curated closet: road to recovery

Hi my name is Jessica & I am addicted to shopping.

There were so many other shopaholic confessions on Tuesday's post that I wanted to take some time to address the issue further.

Looks like I am not the only one struggling with the notion of a curated closet, filled with things you LOVE not just like.

The List that started it all - check out the original post here & my shopping recommendations here

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So how do you switch your mind-set from fast fashion oriented to building the closet of your dreams?

Here are 10 tips to achieving closet nirvana:

 (many brought up in the comment section of this post)

1. Set a budget. So this one isn't Earth shattering. The "experts" say you should be spending no more than 4% of your take-home pay on optional expenses (i.e. clothes). You know your money situation better than me, so I am not going to toss out any numbers here. What really matters is that you set a concrete budget, with in your means & stick to it, no putting it on your credit card or nothing! When you run out, stop.

2. Identify holes in your closet. I think I can safely say that no one reading my blog (including myself) needs clothes. But sure there are some versatile pieces that if you had, would maximize the use of your other clothes. Maybe some wardrobe staples that you are lacking?

3. Make a list. Ok, so you have identified some holes in your closet. But what do you need now, this season? What other trendy items are you wanting to snatch up?
Write it down. Put it in your wallet. Make a note on your phone.

My shopping list for May looks something like this:

Closet holes to fill:

- black bikini

- quality leather sandals

Trendy items to keep an eye out for a good deal:

- floral pants

- stripe peplum top

Give yourself a mission. When you know what you are looking for, your mind is less likely to wander. If it isn't on your list, ask yourself why before proceeding (see also #6, #8, #9)

4. Don't shop alone. I can't be the only one that is guilty of walking into Target to get toothpaste & walking out $100 poorer. But somehow, when Ty goes with me, I only get the toothpaste (& maybe 1 new scarf!). If you can't trust yourself to stick to your budget & mission, bring someone along - not your friend that tells you everything looks good on your, but some one who is going to ask you, "Do you really need that?" while giving you judge-y eyes.

5. Stop putting things in your online cart just so you can get free shipping. Just stop it already. If you aren't willing to pay for shipping to get it, you don't really want it. 

6. Sleep on it. Cut those impulses down to size.

7. Organize your closet. If you are having the shopping itch (i.e. just put way too many items in your J.Crew online shopping cart <-- GUILTY), go organize your closet. You will find new items that you will be exited to wear & maybe identify some holes (#2) to shop for in the future.

8. Imagine 3 outfits with what you are about to purchase. If you are going to get the most out of your closet, each piece needs to play well with the others. (for inspiration see my Pinterest board here)

9. Calculate the cost/wear. Sure a classic $300 Michael Kors bag might be a hefty upfront expense, but if you wear that quality made baby multiple times per week, for years, the cost might work out better than buying a cheap-o purse every season instead.

10. Don't be afraid to return things. So often the in the past I would order something online, see it in person and feel totally "meh", but be too lazy to return it. What's worse than driving to the post office, staring at that space sucker everyday in my closet.

Bonus tip: Tattoo this motto on your credit card wielding arm:  "spend money as well as you can once, instead of three times poorly."

:: Now that you are on the road to recovery, share this friendly PSA with your friends ::

(disclaimer: I am not a money expert, I do not have a degree in this area, not all of these tips will be helpful to everyone, but I hope that you can keep some of them in mind next time you are shopping. If you have other sage advice, I know that myself & others would love to hear it, so please leave it in the comments)

How do you avoid impulse shopping?
What is at the top of your "closet holes" list?

2 Legit 2 Quit

{ What I Wore: Old Navy vintage v-neck tee // Wallis pink trousers // ShoeDazzle silver pumps }

{ Estarer jewels }

I had my heart set on attending Nashville Fashion Week this year.

But the dreary weather & Ty's promise to take me to Lowe's to pick out wedding color paint chips derailed my plans. 

I lead an exciting life, so I had already picked out my Fashion Week Opening Night outfit way too far in advance.

Far enough in advance to fall in love with this whole look & have to wear it somewhere!

For all the Nashvillians who gave the girl wearing hot pink MC Hammer pants in Kroger last week a long side-eye look, you're welcome.

I can't believe I have never been to an actual, factual fashion show! 

Have you??

save the best for...

1 // 2 // 3 

I have been on the search for the perfect pair of leopard flats for months. The pair of my dreams was from Madewell, over $100 & backordered until mid-summer. There were other pairs, cheaper pairs, that I could have had now, but they would have left me feeling empty inside, thinking of the perfect pair that I would never have.

