Image Envy

Clean Out Your Closet Part 1

2012-01-04T15:30:00.001-05:00

Clean Out Your Closet - Part 1

The new year has begun! At this time, many go through their homes and CLEAN OUT. Before you touch the clothes in your closet, make sure you have a plan. What? You just throw things out left and right and then wonder why you feel like you have nothing to wear a month from now? I thought so.

The first phase is to go through every item in your closet and separate into the following piles:

Pile #1: I wear this all the time and love it
Pile #2: Throw out or donate; I will never wear this again
Pile #3: Needs repair or dry cleaning; I won't wear it until its done
Pile #4: Wrong size and I don't want to get rid of it just yet (maternity clothes go in this category)
Pile #5: Sentimental clothing; I don't ever plan on wearing it, but it means too much to get rid of

As you go through this first phase, keep a list of things you realize you need (like a classic white shirt) and things you love but are so worn out you need to replace them (like your favorite jeans). To help keep track of it all, I uploaded a free printable - the Closet Cleanout Sheet! Easy and simple - cut in half, and tape the sheet somewhere in your closet. If you put it on your fridge, you'll never see it and never use it. PUT IN CLOSET! I made sure there were two because when I clean out my closet, I clean out my husband's at the same time!

As you clean out, keep the list handy and fill out as you go. By the time your piles are sorted, you've got a (hopefully) cleaner closet and a list of things you still need to make your wardrobe function effectively.

Now, what do you do with all those PILES? Let’s start with the easy ones and work our way backward.

Pile #5: Sentimental Clothing

Fold everything nicely as you reminisce; then put it in a box. This box goes at the top of your closet in those places that are hard to reach. Don’t get rid of the clothes if they mean something to you, but they shouldn’t be taking up precious space!

Pile #4: Wrong Size

If there are clothes you love that are too big (REJOICE) then put them in a box next to the sentimental clothing box. If the clothes you are looking for are too small they may go in the box – if they are I-just-need-to-lose-that-last-5-pounds-from-the-holidays too small, they get to be hung in your closet. Else, they go in the box with the clothes that are too big. Maternity clothes should also go in a box until you’re ready to use them. Once it becomes that time in your pregnancy where nothing but maternity clothes fit, I’m sure you can find them a home hanging up in your closet!

Pile #3: Needs Repair or Dry Cleaning

Make sure each item in this pile is fixable and that you will wear it when its fixed. If not, move it to pile #2! Now that you’ve done that, put the rest of the pile (and hopefully this is a small pile) in your car. The next errand you run, stop by the dry cleaners and drop them off!

Pile #2: Throw Away or Donate

If the clothes you no longer are wearing are still in good repair, donate them. If they are completely worn out and beyond repair, throw them away. Put them in garbage bags and add them to your car (don’t get them mixed up with your dry cleaning from pile #3!) Donate at a Salvation Army or Goodwill near you.

Pile #1: Clothes I want to Keep

Oh, pile #1! Hopefully this was the biggest pile, nevertheless, we want to make sure that as we put everything back in your closet, we arrange it in such a way it makes it fun, easy, and efficient for you to get dressed in the morning – it really is possible! Putting clothes back into your closet is going to need a post all of its own, so look for Clean Out Your Closet Part 2!

Don't forget to download your Closet Cleanout Sheet!

Closet Cleanout Sheet

Favorite Outfits of 2011

2011-12-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

Below are a few of my favorite outfits from 2011!
Click any picture for more details.

Happy Black Friday Shopping

2011-11-25T00:23:00.001-05:00

It's 12:30 am and I know there are plenty of you already out shopping. Wish I could join you, but I'm actually enjoying my (early) Black Friday purchase already...my new laptop!

I try to get all my Christmas shopping done on Black Friday every year, and am usually successful. There wasn't anything I needed to get up extra early for (even though I somehow stayed up extra late) so I better get a move on so I can hit the sales in the late morning, after all the crowds have left.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend and happy shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:40:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving! There is so much to be thankful for in this life and I hope you take a moment today to think of what matters most to you. Two years ago today, we started announcing to family we were expecting our first child. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for this little girl in my life. Even when she throws a tantrum or screams at me (in the library of all places), I can't help but love her and think she might have a little too much me in her!

Enjoy today - whether with friends, with family, with a feast, or just a meal. There's always something to be thankful for!

(Image Source)

Fashion Faves #2 Blog Link Up

2011-10-21T08:16:00.000-04:00

Check out my favorite three outfits from the week and add yours to the list!

