a lovely living

Closets can be a sore subject to many because it’s easy to close a door on that hot mess and forget about it. But as I have spoken to many women about, a clean closet can set you up for success when it comes to getting dressed each and every morning. Locally, women actually have me in to their homes to tackle the mess of weeding out the old, organizing and giving them new ideas on what to mix and match within their current wardrobe. Sometimes it helps to have a fresh set of eyes on the things you look at daily to give you a thumbs up or down. That could even be a friend that you invite over, give a big glass of wine to and let her give you a yay or nay as you sort through your closet! Before we jump into the actual process of organizing your closet, we need to take the first step and declutter.

I get that this probably won’t be fun for you, but you’ll need to keep your eyes focused on the end result…a beautifully organized closet that holds only pieces that you look forward to wearing. Here’s my list of questions to ask yourself while you sort:

• Does it fit me?
• Does it flatter me (both in color and shape)?
• Have I worn it in the past year?
• Does it make me happy?
• Is it age appropriate?
• Does it suit my lifestyle? (I held on to my just out of college and entering the working world Express suits for 10 too many years!)

If you answer NO to any of these questions, it’s time to let it go. You can feel free to donate these things or pass them along to a consignment shop. I use ThreadUp regularly as I’ve found it to be the easiest process to get my unwanted pieces out of sight as quickly as possible. Trust me, I know that having a bed piled with unwanted clothing is not what you’re going for! If you haven’t used TheadUp, you can read about their process here. In short, they’ll send you a garbage sized bag that you fill and have your mail carrier pick up. They’ll sell your clothes and give you a cut of what they sell and donate any other items. Easy peasy.

Once you’ve tackled a major purge you’ll be able to upkeep your closet much more easily. Id say that I do a quick purge at least every other month. All it takes is 15-20 minutes of quickly browsing through and weeding out things you no longer find yourself drawn to. Don’t let yourself get emotionally attached…well, unless it’s your wedding gown or something of the sort ;)

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Once the hard part is over, you can start to organize the pieces that you actually enjoy wearing. Here are some steps I follow in organizing my own closet:

Hangers: If you’re using any wire hangers, toss them, now. They don’t do your clothing any favors ;) Stock up on plastic, wooden or non-slip hangers. I wish I could say mine all matched but I’m not there yet. Someday! When you hang your clothes, make sure they’re all hanging in the same direction.

Arranging: If you have a summer/winter closet or you store clothes and bring them out when seasons change, this won’t all apply to you, but you’ll get the gist. I have all of my clothes in our closet, outside of my jeans, sweaters, t-shirts and pj’s which are kept in dresser drawers. I first have everything separated by type. Dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, short sleeved tops and long sleeved tops. From those sections I take things a step further and group them by similarities, ie flannel/plaid shirts, chambray, solids. You can even go a step more, let your OCD fly and group by color! And then you’ll have to send me a pic so I can give you a cyber hug ;) The big upside to tackling this step (in addition to having an organized closet) is that it will be much more visually appealing and allow you to quickly see what you have on hand. And in turn you’ll be able to put outfits together much more easily than before. I frequently find a top I want to wear and run it past all my pants or skirts until I hit the right match, which doesn’t take long at all since I have them all in one place.

Organizing: Everyone’s closet is set up differently, so when it comes to organizing things like jewelry and scarves each set up will be unique. You could take a quick trip into Target or even better, The Container Store if you have one and I’m sure you’d find more than enough options to get your goods in order. I love these shelf dividers as well as these stackable jewelry boxes. Here are a few fun things I came across on Pinterest that I thought would be handy:

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If you have the extra wall space, which doesn’t need to be large, you could easily utilize it by hanging your jewelry or scarves. I’m not the only one with an overwhelming amount of scarves am I?!

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I love all of these uses for inexpensive S-hooks! These hooks could really be used on any type of bar, and in any area of your home for that matter!

Once you’ve purged and sorted and organized and have everything in place, you’ll be able to enjoy your own personal store, where everything just so happens to fit perfectly! You’ll also save yourself precious minutes getting ready in the morning and you’ll have a much better chance of working together an outfit that you actually enjoy wearing and feel confident stepping out of the house in! That’s the real point of all of this. Not to have an organized space that no one other than you (and maybe your spouse) see, but to create and keep in place a process that keeps you feeling your best. Now, hold on to that thought as you grab your garbage bags and get to it ;)

Ready to get this week started, ladies?! I need some coffee, but I’ll be good to go shortly ;) Thank you all for your feedback on last Friday’s Dressing Room Diaries post. Sometimes I have it in my head ‘don’t post the unprofessional, snap-shotty photos, Marisa‘, but as my husband reminded me, that’s real life! And as thankful as I am to have his talent behind the camera for the majority of my posts, it’s good to keep things real and raw too. I’m going to see how I can work more of those posts into my schedule around here. It would help if we had a few more stores to actually visit in person (ahem, central PA!), but I’ll work with what I can! But again, thanks for your feedback. I’m glad to hear it was a beneficial post for you!

