WARDROBE POST! Restocking My Wardrobe!

   

HOW POSHMARK IS WORKING OUT FOR ME!!

If you have been following along with me for awhile you probably know I have recently, (and finally), lost a bit of weight. 

I will never be a weight loss guru nor will this blog become about weight loss. I truly believe it is such an individuals own desire to  want it badly enough to find what works for them.

In my weight loss journey I also had to literally replenish my entire wardrobe. I don't know about the rest of you but I don't have a money tree in my backyard so I have to be frugal and spend wisely.

That brings me to my discovery of Poshmark. I started posting my clothing on this site and was pleasantly surprised at how well I did selling my old wardrobe. It also afforded me to be able to purchase new clothing at a fraction of the cost. Plus it is a form of recycling so that kind of felt good too.

Anyhow I wanted to share some of the bargains that are available on Poshmark. Keep in mind you can find brand new items some like new items as well. 

I look for the newer pieces and I ask for all measurements and the condition of the item before ever pushing the purchase button. I have only had one purchase where the seller was less than truthful.

I will start with my newest purchase of some pretty flats. I have to wear flats these days so I am always on the hunt for some cute or pretty one's. These fall in the category of pretty for dressier occasions....

Aren't they pretty? Very Chanelesque, don't you think? These were originally $120 and I got them for $45. I am only mentioning the pricing because they are such a good deal and that is what Poshmark is all about. Never worn!!

This Banana Republic blouse is pristine and classic. As long as it fits it will stay in my wardrobe for many years. Originally $70 and I got it for $18!! 

Brand new top! INC brand for $25. This top is to die for in person. It has a little touch of metallic gold trim at the top of the neck. I am really going to enjoy this cutie.

Another brand new item. I actually owned this blouse and have been looking and looking to see if anyone else had it in a smaller size. After a few months it finally came up. It is in pristine condition and I originally paid $89 at Chico's for mine and I purchased this one for..... Are you ready? $9. Yes that is right only $9. keep in mind there is a $6.49 shipping fee, but can you believe that. I now have another favorite blouse hanging in my closet.

I am showing you all black and white basics today but trust me I have colored pieces as well. I will show you those in another post.

This fun skirt for Spring is from J.Crew. I love their pieces but often find them over priced in my mind so to be able to get this brand new skirt that was originally $65 for $15 really felt like a win-win and a little victory.

If you do decide to post, or just shop on Poshmark take the time to feel out your categories and preferences and be very specific on your searches otherwise you will have to go through a lot of not so cute stuff. 

I have had very good luck finding and receiving my items and will continue to use Poshmark for selling the items I out grow and also to purchase some in my new size.

Of course I still purchase items from retail stores, but I am very careful to get them on sale. I am a pretty discriminating shopper, and of course I also am a planner. 

I know my style and the silhouettes that look best on me and I stick with those. I like a black and white base with the addition of color. 

When I think about it, I dress like I decorate  my home. I am a total classic/preppy dresser so most of my items will lean in that direction.

I hope you try poshmark out!! If you do, use my user name @fiano  and I will get a little credit for you joining and making your first purchase!! If you have any questions just email me, I will be glad to help if I can.

 

 

Adding A New Color To Your Existing Room!

The start of a new year is a time our minds tend to go towards all the things we think we want to change in our lives, homes, etc. I am just like all of you and my mind starts spinning in several different directions at once.

I could write a post on all the different things that are spinning in my brain, but that just might get a bit entangled and confusing for you and me so today I am going to stick with one subject.

THE COLOR PINK!

As you all have read in my Christmas post I used pink and reds and in doing so I renewed my love of pink.

As a little girl and teen I always wore a lot of pink, it seemed to be a flattering color for me. I also had pink bedrooms.

In the 80s my love of pink was almost destroyed with the mauve and blue combination. Even though it was extremely popular I just could not get on board. I did not like the muted, muddy tones of the mauves and I craved brighter pinks like raspberry or watermelon pink.

Do you think I could find them anywhere? NO I looked and looked here in California and it wasn't until I made a trip back east and went to Sturbridge Village shop that I found a true rose pink and blue plaid that I loved. I ordered 17 yards of fabric and had my camel back sofa reupholstered.

Luckily we have come a long way baby and all different shades and tones of pinks are available to us/me!!

I am on the hunt for the perfect pink pillow that will combine my colors and patterns together nicely. There is one thing I know about myself is it has to look classic, simple and not over powering. A little bit of pink goes a long way for me, in my book.

Budget is also a concern since this is a seasonal change for Spring. I usually change out my pillows and add a few accessories that will pull the color scheme together.

I have changed my room seasonally for so many years that I have it almost down to a science.

