Cold Weather Ideas

It’s still winter here even if the temps the past few days make you feel that perhaps spring is coming soon.  I can’t say that I have faith our cold weather is behind us.

What to wear when the temperatures are beyond frigid?  This week I’ll give you some ideas, outerwear included!

Today’s outfit, please be kind.  I just had a baby!

Green with Polka Dots

I started with this cotton 3/4 sleeve black and white polka dot shirt paired with some ivory corduroys.  For added warmth I threw on some color- you don’t have to stick to all neutrals!  I love the pop of this pea green wool cardigan.  For some cold weather accessories, I wore my puffer jacket and a fun hat.  Being cold doesn’t mean being boring!  I l love hats and in this outfit, it’s my only accessory.  (I forgot to wear my black Old Navy gloves that say CH IC on them- whoops!) Add a pair of black booties- all set!

Shirt- Loft

Corduroys- Banana Republic

Sweater- Banana Republic

Hat- Wal-Mart

Coat- Sears

Boots- Younkers

#coldweatherlooks

Jewelry Organization

I confess I have a jewelry problem.  Maybe you’re like me and have something in just about every color.  Or perhaps you have just a few pieces and wear the same thing every day.

I go through both stages.  Sometimes I like to wear the same thing, especially if I know I’m going to be busy (say having a baby).  Other times I just don’t wear anything because I’m making a mess.  Read painting.

But…I am a sucker for something shiny.  Does it have to be expensive?  No.  But I do enjoy more quality pieces.  I have a few things that are Dollar Store worthy but I don’t want to spend my money on things that tarnish after one wear.  Ya get me?

My collection includes lots of pieces that are truly costume jewelry.  Pieces that my grandmothers had.  I realize that the times I’m going to wear these pieces is few and far between.  I love them none-the-less.  And sometimes they can make your outfit so special with a one of a kind piece.

Meanwhile I have a problem.  Storage for all that jewelry really takes up space.  I received a jewelry organizer about ten years ago for Christmas and it was wonderful.  But I’ve grown out of it.  Now it houses my daughter’s hair accessories.

Here’s a pict-

Old Jewelry Cabinet

I took an antique wardrobe I inherited and converted it into my jewelry storage.  The wardrobe was really too small for actual clothes (unless you have five socks).  But it was perfect for my growing jewelry collection.

Wardrobe

(I have a better picture of that somewhere but for the life of me, I can’t find it.)

I bought some jewelry organizers and display pieces from JoAnn’s and made them work to house all my jewelry.  Sometimes (cough) the pieces become a mess and jumbled up. Or kids play in them.  Real life stuff.  And it needed to be reorganized.

Another problem I encounter is what colors I’m missing out of my collection.  There are times you need a really great pair of red earrings and I’m always looking through my collection missing them.  And then when I’m in a place like Charming Charlie’s I can’t ever remember what color section I should be in.  And it’s easy to get overwhelmed in that store anyway.

So a quick project I did this morning…organizing earrings by color.  Earrings are something that I wear almost every day, regardless if I’m in my p.j.s or if I’m out and about.  My guess beyond an engagement or wedding ring, that’s what you wear the most as well.

Here is a shot of my jumbled up mess-

Jewelry Drawer Mess

And here’s the progress being made.  It really helps to know what you have (or love) and what you need.  Clearly I don’t need anymore jade colored earrings.

In Process

And here’s the final product.  Not bad for a few minutes to spare this morning.  Now a notepad and pen in my jewelry armoire will help to keep track of what I’d like to have for when I get to make a shopping trip.

All Sorted Out

How do you organize your jewelry?

#jewelry #organizing

I’m Back….

Hi there!  It’s been a nice break for me.  I’ve been busy cuddling with baby and trying to find my house again after the holidays.  But I’m feeling pretty good about managing four littles. Thank heaven they don’t start off crawling!  This summer, however, could be challenging for me!

Meanwhile I’m getting back into the blog again.  This year I’m going to do my best to post several times a week but I won’t be here every day.  I hope you’ll still come read my words of ramble and what I’m up to each week.

I’m really missing all of you too!  And I want to know what you enjoy reading most on this blog.  Do you like hearing about what the latest thing I painted white was?  Are you a busy mom that needs a spit-up friendly outfit quick in the morning?  Are you a fashionista who secretly was hoping I’d be live tweeting about the Golden Globes dresses last night?  (Don’t worry, I was watching. After Downton Abbey, of course.)  Or maybe you just like to hear me spout off about parenting and having four children?

Let me know!  I’d love to share those parts of my life that you’re more curious about!