Spring is here and color is in! Now, I know what you’re thinking… I’m not a celebrity, I 1) can’t afford to splurge on a hot pink couture dress that’s only good for one season and 2) don’t want to look back at pictures and have an 80’s flashback moment. There’s a very fine line between looking fashion forward and edgy…

… and looking totally tragically 80’s. It’s easy to go wrong you’re wearing a lot of color and don’t have much direction (i.e. a team of stylist making sure you don’t step out of the house looking like a bad prom cliche).

But color is in and you don’t want to be left behind. So what’s a girl to do? One word… accessorize. Accessories can make or break an outfit. Why not spruce up a hum drum boring outfit with a new accessory? Please raise your hand if you think you have enough shoes and handbags. No takers? I thought not! Now let me show you of the hottest colors and accessories for Spring and how to knock them off all for under $35.

See how Rihanna, Mary-Kate, and Ann Hathaway are able to accessorize with color. Rihanna obviously had a stylist coordinate her colors (I would not touch that outfit with a 10 foot pole), but what Ann Hathaway (on the far right) has managed to do is dress up her otherwise blah outfit (brown baggy sweater and a casual pair of jeans) with a bright yellow bag.

The two bags above are featured in this People Magazine as the “it” bags of the season. I’m not going to even bother mentioning how ridiculous these Dior (left) and Balenciaga bags are. But one thing is certain, yellows from mustard to bright yellows are in.

So, here’s how infuse your wardrobe with some yellow without having to spend a fortune. Starting from left to right: Bag from Charlotte Russe $18.99, Clutch from pinkicestore.com $9.99, Wide Belt by Xhiliaration from Target $16.99, Suede Flats from Urban Outfitters $28, Ring from Urban Outfitters $16, Rose Ring from Windsor $6.50, and Bangles from pinkicestore.com $9.99.

The celebrity version of rich blues and purples for Spring.

See… celebrities (and their stylists) know all about accessorizing with color.

From left to right: Tote from Windsor $34.90, Bag by “NYC for Perlina” from Target $34.99, Xhiliaration Headband from Target $7.99, and Headband from Forever 21 $3.99.

Ok, we’ve covered quite a bit of ground here today. I hope I’ve inspired you to keep your eye out to try some colorful accessories. Fashion doesn’t need to be expensive, but it does need to be fun and make you feel confident. Have fun with color, play around and keep your eyes peeled for great finds that you can’t live without. Stay tuned for Part 2 where I will bring you more of the hottest Spring colors and budget friendly accessories to match. In the meantime… take chances with fashion and you will be rewarded.

Skinny jeans & cigarette pants aren’t going away… it’s a trend that’s here to stay (at least for a few more seasons). So if you haven’t already joined the band wagon, jump on!

Ok, I know what you’re thinking. Most of us aren’t stick skinny and have perfect legs like Victoria Beckham or Lindsay Lohan. Don’t worry, you too can wear skinny jeans. I had my reservations before buying my first pair. I was hoping the trend would fade away before having to invest in something that made me look like an inverted triangle from the waist down. However, since that time, I’ve found a few fun ways that mere mortals with curves & wear larger than size 00 can also wear skinny jeans.

As you can see from the picture above, these celebrities have paired their skinny jeans with flowy sweaters and tops (thus cleverly hiding the waistband/hip area). Larger tops lend balance to the upper half of the body and keeps the focus of the skinny jeans on your legs. Wearing a t-shirt or tight top only really works if you’re Kate Moss.

If you have any afford to pinch an inch (or even a half inch)–and I know most of us aren’t perfect like the celebs who are on strict diets and have personal trainers–avoid pairing tight tops and skinny jeans–leave that to the professionals. If I haven’t already convinced you to pony up for a pair just with the simple fact that these jeans can show off your killer legs, let me ask if you’ve ever tried tucking your bootcut or trouser jeans into calf high or knee high boots? Or worse yet, tried to wear those high boots under your flared leg denim?

Ok, so how cute does Jessica Alba look in her skinny jeans and boots? Do you believe me yet? I’m not saying you should throw away your bootcut or trouser denim… but if you haven’t already done it, just at least go try on a pair of skinny jeans that you feel comfortable in and play around with some ballet flats or some sexy knee high boots (it can be another excuse to buy new shoes and frankly… what girl doesn’t want need new shoes!?!)

So, hopefully, you’re now resolved to at least try skinny jeans… but you’re not ready to plunk down $150+ on a new pair of True Religion Jeans? Well, here are some cute affordable options out there…

Start with a dark pair of skinny jeans. They are the most versatile to wear with both casual and dressier outfits. The ones above are from Hydraulic and the denim has stretch in it so they are very comfortable and hug in all the right places. ($39.99 at www.tillys.com)

After you’ve mastered the basic dark wash skinny, move on to other colors and washes. White denim is coming back (I know, I’m slightly scared) but if you’re not quite ready for that, move on to grey wash or even black denim (Punk-rock-glam baby!!). The ones pictures above are ecoSkinnys made from organic cotton $78 from Levis and come in grey, white, black. (www.levisstore.com)

Pair your new skinny jeans with cute tops that come down past your hips and flow out at the hem. NO BANDED BOTTOM tops. Banded bottom tops just cinch you in at the waist slightly below it and you end up with the inverted triangle issue you were trying to avoid in the first place!!

The tops above are all $18-$25 at www.forever21.com. The best tops have the illusion on a waist (empire waist, tie back, tie front… etc etc). Since the bottom is flowy and loose you want to show you have some shape up top, otherwise you end up looking like a giant blob up top with two sticks coming out.

And what outfit is complete without shoes?? Ballet flats are perfect with skinny jeans. Ballet flats are dressier without having to wear painful heels. Also, I think you have to be 16 to pull off skinny jeans and flip flops, but I can be proven wrong. Go bold with your shoes. Metallic and brights are in. Be adventurous with footwear and accessories. The flats above are from Payless Shoes and Target (both under $25) . And, as mentioned before, a pair of hot knee high boots are perfect to tuck into a pair of skinnys.

Take chances and you will be rewarded.