Spotted on Newbury Street in Boston this spring: a lovely woman from Chicago, getting a head start on fall trends. Notice her patterned tights, leather jacket with ruffle detail, and peep toe pumps (low-heeled, not platform, but still.) Now flash forward to fall…

Not much of a beach bunny, fall is my favorite season. I’m happy to hide my swimsuits and start layering on the cashmeres, flannels and leathers. Opaque tights are a permanent part of my wardrobe, regardless of what’s paraded down the runways. I shun the whole bare legs look. I mean, really, in February? (Have some sense you ninnies!) Remember the white slingbacks with black opaques of the late nineties? Did that, loved it, over it. Anyway, imagine my glee when I saw that tights are out in full force this fall. From brightly colored opaques (so nineties Cynthia Rowley, though she actually didn’t show them this year), to patterns and textures, to knee socks that would make any Gossip Girl weep, here are looks straight of the catwalk, along with resources, so you can cover up.

1. SHIMMER: Vivienne Tam and Miss Sixty

Lisa Cancelli, the pretty proprietress of Viola, an impeccable shoe boutique tucked up on the North Shore, (and soon to open in Concord), carries Shimmery Fishnets by Skin. Or, you can always depend on Wolford. Wolford Fiesta Shiny Tights, $55, are available at Bare Necessities.

2. OPAQUE: Erin Fetherston and Milly

American Apparel has tights in eye-popping colors and styles; even a pair with one leg black and the other cobalt. For rich jewel tones, like plum, emerald, ruby, teal and marigold, try Velvet Feel 80 Denier Opaque Tights, $10.95, at ASOS.

3. TEXTURE/PATTERN: Betsey Johnson and Anna Sui

For simple and classic, opt for A.P.C. Sheer Ribbed Tights in Bordeaux, $60, from La Garconne. Racier (but definitely tasteful) styles include Deco Lace Tights by DKNY, $19, Wolford Twiggy Mesh Tights, $68, and Spanx Bird Eye Tight End Tights, $42, all available at Bare Necessities.

4. KNEE SOCKS: Lacoste and Sass & Bide

Contrast Footless Socks by Flirt, in plum/violet or light grey/grey, $10.95, available at ASOS, give a two-tone look without having to layer. Maria La Rosa Contrast Leggings, $80, a thick footless legging in purple/taupe, from La Garconne, also accomplish the task. Or, try a Velvet Thigh High by Leg Avenue, $35.02, at ASOS, for a sexy (but not too much), holiday feel. For a classic fishnet, we like Charnos Fishnet Pantyhose, $9, but if you prefer the über-open fish net, as seen at Sass & Bide (above), try Jonathan Aston Stringer Pantyhose, on sale for $7, both available at Figleaves.

5. LEG WARMERS: Diesel and Miss Sixty

Maria La Rosa Knee Sock, $98 at La Garconne, is an under the heel, modern dance-inspired sock that is handwoven in charcoal with pearl grey contrasting cuffs. For traditional leg warmers, we love the rainbow of colors offered at American Apparel. And, for a leg-warmer-inspired legging, check out the Zucca Tencel Gauze Jersey Pants, $502, at La Garconne. They’re a lightweight jersey pant with wrapping details. Interesting.

Runway Image Credits: Anna Sui, Betsey Johnson, Diesel, Lacoste, Milly, Miss Sixty, and Vivienne Tam images from Newsday.com: Fall 2008 Fashion Week Collection, “It’s All in the Details.” Erin Fetherston and Sass & Bide images from About.com: Women’s Fashion, “Fall Fashion Week 2008.”

They just won’t stop. But I’m not complaining. Boston boutiques are clearing out their summer stock. And with summer just halfway over, I plan to scoop up all sorts of deals.

GOOD Bi-annual 50% off sale starts August 1st at Good in Beacon Hill. We’re hoping for deals on gold rings and earrings by Melissa Joy Manning and Satya, not to mention unique hostess gifts, since our travel plans are hardly at a standstill. While you’re there, check out their new lines, including PATCH NYC.