This utility jacket was one that I brought home from LOFT and I’m so glad I did! (PS, they extended their sale through today, 40% off the store!) I layered it over this thermal peplum that you saw before here. It’s currently on sale in a few colors and it’s a top that I turn to on a regular basis. Oh and these super fun booties that I broke out for the first time since last fall are also on sale. I love the theme around here lately, sale, sale, sale!!

Details: LOFT jacket / Free People thermal top (here and here) / JBrand jeans (similar) / Booties / Madewell Tote

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Happy Friday, all!! Today’s post is a little different, but I had a good time with this one, so I’m hoping you like it! I realize that each of you lead different lifestyles, so an easy way for me to be able to show you a variety of looks is to snap them from the dressing room! That or I buy everything and return it, but that just doesn’t seem right ;) Yesterday I spent a little time in LOFT because they are having one of their 40% off sales (including Lou & Grey!) and they have a TON of spring pieces out. The saleswoman must have known I meant business because she stuck me in the big dressing room which allowed me all the room I needed to capture these looks. Granted, they are iphone shots, but I think they turned out fairly decent. So let’s jump in and I’ll share with you everything I tried on!

This dress is just adorable! The stripes, the off the shoulder and the ruffles to boot! Perfect for spring/summer showers or brunches with friends. If I could fill my closet with dresses, this would be a part of it!

I love the shape of this wrap dress. Black is not my color, but for those of you that rock black, you should give this one a try. I’d love it paired with some fun earrings and a bright (pink?) heel.

Another adorable dress that I loved paired with…

…this jacket. It would also look cute with a statement necklace or a scarf as well as some fun wedges for spring.

This navy dress was the last one that I tried on. The sleeves totally had me all heart eyed and the shape is very relaxed and comfortable. I love it paired with boots, but again cute wedges or even some white converse would be adorable!

On to one of two cold shoulder looks. This sweater is SO pretty in person. It also comes in a light pink, but the dark green was just stunning. I paired it with these frayed skinny pants which have a zipper detail you can see in another shot below.

Here’s a closer look at the detail. Super fun for a date night or girls night!

Here’s another cold shoulder top that’s a little better for everyday. Lightweight and pretty, it could be dressed up with a bright pair of trousers or thrown on this summer with some cut-off’s!

A closer look at the details of the top which is again paired with these bottoms.

Moving on to a relaxed look, this Lou & Grey top is extremely soft and comfortable as is just about every piece in their collection. Here you can see the zipper detail on the pants I was wearing above.

The top has a bit of a high-low hem which I love.

If you’re looking for a bell sleeve, you need to hit up LOFT because they have a ton! I grabbed this striped blue henley to try and threw it on with this cute denim skirt. For me personally, the skirt felt a bit too long for my liking. However, if you’re in a professional environment, the length is probably perfect ;)

Pairing the top with a pair of denim and a scarf felt much more up my alley!

This casual outfit was totally me and my everyday. I love the frayed bottom on the jeans, the super soft t-shirt and the utility jacket which was one that I had listed for you on Wednesday’s post. And despite the fact that I have this anorak that I rave about, I took this one home with me as well because the fit was very different (even if my husband begs to differ!). This one from LOFT fits more like an extra shirt, much more fitted, as opposed to the anorak which is roomy enough to allow me to layer sweaters etc. underneath. You get it, right? ;)

Not to leave you hanging without a loungy look, these Lou & Grey sweats are what naps were made for! You seriously need to try them. Had I not already had two other pairs of grey Lou & Grey sweats I certainly would have bought these! Paired with a bright, fun and comfy tank and the utility jacket, all that was missing were my sneakers ;)

So, which look is your favorite? What styles are you most drawn to? I hope this was helpful for all of you. As much enjoyment as I get out of blogging, it’s really here as a resource for you, so if there’s anything you’re ever interested in, shoot me a message and let me know. I love hearing from you all!

LOFT’s sale is going on now both online and in store so make sure you check it out and let me know what you find!

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Today I have narrowed down my favorites (thus far) in the spring jacket department for you. As the post began to shape for me, I ended up grouping them into categories because there were more than one or two of each type that I wanted to share. This way, it gives all of your different personalities more options to chose from! Here’s the breakdown:

Cargo: Utility/military/anorak all sort of fall into this same category, so feel free to call it what you choose! You saw me wearing this one last week and heard me rave about how wonderful it (or anything of the sort) is. The green works with just about everything and the weight of these jackets are perfect for the spring weather but also leave room for layering. One of these in addition to a denim jacket would be on must have list for sure!