26 and Counting

LOVE how she balanced out her skinny jeans with a boyfriend sweater and chunky scarf!

The Daybook

Doesn't she still look fabulous at the end of her pregnancy?

Style by Santina

Love the print, love the color, love the shoes!

Guidelines: 1) please link directly to the outfit post and not your blog main page and 2) you'll need to have my button either in the post you're submitting or in your sidebar so make sure you copy and paste the code below.

Can't wait to see what you've got!

Where I've Been

2011-10-18T11:35:00.003-04:00

Where have I been the last several months you ask? Well, that's an interesting question. See, it starts with family coming in town to visit (which we love) and then we moved apartments. Even though its literally two miles south of where we were before, it took us TWO weeks. TWO weeks to move. So frustrating - you might think there's "just one car load left" but everytime we said that our stuff doubled magically.

Then I refinished some furniture (which turned out beautifully if I say so myself). But you can't really post outfit pictures if you're dressed in grungy clothes to go paint some more. And then when all of my projects were done and I sat done to blog - TA-DA! My laptop broke. Yep. The hinges were on its last leg and it just decided it never wanted to turn on again. Don't worry, don't worry, I backed up everything before we moved so I didn't lose a thing.

Long story short, I'm now at the mercy of borrowing Husband's computer. As you can see, it takes me a long time to get a hold of that sucker. But have no fear, I've got several posts all ready so you might be hearing from me too much for the next little while!

Fashion Faves #1 Blog Link Up

2011-07-15T09:15:00.001-04:00

I'm trying something out today and I need your help! I've got a blogroll of about 100 and there are always outfits that stand out to me each week. So why not feature them? I'm looking for outfits that flatter the wearers figure, feature a great trend, or just catches my eye. So here's my Fashion Faves, but there's more...

Wardrobe Oxygen

The Daybook

North Meets South

Its Because I Think Too Much

...I want to see YOUR favorite outfits from the week! Link up below (no limit on number of entries per blog). I would love to start doing this on a regular basis but I need your help to make it a success! So add your favorite outfits from your blog or blogs you read below!

Guidelines: 1) please link directly to the outfit post and not your blog main page and 2) you'll need to have my button either in the post you're submitting or in your sidebar so make sure you copy and paste the code below.

Can't wait to see what you've got!

Everybody Everywear: Yellow

2011-07-12T11:06:00.002-04:00

I was so excited that the next Everybody Everywear pick was yellow! I love yellow and am addicted to it. So I thought this would be a cinch to style, until I got dressed this morning.

I tried belting at the waist, at the waist under my 2nd layer, at my hips. I knotted a shirt, I buttoned the shirt. I put on wedges, then flats. Didn't love any of it. So I went with this:

Simple. But I'm happy with it. Shoes are Enzo Angiolini, capris are Wet Seal (previous season), shirt is ModBod, button-down is Express, necklace and headband is ShopBop (see here).

Style Inspired: Easy A and Emma Stone

2011-07-11T15:26:00.000-04:00

Source: Imdb.com

I loved Emma Stone's style in Easy A (before the uh, "makeover"). I loved the layering, the casual feeling of it without being a simple t-shirt, just everything about it. And yes, these are the best pictures I could find to showcase my inspiration.

Source: Imdb.com

I've been on the lookout for a great vest since I saw the show and haven't seen a thing. I wanted something with structure that could easily dress up or down and I found nada. So, I did what I do best. I made one.

The vest might look familiar since I've worn this before for the BDIB: Prep School challenge. And really, I truly love it. So here's the schpeal on the rest of my outfit: shoes are Calvin Klein, jeans are from Gap (limited edition, previous season), t-shirt from Gap, vest is custom, bracelets were a gift. I also made the pin from some leftover fabric of another project.

So what do you think? Did I do a good job of fusing my inspiration with my own style?

Guest Model & New Winner

2011-07-05T15:13:00.001-04:00

Shirt from Ann Taylor Loft (previous season), belt from Fossil, skirt from Gap (previous season), shoes from Antonio Melani, sunglasses are Steve Madden

So our guest model today isn't anyone special to you, but she's special to me - and she just turned one! And in case you're wondering her outfit is from Gymboree. :)

Also, I haven't been able to get a hold of last week's Summer Giveaway and I assumed that everyone else took a nice break for the 4th like me, so I held off announcing a new winner until today. So our new winner is....TINAGIRL

Congrats, you have 48 hours to contact me!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T04:33:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July!

Skirt Anyone?

