Black one-shouldered draped sleeveless cocktail dress from Calvin Klein ($49.99 - I actually just recommended this to a friend for a wedding this summer, she ordered it and likes it a lot.  It so classy and sleek but could totally be glitzed up with red shoes or metallic jewelry.  I'm a big fan and am thinking about getting it myself, the price is certainly right.)
Petite Seamed Detail Sweetheart Body-Conscious Dress from ASOS ($64.49 - lovely classic shape and I assume at your height you can wear petite sizes - only issue is, based on the picture, it looks like you'll need to get a slip under it.)
Calvin Klein Strapless Neon-Trim Dress at Dillard's ($59.40 - another fairly simple yet classy number from CK - though the neon pink adds a twist.  Its a cotton/spandex blend, meaning it should breath well in the heat, and you could maybe add interest with a pink wrap.  Overall pretty cute - though not sure if Dillard's will ship to you - might have to find it elsewhere!)

Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique Ruched Matte Jersey Dress at Nordstroms ($118.00 - the Suzi Chin line has lots of great dresses for this sort of thing but this is one of my favorites.  56 reviews and it has 4 stars and I just think it looks really flowy and flattering - maybe consider one of the non-black colors...I know, scandalous, but the purple is cute!)
Nue by Shani pink and navy two tone cocktail dress from eDressMe ($92.00 - so this is kind of a curveball both because its final sale and because its not really what you described but something about it just called to me, plus eDressMe ships world wide so that's a plus.  Only available in a size 6, so may run too big, but sometimes these sorts of dresses run kind of small, so it may even out in the end.)
Paper Dolls Mirrored Lace Body-Conscious Dress at ASOS ($98.43 - another color option, I love cobalt and black and think its both super on trend right now but also classic.  ASOS ships internationally I believe and I think this dress is fabulous.)

Corso Como Dover Pump at DSW ($109.95 - I feel like red pumps are a great combo with black dresses and the cut-outs at the back of these give them a little interest.  I don't know, they're cool.)
Ivanka Trump Ariell High Heel Ankle Strap Pumps at Bloomingdales ($105.00 - metallics are my other favorite with black dresses and I'm super into gold right now, so here you go.  I also really like black and gold together, like these ones at Piperlime, but they're only available in limited sizes so I went with the Ivankas instead.)

ML Monique Lhullier Black Knit One Shoulder Sequined Side Ruched Dress at Bluefly ($115.97 - a comfortable fabric but the ruching, sequins, and asymmetrical strap adds interest.)
Tadashi Shoji Portrait Collar Pleated Mesh Gown ($298 - I LOVE this one - someone in my life should have a formal event so I can purchase it please.)
Adrianna Pappell Illusion Yoke Pleated Dress at Nordstroms ($158.00 - extremely well reviewed and looks very flattering - a bit prim and proper but lovely.)

Adrianna Pappell Pleat Bodice Rossette Ballgown at Nordstroms ($238 - fun if you want to go true ballgown.)
Starlight Hearted Dress at ModCloth ($202.99 - loyal readers of the site will recognize this dress as I've posted it before and still love it - may not be long enough but the poofy skirt and gold accents might make it work, especially if paired with awesome metallic gold shoes and fabulous jewelry.)
JS Boutique Cap-Sleeve Beaded Pleated Evening Gown at Macy's ($136 - yay navy, yay sparkles.) 

Tadashi Shoji Asymmetrical Ruched Mesh Dress at Nordstroms ($228 - I love Tadashi Shoji, I think they make some of the most interesting clothes out there, and I like the design of this one.  Flattering and interesting all in one.)
Lauren Ralph Lauren Illusion Yoke Matte Jersey Gown at Nordstroms ($180 - a sleek simple long option with a nice price point to boot.)
Adrianna Pappell Lace Fit and Flare at Nordstroms ($178 - I love the see through detailing at the bottom.)

Adrianna Pappell Short Sleeve Sequin Mesh Gown ($278 - SPARKLES - this row is having non-black dresses because I'm stubborn and because of reasons.)
Colorblocked Blanche Dress at Kate Spade New York ($249 - a little whimsical but styled right it'd be great.)
Dalia MacPhee Strapless Pleated Ruffle Chiffon Gown ($298 - another repeat but that's because I'm in love with it.  The color and shape are gorgeous - though reviews say it runs large.)

