Maybe you like to have late-night fashion shows in front of your mirror before big events. Or perhaps you prefer picking out your shoes in the morning as opposed to the night before with the rest of your look — just to be a little spontaneous. If it works for you, then keep doing it! There are some habits that you don’t have to kick. Here are mine, all in the name of good fashion, and I plan on keeping them around.

I walk in my next-day heels the night before. I have a whole lot of shoes. (Bet you never could have guessed!) But my favorite kind of shoe is most definitely heels. Nothing can pull together a look like a perfect pump or a serious wedge. However, all heels were not made equal. They are of different heights, heel widths and materials. Walking well in one pair does not guarantee you can strut in another. Therefore, the night before I wear them, I make sure to walk around my house a little bit to let my feet get reacquainted with their old friends. I always feel steadier the next day. Practice makes perfect, right?

After I go shopping, I go home and try it all on. We’ve all had one of those crazy moments at the store where we think an outfit looks so fabulous on us. But then we get home and wonder, What was I thinking when I bought this? I do that constantly. And I used to lose the receipt or wait too long and not be able to take the questionable item back. Now when I get home from shopping trips, I retry every piece in front of the mirror to make sure it’s absolutely right. If I had an obvious mental lapse, then I take it back right away. Problem solved!

I always have an emergency outfit on hand. Sometimes you pick out the most incredible ensemble the night before you plan to wear it, but wake up the next morning and it is just not working right. You end up rifling through your entire wardrobe looking for a new outfit to replace your should-have-been-perfect one. I learned this was hardly conducive for on-time arrivals. Now, I always have an emergency backup outfit in my closet. One that I know I will always look good in. That way, if you just aren’t feeling a look, you can easily swap it out. Great idea, right?

Do you have fashion rituals? If not, do you plan on developing any? Let me hear your thoughts.

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First, you need to stop making wasteful, impulsive clothing purchases. If you feel like you have nothing to wear, it’s easy to run out and buy something for $15 that you like at the moment, but doesn’t actually help to expand your fashion wardrobe.

Once you’ve stopped the spontaneous purchases, you can look through your closet and try to identify the clothing you really need to keep mixing up your look. For example, you might look through your clothes and realize you only have colored shirts, but not a versatile white shirt. As soon as you identify the clothing you truly need, prioritize it and spend your money on pieces you will wear for years.

Further, reorganize your closet by placing clothes in order of both type of clothing (such as jackets) and then by color. This will really help you see your clothes and help you more easily put together outfits. Reorganizing like this will also allow you to recognize what colors you have the most of in your closet. Once you identify the colors you own, you can more easily buy appropriately colored clothes to fill the color gap.

For example, if you own a lot of brown clothing, you may consider investing in some more basic black pieces, like black pants or a black blazer. By identifying what colors you’re missing, you can fix your clothing collection simply and maximize your outfit options without purchasing an entirely new wardrobe.

Also after you understand fully what you own, you can make a rule for yourself when you’re out shopping to ensure that you only buy something that works with what you have. Every time you see a new item you like, force yourself to imagine three different outfits you could create with the new piece of clothing. If you can’t come up with at least three, then don’t buy the item.

How do you make sure you always have new looks to wear from your own wardrobe?

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Though it’s difficult to part with clothes and other accessories, if you have limited closet space, then it’s  necessary to do every year. It’s also useful to clean everything out in order to take stock of what you actually have so you avoid buying the same thing twice. I’m personally in the process of reorganizing my closet right now and it’s made me realize truly how much I have! Although I often think I have nothing to wear, cleaning and reorganizing has made me see quite the opposite is true! Here are some tips for cleaning out your closet:

1. First, go through your closet and put all your clothes into four piles: keep, maybe, donate, and fix. If youÂ’re anything like me, I keep around tons of items that I need fixed or altered, but I havenÂ’t gotten around to changing yet. This cleaning process should help you to realize all the great clothes you own, but are missing out on wearing due to their flaws. So sort those clothes and then go take them to get fixed! A small tear or missing button shouldnÂ’t hold you back!

2. As you take out each item from your closet, evaluate when the last time was that you wore it. Although common wisdom says you should throw something out if you havenÂ’t worn it in a year, I disagree. IÂ’ve purchased many things for special occasions that I find little reason to wear that regularly. For example, I own a single formal ball gown that IÂ’ve worn three times in the past five years. Do I wear it every year? No, but when an event does come up IÂ’m so happy I own this dress.

3. Throw out clothes that are really damaged or old looking. Colors do fade and you shouldnÂ’t wear something that looks beyond its time.

4. Throw away some of your beat up, gross “lounge clothing” like sweatpants and oversize t-shirts. Although there is some need for these clothes, don’t accumulate too much of it. Throw some away in order to encourage yourself to dress your best, and to save wasted space on useless clothing.

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Gyms are infested with germs, so it’s important to use your own equipment as much as possible. If you are a yoga buff, bring your own yoga mat. If you a cyclist, bring your own bicycle seat for spinning. Before you hit the pool, bring goggles for swimming. With your own gear, you’ll be more focused.

