#121 Friday Fancy Fest

It's Friday! And it feels like Summery-Spring finally! It's the perfect weather- 80 degrees & sunny. I'm looking forward to the weekend. I can't wait to see The Great Gatsby.  Hopefully it does not disappoint. Even if it's a total bomb, at least it inspired some super fabulous deco fashion and design.  I love deco jewelry and it's everywhere right now fits all budgets and occasions.  I did a quick search on Bauble Bar and found a ton of great stuff: Bauble Bar 'Deco' Search Results.  And J.Crew has some investment pieces that are to die for. The tassel necklace is so timeless! I actually found some cute deco jewelry at Kohl's, too, that I've been wearing. Last but not least, there's vintage,which is the best, so run to your local antique store or flea market and check out the displays of costume jewelry. 

Have a great weekend!

classic: Bauble Bar Onyx Shell Necklace,  J.Crew Tassel Necklace
colorful: JCrew Factory Flower Fringe Necklace,  Bauble Bar Melon Strand
fancy!: J.Crew Crystal Compilation Necklace,  Stella & Dot Virginia Bib

#115 Tackling!!

I kind of love spring cleaning & decluttering.  Everything feels so fresh afterwards! I hate it while I'm in the midst of it though, but I know the reward will be worth it.  This spring I decided my wardrobe really needed a cleanse.  I have a tiny closet and I feel like I'm always saying I need to get rid of some clothes.  I find it gets harder and harder to do this as you get older, though.  After a little soul-searching, these are the reasons that directly relate to why the size of my wardrobe has  gotten out of control:

• My current sense of fashion lends itself more towards classics(realllly hard to get rid of)... but I like trendy stuff too!
• I've been approximately the same size for the past ten years.  
• I tend to wear more separates than suits or dresses (anyone else a blouse + jeans or t-shirt + skirt girl?)
• I'm very sentimental.
• I hate doing laundry.
• I love shopping.

Please tell me someone else out there has these problems too.  Because of these tendencies, I have approximately 50 tees that are all similar styles but in every shade of the rainbow (this goes for tanks, collared shirts, long sleeve tees and sweaters as well), way too many cute blousy tops that can be casual and dressy at the same time, lots of shorts & skirts (these tend to fall in the 'trendy' category), and I don't even want to talk about the shoe situation...

I started my purge by reading every closet organization article I could find.  The classic "if you haven't worn it in a year" rule was just not cutting it anymore.  I needed something more compelling to battle my sentimentality.  Here are the top 4 sources I found that go beyond the basics of decluttering:

• Oprah knows best- Decluttering My Life & What to Keep & What to Toss
• Inspired Everyday Living- How to Clear Clutter
• Makeunder My Life's Closet Makeunder series- Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4
• Kendi Everyday- Working Closet Series

The ideas from all of these posts that helped me the most were to judge if the piece really supports the life I want to have right now & to pretend like you are shopping your closet- would you buy that item again and be excited about it? The other thing that helped was trying things on.  I had some really nice shirts in my closet I hadn't worn in a while, but I wasn't sure why. I found out as soon as I put them on- they just fit weird--bye bye! And others that I thought fit weird were actually really cute when I tried them on!  I dreaded this part of the process the most, though.  I would stare at my self in the mirror trying to figure out if I should keep the shirt then get distracted and think, "Why did I eat cookie dough for dinner??! I need to go to the gym." But it was worth it.

All done!

Outcome: I ended up with quite a few bags of clothes to donate!! 

Conundrum: My closet is still pretty packed.  Where were all those clothes I'm donating hiding?? Not in my closet obviously. 

Realization: I had lots of stashes of ill-fitting, out-dated, or worn out clothes around my apartment. Shoes hiding in the hall closet, t-shirts and jeans in a box in the top of the closet, nicer items like skirts & dresses in another closet & more boxes under the bed.  It was crazy!  Everyday clothing lives in one place now (special occasion dresses are in another closet).

It took me more than an afternoon to attack everything, and clothes were strewn from one end of the apartment to the other, but I purged many items that don't fit my life anymore.  I know they will find a second home that will treat them right.  

