Maybe it’s the hint of Valentine’s Day chocolates still laying around stores, but there’s something about red and pink that really catch my eye. Accessories, pants, coats: everything looks better in these fun, flirty colors.

1. Delias has expanded their denim/pants collection to include 37” inseams and I couldn’t be more excited! I like the bold red color of these skinny jeans, but keep the rest of your outfit simple. An oatmeal or khaki-colored trenchcoat, some simple flats or boots and wooden or neutral jewelry would be best.
2. I like the zigzag print on this scarf.
3. Bold colors and satin go together like peanut butter and jelly.
4. Bright-colored lingerie is fun to wear underneath more serious clothing. No one needs to know you’re breaking dress code under your banker suit!
5. If you’re still scared of color, start out with a dark red or maroon to ease into it. This dress is a good example of a more subdued red shade.
6. Versions of these red shoes are popping up in every store. Pick up a pair!
7. Turtleneck dresses are a safe choice for work, but also translate really well for going out at night. You can dress this one up or down just by changing your shoes, tights or jewelry.
8. These slouchy red boots are to die for.
9. Babydoll dresses can be hard to pull off, but the trick is to make sure you buy a size (or couple sizes) smaller than you’d usually wear.
10. Stock up on lots of skinny belts in bold colors like red, pink and yellow to add pizazz to your basic t-shirts and dresses.
11. Although winter is winding down in a month or so, keeping a three-quarter-length sleeve coat on hand is smart, at least until the end of April. The nights are chilly and there’s nothing worse than being cold while trying to have a good time!
12. Red sunglasses make me happy each time I put them on. Try a pair like this for a quick pick-me-up while walking outside!
13. My favorite item listed here is this adorable dress. Even the buttons are cute.
14. Every girl–and I do mean every girl–needs a pair of red platform pumps.

What color do you prefer for spring fashion: red or pink?

It happens like clockwork: each winter I haul out my boots and warmest sweaters and begin to sacrifice style bit by bit in favor of the comfortable and the cozy.

Part of my rationalization for not being more creative is because I know I’m going to put a coat over everything I wear. If that’s the case, why bother trying?

Well, I should bother because there are lots of fantastic (and warm) winter style options.

1. Wear this adorable toggle sweater over a long-sleeved shirt, with skinny jeans, boots and a bright scarf.
2. Most waterproof and practical winter boots are fairly ugly. However, this cute pair from Target has a tie back so you can tighten the top around your jeans (preventing snow from wetting your socks). They also have a subtle wedge heel, which will glam up your outfit a couple notches.
3. This newsboy hat has a Blair Waldorf-like bow on the side.
4. Fingerless gloves are really practical: it’s easier to drive, text and open your chapstick. These have a cool military-inspired look.
5. Shawl-collar cardigans are chic and so comfortable. They look best with a more fitted look on the bottom (either jeans or a pencil skirt, for instance) and really interesting oversized jewelry.
6. If you have the moxie to try out a funky, faux-fur hat, by all means, wear one like this!
7. A traditional holiday sweater like this looks good with more modern pairings. I would try it with dark leggings, flat-soled boots and a great pair of earrings.
8. I would really like to open these Nine West boots on Christmas morning. I can’t lie: I love them.
9. Wear a spin on the traditional Ugg boot style with these cuffed sweater boots.
10. I really like these London Fog boots: they have a little wedge and are fur-lined on the inside.
11. When it comes to scarves, you can’t go wrong with plaid.

What do you like to wear when the weather turns cold?

You can get a lot of style for very little cash, and thank god, because with the current economy, thinking like a frugal fashionista is a big plus.

Check out these 14 hip and stylish winter coats.

My new shopping mantra is no more black, but I couldn’t resist this luxe coat from Target (1). Love the detachable fur collar. This classy wool jacket is also from Target, and is more appropriate for an evening date or for a working woman (2).

A bit more pricey, but exceedingly stylish is this mustard yellow bow-accented coat from J. Crew (3).

For a pop of color, this Forever 21 coat is great, but not too practical. I’d wear this for a date or with an evening dress (4).

DELiAs actually has exceptional coats this year, if you do a bit of digging. The military coat buttons on this navy jacket are what really drew me to it (5).

If you want a more feminine silhouette, try this pink Isaac Mizrahi for Target jacket (6).

This bright, bold fuschia jacket from DELiAs is warm and practical, but not boring (7).

Forever 21 has this genius, vintage-looking faux leopard coat. I’d wear this with very quirky and vintage-inspired pieces: dark/gray tights, a bright-colored dress and maybe high-heeled oxfords? (8). This shorter jacket from Forever 21 is good for a boots/jeans/scarf day, when it’s too cold to dress up (9).

