7 ways to add color to your summer wardrobe...

when we think of summer...we think of sun...fun...and color...but many still have a hard time figuring out how to incorporate color into their summer wardrobe...now for those that for whatever reason...don't like color...no problem...i have several clients who prefer to stay in their neutrals...and that is ok...

but for those wanting to have a little bit of a colorful impact on their wardrobe this season...here are some simple solutions for you...and the great thing...is you can just add one of these items...and have instant color success...

1.  how about adding a vibrant colorful handbag for this season...this one below is the one i got myself...but in a neon pink...the tangerine was my second choice...and believe me...it goes with almost everything i wear...i literally have been using it for months...and get lots of compliments on it...which color to pick?  whichever one speaks to you...the pink was screaming my name...so i went for it...

michael kors "jet set" tote
nordstrom

2  a big trend that has been staying strong for quite some time...is the colored jeans...or in this case...a nice cool cropped pant...and yes...i have a similar pair...and i love them...wear them often...with so much...i've paired them with a black & white graphic summer coat...a simple tee...a floral blouse...on and on....add a blazer - wear it to the office...

nordstrom.com

3.  same as above - but in a skirt...depending on what you are looking for...as far as casual or business...the colored skirt can be incorporated in either setting...this one is a casual cotton skirt...perfect for running around town...going to the movies with friends...or meeting up with the gal pals for drinks...add a fun white tee...cute espadrilles and you are set...

banana republic
styling fabulous consignment boutique

4.  add a little color to your shoes...there are such fun loafers out now...flats...in vibrant colors...or pastels...such an easy way to add color when wearing a skirt or your jeans...

cole haan
styling fabulous consignment boutique

but of course...don't just think of your flats...how about a fun color in a pair of pumps...a yellow?  blue?  how fun to wear with your jeans...can't go wrong with a fun colorful pair of espadrilles...or for something a little dressier...lovely mint green slingbacks...for those that want a little color...not to bright...

paolo
styling fabulous consignment boutique

5.  adding a fun flirty top when going out for the evening...yes...skip the black for an evening...believe me...people gravitate towards color...you will be surprised...all you need?  a fun pair of white jeans or skirt and you are set for a summer evening...

max studio
styling fabulous consignment boutique

6.  add a colorful cardigan...for those cool summer nites...or depending on where you live...here in san francisco bay area...summer nites can get pretty cool...so a fun leather jacket in a great summer color...how chic is this?

lucien piccard
styling fabulous consignment boutique

7.  and last...but certainly not least...a simple add of a colorful scarf...add that to your neutrals...your blacks...or your all whites...and you are fabulously set for a wardrobe with a splash of color...

now i realize that all my examples are showing solids...but don't stop there...there are amazing colorful prints out there...that would do wonders in adding color to your summer wardrobe as well...

which of these would you try?

cole haan + nike air...

to me...this has got to be one of THE best collaborations...ever!  and while these shoes have been in existence for quite some time...i am still amazed when i bring them up...and people haven't heard...just the other day...i was wearing one of my pairs...for many many hours...and some of the women remarked "how can you stand in those all day"...and i said..."because of nike air..."  all i got were blank stares...so i am now sharing with all of you...some may already know...but for those that don't...

you need to know!  the collaboration started when cole haan shoes were made with the comfort of nike shoes...cole haan has every heel height...with this hidden nike air technology...pure genius...

so next time you are shopping for some "high-heeled" shoes...check out all the wonderful styles that cole haan offers...and then look for the "nike air"...i have several pairs in different heights...and i tell you...i feel like i am walking on pillows...so so comfortable...the nike air padding is concealed inside the platform portion of the shoe under the ball of the foot and in the heels...and while i show a pic of a cute summer sandal...it doesn't stop there...you can find cole haan nike air in dressy shoes too...

have you tried cole haan with nike air technology?

cole haan 'paley' wedge sandal
nordstrom

how to incorporate new trends via a scarf...

an easy way to add a new trend to your already fabulous style...perhaps a trend that you like...but want to step into lightly...is via a scarf...a scarf to begin with...is already a great way to add style to an outfit...for the spring/summer season...you want to think about light weight scarves...such as in linen, cotton, silk or a blend of these...

