From Chalet to Cabana, Tammy's Always Top Banana

 Funky Fruit Bunch Barrette

Top (a dress!): LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's

Skirt another dress!): Kohl's

Cardigan: So, Kohl's

Shoes: Ami Clubwear

Bag: Nordstrom

Belt: Marshalls

Sunglasses: JCPenney

 Hearty Heart Heart Necklace

Tee: American Rag, Macy's

Skirt: Merona, Target

Shoes: Payless

Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Belt: Izod, Marshalls

Sunglasses: Mudd, Kohl's

 Hearts and Flowers Barrettes

Top: Kohl's

Skirt: Boscov's

Shoes: Betseyville, Macy's

Bag: Glamour Damaged, Etsy

Neon I Heart Butterflies Necklace

Top: Mossimo, Target

Cami: So, Kohl's

Jeans: L'Amour by Nanette Lepore for JCPenney

Shoes: Venus

Bag: Apt. 9, Kohl's

Belt: Wet Seal

It may be as snowy as a ski slope in the great Northeast, but here in the Trove it's all about tiki hut tropics.  And I don't just mean the thermostat. I've taken to sticking paper umbrellas in my fruit punch, and Tammy's abandoned her boots and sweaters for peep toes and tee shirts, reminding me that springtime is right around the (cloud-shrouded, freezing cold, sometimes treacherously icy) corner.  I don't know about you, but I can already hear the waves crashing.  Even though that's not a sign of spring, but of summer, and I hear them year round because I live near the beach.  

The stores are wishing for warm weather too, rolling out racks of three-quarter sleeve tees, pastel cardigans, and Capri pants tailored for April (well, more like May in these parts).  In other words, "transitional wear," a term that usually conjures images of fall's russet and mustard sundresses, and as such earns my hatred.  But spring transitional wear is a whole different kettle of fish, all bright and light and hopeful like the reopening of a custard stand.  Sure, summer has its own problems.  Sunburn.  Mosquitoes.  BBQs with people who smell like old ham.  But it's winter that takes top marks in the doldrums department, for being not only depressing, but deadly.  It has ice.  Falling from the sky.  Making the roads all slick and scary.  If snow wasn't a part of cold weather life, you'd think it was science fiction.  

Which makes it all the more disturbing to this loyal chick lit fan.