2011-06-30T16:33:00.000-04:00

So remember how I go to church every Sunday and dress up but nowhere on this blog is a Sunday picture? And don't even worry that this is Thursday and I'm getting around to posting Sunday's outfit - we've had a busy week.

Shirt from Limited, belt from Ann Taylor Loft, skirt is custom, shoes are Antonio Melani

Summer Giveaway Winner!

2011-06-28T16:19:00.000-04:00

Congrats to.... PAULA! You've just won the Mary Kay Pedicure Set! Email me at perkette@gmail.com with your address so I can send it out to you!

You have 48 hours to contact me else a new winner gets picked!

Green with Envy

2011-06-24T13:05:00.002-04:00

Green shirt from Nordstrom, white undershirt from ModBod, pants from Anchor Blue, and hidden shoes are Bandolino. Earrings from Dillards, necklace from Cookie Lee, and bracelets were a gift.

Speaking of Green, is anyone else excited for the new Muppet movie?? Not only am I HUGE fan of the Muppets but I love love LOVE Amy Adams!

Search Amazon.com for bandolino shoes

Sally Hansen Nail Effects

2011-06-20T15:50:00.000-04:00

As soon as I saw Sally Hansen Salon Effects I had to try them! The hardest part about buying Salon Effects? Picking out the pattern. I literally sat in front of the display for 15 minutes. I chose Cut It Out and headed home to put them on!

While it did take me about 45 minutes to apply to my hands, I was happy with the result. Extremely professional and they did last 10 days as advertised. The best part was no dry-time. I put them on, fixed parts of dinner, and nothing came off or ended up in the food. :) I only had minor problems with chipping - simply because I forgot one of the steps by the time I got to the last fingers. So make sure you rub your nail with the edge of the nail file that's included.

The package comes with 8 different sizes of strips, an orange stick, and file. Since I had extra, I did my toes too! I ended up cutting two of the strips so they could fit my teeny toenails. The package tells you not to do that, but since they were on my feet, I did it anyhow and didn't have any problems.

I will definitely use these again! They were a conversation starter everywhere I went - shopping malls, restaurants, and church. Have you tried Salon Effects yet? What did you think?

Don't forget to enter for the Pedicure Set giveaway - get your feet ready for those Salon Effects you're going to use!

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-20T08:59:00.000-04:00

August 2010

Last Father's Day we spent it with family and packing for the hospital. A year later, we get to officially celebrate Husband's first Father's Day. To the great dad he is, and to both of our dads,

Happy Father's Day!

I've got the blues

2011-06-18T10:47:00.019-04:00

I know, I know - I don't wear skinny jeans and every time I look at this picture I think, "My hips look huge!" (proportionally speaking). I wanted something low-key and comfy for a night out with a friend. I went with a top from Ann Taylor Loft (40% off), jeans from Gap, and shoes from Antonio Melani (previous season).

Have you entered the giveaway for the pedicure set yet?

Summer Giveaway

2011-06-17T12:42:00.002-04:00

To thank you for hanging on during the crazy last couple of weeks, I'm giving away the perfect summer treat: Mary Kay's Limited Edition Pedicure Set!

Set includes Relaxing Foot Soak and Soothing Foot Balm in a Rosemary Mint scent along with a Foot Brush with Pumice Stone.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Here's how to enter:

You must be a public follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect (right hand sidebar) and leave me a comment.

Too easy? Here's some ways to get extra entries:

*LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH*

-Follow me on Bloglovin

-Follow me on Twitter (@imageenvyblog)

-Blog about this giveaway including a link back to this post and leave me the URL

-Tweet about this contest with a link back to this post and mention @imageenvyblog

That's FIVE ways to enter! This contest is open to US only (sorry). The winner will be drawn by random.org. Giveaway ends Monday, June 27 at Midnight EST with winner announced on Tuesday, June 28. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me.

P.S. Vote for me in the Mary Kay Makeover Contest and help me win $2500! Click here and search for "Ashley D." You should recognize me ;) You can vote five times a day every day!

BDIB: Neon and Neutral

2011-06-16T14:39:00.001-04:00

Welcome to another edition of Pretty Shiny Sparkly's Bloggers Do It Better! This round: Neon + Neutral. Yesterday was a little Neon + Neon, so here's the + Neutral!

Shirt from Gap (50% off!), skirt is custom, shoes from Ann Taylor (previous season), necklace from Cookie Lee, belt from Gap (previous season).

