While not necessarily a spring trend per se, purple dresses seem to be everywhere and the color is pulling me in like a moth to a flame. Here, 5 spring-ready dresses that will give you a dose of this mesmerizing color for less than fifty dollars.

{The inspiration: (from left) Looks from the Jil Sander, Isabel Marant, and MaxMara Spring 2011 runways. Photo credit: Style.com}

This past weekend I make a quick trip to Walmart to see what was new for spring in the fashion department, and I have to say I was pretty disappointed. There were a few cute things but nothing worth going out of your way to buy. The Miley Cyrus collection continues to be a surprising source of cute, cheap pieces like the pink ruffle cami (shown above), just $12. Pair it with jeans, some heels and a blazer and you have a respectable going-out look. Norma Kamali's line continues to baffle me - what's with the oversized sweatshirts, camo pants and kooky prints? I struggled to find 5 items suitable for sharing: A black trench ($35), black lightweight parka ($35), leopard wrap dress ($20), pinstripe shirtdress ($20) and striped v-neck tee. Norma Kamali for Walmart has really lost its steam and it's a darn shame.

Have you found any budget-fashion gems at Walmart recently?

So much attention has been paid to the LC Lauren Conrad collection that I've neglected to share the ELLE Spring 2011 lookbook, so without further ado, here it is! Full of feminine floral prints, pretty blouses, pops of color and must-have heels, the ELLE collection is a breath of fresh air. The ruffle coral heels are amazing for the price and such a perfect color in person. I wouldn't wear ELLE head to toe, but mixed with other pieces in your wardrobe, I think this affordable line can look so chic. Some of the tops and cardigans remind me of things you'd find at Anthropologie, but at a fraction of the price. Look for this collection in stores and online at Kohls.com now - most styles are already on sale! And don't forget to check out the ELLE Decor collection, too, my new "secret" source of stylish homegoods.

More fashion after the jump, let me know what you think.

From left: Lauren Conrad in Topshop, Heidi Klum in Tibi, Olivia Palermo in Mango

Honeysuckle may be Pantone's color of the year for 2011, but the color I'm seeing more often on celebs and in stores this spring is coral, from faded rusty shades to vibrant strawberry oranges. Combine the bold hue with a soft blouse and you've got two of spring's hottest trends in one stylish piece.

Here, five coral blouses under $50.

Last week I attended a Spring/Summer 2011 fashion preview in New York City hosted by Kmart Fashion, where bloggers were invited to check out the latest trends and chat with designers. I interviewed Kathy Huynh, VP of Women's Apparel Design for Kmart, (click here to watch), got the scoop on the design process from Tori Gibbs and Mary Mendez, and talked social media with Kmart Fashion blogger Donna Kim and Kmart Fashion's Social Media Manager Sarah Reynolds (above). When the people behind a brand are excited about their work and eager to share with customers, it makes such a positive impact, and that's exactly how I felt about the Kmart crew.

Now, on to the fashion: Everything was casual and easy to wear, with subtle boho '70s details and soft fabrications. Think short shorts, jumpsuits, open-back tees, colorful day dresses, floral prints and understated military influences. Priced mostly under $20, Kmart Fashion's got all the makings of a carefree summer wardrobe that can take you from picnics in the park to the beach and beyond. I can't wait to check out my nearest store. It's a 30 minute drive, so I don't get there very often, but I'm hoping to visit soon. Have you been to Kmart recently? Do you like the direction they're headed?

Click through for more photos.

Shown above: The gorgeous girl behind @KmartFashion, Sarah Reynolds, wearing a Kmart jumpsuit.