JUMP ON IT | Brighten Up Your Winter Wardrobe Now

Iris Apfel & Karlie Kloss. via Kate Spade

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

We're all feeling it right now. The deep freeze doneness. The all-black boredom. That all-consuming craving for brightness, lightness and warmth. Since we can't promise that the forecast is going to turn around anytime soon, it's up to us to do something about it. Luckily, our clothing is something we can control, so let's steer away from the black and grey for a moment shall we? I've found 15 bright ideas to help you beat your winter wardrobe blahs, with pieces that you can wear both now and later. The end of Feb is only a handful of days away so I can't think of a better time to brighten up. Happy (almost) March!

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BRIGHT IDEA | Rock Colour This Fall

Photo courtesy GAP

Originally posted in The CLOSET

The cold weather hits and suddenly, we're a mass of black - heads down, all angsty looking. In a word: depressing. And I'm definitely guilty of putting away most of my brights when the cold weather hits, too. Sure, I'm in fashion so it's practically a job requirement to have a bright coat here and a shocking accessory there but if I'm honest, it's mostly black. All. The. Time. 

So, I'm fighting against it this season. Not because it's particularly on trend, or because it's what any style expert said we should do. But because I'm in New York this week and against the backdrop of all the buildings and pavement and black-clad people, I can't stop staring at all of those bright yellow NYC cabs.

Let's be honest - you can never go wrong with neutrals (more on that later), but here are 40 bright and happy finds to pop on anytime you're feeling blah this fall. Oh, and I've included loads of gorgeous reds to take you right into the holidays, too...

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Totally Shady

Brilliant shades of blue, bordeaux and bright mustard from Nanette Lepore Fall 2012

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

It's funny but every fall I do the exact same thing. Sometime right around now, when the mornings are just starting to feel crisp and the leaves are gradually leaving the trees (is that why they call them leaves?), I find myself doing the fall change-up. I'll pack away all of my bright summer dresses, skirts & tees and shove them into an empty closet in our guest room. The more I pack, the darker my closet gets as yellow, pink and orange make way for loads of grey sweaters and black pants. Um, depressing much?

There's absolutely no reason (especially now!) to live in a black hole for 6 months of the year. I've slowly been building up my colour arsenal and this year, I'm happy to report that my fall/winter wardrobe is equally as exciting as my spring & summer stuff. I can't tell you how much more inspiring it is, especially on a cold, grey day, to have shades of rich yellow, bright reds and deep greens to get me going in the morning. This season, I'm obsessed with bordeaux and mustard and can't wait to work them into my look (see below for cool new ways to wear them).

Since I've been on a bright binge for a few years now, I'm actually equally stoked about the black on black trend for fall - great news for colour-phobes, and perfect for those days when you need a colour detox. The key to keeping it interesting? Try mixing and matching loads of textures - pair a great chunky knit with a pair of leather leggings, shiny patent black boots and a bright red lip. Or, pair your black with either deep navy or bright cobalt blue for a dose of Parisian chic.

Happy Friday!  Is it bad that all I want to do this weekend is shop? x

TRY: BLACK & BLUE

ATTITUDE Jay Manuel Peplum Top, $24.88, Sears 

TRY: MUSTARD & TAUPE

Floral Crepe Pencil Skirt - Petites, $64, Cleo

TRY: BLACK ON BLACK 

Mallia for Danier Wool & Cashmere Coat with Leather Piping, $749, Danier

TRY: BORDEAUX & PINK

Bar Stripe Cardigan, $15, Aeropostale

Orange You Glad It's 2012?

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Clockwise from top left:  Rain Boots, Gap, $54.95; Art Deco Earrings, H&M, $6.95; Colorblock Scarf, Gap, $29.95; Tunic Dress, H&M, $29.95; Striped Sweater, Reitmans, $46; Faux Leather Shoulder Bag, Le Château, $29.95; ToyWatch, The Bay, $260; Large Leather Travel Tote, Gap, $130; Beaded Necklace, H&M, $14.95 

Every January, I make a few style resolutions so I don't repeat mistakes I've made in previous years.  I promise myself that I'll stop buying black, that I won't buy clothes just because they're on sale and that I'll once and for all get rid of things that don't fit, don't flatter and don't make me feel fabulous.  No matter how steadfast my resolve, by February, I've usually committed a multitude of style sins with a safe, black pair of on-sale pants that don't really fit hanging guiltily in my closet.  The shame. 

One resolution I always manage to keep is to try out a colour that scares me a little.  Last year I succeeded big time by adding a bright yellow coat and a pair of bold red pants into the mix, and discovered that I actually loved wearing both.  

This year, Pantone, the world's leading authority on colour trends, has named 'Tangerine Tango' as THE colour of 2012.  With last year's 'Honeysuckle' supposedly encouraging us to face our everyday troubles with optimism, "Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward," declare the peeps at Pantone. 

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Orange, I've found, is a love-hate shade.  I know people who adore orange in all of its warm, brilliant shades, while others run screaming from the in-your-face hue;  I fall into the former camp.  I'll wear orange all year long but especially love it when the weather warms up with tan, gold, pink, purple, white and blue.  If you just can't handle all that Vitamin C, test out orange as an accent in a bag, watch or necklace.  And, if orange just really isn't your thing, fret not - simply check out Pantone for all of the other must-wear colours for 2012.

Will you dare to wear orange this year?