Ode to Parker

November 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When thinking about looking on trend but not trendy my mind goes straight to the feminine brand, Parker.  Parker has made quite a splash in the last couple of years with their classic styles that look great on everyone.  They seem to have nailed it.  Their line is pretty, lady like, on trend and yet affordable.  They are great pieces to invest in because you know you can wear their styles during any season.  Below are a few that are peaking my interest!

The Party Dresses

   

Every Day Chic Dreses

                  

The Accent Pieces

    

To a fabulous closet,

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Make A Statement

November 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Statement necklaces….we see them everywhere.  The question is, should you invest in one?  We say, Yes!  They are the easiest way to spice up numerous outfits without spending too much money.  You can add interest to your work attire or add some sparkle to your LBD for your next holiday party.  Either way, they are definitely a must have and can be used any season.  Plus, they are great gifts for your favorite ladies!  Here are some that we are lusting over currently.

Crushing on Kate Spade – there were so many that it was hard to choose from!

       

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, and Nakamol.

       

Jose & Maria Berrera, Milly Carolone, and Henri Bendel.

       

To your fabulous closet,

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It’s A Wrap

November 2, 2011 By 2 Comments

The wrap dress – Do you think it is just coincidence that the wrap dress was made famous because Diane vonFurstenberg made it??? Guess again.  If I was born a couple of decades earlier, I too could have been famous for making the wrap dress. Wrap dresses are a sure bet on any figure and here is why.

Every woman strives to look like an hourglass. Apparently, this is the ideal shape. The wrap dress through disguise gives every woman that shape. The v-neck elongates the body while the wrap defines the waist.  Those who have a straight body now have a waist from the ruching of the fabric. Those who have bigger hips are instantly hidden by the a-line shape of the skirt. And those who are blessed with an hour glass figure?? Well the dress just naturally follows the shape of the body. An ideal body should have their shoulders and hips be the same measurements with a defined waist. The wrap dress does this and we didn’t have to go to the gym! So if you are trying to figure out what to wear to your next party – grab a wrap dress. Its fashion banking at its finest! It will forever look good on you and worth the investment.

       

From left to right – Diane vonFurstenberg, Halston Heritage & Tibi (www.shopbop.com)

         

From left to right Emilio Pucci, Gucci and Milly (www.net-a-porter.com)

               

From left to right, Halebob.com, Jcrew.com and Parker at www.shopbop.com.

To a fabulous closet,

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DIY Jewelry Organization

October 31, 2011 By 1 Comment

Jewelry is the best way to dress up an outfit.  We search from store to store for the perfect jewelry piece and are proud when we find it.  The problem is….how to store them?  We believe that jewelry, like art, is best displayed in your closet right where you can see it.  It adds a bit of sparkle and color to your space and hung creatively allows you to maximize your closet space and allows you to see what you actually have.  How many of you have bought gold bangles to only remember later that you already have 2 sets???  With these creative ways to hang your jewelry(courtesy of www.pinterest.com), you will be reminded daily of what you have.

You can buy a frame at Ikea like this any thrift store and just staple lace or wire to the back.  Voila!

Genius!  Coke bottles for bracelets!

Love this idea!  Easy to get to all your necklaces without worrying they will get tangled up.

 Paint the rake for some color!

Radiator coveres from Home Depot.  Pretty and so effecient!  Just add a frame!

Pieces of wood painted or covered in fabric with hooks…this is instant & personalized closet decor!

To a fabulous closet,

Filed Under: Closet Inspiration, DIY Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Wild Thing

October 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Without fail, every year animal prints come back.  Or rather, they never go out of style.  When you think of an animal print piece my mind goes to Dolce & Gabana or Roberto Cavalli.  They always do it so well and make it their signature.  There were so many great styles this fall with animal print that it was hard to narrow this down.  Here are my favorites that are timeless and great fashion banking items.  Animal Lover Unite!

Tops

Rachel Zoe (piperlime.com), Michael by Michael Kors (neimanmarcus.com), Bluemarine (nordstrom.com)

Jackets

St. John, White & Warren, Via Spiga all from nordstrom.com.

