End of Summer Closet Purge

End of Summer Closet Purge

Via

Last year right around this time (August 20) I posted about doing a closet purge. Today, in the spirit of embracing fall and the change of seasons, I'd like to encourage all of us to do a good hard closet cleanse. In particular, I'd like to invite you to get rid of everything that doesn't flatter you and lift you up toward being the best possible version of whoever you are. Right. Now. Warning: this is going to be a wordy post and one that might ask some difficult questions. Bare with me, ok? I've used some funky fonts to help break it up a little.

In particular, I've been thinking lately about a question that I get from clients and friends a lot. It comes in various forms, but the basic is this:

How do I know if this outfit/dress/shirt/pair of pants/necklace/hairstyle is too ______________ for me?

The adjectives for the blank include: too young for me, too old for me, too tight for me, too revealing for me, too trendy for me, too young for me, too baggy for me, and more.

Here are my thoughts about this, and I'd love to hear what you think, too!

4 Ways to Wear An Oversized Scarf

4 Ways to Wear An Oversized Scarf

The other night, I met up with a new blogger friend who also lives in Northern Virginia. Beforehand, I did some window shopping at Anthropologie and ended up buying yet another scarf. I'll deny it if my husband asks me directly if I bought it, though. He has this crazy idea that I have enough scarves! Is that even a thing? Enough scarves...what a nut!

I think a dual sided scarf is a brilliant idea for fall for all of us because, really, it's two scarves in one! Tie it loosely around your neck with a basic like a white button down, letting one side show more than the other. 

Ok, so I'm wearing my sunglasses here because I felt like I looked tired. Bear with me-I got over it in a few shots below. These next two are very similar ways to tie a scarf, but the top one is looser.  Put one end of the scarf around your neck, then wrap the rest of the scarf around your head and tie it in front.

Here, I turned the scarf as I wrapped it around my neck, making it tighter. I'd normally tuck the tag in or be sure to tie it on the other end so the tag didn't show.

This next one is perhaps my favorite thing to do with an oversized scarf: wrap it around yourself by putting one corner on your shoulder, then throw the other edge of the scarf over the other shoulder. You can pin the shoulder if you want it to stay, but I don't usually. This can take a boring or plain dress or outfit to a fancy level for a wedding or chilly indoor function.

That's it! I hope you have some scarves in your life that you can take out and play with, too! 

Don't forget your sunglasses!

Dear Sugar: How You Get Unstuck

I recently read the most incredible book. It's called Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on love and life from Dear Sugar. It was published in 2012 and contains some columns previously published in what was an anonymous advice column at the time (the author was revealed when the book was published, and the book contains newly published entries, too), but I just read it over our trip to Las Vegas of all places.  I'm not affiliated in any way with the author, but I want everyone I know to read this book. It matters to me so much that I'm going to start posting some of the columns from it here in the hopes that you will read-and share-them. If you're offended by swear words and graphic language, be aware that she uses some. If you'd rather only read my posts about personal style, come back soon. Today, I'm going to underline the parts that stand out to me. Please feel free to comment if you are so moved.

My Happiness Project: September

My Happiness Project: September

Photography : Lauren Modny Photography
Creative Concept & Direction : Piccadilly

So! It's September. The school buses are running, the leaves are even turning a bit here and there...how the heck did THAT happen?! I certainly did not get the memo, as no kids say anymore anywhere. I wrote the date as 6/31/14 on August 31. That's right, June. Now that I'm on the same calendar page as everyone else, let's look back at August and ahead to September, shall we?

Here were my August Happiness Project goals:

