visited the Mall on Friday, where I was able to snap some pics.

The cherry blossoms may be the popular press darlings this time of year – but what about the other blooming treasures in the area?

Just off the beaten path on the north side of the Tidal Basin (between the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial) you’ll find the Tulip Library.  Since 1969 gardeners have been prepping the floral beds each autumn to hand plant over 10,000 tulip bulbs flown from Holland.

A family friend recently recalled visiting the Library as a child, and being confused when she couldn’t “check the tulips out.” I think she was on to something! In the meantime, you can check out these photos from Friday.

Not far from the Tulip Library, the Smithsonian Institution grounds are home to some of the best kept secret gardens. When my parents moved to DC several years ago, after visiting the Smithsonian Castle one day they accidentally strolled into the Ripley Garden.  Shortly after, I visited the garden with them and I’ve loved it ever since.

Tucked away by the Arts & Sciences building, this garden was the inspiration of Mary Livingston Ripley, plant scholar and wife of Smithsonian magazine founder Sidney Dillon Ripley. Fun fact: Mary first met Sidney when they were in the OSS. Her roommate at the time? A woman named Julia Child.

The garden is peaceful and serene with a fountain in the middle and benches scattered near the raised beds of flowers and plants. It’s hard to imagine the location was at risk of becoming a parking lot before Mary stepped in.

From the Ripley head down Independence Avenue to the Enid Haupt rooftop garden, another pretty and peaceful hideaway. Then be sure to visit the Smithsonian Castle, another favorite spot of mine, and grab a snack at the café.

Now slip on that cute sundress and some sunblock and take advantage of the sunshine! It’s time to get out there & re-introduce yourself to our gorgeous city.

Photo credits: The Medestrian, The Medestrian’s Mom.