What to Wear: Paring Down Your Wardrobe

How are you? Are you enjoying your summer so far? I hope you're finding some great ways to stay cool because it is definitely a hot one this year! Finding outfits that allow you to stay cool definitely helps and for me dresses are on the top of my list. One thing is for sure, the votes are coming in loud and clear for the little poll I posted in the sidebar a couple weeks ago. Since you all wanted to read more posts about classy fashion and how to dress classy, I thought it was about time to write another post for our 'What to Wear'. If you haven't voted yet for your favorite types of posts on this blog and want to, it's still available and I would absolutely love to hear from you! :) It looks like this in my sidebar to the right of this post....

I thought we could discuss the topic of paring down. This might sound scary or daunting to some but I find that simplicity in many areas of our life actually helps to reduce stress and clear the mind of unnecessary clutter. Yesterday I came across a lovely new blog called 'Greater than Rubies' and discovered a little challenge that the blog writer Caitlin put together. She has decided not to purchase any new clothing for **gasp** one.full.year. She began on Jan.1st, so she's more than half way though the challenge now. Below is a look at the main outfits she created from just a few key wardrobe staples-it's really amazing to see it all laid out in one image board.

{Click link below named 'this link' to see enlarged individual outfits}

While reading a few pages of her blog I found this great compilation of images that Caitlin created for a separate challenge called the 30-Day Challenge which she posted to Pinterest. All of the tiny images you see here are all shown individually however much larger on the site, use this link to see them all in greater detail. She used 11 pieces to create 35 outfits from Day 1 to Day 30! With just eleven clothing pieces and a few accessories to rotate through you could get by for a whole month with only those pieces just like she did! We can all live on less and I think this just proves it. I don't know about you but I'm pretty darn impressed! Thanks Caitlin for the inspiration! :)

She has also decided to do something that costs her nothing to update her wardrobe now and then-clothing swaps. I've attended a few of these and they are always so much fun. Essentially everyone brings clothing, shoes and accessories they no longer want and would consider just donating to the swap and each person gets a chance to select a few new items. Not only is it free, but it's a great way to bring girlfriends together and become a bit more creative with your wardrobe and go home with some great new pieces!

Here are some tips on Maximizing Your Wardrobe that I wrote last year which include a short video from Project Runway's Tim Gunn.

For the classy woman, the key to building a solid wardrobe is to keep only those pieces which flatter, that fit properly, are in good repair and stand the test of time. Classic pieces will never let you down, they can be mixed with more trendy garments to create great outfits and if you care for them properly and establish a wardrobe built upon them, getting dressed will be so much easier. We'll be talking more about what these pieces consist of in the weeks to come in greater detail. In the mean time, you can read about essential classic wardrobe pieces in this previous post I wrote called, How to Dress Classy on a Budget.

This summer wardrobe image above is a great example of how you can wear the same two clothing pieces two different ways. It's the color in the accessories that changes the overall look! Sometimes we get into a rut with our clothing, always wearing the same pieces with the same shoes and accessories. You'll note that the shoes, handbag and sunglasses are the same, but changing those up will add greater variety. Is this getting your creative juices flowing yet?

Each season it's a good idea to donate anything that you haven't worn in the previous 12 months, don't like how you look or feel in, clothing that is beyond repair or stained and any pieces that you no longer love. There isn't any sense in filling what limited closet space and drawer space you have with things you truly never wear. There is nothing wrong with having a smaller wardrobe, in fact French women very much live by the notion of less is more when it comes to their closets. They'll invest in great trench coats, pencil skirts, dresses and black dress pants that they've saved up for and invested in and can literally wear for 5-10 years. They enjoy quality over quantity and I think this is a great lesson we could glean from them.

Have any of your tried paring down your wardrobe or challenging yourself in this way for others areas in your life? Maybe you've participated in a clothing swap? What did you learn most during the process?

Wishing you all a Fabulous Weekend!

XO




*Photo Credits: (1), (2), (3)

**Stella & Dot Jewelry Deal** Today Only!

Good Morning Lovelies! Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good deal. When I learned that one of my own sponsors, Stella & Dot was on Good Morning America with a 70% off deal, I just had to share it with you all!

Stella & Dot's Corso Cuff & Corso Hoops are 70% off today only! Such a great deal for yourself or package them together as a great birthday gift, maybe do a some early Christmas shopping! I hurried over to their website and snagged the cuff bracelet for myself, it's a great go-to accessory for so many outfits.

To take advantage of this amazing deal, click {HERE} and then type "Corso" into the search box. It will pop up right away and there is no special promo code needed! They have a lot of other items listed for sale too, and their new fall line is available-Happy Shopping! :)

Have a Fabulous Friday! I'd love to know what you bought, leave a comment and let me know!