Need a little piece of encouragement? When you purge everything that's dragging you down you feel a million times better and your closet will be awesome :)  And let me know if you need help! I'm a nerd and love organization projects. 

perfect rainbow wardrobe 

via design darling here 

{For more closet inspiration check out my Pinterest board!}

#114 Stormy Weather

Spring has been a long time coming in New York this year.  The showers have finally arrived and my trusty trench coat has become my go to fashion statement. Though I'm dreaming of spending all morning in bed and then snuggling on the couch next to a small fire to fight off the chill and reading books, lots of books, while the Dude noodles on the guitar.  Wow that sounds amazing...but I had a nutella crepe for dessert at lunch today which I guess is pretty amazing, too.  Sometimes you just have to treat yourself when the weather decides not to cooperate. 

image via look mom

image via gitter guide

#112 Spring Sparkle

Early springs make me happy!  I hardly had to wear a sweater this winter, so I will really not need to buy too many new ones next year. I keep telling myself this in hopes that I can save money and closet space but i'm not sure I'm fooling anyone but myself...


It's a little cooler today than it has been, so I figured I better wear my sequined sweatshirt while I still can.  Here's to wearing more sparkles & sequins to celebrate spring!

via "keep calm and..."

 green sparkle purse by amanda pearl

 sparkle nails via pinterest

 best kind of closet ever...the sparkly kind! 
via pinterest

#90 Ahoy Monday!

It's very convenient that Halloween is approaching because I kind of wish this look was acceptable for everyday, but I'm pretty sure it would solicit more 'Aaarrrrrgh!!'s than I'm ready for.  The cool pirate's booty-ish necklace, however, could turn into my favorite necklace faster than you can say 'shiver me timbers!'

photo via Refinery29

photo via Etsy seller Babetteworld 

#72 How to Do Everything & Nothing At the Same Time

It always seems like the more you get done, the more you have to do.  It's a never-ending cycle.  Work is crazy.  Moving is crazy.  Putting in an air conditioner too small for the window it needs to go in is crazy.  Finding simple white curtains is one of the hardest things I've ever tried to do.   Making friends with very nosy and judgmental new neighbors, also difficult.  Putting together the new bed was child's play in comparison.  As they say, "when it rains, it pours."

It doesn't just pour craziness and difficulty though, I've also have so many great friends, family, and neighbors who have lent a hand to help me overcome the crippling anxiety that is bound to set in when you have taken on more responsibility than you are accustomed to or can handle on your own.  I'm grateful for all my friends that helped me move, paint & put together furniture.  I'm so thankful for my friends & family, & complete strangers that distracted me from my worries, reminded me to eat, encouraged me, let me live in their homes when I didn't have one & put a smile on my face.  I'm grateful that there are still honest people in this world, like the movers that returned the lost box containing all my jewelry.  

Thanks everyone!!!!  Here's to hoping all my boxes and suitcases are emptied & put away soon...

violet may bag via {thisisglamorous}

"...Treat the feeling of overwhelming anxiety as our friend, for it is an emotional indicator letting us know that we need to slow down, and to readjust our center of focus on something else that makes us feel better.  

It is also a reminder that life doesn’t have to feel bad, that we have choices, and that we can design our day and especially our experiences.  

And no matter how rough our day was today, or yesterday may have been, every morning is a new beginning, a new chance for you to rewrite the story of your life..."   -Tina Su of Think Simple Now

#36 The Last Show... or How to Be a Ghostly Angel

Alexander McQueen Fall 2010 Collection.  Just a few looks from the master's final collection... & a few other things.

 photos via Vogue

Braided rope headband via Jennifer Behr

Karmela earrings  & Pour La Victoire sandal via shopbop

photo via {this is glamorous}

#33 Happy Rainy Friday!

It's Friday!!!!  It's also official that spring has hit!  Dreary rain and all.  I broke out the trench coat for the first time today.  I think this weekend will be the weekend.  You know what I mean...THE weekend.  The one where you pack away the puffy coats and heavy sweaters.  It might be one of my favorite spring cleaning/ organizing activities ever... or at least the one that puts me in the best mood.  I always tend to do this about 2-3 weeks before everyone else because I'm just so excited about spring showing it's lovely face.  Sometimes I have to dig back into the abyss under my bed to grab a coat for one last cold snap, but I usually just layer up.  Shorts with tights, cute jackets, & scarves galore.

