The chilly sea-fog that keeps rolling into Brighton most afternoons this week is a little damp (not to mention spooky) but the weather in this part of Sussex is finally getting a lot milder. On my walk to work yesterday morning in the sunshine, I actually unzipped my coat, slid off my scarf and took off my gloves without the shivery consequences I would've faced just a few weeks ago.

As with everyone, the mild and brighter weather always makes me feel a bit more confident in experimenting with various different outfits. When it's bitterly cold like it has been, I tend to layer up the same old layers until I feel warm, but the outcome of this is that I barely resemble a person at the end of it. Not fashionable (not in the slightest) and boring, really, really boring.

I realised on a trip to the shoe menders yesterday that I have actually been wearing my flat leather pirate boots every single day since I got them in the January sales. Once again, B.O.R.I.N.G.

To help shake things up a bit (and by 'things' I mean my wardrobe), this Saturday brings with it the official beginning of spring 2010 and as if by pure coincidence the high street, yet again wielding its mighty fashion-magic, is now positively brimming with the new season trends hot off the catwalk. Nautical, nudes, florals, frills, military, tribal, playsuits .. you name it, it's there waiting for us to buy it.

Sure, we've seen all these trends before but the beauty of that part is most of us probably have a few variations on the themes floating around at the back of our closets that we'd forgotten about ages ago, so it can be relatively easy to get a bit more 'springy' with or without splashing the cash. I often find that just having a nose around the shops can offer some inspiration on updating and getting the most out of the pieces you bought last year, or even the year before.

As we're all gradually coming out of hibernation, stretching, yawning and uncurling our woollen sock-clad toes, here are couple of tips for putting a bit more 'spring' in your fashion-steps...

* First tip - go all 'wardrobe Feng Sui' by getting rid of anything (including underwear and shoes) that looks tired or that you haven't worn since the spring before last - you'll find things you didn't know you had and it'll put you in a great mood if you can find a new outfit

* The gorgeous morning sunshine we've had just lately is bright enough for a lighter-weight jacket and some colourful accessories (I've finally ditched my heavy parker -- yay!)

* Remember that it's not quite summer yet --as much as we all wish it was - and definitely still not warm enough for bare legs, but even some summery skirts look good with black opaque or pattern tights and some ballet pumps or Mary-Janes

* As this is England/Brighton/still March, lets not forget that it's incredibly likely to rain when you least expect it, so stay armed with a brolley at all times - I noted that Burt's Homestore has some nice transparent and fairly hard wearing brolleys in stock at the moment which is good when you're battling against the wind

* Don't rule out stores like H&M -- they've got some excellent value-for-money bits in at the moment, I picked up a couple of lovely Miu Miu inspired skirts the other day for £15 a pop which will see me perfectly through spring and summer -- I highly recommend a good ol' rummage!