This is a busy week for me with lots of appointments, lunches and meetings.  And in the San Francisco Bay Area, the weather is unseasonably unstable.  It ranges from cool to warm and sunny to rainy.  These factors bring me to nautical!  I love the basic colors with the opportunity to pop with a little of the season’s colors.  Stripes that are crisp and move the eye toward the accents are good.  Another thing about nautical that is fun this season is taking the look and notching it up with a jacket, a pair of shoes, a handbag or bracelets. 

Love this Vince Breton stripe tee from Nordstrom.com.  The heather grey and navy are easy to wear, the narrow stripes and fit of the top make it a casual, comfortable and attractive fit for most any body type.  Notch it up with red or yellow to make a dreary day cheerful. 

Click here to learn more about this top at Nordstrom. 

Love this photo of Halle Barry working her nautical look with a great jacket.  Thanks Instyle.com!  I highly recommend getting on their email list.  It is always full of great tips and fun photos!  Click here to sign up.

One of my favorite things about living in San Jose in the Spring is the opportunity to attend the Unique Lives and Experiences series. Each event gives the audience the opportunity to learn about the unique life of an extraordinary woman. She may be a politician, philanthropist, in the entertainment industry, an author or more than one of the above. Last night, I was especially privileged to spend the evening listening to and being inspired by one of my favorite actresses, Goldie Hawn. She was everything I always thought she’d be right down to distracting in her choice of a top that kept slipping off her shoulders and pants that were too big. Whether she was tugging at her shoulder or pulling up her pants, it was entirely forgivable because she is Goldie. Anyone else, I would have been running on stage with pins and tape!

She spoke of many things including dancing, singing acting friendship, motherhood, family, marriage, home construction, divorce and the decision not to marry.  All of it interesting and entertaining.  But the one that really riveted me was the Hawn Foundation. This organization which was started by Goldie, is working to bring the joy back into learning for kids. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that sad and depressed brains do not function with the efficiency and creativity of happy ones. Simply stated, “The mission of The Hawn Foundation is to equip children with the social and emotional skills they need to lead smarter, healthier, and happier lives.”

And they are making progress.  Their MindUp program is slowly being introduced into public school curriculum and soon will be included in textbooks.  That fact alone gives my heart joy. 

Click here to learn more about the Hawn Foundation.

As the sun peeks through after yet another late Spring rain storm, I am so ready for warm weather.  But since the weather isn’t following my plan this Spring, I am finding the need to improvise with jackets that look and feel like Spring but keep the chill and rain away!  This darling hooded trench from Ellen Tracy does just the trick.  And in Aurora, one of Pantone’s hot colors for Spring this year. 

According to Pantone, “Yellow has made its mark on fashion and spring will further this trend with gleaming Aurora.  Reminiscent of the first glimpse of yellow as the sun begins to rise over the horizon, this shimmering, slightly greenish yellow adds a bold infusion.”

 So, here’s the details on this great jacket that will brighten your spirits while keeping you dry through those April Showers.

Faux-tortoiseshell buttons fasten a short, all-weather trench with a detachable hood and a tie belt. Trapunto stitching details the split lapel collar and belt.

* On-seam pockets.
* Split cuffs.
* Polyester lining.
* Approx. length from shoulder: 30”.
* Cotton/polyester; machine wash.
* By Ellen Tracy Coats; imported.
* Encore.

Click here to learn more about this fun and fashionable short trench from Ellen Tracy at Nordstrom.  Available in Aurora Yellow and other beautiful Spring Colors. 

It wouldn’t be spring if there weren’t a pink in the palette.  This spring, the predominant pink is a coral with an orange vibe to it.  Pantone endorses this coral, which is being used by such designers as Tracy Reese in this quote: “Energy continues to surge throughout the warmer
hues of spring, leading to provocative Fusion Coral. This inviting orange connects directly to tangy Tomato Purée, this season’s classic red. Pair it with Turquoise for a retro look.

Coral is a beautiful and complex color which is made by combining, Blueberry, Peri and Ocean Wave with a rainbow of Rich Berry, Bluebell, Crocus, Pale Winsome, Passionfruit and Goldenrod.  In other words, a lot of blue mixed with pinks, yellows and oranges.  A beautiful color that while worn well by some is not for every skin tone. Generally coral is best for someone with fair or delicate coloring and light blonde or brown hair.  Click here to learn more about your color season.

This coral cocktail dress from Carmen Marc Valvo is one those great dresses where you buy the dress and then find a reason to wear it! eDressme.com stated it perfectly, “This coral print dress by Carmen Marc Valvo is a sexy yet sweet cocktail dress. The dress has a scoop collar and a cap sleeves. The bustline is accented by folded detailing and the waist has a white belt. The skirt of the dress falls at approximately the knee. Complete the look with sandals or wedges.”

Shop this Coral Cocktail Dress by Carmen Marc Valvo at edressme.com

Nothing says warm weather like a vine ripened tomato.  Pantone agrees and has named Tomato red as the hot red for spring 2010.  The blue hue and the warmth of the color allow it to work well with turquoise on one hand and this spring coral with a strong hue of orange on the other.  Inspired by Badgely Mischka, the more main line clothing manufacturers have jumped on and this skintone friendly classic red will be popular on tops and sweaters, shoes, dresses.  Some will wear red pants and skirts as well.  It is a hot accent color for this season’s vibrant prints.  And lets not forget nautical.   

I love this sheath dress by Eliza J available at Nordstrom.  It is fun yet sophisticated.  It will work day into evening on hot summer days and is friendly to many body types.  And very eary to wear.  Pair it with sandals, flats or heels. 

Want to learn more about the other colors that Pantone predicts will be hot this spring and into summer?  Check out the Pantone Forecast for Spring 2010.