Bring Some Color to Your Wardrobe: Spring is your chance to break free from the traditional dark clothes that you have been dying to store away for months now.  Start your spring wardrobe right by buying bright colored shirts that will emulate the colors of spring.  These can be button ups, polos, or even plain tees, as long as you stray away from the traditionally safe colors of gray, back, and blue.  For pants, look for a straight leg khaki that will compliment your new shirts and pair it with a pair of tan loafers that are darker than your pants.  Remember, spring is all about kicking back and looking comfortable, so take this chance to let your true style shine and make sure you look as good as you feel.

Break Free from the Traditional Suit:Colors aren’t just for your casual wear.  If you wear a suit to work, mix it up by wearing a light colored dress shirt that will give your suit a fresh look.  Everybody wears white or light blue shirts under their suits.  Break free from the mold and wear colors that you don’t see every day at the office.  Pair the shirt with a complementary colored tie that will help make you looking like you are ready for nicer weather (but still want to get work done).  Everyday can’t be casual Friday, but you can look great everyday with this small twist to your suit.

Stay Warm: Spring may mean warmer weather, but we all know that a sunny day can turn sour in five minutes.  In order to stay warm, wear a blazer with your new found color way of shirts.  If you prefer something other than blazers, look for a cardigan or thin pull over sweater.  Remember to look for light colors when selecting these items, but if you plan on wearing it with a light colored shirt don’t go overboard.  A light tan cardigan or sweater will match great with your new shirts.  These items will help keep you warm this spring while maintaining the warm and colorful look of the season.

Remember to stray away from the safe grays, blacks, and blues that you have been wearing all winter.  Be bold and bring some color to your wardrobe; after all, no one wants to look like they are stuck in the gloom of winter when the sun is out.  Stay stylish, stay comfortable.

But wait! Before you run out and get your first tan of the year, make sure your eyes are protected from harsh UV rays with proper fitting sunglasses.  Luckily, selecting the right frame shape isn’t too hard and once you find the perfect fit, noting will hold you back from a fun and safe spring and summer.  Not only will proper fitting sunglasses better protect you from the Sun’s UV rays, they’ll also help you look great by flattering your facial features.

Each face has a unique shape that will require a specific sunglass shape to accent its features.  In order to find the right frame shape for you, you must find your unique face shape.  There are seven basic face shapes: oblong, square, diamond, triangle, oval, heart, and round.  Your face shape might not fit perfectly into one of these seven common face shapes, but you should be able to match your face closely to one of these shapes.  Look in the mirror with this chart to find what face shape you have.

Now that you’ve identified your unique face shape you will want to find a frame that contrasts with this shape.  If you have a round face, select a frame that is angular like square or rectangular frame.  If your face shape is more square, select a round or oval frame to compliment your features.  Following is a more in depth chart to help you find the perfect frame shape for your unique face shape.

• Oblong: Wide frames or frames that are wider than the broadest part of the face.
• Square: Round, oval, cat-eyed, thin, and soft edged frames.
• Diamond: Oval, round, rimless, and frames with strong and distinctive brow-line.
• Triangle: Frames with top straight lines, colorful frames, and cat eye frames.
• Oval: Square and wraparound frames; however, most frame shapes will work well here.
• Heart: Rimless frames and frames with light colors and materials.
• Round: Rectangular, square, and thicker frames

I’m heading over today to do a little shopping because I was reading US Weekly only to see outfits from both stores in the magazine. I love the prints from Banana Republic Factory Store – I can see myself wearing this to work and then straight out to meet friends for cocktails. The GAP Outlet outfit with the Maxi dress – L-O-V-E -I-T! This is one of my favorite looks and I could see myself wearing this complete look at a summer concert series or the farmers market or just walking around my favorite antique district.

I’m off! Happy shopping!