• Practice SOS. While reading parenting books somewhere in the last couple of years, I came across the idea of Step Back, Observe, and Speak on one of them. I think in my current job environment this could really serve me well instead of my usual Speak, Speak, Speak! And I'm sure my husband would think so, too. Update: I liked having this mantra in mind all month. I found myself making fewer, more useful comments at home and at work.
• Nurture Friendships. My post this week about just hanging out has got me thinking a lot about the type of friend I am. I tend to have a few very close friends, and I love that about my life. This month I'd like to make time for my friends-old, close, new, and possible. I need to think about exactly how, but I think it involves saying "Yes" to more unstructured time as well as to making time for my casual friendships like those with neighbors. I did ok with this-I had some special time with friends, but I think this is an ongoing project for me-figuring out how to have adult friends in a way that feels easy and less structured. I did plan some upcoming visits to best friends far away!
• Enjoy the things about summer that I love. All winter long, I dream about summer food and fun, and I want to be sure to enjoy it while it's here. For me, this includes walks in nature, time in the sun, eating in-season produce, gardening, watching outdoor movies, and going to county fairs. I'm excited already! This was a big part of August for me. I traveled, went to our local pool, was outside a lot, and generally focused on celebrating summer! My husband and I give each other "assignments" every week for the past month or two, and his assignment this week is to remind me of ways to savor the last bits of summer. His suggestions so far have been adorable!

Now for September!

• Spread the Love: I am going to share some of the things I've learned over the years beyond just the personal styling realm. Stay tuned for more details!
• Cook 5 Nights a Week: I've been very inspired by Dinner a Love Story's new book and her challenge to cook 5 nights a week. I love to cook, and my body does much better on homecooked food. I'm using this as a reason to sit down with friends and family more, too.
• Heal my Back: I'm setting this as a lofty goal, and I mean to achieve it! I'm putting aside the time and money needed for chiropractic, PT, supportive shoes, inserts, and everything else that my back needs. It must be a priority.

Read about my June Happiness Project, including whether or not to share this on my blog here and here, about July here and here, and August here.

Buy Now, Wear Now and Later

Buy Now, Wear Now and Later: Perfect White Tank

I'm putting together a late summer-fall wardrobe for a virtual personal shopping session for a client this week, and I thought I'd share something with you all from it. This Jcrew pima jersey tank is incredible and on sale. Here's how I'd recommend that you style it now-and once the weather turns.

For Now

Add soft, bright pants like these window pane beauties.

Top it off with one of these gorgeous adult backpacks in a bright color or black and white. And a pair of easy summer sandals or shoes.

For Later

Add a chic blazer on top! If you know the color of your blazer, you might consider cozy pants in a similar color scheme so you can wear them together. Or, sub in a favorite pair of jeans.

On a weekend morning chai run, switch the blazer out for a jean or moto jacket and finish it all off with these cozy Nepal boots from Toms. Getting chilly? Top it all off with the perfect slouchy hat.

How Can I Dress Up a Plain White Button Down?

How Can I Dress Up a Plain White Button Down?

In the winter, I worked with a personal styling client who struggled between two extremes: she had, on the one hand, lots of classic pieces and, on the other, memorable pieces that stood out too much in her mind. For example, she had a pile of white button downs and conservative blazers. She also had silky, patterned skirts and dresses that she found mostly while traveling overseas.

She wasn't sure how to blend the two into a cohesive, professional wardrobe that still showed off her sense of personal style. One outfit that stands out for me that I put together for her is this one:

I love how simple this outfit is yet how pretty she looks! The basic white button down could feel boring with a solid skirt, so pick out a skirt from your closet that feel special. Then, try a second classic piece, like a Jackie O-inspired blazer, to tie the two together. You could absolutely stick with a solid shoe, but I had her try on her neutral snakeskin flats because the colors related so well to the rest of the outfit.

That's it! White button down + Printed "special" skirt+ Classic blazer or sweater + Neutral shoes

Touring Through Blogland: The B Farm, Love Always Hannah, and Me

Touring Through Blogland

I was recently asked by my dear client-friend Cecilia of The B Farm if I would like to participate in the Blogland Tour.  I was so honored to be asked by this incredible artist and woman! I "met" Cecilia virtually as a client via FaceTime when she hired me to do a closet session. Cecilia is currently working on a giveaway for this blog, and I can't wait to show off her amazing artwork!

Here are some of her beautiful projects that she's been working on lately! She's from Texas, and proud of it! I love all things Americana, don't you?

She painted this gorgeous poppy painting-can you believe it? I have a hard time hanging art made by anyone outside of my family in my home, but this? This I could get behind! Plus, Cecilia feels a bit like family now.

Speaking of homes, she posted this before and after of her kitchen...

