My Boutique

December 27, 2010

***This week I’m running some of my favorite posts from 2010. I’m in Florida this week and, in between trips to the pool, am busy planning for January.

I really love the idea that Karen Eschebach offered about thinking of your closet as a boutique. I need to do a lot more cleaning out in the coming weeks!***

Here’s the closet of my dreams:

Now wouldn’t this be fun to fill?

Oh to dream…

Several weeks ago, I ran a post about Spring Cleaning with tips by Karen Eschebach, and the idea that really resonated with me was to think of my closet as my own personal boutique. I should love to wear the clothes inside and edit anything that doesn’t fit inside my “boutique”.

Um, mine is currently anything but this happy boutique-y place.

Maybe you can relate that for the last five years, I’ve been in one stage or another of early mommyhood. And the words “boutique” and “spit-up” should not be mixed.

But with my youngest approaching 3, it’s time to look somewhat presentable again. Maybe, I daresay, even cute on occasion.

I’m crossing my fingers.

So I’m cleaning house.

And abiding by 2 cardinal rules:

1) If I haven’t worn it in 3 years, it’s gone.

2) If I don’t love it, it’s gone.

I have no idea why I held onto this shirt since I haven’t touched it since long before Friends went off the air:

I know…

I also weeded out my shoes, but I’m too embarrassed to show you what I originally bought. They were too terrible for words.

And there was this whole pile of my Old Navy shirts that have stains galore and really are quite unflattering.

Don’t worry – I kept all the good Old Navy shirts.

So the bag for Goodwill is full. Hello tax write-off!

And a warning to the Running Man (dear, dear one): there may be some shopping involved. I have a lot of empty hangers now.

But I need help! Where are you finding your good stuff lately? Any must-haves out there??

You might like...

Category: Organizing, Storage
Tags: Closet organizing, walk-in closets |

12 Comments »

Emily
on April 20, 2010 9:25 am
I love Banana Republic pants, but their spring line lacks color this year.
Whitney Trujillo
on April 20, 2010 12:25 pm
I keep walking through Anthropologie, but their prices always scare me away. I have been LOVING Loehmanns lately. It’s just hard to come up with the time to really go thru the entire store and find great things.
susie
on April 20, 2010 4:01 pm
i feel old saying this, but i am liking lands end! as a kid i only ever knew them for warm sweaters and turtlenecks! but now they have a new “canvas”line that has a younger feel. they still have plenty of stuff my mom wears, but really, i feel like the the whole line is doing a lot better at being trendy! well made stuff for a decent deal, they always have sales/free shipping too! oh, and when i have a little more money to spend (not often) i looooove http://www.bodenusa.com.
Heidi Farmer
on April 20, 2010 4:04 pm
I love Land’s End too! I love that I can shop for all 4 of us at once. I’m just about to splurge on my own tote bag for me so I can lug my reading material in the car with me. They have cute striped ones right now. I’ll have to check out this canvas line!
Thanks for the tip!!
Melissa
on April 20, 2010 4:37 pm
Good for you H, I have not even started spring cleaning! I am hoping to cash in with some of my things I no longer wear/need at a 2nd hand store in Greenwich- And then put that toward some basics. I love woodbury commons outlet, it has all your fashionista needs at great prices. I find that “Off the 5th saks” does pay off in the end. And of course there are stores for the whole family and home goods. They even opened up a Vineyard Vines outlet there as well- cute totes for half the price.
My investment would have to be a great pair of sandals, ones that allow you to dress up shorts and blouse, or feel pretty in a plain sundress.
RLR
on April 20, 2010 4:59 pm
Cleaning out the closet is also on my to-do list – I’m waaay behind on this task! I love the idea of making it a personal boutique!
Gina
on April 20, 2010 9:35 pm
I have a lot of trouble finding things that fit, but I had a good trip to Kohl’s last weekend with a good friend who is honest enough to tell me when things look good (or not).
Heidi Farmer
on April 20, 2010 9:39 pm
Aren’t those the best friends? Mine are my sister and my mom and I rely on them so much I rarely buy anything without them.
Julie
on April 21, 2010 7:19 am
Heidi – loving these shirts from Lands End. When I wear them people have commented “have you lost weight” (I haven’t, but still good for people to think that)

http://www.landsend.com/pp/ShortSleeveShirredScoopneckTop~206243_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::HKN&CM_MERCH=search-_-shirred&origin=search
Sarah
on April 21, 2010 10:00 am
They are a splurge but I LOVE my Lulu Lemon “still” pants, I wear them EVERYWHERE and they are so comfortable and my husband even said they look nice!:) My sister gave me the regular pants at Christmas, and since I am addicted to them, I just bought the cropped ones for the summer. They are well worth it!
Sunny
on April 21, 2010 12:06 pm
I, too, love Boden and just bought a couple of things (15% off + free shipping!). I can’t stay out of TJ Maxx & Marshall’s. And, I always check the deals on private (free) shopping sites like Hautelook.com, Gilt.com, ideeli.com. I have a large list of these on my site at http://www.SunnySaves.com – because I’m ALL about saving money!

And, I love the idea of creating my own “boutique”! I have stacks of clothes ready for consignment & Goodwill.
Celeste Won
on April 25, 2010 12:15 pm
I just discovered L.L.Bean Signature. It’s a little more stylish than the regular llbean, not too expensive and still classic americana.