Moto: Moto jackets are very popular right now. I love that they can go from a laid-back camo style (perfect to pair with denim in any shade) to a draped faux suede (to take your outfit up a notch or for a night out layered over a dress) or a comfy knit (that could be paired with some cute joggers), they really run the gamut!

Denim: In case you don’t already have a go-to denim jacket, you might want to make this your season to grab one! And if you do own one, you may want to add another one in a different wash or color. Just do me a favor and don’t settle until you find one that fits like a glove. You’ll love it (and wear it) that much more!

Bomber: These are very on trend right now. I don’t have one, but I just saw this one as I was working on this post and I love its shape and adore that it comes in ‘rose’. I also found this one in an adorable polka-dot print at a great price point! A white tee, high waisted denim topped with a bomber feels so Grease-like doesn’t it? Although, they all wore skirts, didn’t they? Well, an updated Grease then ;) I love it!

Windbreaker: I love how these would tie in perfectly with the athleisure trend right now, or when you’re running to the gym, obviously. They’d also fair well as rain jackets which we know we’ll be needing shortly! I’m quite smitten over the color of this one!

Check out my selection below and let me know what you have, what you love and what you may give a try!!

There aren’t a ton of items in my closet that I’d refer to as must-have’s, but this anorak jacket is certainly one of them! You likely saw me wear it all fall long and I briefly broke it out this past week as we enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather, and it’ll certainly be out all spring as well. If you don’t have anything similar in your closet, you should check this one out because it’s 40% off at the moment (and stocked in all sizes!). It’s a staple for sure in my wardrobe!

This top is another great piece that’s wonderful for now but will work well in spring as it’s rather lightweight. Oh, and it’s $12! I receive a lot of questions about SheIn apparel as many are unfamiliar with them. They do send me pieces that I select every so often to review, but I only wear items that I feel are worth sharing. When browsing their site, here are a few quick tips that I use myself. Read the reviews. They can be very helpful in determining fit, color, sizing etc., especially when pictures are included. I tend to hold off on anything that has yet to be reviewed or that I haven’t read about from other bloggers. Also, check the material so that you know what you’re getting, it can be difficult to tell by the picture alone. I tend to follow the you get what you pay for motto, but have been pleasantly surprised by many of the pieces that I have received from SheIn and I also do my best to include pieces at a range of price points on my blog as to appeal to a broader range of readers. I’d compare their pieces more to an Old Navy, rather than Gap or Anthropologie, but again, that’s their price point. Hopefully you’ll find this helpful when shopping next!

Details: SheIn top c/o / BP jacket / JCrew jeans (similar) / Boots (similar)

I got this overalls last year and they’ve gotten much more wear than I had originally expected. With spring ahead of us, I’m thinking I may want to grab another pair. Maybe white? But I have kids…so maybe a lighter wash? That could probably work. Or possibly a cropped pair? Oh, decisions! I’m thinking of pairing them with fun spring jackets and fresh sneakers (you saw Wednesday’s post, right?). They are such a fun alternative to basic jeans and they seem to be gaining popularity instead of waning, which is good news for those of you that already have them! I joked on Snapchat yesterday, but in all seriousness, use caution when you’re using the bathroom….those straps are wild!! ;)

Details: Madewell overalls (similar) / JCrew tee (similar) / Target sweater / Booties / Madewell tote / Scarf (similar)

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I can’t help but think spring with the warm-ish weather we’ve been having lately. I even switched out my wreath on our front door, only to notice that I still had some pine remnants sitting in the bucket beside it, haha. The kids have been swinging and riding their bikes and I don’t want to ruin their fun knowing that there’s a very good chance they could be back in their snow pants before the season ends! With all of the activity going on, new sneakers have been on my mind. I love that sneakers are so hot right now because I always love cute but I certainly love comfortable! I have this pair from last year and they are still in great shape, but I’d love to add something like these slip-ons which would be great as I constantly run in and out of the house all day. I also love the high-top style of these sneakers (I apparently have a thing for Ked’s lately!), which is subtle enough for my personal style. I still have some narrowing down to do, as you can see…

