This season, not only are the roses in bloom in the garden, but they are definitely popping up in the fashion world. Everywhere I look I have seen bright, large, flowery amazement on everyone. Check out some of my favorite pics which include Rose to the Occasion Earrings, Glass Rose Rings, and Ring Around the Roses Skirt available at Modcloth.com. Check out some more thorny goodness at Coming up Roses.

Cork bottom sandals are my new favorite look for spring. They are super versatile and can be worn for casual occasions with jeans as well as with dresses for fancier outings. I especially LOVE cork bottom wedges like you see here:

Clockwise from left to right: Stuart Weitzman Attire Wedge, Nigel by Michael Kors, Bette Buff on Cork by Kork-Ease, McGraw Sling by Michael Kors, Enzo Angiolini Gild Sandal.

Check out more Cork Bottom Wedges

For some of us, swimsuit season has already begun. For those who haven’t found the time yet to pick out a new suit to strut around in, I’ve done the work for you! I’ve been keeping an eye out for hot swimwear for the past couple of months and have complied a number of different buyer’s guides that I hope will help you choose your perfect suit for this summer!

Free People Swimsuits are natural, colorful, feminine, and boho-chic.
Retro Swimsuits are making a comeback. Highlight your figure in a one or two-piece vintage suit.
Basic Black Bikinis will never fail you! I promise!
One-piece Cutout Swimwear is sexy and sophisticated. Pile on sunscreen to avoid awkward tanlines!
Sexy Swimsuits come in all shapes and cuts, so you won’t want to overlook this shopper’s guide.

Shown (from left): Sailor Jane Nautical Swimsuit, Solar Orbit Bikini, Monokini by Sauvage, Cheetah by Sauvage, and Melissa Odabash Wood-Link Halter Bikini.

SHOP RAINBOW NOW!

I should take my own advice and spice up my majorly monotone wardrobe with some kaleidoscope-inspired pieces. If I truly believe the theory that color affects mood, I should probably quit wearing so much black and look into some more colorful clothing options. The rainbow-colored garments, jewelry, and accessories in my Add Some Rainbow buyer’s guide are the perfect solution for those looking to brighten up not only their wardrobes, but their attitudes as well!

Pictured (clockwise from left): Totes Jumbo Stripe Umbrella Rainbow, Carnival Print Strap Dress,  Beaded Wire Hoop Earrings, Longchamp ‘Xlight Imprime’ Vertical Nylon Tote, Braided Mosaic Bead Cuff.

Plaid is not for everyone (plaid reminds me of my dad’s work shirts) but I love how many different kinds of plaid there are: tartan, gingham, argyle, madras. And depending on what colors and material, plaid pieces can have a completely different look and feel from one another. There is definitely a huge difference between a light, summery cotton plaid and a heavy wool plaid. I don’t think that plaid ever technically goes out of style, but it happens to be super hot at the moment and I’m pretty sure that its here to stay well into the fall.

Jump start your summer and pick up some TOMS Shoes* in a plethora of plaid slip-ons.

From Modcloth.com, comes a pretty little sleeveless number, The Rise Over Run Top and Urban Outfitters has quite a few cute summery pieces, including the Plaid Smocked Tube Top,  the Plaid Shirt Tie  Tunic and the Chambray and Plaid Tube Dress. Or from 80’s Purple, you can grab the sassy Roberta Oaks Georgie Dress. Check out some more hot Summer Plaid

*TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased. Get some!

SHOP PICNIC DAY NOW!

Poll: Will you wear a dress or shorts to Picnic Day this year? Vote now!

Every year in April, my alumni college town hosts “Picnic Day.” This all-day event is “designed to showcase the richness and diversity of campus life, as well as the community” of the small town and has been a tradition for the past 95 years. It’s super fun to walk around town and celebrate springtime with friends literally from morning ‘til night. Picnic Day is one of the major events of the city which everyone knows about and practically everyone looks forward to. You’re going to be seen, so you’ve got to look cute!

I will be taking a drive up for my 6^th Picnic Day this weekend and I can’t wait to see all my old friends! My Picnic Day Picks buyer’s guide is full of tops, dresses, shoes, and accessories that are perfect for a day in the sun, whether you’re going to Picnic Day, or you’re hosting your own picnic in the park! The key is bright colors, light fabrics, and comfortable fits.

