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FlyLady Declutter Olympics - Fashion Prep
Here is the place where Missus Smartypants is going to help you with your fashion prep during the FlyLady Declutter Olympics! Check back here often for new missions and don't forget to Post your Minutes!.
Dear Friends,
It's MissusSmartyPants here with suggestions to help you declutter your closet in only 15 minutes a day.
Does the thought of tackling your closet clutter make you hyperventilate? Does it sound too overwhelming? Let's take a moment and think about it, the closet clutter didn't suddenly appear, it took time to accumulate. More than likely a lot of the clutter in there was part of a last minute "stash and dash" and needs to find a permanent home or be tossed out! Other items just aren't being worn and should be given away?doing so will clear up space for what you do wear!
It will take some effort on your part to remove the clutter. Instead of looking at it negatively, let's make it fun and get it done! Imagine, if your closet looked like your own personal boutique! You CAN make this happen, one babystep at a time.
Every day, I'll give you one closet decluttering mission. So set your timers for 15 minutes and focus on just one daily closet task. By the way, I'll also share some style tips along the way to help you decide what to keep and what to toss!
Are you ready to commit to a cleaner closet? I'm glad you are! Losing the closet chaos will make you smile every time you dress!
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants
P. S. If you need help along the way use this link to see pictures of how I organized my closet: http://missussmartypants.com/CDA5240F87574D8387EBDE8FEC733210/page/page.asp?id=17624
FLY Olympic Closet Challenge #10
Day ten: I've saved the best for last LOL! Let's go through our undergarments and bras today.
Since 8 in 10 women are wearing the wrong bra, it's important that you declutter your old bras that are stretched out, have a broken clasp or simply are not fitting correctly (straps fall down, wire pokes you, cups are too big, too small etc.)
I do recommend getting professionally fitted. This is the only way to know what to look for in a well fitted bra. Correct bra fit is about both fit and style (not size). Women are all shaped differently and a professional fitter will steer you in the right direction for your shape.
Let's face it, the "girls" need (and deserve) adequate support and it's up to us to make it happen. Besides, you only look your best in your clothes when what's under your clothes is truly supportive!
I shouldn't need to tell you much about tossing out (excuse me, throwing out in the trash) old worn out undergarments. Worn undergarments are not typically something given away, they are trash.
Ask yourself these questions honestly. If you answer "yes" to any of them, get a new bra!
Do the straps on your bra hold their length without stretching?
Is the band around your rib cage stretched? Does it still hold tight to your body?
Have you gained or lost weight, resulting in a change in your band or cup size?
Do you notice any fraying fabric anywhere on your bra?
Are the molded cups of your bra beginning to show signs of wrinkling or dimpling?
Is the fabric of your bra looking dingy or stained from perspiration or everyday wear and washing?
When you wear a tight-fitting top over your bra, do you notice any bra bulge anywhere along your breast line and back?
Are you feeling any discomfort or pain between your shoulder blades or back?
Do you need to tighten the straps of your bra more often to give your breasts proper lift and support?
Pamper yourself with a new bra. You'll look slimmer in the torso when the "girls" are up where they belong!
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants http://www.missussmartypants.com/
FLY Olympic Closet Challenge #9
MissusSmartyPants here: Grab your timer and declutter kits ladies. Let's go! Today's 15 minute closet decluttering mission is to:
Day nine: How's your makeup drawer looking? I thought so! It does get pretty disorganized over time. Let's take 15 minutes and sort through it right now.
Makeup does have a limited self life. If it's old or it smells funny it needs to be tossed out especially if it is eye makeup!
Toss any makeup if you hate the color on you, it's broken, or you really can't remember when you purchased it.
Here is a guide to know when to pitch your makeup:
Liquid Foundation: 1 year
Cream or Compact Foundation: 18 months
Concealers: 12-18 months
Powder: 2 years
Blush and Bronzers: 2 years
Cream Blush: 12-18 months
Powder Eye shadow: 2 years
Cream Eye shadow: 12-18 months
Eyeliner pencils: 2 years
Liquid eyeliner: 3-6 months
Mascara: 3 months
Lipsticks: 2 years
Lip gloss: 18-24 months
Nail polish: 1 year
TIP: From now on, when you purchase new makeup, take a permanent marker and write the date on it. Now you'll be able to use the above guide and know when to pitch your makeup!
