Accessorizing an outfit is an everyday routine for most of us. From putting on a pair of fantastic earrings to a chic knit beanie, little touches like these add major value to our overall look.  One of my favorite accessory trends of the moment is right in front of our noses---or rather right on the end of them.  That’s right -- I’m talking about glasses, specifically thick-framed, old-school reading-style glasses.  The trend seems to have gained popularity over the past couple months, and as a four-eyed girl myself, I have to say, I’m stoked to see a rise in the variety of frame options that are making their way to the market!  From celebrities, to professional athletes, to my own siblings, glasses are rapidly becoming the fashion accessory of the moment.

Michelle Trachtenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Aniston
Courtesy: shefinds.com

Not too long ago (think elementary school!), thanks in large part to the popularity of contacts, glasses were considered nerdy and a border-line fashion “don’t.”  Speaking from the perspective of somebody who’s had to wear glasses since I was 11, I would have rather been unable to see then actually wear my glasses as a kid (which I did do -- and got in trouble for!)  A few years ago I called a truce with my nerdy-self and I began to embrace my glasses, rather than run from them.  As a result, I am currently the proud owner of two different yet distinct frames that complement my style and my personality! I love finding unexpected outfits to incorporate them with, and I also REALLY enjoy giving my eyes a break from contacts.

Katy Perry
Courtesy: Splash News

Now, you don’t need to have poor vision to rock the glasses trend, nor do you need to be a female! Plenty of places sell frames with mock lenses, so that anybody (yes, you!) can rock the librarian look anytime they please.  Glasses (real or mock) are a fun and often forgotten way to spice up an outfit, or to add depth to an outfit you already love.  With the variety of frame shapes (Cat-eye, square, rectangle, round, oval, and aviator-just to name a few) and endless amounts of frame colors, the options are nearly endless. Check out the frames below for some inspiration (no prescription necessary!)

Vintage "Buddy" Wayfarer Blues Brothers Clear Sunglasses, amazon.com, $3.09

Vintage "Buddy" Wayfarer Sunglasses in Red, amazon.com, $2.20

EP - 'Dakor' Classic Clear Lens Glasses, amazon.com, $12

All of these glasses can be found on Amazon.com and have clear-lenses.  If you are among those of us who need visual correction, the next time you get your prescription filled, consider branching out and trying on a bolder frame, or a frame in an accent color to shake things up this season.  Below are some examples of outfits that I like with the trend -- but I hope you feel inspired to seize this trend and make it your own!

Glen “Big Baby” Davis (from the Boston Celtics)
Courtesy: zimbio/bossip

The image is to show off the glasses, but if you like the top: Embellished Crop Top, forever21.com, $14.90

David Beckham
Courtesy: Splash

Remember the days when our mothers used to customize our hairbands? I sure do. My mom was a hairband fanatic, and she loved finding new things and buying all sorts of materials for the tailor to make me a brand new hairband. Nowadays, not only do we have the basic hairband for holding our hair up, but we also have bow ties, flowers and embellished hairbands that rest on our head for that extra uummph to our outfit! This trend of cute, fashionable hairbands is global.

Many might know that hairbands are a big thing in Asia, but how many of you know that it's an essential part to a girl's wardrobe when it comes to movies, dramas or music videos? If you like to listen or watch anything Korean, Chinese or Japanese, you probably would have seen some!

Courtesy: Chang Won Chauveau

Here are two examples of Korean celebrities. The first is a singer named IU, who is very popular in the music industry and is wearing an embellished black and white hairband. And the second is an actress named Ha Ji Won, who has won multiple awards over her career, and is wearing a very large ribbon hairband. Both hairbands show different images -- chic and cutesy. But don't be fooled, there are so many other extremely cute hairbands that make you wonder why they even exist... But still very, very cute.. on certain people.

And what's more popular in the US than Gossip Girl's, Blair Waldorf? For those of us who watch Gossip Girl, we all have to admit how amazing Gossip Girl's style coordinator is, and how much credit he deserves for the time and effort he puts in to show the elegant life of Manhattan's elite.

Courtesy: Gossip Girl

For those of you that love styling your hair and love giving others that extra second to stare at you, here's a website that sells beautiful hairbands - http://aislingmaher.com/. If these don't fit your style, you can always check your basic local stores, such as Forever21, H&M, Urban Outfitters, to see whether they have any!

Make those heads turn!

Growing up, I was a true tomboy and I never really got over my distaste for florals, pastels, or anything I deemed “too Laura Ashley.” Although I have learned, since the age of six, to embrace wearing dresses, skirts, and heels, I can’t deny that the majority of my wardrobe exists in grey-scale (mostly black), with the occasional brown or beige piece thrown in to mix things up.

No one could have been more surprised than myself when I took such a liking to the rainbow of pastels walking down the Spring 2012 runways. What is it exactly about this season's take on the country club color palette that makes it appealing to a girl who refused to dye Easter eggs because “eggshell is such a nice neutral and really does go with everything?”

