Spring Cleaning: Organizing Your Dresser

CarrieLeave a comment

We all know it’s the time of year where we like to start bringing out our spring and summer clothing.  Though it is hard to believe warmer weather is right around the corner (especially after the six inches of snow South Jersey got last night), it is time to start thinking about reorganizing your closet.  If you’re not quite ready to dig out those spring/summer clothes, try reorganizing your dresser to get a new clean fresh look.  I actually stole the idea below from Sadie when I last visited her.  It’s a great idea to organize your hair products and perfumes.  It also makes it look very classy.  I used a silver serving tray that I had lying around that never got used.  I gave it a good polishing and it gave my dresser a whole new look.  It also made me organize everything around it.  I have an owl necklace stand compliments of Karla and an earring carousel on my dresser as well.
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I have a lot of jewelry.  One of the drawers of my dresser is made specifically for jewelry organization.  However, the one next to it was just a felt-lined drawer.  I have a lot of vintage costume jewelry from my grandmother that needed to be organized in something other than their original boxes to allow me to see what I had to choose from.  I saw on Pinterest that teacups can be placed in drawers to organize jewelry.  I happened to have some extra expresso cups and saucers lying around that I never put to use.  I repurposed them into something great.  I can now see all my options.  Try it and I guarantee you will love the easy access to all your beautiful accessories!
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Last Five

SadieLeave a comment

songs I downloaded on iTunes (girly edition).

1. “Bobblehead” by Christina Aguilera. I think this is a little bit of a throw back. I heard part of it on this youtube video and I looked it up. It definitely has a gimmicky sound that could be annoying to some, but I like having a little variety in the mix.

2. “The Wire” by HAIM. So this was a song I saw on VH1 about a month ago (does anyone still watch VH1 anymore?). And then I heard it again the other day and decided I needed more of it in my life. Usually I find songs like this boring, but HAIM got me on this one (and the video is kind of funny too).

3. “Don’t Save Me” by HAIM. This is proof that I’m hooked on HAIM. After I downloaded “The Wire, ” I decided I needed this one too. And I was right. I’m sure I’m late to the party on this band, but if it’s not on my Top 40 radio station, I don’t know it.

4. “Picking up the Pieces” by Paloma Faith. Another VH1 discovery. I guess someone has to watch Top 20 Countdown on the weekend. I saw the video while I was at the gym which means I saw it without the sound. And it was so random and strange I had to look it up. I was glad that I did.

5. “Really Don’t Care” by Demi Lovato feat. Cher Lloyd. This discovery is by way of Pandora. It came up on my One Direction station and I had to have it. It’s a great workout song, and I find it energizing during a busy day.

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Old Stand Bys

Sadie1 Comment

Workout clothes might be my favorite topic. I wear them everyday, I take a lot of interest in them. I love trying out all the new fabrics, patterns, and silhouettes that the athletic apparel companies come out with, but there’s something to be said for the basics. I have pieces in my dresser that are a little pricey, crazy, or activity specific, but at the end of the day there is core wardrobe of basics that are durable, comfortable, affordable, and awesome for every workout.

Here are my favorites that I will buy until the companies discontinue the style:

Tops

This basic Under Armour tank. It usually comes in several colors, and I love it for anything from weights to Pilates to cardio. It stays put whether you’re upside down or right side up!

UAtank

When it comes to a tee shirt, I love this Nike option. It’s a company staple so they come out with new colors all the time, and keep the style the same. I like it because it’s not skin tight so it’s perfect for days that I’m not looking for something comfy, but a big step up from a standard cotton tee shirt.

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Bottoms

I think bottoms can be a little trickier than tops because they ride up, fall down, are see through when you bend over, or just plain unflattering. These ones from Under Armour though, are the definition of basic. They work for everything from spin class, to weights, to Pilates (no zipper on the back). Every time I wear these I wish I could wear them 24/7/365 because they are that comfortable.

UAcapris

When it comes to running I have a few requirements. I need a drawstring, a pretty high rise, and a little zipper pocket on the lower back for my keys. These Nike capris meet all the requirements, and I think I usually get an even more affordable version of these from the Nike outlet.

NikeCapris

Based on my observations over time, I’ve realized you can go two directions for running shorts. You’re either a spandex person, or a Nike tempo (or other brand equivalents) person. I am a spandex person. Always. These are my go-tos from Nike. Comfortable, light, and a slightly longer inseam (5 in.) than the shorter version (3 in.) makes them age appropriate for everyone older than 17.

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Sports Bras

I have done extensive research in this category. This is obviously very dependent on your body type, and I require maximum support. I cannot tell you how many times I have bought a sports bra because it claims to be my size and/or be extremely high impact/high support, and they just don’t live up to any of the claims (I will not name names…). Time and time again I come back to this very basic compression bra from Nike. I have tried all the imitators, but no one does a compression bra like Nike. Plus, just like all these other basics, they often release it in several colors and patterns every season.

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Socks

I’m pickier than you might think when it comes to socks. After trying several of the fancier brands, it turns out Champion makes my favorite in their target line. They are the perfect combination of low profile, and fluffy. Socks are a goldilocks thing for me, they’re either too thin or too thick and fluffy, but few are just right.

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Shoes

I am a New Balance sneaker girl. I like the lightweight, basic nature of these ones that I’ve been ordering at a discount from DSW for a couple years now. When you find a shoe that works you need to stick with it!

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What are your old stand bys, when it comes to workout gear?