August 6, 2008

- Create a Fashionable & Functional Closet

Even if you don't have the wardrobe of your dreams, by creating a closet that is organized and functional you'll feel great about the space and everything in it.
Clear Out the Clutter.  Anything that hasn't been worn in the last year needs to go. If you have a hard time throwing out clothes with the tags on or any other things you've never worn: put the items in a storage bin in your basement (not in your closet-it's just more clutter). Set a 6 month reminder on your calendar to bring the bin to Goodwill. If you haven't needed to open the bin over 6 months - don't open it before you haul it off, you'll be tempted to rescue some of the pieces again.

Downsize.  If you have a lot of clothes, you can look for ways to downsize your wardrobe to fit your closet. Try putting your off-season clothes in vacuum bags or hanging storage bags in your basement or a spare room. Move jackets and coats to a front closet..Any items that are not part of your wardrobe should also find a new home. You want to be able to focus on your wardrobe when you are in your closet. Invest in Some Closet Organizing Pieces. The goal is to get everything so you can see it and access it. Avoid putting things on the floor it's a breeding ground for clutter. You'll want to really assess your wardrobe to see what makes sense - if you have a lot of shoes you'll have to think creatively how you can house all of them. The Container Store is a great source for these pieces and even offers closet planning services.

Display Your Accessories.  Your handbags, belts, scarves and jewelry are all part of your wardrobe and ideally are stored in the closet or conveniently in the bedroom. Scarves can be neatly folded and displayed in trays or a shelf. Jewelry can be displayed creatively on t-bars, peg boards or stackable lined trays.Belts can be hung on hooks or specialty belt hangers. Handbags should be stuffed with acid-free tissue and kept in their original dust bag.You can use bookends to display your bags on spacious shelves.

Hang It Right.  Make sure you are hanging clothes on the appropriate type of hanger. Use padded hangers for more delicate tops, tanks and dresses. Hang heavy suit jackets on curved wood or cedar hangers. Wood or metal hangers are appropriate for all other tops. Use a clamp hanger to hang pants from the cuff or skirts from the waist. Lastly, unify the hangers by choosing a single color theme.

Color Code.  Arrange clothing according to type (pants, shirts,) and then arrange according to color (light to dark). For example: tanks (white, pink...black), short sleeve shirts (white, pink, black), long sleeve shirts (white, pink, black). The same goes for your shoes and accessories.

Light It Up.  Overhead lighting will save you time by allowing you to tell pink from orange and navy from black. It also makes your closet come alive rather than feel like a dark hole. You should have a full length mirror either in your closet or in your bedroom. This area should be equally well lit.

August 5, 2008

- Check Yourself

Here's a list of small things that can make a huge impact on the image you portray to others. Avoid these all too common image blunders:

• Too much make-up Avoid looking like a clown by choosing just one feature to play up with color, for example your eyes. The rest -cheeks, lips... should be use soft, natural colors. Never match your eye shadow color to the color of your your outfit (purple shirt=purple eyeshadow). Badly pilled garments - your dating your clothing and dating yourself
• Bleeding lipstick - use a liner in the same or lighter color to help 'seal-in' lipstick.
• Perspiration stains - rumor has it that adding an aspirin to your wash will help remove these stains.
• Stripes or patterns on clothes that don't match up at the seams - a sign of poor quality clothing.
• Revealing and underwear or bra straps - we know or at least hope they are under there.
• Chipped nail polish or unkempt hands and nails - the most chic style is to go with a clear natural nail.
• Strong perfume or body odor - your personal space is within one foot circumference of your body, if I can smell you beyond that, there is a severe problem.
• Overly coordinated outfits - when you are too matchy-matchy, it's a red-flag that says you have no style. Matching your handbag and your shoes is a very dated looked and should be avoided.