Jewelry Capsules

Jewelry Storage

 

  Today I am going to reveal the best kept secret of jewelry storage and organization. I know you are expecting something amazing to be written here but; out of all the many jewelry boxes, hooks and organizers I have had through out the years, I keep going back to the same method. Many women like to hang their jewelry so they can easily see what they have and avoid them from getting tangled. The only problem I have with this method is that the air oxidizes all jewelry (including fashion jewelry) and the dust in the air settles in the tiny spaces and groves in the jewelry.

So my tried and try method is this:

  All of my jewelry is kept in individual zip top bags. I take coordinating jewelry (each piece in their individual little bag) and make a jewelry capsule by placing all the coordinating items in one larger zip top bag. This makes it so easy to select the color of jewelry and see all the matching choices I have in the same color. You can purchase a variety of little zip top bags at your local craft store. I have one drawer in my dresser where I store my jewelry, fancy headband and hair clips. This will keep them from tangling, getting lost, banging around and scratching each other in your jewelry box and preserve the life of your jewelry.

  I use drawer organizers to keep my colors separated. You can purchase nice ones but to be honest with you, old shoe boxes work best for me. If you want to dress them up by painting them or covering them with paper, that would be a cute way to personalize them. I find that the shoe boxes are the perfect depth to hold several bags and the perfect size to fit in my drawer. I keep them separated by color. If you take a look on our website, www.ladylynnsgiftboutique.com , you will see the way I group the different colors. This makes it so easy to grab a bag and know something in that bag is going to coordinate with the color I am wearing.

  I actually discovered this trick when I was packing for a trip. I attached the coordinating jewelry bag to each of the outfits I was wearing. When I got back home, all I had to do is put the bag back in the drawer and it was ready for next time. My daughter, who is a single Mom, is always rushing out the door for work. She chooses what she is going to wear the night before and lays the jewelry bag on her dresser so she won't have to stress out in the morning getting ready for work and the kids ready for school.

  So now get creative and save your shoe boxes. Decorating them can be a fun project to enjoy with you kids or grandchildren. So now some of you are wondering what to do with those beautiful jewelry boxes you have. I have one of those tall, stand up jewelry boxes. I use it to store anything from sewing supplies, sunglasses, and etc. Most of the things that people keep in a "junk drawer" will be perfectly organized in there.

  Getting organized has very little to do with having to spend more money, it is all about being creative with what you have and taking proper care of it. Okay y'all (that's the southerner coming out in me), I am off to clean out another drawer. Little by little we will see a big difference. If you haven’t started yet, jump in and join us.

  I would like to send one of our readers, who leave a comment on this blog, an assortment package of zip top bags, to help them get started. I have them in eight different sizes and I will send you a bunch of each size. You will not believe how much time this will save you and how nicely it protects your jewelry.

  Until next time, please continue to let us know how it’s going and any good suggestions you may have to share with others.

Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique

Divide & Conquer

Dividing Space  

  Dividing shelf space into smaller, more manageable sections works well for storage. A system for doing this involves using acrylic shelf dividers. There are styles, shapes, and sizes of shelf dividers on the market to suit anyone's taste and budget. Some are inexpensive plastic stackable shelves; some are laminated modular shelf units.

  I have found that what works for me is to divide my closet shelves into smaller sections using shelf dividers. Shelf dividers come in acrylic, wire, grid wall in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You can also use a laminated modular shelf unit or create your own by using a step stool.

Sweaters

  All sweaters should be folded, not on a hanger. If I was given a dollar every time my Mother or Grandmother told me this I would be rich by now. Folding your sweaters will keep the shape of your sweater and hanging them stretches the fabric.

 

Belts and Scarves

  Belts should be stored in such a way that they are neat and accessible. You can keep your belts in your dresser using drawer dividers or shallow boxes to compartmentalize the space. Then you can loosely coil your belts and put them into individual compartments. I have this one below and it works great for me. I also use it in a drawer to keep my socks organized.

 

Drawer Organizer

32-compartment customizable honeycomb-shaped organizer―just snip off the ends with scissors to fit a small drawer. bedbathandbeyond.com.
 

  The other alternative is to hang the belts from hooks -- the back of the closet door or a closet wall is the perfect place for this. If a garment comes with its own belt, it is best to remove it before you hang up the garment, otherwise the belt could pull the fabric out of shape. I love this DYI belt hanger; I am going to have to make some of these.

  As far as scarves go, I like to keep mine hanging so they do not show fold lines and get wrinkled. There are endless ways to do this, here are a few suggestions.