Here are the ten most essential items for your gym bag:

1. Hand sanitizer
2. Flip flops
3. Travel size shower products
4. Shower cap
5. Towel
6. Water bottle
7. Healthy snack
8. Pair of clean undies
9. Plastic bag (for dirty clothes)
10. Music to keep your body movin’

Be wary of bringing personal items such as your cell phone, wallet, and other valuables. It is common to leave your belongings at the gym. Avoid high priced items so that you can avoid theft in the locker room. A padlock with a secret combination is ideal to keep things stored securely.

Enjoy your workout!

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Trend: With the legging look and the fall floral dresses, the boyfriend blazer has been a key piece for layering and warmth. The boyfriend blazer has been a popular cut for women’s fashion blazers. This became a popular trend in early spring, and now a must-have Fall essential, this boyfriend blazer won’t let you down for 2009′s holiday season. As seasons change and trends set in, the holidays give you a chance to make a bold fashion statement.

Do it Right: As traditional blazers tend to balance a pear-shaped figure or fill out sloped shoulders, the boyfriend blazer is most flattering when worn over tighter fitting garments. This box-cut fashion blazer is not meant to fit like a tailored blazer (fitted at the waist). This style can be worn over shiny black leggings, holiday cocktail dresses, and with costume jewelry pieces. Remember to avoid shoulder pads, and try rolling up sleeves to keep it looking sleek; you don’t want to look like you’re a tribute to Father’s day, and you don’t want to seem swallowed in by a monkey suit.

Make it your own: Besides wearing a basic black blazer over your holiday wardrobe as a layering piece, try making it your focal piece. Use an ornamental scarf or sash and wrap around blazer, and then tie in a bow. This look is good for the holidays and makes you even more “present-able.”

If you’re on a budget, shop for a basic blazer in your favorite man’s closet or thrift store. Get creative! Take a boring blazer, and alter the sleeves by adding ornate holiday trims (buttons, studs, fringe, etc.). Purchase some buttons from a local craft store or vintage flea mart, and sew on embellishments (switching out dull buttons for decorative details). Design a holiday romance with your boyfriend blazer!

Image Source: winknyc.com, Image Source: party902.com, Image Source: w29showroomblogspot.com

Shop for boyfriend blazers at Smarter.com.

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As you get older you most likely come to points where you have so many types and colors of belts that it becomes hard to figure out the best way to organize them. If you put them in drawers, they unravel and become a mess. If you put them in a bucket or basket, it becomes full and hard to sort through when you are in a rush to “buckle up” and get to work.

                                                   

                                                                                        $16

Scramble no longer! Introducing belt hanger organizers for your closet! Like the next few pictures, they have hooks about an inch or two long extending outwards so belts (or ties too!) can be hung on them.

                                                                 

                                                                                       $3.99 

THIS IS SO COOL because not only can you put them in color and size order for your liking, but you can fit about 30 or so belts on these babies (depending on size) and only take up about 2-4 inches of space in your closet!

                                                               

                                                                                       $7.99

Many of you can see from most of my posts that I like closet organizers. If you donÂ’t like to see all of the items in your fashionista wardrobe strewn around your room, the closet is the best place to hide it all. And who wants to open their closet to find buckets and shelves cluttered to the top so you canÂ’t find what you want?

                                                         

                                                                                      $24.99 

No one wants to leave the house and think, “Awe man! I forgot [insert clothing item here]!” Nope, now you can find your thin belts, thick belts, black belts, blue belts, glitter belts, ALL belts (or ties!!) conveniently!

Prices range anywhere from $3 to $25 from what I found. Of course it depends on how fancy of a hanger you choose to buy.

I spy with my little eye, something snazzy toÂ…

Op! Out of time, ‘til next posting…..

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more tie hangers.
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ItÂ’s basically a long strip of pockets on a hanger that you put in your closet! ItÂ’s so nice to be able to see each piece of jewelry through the clear pockets and choose what to wear without mixing everything up and having things tangle! The pockets are also different sizes, so you can put rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, bangles, etc, inside!

                                          

I have two (so far). One is my silver jewelry and the other my gold. I have one side for rings and earrings and the other for watches, bangles, etc. I love how easy it to hold it up and instantly pick what I want!

                      

You can find them online by simply searching “closet jewelry hangers.” Or local stores such as Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Target, etc. They run around $15-$24 depending on which sizes you buy.

What I really like about the hanger is that is out of the wayÂ… I can hide all my jewels in the closet and I donÂ’t have fifty million individual jewelry boxes.

                                                                 

A good idea to go along with is that I also do , is buy some clear, mini bead bags (sold at AC Moore or Michaels) and put your earrings inside one individually. That way if you run out of hanger pockets you can double them up, but not have to worry about mixing or tangling or even tarnishing!

                                         

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop through a variety of jewerlry organizers.
                                        Buy closet organizers.