I love these silk shorts by Madewell

 

and this chunky necklace also by Madewell

and this photo via oh brooke

...soooo spring showers-y

#32 A Good Reason for Math & Fashion to be Friends

You know those tables covered with t-shirts or sweaters in every color of the rainbow?  I love and hate those tables.  All the colors are so pretty together! Why do I have to chose just one?! (fyi-I usually do get more than one if there's a sale)  For the most part I love all colors equally.  A lucky few get special treatment depending on the time of year and if they are a shade of pink.  I always feel bad for the colors on clearance racks.  At one time, they were on the table with all the other colors and fit right into the rainbow.  But on their own, they are just sad... and probably not so flattering on most skin tones.

Well , I've discovered a way to have it all...

necklace via spinthread's etsy shop

Roxy Pier Sandals by Cynthia Rowley

One last photo for some color combo inspiration.  If pastels and jewel tones can be friends, why can't we all just get along?

photo via {a glamorous little side project}

#30 Golden Night

black+ gold =  fastest, easiest way to look totally chic

Example: those days when you are totally stressed out and can't even handle the decision-making process of what to wear in the morning.  My solution is to pull on a pair of dark jeans, a black top, and my favorite long gold necklace that goes with just about everything.  All done, with the decision-making limited to whether the shirt is short sleeve or long sleeve. 

black+ gold =  fastest, easiest way to look glam and sexy

Example: throw on black dress with gold heels. Done.  Or a combo of any of the following...especially the gold blazer... yowza!

necklace from colorblindsmarties, earrings & necklace from AK Vintage

gold blazers and embellished dresses from the Balmain Fall 2010 Collection via WWD

#29 When It Gets To Be Too Much

I've been out of my mind busy for the past week!  When did February become the busiest month of the year?!  I thought that May and December were fighting to claim the title. 

Good news to come out of the busy-ness: I got a new computer!! YAYAYAY!

Bad news: Currently battling a cold and missed out on a lot of good sleep...but really who needs to sleep?

I will be daydreaming (possibly real dreaming, considering the lack of sleep) the rest of the afternoon and pretending there isn't still snow on the ground, and that I'm wearing some jean shorts taking a nap on the grass in a sunfilled garden. 

Alexa Chung for Madewell Fall 2010 Collection

photo via Refinery 29

photo via Refinery 29                   photo via fashionologie

photo via fashionologie

 paired with cute oxfords

photo via Asos

#26 Spring Dream

This spring I want/need two things:

1. a new computer- mine often goes to the blue screen of death and I spend hours scouring the internet for answers on how to revive it from the dead

2. a bicycle- bicycles and I have a rocky past, but I'm ready to give them another chance... especially if it's a really cute one with a basket

Many other things make up the want list, but I really don't need them.  This beautiful yellow trench, perfect for spring- WANT, but I have a cute green one that will do just fine.  Frye's Harness boots have been on the want list for a while, but I know they're not going to disappear anytime soon, so they can wait until I find a good deal.  The little shoulder bag that's convertible to a hipsack (ok, so I know it's a glorified fanny pack, don't hate) is more economically feasible and has definitely made the short list for spring. 

Yellow trench from anthro, ticino bicycle from Electra bicycles, Frye harness boots, & M.Carter hipsack/shoulder bag

#22 Graphics & Grey

Stripes and grey with a tiny dash of color to remind you that spring is coming...after all the snow melts...eventually...

photo via Thread Social

photo via Nine West

#20 "There's No Time For Time!"

Sunday flowers usually bite the dust before the week's over.  Seeing sad droopy flowers is almost worse than no flowers at all.

Time to buy some everlasting lovin' flowers, or make them, or get them for Valentine's day, or win them (see below).  Put them on headbands, pin them to jackets, tie them to your belt, put them on a cake, eat the cake, & then go out into the world. 

"oh for the love of mother there's no time for time!"

photo via emersonmade

Check out this giveaway from emersonmade to score some flowers of your own!

Or make some flowers:

candy flowers, paper flowers, flower belts, flower sash

#7 Badass Lace & Tulle

I  HEART the shoes from the Valentino 2010   collection, not to mention the dresses.  Poufs of lace & tulle make my heart sing (be glad it's not my mouth singing, tone-deafness runs in the family).  The flats are simple, the heels over the top.  New project- glue lacy poufs to shoes...

all images via style.com