So I took a big gulp & half of my March budget to "invest" in a pair of the most beautiful leopard flats you have ever seen.

& it got me thinking.... 

I have a favorite pen (stay with me here), I always use it & I don't need any other pens because this pen does it all for me. Sure 1 of my favorite pens costs as much as a whole box of cheap-o Bic pens, but this pen is the bees knees & it makes me happy.

So because I don't just impulse buy cheapy pens & hold out for my favorite $3 pen, I have less pens & am happier about my pen options.
(side note: I always manage to lose cheap pens, but my felt tip pens stay with me until they run dry... I think it's another sign)

Wait for it ... this pen is a metaphor for the way I have begun to think about clothes.
When I hold out & purchase only things that I LOVE (investment or not), I have less symptoms of the "gimme gimmes" when I am browsing on line & being tempted by the 10th Old Navy sale this month.

While waiting for the perfect piece to come along & saving up for a wardrobe investment might not be the most popular method for fashion bloggers, where fast fashion is King, this is the road that I have chosen to take.

Less quantity. More quality.

I am inspired by the high/low outfits of WhatWhitWore on Instagram & the repeated clothing that I see Blair of Atlantic-Pacific mix into her wardrobe season after season.

Will I still splurge on affordable Target sundresses & trendy Forever21 accessories? Yes ma'am!
But my new motto is "spend money as well as you can once, instead of three times poorly."
Saving the best for now, not last!

What do you spend well on once? 
Are you of the "invest in quality clothes to wear for years to come" camp?
Or purchase fast fashion to keep up with the trends & replace you closet every season?

a little bit county

My friend Rachel & I thought that it would be fun to show our readers outfits that are a little bit of each of us. Me in Nashville & here in New York City.

Rachel used to live in Nashville & we almost met one time, except she never made it because she was hit by a truck (true story).

She now lives in The Big Apple & we will have to remain online friends, for now!

What I like about Nashville, is that no matter where you go, someone will be dressed in sweatpants & someone else spiffied up to the nines... no dress code needed!

This is my Nashville weekend look - perfect for going from brunch with the girls, popping into work, running errands, and walking the dogs. Leopard makes it fancy!

See, we aren't all rhinestone cowboys!

{ What I Wore: J.Crew chambray shirt & knit pants // Madewell leopard skimmers // Old Navy utility vest (similar) }

I have only been to the Big City for one brief day, with bucket list plans to go again one day!
But when I think of women in New York City - walking miles in heels, hailing cabs, hoofing it up to a 5th floor studio, spending $10 for a cup of coffee - those are superwomen (hence the double cuffs).

So my vision of a NYC weekend look is feminine, but tough, with fierce heels & a purse big enough to conceal my flats in!

{ What I Wore: J.Crew chambray shirt // Old Navy pencil skirt // Nine West leopard pumps (similar) // Wallis gold cuffs // Hobo purse }

Be sure to check out the looks that Rachel is rocking here

(I am obsessed with her "country" outfit, I think that means she needs to move back, right!?) 

Does where you live have a "dress code"? A certain look?

Are you more Nashville? Or NYC?

P.S. Don't worry, I am a card carrying Nashvillian - my cowboy boots are prominently displayed in my shoe rack!

weekend reading: 4.6.13

1 // 2 // 3

this weekend why don't you :: rock bold stripes!

{1.} Have you heard about this new blogger venture B Bar? Based on what I read here, it sounds pretty amazing!

{2.} This is my favorite cocktail & I can't wait to whip one up this weekend!

{3.} Do you keep mementos from past relationships? ... I *might* have a shoebox in the closet... but now that I am engaged do I trash it, or keep it for prosperity? Interesting article on this issue here.

{4.} The new face of bloggers - are we just human billboards?

{5.} Most inspirational lady on my blog roll these days? This lovely fashionista. Seriously, I want to wear everything she puts together & am dying over her cool girl chic 'do!

{6.} I updated my blog button (woot!) & it is available in my side bar or blog ♥  page. Speaking of sponsorship... a new month means fresh spots available to help your blog grow! I would love for YOU to be one of my "blogger buds" this month - learn more about it here!

Don't forget about the current giveaways:

April Showers $500 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

1000 Follower J.Crew/Sephora/Target Gift Card Giveaway

Vote for me to be the next US Blogger Ambassador for Wallis Fashion here

(a huge thanks to all who already have, but remember you can vote once every 24 hours!)

What's on the top of your agenda for this weekend?