Between-Season Cleaning and Clothing Swaps

Happy April! It's that time of year when the seasons are in transition, which is a good time to re-evaluate your wardrobe. You'll likely find things in your closet that you don't wear, or you no longer need. If they are still in good condition, you may consider a Clothing Swap! Get together with friends, make (or buy) some delicious snacks, and get to trading! Read on for how it works, and how to plan a great one.

1. Set-Up: Each guest brings clothes he/she no longer wants. Just make sure the clothes are still wearable. You can organize the clothing space however you want, but I've found it's good to do it by piece or style (i.e. all jeans in one pile, or all formal wear, etc.). Don't worry if you don't have much space, either. Putting everything on the couches and chairs works fine. As a plus, you and your friends can catch up while digging through clothing mounds. :)

2. The Trading: It's up to you, but I find it most gratifying for everyone if you don't have cost involved. Everyone brings clothes, and everyone takes clothes home. There's a fun community aspect to it when it's done this way. If you have high cost items from which you hope to profit, you may consider posting it on thredup.com or other consignment shops.

3. Streamlining Details: Here are some things to consider in making this event as practical as it is fun.

• Bags: Have some spare shopping bags your friends can use to take home their swap-finds.
• Neat Snacks: Considering that you and your guests will be digging through clothes, you may not want to serve snacks that leave a lot of finger residue or stickiness. Otherwise, you can consider separating your time. For example, my friend who had a Tea Party/Clothing Swap had tea time for about an hour, and then we transitioned into the living room for swapping once we were done eating.
• Atmosphere Setting: Play some fun music, set out candles, and set the lighting. Make sure it's adequate for seeing the clothes well, but also for a sweet time of getting to know your friends better. After all, when clothes and food fade away, it's all about the connection you have with your besties!
• Mirrors: If you have a few full length mirrors, place them strategically so that people can see themselves when they try on clothes.
• Fitting Rooms: Open a couple of other rooms in your house for friends to try on clothing privately. If you have a small apartment or studio, try designating a hallway or walk-in closet as extra fitting room space. Or get creative with room dividers. Make it fun!
• Leftover Clothing: The host often donates whatever is left to a charity of choice (Dress for Success, Salvation Army, etc.). If you don't want to take care of the details of giving the clothes away, you can also just have your friends take home whatever pieces of theirs that didn't get taken.

My friends and I used to do semi-annual clothing swaps, and it was such a great thing! Especially if you like thrift store finds, or if you're not really into trends, this is a great way to find unique pieces. It's better to get clothing from a source you know, also, rather than grabbing stuff from unknown whereabouts. And of course, it's free! Best of all, it's a great way to connect with friends and invite new people into your social circles. Enjoy!

A Versatile Piece

There are so many ways to wear one single piece of clothing or an accessory. Today we've taken a simple black cowl neck shirt and done some fun things with it. The trick to a garment's versatility is fabric that drapes well but isn't too fancy. This shirt is a cotton knit blend, but it's soft and lustrous enough to look classy. At the same time, it's not so shiny or delicate that it wouldn't endure a casual day of running around.

1. Dressing Up:

You don't necessarily need a fancy piece or a dress to dress up. You can take something as simple as a pair of jeans or, in this case a black shirt, and simply get creative with accessories!

Here, our model DeeDee the DressForm is wearing our black top with a sparkly tie belt and a classic purse. Depending on your style, you can dress your clothing up in different ways. If you love color, you can use a splash of something bright (maybe a cute pair of red pumps!) to bring the party to your outfit. You can also play with accessories that add shimmer, silky fabrics, and lightweight material like silk chiffon.

2. Dressing Down:

Here, DeeDee is ready for a casual day out! Ok, so she's missing a pair of legs, but at least her outfit is on point. :)

Dressing down doesn't have to look shabby. You can still have fun with color and flattering shapes even if you're just going to the grocery store. This scarf is light and airy, but it's a heavy enough cotton that it can endure some jostling. This bag coordinates with the colors in the scarf, and it's sturdy and large enough to conveniently carry whatever your day requires. Be sure to blend pretty with practical, though! Style exists for you; you don't exist for style.


