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Showing posts with label updating wardrobe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label updating wardrobe. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Ten Step Closet Purge


Spring is finally here on the prairies! I think we have finally seen the last of the white stuff. My indicator of spring is when my husband takes off my winter tires I see the birds returning and nesting in the tree in my front yard.

Being that spring is supposed to be a time of renewal and rebirth, I thought I would incorporate some change into my life. I started with my closet as there were tons of things I no longer wore. Nine garbage bags of clothes, purses, and shoes to give away later, I cannot believe I did it! Admission: coming from a poor family I am a hoarder. I hold onto things thinking that I will wear them again or for sentimental reasons. The good news for you is that if I can do it so can you! First I thought of something I could do for myself once this job was completed to motivate me. I chose getting a massage which I'm going for today! Choose something for yourself. Choose it now - I'll wait. 

Got it chosen? Good! Now let me tell walk you through the ten steps:
  1. Find a place where you would like to donate the clothes that are in good shape but you no longer want. I am taking mine to our church's garage sale to raise money for our parish. After the sale the leftovers are going to St. Vincent de Paul.
  2. Grab a garbage bag for those clothes that are too worn, stained etc. to donate and be ready to throw stuff away.
  3. Make a pile for items you'd like to sell on eBay, Kijiji, etc.
  4. Grab one box for items you no longer wish to keep in your closet, but wish to store for sentimental reasons. Choose wisely as you're only allowed one box for this.
  5. Have a bag for recycling just in case something needs to be recycled.
  6. Make a pile for anything that needs to be taken to a tailor to be altered, mended, etc.
  7. Make a pile for anything you are unsure about to try on. This will most likely give you an answer as to whether or not it needs to go.
  8. Have a bag for special items that you'd like to give to a family member, friend, etc. My Mom gets excited when I'm cleaning out my closet.
  9. Now go through each item in your closet with this saying in the back of your mind, "If I were shopping would I buy this now?" If not, out it goes! Be very honest here.
  10. Finish the job! Try the things on from your unsure pile and assign them to piles, take the donated things to the donation centre, throw the garbage items out, sell the for sale items, put away your sentimental box, recycle the recycled things, take the stuff that needs tailoring to the tailor, and give the bag to that family member/friend.
And we're done! Now make sure you celebrate by doing whatever you promised yourself at the start that you would do. Hope this has helped you to tame that wild closet.

Joelle Follow on Bloglovin

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Updating Your Key Wardrobe Pieces - Part IV

Today is the last in the series of updating a key wardrobe piece. I hope you've enjoyed all four parts. If you have a suggestion for a future blog topic, feel free free to let me know.

The last key piece is the black turtleneck. I'm certain that most of you own this and if you don't you really should go out and get one. But if you're in Edmonton you don't have to go out today being that it is -34 with the windshield. Yes, wait for a warmer day!

Summer Dress
To be able to wear your summer dress during the winter put a black turtleneck underneath it. This also gives the dress a more casual feel. Don't forget tights and boots as it is cold out there. (H&M $40)

Statement Necklace
To make a black turtleneck more modern, team it up with a necklace that is big on statement. (Forever 21 $12.80)

Flowing Vest
long flowing vest will add a bit of Boho style to a stuffy black turtleneck. (Old Navy $18.97)

Sleeveless Faux Wrap Blouse
If you're as cold as I am right now, wear your black turtleneck underneath a bright sleeveless blouse. (Le Chateau $39.99)

Patterned Blazer
Take a hint form the Spring/Summer 2012 fashion shows and make your black turtleneck sizzle with a patterned blazer. The more abstract the better! (Forever 21 $35.90)

Thus concludes Updating Your Key Wardrobe Pieces. Zeke will be back on Friday with his Friday's Faux Paws. I'll return Monday to reveal the products I cannot live without - and neither should you!
Joelle

Monday, January 16, 2012

Updating Your Key Wardrobe Pieces - Part III

Today's wardrobe piece we'll update is the white button-up blouse.

Floral Pencil Skirt
Take your plain blouse from blah to yeah with a floral pencil skirt. If this is too springlike for you, add some black opaque tights and boots. (H&M $29.95)

Pastel Blazer
Ditch the usual black blazer in favour for a pastel blazer. You are always pretty in pink! (Forever 21 $29.80)

Minaudière
 The small bag of the moment looks smashing with your plain blouse. Extra points for snakeskin. For those who don't know what a minaudière is, it's a jewelry case used as an evening bag with compartments, which allows storage for several items in a small space, such as a makeup compact, lipstick, watch, reading glasses, or keys. (eBay: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Taupe-Box-Case-Snake-Skin-Pattern-Evening-Clutch-Party-Pause-Snap-Bag-NEW-/120814051001?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item1c21141eb9 $33.37 CDN including shipping)

Hair Jewelry
 For day wear a thin leather hairband and for night tuck a sparkly brooch behind your ear. (Clare's $5.00)

Bright Cardigan
Bright colours are a big trend right now and still will be a big thing for spring. Two must have colours are cobalt blue and tangerine. (Old Navy $29.94)

Methinks it's time for a little shopping! See ya!
Joelle

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Updating Your Key Wardrobe Pieces - Part II

Today's entry is part two of how to update a key piece in your wardrobe. Today the piece in question is the popular A-line skirt.

Statement Belt

An inexpensive update is to throw on a modern belt, preferrably a thick one. (Reitmans $11.99)

Snakeskin Shoes
Grab a pair of heels in this season's hotest pattern - snakeskin. (Town Shoes $79.99)

Leather Shirt
If you've got a little more money to spend, buy a cool leather shirt to add an edge to a sweet A-line skirt. In this case if you can find a good faux leather that is also acceptable. (Danier $99.00)

Current Purse
 To easily update an A-line skirt, carry this two toned clutch. (Aldo $35.00)

Feather Earrings
 A pair of feather earrings in a hot shade like cobalt blue will add pizazz to the simplest A-line skirt. (Ardene $4.50)

I will be continuing with more basic pieces on Monday. See you then!
Joelle

Monday, January 09, 2012

Updating Your Key Wardrobe Pieces - Part I

As promised, for the next while I will be taking a key piece that most everyone has in their wardrobe and showing you ways to make it look current. The first piece for consideration is the ubiquitous black blazer.

Bright Coloured Pants
To make the black blazer au currant, try on a pair of brightly coloured pants. (H&M $29.95)

Statement Necklace
A sparkly statement necklace will jazz up a boring black blazer. (Forever 21 $12.80)

Metallic Shoes
Shoes can be pumps or menswear inspired, but to add interest to your blazer, they need to be shiny or glittery. (Aldo $34.99)

Lace Skirt
To make the black blazer less business-like and more feminine, pair it with a girly coloured lace skirt. ($23.80 Forever 21)
 
Animal Print Pants
Take a walk on the wild side with your black blazer with some animal print pants. (Forever 21 $23.80)

Join me on Wednesday to discuss how to update another common piece of clothing.
Joelle