I had forgotten about these shoes until I pulled out my neon skirt for today's challenge and remembered I normally wear this skirt with those one brown shoes. (Don't tell Husband or he'll make me quit buying shoes.) And then I forgot I owned this belt too. Maybe, we just shouldn't mention this entire post to Husband! He can be surprised when he comes home from work! :)
See the outfit for BDIB: Prep School, BDIB: White Out, and BDIB: Color Blocking.

This is one of those outfits...

2011-06-15T14:36:00.000-04:00

...where my kids will ask me "What were you thinking? Who wears something like that?" And the truth is, this happens to be one of my favorite outfits of the moment! I've had these shorts for years and when I bought this shirt from Gap at 50% off I immediately thought of this look. It's ridiculously bright and perfect for summer, and for me!

Shirt from Gap, shorts from Nordstrom (previous season), shoes are Jeffrey Campbell (previous season).

The shirt has a sheer shoulder and to keep it modest I'm wearing a half-tee from Mia Bellina, which I love. I bought the Classy Sonata in white. It's a great smooth fabric - dressier than a plain undershirt - finished edges and I think I need to own one in every color!

Do you have any outfits you know your future children will cringe at?

June Zyrra Specials

2011-06-14T15:42:00.001-04:00

There are plenty of great things going on this month at Zyrra!

Buy a bra and panty set (any style) and get free shipping
Buy 2 bras and 2 panties (any style) and get free shipping and $15 off
Host a Zyrra Party and choose any item at half price in addition to earning our regular Bra Bucks

All specials end June 30. If you're interested in learning more about this great company and product or want to see what we're all about, e-mail me or stop by my Open House, this Saturday, June 18th from 9-11am. RSVP for my address!

Good News!

2011-06-14T09:14:00.000-04:00

Good news!! Major items have been checked off my to-do list so I'm back in the blogging world! We found a place to live (such a RELIEF!), our air conditioner is fixed (broken for a WEEK - miserable!!), and my parents have come and gone. Although I was sad to see them go, its nice to adjust back to life. For putting up with my online-missing-ness, look for a giveaway this Friday, something everyone needs to help survive summer!!

Express Giveaway Winner!

2011-05-31T21:35:00.000-04:00

Can anyone say MIA? I've been hunting for a new place to live and all I have to say is STRESSFUL. But on to FUN things, like who won the $25 Express Giftcard Giveaway?

"New follower and I love your blog! Following on bloglovin for sure." - Hilary Mae

Congrats to Hilary Mae! Email me at perkette@gmail.com and send me your address within 48 hours. Bummed you didn't win? Keep following my blog - I have more great things to giveaway in the next few weeks!

Just Because...Another Giveaway!

2011-05-20T12:41:00.002-04:00

Alrighty readers! Just because you are so fabulous I have decided to give away a

$25 Gift Certificate to Express!

Picture from Express First Look for May

Here's how to enter:

*MANDATORY*

You must be a public follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect (right hand sidebar)

Leave me a comment below about what's missing in your closet!

Extra Entries:

*LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH*

-Follow me on Bloglovin

-Follow me on Twitter (@imageenvyblog)

-Blog about this giveaway including a link back to this post and leave me the URL

-Tweet about this contest with a link back to this post and mention @imageenvyblog.

You can use this as a sample tweet:

@imageenvyblog is giving away a $25 gift certificate to Express! Enter here: http://bit.ly/ijRMGv

That's FIVE ways to enter! This contest is open to US and Canada. The winner will be drawn by random.org. Giveaway ends Monday, May 30 at Midnight EST with winner announced on Tuesday, May 31. Winner will have 48 hours to contact me.

Bloggers Do It Better: Prep School

2011-05-20T08:48:00.001-04:00

I was excited for this edition of Bloggers Do It Better: Prep School (although sometimes I call it Menswear). The only requirement from Pretty Shiny Sparkly? Wear a tie. And so I googled "how to tie a tie" and tried my hardest with Husband looking on disapprovingly! My tie-tying skills are terrible. I fully admit, if it weren't for Husband helping me out, I may not have participated! He tied two ties for me (always good to have a backup) the night before and so I'd like to introduce you to my perfect Windsor knot:

Shirt from J. Crew, jeans from Gap, tie is from Dillards, vest is custom, boots are Skechers, belt I've had forever, and earrings are from Chicos.

But Bloggers Do It Better is not the only great thing going on today....come back later this afternoon to find out what I'm giving away!

See Bloggers Do It Better: White Out
See Bloggers Do It Better: Color Blocking