We loved Jessica Nimon's casual look the moment we spotted her on her iPhone outside of Branch Water Tavern before she headed in for the Houston Area Women's Center Young Leaders event.

Jessica's black crocheted-style top from The Limited, her peachy silk camisole from Banana Republic and jeans from Nordstrom were set off nicely by the turquoise bag from coach and the turquoise cover on her cell phone. Her open-toed slingbacks were from Banana Republic as well.

It's a far look from her buttoned-down outfit of earlier in the day when she reported to NASA for her job as a writer, composing information on the International Space Station.

—SHELBY HODGE

It really doesn't cost a fortune to look like a million bucks. Case in point, Gina Carroll's chic presentation at the Beat the Odds luncheon. Fasten your seatbelts fashionistas on a budget. She got this dress at H&M in Southern California, and we all know that that fashion mecca opens in Houston in two weeks.

"I am all about the easy dress these days," she said. "And I was surprised that H&M carried such a flattering cut. It's even lined." 

Her shoes by Via Spiga are from Saks Fifth Avenue. She explained, "I've never met a pair of Mary Janes that I didn't like."

She dressed up the look with bracelets from David Yurman, John Hardy and Kostantino. The large square bead bracelet featuring different images of the Madonna is from a street vendor in San Diego and Gina — a writer, blogger and author — says "I am wearing this bracelet until I finish my novel in which the Madonna is the central character."

—SHELBY HODGE

Courtney Kurylo works as marketing coordinator for Northwestern Mutual and looking professional even on a day when she is lunching for charity with the ladies is top fashion priority. But don't think too buttoned-down.

"I like to look professional and fashion forward. I like to make a statement in the office," she said during the Latin Women's Initiative annual luncheon.

For this work day/luncheon outing, Courtney put together a crisp black and white look that interestingly stood out in the sea of colorful spring frocks favored by most of the women in the crowd of 600. She wore a white ruffled blouse from Elie Tahari that she found at Neiman Marcus with a black, pleated skirt by Kate Spade and colorful Jessica Simpson pumps by that she picked up at Nordstrom. Her clutch is from White House/Black Market.

—SHELBY HODGE

Even among the fashionistas assembled in the party space at Tootsies, Fady Armanious stood out as the fashion maven of the day in his lavendar and green floral jacket from Zara in the Galleria, his purple Prada shirt from Saks Fifth Avenue, Prada slacks (a find in Italy) and his purple shoes by Arfango from Barneys.

The occasion was a Monique Lhuillier trunk show hosted by four ladies who had been together at the Lhuillier event at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York in February. 

"Monique is very feminine and romantic," Fady e-mailed. "I decided to go with a floral as it is one of our spring trends. Plus, it was a beautiful spring day."

As Tootsies store director, he added, "I'm all about mixing and I encourage everyone to mix and match. Make it your own style."

—SHELBY HODGE