so I started this project...

I decided I wanted to take pictures of my clothes. As in every piece of clothing. Individually.

So over the course of recent days I have been doing just that, and now I only have pants and accessories left to do. It has been so much fun, and I am excited to have a visual catalog of my wardrobe, especially since I plan on going on a bit of a shopping hiatus - more on that later. And for anyone that has seen my jewelry displays, I'm all about the rainbow. 

So here's a sample of my rainbow of dresses.

I'm excited to share more of these pictures with you guys as well as use them in some great new projects and remixing adventures.

peace&love,

Jill

The Five (Often Forgotten) Things Every Girl Needs in Her Closet

There are tons of lists on the internet of the 5, 10, 50, or 100 things every girl needs to have in her closet, but I find they're rather repetitive and often straight up unhelpful. A $200 Hermes scarf? On the HAVE TO HAVE list? I think I'm doing okay without it, thanks.

So here is my short list of things that people forget about that can make all the difference when you're getting dressed in the morning. Having them handy can keep you happy every day of the year.

1. A dress you can wear anywhere.

You're traveling and you don't know if you'll be going out for cocktails, spending the day sight-seeing, or crashing in the hotel. You need one thing you can wear and it will work for everything. A lot of women prefer black, but for me, it's a grey jersey tank dress with some well placed gathering. A few accessories and it's always ready to go. I would highly suggest a jersey dress, though--it will travel well, drape beautifully, and be super comfortable.

2. Sunglasses that suit your face.

I have one of the squarest square faces you will ever come across and so I cannot, shocking I know, wear square sunglasses. Aviators usually work best for me but there aren't really hard and fast rules on this that I can see. I am giving you permission to take your best friend to the store and try on sunglasses for as long as it takes. You're welcome.

3.Warm and cute boot/knee high socks.

If you're wearing boots and your feet are warm and not being constantly troubled by ankle socks bunched up around your arch, you will be happy. It's worth it ladies, believe me. Remember: Warm = happy in almost all situations.

4. A couple slips. 

I know, I know. It's 2012 and you're under 40. You don't think you need a slip. But you do. At least one full dress slip, one short skirt slip, and one that fits tighter than a glove but makes your trouble spots completely disappear. Do not underestimate the power of these garments. You're life will seriously not be the same, and those clothes you only pull out every so often? They'll fit every time.

5. A thing that always makes you feel like yourself.

I don't care what it is. But it has to be completely, totally, and quintessentially you. Something that you can throw on/grab when you're wearing sweatpants and a tee-shirt that will make you feel good about how you look. For me it's a worn-in camel leather carry-all that has all my goodies in it, and usually a vintage scarf tied on somewhere. Or a big pair of earrings I made myself. It's a toss up.

So that's my list... What's yours?

peace&love,
Jill

How to Love Your Closet: My Must Haves

If you're just joining us, this is a series on managing your closet so you can get the most out of your clothes. New articles out each Monday! 

So now that you've cleaned out your closet, played dress up, and hopefully figured out how you'd like to fill in the gaps. But if you're a little bit stuck on what you need to make your closet work, here's my ultimate list of must haves: clothes, shoes, and accessories. 

1. A neutral cardigan. This one item will make everything you wear in summer able to be worn in the winter. It's like magic. Get one. Or two.
2. A jersey skirt. I would say one knee length and one maxi, but only because once you have one, you will never, ever want to take it off.
3. A button down that fits you. I won't say it has to be white. Mine's navy blue from J. Crew.
4. A date dress. Cause you never know.
5. A casual dress. Extra points if it's jersey.
6. A black dress. Cliche, but it's true. When you're not sure how dressy to go, you can always wear this. Except maybe not to a summer wedding. Definitely find something else for that.
7. A warm, cute coat. Because it's both warm and cute. There you go.
8. Black, nude, and colored tights. Again with the magical making-summer-clothes-winter-worthy. You can't beat that.
9. Leggings. Because it's like wearing pajamas, but you look dressed up. Only don't wear them alone as pants or I'll have to hunt you down.
10. Heels that you can wear all day. Wedges are great for this, but a lot of them aren't exactly work appropriate. You'll probably have to splurge on this, but it will be so very worth it.
11. Dressy flats. Your feet will thank you at the end of some award ceremony, formal dinner, or night at the club. Promise.
12. Flat boots. So necessary in so many outfits.
13. A HUGE carry-all. To use as a personal item on airplanes and to pack for overnights. Or just to fill up at the library.
14. A clutch. I know it's called a clutch, but get one with a wrist strap or shoulder strap. Then you can still dance with it if everyone's on the dance floor, and security is a worry.
15. A scarf. Warm, statement, woven, or wooly, just find something that you like and that you will wear.
16. A belt that defines your natural waist. To wear with dresses and tunics.
17. A belt that sits well on your hips. To wear with pants, or tunics as well.
18. A signature piece of jewelry. I like earrings, but they're not for everyone. Find your own signature piece.

peace&love,

Jill

How to Love Your Closet: Fill in the Gaps

If you're just joining us, this is a series on managing your closet so you can get the most out of your clothes. New articles out each Monday! 

