April isn't all Showers...

Here's your guide for spring closet and life essentials :)

Let's start with the weather! Spring is a bundle of surprises, everyday!!! You never know what you're going to get! It can be sunny and 70 degrees, or cloudy, brisk or, dare I say it, rainy:/

It's important to reflect the season, in all types of weather, so stock your closet with these must have essentials, so your prepared for whatever life throws at you!

Whether you're stepping out for tea and a walk through a local garden, or attending a spring time luncheon with friends or family, a vintage dress or a tulle skirt is always a fantastic choice!!! I recommend shopping anywhere you can find vintage and antique clothing, I recommend several different shops throughout my blog designated by state, city and/or neighborhood.

But my newest find!!!! Space 46 Boutique, serving up every tulle skirt you can dream up, and then some! Based out of California, this stylish, cream puff of a shop delights at every turn, with skirts in the colors of french macaroons and in every length, starting with the Carrie "Bradshaw" 18" length available in Blush, Ivory or Black! As they say, "Any day is a good day for a tulle skirt";) If you're feeling really bold, go for a ball gown length skirt paired with a simple fitted shirt and you're sure to make a statement wherever you go:)

Accents to keep on hand that aim to please and turn heads: Gloves, my personal favorite are spring, crotchet gloves in ivory! Pearls, pearls and more strings of opera length pearls! Brooches or fun, Anthropologie pin on flowers! Handbags in classic and fun, vibrant colors! Shoes that reflect your personality to its fullest, like vintage pumps or J.Crew jellies! Spring and summer scarves in patterned silk! And gorgeous earrings in modern spheres of color or antique Italian Mosaic!!!

When the weather is cooler than normal, switch to a crisp, spring colored, button down, freshly pressed shirt with a tweed or hounds tooth blazer! Adding a funky patterned jean adds that extra something special! And a cute bow tie, like this powder blue Hula Girl tuxedo tie I got from Scotch & Soda, or a classic Twenty 23 polka Dot tie and a pair of Chuck Taylors complete your look! Don't forget the little things adorning every lady's dresser or vanity, a mesh bag, pin or clutch can go a long way, and can be paired with a variety of outfits!

With summer just around the corner, believe it or not, this is the time to nab that perfect bathing suit! Whether your into showing off the abs you've been working on since the fall or you prefer a modest one-piece, bathing suits go fast, especially the pretty ones!!! My poolside favorites include a cute palm tree towel, my adoring Nanette Lepore (Anthropologie) kimono suit and J.Crew pink sandals. My market to beach bag with all things lounge worthy include: the latest Vogue, The Scout Guide, and a good book!

For men, I've kept it simple, because let's face it ladies, Guys like to live simply! But they can still turn heads all day long if they add some essentials to their drawers! Keeping a few pairs of nice, dark denim is a must for any season, but on those hotter days, a few nice pairs of shorts, in solid or fun patterns are perfect! Crisp, button up shirts in soft, spring colors and soft, fitted collared t-shirts. Blazers and bow ties galore!!! Leather sandals for frisbee at the park and suede oxfords for sightseeing downtown, New Balance sneakers for hiking the blue ridge and Converse for stepping out to a movie with friends:) And if you're lucky enough to be able to pull of a hat, toss the baseball cap and go Dapper!!!! ;)

Now that your closet is set, where to go and what to see...

A few of my favorite spring time pastimes include: garden visiting, lunching, tennis, croquet, bocce ball, hiking, antiquing and winery hopping!!! All these activities are featured throughout my blog, click on months ranging from March-September for wonderful places to visit and things to do throughout the warmer months!

In the photos above, my gal pal Marissa and I enjoy the lush surroundings of Hillwood Estate in DC, one of the many elaborate homes of heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Other beautiful gardens in the DC area include: Dumbarton Oaks and Tudor Place in Georgetown! The National Arboretum in DC and Mount Vernon and Monticello in Virginia.

Below, in a vintage photograph, my Great Aunt poses in her own garden, brimming with blossoms, fruits and vegetables, the apple never fall far from the tree;)

Historic Garden Week is coming up soon, quite possibly, my favorite time of year!!!! April 26-May 3rd, enjoy gardens across Virginia, from north to south!!! House and Garden tours across the state are open to garden enthusiasts all week long:) Since 1929, the Garden Club of Virginia has restored and preserved gardens across the state, proceeds from the purchase of your tickets support further upkeep of these beautiful places for others to keep enjoying for years to come! Visit http://www.vagardenweek.org/ to find out where tours will be held nearest you and yours and enjoy!!!

The Washington DC Cherry Blossoms!!!! Another one of my absolute favorite things to do in the Spring, and this year, they just hit their peak bloom a few short days ago!!! My recommendations: bike the Capital Cresent Trail starting in Bethesda, MD and bike down through Georgetown and on to the Tidal Basin to enjoy these beautiful blossoms!!! There are also many points of interest along the trail, like historic lock houses, the C&O Canal, and boating out on the Potomac River.

As always, start your journey off with a nice breakfast, because if you're anything like me, you're going to be out and about all day!!!