Posts tagged spring cleaning
Life Hacks: Closet Organization
Mar 31st
If you have a walk in closet, I beyond envy you. Whether you have a huge walk in or a teeny tiny closet (like me), everyone can use some pointers about getting themselves and their closets organized.
Merchandise your Clothing by Type
You might be thinking that this is my OCD kicking in, but in all seriousness categorizing your clothing makes your closet the easiest to navigate. In my closet, I have dresses all together and hung all the way on the left. Same goes for jackets. They are all together and hung all the way on the right. I fill in the middle with all year round pieces, like tops and pants. When I am looking for a certain piece, I know exactly where it is. This is extremely helpful in a time crunch. If you’re looking for pants to go with a top, all of your options are categorized together and in front of you.
Invest in Matching Hangers
First off, get rid of your metal hangers from the dry cleaners! They are okay to hold your clothes for a short amount of time, but when in your closet, they misshape the fabric in the shoulders. Invest in matching hangers. This will add a little bit of luxe to your closet and give it a cohesive look. I personally like velvet hangers. They are nonslip, so you don’t have to worry about finding your favorite dress on the floor of your closet next year.
Keep Shoes Visible
Before I made my (not-so-mini) shoe collection visible, I had them stored in a bin at the bottom of my closet. I was wearing the same heals and flats over and over because I couldn’t see all of my options laid out before me. I am definitely a grab-and-go kind of gal, especially in the morning before I out. Just think of the missed opportunities, people!
I have always wanted to make a shoe display on a bare wall from floating shelves. So cool, but I don’t have the space to do it where I am living now. In this case, build onto your existing closet. Have an upper shelf already built into your closet? Add to that! I bought a ClosetMaid organizer to put on top of my existing shelf. It gave me an additional two shelves to put shoes onto, while keeping them organized. Another good tip is to stagger your shoes (right toe out, left toe in). This maximizes space. I know for a fact that you’ll be amazed at how many options you have for footwear now when you’re heading out of the house.
Organize Handbags by Color
If you haven’t already noticed, I am usually running out of the door. I wouldn’t call myself late, but I am definitely one to rush. Organizing your handbags by color makes it easier to grab on the go. Again, I am sure you find yourself wearing the same bag over and over (just like the shoes before) because you don’t have time to change it in accordance to your outfit. Get your handbags out and on display. My favorite handbag is on my headboard because I love it so much. I always go to that one for a night out or a special occasion.
Have any organization tips? Leave them in the comment section, below!
~ Taylor, fashioniSTA
Photo credit: Pinterest.com
Life Hacks: Closet Cleanout in 3 Steps
Mar 20th
It is that time of year again - Spring Cleaning! We all know what that means… It’s time for “out with the old and in with the new.” That motto is all fine and dandy, but some of us struggle with a true spring cleaning overhaul more than others. For those of you that just need a little extra push in the right direction, this post is for you. So packrats, unite! I give you three (yes, three) easy step that will overhaul any closet. Let’s get started!
1. Divide & Conquer
I couldn’t tell you the amount of times that I got overly ambitious and started to clean out my closet and dumped all of my clothes from my closet and drawers onto my bed. Then halfway through the overhaul, I got tired or frustrated from cleaning and dumped everything back into my closet and drawers.
This is the worse way to cleanout your closet! Take it from me - I learned the hard way. It’s important to divide your closet and drawers into sections. I personally like to divide my space into zones based on category. I’ll go through my shoes separate from my jackets and coats too ensure that I go through my closet with a fine tooth comb. This ensures that you’ll allot yourself enough time and energy into each section. This is the perfect way to spread an overhaul over the span of a few days, rather than dedicating one whole day (like your precious days off) to the mess that is now your closet.
2. “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”
This is definitely the hardest part of cleaning out your closet. There have been plenty of times that I’ve kept an article of clothing hoping to lose weight or in anticipation of a special event (that will [most likely] never happen). Let’s be honest here, if you have had it for two years and it has never been worn (red flag: price tags still attached), it is time to say goodbye. Unless of course, it is something very sentimental. I’m sure you aren’t still rocking gaucho pants that were ever so popular circa 2007/2008.
Another trick to figuring out what should stay and what should go is to reverse all of your hangers so that they are facing outward (towards you). When you wear an article of clothing, put it back into your closet as normal (hanger facing inward - towards the back of the closet). Do this for about a month. The items that are left facing outward (sorry to say) got to go.
3. “Another Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure”
Now, your former belongings need a new home. If you have items with tags still attached that are in style and/or in good condition, consign them at Second Time Around! This is the perfect opportunity for you to make some cash on clothing and/or accessories that were just sitting in your closet, taking up space and collecting dust. For a limited time, STA is offering up to 70% on consigned handbags. Details here.
I love going into Second Time Around and using the money I made from my consigned items and putting it towards a piece I know will fit perfectly into my new, clean closet. If you have items that are not in sellable condition, like a pair of beat up sneakers, donate them! Goodwill and Salvation Army will take all of your unwanted clothing for those in need.
That wasn’t too painful, right? It really is easy when you have a guide to go by. Stay tuned for next week’s post on organizing your closet after an overhaul.
Have any tricks you use when Spring Cleaning? Leave them in the comment section, below! We’d love to hear ‘em!
~ Taylor, fashioniSTA
Credits: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3
In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb
Mar 4th
Finally! March is upon us and SPRING is just around the corner! Although summer will forever be my favorite season, spring has a special place in my heart too. There is so much excitement this time of year- changing over your wardrobe, traveling to warm destinations, and the days start to get longer! But it is no secret that March can be one of the most unpredictable months when it comes to the weather. One minute we are all enjoying clear sunny skies, and the next minute it is down pouring. So to help you make it through this ever so unpredictable month, I have put together a March Style Survival Guide. These items are perfect to get you through the crazy wind and rain (and sometimes snow) that March brings. You will be armed to fight anything with these pieces in your wardrobe, and I promise that you will look stylish while doing so!
