January 2013 Happy New Year!

Carrie LaShell • 15th January 2013

January 2013

2013 Happy New Year!

Welcome to Such Savvy Style

Greetings!

Happy New Year!! Can you believe that the holidays are over and we are back to day-to-day life?!? Well this month I would like to help you start your new year off on the right foot. Let’s talk about getting that closet organized!

Happy Closet, Happy Life!

closet in harmony

Clearing space and getting organized is one of those top ten New Year’s resolutions that is often pushed aside by February. Why aren’t we successful at attaining this goal? Let’s admit cleaning the closet is really not that fun!

Step One: Think about what you’re holding on to.

Most often closets are filled with items that served us well in the past but may need to be re-evaluated with our current lifestyle. Clothes from another job, marriage or decade can’t be expected to serve us the same way they used to! You’re not the same person you were a year, three years or five years ago. Imagine a closet filled with just the clothes that suit you and your lifestyle right now.

Closets can be placeholders for clothes that no longer fit our bodies, our personalities or lifestyles. They can also become a dumping ground for random "stuff" that we think we have no other place for. Imagine opening your closet to only clothing and shoes, and everything in there fits you right now. Accept yourself as you are. Once you do that, it makes it easier to get rid of clothes that don’t fit and flatter your body.

Many people hang on to things out of a sense of duty or obligation. For example, someone gave you a gift and although the thought was really great it may not be suitable for you; or sister still insists on giving you her hand-me-downs even though your lifestyles are completely different. Maybe there are things you purchased yourself that were never right and you never wore them. It happens to everyone! But a new year is a great time to realize that it’s okay to be surrounded by things in your closet that you love and to let other things go. Imagine living in 2013 with a closet full of clothes you love.

Step Two: Once you have a clear vision it’s time to take action.

Now that you’re clear about what you need in your closet, it’s time to tackle the clutter that’s taking up physical and emotional space in your closet. Remember, your new criteria is to have clothes in your closet that you love, that fit and flatter you, that feel like they fit into your lifestyle, and that you could wear next week if you wanted to. Everything else is going to find a home somewhere else!!

Schedule yourself time. If you can’t take a Saturday or a weekend to de-clutter, give yourself a few mornings or evenings to complete this project over the course of a few short weeks. Tackle areas one-by-one, including:

Coat closets
Shoe storage areas
Jewelry boxes, hooks, or drawers
Your main closet in sections (pants, tops, jackets, dresses, etc.)
Drawers of sweaters
Drawers of exercise clothing
Any additional closets

You can cut the workload by half if you concentrate on one season only. If you’re not going to wear something for four to six months, store those items out of sight or in an extra closet away from your main closet for the time being.

Remove retired items from your home as quickly as possible. Pack them in large trash bags or boxes and plan to donate your items as soon as you can. Some charity groups even provide pickup. If there are items you are unsure about make a pile and I can help you quickly go through it and decide what items should be kept and made into new outfits or discarded. You could be amazed at what I can salvage and make fresh and new plus save you a lot of money!

I went through my closet last week and now every time I open it I love everything that is staring back at me! Although this may not be your favorite activity it will be worth it. However, if all of this seems overwhelming support is just a phone call away. I’m here to help you clarify, sort, organize and arrange your closet so it can better serve you in 2013. Let’s make YOU and your space a priority!

How do I camouflage my tummy?

One issue that many women complain about is a little tummy. No matter how hard we try to make it flat it just won’t go away! Here are a few tricks which use your clothing to hide your problem area.

1. The trend of color blocking can actually hide the tummy. Look for a dress that is lighter in areas you want to show off and a darker color block over the tummy area.

2. Add a busy print or pattern. The busyness of the print causes the eye to be confused and not focus on that area.

3. For many of you a shirt with a peplum will draw attention to your waist and the peplum glides over the top of the tummy.

4. A-line tops will create a looser fit across the tummy. However, be careful if you have larger breasts as an A-line will cover your tummy but could also make you appear pregnant.

5. Any top with ruching or vertical design elements is a great way to cover the tummy or the "love handles".

6. By creating layering with a partially buttoned semi fitted jacket or a cardigan, you are showing off your silhouette and concealing both your tummy and "love handles".

And of course don’t forget one of the most important items in your closet that will help slim your lumps and bumps…your shapewear!

Services provided by Such Savvy Style

LaShell Cosmetics

Since it’s a new year I thought I would recap some of the newer services that I provide. I offer so many things, sometimes I even forget!!

The baby I created 2 years ago is LaShell Cosmetics. As you know I love anything girly and what was a better complimentary service to my style business but make-up! I sell a line of fabulous cosmetics that is excellent high-end quality at very reasonable prices. I also offer a FREE make-up lesson with purchase of $75 of cosmetics. Maybe you have no interest in learning how to do your own make-up but you have an event and you want to look amazing without the stress. As a certified make-up artist I will come to you and do your event make-up. Or maybe you are looking to have a girl’s night out…book a mini makeover party (see below).

This year I came across a line of high quality Men’s clothing. I decided to start selling J. Hilburn as a way to service male clients without them having to go to the store and shop. We all know how much men love to shop!!! This company provides custom shirts, and semi custom suits and trousers. They also sell many off the rack items such as jeans, coats, and sweaters. How excited would your husband or partner be if they never had to shop in a mall again. I just show up and we do all the shopping from your home or office.