10 Ways to UpStyle Your Closet

I love a beautiful closet and think it’s one of the easiest ways to enhance your life.  A beautiful closet makes your clothes and accessories look better and I believe it can also make you feel your best each and every day.

Many of the design clients I work with struggle with making the most of their closet, from organizing it to making it a design statement like the rest of their bedroom.  No matter how big or small your closet is, there are some design tricks you can use to make it a beautiful, functional and inspiring space.

1.  CREATE A POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION

If you don’t have a walk-in closet, don’t let that stop you from creating a dynamic first impression with your closet.  Painting your closet doors, adding trim work or using wall paper to add a graphic punch is a great way to up-style your closet.

2.  ADD PAINT OR PAPER

Adding a little pizazz to the inside of your closet will not only energize the space but your clothes will look more glamorous surrounded by pretty paper or paint.

 

I love the idea of wall-papering the inside of a closet door.  It creates such a pretty backdrop to display outfits against.

Paint your closet walls your favorite color which is sure to lift your spirits.

3.  ORGANIZE BY COLOR

 

Organizing your clothes by style first (shirts, pants, skirts etc.) and then by color will give your closet a stylized feel and make getting dressed easier.

And don’t forget that the hangers are part of your style statement so use all one style of hanger to give your closet a streamlined and  cohesive look.

4.  KEEP IT ORGANIZED

I can’t stress how important an organized closet is to starting your day on a good foot.  Keep like items together and use shelf dividers to keep things tidy.

 

5.  USE STORAGE BOXES AS A STYLE ELEMENT

Storage boxes are another great organizing tool.  Invest in study boxes with stylish details.  Storage boxes can become part of your closet style!  If you come across plain boxes at the thrift store, an inexpensive roll of wrapping paper and double-sided tape  can transform them into decorative boxes in a flash.

6.  PUT THINGS ON DISPLAY

I love to incorporate decorative accents into a closet space.  Hanging a piece of art or displaying accessories or personal care items on decorative risers can transform your closet into a special space.

7.  MAKE IT PERSONAL

If space allows, why not incorporate a small vanity desk or chaise into your closet space.  It my not seem like you’d hang out in your closet but I promise this will become a special retreat for you.

8.  ADD A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR

One of the easiest ways to up-style your closet is by hanging a chic chandelier or pendant light.  This change alone will make your closet feel special and personal.

9.  ADD SEATING

Ok, who wouldn’t want this gorgeous ottoman in their closet.  Seating, whether a chair, stool or ottoman will give you a place to put on your shoes and turn your closet into a salon.

10.  ADD A RUG

Adding a decorative rug as a style layer in your closest is a quick and easy up-style tip.  Go bold or stay classic but layer a rug to give your closet a sense of warmth and coziness.

If you’re looking for ways to make your closet a more inspiring space, try one or more of these Closet UpStyle Tips!

Happy Decorating!

If you’d like help creating a home your absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services!

all images can be found on MY DREAM CLOSET pinterest board.

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Inspiration + Weekend Reads

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and mom’s everywhere!

A few links I think you’ll enjoy this weekend!

I find this stores business model  and its CEO DISGRACEFUL!

Such inspiration and a beautiful home too!

My favorite on-line mag!

I’m back in jewelry making mode and want to recreate this necklace!

Great advice on fulfilling your dreams!

I love this DIY project and just may have to create my own version!

I never thought I’d think of JC Penney as a source for cute apparel but this, this and this is making me change my mind.

 

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The Kentucky Derby 2013: I Went, I Got Wet and I Didn’t Win

Hi there! I hope everyone is easing into the week. After resting up yesterday, I’m feeling better with just a husky voice and a lingering cough the only signs of my cold. I promised I’d be back today to share the highlights of my trip to the Kentucky Derby. If you watched the Derby on TV  you saw that it was raining like cats and dogs so I have to apologize up front that I didn’t get to take as many photos as I wanted and some of the photos are dark given the weather, but there is plenty to see!

