8 “Stunning” ​Ann Taylor Dresses I’m Shopping For Spring

1. Simmer Your Scent

Toss sliced oranges, lemons, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a sprig of rosemary into a pot of water. Let it gently simmer on the stove, and your home will smell like a cozy spa-meets-bakery hybrid. Try different combos like apple + star anise or lavender + lemon.

2. Clean With Scented, Sustainable Cleaners

Start with a clean, fresh canvas for spring by giving your home a good scrub. I'm in love with Homecourt scents (Courtney Cox's brand of cleaners), including the Neroli Leaf and Cipres Mint, all made with sustainable ingredients.

Or try this DIY citrus + herb air spray. In a spray bottle, combine:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 tbsp witch hazel (to help disperse oils)
• 10–15 drops of essential oils (like lemon, grapefruit, or eucalyptus)
• Optional: a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or mint

Shake well and spritz around the house for a burst of freshness.

3. Bake!

Nothing beats the smell of fresh-baked cookies and breads. Here's an even easier way to trick your nose: warm a teaspoon of vanilla extract in the oven at 300°F for 15–20 minutes. It gives off a sweet, bakery-like scent with zero effort.

4. DIY A Scented Carpet Refresher

Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 10–15 drops of essential oil (lavender, tea tree, or cedarwood work well). Sprinkle over rugs or carpets, let sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum. It lifts odors and leaves behind a soft, lingering scent.

5. Use Candles Or Diffuse Essential Oils

Choose essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, or sweet orange for a clean, soothing scent. No diffuser? Add a few drops to a bowl of steaming water. These top-rated candles from Anthropologie are also a great way to set the mood and infuse the air with a friendly scent.

6. Bring in Fresh Flowers and Herbs

It's spring! Treat yourself to a flower subscription or grab a bouquet at Trader Joe's. Houseplants, bundles of eucalyptus in the shower, or even a vase of fresh basil on the kitchen counter can lightly scent your space while adding a touch of life and color.

The A&F Mara Strapless Denim Mini Dress

Made with denim that has a bit of stretch, this button-up strapless dress totally makes a statement – all while keeping you comfortable.

Dipped-Waist Smocked Midi Dress

Polka dots are the "it" pattern this spring. Rock it in the form of this adorably flattering drop-waist dress, and your look will instantly stun!

Straight Neck Slip Skort

This marvelous mini comes complete with built-in shorts for added security wherever you wear it.

The A&F Julia Strapless Slip Maxi Dress

The smooth blue hues on this slip dress make it perfect for a beachy vacation, recalling the ocean waves to a tee. The strapless design of this cutie can be worn interchangeably with detachable straps, too, if you wish for added support up top.

The A&F Emerson Poplin Puff Sleeve Midi Dress

We're huge fans of gingham dresses over here, especially for springtime. This maxi flaunts all the coolest details, from the playful puff sleeves and tiered skirt to the femme square neckline and body-hugging ruched bodice. It'll look iconic with sandals and boots alike!

The A&F Julia Slip Lace Maxi Dress

This lacy maxi would work wonderfully for more formal events, thanks to its luxe, satiny finish! The simple slip silhouette is always timeless, and ideal for accessorizing with spring heels and your go-to jewelry stack.

Knit Tube Drop-Waist Maxi Dress

Drop waists help elongate your bod, adding to a most flattering fit. Thanks to the strapless nature of this dress, it'll also make you feel like an absolute princess, no matter how you style it for spring! The cotton-modal fabric it's cut from is impressively soft and breathable to keep you feelin' cool all day.

Babydoll Bubble Hem Mini Dress

Yes, yes, and yes to butter yellow dresses! This mini also boasts a unique (and super trendy) bubble hem that adds such a whimsical vibe to your spring get-ups. We'd definitely pair this one with some platform sandals to make every step comfy as can be.

V-Neck Linen-Blend Mini Dress

This little black dress is the ultimate spring basic for wearing in all sorts of ways. The ruching on the back along with its natural body-skimming shape instantly complement your figure, so you can feel confident pairing it with everything from casual sneaks to elevated boots this spring!

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

Cara Kay may be a bestselling author who's watched her number one series receive the box office treatment, but no one's ever seen her before. The truth is "Cara Kay" is nothing more than a pseudonym for a woman who'd rather hide behind the success she's achieved. While this has served her well for a while, her past's come calling and she'll have to deal with something that affected her and her best friend Amanda years ago.

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley

Pentinenceby Kristin Koval

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine

Tilt by Emma Pattee

Good Girl by Aria Aber

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis

PhD student Nadia Amin catches the eye of The United Nations when her deradicalization article gains notoriety. She's tasked with helping women break free from ideology that'll harm them which hits close to home, but arriving in Iraq makes her realize how much of a scam it feels like.

For one, The UN hasn't been truthful about its goals. Secondly, Nadia's paired with the irritating Sherri who seems to love reveling in Nadia's apparent "shortcomings." But then Nadia meets the young and carefree Sara, deciding she's worth all the trouble. However, Sara hasn't told Nadia everything either and reveals something that'll change Nadia's perception about her own interests.

Nesting by Roisín O'Donnell

Ciara Fay decides it's better to run away from her life with her young daughters than continue pretending everything's fine. From the outside looking in, she's married to a wonderful man named Ryan who makes sure all her needs are met. But he's also controlling and has a vengeful side she's seen more times than she'd like to admit. But it's not easy starting over, nor does Ciara truly feel safe because she knows Ryan is searching tirelessly for her and their daughters. The question she'll have to ask herself is whether she's able to deal with what comes with living a life that's not impoverished.

A Gorgeous Excitement by Cynthia Weiner

Red Clay by Charles B. Fancher

A family of former slave Felix H. Parker is left speechless when an old white woman visits their home in Red Clay, Alabama with the admission that her family once owned theirs. Adelaide Parker's determined to share her story because she's learned the truth sets people free, but she can't remember everything. The only thing she has is the knowledge that she still has family in Red Clay, leaving her to search for the truth no matter what's uncovered once she finds what she's looking for.

The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole

A Nigerian mother lets her daughter begin a new life in New Orleans despite having a feeling that something bad will happen. Even though young Amina begins to find herself in the bustling city, a hurricane dismantles the brief grasp of joy she experienced. Left with no other choice, Amina begins wondering about her Nigerian family and the mother she feels she never got a chance to know. From dealing with layers of religion and folklore, The Edge of Water explores themes that impact often impact families.