Taking Back Control of Your Closet & Style

If you've been following along this year, you know that Fashion Fix has become a sponsor of Divorcing Divas.  This is an organization who provides tools and resources to women experiencing difficult life change due to divorce.  DD connects divorcing women to financial advisers, mediators, counselors, attorneys, beauty advisers, and more.  Their mission is to provide "...encouragement, inspiration, and empowerment to people going through the difficult process of divorce.  Through support, education, resources and hope, we show divorcees that they can find life ~ and a good life ~ on the other side. It's not the end... it's the beginning."  

It's a perfect fit for Fashion Fix who's mission is "...to empower women & build confidence..."

As a sponsor I have the privilege of speaking at the support meeting (meet-up), that is held once a month.  Last week we talked 'dumping the frump', my favorite subject!  How do you take back control of your closet and style when times are tough?

1. You’re Either In, Or You’re Out 
First start with your self!  There has to be acceptance of your self.  Acceptance of who are, where you are at, and where you want to go.  In order to be your best self you have love your self!

Then you can move on to your wardrobe :)  Editing and organizing your closet can show you more than how many pairs of shoes you have.  Sifting through clothes can reveal cuts, colors, styles, brands, etc that you have found to love or hate.  If you start to purge your closet and see that you own more sweatpants than real pants, you may have found to cause of your frump!

2. Get A Dress Code
Whether you are at the beginning, middle or ‘end’ of your transformation you are in a constant state of change.  Find style that helps you keep moving on to the next step.  Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue, has had the same hair cut since she was 15!  If the worlds most influential  fashion leader has a uniform you can have one too!

Find a garment that makes you feel comfortable and confident.  Then reinvent it till you are ready for the next style step.

3. Do It Different, Don’t Be Different 
Be your best self, stop being disappointed that you can’t be someone else.  One woman’s style is another woman’s inspiration.  Pinterest, blogs, and magazines should be used to inspire you to try different looks and trends.  But it’s okay to do it different, wear trends and styles in ways that fit your body and your life.

Start by restyling the wardrobe you already have! 

Do you need help?  Does executing these 3 steps sounds tiresome and difficult?  It's okay, Fashion Fix is here!  Link up {here}, and read more about in-home style consultations offered.

Want to hire Fashion Fix at a discount?  Register for one of the upcoming Styled Right Workshops!

April 17th - Edina

register {here}

April 25th - Apple Valley/Rosemount/Eagan
register {here}

May 1st - Bloomington
register {here}

May 29th - Richfield
register {here}

Keep In Touch

facebook  //  twitter  //  instagram

Organizing: Scarfs & Belts

Does the before picture look like something that might exists in your closet?  If at least 75% of the readers can't relate I'd be surprised.  I say this because about 100% of the clients I work with struggle organizing their accessories, specifically their scarfs.  Not so much their belts, well... because my clients don't own enough belt!  Shame on them, if you know me you know I love belts.  You can see more post on that topic {here}.

Let's get this in better shape!  I started by scraping the whole situation.  I took down the hook and got rid of the hangers the scarfs were "organized" on.  Then I was left with this mound :)

Then I picked up these two things; velcro stickies that are used to hang picture frames and an over the door clear shoe organizer.  Note that you want to get stickies that hold enough weight to keep up what you are storing.  So for belts I like to use stickies that hold up to 12 lbs!

Next, instillation.  I followed the instructions exactly on the packaging, I didn't not want these suckers falling down!  I placed the stickies on the shoe organizer first.  This insures the placement will match up to the door.

And I used a lot of stickies!  Again, I can not stress enough how I did not want this to fall.  I put stickies on each row on both sides.  After I stuck it to the closet door I let it sit empty for about an hour.  The adhesive needs to bind to the door and the shoe organizer before you put weight on it.

Why did I use stickies to instal and not just use the door hangers?  Because the closet door would not close flush with the hooks and the hooks were really ugly when the door was closed!

After the adhesive from the stickies set for an hour I organized the scarfs and belts into the pockets.

It was life changing for this client to be able see all the scarfs and belts she owns!  Now she wears many of them more than before, and she can clearly see which ones she isn't wearing so she can edit them out with no worrying!  I say organizing your space is the first step in being styled right everyday.  For more organizing tips link up to other blog posts {here}.

Don't forget to come by the Wild Ruffle Pop Up Shop this Saturday and see the Fashion Fix table!  For event details link up {here}!

