Reader Question/Closet Cleanse

Hey Natalie,

I travel tons and finally have a weekend home. Among other reasons, I'm staying home to purge closets and make trips to goodwill. Do have any tips on how do it effectively, yet quickly?

Thanks! 

Busy Traveler

Hey my traveling and very stylish reader! 

Closet cleaning and organizing is something I love and should be done often. Every six months or so, I get the cleaning bug. And it’s not for a deep cleansing of my house or for my garage – it’s for the great love of mine, my closet (which is high gloss “Flamingo Pink” – in case you didn’t know) It’s important for your closet to be organized and have everything in plain sight – otherwise you don’t see it, so you don’t wear it – and then it’s wasteful & sad. When I clean out my closet, sometimes reorganization happens as well, so here is how I handle it.

The Cleanse & Purge

First while looking at my closet, I pull out anything in which I can’t remember when I wore it last or anything I just don’t like anymore. If I don’t love it, I won’t wear it. So why keep it? Everything then gets placed into a pile in my guest room (or any place you don’t mind it being for a few days). Next, I pull out anything that looks overly worn, is wrinkled, or doesn’t smell super fresh. Those get divided into fix, iron, and (dry) clean piles. If I can’t fix it, it looks too worn, and it’s got some mysterious stain that I can’t remove – it goes into the pile.

Reorganization

The next step, since I’ve cleared out the extra stuff, the extra hangers all go into a corner

And the clothes get filed away. All of my dresses live together and go from work wear, party dresses, going out dresses, to casual day dresses. The rest of my closet is double hung, with sleeveless and short sleeved shirts on top, bottoms and suits the bottom shelves. Coats are now in my coat closet (they used to live in the closet as well, but a few of boyfriend’s things have found their way into my closet as well.) All of my clothes are hung in like groups, (sleeveless and short sleeved together; ¾ length shirts, long sleeved and cardigans; dress pants; on work pants – khakis, twills, and jeans; skirts (non work and then work appropriate). Next all the groups are color coded from White to Black (White, Ivory, Tan, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Purple, Pink, Red, Brown, Gray, Black) – WITYGBIPPRBGB for those of you who like acronyms. But it’s not exactly an easy one, so just think white to black.

Drawers

I generally forget to clean out my drawers, because I don’t see them as regularly as my closet. But as soon as I realize I am getting into a closet cleaning, I remind myself to give them love as well. Socks, undies, casual cotton shirts, tanks, tees, and long sleeved in descending order of drawers. (Since I live in Florida, the heaver stuff gets worn less, thus segregated to the bottom – so I have to bend over less). Everything from here that doesn’t fit my rules (1) haven’t worn 2) don’t like 3) over worn) goes into the pile. My drawers hold my basic cottons as well white and black tees in differing sleeve lengths as well – so when you’re in here, make sure the whites are still bright and the darks aren’t faded. If they are, you can replace – or my favorite: bleach the whites and get two containers of black Rite dye (found in the laundry isle of grocery & big box stores) and follow the directions. Yes two. Always two for dying dark colors. Trust me.

Accessories

I believe for shoes, bags, and necklaces, the same standards apply. I need to see all of my accessories so that they get worn as well. My boots live on the tops of my shelves, so I can see them (they are also in color order, lighter to darker – with flats coming before heels). My shoes and bags are in the same area, where shoes are on bottom shelves and bags are on the upper shelves. My clutches, wallets, and credit card wallets live in clear plastic drawer for sight. On all of those are my bagged bags (ones with dust covers. There are two schools of though for bags with dust covers 1) use your covers, keep for nice bags free of dust and scuffs from other bags or 2) leave them without bags for the leather to breathe except for travel or exotic skins – which need protection.) The next shelf holds my normal purses which get every day wear and tear. On top of that are large bags and totes. Across from there are my necklaces and special bags. I have an accordion hanger with tons of hooks for all of my necklaces and I also hang little bags that are pretty or are underused so they are in plain sight when I’m getting ready.

