How Tuesday: How to do a mini Spring Cleaning

Ok, I think it's safe to say that Spring is here. The showers definitely are, so that's a start! On this blog I talk about clothes, shoes, shopping, organizing...but what is really relevant today (and in my closet) is a little Spring cleaning!! Remember those winter and fall pieces that you hung onto in your closet to give them "one more chance" this year? Well, did you give them a chance or did they continue collecting dust? Then what are you waiting for! Those things had their last chance. It's time to move on, or make changes.

How to Spring Clean:

1.) Go into your closet with an open mind, but determined to make changes.

2.) Take out the items you were holding another year and did not wear, lay them on the bed.

3.) Remove unused hangers and move to the end.

4.) Go through closet for the current season, making sure your pieces are still in style, or are timeless to go with anything.

5.) Now go through your shoes-what Winter boots should go to the cobbler for repairs? (I took a pair!) What Spring/Summer shoes need some attention before wearing? What shoes are out of style? Which pairs are you just plain sick of or are tired of the injuries they cause?

6.) Get out two sacks. One for donation/selling at a place like Buffalo Exchange and one to give to family/friends.

7.) Inventory items on your bed. Can anything be re-purposed? I currently want to take an old white t shirt (ooooooh or this chocolate brown one sitting in agony in my closet) and turn it into something like this: (Thank you Amelia for posting this, it's gorgeous and inspiring in more ways than one!)

Check out those sassy sleeves!!!!!

8.) Separate items into your bags, and save the re-purposing items for your sewing projects!

Now, don't you (and your closet) feel better?

How to Use What You've Got: Part III

Continuing on with the previous two weeks' themes (here and here), we now move to dresses. I love wearing dresses (and skirts... to be discussed later) to work and to play. They are more feminine and more comfortable than pants, in my opinion. I like mixing unpredictable things together, like this green polka dot blouse from Zara and the burgundy H&M shift dress, or the cowl neck navy sweater dress from Club Monaco with the fake leather skin light blue wide belt from Forever 21... Accessorizing with Forever 21 is my favorite thing ever!


So... How to Wear a Dress?


1. Pick a dress, any dress. Lots of dresses come in A-Line, lots in Pencil. I lean towards pencil if it is a stiff cotton, because I look like a bell or a cupcake in A-Line.
2. Make sure the dress is a flattering length. That means in can be on the shorter side, or on the longer side, but nothing in between. This is worth the cost to the tailor, or bartering for favors with your mom.
3. Get crazy and mix the dress with an unexpected cardi, a blouse underneath, accessories from Forever 21, or even something handmade.
4. Pair with shoes. Boots, pumps, t straps, or flats. Heels tend to improve my posture, which also makes you appear more graceful.
5. Voila! You look great!

What do you think? Helpful?

Next week...skirts!

How to Clean up your Closet: Part II in a Continuous Series

I was asked by a lovely reader how to organize belts, going out tops, and other less hanger friendly items in her closet. I'd be happy to post on that!!

I have broken it down into a series of steps. Warning-this may require a trip to the container store, but the items I have are NOT a budget buster.

Categories:

-Belts: I have hung belts, I have draped belts, but what has worked best out of all of these is this belt organizer. It is great! I have all of my belts wound in the skinny drawer with this divider in it.

-Going out tops: drawer. I said it! Drawer is best I think. How annoying is it when the strappy tops fall off the hangers and hide back in the closet collecting dust...NOT GOOD!
-Scarves: box them! I bought boxes for my DVDs in one apartment from Ikea (I had A-O in one box and P-Z in a second box), and now have shelves for those. So I decided to re-use one of the boxes for scarves/gloves/hats/capelets. They're all in there.

-Sweaters: this is a quandary. I have mine folded in a drawer for the current season, and boxed (with cedar) for those out of season. Most times if I plan on wearing a particular sweater the next day, I lay it out a day early to get any wrinkles out.
-Socks, bathing suits, pajamas, and undergarments: also difficult! I go back and forth. For now I have one drawer that has sweats, work out clothes, leggings. Another drawer has socks and tights (it is skinny). Another skinny drawer for undergarments. Another skinny drawer for bathing suits. Then a final bigger drawer for pajamas.

