Are you ready to toss all your heavy sweaters into a box, polish your toenails and slip into a pair of sandals? Me, too! (What's a girl gotta do to get an umbrella drink around here? )  And as luck would have it, heals are out this spring and flats are in, which makes for some happy feet.

I’m not necessarily a slave to trends, but having been in the beauty industry for more than twenty years, it’s definitely clear that looking good is a huge part of feeling your best.  We can all think of an outfit that made us feel beautiful, stylish, and confident; and one (or many) that made us feel frumpy and uninspired.  Discovering the look that makes you feel amazing is kind of like finding the right person to spend your life with;  once you find it, you just know, it feels right in a way that nothing else has. For me that tends to be solid colors, dresses,  skirts, fitted tops and looser bottoms to accent my figure in a way that makes me feel good about the way I look.  When flashy colors or patterns are in style, I might buy a bag that’s a bit bolder to incorporate that trend into my wardrobe without compromising my personal style and what makes me feel my best. Even when trends seem to be outrageous, there are ways to incorporate the latest looks without looking silly doing it.

So, when you’re out looking for some new things for your spring and summer wardrobe, keep in mind if you don’t feel great in it, don’t buy it. Be patient; accent your assets and hide your flaws. Once you start to figure out the shapes, cuts, and fabrics that work well for you, you'll be on your way to looking your very best every day of the week.

Warm weather is just around the corner, so I’ve scoured the internet to find the hottest fashion trends for this spring and summer.  Drum roll, please!

Pantone color of the year: Emerald (Check out the Pantone website for more great info.)

 

Black and white

 

Stripes

 

Pastel

 

Floral

 

Flats & Low Heals

 

 

 

Lace 

 

Don't worry guys. I haven't forgotten about you.  Often many of the same trends for women are also similar for men; stripes, pastels, black and white, even floral.

 

Men's Fashion Trends 2013

 

Children's Fashion Trends 2013

 

Here are some more great resources for spring and summer 2013 trends. Check 'em out!

 

• TREND spring/summer 2013 – Top Fashion Colors
• TREND spring/summer 2013 – Prints and Colors
• TREND spring/summer 2013 – Fashion and Lifestyle Colors and Themes
• TREND spring/summer 2013 – Color trends from Pantone
• TREND spring/summer 2013 – Fashion: Women’s Careerwear
• TREND spring/summer 2013 – Fashion: Menswear
• TREND spring/summer 2013 – Fashion: Knitwear and color
• TREND spring/summer 2013 – Fashion color trends from Pantone
• TREND spring/summer 2013 – Home Interiors