Contemporary Dresses

Joie & Nicole Miller (nordstrom.com), Ya Los Angeles (piperlime.com)

Designer Dresses

Dolce & Gabana, Zac Posen (neimanmarcus.com), Roberto Cavalli (nordstrom.com)

To a fabulous closet,

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Sole Search

October 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We all struggle with how to creatively display our shoes in our closet without them taking up too much room.  Some of us have huge closets and still those little suckers end up everywhere!  Here are some helpful tips to get your shoes where they belong!  Stop the sole searching!

I feel like this picture deserved it’s own category!  I just LOVE it. All you have to do is take crown molding, paint it a fun color and nail them in rows against a blank wall.  Perfect way to display your shoes like art! Courtesy of www.pinterest.com.

 

If you have the room, drawers are a perfect way to hide your shoes.  These can be in the open in your room or hide under your top hanging bar in your closet.  The first 2 are from www.homedecoraters.com and the last on is from www.walmart.com.

 

Shoe cubbies are also great for hiding in your closet under your top bar.  What’s great about the first one is that you can add little baskets and store all  your flip flops and flats in one bin and have the rest for your heels or purses.  The woven baskets in the middle are great to pile your work out shoes, sandals, flip flops and flats.  While the next one solves the issue of boots taking up valuable space on your floor. Last you have the classic shoe tree which can tuck into any corner.  From left to right they are from www.containerstore.com, www.pinterest.com, www.shopgetorganized.com, & www.containerstore.com.

My favorite way to organize shoes is in bins.  You can pile all the same type of shoe into one and you know where they are and will look through it to get the pair you want.  The first 2 are great for flip flops, sandals, flats and athletic shoes.  The last 2 are great if you have shelves and want to protect those precious shoes that you break out for a night out on the town.  These are all from www.containerstore.com.

And when all else fails and you have no more room, use the first on for your flip flops and sandals, the second one is for under bed storage and the end all be all over the door rack.  The first 2 are from www.containerstore.com and the last one is from www.shopgetorganized.com.

To a fabulous closet,

Filed Under: Closet Inspiration Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

“Hook” You In

October 13, 2011 By 1 Comment

Closets should be an enjoyable place to be.  We spend every morning and every night in them!  So it is imperative to make them pleasing to the eye and a little sanctuary for yourself.  Hooks are a fabulous and inexpensive way to add a little character to your closet. They act like little pieces of art that displays your necklaces, scarves, and bags.  The fact that they will be pretty or unique is even better!  Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and antique boutiques are the best places to look for an original hook. The hooks below will surely “hook” you into buying them!

Pretty, Dainty, Girly Hooks

These are from www.urbanoutfitters.com.

Vintage Shabby Chic Hooks

The first two are from www.etsy.com, then www.urbanoutfitters.com and www.anthropologie.com

Regal Hooks

From left to right: www.etsy.com, www.homedecorators.com, www.potterybarn.com, www.anthropologie.com

Industrial Chic Hooks

 The first three are from www.anthropologie.com and the last one is from www.potterybarn.com

Into The Wild Hooks

The first three are from www.urbanoutfitters.com and the last one is from www.westelm.com

To a fabulous closet,

Filed Under: Closet Inspiration Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Plaid Code

October 5, 2011 By 1 Comment

It’s certain that every fall, plaids will be “back” in style.  It’s a good idea to invest in a staple plaid piece that can be used each year.  It can get a bit overwhelming to figure out which plaid piece speaks to you, so below you will find the best of the best that the online world has to offer.  Maybe you are a trendnista and like to invest in mulitple items of a trend or maybe you like to “fashion bank” and invest in one good piece and use it year after year.  Whichever Closetnista you are, plaid is the way to go for fall.

Calling all Minimalist Closetnista’s!

Scarves and bags are your best options to pair with almost anything in your closet. Below are 2 scarves from H&M which are not more than $13 each (www.hm.com) and a Tory Burch Rain Plaid Tote retailing for $350 (www.bloomingdales.com).

Trendnista’s – the girl who loves to be on trend and goes all out for it.