1. Wear colors that are similar in shade (analogous)
2. Wear complimentary colors
3. Wear triad colors

The best way to visualize these options is to first look at a color wheel

Wearing Analogous Colors

Analogous colors are colors that are directly adjacent on the color wheel.  For example, yellow and green, blue and purple, and red and orange.  Pairing analogous colors in your outfit is the least eye catching option, making it the ideal combination for people hesitant to introduce color into their wardrobe.  These colors will provide color to your wardrobe without bringing too much attention to yourself and can be worn in every situation from everyday attire to more formal gatherings.

Wearing Complimentary Colors

Complimentary colors are colors opposite each other on the color wheel.  For example, purple and yellow, red and green, and blue and orange.  Pairing complimentary colors in your wardrobe will provide the most vivid and noticeable contrast.  This is best suited for the individual who wants to stand out from the crowd and catch eyes with their outfit.  But be careful! Before you go out and buy a bright orange and blue suit, remember that a little color goes a long way.  Instead, pair your blue shirt with a small accented orange piece like socks or a belt.

Wearing Triad Colors

Triad colors are colors that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel.  For example: orange, green, and purple; and red, yellow, and blue.  Of the three color schemes provided, triad colors will provide you with the most balanced look.  This is best for the individual who wants to stand out with colors but doesn’t feel the need to be the center of attention.  Pairing triad colors is also perfect for outfits that have a lot of pieces like a suit or layered look.  Like complimentary colors though, remember to not go overboard with your colors.

Conclusion

No matter what color combination you go with, remember to wear to with confidence.  Colors are a big step for many men who are used to playing it safe with darker colors.  But with the right combination and attention to detail, colors can provide that extra boost that your wardrobe needs, and will help give you a confident and stylish appeal no matter what situation you wear them in.  Don’t forget to include dark colors in your outfits as well to balance out this new splash of color.  This is best found in a dark pair of jeans or shorts that will give your colorful top even more eye catching appeal.

If Kate Middleton can make her tangerine pair look classy, so can you. So how can you pull off the look? The key is to keep the rest of the look clutter-free. Use white, grey, brown and black to hold your outfit together. Since you’re already adding color on the bottom, keeping neutral tones for the top will give you an ultra-sultry summer look.

Or, if you’re feeling extra bold, pair your colored jeans with an opposite bright color on top for a color-blocking, dramatic look. Remember that opposite colors attract and to only have one other bright color in the mix. Stick to the one bright, one bold, one neutral rule. While it’s totally okay to rock three bold colors, only one of them should be super bright.

Orange, coral and red jeans pair beautifully with dark navy, white and denim tops. Which brings me to my other favorite item right now: Chambray tops. They’re so versatile! They have the casual feel of denim, but when paired with a cute accessory like a jacket or scarf, they instantly become trendy. They also look great when paired with sky blue, cobalt or fuchsia colored jeans. I found the one pictured at American Eagle Outfitters for under $30.

Remember to have fun with accessories. Yellow bangles and a necklace look killer with turquoise pants. Bold lips in rich shades look stunning with neutral hues and contrasting colored pants. J.Crew, Gap Outlet, an DKNY carry colored pants right now and you can find tons of other fun looks to brighten up your wardrobe on sale now!

Except for winter-weary skin that’s been stuffed into boots, snagged on sweaters and generally neglected for three months. Nothing takes the excitement away from the first 75 degree day faster than a case of dry skin or toes that look less than polished.

Here is a quick check list to get you ready for those cute capris, sweet skirts and sandals of Spring! Your skin, and everyone else around you, will thank you.

Water, water, water. This is old news but hasn’t changed. Drink your 8 glasses a day, minimum, to keep your skin hydrated. You can slather on lotion and creams all day long, but nothing replaces good old-fashioned (and free) water. Keep a water bottle by your desk or in the car and make it a habit to become friends with it. And if it’s a cute bottle, you will want to show it off! Columbia Sportswear has some great bottles in transparent pink and blue for only $7.95, as well as larger containers with a pop of sunshine orange for only $9.95. Helly Hansen carries Hydro Flask, produced by an Oregon company, and these super-charged bottles keep liquids hot up to 24 hours and cold for 10-12 hours and will only run you $23.99-$29.99. And if you like a straw for your liquids, Eddie Bauer has fun cups with bold color grips for only $9.99, now at 10% off. (while supplies last.)