Sorry for the short week last week! The end of our week turned a bit hectic and I ended up being out of town for a couple of days. The upside was that I was able to visit one of my favorite friends, her two sweet kiddos and amazingly adorable three month old! Goodness how I love baby snuggles and her little guy sure knows how to give them! Don’t worry, no baby fever here though ;) We’ve been friends since our oldest children were only a few weeks old and we met in a new moms group. There’s something to say about those groups of women that you walk through those first few months and then years with as a new mom! They get to see you experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows….or is that just me?! Over the next two months I’ll get to see my sister and SIL experience the birth’s of their first children and I’m so darn excited for them! Although the first is always a bit of a challenge because it’s all so new to you (I remember thinking, ‘these nurses are sending me home with this baby and I’m to keep it alive how?!’), it’s also an amazing, life altering event that earns you one of the most rewarding titles, Mom :)

Going off on a bit of tangent here….I found myself recently responding to another mom that I was a full-time mom and then I always pause and debate whether I should add in the fact that I blog and take on various projects here and there. Basically as an attempt to reassure her that I’m not just a mom. I hate that I always feel slightly awkward after a conversation like that because being just a mom is one of the hardest, most draining, emotionally challenging jobs on this earth. I have half-jokingly said to my husband on a number of occasions that I needed an out of the house job that I could basically run to! I don’t say this to be arrogant, because I am so very thankful that I am able to be home with my children while they are young, and I know that’s not always an option for everyone. I do say this though, to the many women who are home raising children and may not feel appreciated. Being a mom is hard! But it’s also one of the most rewarding positions one could have. There are more good moments that out weight the bad (most days), and watching my 1.5 year old play peek-a-boo while looking right through her own fingers can totally distract me from the fact that I haven’t washed my hair in three days ;) If you aren’t connected to a group of women you can lean on however, you need to reach out and find them! It honestly takes a village, and I couldn’t do it without mine! And whether you work in the house or out of it, high five to you! Motherhood is one heck of a ride but I’m happy to be on it with so many of you ;)

And this all relates to the outfit in absolutely no way at all, haha! But you know me and ruffles, and this top being mainly cotton with a touch of spandex means it’s super comfortable, not to mention adorable. Being that it’s still technically winter I tried to keep it somewhat seasonal with black denim, but the 60 degree temps allowed me to pair it with a denim jacket. I can’t wait to pair it with my pink pants or distressed denim or navy trousers….it’s going to be on repeat for sure!

Being President’s Day and all, I wanted to also share some of the great sales going on, so be sure to scroll down to check out what’s happening!!

Details: Ruffled top / Denim jacket (similar)/ AG denim (similar here and here) / Booties / Stella & Dot Necklace (similar here and here)

President’s Day Sales:

Ann Taylor: 40% of full priced items and extra 50% off sale with code: WEEKEND

Anthropologie: Extra 40% off sale items

ASOS: 205 off site wide with code: PREZ20

Banana Republic: 40% off purchase, some exclusions

Gap: 40% off plus free shipping with code: PRESDAY

ILY Couture: 20% off site wide with code: PRESIDENT

JCREW: 30% off purchase

Madewell: 30% off sale styles with code: MOODLIFT

Old Navy: 35% off purchase with code: HUGE

With Valentine’s Day just behind us and a Pinterest board filling in this hue, it was clear that I was to do a little ‘blush inspo’ post. Blush pink tops the charts in just about any season for me, although with spring on it’s way, it’s sure to be making a statement over the next few months. It’s so soft and feminine and it can work in the most casual or dressy of ways. These suede sneakers would be adorable with some distressed denim and a cute white tee, or with a fun mini skirt and denim jacket once the temps rise. This sweet dress is on sale and would be perfect for any upcoming showers you may have on your calendar. Oh, and these booties, I don’t even have words…I just wish they were in my closet currently, waiting for the snow to melt! I know backpacks have been big lately, but this one might have finally sold me. What do you think? Which of these might you not be able to live without??

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Can I just throw it out there that titling blog posts might be the most difficult task of this whole blogging thing?! I can easily edit photos, draft a post and then stare blankly at the title for I don’t know how long. Sometimes (often) I go with the obvious, sometimes it’s witty….and then once in a while I’ll ask my husband. In this case, his response involved something along the lines of sexy and scarf, lol! Not exactly what I was going for but thanks babe ;)

This past weekend we enjoyed some beautiful weather which was warm enough to go coat free. I recently got this scarf (which I’m hoping comes back in stock!) which will make a perfect transition piece into spring. I’m basically over shopping for winter (unless there’s an amazing deal to score), and I’m turning my attention on what I’ll be wearing in the upcoming months. I’m all over stripes lately as well, so I’m planning on ordering this cute striped tee to layer with scarves and jackets. And since this scarf is unavailable at the moment, I started to search for a few others to share and had trouble narrowing them down! Hi, I’m Marisa and I’m a scarf-aholic ;)

Details: BP scarf (see options below) / Striped shirt (similar) / Denim (similar) / Boots (similar) / Target sweater / Bag

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