Pearls of wisdom on buying less and cleaning up and…pearls!
Here’s how I kept busy during last week’s deep freeze…
Image stylist heal thyself…
As a gift to myself, I spent time going through my closet, removing items that weren’t working for me and clearing out things that needed tweaking, alterations, pressing or cleaning. While doing this, I refreshed the order and once again had a closet filled with a rainbow of colors (and of course black essentials) with patterns that I like. Lace, florals, sparkles, stripes and animal prints…organizing and trying things on that I wasn’t quite sure about.
I also ended up with four bags of items to donate or give away, many of which were practical and classic, but I just haven’t enjoyed wearing in years. With order in my closet, I feel fresh and truly more optimistic and comfortable in myself.
Even though I know all this and do it frequently for clients, taking the time for me makes me want to remind any of you who are putting off taking care of yourself in this way to consider getting organized a New Year’s present rather than a resolution!
Especially after the holidays, it’s easy to feel overloaded with stuff. I just read a great article in the WSJ from a man on his journey to stop the madness of “buying just to buy” and get to a place where he can have a coordinated, constructive closet. I agree many of us struggle with this same problem…even I sometimes buy items I don’t need because they’re on sale and too good a deal to pass up!
You might want to check out Marie Kondo’s new Netflix show “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” to feed your decluttering soul (Marie Kondo is the Japaense author of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing”.
These helpful insights on how your closet (and home) should reflect your current lifestyle and how best to eliminate items you just don’t wear or won’t use frees up mental space for better things! And if you could use some help in the process – just let me know!
Pearls are back!
I have always loved my pearls, but have mostly worn them for fancy events in the traditional one, two or three strand style (with the matching drop pearl earrings). Maybe like you, I enjoyed them but felt they were in the background of the fashion scene.
Well ladies, I’m happy to report that pearls are back and being used in particularly interesting ways. Keep in mind it’s less traditional and more about modern interpretations.
Baroque pearls are especially on trend and being seen in various designs as a fresh element. Unlike their perfectly round counterparts, these freshwater pearls are each different, one-of-a-kind items and I’ve seen them all over in magazines and online social media in hoops, drops and pendant-type necklaces.
I recently took a few of my own Baroque pearls to a jeweler and had him fasten a little loop on them to attach to an existing pair of of gold hoops. It was a very inexpensive way to re-use things I have and turn them into pretty, trendy, useful items … and my new favorite pair of earrings!
The earrings above were on Oprah’s favorite things list from 2018, and if you’d like a pearl primer, I like this blog article that explains the variations.
And I’d love to see you
I’m doing a new salon at the Women’s Exchange in Winnetka called “Embracing Ourselves” on March 8th from 4-5:30PM. It’s an interactive discussion about feeling and looking one’s best, especially as we age. Full details and sign up can be found here. Hope to see you! https://www.womens-exchange.org/program-registration/?ee=763