Oh sweet spring, one of my favorite times of the year. Bright colors blind us, gorgeous flowers surround us, and a new rejuvenating feel runs through the crisp and clean air. Spring is a wakeup call. All senses come alive and suddenly, anything seems possible. Before you become entirely intoxicated by the baby daffodils, the new leaves busting out of the Buckeye trees and the glance from a stranger in line at Peet's that you're sure means true love, harness some of that energy and use it in your closet. I'm serious! You've got some prepping to do.

Put your woolies away
The best way to get ready for spring is to start by clearing out your winter wardrobe. Organize your closet as if it were a department store and clear it of last season's clothing. You have several months before you will be needing those clothes again so take all the bulky sweaters, heavy jackets, and holiday wear out of your closet to make room for brighter colors, flirty fabrics and lighter clothing. When packing away your winter wears, make sure all your clothing is cleaned; you don't want to pull your clothes out next fall to see that critters have hibernated in your clothing and created a holy mess. Once you have packed away your winter clothing, take inventory of what you have from last spring. Try on your clothes to see what still fits, is fashionable and is functional for this season. A few styles, prints and cuts have changed but you will still be able to keep the majority of last year's spring wardrobe rotation while adding a few new pieces to update the look.

Put some spring into your step
If you are a shoe person, this year is for you. The attention the handbag got last season has now been handed over to your feet. This spring's shoes have taken the gladiator look of last season and added heels. The strappy and dominating look of this heel is paired with everything from short dresses to military style Capri's. You may feel smitten, but those sky-high stilettos will surely be painful on your feet. Make sure to find some alternatives.

There's also an element of architectural design being introduced. Your feet have the chance to act as a canvas for the amount of design and emphasis that is put into shoes. Straps, jewels, fringe, and buckles will definitely get all the attention they deserve, but will any of that attention come back to your face? Those details draw the eye in like bees to blossoms. If it's too much, check out the nude and pastel shades that are also showing up in department stores. Other enticing flowers in the fashion kingdom this spring are prints. These neutral shoes can be great in combination with the print craze in clothing. If you're planning to wear plenty of prints on top, the nude shoes won't fight with prints that are closer to your face.

Print it out
Those prints I was talking about? They're everywhere! Optical, tribal, floral, and bold abstract prints are seen layered on top of each other. This look may be a bit tricky to pull off in real life so I suggest that you find a print you like and pair it with a simple top you have from last season. Or, where a Capri pant with a fun print top. If you feel like one print isn't enough, I suggest introducing a second print on a smaller item such as a bangle, a scarf, belt or handbag.

Soft neutrals to romance
If you are not a fan of bold prints, you will still have plenty of choices this season. Pastels are a feminine choice. Pink champagne, pewter blue, and warm beige are seen in everything from light cashmere sweaters, to sheer dresses and slouchy bags. You can pair these pastels with warm neutrals to give a feminine look and create a romantic feel. Bright white is also seen in head-to-toe-outfits creating that fresh spring look. Accessorize with beautiful chandelier earrings, Lucite bangles or soft metals.

Accessorize with gems
This season's accessories are on the chunkier side but they are still keeping a feminine look. Chandelier earrings and chunky necklaces are designed with beautiful soft colored jewels that give off a grand yet romantic feel. If you are going for a big and bold necklace, soften up on the earrings and vice versa. You don't want to overwhelm your face. Bangles are also the craze this season. Bangles are layered on top of each other, but stick with a theme; otherwise your wrist will resemble a Christmas tree decorated by pre-schoolers. Don't be afraid to mix metals but keep something constant—colors, textures, design—so the eye pleasantly connects that stack in a pleasing way.

Belts that cinch at the waist are still in style, but thinner ones are the new thing. This thin belt is a better fit for those romantic looks. Pair a skinny belt with a draped dress to create a soft silhouette or add a belt to break up the pattern of an outfit.

Besides the usual large spring totes and hobo bags, this season you'll be finding handbags that are smaller and more practical. Handbags will also be more comfortable with the crossbody styles that have longer straps that cross over your chest.

Spring beauty
With the sun joining us on a regular basis and our clothes taking on lighter shades, we also have to keep in mind that our beauty routines should change with the season. The dark and moody eye makeup, darker lipstick, and deeper shades of nail polish should all be toned down. Spring is the time to bring out the sheers! Lip-gloss in pink and peach tones will create a fresh look and will go well with the soft pastels of the season. Also be aware of your skin tones. If the pastel colors of this season are going to wash you out a bit, you might need to add more color. A raspberry-colored lip could do the trick. The eye should also be a bit lighter with softer purple, pink, and neutral shades. Nails will also get a bit softer with fun new colors of light grays, beige, and neutrals.

Spring is about bringing back to life what winter put on hold. It's about celebrating a new start, a fresh look, and about taking in the new beauty that mother earth has given us. Wear those brighter colors, bare a bit more skin, and make sure to stop and smell the flowers.

Brenda Kinsel is a fashion and image consultant based in Marin. Check out her Web site at www.brendakinsel.com.

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