Now, for the how to:
1. Take a breathe. This is a big undertaking. (snack in hand?)
2. Assemble the belt organizer and fit into a skinny drawer.
3. Roll belts and place in spaces.
4. Fold sweaters and place in drawer.
5. Fold going out tops in half. You can fit two rows of them in one drawer. I have my shorts in the same drawer as well!
6. Fold scarves carefully and neatly. Stow in box with hats, gloves, and capelets.
7. Fold sweaters (hey, if you're OCD and have a folding board, definitely use it. I miss using one from the JCrew days sometimes) and place in drawer. Don't stuff them!!
8. Separate undergarments, sweats, and PJs according to your preference and arrange into drawers.
9. Be happy! Be at peace!

Voila, tomorrow I will post pictures of my result-today my camera was having technical difficulties..

How did it work for you?

The Container Store-to organize or not to organize?

Going on with our closet theme....
Never fails. When I walk into this store, I inhale deeply. What is that I smell? Organization.
Ok, ok I'm not that crazy :D
However, the store DOES inspire me. I have to make SURE I come for a purpose, or I'll go hog wild. Plus, it is not the cheapest store, so you have to shop around before deciding "Yes, this is the best place to buy a trash can" (It's not-best go for Lowe's or Target).
When I embarked on the closet organizing mission at my new condo, my mom gave me some of her elfa drawers, so I did not need to purchase too many extra after that. We did improve the overal look and function of the white iron drawers with the clear liners, the melamine tops, and for belts the 32-compartment drawer organizer. Worth every penny.
There are several "closet systems" at The Container Store and you have to decide what is best for you. This is what works for me!

How to Clean Up Your Closet-Part I in a continuous series.

Let's be honest. Cleaning out your closet is not a one-time project. It is continuous, happens every season, or every time a tornado blows through it. This time, a tornado blew threw mine. I also wanted to pre-Fall it. (Pre-Fall, meaning get ready to THINK about Fall). I live in Texas, so it is still hotter than Hades, but the stores are displaying fall and winter-wear. So, I'm essentially trying to wear fewer summer colors and pastels and bring out my light weight, but color-appropriate apparel.
Anyways, back to the closet. It blew up last week. So, how to start...
-Focus on the project, don't get overwhelmed (you may need a snack/refreshment and some good music playing. I believe I was listening to Miike Snow's album).
-Remove items that you do not wear. I said it. GET RID OF THEM! My limit is usually a year. Sometimes a year and a half-so I give it a second chance to be worn in the following season. Have a bag to collect these items. We'll talk more later about donating/selling unwanted clothing.
-Remove items that are worn out. I told a friend recently that you are allowed about 5 sentimental items in your entire closet. Otherwise, they just take up space that is deserving of the wanted items.
-Organize your tops in some manner. I organize by color.
-Clean the shelves that house your shoes/purses/accessories. I took everything off to dust the shelves, and re-straighten. I will soon move summer sandals up and fall shoes down closer to reach. My boots are neatly stacked on top for now, until appropriate for wearing.
-Vacuum the inside of the closet last.
-Make sure items are neatly folded, stacked, and hung. (p.s. my mom is getting me MATCHING HANGERS for my birthday! I can hardly wait...)
So it's not that hard. Or complex. Or demanding. But the result? Heaven! Makes it easier to find what you want in the morning, makes it easier to hang up your clean laundry, makes it a more "zen" space. I also took it one step further (ok really five steps in my book) and did laundry, took out the ironing board and USED it...I ironed everything that needed it and then had a separate tote to put in my car of items that needed to be dry cleaned. Wouldn't mom be proud?
The final product...sigh....

"Challenges are like cleaning your closet. You have to empty all the contents and make a mess before productivity and order become your hallmark...The most inspiring thing some can say is 'wow, what a clean closet'"-Brendan Murphy