Closet Spring Cleaning 2014

Fashion.

After reading a recent blog post from Stitch Fix, I realized I desperately needed to do some spring-cleaning myself.  A few weeks ago I went through my transition with my boots to sandals phase, but still need to get working on the clothing phase.  I really like the tips they gave, but would like to add some more money saving and organization tips that have worked for me. 

Try it on!

Going through a pregnancy makes it a bit rough since this waist really isn’t my norm, but make sure you try on all of your clothes before taking them out for the season.  You know there are pants/shorts that didn’t quite fit last year and you were holding out for the “I’m going to be able to wear these one day”.  I decided to put items that didn't fit in an unreachable location because of the expanding baby waist. Let's face it, a button extender will work for only so long and many items really won't be in play until next summer.  

This rule also applies to shoes.  If they hurt, just get rid of them.  If they are looking sad and can be rejuvenated, bring them to a shoe repair shop.  You can keep the shoes without the cost of whole new pair.   I had a hard time with this rule with my shoes because looking through all my sandals, I realized I have moved out of the sky-high wedges phase and just want comfort.  I have many pairs of wedges that I love, but can’t walk around in easily.  They are in the “under consideration pile”.

Ask a question / Two year rule

These two have been combined because it just makes sense. Ask yourself if it really is your style and if it has been worn in the past two years.   They have to go together or you, like me will try to rationalize why you should keep it. There is this one sleeveless blouse that I have had for many years and I always persuade myself that I will wear it.  Well, when trying it on, I automatically realized the whole cut and style of it is not for me and even if I style it differently, there are just too many ruffles.  It has been donated to one of my friend from work already.

Hangers

I totally agree with the “Improve your Quality” rule.  Hangers area big deal and transitioning from dorm room plastic to real hangers can be expensive.  I still have a mix in my closet, but each time I go to TJ Maxx, I buy a pack of the velvet covered hangers for about $15. Sometimes I even score a pack for half that price. They honestly make a huge difference with storing your clothes and the look is so much more streamlined. I have transitioned all of my dresses over to these hangers and in time all of my clothing will be hung in the same fashion.

Color Coding

Arrange for ease, I totally agree! Jeff and I have been color-coding for years and it is not only visually appealing, but it helps getting dressed a bit easier.  It also makes your realize you might need a bit more diversity in color or patterns.  I mean, how many black shirts can one person own? Apparently about twenty-five.

See What You Wear

I cannot see a way that this rule is one I could follow.  Yeah, it would work for a little while and then life would get in the way and your closet will be back to its usual mess again.  Here is what I suggest; If you are color coding, put the most recent worn items in the end of the line for that color section.  Pretty much all the items will be lined up and you will know which one you wore most recently.  The teacher in me is coming out; I love things lined up neatly and highly organized.

This post was actually done last year, but revisited this year with a few upgrades.  I love reading that last post because I did finally get the closet I had dreamed of.   Looking at my last closet, I just can’t believe that we actually shared it.  I know, first world problems, but boy do I feel lucky right now.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

<3 mk

Fashion Craving Satisfied - Leopard Pumps

Fashion.

I literally have been stalking J.Crew for months to see if their Etta pumps ever went on SUPER sale. It was a total pipe dream, but a girl has to wish.  I saw these beauties many months ago, but there is never a way that I will spend $350 on a single pair of shoes, especially if they weren't boots.  The shoes from J.Crew are normally a bit pricy for my tastes, but these were part of their collection, which means that they were even more expensive. 

J.Crew Etta Pump $350

J. Crew Every Pump $350

I didn't want to give up on a shoes like these so I did a lot of searching. The factory store wasn't and still isn't selling them.  I looked at a lot of other similar styles, in my price range, but they weren’t of the same quality or made from actual calf hair.  After many months I am happy to say that I found an amazing alternative that I might just like more than the J.Crew ones.

Nine West HeroHeart Pump $99

I got an email from Nine West a few days ago with a promotion they had going.  This email caught my eye because they were featuring a similar pair of pumps to the J. Crew version I was salivating over.  There were a few styles that were made of the same material in flats, booties, etc.  Martina is almost a carbon copy of the Everly shoe with a 3 ½” heel and pointed toe. The Adrianna is very similar too, but the heel height is only 2 ¾” which is much more manageable if you are always on your feet.  Mallica is a round toe almost booties with and adjustable ankle strap.  The heel height is 4” which is a bit too much for me at work. Savvy is super sexy peep toe with strap and would look great with a LBG or bold color for a night out on the town. Unita is another peep toe, but with a thicker heel and thick criss-crossing in the front with side zipper action.  All the shoes are going for under $109, but with the current promotion you can save up to 30% off.

