Building the Modern-Girl Wardrobe

Fess up. We all open our closets and see 3 groups of clothes: the clothes we don’t wear, the 6 pieces we do wear and the 3 “skinny outfits” we store whenever we get our jaws wired shut, get a case of food poisoning or decided to go on that fade liquid diet for 2 weeks.

While going through my closet this week I thought of ways to cultivate a great wardrobe without buying a million new pieces. I realized that the key to a great wardrobe is classic pieces that mix and match well together, giving to the illusion that you have a fat wallet. These are the pieces that I think every girl needs.

Dark Denim Jeans That Make Your Butt Looks Like Beyonce

Every woman needs a pair of semi-dressy, slim fitting jean that you always feel great in. These jeans should be versatile and booty slimming. Some great brands I would recommend are Joe’s, Citizens of Humanity, Diesel and Seven Jeans.

High Quality T-shirts and Camisoles

They go under everything from my work blazers to sweaters and are pretty inexpensive. Try buying a few daring colors to add a pop of color to your outfit.

Crisp White Button-Down

Carolina Herrera is one of my favorite designers and has always made the button down look phenomenal. These shirts are a simple clean must have in your wardrobe. I love throwing one with my dark denim jeans and heels for a sophisticated casual look.

Fitted Blazer

A fitted blazer adds sharpness to any outfit, as well as an instant slimming effect. Opt for styles that clinch in the waist and have well defined lapels. Don’t go for boxy numbers that could cut you off at the waist.

One Fabulous Suit

My job requires me to wear a suit all the time, but even if your job doesn’t require you to wear a suit, still suit it up. Every modern girl should own a lightweight suit in black, gray or my personal favorite navy blue. For even more versatility, get a suit jacket that matches with a pencil skirt and trousers. You never know when that interview of a lifetime could spring up.

Trench Coat

Nothing elevates a woman’s status like a trench coat. I have 2, a navy blue and a khaki colored one. They are staples in my closet and completely dress up any outfit I’m wearing. Go for a more traditional color versus a trendy colored one. You can throw the coat on with anything from dresses to jeans and look fabulous.

Stylish Daytime Bag

A great tote is the easiest way to pull an outfit together. The perfect bag will be roomy enough to fit your life, but structures so you don’t look like Mary Poppins. Camel, brown, black are safe colors because they’re neutral and can match with almost anything, but don’t be afraid to be daring and go for an eye-popping color like red, or cobalt blue like mine.

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Furniture Shopping

I’ve had a few anxiety attacks this week as I've been furniture shopping. I didn't realize how organized you had to be and how expensive furniture really costs. In order to make sure I was making the right choices, Cindy, a sales associate at City Furniture suggested that I go home and get these essential things before I even started to break out the credit card.

Digital Camera

Before you head out for an entire day of browsing, take pictures of your empty room (all angles). We sometime tend to over estimate how much space we really have to work with, having those pictures handy will remind you of what you’re working with. Also snap pictures of all the pieces you find that you really like, this makes it easy to compare.

Tape measure

Embrace the tape measure, love the tape measurements. I never thought I’d ever say that. Measure your room and write the specs on a reference sheet to take with you shopping. Make sure to measure your hallways and doors too. Remember the furniture is going to have to squeeze through those spaces too.

Pen and Note Pad

Use them for writing down tape measurements of the pieces you like, the stores name, and most importantly, the price.

Eye Candy

Bring ripped out pieces of room ideas that you love. It will help the sales person get a better idea of what it is you want. I tried explaining to the sales associate the type of bed I was looking for and no one could see the vision I had. When I showed them a picture of it off of google, they new exactly what I was looking for.

The Right Kind of Sneakers

Sometimes a great motivator for working out is a great pair of kicks. If you’re working out on a regular basis, top-of-the –line sneakers are a great investment. Old worn out sneakers can lead to blisters, muscle strains, sprains, and micro-tears in your foot tissue (ouch). Buying the right kind of sneakers is the key for a successful workout.

First off, before you go running to the cash register with the first pair of shoes you see, measure your feet. It is common for women to have a half size bigger foot than the other. My right foot is a size 10, while my right foot is a 9 ½ . When you buy sneakers, judge the fit by your big foot. You want a little toe room in your athletic shoes ; your feet swell when you workout so you want a little breathing room

Think about making an investment if you’re a runner. If you’re like me and run more than 2 miles every day than you’re really making your shoes work. Try and replace your running shoe every 4 hundred miles or every 6-9 months.


If you find yourself lost in the sneaker isle trying to figure out what's the best kind of sneaker for you, go for a cross trainer sneaker. This kind of sneaker is versatile and can be used for running and weight training.

Make sure you get ankle support. If you have weak ankles, a mid-height shoe will give them more support, which means less of a chance to twist your ankle.

If you can buy two pairs of the same sneaker and rotate them every few workouts. Yes, it sounds funny and expensive but you will actually save money by prolonging the lives of your kicks.

Don’t forget athletic cushioned socks too!

Organizing Your Closets

I’m currently organizing my apartment for a big move next week and I needed to hit my biggest problem, my closets. Yes, I have multiple.

