My favorite, go-to nail polish has been O.P.I.’s La Paz-Itively Hot since a summer vacation to Florida three years ago. Not only did the polish survive the salt and sand, but also it looked equally brilliant at the beginning of the week — proudly shimmering on my sad, white little toes — as it did after my pale skin begrudgingly accepted its barely bronze hue seven days (and six sunburns) later.

I often ponder writing O.P.I. a letter, emphasizing my creative name-giving, color-defining abilities in hopes of winning a lifetime supply of La Paz-Itively Hot. Pink just makes you feel wonderfully girlish, comfortable and pampered; however, hot pink transforms you into a rocker, a foxy starlet, a fearless female with undeniable prowess, a La Paz-Itively HotTastic Woman.

Thrillingly, after three years, my obsession with hot pink nail polish is finally in the right place at the right time. In 2009, the runways are filled with this bright, empowering, womanly hot-pink hue. From clutches to headbands, pumps to blazers, wear bright pink to achieve the ultimate in-style look: hot.

Hot pink is not the only ubiquitous color in 2009…

White:

Messy spaghetti eaters beware! Bright white is the new black. Entirely stark white, two-piece suits, long skirts and little black … er … white dresses are refreshing. This year provides a clean new start, and white’s popularity appropriately, symbolically represents this new upbeat attitude.

Look for white lace dresses or wide leg trousers. White blazers provide sharp, crisp lines, and white skinny jeans or billowing harem pants offer great, unique shapes. Imagine a peplum-waist white top, white pencil skirt and white wide-rimmed hat, complete with the perfect pair of pumps, driving gloves and a travel tote. Clean, classic, womanly, refined.

Pastels:

1980s pastels, like turquoise, lavender, light-blue and cotton-candy pink are making a comeback. Hold off before digging out your scrunchies and sweatbands, though — the pastel clothing of 2009 is not stunted by the color or lingering bad reputation of decades past. Colors are combined in great floral patterns and textiles. Color-block outfits emphasize the hourglass figure of a woman while exploring the tricky shades and tints of pastel. For a ’60s throwback, try combining pastels with black — look to the “Pink Ladies” of Greece for ideas.