Pile Time

At this point you are going to have a few piles. Deal with the cleaning pile immediately. Next you’ve got the fix pile – obviously those can be easy tasks, buttons and such. If there is some sort of reconstruction that needs to be done that you aren’t comfortable enough to deal with (I have a sewing machine and pretend I can fix anything) by all means, take it to a tailor. You’ll be so happy you did, and it’s relatively inexpensive. Last and most important is your pile of clothes that you haven’t worn and/or don’t like, etc. I divide things up into two more piles. The first, things that I really don’t need and won’t wear. The other is stuff that I really love, has some sort of value (sentimental, or otherwise), or something that I may have forgotten about that might get worn again. Pile one, I bag up and get rid of immediately. Whether the items get consigned or donated, they go as soon as possible. Pile number two on the other hand, stays around for about a week or so. Why you ask? Periodically, I find myself thinking about something that was in the pile. So I rescue it. I have only three things I ever regretted getting rid of – so I make absolute certain that it doesn’t happen.

Okay, lot's of details - but I promise, you'll be so happy with your closet and get so much more wear out of your clothes. Happy closet cleaning!

Quick Tip

Just a thought to share with you, my lovely reader... Don't salt your food until you've tried it. Believe me, I like salt as much as the next person (maybe even more) but lately I've seen people salting their food as soon as they receive it.

Stop! If you haven't tried the food yet, how do you know it isn't already salty? Psychic taste buds? I think not. And what's more! You might offend you chef! When I cook, I happily use tons of spices, herbs, garlic, etc. Salting it immediately would suggest you are using the salt to cover the flavors I so painstakingly put in your meal! (but you've read about the way I like to cook... so maybe painstaking isn't the most optimum word. heh.)

Regardless, think (and taste!) before you salt. You might not even need it.

November 10th

Do you know what happens on November 10th? Do you? DO YOU?!?!

Only the greatest announcement in the history of this week! I've been hearing rumors for a few weeks and today I finally got official confirmation...

International Mall in Tampa is getting an H&M! And it's opening on November 10th!!! 

THIS November 10th!

For those of you who don't know about H&M - it's a Swedish company who makes decent quality, extremely on trend clothing at super cheap prices. They have been in the US since 2000, in most major cities. But the only way to find their clothes currently are in stores in the US and abroad. Rumor has it they will be bringing online shopping to the US market, but in the meantime, my fellow fashion lovers - rejoice! H&M is coming to Tampa!

Awkward

I was eating lunch a few weekends ago with some friends and some of my boyfriend's friends. When we were served our food, someone grabbed a piece of food off my plate. And it wasn't a french fry or chip - it was legitimate food that you would eat with a fork. Needless to say I freaked out. 

Here's how that conversation went:
- Food grabbed with fingers
- Shocked look on my face
- Food grabber asks: "Was that rude?"
- Group is suddenly very interested in their food, the table behind us, their phones, their drinks (you get the picture)
- I say: "All you had to do was ask."

- To which F.G. responds: "What if you had said no?"

- I say: "Well... I didn't." and give a smile.

We ate our meal, which was delicious, and I offered more - and F.G. didn't want more. But the question of, "what if you had said no?" has stuck with me since then. What if I had said no? Would we have had to deal with a temper tantrum? Would have had an awkward lunch with one person pouting?

Obviously, I can't control other's actions and feeling - but I can control mine. So here's the plan for the future. Less of a reaction, if someone takes something of mine. But I am still very glad I stood up for myself. As for my desire to take something off of someone's plate (I have been known to beg for a fry or two) - the important thing is to always ask. Never grab from someone's plate. Never take anything from anyone, that isn't yours.

Neutrals

I was at a wedding over the weekend and the subject of neutrals came up. Now granted it was a dark room, so it was harder to see what everyone was wearing – but I realize that it’s something that has been pounded into our heads for so long, we haven’t questioned it. But we need to! So let us. 

Neutrals:

Black

Charcoal

Navy

Brown

Tan

Khaki

Heather Gray

Ivory

White

Now, I may have missed a color or two, but you get the idea. Not every color looks good on everyone – I for one can’t wear Ivory – I’m much better with a stark white. But that’s another story. Ours is what goes well together. 

