Here, a muted pastel skirt-top combo is the perfect canvas over which to layer pops of concentrated color. Keeping the shoes conservative and the jewelry minimal lets the deep fuchsia bag do all the talking.

Signature spade studs, $38 at Kate Spade; Steffen Schraut ruffled silk top, $270 at Stylebop; small Bayswater satchel in mulberry, $1,100 at Intermix; Arturo Chiang patent leather pumps, $69 at Lord & Taylor; J.Crew No. 2 pencil skirt in light rose, $110 at J.Crew.

Photograph by Kip Dawkins, styling by Marcie Blough.

The charming brick buildings, bevy of interesting restaurants, and an already flourishing set of independently owned boutiques make Old Town Alexandria one of our favorite neighborhoods to spend a relaxed afternoon. Been a while since your last visit? Here are three great stores you might not have seen yet.

(PS—We also hear the area’s new Anthropologie is officially open!)

From Issa London’s bold prints and figure-flattering dresses to Chan Luu’s bohemian silk scarves and wrap bracelets, Zoe Boutique is your destination for classic looks with imaginative details. “We spice up the standard Washington wardrobe,” says owner Susan Gerock. The out-of-the-way shop (Zoe is a few blocks off the main King Street drag) is stocked with cool yet not-too-trendy separates that can be worn in a variety of ways, along with basics like Velvet T-shirts and Red Engine jeans. Also good to know: Both Tracy Reese and Rebecca Taylor allow customers to purchase straight-from-the-runway looks through the store. 130 S. Union St.; 571-970-6324.

When we think of JC Penney, “chic” isn’t necessarily the first word that comes to mind. Sure, the century-old department store has been turning out cost-value goods for as long as our grandmother has been around to remind us. And recent collabs with Spanish brand MNG by Mango and wondertwins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have sort of upped the store’s sartorial street cred. But we’ve scanned this lookbook six times now—and we still can’t believe it’s theirs.

Cropped pants! Bright blazers! Color-blocking! And most of it’s from Penney’s private in-house labels. It’s official: We’re crushing, and crushing hard.

Scroll down to see our favorite looks. 

Michelle Obama is a busy, busy woman. Between appearances on Nickelodeon shows, delivering gifts to Toys for Tots, and supporting her husband while he, you know, runs the country, FLOTUS doesn’t have time to spare for sartorial insecurities and multiple outfit changes. In Commander in Chic, a working woman’s style manual modeled after Mrs. Obama herself, Essence editor-at-large Mikki Taylor offers readers a lifestyle guide for the modern woman with an impossibly packed calendar. Can’t spare a second to read the compendium that could save you even more? No worries—Taylor summarizes five of the most important takeaways right here.

"We all have long days, just as Mrs. Obama does,” says Taylor. “We may not have state dinners at the end of the day, but we do have events.” Taylor tells us life gets a lot easier when you size up how you’re spending your time and fill your wardrobe with pieces that fit within that framework. Be realistic about what you actually need to get dressed for. Attending a lot of company networking happy hours? Then you probably don’t need to keep a bunch of sequin miniskirts around.

“Define what works for you, and never veer from it,” says Taylor. “If something is not in Michelle’s lane, you won’t see her in it.”

Pay attention to the differences between how you think you ought to dress and what actually allows you to function. “You’ll never see Michelle suited up and there for the ‘appearance’,” says Taylor. “She’s there to do the work—it’s not about playing dress-up.”

Does your job keep you on your feet all day? Save the heels for after hours and wear a pair of comfy flats or chic, supportive boots. Never leave your computer? Wear sleeves you can roll up and leave the bracelets at home. You’ll be more productive when your wardrobe doesn’t interfere with the task at hand.

This photo of a girl looking vaguely uncomfortable as she clutches her lower abdomen is brought you by iStockphoto.

I totally get the obsession with Birchbox. A fun bunch of beauty samples delivered to your door each month—it’s like the Clinique gift-with-purchase fairy came early!

Recent Internet travels, however, led me to a delivery subscription service with an even more female-focused interest: your period.

Like Birchbox, Good & Lovely ships a monthly assortment of products to your home. According to the site, each “Lovely Box” is filled with “products designed specifically to treat PMS or cramping”—meaning things like chocolate, soothing tea, and aromatherapy spa products. The monthly charge is $13.99; for additional costs, you also have the option of adding things like menstrual cramp relief cream (?), vitamin supplements, and “intimate wipes.” Select the date you’d like it delivered (we assume this means coordinate with Aunt Flo’s visit), and it’ll come right to your door.

I’m still working through how I feel about all of this. Sure, who doesn’t like a little me time (chocolate optional) when you’re feeling kind of crappy? But that’s why the good people at CVS put M&M’s next to the checkout counter. I’m a busy girl with things to do! I just want to buy my tampons and get on with my life. And I don’t need to use my period as an excuse to indulge myself.

Receiving a Valentine’s Day card brings back those memories of being in fourth grade, when that cute boy with the perpetually untied shoelaces carefully placed a red envelope on your desk. Now that you’re a bit older, pick a card that’s a little less sappy, a little more cheeky, or just plain laugh-out-loud funny. Check out ten of our favorite non-cheesy Valentine’s Day cards.