Friends + Finds = Fashion

Part of the timing for my personal style makeover (in progress...) was driven by my semi-annual Book Club Clothes Exchange extravaganza. A few years ago my friends and I realized that we really loved one another's looks, and when one person tired of a favorite item, there were always a few ladies waiting in the wings to give the beloved garment a new lease on life. So was born the Book Club Clothes Exchange.

In addition to being "green", it's given us all a little more courage to let go of favorite items. After all - who doesn't want to see their beloved jeans that no longer fit go to a friend who is going to rock the look, and probably call you each time she does to let you know how grateful she is? Oh - and the price is right on all items at the exchange (free!) and anything that doesn't find a home goes to charity.

This year we added a new element, inviting awesome Stella & Dot stylist Amy McDowell to join us to help accessorize our new looks (and participate in the exchange, of course!) I'll be featuring photos of each girl and her favorite look in the coming days, but in the meantime, here are a few previews from the exchange itself. We had more clothes than ever before and tons and tons of fun (but that's just a given...)

Highlight of the exchange included toasting Tori's engagement (that's her on the right)
while traveling Europe a few weeks ago. Sarah's was the lucky one who got to cozy with Tori
while she spilled the beans on the big moment.

Laura & Ashley pillaging the skirt section of the exchange.
Note Ashley's laser kitty tee. Not part of the exchange,
but a find that someone is surely "eyeing" for the future. Get it, "eye"ing...?

We had to know that Tobie would be drawn to the sporty pants!

Jessica digging in to the shirts, and looking awesome post-baby!

April in action!

Amy Claire Wild lives up to her name.
Awesome tank donated to the exchange...

In addition to fashion, other statements are made at clothes exchange.
One of us works for Planned Parenthood.
Wonder if that's the same person who brought this shirt? (Answer = yes. Awesome.)

Decoding the Dress

As I mentioned, I'm working on a personal style makeover. In accordance with my own advice, I printed out the awesome little worksheet from Real Simple's recent "Never Buy the Wrong Thing Again" story and hopped in the car this weekend, bound and determined to check one thing off their wardrobe-essentials list. I thought I might start with a dress. I love dresses. Easy, right? Then I looked at the list. The sundress part I get - I think. Cocktail dress? No problem - maybe. Sheath? Um, I'm getting confused. Shift? I'm lost. This might be why I have very little personal style...

So - I'm doing some research that I hope will benefit all of us. I'm "decoding the dress."

Sheath - according to Wikipedia (thanks!), a sheath dress is designed to tightly fit the body and is often made of thin material, typically falls around the knees or lower thighs, and can be strapped or strapless. Good to know. Here's a look I like, that I think is totally "work-worthy," as suggested by the shopping list. Thoughts?

Calvin Klein
shop.nordstrom.com

Sundress - the sundress is meant for warmer weather (brilliant naming convention!) and is typically informal or casual. It's made of lighter material and can come in a wide variety of cuts. Wikipedia says it's meant to be worn without a layering top, but I'm voting for a light sweater or jacket to be prepped for Colorado weather. Here's a look I like, but I'm not sure it fully embodies the "sundress" feel. Any fashionistas care to weigh in?

JCrew
jcrew.com

Little black dress - this is an evening or cocktail dress cut simply and often quite short (per Wikipedia... but I think it could be longer). Coco Chanel is attributed with inventing this look, which is intended to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable and accessible. I have to admit, I have this awesome black dress that I got years ago at Target (not kidding) for like $30 (also not kidding) that is washable and has pockets (get out!) AND gets huge compliments every time I wear it. That said, I am certain I could use a new dress... Here's a look I like, although I might prefer a different material. Might need to work out a little more before venturing into a dress like this, too!

Xscape
shop.nordstrom.com

Shift - last but not least, the shift. This is a short dress which is suitable for all body types (yeah - equal opportunity!) and is defined by the simple, straight lines. I actually saw the dress below in a catalog this weekend. Wasn't sure it was called a shift - but I think this is right on and real cute. Not sure how the overall yellow would look in real life, though, since I'm not 6 feet tall or a size 2... But I am totally sold on the idea of a shift (or two!) for my wardrobe.

