SPRING STYLE

Spring into Style

Matching outfits, polka dots and pastels are just a few of the spring trends to incorporate into your wardrobe this season.

Spring is in the air, and the few cold snaps we get here in Florida are on their way out. What’s in, though, is spring style — and the colors that come with it. This spring, it’s all about the pastels, especially in pink hues such as blush, peach and baby pink. Coral pink is another spring classic, and it’s part of Pantone’s Spring/Summer 2020 New York Fashion Week color palette. Some of spring’s biggest fashion trends also include “sweet spots” or polka dots, capri pants, two-toned designs, “matchy-matchy” outfits and color blocking.

Saor Boutique on New Broad Street has jumped straight into the season with sweet pinks, classic whites, airy dresses and fun accessories to help Baldwin Parkers transition to spring, Florida style.

Saor Boutique owner Angie Montenegro said now is prime time for styles that scream spring break and a true Florida state of mind.

“White clothing in general — tops, bottoms, white jeans — are always a spring and summer staple, especially in Florida,” she says. “(And) now we’re getting more into colors, specifically pinks and peaches.” Here are some of the season’s top trends and tips.

— Danielle Hendrix

COLOR BLOCK Color blocking has been a timeless trend, but expect the blocking to become bigger this season — literally. Color blocking is a bold design, but it’s subtle in that the colors typically complement each other.

Try this Louisa Red Hot color block top from Julie Brown NYC. Pair it with some white jeans and you’ve got the perfect date night or brunch outfit.

Top $155

MATCHY-MATCHY Have you ever worried about pairing blue jeans with a blue shirt, or a white top with white jeans? Don’t. Matching tops and bottoms are all the rage right now. It also takes the pain out of planning outfits — if you’ve got the matching top and bottoms, pair them together and go.

“This year they’re saying it’s going to escalate,” Montenegro says. “It looks well put together, like it’s planned, and it kind of is planned. (And) with pieces like that, you can mix it up with other pieces.” Our pick is this stylish and feminine blush-colored crop top and slit pant from Julie Brown NYC. Not only is it the color of the season, it’s also the perfect go-to spring set.

Top $125, pants $170

SWEET SPOTS

If you love polka dots, you’re in luck. This adorable polka-dot set with a uniform ivory top and navy shorts also falls into another spring trend category — two-toned designs. These designs always are in, but the colors tend to change.

These Julie Brown NYC Lily Pond shorts and crop top are lightweight and perfect for a day in the Village Center or a summer day.

Top $74, shorts $88

Necklace $26.50

ACCESSORIZE

An outfit isn’t complete without accessories. Whether you’re a jewelry lover, a purse collector or can’t go without some sunglasses, there is something for everyone this spring.

Montenegro says hoop earrings are a hot jewelry trend right now, whether they’re metal or multicolored acrylic

materials. Dainty necklaces with initials, names or even zodiac signs are another hot-ticket item.

However, perhaps one of the biggest trends happening across all markets — whether it’s shoes, clothes or accessories — is repurposed, eco-friendly pieces, she says. This could be anything from jeans and sandals to clutches and tote bags.

Earrings $20

Brains of the operation

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As someone born at the end of Gen X, I grew up in a time when computers were present but not yet everywhere, and technology was just beginning to revolutionize our everyday lives. Subsequent generations came into the world with the ability to summon anything — from toilet paper to pad thai — to their couch with the push of a button, knowing of no other way of life without this immediate access. As comedian Ronny Chieng puts it in his Netflix special, “Send me everything I want before I want it, in as many boxes as possible!” As we enter 2020, smart homes and smarter features are becoming commonplace, and homebuyers are adding these life-simplifying items to their lists of must-haves. Builders are commonly including smart home features in their offerings, as well. So, what does today’s smart home have, and which features are the MVPs?

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: SAVING THE PLANET AND YOUR WALLET

I first wrote about the Nest thermostat years ago when it originally came onto the market. More recently, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat was voted best thermostat by CNET on its best smart home devices list for 2020. CNET cites the Ecobee’s distinguishing characteristic as its remote temperature sensor, which enables the Ecobee to read the ambient temperature of the room and adjust it as needed. All of this can be done within an app or the sound of your voice, and it also doubles as a speaker for your Alexa. Of course, you also have the ability to modify your home’s temperature via the app, as well as set the thermostat to align with your actual usage — potentially saving money on your utility bill. Very cool, indeed.

NEXT-LEVEL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: WIFI-ENABLED CAMERAS AND DOORBELLS

Safety concerns surfaced in 2019 when hackers went “credential surfing” and obtained passwords to some Ring accounts. They were then able to access those users’ Ring cameras and speakers. Ring specifically said there was no breach of its own system and recommended users don’t keep the same password for every platform or service they use. They also recommended enabling two-step authentication to avoid future security breaches. With the potential to be hacked seeming somewhat rare and device security manageable, homeowners’ enthusiasm for Wi-Fi-enabled doorbells and cameras has remained steady. Everyone hates a porch pirate, and shouting at a would-be thief via your Ring can provide great satisfaction, but this is far from their only benefit. Home security cameras and doorbells with eyes are also great for seeing who is in the general area of your home and when. Their mere presence may help to deter some would-be burglars. Ring

and Nest have some highly popular smart doorbells, as well as a range of home security cameras. CNET, however, rated the Arlo Pro 3 the best of the smart home security cameras. The Arlo Pro 3 was recognized as being versatile and user friendly, as well as having a siren built into the camera itself rather than the camera’s base station. Just about every buyer would be excited to have these smart security features in their new home, making them a good investment for sellers everywhere.

UNLOCK YOUR HOME’S POTENTIAL: SMART LOCKS AND SMART LIGHTING

Pro as the best smart lock for 2020. Tech Radar mentions this lock having the ability to go hands-free or keep your old key as a favorite of many purchasers. You can automate the lock to secure itself when you have moved away from the general vicinity of the home, and it can even advise you if you left a door open. Although the August Smart Lock Pro comes at a price, it has some features that make it worth the spend. But all security and no fun makes your home a dull place, so don’t forget to beautify your abode with smart lighting. A friend gifted me with a color-changing lightbulb a few years back and I’ve been all in on smart lighting since. Tech Radar’s top pick for the new year is the Phillips Hue. Lighting strips such as the Phillips Hue Play Light Bar add ambiance to your movie-watching and game-playing experience, and who doesn’t love multicolored lights anyway? Smart lighting such as this can be easily controlled via app and connected to your home’s other smart devices, such as Nest and Apple HomeKit. Other great additions to a home’s smart arsenal are smart appliances and smart smoke detectors. When it comes to your home, smart features add value as well as quality of life for homeowners.

Today’s smart home comes equipped with the ability to lock or unlock your home from wherever you are. Tech Radar rates the August Smart Lock

As we enter 2020, smart homes and smarter features are becoming commonplace, and homebuyers are adding these life-simplifying items to their lists of must-haves.

CHRISTINA RORDAM FLORIDA REALTY INVESTMENTS

Christina Rordam is a local Realtor and a member of ORRAs Top Producer Club. For more, visit christinasellsorlando.com.