Happy Weekend + Labor Day Sales!

Gayle King's closet via Oprah.com photo by Jonny Valiant

To my U.S. readers, I hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!  We don't have any plans except I'm doing a MAJOR closet clean out for me and my girl (in preparation for the Kid's Consignment Sale next month). I'm going to be listing some of my items on Poshmark (I'm spryonthewall ).  Time to get the closet down to only the pieces I love!  

If you are interested in adding to your wardrobe, there are some really good sales going on for the Labor Day weekend.

Here's a quick roundup:

Ann Taylor - 40% off all sale and 30% of full priced merchandise (no code needed)
C.Wonder - 25% off full priced purchases
Revolve Clothing - 25% off with code PSWFALL25
Kendra Scott - 20% off everything with code LDW2013
Levenger - 20% off sitewide with code LABOR20
Lands' End - 30% off everything and free shipping with $50 orders
Old Navy - 30% off with code SPREE
J.Crew Factory - 40% - 50% off everything
J.Crew - 30% off all final sale items with code HELLO30 and free shipping on orders $100+
Gymboree -40% off previously reduced merchandise and 30% off regular priced merchandise
Sole Society - up to 50% off select styles (link will take you to the bag I'm loving)
Gap - up to 40% off select styles
Express - 40% off every single item (I've got my eye on this shirt)
Loft - 50% off select styles and 50% off sale items
BaubleBar - up to 35% off already reduced prices
Furbish Studio - 20% off storewide with code LABORDAY13

See you next week!

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links

A Peek Inside My Closet!

Well, this little post has been sitting in my drafts box forever.  Seriously.  So this is how the closet looked a few months ago, but it's basically the same now (maybe an extra bin or two in there) but the items in there and the layout is the same.  So I've been feeling the need for a MAJOR closet clean out/restock lately.  I usually do a quick clean out every season, but I'm now at a point where a major wardrobe overhaul is needed.  The closet layout/color can't change, but I'm expecting the clothing contents to change.  And I'll document the items in and out during the process.

Since we are in a temporary housing situation, I share my long walk-in with our 4 year old little lady (which explains the Paul Frank monkey tee) and all of our crystal and glass, which my husband didn't want in the storage units (? pick your battles people - lol).  My tops (and coats/dresses at the far end) hang from the top front rack and the bottom front rack is my girl's. 

Hanging on the opposite wall is my closet inspiration board where I also hang some long necklaces.

Last year for my birthday my Mom got me a whole suite of the Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers!  These are absolutely fabulous!  I used to use the plastic tube ones, but you wouldn't believe how much space these new hangers save.  Everything is just neater and things don't fall off the hangers!  Look how nice and uniform all the tops look when hanging.

On the top rack nearest to the far wall is where my pants/shorts/sweaters/skirts hang.

I use The Container Store's clear shoe boxes for the majority of my shoe storage.  I used to keep them in the original boxes with a photo of what was inside taped to the end of each box.  But after a pipe burst in my NY apartment and ruined 3 pairs of Prada shoes, a Tory Burch handbag and a few blazers I knew that a better shoe protection option had to be found.  These are great!  Not terribly expensive and you can still see what's inside!  I'm a visual person and I need to see what I have so I will use it.

Here are a couple of my really nice bags which, when not in use, I keep in the original dust bags.  Other bags hang over the inspiration board and on the far wall from Command Hooks (a lifesaver for renters) - see first picture.  Any clutches go into the larger Container Store clear boxes which coordinate with the shoe boxes.

 

Next up how I organize my jewelry:

My Stepmother got me the sweet velvet covered bracelet display rack last Christmas and it's great.  I put it up high on the dresser beside (some) of my fashion books.  Love that I can see all my bracelet options now!

My other earrings and necklaces are in a vintage glass bowl and juicer in a drawer in the bathroom (mostly to keep away from the kiddo who is still in the "seek and destroy" phase, she doesn't mean to, but she can tear some stuff up!)

 

Hope you enjoyed a little peek into my closet.  It's not the ideal closet situation, but it's working for now.  My philosophy is that if you keep on top of the organization and try to keep things as neat as possible, that even tight spaces like this can work.  Let's face it not everyone has a Kardashian sized closet, so you work with what you have!

 

Now my next step is to empty it out and figure out what items I'm keeping, storing, or donating/selling...