I hope you enjoyed these tips! Want further professional advice on how to make your wardrobe work for you? I'd love to give you specific advice tailored to your needs! Check us out here!

Find Your Rain Gear Personality

Embed from Getty Images

During this wet season, especially for big city dwellers, finding the best rain gear is essential. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution, though. What it looks like for you is entirely up to your personality and needs! Do you carry an umbrella and call it a day, do you wear a poncho, or is a decked out rain coat and boots your ideal? Here are some fun tips for determining your best rain-self. :)

1. Urban or Suburban?

Foremost, how much will you actually be rained upon? Now that I live in New York, I find that one of the most important pieces of rain-day clothing is a great pair of boots. When I lived in Miami, my footwear mattered little because it didn't rain consistently. And of course, I was only walking from the door to the car. But if you're walking all over, you'll want to be sure to buy a solid pair of boots. They can be a bit pricey, but your health is worth it. Don't go cheap here, even if you have to save up. Wet feet can bring a myriad of undesirables like vulnerability to sickness, athlete's foot, ruined bacteria-collecting socks, etc. If you're in colder climates, snow boots are great for rainy days.

One word on shoes no matter where you are, though: make sure your feet are 100% covered! I had a friend who used to love going out in sandals in the rain. He said it allowed his feet to dry quickly when he arrived at his destination. But this is not a good idea. Think of the dirt on the sidewalks and streets when it's not raining, now think of that same gook sweeping over your feet by way of rain puddles. Exactly. :)

2. What Kind of Rain?

This may sound strange, but different climates create different kinds of rain. In Miami, rain gear meant little. It rarely rains steadily down there like it does in the Northeastern US. When it does rain, however, it pours! Here in NY, it could easily rain for a whole day. An umbrella or poncho would be the best remedy for a downpour, while a great raincoat would be best for something more steady given that you can move more easily in a coat than a poncho.

Also consider the temperature. Do you need warmth and rain protection? Or is it way too hot for boots and a jacket? If the latter is so, umbrellas and rain shoes are a solid choice! If you're walking a lot, try booties. They aren't as cumbersome as boots, but they keep your feet drier than other shoes might. Also, if the weather is really windy, you'll want to ditch the umbrella and find a strong, structured raincoat that goes at least to your knees.

3. What is Your Taste?

Are you one of those people who loves to brighten a dreary day with bright colors? Do you appreciate having a whole matching set of coat, umbrella and boots for your rainy days? Or maybe you prefer the simplest solution so you don't have a bunch of gear to discard when you get to your destination! Are you really into purses? In that case, you may consider a waterproof bag to use on wet days, or even a large waterproof purse into which you can put your everyday purse so it doesn't get wet (we all know what happens to leather when it gets wet too often).

Whatever your desire, there are solutions out there that fit every taste and budget. Hopefully these questions help you determine the rain gear that fits you the best!

If you'd like further styling assistance, check out our website, and stay tuned for our upcoming site with Spanish translation!

Shopping Your Shape

You can find TONS of articles out there about dressing your body type. Usually, they tell you how to disguise the things you don't like, and how to create an illusion of having a different body type.

I personally believe that variety is the spice of life! I think the different figure types are all glorious, and I wanted to write a handy guide for how to celebrate each. Read on to find your basic shape, remembering that you may be a combo of a couple of different ones.

By White House Black Market

1. Apple: Women with this body type tend to have narrower hips, full bust lines, and narrow waistlines. I like how women with this physique have a stately air to them. Some fun clothing silhouettes include:

• Tunics with leggings or narrow pants, 
• Long and flowing tops with little shape definition, 
• Garments with long, elaborate sleeves
• Sheath dresses
• Wrap Skirts

Avoid: Bold printed tops, short and boxy tops, and horizontal stripes across the bust line. Your bust line already calls attention to itself, so you don't want it to make it look larger than it really is.