IN.JEAN.IUS It’s been three years since Alison Barnard opened her revolutionary denim haven, Injeanius, in the North End; one of the first hip boutiques to hit Hanover Street. In honor of their anniversary, for the month of July, Injeanius is offering 15% off all leather belts, including handmade couture examples by L.A. designer D.L. Rhein.

MAHRI There’s a one year anniversary bash at Mahri, a not-so-new-anymore to Newbury boutique that grew up on the North Shore. On Thursday, July 31st, from 7pm to 9pm, Aimee Bode is staying open late to serve fantastic food and intoxicating cocktails, not to mention sophisticated fashions.

MINT JULEP The annual end-of-season sale at Mint Julep, starts Monday July 14th. Stop in to their Coolidge Corner or Harvard Square boutiques for 25% o 75% off spring and summer dresses, tops, skirts, shorts, jewelry, and bags from designers like Tibi, Milly, Beth Bowley, Alice and Olivia, Orla Kiely, and JoJo.

MATSU For artistic fashions, from scarves woven in Italy to fluttery blouses by Rozae Nichols and off kilter tailored pieces by Comme des Garons, plus custom monogram and birthstone jewelry designs by Heather Moore and romantic baubles by Jeanine Payer, Matsu always offers that special find. Treat yourself at their 50% off summer sale, happening right now.

THE ACHILLES PROJECT On Thursday, July 31, from 6 p.m. to midnight, The Achilles Project will hold its first “Shopping Under the Influence” party, with free food, complimentary cocktails, DJ-spun music, and major sale items at 50% off. Can’t make the soiree? Not a problem, enjoy sale items at 30% from now through the end of July. (PS- We promise to have a profile of this brand new, super hot spot on Store Adore VERY soon!)

HUDSON For all you planners who like to make the nest extra special, grab your calendar. Hudson, the South End home furnishings boutique (with a new outpost in Wellesley), will be hosting its semi-annual sale Saturday, September 13 to Sunday, September 21. Save up to 50% on selected items. There’s more… owner Jill Goldberg invites you to celebrate Hudson’s two-year anniversary with 20% off all special order catalogue items (upholstery and case goods) ordered online.

Summer is seriously underway. Be gone with black, and keep cool in color. Even better—flowers in every hue. From skirts to dresses, both long and short, we’re flouncing our way through the heat in flirty florals.

How cute are these chiquitas? Visiting Truro, Cape Cod for the weekend, they layered on color with their floral print skirts from Forever 21. While the one on the left goes native in flips flops, we’re amused by the bespectacled beauty in blue furry booties.

Earlier this summer, we stopped Sammi, a festively dressed Berkelee student, on Newbury Street, where she was chatting with the hostess at popular Italian eatery, Scoozi. In addition to her floral print skirt from Urban Outitters, which is practically wallpaper-esque, Sammi sports gladiator sandals she bought in Greece, where she recently studied, a wide patent belt from Target, and seriously yellow shoulder bag from H&M.

MAKE THIS LOOK WORK AT THE OFFICE Use these pieces as a base, then add a cropped cardi, a fun necklace, simple earrings, and bright handbag. This ensemble may not have the jumbled panache of the street looks shown above, but it’s more pulled together, so you can wear it to work.

Floaty coral top with folded details at the neckline by Mint, $319, at Holiday, a Beacon Hill boutique with fancy dresses and proper pajamas.

Pleated floral skirt by CK Bradley, just $52.80 at Queen Bee, a girly boutique on Newbury Street where you’ll find dresses and tees from DVF, Three Dots, Trina, Turk, and Ella Moss, all on sale for 30% to 70% off.

Mystique sandals with a coral cabochon set in a studded gold disc, $145, plus tons of other styles of these super summery embellished thongs, available at Leokadia, a new shoe salon in the South End that carries beaded sandals, edgy boots, comfy flats and heels that are so very va-va-va-voom.

Celebs do it. You should too. After all, those who shop together stay together. (Ok, I so made that up.) But do it anyway. With a little strategic planning, he’ll happily follow. Boston is brimming with shops that cater to you and him. Here are my, I mean our, favorites.

