As I previously mentioned I do not do well with in between weather. Since we live in Wisconsin I know I should be used to the yo-yo that is our climate, but it’s the in between that always gets me. Today I am doing great in my BB Dakota Feathered Tank, BB Dakota Mini and Pour la Victoire Wedges. My ABS denim jacket – for when the breeze picks up – but tomorrow is the question. When the weather turns south again, I am going to need something a little warmer than today’s ensemble.

Maybe it’s my constant frustration with this aspect, but as I looked around the store today I realized we have plenty of options to assist through this transition into summer. I am loving the new LINE cardigans we just got in. They are the perfect weight to make sure you aren’t to hot or too cold! The Brooklyn Infinity Knit (on the left) is amazing. The cross front section is one big loop that you can wear any way you want. It’s such a unique piece - definitely worth it! Another option is the gorgeous Madison Cardigan. Featuring the most beautiful shoulder cutouts, it’s definitely a great piece over a floral dress, or back to your basic jeans.

Just in is the rest of Nicole Richie’s Winter Kate pieces for Spring. The Eden Jacket is perfect for making a Spring Statement. I am actually thinking of pairing it over my dress for a friend’s wedding I am attending this weekend. The Ginger Cardigan may be completely sheer, but it still adds a punch of color to any outfit and can keep those shoulders covered when it’s windy.

If you need a little more warmth, check out Left on Houston. Known for their great knits, this line is perfect for all of us that love comfort. I live in everything I own from Left on Houston. Their Spring Raven Cardigan ( on left) is so cozy, but one of my personal favorites is the Misfit top. The peekaboo details are super sexy and yet your are wearing a sweater so you a super comfortable at the same time.

So in an effort to keep your stylish in this unpredictable place, all of our third layer pieces are on special through the Saturday! Save on knits from LINE, Left on Houston, Central Park West, Dex and Textile Junkie as well as jackets from Katherine Barclay and Winter Kate.
Don’t get caught in the cold – this offer is only good through Saturday! Stop in or use the code SMBRZE10.

Animal prints are back in action for Spring/Summer in lightweight cotton silhouettes that compliment any jean like Torn by Ronny Kobo’s Lynna tunic. Or LAMB’s great leopard tunic over your favorite mini. Or the Brooke Top that pairs perfect with leggings. Get on the hunt.
Florals are everywhere and why not – what says Spring better than flowers?! Small delicate combinations or bold vibrant clusters – whatever your favorite flower is, there is an option for you. Breezy bohemian tunics from Nicole Richie’s Winter Kate line, Easy swing tops from Torn by Ronny Kobo or the ever popular BB Dakota line has a plethora of styles to choose from.
With Spring comes color and brights are always big. Patterns, Solids, Prints – you can find them anywhere. My favorite is BB Dakota’s feather tank – but if you prefer solids, Fifteen-Twenty creates some beautiful styles in a variety of bright vivid colors. Guys can do color too! Canterbury of New Zealand always does great plaid shirts and Just A Cheap Shirt (new and now in stock) – they do color right.   If you want a certain shade, they have a shirt with it! Stand out this Spring!

Stop in soon and find something to top off your look.

One of my favorite new brands is Pour la Victoire. Gorgeous and unusual shoes from Brazil that are a must have!
Pour La Victoire made its debut in 2007 as a footwear line for the 21st century Marie Antoinette. By blending unique heel shapes with rich materials and colors, Pour La Victoire has created a trendy line of women’s shoes inspired by French beauty. The collection offers fashionable, well-made shoes at great prices.
Check out some of their recent press in:

Here is a sampling of what they offer:

Don’t be fooled by the detailed heels, PLV also does some amazing flats. You can see the likes of this line on one of today’s hottest shows. XOXO.

The little sister brand to Pour La Victoire is Kelsi Dagger.
Kelsi Dagger shoes are confident, independent and slightly dangerous. Fresh and young, Kelsi Dagger shoes are designed to express freedom and passion. Here is a look at a couple styles they offer:

Big sister is not the only one getting attention. As seen in:

And last, but not least to kick off our introduction of footwear – House of Harlow shoes.
Nicole Richie’s much anticipated extension of her ever-popular jewelry line – her footwear arrives in April. From textured heels to accented flats, Nicole’s collection stands out with unusual details. Here are a couple style options – if you haven’t seen them already….