See You Next Season

Last week I taught my first open class in Prescott, WI.  I have to say, it was my happy place!  Getting a group of women together to connect, engage, and empower each other is an amazing feeling.  We talked about closet organization, productive shopping, and how to style.  Everybody came excited and ready to ask questions, which is exactly what I wanted!  

Fashion Fix's mission is to empower women with education and resource.  Anytime I am with a single client or a large group it is my goal to create a safe and non-threatening environment for women to ask questions.   To write about all the topics brought up that night, I 'd have to publish a book (hmm... an idea?)  Instead let's discuss a question one woman asked that is relevant to now. 

What do you pack away & what do you keep seasonally?

This was a great inquiry because whether you are living in a small one bedroom with a tiny closet, or sharing your closet with a significant other it can get cramped.  Rotating seasonal pieces can help keep your wardrobe organized and productive.  But what do you swap?

Think about fabrication.  You don't have a pack away all your light colored or cotton pants for the Fall and Winter.  Just stow your linen pants.  The piece on the left would be great with navy blazer and pair oxfords or some ankle booties!

Knit dresses are another great garment that can transition well into the cooler months.  The color-blocked dress on the left was a summer buy.  Pair it with some tights and boots, and I see it looking great in October!  But, your light floral printed dresses could probably go into the storage unit for the Winter.

Here is another great example of fabrication, plus color.  I love green, especially if you are a blonde; it looks great on you!  Layering all year round can really style up an outfit.  So keep your cardigans around for all seasons.  But pack away any light weight or linen layers.  You can still wear a knit cotton sweater in the Fall and Winter :)

Maxi dresses and skirts are hot, hot, hot!  People can not get enough of them, so how can you wear this trend in more than just Summer and Spring?  It's all about neckline and layers.  Maxi dresses that are strapless or tank style, keep.  One's that have a halter, pack.  Then pair it with a great jacket or cardigan and your are ready for Fall!

Layering pieces are needed ALL THE TIME!  Sleeveless shells and tanks are essentials for every season.  But there are limits to which ones you should be wearing when.  I love floral prints, they stand out beautifully under cardigans and blazers.  However, the print on the right has a little too much of a Hawaiian inspiration for Fall and Winter.  But the tank on the left would be perfect with a navy blazer, skinny jeans and tall riding boots.  Pack one, keep the other!


This and so much more is talked about at workshops and classes that Fashion Fix leads.  To keep updated on when the next class is and where it is link up to the Fashion Fix facebook page!  I can tell you right now that this Saturday, 9/28 I will be at Second Debut in St Louis Park leading a FREE workshop.  Link up {here} to see details.




photo credit: kaboodle.com, us.asos.com, loft,com, polyvore,com, girls-4-god.blogspot.com, refinery29.com, marieclaire,.com, alexprss.com, ebay.com, buckle,com

Tweenage Wasteland

So maybe this closet re-org isn't as dramatic as a wasteland.  But, I am sure some of you out there feel like your 10-13 year old's dressing space has a liking to a nuclear explosion site....

You may have popped by the blog a couple of weeks ago when I posted pictures of a closet Fashion Fix did that belonged to a very cute 6 year old.  If not, you can catch up on that one {here}.  It was a great workshop that taught her how to put away clean laundry, keep a clean room, and get dressed by her self (properly).  Thankfully Ms. Mom of that cutie was happy with our work, so she invited us back to help her older daughter get control of her clothes and closet.  Working with a 10 year old, who is going on 20 years old, is much different than working with a 6 year old.  Different goals, different priorities and a lot more clothes!

Girls in this stage are in what could be an awkward in between.  They may not be taking care of their possessions in a favorable way, still have things in their closet that are "kiddish", and want to have a more teen like room.  That's where we come in!  Take a look below, see how me helped this young gal start to make a transition from child to teen....

What we did is implement a few easy to follow guidelines.  First is toys come out of the closet.  This is the age where girls are starting get more into shopping, if they haven't already ;)  They are accumulating clothes and accessories that will have a longer shelf life in their wardrobe.  Make room for them, otherwise dis-organization and overflow will come out of no where; and fast!

Second, get rid of any organization tools or systems that take up room.  Trust me, they just become another place to accumulate junk.  Last, help them categorize their clothes.  Honestly as an adult you should be doing this too!  It helps you see just how many cardigans, tees, dresses, legging, etc that you own.  This way when you go shopping you are buying things that you need, and not just the same of what you own.