First off, rainboots are a must have! Although most of us would prefer to wear a cute pair of heels or flats, it isn’t worth ruining them by traipsing through puddles. Luckily there are so many cute rainboot choices out there, you will be glad to have a pair! My favorite are Hunter rainboots, preferably in a bold and bright hue.
Finding outerwear that is ideal for spring can be challenging. A jacket that is lightweight, water-resistant and has a removable liner is the best choice. The trenchcoat is a classic that will never fail you, and if you want to mix-up this timeless piece, you can purchase one in a fun color or print. However, if you wish to stay away from trenchcoats altogether, a cargo jacket is a fabulous alternative!
Umbrellas. Even though it can be a struggle to use one when the wind kicks up, there just isn’t a way to avoid owning one. And if you are going to own one, well… it might as well be cute! Bright colors and patterns will brighten up any dreary day!
Now earlier I preached about not traipsing through puddles unless you are wearing proper footwear (super cute rainboots). Realistically though, rainboots truly aren’t fit for the workplace. But who wants to lug around a second pair of shoes, right? Well the good news is that flats are cuter than ever and they are so easy to transport! Seriously there are so many options… d’orsay flats, smoking loafers, ballerina flats. And, transitioning from rainboots to flats is completely hassle-free!
Okay, so I have covered outerwear, what shoes to wear, and how to protect your pretty hair; but what you wear with all of these things is just as important. Light layers is the key to dressing yourself in March! The sun might be out, but temps can sometimes stay pretty chilly. My favorite things to layer with this time of year are blazers, vests and sweaters in all different colors and patterns!
The final touch to any spring outfit are sunglasses of course! My only advice with this is to try on different styles to see what looks best with the shape of your face. Classic aviators and Ray Bans are a great go-to, but don’t be afraid to try something bold!
March usually requires quite a bit of layering and you might not be able to ditch tights or cashmere right away. But, who says you can’t have fun with layering? Brighten up your outfits with a bold handbag or statement jewelry for a pop of color! Soon the sun will be here to stay!
Until next time,
Blake
Photo Credits:
Rainboots 1, Rainboots 2, Rainboots 3, Rainboots 4, Rainboots 5, Trench 1, Trench 2, Trench 3, Jacket 1, Jacket 2, Jacket 3, Umbrella 1, Umbrella 2, Umbrella 3, Flats 1, Flats 2, Flats 3, Flats 4, Blazer 1, Blazer 2, Blazer 3, Sweater 1, Sweater 2, Vest 1, Vest 2, Shades 1, Shades 2, Shades 3, Shades 4, Shades 5
Now Accepting Spring Consignment!
Jan 16th
Can’t wait for warmer weather? Neither can we!
All stores are now accepting Spring consignment, so bring your transition pieces - cardigans, light-weight jackets, pastels, etc. - to help us get started on switching seasons! Get a head-start on your spring cleaning by weeding out your closet, then cash in on the items you won’t wear again by making an appointment at your nearest STA.
Don’t live close by? Consign online! Learn more here.
STA Your Closet
Feb 7th
If you’re sick of winter, well you’re not alone. Since we’re all pretty much itching for spring one way or another, we at STA would like to get you one step closer. We’d like to help you welcome a new season with a clean, fresh closet. For the next four weeks, the FashioniSTAs will walk you through an expert closet clean-out to ensure that you end up with your own dream closet. Just think about looking in your closet every morning and knowing exactly what killer outfit to wear. Got goosebumps?
We’ll walk you through an easy plan that will break down the steps for you and help you achieve the perfect wardrobe construction in the simplest way possible. Each week we will give you a step to complete, and by the end of the four weeks, your closet will be perfection and you won’t even recall putting in very much effort. Not all of us can hire California Closets to do a total makeover, this is about working with what you have to create your perfect wardrobe. We’ll also sprinkle in some FashioniSTA fun to keep it enjoyable – that’s what fashion is all about! So sit back as we take you through your closet, one fabulous step at a time.
Why do a closet clean sweep? Good question. This is a skill that we believe every fashioniSTA should be armed with when taking the style world by storm. By the end of the program, we can help you:
- Find forgotten treasures in your closet, these could be the keys to your best outfits!
- De-clutter and simplify to make your mornings much easier (who doesn’t like the idea of getting more sleep and looking fabulous?)
- Create your own picture-perfect wardrobe where you love each and every piece you own.
Week 1
Step 1. Answer honestly: How long has it been since your last closet clean-out?
Eyeball your closet and determined just how full it actually is. If you clean it out on a regular basis, you probably have less than 30 items that you’d be looking to consign. However, if you never clean out your closet or you have transformed recently – like losing a bunch of weight – you might be able to predict a larger consignment. Having this information will help you in the next step!
Step 2. Second Time Around starts accepting spring consignment items February 7th (today!), so this is the perfect week to make a spring appointment. If you’re looking to follow us along this program, aim to make your appointment sometime after the next three weeks. Should your closet require a little additional TLC, you can always give yourself more time. If you happen to be a lean, mean cleaning machine and you can pretty much clean out your closet in your sleep, you can always move up your consignment date.
What to expect next time:
We’ll walk you through your closet in a couple easy steps, and help you get on your way to a tip-top, ready-for-spring wardrobe!
~The FashioniSTAs