The Closeteer (klahz-eh-teer)

What we put on our feet can say a lot about us. It says where we might be going-hiking, the beach, a night on the town, dancing, running, you name it. “Beautiful are the feet that bring good news.”

I have always loved shoes. They always fit. Whether pregnant, thin, overweight, you can always go shoe shopping! 

This summer, in case you’ve been living under a rock outside of the US or other western countries, the Gladiator sandal has made it’s comeback complete. Muted metallics, braided leather, lots of straps, and the t-strap sandal are just to name a few. I have a pair that I’ve practically worn out this summer that pretty much go with everything. Now THAT’s a good shoe:) (most shoes pictured here can be found at www.modcloth.com, and www.target.com)

This here is my go-to slip on this summer. They may not make it to the end:)

My prediction for this fall is that the oxford shoe in it’s many stylings will be the IT shoe! There are so many ways to wear it, so it will be a must-have for fall trends. Be on the look out!

trend report….

Swingy, breezy longer tees and tank tops, not closely fitting but nicely hanging, drapey looking cuts for tops.  

I love this for several reasons. One being, you don’t have to be a super model to pull it off-again, less muffin-top! Another, it’s simple, relaxed and still manages to look timeless. Wear them with well fitted pants or leggins so as not to overwhelm your entire frame with drapey-ness. A general rule of thumb when dressing is to have volume on only one larger area of the body, i.e. up top, on the bottom, or a waistline or shape of some sort for dresses and one piece outfits.

Not that well fitted shirts are completely out, but the days of the tight, just-barely-long-enough tee shirt are fizzling out…the sooner the better I say.

You don’t need to be a hipster to pull this look off and like I said, you don’t need to be a super model either. The hem of the shirt should come to the widest part of your hips or longer (if you’re shorter, less is more) and the pants, skirt or shorts should be slim fitting or not loose.

So, ladies, the clothing swap was a HUGE HIT! Definetly in need of a repeat in the future! We had 23 women show up, most of them with a large bag of goods to trade. Swap parties are gaining more and more popularity as the economy has not bounced back quite as quickly as some would hope. It’s the age old system of trading and bartering but in the form of a party! I have always loved hand-me-downs and organizing an official hand-me-down party was one of the most fun social and fashion-forward things I have done! I found a few resources online for tips, but for the most part, it is just what it sounds like-I’ll give you my clothes if you give me yours. Trade ya! First you purge your own closet. Ahh! What a great feeling at the beginning of spring! Then we brought items to trade and sorted them into simple catagories (set up by yours truly). We did the trade in rounds, and I found that splitting the group in half and sending one gaggle of hens to the downstairs “shopping” area and one to the upstairs area worked quite well. Then we switched. The third round was a free for all. Spontaneous trying-on was encouraged and we giggled like middle schoolers til we’d had our fill of free clothes and yummy desserts and drinks. The items that weren’t chosen I donated to charity. Talk about a win-win-win. :) I seriously filled up the entire back seat of my midsize sedan with the leftovers! I’d encourage you to give it a whirl in your circle of fashionistas and enjoy the free bounty!

Fun fun fun fun fun!

Favorites from trends this Spring include:

High-waisted pants, skirts, and dresses ala the 30’s and 40’s, and some 70’s. While I’m no fan of squeezing yourself into a pair of Charlie’s Angels high-waisted bell bottoms (hardly anyone can pull them off but the late Farrah Fawcett, anyhow), a pair of intentionally high-waisted sailor inspired pants or a refined pencil skirt with a higher waist can be incredibly chic and timeless. Plus, it automatically cancels out any “muffin-top” ! Ha! The key to fitting some of these new/retro gems is to make sure they fit to your natural waist; i.e. the smallest part of your torso, usually the line around your belly button. 

These suggestions of course are for fun and to “breathe fresh life” into your clothes closets, but don’t let what is on the outside determine the theme of your “thought closet”. One key lesson I learned from Jennifer Rothchilds’ study on the thought life is like the first step in any addiction recovery…you have to acknowledge your thoughts and emotions before you can move forward to dealing with them. She says,” Second, you need to recognize there is a cause for feeling this way…it’s good to ask our souls questions, but don’t fret. We may not have all the answers!” And that’s ok. At least start there. “To acknowledge you are troubled and automatically pour out your heart to God is wise.”

Start there lovely one. 

“Tust in Him at all times, O people; POUR OUT your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (pause and think about that!)”-Ps.62:8

thelonelyindian:

It’s official people, Art Signals has shirts! And they are better than any clothes you currently own. 

artsignals:

we gots shirts people!  email us at artsignals@gmail.com or tweet us and let us know if you want one.  right now, they are starting at $30.  but if we love you enough we may cut you a deal, and if you have any cherokee in you, then you definitely get a discount.  haha..

american apparel v-neck t-shirt
available in sizes XS-XL

 

Happy Good Friday All!

Yes, it’s only good because of the total inward revamp we are able to have because Jesus paid it all. Think of it as the ultimate all-expense-paid Shopping Spree for your soul ever! And that’s putting it lightly! He paid to give you not only a new look, but a new NATURE! That’s the hope of Easter! I hope it finds you well today as we remember how he paid it on Good Friday.

As Easter arrives (I can’t believe it’s here already!) we really jump into spring! Some of the wardrobe trending for this season are vintage florals, with delicate to statement-sized floral accents. And nothing says spring like a great light jacket, be it a soft cardigan or a structured jacket/blazer.

My advice is stick to what makes you feel beautiful as far as adding floral in the mix. Big accents aren’t for everyone, but they sure are fun! If you’re willing, dare to try mixing it up a bit. Also, as far as jackets, be sure to stick to a shape and cut that flatters your shape the best. If you’re tall, find a longer, lightweight trench with a fun belt to change it up. Shorter torsoed? Swing jackets and cropped cardigans look SO great on you! Have a closeteer question? Leave it here and I’ll get back to you!

Why the Closeteer, you wonder?

Well, It started with a Bible study on doing a “thought closet” makeover, wherein, I was encouraged to go thru the scattered bins of mindless thoughts, messages, lies, memories and events I’d crammed into all the nooks and crannies of my brain. Some were crusty, stench-laden thoughts I’d rarely seen, and others…well, let’s just say others had taken up a more prominent place in my everyday “mental” vocabulary. Not all positive things to be sure.

A dear friend brought up the idea to start this blog, and she encouraged me to take it on.Thank you KP :) It caused me to have to think about what I would share. Then I thought of my love for cultivating a unique and well-worn style; externally, that is. I love clothes. And helping others put together their own unique “style”. So, I said to myself, “Self, why not offer words of encouragement to others about clothing themselves, INTERNALLY and EXTERNALLY?” I could combine two loves-pure genius!

So, here we are.

Here’s to hopes that this venture helps all of us breathe new life into our “thought closets” and our actual closets. 

Col. 3:12

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

…and cute clothes:)