By White House Black Market

2. Banana: Women with this body type are narrow both in the bust and hip area with little narrowing in the waist. This often athletic physique often reminds me of strength and simplicity. Some great silhouettes include:

• Straight legged jeans, pants, and shorts
• Straight skirts
• Long and narrow dresses
• Skirts and jumpsuits with pockets
• Boot cut jeans

Avoid: Too much fabric. You wouldn't want a long dress with a full, gathered skirt or a large full length coat as it would overwhelm your figure.

By Anthropologie

3. Pear: Women with this body type usually have smaller bust lines and fuller hips. I think of soft curvy elegance when I think of this type. Some good looks for this type include:

• Mermaid Dresses
• Low Rise Pants and Skirts
• Empire Waist Dresses and Tops
• Shapely Tunics
• Pencil Skirts

Avoid: Pants with tapered legs (i.e. skinny jeans, leggings, or any other taper) as they give the illusion that your hips are bigger than they are. Also avoid skirts and pants with side detailing (baggy pockets, gathering on the outer seam, etc.).

By Anthropologie

4. Strawberry: Women with this shape have broad shoulders and bust, but narrow hips. Like apples, these ladies have a statuesque air about them. Here are some good shapes for you:

• Sleeveless Tunics
• Wrap Dresses
• Bubble Skirts
• Straight Skirts
• A-line Dresses

Avoid: See "Apple." You also may want to steer clear of tops with short sleeves. I have broad shoulders, and I find that they make my shoulders look extra-wide, not to mention that they aren't comfortable. I prefer 3/4 sleeves or tanks.

By Anthropologie

5. Hourglass: Women with this shape usually have about the same width in hips and bust with a proportionately narrow waist. Ladies with this figure type are curvy and lovely. Here are some fun looks to try:

• Boot-cut Jeans
• Wide leg Jeans
• Sarongs
• Wrap Dresses
• Symmetrical Dresses

These are some examples, but experiment with different shapes, and see what you enjoy the most! Have fun!

Clean Fun with Fashion: A Note on Laundry

So remember that clothing we talked about purchasing as an investment during the last blog? Time to take care of it so it lasts. :)

Doing right by your clothing can come as a challenge, especially if you take your clothing to a laundromat. But here are some great ways to make sure that, no matter your method, you keep your clothes in good condition. And, of course, that you are simultaneously eco-friendly.

1. Detergent: Note that most commercial detergents are not extremely human-friendly. They use chemicals that make your clothes look bright and smell good, but they don't necessarily clean and disinfect as you would hope.

Not to worry! There are many things in creation that do the job well, especially for whites. I like to use a baking soda and vinegar mixture or lemon juice. For lemon juice, use it straight (no diluting) as a bleach alternative. NOTE: vinegar isn't good for most washing machines, but you can use it for hand washing. More on that later.

For colored clothing, you can find some great recipes for DIY detergent involving washing powder, borax, and other simple household ingredients.

2. Hand Washing: So the term may sound archaic and laborsome, but hold on...there's more to this! You can keep your delicates in good shape without putting yourself out. When you have high quality, natural fabrics in your wardrobe, tossing them in commercial machines won't work. And remember: NO bras in the washer. I repeat, NO bras in the washer! The rigor of the spin cycle will cause them to become misshapen before their time, even inside a garment bag.

BUT, there's such a thing as a mini washer and dryer you can use in your home! Some are more manual than others, but it makes washing a load of delicates super easy and cost effective. Depending on how automatic you want it to be, you can spend anywhere from $45 (manual) - $500+ (electric) on each appliance. Depending on the brand, you can fit about 7-12 pieces at a time. I have a set of these, and it is such a treat.

One major advantage is that I can soak my clothes, which I can't do at the laundromat. I like adding vinegar to the detergent as it disinfects. Note, however, that you cannot use vinegar on silk or linen garments. It's great for undies and cotton pieces, though.