SHOP MORE PICNIC DAY PICKS HERE!

Pictured, from left: Not Rated Women’s Jammin Jelly Flat, Simple Woven Dress, Elastic Lotus Bracelet, Dark Wash Bermuda Short, Embroidered Flower Plaid Top, Petal Earring, Cavalry Twill Patch Pocket Pants, Stripe Boy Tank, and Stuart Weitzman Women’s “Cleopatra” Gladiator Sandals.

Tough-looking jewelry with feminine accents seems to be the hot new thang that will help us transition our accessory-wearing from the warm-weather days into the Fall months. I know you’re just getting into  Springtime wear, but fashion’s always two steps ahead, honey! This style of jewelry is hot for exactly that reason, though; it’s bold enough for the cold, but girly enough for the heat, a.k.a. it can be worn year-round and you’ll always be in vogue.

What do you think about tough-looking jewelry for Spring? Sport it or scrap it? Click here to VOTE NOW!

The Spring 2009 Fallon Jewelry line features super-sexy, machine-age spikes, studs, and stones. Stephen Webster, with Christina Aguilera as his muse, has also created a sleek new line of silver , scaly, shattered pieces that were made to stand out from the crowd. To really make a statement, sport a silver coiled serpant around your neck. Snake Jewelry is so sexy and daring! But is it a spring thing?

I really enjoyed shopping through the shabby-chic/beach/Zen products of VivaTerra today. I never really considered this type of home décor my style, per say, but after I shopped around for some eco-sensitive, handmade home and garden accents in honor of Spring, I think I may have changed my mind. The eco-friendly items I found today would blend easily into anyone’s home, room, or garden.

These natural-looking pieces are meant to stand out in a non-obtrusive way and together, they add up to create a peaceful, serene, comfortable atmosphere in your home that any guest would appreciate. See the Springtime Garden Eco Accents, VivaTerra Wall Décor, and Eco Friendly Table Décor buyer’s guides and shop around for yourself. You may find a unique piece that suites your style perfectly! I found several!

Reading the “color issue” of my beloved InStyle magazine really inspired me to branch out from my everyday blacks, browns, and greys, especially when it comes to makeup and nail polish. And WOOHOO!, the fashion pros even gave me permission to “go ahead and clash my nail polish” with my makeup and clothes. So that’s exactly what I’ve been doing! Yesterday was yellow eyeshadow and gold Keri Hilson earrings. Today, green shadow and lavender nail polish (with glitter, duh).

Color really does affect your mood, so if you’ve been feeling down in the dumps lately, I highly recommend some shimmery Diamond Powder makeup, a colorful Jeweled Cuff Bracelet, or some Oscar de la Renta Embellished Espadrille Wedges to cheer you up. Hot.

Also pictured, Lorella Satchel by Guess Handbags and Emilio Pucci Blue Napa Lame heels.

Here are some of my favorite color/mood associations:

Red: Passion
Orange: Creativity
Yellow: Joy
Green: Ambition
Blue: Tranquility
Purple: Wisdom

Check out my Colorful Spring Trench Coats buyer’s guide to see some bright, sexy trench coats that are popping up everywhere in the city this Spring! I want a RED one!

My sister recently got her makeup done at NARS for fun. The end result was tads scary (an attempt at “Mod” eyes with lavender shadow and unblended black crease lines that was promptly removed once we arrived home). I sat and looked around at the other NARS products while the unfortunate makeup session was occurring. My sis ended up purchasing a lip crayon that the makeup artist didn’t even use on her, called NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Walkyrie. I tried it and fell in love.

I have thin lips and RARELY put color on them, other than the occasional red when I’m feeling bold, but this creamy, velvety pencil/crayon thingy changed all that business. It has just enough color to look like a stain, its soft enough to feel like a lipstick, and it lasted longer than other lipsticks I’ve tried. I liked it because it gave a natural, matte look without looking overdone. And it’s made in Italy. No wonder I like it. Good purchase.

See my NARS Cosmetics guide to see other makeup that I’d like to try from the company. Apparently, my sister’s fave NARS powder blush, Orgasm, is their best selling blush, because it looks great on all skin tones.

Note to sis: I’ll be “borrowing” that lip pencil this weekend. Give it.