ASOS’s Kylie Minogue-inspired jacket looks almost like a dress. So pretty (10).

I love plaid, and Nordstrom’s bomber jacket with a great black, gray and white print is chic and practical (11).

My absolute favorite coat of the bunch is this bold plaid version by Forever 21 (12).

The most inventive style here is this plaid coat from Urban Outfitters: see the drawstring hemline? (13).

Last but not least is this classic and sexy maroon coat from Urban Outfitters (14).

Take your pick: which coat is your favorite?

One of my favorite fall combinations is boots and bottoms. Bottoms are anything that covers, well, your own bottom. Skirts, dresses, leggings, tights, pants and jeans all qualify.

Here are some really varied combinations of boots and bottoms so you can find a set that fits your personal style.

1. Look 1 from Forever 21 combines the trendy and the retro. Can you guess which is which? Although the dress is from Forever 21, it has cute, 50’s styling. Ankle boots, which were popular in the 80’s, have made a huge comeback. To spice up the look: Add a scarf, headband and black or colored tights. For something more edgy, wear leggings with the dress.
2. Look 2 from Delias is for the daring fashionista. When I saw these boots, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. Pink! And plaid! And a button! These boots include so many fashion trends in one small package that it’s hard to figure how to pair them. The best way to make these boots be the stand-out item is to pair them with other solid colored clothing. These black skinny jeans, for example, let the boots stand on their own. To spice up the look: Wear the boots with a contrasting solid color up top. Bright blue, maybe?
3. Look 3 from Urban Outfitters is all me. I like wearing muted patterns and colors–nothing too wild!–and pairing them with interesting footwear and accessories. These boots are versatile and stylish, and I can’t say enough good things about this Urban Outfitters shirt dress. To spice up the look: Add a bright-colored jacket (yellow, orange, etc.), throw on some gray tights and put on a chunky necklace.
4. Look 4 from Target is the epitome of ladylike-chic dressing. This dress is fantastic–I love winter white. The boots, though, are the real catch. Less than $35 from Target, and they look hot. I love the mini wedge. Perfect for winter, perfect with a dress like this. Add some tights or leggings if you get cold. To spice up the look: Throw on some big sunglasses and belt that dress!
5. Look 5 from Alloy is trendy, trendy, trendy. From the colored pants to the low-heeled boots, there is nothing subtle going on here. Step out in confidence–after all, colored pants are all over the place right now and be amazed as the compliments roll in. To spice up the look: Wear something patterned on top. A houndstooth scarf with a simple, chic peacoat would lend a mod edge here.

There are two looks–Retro Glam and Collegiate Charm–that seem to be the benchmark of Fall trends from year to year. Slight variations like plaid, bubble skirts, short boots, high boots, colored tights, black tights and the like only enhance those basic looks.

Here’s what to look for when you shop for a retro glam or collegiate charm look:

1. The print of this gingham dress is new and trendy, but the old-school 50’s cut is all vintage-chic. To dress retro glam, don’t be afraid to wear vintage cuts in new and unexpected ways. If a print is a little too old-fashioned for you, have the dress, skirt or blouse altered into a more modern shape. On the other hand, if the cut of the item is very vintage, pair it with modern accessories to avoid a costumed appearance.
2. Jewelry is key to a retro glam look. A little goes a long way, and try mix up what you wear so as not to appear straight out of Grease, for example. Pearls would be too much with this outfit, so I paired the retro-fitting dress with a long, rock-and-roll chain necklace.
3. When it comes to retro glam, the bigger the sunglasses, the better.
4. Much to my eternal dismay, the shoes pictured above are no longer available on the fickle friend that is Forever 21 online. However, try these alternatives. Here’s what to look for: a chunkier heel (no stilettos), buckles, round-toes, vintage (gold, red, etc.) or muted colors, mary-jane styles or classic peep-toe pumps.
5. A scarf completes the retro glam outfit. Tie it loosely, or with a more retro-flair by flipping one end over your shoulder.
6. For a bit of authentic ladylike coordination, use a clutch instead of your huge, leather tote.
7. A 50’s/60’s style jacket finishes off the outfit. A bit of boxiness is a must. Look for large buttons or a peter pan collar. With longer dresses/skirts, try a cropped jacket. If you’re wearing something shorter on the bottom, then make sure your coat falls slightly above your hemline, but not too far.

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I’m the kind of girl who doesn’t take a lot of fashion risks, especially with shoes. While I observe (and often covet) the trends, when it comes to the actual shopping experience, I mostly stick to the classic basics. I have my basic neutral brown wedges that go with everything, my black stilettos that go with all my dresses, and my everyday black flats, but nothing too flashy or adventurous.