 

Scarf/Belt Hanger

There are endless ways to store your scarves. I like this scarf hanger from Bed Bath and Beyond. I can view my scarfves easily and it also has four small hooks you can put your belts on. The large holes have a non slip surface.
$10 for two,bedbathandbeyond.com.

Handbags and Purses

  Women love their handbags and sometimes face the problem of how to store them. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. I place all of my handbags on shelves at the top of my closet using shelf dividers to keep them in place. I would love to use the handbag cubby below so I am putting that on my wish list. This is a great idea if you have enough space in your closet.

 

Handbag Cubby

  Preserve the shape of your handbags by securing them underneath. Crisscrossing elastic bands hold them in place. The bag sits on sturdy wide shelves and fold flat when they are not in use. You can store two small purses under the bands. $20, bedbathandbeyond.com

 

 

 

Shelves and Dividers

  Handbags can be stores on shelves and you can use shelf dividers to support them. There are several samples of dividers in the above photos.

 

 

Hooks

  You can hang your handbags on hooks in your room or wardrobe. The picture below is using shower curtain hooks, what a great idea!

 

   Once you have you clothes and accessories organized; you will be amazed how easy it will be to get dressed, coordinate your fashions and look fabulous! Next we will finish up with Jewelry Storage. After spending my life in the jewelry business; you will be surprised how I organize and store my jewelry. Until next time...

 

Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique

 

Closet Organization Hanging Clothes

  There are endless numbers of ways to store you clothes and accessories. Here are a few of my favorites to share with you. You may not be able to make major changes to your closet; but organizing your storage is a great place to start. Some of these storage solutions I learned from my Mom, Grandma and from professional organizers. Today we will chat about hanging clothes

Hanging Clothes 

  I admit I am a bit or a hanger snob. I use only plastic or wooden hangers. They will keep your clothes hanging properly and from falling to the floor. Return your wire hangers to the cleaners or donate them to a thrift store. I use a variety of styles of hangers and each one is used for a specific function. I purchase most of these at Wal-Mart or Target because they always have them in stock and are not expensive. I am a firm believer that if I take proper care of my clothes, they will last much longer and save me money in the long run. 

· I hang all of my sleeveless tops and dresses on white plastic hangers that have the little groves cut out on either side to keep them from slipping off the hangers. The ones with the wire hanger on top, allows me to fit more on the pole. The all plastic ones take up a bit more room.

 

·  All my tops and dresses with sleeves, I hang on either one of these two plastic hangers below. Notice one has the non-slip grip.

 

 

 

 

 

 · For my skirts and and pants I use either of the two hangers below

· For my jackets and coats I use heavy wooden hangers to help keep their shape.

· Delicates receive special treatment. I use cloth lined hangers and usually store them in garment bags.

 

Something as simple as hangers, make a difference!

Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique

 

Budget Savy Divas

  Before you go shopping, here are a few things I would like for you to consider. First of all, slow down :). If you are like me once you get an idea in your head you are ready to act upon it. In stores this is called impulse shopping and they like nothing better than an impulse buyer.

  As you get ideas for new outfits, keep in mind that you will only be buying items in your personal seasonal colors and basic colors. If you stick to that rule, after a while you will see how they will start matching up and compliment your current wardrobe. Remember to make sure what you are purchasing is flattering to your figure and style. Bring along a best friend for a second opinion.

 

 

  Before you leave the house, decide what you are looking for. Browsing fashion magazines, the internet and online boutiques are great places to begin. Once you have a plan, don't become overwhelmed in the stores. Stick to your plan. Sure, I agree it is not easy. With the lure of sales, endless promotions and discounts, it makes it tempting to run out a buy on sale. I have purchased clothes because of the discounts in the past and most of them were only worn a couple of times before I realized that they were not becoming on me. I found that buying more solids is easier on my budget because it makes putting outfit together a snap.

  You also want to consider how much room you have in your closet. Next post will be filled with storage ideas and tips to maximize you space and properly care for you clothes and accessories. Until then, enjoy window shopping!

Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique

 

 

Add Excitement To Your Wardrobe

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Now for the fun part, while all my clothes are still laying in groups on my bed, I start going through my accessories mixing and matching scarves, jewelry and belts to create a new look. A great pair of black slacks and a blazer or sweater can turn into a new outfit just by changing your accessories. You may select a gorgeous scarf, which is in your color pallet, or a trendy necklace. What people will remember and see are your accessories. 

Shoes also play and important part in creating different looks. Pair your pants and blazer with a great pair of heels long necklace and dangling earrings. Then take the same pants and blazer and add a colorful scarf (remember, in your seasonal colors only). Slip on a pair of great boots and voilà, you have a second outfit. Now to make a third choice by exchanging the boots for a cute pair of flats, a coordinating belt, trendy earrings, necklace and bracelet. This time, switch out the slacks for a great fitting pair of jeans. You look awesome! 

