WIW - Leap Day in Leopard Print Suit

Angie's going to be mad at me because she specifically instructed me to liven this "suit" up with different colored shoes, top and possibly a belt. While I'm sure I could have put together a much nicer outfit had I followed her advice, I chose the path of least resistance this morning.

Sandro Jacket from TJ Maxx
leopard print skirt from Nordies
Fishnets from Target
Kate & Kelly booties

Happy Leap Day!

19 comments

Conceding Defeat

You all look great in your neutral outfits. I'm trying to study what made your outfits work because mine just didn't...at least in a way that made ME happy.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to photograph my outfits this week, because work and home life have just spun out of control (too much going on), so you'll have to rely on words rather than pictures.

I received some compliments at work on my outfits, which was nice, BUT, my neutral ensembles made me feel blah and unhappy. I have two observations about this.

1. Seattle is gray and dreary this time of year. Wearing gray makes me feel like I'm succumbing to the dull, depressing aspect of the season.

2. My moods are strongly affected by color. I need a pop of color somewhere on my person to make me feel happy. Browns, grays, navys, blacks, whites, etc. just don't do it for me UNLESS there is a bold, high-contrast print going on somewhere. Most of my neutral pieces are plain solids, which I use as backdrops for the more interesting parts of my outfits.

25 comments

WIW 02/06/12 - Neutrals - Masculine Styling - Suggestions Welcome

This neutral challenge is going to be hard for me to make interesting, because most of my neutrals are solids. I'm not sure how to add interest without pattern and textures.

I tried to create a menswear vibe with my clothes. I'm not sure this totally works. I would really love some suggestions for improving this.

I wish I had some wide-legged trousers and a chunky watch.

Incidentally, I get more compliments from men on these bi-color oxfords than I do from women. Guys dig them ;)

33 comments

My Little Closet - Part II

I'm exhausted. I worked all afternoon on cleaning up my closet. Right now, I'm not sure it's much better. It still looks crowded, but I can move the hangers back and forth a little bit, so that's good.

What I did:

1. Replaced most of my fat plastic hangers with Real Simple Slimline hangers. I like these a lot so far and would like to get enough to replace all of my old hangers. They made a significant difference in the "move-ability" of my clothes along the rod, since things weren't crammed together so much.

2. I hung most of my skirts on special linking skirt hangers. I would like to get two more sets so all of my skirts are on them. They're a great space-saving device.

3. I hung my belts on a belt hanger.

4. I hung my scarves on a butterfly scarf hanger. This is great, because you can put a lot of scarves on one hanger and they're easy to get to. They don't fall off either.

5. I put my summer shoes in a vinyl space-saver bag designed for going under the bed. It's kind of like this. I'm not crazy about it and will be looking for something better.

6. I tried using a hanging sweater organizer, but it took up too much space in my closet. I stuffed all of my sweaters back in the storage bin which sits on the floor of my closet.

7. I installed a heavyweight double hanger rod from Bed Bath and Beyond. Since my top rod is lower than average, some of my clothes touch the floor, which is not ideal. However, this $14 investment made the biggest difference in my clean-up effort.

THE SHELF: As much as I would like to put more on the shelf, it's not possible due to the ceiling which slants down sharply over it. For example, the space is too small to put a regular shoe box on the shelf.

I still have to figure out how/where to store my tall boots and my purses.

I think that's it! I hope this might help someone else deal with a stuffed closet.

None of this would have been possible if it weren't for the excellent advice I received from YLF. Thanks everyone!!!

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27 comments

Help Me Obi Wan. My closet needs your help.

Is there any hope of managing a closet of this size? Have any of you with small closets found any good ways of storing all of your treasures?

This is all I have available to me for clothes storage in my very tiny house. We don't have room for a dresser or wardrobe.

This is what it looks like AFTER the great purge of 2011. I like 99% of what's in there right now.

We're renting, so no major construction is allowed.

Looking at this makes me feel bad, like I'm a wastefully materialistic person. I'm also embarrassed at how messy it is.

30 comments

A trio of "meh" outfits

I'm trying to mix up items in my closet and wear them in ways I haven't before. Sometimes the results are good, and sometimes not so good. I'm still having fun.

Your suggestions for improvement would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

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25 comments

Green Jacket and my Tribute to the Raebot

My work capsule is pretty well filled out, but now my casual capsule feels shabby, so I've been working on that.

I'm just starting to wear skinny and straight leg jeans. The challenge for me is finding appropriate tops to wear with them. Suggestions for longer, tunic-style tops would be very welcome.

Here I am in a recent casual outfit.

Green Jacket: Gap
Striped top: H&M
Jeans: Jag
Shoes: Crown Vintage
Raebot-esque Necklace: Betsy Johnson. My daughter and I fight over this one.

Rae's Robot is classier

Thanks for your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

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23 comments