Tips on Storing Your Summer Wardrobe

It is that time of year that we find ourselves throwing on a sweater or jeans because the chilly days are becoming more and more frequent. Now comes the daunting task of putting away your summer wardrobe to make room for fall.

Here are some of my tips on keeping your summer clothes and accessories looking like new for next summer.

  1. Shoes

    You know how much I love to purge my closet? Well before you start to put away your summer shoes, check to see what shoes you didn’t wear the last three months. If you have Old Navy flips flops sitting in your closet unworn all summer, there is no need to put them away in storage. Go through your shoes and see what you can donate or throw out. With that being said, clean all of your shoes before putting them away. Make sure to remove all of the dirt and sand that gets in the shoes during the summer months. I like to keep the original box my more pricey shoes came in like my Jack Rogers or Tory Burch sandals. The rest of my flip flops all go in a box that is properly labeled of course!

  2. Summer Bags and Straw Totes

    Be sure to shake out any sand, pennies or receipts that are left in your bag before you put them away. I cannot tell you how many lipglosses I find at the end of the summer when putting my bags away. Higher end bags usually come with a bag to store purses in, so definitely use them when you pack them away. To make sure bags keep their shape, stuff tissue paper in them and stand them upright when putting them away.

  3. Summer Clothes

    Packing up my summer wardrobe usually takes a few days to complete because I like to have it all organized and easy to unpack the next summer. I take out all of my summer clothes and try to donate as much as I can. Then everything gets washed and properly folded. An extra step I take is to pack up my summer clothes by category. It is an unnecessary step, but when I am looking for clothes next spring, I will know exactly where to look. I put all of my shorts, tops and dresses, etc in separate bins making it easy to unpack next season.

  4. Keep An Empty Box Nearby

    I guarantee you that you will forget to pack up something. A tank top, shorts that got lost in your laundry pile or a flip to your flop. I keep an empty shopping bag or a bin in my closet so I can just throw some loose items I forgot to pack up.

Friday Favorites

Hello, friends! I am bringing back my Friday Favorites, where I share some of my favorite things of the week. As much as I love to share new products to try, new home decor or pretty flowers in my yard, it also gives me a reason to sit down and reflect on my week.

This week, we said goodbye to summer and experienced some crazy weather. I worked crazy hours at J. Crew the last few weeks because of Labor Day weekend and now I desperately need a vacation! I feel like we can’t catch a break with hurricane after hurricane. Forest fires, earthquakes and flooding to name a few. When natural disasters hit, it makes me take the time to appreciate the little things in life.

So here are my favorites this week…

New Arrivals from J. Crew Factory.… someone just cut up my credit card now because the new arrivals at J. Crew Factory are so cute!

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Little Peony… is my new go to color for transitioning into fall. It survived a full week working retail without one chip. Proof that this stuff is a miracle!

Black slide on mules from Target….I have been wearing them to work lately, and customers have been asking if they are Gucci (ha!)  I am making everyone I own get them because they are only $20.

Dinner from Trader Joe’s… I went to Trader Joe’s for the first time in a while because it is a bit of a hike for me. I stocked up on some easy dinners to make during the week and now I think I am going to have to buy these in bulk! I made dinner with the oven instead of the microwave for the first time in months… and it was quick, easy and delicious!

back to school style

Back To School Style

Hello, friends! I know it has been a while since I personally did some back to school shopping, but I can’t help but miss that part about fall. With fall weather creeping in, now is the time to start investing in some new fall clothes that give you that back to school vibe.

I love summer, but I get a little excited about fall fashion every year. Can a girl have too many sweaters, the answer is nope!

Here are a few pieces I am adding to my closet this fall to transition into colder weather.

Sweater Blazer A blazer, that feels like a sweatshirt. Yes! It is great for work because it is a bit more dressy than a cardigan, but still cozy for those chilly days we are about to have.

Over Sized Scarf Every year, I buy more scarves even though I have a ton. This year, camel is in, so this scarf is perfect for layering.

Golden Cuff Bracelet How cute is this bracelet? Perfect for stacking and the gold color is perfect for fall.

Wool Sidewalk Skirt These skirts are a closet staple and yes, you do need one in every color. It has this preppy, school vibe that I love. Style it with a basic t shirt, a statement necklace, viola and you look cute!

White Oxford Shirt The classic preppy statement piece that goes with every thing in your closet. I love button down shirts for work, because they make easy outfits. However, the oxford shirt gives it a nice preppy look.

Crystal Earrings and Leopard Flats Are the perfect additions to an outfit for fall. I was a little hesitant about leopard print because it can easily look tacky if not done correctly. Of course, J. Crew can do  no wrong.

