Spring Must Haves

Although Toronto Fashion Week is upon us and showing us what to wear for Fall/Winter 2011, most of us are probably buying for this Spring and Summer season. Lucky for us Holt Renfrew has put together a list of the top ten things you can't live without this Spring. 

1. The Nude Pump
Agreed! The nude pump is an amazing way to lengthen the legs, and c'mon they go with everything! I am, however, very picky about the colour of nude. There is a fine line between what some call nude and others call beige. I personally like more of a peachy nude than a brownish nude so beware of online shopping. I like this colour from Christian Louboutin. 


2. The Crossbody Flapover Bag
Not my personal favourite trend, but I understand the attraction as they are practical to carry, but that line across certain body types just doesn't create the most flattering shapes.


3. The Perfect White Shirt
I don't necessarily see this as a Spring essential, but as an essential to every wardrobe at all times for men, women, and children alike! Banana Republic carries an amazing dress shirt that, get this, DOESN'T WRINKLE! Let's face it -- unless you are devoted to your dry cleaner, things just don't get ironed like they should. 


4. The High Colour Clutch

I'm all about the colour so this trend is really my favourite. I purchased a gorgeous Marc by Marc Jacobs clutch in orange (pictured here) that is going to be amazing this spring/summer. 


5. The Leather Perfecto
Ok I'm not going to lie... I wasn't familiar with the word 'perfecto' either. It's a bomber-type jacket. And yes, they are amazing and can take you from nerd to rock and roll in 5 seconds. Love it. 


6. The Perfect Sheath Dress
Sheath dresses are light weight dresses that generally fall just above the knees and have little detailing. This type of dress is amazing to own because you can dress them down with wedges and a blazer or dress them up with some stilettos and some jewelry. I find that H&M usually carry a few every season, or if you are looking to devote some of your budget you could get a great one at Banana Republic or Ralph Lauren. 


7. The Iconic Trench
Everybody deserves a great trench coat. Useful in the spring and the fall I would recommend a more neutral colour so that you could use it during both seasons. I know they aren't the most affordable, but Burberry Prorsum has the most gorgeous trenches in the world. 


8. The Perfect Pant Suit
Again, not necessarily a spring essential, but an essential for all seasons. Great in a bind for a last minute job interview or for a business function at night you could dress it up with a colourful top underneath in place of a blouse. 


9. Delicately Layered Gold Necklaces
To this I say gold OR silver. Not everyone can pull off gold, but it is definitely the hotter colour right now so if it works for you -- go for it! 


10. The Perfect Wedge
Of course, I just found the perfect pair. They are the Jessica Simpson 'Crepe' wedge and I found them at Winners for cheaper than they are on her website. Score! 

Spring Clean Your Closet

My friend Karyn Beacock of Spiral Into Control Organizing has kindly offered some of her tips for organizing and decluttering your closet! She is a professional organizer, how cool is that? If your organizational needs are out of your control, Karyn is amazing! Read more about her below. 

Did you know that we only wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time?

Spring is the perfect time to tackle reorganization of your closet.  But before you can organize you must PURGE! But you say to yourself, “there are so many clothes-how do I know what to get rid of?”

To start, clear your schedule for the day, and set a goal to work through your closet until your spring purge is complete.

STEP 1- Clear out your entire closet, find a good space to work in.  Look at each piece individually.  Really look at it.  Try it on if you need to. And then answer these questions.  If the answer if yes, it is time for the piece to go!

·         Is it ripped, torn or stained?

·         Does it the not fit the way that you want it to right NOW?

·         Do you feel less that fantastic in it?

·         Have you been holding on to it since 1989?

STEP 2- Sort into categories.  Be ruthless as you go through your clothes and in what you decide to do with them.  It is important at this point to think about what your image is,  what image do you want to project?  Now is the time to  make choices on your clothes which enforce this.

·         Keep- These are the pieces that you feel amazing in, they are the classic pieces. These are the clothes that flatter & complement your figure and that you LOVE!

·         Mend- These are the pieces that, if they were not ripped, you would be worn rather than sitting in a pile at the bottom of your closet. If they make the cut bring them in to be repaired. Every girl needs a good seamstress. Donate/Give Away -Do you have a favourite charity.  Do you have a cause close to your heart.  There are not for profit organizations throughout Cananda who would be very greatful for the clothes you no longer wear (from 1989 or otherwise).  Checkout  www.canadahelps.org for a charity near you.  Alternatively, do you have a sibling, a younger cousin who would benefit from your hand me downs?

·         Sell It- For those who have the patience and talent, Ebay and Kijiji are great places to make money for quality pieces.  Also, consignment stores are another great alternative, and they do the work for you.

·         Throw Away-These are the pieces tha are non salvageable. These are the pieces that are too far gone that it would be tacky to send them to donations. Make them into rags, if you are handy make a quilt but put them out of their misery now and do not pass them onto someone to have to deal with.

**Anything that you love and meets the “keep” criteria but it is out of season put away in storage for the appropriate season**

Once you have sorted through your closet there is one more trick to help with the closet purge.  It is called the “Reverse Hanger Trick”

·         As you place your clothes turn all hangers in the closet backwards

·         When you wear something, wash it and then put the hanger  forward

·         After 6 months, anything left reversed is donated!

HAPPY PURGING!  Stay tuned for tips on how to best organize your closet with the space you have. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at karyn@spiralintocontrol.org

Karyn Beacock graduated from Loyalist College with a Chemical Engineering 
Technology degree, but always had a passion and flare for organizing. Recently 
returning to Kingston after moving her husband and two children across the world 
to Australia for her job with a global fortune 500 company, Karyn decided to leave 
the corporate world, join and train with the Professional Organizers in Canada and 
launch Spiral into Control-Professional Organizing Services. 
Focusing on Home, Office & Lifestyle organizing, Spiral into Control works with 
clients to provide and implement solutions for organized living. Working together 
to create order from chaos gives Karyn's clients more time to do the things they 
want to do! 

 

DVF Summer Sandals

Diane von Furstenburg - Willie Leather Wedge Sandals

I was looking for some summer sandals to post, and I found these 3 pairs of Diane von Furstenburg's that deserve their own post. The wedges are gorgeous but also practical. The satin ankle wrap on the mules is detachable and gorgeous. Play up any level of dress with a pair of these and look cool and chic for the summer!

Diane von Furstenburg - Open Linen Wedge Sandals

Diane von Furstenburg - Eva Suede Mules