According to Pantone, orange has been gaining popularity among designers and consumers for years and is now being used in fashion, design and cosmetics. It has year-round viability with its vibrancy to match spring’s liveliness, while still holding on to the elements of its traditionally autumnal hue. Love it! What do you have in your closet from last year that you can grab this season in this fun color?

Hopefully the three sessions I bid on and won at a charity auction will help me jump start my fitness routine (yes, once again!)

This is sad for me to admit but I did have to dig though my closet for my sneakers and exercise clothes!  Yes. those. old. exercise clothes. I think putting your clothes out and having them ready makes all the difference and having fun, cute exercise clothes can certainly help to motivate you as well. I do have two pairs of pants from lululemon athletica – They make the BEST pants!  Of course the headbands, gym bags and tops are fun and fashionable as well!

A couple of nice workout shirts and my favorite lululemon pants should get me motivating in no time…psst..there is a sale going on in the lululemon stores right now so get moving!

Each fall we try to head to either one BEFORE Thanksgiving because let’s face it, after is just a zoo.  A couple weekends ago we headed up to North Conway and at my suggestion we headed to the larger, more popular stores like Coach and Gap and thank goodness we did as on that Saturday the lines we sooooo long. Here are some tips if you are going to hit the outlets this season:

• Avoid weekends if you can – I know this might be difficult, but it is just crazy then.  If you have to go on a weekend get there first thing or go there right before they close. Check out the larger, key stores earlier or later to avoid the crowds.
• Check your coupons – many times outlets do not allow you to use the store coupons.  However, many outlets do offer special packages and discounts so check websites before you leave.
• Have fun – Stay hydrated, try not to carry a lot of bags and be strategic. We actually saw women with shopping bags on wheels. Stop for breaks and wear comfy shoes. Sometimes is does pay to map out your course of what stores to go to first.  I always love the outlets for a wider selection, great sales and of course fun company!

Our friends at Bluefly have the best clothes. Check out one of my favorite designers bcbg on Bluefly. If you love flirty, feminine dresses and stylish separates this is the collection for you (and oh the shoes!). I have a black BCBG skirt that I bought years ago that I still wear to every occassion and everyone complements me on it!

Here are some of my favorites I spotted on Bluefly.  This lime neon burnout cotton racer back tank combines two trends in one – bright and a sheer, almost lace looking tank – love the sheerness of it.

I remember years ago I was invited to a white party – where you wear all white (I did have a hard time deciding what to wear ) This white striped chiffon one-shoulder gown would have been just right!  So pretty.

For shoes I am craving a flat and a wood heel. Love the bcbg shoes! These beach leather ‘Agreice’ buckle platform sandals are the perfect summer accessories for cute shorts and dresses. The pewter leather ‘Betsy’ cluster flats would look great with jeans and some silver jewelry!

The Clothes Line Interview

Here’s a quick Q&A on her background and advice to other women owned businesses.

Q: When did you first come up with your business idea?

A:  My background is in social work but I’ve always loved helping my friends and  family with their clothes. My business was born about 4 years ago when a close friend who is a life coach, persuaded me to follow my passion for fashion & style by launching a business as a “fashion coach”.  My first thought was “who will hire  a social worker as a wardrobe stylist”? But when you follow your passion good things happen, and within a year I had a robust clientele and was styling for television and print.

Q: What does the future hold for your business?

A:  In addition to working with private clients and running style workshops, I’ve started to do more makeovers. I recently launched Project Makeover,  a team  of service professionals who are dedicated to providing head to toe makeovers to  deserving women. I get a great sense of satisfaction when I’m giving back to the community and helping to improve women’s self-confidence and self-esteem.

Q: Any advice for other mom/women owned businesses?  

A: Don’t spread yourself thin.  It’s easy to get pulled in too many directions—networking meetings, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.  Pick and choose what works best for you and don’t try to overdo it.

I was so looking forward to wearing bright clothes and open toe shoes but have not fully transitioned my closet yet from winter to spring/summer clothes. I spent three hours a few weekends ago going through my kids closet and then went out to buy shorts and T’s and then it snowed again. There were back and forth between short and long sleeved T’s and heavy sweatshirts that they were so confused. What do you wear this time of year?

Here are some of my favorite transitional clothes for this time of year in New England.

Black Leggings – hey you can wear them with flip flops or boots

Long sleeved black shirt – add a bright T shirt over it and if you really need to a long sweater and a scarf. Take off layers if the temp rises!

A T-shirt dress – I have this great black short sleeved one that I can wear a heavy sweater over it. It is linen though…..but add some tights and boots and a sweater and you really can’t tell.

I still have my black tights out and have not even attempted to wear a skirt without leggings or tights…..yet

Can you tell I like the color black?

Have a pile of baby clothes that you wish you could exchange for the next size up?  There is a great web site called Baby Clothing Network,a free online trading service for kids clothing.  It’s a easy way to trade clothing fairly because it uses a trade-for credit system. No money exchanges on the site but rather if you trade a box of items you earn equivalent credits based on the value of the goods. What a great idea!   Check out my video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

My 6 year old asked me if I was going to talk about her in my blog post and I told her I would! Especially because she made me think about this trend – shopping in your closet! 

Yes, on many occasions she shops in my closet and puts together the most adorable outfits. This past weekend she put together this outfit for me (didn’t even know I had the necklace). Both her and my 9 year old are quite the fashionistas – see other picture below.  There are so many ways to update your look this upcoming spring season with pieces you already have in your closet – think cargos with bright colors like orange or pink or gold jewelry with that black dress your own and snakeskin is big – from accessories to dresses.  Just take an inventory of what you already have and throw out what you have not worn and go from there….