I ended up buying the HeroHeart pump with a 3” heel and pointed toe action. The heel is a thick triangle with a thicker base which works best for me at work. The reviews were right about this shoe.  Super cute, but they run a half size too small.  I am consistently a 9, but had to exchange them for a 9 ½. I am truly in love with this alternative not just for the style, but also the price.

If you subscribe to their email you can get 15% off your first purchase.  They also have free shipping (subject to change).  That usually is a big reason I end up purchasing items if the shipping is free.  Nine West usually has a promotion going on so don't forget to search for promo codes before you order your shoes.  A few minutes will save you a few pennies. I ended up scoring mine for $84.74 with my 20% discount and taxes.  

Happy bargain shopping!

<3 mk

Japanese Style

Fashion.

Platform shoes on subway in Japan

We just recently returned from a trip of a lifetime in Japan.  We spend two weeks traveling in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.  This trip was one of those trips that was culturally shocking in a way that made you appreciate the way they did things and wonder why some things are the way they are here.  I especially was paying attention to the fashion and the food as I wanted to share what I observed with you. 

I obviously focused on the women because to be honest, we are always looking at other females and comparing ourselves.  There were so many moments when traveling on the train or subway, or just sitting and having a drink that I was people watching and able to observe a lot.

Skin.

Umbrellas but no rain!

The women have the most beautiful skin… not just because of genetics but because they take care of it.  One can not only wonder what they do to keep their skin so clear and porcelain like.  The woman mostly covered their bodies with umbrellas, clothes, and arm coverings when they were outside.  No wonder they maintain such beautiful skin, the sun doesn't ruin it.  One thing we didn't see many of were tanning salons. I felt almost guilty with my summer tan, but then all I wanted to do was slather suntan lotion and keep myself covered up.  I did actually buy some facial masks from there in a hope that my age spots from the sun would dramatically disappear.  I guess the lesson learned was that you can be beautiful with pale skin, but you need to work to keep it just as it was when born. 

Hair.

Hair accessory store in Japan

If you go to your local mall, do you know the kiosks in the middle that sell all those hair accessories?   You totally know what I am talking about.  Well think of those kiosks and then turn it into a store - a very large and specific store.  Japanese women love hair accessories. There were entire stores all over the place that were strictly devoted to hair clips, pins, scrunches (yes, they are wearing them), hairbands, hair extensions, etc.  I loved seeing them on other people, but I didn’t indulge and buy any.  I have a drawer full of hair décor that I rarely use, I'll work on that first.

I have been considering cutting my hair in the style I saw most often.  Heavy straight bangs with straight length all the way around.  My only concern is that the look would require thicker hair and I often like to style my hair with a curl, which might not look good with that cut. I might just leave the style to the ladies in Japan.

Footwear.

Socks and Stocking store in Japan

I have a thing about socks worn with certain style of shoes (flats, heels, sandals), but I had to get over that quickly when in Japan.  Much like the stores strictly focused on hair accessories; there are entire stores specifically for socks and hosiery.  I thought the shoes that I saw women wearing around the cities were uncomfortable, but I guess with a good pair of socks paired with them makes it a lot easier.

Heels with stockings in Japan

Most women also wore stockings with their outfits to cover their legs.  I am not sure if it is only to cover their legs, or also to be ladylike.  The temperature when we were there was in the 90s so I don't know how they handled being so covered up. I can't say I am going to wear some socks even with my flats anytime soon, but you never know.

Style.

If you are familiar with Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Girl, then you won't be shocked when you visit Japan. This style is popular with younger girls and it is all the rage.  Remember, I was only in a few cities, but this style was seen in all of them. Please don't think that everyone is walking around like this, but it was extremely prevalent in the cities we visited. 

I don’t want you to think that all younger women dressed in this manner.  That truly isn’t the case.  I really enjoyed seeing the clothing that women would wear, especially when sitting on a train.  Much of the younger girls would layer their clothes, not fitted, and they had a very ethereal quality to their styles, lacy, layered, blousey.  The majority of the women were very petite and were not curvy and could carry this look off very well.  There was such a mix of different styles that I couldn't even begin to explain. I did do some shopping and tried on clothes, but I am not the shortest and I have curves to my body, so many of the clothes that I saw them wearing looked not so stylish or fitting on me. 

The main fashion thing that I learned about this trip is that compared to the 'States, anything goes.  I know that I spend so much time putting outfits together with the thought of other people, women, judging me.  I am sure that is the case with some of the ladies in Japan, but pretty much from what I saw, a good amount of them take chances and wear what they like.  

  

<3 mk

My Travel Bag

Fashion. Travel.

