Reunited with an Old Love

I recently read an article in Elle Magazine which highlighted the favorite fashion items of different celebrities. Natasha Lyonne waxed on about her beloved black Helmut Lang blazer, which she had unfortunately lost during a whirlwind day of dress fittings. My first thought when reading about her "perfect" blazer? My "perfect" scarf! My long lost scarf! I bought a cream-colored, fringed scarf about 3 years ago. I then proceeded to wear it perhaps one third of all days in the year following until...I lost it. 

Why was this scarf perfect? It was summer, yet it was also so fall and spring...It was voluminous enough to cover what I needed to cover through a pregnancy and post-pregnancy, yet folded down into nothing. My scarf turned from a fashion scarf into a nursing cover lickety-split, and was cool enough to wear in the summer yet actually kept me warm when it turned cool in the evening.  Did I mention it also matched EVERYTHING? And then one day I went to grab it from my closet...and it was gone. Just gone. I had no recollection of losing it or exactly when I had last used it except that it had been a clutch piece on our trip to Chicago a few weeks before. 

So how is my beloved scarf pictured below with my new starry night J. Crew shirt and my fave gold boots from Cole Haan? Where was it for the past 2 YEARS???? Apparently my sister was under some insane impression that I had let her borrow it. WAS SHE NUTS? How could she think I would let her borrow my favorite, irreplaceable scarf? She had been asking for some help in her closet for many months. I was too busy of course. When I finally came over last week, I accidentally found my scarf hanging neatly on a hook in the back of her closet, where I am guessing it has been for 2 YEARS. 

Cue music: "Reunited and it feeels sooo goood!"

Time to Switch Over Your Closet for Fall

September 23rd marked the official first day of fall. Now that the temperature is dipping below 60 degrees, it is time to start turning over our closets for the season. Of course, as many DC residents know, the weather is ever changing here. It's not unusual to have an 80 degree weekend in the middle of October! So how do you know what to put away until next spring and what to keep around a little longer? Let RLS guide you through the process! 

Linen

Can one leave certain items in their closet longer in DC than places like New York and Boston? Yes. The weather justifies leaving what I like to call "transitional" pieces in the wardrobe longer if not all season. However, to be clear, linen is not a transitional item. Linen goes away after Labor Day! The only exception? A 90 degree day in September. Otherwise, linen will cause you to look out of place and seasonally-challenged. I usually have to cajole my husband to put away the linen in early October, but after over 4 years of marriage, this year he actually did it himself the second week of September.

Shorts

What is it about men in DC and their shorts? Take a quick drive down M Street in Georgetown and you're bound to see a boy that looks like the one in this picture, even in 65 degree October! You may want to keep one or two pairs of shorts in the drawer after Labor day, but try to reserve them for a sunny, 80 degree Saturday. This means you too, Mr. Real Life Style! 

Sandals

Once September hits, there is an awkward period of time when you are not sure if you should be wearing sandals or boots. In my opinion, sandals are okay in DC throughout September, but only keep out one or two of your best pairs. However, on a particularly chilly morning, your ankle booties may be a better choice. Other stellar fall shoe options include smoking loafers and fashion sneakers.

Down Coats

65 degrees is NOT an appropriate temperature for a down coat! Use the fall weather to take advantage of much more fashionable options. How about a leather jacket or a bomber? Layer appropriately and you will be warm AND fashionable.

Sweaters

It's nearing the end of September and I can officially say that I have started pulling out the heavier knits from my winter stash. Knit sweaters are especially in style this fall, as seen on the runways of Stella McCartney and Michael Kors.

Sleeveless Blouses

Yes, your gorgeous sleeveless blouses can be worn year round. But be sure to add a chic layer on top such as a cardigan, blazer or leather jacket.

Happy Fall!

Washingtonian Names Ten Top Stylists in DC

The March issue of Washingtonian features ten of the best personal stylists in DC, including yours truly! Other great articles include office organization tips from Kacy Paide, a professional organizer who has been featured in my blog, and a fashion spread on spring's big trend, Flower Power. Read through my profile in the article below, and be sure to check out this month's issue (page 190) for additional closet organization tips. 

Resolve to Clear Your Closet and Your Head

Can clearing out your closet really change your life? I never get tired of telling people how and why it can. Most people tell themselves they'll "get to it" over the weekend. Then the weeks come and go and before you know it, it has been a year and your closet is still a mess. The number one thing my clients tell me (besides that they admire the style of Kate Middleton most) is that they can't believe it took them so long to clean/clear out their closets. What they really mean is that they can't believe how long they've taken to REALIZE THE BENEFITS of it. If they had understood before, they wouldn't have waited so long.

Since I had a baby 5 weeks ago, my closet has been looking like a client's before picture. Between managing my business while I'm absent (was that an oxymoron?), writing thank you notes and snuggling with the baby, I have not been able to prioritize cleaning out my closet. However, every morning when I go to get dressed, I am overwhelmed by the amount of clothes in my closet that don't work. Over and over again, I just reach for the same basic black items that I know will work. Being who I am, I was not willing to let this go on any longer (much less for the months or even years most of my clients had before they found me). Last week I ordered a bunch of new tops online (and on clearance!) in bright, happy colors; and a few days ago I FINALLY started taking the maternity clothes out before I put in the new, fun clothes that make me feel good.

The benefits? Now I can get dressed again! Also, I'm not hesitant to accept a lunch or coffee date because I know I can grab something out of my closet in a minute that works and energizes me. In addition, I'm more motivated to exercise and eat right so that I can get back into my old clothes. Do I only have a handful of pants that fit me right now? Yes. However, having two pairs of jeans that work freaks me out a whole lot less than having to find the only two that work, under a pile of seven that don't, in a ridiculously crowded closet. A woman with two kids does not have time to dig through her closet every morning!

The moral of this story is not that you need to buy new clothes, but that you can and deserve to have a stress-free morning (maybe you can't make the kids wear matching clothes, eat their breakfast or remember their lunch, but at least you won't be spending unnecessary time finding your own clothes). Buying new clothes won't help if you can't see the forest for the trees in your own closet!

You can find much of what remains to be said about how and why to clear the clutter in your closet in my past blogs. See below for the list of "greatest hits" to motivate you to clear your closet this year. In January. Not December.

Happy Clearing the Clutter and Happy New Year!

Do You Control Your Closet or Does Your Closet Control You? 

Lani Finally Buys The Closet She Deserves

To Buy or Not To Buy

To Keep or Not To Keep

The Container Store Did Not Pay Me For This One

The 5 Questions: Why You Should Clear Your Clutter