 

Friend Friday - After The Wearing

I'm joining up with Katy over at Modly Chic for another FBFF linkup!  Today's questions are all about cleaning/purging your closet and what happens to the clothes, etc. after you do so.  I must say that this topic is so up my alley, I have a crazy obsession with keeping my closet tidy and under control.  Let's get started:

Source: brooklynlimestone.com via Jenny on Pinterest

*Not my closet, I can only wish I had that space right now ;o)


1. How often do you go through your closet to purge the things you no longer wear?

Well, I try and do this every season.  When I shift the current season's clothes back into rotation I try and take stock of what I have, what I need and what just doesn't work anymore.  It's so important to make sure your closet's precious space isn't being occupied by things that you don't use anymore.

2.  What do you do with the things that you are through with?

If they are in like new/gently worn condition and are not luxury or upper end brands I usually take those to resale shops (like Plato's Closet or Uptown Cheapskate).  You don't get a bunch of cash for them but I usually use any money I get as store credit to buy other things when I need them.  If they are more luxury/upscale brands I try to sell them on ebay or do a consignment shop.  For all the rest that aren't as pristine (but still wearable - no stains/holes/etc) I take them to Goodwill.  For the ripped/unrepairable items I toss those (or make them into pillows - ha!).

3.  Have you ever sold on consignment or through online boutiques?  What has your experience been like?

Sure!  I have a consignment store near my Mom that I use a lot and I have always had good experiences.  I haven't done any of the online consigning, but I have thought about it.  I have a Prada skirt and LAMB cashmere sweater that I need to unload.  I'm sort of over selling on ebay, there are too many trolls on their now and I'm nervous using Paypal after my account was hacked about 2 years ago.  That was super scary.

4.  More and more people are concerned about the fast rotation of fashion and how that is filling our landfills.  What are you doing to decrease your clothing trash pile?

A subject near and dear to my heart.  I love finding new homes for my unused clothing, I love the idea that someone else can get some use out of it.  That being said, I generally wear my clothes until they fall apart.  My rule of thumb is that most of your clothing (not the trendy pieces, but the basics) should be the best quality that you can buy.  Especially your bags and shoes.  With a little TLC, good quality bags and shoes will last years.

5.  What's been your favorite/best score from a thrift store or consignment shop? 

Ha!  I've found so many gems!  I got some great Prada items on a resale site years ago.  Most recently I scored a fabulous short sleeved Lily Pulitzer sweater with a lion's face on the front for $10 (picture on my Instagram - @spryonthewall).  The best thing I scored though would have to be these Prada heels that I consider art:

I blogged about them here.

To check out what everyone else had to say go here!

Have a great weekend!

Kardashian Klosets - I mean Closets

That darn Kardashian branding makes me go nuts with the K's (I shake my fist in Kris Jenner's direction).  I've mentioned before that I watch every Kardashian show, which is shameful but strangely inspiring (interior decorating-wise of course) and in that post I shared some pics of Khloe's amazing closet.  Well, in September's InStyle magazine they have a feature on Kim, Khloe and Kourtney's closets which are stunning and chock full o' designer goodies, so I wanted to share. 

Kim's glam, rich and almost masculine (with all the dark wood and clean lines) closet - well, one of her closets.  The article mentioned she has one more for shoes and handbags.  The article also mentioned that Kim used to be a professional closet organizer (!).  How about that chandelier and ginormous Givenchy tote in the corner - fabulous!

Kourtney's more realistic closet.  I love the carpet and wallpaper.  I also dig the chair in the corner, big enough to sit in and yet it doesn't feel like it hogs the whole space.  This one is a great use of vertical space!

And here's Khloe's closet, which I've shared before.  Still love it and is my fave of the three - I mean who doesn't dream of a mirrored island with drawers galore in your closet? 

Which one is your favorite?

BTW - I ran to the mall last Friday, had a few extra minutes to kill so I popped into Sears to check out the Kardashian clothing collection that just came out.  Um, well, no.  It was not my cup o' tea (probably because I'm like 10 years older than their target audience *ahem*), I wanted to like the leopard print blazer - can't find a picture online - but for $99, I expect better fabric and a better print execution.  Now if it goes on sale for $19 I may be all in, but for now my money is best spent on other things.

Images via InStyle