Though we’re still facing Winter storms and cold temps, it’s time to start thinking about your Spring wardrobe. Here are the top 10 fashion trends for Spring 2011.

Nautical

The nautical trend consists of blue and white horizontal stripes, wide leg trousers, flowing fabrics and menswear lines. If you have one Nautical piece this Spring, make sure it’s a white and blue striped tank or off the shoulder top.


For more on the Nautical Trend – Spring 2011 Fashion Trend – Nautical Stripes

Blush and Bashful

This Spring, styles are either super feminine or super masculine. One of the more feminine styles is the blush & bashful color schemes that were so popular on the runways. Look for pieces (especially dresses and shoes) in light pinks, honeysuckles and nudes. Flowy fabrics make this style even more girly.


For more on the Blush & Bashful Trend – The Pink Dress Trend | Spring Shoe Trend – Blush Heels

Seventies

The Seventies Trend is HUGE this season. Wide leg jeans, halter tops, dolmain tops, platform heels, strappy sandals, floppy hats and round sunglasses are just a few of the characteristics of this style.


For more on the Seventies Trend – Top 10 Pieces for the Seventies Trend

Bright Orange

Bold, bright colors like blues, greens, yellows, oranges and reds will make a statement this Spring. The most stylish of these colors is bright orange. It was seen most on the runways and is perfect for the fun and flirty styles you’ll wear this Spring.

Unique Prints

Unique prints graced the Spring 2011 runways. The key to this trend is mixing unique prints in unexpected ways. Batik, tie-dye, stripes, animal prints and tribal prints can all be intermingled to create an interesting whirlwind of patterns.

Pajama-Style

Models wearing these pieces looked like they stepped right out of bed. The pajama style consists of silky, flowy fabrics in light colors. Styles include pant suits, gowns, short sets and jumpsuits. We’ll see how well this trend does – I have my doubts.

Full Skirts

Think 1950′s with this trend. Full skirts in interesting patterns were seen on more than just a few runways for Spring 2011. This style is usually belted, often below the knee and sometimes worn with a petticoat.

Sheer

Sheer fabrics are stylish on tops and dresses, but they are especially stylish this season when featured unexpectedly on maxi-dresses.


For more on Sheer styles – How To Wear Sheer

White

Simple white dresses, tops, jumpsuits and shorts are back again this Spring. Look for silky fabrics, flowing lines and styles that show a lot of skin.


For more on White Dresses – The White Dress Trend

Wide Leg Pants

Though part of the Seventies Trend, wide leg pants are so trendy this Spring, they deserve a mention of their own. Look for wide leg jeans in classic denim colors with high waists and very wide legs. If wearing trousers, go over the top with silky fabrics, bright colors or white.

Which trends will you be wearing this Spring?

If you loved our post earlier this week on blush heels, you’ll squeal about this trend!


According to Pantone, two of this Spring’s top colors are honeysuckle (a soft peach) and silver peony (a soft pink).


We saw confirmation of the popularity of these colors on the red carpets at the Golden Globes. These two colors, and various shades in-between, were definitely the evening gown color of choice this year.

In fact, pink dresses are so popular, they’re basically replacing the LBD this season as the go-to dress. (Don’t get rid of your little black dresses, though…they’ll be back soon enough!)

How To Wear a Pink Dress

Shoes – As tempted as it might be, don’t combine this trend with the blush heels trend. Unless you want to look like Pink Princess Barbie, of course. Black heels or nude heels with gold accents are a better option.
Jewelry – Let your dress be the focal point. Wear ONE statement piece – a multi-chained necklace, a wide cuff bracelet or chandelier earrings.

Where To Find a Pink Dress

The trend hasn’t hit many department stores yet. Watch in the months to come for this dress to be in the windows of all your favorite stores.
Here’s what’s out right now –

Banana Republic | The Limited | The Limited | Amsale | D&G | JCrew | ModCloth | ModCloth | ModCloth

What do you think? Are you a fan of the pink dress trend?

Not quite pink, not quite nude, blush heels are quickly becoming this Spring’s must-have heel. For good reason – they’re feminine and playful without being too Barbie.


You can find blush heels in everything from a standard pump to the most outrageous booties. However, the most common blush shoe is the strappy sandal.


I’m personally loving those with embellishments or ultra-feminine details like tulle. I don’t know how practical those are, but they’re super cute!!


Here are some examples…


Blush Heels at Piperlime

BCBGeneration | Calvin Klein | Steve Madden | Pierre Dumas

Blush Heels at Nordstrom

Poetic Licence | B.P. | Mark & James | Charles by Charles David

Blush Heels at Zappos

Ivanka Trump | Badgley Mischka | Nina | Steve Madden

Blush Heels at Target

Mossimo | Mossimo

Blush Heels at DSW

Mia | Kelsi

What do you think? Will you wear a pair of blush heels this Spring?

It’s so easy to forget to make an appointment for the spa. You always leave feeling fabulous, but then forget to book your next appointment until it’s too late. Your nails are scraggly, your skin is dull, your hair is two-toned and split at the ends. You try to get in, but you have to wait another week or two. During this time, your beauty situation becomes dire. You’re tempted to wear a paper bag over your head until your appointment. Does this happen to you?

