Color Yourself Pretty

Kick the winter doldrums by adding a pops of color to your winter wardrobe. Bright, cheery colors contrast nicely with the grey, dreary landscape and can’t help but put a smile on your face.

Chase away the chill in a canary yellow pea coat. This sunshine color will brighten up your black and gray winter uniform as well as spread cheer to whoever passes your way. Available on sale at jcrew.com.

Why trudge through the day when you can skip light as air in colorful leather ballet flats? They will pair easily with cords or jeans as well as pop against black or gray tights. Available from jcrew.com.

Or go preppy and colorful with Kate Spade’s green and navy striped flats. Available at katespade.com.

Colored jeans will continue to remain hot well into spring and these skinny Joe’s Jeans come in 55 different colors. Find your fave color to wear now and later when the warmer weather comes calling. And as an added bonus they are a flattering mid-rise style (8 1/2 inch rise) that you can wear tucked into jeans, rolled with flats or stacked with heels. Available at joesjeans.com.

Trade in your dark leather tote for this cheery striped canvas bag from Rebecca Minkoff. It will carry all your essentials as well as remind you of warmer days. Available at rebeccaminkoff.com.

Last but not least, brighten up your cheeks and lips with Josie Maran’s Argan Color Stick. It imparts a rosy glow that brightens up your whole face making you look fresh, young and well-rested. Available from sephora.com.

Brighten up the barn with a cheerfully colored and patterned halter from Red Haute Horse. Your horse might not care but it will at least, make you smile. I particularly like this green and pink style with mini skull and cross bones pattern. Available at redhautehorse.com.

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Faux Real

The Hermes Birkin is an iconic fashion symbol of luxury, style and elegance (ignore the fact that the Kardashians insist on carrying them around, it’s not the Birkin’s fault). I have always wanted my own Birkin bag but their steep price is slightly out of reach so I will happily settle for this trompe l’oeil version from Resort Chic. It’s cute, clever design adds a bit of style to a utilitarian canvas tote that can be used to carry everything from snacks to books to horse show gear. Plus, it would make a great gift for the fashionistas in your life. Available for $150 at ResortChic.com.

The Weekender

Summer is all about traveling, whether you are setting off on a long holiday or a short weekend getaway. Thanks to Deux Lux, travel has become a lot more stylish. Deux Lux has created the perfect weekender duffle bag, equals parts sturdy, utilitarian, stylish and fun. They took standard cotton canvas and dressed it up with brilliant sequins, simple yet perfect. Why shouldn’t your duffle bag look as great as you?

Now, what color do I get? Available in three sizes (Small $80, Medium $93, Large $119) and multiple colors at deuxlux.com.

Hello Sunshine

Spring is in the air and Kate Spade’s new website is full of sunshiny staples to brighten your spring. Kate Spade’s newest collection is full of charm and whimsy, harkening back to the early days of Kate Spade when it was full of elegant, classic and covetable purses, shoes and accessories. I am loving the bright pops of yellow mixed with linen on shoes and handbags and feminine outfits. Happy Spring!

The perfect spring tote, also available in pink and orange.

A sweet evening bag that will brighten up your favorite LBD.

I need these shoes! They will look incredibly chic with skinny, cropped white jeans and loose summery skirts. Also available in pink.

What is more cheerful than a silk, cotton skirt in sunshine yellow?

An incredibly sweet cardigan in bright yellow pops against white and chocolate.

Shop The Transition

I have never been a huge fan of resort/transition collections that bridge the gap between winter and spring. They tend to look the same every year, heavy on nautical themes (white, navy and stripes) often looking out of place on a cold winter day. But there are usually a few key pieces out there that you can add to wardrobe to prepare for spring but also add freshness to your winter staples.

Stick to neutrals: Neutral shades of cream and tan are major players for spring but are making their debut now, add a few to your closet to get a jump on the trend.

White House Black Market Mini-Dot Trench Coat: Love, Love, Love this trench coat, super elegant in an on-trend shade of neutral, creamy tan with black mini-dots. Wear over your dark winter shades to add lightness now and then layer over all your spring basics on cooler days for a very Parisian look. Plus, who doesn’t look sexy and mysterious in a trench coat.

J Crew Laramie Tote: Start carrying this pretty yet tough tote in a warm peachy tan now and into warmer days.

Miu Miu Crystal Heel Satin Sandals: Nude shoes continue to be popular thanks in part to their leg lengthening abilities and this pair stands out from the crowd. An investment piece that will never go out of style.

Denim As A Safe Bet: You can never go wrong with denim and these pieces will become daily favorites.

