Thursday, October 21, 2010

Attacking Closet Clutter

If I was to come unannounced and inspect your closet--what would I see? Is it organized and everything has a place, or is it where you stash stuff quickly to get it out of the way?

Do you sometimes feel like a squirrel storing things away 'just in case' you need them? If you find that you have stored everything in your bedroom closet (including maybe a kitchen sink-don’t laugh I’ve seen this!) you have created chaos- and now it’s time to attack the closet clutter and make some sense of what really should be in your closet.
When you organize your closet, it will give you more order in your life. Wouldn’t be nice to find what you are looking for right away? What if you could easily go into your closet and pull out something terrific to wear? How good is that? It can happen when you get the clutter OUT!

The best way to find out what you have is to get in your closet and follow the simple steps below. With an organized closet, you will enjoy a stress-free morning everyday!

Stop being a squirrel. Are you storing away "things" in your closet...just in case you might one day need them? Have you stored extra gifts, found things in your closet (years later) you didn’t know you still had, canned food, pantry items…bags of chips, and old household appliances in here? Stop! I know some of you do this! Remove the stored junk now! You need to remember this is your bedroom closet--a place to organize and store your clothes! You need to get the junk out of your closet!


Remember when? I am sure that you have a picture of you wearing that fabulous costume! It’s time to move on and purge it. Do you have clothes that are out-dated, haven’t been worn in years, clothes that no longer fit and ones that don’t make you feel good? You know the answer to that question! Yes! Purge them now! Forget the guilt of how much they once cost, or who gave them to you, or what occasion you wore them! Purge, purge, purge! This can be a very liberating experience to get rid of the OLD stuff & move on!


Sort and separate. Put together clothes in a bag or basket that need to be mended and altered as well as clothes that need to be dry cleaned. You need to get them out of the closet since they can’t be worn right away until something is done with them. (I always put this bag immediately in the car, so that next time I run errands-they can be taken in!)

For every thing there is a season… You need to separate your clothes into 2 main seasons. You should have spring/summer clothes together and clothes for the fall/winter seasons together. The off season clothes should be put at the back of the closet and out of the way of the current season. Or, if you have another closet (it’s rare to have an extra closet) available to use in another room-this is a great place to store out-of-season clothes. Plastic tubs can store out-of-season clothes safely for 6 months. You can hang up an expandable wood mug rack to display your necklaces and other jewelry on (this keeps your jewelry from tangling up and makes it easy to see what matches what).

What’s left? Now it is time to really organize and make a working wardrobe out of the clothes that are left in your closet! So let’s start by categorizing the same types of clothes together. Start with the shelves. Fold and put in piles like clothes together. I like to put the short-sleeved t-shirts folded together and the long-sleeved t-shirts together. Next, put cardigan sweaters together and so on. Group together same types of clothes on each shelf.

Hang in there! Almost done! Now it’s time to tackle the hanging clothes. First off, don’t use the “free” wire hangers-they are worthless! Instead, invest in wood or padded hangers that keep you clothes nice (it gives a nice uniform look too).Or, if you are like me, the white plastic tubular ones are not bad. Again, you are going to organize by category. Start with shirts and blouses. Put the long-sleeved blouses together, then the short-sleeved blouses. Do the same with your pants, denims, skirts, blazers, jackets, and then dresses.

In living color. Now colorize! Put the whites together; cream together, tans, pinks, reds, blues and so on. Go from light to dark with the blouses, pants, skirts, dresses, etc. When you colorize, you will see what colors you have a lot of, and what you are missing. Try it and see!


All together now. Now for the fun part! You will be able to shop in your closet and find new outfits! If you have organized by categories with like things together and then by short and long sleeves and then by colorizing--you will find you can mix and match and put together outfits you didn’t know you had! This system will also tell you what you need to help extend your wardrobe and have more outfits.

Just listed. As you begin to see new outfits in your closet, write a list of what goes with what so you can remember different possible combinations. It also helps to have a trusted friend or sister help you put together new outfit ideas! Make a note also if you need something new to help make more combinations.

Lay out your outfit and call me in the morning. Now that your closet is beautifully organized-set aside the clothes that you want to wear the next day. Include the accessories too. I know you will call me in the morning and thank me for making your life so much more stylish and stress-free! It's also now time to pamper yourself...enjoy a good soak in the tub, you've earned it!


Love, Leslie

BIO: Leslie Gonzales AKA MissusSmartyPants helps women dress their best! http://www.missussmartypants.com/index.php?route=common/home (check out my tips under "closet purge")



Sunday, October 17, 2010

October is the month of the "ta-ta's"!

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month....STOP what you are doing right now and make an appointment for your mamogram. When was the last time you had one anyways? No more procrastinating! Just do it!

Another way (literally) you can support the "girls" is with a good bra. Nothing improves your silhouette more than a supportive bra!

I have to say this new bra from Soma--is the bomb! It eliminates back fat and gives you a smooth look in your clothes! Now is comes in animal print too! Also, it is available w/ a back closure style if you prefer.



