Storing Clothes

Every year we start to dread changing out seasonal clothes in our home.  But it has to be done and it may as well be done with efficiency.

A friend of mine gave me the idea to no longer use bins to store clothes, but instead use Ziploc Big Bags.  They are a quarter of the price and don't take up as much space.  Plus, they're much lighter and easier to toss down from the attic.  :)

Stinky Shoes?

If you like to exercise or love those who do, it's highly likely somebody's dropped a pair of stinky shoes in your house.  Next time try this tip:

Stuff the shoes with dry newspaper until the next use. The paper will absorb the moisture and some of the odor.

This is also a great packing tip...so your favorite clothes and your luggage don't smell like stinky socks.

And don't forget newspaper is great for gardening, too.

Closet Makeover

This is the time of year we're all changing out clothes for the season.  Take the opportunity this year to give your wardrobe a complete makeover!  


I had a professional come and help me with this and wanted to share some tips learned from the experience.


First, take everything out of your closet and/or drawers and sort it in three basic piles:


Like It
Love It
Needs To Go


Next invite a girlfriend over (one that will tell you the honest truth) and starting with the Like It pile, go through each clothing item and explain why you don't love it.  If she agrees, donate it to someone who will.


Move on to the Needs To Go pile and see if you both agree about what needs to go.  You may be surprised at what she likes and/or what combinations she may come up with.


Finally, review your Love It pile with her.  If she agrees you should keep everything, you'll be happier with your Love It clothes.  Make a list of small items you may need to fill in gaps from those things you don't.


And finally take the piles of clothes you don't wear, anyway, and pay it forward.  Donate the clothes to whomever you think it will be blessed by them.  It feels so great to make room in your closet for the clothes you actually feel good in!


Lastly, if you live near Kelley Smith, don't wait another minute.  Schedule an appointment with her right away.  I'm telling you, she is fabulous!  And if you book with her in the month of May she is donating half of the proceeds to our friends the Espinosas and their Allendale Mission.

http://kelleysmithstyle.blogspot.com/

Photo courtesy of Rubbermaid Products on Flickr.com 

Rotation, rotation, rotation.

I'll save you the image on this tip! If you want your bra to last longer, do not wear it 2 days in a row. At the end of the day, put your clean bra in the back of your drawer. The one that is in the front is the one ready to be worn. Bras stretch. If you give your bra at least 24 hours to "rest" it allows the elastic in the bra to recover so the bra retains it's shape and elasticity. And don't wash your bra just because you don't want to put it away! It is very delicate. And when the bra stretches to the point it fits on the innermost "rung", it's time to go bra shopping.