3. Fabrics: Thankfully, you don't have to be an expert on textiles to know how to keep your clothes well. Always read manufacturer labels. But if you're like me, you may take a look at the "dry clean only" label and wonder if you have to dry clean. So here are some tips:

• Wool: This one is tricky. Wool shrinks more than many other fabrics. I have had some experiences washing it, and have made expensive mistakes. There are, however, ways to do it. Here's a great tutorial.
• Silk: I find that it's best to hand wash silk in cold water, no harsh chemicals. Machine washing can cause premature wear and tear, especially for pieces with frills, drawstrings, and small detailing (buttons, collars, etc.).
• Linen: You can hand wash linen, but be sure not to use vinegar.
• Cotton: This one is pretty durable. No special care needed here!

Hopefully this helps!

Wardrobe Budgeting and Helpful Strategies

As any good thing worth having, nice clothes require something of us. In this case, money. Sure, you have "bargain" basements, but remind yourself of why certain stores are cheap: they pay their workers poorly and give you poor quality synthetic fabrics that end up in a landfill after they fall apart on you. If you're looking for quality clothes created with integrity, you'll need to spend more money. There's a way, no matter your income. Trust me, you are worth it!

So here are some tips for managing your clothing budget!

1. Managing Needs vs. Wants:

There's no need to treat yourself like a slave and only buy what you desperately need. Clothing is fun, so have fun with it! At the same time, though, you don't want to pour tons of money into things that have no purpose in your wardrobe. Create a strategy, and each piece will become part of your workable wardrobe you enjoy. That way, your needs and wants will converge!

2. Strategies:

Start by considering that your clothing outfits your life, so it will need to work with the things that you do on a regular basis. Ask yourself:

a. Where do I go, and what is appropriate for these settings?

You have your home life, your work life, your fun life, and your romantic life. Do you live with parents, a roommate, a spouse and kids? Do you work in an art studio or a formal office? How about your free time? Are you vacationing in Aruba or picnicking in the park? And what about date nights? Do you guys mostly prefer dining at ritzy restaurants, or would you rather go hiking?

b. How do I want to look and feel?

Consider how you want to look and feel in your clothes. When you are at work, do you want to be no-frills and comfy? Do you like pieces that are soft and cozy, light and airy, starched and structured? And when you're running errands, do you need fabrics that are baby-friendly (e.g. can handle spit-up), or are you more interested in displaying flashy creativity?

c. What are my environmental needs?

Think about your geographical location and your lifestyle. Do you live in a rural place where you drive to get wherever you're going? Are you in the city where you walk and, therefore, need shoes that won't hurt your feet? If you live where it's mostly cold, you'll want to invest in durable winter clothing you don't need to replace often, even if it costs more. If you're in a warmer climate like Miami, on the other hand, you'll want to spring for natural, breathable fabric that keeps your skin cool and healthy (especially undies).

3. The Clothing:

Once you have decided what you're trying to accomplish through your clothing, sit down and make a list. Divide the sections into types of clothes you want. For instance, Casual, Work, Loungewear, etc. Separating your clothes into categories is also good for making sure they aren't overworked. If you wear that soft cotton shell to work and to bed, it's going to wear out much quicker than if you reserve it only for the office.

Take each category and list the tops, bottoms, etc. you currently own for each. Then decide how many you'd like to own. You can do this each season, throwing out the stuff that's beginning to go threadbare.

Now you know what to look for when you go shopping! You'll be less susceptible to impulse buying or grabbing veritable replicas of items you already own.