Until now.

Behold my new smokin’ hot pair of pewter peep-toe booties! I saw them on Forever 21’s website and instantly fell in love with their rock-star fashionista vibe. And at $24.80, I’m able to try out the trend without too much of a commitment.

Check out some pricier alternatives: one by Steven by Steve Madden and another by Moschino.

Moral of the story: Step outside of your box once in awhile. Buy something that you wouldn’t normally wear but still appeals to you. Chances are, you’ll freshen up your wardrobe — and build a style that’s a little more you!

I’m big into 70’s-inspired clothing for fall. Wave good-bye to your skinny jeans and get ready for some easy, pretty fall fashion.

There’s something really romantic and pretty about 70’s-inspired looks. Just check out how hot the cast of the original Charlie’s Angels looked.

Ready to travel back in time? Try these looks on for size.

1. This loose chiffon blouse brings to mind the easy-breezy looks of the 70’s.
2. I adore these wide-leg, high-waisted jeans. Perfect vintage style at a great price.
3. Bangles add a bit of rock-and-roll.
4. Sky-high green wedges add a modern color to a decades-old style.

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Still have some room in your suitcase? Shoes tend to be the area where most of us overpack…they’re cute AND heavy, leading to some serious overestimation. You should be able to make it through a beach vacation with just three pairs of shoes…if they’re the right ones.

Flip-Flops

Everyone I know wears the cheap Old Navy flip flops. Stand out in–gasp–a Forever 21 pair instead. They come in several different colors, but I like the gray pictured here.

Dressy Sandals

• I have a severe “thing” for gladiator sandals. Brandon, my fiance (otherwise known on here as THF), calls them my “Russell Crowe shoes.” My sister calls them “Jesus sandals.” However you decide to look at them, you can’t deny their inherent hotness. This pair from Madden Girl is less than $50.
• Target has some great summer sandals right now. This bejeweled pair is so pretty, and dressy enough for dinner, etc.
• I love red shoes and this strappy, bare pair from Target is firmly on my “to buy” list.
• Payless is a good place to pick up inexpensive footwear, like these strappy sandals which would look smashing with a skirt or dress.
• The wild card here are these sandals from Alloy. They’re a great deal money-wise, but the serpent design and bright colors might be hard to pull off. My suggestion is to wear them something neutral on top, like a casual black or gray dress.
• These elegant Forever 21 sandals have sexy ankle ties. To keep the ties up on your legs, spray them with some hairspray after they’re tied. Gross, but it works!

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All right, we got the hardest part of a planning for a beach vacation out of the way: the swimsuit. Let’s continue to work our way down the ultimate packing list, shall we?

Beach Cover-ups

• This Urban Outfitters coverup is chic, roomy and made of a light, flowy fabric. Wear at home with skinny jeans and a belt (to add shape) so you get more mileage out of it when you’re not at the beach.
• I love this casual coverup from Target. It has a classic dress shape, but an unexpected hoodie on the back and is made of a nubby, towel-y texture.
• This coverup from Target is a bit more classy than some of the others, which would be perfect if you actually want more coveragefrom your cover-up.
• Sarongs are the ideal beach accessory. You can wrap them in different ways around your body, depending on how flexible you are. Me, I’m not super-talented at tying sarongs, but I admire those who can turn them into halter dresses and whatnot.
• This minimalist (as in minimal fabric) cover-up from Bluefly looks like a cute beach dress. Alas, it’s quite see-through and flimsy, so try and limit it to only beachwear, hmm?
• If you want a bit more freedom of movement (read: bloated after that second cheeseburger), this trapeze shape from Victoria’s Secret is ideal.
• One of my favorites here is this cover-up from Jessica Simpson, who apparently now makes beachwear. The open-back is deliciously sexy.
• For a youthful, fun cover-up (with a bit of a scandalous v-neck), this one from Victoria’s Secret comes in this print version and other solid colors.

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Whether you have a significant other or not, everyone needs to spend some quality time at home eating delicious food, watching good movies and getting some old-fashioned relaxation.

The key to relaxing at home after work or on the weekends is to have proper loungewear. Abandon those Juicy sweatpant combos and try a chemise or slip instead. Fashioned like a dress, but far more comfortable, pajama-like and yes, even sexy.

Here are some of my favorite affordable chemise/slip choices.

• The Gap sleep shirt below is a good choice if you want something to lounge AND sleep in. It looks like something you might have taken from your boyfriend (or ex-boyfriend) and neglected to give back.
• I also like the affordability of this Forever21 chemise.
• This Forever21 slip has a cool crinkle effect on the fabric, and black flatters all body types.

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