 Instead of having to buy more and more clothes, you can change your accessories to achieve a whole new look and save quite a bit of money doing it. Make sure your ten basics garments (see previous post) are good quality and fit properly so they will last you much longer. Continue to make wardrobe clusters working in accessories that will make your seasonal colors pop. Jewelry is also a great way to add a trendy look to your existing wardrobe. 

  Have fun creating! The possibilities are endless. Building a stylish wardrobe is a gradual process. The basic garments are the building blocks for every wardrobe. Once you have established your basic wardrobe, you can start adding new pieces and accessories to express your personal style.          

        

Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique

 

Creating A Basic Wardrobe

  Our assignment for the weekend was to clean and reorganize our closet. Well, how did it go? I have a bit more work to do; but I am well on my way. As I started to remove clothes from my closet and separate them into the three basic groups of, clothes to giveaway, clothes to keep and special occasion clothes, much to my delight, I found clothes that I had long forgotten about. If you haven't started, don't worry, jump in at any time and catch up. 

   In addition to organizing your closet, I hope you had the time to take the self quiz to determine your seasonal colors. It is well worth taking a few minutes to discover the colors that will enhance your natural beauty. I would love to hear your results. Let's work together on this. You can leave a comment on this blog or on our facebook page. So, what season are you?  I am a Clear Spring. Now that you know your seasonal colors, let’s begin to build your wardrobe. Building a functional wardrobe is not going to happen over night. Let’s take the first step because once you do you’ll love it! Building a functional wardrobe will save money, time and the frustration that often comes from trying to dress for an occasion. 

  We will begin by grouping clothes that can be mixed or matched to make different outfits. I would suggest that you choose one base color and start there.  Usually I lay them on my bed, as I start building, because I can see them better in natural light. Look at your closet and see what color you can use as a foundation.  I am choosing black because it is what I have the most of and it is in my color pallet. Usually most of us already have black or brown and either will go with just about anything. Here is a list of the top ten items with which we are going to build.

• Slacks
• Blouse 
• Blazer/ Jacket
• Skirt
• Dress
• Jeans
• Sweater
• Handbag
• Heels
• Flats 

 

  You may already have them all, or like me, may be missing a few items that I will put on my wish list. This way I can shop for the perfect color, fit and price. Better to wait until you find just the right piece, than to start making the same ole mistakes.

  Let’s start with one pant, a skirt, two blouses and a sweater and then build on that by adding another blouse, blazer, and a dress and so on. Select basic pieces with simple lines and design. Styles with too much detail are harder to coordinate. Select pieces that go together and can work with at least two other items. Look for items that will coordinate with your top ten choices when you are shopping. As I build my wardrobe I develop clusters (groups of coordinating clothes) and I can easily see where I need to fill in and what I already have too many of.  

  We are well on our way to building a coordinating wardrobe in our individual seasonal colors and style. Once we have grouped clothes to make the different outfits, we will be moving on to accessorizing and bring in additional color. 

  Let’s make this fun! Post a comment here or on our facebook page telling me your seasonal color. I will randomly select one reader to win a trendy necklace set in their color palette.

Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique

Making It Easy To Look Your Best

Here we are on Valentine 's Day and the most exciting thing I have accomplished so far today is my laundry. I was actually shocked pulling the clothes out of my hamper and loading them into the washing machine. One entire weeks worth of clothes and everything but one top was black. You're kidding? For years I have been an advocate of choosing your signature style and colors. Here I am wearing all black and not a color in site. Sure black is a favorite; but all black without some color or color accessory makes you look wash out. 

This weekend lets begin our daunting task or going through our closet.

If you are like me, I have a closet full of clothes I never wear. First of all some of them were purchased simply because they were on sale and looked cute on the hanger. That's a big no no. Only purchase clothes and accessories that match your color season (more on that later). Then there are the clothes that no longer fit (I am sure the dryer shrank them). Clothes fitting too tight or too loose are not flattering to any figure. Clothes are meant to fit properly. As I look through my closet I see a whole lot of black among a sea of various colors. The colors are mostly tanks and camisoles to add the pop of color.

Make two piles. One are clothes that you actually wear. The other are clothes that have been there unworn for a year or more. The one exception to this is your special occasion and formal wear just in case you get asked to the ball :). Keep those in a special place in your closet.

Pile number one are the clothes you do not wear. Bag them up, take them to a shelter, a church clothes closet or Goodwill and bless someone else with them.

Pile number two, all the clothes you do wear. Put aside anything that no longer fits, is stained, or is not flattering to you. Put those with the giveaway pile.

