Spring is in the air, my friends! There is no longer an excuse to pull out those wretched UGG boots or sleeping bag inspired parkas. We can now go smell the flowers and frolic without wearing five layers or having to take our toboggan to class.

Spring always feels like a fresh start after a long and dreary winter. If you need to go out and buy a couple new additions to your wardrobe for the upcoming months, you might want to take any of the following spring trends into consideration.

Nautical.
Nautical attire is no longer just for sailors. This season stores are embracing a navy and white color pallet, anchor accessories, and thick horizontal stripes. I adore this trend and think that it can be super-chic if done correctly.

Think a pair of white shorts paired with a navy blazer and gold flats. Veer away from cheap materials or gimmicky patterns to avoid looking like you're going to a costume party.

Embrace the bright.
Sometimes it becomes easy to get stuck in a strict fashion routine. Our closets can easily become a sea of black, navy, and browns, unintentionally. I'm a big believer in sticking to neutral items and adding smaller pieces to make an outfit pop. Wearing a head-to-toe neon ensemble can be borderline nauseating, but adding pops of color will make you stand out in a crowd. A colorful handbag or stacks of bright bangles will help give life to any outfit. Color clashingis also a big trend this season. Being matchy-matchy gives off the impression that you're intimidated by fashion, rather than exploring new and unexpected combinations.

If you're wearing all solid colors, don't be afraid to mix it up a bit. Try a purple dress with a green neckace and flats.

Prints.
Say goodbye to the hipster/lumberjack plaid that was all the rage for the past few seasons. Tribal, floral, and horizontal stripes are now the way to go.

If you feel brave, break the rule that your mother taught you back in elementary school and mix prints for a bold look. But, for those of us who aren't as adventurous, try to include one pattern per outfit!

So here's to being able to wear bare legs outside without being prone to hypothermia. Take some time to enjoy the new weather!

I’m convinced high heels are a love-hate relationship for the majority of women. We adore them from afar, but can only keep them on our feet for 15 minutes before we start begging the kind soul next to us for a piggy-back ride to the party. The word stiletto means “dagger” in Italian, which makes perfect sense since they can be considered weapons, especially when worn in large crowds. Heels are the epitome of femininity. Somehow one shoe can encompass class, sex appeal, and power all at once.

But, who’s ridiculous idea was it in the first place to put women in shoes that are a hybrid between stilts and walking on a metal rod?

After some serious historical digging, more like googleing, research shows that we have King Louis XIV to thank for this shoe revolution. You got that right; men embraced the five-inch high heels far before the ladies did.  King Louis XIV was a fashionista and declared that the regal shall wear heels to demonstrate their power. In typical diva style, he did not want to be outdone and made it mandatory that no one should ever wear heels higher then his. Louis XIV even went as far as to paint all his heels red, just in case anyone ever questioned his credibility.

As time went on and fashion progressed, there was a shift in the target market of heels. Perhaps men realized that they looked terribly silly towering over the women, or perhaps they came to the realization how gosh darn uncomfortable those bad boys can be; either way, by the 19th century, heels were only appropriate footwear for women. At this time, they started to become a cultural phenomenon and were worn by celebrities and classic fairytale characters like Cinderella.

Heels are now considered proper footwear for a vast range of occasions, from cocktail parties to corporate careers. The instant a woman slips her foot in a heel her posture and attitude seem to shift. Her inner King Louis XIV comes out, and she can take on the world because she’s wearing a shoe of power.

So here’s to the shoe that can break hearts and toes. Let’s thank the men for not having the spunk or determination to continue wearing them through the centuries.

Cheers!