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When I find a cool site with great taste, I have to share. Carrie's Closet  is just the site to visit to start your spring shopping...and believe me you can find some very helpful hints about trends. Check out this fabulous article about how Spring is all about being White Hot!

Happy Spring Shopping! Enough with the snow...time for some fun in the sun....

Winter Wardrobe Reboot: Career Essentials

It is very easy to get stuck in a fashion rut during the winter months. The fun of fall fashion is over and you may be tempted to just throw on a thick (albeit warm) sweater and some comfy trousers. That look can get drab fast. If you have seven key pieces in your wardrobe, you can mix and match to avoid the frump that winter blues can bring. Let's take a look...

This ensemble allows you to wear your warm cardigan sweater, but keeps it classy and chic with an LBD. Paired with black tights and ankle boots, your look is complete. To dress it up more, nix the chapeau, wear a statement necklace or pearls, and black pumps or high heel knee boots. Dowdy girl avoided!!

A tailored grey pants suit is another necessity this winter.  It can simply be worn as a suit, but there is so much more you can do. You can where the jacket over a little black dress or wear the pants with a cardigan sweater or as shown above, with an animal print blouse and a bright colored jacket.

Now, to recap, you need a cardigan sweater, a little black dress, black tights, tailored pants suit, and a bright colored jacket. The last two items that will help you make it until spring are a cape and a pair of fresh black trousers (wide-leg or skinny).

I pretty much live in my cuffed black wide-leg trousers. I get a fresh pair of black pants each season.  There isn't much I don't do with these pants. I dress them up with a blouse or wear them with polka dot sweater and my Danskos for a more fun, casual look. I usually wear skinny black pants in the spring and summer months, but I've seen these cute cuts paired with boots both knee and ankle along with pumps like pictured below. Put on some statement socks for a cool look with pumps, but make sure they're office appropriate.

The appeal of the cape is the dramatic effect it has with the simplest of outfits. It's like you're a superhero about to save the world. The bow is such a lovely addition to this pale cape. And the camel color of the other cape pairs well with almost everything. Shop in your closet first and then go out and use those gift cards on the items you need. They'll be on sale for sure!

Update: Look what I found just today. Rachel Zoe never fails! We're on the same page! 1/7/15

Winter Wardrobe Reboot: Grey

Mondays are my fashion fun days. We're transitioning from "Fall Fashion Watch" to "Winter Wardrobe Reboot." I don't know about you, but I find myself wearing the same things over and over again in the winter because it's colder and I just want to wear something warm. If I could, I would wear a big sweater, leggings, and boots all winter! Fortunately, I have to get out of that comfortable rut due to my career and the fact that I don't want to be frumpy in all the selfies and holiday event pics I'll be gracing. 

One of my favorite go-to colors for the winter is grey. Grey does not have to be drab. You can spice it up with a P.O.C. like a bright flower pin, hat, or opaque tights. Remember, how I topped off a blue-creme-black ensemble with a grey robe coat and cape in October?

Let's look at another grey coat. This high collar wool jacket is chic and versatile. It can be dressed up or worn to work. It can also be worn with jeans and boots.

Custom made high collar wool jacket found on  Pinterest and Esty but you can also find it at Jolly Chic.

This whole look is flawless. If your thighs are slim enough for this thigh-high book, go for it! If you're a curvy girl, get some grey suede knee boots and slide on some textured grey opaque stocking for the same effect. Layering different shades of grey (he he), will make for an effortless look. Need some color? Add a bright scarf!

Outfit details are available on Atlantic-Pacific

This tunic is cute and can be worn to work over a pencil skirt. It can be worn alone with a cute pump. It can be worn with patterned leggings. It can be worn with jeans. It can be worn with short shorts. It can be worn with boots and socks.  It can be worn with....

Get it on Amazon for ~$30.

As you know from my Monthly Ponderable Thought I'm ready for Spring (Summer really). I really like the trends coming this spring. Tight is out! Sleek is in! There is a big difference.  The look on the right is PERFECT. I'm going to use this color palette now. A pale blouse, grey wide leg trousers, and black lab coat. For now, I'll wear a long black sweater and a pale turtleneck.

Preview for Spring 2015 - Take a look at more on Vogue UK 

Give grey a try if you don't already.  Find the right hue for you (i.e. lighter eyes, lighter grey). Pair it with color or other shades of grey. Purchase a few grey pieces that you can wear a million ways.

Stay stylish!
Check out some more fashion finds on my Pinterest page.