I used to be a paper-bag-wearer every 2 months or so. It took getting engaged and reading a bridal beauty schedule to get me in the habit of following a spa schedule.


Now that I do, I’m hooked. I push the limits as far as I can to make sure I’m not breaking the bank with my spa habits, but I never get to that scraggly, dull, two-toned, split ends stage. Here is a schedule you can follow – accounting for time and money and offering maintenance suggestions as well.

Hair

Cut

Short - If your hair is short, it takes a bit more maintenance to maintain its stylish shape. Women with short hair will need to have their hair cut every 4 weeks.
Medium - Medium hair cuts give you a little more wiggle room than short cuts, but you should still make sure to visit your salon every 5 weeks.
Long - With long hair, you have the ultimate in terms of forgiveness. To keep your ends healthy, make sure you get a trim every 6 weeks.


If you’re growing your hair out in any of the styles listed above, don’t just let your hair grow willy-nilly. Make sure to have your ends trimmed at least every 8 weeks.

Color

No Roots – If you never want your roots to show, get your hair colored every 4 weeks. However, if you’re having your hair colored this often, make sure you’re not damaging your hair. Consult with your hair stylist to make sure the color being used on your hair isn’t super harsh.
Starting To Show – If you can handle your roots showing just a bit, you can probably wait until 6 weeks to have your hair colored again. Again, make sure you’re taking a healthy approach to your color so as not to damage your hair.
Two-Toned – If you wait 8 weeks or longer, your hair is going to look two-toned. You’ll have that ‘I’m growing out my color’ look – not pleasant. Depending on the difference between your natural hair color and your enhanced hair color, this may not be as drastic for some. If you can make it this long without having ombre hair, it’s a much healthier (and more affordable!) option.


Ways to extend your hair color – Using shampoos that are gentle on color-treated hair definitely seems to extend the amount of time you can go between colors. I love Frederic Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo. I don’t find the need to use a color care conditioner and can use one more suited to my hair texture.
Another little secret my hair colorist introduced me to is the Aveda color gloss services. I have my hair colored every 8 weeks with a color gloss in between. The color gloss gives my hair a nice shine and extends the color until my next highlight.

Nails

Perfect Cuticles – If money and time are no object, you should get a manicure every week and a pedicure every 3 weeks. This will keep your nail polish fresh, your cuticles healthy and your nails well-groomed.
Maintenance – If your budget and schedule don’t allot for such a hefty nail schedule, try to get a full mani/pedi at least once a month with a polish change on your hands in between. Most salons will do a basic nail grooming as they do your polish change. This will keep your nails looking fresh, your cuticles healthy and your pocketbook happy.


Ways to extend your manis –
1 – Wear gloves when you clean, wash dishes or garden
2 – Apply cuticle oil each night before bed
3 – Apply a clear coat every couple of days

Skin

Facials – I love a good facial even more than I love a good massage. I highly recommend having a facial (with extractions) every month. If your budget and schedule don’t permit that, go for at least once every 3 months.


Tip - As much as I love my regular aesthetician, there are plenty of group deals on spa services. A facial is a good way to experience a new spa since there’s not so much they can screw up.


Waxing – To maintain a good shape and not mess up the progress your aesthetician has made, make sure to have your eyebrows waxed about once a month. It pays to go to someone who specializes in eyebrow shaping instead of the random nail-tech, waxing your brows behind a makeshift curtain.


One of the best ways to make sure you maintain a spa schedule is to book your next appointment as you check out. Booking your services in advance ensures you’ll be able to get in when you need to.


Do you have a spa schedule? How is it similar or different to the one I listed here?


Photo Credit – epic self

The following is a guest post from one of our readers. Join me in welcoming Rochalle!

What Are Kitten Heels?

Kitten heels are a compromise between flats and high heels. More than just being a low heel, what makes a kitten heel is the placement and feminine shape of the heel. They will always have a 2-inch or less thin-based heel that is set in from the back of the shoe. Due to this placement there is an inward curvature of the heel (like a kitten claw).

The shoe is always delicate and slender. Much of the time, the shoe has a pointed toe or peep toe, adding to the feminine appearance. Especially popular on pumps, kitten heels can be found on many types of women’s dress shoes. You can find kitten heels in pumps, sandals, peep toes, and wedges. Also, you’ll find everything from dressy kitten heels appropriate for evening wear to casual options that can be worn on the street, at work or when shopping.

How To Wear Kitten Heels

There’s a pair of kitten heels for almost any outfit since they are available in so many styles. Kitten heels are delicate with dresses or pants. They’re especially pretty with summer dresses and skirts.


Fair Warning – Be careful when purchasing and dressing these tricky little heels. Kitten heels do not flatter the leg or foot like high heels. They won’t make your legs longer and they won’t make your feet look smaller.

Because they still give you a lift but fail to elongate the leg, most of us should wear kitten heels with wide leg trousers. They can also be worn with skinnies as a substitute for the higher heels we have been seeing lately.


If you choose to partake in this trend buy a versatile pair. Black or brown are always a good bet but why not try navy blue, olive, or even red.


Are you a kitten heels fan?