We are loving little cardigans right now. Partly because First Lady Michelle Obama is such a fan; seeing her wear them so often makes us remember how cute they are. (She’s wearing her favorite cropped Azzedine Alaia black cardigan here during her visit to Europe. Photo from New York Magazine.)And partly because this time of year is notorious for buildings not getting the a/c quite right. You go to work and it’s cold at your desk, but by the afternoon you’re hot and bothered (and not in the good way).

So we’ve dropped by a bunch of our favorite stores to check on their cardigan supplies. Our only sweater rule, besides the fact that they must be irresistible, is that they be appropriate for work. We chose (more…)

Enough with the winter sleepwear, already. Enough with the flannel and coziness, the sweat pants and T-shirts. Today our mission is to get you shopping for cute, flirty PJs that are worthy of spring’s warmer nights and summer’s crisp linens. These are not cocooning PJ’s. These are warm-breeze, bare-feet, breakfast-on-the-patio PJ’s. And you need them now.

Here’s a perfect example. The racerback pajama at Victoria’s Secret is made from soft cotton that is ruched in the back, with matching Capri-length pants. There are five cute prints; we sort of favor the spring green with raspberries, but the white and pink floral would look great sitting in the sun ($29, above).

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When is shopping for spring sandals not good enough? When you stick to the same boring retailers and see the same names from season to season.

Cease and desist, we say. Here are 10 cute pairs of sandals, from 10 excellent Web sites that you may have never seen before. Some of them aren’t completely outside the box, but we bet you haven’t seen them all. (And if you’re a fashion blogger, you don’t count.)

Here’s what we are excited about: (more…)

Perhaps you were already a bit of a gym rat, and if so, we applaud. But maybe you’ve only recently been inspired by the ruckus over Michelle Obama’s totally toned arms. You wouldn’t be alone — a New York Times story Friday allowed as how the First Lady’s buffness is stimulating economy for personal trainers right now. That inaugural gown, those Vogue and People covers, those Narciso Rodriguez sheath dresses are having their effect.

“I want Michelle Obama arms,” Julie Eich told her trainer on the Upper East Side of Manhattan two weeks ago, said the Times story.

Michelle Obama official White House portrait, above, by Joyce N. Boghosian

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It is a creative writing exercise of the highest order: Naming the rabid riot of intense pink that is all over the spring collections right now. Some designers call it hibiscus. Fuschia is popular. Hot pink, magenta and blush all make appearances. Geranium, even.

Whatever you call it, it’s one of the It colors of the season. And because we’re in a mood to browse  handbags, we’re sampling the shade across the price spectrum — from $23 to $2,300. Enjoy.

The best place to start? In the aisles at Target, of course, where their soft-sided Xhilaration ruffle top tote carries all the exuberant spirit of the season while leaving some green in your wallet. ($23, at top)  Patent leather is tres chic right now, and this Guess shine candy tote gives you the sparkle at a PVC price. With double handles, metal feet and four inside pockets, you’d be happy even without the free shipping (but it’s yours anyway). At Ebags ($88, above)

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The Style Insider could not be more tired of winter. Our enthusiasm for dressing in layers has waned, and we are soooo tired of our coats. So we’re looking ahead on the calendar, trying to ignore that “comes in like a lion” thing, and shopping for dresses today. Pretty spring dresses.

And even better, pretty spring dresses that don’t break the bank. (If you have pre-ordered a pair of those hysterical Balmain ripped jeans, this post is not for you.)

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Have you seen those insane heels we blogged about a few days ago? Gorgeous, we know, and they qualify in every way as shoe porn. But we’ve got an antidote - wondrous little ballerina flats, which are at home under suits or jeans, conservative dresses or teensy little skirts. Take a peek:

We love the color of Ferragamo’s Varina flat (above). It’s the perfect shade of taupe, floating as it does between shades of gray and latte; the signature grosgrain bow is just a tad darker. (At Nordstrom, $470).

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