The capelet is everywhere this fall so be sure to get one in a plaid print to max out your style.  Also, mixing faux fur and plaid is also a good idea so that you get texture and print in one piece. From left to right below – Tinley Road Capelet for $89 (www.piperlime.com), BB Dakota for $130 (www.shopbop.com) and on the right is Lauren by Ralph Lauren for $299 (www.nordstroms.com).

  

For all those Busy Professional Closetnista’s, these are great office appropriate options. H&M plaid jacket for $59.95, H&M plaid coat for $29.95 (www.hm.com) and Halogon plaid skirt for $59 (www.nordstrom.com).

Maybe you are the Casual Chic Closetnista – you like to be comfortable but don’t have to go into an office every day.  These options are great to pair with denim for running around all day. Free People $188, Anthracite By Muse $168 and Classiques for $268 all available at www.nordstroms.com.

  

Finally for those that are the Classic Closetnista who like styles that are timeless.  Try these – Burberry Muffler for $450 (www.nordstrom.com), Sweater jacket by Loft for $108 (www.loft.com) and last a classic coat by H&M for $99 (www.hm.com).

  

To a fabulous closet,

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The 4 C’s of Fall; Cool, Casual Chic Cardigans

September 29, 2011 By 4 Comments

As we say goodbye to summer and embrace fall, we are not quite ready to think about coats and heavy sweaters.  I haven’t found a single person who does not love fall.  With football, baseball playoffs, cooler days the changing of the leaves,  what isn’t there to love?  I always embrace fall by pulling out my cardigans and assessing what I have.  I can layer them over my tank tops and t-shirts and even my button downs when it gets to be November.  They work with shorts if it’s a hot day like in San Francisco or jeans if you are in the North West.  I’ve scoured the fashion pages and stores and here are the new and creative take on the 4 C’s of fall.

   

To add fur trim to your cardigan collection, try these by Alice & Olivia (left), Zara (middle) and Joie.

If you like your cardigan with a twist, then these cardi’s are for you.  Banana Republic is on the left with a pretty lace detail that is good for both work and play.  Nic + Zoe in the middle with a great toggle closure detail and cowl neck – perfect for all body types and ages.  And as always, the great cable knit sweater is a perfect staple piece.  This one is from J.Crew – I love the toggles on it.

Caplets are in this fall and if you are not ready to embrace the whole jacket idea then these cardigans will let you be on trend without being too trendy.  J.Crew on the left is a classic that can work for day and night.  Rachel Pally in the middle is better for a more relaxed look and Michael by Michael Kors is best on the end for a casual chic look.

Happy Shopping!

To a fabulous closet,

 

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DIY Vanity Chair

September 13, 2011 By 1 Comment

One of my favorite things to do is little DIY projects for my house.  I’m just learning how to do some of these DIY projects and many of them I fly by the seat of my pants.  I’m one of those people who hate uniformity in the house and like to have surprises in each room; my own personal touches.  I say – death to the furniture sets!  Well maybe I could be a little less dramatic but you get the picture.  Below is a chair that I found at an antique store close to my house for $20.  I already had burlap (that I purchased for $1.50 a yard from a fabric store in downtown LA) and batting.

What you need: 1 yard fabric, batting, staple gun, scissors, and screw driver

Not the prettiest of chairs but it has good bones and I like it’s structure.  All we needed was a little chair to put our shoes on when we get dressed.  This fit the bill.

The obvious is to unscrew the chair so that it is in 2 separate pieces.

 

I removed the fabric and batting from the chair so I have a nice clean slate.

   

Next, cut your batting and burlap into a square that surrounds the stool seat.

   

I used about 6 layers of batting so that it would be soft to sit on.  Then you tightly pull the burlap and batting around the seat and fasten it to the seat using a staple gun.  You need to be sure you keep your edges tight and round….you may require more staples than you think but it will look better in the end. I decided not to put the back of the chair back on because it looked better in our room as is.

I haven’t decided yet but I think I will put 612 on the seat with a stencil and fabric black paint…that will give it just the personal touch I am looking for.

To a fabulous closet,

 

 

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