Okay - the shoes here really depend on what you buy - but you could wear either of the shoes from above again with most of these.  Now - I know you said you had the brunch on lockdown (and I'm sure you do) but I came across a few casual dresses that would be great for it, so I thought I'd pass them along.

Adrianna Pappell Embellished Jacquard Sheath Dress at Nordstroms ($138)
Colorblocked Ribbon Waist Sleeveless Dress at Ann Taylor Loft ($69.50)Petite Sleeveless Seamed Ponte Dress with Pockets at Land's End ($69 - want this one badly for myself.)

All of these would look great with a nude sandal or wedge pump and a white, beige, or contrasting color blazer or sweater.  Okay!  Hope this post helps.  Let me know what you end up buying - I'm sure you'll look glorious no matter what you choose.  Happy shopping and may the odds be ever in your favor.  Readers - do you have any recommendations for Reader LK?  Do you agree that NYC wedding means a black dress?  What colors do you like to wear to weddings?  Leave your thoughts in the comments!

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Have you entered our promotional contest yet?  Why not?  You should really do that now.  Like now.  Yes now.  GO DO IT.  (Okay - done now.)

While I have to agree that this is a lovely blazer in theory (purple, fitted, would go with lots of things for summer), the construction is all wrong.  The button is too high for a single button jacket and the peplum is hitting the model in entirely the wrong place.  I think we can do better.  I am going to look for purple and pink blazers for you with a fitted shape - and I may even throw in a burgundy or berry one two since its in the same color family and I think  you might really like it.  So here are some options.

Halogen Linen Blend Blazer in pink wild aster from Nordstroms ($98 - color is described as pink but definitely reads as purplish on my screen - beautiful shape in my opinion but I know its at the top of the budget.  Comes in petite sizes also as well as khaki and black for my other readers.)Pendleton Women's Bettina Boiled Blazer in burgundy at Amazon ($90 - lovely boiled wool blazer.)
Worthington Sateen Blazer in madrid purple at JC Penney ($35.99 - like the WHBM one, this blazer is pretty trendy - open front, double lapel, sateen, etc.  But the price is also much lower meaning that if you didn't wear it all the time or got over it quickly, it wouldn't be as big a deal.  That's actually my main philosophy with trendy items; I don't mind buying them, I just don't want to spend a lot of money on them.)

Apt. 9 Ponte Knit Blazer in ship red at Kohls ($21 - I think this color reads as a blush pink rather than red and the shape is classic - and who doesn't like a ponte knit blazer for summer.  Kohl's quality can be hit or miss, but the price here cannot be beat.)
Tailored Blazer in snapdragon from Madewell ($89.99 - in the world of bright pink blazers, I think this is my favorite.  It is beautifully constructed keeping it more on the side of Elle Woods, attorney-at-law and less on the Barbie goes to court.  A definite option if you want a brighter pink.)
One Button Blazer in rose at Anne Klein ($129.00 - a bit above budget but I'm including because I think Anne Klein makes some of the most beautiful looking blazers I see around - and this shade of pink is lovely.  They have a two button blazer in red that is in the budget, if you were interested in that instead.)

NOTE: As per usual the bottom couple is where I throw a couple of curveballs because I like to keep people on their toes.
Floral Vines Print Linen Blazer in mineral red at Ann Taylor Loft ($98 - I know its not what you wrote in looking for but the pattern is remarkably pretty so I thought I'd throw it in there.  Paired with pewter gray, tan, black, navy, or even say a dark purple this would be a great way to add interest to an otherwise streamlined outfit.)
Draycott Blazer in soft red at Boden ($69.99 - love the cross hatch pattern - also available in navy and ivory.)
Romeo & Juliet Couture One-Button Blazer in Burgundy at Neiman Marcus Last Call ($49.50 - I surprisingly like the gold hardware on the pockets and the color is great.  The one review says it runs small so order a size up.  And I will endeavor not to hold the designer's stupid name against it.)

Okay!  So those are my best suggestions as of now.  As you can probably tell, there are way more blazers in various shade of pink out there right now then there are purple ones, if I had to guess I'd say its because of the season.  I would bet there will be more purple blazers in the late summer and fall.  But I think some of these pink blazers are lovely if you wanted to get one of those now and then wait and get a purple blazer later (not that the two purple options aren't cute in their own right.)  Choices choices choices.  But you know what they say, I can lead you into the land of temptation, but I can't make you drink (or something like that.)