Striped Shirt with a Twist How cute is this cuffed striped boatneck shirt?? Stripes are a classic, but I am in love with this cuff detail this season. This shirt with jeans and brown boots, it’s the perfect fall look.

Camel Teddy Sweater Remember when I said a girl can never have too many sweaters? Well, grab this sweater for the fall because it is cozy and goes with everything.

Chambray Short Sleeve Shirt A cool new look to the classic chambray shirt. Tuck it into black jeans and add some gold accessories to dress up the look.

Ruffle Sleeve T Shirt I love any t shirt that is a statement piece, but also has the comfort of a t shirt. I have this one in blue and white and wear it weekly. It is the perfect top to wear to work or out with friends. Did I mention it is a comfy t shirt??

 

 

what’s the deal with sulfate free shampoo?

As an adult, we make a lot of decisions in our life. From picking out our outfit for work in the morning, what we are making for dinner, and what type of car insurance we commit too. The last thing I want to do is stand in the shampoo aisle and pick out a shampoo. I know it seems silly, but do you realize how many options there are??? Luckily, I have been blessed by having companies send me shampoos or coupons towards them to try the last few months ,so I haven’t had to make that type of commitment.

I have been coloring my hair for about a decade, so picking the right shampoo is important to preserve my hair color and keep its shine.  My day is always significantly better when I am having a good hair day. I get compliments daily on my hair even when it is dirty and I have used an entire can of dry shampoo! My shiny, healthy and full head of hair is possible because I take reallly good care of my hair. Even after using heat tools almost daily, my hair shows little damage because I take care of it. This month, I am using Garnier Whole Blends shampoo to give my hair a break from chemicals and have pure, clean hair.

Switching to a sulfate-free shampoo is a good move for anyone who wants to keep their hair healthy, full and shiny especially if you color your hair. Sulfate-free shampoo preserves your natural hair oils leaving it feeling softer that when you use shampoos that strip your hair of good and bad oils. The only negative is that without the sulfates (which helps create the extra bubbles to help lathering easier) it is a bit difficult to wet my hair and scrub my hair with its normal amount of shampoo. I make two squirts of shampoo, one for on top of my head and another at my neck to make sure I wash all of my hair.

Sulfate-free shampoos can help to make your hair smoother, repairing dry, damaged hair, especially color treated hair. If you use a lot of hair products or always have greasy hair, try switching to a sulfate free shampoo. The shampoo can help strip away gunk left over from all of those products, but also keep the natural oils that keep your hair healthy, while getting rid of the oil that makes your hair greasy. This is a miracle worker for frizzy hair because instead of relying on products to tame the frizz, sulfate-free shampoo keeps the natural oils on your hair to tame the frizz naturally. Frizzy hair is often caused by dry hair after a shampoo strips away good and bad oils. Finally, if you have thin hair this can help create some body for you. Instead of your hair being weighed down by products or because it is dry, sulfate-free shampoo gives you that healthy hair with a bit of volume.

I encourage you to grab a bottle the next time you are in the shampoo aisle! I am in loooove with the coconut one and it makes my hair smell amazing!

Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale

aps2017_presale_top_mMark your calendars and set your alarms!

The Lilly Pulitzer After Party Sale dates have been announced! The sale starts Monday, August 28th and ends on the 30th, leaving you plenty of time to shop and fill your closet with lots of bright colors!

Lilly rarely goes on sale, so don’t think twice and add it to your cart because items sell out fast.

How to shop:

Lilly Pulitzer understands how much traffic their website gets during this once a year sale. To prevent the site from crashing, they have you wait in a virtual waiting room before you get access to the website to shop. In the past you have had to wait hours to minutes to get in… it all depends on what time you shop. Once it is your turn to shop, you will then have access to the sale page.

Shopping Tricks from the Pros:

Set up an account now before the sale and enter your address and billing info. That way you don’t have to fuss with your credit card trying to check out. Even though your items may be in your cart, there is no guarantee they will not sell out by the time you check out. If there is something you like, order it and then go back to shop again. Make sure you are logged into your account before you start to browse. Also, know your size before the sale starts.If you can, run into a Lilly store to try things on or look in your closet at Lilly you already own.

Don’t feel like dealing with all of the waiting in line? The sale is on Monday, so while you are at your desk at work, have the website up so you can wait in the virtual line. The sale lasts for a few days, giving you plenty of time to shop. I was able to buy a dress in my size on the last day of the sale last year so don’t get caught up in the virtual waiting line.

lilly pulitzer after party sale how to