Spring Fling

Around this time of year, we start feeling a little depressed because it almost seems like winter will never end. Mother nature will sometimes tease us with one sunny day over 40 degrees, but then crush our hopes and dreams with another week of below freezing temperatures. I know it's hard to believe that spring is just around the corner, but it will come sooner than you think. If you are one of those people that feels defeated over the seemingly never-ending winter weather, here are some ways to make your winter wardrobe have a fling with spring and brighten up your mood at the same time.

1) Booties: Hopefully the worst of the snow storms are over and we won't need to trek through multiple feet of snow in order to get from place to place, so swap out your tall boots and snow boots for some ankle booties. These are perfect for making the transition from winter to spring flawless and, your feet will be covered, dry, and warm in a pair of shoes you can wear not only now, but also throughout springtime.

Steve Madden

Zara

ASOS

Cut-outs, pastel colors, and brights are a great way to segway your bootie-game into spring while giving you a subtle reminder that better weather is on its way!

2) Color: During the winter we tend to gravitate toward all black everything, especially toward the end, we focus more on bundling up than dressing up. Give yourself a mood booster by incorporating a few pops of spring colors into your end of winter outfits. You don't have to pull out your spring clothes quite yet, but adding a lighter scarf, colored bag, or a spring inspired manicure can be just the right amount of color you need.

Essie

Kate Spade

Forever 21

Adding a small amount of color in the form of an accessory can help you beat the winter blues and remind you that spring isn't so far off in the distance. You can also try a spring blouse with a neutral cardigan over it to balance out the pop of color.

3) Denim: Spring is the perfect time of year for denim, a great way to get out of your winter rut is to opt for lighter shades of denim, like grey, and pairing it with a dark colored top. Try to avoid colored bottoms like mint, coral, etc. because they come off as too spring-y. The look we are striving for is a twist of winter and spring.

Madewell

Revolve Clothing

Guess

Keep your black leggings in your drawer and put on a pair of jeans, this change will make you feel refreshed and help you connect to the season you have been long awaiting. Any medium to light wash, or even white will be a great way to brighten your mood, and give you the perfect mix of spring without looking too out of season.

Although there might currently be snow everywhere you look, winter's days are numbered. Spring is around the corner and you can be welcoming it with open arms. Give yourself a preview by mixing your spring and winter clothes and accessories together. Not only will you look great, but you will feel less weighed down by the dreary, snowy winter, and have something to look forward to in the weeks to come.

Winter Clearance Shopping Tips

Since spring lines are hitting stores, more and more winter items are going on clearance, making you feel obligated to buy, buy buy. However; as someone who has wasted so much money buying something just because of it's "can't beat" price, I want to share some tips on how to shop winter clearance in order to buy something that you will actually wear not only now, but also next fall/winter as well.
1) Use Filters: When shopping online, using filters is extremely helpful. First of all, it will narrow the number of items you are scrolling through, which will be much less overwhelming. The most important filter is of course, size. What's the point in shopping pages and pages of products when every item that catches you eye is never in your size? Its depressing, honestly, and will most likely drive you to purchase something you won't even wear just to cheer yourself up. Before you even look at anything, make sure you filter for your correct size. Another filter that is important, especially if you are on a budget, is price. Just because something is on clearance does not mean that it is cheap. Select a price range that you are comfortable with and start shopping. You don't want to fall in love with something you can't afford. If you use these filters plus whichever others you'd like to narrow your search, and nothing catches your eye, it's easier to walk away or even use your money towards some new spring clothes!
2) Continuing Trends: "If I buy this now, can I still wear it next year?" A question many of us have asked, and now that fashion week has come and gone we can determine what will still be relevant next year. Trends like plaid, knitwear, fur accents, and neutral palettes will definitely be around for another season. Below is a couple looks from the fall/winter 2015 runways highlighting these continuing trends to give you some inspiration on what styles to purchase if you can find them on clearance this year.

Topshop

Marc by Marc Jacobs

3) Basics and Essentials: When you find a basic piece that is good quality at a marked down price, buy it! You can never go wrong with something as versatile as a basic sweater or layering piece, especially one that you got on clearance. Other essential pieces that are smart to buy on clearance are outwear and shoes. Waiting to purchase an essential piece is pretty risky because you might not find what you are looking for at the end of the season. However, if you come across some boots at a great price, and you've been wanting to replace your current pair then its a sign that you should definitely go for it! The same goes with outerwear, you can find a nice jacket on clearance and wear it for many years in the future. 

No matter what you might find it is important to be sure what you are purchasing now will be worth the money. You don't want to be looking through your fall clothes this September and ask yourself what you were thinking, you want to be happy that you bought those pieces and proud of yourself for finding them at a discounted price. Most important, if you truly love something and you know you will wear it because it's just so you then you should definitely buy it. Don't let fashion trends or anyone make you feel like you can't buy something that you just adore. Let me know if you found these tips helpful, and feel free to add any other tips that work for you! Also, check out my new Pinterest page.