Tag Archives: tips

Living the 40 Hanger Challenge

Posted on by
2

I have been living the 40 Hanger Challenge since February 1st and it was suppose to end on February 28th. I felt it needed a little more time. Not totally sure how I feel about this but I am doing it anyway.

Here’s what I’ve discovered. Some of the pieces I thought I would wear a lot never came out of the closet. I have been replacing those items with ones I want to wear. Weather in the Phoenix (AZ) metro area in February is wacky. Trying to predict what the best items for this was and is hard. Although March/April will stay in the 80’s mostly. It is also hard to get me photographed before I am running out the door or changing in to “mommy clothes”. You know the “mommy clothes”, the ones a mom wears when making dinner, cleaning, doing bathes and taking care of sick kids.

Here’s some photos of what I have put together.

I am continuing this challenge into April. Wish me luck. Transitioning the closet to spring is the next step. I’ll take a group shot of the current 40 before I move things out.

Are you about to pull out your spring wardrobe?

Denim & Neutrals

Posted on by
1
Denim & Neutrals

The Closet of a Fashionista – 40 Hanger Challenge

Posted on by
Reply

I’d like to share that I fully intended to have this challenge in place and “working it” January 1st. I didn’t, however, take into account… Christmas and all the fun activities that we do during that time. ugh…

Now my goal is to have everything in place February first and begin posting an outfit a day on my Facebook page and a weekly review here. What is the 40 Hanger Challenge? Several months ago I came across a blogger who did this for her closet. She cleared out her closet and only kept 40 hanging items. She did this for a year. If something came in another item had to leave. Made her really think about what her fashion personality and needs were. It has been mulling around in my head all this time.  Could I really do that? Do I even WANT to do that. Then I thought about a few of my clients. While I am a clothes horse my clients who truly just want a few key pieces need to KNOW I really can achieve that for them.

At this time I am not planning on staying with just 40 for more that just the month. I do plan on downsizing as the shear number is just silly and truly I want pieces I love, of quality and I fit into. My husband was happy to hear this, as it seems I have taken over some closet area that was suppose to be his 14 years ago. oops…

In the mean time… here is where I am at:

  • Counted the number of hanging clothes I actually have in my closet. (over 300 OMGosh!) No this doesn’t count what’s in my dresser. 
  • Found 40 PURPLE hangers to use.
  • Purchased a container to store the clothing not being used in the challenge and started filling it. I have purged a few items along the way. (yea, me!)

What does 40 purple hangers look like?

40 Purple hangers and the space hubby wants back.

40 Purple hangers and the space hubby wants back.

Now to decipher the ratios of pants, tops, jackets, etc… February in Arizona can range from 40* to 80*. I am also contemplating how I want to apply this concept to shoes and accessories, eeek.

Lots to think about. Stay tuned.

New Year Resolutions – Goals – Ideas for the Fashionista

Posted on by
2

Here we are mid month in January.  Did you make any resolutions? How are you doing? It takes 21 days to make or break a habit. (I think longer if food is involved.) I’ve heard that right about now, mid month, is when people give up. Think about it this way, either it wasn’t right for you or it needs to be broken down in to chunks. By the way, it is totally OK to start over. I think I have about 3 times already.

Here are some ideas I have for your beauty regime.

  • Wash your face (twice a day). I am partial to BeautiControl’s facial system. If you don’t have one find one. If your in AZ I’ll help you. Even if you want to just fall into bed. You’ll feel so much better. Take it from me, I’ve been falling into bed the last 7 years (oldest child) I feel so much better when I do this.
  • Wear Sunscreen everyday (no it doesn’t matter that it is the dead of winter) the sun is blaring and the UV rays are bouncing off of everything. Protect your skin.
  • Brush AND Floss  No I am not being paid by the dentistry association. Keeps your smile healthy and you healthy too. I found out the plaque associated with heart disease is the same plaque in your mouth… Take care of your smile, take care of your heart.

    Daily Routine

    Daily Routine – Skin care and smile care.