DESIGNER DELUXE: If your wallet can support your superb taste, head to right to Riccardi, a Newbury Street boutique that reeks of high-end European style with a rock-’n’-roll sensibility. Dress up clothing labels include D&G, Comme des Garçons, and John Galliano. Street-inspired denim lines like Yoropiko and NFly rule for dressing down. If his taste runs a bit more conservative, but no less exclusive, head a few blocks down to Alan Bilzerian.

Main image: InStyle.com

(Above: Meg Rush and her husband on their London honeymoon)

The votes are in, and we have a winner!

Congratulations are in order for Meg Rush of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, who won a super-indulgent Vosges Haut-Chocolat La Grande Hatbox, a luxurious box set packed to the brim with exotic gourmet chocolates! Read her winning story here.

We asked Meg a few question about her favorite shopping haunts and habits.

Meg’s favorite home decor shops:

1. Diptyque has the most heavenly candles. My favorite, especially for winter, is essence of John Galliano and I love to burn the lavender candle right before bedtime.

2. I am a big fan of Etsy, especially for artwork! My husband commissioned a portrait of me by John Clark for Christmas.

3. The MOMA Design Store is a great place to buy home accessories or gifts.

4. Bliss Home on Newbury Street is the only place I know of in Boston to buy luggage by Mandarina Duck. They also have a great collection of pieces by alessi.

5. I fell in love with Whittard of Chelsea while studying abroad in Oxford. I’ve been collecting pieces for my tea set over the last seven years. I stocked up on my honeymoon in London, to come home and discover that Whittard was opening its first US store in Boston.

Meg on her “personal style uniform”…

In the summer I tend to wear “thow and go” sun dresses, so that I look put together with minimal effort. I almost always have on a piece of jewelry that I’ve designed myself, or something by Les Nereides. I tend to wear a lot of headbands during the summer because they help tame my curly hair!

What style are you ready to see go?

I’m currently reading Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely More Fabulous You by the fabulous Simon Doonan. I have to agree with Doonan, I wish more girls would just “Say no to Ho!”

I love long. I still have my long skirts from 1997. The navy blue, bias-cut, silky parachute skirt by Barneys Co-Op; the Susana Monaco black cotton jersey pull-on with wide waistband and a bit of flare; an olive flannel by Theory; and my absolute everyday faves, cotton jersey drawstring skirts with a bit of stretch, also by Theory, in black and heather grey. (Worn, I might add, with my silver metallic Nike Airs, as was the look back then. Really truly. At least it was hip at Teen People, where I worked at the time.)

Unfortunately, my hips are a bit wider now (a decade can do that), so I’m doubtful I could pull them off, as they are clingy little size 2s. However, don’t think I’m not thrilled about the season’s maxi dress. I am.

The first few I tried on proved challenging. First there was a voluminous Diane Von Furstenberg that only Heidi Klum could dare do. (In fact, I saw a model photographed in it recently.) Next, I tried a more flattering DVF with a bit of ruffle and pattern, but woe is me, it showed up one too many times in celeb style rags’ “Who Wore It Better?” pics, as well as Lucky. Then there was an adorable silk handkerchief print halter dress with beads on the straps - cut deep to mid chest, thus suitable only for girls who don’t mind going braless. (Not I.)

I finally settled on a slightly more boring iteration (see the picture of me above!) from Banana Republic. A black and ivory tropical print, with ample support up top, and a loose but tailored body. (Now I need the perfect sandal.)

What about the other ladies of Boston? How are they feeling about maxing out their minis? Hard to say, as foot traffic was light on Newbury Street this afternoon. Nary a stylish soul in sight, let alone one in a maxi dress.

I did meet a BU grad student last night, Mary, who was wearing a maxi print dress from French Connection. She looked fab, but let me add, she’s 5′10″. Her concern? That her maxi was too short!

Check back for my post on Thursday. I’ll show you my favorite maxi dresses in Boston boutiques (Stil has one I haven’t seen anywhere else), plus some tips on what styles will best flatter your figure, and I’ll be hitting the street again in search of ladies who love long.

