Piperlime's trends for fall

Just a quick note to let you know that Piperlime is now selling clothes! If you are unfamiliar, this is a great website that connects you to Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy with one stop shopping. The shoe site now offers clothing as well, and they have just released their Top Ten Trends for Fall list. Check it out!

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/division.do?cid=48770

Mad about plaid!

Sorry for the cheesy headline, but this year the beginning of fall means the beginning of wearing plaid! I am really into plaids this season, and I've found a few easy pieces that will make even those who fear this fabric to see it in a new light. You might even decide to incorporate it into your wardrobe.

Plaid doesn't have to mean huge prints and bright colors. My favorite plaids include subtle shades and smaller-sized prints. Let's take a plaid button-down to start. Make sure the fabric is not too heavy, or you'll end up more of a lumpy lumberjack. Choose a color and print you like, then pair it with a wide, brown belt and dark, boot-leg jeans. Voila! C'est chic lumberjack!

Incorporate plaid into your work wardrobe, without looking like you're headed back to middle school, by wearing plaid in shades of brown, black and grey, or other muted colors. Use a plaid blouse to give a black suit some excitement, or if you're feeling fiesty, find a plaid blazer to wear with a neutral-colored ensemble. Make sure you keep a good balance between the plaid print and the rest of your outfit. Safest bet? Wear completely solid neutrals (gray, black, white brown, blue, etc.) when the plaid covers at least half of your body (which, as a rule, is probably all it should cover.)

Here are a few tops that might ease you into the world of plaid. Need more of a baby step? How about a plaid scarf or handbag? These accents can add a bit of pizazz to jeans and a t-shirt or a little black dress. Let me know if you find any terrific pieces of plaid!!

Closet Connoisseur- The Service

If you like the information that has been posted on this blog, please see my website for more about Closet Connoisseur's closet organization services. http://closetconnoisseurraleigh.com/index.html

Closet Connoisseur will help you organize your closet for each season, get rid of items that you don't wear, and help you get the most out of your wardrobe.

You can make extra money by taking clothes that have been worn, but are in good condition to a consignment shop. Most shops will give you 40% of the sales. I will help you find the shop that will give you the best return for your items, and will deliver your clothes to the shop for you.

I will also deliver the clothes we identify for donation to the group or service of your choice and retain a tax deduction form if you are interested.

Finally, I will help you to go through your clothes and organize things in a way that will help you find the perfect outfit for any occasion. By putting certain pieces together and creating outfits, you will have a much easier time getting ready for every day wear or special events.

Check out the website and make an appointment today!!

Making layers work

We've spoken about layers in a previous entry, but I think this will be very important for fall since we are all trying to use what we have in our closets. With layers, you can wear summer clothes at least until the first snowfall!

Here are a couple images that might give you inspiration.

A taste of fall!

Ok, I realize it is only August 7th, but this is the time of year when I start getting the itch for fall. Summer clothes have been worn for months, and I'm getting in the mood to change it up a bit! To satiate my wardrobe appetite for the next few months (since fall will definitely not be here for at least that long), I have found a few items that you might want to consider once the weather does start to change.

Let's ease into fall with a gorgeous suit from Michael Kors. This grey short-sleeved suit looks perfect with another shot of grey underneath. Keeping one color throughout your outfit will make you look taller. Grey is a terrific neutral to wear in both fall and winter, as you can pair it with any and every color. Think about creating a pop of bright pink or green to give a twist to this classic look!

Two things I love: tights and Lela Rose. Combine the two and you have this elegant look that will be perfect for the beginning of the fall season. This ensemble will take you from day to night as well, making it even more versatile. (Use this outfit as inspiration if you are on a budget--Lela Rose is a high-end label.) Pair a lighter satin top with tweed or plaid to create a perfectly seasoned outfit. Tights will definitely make an appearance again this year, so get a few pairs now in preparation. You can wear black or grey tights under summer dresses to make them fall-worthy.

And of course with every new season comes new handbags. It is hard to pick only one, but I'm guessing that bright colors will be big for fall. This green bag from Big Buddha is on piperlime.com for $99. You can carry this one all year round, so it's a great buy. The bag also comes in orange. Both would look great with the Kors grey suit!!

“I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes. I had one thousand and sixty.”--Imelda Marcos

As much as I love, love, love shoes and can always find a pair that I can’t live without, these are not the days for having thousands of shoes. These are the days of simplifying and enjoying small pleasures. I have found a few items for under $100 that will definitely make you feel luxurious and pampered. Use these to get you through the next few months while the economy makes a comeback!

First, a little sparkle. Try this bracelet from J. Crew, to be worn with anything from jeans to silk. Put on this bauble and you will be given instant glamour! And for $60, this bracelet will be a timeless piece you can wear for years to come.

Next, a little shine. Also from the J. Crew website, although you can find Essie nail polish everywhere, this red color will give a pop to your nails and a finish to your look. Not the most accurate of nail painter? Take your polish to a nearby salon and they will paint them for you. The polish is $8.

Finally, a little luxury. Until you have splurged on high quality lingerie, you probably don’t think it’s worth the money. Use these days of non-spending to buy yourself a nice piece of lingerie. The organic bamboo cotton bra lined camisole from TurningLife.com ($46) might just become a staple in your lingerie drawer. Bamboo is an incredibly soft, breathable fabric. You will want to wear these under everything. 

Tough times call for well-thought out purchases. Use these ideas as inspiration to find your little piece of sparkle, luxury, or shine. Happy shopping!!