How to get the most out of your wardrobe.

I chose the above quote for this blog because Macbeth and Lady Macbeth´s “clothing” is actually Macbeth´s new title of Thane of Cawdor. At this early stage in the play, they are thankful that they have the title and are not being greedy at this point. Let’s connect that with us literally buying our favorite pieces and caring for them so that they last and are not cast aside so quickly. (Am I reaching? Lol…just roll with me.)

Ok…we love are clothes and we want them to last. How do we do that? Let me give you a few tips on how to do exactly that.

Skirt: Gucci (about 4 years old)

READ THE LABELS:

Those labels are there for a reason. Make sure to check and see if your garment can actually be washed, or if it should be dry-cleaned. If you’ve ever washed something that should have been dry-cleaned, then you know about the possible catastrophic events that can ensue. Washing on the delicate cycle is always a safe bet, as well as mesh bags. I love mesh bags. They are perfect for delicates and anything else that may need extra tender love and care. Another thing you can do is air dry your garment. The dryer can cause shrinkage and put unnecessary heat on your clothes that may ruin them. So air drying is your best friend.

Sweater: Zara (last year) Jeans: Zara

Shoes: Miu Miu, Socks: Gucci

PROPER STORAGE:

How you store your clothes will add to their longevity . For example, hanging up your skirts and pants on proper hangers is something you should do. The right hangers can preserve the shape of your clothes, providing you hang them properly. I really like to use those special skirt hangers. You can also use velvet hangers that will prevent your dresses and shirts from slipping off the hangers, which can be really irritating. Also, keep in mind, some things should not be hung. For instance, cashmere sweaters. Hanging them might cause them to become misshapen, so I would suggest folding them.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY:

I realize that fast fashion is very tempting, and can be a good choice if you want to try a trend before investing in it. However, don’t overlook the fact that investing in quality pieces will stand the test of time. Often times, these fast fashion pieces are very inexpensive, and when you wash them, they fall apart. Threads start unraveling, hems come apart, discoloration, etc. So, what happens is, you end up wearing the item once or twice and you’re back ordering again. Contrast this with investing in a quality piece that costs more, but it will stand the test of time and you will get your cost per wear out of it….which leads me to my next point.

Boots: Alexander Mcqueen

COST PER WEAR:

Cost per wear simply means the cost of the item divided by how much you wear it. Now, don’t let the math intimidate you…lol. The basic premise is the value of the item is directly related to how much you wear it. If you follow this rule, you will be able to justify that high price tag, because you are getting the maximum amount of wear out of said item. I put this equation to the test when I purchase items that are pricey, but I know I will reach for it time and time again.

Well, those are a few of my tips. I hope I could help. Let me know some things you do, to get the most out your wardrobe.

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

View fullsize

My real life version of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood…

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”

— William Shakespeare

Sherri and I at my Sweet Sixteen birthday party.

There is a quote that says something like friends are your chosen family. OMG, how true is that. Many of us wish we could trade some of our family members in for a new and improved version of the same person….or take an even more drastic approach…..lbvs. However friends are different. We get to choose who we want to create memories and experience life with. And if you’re lucky, you and your best friend will have chosen each other. I have been lucky to find mine.

Over 40 years of friendship, that’s a rare gift! That’s how long my best friend and I have been friends. We used to live across the street from each other when we were just little girls. Fun fact: We’re actually just six days apart (I’m older), and were born in the same hospital. Our mothers were also friends before we were born. After we met, we were virtually inseparable. Even though we never went to the same schools growing up, we managed to do everything together. Where you saw one, you saw the other. “Oh…that must be Sherri and DeAnne”, or “DeAnne and Sherri are behind this”. It was like we were looked at as one entity instead of two distinct people.

In our very early twenties…..