say for example you are loving that pastels are big this season (which they are...along with bold bright colors) but you aren't really keen on getting big pieces in pastel...finding a scarf in your favorite pastel color is all you need...add it to your neutrals...your plain white tees...or mix it in with some brights...and you have just incorporated a new trend in your wardrobe...without going all out...

infinity scarf
j crew

the same would work in a bold color...you don't need to buy a whole pant suit in a bold color (unless of course that is your style)...just find that perfect bold color in a scarf...

perhaps you are interested in playing with prints...but feeling a bit timid...here are some fun examples of adding a fun geometric or floral print...doesn't it add just the perfect amount of fun to an outfit?

echo geo wrap
nordstrom

liberty floral scarf
j crew

kate spade chevron stripe scarf
nordstrom

such an easy way to bring your basics to life...or baby steps to trying out a new trend...a scarf is easy and the choices are limitless...

the right time and place for lace...

...is now!  such a feminine delicate look...and as always...what i tell my clients and friends...depending on your style...you can wear a little bit of lace and have it go a long way...or go all out in a lace dress...either way you choose...lace is one of the spring 2013 trends...and the options are endless...

while you may have been used to seeing black lace dresses...opt for a fun spring color...want to make it a bit more edgy?  add your tough leather jacket to it...a nice mix of feminine & masculine...hard and soft...

david meister cap sleeve lace dress
nordstrom

this lovely lace skirt is a great addition to your wardrobe...depending on what you pair it with...it could be a great casual look...change up a few items...only to be dressed up for an evening out on the town...

collection pencil skirt in scalloped lace
j crew

adding a nice lace shoe to your collection isn't a bad idea...whether you opt for a heel or flat...lots of great choices out there...

dolce & gabbana lace pump
nordstrom

and if you are thinking lace is just too girlie for you...you might change your mind when you take a look at this leather dress...with just a tiny bit of lace...this is nothing about girlie...and everything about making a tough sexy statement...

jason wu embossed leather sheath dress
nordstrom

april showers got you down?

"april showers bring may flowers"

"there is no sun without the rain"

while i agree whole-heartedly with the above statements...i'm not much of a fan of the rain...especially when it should be sunny outside...isn't that what spring is all about?  but april showers do exist...and while it is spring...do put away all your drab winter rain gear...celebrate spring...even through the april showers...

here are some fabulous ways to put a little spring in your rain filled day...april showers got you down?  these are sure to bring a smile to your face...and everyone around you!

no reason to be carrying around a blah black umbrella...add some color...or a fun graphic print...or both!

kate spade new york "pop art" check umbrella
nordstrom

no reason to be running around fretting if you are going to accidently step into a puddle...or maybe you want to...go running through a few puddles...sure to lift your spirit...but make sure you are set with a nice pair of rainboots...how fun are these? colorful & with polka dots...

chooka "classical dot" rain boot
nordstrom

and if nothing else...at least go for a fun raincoat...nothing brighter then a nice spot of color on a dark & grey day...

ilse jacobsen hornbaek hooded raincoat
nordstrom 

leather in spring...

one of the big trends for this spring season is leather...now most associate leather with fall & winter...but this can easily be transitioned into a fun & spicy spring wardrobe...

while your heavy leathers won't work...the key to bringing in leather in spring is the weight of the leather...look for lighter weights...and then to make it more fun...add in some fun bright colors...or pastels...here are some fun pics to get your juices flowing in ideas...

nothing screams spring like a dress in a coral color...add the leather element...and you've got the spring 2013 leather trend right on the mark!

alice + olivia a-line dress
nordstrom

a peplum top is very feminine...but add a little edge by wearing it in leather...i actually have a similar leather peplum top...and i'm thinking i could wear it just as shown below...or with a little white tee underneath...

trina turk 'tatyana" leather peplum top
nordstrom

 or add a fun leather skirt to the mix...and while you can always do a neutral color...how about adding a fun color this season?  this vibrant yellow is such a happy color...no?

jason wu nappa leather pencil skirt
nordstrom

whether you go for a real leather or faux...there are so many options out there...look for something in your best spring color...

leather for spring...