The first thing I will do is look for fabric and order some samples. The fabric will be my jumping off point or springboard.

In my looking I found several rooms that I was inspired by the room or at least parts of the room....

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What I liked about this room is how the pink was sprinkled around the room and did not become too overpowering. I also like the way the leopard print breaks up the sweetness of the pink. Sometime pink can tend to look too sweet if not done with a light hand and by mixing it with a pattern that can make quite a statement like the leopard does in this room.

Notice how there are different shades and tones of pinks in the room and how they are scattered so your eye keeps moving seamlessly.

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This image is only showing the sofa and coffee table and the pinks are a bit softer than in  the last example, but the concept is pretty much the same. The pink is dispersed in different areas in order to have a nice visual flow. Notice the leopard pillow again? I am starting to see a pattern here.

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Here we go again!! More leopard with pink!! Keep in mind that the decorators/designers of these room are using a bolder statement fabric with the use of a softer looking pink in order to not make the room look too sweet.

 This is a good thing to remember......

When using any color that can tend to look a bit sweet or too girly, toughen it up with a bolder statement fabric!!

I am in the process of ordering some fabrics that have pink in them. More on that later.

So if you want to introduce a new color to your room do the following:

• remove all accessories from room only keep the base there.

• look around to see where you could possibly add a new color.

• look on pinterest or instagram for rooms that have the new color in them. Save those images and study them to see what elements you seem to like in each image. Chances are you will be very consistent if you just go with your heart. There will be a pattern that develops and you will easily see it once you have enough images pinned or saved.

• find one combiner piece, this is a piece that will combine your existing colors and style. Often this can be in a pillow fabric but keep your mind open to new possibilities.

• once you find your combiner piece make a collage of your existing pieces with the new piece. This is now your jumping off point. Any and all additions will need to marry well to this base.

• Define your style with words so that when you look at new pieces you can make sure it falls in line with your criteria.

Now have fun looking and exploring

 

 

SIX Easy Switch-Ups For Spring!

    

 I know we are in the dead of winter but now is the time to start sourcing and planning for your Spring time decor. I have already started doing some sourcing for some of the changes I want to make this season. More on that one later.......

Spring is by far my favorite time of year. I love all the colors, the fresh grass greens, pretty pink and yellow blooms, clear skies and white puffy clouds.

When Spring is getting close I like to add some elements to my room that will make my room feel a bit more fresh and happy.

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I usually do this with pillows as I have shown in previous post, but there are other ways to decorate for Spring without becoming a totally thematic room, full of birds nest, eggs and bunnies. (all of which I dearly love)

First and foremost we have to be careful and use some……

RESTRAINT!

We are not decorating a store so we need to keep a handle on just how much decorating we do so we don’t look like things just might have a price tag attached to our displays.

First Step!

Choosing Spring Accent Colors

Before we begin remove everything except the pieces that will always stay in your room, furniture pieces, wall décor and lighting.

Next look at the colors in your room and think about the colors that you love that could be added to your room to freshen it up.

Take a look at a color wheel if you need help in finding complimentary colors for your room. 

Find the main color in your room and go directly across to find it’s compliment. The group of colors directly across are the strongest compliments but you can choose color families from each side of the compliment color as well.

Such as Blue’s compliment is orange, yellow-orange or red-orange. Using any of these color families will make the blue more vibrant in your room.

If you want a softer compliment choose the color families on each side of blue, such as blue-green and blue-violet.

 

Another way to pull colors out in your room is to look at any existing patterns in your room and pull the colors from there.

These are just a couple of very basic guidelines.

Next is time to make a list of  Spring elements that are pleasing to you that you might want to add to your room.

Keep in mind to not choose things that are overtly Spring that could make your room look like a store display, as I previously mentioned.

Try to add elements with texture, color and life.

SIX SWITCH-UPS!!

 #1

FLOWERS

Flowers are a natural choice when it comes to Spring décor, but so are touches of natural greenery, or blooming twigs.

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I like to use flowers and greenery in my home all year long, but especially during the Spring months.

This is the perfect time of year to display your favorite blooms.

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White tulips are a favorite of mine and using this rough hewn bowl full of tulips will make anyone get in the mood for Spring!

#2

 COLORFUL GLASSWARE

Using clear colorful glassware is a nice touch to add a bit of sparkle to a room. You can use a single piece or a group…..

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Adding some blooms to your composition looks very fresh and perfect for Spring…..

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Simple greenery from your yard is a favorite element I like to use in the Spring.

 

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#3

BOOKS

Brightly colored books used as lifts for a decorative item, or just stacked on a table can add a touch of Spring…..

If you will notice the books colors are pulled together with the floral arrangements colors. The black of the vase is accentuated with the black and white spines of the books. 

