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Thursday, June 26, 2014

time for summer cleaning

Am I the only one that loves cleaning closets??? I guess it's the feeling of accomplishment when you walk in and know just were everything is at your fingertips. There are tons of post, pins, and opinions on how to best clean your closest.



  1. Get in the mood. This will take awhile so get into some comfy clothes, crank up the music, and dive in.
  2. Be prepared. Gather a box (or two or three) for things to sell, donate, or trash. Clean out a space to put things as you begin sorting- I tend to use my bed as a staging area. 
  3. Be mentally prepared too. Remember they're just clothing- if you haven't worn it in over a year, it doesn't fit, or just isn't your style any more- toss it. You can do it.
  4. Now that you're prepped, pick a spot to begin. I usually start in the closet with all the folded items. It looks like a mess at first..... a towering pile of t-shirts, knits, and tops across the bed.
  5. Take a good look at each item and ask yourself: is it in good condition?, does the item need to be laundered or mended?, when did I last where this item? (if you pull it out and wonder where or when it came from it's a toss). 
  6. If it passes the first test, it's time for the fit test. I typically put all the possible "keeps" together and then try them all on at once. Here comes the big moment, try it on, take a good look in a full length mirror, and be honest- if don't love the way you look in it- it's got to go! Life's too short to hoard clothes that don't make you look and feel fabulous.
  7. Anything that makes it through Round 2 is neatly folded or hung and sorted- ready to go back in the closet- but not quite yet.
  8. Before you begin to reload that closet, take the time to clean up the space- vacuum the floor boards, dust anything that needs it, and take a look around. Are there other items that shouldn't be in there- relocate them to their rightful place.
  9.  A place for everything & everything in it's place. Now's the time to think about organizational tools that you may be lacking. Begin by best utilizing the storage options that you have in place. Stack frequently used items front and center on open shelving. I love the modular systems available from the Container Store and big box stores like Lowe's. They offer you tons of flexibility to custom fit your needs. Keep like items together- it sounds simple but keeping your solid tees together, printed tees in another pile, etc. makes getting the perfect outfit together much simpler. Think about your favorite stores and how they are organized- use that as your inspiration. If you need a specialty storage solution for a particular item, make a list for your next trip out to pick them up at the same time.
  10. Reload-  Now that you decided which items make the grade, it's time to put it back together. Make sure to think about how you get dressed each day and structure your area to fit your needs. Store off season items out of the way. 
  11. Enjoy! Sit back, have a glass of wine and celebrate your accomplishments.

Next up- filling the void- finding those pieces that your {im}perfect wardrobe is missing. Also, perking up that recently re-organized closet to making it your dressing room dream.



Saturday, June 14, 2014

all in the details

Summer time brings thoughts of travel and vacation! Over the next couple of weeks, I will  post my top tips for travel.
 If you're like me, you have a tendency in over pack. You never know when you'll need that floor length sequined gown at the beach, right? This summer, I'm making an effort to pack more thoughtfully. One way to make every square inch of that valuable luggage space count is to choose pieces that can work in multiple situations.
Here's one outfit that can work for a sight seeing walking tour, outdoor concert, and dinner with the girls- just to name a few. It's all about beginning with a super basic classic look and popping the details. Let's take a look.

The basics: 3/4 length light grey dolman sleeved shirt and matchstick white jeans.


 walking tour 

For a day time tour, add some fun converse sneakers, shades, and a sweet fedora to keep the sun at bay. Throw on my fav cargo jacket to stop the early morning chill.




shoes: grey/ white polka dot Converse
jacket: j. crew factory cargo jacket
hat: woven fedora, target


outdoor concert

Switch out the cons for a pop of color with some comfy flats. A light weight scarf in a watercolor print balances the shoes. No need for a big bag, keep it simple with a wristlet perfect for phone, cards, and lipstick.
 


shoes: red flats
scarf: watercolor floral print scarf, target, similar
wristlet: owl print wristlet, fossil

dinner date

  Take the chic factor up a couple of notches for a dinner out. A statement necklace, black and chrome clutch, and nude heels can take you from dinner to club hopping all night long.





necklace: white bib necklace, target, similar
bag: black clutch, old black house white market
shoes: nude peep toe heels, similar

What's your favorite packing tip? Send me your tips or pins for a later post.


Friday, June 13, 2014

did you miss me????

If any of you are teachers, married to a teacher, or have a teacher friend, you know that May is the kiss of death for relationships or getting anything other than school stuff done. All of May, this little blog has been bubbling over on the back burner- tons of post ideas simmering away with no time to put them into action.

Well, as of  June 4, school's out for summer (insert your best Alice Cooper imitation here) and I'm ready to get back to the blogger world. Here's hoping that some of you have been patience enough for this return post.

There are so many things that I want to share with you all. First up on the summer to do list is a great big baby shower for my brother and sister-in-law. Many posts are in the works on how this amazing event came together. For a sneak peak of my thought process, check out my pin-spiration board here. The shower happens this weekend, so I'm back at the ancestral home to get the festivities under way.

They say that putting things in writing spurs you on to put them into action. So, on that front, here's my hope it happens summer list.


  1. Freshening up my home decor with some no/ low cost home makeovers.
  2. Travel- DC here we come.
  3. Style tips for women over 30 that don't want to look like there over 50.
  4. Getting into shape (that's not round) before my sister's wedding this Fall.
  5. Working through some of my pinboards and making them in real life.

So that's a taste of what's to come this summer. Hope that you check back soon!