Soma's Vanishing Back Front-Close Nadia Underwire Bra

Since EARLY detection saves lives, I hope you'll join me and get your mamogram done!

Love, Leslie

Friday, October 8, 2010

Eleven Ways to Boost Your Body Image

I'm pretty good looking, aren't I?

Beauty is more than skin deep...it really is. It's about having the confidence that you are pretty inside and out just the way you are. However, a bit of self-grooming does wonders to how a woman feels!

Here are eleven ways to boost your self-image...

1. Preen, primp and groom. Take care of any neglected grooming. Pamper with any or all of the following: mani, pedi, bikini wax, underarm shaving and eye brow shaping. A touch of self-care and you’ll feel pretty instantly.



2. Wear pretty under-things. Sure, no one else sees your lingerie beneath your clothes, but you’ll feel prettier knowing you are wearing them. Nude colored undergarments (how about lacey ones?) are great investments because they don't show through—you’ll surly get your money’s worth.



3. Shop for shoes. Nothing orthopedic looking. Go for style—but don’t skimp on comfort. Sassy flats with embellishments will make everything you wear look fabulous! Maybe you can hot-glue some glizty gems onto flats you already own?


4. Make it up. Put on a little makeup and you’ll positively glow! A touch of lip gloss and mascara on curled lashes--it doesn't take much to feel and look so pretty!


5. Treat yourself to a massage or a long walk. De-stress by getting a massage or going on a long walk. Yes, you’re busy but take time out for you—because you are worth it.


6. Sign up for a 5k walk/run with a friend. It’s hard to not feel more confident when you are training and thinking about making it across a finish line—bring a friend and you’ll motivate each other.


7. Focus on what your body does for you. If you are a mother, you know the amazing things your body is capable of creating—your beautiful children! Treat your body with the respect it deserves and it will treat you well too.


8. Embrace your womanly curves—because they are beautiful. You were created as a unique person. Embrace your curves, ladies! Wear flattering clothes that are not too big or too tight and you’ll always look your best.



9. Strike a pose. Perhaps a yoga pose. Try out a yoga class and see what happens. Research suggests women who do yoga have a healthier attitude towards their bodies because yoga discourages self-judgment.



10. Accept compliments with a smile. Others see your beauty—so simply thank them. Soon you’ll see your beauty too.



11. Stop, look and appreciate. Stop and take a look at your reflection---yes really look. Don’t zero in on your trouble zones—instead smile at the good parts. Remember: it’s okay to be proud of your body just the way it is.



You are beautiful and deserve to love yourself just the way you are!
 
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants

Sunday, October 3, 2010

How to Liven Up Your Basic Black

Do you wear black more often than any other color? It's the "easy button" in style, isn't it? 
Here basic black is livened up with color and texture....

Automatically grabbing something black first thing in the morning doesn't require much thought--and before a cup of coffee who wants to think? The problem is after awhile your style lacks creativity--and well, looks BORING! Soon you begin to look like you'll be attending a funeral on a daily basis. If this is starting to sound like you, you need to lighten up and liven up all that black in your wardrobe!

Don't purge all the black--work with it! With these tough economic times, I don't know a woman that is willing (or should) chuck all her black clothes from her closet!

So, here's how to liven up all the basic black in your closet...

1. Wrap an animal print scarf around your neck or wear an animal print belt. Even a sweater in an animal print will work! Nothing brings black and brown together better than an animal print!

2. Add a chunky mixed metal and pearl necklace to your basic black outfit. The sparkle and shine of a cute necklace will brighten up basic black.

3. Now's the time to wear those pink shoes that you don't thing go with anything!

4. Wear a different color/texture of tights. Try gray tights---they will lighten up your black and they are the "hot" new color for fall!

5. That bright red handbag that hardly gets used? All black would give it center stage!



6. Wear your favorite colorful sweater or blouse under your basic black suit.

7. LBD w/ low neckline?...wear a colorful choker or layered dyed pearls and show off your sassy neckline.

8. Don't shy away from mixing black with other neutral pieces like navy shoes or a brown belt.

9. Have something you don't think "matches" anything? C'mon wear it with your basic black. Soft pastels, grays, mauves, blush pinks...all look great w/ black!

Polka dots, checks and stripes (as long as they are different scales) can be mixed and matched with black!

10. Wear your basic black with a textured jacket, tweed pants or a nubby scarf. Black is the perfect backdrop to any unique textured item.

Don't ditch all your black! Black is a "fab" wardrobe choice because it's classic, goes with just about everything (given the chance) and it doesn't show small smudges--plus you can wear the same piece differently in one week (no one will even notice)!

The black in the skirt's print, the tank and boots all are "livened up" with
the use of the light denim jacket...

Black basic pieces do stretch your wardrobe dollars--it's up to you to get creative with your style!

Love, Leslie

4 Steps to Chic

1. Start with a feminine top 2. Pair with classy slacks 3. Ground with bold shoes 4. Finish with statement earrings ...