This new year, I felt that I needed to make change. "Eat better? Learn to use a pogo stick? Be neater?", I thought to myself, but I am already as neat as it gets! However as neat as I am, my closet was atrocious and I was especially determined to get it better. With it being very small, I wasn't sure how I could possibly "expand" it or "utilize all the vertical space". After vigorous research and experiance with my own personal closet, here's what I came up with.
1) Clean out EVERYTHING. Then sweep, and swipe the
Swiffer through it a bit. Use
Windex or
Clorox to wipe down everything else. Throw away things that you think to yourself "Hmm, I may need it...for something...one day". Donate or sell if still in good shape- like a shirt you never wore, a gift you don't like, or a garment that you wanted to return but lost the receipt. Repaint if necessary.
2) Put in multiple shelves. Instead of rods or double hangers, use metal wire shelves that would fit. That way, you can hang clothes on it, and get top storage. To choose where to put it, make sure that if you were to hagn your longest shirt on it, that it's at least 5 inches off of the floor.
3) Sort and file. Use adorable storage bins and keepsake boxes to tuck away items. Also allow papers, scrapbooks, winter sweaters, nail polishes, or other things to be stacked. Buy no more than 3 large and 2 small bins though because any more than that makes your closet not only look like a storage room, but also that many boxes is sure to be confusing, even with labels.
4) Utilize the door! Put an over the door shoe organizer, mirror, belt and scarf hook, or a even just a line of DIY nails slapped into the top of the door. Put up a cork board to stick up your clothes wishlist or something too.
5) Remove all on-floor shoe organizers. Things like shoe racks on the floor takes up room and with not hold things like boots or heels well anyway. Instead, put shoes on the floor or put a shelf in to store shoes on the door, or on the closet's wall if you can fit it.
6) Store out of season clothing elsewhere. Put bathing suits, winter sweaters, and the raincoats in a basement, attic, or wherever you store things in your home.
7) Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors. Putting a mirror on the inside of the door, and a small one on a shelf inside the closet will let you get a rear view of your hair that day and also gives the closet the illusion of being huge!
8) Add a lamp. A little light sometimes can come in handy and make the room feel less dense.
Here's an example of utilizing all space from top to bottom. Pictures of my personal closet and recommended organization products with prices and links coming in the next post!
~Send in pics of your transformed closet! ROXYmodae@aol.com~
So, yesterday I took myself on a mall haul with some money I had leftover from the holidays. I must say, I was inspired to make this post because of all the lace I saw. Now, I know you're probably thinking, "GOTH ALERT! Where are you going with this ROXY? Goth and lace left the runway ages ago! are you TRYING to make me look like my grandmothers couch?!"
So today I was typing in Microsoft Word and on a new blog post at the same time when I typed words like jeggings, fashionista, and Michael Kors. Then, that stupid red line underlined my words! I was forced to manually "Add to Dictionary". Seriously though? Destiny's Child can get bootylicious into Merriam Webster's but the all-time greatest industry in the world (FASHION) can't get a couple MAJOR terms put into Microsoft Word? Get with it technology! How dare they mark the great name of Chanel wrong! They've got some unfashionable nerve. It's a shame. I'm done raving for today. What do you guys think?
On the runway and in the stores the look has slowly become much more modest. From the higher necklines, to the longer bottom lengths, and even the garment sleeves have been stylishly retro. Didn't notice? I guess that's just the Virgo observable perfectionist eye in me. But, also, materials like lace, ruffles, mesh, and floral pattern have also discretely and tastefully made their way into the sketches of designers. Folds, seams, and creases give the garment a wonderful flow. The color palettes are slightly darker (the burgundy, black, navy blue, and creme) with a touch of modern color, or bling, if you will. Their is also a less revealing side to it that although can intrude on the purpose of some apparel, but I think is absolutely genius. Here are some pictures (click them to view larger):