Now I am not claiming to be any miracle worker here.  But you know that children some how magically hear messages from others that just don't seem to sink in when delivered by a parent.  That's what we are here for.  Let the professionals come and help your tweenager or young one learn about organization and the importance of taking care of your things.

Fashion Fix offers closet re-organization for children ages 6 - 14, for more information email lindsey@fashionfixmn.com.  Rates vary from traditional closet re-organization.


To have style and organization tips dropped right to your inbox, sign up to follow by email.

My First Big Girl Closet!

If you follow Fashion Fix on Facebook, or check out the website often, you already know that I had my youngest client yet!  It was incredibly fun, and she was too cute to even handle.  What makes working with a lady this young so different from working with a lady of age, is that there was a lot more teaching to be done.  You could say we spent the afternoon doing a closet workshop!  I started by having her show me how everything was organized, what clothes she wore the most, how she put away her laundry, etc.  My favorite part was when she showed me how her dresser drawers were kept and she said, "...it's okay they're messy, that's how I make everything fit." 

So what are the steps to cleaning up a child's closet?

1. Mom, you gotta go!  I have seen countless children's closets with mom's extra stuff stored in them.  If you want your son or daughter to take ownership and responsibility for their room; it's gotta be their room.  Which means you can not commandeer their space.  Handbags and dresses went back into the master bedroom.

2. Create intentional storage.  I know that kids have hand-me-downs that don't quite fit yet, and costumes from Halloween past, but don't just leave them a mess in the corner.  At minimum, $5 plastic bins will do the trick.

3. Categorize their clothes.  This will help them put away laundry with ease and get dressed quicker in the morning.  Why, because they can find everything!  Oh, and give them a step stool to reach if they are not yet tall enough.

4. Thin out the dresser.  More clothes should be hanging than you think.  When the drawers are too full and piles are folded too high there is no way it's going to stay organized.  Dressers should be for play/grubby clothes, socks, undies and pajamas.

5. Give them some help.  Even as adults keeping socks and underwear organized is a trick.  Get some drawer dividers to keep everything in it's place.

6. Toys belong with toys, and books belong with books.  We had to spend some time cleaning up her bookshelf so we could put away what had piled up on top of the dresser.  You gotta do it, when things have their place they are more likely to get put away there.


What does the child learn?

1. How to put away laundry.
2. How to clean up their room.
3. How to get dressed independently.

Why is this a good investment?

1. You can stop buying bulk Advil.  You won't have such a headache when you walk into your child's room, it won't be so messy.
2. You can read more of your Oprah/InStyle/Lucky magazine.  You won't have to spend so much time putting away your son or daughter's laundry, they can do it them selves now!
 3. You can enjoy your morning coffee.  These tikes will be able to get dressed with out screaming "Mom...where's my _____!" every 5 seconds.
4. Your kids don't always listen to you.  It's a fun fact that when some messages come from someone else they are miraculously heard ;)


Fashion Fix offers closet re-organization for children ages 6 - 12, for more information email lindsey@fashionfixmn.com.  Rates vary from traditional closet re-organization.


To have style and organization tips dropped right to your inbox, sign up to follow by email.

Plates; Not just for dinner...

Accessorizing is one of the BIGGEST struggles my clients have.  It's the missing link between just wearing some clothes and looking like you put together an outfit.  Layering on jewelry can take a look from casual to styled.  When clients tell me they don't know how to accessorize, they're wrong.  The real problem is that they can't find their accessories!  Once I get their jewelry out and organized, their eyes turn big and bright.  Clients see pieces they forgot they had and get excited to wear things that they haven't even taken the tags off of.

I get it.  It's hard to get it all cleaned out and organized, but try to think outside the box a little though.  Jewelry boxes don't always do the trick, and frankly they're ugly most of the time, with not very much storage.  So what do I use, dinner plates and serving trays!  You can use dinnerware for much more, such as business cards.  I just taped it off, painted it, and voila! 

Why does this work?  I am glad you asked!  First you can configure the storage how ever you want.  You are not restricted to store rings and necklaces to how a jewelry box might be designed.  The white background helps the color on the jewelry pop and it makes your jewelry look more interesting.  Also it it gives you more space so pieces don't get hidden by others or get tangled together.

What I used...

Buy {here}

Buy {here}

Buy {here}

Happy organizing,

Lindsey

To get organizing and styling tips delivered directly to you sign up to follow by email.  If you want to win give-aways or take advantage of special offers, click "join this site" and become a member!