It's Spring!  Time for open-toed shoes, shorter hemlines, brighter lipsticks and risk-taking (fashion wise anyway).  Speaking of fashion risk-taking, enter one of my absolute favorite fashion icons on the planet: 

The incredibly talented SJP, who will always be known (to me anyway) as Carrie Bradshaw

 Sex and the City was popular when I was in high school and though the naughty words that no one was supposed to say made it daring it was truly the fashion that got me hooked.  Slightly crazy and always unpredictable, Carrie and her girlfriends were exactly what a budding fashionista needed to help guide her way.  Though Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte are all beautiful, strong girls and amazing in their own right, it was Carrie who really seemed to say the loudest that it was okay to be a little bit (ok a lot) cray cray.  After all, who really wears a tutu for the hell of it?  Well, I do!

Just another day in the life of Carrie

 Some might think outrageous is a good term for some of the outfits on SATC but really, why NOT act like everyday is a fashion show?  Why on God's green earth would you wait for the occasional ball or gala to wear that gorgeous chiffon gown.  Take a risk.  Wear stilettos downtown window shopping.  Or at the grocery store.  Beautiful clothes are a work of art and shouldn't just sit in your closet; they should be shared with the world.

Have a some fun and a lot of confidence and you too can rock a semi-formal skirt on a Saturday afternoon. People are going to stare regardless, may as well give them a show!

Who doesn't adore this frothy tulle number?

Though she didn't actually end up getting married in this, it is an incredibly beautiful Vivian Westwood gown

Carrie (and SJP) are known for slightly outrageous headpieces

The epitome of dressing down formal wear.  That skirt is absolutely to DIE for.

Always the stunner.

Carrie gives off that effortless street style, thigh-high socks with brocade and the tiniest gloves known to man

True to suit the girl does love her shoes!  Hello lover!

Spring is coming, spring is coming!  Or for some parts of the country, spring is basically here.  Once it hits 80 there's no going back and it needs to stay warm - although the temperature may dip back down our spirits will remain high as we pack away the heavy sweaters and rich plaids in favor of some much needed brights.

Acne's motorcycle jacket updated for spring.

Alice and Olivia's playful take on mixing light silk with leather

Yellow Missoni loveliness

Peplums hang around for another season with a playful fabric update as seen here at Thakoon

The heels may be shorter but Miu Miu's ever-present glittery heels strike a perfect match of princess and grown-up.

Would it really be spring without a brilliantly bright bag like Chloe's?

Though the everywhere north of the Mason Dixon line is still hunkered down waiting for the snow to pass (or at least that's what I hear according to weather.com) down in Southern, GA it's almost warm enough to start heading to the beach.  While designers and stores have already started launching spring collections most of the country can't quite enjoy it just yet.  Maybe if we wish hard enough the clouds will part and bright sunshine will make it warm enough to rock shorter hemlines and sleeveless dresses...

Sunshiny patterns will warm you up even when the weather isn't cooperating

Stripes reminiscent of Marc Jacobs' Spring 2013 Collection

Pastel jewels to brighten your day

Shop all of J.Crew's new arrivals here to see more Spring loveliness!

Accessories can make or break an outfit.  They can draw attention to an otherwise minimalist ensemble while or compliment the most beautiful ornate piece.  The best part about fashion is that is quite often completely outside the box.  Haute couture quite often includes pieces that make the general population as a whole tilt its collective head in confusion because while they might look stunning on the runway they often don't quite translate to the office.  Love them or hate them, Spring has some very interesting looks.

Prada's geisha inspired heels

A new take on rings by Kendo...a tasseled knuckle ornament

Fendi's gorgeous geometric and bright pumps.  Need.

Alexander McQueen's beehive hat might not translate too well to mainstream fashion.

See more outrageous accessories here.

Ahhhh every girl loves flowers.  No seriously, even those girls who say they don't deep down really love when her guy shows up at her door with a handful of roses.  Prada may not have roses or even a real over the top print but sometimes less is more.  In this case, a few strategically placed flowers are more effective than an overall print.  Wearing these clothes a girl is bound to smile every time she checks her lipstick in the mirror.



See all of Prada's lovely grownup flowers.

Balmain has channeled a certain girlishness for Spring but to pull off the look you might want to start on those crunches now.  Bared midriffs were seen on several of the models but in a more grown-up way than last Spring; in place of pastels; stark black and white in leather prevailed.  The other dominant theme were edgy dresses that paid homage to the crochet coverups of the past...only way sexier with stunning cutouts and metallic embellishment.  Sign me up!






See Balmain's entire Spring 2013 collection at style.com.

Christopher Kane is one of those interesting designers that doesn't seem to be known for one specific thing or idea:  starting out with short bandage dresses back in 2006, organza and sequin embellished dresses and jackets in 2008 to this brocade and leather inkiness.


Leather and cutouts were seen abundantly.


Embellished jackets and beautiful long brocade skirts paired with luxurious cashmere.  Lovely.

See the entire collection at Style.com.