Store Adore made it official in Boston with a launch party co-hosted with Intermix. Boston’s most fashion-conscious flocked to the Newbury Street Intermix store to toast Store Adore with a 10 percent discount, champagne, and to-die-for truffles from Vosges. (What better combination than shopping, champagne, and chocolates?)

I spent the day in Boston scouting the local shopping scene and arrived on-site early to be there to greet our guests–and to get a little pre-shopping in before the good stuff was gone. Inspired by the fact that literally all of the sales girls were wearing them, I scooped up these Cynthia Vincent gladiator buckle wedges ($405), and have been living in them ever since along with this burnout tee from e.vil in my favorite anchor motif.

We were thrilled to see old friends and Store Adore shoppers and to introduce the site to new ones. Check out my party pics below, and look out for more news of upcoming Intermix and Store Adore shopping parties near you. In the meantime, don’t forget to take advantage of our exclusive offer of $50 off a purchase of $300 or more at Intermix online.

An Intermix Staffer and local Boston writer Erica Corsano. (I love the maxi dress and the long loose warm weather scarves.)

Nikki Baker and Jessica Naddaff.

Local shoppers–note the twin Gucci bags. Intermix staffers–in addition to ”

my” shoes, they all wore maxi or mini dresses in bold colors, and lots of ruffles.

Nick Russell, Hannah Breul, and me.

Store Adore Boston writer Ma

rni Katz and me.

My sister-in-law Corey Penn (center) with Chic and Charming blogger Meg Rush and her husband

From cherry blossoms and calligraphy to tigers and fans, prints inspired by Japanese images are showing up on tops and dresses in silks and chiffons. Here are five fabulous examples of how you can embrace the Far East.

The red silk top by Falls (shown above) looks equally gorgeous paired with black or white bottoms (make ‘em skinny), though you could even do with a dark denim. Let the top slide off one shoulder for a bit of casual sex appeal. Slick your hair into a low ponytail and you’re ready for a cocktail party or dinner out. Available on Newbury Street at Mahri, $186, where you can find fashions that are artsy, sophisticated and fun.

This silk chiffon fan top by Rachel Mara is light, airy and totally summery. Wrap it around a black or ivory cami, tie the sash around your teeny tiny waist, or wear it low slung on your hips. Available at Turtle, $250, the South End boutique that showcases au courant fashions by emerging designers.

Boston designer Daniela Corte Design does a calligraphy-inspired ink blot style print silk jacquard top with boat neckline, 3/4 length open sleeves, and asymmetric hemline. Available online at Daniela Corte, $265, or by appointment at the designer’s Newbury Street studio.

Look closely; this pink and white kimono style silk jersey dress has a tiger face printed on it. Designed by New York based, former musician, Amanda Uprichard, it’s vibrant enough to be a statement piece, but versatile enough to work with jeans, trousers, or bare legs. Available at First Date, $168, a North Andover boutique with cute clothes by your favorite labels.

The Requiem Dress from Edun, the socially responsible label created by U2’s Bono and Rogan Gregory, was made in the company’s own factory in India, where long-term employment is a goal. This silk twill piece has a relaxed silhouette, with full sleeves that have cinched cuffs and ties. We love the cherry blossom print against the dark background, as well as the signature leaf zipper pull in back. Available at Envi, $295, Newbury Street’s boutique where the décor and designs are all eco-friendly.

Get ready to relish (and purchase) jewelry and accessories from around the world…Peruse Amelia Hughes’ Reliquiae collection of jewelry, belts, scarves and more from her recent travels to destinations as far off as Bali, Africa, and Guatemala, on Thursday May 15th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dress on Newbury Street. Hughes scours flea markets far and wide, so you don’t have to!

Attendees will receive a 15 percent discount on Dress’s full-price merchandise, including new summer collections by of-the-moment designers Castle Starr, Adam, and 3.1 Phillip Lim. The pieces are oh-so pretty.

Event sponsor Peroni will provide their Italian beer, and Italian snacks will be provided. And the best part? Purchases made at the event will be packaged in a complimentary Dress tote bag. The “it” tote for Newbury trendsetters.