Be Mine Valentine: Four Spring Trends You Can LOVE Now

I love Valentine's Day and I always have. It was especially fun when our children were small, and I still celebrate it even though they are teens now. I know they love it too. I am lucky enough to be happily married for almost 21 years to the most wonderful guy ever, so of course Valentine's Day is a celebration of all sorts around here. But it is not just that makes the day special, I think Valentine's Day is about love in general. February 14th certainly doesn't have to be about romantic love, it can also be about loving your posse of friends, your children, your pet, or that person in your life that always has your back. I hope that this Valentine's Day inspires you to give out great love, and may you receive it in return.

Brunello Cucinelli Lace-Cuff Blazer

And speaking of love, this week I had the pleasure of doing the Neiman Marcus Spring Trend 2016 Fashion Show at The Bravern Bellevue. I got to work with two very talented ladies: Jennifer McCullum, the Style and Design Editor for Seattle Magazine and Darcy Camden, Stylist/Owner of Styled Seattle. The three of us styled the looks for the event, and I had such a fabulous time with these awesome women, as well as with PR super woman, Sydney Mintle, and the lovely Jessica Branning of Neiman Marcus. The fashion this spring really is something to get your heart beating fast and Neiman Marcus certainly has their finger on the pulse. Check out their complete Spring Trend list here.

A few of the trends: Confident Red, Lace, Wide Leg Pants, The Blazer, Off the Shoulder Tops, All Over Denim, and Lace Up Shoes.This Brunello Cucinelli blazer was one of the pieces that I styled for the runway show: a beautifully cut gray blazer that had a hint of lace at each of the cuffs. This jacket is the perfect way to wear the lace trend in a subtle way. It is an investment piece for sure, but Brunello Cucinelli pieces are made impeccably made, lux pieces that are meant to last. Be still my heart.

For this week's photoshoot I wore almost the identical outfit that I wore today at Neiman Marcus when I sat up front and talked trends. Whether you lace up a sexy shoe, rock a bold red lipstick, or carrying a bag with big personality--there is a lot to love as the days warm up. I'll be chatting more about the Spring trends in my article on Vanguard Seattle, but for now let's cover a couple favorite trends you can wear now and into springtime.

LACE

I love the look of lace, and often wearing it with pieces that are a little edgier, but I also think wearing head to toe lace is a super chic, feminine look. This MSGM pink lace western style blouse was so gorgeous I couldn't resist it. It is sold out but I am a huge fan of the brand Alexis, who make feminine cool pieces. This blouse would be a beautiful alternative. And another great blouse for me to own. :)

THE JACKET

Because the blouse I am wearing is a pop of pink color and has a quirky style I chose to wear it with my Helmut Lang tuxedo jacket. Adding a blazer, or jacket, which is referred to as "the third piece", is also a big trend this spring. Whether it is a biker jacket, a blazer or even a sweater, adding a third piece to your look adds another style dimension to your look. If you don't own a tuxedo jacket, I would invest in one--they are great with dresses, denim and are considered an elegant closet staple. I wore black denim pants to keep things looking sleek.

EMBELLISHED

If I died and went to heaven, it would be filled with Chloe. Chloe bags, Chloe shoes. And Marni too, of course. I couldn't wait to kick the bucket to have these shoes though, because the Chloe Glory Studded Leather Penny Loafer rocks my world. Super cute with a skirt, rolled jeans, or a cool pair of trousers. They really are like a French inspired penny loafer and I plan on wearing them year round. This Freda Salvador Laceless Croc-Embossed Leather Oxford would be another great pair that would fill your heart (and closet) with joy.

CONFIDENT RED

I also like pink and red together, and because it is still February one needs a coat, at least in this neck of the woods. I wore a vintage red wool coat with a mink collar that I discovered in an antique store in perfect condition. It's cheerful color really brightens up a dark winter day and I love the old school glamour, even with denim. Here I am casually hanging around with it over my shoulders waiting for someone to bring me a cupcake from the Trophy Cupcakes store behind me. #diva ;)

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

~Mother Teresa

Happy Valentine's Day!

Winter in Bloom

Under all my winter layers I have the secret to brightening up a winter wardrobe. The perfect floral dress is just the thing to making dark pieces a little more interesting. I love the ethereal blooms that cascade across this silk Intermix Libby Lace-Up Dress, the lace up front details, and the beautiful movement of the hem and sleeves. When I bought it in December, sure I dreamed of wearing it on a summer day, but I have never been very good at waiting....so I didn't.

Intermix Exclusive Libby Lace-Up Dress

Dark florals are perfect year round, flourishing with dark backgrounds and vintage-inspired blooms that make them the perfect thing to pair with darker winter pieces. Layer a cozy sweater over a dress to give the appearance of wearing a floral skirt. This Milly sweater has edgy leather sleeves that play well off the dark florals of the dress. Wear tights and your favorite pair of boots, like these Alexander Wang Anouck Boots. I love these so much--they look like a fashion god took a bite out of the back of them. Also, a leather jacket is always a great way to give this lovely dress a cool factor that is beautiful for both day or going out at night.

Florals and leopard? Yes please. The Clare V. Leopard Calfhair Foldover Clutch has been leaving the house with me a lot lately. The dark and light leopard spots play beautifully off of the dark pattern in the dress. My Pièce à Conviction White Open Square Ring is a find from Olivia Kim's shop within a shop at Nordstrom called SPACE. SPACE carries pieces from up and coming designers that have been curated personally by Kim and her stellar team. The ring, by designer Ghislain Ryckebusch, holds two Murano glass spheres that look like they are floating on your hand and comes in different colors and sizes. 

My Madewell x Biltmore Felt Fedora has been the world's best rain hat this year. Biltmore is a nearly hundred year old Canadian haberdashery and this collaboration with Madewell is a match made in heaven. I think this is seriously the most flattering hat I have ever owned. The coat is a lululemon Savasana Softshell II that is water resistant and has a very chic silhouette. Here is this year's version. 

This time of year I love rocking a bold colored lip to give my face a little light and lift. Sometimes dark reds can be a little harsh is you have lighter coloring like I do, but burgundy is a great alternative to red. I love MAC's cult lipstick shade, Diva especially. I tend to layer lip colors to make my own colors, starting with a light shade and building on it. The matte lip is a beautiful look for winter and you can't get prettier than Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned, which I wore for this shoot.

I can't tell you how awesome it has been to revamp my blog this past year and work with my photographer Krissi, who is the perfect partner. There have been a lot of things that have helped shape west fulton street, including my work at Vanguard Seattle, and all the relationships I have made in fashion and beyond. Writing and seeing and talking and living in the fashion world has inspired me to be more myself. I made me realize that it doesn't matter if I am 23 or 53 or 83, I have a relevant voice, and the more time that passes the more it matters to me to be true to myself. Fashion and style have no age and no limits, they are an extension of how we perceive ourselves and how we want the world to perceive us, and the parameters of this are set only by you. I have realized that there are no limits to the possibilities of what I can do if only I allow myself to take the chance, and that is the most freeing and beautiful feeling there can be. 

Here's to making your own garden bloom, my friends.