Scrub it away. Reveal your youthful spring skin with just a few simple ingredients. Combine sugar, olive oil, lemon juice and essential oils such as peppermint or orange to create an easy and natural scrub. Add to a washcloth and pay special attention to dry areas like your knees and elbows. You can also use this for your feet, but be careful, it might be slippery! And if you are using a self-tanner, it’s essential to exfoliate before hand or you might be left with blotches and uneven patches. This little trick will save you money that you can spend on a bold skirt from Banana Republic! This bright pink skirt is now only $19.99 and comes in many other colors. Dress Barn slims it down with a classic white pencil skirt and snakeskin skinny belt for only $29.99.

Pretty polish. Throw on some tunes and pick a bright eye-catching color like orange or pink for your toes. Add a gold transparent topcoat for extra shine. Nothing brings a look together like a pair of nicely polished nails. And classic red or a pretty French manicure never goes out of style for your hands. Draw attention to your new color with an awesome chunky ring from Chico’s, now buy one, get one 40% off. And why keep those pretty little tootsies to yourself when you can share them with the world! Show them off in these fun open-toed wedges from Bass, all are now 2 for $59.

To see all the pictures we took while walking Woodburn Company Stores, click here.

Bold is in for spring and summer. It can be a hard fashion statement to pull off but here are few helpful tips for wearing it.

• Color Blocking: We talked about this trend months ago and it’s still a hot fashion statement that you can add to your wardrobe lineup. Suzanne Brown of The Denver Post along with Rachel Lefort reported that this style can be accomplished when you pair tonal shades, such as a pair of turquoise denim jeans with a navy top, or a soft peach blouse with tomato-red jeans.
• Don’t think of this trend as “Garanimals”: Don’t take your brightly colored pair of jeans and wear it with a printed top that brings in the same color as your bright jeans. That’s just too much. Instead, take your bright jeans and wear them with a pattern of other colors, such as navy and white nautical striped tunic with your red, turquoise or yellow jean. Retail expert Peggy Ziglin said to add the dark navy color in a printed top will ground the brightness of the jeans and minimize the potential of the outfit appearing too busy. We couldn’t agree more with you Peggy!
• Muted denim are an option: Not everyone can or wants to wear bright jeans, that’s okay. Neutral shades are in too. We’ve seen tons of different shades of jeans during our recent outlet shopping outings. You can pop color into your outfit with a fabulous scarf or accessories.
• Speaking of accessories…Don’t forget them: If you are going down the bright path this spring use your accessories to keep them subtle. Go with earthy browns, nudes or the ever popular metallic tones and styles.

Will you go bright this spring and summer? If so, post one of your bright outfits on one of our Facebook pages – Cabazon Outlets, Citadel outlets, Outlets at Castle Rock, Lake Elsinore Outlets, Outlets at Anthem, Outlets at Conroe, Outlets at Hillsboro, Outlets at Silverthorne, Outlets at Loveland, Outlets at Vicksburg, or Woodburn Company Stores. We’d love to see how you’re wearing brights this season!

Dress Smart:Think of this meeting as a professional meeting and step up your outfit. Don’t roll in with the sweats you’ve had on for the last 48 hours while you’ve been madly trying to finish your taxes. And, on the other extreme, I’m not saying suit and tie for men or a dress suit for women, but do show up looking sharp with a great pair of slacks and sweater or blouse.

Keep the Fragrance to a Minimum: If your Accountant is like mine he works in a small office. When we meet he shuts to the door to keep the discussion of my taxes confidential. The person who met with my Account before me had way too much perfume on and well, it gave us both a headache – and that had nothing to do with the filing of my axes.

