Pucker Up

With the arrival of pleasantly mild mid-April breezes, the Grand Mademoiselle cannot help but linger over the lovely sight and smell of blooming blossoms in an assortment of citrus shades. Tangy daffodils, punchy azaleas, impertinent dandelions, and wild forsythias adorn windowsills and line sun-dappled sidewalks. The bright yellows, pinks, and oranges remind the Grand M of childhood lemonade stands, her first pair of jelly sandals, the "buttercup trick" so popular in grade school, and the first time she discovered that squeezing an orange peel on one's wrist doubles as perfume in a pinch. As an ode to these vibrant memories and the colorful flora of spring, the Grand M has selected a few of her favorite fashionably fruity items, with spherical patterns, citrus shades, and zesty accessories. The Delman Mona has been a must-have leather flat for the Grand M for quite some time now. Lo and behold the girls at Barefoot Tess have managed to reel in oodles more Mona's, now in every shade of the rainbow. The Grand M simply cannot resist the orange appeal of the citrine shade, with its scrumptiously soft crinkle leather upper and puckered elastic heel detailing. Having gotten so used to trotting out a faithful pair of black Mona's all winter, the color is undeniably refreshing and whimsical.

Be a bit daring and pair your citrine Mona's with a floaty print slip dress, full enough in the skirt to sail in the spring air and subdued enough to pull off wearing with bright orange patent leather flats. The Circle Pattern Dress by Fendi is just the ticket for this look, and the multi-colored layers of chiffon, coupled with the unexpectedly chic circular design detail across the front are faintly reminiscent of grapefruit slices. The empire waist and clean spaghetti straps serve to make this dress unbelievably flattering, and the colors are just right to stand up to the boldness of a bright shoe.

Kick the flavor up a notch with Marni's bright yellow resin disc necklace, with its chunky, oddly shaped drops and irreverently low-key leather corded strap. The best part is that the eye-popping yellow shade contrasts perfectly with the orange patent tone of the Mona, completing the spring citrus motif without being too matchy-matchy. Marni's necklace looks good enough to eat, and all these deliciously citrous colors are making the Grand M's lips pucker...