How about some fashion ideas…

  • Shop your closet first  Before running off to the store to get something new, shop your closet. Get creative with a new look. Think outside the box or closet in this case. You’ll save time and money. Who doesn’t want both of those?
  • Only keep what fits you in your closet  There is nothing like pulling out something to wear and realizing you can’t fit into it weather to big or small. If you want to hang onto somethings fine, just keep them separate. It will save time and aggravation.
  • Decide what you are going to wear the night before  Even if you have to create two looks. Yes, I am guilty of it too. I pull something together the night before and then in the morning I am not in the mood for that look. Now I get two outfits ready. It saves time and If I can sleep in just a bit longer totally worth it.
Nothing to wear?

Nothing to wear?

What fashion or beauty resolution are you working on?

 

Fashion – Shopping Advice from a Pro

Posted on by
2

After shopping with a few clients these past couple of weeks I have decided to give you the top 5 things to do, be it shopping with a professional like me or shopping by yourself.

  • Know what’s in your closet. This small piece of advice will save you so much time and money. Why? When you know what you have it is easier to mix and match and keeps you from over doing it on say, black pants or whatever you obsession.
  • Shop for FIT not size.  We have become a “size tag” obsessed society. “I should buy it because it says I’m a smaller size…”  No, you should buy it if the garment makes you LOOK a size smaller. Fit the larges part of your body then alter to make it custom for you. Example, if you have fuller hips find pants, skirts and shorts that fit you best around the hip. Then have the waist taken in so there’s no gap.
  • Buy it only if it will go with 3 other things in your closet.  NO, not in your cart, in your closet. This does 3 things… makes you “know” what is in your closet, keeps you from over spending, and forces a little more mix and match. Get creative.
  • Wear nice undergarments.  You might be asking yourself “why?” whose going to be seeing me try on these clothes. If I am going with you, I will see you. But more importantly when we wear undergarments that fit well, we feel good and our clothes fit better. By the way, just wear white or nude. Nothing distracts like a black under white.
  • Try everything on.  I can hear you now… “yeah yeah I know but I just popped in and didn’t have time.” The challenge is, if you didn’t have time to try it on there how much more time do you have when you get home. If it doesn’t fit you now have to find time to take it back. I have so many clients who still have clothes in their closet with tags that don’t fit properly and didn’t or can’t take them back for whatever reason. Wasted money, space and time. Don’t guess, try it on.

Happy Shopping!

Quick Kitchen Tip

Posted on by
1

This is such a great idea! I love quick easy things like this. After freezing I would pop them in to a zip lock & pull out as needed

How often do you use a whole can of tomato paste? Me neither.

If you scoop the rest out onto wax paper in 1 tablespoon increments, you can freeze them and have them on hand for your next recipe. You don’t even have to defrost- it will cook down faster than you could find your can opener.

Hope it’s a beautiful Monday for you!

View original post

Fashion – Sharing Word of Wisdom – Interview Style

Posted on by
Reply

I had the privilege to meet with a group of ladies working on getting their GEDs.  They were all there for various reasons that really don’t matter. What matters is that they were there. Talking about personal image and style is one of my great joys.  Another joy is helping women create there personal style.

This day I was invited to speak on Interview Attire. What to wear, what to avoid, and how to make the best of it.  Here are some ideas for what will work.  Investing in a suit that fits well is a great. Preferably a 3 piece (Jacket, Skirt and Pant) this way you will never doubt if they match, because they will.  And black is a safe bet or a subtle pinstripe. A comfortable black shoe with a bit of a heal is nice. Several blouses you can mix and match. If you like a print keep it subtle.  You want the interviewer to notice you not your blouse. On that note, be sure that your blouse is also modest in nature. Small to medium earrings (studs but no dangle) will add to the look. You want to keep your accessories to 5 tops and each earring counts as one.

Wearing make up is important. Balance is the key over all, not to much not to little. Even if all your comfortable with is a tinted moisturizer, eye liner, mascara, blush and gloss put it on for that interview.  Meet with someone if you need tips on application and color choice.

Keep these personal hygiene items in mind as well.  Have clean fresh breath. If you smoke refrain from doing so before the interview. Carry toothbrush and paste with you and “febreeze”.  Make sure your clothes are clean and pressed and shoes clean.  Keep perfume to a minimum, infact it is best not to wear any.

Breath deeply before going in. Hold you head high, shoulders up, back, down… when you shake hands try to make sure you are palm to palm and look them in the eyes.

Good luck!