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.

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!

more than just apples

May 5- 9 is one of a teacher's favorite weeks of the year, only surpassed by the 10 weeks of summer vacation- Teacher Appreciation Week. And though a teacher would never turn down a gift given by a student, well, we really have enough apples- apple charms, apple pictures, apple tchotchkes, apples, apples, apples. Let's face it, teachers are people too and love outside of the apple box ideas.

 Pinterest is a room mom's best friend when it comes to celebrating those great teachers in your child's life. From the simple ideas {check this one out} to the over the top super mom, Martha Stewart-esques, you can find it all. Here's a run down on my top 10 pinterest Teacher Appreciation gifts.

1/ great key fob tutorial complete with printable from she's kinda crafty
2/  puns make a great gift beginning- here's one from tammy mitchell photography
3/ love these mini clipboards from dollar store crafts
4/ for the book lover, here's sew crafty book bag from city house studio
5/ this gift's a perfect bullseye from landeelu
6/ love this box of sunshine from happy money saver
7/ teachers are waiting for summer too & this gift will get them ready from the lovely cupboard
8/ recycling a Pringle's can into a pencil snack pack- great idea from gluesticks and tape
9/ cute packaging can make the most simple gift spectacular
10/ here's another great round up of ideas


When in doubt, remember gift cards are always the right size. You can find these pins and more on my board, more than just apples. Follow me for more ideas for thanking that special teacher. And while we're on the subject of great teachers- don't forget all those special programs teachers too- art teachers, music teachers, P.E. teachers, etc. These people are truly the unsung, forgotten heroes of the elementary education system. They typically teacher every student in a school building with very little support or praise. They are the backbone of a child's education, giving praise, encouragement, and inspiration daily.

Check back this week for a couple of style & {im}perfection freebie printables for the [im]perfect teacher appreciation gifts.