Cleaning Out

April 8, 2013November 12, 2013 by gemilbourne ♥ 2 Comments

[S/S Nail Colors – displayed and organized of course!]

I’ve gotta be honest- I live for organizing closets. Changing season from winter to spring is especially giddy-inducing because it means swapping my darker colored pieces for more brights, and airy dresses.

I understand that this experience isn’t a joy for everyone, so I’m sharing some of my tried and true tips for organizing a closet that is neat, inspiring, and aesthetically pleasing.

1. Start with what you always use. Pull out pieces that you wear mostly year round (for me this is long and short sleeved tees, along with some tank tops for layering). Cotton fabrics are fine folded if you don’t have room to hang them. I like to organize mine in color families from dark to light. Store them somewhere easy to get to and pull out in a hurry (Monday morning anyone?). Also, don’t let your folded stacks get too high or they’ll get messy and may collapse on one another.

(Confession: I have a whole stack of various striped shirts … )

2. Say ‘Bye Bye’ – Put away clothes that are out of season – I store mine in under the bed boxes. Use labels to record what pieces are in each box in case the weather changes (vacation, for example), or you need things in a pinch. Also be honest with pieces that you barely wore all season, and put these aside for a clothing donation site in your area.

3. Make friends with your closet – Despite the fact that my closets have no overhead lighting, and are quite narrow, I make them work. I organize by tank tops, short sleeves, long sleeves, and then jackets (left to right). I try to hang things that wrinkle easily (linens, silks) or that get lost easily in the folded piles below. I also color coordinate in terms of each section of my closet (tanks, short sleeves, blouses, jackets), but find a system that helps you find things easily, and see the dominant colors you own – this is also a great way to see what colors your are drawn too, and have an ample, or meager selection of.

4. Get artsy – This one may only be applicable for true fashion lovers, but I always use my shoes as decorative art – besides, I don’t have enough room for them in my closet anyway …

I hope these tips help each of you find a system that works for your closet space, style, and type of pieces. I’d love to hear if you are trying a new approach this season! Also, hope you enjoy the new layout – working out a few kinks with templates, etc!

Thanks for visiting!

Good things come (Spring, that means you)

April 5, 2013November 12, 2013 by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

[The Details: Top: Banana Republic, Skirt: F21; Necklace: Random, Pumps: Nine West]

As we all know, Spring has been quite late in arriving this year … even now I am patiently cuing up new items to debut. In the meanwhile though, I thought I’d share this outfit from my Easter weekend. I was inspired by an outfit (featured here) and had to test out my own version.

I think red paired with peachy pinks, or even a more icy blush tone, would work nicely no? Don’t worry about me, I’ll just be here planning spring outfits that will see the light of day in May (if we’re lucky).

Signing off on a high note,

Happy weekend!

Neon Violet

March 27, 2013November 12, 2013 by gemilbourne ♥ 2 Comments

[The Details: Sunnies: Ray Ban, Lipstick: Covergirl Fairytale, Blazer: Apostrophe, Tee shirt: Gap, Necklace: F21, Jeans: J.Crew, Flats: Nine West, Watch:Fossil]

SO, not going to lie, I’ve been waiting, just dyinggg, to wear these pants for months. Snagged them on a sale earlier in the winter and finally felt it was appropriate (read, sunny and spring like enough) to wear these out. They actually are a lot more neon than I initially thought, but a saturated hue works just as well as a pastel. Instead of pairing with another light color (as I would with a pastel), I thought something more stately, like a navy would complement nicely. I finished the look with some light jewelry and a bold lip – because I never need an excuse for that. I’m crushing pretty hard on any and every shade of purple this season, so look for more of that on the blog.

Hope everyone’s having a great week!

Style Now: White Out

March 21, 2013November 12, 2013 by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

(Photos via: Pinterest, my boards here, & A Cup of Jo)

In the fashion world, we can sometimes get so caught up in mixing colors, prints, and patterns that we lose the subtlety and class of true style. The all-white look, whether in winter, spring, or summer, brings the right amount of freshness to each season while staying current with appropriate pieces. For now, we can focus this with white jeans and a t-shirt (we all have those!), or try a short-suit like shown above. I also love the full length A-line which brings some old glamour with it.

For a look that stands out, without being fussy, go for all white. If that’s a little too bold, pair two white items with one neutral to get a similar effect. Or if you want to go with a trendy look, test out white nails (I know this is on my list to try).

Will you all try this look? I’d love to hear your thoughts! xo

Fields of Green

March 9, 2013November 12, 2013 by gemilbourne ♥ 2 Comments

[The Look: Embellished Sheath: The LOFT, Blazer: Vintage, Jeans: Rich and Skinny, Flats: Calvin Klein]

This title is inspired by my dear co-worker and friend who told me my top and blazer looked like a fresh and clean spring field. Apparently I have embodied my longing for warmer weather? Don’t hate it. I wanted to keep this look simple and wearable for work and after hours. I feel like a white blazer is such a crisp way to update other simple pieces and feel a tiny bit fancy. Also, I may be celebrating St. Patty’s day just a little early …. ?