Wow! What a difference! And I love the little B Farm above the sink, don't you?

Now I'm supposed to answer four questions about myself!

Halloween Costumes for Women Who Don't Want to be Naked? Updated for 2014

Halloween Costumes for Women Who Don't Want to be Naked

I've gotten a lot of traffic to this post from last year, and I thought I'd update it with some new ideas toward the bottom for those of you who are already thinking about Halloween costumes. When I was a kid, if school started and I didn't know what my costume was going to be, I would be very, very upset!
 
Today's post is a bit different than the usual. We're talking about a very specific type of clothing to put on our bodies today: costumes! I find what to wear for Halloween to be increasingly complicated: I'm past the point of "going out" like I once did to a club or dancing, but I still want a fun costume. Our neighbors throw the best Halloween party (they start decorating their home over Labor Day weekend), and, oh yeah, it's my birthday!

Via

But what to wear? Here are some of the criteria my good friend and I identified for female costumes at our current age.

1. Minimal effort. We defined this by not taking too long to make or too expensive. 
2. Something you get right away. Nothing that requires a lengthy explanation but is witty on its own.
3. Warmth. A costume should be warm enough that you won't freeze out on your porch handing out candy, walking the kids around the neighborhood, or hopping from one party to another.
1. Not slutty. Some of us (ahem, I recall making a costume with my best friend out of a single pillowcase...) fell victim to the slutty costume phase. I'm not sure if you all feel this way, but I cringe now when I see the Slutty _____ costumes (e.g., slutty cat, slutty wizard, etc). 
4. Durable. At this age, it seems that people have parties at random times within the month of October so you want a costume that either transitions into a different costumes or is durable enough for multiple parties. 
5. Makes a statement. Since we're past the slutty stage, we tend to want to make a different kind of statement: really scary, witty, or just beautiful.

Wow! Look at that list! No wonder it's so hard sometimes to figure it out.

I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments, even if they don't meet all of our silly requirements. 

Via

Fall Wardrobe Basics: A Light Jacket

Fall Wardrobe Basics: A Light Jacket

Photography : Lauren Modny Photography
Modeling & Design : Tomboy
Personal Styling : Start Close In
Creative Concept & Direction : Piccadilly
Location : Georgetown University

 In the coming weeks, I have virtual and in-person personal shopping sessions booked with several clients. For the virtual clients, I'll be getting a sense of their lifestyle and the kinds of clothing that they like, then I'll do some virtual shopping for them and send along the things I recommend that they purchase. Afterwards, we'll have a video call together so that I can help them mix and match the things that they've purchased.

In person is a bit more straightforward, and I'll go shopping in person with these women, pointing out as we go along how they can build pieces from each store into a cohesive outfit.

I thought I'd share a little bit of that thought process with you, my dear readers, since we're not scheduled to go shopping together (at least not yet!).

One basic that I really encourage everyone, of every age and in every geographic location, to have is a light jacket for fall. For my Texas readers, you might find yourself pulling it out later in the season than my New England readers. But, either way, this is something that should be in your closet in a fit, style, and color that you like on your own body.

Here are a few ideas for different styles that will work for women of every age and lifestyle.

Military-Inspired

The key things to look for in a military-inspired jacket are the details: buttons, pockets, flaps on shoulders, etc. These are the things that help this type of jacket to look cool, and that's the goal here. You want a jacket that feels a bit cooler than a lot of the rest of your clothing. That way, you can pull it over basics like jeans and a tshirt or toughen up a summer dress.

Weekly Roundup: New Blog to Follow, Behind the Scenes at the Emmys,

Weekly Roundup: New Blog to Follow and Behind the Scenes at the Emmys

Happy Monday! I mean, Tuesday! I am really, really excited about this blog that I found in Real Simple called Girls Dressing Cute for Work! Maybe you've already heard of it? I love it. Here are some of my recent favorite outfits.

Don't they make you so excited to get dressed for work?! If not, don't fret. We all have days where we wear basic black pants and a shirt. But there is something to be said for showing up, isn't there? And sometimes that means dressing the part.

Speaking of dressing up and the show of it all, I loved this post about the Emmys.

And, let's get together and eat these, ok?