Osaka Castle

It's summer and that means you'll be traveling somewhere. Jeff and I always use the summer as our main time to do a big trip because during the school year I never have enough time to go on a long getaway.   We recently got back from a big trip to Japan. It was the trip of a lifetime, but it was also made easier for me because I changed some of the ways I pack and travel.

In our travel outfits ready to go to the airport @ 3 am.

Usually I would wear a large eBags convertible backpack and a separate arm bag.  This has been my method for at least five major trips.   A few months ago I wrote about my new lightweight carry-on that I used on a long weekend trip to Northern CA.  Well, after much thinking, I decided that I would use the roller bag and a small backpack instead.  I was so sick of being slumped over.  I'm a strong girl, but after moving around from place to place over a few weeks, carrying that bag would wear on me. 

I knew the decision was a good one when we were on a layover in Chicago and roaming around the airport and I was actually walking upright instead of my usual travel hunch. 

Jeff and I traveled I for over two weeks and moved around Japan a few times from Tokyo to Osaka, Kyoto and back.  Below is a full description of the clothes and other necessities I brought.  I thought I was cutting it light with my stuff but my husband had me beat.  He only has enough clothes for about two days. His intentions were to buy news shirts and clothes there, which he did.  I usually don't have luck in that department when traveling so I only left room to purchase a few items.

Small Roller Bag:

Pair of pants
2 Pairs of shorts
PJs
Light long sleeve top
2 T-shirts
3 Tanks

2 Layering tanks
2 Dresses
Workout clothes
Workout sneakers
Flip flops
Dress sandals
Scarf
Swim suit
Pair of socks for walking sneakers
4 Pairs of underwear
Bras (strapless, regular) all beige
Curling iron

On the plane I wore: (see picture above)

Pair of colored pants
White canvas sneakers protected with Rustoleum Never Wet
Tank
Heavy long sleeve shirt
Undergarments 

Travel Essentials  

In my small backpack:

iPad
Cables
Magazine
Travel journal
Travel papers
3 Granola bars (fearful of being hungry)
Tiny crossbody pocketbook
All toiletries
Jewelry
Eye mask

Flip flops

My list sure does seem large, but I still had room to spare in my bags for some travel purchases. I laid everything out on the bed to make sure all clothes could be matched and worn with other combinations. Jeff and I have always washed some of our clothes throughout all of our trips.  He brings the packets of detergent.  If I didn't do that then I would never have clean socks or underwear on these trips.  We pretty much wash everything that will dry easily in a day to use again.  Just bring it in the shower with you and wash it there.

Now that we are back, I have to say that my decision to not carry my usual travel bag was a good one. There were only a few instances when had to actually lift my bag and that was in the airport or the train/subway and only on the days of travel.  The bag has a handle on it and it wasn't heavy at all. I say this was a decision well made that I will be applying again for our next vacay.

Happy Packing!

<3 mk

Food. Fashion. Home. - July Review

Food. Fashion. Home. 

I can’t believe July is O-V-E-R!  Time sure does fly when you're having fun and are a busy bee.  This month has been crazy busy, but a good busy.  My parents came to visit at the beginning of the month, Jeff and I went up north, past the Mason-Dixon line to visit his family, we took a trip of a lifetime to Japan (more to come), my sister Heather just visited our new house, and finally I'm just getting back from visiting my family back in NY.  I 'm exhausted just writing it all down. 

It's shocking that with all that busyness that I was able to get the house set up and despite that, mostly met my posting goals.  I did miss a few days, but let's hope nobody noticed!  Anyway,  I am going to try to keep my end of the bargain and post my favorites from the month of July.

Food.

Peach Berry Burst with St. Germain

Do you count adult beverages as food? Well I do!  This cocktail is hands down delicious.  The strawberries have been out of season, but I have since tried this with other berries and it maintains the same level of deliciousness.

Fashion.

Waterproofing White Sneakers with NeverWet

This stuff is one of the best inventions.  I didn't believe the hype, but I wore these sneakers for two solid weeks in Japan, which means city stress, parks, other peoples shoes, and tons of walking. They even stayed white through the Tokyo fish market aka fish slaughterhouse.  There was blood all over the floor and tons of puddles.  This stuff totally kept its end of the deal up.  The shoes had a few scuffs on the soles, but otherwise they stood up like champions.  You NEED to invest in this product.  See my test video below:

Home.

Elongating Your Room with Curtains

Before

After

I love the look but don’t love that I have been sleeping longer because of these curtains.  Ok, I do like sleeping a bit longer, but soon I will soon have to get up a hell of a lot earlier for work and I need to maintain the same schedule.  I know…whaaa!

August is in full swing and before I know it, I'll be back in the classroom dreaming about the summer days when I was “stressing” about what I should do for the day.  Let's try to enjoy these last few weeks of summer before we are complaining it's too cold and missing the summer glow.

<3 mk