Most people usually think of best friends partying and going out all of the time, and the two of us have definitely done our share of that. From teenagers to young adult women, we had a great time traipsing Chicago´s party scene…partying from the north to the southside…(we didn’t party too much on the west side….but we had our fun everywhere else…lol.) However, the extraordinary part of our friendship can be seen where we have gone through life’s major trials and triumphs supporting each other even after I moved halfway across the world. You see, throughout our friendship, there have been countless times where even though we were separated because of various stages in our lives, and because of tremendous distance, we have always reconnected like we have never been apart, never missing a beat, and many, many times wearing nearly the same outfit at the same time! :-)

In our forties……..

The cool fact is, we’ve just always been in sync. Even though I’ve been living in Europe for years, this has not lessened our friend/sistership in the slightest. In fact, it has grown. We have the best conversations via text, email, and through these apps such as Voxer, etc.., that can last for days. And even though we’ve been the greatest fiends for over 40 years, we still find out new things about each other, and we support the evolution and growth that we have experienced. It’s a rare thing to find a person to accept you as you grow and evolve…..with your evolving beliefs about the world and the people in it…..and we have spectacularly done this, without ever missing a beat.

View fullsize

I started this blog with a quote….so I´ll end it the same way…..with a quote I found on Pinterest. “ Some people just “click”. There aren’t many people in life that you just click with, and when you find those people, you just don’t let them go.”

Message to my BFF:

They hate us ‘cause the ain´t us. :-)))

Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment about you and your BFF!

XOXO

How dapper are you? An easy but effective way to add style to your fall wardrobe.

“I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit. Put your bonnet to his right use. ‘Tis for the head.”

— Hamlet Act V, ii

I know, I know…..sometimes you just don’t have the energy or patience to plan out a fabulous outfit. You just want to throw something on and go. However, if you’re a bit like me, you like to at least look like you’ve put some effort into your outfit, even if you really haven’t. If the latter is the case, I have THE perfect solution. Think about donning a fall cap. It can transform a plain outfit into something snazzy in one fell swoop.

The outfit I’m wearing in this post is a prime example. It´s basically a black turtleneck from Zara, and some blue jeans from Dolce and Gabbana that I’ve had for a while. I added this totally rad belt from Alexander McQueen that I’ve had for ages, and my cute gold chain Gucci purse. The belt and the purse are easy ways to add some pizazz to an otherwise simple outfit. The leather jacket and hat are the icing on the cake.

Drum roll please…………This cool hat is from H&M´s men‘s department. So, gals, don’t forget to check out the men’s section for things to wear. It‘s like doubling your search field….:-)

Let me know what your favorite fall mad hatter styles are down in the comment section. I´d love to know!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

2019 Trend Alert: Making a statement with statement sleeves!

Dress: Zara, Bag: Fendi , Necklaces: Dylanlex Palm cuff: Gucci

Headband: Cult Gaia Socks: Gucci Shoes: Louis Vuitton

Puffs. Tiers. Ruffles. Ruching. The statement sleeve trend this season has got you covered. Literally. Whether you are going grocery shopping or going to a gala, there is a sleeve that will suit the occasion. Some people may feel that this trend is just too unwearable, that it only looks good on the runway. Let me just shout a resounding NO to that. At every price point, you can find a sleeve to fit your comfort level. There are poofs, puffs, and ruffles of various sizes to fit the statement you’re going for. Take a look at my first outfit below.

This fabulous khaki-colored dress from Zara has sleeves that aren’t that extreme, however they still make a statement. It´s a very wearable way to dip your toe into the swimming pool of this trend. If you want to dive into that pool and do a few laps, check out my next outfit.

This Cynthia Rowley dress has glorious statement sleeves. I could hide this cat in them, and no one would know….lol. These ballon sleeves will instantly elevate your look and take your outfit to a whole new level. Believe it or not, this is actually a summer dress. Pairing it with jeans and combat boots extends the life of this outfit, allowing me to wear it in the fall and winter. I believe in getting as much cost per wear from the outfits I wear, and this is how it can be done.

If you haven’t already, try this trend this season. Make a statement without saying a word. Let me know how you’ve styled your statement sleeves!

Thank you for stopping by! XOXO!