I am so excited to be posting my very first fashion-related post. I’m all giddy and silly inside! But I won’t bore you with my internal dialogue about how nervous I am, and how my stomach is churning and I think I may have to go number 2, or how I’m sweating like a beast. No, I’ll just keep that to myself. Okay, on to the fashion.

I wanted to start out with a spring trend report because there are SO MANY TRENDS out there right now. Every magazine you read has their own interpretation of what’s been shown on the runways, and in turn, what they deem is “it” and will be shown on the pages within. Depending on the publication, you may get conservative (InStyle), or unique and alternative (Lucky). So it’s very difficult to wade through all of that and decipher what is appropriate and applicable in YOUR life, right? Have no fear, my bloggy friends. I am here to break it down for you. I’m going to basically give you a quick guide to spring fashion, keeping the emphasis on clothing that works for moms. Because most of my readers ARE moms. Even if you’re not a mom and you’re reading this, the trends hold true across the board. So please, read on!

Top Ten Trends for Spring:

1. JEAN

Ah, yes. Jean. It is freakin everywhere this season. From vests to pants, shirts to shoes. I recommend staying away from an all-jean outfit, BUT lest I be scorned by the fashion crowd, it can be done (but proceed carefully). The key to mixing jeans with different washes is to make sure one piece is very LIGHT and the other is very DARK. Or, you can go with an outfit which has both pieces in the same wash. I have an adorable shorts jumper that is all jean (got it from New York and Co., which I never shop in, but they really do have some cute stuff).

2. CUFFED, PLEATED SHORTS

I LOVE these shorts. Some also come with the tie-waist belt, others don’t. This particular kind of shorts have pleating at the waistline, which creates a bit of distinction, and the cuffs are bigger than your usual cuff would be. It would seem that the pleating and large cuffs would make you look bigger down there, but as counterintuitive as it is, they actually slim the thighs. See, the extra volume the pleating creates makes your thighs and legs look slimmer in comparison. Great trick, really. These shorts look great on every body type: hourglass, pear-shaped, apple-shaped, boyish, top heavy. They have some really cute pairs at Target.

3. GOLD JEWELRY

I have always been a fan of gold jewelry. Big, gaudy, tacky costume jewelry. Okay, maybe not tacky, but I love it when it’s big and gaudy. Gold jewelry and accessories are youthful, eye-catching, and they flatter all skin tones. Silver has a tendency to wash out paler skin tones, whereas gold complements it quite well. Gold bangles, and thicker gold cuffs, should be a staple in your wardrobe. You can stack them, even if they don’t match one another. That’s the beauty of gold: it all matches, even when it really doesn’t. And gold MEN’S watches are on the scene in a big way right now. I own, and love, my beauty that hubs got me for Christmas. That man turns me on when he gets me something so fashion-forward. The pictures of the gold jewelry include two rings and a necklace from Target, and two gold cuffs from Forever VI.

4. WEDGES

If I would’ve known how cyclical fashion is, I would’ve snagged all those cork-heeled wedges my mom had in her closet. Dammit. Wedges are a huge staple in the spring arsenal. They’re versatile (wear them with pants, a skirt, shorts), come in all the colors of the rainbow, and they have varied styles. Even the material they’re created with varies. I am not a heel girl. I used to wear heels in college, but I gave them up. Because, honestly, who needs heels while you’re cleaning out poop from your son’s frog potty? I know that you can still wear them as a mom, and if you do, I bow to you. I’m not strong enough. I never really wore them initially, so that’s why the habit never stuck (my mom wasn’t a fan either). The wedge is the perfect alternative to the heel, and they’re much less painful on the back and feet. The ones below were purchased a week ago from Target. And they’re pretty cute! I believe they were $22.99, but don’t quote me (now I want to sing that Easy-E song).

5. PLAID SHIRTS/MENSWEAR INSPIRED SHIRTS

These aren’t new on the fashion scene, and some reincarnation of them appears in every season, on every runway. Spring is bringing us a lovely version: the plaid button-down shirt. I love the ones that are at the Gap right now. They’re light and breezy, and they have really unique combinations of colors. I bought two (the were buy one, get one free!) The menswear shirt is also a great alternative to the basic tee: a little bit fancier, but doesn’t require a big commitment style-wise. You can dress it up, with a cute A-line skirt and your menswear shirt tucked in; or dress it down, with leggings and a cute pair of flats. It’s so Audrey Hepburn, and who doesn’t want to copy her incredible style?