Boden
bodenusa.com

So there you have it. Dresses decoded for today. Whew! Now off to shop...

Closet Capers

So - I've mentioned before how much I love a good makeover. From clothes to kitchens, I like seeing things go from "drab to fab" (I know, cliche, but the rhyme just sounds good...)

SCARY: "Before" closet photo.
Disclaimer: I share the closet with my husband.
I do not have a secret fetish for men's shoes!

So now it's my turn. Recently I've had a lot of body issues. In the past few years I've gone from awesome pre-baby shape to post baby pudge and while I'm motivated in spurts (when I have time and energy, ha-ha-ha) to kick the baby fat, I also am trying to come to grips with the fact that bodies just aren't the same after babies (I know - shocking - but for us first time moms it takes some time to grasp the concept!)

I found this article from Real Simple back in May called Never Buy The Wrong Clothes Again and I love the tips. So today it starts. I'm tackling my closet, kicking out the drab and making room for some fab new, size-appropriate, versatile (I'm a full-time professional AND a mom) styles. Along the way I'm enlisting the help of some friends and I will gladly share my adventures here! I'm sure it's going to be funny and probably sometimes a little scary (the "before" is rarely enviable... like this scary picture of my closet's current state), but maybe we can all share some tips with one another along the way.

My first tip? Check out this awesome checklist from Real Simple to provide some guidelines for tackling your closet and making a shopping list and reframing your mindset about personal style. I'm printing myself a copy right now!

Feeling Crafty Again...

Maybe it's fall coming on (at least - I'm dreaming of fall temps, tall boots and being able to bake/cook in my house without overheating the entire place...), but I'm starting to feel a little crafty again and I was inspired by this great post from one of my favorite blogs, Home Stories A2Z, on how to find color palette inspiration. Beth provided some amazing examples and tools for selecting color palettes and my mind is spinning... I'm going to be spending lots of time on Design Seeds for sure!

Image: Design Seeds
I would LOVE this color palette in our bedroom, which we just painted grey like the color on the bottom...

I was also inspired by this post from Jane at Modern Jane. Isn't her front door (below) the cutest thing you've ever seen? We need a new front door (hoping it can be a Christmas project when my father-in-law is in town...) and it would be awesome to paint it a fun color. I'm thinking something in the yellow family. Thoughts?

Photo: Modern Jane

After...

One week later and it's done! My awesome kitchen makeover is complete and we think it looks great. I took this picture before we put the hardware back on - but it's still the antique brass even though my original plan was brushed nickel. That was the only wrench in my plans, but the door hinges made keeping the other hardware a necessity - at least for now...

Kitchen "after".
How come my floors look cleaner in pictures than in real life?

Next project: painting our bedroom - which has been in desperate need of painting since my father-in-law built us a new closet in May!

Extreme Makeover: My Kitchen Edition

My kitchen: before.

I am so excited - tomorrow marks the start of a paint makeover in my beloved kitchen! I should caveat that the kitchen is beloved because I spend so much time there cooking, which I love. However, the cupboards are definitely worn down and the paint color is something along the lines of Big Bird yellow. I do love the backsplash and under-cabinet lighting, but my love for those is tempered by my dislike of the ancient stove (yes, I know it looks cool - but if you'd like to clean it out by hand give me a call) and the amazing (when you can't say something nice...) blue countertops. I would never have picked them myself.

Thanks to some designer friends, our state tax refund (thanks, Colorado!) and a serendipitous e-mail announcing that a wonderful painter had some suddenly found time - our kitchen is about to undergo a needed makeover. The cabinets will become a distressed white, the walls are getting a muted taupe color, the hardware will all be changed to brushed nickel, and the dishes in the before picture will all be put away. Hee-hee, had to throw that one in there.

Stay tuned for the after shots! The job should be over by the weekend.