Bright pink as in the flowers and even a pop of orange as in the center stamens of the flowers. Details, details! 

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Another great example of how the flower and vase colors are pulled into the stack of books.

If you don’t have just the right color of book spine, take a trip to the thrift store and purchase what you need for very little cost.

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Another option is to cover your existing books with colorful papers or material.

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This is fun! Use brightly colored markers to color the ends of the pages!

#4

ARTWORK

If your artwork is not expensive, and it can easily be replaced for a minimum cost, changing it out can totally change a room.

I have found Etsy to be a great resource for some lovely prints that can be easily framed in standard size frames from hobby stores.

Let me show you a few that have caught my eye…….

This particular piece has all the elements I love in a room for my own home so naturally I gravitated towards this piece.

Kerri Ship has some brightly colored watercolors that will be sure to please your design aesthetics. You can find her work here. Colorful and affordable.

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Art.com has some very affordable options in all different styles of artwork. I chose this one from my artwork pinboard which has many pins of artwork that is appealing to me, personally.

This particular piece is done by Lou Wall. There are many more colorful pieces on his page, HERE!

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Green is the color of Spring. Nothing prettier than the color of fresh, new grass. I love the depiction of this knot garden to add freshness and a touch of Spring to a room. This is neutral and could work in just about any setting. Found HERE!

 #5

THROWS AND RUGS

If you are like me, you like a throw to wrap up in even in the warmer months. When I quit for the day, and lay down on my couch to watch some mindless TV, I like an adult blankie/throw!

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This is where you can add pattern and/or color easily to your room. Your imagination is your only limitation when it comes to choosing. 

There are so many sources for both rugs and throws on the internet.

Ikea and Target are probably the least expensive with some great variety to choose from when it comes to Home accessorizing.

If you are looking for more of an investment piece then your options are pretty limitless.

Just keep in mind your over all feel, color scheme, and patterns in the room. Keep patterns, and texture of the throw, light and airy for a Springtime feel.

However sometimes a pop of a solid color throw is a great way to introduce interest, and maybe a new color in a room.

#6 LAMPSHADES/LAMPS

If you room can accommodate some pattern and or color take a look at the options for lampshades. Target is a great source for affordable lampshades and they offer both color and patterns.

A happy yellow Ikat can mix well with many patterns.

I like to switch out my darker lampshades with white shades for summer.

You can add a little trim around the top, and bottom if you feel the need for a bit of embellishment, but keep it simple.

Or you can add trim just to the bottom like this homeowner did……

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RECAP:

Clear room of all accessories.

Choose your color scheme based on existing permanent elements. (one primary color with two accents is a good guideline)

Start with one main print or star, if you are choosing any patterns, then work off of that pattern for colors and other prints that will coordinate.

Add Spring colors to your room by using lighter and brighter values of complimentary colors in your room.

Add texture with spring time branches in bloom.

Add life to your room with fresh blooms or simple greenery in vases.

Use everyday colorful book spines to use as lifts on tables, mantels etc.

Purchase some fresh, colorful artwork and frame in simple black or white frames purchased from the Hobby store.

A new fresh, cheerful color/patterned throw is comforting and will add a touch of Spring easily to your room.

Area rugs are easy to change up. Use one for Fall/Winter months and one for your Spring/Summer months.

Remember, none of the above have to be costly, just well chosen. Make your plan of attack before making any purchases so you know it will all work well together.

Once your plan is made then the fun can begin. It takes time and patience, but in the end you will be so happy with your end results.

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Switching it up for Spring!

 

 

My 2018 WORD For The Year!!

   

As other's celebrate at parties to bring in the new year I tend to be a little more introspective. I start thinking about what WORD will be on my heart throughout the upcoming year.

Sometimes the word will come to me quickly and other times it slips in on me in a conversation.

I think of many words and I pray for God's guidance in my life in all things, especially my thoughts!

I thought I had my word, but there was something that was telling me it wasn't quite right, it was close and I was on the right track but it wasn't MY WORD.

The word that I thought was going to be my word was, " Intention!" I felt as if this year was going to be a year of living with intention. 

It was during a conversation with a very dear friend that I found my word, it was so obvious once I said it out loud.

I was telling her that I had such an excitement inside about the upcoming year and how much I was looking forward to many things that I knew would possibly be in my future if God allows.

I have had this over whelming excitement inside of me lately that I really could not explain, but now I know why it was there!! It was just guiding me to find my word for the year. 

I not only want to live my life with intention but I want to be excited with great anticipation to see what God has in store for me this year.

My Universe is GOD!!!

The gift of life that God has given each of us should be cherished and treasured each day is a new promise of something for us to experience.

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!