I vowed long ago to keep my closets neat; a few weeks later that vow went right out the window. So now, I’m preparing for a big move to Aventura and I’m in desperate need of organization and downsizing or my wardrobe. So this past weekend I de-cluttered my closets and used these helpful tips.

Take the “iffy items” out
It’s better to have a sparse closet of must have essential pieces then to have a closet stocked full of random items from when Clinton was in office. Whether it’s the jeans from your freshman year of college you’re still hoping to fit in to, or those trendy impulse buys it’s time to toss it. If you really loved it you probably would have worn it at some point during the year. Break out the trash bags and start filing them up and think about donating to Goodwill, a women’s shelter, or if you have some really great pieces even consider a consignment shop if you want to make a few bucks back.

Grouping
Arrange your clothes by pants, skits, coats, and tops. This can help you easily put an outfit together in minutes. Subdivide into blouses, button-downs, tanks, and swanky evening stunners. Split up your suits and matching suits pants into their proper categories – you’ll brodan your wardrobe options.

Shaping

Wire hangers are a no-no. They usually come from the dry cleaners and are the cheapest, but they will ruin the shape of your clothes and leave indents. They can also rust and stain your clothes. Opt for felt or wooden hangers, they’ll improve the life span of your clothes.

Lighting

Your closet should be dark, dry and clean. Your closet will be much happier and the life span will last longer with minimal lighting. Too much artificial lighting can fade your clothes, as well as increase the temperature, which can invite mildew and moths. (yuck)

Storing

Look for creative ways to neatly pack your things away. I love the Container Store or Ikea for great ideas for storing things like my shows or hats. It makes searching for things so much easier.

Shopping for Sheets

In the midst of my shopping for my move I realized that I need to up my game in the sheet department. Yes, I love a comfy set of jersey knit sheets, but I think it’s time to make the jump to something more sophisticated them my college sheets.

There are 3 things to keep in mind when your sheet shopping: thread count, fiber and finish.

· Choose a 200 to 300+ thread count (this indicated the total number of threads woven per square inch). The higher the thread count, the bigger the price tag. But you also want to look at the ply. Single ply tends to be softer, as two ply is made from yarns that are twisted together. Don’t be deceived by high thread count on a two ply sheet: a single 200 –count sheet will be the same softness as a two ply 400-count sheet.

· Make sure the fiber is silk or cotton (preferably Egyptian cotton) Egyptian cotton is the softest and most durable. Skip polyester blends and satin sheets- they don’t breathe well, which means you’ll be sweaty. (gross)


· A sateen finish will give your sheets a silky smooth quality. For a crisper sheet, choose a combed all- cotton percale with a thread count of 250.

· Don’t forget to change your sheets every week and your duvet cover every two weeks. Also take the time to look for great pillows.


For great selections try a Target or Bed Bath and Beyond, that's where I was most successful.

First Date Dressing

There are three extremely difficult times to choose the right clothes for the occasion: job interviews, first dates and the dreaded meeting the parents nights. This week my girlfriend Taylor tackled the perfect outfit for a first date.

First date dressing can be a toughie; you usually don't know your date well enough to predict what will be attractive to him. You want to look extra fabulous but not too over the top, stylish but not too trendy. Here are some tips on how to prepare you for that first big date.

Where to ?

Try and have a pre-date conversation and find out where you're going. Be simple and polite about asking, you don’t want to sound too bossy. Try and get a sense of the formality of the occasion. Find out if you will be walking, and if so, how far. Nothing is worse than having to trek through the dirt of a carnival or mile long festival in six inch heels. I usually will carry a pair of foldable flats in my purse just in case. After you’ve gotten the 411 on where your big night will be, you’re in the right mindset to get the perfect outfit together.

Classic Dinner Date

The little black dress, also known as the LBD, is a staple in every woman’s closet and was created to impress. It’s simple, flattering, and easy to do. If you don't have one, get one now. Add a clutch (Mary Poppin bags are always intimidating to men), pumps and a cardigan to carry and you’re all set.. What’s great is you can change up your jewelry and accessories, to add a splash of color and showcase a little bit of your personality and style. I also would consider your nicest pair of jeans and a suitable blouse and heels. You can’t go wrong with simple.

Daytime Dating

Day time dating takes the pressure off of formal dating, so if you find yourself going on a daytime date, know it’s going to be more casual. The key to day time dressing is to be neat and pulled together. My go to outfit is a white cotton sundress and flat sandals. I think it says, girly, functional and relaxed.

Sporting Events

If you’re invited out to a sporting event, the key is comfort. A t-shirt, Jeans or shorts, a hat, and a sweater. Nothing too sexy and provocative and nothing that can't be washed if you have beer spilled or you drip ketchup down your shirt.

Extra Tips

Don't Dress Too Sexy, It's tempting, but sexy has a way of turning sleazy when you least expect it. You want to dress to impress and save what’s underneath for another
fun filled night at home behind closed doors.

Always bring money with you. I’m a big believer in have men pay for me on a date. However, it is in your best interest to always have money on you in case of emergency.