P.S. For anyone interested in gaining exposure and getting their blog noticed, I have 3 ad space spots left for the 75% off July deal for our small ad space using promo code: JULY75. Click {here} to get your 30-day spot today!

XO

Manners Monday: Sharing Photos of Others

The past couple of weeks, my Manners Monday posts have come about as the result of those who choose to communicate in a way that lacks manners and common courtesy via social media. You'll remember my last post was about Sharing Good News with Others and today's post on taking and sharing photos of others was inspired by a Facebook status I read of an acquaintance this morning.

I like to laugh and let's face it, people in general can do some pretty silly things and can dress in really unique ways sometimes. While I'll often pass by someone on the street and and think what they're wearing makes a really bold statement or visit a client who adores her newly painted neon orange office, it is not mine nor anyone else's job to judge others or point out what we feel is horrible taste. When I opened my Facebook page this morning, I saw a post that read, "....and we're not even at Walmart yet!" It was a photo of a woman (who was a complete stranger to my acquaintance) in a very unflattering outfit with gladiator sandals that had material that spanned the majority of her calf, a super tight romper and hair all teased out with a headband that had a massive flower attached. While I admit it was somewhat amusing and I know her intent was to spark some Monday morning humor and comments, this is the equivalent to gossiping, but in photo form. Sharing unflattering photos or information with others is not at all classy or ladylike.

There are many who feel that because they own a camera or smartphone and have taken it upon themselves to take a photo that they have a license to share it with others or post it, regardless of how the one being photographed might feel. If you want to take a photo of someone or something that belongs to that someone, such as their pet or their super cute baby, it is always best to ask permission first. If you wouldn't feel comfortable explaining why you want to take their photo, it probably means you should slip that camera back into your handbag and focus on something else.

Maybe you've spent the day with friends or family and many will eagerly be awaiting the photos from a fun-filled event on various sites such as Facebook or perhaps via Instagram. If you see a particularly unflattering photo of someone but you look amazing in it, don't post the photo as tempting as it may be. Crop everyone else out of the picture and post it with just yourself if you must, but do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. Be respectful with photos and don't make people look ridiculous when you know that is not a good representation of them.

As always when you're sharing images via social media such as Facebook where you have the ability to tag others, don't do it unless you ask the other people if they would like to be tagged or until they ask you to tag them. More {HERE}on tagging and Facebook Etiquette. When it comes to minors and small children, make sure you have the parents' permission before posting, for safety reasons.

Also, be mindful that if you are meeting a newborn baby of a friend or family member for the first time (perhaps immediately after the delivery) that it is not a good idea to begin posting photos online. It is a precious and momentous occasion for the happy parents and they will want to announce to the world via photos their bundle of joy, don't beat them to the punch and steal their thunder, unless they've asked you to do so on their behalf for a particular reason.

Has anyone ever posted a photo of you that you were horrified to discover or without your permission? What are YOUR thoughts on photo sharing?

XO




*Photo Credit

The Importance of Apologizing

I think a great rule in life to live by is to be quick to apologize and slow to anger or hold a grudge. I posted this up on our Facebook Page also (we'd love it if you'd join in the conversation!). The more people I talk to the more I learn that this is a problem. Many choose to withhold an apology because their ego is too big and they feel they need to win and have to be "right". 


I grew up in a home where one of my parents always felt the need to be "right" while the other one was gracious enough to put up with it for a long time. It got to the point that the person in question would cite facts and when they were validated would say things like, "See! Wasn't I right?". Witnessing this over the years, I could see how this contributed in some way to the downfall of their marriage because there was a lack of humility in some areas. I'm so thankful that I was able to learn this at a young age and take a lesson away from it long after my parents divorced when I was twenty. Not only in my own marriage but in friendships, it's so important to know when to apologize even if you've been hurt or you know something isn't your fault, for the sake of the relationship. None of us are perfect, all of us need grace from time to time.


A while ago, I wrote a post called 'Do You Want to be Right or Reconciled?' and if you're struggling with a relationship that you're frustrated by, I encourage you to read it or pass it along to someone that you know might benefit. It's also a good read/refresher for wives, living with someone else 24/7 is not always easy and there are bound to be times where you feel that your way is the better way, but we must not lose sight of the fact that at the end of the day a partnership is a team, we need to work together. :)

Happy Friday! I wish you all a fabulous weekend with the ones you love!

XO

Manners Monday: Sharing Good News

If you follow The Classy Woman Facebook page then you know that I posted about a personal experience I had with a family member last week as it pertains to manners (or in this case the lack thereof). While I was vague in terms of the story itself, there was a good lesson behind it and many of you commented and enjoyed the post and some asked how to best respond to the person lacking in manners in this type of situation. So, I've decided to share it here on the blog too as today's Manners Monday post. :)

Some of you might be reading the title of this post and thinking, "Really, there are certain manners behind sharing good news with someone?" I believe there are because it is always about how we leave others feeling at the end of a conversation or exchange that shows whether or not we used good judgement and manners or left much to be desired.