rules rules rules...no white after labor day...no leather in spring/summer...i love that these old rules that once may have held true...are no longer the case...as in leather for spring...one of the big trends this coming season...

so how does it work?  think about color...spring will be showing a lot of leather in dresses, skirts & tops...go for spring colors...just like you would with your other clothing...and look for light weight leather...

doesn't this dress just scream spring?  whether you choose your leather in a dress...top...or jacket...leather for spring is definitely "in"...

alice + olivia leather a-line dress
nordstrom

how to add some emerald green to your life...

if you haven't heard...emerald green is the color of 2013...and as with any color...depending on how much you like it...how it blends with your skin color...etc...there are ways of incorporating it into your wardrobe in small and big doses...

here are some options for you...something as simple as a cotton tee...even better with a bit of sequins thrown in...if you want to go a little dressier...opt for a silky blouse in emerald green...will look great with your basic black...add some gold baubles...and you are set...

petite paillette statement cotton tee
ann taylor loft

a fun dress for the office or dinner out...how fun to be in this vibrant color...or mix things up even more...stand out while everyone is wearing their little black dresses...opt for your very own little emerald green dress...

michael kors double face stretch wool sheath
nordstrom

who remembers the fabulous earrings that angelina jolie was wearing at an awards show...they were magnificent...whether you sport some fabulous earrings...or a beautiful necklace...you can't go wrong...they will make brown eyes look deeper...and enhance green and blue eyes...

photo source

speaking of accessories...it is a perfect color to wear in a handbag or clutch...an emerald green belt will add a little something something to your outfit...and of course...a scarf with this beautiful color will be a stand out piece as well...

are you getting the picture??  the ways are endless...

and last but certainly not least...try wearing a shade of emerald on your nails...your manicured nails will be the main attraction...and no need to worry about them matching your clothing pieces...

photo source

how are you planning to bring the color of the year into your wardrobe?

rev up your shoe choices this christmas season...

when it comes to shoes...sometimes...the shoe alone can make the outfit...wearing all black...or all ivory...pick any neutral...and spicing up the outfit with some colorful shoes...well...a whole new way of looking at creating outfits...

the christmas season is a time to step out of the box a bit...after all...it is a festive time...so here are some examples of revving up that plain ole outfit...all taken from the fabulous finds consignment boutique...as you can see from the examples...all heel heights apply...it is about a pop of color...think vibrant red...or a beautiful jewel tone...

does this spark a memory of a pair of shoes hidden somewhere in the back of your closet...go ahead...pull them out...give them new life...and if one of the ones listed below strikes your fancy...click on the link...and check out if it is your size and a perfect fit...

nina

paolo lantorno

beverly feldman

bcbg

anne klein

carmen marc valvo

steve madden

academia design london

nordstrom

blame it on the rain...

ok...i'll admit it...i don't much like the rain...unless of course...i am inside...and staying put...but there are those days that i must venture out...in the rain...as has been these last few weeks...we have had an enormous amount of downpours in the bay area...almost enough for me to think i need to add a nice pair of rain boots to my shoe collection...

as i ventured through nordstrom.com in the comfort of my home...nice and dry...i was pleasantly surprised with a lovely array of choices...being that cold and rainy days usually signify...grey and dreary...at least for me...my need to bring cheer in...forces gives me reason to go for fun color and texture...

here are my top choices...if i do decide to bite the bullet...and splurge on a nice pair of rain boots...

what do you look for in a rain boot?  color...texture...neutrals?  seeing all the choices...it is obvious that there is something for everyone...

sperry top sider

sperry top sider

hunter

coach

burberry

kamik

burberry

hunter

put a topper on it...

the cloche hat...an ode to the 1920's...old hollywood glam...

talk about adding a bit of chic to your outfit...

a fun trend...and added bonus...as it will save you

on a bad hair day...

the great thing about these toppers...is that you can still

play into your sense of style...whether you are about 

classic color & cut...or love the addition of a bow...

feathers more your thing?  how about some studs...

or go for a fun animal print...be bold in a vibrant color...

whichever you choose...a definite pop to your outfit...

put a topper on it... by fabufinds featuring nordstrom hats