For those of you just joining in on the Fall Fashion series, I have completed the closet rotation from Spring/Summer to Fall/Winter and am getting organized. It’s that time of year to decide which items in my closet are keepers, which ones are never getting worn, and and which ones need a little TLC. It’s also that time of year to decide which new trends I’d like to try, and shop for the necessities. Shoes & accessories are a huge part of every girl’s wardrobe and muy importante, so this is where I’m starting.

First, I pulled all of my shoes out of my closet and lined them up. Some of my shoes never saw the light of day, so I have identified the cut list.

From left to right: Silver sequin flats–I wore them maybe once last Fall and have decided that they are more Spring/Summer to me, so they are getting packed away until the sun returns. Sweater shaft boots–I have had these for about 5 years and have worn them about 5 times…you do the math. These will be donated. Heeled leather booties–I got a lot of wear out of these over the last couple years, but I am the proud new owner of some great, everyday, more comfy booties, so these are being donated. Here it is, the cut list.

Now that we have said goodbye to some old friends, let’s see what I’ve got to work with, shall we?

FLATS: Overall, I’m feeling good here. I’d love to add a pair of oxfords in somewhere, and I’d like to see a punch of color somewhere (a deep plum or oxblood red perhaps), but those are not necessities, so I’ll add these two to the want list. I’ll be on the look out for some good deals.

On to boots & wedges…

BOOTS & WEDGES: I am pretty set on the boots front, but since I wear them so often in the PNW, I could definitely add another a pair, and I know I’d get use out of them. I’d love to see more color…maybe a pair of navy wedge booties are in my future. Again, this went into the want column, so there’s no rush here.

Accessories time! I’m not a big hats girl, but I do love scarves. I find that I wear the same few scarves over and over, so I’d like to make a conscious effort to mix it up, because after doing this exercise, I see that I have lots of great scarves.

SCARVES & HATS: I would love to add a leopard print scarf, but this is definitely a want, not a need. As for the hats, this is a sad, sad showing, so I’ll be on the look out for some colorful beanies and maybe another cap. Again though, I have a list of wants, and don’t actually need anything.

Doing an exercise like this is therapeutic. I find that my creative juices start flowing, and I get excited to see items that I haven’t seen since last Fall, and it feels a little like shopping. It makes me feel fortunate to have as much as I do, and although the “want monster” rears its ugly head, I’m reminded to be mindful of my spending and to give to those who are less fortunate, so my shoe donations are going to Dress for Success. After this overhaul is complete, all applicable items will be donated to this good cause and that’s good for the soul. See? Therapeutic!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Here’s my plan… I am armed and ready!

Step 1: What I have

Review what you have and really be honest about what you got use out of last year. If you didn’t wear it last year, why didn’t you wear it, will you wear it this year? You’re also looking for holes in your wardrobe. Are there new trends you’d like to try out? Is there a crazy void of color? Keep these thoughts in mind, as you go and jot them down. I absolutely have to write things down to remember them, so make notes if it helps you. Mental notes are good too.

Step 2: List of needs and wants

Once you’ve gone through what you have, you can really see what you’re missing. Make a list with two columns, needs and wants. If you can’t repair your favorite black cardigan and you wear it all the time, that’s a need. If you’ve been thinking you could use a pink wool coat like the one Eva Mendes wore that one time, that’s a want. This helps focus your thoughts for shopping.

Step 3: Ditch or donate

Go through and decide what isn’t getting worn this year. I have a couple items every year that hang in the closet all season long, then get stored for next season and then hang in the closet all season long again. BE HONEST. If you’re not going to wear it and it’s in great shape, you have options–donate to a friend who will wear it, donate to Goodwill or Dress for Success, or if you need the cash, sell it to a place like Buffalo Exchange or Plato’s Closet.  On the other hand, if it has seen better days, and isn’t worthy of being donated, throw it away or use it for scrap fabric. No matter what, don’t let it take up valuable space in your closet.

Step 4: Repair or re-imagine

Do you have items that just don’t fit properly, items that haven’t been worn because you’re missing a button or have a broken zipper? Fix them and enjoy them! Do you have a dress that is just a little too long, a top that needs to be taken in just a smidge? Alter them! Do you have a skirt in a gorgeous pattern and can’t figure out why you haven’t worn it? Re-imagine! Can it be a mini instead of a maxi? Can it be a top? Can you add a new waistband? Get creative and if possible, take on the project yourself. If you’re not comfortable attempting a project like this, find a tailor and make it work for you.

Step 5: Set a budget for shopping

It is tempting to go out on a shopping spree and buy all items on your need list and perhaps a few from your want list. I have found that spacing it out allows me to buy more of what I really love. If I know that I have $50 to spend per paycheck (two weeks) then I can take my time, shop on-line, stop in to shops and really buy something that I love. When I have money burning a hole in my handbag, and I know I’m shopping for a pair of black booties, I buy the first good deal I see. This could also be that I’m a serial list maker and REALLY enjoy crossing things off my list, but I think it’s also about being excited to buy things. Bottom line, fashion is fun, it’s a way to express your personality for all to see, BUT it becomes really uncool when you’re in debt because of your shopping habits. Soooo, set a budget and play it cool. There are tons of deals out there to be found…Amazon, Forever 21, Asos, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx,  Target, Scoutfit, Shoedazzle, and the list goes on…

Step 6: Make sure your new additions have friends

When buying new items, make sure that you already have things to pair with it. The best purchases are versatile items that will enter into your wardrobe seamlessly and have lots and lots of  “friends” / possibilities.

Alright, tomorrow we tackle shoes & accessories. Flip through magazines and visit for your favorite blogs for Fall inspiration…I know I will be.

Fall fashion is a true love of mine. I adore the change of seasons, the fresh, brisk air, the gorgeous colors and wearing boots. The one thing that troubles me every time is the cost of revamping my fall wardrobe. Spring/Summer is a piece of cake…new tanks, a few day dresses, a couple new pair of sandals, a new lip color and bam, I’m refreshed and trend right for like $100 (impressive, I know). Fall, simply cannot be done for so little, but it can be done in a cost effective way. Most important to achieving a season right, trend right wardrobe is taking inventory of what you already have. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

This week you’ll accompany me while I take inventory and come up with a game plan to stretch my dollar and look great this Fall.

My ideas are not ground breaking, BUT they do require you to…

A) be honest about what you wear/will wear

B) be open to some projects (take up a hem, replace a button on an old fave instead of tossing it, etc)

C) be proactive about shopping (find deals, don’t just visit the big retailers)

Here’s to Fall!

As you all know, attempt one was a fail, a big one. With that said, I did a freehand sketch directly on the table, and I’m pretty happy with this design. It has the same feel as that West Elm rug in my original post here. I need to sand the table again and then choose colors. Fingers crossed that attempt two is more successful.

Have a great weekend!

I picked up this tray table at my local thrift store, Value Village. This cost me $5 and I intend to use paint I already own to give it a facelift. Lucky for me, I love color, so I have a vast collection of test paint colors and an array of spray paint. I’m thinking a fun pattern on the table top and dipped legs.

I love West Elm as much as the next girl, so I decided to check out some of their textiles for pattern inspiration. I may be in way over my head, but you don’t know unless you try, right?

The table is officially sanded and all cleaned up, ready for paint. My next step, of course, is to decide which pattern, and then I’ll need to create a template so I can tape it off for nice clean lines. I’m pretty excited about this project and can’t wait to share it.

Happy Friday!