First let me say that if you’ve never been to the Kentucky Derby you must add it to your bucket list. It really is a once in-a-lifetime adventure and the best people watching ever. Louisville is a beautiful southern city but when it comes to the Derby, the city transforms into an entirely different place. Pomp, circumstance, big hats and more private jets at an airport than I’ve ever seen before. I’ve been to Churchill Downs before and have attend Kentucky Derby events in the past, but I’ve never attended the official derby day races before and can only describe it as amazing!

Upon arriving in Louisville I told my brother I needed to buy a hat for derby day. He said “no problem” but failed to mention to me what it was like shopping for a hat the day before the derby. OMG!!!!

I visited several stores, saw some beautiful hats and I tried on lots of them. Bold, colorful and overly embellished was the protocol for the derby.  I snapped these photos in a store called Dee’s where you could by pre-made hats, or if you wanted something a little more custom you could buy different elements ($17 for a silk flower) and the store designers would create a hat right there on the spot for you.  So I dove in searched for “my hat”….

 

All the hats I looked at were amazing, but I just couldn’t pay $150 or more for a hat that I would probably only wear once. Yes, $150 was the average price for a hat (even at SteinMart).  The pink and black hat in the photo above was $189.00 and the black and white hat in the top photo was $169.00.  Ladies were buying these hats like they were candy but I just couldn’t go there.

So, what’s a girl to do when she needs a hat for the Kentucky Derby but wants to do it on the down low? She gets creative and pulls out the hot glue gun, that’s what she does!

{keep reading, the unveiling of my hat is coming}

But before the hat could be made there was partying to do…

On our first night in Louisville we attended the Derby Poker Championship Gala where professional poker players and celebrities gathered to play poker with proceeds going to charity.  There was lots of money and cocktails flowing but the highlight of the evening for me was meeting and chatting with legendary basketball coach Denny Crum.  My brother is a VP at the University of Louisville and has worked with Denny for many years so we were able to get a photo with him.

The hubs, me and Denny Crum

The food was flowing, the music was blasting, there was dancing and this amazing artist was on site creating this piece of art.  He started painting at the beginning of the event and had the piece complete by the end of the evening.

The next evening, we attended a formal dinner party hosted by Senator Gerald Neal and his wife.  The event included a wonderful southern dinner, a jazz band, a play and dancing.

The hubs and me in our duds

My brother Dwight and his girlfriend Mary

Needless to say after shopping for a hat, parties and cocktails I was a tired gal but there was still a hat to be made.  Late Friday night I pulled out my supplies and got to work.  My outfit for the derby was this long brightly colored dress so I decided to use a black hat and dress it up with flowers and tulle to match the dress.

I added a green band of ribbon around the cap of the hat

and then added black tulle and big fluffy flowers in orange, white and royal blue.

I didn’t want an over-the-top hat so I was really happy with the way this turned out and for only $50.00.

Saturday morning we set out for Churchill Downs.  It was already raining and luckily we had rain ponchos in the car and stopped at the dollar store for cheap umbrellas we could dump at the gate.

Churchill Downs in a truly amazing structure.  The entire property is enormous and the architectural details are something to be admired.

There was lots of security at the entrance gate so I felt really safe plus all handbags were being check and they were doing body scans too.

The crowds were thick but that didn’t stop me from checking  out all the fashions.  There was lots of classic derby attire like seersucker suits and eyelet dresses

but a few women decided to go be a little bolder with their look.

Many of the men also got the “go bold or go home” message and came dressed to stand out.

The guys above and below couldn’t walk 10 feet without someone asking to take their photo.

Even Colonel Sanders ( with his stunt double) and Abe Lincoln made an appearance.

My brother and Mary took a more sophisticated approach with their derby attire.

Along with the clothes, there were amazing hats, some high style and some more comical.

 

I think this woman forgot she was in Kentucky and not Florida.

An after-Christmas clearance item put to good use

There were lots of celebrities walking the red carpet including Smokey Robinson and his wife.  This was the only picture I was able to get before the crowds drowned me out.

 

Jeez, this post is going on forever so I’m going to leave you with a few more images of Kentucky Derby 2013. 

Here’s the rose garland that was draped over the winning horse.  Did you know that a different Kroger grocery store in Louisville makes this garland each year, the night before the race?