Madewell Trooper Jacket: A lightweight cotton, throw it over anything jacket that will look great worn to work over a thin cashmere sweater and dress pants or on the weekends worn with a t-shirt and yoga pants. Plus it will be a great cover for floaty spring dresses.

Madewell Shrunken Chambray Boy Shirt: If you didn’t invest in a denim shirt this fall, definitely buy one now. This laid-back style has staying power and can be paired with everything from slouchy pants to long cocktail skirts. A must-have piece you will fall in love with.

Textile by Elizabeth and James Mid-Rise Flared Jeans: This 70’s inspired silhouette is huge for spring, a counterpoint to skinny jeans and will add newness to your skinny dominated denim.

Pretty Extras

Anthropologie Blurred Petals Pullover: Prints abound for spring but this fuzzy pullover can be worn now with jeans or later with shorts as pictured below. Go ahead, wear bright colors now.

Born Ballet Flats: It looks like cropped flare pants and jeans will be a fresh style for spring and usually look best when paired with dainty ballet flats. Start searching for a few pairs like these floral embellished flats in a neutral gold shade.

Fur Real

Fur was all over the runways for fall, making it a major trend. I love the look of fur but am too much of an animal lover to actually buy and wear real fur; so I went in search of a great faux fur item to add to my fall wardrobe.

I think I have found the perfect blend of style, trend and price in this Tipped Foxy Crop Jacket. It’s multicolor faux fox fur looks rich and luxurious while it’s cropped silhouette keeps it streamlined and modern. It is also priced well at $129, it looks more expensive than it’s price and protects your pocketbook by keeping you from investing in something more expensive that you may not wear enough to justify the higher price. You can easily wear it over a cashmere turtleneck paired with skinny jeans or try experimenting with it by wearing it over a denim button down paired with wide leg pinstripe trousers or with at tissue long sleeve tee and sequin pencil skirt. Dress it up or down! Available online at www.fabulousfurs.com.

Pair it with J Crew Cashmere Turtleneck, Madewell Skinny Jeans,  J Crew Oxford Heels and Ann Taylor Leather Bag.

Novel Idea

Kate Spade has introduced a highly collectible and covetable collection of clutches that look like vintage novels. Their in-house design team created beautiful book covers to decorate each clutch, capturing the true spirit of each novel while also making a beautiful purse. They started the collection with three fitting titles with the promise of more to come, like a fashionable book of the month club. Choose from The Great Gatsby (one of my all time favorite books, I even have a dog named Gatsby), Great Expectations and The Importance of Being Earnest. Surprisingly lovely and unique. Available online at www.katespade.com.

White About Now

Fashion rules come and go, which is the beauty of fashion, constantly changing while allowing each person to express their own creativity. But there is one hard and fast rule that I always adhere too, thanks in part to my very fashionable grandma Joanie. At a young age she taught me that you never wear white bottoms and shoes or carry a white purse until after Memorial Day and you must retire them on Labor Day.

So with Memorial Day comes my yearly ritual of bringing down my white leather bag from the top shelf in my closet and unwrapping my white pants and white jeans from their dry cleaners bag. Whether you believe in the white rule or not there are a few things to keep in mind when wearing white pants. Please remember to wear nude boy shorts under your white pants, underwear in any color but nude will show through and most white pants are made from thin, summery fabrics that allow a thong to show through (not a pretty site, saw a lady wearing a hot pink thong under her white pants). White shoes and handbags get dirty very quickly, make sure to keep them looking clean and neat. Kick up your white shoes and have a happy Memorial Day!

Loving

I wouldn’t be a true clotheshorse if I didn’t go absolutely crazy for this purse (or pretty much any purse) by Horse+Nail. These bags are beyond exquisite, combining rich, luxurious leather with horse inspired hardware. Their charm lies in their blending of western/equestrian chic with a hard edge rock and roll vibe. They are truly unique and unlike anything else on the market, this is not only a bag you will love but a bag that other people will notice when you walk down the street. Move over Gucci there is a new game in town that puts your horse inspired bags to shame! I want one so bad I can hardly stand it! You can drool over their bags by going to their website www.horseandnail.com and www.shopbop.com.

Pop On Over

Coach is moving with the times and releasing a new younger, fresher, more budget friendly line called Poppy on June 26th. “Poppy offers a different attitude that is younger in spirit,” said executive creative director, Reed Krakoff. “It’s playful, with more prints, interesting fabrics and more experimentation.”

Look for bright colored bags, shoes, jewelry and accessories perfect for adding a pop of color to your summer essentials. Pop on over to www.coach.com to get a sneak peek of the new line.