Happy shopping and may the odds be EvEr in your favor.  

So - blazers and fitted jackets are basically the essential workhorse of my wardrobe.  I wear them to work most days and throw on some of my more casual ones on with my weekend clothes (it takes my outfit from "I grabbed this outfit at random from the drawers" to "I almost look put together if you don't squint too much.")  So - since I did a big post about pants, which I don't even like, I thought I'd do a big post on blazers and jackets.  Note - my favorite blazer is a beautiful, ribbed navy blue blazer from Brooks Brothers.  It is a wardrobe essential and fits me beautifully.  This post, on the other hand, is really about blazers with a little more pizazz (though some workhorses might sneak in.)  SO LET'S DO THIS THING!  Note: the price ranges on some of these items are a bit higher than my usual choices - but if you're going to splurge for something in your wardrobe, I always think that blazers or shoes are the way to go since you wear them the most.)

Twenty 8 Twelve 'Cahun' Blazer at Farfetch ($525.76 - out of my budget by A LOT but this may be my dream blazer.)
Michael Kors Washed Linen Blazer in navy at Neiman Marcus  ($175 -  also available in plus sizes.)
Seasonless Peplum Jacket at WHBM ($148 - a nice alternative to the "traditional" black blazer.)

Olivia Moon Linen Jacket in green fern at Nordstroms ($79 - variety of colors and good reviews.)
Front-Zip Moto Jacket in coral at The Limited ($69.99 - love this - great work appropriate moto cut.)
Tory Burch Hayley Printed Jacket at Neiman Marcus ($350 - god I love this design.)

Cut 25 Melange Suiting Combo Blazer at Piperlime ($269.99 - very lucky size only - but this is awesome.)
Jones New York Corduroy Blazer at JNY ($79 - I love my cord blazer for weekends or even for casual days at work.)
Two by Vince Camuto Seersucker Blazer at Nordstroms ($96.75 - love the cut of this one.)

And now just a few "classical" black or navy blazers that can form the perfect backbone of a fancy business casual office.

Bop Basics Fiance Blazer at ShopBop ($198 - I'm going to do a few basic black jackets too - this one has a nice cut for my longer waisted readers.)
Gibson Knit Blazer at Nordstroms ($58.96 - perfect for my shorter waisted readers who prefer a more fitted blazer.)
The Blazer in navy at Jones New York ($169 - comes in navy and black as well as some colors - I like that it doesn't have gold buttons on the navy jacket.)

Okay!  This is just a spattering, a mere sample if you will, of all the blazers out there.  But I like them ... and I'm sure I'll be posting more blazers in the future.  So, what is your favorite blazer?  Do you have a go-to blazer you can't live without?

Another inspiration post!  I came across this Hampton Tote (POLKA DOTS) at Gorjana & Griffin today and immediately thought it would be perfect for summer toting needs.  I love the print (obviously) and the bright red lining.  I also love the size - which is perfect for summer day trips to the beach or for picnics...or to the mall.  Whatevs.  The price isn't bad either - coming in at $48 with free shipping - and its made of a sturdy cotton canvas, which I like.  These types of large totes could also make alternatives to more traditional diaper bags for some mom's.  But here are a few other options if this doesn't suit your fancy.

Topshop Canvas Carry-All at Nordstroms ($75 - a nice neutral option with a longer shoulder strap.)
Nordstrom Stripe Tote at Nordstroms ($88 - classic stripe pattern, though I worry about the comfort of the straps.)
Neon Trim Canvas Tote Bag at Last Call by Neiman Marcus ($52.50 - nice way to get in on the neon trend.)

American Rag Convertible Tote in coral at Macy's ($40 - love the color and that it folds for when its not full.)
Stick Print Tote Bag in Red at Last Call by Neiman Marcus ($52.50 - this one is just fun - in a couple of colors.)
DVF Loves Roxy Tote Bag at DVF ($68 - I don't normally recommend something with a recognizable name brand in it, but I love the black and white print with the orange bottom and the matching change purse is cute!)

Okay - I hope you like these!  Obviously I've gone for whimsy here over things that are work appropriate or more "hard-core" sturdy totes.  Mostly that's because that's what I like, but I still think these would be pretty tough and hold up against some abuse.  What do you think?  Anyone have any good canvas tote bag recommendations?