The line is selling out fast along with her Winter Kate Collection. Make sure you get some for your Spring wardrobe – both available at Flaire.  Happy Shopping!

Now I realize we are in Wisconsin and a more realistic image would be this…..

However, I am going to remain optimistic that Spring is indeed only a short wait away. (Please insert your laughs here).

Any ways, whether or not the weather is planning on cooperating, Spring is indeed on its way to Flaire! I am really looking forward to this season because there is so much to be excited about. The trends are realistic, the silhouettes are flattering, the colors are bold and the prices are working too. All in all this season is uplifting and after the past few – I think we could use it!

Over the next 6 weeks as we await the “arrival” of Spring, I am going to be previewing six of the collections I am most excited about. Some of the lines are new collections, some of the lines are new to Milwaukee, some of the lines are extensions of what they are already known for and some we have so much faith in that we have expanded our buying to include all of the elements their collections have to offer.

Before I get ahead of myself I should probably tell you a little about what our designers have put together for Spring. So here we go…

• Ladies – Listen up! As the weather gets warmer, your hemlines are getting shorter. Minis are in and they are here to stay. Skirts, Dresses, Shorts – start toning those legs now! I know I am!
• In line with showing more skin, Cutouts can be found everywhere. Pants, Tops, Dresses, Skirts – I am talking the tasteful cutouts, sexy yet sophisticated – Don’t give it all away!
• On another uplifting note, color is bold – no more dark and dreary, brighten up. Bold, abstract prints, soft, feminine florals – all are working for Spring.

Okay guys – we aren’t forgetting about you – but you are going to have to take some risks!

• Color: Pastels and bold hues are ruling the men’s collections. Orange is huge. Not ready for it all? Try to look for some pieces that incorporate these colors as accents. It won’t be hard this season.
• Denim: Get some white jeans – you can pull them off! Pair them with one of the season’s hottest, the Chambray Shirt. Easy, laid-back, cool.
• Button-phobia? No worries. The snap front shirt will cure you. Not only easier to get in and out of, but the snap accents are a really cool touch to step your look up.
• The track jacket – or some are calling it the baseball jacket. Dress it up and take it out – this requires you to remove your jeans, (unless they are white). Try it out, they all seem to come with accents of this season’s best color. Two birds, one stone.

Now with a little preview of what Spring is all about – I would like to introduce you to the Winter Kate Collection by Nicole Richie. Hot off the heels of her successful jewelry collection (which you can also find at Flaire) is the arrival of one of the most anticipated collections of the Spring Fashion scene; Nicole Richie’s first contemporary clothing collection, Winter Kate. Named after her daughter Harlow’s middle names the line embodies Nicole’s hippie-luxe style.

The collection, which includes kimono tops, dresses (both mini and maxi), tunics and leather jackets as well as bed jackets and vests, all reflect Nicole’s love of vintage and classic. Her silhouettes are timeless with vintage touches and soft, flowy fabrics. Her beautiful paisley and floral prints are all vintage washed for a classic feel and she enhances her pieces with vintage silk chiffon, handcrafted embroidery, cotton macrame and fringe details that make you look twice.
Richie says, “Fashion should be accessible,” and she succeeds in making Winter Kate easy to wear and simple – yet feminine and romantic all at the same time. “The pieces can be dressed up, made casual, but most importantly, they provide the wearer a means of self-expression and fun,” Nicole tells WWD.

Winter Kate will be hitting stores in February and Flaire will have a selection of her pieces right here in Milwaukee.

Today, I still read all the magazines (and when I say ”read,” I really mean “scan”) to see what the celebrities are wearing – they really do drive the fashion industry. I have seen lines take off just because the right celebrity was seen wearing one of the styles.
Now, with the store, I am constantly checking to see if any of Flaire’s pieces are featured. It’s truly one of the exciting parts of owning a store – seeing the pieces you carry in the magazines you have read for years. What I have also been noticing lately is that quite of few of our collections at Flaire have been featured in some of the season’s hottest television shows – it may only be a quick glimpse - but it’s still exciting to see.

Check out who’s been seen in some of the collections we carry in store!

Cory Monteith in Five Four

Shenae Grimes in Isabel Lu

Katie Cassidy in House of Harlow

Zac Efron in Life/After/Denim

Adrian Grenier in Modern Amusement Eyewear

Lo Bosworth in Fifteen-Twenty