Do you have a broken lipstick you love and hate to throw away? Here how you can reuse it. You can make it into a colored lip balm! Take the broken lipstick and a purchased lip balm (I like Carmex in the small jars) and put both in a microwave safe dish. Heat them up using 50% power for 45 seconds (or until just melted). Mix immediately, then when cooled enough, pour back into lip balm jar. You'll have a wonderful colored lip balm to enjoy!
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants http://www.missussmartypants.com/
FLY Olympic Closet Challenge #8
MissusSmartyPants here: Grab your timer and declutter kits ladies. Let's go! Today's 15 minute closet decluttering mission is to:
Day eight: Let's declutter our other accessories, like belts and scarves. All these fabulous extras can really pull your wardrobe togetherâif you let them. However, they need to be organized so you can view them. It's not a big deal when we do it 15 minutes at a time! Set your timers, here we go:
Belts. Go through your belts and decide if they are keepers or not. If they don't fit or are brokenâpurge them. You can hang all the belts you want to keep on hooks or put them in a drawerâit is up to you.
Are you afraid to wear belts, think they make you look fat? That is not necessarily true. Belts can give every woman's shape more definition! Here is how to look slim by wearing belts:
Wear a belt the same color as your outfit.
Wear a belt under an open jacket.
Wear a narrow belt.
Wear a hip or low slung belt if your waist is short.
Scarves. Now go through your scarves and decide what needs purging and what you'll keep. You should give away any scarf that is not in a pleasing color for your skin tone. Other than that you should consider ways to add more scarves into your weekly wardrobe. A colorful scarf is a fun way to show off your style. Problem is women are afraid to wear them!
Style challenge: tonight when you are setting out your clothes for tomorrow, add a scarf to your outfit! Then email me and let me know about all the compliments you've received. I can't wait to hear from you!
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants http://www.missussmartypants.com/
FLY Olympic Closet Challenge #7
MissusSmartyPants here: Grab your timer and declutter kits ladies. Let's go! Today's 15 minute closet decluttering mission is to:
Day seven: Declutter your jewelry box. In my opinion having lots of jewelry is a good thing. Accessories are powerful (and fun) tools we can use to spice up the clothes we already have!
However, the problem is most women can't see (or find) half of what they own?their jewelry is a tangled mess. If your jewelry box is cluttered with knotted necklaces and such?it needs to be organized so you can see what you have?and wear it!
Warning: taking on your jewelry box may take more than 15 minutes, so break up your decluttering missions into several intervals, if needed. To make the process more enjoyable put on some music while you work through your jewelry box.
Get started by sorting all of your jewelry by item. All necklaces need to be put together?then sorted. All earrings together?then sorted. All rings, all brooches, etc. Get it?
Once you have all your necklaces together (and untangled) consider how you are going to store them. You can use small zip-lock bags or a small utility container (with adjustable compartments) or hang them on cup hooks or use other creative ways to keep them untangled and accessible so you'll wear them.
I keep all my necklaces in zip-lock bag and all in one dresser drawer. So when I want to find a necklace to match my outfit?I simply open that drawer and look through. Nothing gets tangled when everything is in a baggie. Other women like to hang their necklaces and view them prior to deciding what to wear. It's up to you.
The main goal is to have all like jewelry items together so you'll be able to use them (sort them by color too). I know this sounds a little obsessive, but I've found that having like items together and colorized (and anything that tangles in a baggie) helps me put together my style quickly! When you wear your jewelry on a regular basis?your style really comes together!
Style tip: necklaces are really popular right now. Consider wearing a bold or statement necklace. It's a great way to bring attention upwards and away from other areas on the body!
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants http://www.missussmartypants.com/
FLY Olympic Closet Challenge #6
MissusSmartyPants here: Grab your timer and declutter kits ladies. Let's go! Today's 15 minute closet decluttering mission:
Day six: Today we try on (in front of a full length mirror) every skirt or dress in our closet. If anything is 10 years or olderâit's probably best to purge it right away (it's just too dated in fabric or fit no doubt), no need to try it on.
If a skirt is stained, worn looking, no longer fits, is missing buttons or simply outdatedâtoss them! Decide which ones are for the "throw away" pile and which ones are for the "give away" pile.
