It’s finally Friday, which means it’s time to spend that paycheck on new goodies! The first things I started searching for this morning were brightly-colored pieces to get me in the spring spirit. Check out my fab finds in my favorite color of the moment, purple!

Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Wushishi' Sweater, $228

A long, lightweight sweater is always nice to have hanging in your closet because you can throw it over a pretty camisole or a graphic tee. I found this MARC by Marc Jacobs sweater in bright purple and fell in love with the diamond-shaped design detailing and the long length of the sweater.

Purple Crocodile Stretch Butterfly Belt, $22.00

Spring dresses can look more polished with the help of a belt at the waistline. I like this belt mainly because of the big butterfly in the front, and I like my accessories to catch attention!

Jessica Simpson Esis Flats, $27.99

Next I found these Jessica Simpson flats in raspberry. These flats would add a pop of color to any jeans and t-shirt ensemble.

Ann Taylor LOFT Purple Hair Pin Set, $12.50

To add a bit of flair to your hair this spring, I found this Ann Taylor LOFT hair pin set with purple detailing. Use these pins to pull back your bangs, or to add interest to a bun or ponytail.

For obvious reasons I advise you not to wear all of these items at once.  However, use your own judgment to incorporate the right splashes of color.  Check out other great new purple things and many other great colors too at beso!

Style maven Olivia Palermo | Photo Credit: PCN

Style maven Olivia Palermo has a knack for pulling off an urbane fashion aesthetic that belies her young age. Here, she pairs a classic breton striped tee and pleated front skirt with statement accessories. Then she tops if off with a covet-worthy ruffled coat.  Olivia’s look is not only the personification of classic with a twist, but serves a shining example of how one can outfit themselves in order to seamlessly segue from winter to spring.

Steal her fab transitional style with a few key items from beso!

Steal Olivia Palermo's Style

1. Ray-Ban 2132 New Wayfarer Sunglasses, $74

2. BCBG MaxAzria Indigo Pleated Cotton-Wool-Twill Skirt, $94

3. Mixed Media Bib Necklace, $29.50

4. Aerie Striped Boatneck T, $19.50

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Napa Ukita Bag, $458

6. Kenneth Jay Lane Clear Faceted Crystal Cocktail Ring, $45

7. Tie Sandals, various

8. Burberry Ruffle Trim Trench, $795

Backpacks have never been my favorite accessory.  As a matter of fact, I used to wonder how anyone actually enjoyed the backpack-style purse.  I don’t know if it was the design (or lack thereof), the size and shape, or simply my thinking they weren’t cool to wear.  I can’t imagine having to reach back and fumble around for my lip gloss, or stopping to take it off completely just to get my wallet.  I understand that backpacks are convenient, especially for women with small children or while traveling.  However, must we compromise our style for convenience?

If we continue to see a new trend in backpacks, I hope to find more that are in line with the current trends and still functional.  Men seem to always look great with a backpack but I rarely see cute backpacks for women.  Prada, Tumi, Gucci and Louis Vuitton have mastered the unisex backpack which I have grown to appreciate but there is still a void in the market.  I found a few cute backpacks on beso. Which would you wear?

1.  Prada Tessuto Medium Backpack in Turquoise, $219 at Designer Imports

Prada Tessuto Backpack in Turquoise, $219

2.  Tokidoki Abraccio Backpack, $185.99 at Amazon

Tokidoki Abraccio Backpack, $185.99

3.  Kate Spade Gramercy Park Backpack, $225 at Amazon

Kate Spade Gramercy Park Backpack, $225

Rachel Bilson in Utility Jacket

Spring is here, and reporting for duty!  Actress Rachel Bilson was spotted wearing an army green utility jacket on her way to a casting in Santa Monica on February 26, 2010. I know what you might be thinking… Really? An army jacket? Trust me, this jacket is a must-have. This spring, military is making a strong statement and I have to say… I am very excited about it! (I already have two). If you don’t believe me, take a look at the Spring 2010 runways.

The great thing about this trend? You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg. There are so many options I don’t even know where to begin. Let’s start with this linen one by Victoria’s Secret for only $49.50. If money is no object, you’ll love this cropped version with detailed shoulder patches by Juicy Couture for $198.00. So green isn’t your color… So what? You can still wear this trend in another color, like this grey one from Old Navy for only $39.50.

