Summer 2010 Fashion Guide: Advice from a 2-year-old fashionista

Hi everyone! It's me Annie. I am SO excited to share some of my best ideas for what to wear this summer. The weather's finally warming up. I've been dressing for summer ever since I got home from Hawaii last November, so I've found a few looks that I really think will be in style the next few months.

First, accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. And think outside the box when it comes to accessories. Don't limit yourself to plain old necklaces and bracelets. Allow yourself to really go crazy. I like to add my winter scarf to my summer ensembles - I think it adds a little of the unexpected. Socks pulled over your hands make lovely gloves and really add a touch of class to your outfits.

When it comes to footwear, don't be afraid to mix it up a bit this summer. Flip flops and sandals are great, but so predictable. Do you have a pair of suede boots? Me too. Instead of stashing them in the back of the closet until November rolls around, try wearing them with a sundress. Ultra-chic. Slippers can also be a great option, the brighter and more noticeable, the better.



Each season seems to have a signature color and this summer is the summer of pink. You can wear it with everything! Purple? Yep, they go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Other shades of pink? Of course.
Brown paisley? You bet! Pink and brown are awesome together, even with a few extra colors thrown in the mix.
If you are like me, it's hard to decide what to wear each day, especially with changing temperatures, changing activities and stuff like that. What I might want to wear for my morning TV show watching is certainly different from what I would wear for an outing to the park or for jumping on the trampoline. To solve this problem, I usually opt for about 4 or 5 different outfits each day. It makes for a little extra laundry, but that way I can really tailor my clothes to my activities.

Finally, a word about swimsuits. You just never know when you might get a chance to hit the beach and, as the Boy Scouts have taught us, it's best to always be prepared. I like to wear mine as the base layer pretty much every day, and some days I just keep it simple and don't bother with any extra layers. Comfy, practical, and stylish - you can't beat that combination.

Well, that covers the basic trends I'll be promoting this summer. Got questions? Need advice? Let me know. I'm your girl. Actually, I'm Daddy's girl, but I'll still help you out.

Editor/Mother's Note: I love two-year-old's. So much energy and so many opinions. Being well-versed in Erikson's stages of development and recognizing the struggle between autonomy vs. shame and doubt, I believe that two-year-old's should be allowed independence in clothing choices. This is a belief I question nearly every time I take her into public. The whole pick-your-battles idea, right? However, Erikson also recognized that for children to successfully resolve each developmental conflict, they must experience a small dose of the negative - which is why my two-year-old is not allowed complete independence and why on Sundays she is not allowed to wear a swimsuit under her dress to church. If you happen to see us not on a Sunday, please smile at whatever she is wearing and know that she will grow to be a happy, strong-willed adult who is able to make good choices. That's what I'm banking on. Please bless that Erikson knew what he was talking about.