6. FLORAL PATTERNS

Liberty of London’s line at Target is a testament to this spring trend. I love florals right now, too. They’re feminine, but they don’t have to be overtly girlie, as long as you wear them correctly. Now, if you want to go for all out femininity, wear a floral tank (got a cute one at Gap) tucked into some white cargos, and top it off with your gold jewelry and some wedges. You’re straight off of the Riviera in 1955. Get cold? A cardigan, or my personal favorite, the pashmina (a scarf will do also), will warm the shoulders. The pashmina should be a staple in your wardrobe. I wear those with EVERYTHING. They come in every color and pattern. Oh wow, I’m really off topic here. Don’t want the ultra-fem look? Like a little edge with your flowers? Take that same flowered tank, throw it over some slightly distressed jean shorts, untucked (see below), throw on a leather jacket or black military-inspired jacket on top, black flats, and you’ve got floral with an edge. The floral dress below was bought in Portland somewhere. The jean shorts are from the Gap and I love them dearly. They weren’t too expensive either.

7. EASTER EGG COLORS

Pastels and candy colors are all over the place this season. Lilac is the newest “it” polish for fingers and toes. Coral and pink are all the rage for lips and cheeks. I love a good muted pink in a lip gloss. They have fantastic lip glosses at Forever VI. For accessories, Forever VI is the place to go for cheap, fun, and very hip jewelry. They have cute sunglasses and hats, as well as hair accessories, too. How the hell did I start talking about Forever VI? Am I just rambling along here, spewing out little tidbits as I go? Back on track, Tricia! Okay, candy colors and pastels are spring’s color palette. So go get yourself that PAAS egg-dying kit and dye your clothes pastel. Just joshin’ ya. I DO NOT advise anyone to go and do that. Legally cleared…check.

8. OXFORDS

I have fallen head over heals for my oxfords. I found them last year, and if I recall correctly, they were in an Anthropologie catalog (that store could bankrupt me, and easily). If you’re not sure what oxfords are, I’ll try to describe: mens-inspired shoes, that look a bit like what lawyers wore to court in the 1950′s, but cute. If that doesn’t help (and how the hell could it?), then just go to Piperlime.com and search for oxfords. You’ll see so many different pairs, you’re fashionably exhausted head will spin.

9. THE JUMPER

I’m a convert. I used to mock the jumper, saying I was not a baby and therefore I would never wear an adult onesie. But I found this beautiful one at New York and Co., and I had to have it. On the hanger, a jumper looks ridiculous; once you put it on, you’ll find it is so flattering and comfortable, you’ll want to wear it out of the store. This one is in a green that’s on trend for the season, and it’s a tie-waist, which I love. Tank jumpers are really the only way to go, if you want to try one. I like the tank/pants combo in a jumper, too. Try out the shorts version first. I PROMISE you’ll be surprised at what you may see in the mirror. They are sexy on many different body types, and they have the ability to cover up flaws in the midsection and thighs, which is nothing short of a miracle.

10. KHAKI AND BEIGE

Safari-inspired garments have been around for a long time now, and they’ve made appearances in back-to-back season this year. The safari part seems to have faded away, but the colors that constitute “safari” stuck around. Beiges, military greens, burnt orange, even royal blue (which I love and think is a huge spring must-have color) are what you’ll find. The clothes themselves are a rather toned-down version of the classic safari-themed gear. They have all the colors, but the clothes have a more laid back attitude. Maybe the shirt just has one pocket, not two. And the pants aren’t cargo, but slouchy, maybe even satin, and have a stretchy waist, looking a bit like MC Hammer pants for a grandpa. It’s basically casual chic in neutral colors. Slouchy is the name of the game when it comes to this trend.

HOLY LONGWINDED!! I hope you liked my trend report. If you actually made it through, which I doubt many of you did. But I think it went well. Tomorrow is going to be a surprise fashion post. But you’ll want to come back, because there may be something in it for Y-O-U….