Making spring trends work for you

I hate to bring up the state of the economy, but honestly it's hard to avoid talking about it a little, isn't it? Well, we all still love fashion and staying trendy, so what's a girl to do? Current economy or not, I have to learn to save money! So this spring, I've decided to enact a new strategy when preparing for the coming seasons- actually think about what I want before I get it. Yes, it's pretty revolutionary. I have to confess that in the past I have just gone out shopping and dropped a decent amounts of cash I should not be spending on pieces that are completely impulsive. In the end I have some good individual looks but not really a cohesive wardrobe statement. This time around, I'm trying to change!
Here's my plan and I think it's a good one so I'm sharing it with you. (I'd love for you guys to comment on your upcoming strategies!)
1) Research and figure out what trends you like and want to try - if possible pick an overall theme or color scheme. Based on my clothes and current S/S trends, I've decided to go with purples and metallics and I really take advantage of the boyfriend look trends.
2) Haul out your spring and summer clothes! Try on your old clothes and figure out which ones work with the looks you plan on trying everything on and just experimenting with different ways to mix things. So I just did this tonight and it turns out a lot of my stuff definitely works with the current trends which is great. I can guarantee this will be the same for you, so just do it!
3) Identify holes in your wardrobe and figure out the pieces that will fill them preferably going for pieces that can work double duty, like going from work to weekend or day to night. Most of us spend the majority of our time at work so it's good to keep in mind that we should probably be buying more work appropriate clothes than items that can only be worn on the weekend.
4) Buy only those pieces!!! This is the tough part for me. I went out shopping after work today and I'm not kidding I tried to justify buying like 5 different pairs of shoes. If I hadn't been so hungry... well, my credit card might not have lived to tell the tale.. :)

Most importantly, you are allowed one really trendy item, but really, not more than one or two because the trendy stuff comes and goes (but I know you know that). For me I'm planning my one splurge to be a romper. I am desperate for one! So I found one that looks like two pieces and hopefully it will live beyond one season, but if it doesn't, it's okay because I'm only allowing myself one!