Thanks for enduring these inside shoots too – I can’t wait for the warmer weather (yes, this is a occurring theme of my life) and being able to take some photos outside!

Once again, thanks for following along! xo

Pattern Play (with some old faves)

March 6, 2013October 19, 2016 by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

[The details: Chambray Shirt: Banana Republic, Wrap Sweater: Banana Republic, Jeans: Gap, Booties: Dolce Vita, Lipstick: Elizabeth Arden, Marigold]

When all else fails, I have found some of the most interesting (and unexpected) outfit combinations in my very own closet. For example, all these separate pieces are some of my most trusted favorites, but I never thought to add the two prints together. The pants are a very fine snakeskin pattern … and I did wear this to work might I add. Very appropriate. Just goes to show that we truly always have something to wear, we just need to open our eyes up a bit.

What are some of your most daring, but delightful, closet combinations? Do share.

Emerald & Burgendy

March 4, 2013November 12, 2013 by gemilbourne ♥ 1 Comment

[Sweater: Zara, Jeans: Paige, Smoking Slippers: DKNYC, Bag: Target, Nails: Essie Sheer Bliss]

Just a quick outfit post with a few of my seasonal favorites. I paired a dark lip with my shoes, and complemented it all with this side bag from Target. Always a great place for those trendy pieces that you want a taste of but don’t want to spend a bundle on.

March Forward

March 2, 2013November 12, 2013 by gemilbourne ♥ 2 Comments

[Top: Banana Republic, Skirt: Old Navy, Flats: Nine West, Bracelets: F21, Nails: Essie Sand Tropez, Tart Deco)

Obviously couldn’t contain my excitement for MARCH any longer. I was giddy all week thinking about this fateful day and all the good things this season will bring. Wanted to celebrate with a ruffled top, and some peach accent on my nails and lips.

Happy weekend ya’ll!

Building your Wardrobe, Spring Edition

February 28, 2013November 12, 2013 by gemilbourne ♥ 2 Comments

Hi all, sorry for the hiatus. Today I’m going to walk you through some ‘wardrobe planning’ techniques. So this sounds semi-serious and maybe imposing, but the reality is a little planning can go a long way in terms of our wardrobes.

The technique I’ll share today is super simple. You probably already do part A, without realizing it. All you need is the follow through, part B. Basically, while looking through magazines, blogs, or around you (street style inspo, your best friends, etc.) – identify what draws you to that look, and think of pieces you already own, or should add to your wish list to achieve it.

Here are a few of my current love’s for Spring via my Pinterest board:

Okay so this is actually a look I love year-round, but I’m especially hopped up on lace-ups for this season. The rest is simple: striped shirt, slim black pants, and you’re effortless chic!

Another effortless look, with a more boho vibe – I am also seriously crushing on printed pants (slim fit, or more pajama like) for a relaxed, cool girl effect.

Flowing separates- loose fitting on the top, and a-line or maxi with slits on the bottom. My feet are literally dying to accompany this look in open toed shoes … my nail polishes are dying to be seen …

So there you have it. Building blocks, friends. Remember to have an open mind when you see a look that captures you. Don’t close yourself off to something you hadn’t considered before. Developing your wardrobe, or trying a new look doesn’t have to be hard, and shouldn’t be mandated only by what’s trendy. Remember that your style is about you.

Here’s to a bright spring, steeped in your own style.

the space between

February 18, 2013November 12, 2013 by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I hate to say it, but we have now reached the point where winter sweaters seem dull, itchy, and overdone. To make matters worse, the store windows are already showcasing bright blouses, colored jeans, and ballet flats in candy colors. Sadly, the winter weather stretches on and on, and the calendar perpetually marks January, February …. you get the picture!

What we need is a way to stay current, fresh, and inspired in those in-between weeks (though it may feel like months) baring us from spring.

Here are a few of my recent attempts on this seasonally perpetual dilemma:

1. Mix mint (or any other pastel would work) and gray for a look that only hints at springy pastels, but stays grounded with the winter neutrals (gray, browns).

2. For a casual office approach, swap tailored shorts and tights for the usual black pants (only attempt if over 30 degrees out) with a complementary blazer.

3. Layer a collared shirt with a loose fitting tunic for a fresh (but not trying too hard) feel – remember to pick patterns including colors in the same family though! In this case I chose blue on blue.

4. Lastly, jazz up a simple look with a statement piece of jewelry/matching top with a simple bottom.

In the face of adversity we must rise to the (fashion) challenge. Am I right, or am I right? And someone please, let me know when spring finally arrives.

Steeped in style

Tag: Steeped in Style