The trick to wearing this look is to balance the masculinity of the jacket by pairing it with feminine pieces. Bilson passes this test with flying colors. She smartly pairs her jacket and trousers with a flowy scarf and nude pumps. Try this scarf from Love Quotes (also another celebrity favorite) and these basic nude pumps by Milan. If you want something more funky on your feet, you’ll love these cage sandals by Jimmy Choo or these zip-front wedges by Twelfth Street.

Milan Pump from Piperlime, $110

Chloe Marcie Leather Satchel, $1,595

Bilson finishes the look with her Chloe Marcie Bag, but if you want a similar one without breaking the bank, take a look at this equally chic brown leather satchel by Botkier.

You can get this entire look at beso!

Many of us find our most unique fashion pieces at trendy, hidden boutiques.  Trouble is, when life gets busy, we don’t always have time to trek to these places to score the newest items when they first arrive.  I love the idea of being able to shop for all of my favorite boutique items in one place.  Lucky for me, the people at farfetch.com share a similar vision.

I spoke with Marketing Director Paul Brine to find out what farfetch.com has to offer, as well as some of his personal “must-haves” for this year.  Herewith is what Paul had to say:

Q&A:

beso: Tell us about the farfetch.com philosophy and the idea behind the site.

Paul Brine: In 2001, farfetch.com founder José Neves helped open a boutique in London called b Store.  He found that when entering the world of e-commerce, marketing a smaller store wouldn’t be easy.  José came up with the idea of a site that would pull all the boutiques together, because they all had a different voice.  farfetch.com began with just 20 stores.

b: Luxe, Lab, and Cult are three ways to shop farfetch.  Tell us how you came up with the idea for these categories and what treasures we would find in each.

PB: These [categories] were José’s idea.  We had a massive list of over 200 labels, in which some were casual and some avant-garde.  We needed a way to separate them.  Luxe is high-end, well known designers.  Lab is up-and-coming and avant-garde designers.  Cult is more casual, like denim and diffusion lines.

b: Are there any plans to expand farfetch.com to include more than U.S. and European boutiques?

PB: Yes, we are working with Brazilian boutiques right now.  We plan to have these out within the next six months.

b: Your site not only carries exclusive designer fashions, but also lifestyle items.  What are some of your favorite pieces?

PB: I like the Snake and Skull Candle by D.L. & Co. because it’s very gothic.  I also like these prints by a company called Jaguar Shoes, which feature various artists’ work.

D.L. & Co. Skull with Snake Candle

b: What are some of your favorite fashion “must-haves” right now?

PB: For women, Pierre Hardy shoes.  They have these silver metallic wedges with lots of straps.  There are also these brass cuffs made by Givenchy.  For men, Henrik Vibskov sweaters, which are colorful and have big faces on them.  I also like the Opening Ceremony Desert boots.

Pierre Hardy Wedge Bootie Sandal

Givenchy Stud and Brass Cuff

Opening Ceremony Brown Leather Boots

b: What hot men’s accessories are key for summer 2010?

PB: Sunglasses.  The Zanzan Zazou sunglasses are very retro and handmade in France, so they are great quality.

b: Who are some of your favorite designers?

PB: For women, it’s Christopher Kane.  For men, I like Martin Margiela and Robert Geller. 

b: Name the one item you have acquired from farfetch.com that you cannot live without.

PB: I have a shirt by Blaak Homme.  It’s a navy shirt with white polka dots.

b: Who would be your ideal celebrity spokesperson for farfetch?

PB: It’s hard to pin it on just one.  We would love to have Lara Stone.  She is a Dutch model who has a lot of personality.

b: With over 400 designers on the site, can you tell us some of the most popular lines right now?

PB: Right now the top is Alexander McQueen.  Although he has always been a top designer, with his recent death we have seen an increase.  Opening Ceremony is big, too;  we have a lot of their shoes on the site and they sell very well.  Henrik Vibskov’s whole collection is on the site and has become a real cult label.  All of these items are hard to find.

Alexander McQueen Yellow Heart-Shaped Peep Toes

b: What do you think it is about your site that keeps people coming back for more?

PB: The sheer amount of products found here.  You can get lost in there for hours!  We add new items every day, so you can come back next week and find all new things.  Also, we have many exclusive brands that you just can’t find anywhere else.

b: Lastly, we’d like to know — What’s your beso?  My beso is “be so unique.”

PB: I’d say our beso is “be so individual.”

- Dana for beso