The fashion forecast is in for 2009, and sunnier days are ahead, folks.

Remember the purple craze from '08? Well, you can still drench yourself in the color of royalty without looking too outdated. But it wouldn't be a new year without new trends to track, so here's one you need to know. Pantone, the world's long-time color authority for design professionals, has deemed mimosa as the color of 2009.

Go ahead. Picture yourself poolside, sipping a cocktail of champagne and orange juice and wearing a matching itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny yellow polka dot bikini. Harken back to the reassuring days when foreclosures and bankruptcies and empty 401Ks weren't a part of everyday vernacular. Hard to remember those days? Keep sipping.

Okay, maybe the color mimosa won't have quite that power, but it does promise to offer a funky splash to our wardrobes. And it just feels right to wear it in the Sunshine State. Go bold all the way in a yellow dress. Spice up a black ensemble with some Big Bird shoes or a cute cardigan.

The color works well as an accessory piece, too. If you are feeling a little shy or if yellow all over isn't great for your skin tone, check out this scarf and this bag.

Cheers to a year with more glow than gloom. Bet we can all drink to that.

~ Deal Diva Colleen

(Photos: Does yellow work on Renee Zellweger? Or is that mimosa she's wearing? For a more subtle effect, grab Forever 21's rope pattern cardigan for a mere $22.80.)