As we know:

Black + White

Ivory + Tan

Navy + Khaki

Charcoal + Heather Gray

Brown + Tan + Khaki

White/Ivory + Any neural

But here are things that you may have not tried:

Charcoal + Tan

Navy + Heather Gray

Navy + Ivory + Khaki

Black + Tan

For the bravest:

Black + Navy

Black + Brown

The point of a neutral is to allow you to wear a basic color, wear them in any combo and accessorize with anything – and it works. We’ve been told for years and years to not match certain things. Once pounded in your head, it generally sticks there. Unstick it please! With the matching things you haven’t tried or even toeing into the “bravest” category – wear it with confidence and be deliberate. If you are wearing black and tan, try an all black outfit with tan leather accessories. I see an Audrey moment: Black turtleneck, black cropped pants, a skinny cognac belt, and cognac driving shoes. Oh. So Chic. Or a little black dress and a navy cardigan. 

Trust me. You might really love the new outfits in your closet. And you’ll look so modern.

Kinooooos!

I feel like I am be the last person on the planet to find out about the famous Key West sandal, Kinos, but just in case I’m not – let me tell you all about them!

Down this mildly sketchy alleyway off of Duval St. and inside this open warehouse room, you’ll find dozens upon dozens of people. These people are holding up shoes, trying things on, and running back and forth across this 20ft by 10ft little area, almost shouting numbers at harassed looking girls who are in their late teens and early 20s. Then you take a closer look – these shoes are cute! And holy crap, they are $12. 12 freaking dollars! 

Then you begin to start picking up sandals and try to politely get the harassed girls attention. But then you realize they do this all day every day, and they don’t care if you get your shoes or not - they are regular apathetic teens. Then you realize that of the color or size or style that you really want (for $12!) is limited. They only make so many pairs of each sandal that day. Then the frenzy begins and you start to understand the back and forth buzzing of the customers in this cramped shopping area. 

I got two pairs, one classic flip flop in gold and the other, strappy, in brown leather with rope accents. Super cute – and I have been wearing them nonstop. I can happily say, they are comfortable too! And WAY more comfortable than what you’d expect for a $12 sandal. My shopping partner, who has been there two days previously and purchased five pairs, bought another three pairs. No wonder they can’t keep shoes in stock!

It’s safe to say, I’ll not only be going back to Key West, but to the Kino Sandal shop. I’ll give a heads up, just in case anyone needs a pair (or five!)

Quick Packing: Island Getaway Addition

I'm leaving for a long weekend getaway in the morning, and I haven't even began to pack. It's very unlike me. Usually I have my entire wardrobe mapped out with corresponding activities, according to weather, season, and company. 

It's intense. I realize this. But this whole week has been so busy with work and house guests (ahem) that I have barely had time to start to let my mind wander. But I've had a little practice with long weekend trips (because I love them so much!) Here is my basic formula for packing for trips:

Days of trip (4) X Outfit Changes - day & night (2) = 8 outfits. 

As we know, 8 outfits would be excessive for a weekend trip. Then I figure out what the major activities are going to be.


Day 1) Morning travel, afternoon beach/boating, Casual Dinner
Day 2) Day activity: beach/boating, Casual Dinner
Day 3) Morning relaxing, Day trip shopping and eating - probably extending into the night
Day 4) Morning breakfast, Boat trip, afternoon/evening travel. 


Travel days I wear my jean alternative (as mentioned in my 9/15 blog post: Basic Closet Needs), a comfy cotton top - will be a tank since this is an island vacation, a cozy cardigan, a giant purse (filled with books, snacks, and always a scarf - you never know when you're going to need a makeshift blankie).


It looks like I'll have 3 beach/boating days, so that calls for 4 bathing suits (2 fuller coverage and two with less coverage - and always an extra just in case.) As well as cover ups for each day. I'll grab two day dresses and a pair a shorts.


Next will be clothes for dinner (3 nights)... it's super casual, so I'll bring a pair of ankle jeans (in case it's cold at night) and two different tanks to wear for different nights (and generally layer with my scarf I bring in my giant purse). Also a nicer dress, not really fancy, but can be dressed up or down. 

Then comes the afternoon/evening trip for shopping, exploring, and dinner. I'll wear another day dress and bring a cardigan in my bag.

That leaves me with: 
1 pair of non jeans
1 pair of ankle jeans
3 day dresses
1 nice-ish dress
4 tank tops
1 pair of shorts
4 bathing suits
1 scarf
1 cardigan


I always bring an extra t-shirt or two, depending on space. And with this trip, I'll only need to bring flip flops. And I always have a bathroom bag that is packed. 


Easy as that. No need to stress out about weekend packing. Now I know what to bring... So, I'm off to pack.