4. Items in Which to Invest:

No matter your budget, there are things on which you mustn't go cheap. Your well-being trumps your budget, so even if you have to save over time, be sure to invest in:

• A Good Coat: You don't need 10, but you do need at least one if you're in a cold climate. You know your geography best, so decide if it needs to be waterproof/snow proof, etc. But do be sure it's toasty warm and built for the lowest temperatures your town normally experiences. Layering is ok, but sweatshirt upon sweatshirt won't insulate you like a wool or down coat will. Try e-bay and other discounted sites. Trust me, your mother will thank me. :)
• Good Shoes: As a dancer, this is close to my heart. :) Shoes have a huge impact on your skeletal system long term. Your knees, back, hips, and all of that will be thrown off if you're wearing bad shoes. Trends are sometimes nice to look at, but many of them don't have your well-being in mind. Be sure to invest in pieces that are wide enough for your foot, and stable enough to handle whatever walking you do, especially if you take stairs.
• Good Gloves: Like the coat, be sure to have warm gloves. Extremities can be vulnerable in harsh weather, so you'll want something that really works. Go for lined leather or suede, or whatever you find most comfy.
• Bras: No matter your size, you'll want to find bras that fit comfortably and supportively. This will help take extra weight off your back, and your tops will look neater. I've found that, especially in the winter, I sometimes prefer shelf-bra tank tops as they streamline things a bit better, If you're smaller up top, you may appreciate this option.

4. The Money:

Everyone has different amounts they're comfortable spending on clothing, but I would encourage you to set aside an amount monthly. The fact is that you will need to replace your clothes regularly, because they aren't made to last. Beyond mere vanity, there are also hygienic reasons to get rid of old clothing (especially socks and undies).

If your budget is a bit tight, setting aside occasional money and shopping a couple of times a year is good. Once you have invested in the big ticket items mentioned above, your seasonal shopping is mostly maintenance, which doesn't have to cost much at all. This frees your budget to buy fun pieces that breathe life into the wardrobe and keep it fresh!

Let me know if you have questions or comments! Happy shopping!

How to Go Make-Up-Less

The services of a makeup artist at
a fashion event for which I modeled in NYC.

Me with no make-up at Lily Inc's 1st photo

 shoot.

So you have been considering going without makeup. And why not? If you're happy and you know it, your face will surely show it! In the pics above, which Stacey looks more approachable? :)

But how to go without makeup, exactly? For years we have been tuned in to rhetoric on not going out without our "face." We see tabloid covers emblazoned with women in the public eye who dared to go out without makeup! I remember thinking for so long that I looked so bad without makeup simply because I was not used to seeing myself (or women in general) that way. Then, as I came to like who I was on the inside, I began to see how my internal character was written into the very contours of my face. I became delighted to stop masking it.

Going without makeup is actually quite easy! It starts with realizing a few cool things about your face:

1. It was created perfect from the start: Have you ever said of a baby, "That kid needs some eyeliner to make her eyes pop!" No, of course not. Children shine with the exuberance of life coursing through them, and so can you! Stop listening to/reading sources that tell you there's something wrong with you, because it's easy to internalize that even if it's not true. Even with spots and blemishes, that's just life. Isn't your face more than just a couple of spots that may or may not be visible? Doesn't it house your expressions and the very windows to your soul?

2. Your skin is an indicator of internal health, and it's in your best interest to take care of it from the inside out. You can just cover up what you don't like, but not only does it not make it go away; it also leaves potential health issues unchecked. If there's eczema, break outs, redness, etc., which have been linked to stress on internal organs, etc., find out what the problem is and solve it nutritionally.

Also be sure you're drinking water and getting enough produce, protein and carbs. Don't eat foods with preservatives and unnatural chemicals, which breaks down your body. Remember that health is about your body functioning properly, not about being thin. If you are healthy, your skin will be healthy as well.

 3. Age is a wonderful thing: Ok, maybe commercials don't say so, but that's only because they have a personal agenda that doesn't include your well-being. Silver hair, reserved only for the old and wise, is a sign of honor. Age is an opportunity to give life to others and to offer a perspective that your juniors don't have. So why hide this gift? Even as your skin wrinkles, your eyes and your smile grow more robust as your peace and joy increase. That, my friend, needs no enhancement!


So with these notions, feel free to leave out the makeup. Care for your skin by simply cleansing and moisturizing naturally if you need to, but don't mask or tweak the purity of your elegance. Going without make up will give you more time (and definitely more money!) to do things that matter to you.