Do my eyes deceive me??

...or did I just see cuteness walking by wearing stripes AND plaid? Back in the day that was just wouldn’t do. Well, it’s a new day, baby, and I like it. Designers are shaking things up and breaking all kinds of fashion rules. Mixing patterns is just one of them. Another of the broken commandments? “Thou shalt not wear black with navy.” Yet 2010 has brought runways teeming with the duo and celebs like Cameron Diaz, Anne Hathaway and Ashley Olsen have helped to make this formerly forbidden fashion faux pas the hot trend for winter.

Seeing Little Miss Plaid Stripe Fabulous looking so good made me decide to think outside of the box. Looking no further than my favorite boutique (I don’t have to tell you which) I found a fabulous Nanette Lepore skirt with a checked pattern and paired it with a breezy peasant top in a floral print. What keeps this look from being a train wreck? (aside from the killer Gucci bag) It’s all in the color coordination. You have to stay in the same color family for this trend to make sense, otherwise the mixy-matchy could go south in a hurry. Trust me on this.

I, for one am a fan of breaking rules. Life is too short to waste time always wearing beige suits and sensible shoes. What’s next, though? White shoes after Labor Day?

A girl can only dream….

-Bea Lovely

Hello, Austin!

I love this time of year…..

Colder weather, new year’s resolutions and an opportunity to wear a killer coat (can you say faux fur?) for the next few weeks. It’s times like this that I reflect on fantastic fashions of yester-year and dream about spring trends to come. My favorite trend this fall was the rebirth of flannel patterns layered over leggings and adorned with knee high boots of heels and flats. Is there anything hotter that a sexy pair of boots? It takes me back to my younger days of muscle cars and aqua net (so many fine memories!).

I can't wait to see what spring fashions we have in store for 2010. A little birdie told me to look out for hot pants and knee high socks! I don't know about you but I like the sound of it. Better put those new year's resolutions to work in preparation for some seriously short shorts!

Until then, discover the ways you can recycle your favorite looks to create a fashion style that is uniquely your own. Keep it fabulous Austin and remember Bea Lovely!