Last week I was grocery shopping and while waiting in line happened to check my e-mail via my phone, I saw a Facebook e-mail message from a family member who had very exciting news to share. It was truly a surprise to read that she was expecting baby #2 and I was very happy for her, but it was the content and tone of her e-mail that left me feeling a bit hurt in the end instead of overjoyed.

You see, she had immediately dove into her good news and how the technician said the baby looks really healthy and how her first child will be such a a good sibling to the new baby and why and yada yada yada. At the end she threw in a quick "Hope you're doing well". Now, I admit I'm a pretty over-analytical person and I can tend to read into things more than I should sometimes  but this is also not the first time I've received an e-mail like this via Facebook from this person. The other sad detail is that we very rarely speak anymore and we only see each other about once per year in person when I fly back home to Toronto although we were inseparable as kids. While I've tried numerous times to reach out so that we could have some phone conversations and correspond via e-mail, she almost never replies. The only time I really receive a note from her is to hear about the new home they just purchased, their upcoming baby, etc. I can say after several years I do know where I stand with this person and while I will always be cordial and nice to her, I have stopped investing myself into that relationship as I see it for what it is.

When we make a phone call, face-to-face talk, e-mail or written correspondence and it is all about us we alienate others and it tells them that they (nor how they're doing or what they're going through and experiencing in life) don't really matter to us. I think we almost need to eliminate the phrase "I hope you're doing well" from our vocabulary. It takes very little effort to say this. When someone asks me, "So, how's your design business going this summer" or "How was your vacation?" it immediately makes me feel special and as though they truly care what is actually going on in my life. I'm sure you can all relate. Nobody that I know enjoys feeling ignored or as if someone completely glosses over the current topics in their life.


These types of conversations can also happen when someone happens to have really bad news as well such as the sudden passing of a loved one or the loss of a job, etc. In these situations if you're the one sharing the not-so-great news I think it is important to grieve your loss but also understand that others have challenges, loss and problems also. Most will let you grieve and experience what you are experiencing and I believe it's really important and healthy to do so. Good friends give grace to those they love in these times. However, if the conversations become a regular occurrence, every effort should be made to make it a conversation with the other person and not a weekly therapy session or means to vent on your end only.

Here is the key to more meaningful conversation:

Lead in with Questions- You can never go wrong in a conversation (whether verbal or written) when you lead with questions, in fact asking someone something about their life will draw them closer to you and you'll also learn more about them too. Sometimes we have really special news to share but the other person might as well, if you don't ask, you'll never know as some don't choose to highlight all of the news in their life. Always ask how the other person is doing first and also ask specific questions that pertain to the season of their life such as, "Are you having a good summer with the kids?", "How's your new job going?", "How are you enjoying being a mom?", "Did you do anything exciting during the weekend?" There are millions of questions you can ask someone that makes them feel like you actually care and that you're not going into the conversation with an agenda or just to brag.

What to do when someone drops their great news and completely ignores you:

Vanessa from Luxuria Jewellery asked me what I recommend doing when this type of behavior occurs as she too has experienced it many times herself. The best thing to do is this:

Be the Example- It's not easy and it's not always fun however nothing will truly be gained by sharing with someone (especially one you don't know overly well) that you feel they're self-centered or that everything is about them when you are not that close to them or this self-absorption has only happened one time. Be the model for the other person, perhaps they'll catch on. It's not our job to correct everyone's behavior when we feel it isn't suitable (unless they are your small children). If the person in question is very close in relationship and it's an ongoing trend, read the tip below....

You Cannot Correct What You Don't Confront- Please hear me when I say that I'm not suggesting we become confrontational with others, however in certain situations when we are dealing with a very close family member or friend I think it is appropriate to share our feelings. While being polite and ladylike often involves holding our tongue, sometimes doing so hinders a relationship with another and prevents it from blossoming the way it could when one person is feeling as though they are being taken for granted or feel hurt by the other person. I've been in this position before and it didn't feel great in the moment but it was really necessary and the friendship in question actually grew stronger as a result afterwards. Letting the other person know how their words/actions make you "feel" and not merely telling them what you "think" of their behavior, will help soften the impact and they may feel compelled to change their ways in order to become a more well-mannered person and better friend.

*Please note that I chose the above image as I felt her body language fit well with today's post topic. I'm in no way suggesting that women or a classy woman should attempt to be so thin!

What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you! Some of your may have differing opinions from mine and that is completely okay. ;) How do you deal with people like this in your life?

XO




*Photo Credit