There's nothing quite like seeing that first crocus or petunia of spring.   It immediately gives you a little lift and reminds you of the warm, bright and sock-free days to come.   Designers went mad for florals this season but rather than being sickeningly sweet, these gardens had a serious edge.  Think botanicals for bad-asses.  Nanette Lepore and Cynthia Steffe took our preconceptions about floral prints and tossed them decisively out the window by brilliantly juxtaposing sweet floral-inspired dresses with harder-edged accessories.  Real Life Runway Tip:  The key with this look is to avoid the expected with your jacket and footwear by pairing pretty with punk.  Go for a cropped, fitted jacket and seriously sexy pumps and you've got it made in the shade, my little flowers.

H&M's Brilliant Buds

   

   

 

H&M's gorgeous Garden Collection officially hits stores across Canada this Thursday and I could not be more excited.  The collection is made using organic and recycled materials and produced using sustainable materials, recycled PET bottles or textile waste.  Eco-chic, vibrant and ridiculously reasonable, (items are in the $19.95 - $59.95 range), this collection is not going to last long on the racks.  Visit http://www.hm.com/ca/ to get your fleur on and check out H&M's full selection of irresistible florals.   I'll be there (with bluebells on) this Thursday and hope to see you there.  Just save a kimono dress for me!

Rainbow Brights

Diane von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney, Nanette Lepore, Spring 2010 - photos courtesy style.com 

Ever noticed when packing for a sunny séjour, your suitcase is filled with cheerful scarves, vibrant tunics and playful pareos while your everyday closet is awash in a sea of blacks, greys and tans?  Like many of you, I'm often guilty of choosing practical over pretty.  I constantly have that in-store debate over whether to invest in the classic, black option or say, a punchy yellow or persimmon piece of gorgeousness.  Black almost always wins.  My Spring 2010 resolution?  Follow the lead of the DVF, Stella McCartney and Nanette Lepore runways and herald in spring with colour.  Black is slimming but who wants a skinny piece of depression when you can feel like you're going on vacation every day?  One more reason to inject a little more colour into your wardrobe?  If you can believe it, only one in five of us actually has the proper skin-tone to get away with wearing black.  Check this out: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1240616/Black-clothes-years-effect-fashions-favourite-colour.html

So come on, get happy and try out some of these rainbow-hued goodies:

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 What is it about the perenially chic trench that keeps us coming back for more?   This spring, the trench took sexy to an entirely new level when paired with the more overtly vavavoom staple of the boudoir:  lace.   I'm not one to endorse sluttery (I am a mom after all), but that cute little ruffled tank from Old Navy?  Totally optional.  The best part about this trench from Joe Fresh?  You will never run out of ways to wear it.  Equally chic when paired with skinnies, a pretty floral dress or even the hot bottom of Spring 2010 (I don't mean the one that belongs to you, darling), a pair of pretty shorts, the endlessly versatile trench will take you from work to play without missing a beat.  (PS - They also have a longer, belted version at Joe for $49)  Real Life Runway Tip:  The classic red pout is an absolute must with this look.  My fave right now is MAC Lipstick in simmeringly sexy Ruby Woo.  If it's good enough for Dita Von Teese... 

Soldier of Love

Stella McCartney, MaxMara, Chloé, Spring 2010 - photos courtesy style.com 

In honour of St. Patty's Day, I thought it best to leave the green beer to the frat boys and instead, focus my consumptive energies on the green hue du moment:  army.  Since fashion always reflects our current culture, you are going to see camouflage and army references everywhere this spring.  Avoid uber-trend burn-out by embracing the softer side of military chic as seen at Stella McCartney, MaxMara and Chloé.  Subtly salute the trend by sticking with neutral shades of khaki, army green and hints of gold but keep fabrics soft, relaxed and sweet.   Not exactly your stereotypical drill sargeant but hey, we're all about love, not war. 

See my favourite military-inspired picks below:

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