So now that you've cleaned out your closet and played dress up you're ready to fill in the gaps in your closet. Here's the next step.

1. Make a list of must-haves. Contrary to what you might read in, ummm, every fashion magazine ever, a white button down might not be a must-have for you. There is no hard and fast rules on this, so think about what you really need. Ask yourself these questions.

• What do I need to wear to work/school every day?
• What do I like to wear?
• What do I need to add to my closet to get the most out of the clothes I already have?
• What do I tend to buy that I don't really need? (Hint: Stop buying this. For me it's casual shirts. And I don't even like to wear pants!)
• Do I have a solid set of basics? (Neutral tights, leggings, slips, tanks, socks, and underwear?)

These questions will help you pinpoint what it is that you need in your closet so you can make shopping for these things your top priority. Look for good brands on clearance or at the thrift store, but splurge on these things if you need to. It will be worth it.

2. Make a list of like-to-haves. This is your clearance rack, thrifting, garage sale-ing list. Be as crazy as you want, but hold out for the bargains with these. You shouldn't spend a fortune on a rust colored burnout cardigan unless it's one of your must haves, but if you see it for a steal, get it! These are the things that will keep your wardrobe fresh, fun, and unique and they matter just as much as the must-haves... they just aren't worth breaking the bank over.

Here are my base rules for buying like-to-haves:

1. It must be reasonable enough that you will not be annoyed if it doesn't work out. My limit is usually $10. This might seem low, but I almost never have to go over it unless something is so unbelievable wonderful that I might not be able to live with myself if I walk away. The low price goal keeps me from making bad decisions in the name of having a fun wardrobe and it keeps shopping fun because it's a challenge. (Challenges are my favorite.) Set a goal that you feel is reasonable for you and stick to it.
2. You must like it. This might seem like a no-brainer, but for some people it's not. If it doesn't speak to you, don't buy it! Hold out for the piece that has you written all over it, even if it takes longer, which leads us to...
3. Be patient. I've been in search of the perfect grey blazer for two years. But it's a like-to-have, so I'm going to hold out even longer. Hang on to both your resolve and your goal amount. It will pay off!
4. Keep your list updated. I never found the bright teal leggings I wanted a few years ago, but then I realized I wasn't twelve and crossed them off the list and added wine colored skinny jeans instead. (No judgement if you happen to like bright teal leggings.) Change your list as your tastes change. Having an updated list will help you when you're overwhelmed at the mall or, even worse sometimes, an under-curated thrift store. You can scan for particular colors, cuts, and kinds of garments amidst the craziness and stay sane.
5. Style it as soon as you get home, or, if it is thrifted, as soon as you've washed it. Don't let an awesome but intimidating piece languish in your closet because you a.) keep forgetting you own it (this happens to me all the time) or b.) as soon as you get it home you wonder what the heck you'll wear it with. Go back to the dress up stage! It's fun, I swear.

3. Go shopping. Be it at the thrift store (DO IT), a consignment store, or the mall, go shopping for your missing treasures. Buy from your must-have list and embellish with like-to-haves as they jump out at you. But most of all, don't expect this to take one trip. Let it be a process. Be patient and open and see what happens. Hold out for things you love.

peace&love,

Jill

How to Love Your Closet: Play Dress Up

If you're just joining us, this is a series on managing your closet so you can get the most out of your clothes. New articles out each Monday! Be sure to hit up the first installment: Clean It Out.

When I have a free night I'm statistically more likely to hole up in my room and play dress up than to go party with people my age. What can I say? My clothes never drink too much and they're nice and quiet when I want to go to bed. 

But seriously, how many people never take the time to really look at their clothes and think about new ways to combine them? Sure, most of us don't have time to put together wildly creative outfits in the morning before work or school. That's why it's important to have ideas floating around in your head before you whip open your closet thirty minutes behind schedule. If you can pull together something you know already works, you'll automatically feel so much better about your day. Promise. Here's how to try it out.