If you aren't sure what dresses or skirts are keepers, here are some tips to help you decide:
The "perfect" skirt/dress length is around the knee (slimmest area of your leg) and the length is proportionally correct for most women. In other words, you can't go wrong with knee length!
Long ankle or mid-calf styles are outdated and often matronly. You can quickly bring yourself into the year 2010 with a skirt or dress worn at your knee. FYI: short skirt lengths are "hot" this spring, but no need to go there unless you are still a teen!
When deciding what to keep and what to toss remember these things:
Gathers add thickness
Dark colors/dark backgrounds are slimming
Shiny fabrics bring attention to that area
An A-line and a straight skirt are the most slimming styles
If you do wear a full skirt, your shirt should be fitted (and visa versa)
I hope these tips help you clear out the old skirts and dresses. This spring would be a fabulous time to add a new dress or skirt into the mix!
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants http://www.missussmartypants.com/
FLY Olympic Closet Challenge #5
MissusSmartyPants here: Grab your timer and declutter kits ladies. Let's go! Today's 15 minute closet decluttering mission is to:
Day five: Ladies today we are decluttering our everyday handbag and our handbag shelf. How's your handbag looking right now? Are you afraid to answer me truthfully? If so, today is the day to get it in order!
Perhaps you only have one main handbag? Is it worn out, held together by a safety pin and so full and heavy it hurts your shoulder?
Do you have a shelf full of handbags every color and size?all way too dusty and never used? If you aren't using it in a regular rotation, no longer love it, or don't need to keep it for a formal occasion put it in the "give away" pile. No sense hanging on to a bunch of purses you don't love or won't ever use! Any purse with broken clasps, stains, or cracked leather should simply be tossed!
If your handbag is not reflecting your style in a positive way ?then it's time for a replacement?or decluttering it at the very least.
If you're ready to replace your handbag, you'll want a new one that not only reflects your style, but also makes your shape look its best. I'll bet you didn't know a handbag can improve your shape did you? Well it can!
Your silhouette is critical to handbag choice. Visualize this: a petite woman carrying huge tote or a large woman with a tiny clutch in her hand. Your handbag size is directly related to your own size. If you are large, your handbag should be large, okay? The same is true if you are petite, you should carry a smaller bag.
Now keep your handbag size in mind, because finding the correct shape works differently. If your body shape is more round and curvy, choose a bag with some structure and a definite shape. Therefore, you are actually choosing the opposite of your body shape. Another example would be if you are tall and slender, a handbag that is a slouchy hobo would be best.
One more tip, try on lots handbags over your arm and in front of a mirror. Do this with several bags before buying anything. It will help you get a good feel for the right shape and size handbag for you! All handbags with shoulder straps look their best when they hit mid-torso. I make a big deal about this because if you are like me you do not want to highlight the width of your hips, thighs and bum. You are doing just that if your purse hits down at your hips! Instead think mid-torso!
And another thing?just because your bag is larger, it doesn't mean you need to fill it up! Only carry what you need like your FlyLady wallet, a lipstick or two, a compact, a couple of personal items, car gloves and keys. Your purse is not the dumping ground for the kid's toys!
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants http://www.missussmartypants.com/
P. S. Next week's closet decluttering missions will include: skirts and dresses, our jewelry box, accessories, makeup and undergarments. Rest up, we'll be back in our closets next Monday!
FLY Olympic Closet Challenge #4
MissusSmartyPants here: Grab your timer and declutter kits ladies. Let's go! Today's 15 minute closet decluttering mission is to:
Day four: You started your closet decluttering missions just 3 days ago and look how great your closet is already looking? If not jump right in today! By taking babysteps and decluttering your closet for 15 minutes at a time you are on your way to a closet full of only things you love! You'll find when you purge the clutter (and have less in there) you'll actually have more to wear! Trust meâit's true!
Today I'd like you to go through your shoes for 15 minutes. Set your timers, here we go!
After helping women organize their closets, the biggest problem I see when it comes to shoes is women thinking the shoes will get more comfortable after they "break them in". This is false. If they aren't comfortable in the store, they aren't going to become more comfortable at home!
I like to organize my shoes by season and type of shoe. I like to keep boots, mules and winter shoes all together. I also like to keep dress shoes and pumps together. Then I group sandals, espadrilles and flip-flops in another section. That way, it's easier to select a shoe based on what I'm wearing.