Now what you should have left is probably a whole lots less clothes and more room in your closet. Now we are making some progress. Soon you will have a closet full of clothes that all make you look fabulous darling!

Hopefully you can finish the closet task this week and now the fun begins. 

It is no secret that certain colors look great on you and some are just not flattering. We waste money purchasing clothing and accessories in colors that are not becoming to us and usually end up not wearing them. Some of this is impulse shopping and some of this is lack of knowledge.

I want each of you to take this self quiz of color analysis (below is the link). Once you figure out what your "signature colors" are, you are in business. From that point on you will not buy any clothes or accessories that don't fall into that color range. You will start out with what is already in your closet and build from there.

All of your basic colors like black, brown, navy blue, gray, tan can be used to build up your new look. Eventually you will end up replacing certain items hanging in your closet that is not in your seasonal colors and replace them with colors in your Season Palette. 

Wearing the right colors you eyes, hair and skin will sparkle and radiate a healthy glow.

Wearing the wrong colors your face will look tired and sallow and fade into the background.

Click on this link to take the self quiz to make sure you know your Best Seasonal Colors

Determining Your Tonal Seasons

Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique 

Go From Ordinary To Remarkable

Fashion and jewelry have always been something I am passionate about. From a very young child, following in my mother's footsteps, I loved to "dress up".

My mother was an extraordinary woman who was talented, imaginative and had a great sense of style. She was a model in New York City. As a young child, my sister and I would go with her, into the city, Saturday mornings and enter a major department store for a Saturday morning of modeling. The store would dress my sister and I in fancy little girls dresses complete with hat, little gloves, patent leather shoes and a stuffed animal and parade us around the store while Mom was on the runway.
My Dad was the third generation in his family to continue in the jewelry business in New York City. Gold, platinum and precious gems always adorned my beautiful mother and us girls had our little jewelry keepsakes that we treasured.

So enough about the past, let's move into the present.

Let me be the first one to tell you…

BEAUTY COMES FROM WITHIN!

True beauty has very little to do with genetics. It has to do with your attitude about how you see yourself.
All of us ten to get in a rut from time to time, and we, with out realizing it, let things slide. Then we spend money, waste time and become frustrated trying to change our "look" with a new hair style, buying more clothes or give up and admit defeat blaming everything from lack of money, weight or lack of time for creating this frustration.

I am here to motivate you!
Ladies, you ARE worth it!
All women are created equal, it is what we do with ourselves that makes us stand out from a crowd and feel special. Rich or poor, sleek or curvy, tall or petite we all are knockouts!

I want each of you to embark on a journey with me.

Don't lower your expectations because you are on a budget. Let's embark on this journey together. It all starts with a new attitude, fresh thoughts and realistic goals. Together we will travel on a road of self discovery.

Let's get real...Fashion editors don't write for the average American woman. The prices of the clothes and accessories they feature are way too expensive. During these challenging economic times, I for one would appreciate them posting more affordable choices. Too be quite honest, most of the designer outfits are more than my Hubby and my combined salary could afford.
With some careful planning, a little creativity we can buy our wardrobe for the entire season with what one designer ensemble would cost.

So today we begin this journey together. We will dive into discovering and choosing your best colors, makeup tips, hair and makeup, learn how to accessorize, discover and create your signature style, and finally strategic shopping all of which will save you time, money and frustration.

 

You can start today or jump in any time along the way.

Let’s begin…

Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique 

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Valentine's Day is Right Around the Corner!

The holiday of love is a little less than two weeks away. Have you found the perfect gift for your sweetheart?

If you are hoping to get trendy jewelry instead of candy this Valentine's Day, have you given your special someone a hint to choose something that was on your gift list?

Lady Lynn's Gift Boutique

has a Gift Registry Wish List for just this reason. You can shop our boutique and put things in the cart of your personal wish list, then send him to chose from among the gifts you have already decided are your favorites.

Trendy jewelry is one of a woman's favorite Valentine’s Day gift because it will remind her of you all year!

Our Top Picks For 2013 Valentine's Day

Trendy fashion earrings and designer bracelets are probably the two most items purchased for 2013 Valentine's Day. We made it easy to color coordinate your fashion accessories. Simply pick your favorite color and choose from a variety of items all in the same color pallet.

Bracelets and earrings are also perfect choices because you don't need to figure out her size. Most bracelets are adjustable.

The twisted cable cuff bracelets, stackable multiple bangle bracelets and wide stretch bangles have been flying off the shelves.

Earrings are ever popular choices and we have a great selection to choose from.

We hope you will let us have the pleasure of helping you with your Valentine's Day gifts this year.