Look at fashion blogs, magazines, and your inspiration board from Part 1 for ideas before you start. Know what you like on other people, even things you're scared to try out yourself. Think about what you can try with the clothes you already have.

Play music that makes you happy. Lock your boyfriend/husband/overeager roommate out if you feel self conscious. This is about you. But really: blare it.

Put ridiculous pieces together just because. Pendleton blazer and a fuchsia sundress? Do it. Mash up colors, patterns, fabrics, seasons, and styles with abandon. You never know what might work and will work its way into your regular wardrobe. This is how I discovered that I liked maxi skirts as midi dresses.

Dance. There is no faster way to know if something is uncomfortable and the happy music + the dancing + the being adventurous makes this such a great way to get your groove back after a long week or a stressful day. Dress up time is you time. Pretend like you're 18 or 30 or whatever age you want to be. If you feel like going all the way, sing into your hairbrush.

Have fun. Don't take this too seriously. Really people, they're just clothes, and the only one looking at you is you. Don't judge yourself. Love yourself. You're cool for doing this!

Hang outfits together in your closet. After you're done, hang outfits that you want to try in real life together in the closet to hold yourself to it. That way when your 30 minutes late you can still pull out a complete outfit and feel great all day.

Check back next week for a lesson in making a clothes shopping list!

peace&love,
Jill

How to Love Your Closet: Clean It Out

My closet: Organized Chaos. 

It's hard to tell, but it's organized by type (long sleeve, short sleeve, tank, dress) and then by color within the type!

Besides people wanting to know my thrifting secrets (which are coming soon! get excited!) a lot of people ask me how I decide what pieces to put together into outfits. I usually tell them it starts from knowing your closet and what you have in it, so I am starting a series that will come out for the next few Mondays called "How to Love Your Closet." It will take you step by step through the process of building a wardrobe you can always count on.

This week? Cleaning it out. Here's what you need to do.

Articulate your style.
Maybe not with words, but with something: magazine articles and images, Pinterest boards, modern art, movie stars, TV characters, paint swatches, or fabric samples. How do you want to look? What do you like? You'll have a devil of a time dressing yourself if you don't know. And after you've made your collage/collection/inspirational-whatever, use it to guide your cleaning. Look at each piece and ask, do I like what this piece says about my style and me? If not, you know what you need to do...


Know what suits you.
I am not tall and so there are many things that do not work on me, and I know that. Be honest with yourself. In your heart you know what you feel good in and what you don't. Go with that and get rid of things that don't work on you, no matter how cute/cheap/on-sale they were. They drag down your whole wardrobe! Get them out!

If you don't like how you look in it, how it fits, or what you have to do to take care of it, get rid of it.
Embrace the purging mood when it hits you and make someone else's day. Contribute to their thrifting adventures by donated everything that you don't like wearing because if you don't like it--hold your breath for this revelation--you will either a.) not wear it, or b.) wear it and feel uncomfortable/weird all day. Don't do that to yourself.

And yes, that means the things you hope to fit in someday. 
Alright, so maybe not everything that falls into this category needs to go. I still have a prom dress that is absolutely NOT happening again, but it's also not going anywhere any time soon because I love it so much. And that's okay. Maybe I shouldn't, but I encourage sentimental clothing attachments no matter how impractical they are. But you know the pieces I'm really talking about: the hipster jeans, the skinny fit shirts, the soul crushing tight skirts. Unless you are actively (and I mean really) pursuing weight loss, embrace your size. I don't mean to downplay either trying to get to a healthy weight or having goals for yourself, but if you're okay with your weight (And don't be ashamed if you are!) don't passive-aggressively undermine yourself by having someday pieces lurking in your closet. Let them go.


Get rid of anything you haven't worn in 4 years.
If you haven't worn it since the Bush administration, it's probably time to let it go.

Put some clothes on probation. 
There are always those pieces that seem great, but you've just never worn. You don't have to throw them out right away, but commit yourself to finding new ways to wear them within a certain time frame. Give yourself a month. Pull them out in the next step of the process and if you can't seem to make them work, it's time to toss them.


Know what you feel AWESOME in. Identify the pieces you already have that make you feel GREAT! They're in there, I know it! Put them somewhere you can get to easily and let them be your go-to clothes for the time being. And never, ever, feel bad about wearing them "too often." Whatever. They make you feel awesome and you deserve to feel awesome as often as you can.

Bag 'em up. Kiss them goodbye. Take them to the thrift store. They'll go to a good home. 


Then come back next week and learn how to play dress up!


peace&love,
Jill