Topshop seems to have taken a cue from Luella Bartley with their floral ditsy mesh top (right). We think the sweet blossoms and edgy black lace make it the perfect blouse for a girl who wants to show her nice and naughty sides all at the same time.

>> Floral ditsy mesh top at Topshop.com, £28.00

Offer ends April 28, 2008 11:59 p.m. (EST). Valid in the stores and online on selected items only. Free shipping for purchases of $150 or more.

I stopped by my local H&M over the weekend in hopes of finding a cute bathing suit with Marimekko's cheerful, retro-fabulous patterns, but alas, all they had were a few skimpy bikinis that could have been from just about anywhere, i.e., they were nothing special.

Some colorful cotton tops and a graphic black and white sundress were instantly recognizable as Marimekko designs, but the quality wasn't up to snuff. Other pieces in the collection included white pants, black shorts and some solid color camis to complete the looks, but it was kinda like, what's the point? We came for the prints!

As for accessories, there was a black and white graphic tote, a beachy white bucket hat, two different styles of signature-print scarves and a blue & pink print coin purse. I was tempted to buy a Marimekko scarf to use as a wall hanging or something, but decided it wasn't worth the $24.90 pricetag. Who knows, though…I might go back for something just so I have a sort of "souvenir" (as strange as that may sound).

Overall, I was bummed. The Marimekko for H&M collection wasn't bad - it just could have been so much better. Perhaps they can team up with Target and do a line of home furnishings. And then we'll call it even.

Unfair comparisons are often drawn between floral prints and Laura Ashley or Little House on the Prairie. I say "unfair" because, as British designer Luella Bartley so cleverly proves with her Spring 2008 ready-to-wear collection, floral prints can be fierce. It's all in how you style them (and to a lesser extent where you buy them, because let's face it, the florals at Eddie Bauer won't pass for fashionable no matter how you work those buds).

So yeah, we're lovin' Luella and her diminutive, ditsy print designs. These sweet blossoms have an old-school edge that makes them good enough to pluck - and with our budget-friendly finds (they're everywhere these days!) you can afford to update your Spring wardrobe with an entire bouquet.

[1] Ditsy Flower Print Blazer at Topshop.com, £55.00
[2] Spring Chiffon Blouse at Forever21.com, $22.80
[3] Kimchi & Blue Dolly Shirt Dress at Urbn.com, $48.00
[4] Floral Cinched Bandeau One-Piece at dELiAs.com, $38.50

As you contemplate how you're going to wear ruffles this season, you may be considering a blouse with a ruffled collar, or perhaps a skirt with a ruffled hemline. But if you're feeling truly adventurous, you'll pounce on this cascading ruffle dress that boasts a veritable waterfall of tiered ruffles from top to bottom, and, in the case of the Juicy frock, ruffles on the front and back. (The cheap chic version just has them on the front.) Take the plunge with your pick of luxe or less...

>> Luxe on left: Juicy Couture Cascading Ruffle Dress in Black at RevolveClothing.com, $348.00
>> Less on right: Ruffled Shift Dress at Forever21.com, $29.80

Related posts:

• Look for Less: Tibi Ruffled Halter Dress


• Spring 2008 Fashion Trends: Romantic Ruffles