Keep it Simple: We highly recommend that you keep yourself organized and simple. Dress comfortable and simple and do the same for the handbag you’re carrying. We recommend a handbag that can turn in to your briefcase. It carries all of your files along with your iPad, important documents, wallet, phone, and breath mints – hello, you’re in a small space you need keep your breath fresh.

We know this time of year can be hectic and stressful. Remember to take a time for yourself. After your taxes are done, come out and walk around your favorite outlet mall. There is nothing more therapeutic than walking outside and stopping inside one (or two or three of your favorite retail shops).

Rome was incredible as expected. With food and fashion setting the standard pretty high for my whole trip, those bright color rumors were anything but, and kept me looking like a smart Roman. Even other Americans were asking me for directions! Exhausted, but SO excited for the second leg of my trip.

Travel tip that made me wiser?

Be careful to calculate walking distances between hotel and attractions you plan to visit, it will cut down on your time significantly asking for directions and trying to catch taxis

Shanghai, China

I had no baggage fees because I packed all my essentials in a carry-on. Was able to keep all my bright colors for my entire trip rather than packing 3 different sets of outfits for my travels.

Bright colors are the universal language this season, especially in Shanghai. The colors I packed for Rome will come in handy for Asia, so I’m bringing a tangerine wrap dress to be Shanghai chic.

The best part? The dress was 50% off for a total of only $20 at Banana Republic Factory Outlet.  

I did wear cute pointy shoes – flats and heels – in my youth until I had to have surgery to correct my toes from the damage. Then I realized flats with room in the toe box were okay. And practical. Sure, not as sassy as stilettos, but way more comfortable and functional. Admit it…you tried wearing heels on the Strip while in Vegas but ended up taking them off, right? Did you happen to look down and see what you were walking barefoot in? Ewww…wouldn’t a cute pair of ballet flats have been better?

Some other things to note when weighing whether to buy the heels or flats…numerous studies show heels have health risks, including prolonged pain in your heels, leg, back, nerves, and Achilles tendon (which can be permanently shortened). Your center of gravity gets pushed forward and the rest of your body overcompensates. You can also get osteoarthristis, hammertoes, bunions, knee problems and bone spurs. So wear them with caution, and only occasionally.

More reasons to buy flats like ballets, tennis shoes, boots, sandals, espadrilles? Comfort, for one. Easier to walk in and they’re now designed in so many cute styles that fit all occasions and outfits. Still beware, because if you have flat feet or too high or arches, over-wearing flats may not provide you enough support and cause plantar fasciitis (painful soles). You CAN have fashion + functionality, just listen to your feet.

I took a stroll around Woodburn Company Stores to find some fun and functional spring flats for myself and my boss, whose broken big toe looks like a jigsaw puzzle. She needs open-toed ones, I wanted colorful ones. Here’s what we found:

For “Colorful Teri” whose toe really is pretty colors of black, blue & yellow right now – Cute gladiators from Naturalizer (photo above), only $59.99 with a nice padded sole! But, if you use this Friends & Family coupon from March 29-April 2, 2012, get an extra 30% off.

Adorable!The blue sandals (above) are from Gap Outlet in kids’ sizes. Only $15.99, but they’re clearing out fast.

For “Casual & Comfie Kristy” –From Famous Footwear Outlet, $34.99. Cute espadrille-like slip on shoes with decorative buttons.

From Cole Haan Outlet, flexible & packable flats in so many cute colors! On sale for limited time only, $99.

Love these shiny-toed Converse (also available in silver), $49.99.

I have a couple pairs of these Puma slip ons, they’re great for traveling. On sale for limited time, $49.

How cute are these low wedges from Famous Footwear Outlet? $34.99.

And finally, one more pair from Naturalizer…Dr. Scholl’s brand with nice arch supports if you’re on your feet all day shopping!