Despite getting really wet and catching a cold, we had a great time.  We are already planning our trip to the derby next year and I’m gathering ideas for my hat.  I think I’m going to be on the “go bold or go home” team for derby 2014!  Why not!

all images by ConfettiStyle

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Fashion Focus: Sneakers for Spring and Summer

all fashion images via Pinterest

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Fashion Focus: Overalls

TGIF!

Just dropping in to end the week with a little fashion advice!

Having worked in the fashion industry for years, I’ve seen fashion trends come and go and then come again.  One of the fashion statements that has come back into the fold for spring is DENIM OVERALLS.  Just the other day I was at the mall and within 20 minutes I spotted three young women wearing overalls.  What caught my attention most was not the fact that seeing overalls took me back to my high school days but that there is obviously a right and wrong way to wear this look. Two of the three women I saw got it right and looked super chic, comfortable and fashion forward, the third woman got it wrong and looked like she just stepped off the farm and came to the big city for the day.

With that said, I know many of you will be sporting this look for spring so I thought I’d give you my take on the RIGHT and WRONG ways to look stylish is denim overalls.

oh so WRONG way…

Overalls that are too oversized and slouchy just look dumpy.  She looks like she has on her dad’s overalls and is not happy about it!

Again, too slouchy and the length is way to long.

Never ever wear overalls with just one strap fastened. The last time I saw someone with this look I was in the back woods of Oklahoma, his name was Bubba and he was in the process of skinning a raccoon so it could be BBQ’d (no lie)!

 This look is only for females ages 8 or younger.  Stay away from patterns and go with solid denim only!

the RIGHT way…

Slim fit overalls with a cuffed leg look super  chic.  Pair your overalls with a simple tee and wedge sandals or flats for spring.

Overalls are the one place where I think the faded look works and pairing them with a soft blouse will keep the look feminine without being too cutesy!

I love the look of striped tee with overalls. Black and white stripes are always classic and will allow you to accessorize with punch of color. {A little more conservative shoe would be my suggestion}

A win, win look is to pair your overalls with a heel.  Heels add style and a touch of glam.  And again, cuffed bottoms are the way to go.

 

And for the men that read my blog, the fashion advice I have for you is…..NEVER, EVER WEAR OVERALLS!   

 

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photo Celebuzz

photo Celebuzz

Need I say more!

Have a great weekend and stay fashionable!

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Fashion Focus: Transitioning from Winter to Spring

While I love the arrival of spring, I also hate this time of year because the weather is just plain wacky!  One day it’s warm and the next I’m back in my UGG’s or wearing my rain boots.

When the weather is so unpredictable, there is one piece of clothing I rely on.  This piece allows me to layer without feeling bulky on cooler days and when the day is warmer, this piece is lightweight enough to keep me comfortable while giving me a little coverage.  I also like that my g0-to winter to spring transition piece can be worn with jean and a tee or dressed up a bit with a maxi skirt and jewels.  So, do you want to know what my favorite transition piece of clothing is?  It’s the………….

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When it comes to fashion I love a piece of clothing that can carry me from one season to the next and allows me to wear it in multiple ways. 

In my book that is a true wardrobe staple!

What’s your go to spring fashion piece?

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Inspiration + Weekend Reading

Proof positive that design is in the details!  via styleathome

If you’re on Pinterest you’ll find these tips on organizing your Pinterest boards helpful.

I think this would make for a pretty cute spring fashion statement. I just added it to my project list.

This room design is inspiring on so many levels!

If you love to DIY, you’ll want to check out the new DIY website from Censational Girl, Kate!

If the striped dressed on the cover doesn’t get you then the content inside the magazine will!

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Design Trend: Pastels

I spotted this book at the bookstore over the weekend and was really taken by all the beautiful images it has. As someone who was classified years ago as a “winter” {remember the days of the fashion color wheel?} I have never had a real affinity for pastels in my clothing or in my décor.  I am however growing to like the infusion of a few soft color statements in a room and how they portray a sense of femininity and sophistication. And in fashion, nothing seems fresher for spring than soft colored accessories

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