Over the many years of listening to Quinn talk about the ins and outs of architecture, I feel like I too, have a degree in architecture....maybe not a Masters like him, but perhaps an Associates degree. He has convinced me that while modern design is not the only form of good architecture, it is a step above the rest. I too can appreciate all types of design, but get most passionate about those that are different from the norm. I think that's why I agreed to live in a modern home. Not because I absolutely think that a modern home is best, but because I loathe the idea of living in a home that looks and feels just like my neighbors. Now, I know that we all don't have architects for husbands to design us a unique house, and that many of live in subdivisions that are designed by monetarily driven developers, where houses are either, tan, taupe, or sand color, but we can make it our own.
TV shows and other media try to convince us through shows like "Flip This House" and "Sweat Equity" that we should design our homes for "sell-ability", and that we should always keep in mind who might own our home after us. But by doing so, we end up living in homes that we have designed for someone else. We lose a little bit of ourselves when we don't follow our hearts, even in something as trivial as what color tile you put in your shower.
My fantastically stylish sister in law, moved into a tract home several years ago. Knowing this may not be the home of their dreams, but also realizing it is the home of their budget, they set to work making it their own. Here on the west coast, contractors love to put horrible texture on the walls (orange-peel, knock down, and the like) of homes. In the spirit of transforming this into "their" home rather than the developers home, or the home that looks exactly like their neighbors, they began to hand trowel a smooth finish over the original wall texture. While some questioned, "Why would you do that?", they would answer,"Why wouldn't we?" Because of their efforts, their home that originally looked the same as three doors down, now has a uniqueness of it's own.
With the advancement in technology, even those of us that live in remote areas can have unique design statements in our home. Just because Walmart might be the only store in your town, doesn't mean you have to only shop there. The internet has given us endless shopping options. While we were building our home, we spent countless hours searching for light fixtures and the like that didn't look like we pulled them off the shelf at Home Depot. (www.ikea-usa.com, www.lightingdirect.com, www.ifloor.com, www.flor.com, www.faucetdirect.com, www.formplusfunction.com)
So modern isn't your style? Great. But can you answer, "What is?" Don't give in to the Jones' down the street. Say goodbye to being the same as everyone else. Find out what you love, and if you don't know yet, keep searching. If you can't find something you love, don't buy anything at all. I'd rather live in an empty house than a house full of things that don't represent me or my character.
When my house is clean, I feel calm. When my life is beautifully penned out on my calendar, every appointment and activity in its place, I am at ease. When I open my pantry door and all the canned goods are in a row, sorted by type, dinner gets made. The same thing applies to my clothing closet. I love it when I look in and find all of my clothes hung neatly in order of type, color and season. My morning routine becomes easy. On the other hand, when my my life is in disarray, including my closet, I fall into a slump. So lets get started, making our lives simpler, one pair trousers at a time.
Tips for cleaning out your closet:
Try everything on. Make separate piles of clothes: one for “keepers”, one for items to take to dry cleaner or mending, one for charity or a clothing swap, and one for the dumpster. You may have an iffy pile. Have a friend, child or husband take a picture of you in your outfit. When you see it glaring back at you on the screen, you’ll know whether to keep it or not.
Things no one should be wearing. Throw them away:
**Any clothes with shiny or worn patches.
**Items that bulge where your bum or knees are, even when your not wearing them.
**Those favorite things that are beyond repair.
Invite a stylish, yet honest, friend to help. Then return the favor.
If you haven’t worn something in a year, get rid of it.
Sometimes there are things that don't fit but are just too difficult to part with, like my favorite pre-prego GAP jeans, that I know some day I will squeeze into again. If you can't bring yourself to give it away, then at least store these items out of your everyday closet. It will keep you from getting discouraged that you don't fit into them. Your dressing ritual will be much less stressful. I found these inexpensive boxes below at Ikea.
Once you're done, organize your closet. Having an organized wardrobe is not about being spoiled or self-obsessed. It’s about looking the best you can, every day, with minimal fuss. Knowing what you have (and where to find it) saves precious minutes during the morning rush.
(I like to give credit where credit is due. Several years ago I read an article about cleaning out your closet in InSTYLE magazine. Many of these ideas come from this source. Since that time, I have lost the article and I could not find it in their online archive.)
Over the last few years the "skinny jean" has re-emerged in the fashion world. Hollywood and their hip-less size 2 models look fabulous in the skinny jean. But is it something that you and I can pull off? Fashion magazines everywhere will give you a resounding "yes". However, we in the real world, who wear size 8, 16 or 22 know that what looks good on a stick-figure runway model, usually does not have the same affect on hips that have birthed 3 children. What are we to do? Do we pear shaped women of the world have to pass up all the fun trends that seemingly look great on everyone else? Perhaps we should think about this question: Would I rather take part in a trend that accentuates my flaws, or stand proudly in a article of clothing that helps me look long and lean and makes me feel confident?
If my childbearing hips can't handle a pair of skinny jeans, then what? Well lets look at the basic logic of geometry. If you are shaped like a diamond (everyone picture it...small shoulders, slightly wider waist, larger yet butt and hips, and then taper down again to the knees), then it is to be assumed that your least favorite body part would be the widest part of the diamond (ie. hips & butt). Skinny jeans, follow that same shape, tapering at the leg, therefore accentuating the very part of your body that you hate most of all. Other classic shapes (triangle, heart, square...well you get the idea) have the same challenge. But let's take that same shape (diamonds are a girls best friend!) but apply a wide leg denim trouser to the mix. The wide leg of the trouser instantly visually minimizes the hip and buttocks skimming the widest part instead of hugging it. Throw on a great wedge or heel and suddenly you look long and lean. Who doesn't want that?!
Unlike the skinny jean, the great thing about a wide leg trouser, is that it looks great on most body types.
With a multitude of different cuts and styles, jean shopping can be confusing and frustrating. For more help picking the best pant style for your body type, check out this article from GLAMOUR and MSN Lifestyle.
The Perfect Jeans for Your Body