In part, I like that designers have given these colors an edge. I like this Spring's pastels the same way I like a baby-doll dress on Courtney Love, but not on Sandra Dee. There is a toughness to them that is undeniably ironic. You wouldn’t want to mess with any of these girls even if they are pretty in pink:

Courtesy: fashionista.com

One other explanation of my willingness to jump on the pastel bandwagon could be desensitization as a result of exposure to the ultra-saturated hues of this past Fall. Beautifully tailored dress clothes in shades previously only found among the selection of Manic Panic hair dyes at the local "Hot Topic" is another trend I never saw myself getting behind...until I saw the fire engine red blouse tucked into hot pink skirt, and the kelly green pants worn under the electric blue blazer...

Maybe, like plaids and stripes, it all goes back to the sheer joy of rebellion. The tiny thrill we experience when we go to our closets and pair together two things that we know to be a “mismatch.” The little boost we get from “pulling it off.” Maybe the clash works on an even more fundamental, sensory level. That color wheel they give out on the first day of art class in elementary school. When your teacher tells you your paintings will pop if you pair up colors from opposite sides of the wheel. Maybe it is biology -- opposites attract.

All I know is it works. And whatever mystic appeal the combination of marigold and plum had for me last Autumn has transferred to tangerine and lilac.

Courtesy: The Kooples

So, go ahead, embrace wearing pastels. Just be sure to also embrace rule breaking!

The trend of the high-low skirt is on the rise very quickly in the world of street fashion. They're very cute and very easy to wear. You can dress it up with a pretty blouse or dress it down with a tshirt or a tank top. Shoes are very easy to match with the skirt. You can wear heels, flats, sandals, and even creepers look cute with the skirt! Be daring with this piece because it looks like a mini in the front and depending on the length can look like a maxi or a mid-calf skirt in the back. The front is the wow factor and is what makes it possible to be a little daring with your shoe choice. Here are some looks that can give you inspiration if you've been eyeing a high-low skirt and just don't know if it would work for you. Chances are, yes!

Kristin Cavallari in Funktional Doppler High Low Skirt ($146); Nasty Gal's Hi Lo Skirt ($38); Unif Get it Skirt in Leopard ($78)

Courtesy: Snakes Nest

Courtesy: unknown

Courtesy: unknown

Rachel High Low Skirt in Black, urban1972.com (sold out)

Courtesy: Snakes Nest

Get the looks!

Pleated High-Low Skirt, forever21.com, $19.80

Sparkle & Fade High/Low Knit Midi Skirt, urbanoutfitters.com, $49 (in 3 colors)

Flowing Tail Skirt, forever21.com, $17.80

Bar III Skirt High Low Printed, macys.com, $39.99 (sale)

Kirra Hi Low Chiffon Skirt, pacsun.com $29.50

High-Low Hem Skirt, forever21.com, $13.80

Volcom Lace Struck Skirt, pacsun.com, $49.50 (also in black)

Spare Torrey/High-Low Skirt, swell.com, $54

Lucca Couture High/Low Maxi Skirt, urbandoutfitters.com, $19.99 (sale)

Pleated High Low Skirt in Orange, necessaryclothing.com, $29.99

Brandy Melville Cameron High Low Skirt, revolveclothing.com, $46

Chiffon High-Low Skirt, forever21.com, $17.80

Colored Flower High Low Skirt, 2bstores.com, $29.95

High-Low Hem Skirt, forever21.com, $15.80

MM Couture by Miss Me Hi-Low Skirt, dillards.com, $58

Jeans: they’re tight, constricting, and if you happen to be outside of the “average” proportions, they never fit right! As a declared pants hater, I am always looking for alternative ways to cover my lower half. One style that I’ve found the most versatile (I’ve avoided wearing pants all month thanks to it!) is the shorts + tights combo -- all the fun of a mini skirt with none of the hassle!

For those weekdays when I feel like showing a little leg, shorts + tights is a great look. Skirts feel a little too dressy for me to wear to class, especially when the girl next to you is still in her pajamas. And let's not forget the main the argument for choosing shorts over skirts is that you don't have to pay attention to that annoying rule about keeping your legs crossed.

Courtesy: lauraonstyle.com

See how the shorts give her all the sex appeal of a mini skirt, but the vibe is more casual? I like styles like the one above with a wider leg: they make your legs look like they go on forever.

For a super polished look, pair them with flats and blazer.

Blair Waldorf rocks the school girl look.

To take the shorts/tights combo up a notch for a night wear, I wear them with thigh high boots or pumps.

Courtesy: ericaonstyle.com

Since there's less fabric than pants (and they’re cheaper!), it's easy to experiment with funky patterns and fabrics. I am a big fan of velvet and leather.

Lauren Conrad, Nicole Richie, and Alexa Chung show us how it's done.

The multitude of tights patterns out there (see American Apparel for some ideas) will expand your outfit possibilities exponentially. With all of these options, who needs pants?