Look at each pair of shoes. Are they scuffed up, unevenly worn, is the leather cracked? If so, put all of these shoes in the "throw away" bag. No one will want to wear shoesâyou don't want to wear either!
Ask yourself, "Do I wear these shoes?" Why or why not? Do they match anything? Are they uncomfortable, not your taste, heel is too high or other issues that will mean you'll never wear them? If so, put in the "give away" pile and bless someone else with them.
Style tip: Wear the proper shoe for the correct outfit and look really put-together!
Flats: pencils skirts, sheath dress, skinny pants, mid-thigh shorts.
Mid-height heels: office ready style (1 ½" heels) Add slimming height-yet practical.
Platforms & wedges: Fun yet comfortable style, high waist pants/skirts, city shorts, baby-doll dresses, full skirts.
Stilettos: A slender high heel for cocktail dresses, wide-leg trousers, pencil skirts, skinny pants/jeans. This sassy shoe gets you attention!
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants http://www.missussmartypants.com/
FLY Olympic Closet Challenge #3
MissusSmartyPants here: Grab your timer and declutter kits ladies. Let's go! Today's 15 minute closet decluttering mission is to:
Day three: Today let's commit to decluttering our knitwear, tees and sweaters.
Knitwear can be good or bad. Good because knitwear it comfortable and easy to fit into. Bad because it can reveal bumps and lumps you rather stay hidden.
Let's take 15 minutes to go through the fit of our knitwear and put the items not-so-good in our "give away" pile.
Knits that "skim" the body are fine.
Knitwear, tees and sweaters with v-necks are the most slimming.
Bulky knits add heftâor weight to your frame (and can be too hot).
Snug-fitting knits, tees and sweaters over-emphasize even the smallest of bumps (like a stuffed sausage) and should be purged from your closet.
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants http://www.missussmartypants.com/
FLY Olympic Closet Challenge #2
MissusSmartyPants here: Grab your timer and declutter kits ladies. Let's go! Today's 15 minute closet
decluttering mission is to:
Day two: Today let's take 15 minutes and declutter our jeans and pants. Set your timer and let's go!
Try on each pant or jean in front of a full length mirror (a long mirror can be purchased inexpensively at a "big box" store if needed). Assess the fit, color and style of each pant you try on.
Do you love it? Simple in design, classic in style, goes with lots of what you own?
Does it fit well? Or do the pockets pull and gape open? Do the seams pull or pucker, does the crotch has horizontal lines (all signs of pants too tight). Or are they too baggy they don't show your true shape?
How about the pant length? Pants too short look silly like you are waiting for a flood?but did you also know they make you appear shorter and heavier? They do!
What about the waistband? If it's too snug, it will create a bulge usually over the top of the pants (can you say "muffin top"?) If your waist is undefined try wider waistbands to get a smoother look in your pants.
How about your back pockets? The right size back pockets will make your bum look its best?no matter your size. Your back pocket size should be in proportion to your body size. In other words if you are full figured, pass on all pants with small back pockets. Also the placement (location) of the back pocket is critical. Pockets in the middle are best. Pocket high up can make your bum look big, pockets too low can make your bum look saggy! Who knew back pockets were so critical, right?!
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants http://www.missussmartypants.com/
FLY Olympic Closet Challenge #1
MissusSmartyPants here: Grab your timer and declutter kits ladies. Let's go! Today's 15 minute closet decluttering mission is to:
Day one: Sort through all hanging blouses and shirts today. Do not include knitwear like tees and sweaters (we'll do them at a later date). We only want to sort through our hanging shirts and blouses right now.
Try on each shirt and blouse and ask yourself:
Do I love this blouse?
Does it fit me well? (Not tight, no gaping open and not baggy either)
Does it need mending/altering? Am I willing to do it right away or have it done?
Does the color flatter me?
If you answer "no" to any of the above questions, put it in the "give away" bag.
If any blouse is stained or torn, put it in the "throw away" bag.
Style tip: check the lengths of your shirts and blouses in a full length mirror. Often women wear their shirts too long in order to try to cover up their trouble zones. Shirts too long and too baggy can make women look heavier than they are.
Instead look for shirts and blouses that hit above your mid-hip (where your leg meets your torso when you sit). Avoid shirts that cut your body in half.
Love, Leslie aka MissusSmartyPants http://www.missussmartypants.com/
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