Spring 2013 Trends Already Hanging in Your Closet

I have never been a self-proclaimed "recessionista" nor have I been a highbrow fashionista. Sadly, I do not have Gucci or Fendi hanging on hangers in my closet. I do aspire to be a highbrow fashionista and if anyone would like to sponsor me ... feel free! Since living in the Retirement Community, I have regressed in fashion and have learned quite a bit about recycling my outfits. After all the Retirement Community is a far cry from a shopping mecca!

I know it's still January, but Spring lines have already dropped, and before you rush out to buy the latest trends, check your closet!

Stripes - I know you were taught that horizontal stripes make you look big, but that's a lie! Pull out your hidden stripes and rock them with pride. Those of you who still refuse, rest assured vertical stripes are in!
Green - the color of the season, you will be completely stylish March 17th.
Water - an inspiration for multiple designers this season ...
Mid Drift - since my six pack hasn't arrived yet, I won't be baring a chic little peek

Oscar de la Renta

Michael Kors

Charlotte Ronson

Timo Weiland

I have a closet full of stripes, and if designers can come up with water as an inspiration, then I can definitely use "water" as an inspiration for my current wardrobe!

Lauren Warren
(I guess I am a recessionista
after all. Homemade
maxi) Thanks Pintrest!
Necklace Francesca

Ann Taylor and various boutique apparel
I already had a closet full of water and stripes!
Lucky me! 

The next spring trend has not been in my closet since I was a high-school-youth-group camper who needed shorts that wouldn't "tempt" the boys. Believe me there was absolutely no tempting in my boy-repellent shorts! I am short and long shorts on my body attract ... well not boys.

Bermuda Shorts - before you cringe, there is good news. This revamped trend might not be so bad they are baggier and a little more chic. I might be seduced into buying a pair! 

Peter Som, Rag and Bone, DKNY

Shorts: Abercrombie decades old
Top: Ann Taylor
Jewelry: Stella and Do

Chloe

Don't be alarmed I styled a pair of my husbands old shorts to see if I liked the trend on my body. Trend Status: currently undecided. I just don't feel sexy ... I think it is the plaid, but if I were at least a foot taller and they weren't plaid, I would be all over these shorts! 

All White - I might need a tan and a no stain zone, but I already have white in my closet!

Over-sized Ruffles - I love bows, ruffles, and sparkles. I am so in heaven on this trend! My closet it already stocked!

60s Silhouettes - Classic 

Louise Vuitton

Dress: Anne Kline
Jewelry: Stella and Dot
I added a 70s flair with
the head band. 

Black and White - just when the White House Black Market started stocking color.

Summer Suits - definitely not practical for summer in the south, but possibly practical for spring. Trend status - weather permitting. 

Peek-a-boo Sheer - Never in real life would I attempt this trend. 

Victoria Beckham

Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Helmut Lang

Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs

Jacket: Banana Republic
Top: Ann Taylor Loft
Short: J. Crew

Jacket: Lauren Conrad
Top: Ann Taylor
Shorts: J. Crew
Jewelry: Stella and Dot

Shirt: Old Navy
Skirt: J. Crew
Jewelry: Stella and Dot

Creatures of the Wind

Chambray and Denim - so long are the days of denim = white trash. We gave denim a classier name Chambray and Voila' it's all over the runways!

Finally flats are the last trend. 

Flats and Low Heels - Victoria Beckham will not be happy about this trend, and generally I wouldn't either. However, since moving to the retirement community, I have felt habitually over dressed everywhere I go. Therefore, I am gladly welcoming flats into my wardrobe!

Shirt: Calvin Klein
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Jewelry: Stella and Dot

Peter Som, Marc Jacobs

Let's Be Friends!

My phrase since moving here has been, "Hey! Let's be friends!" Everyone in the retirement community has been nothing but nice and helpful, but finding people that you have a genuine connection with and want to actually spend time with is a lot harder than people realize. I always thought moving away sounded glamorous. I imagined a city with a vibrant social scene, instant friends, good church, and a cool job all just waiting for me to arrive. Then I moved. And quickly realized moving away to my fantasy world does sounds glamorous, but sadly my fantasy world doesn't exist. In reality, moving is far from glamorous. It requires you to start over from scratch in so many areas of life, and it never promises that everything you loved where you were would magically travel with you and be waiting for you when you arrive.

Good friends are hard to find, which was a lesson that I never really learned growing up. Friends were everywhere and making them seemed easy. I walked down the street and asked the neighbor to play. BAM I have a best friend. (Now, I am pretty sure that if I walked down the street and ask my neighbor if they wanted to be friends they would think I was crazy!) As I grew and became involved with extra curricular activities new people entered my friendship circle. I had tons of friends. Some of those friendships have lasted and some haven't. I randomly bumped into a childhood girlfriend over the holidays. As we were searching for common ground, I thought to myself at one point in life we shared our most intimate thoughts with each other and now we are scrambling to find something to talk about. I should have kept in touch with you over the years.

I have made a couple of good friends, but I have also learned the value of keeping up with old friends and that to make good friends, I have be a good friend.