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This week I’m going to share with you some really neat ways to keep your shoes in reach, maybe in sight, but OUT. OF. THE. WAY. I don’t know about you girls, but I have fifty million pairs of heels, sneakers, clogs, flip-flops, sandals, boots, you-name-it… I have it. So what do I do with all of them when I keep buying more that wont fit in my collection? This –

                                                                 Under-the-bed sliding gadgets!

                                               

This one above is a simple wire rack on wheels that slides right under your bed for easy movement and accessibility. You can find about 6-8 pairs of shoes (depending on the sizes) on here, and if you slide them in the long way you can get two and store 12 pairs!!

                                                                         Over-the-Closet Holders!

Places like HomeDepot.com and Homefurniture2go.com sell shoe racks that hang on doors, like the two photos below. They range from about $30-$40 and hold up to 24 pairs of shoes!

                                                    

                                                                $42.99                                         $43

I’m tellin’ ya, there are so many different kinds of shoe racks – it’s unbelievable! But then again, I guess not with how many shoes I own… I need ‘em!

For men too, now you can organize your dress shoes from your work shoes from your work-out shoes to your relaxin’ shoes! No more dogs chewing your brand new slides – we’re here to keep them up, away, and organized!

                                                

                                                                                        $75

Here are some other organizers to look for in comparison to styles and prices:

                                                                

                                                                  $23.30 – closet shoe hanger

                                                   

                                                                 $99.98 – Triple Shoe Cabinet

                                                   

                                                                    $9.98 – under the bed box

AND MY ULTIMATE FAVÂ…

                                                    

                                                                   $35-$65 – RakkuDesigns.com

Color organized and ready to wear! I think I get to sleep in tomorrowÂ… no more extra scrambling time for my missing shoe!

See, organizing is fun! You just need to get started on the right foot.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more shoe cabinets.
                                        Shop for more shoe racks.
                                        Shop through all shoe organizers.

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While perusing through Kmart, I stumbled across a pretty nifty hanger made specifically for scarves! Now, you all read last week about how my grandmother just gave her life of scarves to me and I had no place to put themÂ… well, guess what!? Now I do!

                                                  

The main hanger which looks like the one I found above, but in white, is called a Hijab Organizer. That one has a ton of holes, which is perfect for me! But some of you may not need that many, so finding ones that have just a few holes would be just as useful (Like the one below).

                                                      

ItÂ’s pretty cheap too. I found mine for around $6.

If you go to Organizeit.com you will find a scarf hanger for $7.99+sh. Read the customer reviews too! MissS wrote, “Bought this with the matching belt hanger. So nice to be able to SEE my scarfs versus their old home, the bottom drawer! The wood is very rich looking. Highly recommend!”

There ya have it! Organization made for convenience! Who wants to have to scrounge through a huge drawer to see millions of colors and not be able to find what you want!? Not I! Â…and neither should you!

For all those guys out there reading too, this sort of thing is great for ties! Loop each tie through a hole and you can see each one individually. No more tie drawer or hassle of folding! Plus, I know there are more complicated tie organizers out there (and most likely more expensive ones), but how can you beat $7? You donÂ’t always have to get what you pay for expensively!

                                                   

LOOK! They even used a ring idea to organizeÂ… who wants to go get some more inexpensive shower rings and create a new organizing eye-dazzler?? IÂ’m so there!

Until next time ~

::The Fashion Organizer::

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I got the idea when my grandmother gave me just about every belt and scarf she owned from the 80’s and 90’s… maybe even the 70’s. And when I brought them to my house I just stared around, “where the heck will this stuff go!?” I already had all my things from before I moved out that I had to move back in, and now I had an extra 20 belts, and 40 scarves!!

                      

Luckily, I used to make jewelry and would give them as gifts to people. Instead of wrapping them (because bracelets and things like that are awkward without boxes) I purchased some pretty silk, sheer, Organza bags (that are generally used for wedding favors) and would give the jewelry away in those. TheyÂ’re so cute, simple, and cheapÂ… itÂ’s the right way to go!

                                                   

And yet, thereÂ’s still more ways to use them! I figured out that I could hang them (on shower curtain hooks this time) and display my chain belts inside of my closet on the bar to my shoe rack and on the nails in my wall in the corner by my sunglass display!

                                                        

I bought some of the sheer Organza bags in silver-grey, red, green, and white. TheyÂ’re really dainty, and add a somewhat sultry feel to my room. They even sell them with some beading hanging decoratively at the bottom, which adds an even nicer touch.

You can find these bags at any craft store, such as A.C. Moore or MichaelÂ’s, and I would even recommending looking at a dollar store or wedding favor website such as www.myweddingreceptionideas.com

                             

So, before you just stuff any belts away in a drawer that seem not worthy of your belt rack, figure out where you could afford to spice up an area in your room and splurge on some $2 bags… they might just hold up the status of your room, just as good – if better – like the belts do holding up your pants! :)

Actually, that reminds meÂ… I still have 40+ scarves to hangÂ… WHAT EVER SHALL I DO!?!? Hmmm… AhhhhhÂ… I think next week will bring great organizing for you!

::The Fashion Organizer::

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